Warner Bros. Teases ‘Get Jiro,’ ‘Hit Squad,’ Unveils ‘Dark Shadows’
Warner Bros. Animation made a big splash at this year’s Annecy festival with the announcement of a new “Dark Shadows” animated series. This marks a significant shift for the studio, as they continue to expand their adult animation offerings beyond just comedy.
The reimagining of the cult TV series from the 1960s is still in the early stages of development, with Lisa Holdsworth, known for her work on shows like “Dreamers” and “Discovery of Witches,” serving as executive producer and showrunner. The show will be produced by a team of experienced executives including Cathy Curtis, Tracy Curtis, Eric Homan, Kevin Kolde, and Fred Seibert.
The announcement was made during a WBA adult animation showcase at Annecy’s Mifa Market, hosted by Shaleen Desai and Peter Girardi. “Dark Shadows,” which first aired in 1967 and became a hit with its supernatural family saga featuring the iconic character Barnabas Collins, is set to be reimagined for a new audience.
In addition to “Dark Shadows,” Warner Bros. Animation also revealed other exciting projects at Annecy, including a series development greenlight for “Absolute Batman” and a series greenlight for DC’s first anime series “Joker: Laugh Riot.” They also announced series development for “Krypto,” a show that will feature a wide range of DC superheroes and villains in various styles and tones.
The studio’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of animated storytelling was further showcased with the premiere of “Batman: Knightfall,” the first installment of an animated feature trilogy. This adaptation of a popular comic book storyline received a positive response from the audience at Annecy.
In addition to these projects, Warner Bros. Animation also gave a sneak peek of their upcoming series “Hit Squad,” inspired by Gerry Anderson’s work from the 1970s. This puppet TV series will blend action with dark humor, showcasing a unique blend of CG and practical effects.
The studio’s focus on original storytelling was highlighted with the announcement of the upcoming series “Keeping Up With the Joneses,” which will bring a fresh take on family comedy to Adult Swim. With a growing slate of titles like “Harley Quinn” and “Kiteman,” Warner Bros. Animation is continuing to push the boundaries of animated storytelling.
Overall, Warner Bros. Animation’s presence at Annecy showcased their commitment to innovation and creativity in the world of animation. With a diverse range of projects in development, the studio is poised to continue delivering exciting and engaging content for audiences of all ages.
