Oh yeah, it's happening.
Following the soon-to-be -released Transformers and the recently-announced He-Man comes yet another afternoon 'toon from my childhood making its way to the silver screen.
This time, it's ThunderCats, an animated series that aired in the 1980s and focused on a group of warriors that looked like a meld of both human and feline. Warner Bros. has optioned a script from Paul Sopocy for the live-action CGI feature-length adaptation.
The original series, created by Ted "Tobin" Wolf, featured characters Lion-O, Jaga, Panthro, Cheetra and others as citizens of a planet named Thundera who come to Third Earth after their planet is destroyed. Not unlike He-Man, the cartoon mixed all kinds of mythological, fantasy and futuristic elements. Also, it really made you want to buy the action figures, which was probably the point.
Sopocy's script will serve as an "origin story" for the ThunderCats, dealing with a young Lion-O as he begins his journey toward leading the rest of the ThunderCats.
Not to upset any ThunderCats fanatics out there, but I could never really get into this series. I watched it all the time, probably because it was sandwiched between cartoons I liked a lot more, but I always felt the pacing was too slow and the animation a little too stilted.
I also have to wonder exactly who they're trying to reach with this movie. ThunderCats holds a certain nostalgia for many of us, but do kids today really care about it? And are there that many people my age who want to see a film version of this cartoon? Regardless of its popularity, I just can't imagine people flocking to see a movie about humanoid cat warriors.
Now, Transformers, that seems to make a lot more sense. Even if that cartoon was a total bomb, the idea of transforming machines is perfect summer movie fare.
What do you guys think?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-06-2007 @ 6:10PM
el forastero said...
Who is going to be Cheetra my long time cartoon crush..
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6-06-2007 @ 6:48PM
Jordan Running said...
A million furries just died of joy.
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6-06-2007 @ 7:52PM
Aaron said...
Adam, don't feel bad. I watched it too (and liked it just a *little* more than you did) but certainly don't think I'll be lining up at the theater for this.
MAYBE if/when it comes to DVD it might be worth a rental but that is about it.
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6-06-2007 @ 8:01PM
Steve said...
I'll only watch this version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kmeOktIwAg
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6-06-2007 @ 8:25PM
Jonathan Myers said...
Elisha Cuthbert as Cheetara is the current rumor. The thought of her in a Cheetara body suit just made me Snarf. In the best way. :)
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6-06-2007 @ 8:38PM
sarenlee said...
First of all the female's name was Cheetara, and I happen to have looked forward to the Thundercats on TV, and am planning to see the movie. I just hope they don't destroy the original storyline like so many others do of animated shows to movies. Pkins
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6-06-2007 @ 10:17PM
Wild Bill said...
I watched the show too, probably because it was before we had a set with a remote, but I didn't like it then, I certainly don't have any nostalgia for it now. Make a M.A.S.K. movie; now we're talking!
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6-07-2007 @ 12:13AM
Richard Ott said...
There can be a Transformers & Thundercats movie, but
there can't be a He-Man movie like there could've been in
2003? Man, I would've loved to see Skelator get his
revenge in that live-action follow-up that never happened.
The ending of the first He-Man film showed him coming
out of the swamp using Ah-nold's famous catchphrase,
"I'll be back!". I guess we'll never know how the sequel
would've began.
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6-07-2007 @ 3:14AM
Yo Scott said...
Great. thats all we need. More Furries.
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6-07-2007 @ 8:34AM
Rick B said...
"watched it all the time, probably because it was sandwiched between cartoons I liked a lot more, but I always felt the pacing was too slow and the animation a little too stilted."
what? how old were you when you were watching this? stilted animation and slow pace? if thats really the case, you were either born to be a tv critic with some real natural talent, or you were too old to be watching!
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6-09-2007 @ 9:24AM
Lars Koenig said...
It's not going to be a live action movie, but rather
CGI (Computer Generated Imaging) ... in other words, animated.
As for who'll line up to see it? Millions of 30-somethings
around the world who found the THUNDERCATS' basic theme, "Justice, Truth, Honor, and Loyalty," more entertaining and inspiring than "transforming machines"
or "mutated turtles."
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6-10-2007 @ 10:23PM
Adam from TV Squad said...
Corrected my mistakes in regards to it being CGI, not live action. Thanks.
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7-01-2007 @ 11:31PM
Tenchiguy said...
ThunderCats:movie? I'll be in line if the trailers look worth it.
M.A.S.K? Would be a good idea for a flick. NO more He-Man movies!!! 2 of them are enough!! Let's give it 20yrs before a remake be made! Robotech! Now that would be a great movie!
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7-10-2007 @ 11:23PM
Rico said...
The movie is sink and die. I'm a young guy and I've heard about the 'ThunderCats' only a few times. Honestly, the people who spend the most money on multi-media entertainment, like movies, are teens. The only way to make money is to reach that audience. Transformers gained so much because of it's killer graphics and because of all the boob-shots of Megan Fox. Do you really think cats prancing and furry chest-shots of Cheetara will make it big on the big screen?
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7-12-2007 @ 3:06PM
Gabriel said...
I am excited about this. Its entertainment people, not politics or brain surgery. A thundercats movie would be cool CGI or not. I would have prefered this movie to be live action (Plus, it probably would make a lot more money as a live action). But, CGI is fine I guess. I'm sure this will be fun. Great way to bring generations together. Just watch the movie when it comes out and try to enjoy it. Stop acting like spoiled little movie goers that expect everything to be their way. thundercats were cool to me when I was younger, and now this movie might be cool. I Look forward to it.
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7-14-2007 @ 7:22AM
me,myself and i said...
What do i think? well let me see what can i say about your review... you diss thundercats and called transformer cartoons a total bomb... oh i know what to say.. your a complete MORON!!!!!
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7-14-2007 @ 6:16PM
lenny said...
you are crazy.
Thunder Cats if made right will rock
they must make it
hope it doesnt flop
like the first fantastic 4
even though i think lion -o should be vin diessel
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7-14-2007 @ 6:26PM
lenny said...
Let me rephrase this
Vin Diesil as Lion-0
cheetara doesnt matter someone that knows some type of martial art.
Like Uma Thurman did in her movie
Mel Gibson as tigra or somebody close to him.
wesley is perfect for the role of pantrho
though i thought jalee white was better for this role
The thing about thundercats was
it never had any killing so i want to see how their going to do this.
Transformers was kind of twisted to see robots killing humas beacuse it never happens in cartoons.
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7-18-2007 @ 2:20AM
Spartan66 said...
Ok... How bout a Samuri Pizza Cat movie? Id love to see cats flying pizzas around in a super jet while fighting bad guys with Samuri Swords just as much as I want to see a "humanoid cat" run around in a blue One piece bathing suit orgasming "Thunder, Thunder, Thunder Cats HO!" While his sword elongates... How about a GI Joe movie with all the new gear and military tech... I wouldnt mind seeing Snake Eyes take some Taliban down a few notches.
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7-21-2007 @ 9:08AM
christine said...
What happened to the Thundercats movie that was due to be released in 2000?
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