Top Story: A Historic Box Office Weekend: Five Of The Top Ten Films Are Animated Features

Scooby-Doo as he appeared in the live-action/CG hybrid "Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed." (Click to enlarge.)
Scooby-Doo as he appeared in the live-action/CG hybrid “Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.” (Click to enlarge.)

Stalled out for a dozen years after an uneven duo of live-action/CG hybrids, Hanna-Barbera’s mystery franchise is rebooting theatrically with a fully-animated feature.

Due in theaters September 2018, Warner Bros.’ untitled Scooby-Doo animated film will be helmed by Warner Bros. Animation veteran Tony Cervone (Space Jam animation director, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated supervising producer, Tom and Jerry’s Giant Adventure and The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age Smackdown director) and producers Charles Roven and Richard Suckle, who spearheaded the studio’s first set of live-action features, Scooby-Doo (2002) and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004).

Joining Roven and Suckle as a producer is Cervone’s spouse, Allison Abbate, who has produced respected animated features like Brad Bird’s The Iron Giant, Wes Anderson’s The Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride. The new Scooby will be produced under the Warner Animation Group banner.

Phineas and Ferb co-creator (and Family Guy director) Dan Povenmire will executive produce the film. The script was written by newcomer Matt Lieberman, who is also writing a Jetsons animated feature script, has finished writing a Short Circuit reboot currently in production, and scripted a proposed Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride for Pete Candeland.

Warner Bros. is reportedly aiming to create series of films based on characters from Hanna-Barbera’s Sixties and Seventies roster. “Like countless fans, I have always loved the Hanna-Barbera cast of characters,” said Warner Bros. exec Greg Silverman. “As one of their most famous brand ambassadors, Scooby-Doo will take the lead in re-introducing this pantheon of enduringly popular animated stars on a grand scale with an exciting new movie.”

What Hanna-Barbera show do you think Warner Bros. should reboot next?

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