thundercats Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Talk about an unbelievable casting announcement, it would appear Brad Pitt, Hugh Jackman and Vin Diesel have landed parts in a live-action Thundercats movie. Not only that, but somehow this news managed to remain hidden long enough so that the folks behind the scenes could create the film's first trailer. I'm, like, completely shocked and blown away ... and totally f**king with you.

The following fan made trailer was actually created by WormyTV, who spent somewhere in the ball park of a year and a half working on this fictional marketing ploy. Seriously. To spend that long on a fake trailer means you have to be one sick and twisted Thundercats fan, but we here at Cinematical certainly applaud that kind of geeky determination. Check out the trailer -- which is being passed around the internet today faster than a joint at a Jonas Brothers concert (OH, he did not just go there!) -- down below, and try to name all the different films featured. Which of these actors could you actually see starring in a film like this?

So if you needed some final, indisputable proof that somebody out there thinks a Thundercats movie is a great idea, here it is: Warner Bros. has hired a director. First-timer Jerry O'Flaherty will be bringing the ol' Cats into the multiplexes through the magic of CG-laced nostalgia. (I'm guessing it'll look and sound a whole lot like the slick and forgettable TMNT from earlier this year.)

Although he hasn't directed any features, O'Flaherty is a long-time veteran in the field of video game animation. And isn't it really all the same stuff nowadays? The screenplay will come from a guy called Paul Sopocy, who has one thing in common with his new director: Thundercats will mark his first feature film. According to Variety, "the origin story expands 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."

And just in case you need a quick refresher course on the long and storied history of the Thundercats, here are two more sentences: "The property revolves around a group of humanoid cats who must flee the planet of Thundera, which is destroyed. Once crash-landing on another planet, Third Earth, they must thwart Mumm-Ra, an evil sorcerer bent on killing them off." Yeah, I remember this cartoon. Trippy-colored cat-people super-heroes and a maniacal mummy sorcerer who really hates them feline freaks. I distinctly remember a very annoying sidekick....

With Michael Bay's Transformers pulling in Daddy Warbucks dollars at the box office, it's inevitable that we'll soon be seeing a flood of films based on cartoons making their way to theaters. The question is: Will we be treated to quality adaptations of cartoons that actually do lend themselves to the big-screen treatment ... or will we have to endure a two-and-a-half-hour "epic" entitled My Little Pony: At World's End?

As it happens, studios are already answering this question, with a bevy of 'toon-based films set to hit cineplexes this year and in the not-so-distant future. First, after years of speculation and anticipation, The Simpsons Movie lands in theaters July 27. Then in August Jason Lee lends his voice to a live-action Underdog movie (he's the superheroic dog), and in December he pops up again (in human form this time) as David Seville in the live-action/animation hybrid Alvin and the Chipmunks. And next summer, the Wachowski bros. will try to spin cinematic gold out of Speedracer, starring Emile Hirsch and Christina Ricci (sorry, no Jason Lee this time).

Also on the horizon is a live-action CGI Thundercats flick, in which Lion-O and an army of humanoid cats (yes, you read that correctly) battle the evil sorcerer Mumm-Ra on a planet known as Third Earth. And last but not least is a real gem for the true cartoon aficionado: a live-action movie based on the Japanese anime 'toon Voltron, about five rebels who battle evil using robotic lions that unite to form one giant ass-kicking robot warrior (Voltron) when the individual lions inevitably get thrashed.

That's about it as far as upcoming cartoon-based film. Which other cartoons would you love to see made into movies? Personally, I'd love to see a crossover mash-up of two different 'toons, Alien vs. Predator-style. I mean, who wouldn't line up to see SVGB: Smurfs vs. Gummy Bears?

It looks like Warner Bros. has a few things to clear up about their big-screen version of Thundercats. An article in the LA Times confirms that the film will be done entirely with CGI. It was just a few days ago the Patrick had reported that the series had been given the go-ahead for a film treatment with relative newcomer Paul Sopocy on board to write the live-action script. Now, a spokesperson for WB confirmed that despite any talk of the contrary, the film would be animated. Which is probably for the best, since I can't see many big name actors willing to get into cat-suits, or wanting to play a Snarf. Misperceptions about the film aside, WB is still planning on using Sopocy's script.

The original story of Thundercats revolved around a band of "felinesque" characters who suffer the double whammy of having their home planet destroyed and then are forced to go on the run from an evil sorcerer named Mumm-Ra. The series spawned a run of comic books and was revived on The Cartoon Network in the late 90's (if you are feeling nostalgic, you can also get the first two seasons on DVD). The announcement of a big-screen version comes on the heels of news of film adaptations of fellow 80's classics G.I. Joe and He-Man. I just hope Sopocy can fill in some of the blanks of the relatively flimsy story of Lion-O and the gang. To be honest, Thundercats only made sense if you were eight years old -- or if you were high. Then again, it's not like G.I. Joe and He-Man would be mistaken for social commentary either, so who am I to judge?

Usually Hollywood waits until a movie's a hit to pounce on everything similar. Transformers hasn't even come out yet, and already just about every 80's toy and cartoon is being violently dragged back into the public eye. I just told you about the dueling scripts for G.I. Joe, He-Man is in the works, and now we've got another show I didn't watch headed for the big screen -- Thundercats. (Seriously, how did I miss all of this stuff as a child? Mom?). Pot-fueled discussions I've heard at parties are now becoming actual films. "Duuude, you know what show was awesome? Thundercats!" Paul Sopocy wrote the script for the live-action feature film, which will be released by Warner Brothers. Thundercats focuses on "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." Oh. So that's why I didn't watch it!

Sopocy's script will be an origin story, and will "expand on the major heroes and villains from the animated series." The plot will center on Lion-O's coming of age and eventual ascent to the leader of the Thundercats. No word on possible cameos from Heathcliff and Garfield, or whether or not the film will feature Andrew Lloyd Webber musical numbers. Who do you guys see getting cast in this thing? G.I. Joe's a little easier to call, and the success of 300 should make actors a little less wary about hopping into the He-Man wardrobe. But can you think of any major stars who wouldn't mind dressing up in a cat costume? I have a feeling Pacino won't be on the call sheet. What are your feelings on a Thundercats movie? Will it be a meow-sterpiece or a cat-astrophe? If I said I thought it'd be purr-fect, I'd be lion to you! Want me to stop? I'll stop.