Speedy Gonzales Movie Back in Development at Warner Bros. With New Director

Speedy Gonzales is reportedly racing to the big screen with a new movie from director Jorge R. Gutiérrez.

The Hollywood Reporter says the Looney Tunes icon is revving up for a standalone, animated film for Warner Bros. in the future. Casting, plot details, and a release date have not been announced.

Speedy Gonzales is a name that has graced the cartoon world for more than 70 years. The tiny Looney Tune has long been called The Fastest Mouse in All of Mexico, often using his fast feet, quick wit, and small stature to entertain kids and adults alike in both shows and movies. Recent years have seen him mostly sidelined in cameo roles in projects like Space Jam: A New Legacy and Bugs Bunny Builders.

Gutiérrez will lead the charge on the Speedy Gonzales movie, which is currently without a writer. He’s best known for his work as a writer for Nickelodeon’s short-lived El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera cartoon, with his directing credits including the El Guapo vs The Narco Vampires, Maya and the Three, The Book of Life, and more. Audiences may also recognize the filmmaker for his experience as a voice actor for a number of animated works, such as The Bad Guys 2, Victor and Valentino, and Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

“Jorge is a singular storyteller whose voice, artistry and cultural perspective make every project he touches feel both timeless and completely new,” Warner Bros. Pictures Animation president Bill Damaschke said in a statement. “We couldn’t be more excited to have him reimagining Speedy Gonzales, one of our most beloved Looney Tunes characters, for today’s global audience.”

The Speedy Gonzales movie is getting its little feet moving at Warner Bros., but this isn’t the first time the iconic mouse character has tried to race his way into getting his own movie. It was reported in 2016 that another animated movie, then called Speedy, was in the works, with Eugenio Derbez attached to star. The project never came to fruition, with Derbez telling United Press in 2024 that “the studios are afraid that, nowadays, it’s so politically incorrect.” It’s unclear if elements from that iteration of the project will be carried over to the new one.

Last month, Gutiérrez teased his involvement in the project with an Instagram post. In the message, which sees him sporting a Speedy Gonzales toy and t-shirt, he says, “Guess what movie I might be developing at Warner Brothers Pictures Animation…”

Looney Tunes fans have found a few reasons to look forward to the family of cartoon animals’ future in film. In addition to Warner Bros. renewed interest in Speedy, fans rejoiced to learn that the long-shelved Coyote vs. Acme had found a new home in Ketchup Entertainment. Its theatrical release date is currently scheduled for August 28, 2026, with Speedy Gonzales expected to arrive at an unspecified date after that. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. as a whole is set to undergo a massive shakeup, as Netflix works against Paramount to secure a deal.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).