Chris Pratt, the Guardians of the Galaxy actor, will play the lasagna-loving kitty in Alcon Entertainment’s upcoming Garfield feature. The forthcoming computer-generated cartoon feature will open in theatres on Friday, February 16, 2024, instead of a Monday, which is a relief. Pre-production on the film is still ongoing, and we know Pratt will be voicing Garfield and that it will arrive in around 18 months. This also suggests that the movie’s narrative is still being kept under wraps, which is a good thing.
In 2016, Alcon Entertainment announced that it has bought the film rights from Garfield creator Jim Davis, who would also act as executive producer on the upcoming Garfield film. A sequel to Garfield: The Movie from 2004, Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties, starring Bill Murray as the eponymous cat in both films, will be the first film based on the Garfield franchise to hit theatres since 1978’s debut of the indolent cat. In November of last year, it was stated that Pratt will feature in the picture.
It’s, not the only project in which he’ll be voicing a pop cultural star. He will voice Mario in Illumination Entertainment’s next Mario movie, which is slated for release early next year. Samuel L. Jackson will portray Vic, Garfield’s father, in the film’s presently confirmed cast. Additional casting will be revealed at a later date. This Garfield picture will be directed and written by Mark Dindal, who previously worked on The Emperor’s New Groove. Prior to this project, the two collaborated on the film The Emperor’s New Groove.
To bring the idea to life, DNEG Animation will handle the animation duties. Producers on the film include John Cohen, Steven P. Wegner, Andrew Kosove, and Broderick Johnson, as well as DNEG CEO Namit Malhotra and DNEG President Tom Jacomb. Bridget McMeel and Craig Sost will serve as executive producers with Davis. Sony Pictures will distribute the animated film, which is being funded by Alcon Entertainment and distributed internationally by Sony Pictures (excluding China). On February 16, 2024, an animated film starring Garfield will be released in cinemas.