Animated Comedy "Fixed" Scrapped by Warner Bros., Future Uncertain
Warner Bros. Discovery has dropped the adult animated comedy "Fixed," written and directed by renowned animation legend Genndy Tartakovsky, according to sources close to the production. The film's rights will now revert back to Sony Pictures Animation, the production company behind "Fixed," which will seek a new distributor.
Initial reports from industry publications Puck News and Variety revealed Warner Bros.' decision to relinquish the film. Variety speculates that Netflix could be a potential distributor, given Sony Pictures Animation's previous collaborations with the streaming platform on projects like "The Mitchells vs. The Machines."
However, if Sony fails to secure a buyer, "Fixed" could suffer a similar fate to other shelved Warner Bros. projects such as "Batgirl," "Scoob! Holiday Haunt," and "Coyote vs. Acme."
Sources familiar with the situation inform IGN that Warner Bros. acquired the rights to "Fixed" during the AT&T ownership era when the company aimed to release a film per month on its streaming platform, then known as HBO Max (now simply Max). Warner Bros. Discovery, under new leadership, has since abandoned this strategy. Fortunately, Warner Bros. had already collaborated with the filmmakers to cover the production costs, leaving the responsibility of finding distribution to Sony.
"Fixed," as described on Sony Pictures Animation's website, is an "adult animated comedy about Bull, an average, all-around good dog who discovers he's going to be neutered in the morning! As the gravity of this life-altering event sets in, Bull realises he needs one last adventure with his pack of best friends as these are the last 24 hours with his balls! What could go wrong...?" The film boasts a star-studded voice cast featuring Adam Devine as Bull, along with Idris Elba, Kathryn Hahn, Bobby Moynihan, Fred Armisen, Beck Bennett, Michelle Buteau, and River Gallo.
The decision to drop "Fixed" is surprising, considering Tartakovsky's long-standing relationship with Warner Bros. Animation. He collaborated with the studio on iconic Cartoon Network and Adult Swim series such as "Dexter's Laboratory," "Samurai Jack," and "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" in their early days. More recently, he has continued working with Warner Bros. on the critically acclaimed "Primal" for Adult Swim.
Warner Bros. Animation has faced several challenges recently, with this news adding to the string of setbacks. However, there is a glimmer of hope, as another animated film, "The Day the Earth Blew Up," was recently rescued from Warner Bros. Discovery's animation backlog by Ketchup Entertainment, ensuring its theatrical release.
IGN has reached out to Warner Bros. and Sony for comment.
*Editor's note: This story has been updated with independent confirmation and additional background.
Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.
