I Found this site and was wondering if anyone has ever seen these concepts before. Supposedly they are for a pitch to Warner Bros. for a New Thundercats series. They’re cool, but not how I would like to see these characters redone. (That’s if it ever happens)
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Lian-o and Mumm-Ra |/
Awesome find Cougar! Front page worthy credited to you! 
As for my opinion, I really don’t like the monkey concept…Lion-O has Snarf, we don’t need another annoying character! The design is iffy – it’s a huge departure from the original design…especially Mumm-Ra, but again, who knows what the final design will be.
All I know is I don’t like the idea of having a Mumm-Ra without bandages! 
I think the WB is being very cautious as to how they want to do the new series. MOTU stuck really close to the original series and it didn’t gain much interest with the younger audience. So I can see why WB would have to go with a totally new design…at the same time, they will probably LOSE the older viewers. But we’ll see.
A pet monkey? No bandages for Mumm-Ra? You really have to wonder what some of these execs are thinking. They may look different, but I could still see those designs working. It is a shame that we aren’t going to have a new toon. 
Who said there wasn’t going to be a new toon? 
[QUOTE=TCL-Manny]
Who said there wasn’t going to be a new toon?
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Nobody I guess. It hasn’t been said that there would be one either so I reserve the right to be pessimistic.
I understand why you would be pessimistic. I still believe WB is going to give us something new for this franchise. Whether it’s new toys, new comics, or a new toon, that’s anyone’s guess. If the WB is smart, they’ll take some pointers from the MOTU 200X series. See what worked, what didn’t…and get it right for everyone. There will always be those who prefer the original series…and that’s okay – but I’d love to see the ThunderCats succeed in a whole new generation, especially because He-Man and Transformers always overshadowed TC in the 80s…it could be there time to shine.
This was a message on his comments area:
Deviant: *[U][I]2-Cents[/I][/U] ([U][I]#237438547[/I][/U])
Date: Mar 23, 2006, 11:03:01 AM
Thanks man… yeah I’m no longer involved w/ the thundercats project, but I’ve heard that its still moving forward over at W.B. so keep yer fingers crossed!!! HOOOOO!
He works at Nickolodeon on the show Avatar, the Last Airbender (great cartoon by the way). Take that comment for what it is, but since he is in the industry, I’d take his word for it. How far along is the show? I don’t know, but it’s still progressing which is good news.
I can confirm “Unofficially” that around 10 to 12 artists were asked to do some concept sketches for the new show. This is actually the second time they have done this with the last being in 2003-4 on a smaller scale. I am working on getting some kind of “official” comment but it is really hush hush right now and nothing is ready for press release. From the little I have been told from my source there is something going on…
Yeah, someone posted them on the he-man.org 200x cartoon forum.
Personally I don’t like them. I don’t think they are right for a relaunch of Thundercats. To me it seems as though the original concept of both characters has not been taken into account. For example Mumm-ra does not resemble an egyptian mummy in any way when he should.
For a new cartoon, I hope the designs are nothing like that we have seen above.
If WB aren’t careful, a new Thundercats cartoon is gonna end up the same way the New Adventures of He-man did.
Wow, Front page worthy already.
I think the Mumm-ra concept isn?t bad, but could use some tweaking here and there. Maybe throw on some bandages or tattered shrouds. But he definitely needs a headdress.
Lion O needs more bulk…he looks like a pansy. Mummra could use some bandages. Overall not bad
I think if you don’t compare them to the original designs, then they look pretty good. Seeing what happened to the 200X MOTU series, I’d rather they do something that interest the kids and they make it successful rather than they stick to the original designs and have it fall flat on the ground.
I guess I’m just trying to be optimistic. Change the color of Lion-O’s uniform to blue…add a claw shield…give Mumm-Ra bandages and a headress…and well, I’d fall head over heels for it. 8)
Good to hear somethings in progress(Better than nothing). Hopefully we will hear an offical announcement that the new series will air this fall!
Is it at all possible the new cartoon and toy prototypes could be unveiled at SDCC 2006?
I’m not an expert on comic conventions, so I don’t know if these things are posted in advance so you know what to expect at the con, or do companies sometimes surprise the industry/fans at the cons?
Surely if something is happening this year, the best place to debut it would be at the summer comic conventions?
well, if they are going to have a new show based on something like this - I just saved a TON of money on a new toy line.
I think those drawings are totally un-unique and flat out bad.
If I wanted anime, I’d watch it, thanks.
boooooo!
[QUOTE=mesepher]
well, if they are going to have a new show based on something like this - I just saved a TON of money on a new toy line.
I think those drawings are totally un-unique and flat out bad.
If I wanted anime, I’d watch it, thanks.
boooooo!
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Please remember that they are just concept sketches. This artist is not the only artist giving concept sketches to WB. It is a long process from initial concept to the finished green lighted characters. There are probably a few dozen sketches for each character. Also usually there is a confidentiality form signed by artists who have things picked to be used in actual production. Those artists would not even legally be able to show the sketches they did if they were accepted.
You know that the original series was anime-ish right ?
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When you get down to it, the concept drawings change nothing. Executives have never really understoond the concept of a target audience. Simposons was going to be for children, yet their target audience came from the Tracy Ullman Show, meaning their target audience were actually adults.
Now, with Thundercats. In their minds it’ll be cool to the 6-13 year olds,
so they will do what ever they could to make it hip, and cool to them.
The problem with that is that, other than the DVDs, the 6-13 year olds, have very little knowledge of who, or what ThunderCats were, or are. If WB were smart they’d tack the new ThunderCats on with the Adult Swim line-up, and cash in the 20+ Nostolgia market. Kids don’t buy toys, adults do.
As for the designs, I have no problem with the artist himself, he was just taking orders from his boss(es), as for the designs. I hate them to be honest. Mumm-Ra is too bulk, and should not have wings, and Lion-O is too scrawny.
Just my two cents/Pents.
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There’s nothing wrong with the artist. People who can do this kind of art are some talented ones, for sure. I love the crispness, clean and professional look to it and you can just tell this guy loves what he does. More power to him, kick tail!
My gripe about the two pieces are: that’s not Lion-O and that’s not Mumm-Ra. Out of both of them, I’d be more willing to accept Mumm-Ra in that form than a skinny butt, green-eyed, punk that’s being labeled as Lion-O. It doesn’t surprise me that the younger generation is being catered to and WB is giving so-called “heroes” like this: punks. They might as well call it “PunkCats,” like the younger generation is going to give a care about what inspired it.
Just give me the full 130 episodes of “ThunderCats”…those sets are expensive enough.
Sheesh.
I thought the Mumm-Ra design was awesome. Lion-O fell kind of flat on me. I think Lion-O should be built like a tank.