It was another busy week in the world of animation news, so in case you missed any of the stories, don't worry, we've got you covered. From new trailers and first-look images, to news of acquisitions, adaptations, and new creations, we take a look at the biggest stories in animation over the last week and bring them all to you in one convenient location.

This week saw the debut of the first look at Warner Bros.' animated adaptation of Alan Moore and Brian Bolland's acclaimed graphic novel, The Killing Joke. Other first looks include images from Guillermo del Toro's upcoming Netflix Original Series Trollhunters and Pixar's new animated short, Piper. Speaking of Netflix, the streaming giant also made animation news headlines this week when it was announced that they'd be picking up Adam Wingard's Death Note adaptation after the project was dropped by Warner Bros. Get caught up on all of these stories and more below.

'The Killing Joke' Teaser Trailer Isn't Joking Around

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Image via DC

Arguably the biggest news out of the world of animation this week was the first look at The Killing Joke as revealed in the film's first teaser trailer. Mark Hamill himself posted the video to his Facebook page, one which not only features his return to voice the Clown Prince of Crime but also that of Kevin Conroy as Batman.

As someone who grew up with Batman: The Animated Series as my go-to version of Batman and Joker, it's almost impossible not to hear both of these actors' voices in my head whenever I think of the iconic characters. I know that many of you out there feel the same, so it's a particularly effective punch of nostalgia that this trailer conjures.

Tara Strong also stars as Batgirl with Ray Wise as Commissioner Gordon. Get your first look at The Killing Joke in the animated film's first teaser, seen here.

'Speedy Gonzalez' Movie in the Works

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Image via Warner Bros.

In news that I certainly didn't see coming, Warner Bros. has opted to put one of their relatively obscure animated properties on the fast track: Speedy Gonzales. The proposed animated feature would be an origin story of sorts, which is exactly what the public is craving, right? I mean, how did the Mexican mouse obtain his comically fast feet?

Eugenio Derbez, who will be voicing the part of Speedy, talked up the title character's positive aspects, despite the view some have of the animated mouse perpetuating racial stereotypes:

“In Mexico we grew up watching Speedy Gonzalez. He was like a superhero to us, or maybe more like a revolutionario like Simon Bolivar or Pancho Villa. He watched out for the little people but with a lot of bravado and a weakness for the ladies. I’m really excited to be bringing this character to the big screen. And besides being Mexican— my full name is Eugenio Derbez Gonzalez and I have big ears. The casting couldn’t be better.”

Read up on more about the possible Speedy Gonzales adaptation here.

'Overwatch' Short Film "Alive" Features an Animated Assassin

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Image via Blizzard Entertainmen

A new animated short film from Blizzard Entertainment is sparking up extra interest in its upcoming multiplayer first-person shooter, Overwatch. The game is built around various heroes which the player can control as part of a six-person squad. Each hero has different strengths and weaknesses, an aspect which encourages cooperative play and strategy when faced with challenges of the game's real-world-inspired locations. This short film features two of those characters: the heroic adventurer Tracer, and the deadly assassin Widowmaker.

The game and its designers recently found themselves the subject of controversy due to a certain "butt pose", and though some aspects of the design were changed as a result, the above animated film still retains its "sexy action." We'll see how Overwatch is received when it debuts in earnest next month; currently in a closed beta, Overwatch is scheduled for a May 24th release. Here's a look at the synopsis for the animated short film, "Alive":

"Alive" weaves a tale of Widowmaker, the peerless Talon assassin who stalks her prey with deadly efficiency. In this episode, we spend a fateful night in London’s King’s Row—where you’ll discover how one death can change everything.

 

Overwatch launches May 24, 2016. Pre-order now to unlock early access to the Overwatch Open Beta for you and a friend starting May 3: http://blizz.ly/1U5gi77

'Thunderbirds Are Go' in New Trailer and Images

Thunderbirds, the 1960s British science-fiction television series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, is getting a makeover 50 years later in the Amazon Studios series, Thunderbirds Are Go. The series follows the Tracy brothers' exploits as part of the sea/land/air/space-rescue organization, International Rescue. The brothers pilot the titular Thunderbird vehicles, which launch out of their secret island base in the Pacific Ocean.

Commissioned for 26 episodes over two seasons, the first 13 episodes debuted overseas last year, but are now being made available Stateside later this month on Amazon, with a sneak preview one-hour special of "Ring of Fire Parts 1 & 2" on April 15th. The original series was created with a combination of electronic marionette puppetry (dubbed "Supermarionation") and scale-appropriate special effects, a look which is modernized in the new series' highly stylized animation. Rosamund Pike lends her voice to Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward, while Thomas Brodie-Sangster voices John Tracy and original series actor David Graham returns to voice Aloysius Parker.

Here's the new series' official synopsis, followed by images of the animated heroes in action:

When disaster strikes, International Rescue answers the call! From their hidden island base, the five Tracy Brothers pilot their cutting-edge Thunderbird vehicles to every corner of the globe and beyond – all for one purpose: to help others in need. Even the devious schemes of mysterious international criminal ‘The Hood’ can’t stop them from battling the dangers of the year 2060.

 

Stream all episodes with Prime, 4/22/16 on Amazon Video. http://amzn.to/1RyXngN

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Image via Amazon Studios
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Image via Amazon Studios
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Image via Amazon Studios
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Image via Amazon Studios

New Pixar Short Film 'Piper' Debuts First Image

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Image via Pixar

The above-seen image is the first reveal of Pixar's newest short film, PiperThe short, which centers on a newly hatched sandpiper who ventures down to the shoreline in search of a meal, was directed by Alan BarillaroPiper will play in front of Pixar's Finding Nemo sequel Finding Dory when it opens on June 17th in the U.S. theaters and July 29th in the U.K.

Check out more on the history of Piper here. Here's the synopsis for the short:

Directed by Alan Barillaro and produced by Marc Sondheimer, “Piper,” the new short from Pixar Animation Studios, tells the story of a hungry sandpiper hatchling who ventures from her nest for the first time to dig for food by the shoreline. The only problem is, the food is buried beneath the sand where scary waves roll up onto the shore. “Piper” will debut in theaters worldwide with “Finding Dory” in 2016.

Guillermo del Toro's 'Trollhunters' Appear in the Series' First Image

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Image via DreamWorks

This first look at del Toro's latest effort, the animated Netflix Original Series Trollhunters, introduces an unlikely duo. There's not a lot of information available at the moment, but if this image is any indication it looks like we're get to see a sword-wielding human character team up with an imposing troll of some sort. I'm a huge fan of del Toro's imaginative and beautiful works, so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more from this one.

Click here for more on Trollhunters and del Toro's other projects. Here's the synopsis for the upcoming animated

TROLLHUNTERS will unleash a new, fantastical world wrapped around the residents of the fictional suburb of Arcadia who make a startling discovery that the world beneath their hometown is as vast and mind-blowing as anything on the surface. A global must-see viewing event for the entire family, DreamWorks TROLLHUNTERS will bring viewers of all ages around the world into the rich and creative mind of Guillermo del Toro.

'Justice League vs Teen Titans' Clip: Raven Meets Trigon

Warner Bros. and DC Comics' latest conflict between superheroes comes in the form of Justice League vs Teen Titans, the all-new animated movie that sees the heroic teams come to blows when the demonic Trigon arrives on the Earthly plane. As the above-seen clip confirms, Jon Bernthal's badassery knows no (comic book) bounds as he voices the intimidating Trigon, who meets his daughter Raven (Taissa Farmiga).

Justice League vs. Teen Titans is now available on Digital HD, and will arrive on Blu-ray Deluxe Edition, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on April 12, 2016.

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Image via Warner Bros.
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Image via Warner Bros.
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Image via Warner Bros.

'Death Note' Movie Coming to Netflix

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Wrapping up this week's selection of animated news is the announcement that Adam Wingard's Death Note adaptation has been picked up by Netflix with an eye toward starting production this June. That's great news for fans of the manga/anime series since the project looked doubtful after Warner Bros. recently put it into turnaround, likely as part of the studio's decision to cut back on the number homegrown films they release.

The project, which tells the story of a high school student who discovers a notebook that grants him the ability to kill anyone as long as he knows their name and face, already has Nat Wolff (Paper Towns) and Margaret Qualley (The Leftovers) set to star. Now it looks like Death Note has new life.

For more on Death Note, check out Adam's write-up of the Netflix news., and be sure to come back next weekend for another edition of Animation Roundup.

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