In 2012, following the financial success of
The Lorax, an animated film adaptation of
Dr. Seuss'
eponymous book,
Universal Pictures and
Illumination Entertainment announced plans to produce a CGI adaptation of
The Cat in the Hat. Rob Lieber was set to write the script, with
Chris Meledandri as producer, and
Audrey Geisel as the executive producer, but the project never came to fruition. In January 2018,
Warner Bros. Pictures picked up the rights to an animated
Cat in the Hat film for Warner Animation Group, later renamed
Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, as part of a creative partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises. In October 2020,
Erica Rivinoja and Art Hernandez were announced as directors, but in June 2023, Hernandez was replaced by
Alessandro Carloni. In March 2024, it was reported that
Bill Hader had been cast in the titular role. Later that month, WBPA president
Bill Damaschke formally confirmed Hader's role, with the addition of
Quinta Brunson,
Bowen Yang,
Xochitl Gomez,
Matt Berry, and
Paula Pell announced to be part of the voice cast; Hader would also serve as executive producer alongside Dr. Seuss Enterprises president and CEO Susan Brandt.
Jared Stern and Daniela Mazzucato were announced to serve as producers, while Carloni and Rivinoja would both write and direct the film, with
DNEG Animation handling animation. In June 2025, it was reported that
America Ferrera had joined the voice cast. Ferrera was confirmed alongside Tiago Martinez,
Tituss Burgess, and
Giancarlo Esposito later that month. ==Marketing==