Genndy Tartakovsky, creator of the critically acclaimed Adult Swim series Primal, recently offered fans an exciting update on the long-awaited third season during New York Comic Con 2025, where he spoke with Collider's Perri Nemiroff. After a gut-wrenching Season 2 finale in 2022 that seemed to mark the tragic end for the caveman Spear, the series is set to return with a startling twist: Spear, believed dead, is back, albeit with 'something in the blood' spreading, indicating a zombified state. This unexpected development promises to redefine the dynamic of the show, which initially captivated audiences with the silent, visceral adventures of Spear and his Tyrannosaurus Rex companion, Fang, in a prehistoric fight for survival.

The considerable three-year gap between Season 2 and Season 3 has been a major point of discussion for fans. Tartakovsky clarified that the extended hiatus was due to a confluence of factors beyond the inherent time-consuming nature of animation production. He explained that the process from idea to greenlight is complex, involving pitching, securing funding, and then the actual making of the show. A significant hurdle was navigating the Warner Bros. mergers, which complicated the greenlighting process. Tartakovsky recalled a 'darkest time' waiting nearly eight months for the company to figure out how to approve a new season amidst the corporate restructuring, a stark contrast to the previously more instantaneous approval system. Despite these business-related challenges, the creative team's belief in the new Season 3 idea, especially from individuals like Michael at Adult Swim, ultimately ensured its progression.

Tartakovsky described the 'lightest time' in production as when a schedule is set, and the team can begin hiring, emphasizing the collaborative and enjoyable environment. He highlighted two 'unsung heroes' crucial to Primal's distinctive aesthetic: Art Director Scott Wills and Sound Effects artist Joel Valentine. Wills, who previously worked with Tartakovsky on Samurai Jack, is praised for his unique ability to create moody paintings where light feels tangible and impactful, adding immense color and energy to Primal. Valentine's contribution to sound effects is deemed as vital as the music, creating immersive environments that allow viewers to truly 'feel' the prehistoric world, especially in scenes without musical accompaniment, making him an indispensable part of the show's visceral experience.

Initially, following Season 2, Tartakovsky had envisioned Primal transitioning into an anthology series, exploring different characters while maintaining its core tenets of visual, visceral, raw storytelling with minimal dialogue. However, he admitted to missing Spear and recognizing the audience's deep connection to the character and his relationship with Fang. This led to the compelling idea of bringing Spear back as a zombie. While Tartakovsky remained confidential about the exact 'math' of Spear and Fang's appearances together in Season 3, he confirmed that the zombie narrative would incorporate a mix of 'new' and 'established' zombie rules. He noted that despite the show's raw and often thrilling nature, he isn't a typical horror fan, preferring 'thriller-type feels' over outright scares, drawing inspiration from works like World War Z and The Last of Us while forging Primal's own distinct zombie mythology.

Beyond Primal, Tartakovsky also shared his intriguing perspective on the Jurassic franchise. When asked to helm the next Jurassic movie, he expressed a desire to keep the dinosaurs geographically contained, but critically re-evaluate the human element. He boldly stated his main criticism of existing Jurassic films is often the characters. Instead of repeating familiar tropes, Tartakovsky proposed a fresh approach inspired by William Friedkin's 1977 film The Sorcerer. His vision involves marooning 'horrible pirate smugglers' or other 'bad guys' on the dinosaur-inhabited island, transforming the narrative into a pure survival thriller where the terrifying presence of the dinosaurs is the central conflict for these morally ambiguous characters. Incidentally, his favorite dinosaur is the Brontosaurus, a choice he finds 'pretty amazing'.