Warner Bros has postponed the release of Animal Friends, its live-action animated hybrid comedy, from June 5 to January 22, 2027. The film, directed by Peter Atencio, stars Ryan Reynolds as voicing Pony and Jason Momoa as Bear, two wanted creatures setting off on a cross-country road trip adventure. The ensemble cast includes Aubrey Plaza as a federal agent, Dan Levy as a 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 originally being set for August 2025 through Columbia Pictures.
Launch Date Changes and Studio Shifts
Animal Friends has gone through a notable journey through Warner Bros’ release schedule, after being rescheduled multiple times since its original announcement. The film was originally slated for August 15, 2025, when it was planned to debut through Columbia Pictures under Legendary’s distribution agreement with Sony. However, following the end of that deal, the project transitioned to Warner Bros., which later shifted it several times throughout 2025 and 2026, demonstrating the studio’s continued efforts to locate the optimal release window for the hybrid comedy.
The January 2027 date now represents the fifth verified release slot for the project, reflecting the intricacies of coordinating major studio releases and navigating intense marketplace dynamics. By vacating the June 5 slot, Warner Bros has freed space for other prominent 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 avoid direct competition with these titles whilst possibly capitalizing on post-holiday cinema attendance patterns.
- Initially planned for August 15, 2025 through Columbia Pictures
- Moved to Warner Bros following end of Legendary-Sony distribution agreement
- Previously rescheduled for 10 October, 1 May, and 5 June
- Now set for January 22, 2027 cinema release date
The Story and Star-Filled Cast
Animal Friends combines an impressive ensemble of seasoned actors and rising talent for this live action-animated hybrid film. Ryan Reynolds lends his voice Pony, the titular small but self-absorbed animal protagonist, whilst Jason Momoa voices Bear, his bigger and notably more peace-loving companion. The ensemble comprises acclaimed actress Aubrey Plaza as a committed federal agent chasing the wanted pair, alongside Dan Levy portraying a Fish and Wildlife ranger similarly determined about their arrest.
The project enhances its cast credentials with the inclusion of social media personality and actress Addison Rae, comedian Lil Rey Howery voicing a bird character, and British actress Ellie Bamber completing the ensemble. Directed by Peter Atencio, the screenplay was crafted by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, with production undertaken by Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The combination of established comedic talent and fresh faces indicates Warner Bros has brought together a diverse team able to delivering the adult-targeted humour the film aims to achieve.
Character Interactions
The fundamental premise rests upon the opposing character traits of the duo of animal leads. Pony, notwithstanding his diminutive stature, exemplifies a self-centred narcissism that propels much of the comedic elements, whilst Bear represents the opposite temperament—a gentle giant who consciously steers clear of confrontation. As a pair, this mismatched pair embarks on a transcontinental trip to find the property they once called their home, all whilst eluding apprehension from the similarly unconventional police pair pursuing them.
- Pony: small animal with marked narcissistic personality traits
- Bear: big peace-loving animal friend to Pony
- Aubrey Plaza: determined DEA officer tracking the escaped creatures
- Dan Levy: Wildlife and Fisheries warden aiding in the search
- Cross-country trek attempting to locate their former ranch home
Production Details and Creative Staff
“The Animal Friends Project” constitutes a joint venture between three major studios: Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The screenplay was crafted by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, who constructed the story around the core concept of a pair of escaped creatures on a desperate cross-country mission. Peter Atencio, an seasoned filmmaker known for his expertise in comedy and action styles, helms the project to realise the hybrid live-action animated vision to life with the required comic timing and visual flair needed for an adult-oriented road trip adventure.
The film’s production journey reflects the complexities of contemporary studio distribution models. Originally scheduled for distribution via Columbia Pictures in August 2025, “Animal Friends” moved to Warner Bros following the conclusion of Legendary Entertainment’s distribution deal with Sony. This change required a complete reschedule, with the film moving through multiple release dates—October 2025, May 2026, and June 2026—before finally settling on its January 2027 slot, demonstrating the complex scheduling difficulties confronting 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’s Next for Reynolds and Momoa
Ryan Reynolds’ timetable remains remarkably occupied despite the postponement to “Animal Friends.” The Canadian actor has the action comedy “Mayday” scheduled for September 2026, keeping him in the public eye during the extended anticipation for the Warner Bros. film. Reynolds continues to balance his movie obligations with his various business ventures, including his production company Maximum Effort, which is involved in developing “Animal Friends” itself. His participation in both showcases his standing as one of the film industry’s highly coveted leading men.
Jason Momoa, meanwhile, has kept up an equally busy slate of projects throughout 2026. The actor was featured in “The Wrecking Crew” in January and has a pair of substantial projects lined up for the remainder of 2026: the eagerly awaited “Street Fighter” adaptation and “Dune: Part Three,” the ultimate chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s sprawling sci-fi epic. These high-profile commitments demonstrate Momoa’s ongoing prominence in both action series and prestige cinema, establishing him as a major attraction for audiences globally.
Upcoming Projects
- Reynolds: “Mayday” action comedy coming September 2026
- Momoa: “The Wrecking Crew” released January 2026
- Momoa: “Street Fighter” adaptation launching later in 2026
- Momoa: “Dune: Part Three” concluding the sprawling epic in 2026
