ThunderCats Roar Back into Action!

The ThunderCats are coming back!

[Source: Entertainment Weekly] EW exclusively revealed that Warner Bros. Animation is bringing back the iconic cat-like aliens for new animated series called ThunderCats Roar, which will debut on Cartoon Network in 2019.

Check out an exclusive sneak peak at the show above.

The original ThunderCats show aired from 1985 and 1989, and followed the adventures of Lion-O, Cheetara, Panthro, Tygra, Snarf, and WilyKit and WilyKat, the refugees of the planet Thundera who end up on Third Earth. While ThunderCats Roar plans on staying true to the original’s premise and will feature tons of action, it will also lean into the inherent comedy of the world, too.

“I think the world that they built lends itself really well to comedy because of how silly and crazy and outlandish those ideas are and some of those settings are,” says producer Victor Courtright in the exclusive behind-the-scenes video above. “But at the same time, it wouldn’t be ThunderCats if it didn’t have super cool action elements because that’s what people came back to. It’s very much something that we want to lean on. So with the new show, we’re not walking away from the action in any bit. Every step we take towards comedy, we take two more towards really cool action scenes and explosions and lasers and actions effects.” 

Here’s the official logline for the series: “Staying true to the premise of the original series, Lion-O and the ThunderCats — Tygra, Panthro, Cheetara, Wilykat, and Wilykit — barely escape the sudden destruction of their home world, Thundera, only to crash land on the mysterious and exotic planet of Third Earth. Lion-O, the newly appointed Lord of the ThunderCats, attempts to lead the team as they make this planet their new home. A bizarre host of creatures and villains stand in their way, including the evil Mumm-Ra, Third Earth’s wicked ruler who will let nothing, including the ThunderCats, stop his tyrannical reign over the planet.”

ThunderCats Roar stars Max Mittelman (Justice League Action) as Lion-O and Wilykat, Erica Lindbeck (DC Super Hero Girls) as Cheetara and Wilykit, Patrick Seitz (Justice League Action) as Tygra and Mumm-Ra, and Chris Jai Alex (Star Wars: Battlefront II) as Panthro.

ThunderCats

Episode 4 - "Song of the Petalars"

As the Lizards keep getting closer to the Thundercats, Lion-O questions if they're fighting a losing battle. When they see a small armada catching up, they hide in a thorn-bush forest where they meet the Petalars. The Petalars have lived in the forest since their ancestors were swept there by a powerful wind. Lion-O meets a young boy, Emrick, who wants be a hero like him. The Thundercats join the Petalars in their journey to the Valley of Winds, guided by an ancient map. Lion-O realizes that Emrick ages quickly, after which Cheetara learns that the Petalars live for what is a day to everyone else, but is a lifetime to the Petalars, who do not know or notice this. At the Gate to the valley, the group is ambushed by three Lizards. The Petalars, grateful to the Cats for aiding them on their journey, stun the Lizards long enough for the Cats to win. Slythe becomes impatient and orders the forest to be burned down. The ensuing fire cause an updraft allowing the Petalars to ride and escape. Emrick, now a dying old man, thanks Lion-O for being his friend and reminds him that what matters in life is how fully we live, before passing away. Now more confident, Lion-O leads the Thundercats against the Lizards outside the forest. When the Lizards are about to kill them, Panthro arrives in the Thundertank and easily dispatches them. 

New ThunderCats trailer at Wondercon

A deeper look into the updated ThunderCats series

[Source: Wikipedia] ThunderCats is an upcoming American animated television series executive produced by Sam Register, and produced by Ethan Spaulding and Michael Jelenic based on the original characters created in 1985 by Tobin "Ted" Wolf. The animation is provided by Studio 4°C and Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) will be handling the artwork. The series is an updated/reimaged version on the adventures of a group of cat-like humanoid aliens on their home planet Thundera, and Lion-O's ascension to the Thunderian throne. The new series will begin with a three-part episode opener set to premiere on Cartoon Network sometime in July 2011.

New Thundercats Action Figures

Photos from the New York Toy Fair

Bandai Description:

• Each of the 4” figures comes with a weapon and/or accessory that is unique to each character.
• All 4” figures include an embedded magnet in the figure for interaction with multiple SKUs across the line, activating unique features.

Here is the Swords of Omens, which includes lights and sounds with an extendable blade!

The ThunderTank comes with...

• a 4” scaled Snarf figure, designed to activate the magnetic “ThunderCats, Hooo!” sound effects.
• Launch the Bikes with a simple push of a button.
• The new 2011 4” figures can ride inside and unlock special ThunderTank features.

 

ThunderCats Remake Trailer

Presented on Cartoon Network, Feb 25, 2011

New ThunderCats!

Presenting the Catastic Four!

This new Thundercats series is set to premiere on Cartoon Network sometime later this year. It will appeal to viewers who have loved the characters all their lives as well as young newcomers to the franchise. A sweeping tale combining swords and science and boasting ferocious battles with the highest of stakes, the grand origin story of Prince Lion-O's ascension to the throne—and of those who would thwart his destiny at any cost—takes on epic dimensions in this sharp new telling. As the forces of good and evil battle each other in the quest for the fabled Stones of Power, Lion-O and his champions learn valuable lessons of loyalty, honor and mortality in every episode.