Former 'SNL' Star Jenny Slate to Write Live Action/CGI 'Looney Tunes' Reboot Film

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by Charlie Schmidlin
September 20, 2012 3:50 PM
4 Comments

If the runaway success of 1996's Michael Jordan/Looney Tunes collab “Space Jam” mirrored Jason Segel's solid revitalization of the Muppets in 2011, then the franchise's follow-up installment, “Looney Tunes: Back In Action,” found its spiritual partner firmly in “Muppets in Space.” While featuring enjoyable moments and performances from leads Brendan Fraser and Jenna Elfman, the film nonetheless disappointed on both critical and financial fronts. But now it appears the classic characters are getting another shot as a well-known comedy writer/performer has decided to take the reins.

THR reports former “SNL” cast member Jenny Slate has been hired to write the latest Looney Tunes reboot, one which once again utilizes the live-action/CGI hybrid from both “Space Jam” and 'Back in Action.' A director has yet to be announced, but both David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith -- the latter of which hasn't had the best of luck this past year penning both “Dark Shadows” and “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” -- will produce the flick.

Slate initially seems a slightly unexpected choice for the job, but upon closer inspection at her voice work involvement in both “The Lorax” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked,” it makes sense that she'd want to take over the writing duties for a younger-skewed franchise film. Details for her story's direction are under wraps for now, but time will tell whether the film will have the staying power that “The Muppets” obtained so enormously under Segel's management.

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4 Comments

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MC | September 20, 2012 7:00 PMReply

"one which once again utilizes the live-action/CGI hybrid from both âSpace Jamâ and 'Back in Action.'"
I don't think they see it that way...
Nick | September 20, 2012 5:01 PMReply

She was hilarious and really sexy in an interview on the You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes podcast. So much so that I was retroactively even more disappointed that she wasn't asked back on SNL. She was solid-seeming with voices, characters, and a rapid-fire wit that it's a shame they couldn't figure out what to do with her.

Hopefully this does well, not only for the Looney Tunes, but her too.

Also, Space Jam 2 would be acceptable.
DG | September 20, 2012 5:01 PMReply

Wow, slow couple of days news-wise huh?
Benjamin | September 20, 2012 4:17 PMReply

Underrated as hell.