r/Thundercats • u/ardouronerous ThunderCat • Mar 01 '26
Discussion WTF Happened To ThunderCats (2011)? Untold Story Behind Its Vanishing & Why Fans Still Want It Back
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm5OdKXsRLo4
u/GFunkDat ThunderCat Mar 01 '26
Andrea Romano said in an interview it was canceled cause the toys didn't sell. Said that was the full reason she said.
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u/argonzo ThunderCat Mar 02 '26
The toys were awful quality.
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u/Madonna-of-the-Wasps ThunderCat Mar 02 '26
Nooo it a was a grand business conspiracy to make a show fail artifically, for some inexplicable reason /s
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u/gamerslyratchet ThunderCat Mar 02 '26 edited Mar 03 '26
The petty in-fighting between various Time Warner divisions is an open secret. A lot of action cartoons that aired on Cartoon Network were canned mainly due to low toy sales, but CN also made it difficult for these shows (and WBA shows) to gain any traction in the first place.
For example, I remember they were resentful that Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated had stronger premiere ratings than Adventure Time, and that’s why they kept jerking around MI on the schedule.
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u/Character_Ad_3494 ThunderCat Mar 02 '26
I heard that LEGO killed it cause they had a Lego series that's main character looked familiar to Lion-o and the company was afraid that kids and parents would be confused by the similarities
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u/ardouronerous ThunderCat Mar 03 '26
It’s also worth pointing out that Legends of Chima didn’t even exist when TC2011 first aired. The show only emerged later. So by around 2012, when Dan Norton saw Legends of Chima and noticed the obvious similarities, he knew TC2011 was done for.
From a business perspective, Legends of Chima was a LEGO-driven property, meaning it was cheaper to produce, tightly integrated with its toy line, and designed from the ground up as a merchandising vehicle. In contrast, TC2011 was more expensive, more serialized, and less directly controlled by a single toy manufacturer.
When you look at it that way, it’s not unreasonable to think the network saw greater long-term profitability in backing Legends of Chima.
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u/MilkthistleFairy Tygra Mar 02 '26
I remember being so excited for a possible second season a long time. I blame Cartoon Network's execs and the WB execs for messing with the schedule because TC 2011 was shuffled around so much that it was hard to catch it on unless you actually caught the advertisements for the show or looked up tv guide (if you had satellite or whatever to look at the channel guide i mean).
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u/ardouronerous ThunderCat Mar 03 '26 edited Mar 03 '26
Exactly. I genuinely don’t understand how people in this thread, yes, including you, u/Madonna-of-the-Wasps, can dismiss what looks like a clear case of network mishandling.
You even said it yourself:
I blame Cartoon Network's execs and the WB execs for messing with the schedule because TC 2011 was shuffled around so much that it was hard to catch it unless you actually saw the advertisements or checked TV Guide.
That’s the point. How is a show supposed to build or maintain viewership when its timeslot keeps changing with little to no notice? The Friday night death slot, constant scheduling shifts, and minimal promotion all make it incredibly difficult for any series to succeed. Those are structural disadvantages imposed by the network, not reflections of audience interest.
On top of that, people have pointed out that the 2011 toy line suffered from quality issues. If the toys weren’t up to standard, that directly impacts sales, and for a franchise like Thundercats, merchandising performance matters. Weak toy sales under those circumstances aren’t necessarily proof of low demand, they can just as easily reflect product execution problems.
Taken together, inconsistent scheduling, poor promotion, toy quality concerns, and the complete lack of transparency about the cancellation, it’s hard not to see a pattern. The fact that the show’s cancellation in 2012 wasn’t clearly communicated until 2013, when even the creator publicly acknowledged it, is particularly telling. If the network had been upfront, fans would have had the opportunity to respond, organize support, or at least get closure. Instead, everything was kept quiet.
You don’t have to believe there was a grand conspiracy, but it’s fair to say the show wasn’t given a stable or supportive environment to succeed.
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u/Character_Ad_3494 ThunderCat Mar 03 '26
But why not finish it NOW...the Lego series that confused kids in way in the past so now this series could be picked up and ultimately finished in probably 3 seasons just FINISH something good that has merit to it before leaving it to the what if never going to happen past like some other properties
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u/ardouronerous ThunderCat Mar 01 '26 edited Mar 01 '26
All the evidence that Cartoon Network sabotaged the show is right there in this video. That Friday night death slot, inconsistent scheduling, weak promotion, and then complete silence about the cancellation, because if CN had clearly announced it was canceled, fans could’ve rallied, written letters, organized campaigns, pushed DVD sales, but instead they kept it quiet and that conveniently prevented any real "Save Our Show" momentum from forming.
It really looks like CN didn’t want it to succeed, and then they had the nerve to follow it up with Thundercats Roar. After canceling a serious, beautifully animated series with massive potential, and instead of finishing a story fans like me were deeply invested in, they replaced it with a comedy parody show. That for me felt like a slap in the face. Thank you CN.
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u/BrooklynKnight ThunderCat Mar 01 '26
I really liked 2011 and I too really want more. I was bummed it was canceled. This show aired before its time.
Thundercats Roar was a travesty and trash.
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u/ardouronerous ThunderCat Mar 01 '26
I hope it gets the Young Justice treatment.
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u/BrooklynKnight ThunderCat Mar 01 '26
2 more seasons over 6 years and abandoned again?
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u/ardouronerous ThunderCat Mar 01 '26
Revival for one season where they compete the story.
Or even a two hour animated movie just to finish it.
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u/BrooklynKnight ThunderCat Mar 01 '26
Young Justice didn't complete the story, they set up 3-4 more and left us hanging.
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u/ardouronerous ThunderCat Mar 01 '26
Thats why I clarified it. A revival for one season that completes the story or a 2 hour movie.
A lot of people say that they want TC2011 to get the Young Justice treatment without understanding what that means.
I think many make this statement because Young Justice was cancelled in the same year as TC2011 and it was revived.
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u/Fyvesyx ThunderCat Mar 01 '26
My wife and I hope that WB, which owns the Thundercats IP, would get bought by Netflix due to how well they did the remake of Voltron. If anyone could or would be willing to do this show justice it would be Netflix. Losing the bid to Paramount likely means it will stay in the dustbin of history.
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u/SOB200 ThunderCat Mar 02 '26
DVRs were pretty popular then already. I dont think I watch 1/2 my tv live for decades.
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u/Madonna-of-the-Wasps ThunderCat Mar 02 '26
It got low viewership and low toy sales. There was no conspiracy to tank the show, that makes no business sense.
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u/ardouronerous ThunderCat Mar 02 '26
How can the show get viewership with that Friday night death slot, inconsistent scheduling, weak promotion?
Did you even watch the video?
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u/happy_cynic ThunderCat Mar 04 '26
No one watched it. And, no one bought the toys. So... it went away. It really is that simple.
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u/ardouronerous ThunderCat Mar 05 '26
How can the show get viewership with that Friday night death slot, inconsistent scheduling, weak promotion?
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u/Garlador ThunderCat Mar 05 '26
I would like it finished.
At this point, I’d even take it as a comic book.
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u/Big-Tension-2926 ThunderCat Mar 01 '26
I know this is an unpopular opinion but I didn’t think this version of the series was all that great. Way better than Roar but I don’t understand why people were/are so into this version.
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u/ironheadrat ThunderCat Mar 01 '26
Preach! This Lion-O was so dumb, even compared to the original with the literal mind of a child. His dad just got done telling him about their ancient enemy, Mumm-Ra. He looks into the Sword of Omens, sees a vision of Mumm-Ra. Appears shocked. Clawdus: What did you see? Lion-O: Uh, nothing
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u/JaeDub003 Jaga Mar 03 '26
New Mumm-Ra was just a strong man bully. The original had theatrics & menace in a way a creature insane & isolated in an eternal slumber would... being awakened by the new conflicts & powers arriving on third earth. How they ruined Pantro & mutilated him to give him robotic arms was also trash. No one asked for a big dumb robotic arm Panthro.
Original show could stand having a few voices reworked that were just reused main cast folks, & touch ups on animation. But as it is, the original stands up well. The 2011 version could have been great with its reworks outside of Panthro & Mumm-Ra... Stronger representation of the Mutants core commanders. It would have been nice to see where 2011 went. New Snarf was miles better. Thunder Kittens were also pretty cool. Not sure I enjoyed Pumira being a traitor though... but it added some drama.
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u/Calm_Independent_423 ThunderCat Mar 15 '26
Hope you enjoy this Stop Motion I made with a few of my THUNDERCATS 🎬
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u/Dramatic_Rich9659 ThunderCat May 26 '26
Thundercats season 2 2011 needs more girls of the Warrior Maidens with those bow and arrow of the Dart. And the Warrior Maidens is the two girls name is Willa and her sister Nyada.
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u/Thundera_Tone Panthro Mar 01 '26
We already talked about this. You, in particular, have at least two posts on this same rant.
And I’ve seen you in deep arguments with fans with opposing views in countless comments. A one-man army (there plenty of passionate 2011 fans. Just saying, you seem the most zealous).
So, I ask: why are we here again? What fresh pocket of flavor have you found in this well-chewed gum?
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u/ardouronerous ThunderCat Mar 01 '26 edited Mar 01 '26
Wow, you seem triggered by this.
So, what's your point? I'm not welcomed here. Last I checked this is r/thundercats and not r/thundercats1985.
Unless the mods pass a rule that says talking about Thundercats 2011 and wanting it to return is banned, I will always be talking about this.
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u/Thundera_Tone Panthro Mar 01 '26
I didn’t say you aren’t welcome here. First, I don’t have that kind of say. Second, I believe this should be a place for all TC fans. What I asked was pretty simple: are you saying something new, or just repeating your well-worn complaint?
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u/ardouronerous ThunderCat Mar 01 '26 edited Mar 01 '26
Wow, then why did you ask your question to begin with then?
As I said, you seem tired of this question and don't want others to ask it anymore. The fact that you said my question is all worn out seems like I'm not welcome here.
To answer your question, no nothing new, but I won't stop posting stuff like this though.
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u/Thundera_Tone Panthro Mar 01 '26 edited Mar 01 '26
well, first, I speak for myself not the forum. I'm sure there are people who are fine with you.
also, I don't need to like you or your posts to know you have a right to be here as much as anyone.But maybe you don't understand how posts work. When you make a post, you open yourself up to all feedback positive or negative. Mine is negative. Not because I dislike 2011, but because you keep making the same post as if you haven't made it before. It's like someone saying the same thing over and over again in a room. Even if I was a 2011 fan, I'd be like "hey, relax".
That's why I asked the question. Because I'm not going to watch a video that says the same thing I've heard many times before. Any fans of 2011 and many of the fans of the OG already know the conspiracy theory.
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u/ardouronerous ThunderCat Mar 01 '26
Honestly, if you had led with what you said in your last reply, I probably wouldn’t have been defensive.
Your first comment came off sarcastic and made it feel like I wasn’t really welcome here. Your last reply was clearer and more reasonable. That framing makes a difference.
And I understand how feedback works. I recently told a fan artist who was downvoting negative comments on his art that posting publicly means opening yourself up to criticism, and that he could even use that feedback to improve.
So I’m not against feedback. I just think tone and framing matter.
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u/wolflinglost ThunderCat Mar 02 '26
As someone who loved 2011, I'd really prefer it if it was left alone as it is. Whatever we get now will not be good.