The Bad Guys (franchise)
{{Short description|Media franchise by DreamWorks Animation}}
{{Infobox media franchise
| image = The Bad Guys (film).svg
| image_upright =
| alt =
| caption =
| creator = Etan Cohen
| origin = The Bad Guys
| owner = DreamWorks Animation
(Universal Pictures)
| years = 2022–present
| based_on = {{based on|The Bad Guys|Aaron Blabey}}
| films = The Bad Guys
The Bad Guys 2
| shorts = The Bad Guys in Maraschino Ruby
The Bad Guys: Little Lies and Alibis
| tv_specials = The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday
The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist
| soundtracks = The Bad Guys (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
}}
The Bad Guys is a media franchise made by DreamWorks Animation, loosely based on the children's book series of the same name by Aaron Blabey. The franchise began with the 2022 film The Bad Guys, and has since grown to include two holiday specials, which were released on Netflix in 2023 and 2024 respectively, and a sequel, The Bad Guys 2, is set to be released on August 1, 2025.
Films
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| Film
! Release date ! Director(s) ! Screenwriter(s) ! Story ! Producer(s) |
|---|
| style="text-align:left" | The Bad Guys
| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|2022|4|22}} | rowspan="2" | Based on the books by Aaron Blabey | Damon Ross & Rebecca Huntley |
| style="text-align:left" | The Bad Guys 2
| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|2025|8|1}} | Pierre Perifel and JP Sans | {{TBA}} | Damon Ross |
=''The Bad Guys'' (2022)=
{{main|The Bad Guys (film)|l1=The Bad Guys (film)}}
On July 22, 2017, Australia's The Daily Telegraph reported that several studios had expressed interest in adapting the series into a film.{{Cite web|first=Jordan|last=Baker|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/aaron-blabey-is-a-successful-childrens-authors-his-book-the-bad-guys-will-be-turned-into-a-film/news-story/fbe406297b9e6ad9e004ee575a25f685|title=Aaron's amazing tale picked up by Hollywood|date=July 22, 2017|website=The Daily Telegraph|language=en|access-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008143414/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/aaron-blabey-is-a-successful-childrens-authors-his-book-the-bad-guys-will-be-turned-into-a-film/news-story/fbe406297b9e6ad9e004ee575a25f685|archive-date=October 8, 2019|url-status=live}} In March 2018, Variety reported that DreamWorks Animation would develop a film based on the book series, with Etan Cohen writing the screenplay.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/etan-cohen-dreamworks-animation-bad-guys-1202722718/|title=Etan Cohen and DreamWorks Animation Developing 'Bad Guys' Film Adaptation (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=March 9, 2018|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220094428/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/etan-cohen-dreamworks-animation-bad-guys-1202722718/|archive-date=December 20, 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/writer-etan-cohen-bringing-bad-guys-dreamworks-animation/|title=Writer Etan Cohen Bringing The Bad Guys To DreamWorks Animation|date=March 11, 2018|website=Empire|first=James|last=White|language=en|access-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214022459/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/writer-etan-cohen-bringing-bad-guys-dreamworks-animation/|archive-date=December 14, 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/etan-cohen-adapting-bad-guys-books-dreamworks-animation-1093443|title=Etan Cohen Adapting 'The Bad Guys' Books for DreamWorks Animation|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Etan|last=Vlessing|date=March 9, 2018 |language=en|access-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008151243/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/etan-cohen-adapting-bad-guys-books-dreamworks-animation-1093443|archive-date=October 8, 2019|url-status=live}} The following year, in October, it was reported that the film would be directed by Pierre Perifel in his feature directorial debut.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/dreamworks-animation-2021-releases-spirit-riding-free-the-bad-guys-1202753767/|title=DreamWorks Animation & Universal To Release 'Spirit Riding Free' & 'The Bad Guys' In 2021|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=October 7, 2019|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en|access-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205053635/https://deadline.com/2019/10/dreamworks-animation-2021-releases-spirit-riding-free-the-bad-guys-1202753767/|archive-date=December 5, 2019|url-status=live}} The film was described as having "a similar twist on the heist genre that Shrek did on fairy tales, Kung Fu Panda did for the kung fu genre, and what Trolls did for the musical numbers of the franchise." The crew worked remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=How Animated Pics Like 'Tom & Jerry', 'SpongeBob Movie', 'Sing 2', Skydance's 'Luck' & More Are Working Through The COVID-19 Crisis|url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/animated-movies-coronavirus-production-tom-and-jerry-spongebob-scoob-skydance-illumination-1202928961/|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=May 8, 2020|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513030248/https://deadline.com/2020/05/animated-movies-coronavirus-production-tom-and-jerry-spongebob-scoob-skydance-illumination-1202928961/|archive-date=May 13, 2020|url-status=live}}
On July 28, 2021, the cast was announced with Etan Cohen, Patrick Hughes, and author Aaron Blabey set to serve as executive producers for the film.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/the-bad-guys-sam-rockwell-awkwafina-anthony-ramos-1235029280/ |title=Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina and Anthony Ramos to Star in DreamWorks Animation's 'The Bad Guys' (EXCLUSIVE) |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=July 28, 2021 |website=Variety |access-date=July 28, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806133453/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/the-bad-guys-sam-rockwell-awkwafina-anthony-ramos-1235029280/ |url-status=live }}
On October 7, 2019, it was reported that the film would be theatrically released on September 17, 2021, taking over the release date of Spooky Jack. In December 2020, the film was delayed with The Boss Baby: Family Business taking its original slot, though it was confirmed that it would get a new date "within the coming weeks" due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|date=December 28, 2020|title='The Boss Baby' Sequel Bumped to September 2021, 'The Bad Guys' Moves to 2022|url=https://www.thewrap.com/the-boss-baby-sequel-bumped-to-september-2021-the-bad-guys-moves-to-2022/|access-date=December 28, 2020|website=TheWrap|first=Brian|last=Welk|language=en-US|archive-date=December 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228213330/https://www.thewrap.com/the-boss-baby-sequel-bumped-to-september-2021-the-bad-guys-moves-to-2022/|url-status=live}} In March 2021, the release date was scheduled to April 15, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/universal-sets-release-dates-for-dreamworks-animation-puss-in-boots-sequel-the-bad-guys-1234716632/|title=DreamWorks Animation's 'Puss In Boots' Sequel & 'The Bad Guys' Get Release Dates At Universal|date=March 17, 2021|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 17, 2021|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320171554/https://deadline.com/2021/03/universal-sets-release-dates-for-dreamworks-animation-puss-in-boots-sequel-the-bad-guys-1234716632/|url-status=live}} In October 2021, it was pushed back again by one week to April 22.{{Cite web|last=Grobar|first=Matt|date=October 12, 2021|title=Universal Pushes Dates For DreamWorks Toon 'The Bad Guys' & George Clooney-Julia Roberts Pic 'Ticket To Paradise'|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/universal-pushes-release-dates-for-the-bad-guys-ticket-to-paradise-dreamworks-george-clooney-julia-roberts-1234854915/|access-date=October 13, 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en-US|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019223001/https://deadline.com/2021/10/universal-pushes-release-dates-for-the-bad-guys-ticket-to-paradise-dreamworks-george-clooney-julia-roberts-1234854915/|url-status=live}} The film was slated to stream in the United States on the Peacock streaming service 45 days after its theatrical release,{{cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |title=NBCUniversal's New Theatrical Window Scheme To Bring Films To Peacock After As Few As 45 Days Of Release |url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/nbcuniversal-theatrical-window-films-stream-peacock-45-days-1234887914/ |access-date=December 10, 2021 |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 9, 2021 |archive-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227180549/https://deadline.com/2021/12/nbcuniversal-theatrical-window-films-stream-peacock-45-days-1234887914/ |url-status=live }} followed by its Netflix debut after Peacock's 4-month exclusive window.{{cite web|last=Anderton|first=Ethan|title=Netflix Will Remain The Streaming Home For Universal And DreamWorks Animated Films (After They Hit Peacock)|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/582417/netflix-deal-illumination-dreamworks-animation/|access-date=December 14, 2021|work=Slash Film|date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214234415/https://www.slashfilm.com/582417/netflix-deal-illumination-dreamworks-animation/|url-status=live}} On March 1, 2022, Universal pulled the release in Russia in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=March 1, 2022 |title=Universal Pulls Russia Releases, Including Animated 'Bad Guys' and Michael Bay's 'Ambulance' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ambulance-bad-guys-russia-movie-releases-1235101621/ |access-date=March 3, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}
=''The Bad Guys 2'' (2025)=
{{main|The Bad Guys 2|l1=The Bad Guys 2}}
In March 2022, Perifel said that he would love to do a sequel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedigitalfix.com/the-bad-guys/director-would-love-to-do-sequel|title=The Bad Guys director would love to do a sequel|work=The Digital Flix|last=Percival|first=Tom|date=March 31, 2022|access-date=May 20, 2022|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504043349/https://www.thedigitalfix.com/the-bad-guys/director-would-love-to-do-sequel|url-status=live}} Two years later, DreamWorks Animation officially confirmed a sequel with a release date set for August 1, 2025. Perifel will return to direct and JP Sans, who served as head of character animation on the previous film, will co-direct, with the cast reprising their roles.{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=DreamWorks Animation Sets 'The Bad Guys 2' For Late Summer 2025 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/the-bad-guys-2-release-date-1235868833/ |website=Deadline |access-date=26 March 2024 |date=26 March 2024}} In addition, the film will also feature new characters played by Natasha Lyonne, Danielle Brooks, and Maria Bakalova.{{Cite web |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=2024-11-21 |title=‘The Bad Guys 2’ Trailer: Natasha Lyonne Joins the Heist in DreamWorks Sequel |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/trailers/the-bad-guys-2-trailer-natasha-lyonne-dreamworks-1236215875/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
Shorts
=''The Bad Guys in Maraschino Ruby'' (2022)=
A CG short film, The Bad Guys in Maraschino Ruby, was announced in the Blu-ray and Digital release. It was written and directed by head of story Nelson Yokota, and produced by Angie Howard while executive produced by Pierre Perifel, Damon Ross, Rebecca Huntley, and Michael Vollman.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}
=''The Bad Guys: Little Lies and Alibis'' (2025)=
A short film titled The Bad Guys: Little Lies and Alibis, premiered before the theatrical showings of Dog Man.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}
Television specials prequels
=''The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday'' (2023)=
{{main|The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday|l1=The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday}}
A holiday special, titled The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday, inspired by the characters from the film was being produced by DreamWorks Animation Television and will be directed by Bret Haaland from Fast & Furious Spy Racers and executive produced by Haaland and Katherina Nolfi from Abominable and the Invisible City and Spirit Riding Free. The holiday special premiered on November 30, 2023, on Netflix,{{Cite web|url=https://tvline.com/news/the-bad-guys-prequel-holiday-movie-release-date-photos-1235057540/|title=The Bad Guys Prequel Movie Gets New Voice Cast, Netflix Release Date and First Photos|last=Mitovich|first=Matt|work=TVLine|date=October 9, 2023|access-date=October 9, 2023}} albeit none of the film's principal voice cast would be reprising their respective roles for the special.
=''The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist'' (2024)=
{{main|The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist|l1=The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist}}
On July 10, 2024, it was announced that a new Halloween special, titled The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist, inspired by the characters from the film was being produced by DreamWorks Animation Television, which premiered on Netflix on October 3, 2024.
Cast and characters
{{Cast indicator|Y}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||
| rowspan="3" | Characters
! colspan="2" | Feature films ! colspan="2" | Short films ! colspan="2" | Television specials | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bad Guys
! The Bad Guys in Maraschino Ruby ! The Bad Guys: Little Lies and Alibis | |||||
| 2022 | 2025 | 2022 | 2025 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Mr. Wolf
| colspan="4" | Sam Rockwell | colspan="2" | Michael Godere | |||||
| Mr. Snake
| colspan="4" | Marc Maron | colspan="2" | Chris Diamantopoulos | |||||
| Mr. Shark
| colspan="4" | Craig Robinson | colspan="2" | Ezekiel Ajeigbe | |||||
| Mr. Piranha
| colspan="4" | Anthony Ramos | colspan="2" | Raul Ceballos | |||||
| Ms. Tarantula / "Webs"
| colspan="4" | Awkwafina | colspan="2" | Mallory Low | |||||
| Diane Foxington / The Crimson Paw
| colspan="2" | Zazie Beetz | colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | |||||
| Professor Marmalade
| colspan="2" | Richard Ayoade | colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | |||||
| Officer Misty Luggins
| colspan="3" | Alex Borstein | colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | |||||
| Tiffany Fluffit
| colspan="2" | Lilly Singh | colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | |||||
| Kitty Cat
| style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | |||||
| Doom
| style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | |||||
| Pigtail
| style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | |||||
| Officer Bob
| colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | Orlando Duenas | colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | |||||
| Phone Operator
| colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | Angie Howard | colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | |||||
| Gary
| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | |||||
| DJ Trudy Tude
| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | style="background:#d3d3d3;" | | |||||
| Reginald E. Scary
| colspan="5" style="background:#d3d3d3;" | |
References
{{reflist}}
{{The Bad Guys (franchise)}}
{{DreamWorks animated films}}
{{Universal theatrical animated features}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bad Guys, The}}
Category:Computer-animated films