The Los Angeles Times has an article about the growing role of Disney’s TV Animation unit. The unit is busier than it has been in its 20-year history. Led by Kim Possible and Lilo, there are five series in production with nearly 50 projects in development. Disney is expected to unveil this week the newest […]

{{link http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/television/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2024137 The Hollywood Reporter}} notes that \\Curious George\\ may soon be headed to televison with a new series. “Universal Home Entertainment Prods. said Thursday that the division, in conjunction with Imagine and PBS affiliate WBGH Boston, is developing an animated preschool television series based on the \\Curious George\\ character”. A motion picture version, with […]

‘Thomas’ posted on the {{link http://animation.skyblueproductions.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=81 Animated News Forum}} that the video of Phil Collins’ single \\Look Through My Eyes\\ is online at the {{link http://disney.go.com/disneyrecords/soundtracks/brotherbear/ \\Brother Bear\\ Original Soundtrack page}}. The video is available is Quicktime, Windows Media, and RealPlayer versions.

DreamWorks SKG Fansite – Animation alerts us to two bits of news about upcoming projects from Katzenberg and Co. First up is a {{link http://animation.dreamworksfansite.com/sharktale rumor about \\Shark Tale\\}}. They report that “according to a source close to the project, DreamWorks \\Shark Tale\\ teaser trailer is expected to premiere in theatres late November or early […]

DreamWorks SKG Fansite – Animation also has {{link http://animation.dreamworksfansite.com/shrek2/ news on \\Shrek 2\\}}. Antonio Banderas, voice of Puss-in-Boots, talked to {{link http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2003-11-09-banderas-shrek_x.htm USA Today}} about his role in the upcoming film. “He tries to break up the relationship between the two guys,” says the actor, who drew upon his own three cats for inspiration. “Shrek […]

Animation historian Jerry Beck has posted reviews of two upcoming animated features at his wonderful site, {{link http://www.cartoonresearch.com/ Cartoon Research}}. \\Looney Tunes: Back In Action\\ is “way better than \\The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle\\” and “100 times better than \\Space Jam\\”. Beck says \\The Triplets Of Belleville\\ is “so close to being pure genius, […]

\\Elf\\, which opened a strong #2 behind \\The Matrix: Revolutions\\, pays tribute to the popular holiday specials of Arthur Rankin and Jules Bass (\\Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer\\, \\Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town\\) by using stop-motion animation instead of computer generated effects, according to {{link http://www.animationmagazine.net/article.php?article_id=1762 Animation Magazine}}. When Will Ferrell converses with a stop-motion […]

Cartoon Network Asia will premiere the new Star Wars ‘micro-series’ on Monday, November 10 at 6:30pm. Just like in the UK, the wait for Clone Wars won’t be as long as many thought. “Begun the micro-series has”!

In its review of the Eight Crazy Nights DVD, FilmForce gives the overall DVD a score of 5 out of 10, with the movie itself receiving a 1 out of 10.

According to Box Office Guru, “Landing in third place was last weekend’s runner-up, Disney’s Brother Bear, which brought in an estimated $18.6M this weekend, a drop of only 4%. Its cume now stands at $44M and looks to end its run in the $100-110M range, with a good chance of going even higher if it […]

The {{link http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?threadid=93944 Toon Zone Forum}} reports that voice work has begun on Season Two of Cartoon Network’s Duck Dodgers animated show. Both Bob Bergen (Dodgers’ “Eager Young Space Cadet” vocalist) and producer/writer Paul Dini make reference to the “next season” on their respective websites. Toon Zone {{link http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=93950 also reports}} that Dini is scheduled […]

A great new feature by Ron Barbagallo on the {{link http://www.animationartconservation.com/blade_of_grass.html Animation Conservation}} website takes a “study within 2D background painting at the Disney Studio from 1928 through 1942”, with examples showing the jumps from the “cartoony” look of Steamboat Willie to the intricate style of Bambi.

The new Cartoon Network/Lucasfilm “micro-series” {{link http://news.awn.com/index.php3?ltype=top&newsitem_no=9564 Clone Wars}}, which expands the Star Wars universe by way of creating the back story between last summer’s Episode II and 2005’s Episode III, is airing right now on the channel in the US. However, highly charged UK fans, who feared a long wait (or having to buy […]

Master traditional animator Glen Keane’s take on the Rapunzel legend, retitled Rapunzel Unbraided, has been confirmed as being in active production, in a story at {{link http://news.awn.com/index.php3?ltype=top&newsitem_no=9565 Animation World Network}}. The article also states that Lilo And Stitch creator/director Chris Sanders has been tapped to write (and possibly direct?) the new feature An American Dog, […]

Karl F. Cohen over at the {{link http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=pageone&article_no=1909 Animation World Network}} takes a look back at animation’s continuing messages of peace – from the Harman-Ising short Peace On Earth, to Brad Bird’s “great non-violent animated feature” The Iron Giant. Part 1 of Cohen’s feature is online now, and a very insightful read.

AnimeWorks is readying a release of Jhonen Vasquez’s Invader Zim animated series. Anime fans have been screaming for this DVD release since Zim first aired on Nickelodeon in 2001 and now it’s finally here. Coming Spring 2004 will be the first of three double disc sets and a limited edition boxed set which promises to […]

{{link http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/TheTripletsofBelleville-1127609/gallery.php?page=1&size=hires Rotten Tomatoes}} has a great look at the upcoming animated feature The Triplets Of Belleville with 14 hi-res images from the film now online. You’ll get a great look at the production design, attention to detail and original style this film takes, as well as getting to know the cast of characters. Thanks […]

Luke’s {{link http://www.ultimatedisney.com/ Ultimate Disney DVD}} fansite reports that “Disney is apparently moving Wave 3 of the Walt Disney Treasures, scheduled for release in just 3 1/2 weeks, all the way back to May 2004”. For many, the release of these sets, including a special collection marking Mickey’s 75th Anniversary, as well as a compilation […]

Even with strong competition from Elf, Brother Bear may still be able to gather $13 million this weekend, dropping 30%, Box Office Guru predicts. However, Box Office Report is more optimistic, suggesting that Brother Bear will have a very slim drop of 18%, making it collect $16 million. Brother Bear has grossed roughly $25 million […]

A short segment from the music video for Phil Collins’ excellent song from Brother Bear, “Look Through My Eyes,” is now airing on the Disney Channel.

A beauty contest dubbed “Miss Digital World” will begin in Italy next week according to {{link http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/11/07/digital.diva.reut/index.html CNN}}. “Digital artists, advertising agencies and video game programmers from around the world have been asked to send a computer design of their perfect woman to {{link http://www.missdigitalworld.com www.missdigitalworld.com}}, complete with date of birth and body measurements”. The […]

According to Dark Horizons, “In regards to Shrek, the trailer for the first sequel is now out in sweet Quicktime over at the official site. Meanwhile UK comedian Ben Elton confirmed on Radio 5 Live’s Simon Mayo Show that he turned down an offer from Jeffrey Katzenberg to write & direct a third Shrek film […]

‘Buzz’ on the {{link http://animation.skyblueproductions.net/showthread.php?s=&postid=352#post352 Animated News Forum}} tells us that the {{link http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/liveaction/pirates/main_site/main.html Pirates Of The Caribbean DVD}} website has been updated to include “more info [on] content plus disc artwork”. The {{link http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/homeontherange/main.html Home On The Range}} site has also had an overhaul, with a “slight visual update of [the] logo and cast”. […]

Ralph Bakshi’s 1992 animated/live-action fiasco Cool World is not due out on disc for a few days yet, but it’s started to get reviews online. {{link http://www.dvdfile.com/software/review/dvd-video_7/coolworld.html DVD File}} says “Unlike Roger Rabbit’s benign and happy Toontown, Cool World is violent and sleazy. A little gratuitous sex and violence could have been entertaining, but Bakshi […]

Spanish international sales company Lumina Films has acquired overseas sales rights outside Spain to the Spanish 3D animated feature film Midsummer Dream. The movie is produced by Galicia-based Dygra Films, the creators of The Living Forest, which was a box office hit in Spain. Based on the Shakespeare play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” this “Dream” […]

Usa Today reports that the first of 20 animated Star Wars: Clone Wars episodes, each about three minutes long, premieres at 8 ET/PT on Cartoon Network. A new episode of the Lucas-approved series airs each weeknight through Nov. 20, repeating at midnight. Another 10 will air next spring. The Clone Wars cartoon series bridges the […]

{{link http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hp&cf=prev&id=1808518975 Greg’s Previews}} reports that Sony Pictures Classics has moved the LA/NY premiere of \\The Triplets of Belleville\\ from November 21 to November 26, the day before Thanksgiving. The film will expand to other cities at later dates.

\\Variety\\ reports (via \\{{link http://www.playbill.com/news/article/82562.html Playbill}}\\) that a 28 minute musical adaptation of \\Snow White\\ will premiere Feb. 22 at Disneyland’s Fantasyland Theater on February 22, 2004. The show, called \\Disney’s Snow White – An Enchanting Musical\\. The executive vice-president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Creative Entertainment says that “In creating this production, we […]

{{link http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#ultdis The Digital Bits}} has good news for those of you wanting to complete your Walt Disney Treasures Collection. “Costco is apparently selling The Ultimate Disney Treasure Chest for $125, containing all seven of the previous titles, including \\Mickey Mouse in Living Color\\, \\Silly Symphonies\\, \\Davy Crockett\\, \\Disneyland USA\\, \\Mickey Mouse in Black & […]