Animation Reboots: Thundercats vs. DuckTales, and John Lasseter's Early CG Experiments

Fan Reactions to Animation Reboots

• 😠 The fan community's overwhelmingly negative reaction to Cartoon Network's "Thundercats Roar" reboot is contrasted with the enthusiastic embrace of Disney's "DuckTales" reboot.
• 💡 The hosts question the disconnect, noting that both reboots feature a different look, style, and storytelling approach, yet receive vastly different fan reception.
• 📺 The "DuckTales" reboot is praised for its new take, including an episode featuring Darkwing Duck as a television character, sparking debate about character origins.

The History of Thundercats Reboots

• 💥 The original "Thundercats" series, produced by Rankin/Bass in the 1980s, had a 2011 reboot attempt by Warner Brothers that was darker and more sophisticated but only lasted one season.
• 🚀 The new "Thundercats Roar" aims to mix comedy with action, adopting a stylized, cartoony look reminiscent of "Gravity Falls" and "Steven Universe."
• 🔗 A surprising connection is revealed: artists who worked on the original "DuckTales" also contributed to "Thundercats," suggesting a shared animation lineage.

Early CG Experiments at Disney

• 🎬 John Lasseter and Glen Keane's 1983 test for a CG "Where the Wild Things Are" featurette, combining hand-drawn characters with CG backgrounds, was deemed too expensive at $6 million for 25 minutes.
• 💡 A subsequent CG test for a feature-length "The Brave Little Toaster" was also rejected by then-studio head Ron Miller due to high costs and the financial failure of "Tron."
• 💔 Lasseter was fired from Walt Disney Animation Studios after these projects were passed over, leading him to consult for Lucasfilm's CG group.

The Birth of Pixar

• 🤝 Lasseter's work on "The Adventures of Andre and Wally B." at Lucasfilm, which introduced squash-and-stretch animation to CG characters, was a sensation and a pivotal moment.
• 🌟 This project is seen as the catalyst that led to the formation of what would eventually become Pixar.
• 🎨 Glen Keane, meanwhile, continued his successful career at Disney, working on characters like Ratigan in "The Great Mouse Detective" and Ariel in "The Little Mermaid."

Animation News and Exhibitions

• 🎬 Warner Brothers Animation is partnering with George R.R. Martin for an adaptation of "The Ice Dragon," signaling a renewed commitment to animation.
• 🌟 "The Mitchells vs. The Machines," directed by "Gravity Falls" alumni, is highly anticipated for its potential to recapture that show's aesthetic.
• 📺 The complete "Gravity Falls" series is being released by Shout Factory, a notable departure from Disney's usual home entertainment distribution.
• 🖼️ Exhibitions at the Walt Disney Family Museum celebrate Glen Keane and the "Nine Old Men," offering a look at animation history.