‘Hitpig!’ Oinks into Action with November 1 Release Date

Produced by Aniventure (Animal Farm, Stitch Head) and distributed by Viva Pictures (2023 Sundance Film Festival selection The Amazing Maurice) with animation by Cinesite (The Addams Family 2, Iwájú, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem), the all-new animated feature film Hitpig! will be released only in theaters nationwide in the U.S. on November 1.

“We are delighted to see indie animation continuing on its incredible growth trajectory at the theatrical level. With Hitpig!’s witty humor, thrilling adventures and a touching story about friendship and self-discovery, the title is a standout addition to our slate,” said Victor Elizalde, CEO of Viva Pictures.

Aniventure’s Chief Commercial Officer Joe Della Rosa added, “Viva Pictures has proven themselves to be one of the best and most efficient distributors of animated family films in the business. They have continued to believe in the importance of the theatrical experience for families, and we’re excited to be partnering with them on bringing Hitpig! to the big screen.”

Synopsis: Hitpig is a clever bounty hunting pig who catches escaped animals and returns them to their owners. His next job is his biggest yet: return a dancing elephant named Pickles to a maniacal Vegas showman (Rainn Wilson), for a million bucks. The mission quickly escalates into a wild adventure around the world. When danger looms, it is up to Hitpig to save the day but he can’t do it alone. He must realize that some things are more important than a paycheck and finds the greatest bounty of all, friends.

The film is based on Pulitzer Prize-winning author Berkeley Breathed’s New York Times bestseller Pete & Pickles.

The voice cast features Emmy winner Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso, The Angry Birds Movie) as Hitpig, opposite Emmy nominee Lilly Singh (The Muppets Mayhem, Riverdance: The Animated Adventure) as Pickles. Rainn Wilson (The Office) is the villainous Vegas showman The Leapin’ Lord of the Leotard; Emmy winner RuPaul (RuPaul’s Drag Race) plays the sassy (and a little gassy) Polecat; Grammy-nominated rap artist Flavor Flav voices the lobster-loving Host of “King Chef for the Day”; Emmy-winning comedian Hannah Gadsby (Hannah Gadsby: Nanette) is the dangerously adorable Lola the Koala; global pop superstar Anitta voices fur-eedom fighter Letícia Dos Anjos; Lorraine Ashbourne (Bridgerton, The Crown) plays Hitpig’s mama mentor Big Bertha the Bounty Hunter; Andy Serkis (Planet of the Apes, Lord of the Rings) voices primetime’s most famous Newscaster; Charlie Adler (Transformers franchise) as superhero film star Super Rooster; and Shelby Young (LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga) is the Catchvan Voice.

Hitpig! is directed by Cinzia Angelini and David Feiss (Cow & Chicken, Minions: The Rise of Gru) and (Mila, Minions) and produced by Adam Nagle (Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, Cracké) and Dave Rosenbaum (Animal Farm, The Secret Life of Pets). With a music score by Isabella Summers of Florence & the Machine, the film features a screenplay by Dave Rosenbaum and Tyler Werrin (The Lorax) and story by Berkeley Breathed.