Mickey News reports that Disney is planning a CGI-animated prequel to Peter Pan. The story will be based on Peter and the Starcatchers by well-known humor columnist Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. (More info and discussion in the forums)

The Big Cartoon DataBase reports that a new lawsuit has been filed against Disney/Pixar claiming that the story of Finding Nemo was stolen from an idea presented to them by dentist Dennis Sternberg, who is also an avid scuba diver. The illustrated manuscript Sternberg sent to Disney in 1996 contains many plot points similar to […]

Hen’s Tooth Video has secured the rights to the 1974 animated film Jack and the Beanstalk, from director Gisaburo Sugii. A DVD release of the film will most likely arrive in May. Thanks to ‘Special_Ed’ at the Animated-News Forum for the news.

Ultimate Disney has the titles for the four Walt Disney Treasures that will be released this December. Titles include Disney Rarities, Legendary Heroes, Spin and Marty, and The Chronological Donald, Volume 2. The latter is expected to contain Donald’s cartoon shorts from 1942 through 1948 or 1949. The four limited edition 2-disc tins are expected […]

Latino Review speaks to Jamie Kennedy and Alan Cumming, stars of Son of the Mask, coming to theaters this Friday.

Jim Hill Media indicates that Keith Richards may not be appearing in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest as had been expected. According to the site, Richards, who was set to appear as the father of Captain Jack Sparrow, wanted a check the size of the large one Johnny Depp will receive, despite Richard’s […]

Luke at the Ultimate Disney Forum indicates Dakota Fanning (Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time, The Cat in the Hat) has been cast as the voice of ‘Lilo’ in Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch. From the original film to every episode of the series, the role of ‘Lilo’ has previously been voiced […]

The Internet Movie Database has ended speculation as to whether or not Rosie O’Donnell will be reprising her role as ‘Terk’ in Tarzan II. Apparently, Brenda Grate (The Road to El Dorado, Disney Channel’s ‘Twas the Night) will be replacing the comedian as the voice of ‘Terk’ for the sequel. Tarzan II swings to video […]

Ultimate Disney has several new tidbits on upcoming DVD releases from Disney. First up, October’s Cinderella Platinum Edition DVD’s bonus features will include “a look at great Cinderella moments where artists, entertainers and other people have overcome obstacles to achieve their dreams, a featurette on the world of royalty and castles, and a room make-over […]

According to The Internet Movie Database, Jeanine Tesori, who wrote the songs for Mulan II, will pen the songs for Rapunzel Unbraided, set to enchant audiences in 2007.

In a promotional meeting for DreamWork’s upcoming “unscripted reality drama,” The Contender, a staff member of IGN FilmForce was able to get Jeffrey Katzenberg to speak briefly about Shrek 3. According to Katzenberg, Shrek 3 is still on track for a 2007 release and will feature Antonio Banderas reprising his role as Puss N’ Boots, […]

The Internet Movie Database observes that from Wednesday, January 26 through Friday, January 28, Michael Eisner conversed with DisneyWar author James Stewart, from mid-afternoon to 10:00pm. These talks consisted of Eisner attempting to persuade Stewart to make thorough alterations in the anticipated book, coming to stores nationwide on February 22, 2005. Oddly enough, supposedly, many […]

Latino Review has the final domestic poster for Robots, hitting theaters on March 11, 2005. In the meantime, two clips from the film are available for viewing at Yahoo! Movies.

It has been advised that actors should “never work with kids or dogs”. Apparently, nobody told that to Jamie Kennedy, though, as he does both in Son of the Mask, coming to theaters this Friday. Says Kennedy, “The dog’s really cute, the baby’s really cute, the baby does some cool effects. I’m just a straight […]

Canada’s Metro News profiles the creation of one of this year’s Oscar-nominated animated shorts, Ryan. “The project began when director Chris Landreth, lacking studio and crew, stumbled upon Seneca to fill both voids in 2002. Producer Steve Hoban and program co-ordinator Larry DeFlorio agreed Seneca would provide the labour and location — including a production […]

An interesting article from The Business Standard covers the growing trend of performing voicework for animated characters in India. “Ronnie Screwvala, chief executive officer (CEO) of UTV Software Communications, which has so far created 300 episodes of animations, said, ‘Of late voice-over has become a hot part-time profession for so many people as it helps […]

Though it’s dated at February 3rd, this article about the tech of Valiant has just appeared at HDTV Buyer Online. “Vanguard Animation was founded in 2002 by John H. Williams – the producer of Shrek, Shrek 2 and Valiant – with Valiant being the first of ten full-length animated features it has planned. Once financing […]

Reuters, via CNN Money, reports on the unit sales of the new Shark Tale home video release, according to DreamWorks. “Shark Tale [has] sold more than 6 million units in its first week in domestic home video and DVD release. The sales generated an estimated $80 million-plus in retail sales since its Feb. 8 release, […]

Kristin writes in to point out that the upcoming DreamWorks Animation film Flushed Away has changed its title to Ratropolis.

While other animation blogs are turning their attention to rather trivial matters such as news of adults watching cartoons and what might be in Popeye’s pipe, we here at Animated News prefer to focus on important issues, such as the recent release by Kellogg’s of new Lilo & Stitch cereal.

‘Ichabod’ has posted some all new large screen captures from Bambi and the Great Prince of the Forest at the Ultimate Disney forums.

For those in the mood today for some amorous animation Animation World Magazine has all the info on a 24-hour Pepé Le Pew marathon showing on Cartoon Network’s Boomerang channel. The marathon promises to be a complete chronological retrospective of the sentimental skunk.

\\Pooh’s Heffalump Movie\\ opened a little below expectations in 5th place with $6 million according to {{link http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/ Box Office Mojo}}. The film is getting good reviews however, with a 75% freshness rating on the {{link http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/poohs_heffalump_movie/ Rotten Tomatoes}} Tomatometer.

According to \\{{link http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-pixar11feb11,1,7547317.story The L.A. Times}}\\, Disney CEO Michael Eisner and Pixar CEO Steve Jobs have been publicly sparring with each other this week. When asked about Disney’s computer animation efforts during an investor conference last week Eisner “described as ‘pretty pathetic’ the computerized human characters created by Pixar, compared with the ones Disney […]

Mark your calendars for April 22 and get ready for a magic carpet ride. ASIFA-Hollywood has just announced an Aladdin cast and crew reunion to be held at the Glendale Central Library. Confirmed guests include Andreas Deja, Eric Goldberg, Will Finn, John Musker and Ron Clements, and Tom Sito. As with last year’s Lion King […]

The Latino Review points to a new international trailer for Madagascar, opening May 27th.

JAM! Music has an article up about French-Canadian composer Ben Charest, who wrote the unique and catchy music to last year’s Les Triplettes de Bellville. “Other than being up for a Grammy on Sunday night — Charest’s in the running for best song written for a motion picture for Belleville Rendez-Vous — he was previously […]

Ain’t It Cool News has posted another early review of DreamWorks’ next CG film, Madagascar. The reviewer summarizes that one should “go see it expecting to be entertained and to get a few laughs, but not much else. I found myself thinking about what they could have done with such a great premise, so try […]

Asia Pulse, via Yahoo! Australia, reports the stunning numbers that Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film Howl’s Moving Castle has drawn in South Korea. “The film’s national audience reached the 3 million mark 50 days after its opening, rising to 3,005,200 as of Thursday, Laughing Boa said. It is now the most popular Japanese movie in South […]

“The Off-Broadway hit Blue Man Group adds film scoring to the team’s growing, multi-faceted resume as the team collaborate on the upcoming animated feature Robots,” writes Yahoo! Arts and Stage News. “Blue Man Group joined acclaimed composer John Powell on the score for the upcoming 20th Century Fox film.”