As a promotion for The Simpsons Movie, eleven 7-Eleven convenience stores nationwide will be made to resemble Springfield’s own Kwik-E-Mart, indicates The Chicago Sun-Times. Like the animated version, these real-life Kwik-E-Marts will sell KrustyO’s cereal, Buzz Cola and iced Squishees.

Tim Burton’s stop-motion short Vincent (1982) will be shown in front of The Nightmare Before Christmas theatrical re-release this October, with both features presented in 3-D. Narrated by Vincent Price, the black-and-white short “tells the story of Vincent Malloy, a youth who imagines that he is like Vincent Price,” explains The Hollywood Reporter via Coming […]

Coming Soon reports that, “DreamWorks Animation has acquired Alan Schoolcraft & Brent Simons’ superhero sendup spec Master Mind . . . a satirical take on the superhero genre centering on a supervillain who loses his joie de vivre after accidentally killing his archrival, Uberman, in the opening scene of the movie.” The film will be […]

Yahoo! Movies/Reuters reveals that Aardman Features is in “final negotiations” with Sony Pictures for a three-year, first-look deal. “There is an expectation that they will make a movie every year to 18 months,” explains Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and Chief Executive Michael Lynton. “We are paying them a certain sum of money every year to […]

Noticing last week’s release of Meet the Robinsons, The Boston Globe take a look into the future of 3-D films. As of right now, it appears that most major studios have big plans for the experience. However, should the beginning of this 3-D revival bring positive results, Animation Guild representative Steve Hulett warns that the […]

For anyone wondering how some of the most dazzling visual effects for the blockbuster 300 were brought to life, Avid Technology, Inc. announces that Softimage|XSI was a vital component in the process. A BusinessWire press release posted at Broadcast Newsroom elaborates more on the making of the visual magic.

As seen via a regulatory filing last Friday, DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. paid its chief executive, Jeffrey Katzenberg, $1 in total compensation in 2006. The action arrived due to Katzenberg’s wavering of a stock grant that was to have been valued at $5 million. Examiner.com has more on this story.

TV Shows on DVD has the press releases for the complete series of Mission: Magic! and Hero High, the latter of which was part of the Kid Superpower Hour with Shazam! Likewise, the site also debuts the cover artwork for the New Adventures of Superman and Batman.

From approximately 3,413 theaters this weekend, Disney’s Meet the Robinsons collected an estimated $25.1 million, averaging $7,341 per theater. Interestingly, the Associated Press indicates that the 3D version of the film grossed nearly double of what the 2D screenings gathered. As for last weekend’s top film, TMNT fell 62% to an estimated $9.2 million. In […]

Yesterday’s Orange County Register showcased SongoftheSouth.net’s Christian Willis, calling attention to his online petition urging the release of Disney’s Song of the South to DVD (we’ll settle for Blu-Ray though) and the recent statement by Disney CEO Bob Iger that such a release will be given consideration.

Breaking News: A seventh wave of the popular Walt Disney Treasures DVD sets has just been announced by Walt Disney Home Entertainment. The official press release follows:

Hitting approximately 3,413 theaters this weekend, Disney’s Meet the Robinsons is generally earning praise among critics. “Meet the Robinsons is a visually impressive children’s animated film marked by a story of considerable depth,” summarizes the consensus of Rotten Tomatoes. Still, even with good reviews, how will the film do against last weekend’s champ, TMNT, and […]

Shrek.com is now open for business. Self-described as “a place for all things Shrek,” the site includes a multitude of activities concerning the three movies and upcoming Holiday special starring the famous ogre. Fans of the franchise may also wish to check out Coming Soon’s new behind-the-scenes featurette for Shrek the Third.

In a three-page piece, Animation World Magazine contemplates the end of Disney direct-to-video sequels, reminiscing on the numerous follow-up titles released throughout the years. DisneyToon Studios head Sharon Morrill, as well as directors Frank Nissen (Cinderella III: A Twist in Time) and Jim Kammerud (The Fox and the Hound 2), weigh in on the matter.

The full trailer for Sony Pictures Animation’s Surf’s Up is now available to view at Moviefone, in standard and HD QuickTime formats. The film’s teaser trailer may still be seen at Apple.com.

During a recent interview, master anime director Hayao Miyazaki provided more information regarding Ponyo on a Cliff. As pointed out by Twitch, artwork from the film may be seen in videos of the discussion, hosted at Ghibli World and Nausicaa.net.

Yahoo! Movies/Reuters considers the fine-tuning John Lasseter, Disney Feature Animation’s Chief Creative Officer, did on Meet the Robinsons, and how much effect that involvement will have on the film’s critical and financial reception. In other Robinsons headlines, Coming Soon speaks with members of the movie’s cast and crew, in a new video featurette. Providing their […]

The National Film Board of Canada has opened the doors to Hothouse. This exciting venture includes a podcast series that follows eight emerging filmmakers as they create their first professional animated film via the NFB Animation Studio’s Hothouse Program. Mentoring the directors is none other than Torill Kove, who recently took a Best Animated Short […]

DVD Active has the lowdown on what consumers may expect from the Arthur & the Invisibles DVD, to be released on May 15. “Extras will include a ‘Voices of Arthur‘ featurette, a ‘Visual Effects of Arthur‘ featurette, the Quest for Love music video, a making of featurette for the music video, and trailers.”

In preparation for the film’s nationwide debut tomorrow, numerous sites are providing contests for Meet the Robinsons. One may enter to win prizes at A Girl’s World, Cinema Confidential, MoviesOnline, MovieWeb and Teen Hollywood. Concurrently, photos from the movie’s Hollywood premiere may be viewed at Access Hollywood, Getty Images, Hollywood.com, USA Today and Yahoo! News. […]

According to Reuters via Yahoo! Movies, DreamWorks Animation Chief Executive Jeffrey Katzenberg feels confident that Shrek the Third will do well against fellow third installments Spider-Man 3 and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. “We are the only family film, the only PG-rated movie and we are 81 minutes long. That pretty much means […]

The Hollywood Reporter writes that John Cusack has replaced Christian Slater as the voice of the title character in Exodus Film Group’s Igor. Concurrently, Sean Hayes has taken the role of Brian the Brain, described as “a brain in a jar who is one of Igor’s sidekicks and inventions.” The duo join a cast that […]

With Animated Views, Visual Resource’s president, Kellyann Lamb, and art director, Scott Gagner, elaborate on the making of the Adobe promotional video A World of Barriers. Specifically, the interview refers to the concept behind the film, from its 1950s style to its balance of humor and education. Interestingly, the facial inspiration for Barriers‘ host, Dr. […]

The Associated Press via Yahoo! Movies considers the chance of Disney re-releasing Song of the South in the near future. In addition to explaining why the film could be considered offensive, the piece also summarizes reasons as to why the Song may be soon sung again.

Courtesy of Box Office Mojo: 1) TMNT with $24,255,205, averaging $7,799 over 3,110 theaters (1st week) 23) Happy Feet with $395,313, averaging $976 over 405 theaters ($197,207,309 total; 19th week) 59) Arthur and the Invisibles with $22,218, averaging $383 over 58 theaters ($14,929,879 total; 13th week)

The LA Daily News examines the succesful box office performance of TMNT last weekend. Grossing approximately $24.25 million in its debut, the film is the latest in a line of projects to revive important franchises. In the meantime, it appears that the Ninja Turtles’ most recent television incarnation is being re-released to DVD, indicates TV […]

Courtesy of Sony Pictures, Coming Soon was recently treated to an exclusive look at Surf’s Up. With the festivities being held at special luaus in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, the site was able to chat with Surf’s Up stars Shia LaBeouf and Jon Heder, directors Chris Buck and Ash Brannon, and producer Chris Jenkins.

With SCI FI Wire, Aqua Teen Hunger Force creators Matt Maiellaro and Dave Willis confirm that they are not allowed to speak on the infamous publicity stunt held for their show’s big screen venture. Occurring on January 31, 2007, the ploy involved numerous electronic devices planted around Boston, Massachusetts, creating fear of terrorism among city […]

Variety reports that jilted Disney director Chris Sanders, who received a rude awakening when he was kicked off his own American Dog project, has been selected by DreamWorks Animation to direct Crood Awakenings, a cartoon caveman culture clash comedy due for release after Shrek IV in 2010. UPDATE: The following official press release has been made […]

Coming Soon reveals that the classic 1983 Don Bluth videogame Dragon’s Lair, the first arcade game to incorporate full scenes of hand-drawn animation, will now become “the first game title ever to be released for the Blu-ray Disc High Definition format using BD-J.” Plans to release the game’s sequel Dragon’s Lair II: Time Warp and […]