Warner Bros Pictures Animation, formerly known as Warner Animation Group (WAG), is undergoing a significant rebranding under the leadership of its newly appointed President of Feature Animation, Bill Damaschke. The announcement was made during the Annecy Animation Film Festival.
The rebranding is a nod to the company’s rich history, with Damaschke highlighting the legacy of Warner Bros Pictures Animation, which has released groundbreaking and commercially successful films like Iron Giant, Space Jam, Corpse Bride, Polar Express, Happy Feet, and The Lego Movie. These films, according to Damaschke, have left a lasting impact on audiences due to their innovative storytelling and technological advancements.
Damaschke’s vision for Warner Bros Pictures Animation includes the creation of original intellectual property (IP), a strategy he successfully implemented during his two-decade tenure at DreamWorks Animation. He plans to follow the creative lead of Pamela Abdy and Michael De Luca, who are known for their focus on directors and writers.
While the company will continue to produce films based on established animated IPs, such as Scoob!, Tom & Jerry, Space Jam: A New Legacy, and DC League of Super-Pets, there is also a focus on starting new franchises. The goal is for the division to release two animated theatrical films per year.
Damaschke, who previously worked at Skydance Media and produced the Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals Moulin Rouge! and The Prom, is currently working with a core staff of 90 at Warner Bros. This team includes production artists, filmmakers, and writers. They are currently working on The Cat in the Hat, which is expected to be ready for a 2025 or 2026 theatrical release.
In addition to this, Warner Bros Pictures Animation is also in the early stages of developing a Flintstones origin story movie titled Meet the Flintstones, written by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who directed The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Damaschke’s appointment to the top animation post at Warner Bros was first announced in February. He will report to the co-chairs and co-CEOs of the Warner Bros Motion Picture Group, De Luca and Abdy. His extensive experience and passion for storytelling have been lauded by De Luca and Abdy, who believe his vision aligns perfectly with the studio’s creative strategy.
