Reboots are nothing new in the world of television. Capitalizing on nostalgia can sometimes feel like a joyless cash-grab, but other times a masterpiece comes along and leaves everyone with a fresh new version of something they love.
Some of the upcoming reboots of old cartoon characters include Yellowstone, a series about Yogi and the rest of the Hanna Barbera gang, The Powerpuff Girls, a live-action re-telling of the adventures shared by Bubbles, Buttercup, and Blossom, Bedrock, a continuation of The Flinstones focusing on a grown-up version of Pebbles and Bam-Bam, and countless others we could spend all day spelling out.
For Warner Bros., the reboot train seems to be paying off. Animaniacs 2020 was met with an incredible reception as the series stayed true to its roots and retained its original cast. Meanwhile, Space Jam: A New Legacy has successfully dethroned Black Widow at the pandemic box office.
Their eyes are set on another version of these characters with a new series entitled Tiny Toons Looniversity. In an exclusive interview over on Syfy Wire, Bugs Bunny voice actor Jeff Bergman confirmed the existence of the series and teased a few of the characters that he will be voicing.
"Yes, we started recording. I am Bugs Bunny for the show and Foghorn Leghorn. I also do Sylvester for that. We just started recording. It’s really cute. Bugs is a professor now at the university, helping all the toons learn how to be loony with their best gags. And then it’s coach Foghorn Leghorn. It’s really cute and really fun.
This kind of seems almost like it picks up from the original. They’re back at the Looniversity, and so, I kind of feel like there’s a similarity between that. But we’re still early in the series. I’ve only done two episodes [and] I have my third one coming up. So, we’ll see where they go, but so far, it’s just like everybody’s back to school. Babs and Buster are back to school, and they’re in all their classrooms, and so, Bugs Bunny seems like the Dumbledore, sort of the wise professor."
A Dumbledore-like Bugs is definitely interesting. With Hogwarts being heavily referenced in Space Jam: A New Legacy, Warner Bros. has no problem digging into their other properties, such as Harry Potter, for character inspiration.
What do you guys think? Are you excited for Tiny Toons Looniversity, or would you prefer there be a cut-back in reboots? Regardless of your thoughts, be sure to share them in the usual spot.
Animaniacs fans can watch our exclusive chat with Yakko and Pinky voice actor Rob Paulsen below.
Legendary voice actor Rob Paulsen chats with us about his upcoming live performances of Animaniacs in Concert! We also talk about his ideas for a live-action Pinky and the Brain film as well as an animated Animaniacs feature.
Rob answers a number of fan questions and even goes as far as to sing his updated version of Yakko's World in character for us. He talks more about his fan crossover with Tohoru Masamune's Shredder as well as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in general.
Rob tells stories about how he was inspired to put his audience ahead of himself from experiences he has shared not only with special fans, but also with heroes like Gordy Howe and Steven Spielberg. Clocking in at just over an hour, this chat has a little bit for everyone.
Tiny Toons Looniversity will hit HBO Max in late 2022.