ANNECY, France — Renowned animator and five-time Emmy Award recipient, Genndy Tartakovsky, the creative mind behind iconic series such as "Samurai Jack" and "Primal," is currently developing a hilarious and innovative robbery saga titled "Heist Safari." This 10-episode comedic masterpiece promises to infuse the spirit of a musical throughout its whimsical narrative, Tartakovsky revealed.
The trio of robbers consists of three frog brothers — the controlling James, the neurotic Issac, and the delusional yet charming George, who boasts of his genius but falls far short of the mark. Long estranged, they reunite at their father's funeral, where they learn that their only chance of inheriting his vast fortune lies in executing a daring bank heist — specifically, stealing the contents of vault number 88.
However, their plans are complicated by their individual side deals with a motley crew of criminal underworld figures — a fearsome yakuza tiger from Japan, a hulking mafia hippo from Russia, and a mobster gorilla with Italian roots. The police, on the other hand, are represented by a formidable team of wildebeests.
Each episode of "Heist Safari" is crafted as a single, seamless shot, and the storylines are not presented in a traditional chronological order. The entire series is scored with an electrifying EDM soundtrack, adding to its vibrant and contemporary feel, Tartakovsky explained.
"The inspiration for this entire show stemmed from the rapid pace of modern media consumption. We're all constantly flipping through content, seeking the next thrill. So, I asked myself: How can I create a show that's both fast-paced and intense, yet captivating enough to hold your attention and prevent you from clicking away?" Tartakovsky said.
His remarks, delivered at a packed Adult Swim studio focus during this week's Annecy Animation Festival in France, served as a powerful pitch for potential backers. Given that Adult Swim was responsible for producing and airing the final season of "Samurai Jack" and "Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal," his pitch seemed particularly well-timed. Moreover, the presence of an informed and enthusiastic Annecy audience, renowned for their expertise in animation, added to the drama, as they responded with applause and hearty laughter.
A vibrant showcase highlighting the latest Adult Swim series in production, two of which have just received the green light, delved into the rich history and legacy of the company in adult animation. Notably, the spotlight also fell on its unique development process with budding creators.
At the heart of Adult Swim's development with newcomers is nurturing their creativity without stifling their innovative spark or the uniqueness that defines them. Suzanna Makkos, Executive Vice President of Original Comedy and Adult Animation at Adult Swim, observed, "Our aim is to guide them through a corporate process while ensuring their creative essence remains intact."
The session also proudly showcased the Smalls program, a testament to Adult Swim's commitment to fostering new talent. Among its gems was the heartwarming two-minute "Ha Ha Clowns" created by Joe Cappa ("Ghosts Dogs"), which was screened at Annecy and has now been greenlit for a full series. Joining it is "Oh My God, Yes! A Series of Extremely Relatable Circumstances," another promising addition to the Smalls lineup.
Sneak peeks were also revealed, including a glimpse of the opening sequence of Takashi Shano's "Rick and Morty The Anime" — a high-octane anime-infused take on the popular franchise with a Rick-lite flavor — and "Women Wearing Shoulder Pads," Adult Swim's first-ever Spanish-language series. This stop-motion telenovela, created by Gonzalo Cordova (writer on "Tuca & Bertie," "Adam Ruins Everything") and produced by Mexico City-based studio Cinema Fantasma ("Frankelda's Book of Spooks"), promises to be a unique and captivating addition to the Adult Swim lineup.
Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel, the co-creators and stars of Adult Swim's hit series "Smiling Friends," which has just been renewed for a third season, shared insights into the show's genesis. Cusack revealed, "The show's DNA is rooted in the contrast between these oddly charming characters and their predicaments, like being in debt or having to pay taxes. It's this juxtaposition that gives the show its unique charm."
Cusack and Hadel expressed their deep gratitude for the support and collaboration they receive from Adult Swim. "Out of all the feedback we get, Adult Swim's are the most organic and constructive. We never feel constrained. It's always suggestions that help us grow. Collaborating with someone like Cam [Tang] and the entire Adult Swim team is truly rewarding because it ignites our creativity and makes us even more excited about what we're doing," Cusack added, expressing their enthusiasm for the future of "Smiling Friends" and their partnership with Adult Swim.
