Warner Bros., which have re-imagined Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Wile E. Coyote as sleek new figures for a modern age, have come under severe criticism from Looney Tunes die-hard fans.
“Loonatics” – a new series - which is set to air this fall on WPIX/Channel 11 as part of the Saturday morning Kids' WB program lineup will showcase cartoon characters - descendants of the original favorites set in the year 2772 - as a futuristic, slimmed-down superhero.
But the move has received flakes from children and adults alike. “It's just not Bugs Bunny,” said Andrea Diaz, 38, of Washington Heights. “If they're going to make him so different, why not just come up with a new character,” he said.
Lisa Lopez, 26, a Brooklyn resident said: “That's some makeover. I recognize them, but only just. They look robotic. I'm not sure I like it at all.”
“Looney Tunes is outdated,” said Robert Katz, 28, from the lower East Side. “But they shouldn't take classic characters and try to change them. Come up with something new,” he reiterated.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Animation president Sander Schwartz said: “This is a kids show intended for kids today who are growing up in the Internet age, an age of technology, an age of hip, cool animation, and something that we hope will resonate with that age group.”
He said the characters' superpowers have not yet been finalized. And neither have their names, although they are expected to have names close to those of their ancestors.
Schwartz said Warner settled on six characters because that's as many as a half-hour ensemble show can handle. But he didn't rule out guest appearances by some of the other legends of Looney Tunes, although in futuristic form.
