New Daffy Duck Projects Teased at Animation Studio Open House

Warner Bros. Pictures Animation is doubling down on its commitment to revive the Looney Tunes brand with a slate of theatrical projects, including a new Daffy Duck short titled *Daffy Season*, which was teased during an open house event at the Burbank studio on May 12, 2026.

The announcement comes as part of a broader push by the studio to return classic characters to the big screen under the leadership of Bill Damaschke, president and chief creative officer of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Pam Abdy, co-chair and CEO of the Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group. The event, held ahead of the studio’s upcoming presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June, highlighted multiple projects in development, with *Daffy Season* positioned as a key entry in the revival effort.

According to studio representatives, *Daffy Season* will mark the character’s first theatrical appearance since 2012, when *Daffy’s Rhapsody* premiered before *Journey 2: The Mysterious Island*. The short, directed by Todd Wilderman and Hamish Grieve, centers on Daffy Duck’s reaction to Elmer Fudd’s newfound obsession with soccer—a theme that aligns with the timing of the 2026 World Cup. While the voice cast for the project has not yet been confirmed, industry speculation suggests Eric Bauza, who voiced Daffy in *The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie* (2024), could reprise the role.

The project underscores Warner Bros.’ strategic focus on theatrical animation, with Abdy emphasizing during the open house that the studio is prioritizing “filmmaker-driven, visually ambitious” projects designed as “true theatrical events.” Among the other projects teased was *The Cat in the Hat*, an adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic starring Bill Hader, set for a November 2026 release. That film, the studio’s first feature since Damaschke’s 2023 hiring, signals a renewed emphasis on high-profile animated adaptations.

Damaschke, who joined Warner Bros. In 2023 after leading Sony Pictures Animation, has been instrumental in reshaping the studio’s animation pipeline, emphasizing a mix of IP revival and original storytelling. The Annecy presentation will serve as a critical showcase for these efforts, with *Daffy Season* and *The Cat in the Hat* leading the lineup. The festival, a premier platform for animated filmmakers, will offer Warner Bros. An opportunity to generate buzz ahead of broader theatrical releases.

Industry observers note that the timing of *Daffy Season* coincides with a broader resurgence of interest in classic cartoon properties, driven in part by streaming platforms’ success in reviving vintage content. However, Warner Bros.’ focus on theatrical releases distinguishes its approach, positioning Looney Tunes as a franchise with enduring box-office potential. The studio’s decision to prioritize shorts and feature films over exclusively digital content reflects a calculated bet on the enduring appeal of animated cinema.

While details such as animation style (2D vs. 3D) and additional cast members remain under wraps, the project’s inclusion in Annecy suggests Warner Bros. Is treating *Daffy Season* as a high-profile entry in its animation slate. The short’s soccer-centric premise also introduces a contemporary angle, potentially broadening its appeal beyond traditional Looney Tunes fans.

For now, the studio’s animation team—including Wilderman, Grieve, and writer Jenny Jaffe (*Teen Titans Go!*, *Ren & Stimpy* reboot)—is finalizing the project ahead of its debut. With *The Cat in the Hat* already slated for late 2026, Warner Bros. Is positioning itself as a major player in the animated film space, leveraging nostalgia while embracing modern storytelling techniques.