Top Cat, the indisputable leader of the gang is back this summer in UK cinemas with “Top Cat: The Movie” (OK it’s not the most original film title but we’ll let that pass).

This new feature length adventure will be released in August by Vertigo Films who say: “Top Cat is an iconic and much-loved character known by nearly every parent in the UK. We are thrilled to be bringing Top Cat, his mischievous gang and Officer Dibble to a whole new generation.”

The return of the iconic Hanna-Barbera character sees TC and the gang facing their biggest challenge yet with a new tech-savvy police chief bringing things up to date for a new generation.

The film was created last year by Anima Studios in Mexico and has proved a huge hit with South American audiences. It has become one of the most successful Mexican movies ever, earning in its 5th week $108 millions of pesos.

The look of the new film is quite intriguing. Animators have combined 2D style hand drawn characters in a 3D universe which actually works very well and maintains the spirit of the original series.

Top Cat ran from 1961 to 1962 in the US and was inspired by “The Phil Silvers’ Show”. Like so many classic animated series it’s surprising to learn that there were only 30 episodes ever made however their constant worldwide reruns have kept the gang alive for the past 50 years.

Here in the UK the series aired in 1962, but the BBC were soon forced to rename the show “Boss Cat” as Top Cat was the name of a then-popular British brand of cat food. This change was made by crudely inserting a new title card at the end of the opening titles. Within the cartoon all other references to Top Cat were left in so most never even spotted the difference.

So will a new UK audience take to this old cartoon cat? Will it be cat litter or right up our alley?

In the meantime, take a peek at the Mexican trailer. Which famous voices would you like to hear take on these classic roles in the UK released?