The planned ThunderCats film has been quiet for years, but director Adam Wingard says the project remains in development. Warner Bros. and Wingard first announced the fantasy adaptation in 2021.
Wingard, whose credits include Godzilla vs. Kong and The Guest, says the movie was actively progressing earlier in 2026 before other work took priority. A new screenplay draft was completed at the beginning of the year, but development was then paused while he focused on Onslaught, the A24 action thriller now available to stream.
The project has not been abandoned. Wingard says it is still among his active projects, although it is not currently his main focus.
Why the ThunderCats film has taken so long
The film was announced as a large-scale feature based on the classic 1980s animated series. Wingard has been developing it with writer Simon Barrett, who also worked on Godzilla vs. Kong, The Guest and Onslaught.
Wingard’s interest in ThunderCats goes back to high school. He wrote a 272-page screenplay about the series during Year 10, handwriting the script in notebooks while carrying it around with him. He has previously described the property as a dream project and as a major influence on his decision to become a filmmaker.
His creative ambition is not a conventional live-action remake. Wingard has discussed a fantasy science-fiction spectacle that retains the distinctive 1980s appearance of the characters while using a hyperreal blend of computer-generated imagery and animation. The aim is to connect the cartoon’s visual identity with a cinematic CGI world, rather than make the characters resemble the approach used in Cats.
Wingard’s recent departure from a planned sequel to John Woo’s Face/Off leaves the status of ThunderCats as one of his notable ongoing projects. There is still no release date or further production timetable.
A second ThunderCats project is also in development
Warner Bros. Pictures Animation announced another ThunderCats movie at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June. Few details were provided, including the creative team and expected release date.
That separate animated production follows 2020’s ThunderCats Roar, which aired on Cartoon Network. It is not yet clear whether the animated project will affect Wingard’s hybrid film.
The performance of other major adaptations of 1980s cartoon properties may also be relevant. Amazon MGM Studios’ big-budget Masters of the Universe film failed to meet expectations, a result that could make studios more cautious about similar projects.
What fans can realistically expect
For now, the clearest update is that the film is delayed rather than cancelled. The screenplay has received a fresh draft, Wingard remains attached to the project, and the director continues to favour a bold mix of retro design, fantasy adventure and CGI spectacle.
That combination could make the eventual film particularly interesting to fans of arcade culture and classic cabinet art. Until production details emerge, readers can explore RETROCADE’s Arcade Blog, browse the Arcade Machines range or use the Arcade Machine Buying Guide for advice on choosing a cabinet.
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