Interesting story out of Variety (by way of Animation World Network): “Godzilla vs. Kong director Adam Wingard is attached to helm a computer-animated adaptation of the beloved 1980s Rankin Bass animated series Thundercats for Warner Bros., from a script Wingard will write with frequent collaborator Simon Barrett (You’re Next, The Guest)… The original series, which aired from 1985 to 1989, was revived for a single season Cartoon Network in 2011, and then again in 2020 under the title Thundercats Roar. But as a feature film, Thundercats has been a tricky project to crack for the studio, which has hired a small parade of screenwriters and producers since at least 2007 to bring a movie to life. The underlying story is at once relatively simple — a team of humanoid cat-people (or cat-like humans) like Lion-O, Panthro, and Cheetara fight the evil wizard Mumm-Ra on the planet of Third Earth — and surprisingly complicated, with a mix of technological space sci-fi and swords-and-sorcery fantasy.” Read the article at Variety for much more on this latest take on our friends from Thundera.

We got this from Movie Finatic: Animation fandom circles are all a-buzz (or is it reeling?) from the news that director and producer Michael Bay, fresh from his successful (at least financially) re-boot of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise is now set to give a try at a live-action movie based on (wait for it): ThunderCats. The thought of Mr. Bay taking on another 80’s animated TV icon was enough for no less than The Onion to create their own spoof article. But is all this just talk or is it actually happening? Stay Tooned! *Snarf Snarf Snarf…*

image c. 2014 by Jannica Coons

A new series of Thundercats is to be made (in a distinctly different style) by Tokyo-based Studio 4°C in collaboration with Warner Bros. Animation.

According to a press release, the series will retell the "grand origin story of Prince Lion-O's ascension to the throne – and of those who would thwart his destiny at any cost."

The news comes just weeks after the suspicious death of ThunderCats writer Stephen Perry.

Missing comic book creator Stephen Perry, writer for popular 1980s animated show ThunderCats, was the victim of a homicide, police in Zephyrhills, Florida report.

Stephen's van was found 11 days ago, along with the remains of an arm. Friends say he went missing earlier this month. His roommates, James and Roxanne Davis, had also disappeared, but were recently arrested on separate probation- and drug-related charges.

Stephen is survived by his past partner Krystal Carroll and their 5-year-old son, Leo.

Thundercats is being revived in an all-new comic book series. ToonZone covers the story and provides a link to more info & artwork at Comics Newsarama.

http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32788