Warner Bros has pushed back the release of Animal Friends, its animated live-action hybrid comedy, from June 5 to January 22, 2027. The film, helmed by Peter Atencio, stars Ryan Reynolds as voicing Pony and Jason Momoa as Bear, two wanted creatures undertaking a cross-country journey adventure. The ensemble cast includes Aubrey Plaza as a federal agent, Dan Levy as a Fish and Wildlife ranger, Addison Rae, Lil Rey Howery and Ellie Bamber. This marks the latest in a series of schedule changes for the project, which has been moved around multiple times since initially scheduled for August 2025 through Columbia Pictures.
Launch Date Shuffle and Production Shifts
Animal Friends has experienced a significant journey through Warner Bros’ release schedule, having been moved multiple times since its original announcement. The film was originally scheduled for August 15, 2025, when it was set to release through Columbia Pictures under Legendary’s partnership with Sony. However, following the end of that partnership, the project transitioned to Warner Bros., which later shifted it multiple times throughout 2025 and 2026, showing the studio’s ongoing attempts to identify the optimal release date for the blended comedy.
The January 2027 date now represents the fifth confirmed release window for the project, reflecting the intricacies of coordinating major studio releases and managing competitive marketplace dynamics. By abandoning the June 5 slot, Warner Bros has freed space for other high-profile releases, including Amazon and MGM’s Masters of the Universe, Lionsgate’s Power Ballad starring Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd, and Paramount and Miramax’s Scary Movie reboot. The revised January positioning allows Animal Friends to sidestep direct competition with these titles whilst potentially capitalizing on post-holiday cinema attendance patterns.
- Originally scheduled for 15 August 2025 through Columbia Pictures
- Transferred to Warner Bros following conclusion of Legendary-Sony distribution deal
- Previously rescheduled for 10 October, May 1, and 5 June
- Currently scheduled for January 22, 2027 theatrical release date
The Story and Star-Filled Cast
Animal Friends brings together an notable collection of well-known talent and up-and-coming performers for this live action-animated hybrid production. Ryan Reynolds provides the voice Pony, the title character who is small yet self-absorbed animal protagonist, whilst Jason Momoa lends his voice Bear, his larger and substantially more conflict-avoiding companion. The supporting cast includes acclaimed actress Aubrey Plaza as a resolute DEA agent hunting the wanted pair, joined by Dan Levy playing a Fish and Wildlife ranger similarly determined about their capture.
The project bolsters its cast credentials with the presence of social media personality and actress Addison Rae, comedian Lil Rey Howery providing voice work for a bird character, and British actress Ellie Bamber rounding out the ensemble. Directed by Peter Atencio, the screenplay was written by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, with production undertaken by Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The combination of seasoned comedy performers and fresh faces points to Warner Bros has gathered a diverse team capable of producing the adult-oriented comedy the film aims to achieve.
Character Interactions
The fundamental idea hinges on the contrasting personalities of the animal pair of characters. Pony, in spite of his diminutive stature, embodies a self-absorbed nature that propels much of the comedy, whilst Bear represents the contrasting disposition—a benevolent colossus who consciously steers clear of disagreement. Together, this disparate twosome embarks on a transcontinental trip to discover the homestead they formerly knew as their home, all whilst evading apprehension from the equally eccentric law enforcement duo chasing them.
- Pony: diminutive animal with pronounced narcissistic personality traits
- Bear: big peace-loving animal companion to Pony
- Aubrey Plaza: single-minded DEA agent tracking the escaped creatures
- Dan Levy: Fish and Wildlife warden helping in the search
- Journey across the country attempting to locate their old ranch property
Production Details and Production Team
“The Animal Friends Project” constitutes a joint venture between three leading studios: Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The script was developed by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, who created the narrative around the core concept of a pair of escaped creatures on a desperate cross-country mission. Peter Atencio, an seasoned filmmaker known for his work in action and comedy styles, directs the project to realise the hybrid live-action animated concept to fruition with the necessary comedic timing and visual flair needed for an adult-targeted cross-country adventure.
The film’s development process reflects the intricacies of modern studio distribution arrangements. Initially planned for distribution via Columbia Pictures in August 2025, “Animal Friends” moved to Warner Bros after the end of Legendary Entertainment’s distribution partnership with Sony. This change required a complete reschedule, with the project moving through several release dates—October 2025, May 2026, and June 2026—before finally settling on its January 2027 position, demonstrating the intricate scheduling challenges facing major studio releases.
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Peter Atencio |
| Screenplay Writers | Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider |
| Production Companies | Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort, Prime Focus Studios |
| Distributor | Warner Bros. |
What Comes Next for Reynolds and Momoa
Ryan Reynolds’ timetable stays remarkably busy despite the delay to “Animal Friends.” The Canadian actor has the comedic action film “Mayday” scheduled for September 2026, maintaining him in the spotlight throughout the extended wait for the Warner Bros. release. Reynolds continues to balance his film commitments with his various business ventures, such as his film production outfit Maximum Effort, which is working on “Animal Friends” itself. His participation in both showcases his position as one of the film industry’s highly coveted leading men.
Jason Momoa, on the other hand, has sustained a similarly robust slate of projects throughout 2026. The actor recently appeared in “The Wrecking Crew” in January and has a pair of substantial projects lined up for the latter half of the year: the eagerly awaited “Street Fighter” adaptation and “Dune: Part Three,” the concluding chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s sprawling sci-fi epic. These major undertakings demonstrate Momoa’s continued prominence in both action franchises and prestige filmmaking, establishing him as a major draw for audiences around the world.
Forthcoming Initiatives
- Reynolds: “Mayday” action comedy coming September 2026
- Momoa: “The Wrecking Crew” debuting January 2026
- Momoa: “Street Fighter” film adaptation launching later in 2026
- Momoa: “Dune: Part Three” concluding the epic saga in 2026
