Tom and Jerry Movie Writers Reveal Plot and La La Land Influence

Screenwriters Rashida Jones and Will McCormack have provided fresh insights into the plot of the forthcoming Tom and Jerry movie, describing it as a romantic comedy inspired by the style of La La Land.

Rashida Jones and Will McCormack on the Film's Direction

In a recent interview with Variety, Jones and McCormack discussed their work on the Tom and Jerry project for Warner Bros. Animation. They characterized the relationship between the iconic cat and mouse as a comedic romantic dynamic. The story follows Tom and Jerry after they are rescued by well-meaning individuals who eventually fall in love, leading the duo to attempt to sabotage each other as well as their owners' relationships.

McCormack explained, “Tom and Jerry do whatever they can to kill the other or to break up [their owners]. It’s a rom-com in the style of La La Land. Why are these characters fighting so much? Because they want to be seen, and they want to be loved. The logline of our film is literally ‘Love is worth fighting for.’”

The comparison to La La Land highlights the film's approach to exploring the motivations behind Tom and Jerry’s rivalry. The franchise, which began with the 1940 short Puss Gets the Boot released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, remains one of the most enduring and beloved animated properties.

Historically, Ted Turner acquired MGM in 1986 but sold it within months, retaining the studio’s movie library, as reported by The Los Angeles Times. This transfer eventually led to Tom and Jerry becoming part of Warner Bros.’ portfolio.

As of now, no official release date has been announced for Jones and McCormack’s Tom and Jerry movie.