The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie secures a theatrical release in North America.
“You’re deththpicable” is what fans might have said if The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie ducked theaters. First announced in 2021 as part of Warner Bros. Animation’s slate of original animated movies for HBO Max and Cartoon Network, the 2D-animated feature based on the Looney Tunes Cartoons TV show was ultimately nixed at the streamer in 2022. In 2023, GFM Animation announced it was handling the worldwide distribution for the first-ever fully-animated Looney Tunes feature-length movie made for theaters — and now Daffy Duck and Porky Pig are bringing their screwball antics to U.S. screens.
Deadline reports Ketchup Entertainment has acquired the North American rights to new Looney Tunes movie, which will release in theaters nationwide later this year. A release date is TBA.
“The Day the Earth Blew Up is a historical moment for the Looney Tunes franchise, and we are proud to be partnering with Warner Bros. Animation to bring this film to audiences theatrically. We cannot wait for audiences of all ages to experience one of the smartest animated films in recent years,” said Gareth West, CEO of Ketchup Entertainment.
“Gareth’s enthusiasm for Warner Bros. Animation’s spectacular, Looney adventure persuaded us that Ketchup Entertainment were the right partners for releasing the film in North America. We’re looking forward to continuing to work with the team as they prepare for audiences to embrace Porky Pig and Daffy Duck on the big screen,” said Fred Hedman of GFM Animation.
Pete Browngardt, the creator of Cartoon Network’s Uncle Grandpa and a writer-director on Looney Tunes Cartoons, directed the new feature that premiered at the Annecy Animation Festival in June. Browngardt also co-wrote the film with Alex Kirwan (Looney Tunes Cartoons) and Kevin Costello (the Tom & Jerry movie).
In The Day the Earth Blew Up, Planet Earth faces the threat of an alien invasion and humanity’s only hope lies with Porky Pig and Daffy Duck. Starring the classic animated odd couple, this sci-fi buddy action comedy turns Porky and Daffy into unlikely heroes when their antics at the local bubble gum factory uncover a secret alien mind control plot. Against all odds, the two are determined to save their town (and the world!) — that is if they don’t drive each other crazy in the process. Eric Bauza (Looney Tunes Cartoons) voices Porky and Daffy and is joined by Candi Milo (Tiny Toons Looniversity) as Petunia Pig and Peter MacNicol (Numb3rs) as the alien Invader.
