Interactive Game Group has acquired the video game rights from Exodus Film Group to the CGI flick Igor, records Variety. As a result of the deal, IGG has signed Legacy Interactive to publish the Igor game adaptation in North America. To be released in fall 2008, the game will be developed for Nintendo’s DS and […]

A set of three Spanish-language banners for the live-action/computer animated Alvin and the Chipmunks have been discovered at eBay. Each poster stars one member of the famous band featuring Alvin, Simon and Theodore.

Mike Fink speaks with The Los Angeles Times about his work as visual effects supervisor for The Golden Compass. The Oscar-nominated supervisor especially regards the time constraints and other challenges he faced during the project.

The success of the 3-D screenings for Beowulf are encouraging other movie studios who have big plans for the technology, indicates Variety. Such upcoming films as Avatar and Monsters vs. Aliens are mentioned in the piece.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Weinstein Co. and German distribution company Telepool have reached a distribution agreement regarding the English-language and Latin American rights for the computer animated Niko & the Way to the Stars. Directed by Michael Hegner and Kari Juusonen, the film focuses on “Niko, a little earth-bound reindeer who dreams of […]

Variety writes that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has ruled that the motion-capture technology used to create Beowulf has not made it ineligible for Oscar consideration in the category of Best Animated Feature. However, a different verdict met Alvin and the Chipmunks, which was disqualified from the category due to its amount […]

TV Shows on DVD reports that Archie’s Funhouse – The Complete Series (1970) will hit stores on March 4th, courtesy of Genius Entertainment. Word has yet to arrive on what bonus features the set will include.

The Los Angeles Times lists some of the best and worst online gimmicks released in 2007 to help promote movies. A Simpsons Movie activity that allowed visitors to create “Simpson-ized” versions of themselves receives a glowing review, while a similar feature to promote Alvin and the Chipmunks is met with a less positive reception.

The nominees for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards have been announced. From Shrek to Mumble the penguin, animation found itself represented once more in the competition for the coveted music award. To see the list of animated-related Grammy entries, please click:

The first trailer for the live-action/CGI Speed Racer adaptation is now up at Moviefone. Meanwhile, USA Today provides a set of images from the highly anticipated feature. Speed Racer will cruise into theaters on May 9, 2008.

DVD Active has the announcement from Genius Products regarding the DVD of its computer animated movie The Ten Commandments. While no bonus features have been revealed yet, the package’s cover artwork is now available to view.

Moviefone has added a second trailer for the animated Persepolis. Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, the critically acclaimed film will have a limited run in the U.S. starting December 25th.

TMZ reports that magician Art Metrano is suing the creators of Family Guy, due to a scene in the series’ direct-to-video movie, Stewie Griffin – The Untold Story. Metrano claims that a flashback in the film, involving Jesus, employs a “comedy routine identical in music, sound and action to Metrano’s act, ‘The Amazing Metrano.’”

TV Party has a detailed behind-the-scenes look at the making of Rankin/Bass’ Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The article sheds some light on the history and making of the classic Christmas special.

TV Shows on DVD has the press information on the four-disc Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors – Volume 1, coming to stores on March 25th. The site also has the latest news on the three-disc Sam & Max: Freelance Police – The Complete Series, arriving March 11th.

Variety reports that awards season has officially commenced this week with the National Board of Review naming the films winning its top prizes. Disney/Pixar’s Ratatouille takes home the award for Best Animated Film, while Persepolis wins the Bvlgari Award for NBR Freedom of Expression, which “champions the voices of maverick filmmakers”.

The first Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian trailer has just premiered at Narniaweb.com and Narniafans.com.

DVDTimes reports that Optimum Home Entertainment has announced UK Region 2 DVD release of Studio Ghibli’s film Tales from Earthsea on 28th January 2008. Based on the series of books by Ursula Le Guin, Tales from Earthsea marks the directorial debut of Goro Miyazaki, son of Hayao Miyazaki. Tales from Earthsea will be released as […]

The nominees for the 35th Annual Annie Awards were announced today. In the feature categories, Disney/Pixar’s Ratatouille leads the field this year with 13 nominations including Best Animated Feature as well as individual nominations for directing, writing, character animation, animated effects (two nominations), production design, storyboarding, character design, character animation, music, and voice acting (three […]

CartoonBrew reports that Aardman Animations has launched Creature Discomforts, a series of TV spots, in an attempt to highlight the difficulties and discrimination faced by the disabled people. These TV spots will be aired in UK next month but the Official Website has made them all available to watch, alongwith a behind-the-scenes piece.

Cracked.com has published a list of nine most racist Disney characters which, according to the article, were unfairly characterized by their ethnic background. Characters in the list include Uncle Remus from Song of the South, The Crows from Dumbo and The Merchant from Aladdin, to name a few.

DVDActive has posted the cover art for the upcoming One Hundred and One Dalmatians Platinum Edition DVD, which will arrive in stores on March 4th. Along with a restored 1.33:1 feature presentation, extras on this two-disc set will include deleted scenes; a “Cruella de Vil: Drawn To Be Bad” featurette; a “Redefining the Line: The […]

DVDTimes has posted the details on the upcoming Aristocats Special Edition DVD which will hit stores on February 5, 2008. This new release will feature digitally-enhanced picture and sound. Plus it will include all-new extras, such as a never-before-seen deleted song; Bath Day, a cartoon short from 1946 featuring Figaro; “Backstage Disney: The Aristocats Scrapbook”; […]

The New York Times has a recommended piece that examines the chances of Disney/Pixar’s Ratatouille being nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award. Specifically, the article ponders if the Best Animated Feature Oscar category will help or hurt the possibility of such a nomination.

Moviehole reports that Gary Oldman has joined Jim Carrey in the cast of Robert Zemeckis’ motion-capture feature A Christmas Carol. Like Carrey, Oldman will play more than one character in the film. Interestingly, the site notes that Cary Elwes will stand-in for Carrey, at times when the comic is not available to participate in the […]

Upcoming Pixar points to The San Fernando Valley Business Journal, where word arrives that the Walt Disney Company is hoping to strengthen its online presence with a new website of games based on Disney/Pixar’s Cars. The site is expected to launch in 2008.

Entertainment Weekly has named “The 50 Smartest People In Hollywood.” Talented folks found in the lineup include Ratatouille director Brad Bird (#23), DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg (#22), Beowulf director Robert Zemeckis (#18), Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook (#12), and Industrial Light & Magic visual effects supervisor John Knoll (#10).

TMZ has obtained information that the Fred Rappoport Company, one of the producers behind the animated Christmas special Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, is suing Elmo Shropshire, singer of the popular Christmas tune upon which the show is based. According to Rappoport, Shropshire interfered in a $1 million merchandising deal regarding the special. […]

The Hollywood Reporter shows that the television premiere of Shrek the Halls averaged 21.1 million viewers and a 7.2 rating/20 share in adults 18-49. Airing on ABC at 8/7c, the special was followed by the Holiday favorite How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, which averaged 18.7 million viewers and a 6.8 rating/17 share in the 18-49 […]

Upcoming Pixar notes that the official website for Toy Story Mania is now open. Animation enthusiasts may particularly enjoy the behind-the-scenes images for the attraction that the site reveals. Toy Story Mania will debut at Disneyland and Walt Disney World in the summer of 2008.