Scooby-Doo and the gang return to the big screen

MANILA, Philippines — Fire up the Mystery Machine!

Scooby-Doo and his crime-busting pals will soon embark on a brand new comedy adventure, as Warner Bros. Pictures prepares to bring the beloved Hanna-Barbera franchise back to theaters beginning Sept. 21, 2018.

The announcement was made jointly by Warner Bros. Pictures executives Greg Silverman, Dan Fellman, Sue Kroll and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg.

In making the announcement, Silverman said, “Like countless fans, I have always loved the Hanna-Barbera cast of characters. As one of their most famous brand ambassadors, Scooby-Doo will take the lead in re-introducing this pantheon of enduringly popular animated stars on a grand scale with an exciting new movie.”

“It’s always a treat to see Scooby-Doo on the big screen and to share his larger-than-life adventures with audiences,” Fellman said. “As anticipation grows throughout production, the movie’s mid-September release date should start the fall season with a burst of fun.”

Kroll added, “It’s wonderful to be working with this talented and inspired team of filmmakers. We couldn’t ask for better producers than Charles Roven, Richard Suckle and Allison Abbate, who have such affection and respect for this property and know the Hanna-Barbera universe so well.”

“Scooby-Doo and his friends have the kind of universal appeal that reaches across cultures as well as generations,” Kwan Vandenberg said. “We expect this new take on the franchise to generate even more fans around the world.”

The film reunites Oscar-nominated producers Charles Roven and Richard Suckle, who previously produced the studio’s hugely successful live-action features “Scooby-Doo” and “Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.”

Joining them is BAFTA Award-winning producer Allison Abbate, who produced the Oscar-nominated features “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride” and “Frankenweenie.”

It will be directed by multiple Emmy Award nominee Tony Cervone. Renowned animation visionary Dan Povenmire will also bring his creative sensibilities to the production as an executive producer.  The screenplay is by Matt Lieberman.

The new Scooby-Doo feature will be a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation under the Warner Animation Group banner.