At the age of 97, animator and illustrator Myron Waldman died last Saturday, February 4th, at New Island Hospital in Bethpage, New York. His death came as a result of congestive heart failure, his family stated. During his career, Waldman worked on such classic characters as Betty Boop, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Popeye and Superman. […]

With “Showtime for DreamWorks,” MSNBC investigates the recent endeavors of DreamWorks Animation’s search for more animators. Over the next 12 months, the studio will be hiring more than 200 workers, in an attempt to maintain its energetic production schedule. Talent is being scouted from such countries as Canada, Europe, and New Zealand. Furthermore, DreamWorks Animation […]

Disney Channel has promoted both Adam Bonnett and Jeff Brustrom, writes the site Broadcasting and Cable. Bonnett will now serve as senior VP, original series, while Brustrom will act as VP, live-action series. Meanwhile, the channel has hired animator Mike Moon, providing him with the title of VP, animated series.

The “Full Listening Party” section of AOL Music now features the Curious George sountrack, titled Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George. Included in the disc’s lineup is Jack Johnson’s currently popular track “Upside Down,” prominently featured in most of the movie’s television commericials. In related news, The Honolulu Advertiser looks at the Curious […]

Nick Park’s Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit by DreamWorks/Aardman Animation was the clear winner at last night’s {{link http://www.annieawards.com/ 33rd Annual Annie Awards}} ceremony held at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA. The stop-motion film won 10 awards, sweeping every feature film category and winning an award in every category it was […]

At the age of 95, Al Lewis passed away on Friday night, following years of failing health. From 1961-63, Lewis starred in the popular TV classic Car 54, Where Are You?, as Officer Leo Schnauser. The actor later appeared as Leo “Schnauzer” in the show’s 1994 theatrical remake. However, Lewis’ most famous role came in […]

The Cars television ad set to air this Sunday night during the Super Bowl is now available for one’s veiwing pleasure online. Thanks to “scofo” at the Animated-News Forum for the heads up!

Paul Martin of NarniaFans.com points to USA Today, where word comes that in addition to the two upcoming DVD releases of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe, fans should expect an extended version of the film in the near future as well. “It’s interesting to note, that the current film […]

Reuters via Yahoo! News Signapore focuses on the past, present, and future of the Curious George brand. The article also notes that with the inquisitive chimp investigating theaters next weekend and televisions this fall, Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is hoping to make Curious George a merchandise giant. “From a merchandising standpoint, we’re aiming at […]

Billionaire investor Warren Buffet, nicknamed “The Oracle of Omaha,” has signed up for PBS’ animated children’s program, The Secret Millionaire’s Club. Produced by DIC Entertainment, the series will teach its young viewers the importance of “financial literacy,” helping them make better money choices when they are older. The news comes courtesy of Forbes.com.

After a 13-year absence, animation in television series form will finally return to CBS, as the network has ordered seven half-hour episodes of Aardman Animations’ Creature Comforts. Based on the popular British TV series with the same name, the show, to be produced in Los Angeles and Bristol, England, will air midseason 2006-07. “In Comforts, […]

Should the merger of the two studios fail to close this summer, the Walt Disney Co. and Pixar Animation Studios Inc. have extended their current distribution deal to include Pixar’s 2007 entry, Ratatouille. “This is a deal that Disney and Pixar negotiated independent of the proposed merger to handle the distribution of Ratatouille until such […]

CGCHAR indicates that “almost every single [Disney animated] movie in production, pre-production, and development” will be evaluated by John Lasseter and Ed Catmull, who were recenty named Chief Creative Officer and president of the combined Disney and Pixar animation studios. That project lineup includes such films as American Dog, Rapunzel, and Gnomeo & Juliet. However, […]

NarniaWeb relays the news that The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe director Andrew Adamson will return to tell the second chapter in the Narnia film series, Prince Caspian. “Making The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe couldn’t have been a more rewarding experience, not just in terms of creative achievement […]

Cinematical sends word that Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, and Emily Watson are set to star in Miss Potter, an account of Beatrix Potter, the creator of Peter Rabbit. Zellweger will play in the title role, with McGregor acting as publisher Norman Warne. Watson’s role has yet to be announced. Babe helmer Chris Noonan will direct […]

Showbizz.net has the first look at the T-Rex and elephant fiberglass sculptures created for the live-action/CG comedy Night at the Museum. From the Internet Movie Database, Museum’s plot is defined as, “A bumbling security guard at the Museum of Natural History accidentally lets loose an ancient curse that causes the animals and insects on display […]

As the animators currently employed at Disney’s Circle 7 wait to hear the future of their division, CGCHAR writes that DreamWorks Animation recently invited the animators for a campus tour, in an attempt to attract some of the talented artists.

Could John Lasseter be this generation’s Walt Disney? A new article from Reuters, via Yahoo! News, proposes the idea, offering info to support the thought. Likewise, the report presents a brief history on Lasseter’s career. On an interesting final note, the piece adds, “Lasseter is seen as so integral to Pixar’s successes that Disney stipulated […]

The one sheet for the Weinstein Co. release Doogal, also known as Sprung! The Magic Roundabout, is now online at Latino Review. The film itself will hit theaters on February 24th.

Liongate’s computer animated release Foodfight! has been moved to March 2007, according to the film’s section at the Internet Movie Database. The movie was previously scheduled to open on November 17, 2006, where it would have faced-off with the Warner Bros. CGI comedy Happy Feet.

At Yahoo News comes the Reuters/Hollywood Reporter news of The Little Mermaid’s Platinum Edition DVD debut. “Several cutting-edge features are still being developed, along with such expected extras as deleted scenes, commentaries and featurettes on the making of the movie. The DVD also will include several musical bonuses.” The Little Mermaid Platinum Edition DVD will […]

The Gamer’s Temple notices that the official website for the video game adaptation of Ice Age 2: The Meltdown is now online. Visitors to the site will find an overview, screen captures, and a forum link.

Coming Soon reports that the Weinstein Company has acquired the North American distribution rights to Igor, a computer animated comedy from Exodus Film Group. “A playfully irreverent comedy with a new twist to the classic monster genre, Igor is the story of a mad scientist’s hunchbacked lab assistant who has big dreams of becoming a […]

Terry Press has joined DreamWorks Animation, as its worldwide head of marketing, reports Reuters through Yahoo! News. Press, who served 10 years as the marketing chief for DreamWorks SKG, will now manage all the marketing for DreamWorks Animation, while also communicating with Paramount Picture’s marketing team.

The Disney Insider online has more information on the recent purchase of Pixar by Disney, including reactions by Steve Jobs, Roy Disney, and Diane Disney Miller. In case anybody’s wondering, “Pixar will retain its unique identity – and its adorable desklamp logo.” Thanks to Kristin for the heads up.

The Disneyland News press service has released the news that the character of Captain Jack Sparrow, infamously played in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies by Johnny Depp, Captain Barbossa, ably played in the film version by Geoffrey Rush, and Davy Jones, will be added to the Pirates of the Caribbean Disney theme park rides […]

At Xbox 365, ten screen captures from the video game adaption of DreamWork Animation’s Over the Hedge have appeared. “Players assume the roles of RJ the raccoon, Verne the turtle, Hammy the squirrel and Stella the skunk and turn a suburban neighborhood loaded with dangerous obstacles and traps into their personal playground. Numerous puzzles and […]

Yahoo! Movies has added nine clips from Universal Pictures’ Curious George, coming to theaters on February 10th.

For one’s viewing pleasure, Latino Review has the latest promotional items for Walt Disney Pictures’ The Wild. Included in the mix are theater window clings, a standee, and an updated poster.

Yesterday, Melbourne animator Anthony Lucas was shocked upon learning that his project, The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello, had been nominated for the Best Animated Short Oscar. The Herald Sun has the reaction from Lucas, who insisted, “Winning is being nominated.” As the 40-year-old father of two, whose wife Julie produced the film, stated, […]