At o-meon Chuck Oberleitner brings insights into the debate of whether Disney/Pixar’s Cars qualifies as a flop or not. Highlighting all the ways in which the film has succeeded the article also highlights the tenuous relationship between art and commerce.

After lunching with animators Andreas Deja and Eric Goldberg and talking with them about their experiences and projects over the years at the Walt Disney Studios, Animated News’ Christian Ziebarth recently met up again with Goldberg, the famed lead animator of the Genie in Aladdin and co-director on Pocahontas and Looney Tunes: Back In Action. […]

Following is the full press release for this Friday’s tribute by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to Scottish animator Norman McLaren:

Following are some more photographs taken at the El Capitan Theatre during the eight week engagement of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. The film was originally scheduled for a four week run but due to the enthusiasm of the movie-going public its run length was doubled and continues through September 4. Both the […]

Davis DVD has updated information on some new animated DVDs about to be released, including the cover image for The Fox and the Hound 2, specs for Transformers: The Movie 20th Anniversary Special Edition, and the fact that the DVD for Ice Age: The Meltdown will have a brand new Scrat-centered short.

Coming Soon indicates a film starring Opus is in the works with a release date set for December 19, 2008. Opus the penguin first appeared in the early 1980s in the satiric daily comic strip Bloom County, then in the Sunday-only strip Outland, and now in his own eponymously titled newspaper strip. The film will […]

Following are some photographs taken at the El Capitan Theatre during the eight week engagement of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, which continues through to September 4. Both the theater and the adjacent soda fountain store are decked out in the theme of the movie with plenty of actual sets used during production […]

Celbi Pegoraro has posted his report on The 14th International Animation Festival Anima Mundi 2006 held recently in Brazil. John Canemaker gave a lecture on the contributions of Mary Blair and attendees watched plenty of animation including classic Disney (The Three Caballeros) and new Disney (The Little Matchgirl).

Following are some photographs taken at the El Capitan Theatre and the adjacent Disney Soda Fountain and Studio Store during the eight week engagement of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. The film was originally scheduled for a four week run but due to the enthusiasm of the movie-going public its run length was […]

The recent issue of BYU Magazine highlights the school’s burgeoning animation program. The article even mentions that people from Pixar had observed the animation pipeline in place at BYU. The program’s first completed senior project, Lemmings, won 2003’s student Emmy award for nontraditional animation. Thanks to Tricia C. for the heads up.

Cinema Confidential unveils plans by Sony/MGM to make another Pink Panther movie starring Steve Martin as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau (no title yet but if they followed a similar naming convention as the first movie series it’d be titled A Shot in the Dark). While not expressly animation news it could mean some more Pink […]

Adding to his impressive work on Walt’s People, Didier Ghez has begun a Disney History blog, focusing on “Interesting discoveries about Disney history, vintage Disneyana, Disney artwork, the Walt’s People book series, and new books about Disney.” Only two days old and there are already ten entries full of in-depth historical information.

DreamWorks Animation recently screened a sneak preview of its Fall release Flushed Away and its respective online game for the press. Reports can be found at Movie Hole, CHUD, and Cinema Confidential. According to the latter, “Based on the material screened yesterday, this collaboration with Aardman is for the best. The DreamWorks technical razzle-dazzle isn’t […]

Industry watchdog Chuck Oberleitner reports on some of the recent happenings at the Walt Disney Studio from a business angle in part one of “Is the Honeymoon Over?” “Even by Disney storytelling standards, it’s been a remarkable first seven months for the Mouse House’s new Big Cheese, Robert ‘Bob’ Iger, as the company’s myriad fans […]

Comedy Central has released details on the contents of its October 3 DVD release South Park The Hits: Volume 1, which includes the video Christmas card “The Spirit of Christmas,” and the infamous Tom Cruise-centered “Trapped in the Closet” episode. Read the press release at o-meon.

Cinema Confidential reports on a big screen animated film based on the Sea Monkeys, the brine shrimp who can be coaxed out of their cryptobiotic state by just adding water, to be produced by Empire Pictures.

o-meon gives some updated casting information for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix including the selection of Helena Bonham Carter as Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange. Known for playing dark roles, Bonham Carter has previously provided voices for animated films such as Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit and Tim Burton’s The […]

Sony Pictures has unveiled a teaser site for their upcoming CGI-animated film Surf’s Up. The movie about three surfin’ birds is due out Summer 2007.

Following is the full press release and title treatment for Flushed Away Underground Adventure, an interactive gaming collaboration between AOL, DreamWorks Animation, Aardman Features, and Mark Burnett Productions:

Floyd Norman writes at Jim Hill Media about The Walt Disney Studio’s re-commitment to focus solely on family-themed entertainment. “Why waste time pursuing seedy adult films when there is a waiting and eager market for family themed entertainment? Add to that, these projects generate all kinds of additional product that enhance the bottom line. . […]

The official Muppets website is now allowing visitors to vote on the cover art they wish to see for the Muppet Show: Season 2 DVD. The three available styles all feature the same character but you do get to pick how that character is shown. The DVD will then be released in Spring 2007 with […]

Warner Bros. has just added a whole gravel quarry full of animated content to Apple’s iTunes, including the first season of The Flintstones, and the first season of The Jetsons, as well as an unaired Aquaman live action pilot. Also, three seasons of Schoolhouse Rock have recently been added to iTunes, so you can learn […]

Following is the full press release from DreamWorks Animation on their multiple presentations to be featured at the 2006 Siggraph Convention in Boston next week (Aardman fans: pay special attention to the description of the last presentation) as well as information for potential job applicants:

Yahoo! Movie News reports on some of the celebrity guest voices set to appear during the eighteenth season of the hit series The Simpsons, including Natalie Portman, Kiefer Sutherland, rock band The White Stripes, Dr. Phil McGraw (in a Treehouse of Horror episode), Joe Mantegna (“Fat Tony”), Joe Pantoliano, Michael Imperioli, Fran Drescher and comedian […]

Following is the full press release from Starz Entertainment Group regarding the broadcast of Jennifer Shiman’s parodies of famous movies re-enacted by animated bunnies . . . and always in 30 seconds:

The official website of DreamWorks/Aardman’s upcoming comedy Flushed Away, which opens in theaters 11/03/06, was just launched at http://www.flushedaway.com Check it out for: — a look at the brand new trailer for “Flushed Away” — detailed storyline — exclusive wallpapers, buddy icons, and signature files — new stills from the film Blending Aardman’s trademark style […]

Ain’t It Cool News has the poster created for the coming theatrical release of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Digital 3D. The film will run in select theaters in October.

At this year’s Comic-Con, the Avengers will once again Assemble — this time, at the world fan premiere screening of Lionsgate and Marvel Studios’ highly-anticipated film, Ultimate Avengers 2. The event will begin at 7pm on Friday, July 21st with a Q&A with some of the voice and behind-the-scenes talent from the film (panel participants […]

Disney has recently launched the official website for Brother Bear 2. The site features a picture gallery, computer downloads, games and activities, and more. The trailer is also available with several clips from the movie to be added soon.