Wild Violet features a four-page interview with animator Bill Plympton. Included topics are a humorous piece on the Hollywood method of animation, an essay about the psychology of torture, coverage of the 2004 Philadelphia Film Festival, and humor and fiction with an emphasis on love.

According to the film’s website, Geoff Murphy, who recently worked as a second-unit director for all three Lord of the Rings films, has signed on to direct the live-action adaptation of The Last Unicorn, a popular fantasy novel-turned Rankin/Bass animated film in 1982. The film’s two previous chiefs, Michael Pakleppa and Monty Python cohort Julián […]

The Globe and Mail reports that DreamWorks’ next CGI animated feature Shark Tale will have an afternoon “matinee” gala premiere on the first weekend of the Toronto International Film Festival, marking the film’s first North American showing. It joins another matinee gala, as-yet-unannounced but rumored to be Warner Brothers’ mo-cap CG film, The Polar Express. […]

The Orlando Sentinel [free registration required] has posted a feature about the arrival of new Marvel heroine Anya Corazón, a fiery Latina high-schooler with still-unraveling superpowers. Unveiled last month in Amazing Fantasy #1, she’s already drawn a surprisingly strong response. “Marvel Comics editor in chief Joe Quesada says he has been pleasantly surprised by the […]

Film Music News has sent out emails to all its members to inform that there will be a Jerry Goldsmith Public Memorial Service tomorrow, Friday July 23, at 2pm at Hillside Memorial Park in Los Angeles. The memorial service is open to the public. Please follow this link for full location details and Film Music‘s […]

Don’t worry – it’s not as bad as it sounds! Wishing to jump on the Incredibles bandwagon even more than they were with a September release of The Iron Giant Special Edition DVD, Warners have decided to let Brad Bird’s latest open first, and then issue his previous film to disc just a couple of […]

One of the most successful and influential music score composers in the movie business {{link http://www.jerrygoldsmithonline.com/ has died}}. Jerry Goldsmith dipped into the animation world several times, scoring such features as The Secret of NIMH, Mulan, Small Soldiers and Looney Tunes: Back In Action. Despite recovering from cancer, he continued to work through 2002-03 and […]

Jens, over at The Disney Database, has posted some new peeks at upcoming Disney DVDs. First up is a clear look at the disc art of the Aladdin Platinum Edition DVD coming this autumn. Though a “thumbnail” image was included with its press release, a full view of the final cover art for Mickey’s Twice […]

Well, the website, at least! Hop on over to the new-and-improved JimHillMedia.com and check out the new digs! While you’re there, be sure to read One Mouse, Two Floyds, the latest amusing article from JHM regular, Floyd Norman. Update those bookmarks, everyone!

The New York Times talks about Halle Berry’s role as Catwoman, which opens in theaters on Friday, and the effect it will have on her career. [free registration required for The New York Times]

At his website Jingle Belle, Paul Dini confirms new Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series DVD releases will be available before the end of the year, in addition to the single-disc releases recently announced by WB. Dini also reveals spoilers on his upcoming Justice League Unlimited episode.

Superhero Hype! has photos of the booth and pictures on display at Comic-Con International 2004, for Kids’ WB!’s upcoming The Batman animated series.

In a move that has been {{link http://www.animatedviews.com/wp-content/uploads/archives/00000804.html expected for some time}}, DreamWorks has taken the first step in spinning off its animation studio by filing for an initial public offering, {{link http://money.cnn.com/2004/07/21/news/midcaps/dreamworks_ipo/index.htm CNN reports}}. The company expects the IPO, being handled by Goldman Sachs, to raise $650 million.

The {{link http://www.nypost.com/business/25409.htm New York Post}} says that “Steve Jobs’ Pixar Animation Studios is likely to renew a lucrative movie-making partnership with Disney. After bailing on Disney, Pixar held preliminary discussions with other studios, including MGM, Sony, Warner Bros. and Fox, [but] Jobs has come to believe that the best home for Pixar is at […]

The {{link http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82~1865~2285196,00.html Oakland Tribune}} has an article up which looks at Pixar Studios’ expansion and the problems they face within the local community. The future of the animation giant’s role in Emeryville will go to a vote in 2005.

Kids animation channel Nicktoons “has joined forces with Frederator Studios and Animation Magazine to showcase the diversity of independent cartoon filmmaking with a one-of-a-kind competition: The Nicktoons Film Festival. Animators from around the world can download entry forms from {{link http://www.nicktoons.com Nicktoons.com}} starting July 19 and entries will be accepted through September 10 2004. Animators […]

Robert Starr of the 10 Second Club has told us that “Andrew Silke, famous for his Cane-Toad films, his ubiquitous Generi-Rig animation system, countless inspirational animated pieces and his high profile work at Animal Logic” has participated in a {{link http://10secondclub.net/news_link.php?id=229 candid interview}} on the site. “The 10 Second Club is the world’s largest, longest […]

Playbill online features a look at the now fully rounded cast of the {{link http://www.playbill.com/news/article/87360.html Mary Poppins}} stage show, who have just started rehearsals for a fall debut in the UK.

VFX World takes a look at the computer animated visual effects and character animation in two recent blockbusters: an interview with {{link http://vfxworld.com/?sa=adv&code=319b255d&atype=articles&id=2159 Spider-Man 2}}’s John Dykstra, and the process of completing shots for the current number one film {{link http://vfxworld.com/?sa=adv&code=319b255d&atype=articles&id=2162 I, Robot}} (free subscription required for VFX).

DVD Answers has posted a bunch of animated DVD updates, including a look at the final cover art and menus for the {{link http://www.dvdanswers.com/index.php?r=0&s=1&c=4299&n=1&burl= Tom And Jerry Spotlight Collection}}, the initial specs for the not-very-special-edition of {{link http://www.dvdanswers.com/index.php?r=0&s=1&c=4414&n=1&burl= Garfield: The Movie}}, the cover art and specs for {{link http://www.dvdanswers.com/index.php?r=0&s=1&c=4296&n=2&burl=r%3D0%26s%3D1%26n%3D2 Wacky Races: the Complete Series}}, plus […]

The Spider-Man films’ director Sam Raimi talks to the BBC about the two possible fates of Harry Osborn in Spider-Man 3. [Warning: the interview does contain a mild Spider-Man 2 spoiler.]

The first pictures from Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s Team America: World Police have surfaced at IGN Filmforce. With a $20 million budget, the R-rated action-comedy-musical, written by South Park writers Parker, Stone and Pam Brady, focuses on a prototypical action hero who’s drafted to help Team America thwart the world’s evil forces. Look for […]

Variety reports that Sony has acquired the animated feature Monster House from DreamWorks. The feature will be the second film to use “performance capture” animation, after The Polar Express. [paid subscription required for Variety]

CHUD posts a heads-up today on a new potential comic book adaptation – though not your average superheroes with -man suffixes. No, “Hollywood vet Ron Shusett (Alien) and increasingly busy producer/comic fan Daniel Alter have grabbed the rights to the impending Image book Industry of War. The book, which hits shelves in September, follows a […]

While not exactly an animated feature, it seems warranted to point out that there is a new fan film by Untamed Cinema titled Grayson, which centers on Batman’s former sidekick, Dick Grayson, otherwise known as Robin. This film is already generating a big buzz in the fan film community and exemplifies the fact that a […]

TV Shows on DVD indicates that Spongebob Squarepants: The Complete 2nd Season will contain all 40 of the 11-minute episodes from the second season. In addition, this 3-DVD box set will include the following special features: Nick DVD game demo, 7 audio commentaries, 2 storyboards, “Around the World with SpongeBob Squarepants”, and a script viewer […]

Following a {{link http://www.animatedviews.com/wp-content/uploads/archives/00001068.html previous report}} that stated that Universal had optioned Kate DiCamillo’s award-winning book The Tale of Despereaux: Being The Story Of A Mouse, A Princess, Some Soup, And A Spool Of Thread comes news that Sylvain Chomet (The Triplets of Belleville) will serve as the director of the animated feature, according to […]

UPDATE: Images have been removed at the request of DreamWorks. Demonstrating that the DVD for a movie is now very much part of the actual film’s production, we can exclusively bring you a description and shots of the menus for DreamWorks’ still-in-theaters Shrek 2, the biggest hit of the year! Follow this link for a […]

Moriarty over at AICN gives us a sneak peek of the exclusive poster for The Incredibles that will be handed out only at the San Diego Comic Convention later this week. The art is by famous comic artist Mike Mignola and each poster will be signed by him and Incredibles director Brad Bird.

TV Shows on DVD.com gives some juicy details on the upcoming DVD box set, Ren and Stimpy – The Complete 1st & 2nd Seasons, which will include over 30 episodes of the grunge era cat and dog team and an audio commentary track. There is no mention of who provides the audio commentary but hopefully […]