Tom and Jerry (2021 film)

Plans for a live-action Tom and Jerry film were announced in 2009 following the success of Alvin and the Chipmunks, and was to follow Tom and Jerry's origins over a Chicago backdrop. The film was to be produced by Dan Lin, from a script written by Eric Gravning.[1]

On April 6, 2015, plans shifted from a live-action film to a full on animated film, and was to stay "in the same vein as the source material".[2]

In October 2018, it was announced that Tim Story would direct a live-action/animated Tom and Jerry film for Warner Bros., which would begin filming in 2019. It was reported that Story was in discussions with Warner Bros. executives about what he was interested in directing. When the Tom and Jerry film was brought up, Story immediately "mentioned his admiration for the characters and how he’d love tackling that property."[3] Principal photography began in July 2019 at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden in Hertfordshire, England.[4] Animation services will be provided by Framestore, who hired 3D animators with a passion for 2D animation for the project. Following the strategy of basing the animation off a stylized 3D/CGI VFX modeling medium through a vintage 2D finish by creating innovative rigging, animation techniques used to create 2D animation, and custom tools such as lighting and rendering, resulting in the film's 3D/CGI animation maintaining the look, feel, and spirit of 2D animation, in the veins of the original classic shorts in the '1940s-'1950s.[5] Producer Christopher DeFaria has completed the live-action filming before the industry's shutdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic and is being set to conceiving animated scenes, doing creative exploration on certain shots, and finalizing material through production groups.[6]

In March 2019, it was reported that Zoey Deutch and Olivia Cooke were frontrunners for the lead live-action role of Kayla, “who teams up with Tom to stop the pesky Jerry from ruining an important event for herself.” Additionally, Yara Shahidi, Kelly Marie Tran, Becky G and Isabela Moner were in consideration for the role.[7] Later that month, it was reported that Peter Dinklage was being considered for the role of Terrance, Kayla's boss and the human antagonist of the film.[8] In April, Chloë Grace Moretz was in final negotiations to star in the film.[9] In May 2019, Michael Peña joined the cast in the role Dinklage was eyed for.[10] Colin Jost, Ken Jeong, Rob Delaney, Jordan Bolger and Pallavi Sharda were added to the cast in July.[11][12] Patsy Ferran was revealed to be part of the cast in September.[13]