Tom and Jerry (2002 film)

Tom and Jerry (symbolized as Tom AND Jerry) is an American live-action comedy film directed by Raja Gosnell and produced by Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone. It is based off of the franchise of the same name created by MGM workers William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. The film stars Ed Helms, Oscar Isaac, and Neil Patrick Harris with George Lopez as Spike Bulldog. The film follows Tom Cat as he must stop his rival Jerry from stealing the house and he must get Jerry of there before his owner kicks him out. The film is also dedicated to William Hanna, who died during the production of the film in 2001 and to Chuck Jones, who directed several Looney Tunes shorts and created a collection of Tom and Jerry shorts from 1963 until 1967.

The film released on October 19, 2002 in Dolby Cinema. After it's release, it was met with very negative reviews because of it's story, acting, and slapstick but it was praised for it's animation in the end-credits. A sequel was in development, but was cancelled.

Production
In the late 1960s, Looney Tunes animator Chuck Jones was tasked for making a film based off of Tom and Jerry after the infamous negative reviewed 1961-1962 era created by Gene Deitch. Jones canceled the film after his collection of shorts ended in 1967 after starting in 1963.

In 1997, film director Raja Gosnell was approached by Warner Bros. Pictures to make an live-action film of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera's creation, Tom and Jerry. Originally, Steven Spielberg was going to make the film, but had to work on many of his upcoming films, so Gosnell said "Yes." Production of the film started in late 1998. Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone served as the producers while Cinco Paul and his co-worker Ken Daurio were set to write the screenplay. In early 2000, Ed Helms was cast as Tom's owner, Donald J. Oppenhimer. Then Neil Patrick Harris was hired as his friend Theodore. Harris would later work with Gosnell on the the two live-action The Smurfs films, which also received negative reviews. Oscar Isaac was cast as Tom Cat and Jerry Mouse's catsitter.

In 2002, William Hanna, one of the franchise's creator, sadly passed away on March 22, 2001 at the age of 90. Gosnell then announced that the film would be dedicated to his memory. Chuck Jones passed away too one year after Hanna's, and Gosnell also announced that the film would be dedicated to him too.