Variety indicates that a sequel to Sony Pictures Animation’s Open Season will go directly to DVD. The follow-up will focus on the first film’s domesticated dachshund, Mr. Weenie. In the meantime, Sony is still in talks with Season‘s lead voices, Martin Lawrence and Ashton Kutcher, as to whether or not they will reprise their roles […]

Earthlight Pictures has taken a unique step in animation training, now utilizing a live-video classroom, direct to students’ desktops. The internet-based system, TelAnimate, arrives after two years of development in Santa Barbara, Boise, and Earthlight’s current base of operations in Portland. The official press release for this helpful program may be viewed here:

In spring 2008, Warner Bros. Entertainment will launch T-Works, an immersive experience which will unite the main characters from the Studio’s core animated properties in an expansive, customizable online environment. Famous faces from the libraries of Warner Bros. Animation, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera and DC Comics are set to appear in the project. For further details […]

The search is on for actors to portray the heroes in the upcoming Justice League movie, indicates Obsessed With Film. Apparently, Warner Bros. has hired casting directors Susan Shopmaker, Michelle Allen and RDC Casting in New York, Vancouver and Toronto to find the thespians.

TV Shows on DVD notes that Zorro: Generation Z will have its DVD premiere on November 13. The film is composed of the upcoming television series’ first three episodes, combined with additional footage. Meanwhile, the site adds that the DVD debut of 12 oz. Mouse has been pushed back to the end of 2007, with […]

The Gazette writes that 20th Century Fox is expected to shoot Dragonball Z in Montreal sometime next year, with the film having a budget of at least $100 million. Production on the anime franchise’s theatrical entry is expected to wrap by next July.

Animation World Magazine‘s Karen Raugust takes a look at current voice casting trends. In her report, she speaks with voice and casting directors who confirm that despite tough competition, it is still possible for talented novices to enter the field.

Animation Insider has the lowdown on the 2007 fall season schedule for Kids’ WB. The television event is scheduled to begin on Saturday, September 22nd at 7:00am (ET/PT). Included in the lineup are four new animated series: Skunk Fu!, Magi-Nation, Eon Kid and Will & Dewitt.

Upcoming Pixar points out that Pixar’s Pete Docter is the latest interviewee at the blog Spline Doctors. The conversation covers Docter’s work with animation, as well as the progression of computer animation since Toy Story.

Ironic Sans is conducting an ongoing study of how New York City has been depicted thus far in animation. Now at its 17th installment, the blog series has examined depictions seen in, among many other projects, Fantasia 2000, The Simpsons, Futurama, Oliver & Company, Madagascar and even the opening credits of Late Night with Conan […]

It appears the Little Mermaid stage musical, currently playing at the the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, is receiving much mixed feedback from columnists and bloggers. Variety, The New York Post and The Colorado Springs Gazette all weigh-in on the production, while such blogs as Moxie the Maven and The Little Mermaid – Broadway […]

Cory Feldman recently revealed an interesting tidbit to MTV, regarding a possible follow-up for The Goonies. “Right now they are talking about the idea of doing it as an animated series,” explained the actor, who portrayed Clark “Mouth” Devereaux in the 1985 original.

TV Shows on DVD offers some early speculation on the DVD release for The Simpsons Movie. Due December 18, the package will include an animators commentary (David Silverman, Mike B. Anderson, Steven Dean Moore and Rich Moore); a producers commentary (James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Richard Sakai, Al Jean, Mike Scully, David Silverman, Dan Castellaneta […]

Marvel.com News introduces the trailer and poster for The Spectacular Spider-Man. The webslinger’s latest traditionally animated incarnation will hit Kids WB! in 2008.

The Little Mermaid – Broadway has the latest image from the stage adaptation of Disney’s classic film. Representing the song Kiss the Girl, the picture reveals Ariel and Prince Eric “floating in a blue lagoon.”

The Hollywood Reporter indicates that John Goodman will voice Paul Bunyan in Exodus Film Group’s computer animated adventure Bunyan & Babe. Directed by Jim Rygiel, the film will focus on Bunyan as he “works with two adventurous kids to rescue his sidekick Babe the Blue Ox (Eddie Griffin) from the evil clutches of a demented […]

TV Shows on DVD has the latest information on the fifth installments in the Looney Tunes Golden and Spotlight collections. Likewise, the site shares the press release for Comedy Central’s TV Funhouse, as well as new cover artwork for The Best of Rocky & Bullwinkle – Volume 2 and the fourth seasons of both Teen […]

Playbill summarizes the cast, plot and schedule for the Broadway adaptation of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Directed by Francesca Zambello, the musical will hit the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 3, while its official opening is scheduled for December 6. In the meantime, a new photo for the show has been released, with the blog The […]

Advertising Age reports that the Disney Adventures magazine will halt its run following the November issue. The site discloses that Disney Publishing is making this move “to better focus resources and maximize long-term growth potential through new magazine and book initiatives.”

An editorial regarding some intriguing end credits of recent films is available at Yahoo!/Reuters. In the article, Disney/Pixar’s Ratatouille is among the movies noted for containing memorable credits. Explaining why it is recommended for a film’s end credits to be unique, Ratatouille director Brad Bird stated, “I think it’s the equivalent of finishing a show […]

Yahoo!/Associated Press indicates that Martin Designs Inc. is recalling nearly 250,000 SpongeBob SquarePants address books and journals. Apparently, the items’ bindings could contain hazardous levels of lead paint, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Rachel O’Brien recently attended the Australian premiere for Ratatouille, as well as the Pixar: 20 Years of Animation exhibit in Melbourne. For Upcoming Pixar, she has written a recommended, in-depth article, sharing her experiences at the attractions.

Coming Soon carries the official announcement from Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation that the studios have decided to exclusively support the HD DVD format. This move will affect all films from DreamWorks Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films. At the Animated News & Views Forum, ‘George C’ points out […]

To its gallery for the DreamWorks Animation comedy Bee Movie, IGN has added three more images. Starring the voices of Jerry Seinfeld and Renée Zellweger, the computer animated feature will fly into theaters this November 2nd.

IMDB/WENN has listed the animated nominees for Britain’s inaugural National Movie Awards, which U.K. TV network ITV is launching after the success of the National Television Awards. The Best Animation nominees include Flushed Away, Happy Feet, Shrek the Third and The Simpsons Movie.

Upcoming Pixar speaks with Pixar story supervisor Ted Mathot, mostly regarding his personal projects unrelated to the animation studio. Topics in the interview include Mathot’s involvement with comics, drawing and E-Ville Press.

Courtesy of Box Office Mojo: 4) The Simpsons Movie with $6,829,648, averaging $2,159 over 3,162 theaters ($165,271,443 total; 4th week) 16) Ratatouille with $1,643,850, averaging $1,171 over 1,403 theaters ($196,620,846 total; 8th week) 32) Surf’s Up with $159,208, averaging $674 over 236 theaters ($58,645,467 total; 11th week) 57) Meet the Robinsons with $29,136, averaging $422 […]

TV Shows on DVD points to the blog My Name is Earl Kress for an explanation, as well as a listing, of the 19 episodes to be found in The Smurfs – Season 1, Volume 1. From the Hanna-Barbera Classic Collection, the two-disc DVD set will enter stores on December 4.

Aniboom, where animators can create and share original work, is launching its own channel on YouTube, indicates Yahoo! News/Reuters. The move arrives as the company hopes to find a new blockbuster animated series. “We put the series all over the Web and whatever we catch will be the next hit,” AniBoom founder and Chief Executive […]

Cartoon Brew reports that Vancouver animator Paul Boyd was killed last Monday night, due to a gunshot by police. Boyd had worked as a director on Ed, Edd ‘n Eddy and The Mr. Hell Show, while also animating for Gary Larson’s Tales From the Far Side and Mucha Lucha!. Further details on this report may […]