Summary
- Warner Bros. pulls plug on releasing adult animated film “Fixed” by Genndy Tartakovsky, opts to sell to Sony Pictures for distribution.
- Despite Tartakovsky’s impressive resume, new Warner Bros. leadership seems to be abandoning the studio’s Cartoon Network legacy.
- Sony Pictures Animation now has the option to sell “Fixed” to other distributors or pursue a streaming release.
As a long-time admirer of Genndy Tartakovsky’s work, it is disheartening to see Warner Bros.’ decision to abandon “Fixed.” Tartakovsky has been a beacon of creativity and innovation within the animation world, giving us timeless classics like “Dexter’s Laboratory,” “Samurai Jack,” and “Hotel Transylvania.” His latest project, “Fixed,” seemed poised to continue this legacy, offering a unique and adult-oriented take on animated storytelling.
Warner Bros. has abandoned its plans to release “Fixed,” an adult animated movie conceived by Genndy Tartakovsky, known for directing “Hotel Transylvania” and creating “Samurai Jack.” In this film, Bull (Adam DeVine), a bloodhound, embarks on a thrilling journey upon discovering he is to be altered, aiming to preserve a part of himself before the change. The cast includes Idris Elba, Kathryn Hahn, Beck Bennett, River Gallo, Bobby Moynihan, Michelle Buteau, and Fred Armisen. Initially slated to be one of the largest animated adult films to hit theaters, this is no longer the case.
As reported by Variety, Warner Bros./New Line have abandoned their release plans for the movie, handing it back to Sony Pictures Animation who originally developed it and collaborated with Tartakovsky on the Hotel Transylvania series. Now that Sony Pictures owns the rights, they are free to negotiate with other studios for distribution. The film, which has already received an R rating from the Motion Picture Association (MPA), is production-ready after being in limbo for nearly a year while waiting for a distributor.
Warner Bros. Continued Cost Cutting Spree
It’s unfortunate yet not entirely unexpected that Warner Bros. Discovery has decided to scrap the project “Fixed”. Genius animator Tartakovsky, who produced hits like “Dexter’s Laboratory”, “Samurai Jack”, “Star Wars: Clone Wars”, and “Primal” under Cartoon Network, was once a major name associated with Warner Bros. However, since David Zaslav took the helm as CEO, it appears that the studio has been more focused on dismantling Cartoon Network’s legacy rather than nurturing it. The company’s former commitment to filmmakers, which made it a hub for directors like Clint Eastwood, Christopher Nolan, and Ben Affleck, seems to be a thing of the past. Unlike projects such as “Batgirl”, “Scoob! Holiday Haunt”, or “Coyote vs. Acme”, “Fixed” was likely not treated differently, with its development by Sony Pictures Animation possibly sparing it from being a tax write-off expense.
Warner Bros. Discovery has been unloading its prized possessions. After Max cancelled “Batman: Caped Crusader,” it was picked up by Prime Video, while another “Looney Tunes” movie, titled “The Day the Earth Blew Up,” was recently acquired by Ketchup Entertainment. The 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike left the initial part of the 2024 cinematic schedule empty, but Warner Bros. Discovery had several completed projects such as “Coyote vs. Acme” and “Fixed” that could have boosted box office numbers. Instead, they opted to shelve these productions, negatively impacting both the box office and the artists associated with them.
Sony Pictures Animation currently needs to determine the next steps for the film titled “Fixed“. They could consider selling the movie to other distribution companies if they decide not to give it a theatrical release. However, since other studios are unlikely to release it in theaters if Sony does not, streaming platforms might be the best option. Apple may have initially shown interest in the film, but given their recent decision to scale back the release of “Wolfs” to a limited theater run before debuting on Apple TV+, they may no longer be keen on high-profile theatrical releases. Previously, Sony Pictures Animation has sold films like “The Mitchells vs the Machines“, “Wish Dragon“, and “Vivo” to Netflix during the COVID-19 pandemic, so it’s possible that “Fixed ” could also find a home on Netflix. Here’s hoping that this film sees the light of day, as all the hard work and talent invested by the artists would be wasted if it doesn’t.
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2024-08-09 22:03