Roger Colton at Jim Hill Media reflects on his visit to DNA Productions last December, where he had the opportunity to speak with Keith Alcorn, one of the executive producers for The Ant Bully. The article also recalls the experience that inspired Tom Hanks and his Playtone Productions to support the project.

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 […]

After a surprisingly low box office for Warner Brothers’ \\Lady in the Water\\, Columbia Pictures’ \\Monster House\\ was able to take second place in its opening weekend with $22.2 million according to {{link http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2119&p=.htm Box Office Mojo}}. Rory Bruer, Sony’s president of distribution, called it “a terrific start” for the film. The box office tally […]

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 […]

At age 72, Mako Iwamatsu, usually credited with his first name only, died from esophageal cancer last Friday, at his home in Somis, California. The Japanese-born American actor earned “Supporting Actor” Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for the role of Po-han in the 1966 “Best Picture” nominee The Sand Pebbles. Likewise well-noted in Mako’s […]

At the age of 85, actor Jack Warden died Wednesday at a New York hospital. According to his business manager Sidney Pazoff, he had suffered from numerous medical problems in recent years. Warden was twice nominated for a “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” Academy Award: in 1976, for his role as Lester in Shampoo, […]

China, a nation that require government approval for the production of most arts, announced it will accelerate censorship approval for animated works to enhance its domestic industry. The People’s Daily Online reports that, beginning in August, censors will now announce approvals on a monthly basis rather than twice a year as had been done in […]

Speaking with the The National Ledger, Tim Allen refers briefly to Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 3. “It’s going to be great,” comments the voice of Buzz Lightyear himself. “We have John Lasseter, the original director, and I believe Tom [Hanks] is on board.” Allen further describes the current version of Toy Story 3 as being “stronger” […]

Reuters/Yahoo! explore the trend of 3-D several animated movies are currently employing to help raise interest in the pictures. With Monster House as the basis for the story, other animated projects mentioned include: Chicken Little, The Ant Bully, Open Season, Meet the Robinsons, and The Nightmare Before Christmas.

A press release at Coming Soon heralds the teaming of BET Networks’ new animation unit and Vin Diesel’s One Race Productions to produce Hannibal the Conqueror. “The series will span the life of Hannibal, from his tutelage as a warrior under his father, the king of Carthage, to his history-making invasions of Spain, England and […]

TV Shows on DVD notes the October 3rd release of Return to the Planet of the Apes. The 1975 animated series will come in a 2-disc DVD package containing every one of its 13 episodes. The only bonus feature to be found for the set is a collection of previews for all the episodes, except […]

Ultimate Disney has the cover artwork for four of Disney’s upcoming tests with the Blu-ray format: Dinosaur, Eight Below, The Haunted Mansion and Glory Road. While Mansion and Road will not hit stores until October 17th, Dinosaur and Below will arrive on September 19th.

E! Online via Yahoo! Movies records that a 3-D, computer animated movie featuring the Smurfs is scheduled for a 2008 bow, courtesy of Paramount’s Nickelodeon Movies. Details on the movie’s plot have yet to arrive, as well as word on its cast, although rumors on the latter have been gathering.

The nation of Iran has made efforts to revise policy in hopes of preserving the animation field in the country and harnessing its “unique potentials.” The Islamic Republic News Agency reveals that in the last three months fourteen animated films have begun production that “focus on various religious, literary and routine issues.” The Center for […]

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.

Columbia Pictures’ \\{{link http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/monsterhouse/site/ Monster House}}\\ opens wide today in 3,553 theatres according to {{link http://www.boxofficemojo.com/counts/chart/?yr=2006&wk=29&p=.htm Box Office Mojo}}. The film is doing fairly well with reviewers, just getting in to a fresh rating of 64% on {{link http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10005292-monster_house/ Rotten Tomatoes}}. Of those who liked the film \\The New York Times\\ calls it a “marvelously […]

Animated News has acquired a high resolution image of the final teaser poster for Luc Besson’s Arthur & the Invisibles. The one sheet is similar to the film’s prior promotional image, but includes the movie’s newer title, changed from Arthur & the Minimoys. To see the Invisibles poster in hi-res glory, please click “More.” Arthur […]

As the movie approaches its nationwide release this Friday, numerous headlines ring with news of Monster House. To help promote the film, young stars Spencer Locke and Sam Lerner speak with Canada.com, while Nick Canon talks to MTV Movies. Both interviews especially regard the project’s motion-captured animation. MTV likewise has pictures from the Monster House […]

Just Jared has captured photos of Susan Sarandon in full costume and makeup as Enchanted’s evil Queen Narissa. The page also displays a few more pictures of Amy Adams as Princess Giselle, shown with a parade of costumed characters.

Exodus Film Group informs that Christian Slater, Steve Buscemi and John Cleese will lend their voices to the CGI comedy Igor. While Slater will voice the title part, Buscemi has the role of Scamper, “a super intelligent and ill-tempered lab rabbit.” Cleese will give a voice to Dr. Glickenstein, the evil master of Igor. More […]

The Washington Post notices that the quality of video game tie-ins to movies appears to be receiving more attention from studios than in past years. Animated films mentioned in the composition include: Over the Hedge, Cars, Monster House, and Barnyard.

TV Shows on DVD sends the news that in addition to the previously-noted extras, the Star Trek: The Animated Series DVD set will contain commentaries and interviews from numerous folks involved in the production of the show. Likewise, the site has discovered an online trailer for Thundercats: Season 2, Volume 2, revealing the box art […]

Moviefone offers a behind-the-scenes featurette for Sony Pictures Animation’s Open Season. The movie will open in theaters on September 29th.

The Animation Guild Blog summarizes an encounter with an artist from DreamWorks’ Bee Movie, who had recently seen an early version of the picture. The artist found himself “very pleasantly surprised” by the film, commenting on the “very funny” humor Jerry Seinfeld produced. Bee Movie will fly into theaters on November 2, 2007.

Steve Marschner, the assistant professor of computer science at Cornell University, and Cornell graduate student Jonathan Moon have developed a way to make CGI light-colored hair more realistic, writes Physorg. The research will be presented at the 2006 SIGGRAPH computer graphics conference in Boston, from July 30th to August 3rd.

At a running time of 2 minutes and 16 seconds, the second trailer for the DreamWorks/Aardman production Flushed Away is now online at Moviefone. The film is scheduled for a November 3rd release.