Michael Cera and Samuel L. Jackson Star in Animated 'Paws of Fury' Remake on Hulu

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Hulu has added the 2022 animated film 'Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank' to its streaming library, a loose remake of the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy 'Blazing Saddles.' The new movie features a star-studded voice cast including Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, and Mel Brooks himself, and puts a comedic martial arts spin on the classic Western story.

Why it matters

Animated remakes of beloved live-action comedies like 'Paws of Fury' allow filmmakers to revisit iconic stories and characters in a new medium, sidestepping some of the challenges of directly replicating the original's tone and humor. This trend taps into audience nostalgia while also opening the door to fresh creative possibilities and reaching new demographics.

The details

In 'Paws of Fury,' a down-on-his-luck hound named Hank finds himself in a town full of cats who have hired him to be their new sheriff, despite his complete lack of skill. The animated format allows the filmmakers to put a unique spin on the classic Western premise, blending martial arts comedy with the satire of the original 'Blazing Saddles.' The diverse voice cast, which also includes Ricky Gervais, George Takei, and Michelle Yeoh, demonstrates the appeal of these animated remakes to established stars looking to revisit iconic roles.

• Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank was released in theaters in July 2022.
• The film was recently added to the Hulu streaming platform in March 2026.

What’s next

As 'Paws of Fury' continues to gain attention on Hulu, it will be interesting to see if the success of this animated remake leads to more classic comedies being reimagined in the animated format. The film's performance could influence future development decisions in Hollywood.