Warner Bros. is Finally Giving Speedy Gonzales the Spotlight He Deserves
After decades of being relegated to the sidelines, the “Fastest Mouse in All of Mexico” is sprinting toward his own solo film. Get ready to hear “¡Ándale! ¡Ándale!” in theaters again.
Hold onto your sombreros, animation fans. According to an exclusive from The Hollywood Reporter, everyone’s favorite speedy rodent is getting the feature-film treatment at Warner Bros. The studio has tapped the incredibly talented Jorge R. Gutiérrez to direct, signaling they’re taking this iconic character seriously.
Let’s be honest: for a character who’s been zipping around for over 70 years, it’s about time. While Bugs and Daffy have had countless chances to shine, Speedy Gonzales has spent recent years making glorified cameos in films like Space Jam: A New Legacy. A standalone movie isn’t just a new project; it’s a long-overdue correction.
Why Gutiérrez is the Perfect Choice
The hiring of Jorge R. Gutiérrez isn’t just smart—it’s inspired. This isn’t some studio suit being handed a legacy property. Gutiérrez is a celebrated auteur whose work, from the Oscar-nominated The Book of Life to the stunning Netflix series Maya and the Three, is drenched in vibrant Mexican folklore and heart. He’s a storyteller who understands the cultural tapestry from which Speedy was woven.
His background is a perfect fit: a writer on Nickelodeon’s cult classic El Tigre, a director, and even a voice actor in projects like The Bad Guys 2. He gets animation from every angle. Warner Bros. Pictures Animation president Bill Damaschke put it best in a statement: “Jorge is a singular storyteller whose voice, artistry and cultural perspective make every project he touches feel both timeless and completely new.”
This is the key. “Reimagining for today’s global audience” suggests we’re not getting a lazy nostalgia play. We’re getting a Speedy Gonzales rebuilt from the ground up with authenticity and modern sensibilities at its core.
The Road Ahead
Of course, the project is still in its earliest stages. The studio has yet to lock in a writer, let alone cast voices or nail down a plot. A release date is a distant speck on the horizon. But the most crucial piece—creative vision—is firmly in place.
The challenge will be monumental: honoring the chaotic, joke-a-minute spirit of the classic Looney Tunes shorts while crafting a narrative with enough heart and scale to fill a feature film. How do you translate “The Fastest Mouse in All of Mexico” into a 90-minute adventure that resonates in 2024 and beyond?
If anyone can pull it off, it’s Gutiérrez. This announcement feels like Warner Bros. is finally ready to lean into the full potential of its animation legacy, not just recycle it. So, dust off your cheering voice. It looks like Speedy Gonzales is finally off the bench and back in the race where he belongs.
