Full Breakdown
Heist Brothers Greenlit: Genndy Tartakovsky’s New Frog Heist Comedy
6/26/2026, 8:31:46 PM
Core Announcement: Adult Swim Orders 10-Episode Series
Adult Swim has officially greenlit “Heist Brothers,” a high-octane animated action comedy about three frog brothers who rob a bank. The series will consist of ten episodes, each running fifteen minutes, and is being produced by Cartoon Network Studios. The project, originally pitched by Genndy Tartakovsky at the 2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, was previously announced under the working title “Heist Safari” before being retitled for its greenlight.
Background: Tartakovsky’s Animation Legacy and Prior Reveal
Genndy Tartakovsky, creator of “Dexter’s Laboratory,” previously disclosed the development of the show in 2025, describing it as a “high-octane animated action comedy.” His résumé includes the acclaimed series “Samurai Jack,” the feature “Hotel Transylvania,” and the short-form series “Fixed.” At Annecy, Tartakovsky also promoted other upcoming projects, such as Prime Video’s “Conan the Barbarian.”
Key Figures & Organizations
- Genndy Tartakovsky – Creator, writer, and executive producer of “Heist Brothers.”
- Michael Ouweleen – President of Adult Swim, who confirmed the series’ greenlight and discussed the network’s broader content strategy.
- Cartoon Network Studios – Production studio responsible for animating the series.
- Annecy International Animation Film Festival – Venue where the original pitch was delivered and where the series was publicly announced.
Timeline of Development
2024 – Tartakovsky pitches the concept live on stage at Annecy.
2025 – Deadline reports the project’s development under the title “Heist Safari.”
June 2026 – Adult Swim greenlights the series, renaming it “Heist Brothers” and confirming production.
Series Format and Production Details
The series adopts a concise format of ten fifteen-minute episodes, emphasizing fast-paced action and comedy. The premise centers on three amphibian siblings executing a bank robbery, a scenario described in the series logline as “Seems simple enough, but the execution is special as !#&$??!!!!,” highlighting the show’s self-aware tone.
Strategic Significance for Adult Swim
“Heist Brothers” adds to Adult Swim’s original-program slate, joining a forthcoming Rick and Morty spin-off and an animated adaptation of Anthony Bourdain’s graphic novel “Get Jiro!” The network’s president also noted that Adult Swim continues to seek projects from Europe, indicating the series is part of a broader expansion of original content.
Official Statements & Responses
Adult Swim President Michael Ouweleen told Deadline that the network continues to seek projects from Europe while confirming the addition of “Heist Brothers” to its upcoming lineup. He also referenced the network’s upcoming slate, which includes a Rick and Morty spin-off and the “Get Jiro!” adaptation.
Criticism & Opposition
No criticism or opposition to the series was reported in the available sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “high-octane animated action comedy,” — Adult Swim description of the series.
- “Seems simple enough, but the execution is special as !#&$??!!!!,” — Logline for “Heist Brothers.”
What’s Next
Production is underway at Cartoon Network Studios, but no premiere date has been announced. The Annecy International Animation Film Festival concludes the following day, marking the final public showcase of the series’ announcement.
