The Annecy International Animation Film Festival sparked a big week for animation project announcements, and here’s the round-up!
DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation announced two Batman animated series that are in the works on social media. Scott Snyder will executive produce an Absolute Batman adult animated series, based on the hit comic book series (see “DC to Launch ‘Absolute Universe’“). Yashuhuro Aoki will direct an adult anime-style series called Joker: Laugh Riot that tells the tale of a world where Batman has been murdered and Joker goes on a crusade to hunt down his killer. The two companies also released new trailer for the Batman: Knightfall trilogy (see “Knightfall’ Animated Movies“) of animated movies (see below).
Warner Bros. Animation also revealed more animated projects. C.H. Greenblatt will executive produce an untitled Krypto kids project, in which Superman’s dog goes on misadventures with a gang of misfit criminal wannabes. There is also a Dark Shadows animated series in development, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This series will continue the gothic horror story of the cursed Collins family from the original TV series and movie (see “‘Dark Shadows’“). The company also teased, via a sizzle reel, that a new ThunderCats animated project is in the works (no official announcement was made yet).
Genndy Tartakovsky, creator of Samurai Jack (see ” ‘Samurai Jack’“) and Dexter’s Laboratory, is developing a Conan: The Barbarian: Queen of the Black Coast animated series for Prime Video. The series will be based on 1934 short story by Robert E. Howard featuring Conan as a pirate that fights alongside the infamous pirate queen Belit. This project is a natural progression for Tartakovsky as he had recently directed Primal for Cartoon Network, which presented a prehistoric character that had a strikingly similar appearance and demeanor to the famous barbarian. Executive producers include Darrick Bachman, Fredrik Malmberg (see “‘Conan’“), and Mark Wheeler.
HBO Max has placed an order for a 10-episode Adventure Time: Bubblegum and Marceline series, according to Variety. This series follows up on the success of the Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake (see “‘Fiona and Cake’ S2“) and Adventure Time: Distant Lands spinoffs (see “‘Adventure Time’ Spinoff Series“).
HBO Max also released a new trailer for President Curtis (see below). The Rick and Morty spinoff series, centering on the satirical U.S President from the original series, will begin streaming on July 26, 2026 (see “‘Rick and Morty’ Spinoff Announced“).
Supergirl (see “’Supergirl’ Trailer”) tanked in its opening weekend, with only a $38 million gross domestically and $30 million from international markets for a $68 million gross worldwide, according to Variety, a tiny opening for a big-budget superhero flick. The reviews from the Hollywood trades didn’t hold back, with Variety describing it as, “…so flat it’s super-horrendous,” and “…a punk crock,” and The Hollywood Reporter calling it “an uninspired slog.” The reception marks a setback for the James Gunn era of DC films.Source: ICv2
