Chloë Grace Moretzis in final negotiations to star in Warner Bros.' live-action/animated hybrid movieTom and Jerry, Collider has exclusively learned.
Tim Story(Shaft) will direct and produce alongside The Story Company’sSharla Sumpter Bridgett, and while writing credits don’t seem to have been determined yet, we’ve heard thatKatie Silberman(Booksmart),April Prosser(The Last Summer) andKevin Costello.all had a hand in the script.
The live-action film will feature animated versions of Tom Cat and Jerry Mouse, who will remain silent, just as they did in the original cartoon. Thus, there’s no need for voice actors.
Moretz is poised to play Kayla, a new employee at a posh hotel where Jerry takes up residence, threatening to ruin a glamorous wedding. She hires a broke alley cat named Tom to come in and get rid of Jerry, which proves to be easier said than done. That may be for the best, as the duo will likely need each other to defeat Kayla’s villainous boss, who isn’t a big fan of either one.
Tom and Jerryis one of several hybrid movies in the works at Warner Animation Group, which is also preppingSpace Jam 2from producersRyan Coogler,Maverick CarterandLeBron James, who will also star opposite Bugs Bunny and the rest of the Looney Tunes.
Moretz has spent the past few years focused on the indie space, with starring turns in smaller films likeBrain on Fire,November Criminals, the LGBTQ dramaThe Miseducation of Cameron Post, which won the top prize at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, andLouis C.K.’s shelved showbiz satireI Love You, Daddy. She has also been busy working with acclaimed filmmakers on a pair of recent genre films, having starred inNeil Jordan’s thrillerGretaandLuca Guadagnino’s remake ofSuspiria. Moretz’s upcoming projects include theanimatedAddams Familymovie, in which she voices Wednesday.Tom and Jerryis a chance for Moretz to play the lead in a studio movie, and one that will likely be a hit family film with potential sequels to follow. She’s a smart choice on the part of the studio, and it’s a good career move for the young actress, who is represented by WME and T Squared Entertainment.
