"Thundercats" News & Discussion Thread (Spoilers)

[Aquadementia]

WB Animation sent us the poster and announcement as well, but I didn't get confirmation that we could post it until just now. So, there it is, and I've updated this thread to be an official talkback and stuff.

Alright, that poster looks pretty cool.

Roaring to life through WBA and Studio4°C’s use of the Japanese animated artistry of anime, “ThunderCats” characters Lion-O, Mumm-Ra, Panthro, Cheetara and others will spring off the screen with realistic cat-like characteristics inconceivable in previous incarnations.

But realistic cats sounds pretty silly.

*EDIT* read that again. Are they saying Mumm-Ra is a cat???

The original had vary good character designs.
I'll eager to see more.

The one character that always caught my imagination is Mumm-ra: THE EVER LIVING!
I kind of get talking animal people in the future. That's just evolution.
But Mumm-ra, he's got this whole other deal going. You don't take your eyes off a guy like that.

[Checkerboard]

My guess is that it won't be any darker than the original Thundercats series was, which is fine by me. Darkness is overrated. Not trying to be argumentative. I'm just saying that every action show doesn't have to be Batman dark; a light touch can be entertaining also, if handled properly.

Well, you're right. I don't want it to be "emo" dark either lol. What I meant was is that I want the difference between good and evil clearly visible at first sight - let them make Mumm-ra not just plain destructive, but also hideous, creepy, mysterious, terrifying, spooky, dark... so that he earns respect as a badguy. These days I don't see many of them evoking fear, they're kind of just along the lines "I have amazing powers and I will smash you - the end", if you know what I mean. So yeah, I meant dark in that respect to the original, because Mumm-ra is really one intimidating criminal Oh and I hope Cheetara will look hot - that would definately earn ratings lol.

[Manga4life]

I am very excited about the news of a new Thundercats show coming to Cartoon Network in 2011, this is a franchise that has gone far too long without some kind of animated reboot and I really hope that this show delivers with a great story and some white knuckle action.

2011 can't come quick enough.

[Mandouga]

I don't know about anyone else, but I hope this show doesn't suffer from "DCAU syndrome", which means instead of an actual show, we have a bunch of writers going, "Hey look at how realistic our show is compared to the original", thus focusing less on actual story and more on one or more characters' personal dramas, and/or possibly threatening to give us some kind of "tragic ending" in order to "keep us guessing" (which is just playing with viewers' emotions, rather than actually keeping them guessing). That said, I also hope it doesn't suffer from "Avatar-syndrome" either (long story).

In short, I don't expect it to be "exactly" like the original, but if it's just going to keep playing the "realism" card instead of actually telling a story, then I'm not so sure how long I'll watch it. Realism alone doesn't make a show, but that's another story.

Also, I don't intend to watch it if there's even a hint of bias. After all, the writers' (or producers' or whatever) own vision of the universe (and if applicable, their personal fandom) isn't all that matters. There are actually going to be people watching this show, and those who "were there" when the original first aired might not agree with events as only the makers of the show see them. OTOH, I wouldn't want it to cater to just the older viewers, nor do I want it to be completely "generic" either. It's kind of difficult to explain just what I hope to see in this show. The best I can say is that, I hope there is some kind of "balance" between drama and story. After all, there are going to be both "longtime fans" watching as well as people who have never heard of Thundercats before. That said, I also hope that the show will consider some kind of balance between "fans" and "non-fans".

Also keep in mind that this show is airing on TOON "by default". There are no other outlets left for WB Animation shows, not after Kids' WB was "discontinued". Let's just hope that no "unexplained events" happen while they show it...

[King]

Waoh, that came out of no where. Well, I'm happy “ANOTHER” 80's cartoon series getting a reboot.
Though, this is what I'm hopping for in this next series.
-Keeping the same art style.-
Though, I am a big anime/manga fan, I really don't want to see Thundercats having a very heavy anime art style. Keep it the same or upgrade it a little.

-A continuous and maybe little bit “serious” story-
By means like that, I mean kinda like how Avatar is. Its has a continuous plot (the goal(s) and how to get there), and it's serious at time. Now, I really don't want to see the new Thundercats series to be edgy and all hard-core dark, but, as an example, if there's a serious moment happening in the story, I really want them to take it serious. No puns or jokes, but also I really don't want to see a basic plot too.
(Try to keep this in mind, its been years since I seen the original Thundercats, so I forgot how the story goes and was set up)

-Keep the opening theme-
Its little funny, thats the only thing I mostly know about Thundercats.

But in all, if it has half of that I'm hopping for, I'll be please.

[RonDrakenfan17]

Animeish type ThinderCats it will probaly be like the 2006 Ninja Turtles.
I never got into the show, course Boomerang did show in the middle of the show, never in the begining so maybe that's why. Maybe I'll watch the series to see if I like it or not.

[Oddone]

Between this, Symbionic Titan, Young Justice, and what might just be a resurgence of comedy on the channel with Adventure time and the new Looney Tunes show...I really think Cartoon Network is getting me back as a fan in a big way.

Heck, I even liked the preview of the new Scooby Doo, and I usually can't *stand* those shows outside of A pup named Scooby Doo.

Seriously...studio 4C? Doing Thundercats?! Completely unexpected, and it piques an interest in the return of this franchise that I never, ever thought I'd have.

One has to wonder about "realistic cat-like characteristics" though. They're going to spend most of their day sitting around in the sun, napping?

[King_of_doom]

2011 can't come quick enough.

Are you nuts, we already in June(mostly half of the year) and you want it to speed it up? Before you know it 2011 will come very soon.

[ShadowGUN]

By Jaga. First Voltron returns in Nick Toons and now Thundercats return in CN. Freaking sweet man. Wonder I how long before we get Centurions, Silverhawks and Robotech reboots?

[Kenny E. McCall]

This is good news, Warner Brothers. Especially when we're going through the revelation of the apparent homicide of Thundercats writer Stephen Perry. At least he'll glad that one of the shows he wrote for is coming back to television. Now, if we can get a new Silverhawks cartoon with better writing and animation, we'll be set.

[Puffin]

This is just great news. I hope they do a great job on this, or I'll get 'em!

[Rho]

Holy crap. This, Green Lantern, Young Justice... assuming Batman: TBATB is still around come late 2011, they could have a whole block for these superhero shows.
Wonder if a new Superman series is next.



CN is definitely improving with all this.

[dtemplar]

I would love to see Cartoon Network or Boomerang have a Thundercats marathon before they bring the new Thundercats toon premieres.

[Checkerboard]

I would love to see Cartoon Network or Boomerang have a Thundercats marathon before they bring the new Thundercats toon premieres.

That would be cool....

[Linkdarkside]

well i only seen a few episode of the original series and i barely remember it.

[Funkatron]

As long as they have Kris Carter (One of the composers from the DCAU shows) or someone equally as awesome doing a new, modernized rendition of the classic Thundercats theme, I'll be happy

[Manga4life]

Are you nuts, we already in June(mostly half of the year) and you want it to speed it up? Before you know it 2011 will come very soon.

Still, with all the cool stuff that 2011 is going to bring (Toonzai, Thundercats, Sym-Bionic Titan) it feels like it's so far away, I am just thirsting for all of this great programming that is being discussed. I'm also getting excited to check out The Hub which goes on air as of 10/2010 so 2011 should be an interesting year for them too, there is just so much going on that 2011 could be a landmark year for animation on television.

[tinlunlau]

Oh man! This is sudden but good news indeed.
I never grew up in Hong Kong but I distinctly remembered a Cantonese version of the theme song when I was a kid. I used to listen to this song repeatedly on audio cassette and the thing is, TVB found the perfect guy to sing this track. If any of you remember the theme song to Jet Li's "Once Upon A Time in China" movies, I'm sure you'll all know who I'm talking about cuz it's the same guy.

Lyrics right here for those can read Chinese.
http://hk.music.yahoo.com/album-song.html?songid=69385

[Sketch]

So after years of rumors and most likely several pitches Warner finally decides on a plan to bring back the Thundercats? On the heals of the new Voltron and new versions of Transformers and GI-Joe with Ninja Turtles to follow in 2012. All things old are made new again.

Interesting that they are working with an anime studio.

They're gonna need more than 2 hours on Friday night to contain all the action programing available to them in 2011. Here's hoping for at least two action blocks (not including Saturday mornings).

[Rho]

^ I'm predicting that there'll be a superhero block on Saturdays.

Sym-Bionic Titan

What happened to the "Summer 2010" date?