Chris Pratt embodies the world’s most sarcastic yet endearing orange feline in the first trailer for “The Garfield Movie”, premiering in theaters on May 24, 2024.
The feature introduces new characters to comic creator Jim Davis’ universe, including Samuel L. Jackson as Vic, Garfield’s father. Both Pratt and Jackson have been honing their voice acting chops, with Jackson playing another animated cat in “Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank” and Pratt portraying Mario in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.”
In the trailer, the lovable fat cat explains how he adopted his owner, John. Before diving into a tray of lasagna, he warns the viewers, “I apologize in advance. The eating you’re about to see will not be pretty. And if you have young children, this would be a good time for them to leave the room.”
The movie is the latest from the franchise to take the big screen. Bill Murray previously starred as the titular character in “Garfield: The Movie” in 2004 and its sequel “Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties” in 2006.
The live-action and CGI-hybrid films garnered commercial success, despite mostly negative critical reception.
The franchise has also inspired direct-to-video movies like “Garfield Gets Real” and “Garfield’s Fun Fest” as well as the animated series “Garfield and Friends” and “The Garfield Show.”
“Chicken Little” and “Emperor’s New Groove” director Mark Dindal directs “Garfield” from a script written by David Reynolds, known for “Finding Nemo.”
The movie is produced by Columbia Pictures and financed by Alcon Entertainment, which owns the rights to the “Garfield” comic series and brand.
Sony Pictures will distribute “Garfield” globally, excluding China. Davis serves as executive producer, with Bridget McMeel and Craig Sost.
John Cohen, Steven P. Wegner, Andrew Kosove, Broderick Johnson, Namit Malhotra, and Tom Jacomb are producers.