Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group has tapped animation veteran Bill Damaschke to lead its feature animation operations as President of the newly rebranded Warner Bros. Pictures Animation (formerly known as Warner Animation Group/WAG), it was announced today by Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, Co-Chairs & CEOs of WBMPG. He will be based at the Studio’s worldwide headquarters in Burbank, California, reporting directly to De Luca and Abdy.
Damaschke comes to Warner Bros. from Skydance Media, having previously served two decades at DreamWorks Animation, where he spearheaded a string of successful franchise features, including the Oscar-nominated Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon.
In his new role as President of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, Damaschke will work closely with De Luca and Abdy to forge a new strategic path and creative direction for feature animation that will align with and strengthen their overall vision for WBMPG and broaden cross-divisional opportunities to develop integrated creative content offerings across new and multiple platforms.
With oversight encompassing all aspects of development and production for the feature animation division, Damaschke will also collaborate with De Luca and Abdy, along with Warner Bros.’ world-class animation teams and artists and creators from around the world, to deliver a dynamic slate of compelling original and IP-based animated features for a global audience.
“Bill combines the unmatched creativity and imagination of an artist with the acumen, instincts and amazing track record of a born leader,” said De Luca and Abdy. “His decades of experience, passion for storytelling, and forward-focused vision align perfectly with our overall creative strategy for the studio and make him the ideal shepherd for Warner Bros.’ groundbreaking and iconic film animation business. We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Bill to the Warner Bros. family and can’t wait to dive into this exhilarating new era with him at the helm.”
Damaschke added, “To be part of a studio with such a rich animation legacy is both a once-in-a-lifetime honor and a huge thrill for me as a Warner Bros. fan. Mike and Pam have created an environment that combines the gravity of Warner Bros.’ 100-year history with the excitement and passion of a startup. Putting artists front and center gives us a unique opportunity to craft films for worldwide commercial and artistic success, with a focus on relatable characters and stories that are funny, emotionally resonant, culturally relevant and grounded in universal human themes. I couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity, and am thrilled to join Mike and Pam, and the brilliant team at Warner Bros. Pictures Animation on this bold new adventure.”
Said adventure will see Damaschke shepherd the animation division through upcoming projects inspired by classic IP from WB and beloved authors. Having delivered The LEGO Movie franchise, Scoob!, DC League of Super-Pets and Space Jam: A New Legacy, to name a few, WBPA is working on the live-action/animation hybrid feature Coyote vs. Acme (co-pro with DNEG), based on the popular Looney Tunes character and starring John Cena, Will Forte and Lana Condor, due for release this year, as well as the animated musical Toto (2024, with Animal Logic), based on Michael Morpurgo’s Wizard of Oz retelling.
The studio is also in development on Dr. Seuss adaptations The Cat and the Hat, Thing One and Thing Two and Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Timed to the announcement of his new position today, Damaschke told Deadline that an animated feature that tells the origin story of The Flintstones, titled Meet the Flintstones, is in early development, written by The Super Mario Bros. Movie director duo Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
Damaschke got his start at DreamWorks Animation, where he landed his first animation job as production assistant on The Prince of Egypt, and ultimately rose through the ranks to lead the company as Chief Creative Officer. During his two decades at DreamWorks, he steered a number of acclaimed and popular animated franchise films to the big screen, including the blockbusters Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and The Croods. Damaschke also oversaw all of DreamWorks Animation’s live theatrical productions, including the award-winning Shrek The Musical.
He produces theatrical stage productions through his independent production company StoryKey Entertainment, including The Prom, which was adapted by Ryan Murphy as a film and director Alex Timber’s acclaimed stage adaptation of Moulin Rouge!, which won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Damaschke also served as a producer on Shark Tale, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2004, and as an executive producer of Over the Hedge and Kung Fu Panda.
