Warner Bros has postponed the release of Animal Friends, its animated live-action 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 embarking on a cross-country road trip 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 string of schedule changes for the project, which has been shuffled multiple times since initially scheduled for August 2025 through Columbia Pictures.
Release Date Changes and Studio Changes
Animal Friends has gone through a notable journey through Warner Bros’ release schedule, after being moved multiple times since its initial announcement. The film was initially scheduled for August 15, 2025, when it was planned to debut through Columbia Pictures under Legendary’s partnership with Sony. However, following the end of that deal, the project went to Warner Bros., which later rescheduled it several times throughout 2025 and 2026, reflecting the studio’s ongoing attempts to locate the ideal release date for the hybrid comedy.
The January 2027 date now constitutes the fifth confirmed release slot for the project, illustrating the intricacies of managing major studio releases and navigating competitive marketplace dynamics. By abandoning the June 5 slot, Warner Bros has cleared 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 new January positioning allows Animal Friends to avoid direct competition with these titles whilst possibly capitalizing on post-festive cinema attendance patterns.
- Originally scheduled for August 15, 2025 through Columbia Pictures
- Moved to Warner Bros after conclusion of Legendary-Sony distribution deal
- Earlier postponed for October 10, 1 May, and 5 June
- Currently scheduled for 22 January 2027 cinema release date
The Tale and Star-Filled Cast
Animal Friends assembles an notable collection of well-known talent and up-and-coming performers for this live-action and animated production. Ryan Reynolds provides the voice Pony, the titular small but self-absorbed animal character, whilst Jason Momoa voices Bear, his bigger and notably more peace-loving counterpart. The ensemble comprises award-winning actress Aubrey Plaza as a determined DEA agent hunting the escaped pair, joined by Dan Levy portraying a Fish and Wildlife ranger just as committed to their apprehension.
The project further strengthens 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. Helmed by Peter Atencio, the screenplay was penned by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, with production undertaken by Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The blend of seasoned comedy performers and fresh faces indicates Warner Bros has brought together a diverse team able to producing the adult-oriented comedy the film seeks to deliver.
Character Interactions
The central concept hinges on the divergent character traits of the animal pair of protagonists. Pony, in spite of his small size, embodies a self-absorbed nature that drives much of the humour, whilst Bear exemplifies the inverse nature—a gentle giant who actively avoids disagreement. As a pair, this unlikely duo undertakes a transcontinental trip to find the ranch they formerly knew as their home, all whilst evading apprehension from the equally eccentric enforcement officers chasing them.
- Pony: small creature with marked narcissistic personality traits
- Bear: substantial conflict-averse animal companion to Pony
- Aubrey Plaza: determined DEA investigator tracking the fugitive animals
- Dan Levy: Wildlife and Fisheries warden assisting in pursuit
- Cross-country trek attempting to locate their previous ranch residence
Production Information and Creative Staff
“The Animal Friends Project” constitutes a joint venture between three leading studios: Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The screenplay was crafted by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, who created the narrative around the central premise of two fugitive animals on a desperate cross-country mission. Peter Atencio, an seasoned filmmaker known for his expertise in comedy and action styles, directs the film to bring the live action-animated hybrid concept to fruition with the required comic timing and stylistic flourish required 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” transitioned to Warner Bros following the conclusion of Legendary Entertainment’s distribution partnership with Sony. This change necessitated a full rescheduling, with the film cycling through multiple release dates—October 2025, May 2026, and June 2026—before finally settling on its January 2027 slot, highlighting the complex scheduling difficulties 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’s Next for Reynolds and Momoa
Ryan Reynolds’ timetable remains remarkably occupied despite the postponement to “Animal Friends.” The Canadian performer has the action comedy “Mayday” scheduled for September 2026, keeping him in the public eye throughout the extended anticipation for the Warner Bros. film. Reynolds manages to juggle his film commitments with his various commercial interests, including his film production outfit Maximum Effort, which is involved in developing “Animal Friends” itself. His participation in both demonstrates his standing as one of Hollywood’s highly coveted leading men.
Jason Momoa, on the other hand, has kept up an equally busy slate of projects throughout 2026. The actor starred in “The Wrecking Crew” in January and has a pair of substantial projects lined up for the latter half of the year: the highly anticipated “Street Fighter” adaptation and “Dune: Part Three,” the ultimate chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s grand science fiction series. These major undertakings showcase Momoa’s continued prominence in both action franchises and prestige cinema, cementing his status as a significant draw for audiences around the world.
Forthcoming Initiatives
- Reynolds: “Mayday” comedic action film arriving 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
