Adam Wingard Continued Work on ThunderCats Film
The director has moved forward with a new screenplay draft for the live-action project.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Action/Adventure
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Director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett have completed a new draft for the long-planned live-action ThunderCats film. This update comes as Warner Bros. prepares a separate animated version of the franchise.
Why it matters
Wingard considers the film a personal passion project, which has been in development since 2021. The live-action adaptation was previously delayed to accommodate work on the film Onslaught.
The original ThunderCats franchise is 41 years old, and Wingard previously wrote a 272-page screenplay about the characters while in high school.
The players
Adam Wingard
He is a film director known for his work on action and genre films who has stepped away from the Face/Off sequel to prioritize this project.
Simon Barrett
He is a screenwriter who has collaborated with Adam Wingard on multiple projects to expand the ThunderCats universe.
Warner Bros. Pictures
It is a major film studio currently managing two separate development paths for the ThunderCats intellectual property.
The details
The production is utilizing a hybrid CGI approach intended to blend traditional cartoon aesthetics with modern computer-generated imagery. Wingard and Barrett collaborated on the script to expand the scope of the established universe.
Timeline
Warner Bros. announced the project in 2021.
A new screenplay draft was completed in early 2026.
An animated film was announced in June 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The move reflects an industry-wide trend where studios simultaneously pursue multiple high-profile adaptations of the same legacy intellectual property to maximize franchise reach. This strategy signals an attempt to capture different demographic segments through divergent stylistic and medium choices.
Moviegoers will eventually have access to two distinct film experiences, with a live-action version and a separate animated project both in development. Fans can expect further announcements regarding release dates as these two distinct production pipelines progress.
The takeaway
The studio's dual-track development suggests that legacy animation properties remain highly valuable in the current entertainment landscape. Prospective viewers should stay alert for casting updates as the live-action project advances toward pre-production.
Further reading
Explore the latest developments in the Action/Adventure film landscape.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Polygon.
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