Future of 'Fixed': Warner Bros and Sony's Joint Venture

Despite the recent completion of Fixed, a Sony Pictures Animation movie directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, there are concerns about its future release. The film, originally expected to be distributed by Warner Bros, has faced unexpected delays and even speculation that it might be scrapped. However, legal and contractual obligations make such a scenario highly unlikely. This article delves into the reasons behind the delay, the legal and business implications, and the potential distribution path for Fixed.

Legal and Contractual Considerations

According to legal experts, Warner Bros Discovery cannot write down or write off Fixed as a tax write-down. Any attempt to do so would violate the contract between Warner Bros and Sony Pictures Animation to produce and distribute the film. A breach of contract would result in legal consequences, and Sony would likely win any lawsuit. Therefore, the film's continuation and eventual release are a near certainty.

Why the Delay and Potential Cancellation Concerns?

The primary reason for the delay is the underwhelming reception of another R-rated animated film, Strays, distributed by Universal Pictures. Both Fixed and Strays present similar themes of talking animals in the R-rated spectrum, and the poor performance of Strays could have raised concerns for Warner Bros. about the risk associated with releasing another risky animated film.

Warner Bros may be cautious about taking on the significant challenges of releasing Fixed, given its R-rating and the association with Hotel Transylvania and Dexter's Laboratory creator, Genndy Tartakovsky. These factors might explain why Fixed has not yet been scheduled for a release in 2024.

Potential Distribution Scenarios

Given these uncertainties, it is more plausible that Warner Bros will reassign the distribution rights to Sony Pictures Animation, which will then handle the film's release. Such a move would be consistent with the original intentions of the production team and could alleviate the risks associated with Warner Bros distributing an R-rated animated film.

No public information suggests that Warner Bros, as the distributor of Fixed, is planning to scrap the film for tax write-down purposes. Decisions involving the use of completed films for tax write-down are typically not publicly disclosed until there is a confirmed shift or cancellation in distribution, which has not been indicated for Fixed.

The Evolution of 'Fixed'

Developing from the original concept of Buds in 2009, Fixed has undergone significant changes. The project, initially envisioned as an animal-centric road trip tale, evolved into the current film. Tartakovsky, after the successes of Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018) and the conclusion of Samurai Jack's fifth and final season (2017), was enlisted to direct two original animated features for Sony Pictures Animation: Fixed and Black Knight. In crafting Fixed, Tartakovsky aimed to move away from pop-culture humor, focusing instead on character-driven comedy to distinguish the film within the realm of R-rated animated features.

Principal photography for Fixed began in July 2022 and concluded in September 2023, with the cast publicly unveiled in June 2023. This extensive production process indicates a strong commitment to the project, suggesting that it will likely see the light of day, albeit with potential delays.

Stay tuned for updates on the release date of Fixed, as it continues to advance through the production pipeline, with its unique take on R-rated animated storytelling.