Scooby-Doo and the gang will return to movie theaters for the first time since 2004 thanks to Warner Animation Group. While this comes as good news for fans of the Scooby-Doo franchise, it's also good to know that the studio isn't trying to put a live-action adaptation together again. It did so in 2002 and 2004, and while Warners certainly made its money back, the critical and fan receptions were nowhere near as warm. The animated feature goes against the current norm of adapting all of a studio's animated properties as live-action films, but perhaps Warner Bros. is aiming to reverse that trend, or at least get out ahead of the curve.

Per Warner Bros.' announcement, Emmy-winning animation veteran Tony Cervone will direct the new Scooby-Doo; he recently directed this year's direct-to-video movie Scooby-Doo! and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery. WB isn't exactly forgetting the previously released live-action films, however, since Charles Roven and Richard Suckle produced those features and will also be on board for the animated adventure. Allison Abbate, who brings experience from such animated features as Space Jam, The Iron Giant, and The LEGO Movie, will also produce; she also happens to be married to Cervone, so that should make for an easy shorthand.

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Image via Warner Bros. Animation

Also on the creative side of the new Scooby-Doo is Executive Producer Dan Povenmire, co-creator of Phineas and Ferb. The script, of which no details are available at this time, was written by Matt Lieberman, whose credits include the 2008 video Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the Chief (sigh) and the upcoming Short Circuit reboot. Warner Bros. expects the Scooby-Doo movie to be the first in a successful series of films that reintroduces the characters of Hanna-Barbera to a new generation.

Are you excited for a return to the escapades of the gang in their Mystery Machine? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!