Live action Thundercats movie coming

*Raph's Girl* · 06-06-2007, 12:24 PM

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...oryid=13&cs=1I

t's Thundercats, ho! at Warner Bros.

Studio has optioned a script by tyro scribe Paul Sopocy to turn the popular 1980s animated series and toy line into a live action feature.

Warner-based Paula Weinstein will produce through her Spring Creek Prods. banner, along with Dick Robertson and Lew Korman.

Property revolves around a group of humanoid cats (with feline names like Lion-O, Tygra, Panthro and Cheetara) who must flee their planet of Thundera after it's destroyed. Once crash-landing on another planet, Third Earth, they must thwart Mumm-Ra, an evil sorcerer, bent on killing them off.

Sopocy has written the script as an origin story expanding on the major heroes and villains from the animated series, with the plot focusing on Lion-O coming of age as the leader of the Thundercats.

Project was brought to Warner by Palek Patel, VP at Spring Creek. Dan Lin is overseeing the pic for Warners.

The Thundercats franchise began in 1983 and spawned several animated series, with the most recent airing on Cartoon Network, a toy line produced by LJN and comicbooks published by Marvel and DC imprints. Warner Bros. has owned the rights to the animated series since acquiring Telepictures Corp. in 1989.

Studio's recently been bitten by the nostalgia bug, pacting with Joel Silver to produce a live-action "He-Man" movie, based on the toy and cartoon franchise, as well as a feature based on the DC comicbook "Teen Titans," a junior Justice League.

Weinstein most recently produced Warners' "Blood Diamond," and with HBO Films is prepping "Recount," based on the 2000 presidential election, with Sydney Pollack set to direct.

"Thundercats" is Sopocy's first studio script sale as a screenwriter. He's currently senior writer, print advertising, at Fox Broadcasting Co., and has previously penned short films including "Staring at the Sun," which was screened at the Sundance film fest in 2005.

Raph's Girl note: I could see Ron Pearlman as Lion-O

*Duke* · 06-06-2007, 12:27 PM

I'm interested to see how this turns out. I've always been a fan of the Thundercats.

*Spitfire* · 06-06-2007, 12:45 PM

Let's make every crappy 80's cartoon into a movie huh? Did I not say this in the He-man topic "What's next Thunder Cats" Man I wish I kept my mouth shut. Hollywood has a sense of humor.

*Tinuvielsdreams* · 06-06-2007, 12:50 PM

oh man when I heard them talk about He-man I said to myself, Thundercats will be next...lol

*Drtooth* · 06-06-2007, 01:18 PM

The one reason I don't want to see this movie get made? the WB might ressurect those plans for that horrible cartoon remake of Thundercats from 2 years ago.

*Brodie* · 06-06-2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spitfire666xXxXx

Let's make every crappy 80's cartoon into a movie huh? Did I not say this in the He-man topic "What's next Thunder Cats" Man I wish I kept my mouth shut. Hollywood has a sense of humor.

I like your use of punctuation.

Transformers will be amazing....Fuggin robutts.

*ZariusTwo* · 06-06-2007, 02:48 PM

Thundercats is'nt "crappy", so I'm fine with this. What I'm worried about is that they'll star making trilogies out of Penny Crayon and The Family Ness

Transformers will suck...and I miss you

RaphistheBest · 06-06-2007, 03:29 PM

Thundercats is one of my most favorite cartoons. I have almost the entire series on DVD. But I'm not use how I feel about this. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

*VaughnMichael* · 06-06-2007, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

Thundercats is'nt "crappy", so I'm fine with this. What I'm worried about is that they'll star making trilogies out of Penny Crayon and The Family Ness

Transformers will suck...and I miss you

ahaha I love Thundercats as well it's what I was into before TMNT came along and knocked it on it's animated @ss.
Anyways I can't say I'm worried about it but we will all just have to wait and see.
And I agree when I saw the full trailer for the new transformers movie I think I rolled my eyes maybe a good 5 times I really have no enthusiasm to see this movie at all.
I just think it's the designs personally that look odd way to pointy and demonic for my tatses.
It looks like Todd McFarlene designed this movie honestly.
Oh well can't win em' all.

*Drtooth* · 06-06-2007, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

Thundercats is'nt "crappy", so I'm fine with this. What I'm worried about is that they'll star making trilogies out of Penny Crayon and The Family Ness

I really did enjoy Thundrecats back in the day... but i haven't seen them in years. And the DVD's are so expensive. However, a movie.... that's just wrong. I mean, if they did it entirely in CGI (ala the Turtles) there could be potential, but the human live actors will look like crap.

BTW, what is Penny Crayon? I'm thinking either of Penny from Inspector Gadget or Crayon Shinchan hearing that name.

*gobo* · 06-06-2007, 06:43 PM

With all the crappy ideas for a revamp of this franchise, I have to say I'm skeptical and cautious of how bad this could be. I loved Thundercats back in the day. After "MUMM-RA LIVES!", my local syndication-provider didn't show too many more. I saw most of Season 2 for the first time on Cartoon Network. I nearly wet myself with excitement when I saw the commercial advertising it.

Now that I've seen all of the second season, I have to assume that's where they destroyed the show. It was so lame, and the Lunattacks (or however it's spelled) were the main culprit. I thought they were lame characters back then, and they actually were for all 60 eps that they existed in. I just hope they will be used as a prime example of what not to do in the movie. You know, "if done right" and all... But, it's still not worth possibly screwing up the franchise yet again. But, with a Weinstein attached to the project, I have to assume this might turn out well.

Pardon me while I go research the author now.

*ZariusTwo* · 06-06-2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drtooth

BTW, what is Penny Crayon? I'm thinking either of Penny from Inspector Gadget or Crayon Shinchan hearing that name.

Penny Crayon was a pre-school cartoon in the UK with the voice of britush comedian Su Pollar, she essentially brought drawings to life with a magic crayon.

I meant that purely as a sarcastic post, though I would'nt complain if they brought it back actually...

Superted though, I definatly want to see as a movie.

Thundercats season two LAME? On the contrary, the second season was where the show got better. Yeah, new characters and the fact they dedicated a whole five episodes to "Thundercubs" were big cons, but the show actually had closure, few 1980s series had that.

Mandi-chan · 06-06-2007, 07:40 PM

I never saw much of this show, didn't like it too much when I was younger (something to do with it stealing Sailor Moon's time slot at some point).

Now that I'm older, and have a better appreciation for older toons, I wish I could have a chance to see it again (It's on dvd now, right? Perhaps I could rent it...).

I'm curious to see how loyal this movie will be, and would love to see how they pull off the cat humanoids!

*Duke* · 06-06-2007, 07:47 PM

I also think the second season of Thundercats was an improvement over the first. The show had a great continuity, which is one of the things I enjoyed most about it.

*gobo* · 06-06-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

Superted though, I definatly want to see as a movie.

They oughtta be getting to that eventually. Disney loves remaking their past successes a million times over. Unfortunately, I fear they'd make Lindsey Lohan Mother Nature and have her in every other damn scene... So, it could be a curse rather than a blessing unless you submit your screenplay before someone with less integrity takes a cue from your post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

Thundercats season two LAME? On the contrary, the second season was where the show got better. Yeah, new characters and the fact they dedicated a whole five episodes to "Thundercubs" were big cons, but the show actually had closure, few 1980s series had that.

Well, the closure it had was pretty weak, IMO. They went to live on New Thundera, but that wasn't necessary. Mumm-Ra followed them to New Thundera, but they didn't even defeat him. Lion-O bested him, but then it looked as if there was a possibility that he still could have tricked Lion-O into letting him go free off-camera. It just wasn't satisfying for me. But, I can't see the second season as anything other than an attempt to fix what wasn't broken. I liked the new 'cats. The Luna-creatures were hardly as interesting as the Mutants as far as villains go. BTW, where did Vulture-Man come from? I always wondered that.

*ZariusTwo* · 06-06-2007, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gobo

They oughtta be getting to that eventually. Disney loves remaking their past successes a million times over. Unfortunately, I fear they'd make Lindsey Lohan Mother Nature and have her in every other damn scene..

Disney had nothing to do with Superted, Superted was developed in Wales and aired in the UK first. However, when it came to the US version Hannah Barbera produced the rare "Further Adventures of Super-Ted" series.

Quote:

It just wasn't satisfying for me. But, I can't see the second season as anything other than an attempt to fix what wasn't broken.

You mean you saw season two as a toy commercial, which is what the new characters were designed to do, sell toys, but they were worked into the mythology so it did'nt look blatant.

*VaughnMichael* · 06-07-2007, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

Superted though, I definatly want to see as a movie.

SUPERTED IS AMAZING!

*Scandia* · 06-07-2007, 06:07 AM

That would absolutely ROCK!!!

I have not watched the Masters of the Universe live action movie, though.

What I would do anything for is to see a Captain Planet movie. Especially one that gives a conclusion to the series.

*ZariusTwo* · 06-07-2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scandia

That would absolutely ROCK!!!

I have not watched the Masters of the Universe live action movie, though.

What I would do anything for is to see a Captain Planet movie. Especially one that gives a conclusion to the series.

CP's DIC seasons had about two conclusions, though not aired as finales, "Mission to Save Earth" and "Summit To Save Earth" were very much designed as ones, and were certaingly a lot better than the non-finales we later got in other seasons.

*Scandia* · 06-07-2007, 06:53 PM

I mean a conclusion to the series. What happened to the Planeteers.

Anyhow, someone today on the newspaper was complaining about "messing with our childhood legends". Personally, I think that having new Thundercats/Transformers/TMNT/Voltron movies ROCKS. As long as the plots are good and the substance and style are of quality, I have no complaints. I will only find the movies to be a bad idea if they have lousy plots.

06-06-2007, 12:24 PM	#1
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	Live action Thundercats movie coming http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...oryid=13&cs=1I t's Thundercats, ho! at Warner Bros. Studio has optioned a script by tyro scribe Paul Sopocy to turn the popular 1980s animated series and toy line into a live action feature. Warner-based Paula Weinstein will produce through her Spring Creek Prods. banner, along with Dick Robertson and Lew Korman. Property revolves around a group of humanoid cats (with feline names like Lion-O, Tygra, Panthro and Cheetara) who must flee their planet of Thundera after it's destroyed. Once crash-landing on another planet, Third Earth, they must thwart Mumm-Ra, an evil sorcerer, bent on killing them off. Sopocy has written the script as an origin story expanding on the major heroes and villains from the animated series, with the plot focusing on Lion-O coming of age as the leader of the Thundercats. Project was brought to Warner by Palek Patel, VP at Spring Creek. Dan Lin is overseeing the pic for Warners. The Thundercats franchise began in 1983 and spawned several animated series, with the most recent airing on Cartoon Network, a toy line produced by LJN and comicbooks published by Marvel and DC imprints. Warner Bros. has owned the rights to the animated series since acquiring Telepictures Corp. in 1989. Studio's recently been bitten by the nostalgia bug, pacting with Joel Silver to produce a live-action "He-Man" movie, based on the toy and cartoon franchise, as well as a feature based on the DC comicbook "Teen Titans," a junior Justice League. Weinstein most recently produced Warners' "Blood Diamond," and with HBO Films is prepping "Recount," based on the 2000 presidential election, with Sydney Pollack set to direct. "Thundercats" is Sopocy's first studio script sale as a screenwriter. He's currently senior writer, print advertising, at Fox Broadcasting Co., and has previously penned short films including "Staring at the Sun," which was screened at the Sundance film fest in 2005. Raph's Girl note: I could see Ron Pearlman as Lion-O __________________

06-06-2007, 12:45 PM	#3
Spitfire Writer • Director Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 12,035	Let's make every crappy 80's cartoon into a movie huh? Did I not say this in the He-man topic "What's next Thunder Cats" Man I wish I kept my mouth shut. Hollywood has a sense of humor. __________________ Check out my online portfolio http://www.christopherpelletier.com/

06-06-2007, 01:18 PM	#5
Drtooth Foot Elite Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 4,439	The one reason I don't want to see this movie get made? the WB might ressurect those plans for that horrible cartoon remake of Thundercats from 2 years ago. __________________ [Insert mildly amusing banner here]

06-06-2007, 02:48 PM	#7
ZariusTwo Overlord Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Britain, DINO THUNDER...POWER UP! Posts: 22,494	Thundercats is'nt "crappy", so I'm fine with this. What I'm worried about is that they'll star making trilogies out of Penny Crayon and The Family Ness Transformers will suck...and I miss you __________________ Spider-Man: The Rescue Spider-Man: The Galloping Cat Spider-Man: Scarlet Mirror Doctor Who: Child of the Daleks

06-06-2007, 06:43 PM	#11
gobo Wacky Action Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: on Earth Posts: 12,784	With all the crappy ideas for a revamp of this franchise, I have to say I'm skeptical and cautious of how bad this could be. I loved Thundercats back in the day. After "MUMM-RA LIVES!", my local syndication-provider didn't show too many more. I saw most of Season 2 for the first time on Cartoon Network. I nearly wet myself with excitement when I saw the commercial advertising it. Now that I've seen all of the second season, I have to assume that's where they destroyed the show. It was so lame, and the Lunattacks (or however it's spelled) were the main culprit. I thought they were lame characters back then, and they actually were for all 60 eps that they existed in. I just hope they will be used as a prime example of what not to do in the movie. You know, "if done right" and all... But, it's still not worth possibly screwing up the franchise yet again. But, with a Weinstein attached to the project, I have to assume this might turn out well. Pardon me while I go research the author now. __________________ Live and let live... or go to hell.

06-06-2007, 12:27 PM	#2
Duke Mad Scientist Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,913	I'm interested to see how this turns out. I've always been a fan of the Thundercats.

06-06-2007, 12:50 PM	#4
Tinuvielsdreams Nothing without passion Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,722	oh man when I heard them talk about He-man I said to myself, Thundercats will be next...lol

06-06-2007, 03:29 PM	#8
RaphistheBest Foot Soldier Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hell Posts: 174	Thundercats is one of my most favorite cartoons. I have almost the entire series on DVD. But I'm not use how I feel about this. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

06-06-2007, 07:40 PM	#13
Mandi-chan Stone Warrior Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 932	I never saw much of this show, didn't like it too much when I was younger (something to do with it stealing Sailor Moon's time slot at some point). Now that I'm older, and have a better appreciation for older toons, I wish I could have a chance to see it again (It's on dvd now, right? Perhaps I could rent it...). I'm curious to see how loyal this movie will be, and would love to see how they pull off the cat humanoids!

06-06-2007, 07:47 PM	#14
Duke Mad Scientist Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,913	I also think the second season of Thundercats was an improvement over the first. The show had a great continuity, which is one of the things I enjoyed most about it.

06-07-2007, 06:07 AM	#18
Scandia Mad Scientist Join Date: May 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 2,265	That would absolutely ROCK!!! I have not watched the Masters of the Universe live action movie, though. What I would do anything for is to see a Captain Planet movie. Especially one that gives a conclusion to the series.

06-07-2007, 06:53 PM	#20
Scandia Mad Scientist Join Date: May 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 2,265	I mean a conclusion to the series. What happened to the Planeteers. Anyhow, someone today on the newspaper was complaining about "messing with our childhood legends". Personally, I think that having new Thundercats/Transformers/TMNT/Voltron movies ROCKS. As long as the plots are good and the substance and style are of quality, I have no complaints. I will only find the movies to be a bad idea if they have lousy plots.