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List of unproduced Warner Bros. Animation projects

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This is a list of unmade and unreleased projects by Warner Bros. Animation. Some of these productions were, or still are, in development limbo. The following included animated feature films, short films and TV shows that were made by Warner Bros. Animation or their division Warner Animation Group.

1990s

1992

Series Title Description
Batman Catwoman: The Animated Series After the success of Batman: The Animated Series, Bruce Timm was asked by Warner Bros. and Fox Kids to make a spin-off show but with Catwoman. However, only a small amount of production work was done before the idea was scrapped.[1]

1994

Series Title Description
Feature film Androcles Modern Family writer Stephen Lloyd along with Jonathan Ehrlich and Ann Carli of Crossroads and Fast Food Nation pitched an idea for an animated film version of the famous Roman folktale of Androcles with new songs by Michael Jackson for Warner Bros., but due to production problems going on at Warner Bros. Feature Animation, the film's production was shut down.[2][failed verification]
Feature film King Tut In 1994, Bill Kroyer, along with his studio Kroyer Films, was asked to co-produce Warner Bros. Animation's animated musical film of the early times of famous kid Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun (also known as King Tut) with new songs by Prince, but nothing came through and the production was likely cancelled due to some arguments between Kroyer and Warner Bros. However, a few of the concepts later went into Jay Stephens' animated TV show version of his comic Tutenstein.[2]
Feature film Rapunzel In 1994, Saturday morning cartoon writer Robert Mandell of The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers and Starla and the Jewel Riders was asked by Warner Bros. to write an animated film of the story of Rapunzel. However, the film was cancelled due to nothing new coming after.[3][failed verification]
Feature film The Snow Queen Another animated film that was going to be directed by Bill Kroyer and produced by Kroyer Films for Warner Bros. Animation was in the works, this film was going to be based on The Snow Queen, but after heated arguments between Kroyer and Warner Bros. and Kroyer being fired from directing Quest for Camelot, production for The Snow Queen, along with King Tut and Arrow (an animated film fully made by Kroyer Films and distributed by Warner Bros.), was forced to be shut down.[2][failed verification]

1995

Series Title Description
Feature film The Flying Dutchman In 1995, writers Evelyn Gabai and Sandy Fries of Spider-Man: The Animated Series pitched an idea to Warner Bros. Feature Animation of an animated film of the ghost ship "The Flying Dutchman" with an opening narration by David Bowie, but nothing came through and the production was shut down.[2][failed verification]
Feature film Hiiaka, Daughter of the Volcano In 1995, animation director Frederik Du Chau was going to make an animated musical film of the famous Hawaiian story Hiiaka, Daughter of the Volcano with a new song by Michael Franks. However, after Bill Kroyer was fired from directing Quest for Camelot and Frederik was brought to take over directing, the film's production was shut down immediately.[4][failed verification]
Feature film Nicholas Cricket In 1995, Storyopolis announced it was co-producing a musical animated film adaptation of the children's book Nicholas Cricket by Joyce Maxner and William Joyce with Warner Bros.[5] In 1999, it was announced that Sandra Bullock's production company Fortis Films had extended its production deal with Warner Bros with Nicholas Cricket as one of its projects, and Karey Kirkpatrick was attached as screenwriter.[6]
Feature film The Sorcerer's Apprentice Along with a series of announced projects, Storyopolis announced they were adapting the children's novel The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Nancy Willard. In January 1997, Geena Davis was cast to voice the female apprentice Sylvia and her production company, the Forge, was co-producing the film. Bill Marsilli was also attached to serve as the project's screenwriter.[5]
Feature film The Iguana Brothers Along with a series of announced projects, Storyopolis announced they were adapting the children's book The Iguana Brothers by Tony Johnston and Marc Teague. The story was to tell a road trip featuring two iguanas who travel to Rio de Janeiro for Carnival.[5][7]
Feature film Red Ranger Came Calling Along with a series of announced projects, Storyopolis announced they were adapting the children's book, Red Ranger Came Calling by Berkeley Breathed, into a live-action/computer-animated hybrid film.[5][7]
Feature film Wagstaffe the Wind-Up Boy An animated adaption of Wagstaffe the Wind-Up Boy by Jan Needle, the story of a boy born with a wind-up key in his back, was in the works at Warner Bros. Animation, but was cancelled when the next project that was announced was The Iron Giant.[2][failed verification]

1996

Series Title Description
Feature film Blue Moose In 1996, an animated feature film adaptation of Blue Moose by children's book author Daniel Pinkwater of a cook named Mr. Breton (set to be voiced by Fred Melamed) gets help from a rare blue moose (set to be voiced by Dan Aykroyd) to make his restaurant even better was in the works at Warner Bros. However, it was cancelled when Warner Bros. decided to make Quest for Camelot as their next movie instead.[2]
Feature film Haunted Holiday In the late 1990s, animator Ralph Eggleston was set to direct his first animated feature film at Warner Bros. that was based on the famous ghost story Bluebeard called Haunted Holiday with Tim Curry as the voice of Baron Azuro, a character that was modeled after him. However the production was shut down after the failure of Quest for Camelot and Warner Bros. putting their money on The Iron Giant. After that, Ralph Eggleston left Warner Bros. Animation to join Pixar in which he won an Academy Award for his short For the Birds. Despite this, the film's storyboards were leaked online.[8]

1998

Series Title Description
Batman Batman: Arkham After the success of Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzero, Warner Bros. greenlighted the production of a third installment, entitled Batman: Arkham. Boyd Kirkland, the director of this film, was attached to write and direct. The film would have Batman and Robin facing off against a collection of Arkham Asylum escapees, in addition to Batman finding himself falling in love with a new love interest, planned to be voiced by Angie Harmon. The main cast of Batman: The Animated Series was attached to reprise their roles. Steven E. Gordon also drew some art concept for the film. However, the film was cancelled in favor of Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (which also featured Harmon),[1] while Batman: Arkham eventually became a successful video game series by Rocksteady.
Feature film Sho and the Demons of the Deep In 1998, Warner Bros. Animation pitched an idea for an animated film based on Sho and the Demons of the Deep by Annouchka Gravel Galouchko about a story set in ancient Japan of how kites came to be. However the project was cancelled after no news came and problems at Warner Bros. Feature Animation.[2][failed verification]
Quest for Camelot The Green Knight and King Arthur's Daughter Sequels to Quest for Camelot that were based on the books The Green Knight and King Arthur's Daughter by Vera Chapman were in the works at Warner Bros. However, after Quest for Camelot became a commercial and critical failure, the sequels' productions were shut down immediately.[4][failed verification]

2000s

2000

Series Title Description
Batman Untitled Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker sequel A second Batman Beyond movie was planned for release but was finally scrapped due to the dark tones and controversies of Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker in 2000.[9]

2003

Series Title Description
Batman Untitled Catwoman film Around 2003, during the production of Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman, Warner Bros. approached Boyd Kirkland to write a Catwoman direct-to-video feature film as a tie-in with the 2004 live-action film. Although the script was written, the project was soon scrapped after the poor reception of the live-action film.[10]
Looney Tunes Skate Jam In 2003, Warner Bros. had approached professional skater Tony Hawk to star in a live action/animated hybrid film with the Looney Tunes, but following the box office failure of Looney Tunes Back in Action, the project was shelved.[11][12]
Looney Tunes Looney Tunes theatrical shorts In 2003, Warner Bros. Animation had plans to return to making Looney Tunes shorts but after the box office failure of Looney Tunes Back in Action, Warner Bros. cancelled several short projects while still in development as executives thought that interest in slapstick humor and traditional animation was vanishing, which is unlikely due to the positive response of the movie. Most of these cartoons were in production under the hands of Larry Doyle in terms of Looney Tunes/Merry Melodies shorts.[13]

2004

Series Title Description
Justice League Justice League: Worlds Collide Around 2004, Bruce Timm announced that a direct-to-video Justice League feature film was in the works. The film was intended to make a bridge between the second season of Justice League to the first season of Justice League Unlimited. The film was planned to reveal how Wonder Woman acquired her Invisible-Jet, and also planned to feature the Crime Syndicate as the main antagonists, an idea that was originally conceived for the two-part episode "A Better World", until the Syndicate was replaced by the Justice Lords.[14] Dwayne McDuffie wrote the script and Andrea Romano assembled the cast, but Warner Bros. finally scrapped the project.[15] However, in 2010, the film's plot was used for the non-DCAU film Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, but removing all references to the continuity of the DC animated universe, and replacing John Stewart with Hal Jordan as the Justice League's Green Lantern.
Batman Batman: No Man's Land In the mid 2000s, producer James Tucker wanted to make a traditional animated television adaptation of Batman: No Man's Land with designs by Coran Stone, but its production was shut down when Warner Bros. Animation found it too dark for television.[1] Later, a second attempt to make a television adaptation was in the works during the late 2000s, but with CGI. However, like their earlier attempt, Warner Bros. found it too dark and violent for television.[1]

2005

Series Title Description
Feature film Neopets In March 2005, it was announced that Warner Bros. had closed a deal to produce a computer-animated film based on Neopets.[16] In February 2006, it was announced that Rob Lieber was hired to write the screenplay. John A. Davis was attached to director along with Dylan Seller as producer.[17]

2006

Series Title Description
Batman The Batman vs. Hush A second movie of The Batman titled The Batman vs. Hush that featured Hush as the main villain along with the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, Catwoman and Clayface was planned for a long time. However, the film ended up being scrapped.[18] Before its cancellation, producer Alan Burnett had hopes of making one or two more DTV movies based on The Batman.[19] However, a film based on Batman: Hush ultimately came out in 2019 as part of the DC Animated Movie Universe.
Superman Untitled Superman spinoff series In June 2006, during an interview about Superman: Brainiac Attacks, writer Duane Capizzi mentioned a Superman series set in the same universe of The Batman, a possibility supported by Superman's revealed existence during the show's fifth season.[20]

2008

Series Title Description
Justice League Untitled Justice League film An untitled Justice League direct to DVD film was in the works in 2008, with a design by James Tucker.[1]
Green Lantern Untitled Green Lantern: First Flight sequel There were plans to make a sequel to Green Lantern: First Flight, nothing came about due to poor DVD sales.[21]
Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera Mixed Nutz Tom Ruegger pitched an idea for a TV show where the Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera characters have crossovers together in different stories and parodies. But production was shut down when the executives found it too tough to put the characters together.[22]

2009

Series Title Description
Batman Gotham High In 2009, an animated series that re-imagined the Batman characters as high school students was in development.[23]

2010s

2010

Series Title Description
Wonder Woman Untitled Wonder Woman sequel There were plans to make a sequel to the 2009 direct-to-video film Wonder Woman. It was cancelled due to poor DVD sales.[21]
Aquaman Untitled Aquaman film An animated film based on Aquaman was first mentioned by Bruce Timm in 2010, but it was cancelled due to marketing concerns.[21][24] In December 2013, filmmaker Adam Green stated he had wrote a screenplay for the project.[25]
Batman Nightwing: The Animated Series An animated series featuring Nightwing was in development from Ki Hyun Ryu of The Boondocks and The Legend of Korra fame.[26] The series was rejected in favor of Young Justice.[1]
Looney Tunes Pepé Le Pew In October 2010, it was reported that Warner Bros. was producing a live-action/CGI film centered on the Looney Tunes character Pepé Le Pew. Mike Myers was slated to voice the character.[27] In 2016, Max Landis told San Diego Comic-Con that he was writing the script for the film.[28]

2011

Series Title Description
Batman Batgirl: Year One Batman: Year One's executive producer Bruce Timm and co-director Lauren Montgomery expressed interest in producing an animated movie based on Batgirl: Year One.[29][30] But DC cancelled all plans for an adaptation.[31]
The Flintstones Untitled The Flintstones reboot series In May 2011, Family Guy and American Dad creator Seth MacFarlane was hired by Warner Bros. Animation to make an adult animated reboot of The Flintstones. The series was projected to premiere during fall 2013.[32] MacFarlane was slated to voice Barney Rubble and other roles, while Jeff Bergman and Tress MacNeille were set to reprise their voice roles as Fred Flintstone and Wilma Flintstone and Patti LuPone was in the talks to voice Pearl Slaghoople. However, the project was placed on hold due to MacFarlane being busy directing A Million Ways to Die in the West and arguments between him and the studio.[33]

2012

Series Title Description
Feature film Bolivar In March, 2012, Warner Bros. announced they had optioned Sean Rubin's upcoming graphic novel Bolivar for an intended animated feature film. Irish filmmaker Kealan O'Rourke has been attached to write and direct the project. Akiva Goldsman and Kerry Foster were to produce the film through their Weed Road company.[34] However, in April 2018, 20th Century Fox Animation announced they had acquired the rights to the book.[35]

2015

Series Title Description
Adventure Time Untitled Adventure Time film In February 2015, an film based on the Cartoon Network animated series Adventure Time reportedly entered development. Adventure Time creatore Pendleton Ward was set to write and executive-produce, with Chris McKay and Roy Lee producing the film. It would have been a collaboration between Warner Animation Group, Cartoon Network Studios, Vertigo Entertainment, and Frederator Films.[36][37] In October 2015, Adventure Time producer Adam Muto said that Pendleton was developing the film's premise, but stated that there was "nothing official to announce yet".[38] In July 2018, he said that the film was never "officially announced", and in that August, he stated that the series' finale would not affect development on a potential movie nor would it lead to it, but noted that "all the lore and stuff would not work for a first time viewer", and so, it would need to work on its own to be successful.[39][40]
Lego Movies The Billion Brick Race In March 2015, Warner Bros. announced that a third Lego Movie spin-off, titled The Billion Brick Race was in development. Jason Segel and Drew Pearce were signed on to co-direct and write the film. On August 2, 2017, it was announced that Jorge R. Gutierrez had signed on as director, with Pearce stepping down. At that time, the film was scheduled to be released on May 24, 2019. But on February 8, 2018, it was announced that Gutierrez had left the project. for Warner Bros.,[41][42][43] but on December 20, 2019, the franchise moved to Universal Pictures.[44][45]
The Beatles Meet The Beatles In September 2015, an animated musical film based on the Beatles was announced to be in development at Warner Animation Group with Paul King in talks to direct.[46]

2016

Series Title Description
Feature film Bone On November 17, 2016, it was announced that Warner Animation Group was adapting Jeff Smith's comic series Bone into an animated film with Mark Osborne to direct it. However, in October 2019, it was announced the project had been sold to Netflix to become a television series.[47][48]
Feature film Fowl Road In February 2016, it was announced that Nicholas Stoller was attached to direct an animated film titled Fowl Road. The project was to be a satirical premise about a chicken and a hen who must cross a super highway to save their daughter from a fried chicken company, which would be a take on the "Why did the chicken cross the road?" joke.[49]

2017

Series Title Description
Watchmen Untitled Watchmen film Warner Bros said in April 2017 that it is developing an R-rated animated movie based on the comic book Watchmen. There has been no further announcements since.[50]

2018

Series Title Description
Lego Movies Untitled Lego Batman Movie sequel On December 2018, Chris McKay confirmed that a sequel was in development and that he would return to direct the film.[51] However, the fate of this film is uncertain due to Warner Bros. losing the Lego film rights to Universal.[44][52]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Backstage - Rejected/Unproduced Series & Movie Pitches". The World's Finest.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "The Snow Queen. By Four Star Films, Inc, King Tut, Bluebeard". Copyright Encyclopedia.
  3. ^ "A Hideous history of weapons. By Cherney Berg, illustrator: Allen Spikol, Rapunzel". Copyright Encyclopedia.
  4. ^ a b "Quest for Camelot (opening title & cues) Composed by Patrick Doyle, Hiiaka, daughter of the volcano". Copyright Encyclopedia.
  5. ^ a b c d Petrikin, Chris (January 15, 1997). "Davis toons voice for Storyopolis". Variety. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  6. ^ Fleming, Michael (September 10, 1999). "Bullock, WB reup prod'n agreement". Variety. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Fonda Snyder (January 10, 1998). "A Literary Draw: Storyopolis: An Interview with Storyopolis Co-founder Fonda Snyder". Animation World Network (Interview). Interviewed by Wendy Jackson. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  8. ^ http://fyeahfailedcartoonpilots.tumblr.com/tagged/haunted-holiday
  9. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 16, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved 2016-11-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ^ @tonyhawk (January 5, 2019). "in 2003, I was requested to meet with Warner Brothers about doing a film tentatively titled "Skate Jam." They were bringing back Looney Tunes with "Back In Action" & then wanted to start on my project immediately. A week later Back In Action bombed & Skate Jam was shelved forever" (Tweet). Retrieved July 24, 2019 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ "Cancelled 'Space Jam' Skateboard Sequel Almost Starred Tony Hawk and the Looney Tunes". Comicbook.com. January 5, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  13. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved June 2, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. ^ "Justice League: "A Better World"". ToonZone. Archived from the original on 2013-02-17. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  15. ^ "Justice League: "Worlds Collide"". ToonZone. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  16. ^ "NeoPets getting animated". Variety. March 23, 2005. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  17. ^ McClintock, Pamela (February 6, 2006). "WB taps NeoPets pic scribe". Variety. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  18. ^ MacNabb, Matt. "The Batman vs. Hush Scrapped DTV Animated Film". Legionsofgotham.org. Retrieved 2013-10-10.
  19. ^ "Interviews - Alan Burnett". World's Finest Online (Interview). Archived from the original on January 28, 2007.
  20. ^ Duane Capizzi (June 16, 2006). "Duane Capizzi on Superman: Brainiac Attacks". World's Finest Online (Interview). Interviewed by Jim Harvey.
  21. ^ a b c Marnell, Blair (April 27, 2010). "Green Lantern And Wonder Woman Animated Sequels Aren't Happening, Says Bruce Timm". MTV. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  22. ^ https://fyeahfailedcartoonpilots.tumblr.com/tagged/mixed-nutz
  23. ^ Lussier, Germain (January 11, 2011). "'Gotham High:' The Animated Teen Batman Show That Almost Was". /Film.
  24. ^ "Exclusive Interview With Bruce Timm". Thinkmcflythink.squarespace.com. April 25, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  25. ^ @adam_fn_green (25 December 2013). "@headgeek666 I once wrote an animated Aquaman movie for WB. The execs told me to "take the scenes with water out". #SadButTrueStory" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  26. ^ "Ki Hyun Ryu's Nightwing Designs For A Cartoon That Never Was".
  27. ^ Brodesser-Akner, Claude (October 7, 2010). "Mike Myers to Bring Back Pepé Le Pew". Vulture. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  28. ^ Patten, Dominic (July 24, 2016). "Max Landis Writing 'Pepe Le Pew' Pic, He Tells Comic-Con". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  29. ^ Lima, Sara (5 August 2011). "'Batgirl: Year One' Gets the Animated Treatment". Comic Vine. Retrieved May 19, 2018. After all, Warner Brothers animation director (Wonder Woman, Justice League) Lauren Montgomery had cited interest in doing a Batgirl animated film based on the 'Batgirl: Year One' graphic novel in the past.
  30. ^ Fischer, Travis (25 July 2011). "CCI: "Batman: Year One" Premiere Panel Recap". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved May 19, 2018. When asked about continuing the "Year One" line with Batgirl, Timm was a little more optimistic. "I suppose we could sneak it in there," he said. "I'd love to do it, personally."
  31. ^ Hall, Jasmine. "Can Batgirl: Year One Rise From the Ashes?". Multiversity Comics. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  32. ^ Finke, Nikki (May 16, 2011). "YABBA DABBA DOO! Seth MacFarlane Finally Gets Go-Ahead To Reboot 'The Flintstones'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  33. ^ Rose, Lacey; Belloni, Matthew (April 25, 2012). "What Killed Seth MacFarlane's 'Flintstones' TV Remake". The Hollywood Reporter.
  34. ^ Kits, Borys (March 5, 2012). "Warner Bros. Picks Up Graphic Novel 'Bolivar' for Animated Movie (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  35. ^ McNary, Dave (April 30, 2018). "Fox Developing Children's Dinosaur Story 'Bolivar' as Movie". Variety. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  36. ^ Busch, Anita (February 27, 2015). "Cartoon Network's 'Adventure Time' Heads To Big Screen At Warner Bros". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 26, 2015.
  37. ^ "Warner Bros. to produce 'Adventure Time' film". ABS-CBN News. February 28, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  38. ^ Frank, Allegra (October 9, 2015). "Adventure Time Creator Working on Movie, but Nothing Official Yet". Polygon. Archived from the original on June 23, 2016.
  39. ^ Muto, Adam [MrMuto] (July 22, 2018). "An AT movie was never officially announced". Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018 – via Ask.fm.
  40. ^ Radulovic, Petrana (August 31, 2018). "Adventure Time's Finale Doesn't Impact the Rumored Movie, Says Showrunner". Polygon. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  41. ^ Siegel, Tatiana; Kit, Borys (March 25, 2015). "New 'Lego' Spinoff Movie in the Works From Jason Segel, 'Iron Man 3' Writer (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  42. ^ "Film Releases". Variety. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  43. ^ Wolfe, Jennifer (April 21, 2015). "Warner Bros. Resets Release Dates for Next Three 'LEGO' Features". Animation World Network. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  44. ^ a b https://movieweb.com/lego-universal-pictures-leaves-warner-bros/
  45. ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (April 23, 2020). "Universal, Lego Group Construct Five-Year Exclusive Film Partnership To Create New Movie Franchises". Deadline Hollywood.
  46. ^ ""Paddington" Director Paul King In Tune For Warner Bros.' Animated Musical "Meet The Beatles"". The Tracking Board. September 28, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  47. ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (November 17, 2016). "Mark Osborne to Adapt Warner Bros' 'Bone' Comic". TheWrap. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  48. ^ Amidi, Amid (October 16, 2019). "Netflix To Produce 'Bone' Series". Cartoon Brew.
  49. ^ ""Neighbors" Director Nicholas Stoller Crosses The "Fowl Road" For Warner Bros". The Tracking Board. February 26, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  50. ^ Gerding, Stephen (April 13, 2017). "Watchmen Is Getting an R-Rated Animated Adaptation". CBR.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  51. ^ Anderson, Jenna (December 5, 2018). "'LEGO Batman Movie 2' in the Works". ComicBook.com.
  52. ^ Mike Fleming Jr (23 April 2020). "Universal, Lego Group Construct Five-Year Exclusive Film Partnership To Create New Movie Franchises". Deadline.