| The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie | |
| Director: | Pete Browngardt |
| Editing: | Nick Simotas |
| Music: | Joshua Moshier |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. Animation |
| Distributor: | Ketchup Entertainment |
| Runtime: | 91 minutes |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie is a 2024 American animated science fiction comedy film produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Directed by Pete Browngardt in his directorial debut, it is the first original fully animated feature film of the Looney Tunes franchise to receive a worldwide theatrical release. The film is an adaptation of the Looney Tunes Cartoons series developed by Browngardt and features the voices of Eric Bauza, Candi Milo, Peter MacNicol, Fred Tatasciore, and Laraine Newman. Its story centers on Daffy Duck and Porky Pig as they try to save the Earth from an alien invasion.
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 11, 2024, and is expected to be released in the United States later that year by Ketchup Entertainment, making it the first Looney Tunes film to not be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures domestically.
Due to a series of antics at the bubblegum factory, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig discover a secret alien plot to take over the Earth via mind-control. The duo must work together to stop the aliens, while trying to avoid driving each other insane.[1]
In September 2021, it was reported that a film based on the Looney Tunes Cartoons series was in development at Warner Bros. Animation, focusing on Daffy Duck and Porky Pig.[4] Kevin Costello, who previously wrote Warner Animation Group's Tom & Jerry released earlier that year, was announced as the writer, with Pete Browngardt returning from Looney Tunes Cartoons as an executive producer and director. Eric Bauza reprised his voice role as Daffy and took over as the voice of Porky, replacing Bob Bergen.[5] Candi Milo replaced Lara Jill Miller as Petunia Pig. Additional starring cast members include Peter MacNicol, Fred Tatasciore, Laraine Newman, and Wayne Knight.
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie world premiere took place at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival celebration on June 11, 2024.[6] It was first released theatrically in Germany and Switzerland by the local branch of Warner Bros. Pictures on August 1, 2024.[7] [8] That same month, it was announced that Ketchup Entertainment acquired North American rights to the film,[9] which is expected to be released theatrically in the United States later in 2024.[10]
The film was originally set to be released on Max, which was then known as HBO Max, and the "ACME Night" block on Cartoon Network. However in August 2022, it was reported that due to a restructuring at Warner Bros. Discovery, the film would no longer be released on HBO Max nor Cartoon Network and that instead would be shopped around to other streaming services.[11] In June 2023, the film was retitled Looney Tunes: Bubble Brains.[12] In October 2023, it was announced that the film would instead be released in theaters in 2024, with the title reverting to the original; GFM Animation launched sales and presented first-look footage at the American Film Market, which ran from October 31 to November 5, 2023.[13] [14]
The film was promoted during the Warner Bros. Discovery panel at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, where the film's title was unveiled.[15] An early animation clip for the film was released on September 22, 2022. It was shown during the Warner Bros. Animation panel at the Ottawa International Animation Festival.[16]
Upon its premiere in Annecy, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie received overwhelmingly positive reactions from attendees.[17] [18] Peter Debruge of Variety praised the film for its comedy and emotional core, and felt that the entire project was "crafted with love and a genuine respect for the franchise". Rafael Motomayor of IGN awarded the film a 9 out of 10 star rating. He praised its comedy, emotional core, animation, and Bauza's voice performances, and referred to it as "one of the funniest movies of the year".[19]