Warner Bros. Animation and Amblin Television have been spitballing a new version of the hit ‘90s cartoon Animaniacs after the series received a burst in popularity since arriving on Netflix last year. Steven Spielberg, who developed the original series as a follow-up to the success of his Tiny Toon Adventures, is expected to be involved in producing the updated version, according to Indiewire.
The timing of an Animaniacs reboot feels perfect, considering the ‘90s nostalgia burst lately with reboots of shows like Fuller House, Twin Peaks and X-Files.
The animated series consisted of various segments, all bound together by the Warner siblings, Yakko, Wakoo and Dot, who are said to have been trapped in the studio’s water tower before escaping and causing mayhem all over the Warner Bros. lot every episode. The siblings’ goofy antics were aimed at a young demographic, but young adults were also attracted by the series’ witty animation and dazzling characterization emblematic of Hollywood animation’s glory days.
Animaniacs won eight Daytime Emmy Awards during its 99-episode run, along with a Peabody Award. “Too often today, animation on television is produced in a workmanlike manner, with little attention paid to characterization, illustration, and above all, narrative storytelling,” the Peabody website says in explaining the 1993 award. “The magic touch of executive producer Steven Spielberg is in evidence in the work of senior producers Rich Arons and Sherri Stoner, and the rest of the outstanding production team. For restoring quality to the daily animated television series, and for doing so in a thoroughly engaging and highly kinetic manner, a Peabody to Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs.”
To reinvigorate your Animaniacs nostalgia, check out this gallery of GIFs and memes from the hit series and listen to the opening theme song below.