New 'Thundercats' Animated Series Trailer

The Thundercats are coming back to the small screen later this year courtesy of Warner Brothers and Cartoon Network. And though the big screen adaptation of Thundercats is currently dead, its brand new cartoon series is sure to breath life into the franchise. Up until now, we've only seen one choice image of the group, but a trailer recently aired during the network's Hall of Games Awards that gives a much better idea of what fans can expect. Check it out below.

Thanks to Thundercats Now for the heads up on this trailer.

The show look incredibly action heavy with a more than obvious anime influence. Created in tandem by Warner Brother Animation and Studio4°C, it looks almost nothing like the original show and very much like something Hayao Miyazaki might have created. Just populated by the characters you know and love like Lion-O, Snarf, Mumm-Ra, Panthro and Cheetara.

There's still no word on when specifically this will begin airing other than what the original press release said: 2011. But from this trailer you can tell the show is rumbling through production and we'll see it fairly soon.

As a reminder of how this new show will tie into the old one and for all the people involved, once again, here's a selection from the press release:

The 21st century reimagining of the series marks a creative collaboration between WBA and Studio4°C, one of the most vibrant animation studios in Japan, with credits including "The Animatrix," "Gotham Knights" and "Halo Legends." WBA is working closely with Studio4°C, utilizing the latter's expertise to give the "ThunderCats" characters a new cutting-edge look while remaining true to the compelling storylines and mythology of the original series.

"We at Studio4°C are excited to be in this creative partnership with Warner Bros. Animation to bring 'ThunderCats' to life," said Eiko Tanaka, President and CEO, Studio4°C. "This collaboration combines the strengths of our two companies – high production values and great storytelling – toward reintroducing this classic fan-favorite to a new audience."

Roaring to life through WBA and Studio4°C's use of the Japanese animated artistry of anime, "ThunderCats" characters Lion-O, Mumm-Ra, Panthro, Cheetara and others will spring off the screen with realistic cat-like characteristics inconceivable in previous incarnations.

The new "ThunderCats" will appeal to viewers who have loved the characters all their lives as well as young newcomers to the franchise. A sweeping tale combining swords and science and boasting ferocious battles with the highest of stakes, the grand origin story of Prince Lion-O's ascension to the throne – and of those who would thwart his destiny at any cost – takes on epic dimensions in this sharp new telling. As the forces of good and evil battle each other in the quest for the fabled Stones of Power, Lion-O and his champions learn valuable lessons of loyalty, honor and mortality in every episode.

"ThunderCats" is executive produced by Sam Register ("Teen Titans," "Ben 10," "Batman: The Brave and the Bold"). Michael Jelenic ("Batman: The Brave and the Bold," "Wonder Woman") and Ethan Spaulding ("Avatar: The Last Airbender") are the producers.