Adult Swim’s ‘President Curtis’ Spinoff to Premiere at Annecy, Expanding Rick and Morty Universe

Key facts

• President Curtis will have its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival (June 21-27).
• The series is co-created by Rick and Morty executive producers Dan Harmon and James Siciliano.
• Keith David stars as President Andre Curtis, joined by Stephanie Beatriz and Jim Rash.
• A 'Making Of' panel at Annecy will explore the series' development.
• David confirmed the series will air 'later on this year' in a February 2025 interview.
• Adult Swim president Michael Ouweleen said the series would have been greenlit even without the Rick and Morty connection.

A New Chapter for a Beloved Character

President Andre Curtis, the exasperated commander-in-chief of the Rick and Morty universe, is getting his own animated spinoff. The series, titled President Curtis, will debut with a world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, running from June 21 to 27. The announcement came as part of the festival’s Special Events program, which also includes sneak peeks of Ghostbusters, King of the Hill Season 15, and other high-profile projects. The show follows Curtis and his eccentric staff as they handle crises that Rick Sanchez would never bother with—interdimensional diplomacy, paranormal investigations, and unexplained phenomena. The series is co-created by Dan Harmon and James Siciliano, both executive producers on Rick and Morty, and stars Emmy Award-winning actor Keith David in the title role.

From Supporting Player to Lead

Keith David, who has voiced President Curtis in Rick and Morty since the character’s introduction, expressed enthusiasm for the expanded role. 'President Curtis has always been a blast to play,' David said in a statement. 'Getting to explore his world more deeply in this new series is a dream. I can’t wait for fans to see what kind of chaos he stirs up when Rick isn’t around to steal the spotlight.' Joining David are Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) and Jim Rash (Community), though their specific roles have not been disclosed. The series is executive produced by Harmon, Siciliano, Danielle Uhlarik, Monica Mitchell, and Steve Levy.

Adult Swim’s Confidence in the Concept

Adult Swim president Michael Ouweleen made clear that the spinoff stands on its own merits. 'This is a series we would have greenlit even if it didn’t have anything at all to do with Rick and Morty,' Ouweleen said. 'President Andre Curtis is just that good of a character.' Harmon and Siciliano echoed that sentiment, noting that Curtis is the only person in the multiverse who can go toe-to-toe with Rick and still hold office. 'Now we finally get to go on sci-fi missions from Curtis’ point of view,' they said. 'And with Keith David leading the charge, it’s going to be a wild ride.'

Annecy Debut and Festival Lineup

The Annecy festival, the world’s largest animation gathering, will host the world premiere of President Curtis alongside a 'Making Of' panel offering a deep dive into the series’ creation. The festival’s Special Events program also includes world premieres of Warner Bros. Animation’s Daffy Season and sneak peeks of The Cat in the Hat, Ghostbusters, King of the Hill Season 15, and Hexed. Other highlights include Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn, Pixar’s Gatto, and Ricky Gervais’ Alley Cats. The festival runs from June 21 to 27 in Annecy, France.

Release Timeline and What to Expect

In a February 2025 interview with ScreenRant, David indicated that President Curtis would hit screens 'later on this year,' suggesting a 2025 release. He teased that the character remains 'still the same President that left' viewers in Rick and Morty, implying continuity in personality and tone. The spinoff arrives as Rick and Morty prepares for its ninth season, premiering next month. Adult Swim is betting that fans eager for more multiverse antics will embrace a series centered on a character who has often been the straight man to Rick’s chaos.

Expanding the Rick and Morty Franchise

President Curtis represents the first major spinoff from the Rick and Morty universe, a franchise that has grown into a cultural phenomenon since its 2013 debut. The show’s success has spawned comics, video games, and a dedicated fan base, but until now, no direct spinoff series. The decision to focus on President Curtis—a character defined by his bureaucratic exasperation and occasional heroism—signals a shift toward exploring the universe’s supporting players. With Harmon and Siciliano at the helm, the series promises the same blend of sci-fi satire and character-driven comedy that made Rick and Morty a hit.

Stakes for Adult Swim and the Animation Landscape

For Adult Swim, President Curtis is a test of whether the network can extend its most valuable property without diluting it. The spinoff arrives at a time when adult animation is booming, with competitors like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon investing heavily in the genre. If successful, President Curtis could pave the way for more Rick and Morty spinoffs, expanding a franchise that has already proven its longevity. The Annecy premiere will offer the first glimpse of whether the series can capture the same magic—or forge its own identity.

The bottom line

• President Curtis will premiere at Annecy in June 2025, with a full release expected later this year.
• Keith David leads a voice cast that includes Stephanie Beatriz and Jim Rash.
• Dan Harmon and James Siciliano co-created the series and serve as executive producers.
• Adult Swim president Michael Ouweleen emphasized the series’ standalone quality.
• The spinoff is the first direct extension of the Rick and Morty franchise.
• Annecy’s Special Events program includes multiple high-profile premieres and sneak peeks.