Sanrio has confirmed the creative team for its long-awaited Hello Kitty film, which will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures Animation with a release date set for July 21, 2028. The directors will be David Derrick Jr., known for directing Moana 2 and for his work as a story artist at Disney, and John Aoshima, who co-directed Ultraman: Rising and has worked on series such as Gravity Falls.
A team with a background in 3D animation and sequential storytelling 🎬
The duo combines proven technical expertise. Derrick Jr. brings his knowledge of narrative structures from major Disney productions, while Aoshima adds his skill in digital animation and visual rhythm acquired from cult series like Gravity Falls. Both have worked on complex rendering pipelines and dynamic action sequences, suggesting the film could move away from the flat, simple style traditionally associated with the brand. Production at Warner Bros. Pictures Animation will involve the use of industry-standard software such as Maya and Houdini for effects and modeling.
The most expensive bow in film history 💰
Seeing Hello Kitty on the big screen with a studio budget and renowned directors has something absurd about it. The mouthless kitten has survived for decades without needing dialogue or facial expressions, and now it will be directed by two guys who come from directing sequels and giant monsters. Let's hope they don't give her a redemption arc or a pop song in the background. Sometimes, less is more, even though in Hollywood, less doesn't exist.