Fifteen years after creating acclaimed shows like Samurai Jack, Primal, and Star Wars: Clone Wars, Genndy Tartakovsky is set to release his raunchy animated comedy Fixed on Netflix on August 13. Tartakovsky describes the film as an R-rated take on Lady and the Tramp, with its production involving multiple studios and a quirky battle to maintain the prominence of his characters’ anatomy.
Originally produced by Sony Pictures Animation, Tartakovsky finished Fixed in 2023. It was initially slated for a theatrical release by New Line Cinema in 2024. However, Warner Bros. Discovery shelved it amidst cost-cutting measures. After exploring other distribution options, Tartakovsky found a champion in John Derderian, Netflix’s Vice President of Animation Series, who loved the film upon viewing it.
“I think having a supporter is crucial in these situations,” Tartakovsky shared via video call with Polygon. “While adult animation has gained immense success in streaming platforms like Fox and Adult Swim, it hasn’t yet translated to theaters. There’s a hesitation to take risks on mainstream adult animation in America. I believe the audience that enjoys it on TV would also turn out for it in cinemas, though I lack the research to prove it.”
The R-rated narrative follows Bull (voiced by Adam DeVine from The Righteous Gemstones), a mixed-breed dog facing neutering. He embarks on one last adventurous night out with his pals.
“Bull has a misguided sense of security about his anatomy, much like Samson with his hair, believing that it’s what makes him funny,” Tartakovsky explained. “His buddies have already been neutered and lead normal lives, but I’d be pretty anxious if I were facing that surgery too.”
Bull’s anatomy plays a pivotal role in the story, leading to significant visual depictions that Tartakovsky had to advocate for. “My belief is that while it may be a bit shocking at first, viewers will acclimate to it, similar to visiting a nude beach,” he suggested.
To accommodate feedback from initial screenings, Tartakovsky adjusted the animation of Bull’s anatomy and the way other characters are depicted. “After our first test screening, we had an intense conversation about it. The way we represented Bull’s rear is rather simplistic, not portrayed grotesquely. It mirrors real life, capturing natural dog behavior. We opted for a subtler color palette to ensure we didn’t have an overly dark depiction on light-colored animals.”
The film’s animation style evokes the exaggerated look familiar from John Kricfalusi’s The Ren & Stimpy Show. While Tartakovsky admires Kricfalusi’s work, he credits it more to shared inspirations from classic Warner Bros. cartoon styles and iconic characters like Popeye and Tom & Jerry. To create a rich blend, he gathered a diverse team of animators worldwide to fuse this traditional Warner Bros. aesthetic with elements from Tex Avery’s animations, including his beloved basset hound, Droopy, and the short film Ventriloquist Cat.
“This style is one I embraced during my early career and one I passionately enjoy,” Tartakovsky expressed. “We avoided exaggerated, googly-eyed expressions, opting instead for a more controlled animation style. Our dogs move like real dogs, steering clear of typical Hanna-Barbera techniques.”
Beneath the adult humor resides a heartfelt story about Bull finding the courage to express his feelings for Honey (voiced by Kathryn Hahn), the stunning show dog next door.
“She’s significantly larger than Bull, leading him to believe he cannot pursue her romantically. He sees her as just a friend. It’s an emotionally resonant story. This film blends raunchiness with delightful characters and beautiful hand-drawn animation. I think it’s genuinely one-of-a-kind, and I’m eager for audiences to experience it.”
Fixed will premiere on Netflix on August 13.
