animated-news

Ponyo to open on 800 screens

According to Frank Marshall, Ponyo will mark the biggest opening for a Hayao Miyazaki film in United States when it opens on 800 screens in August, reports Nausicaa. In comparison, Miyazaki’s Spirited Away topped out at 600 screens the weekend after its Oscar win in 2003 while Howl’s Moving Castle finished with 202 screens in […]

Bedknobs and Broomsticks: Enchanted Musical Edition DVD in September

UltimateDisney reports that Walt Disney Home Entertainment have announced the release of Bedknobs and Broomsticks: Enchanted Musical Edition dvd on September 8. The single disc release will feature a digitally restored and remastered transfer of the 139-minute cut of the film, deleted song “A Step in the Right Direction”, featurettes “The Wizards of Special Effects” […]

New 9 poster

A new theatrical poster for the upcoming animated feature 9 has appeared online and can be viewed over at Film School Rejects. The one-sheet displays the film’s protagonist against a post-apocalyptic backdrop. 9 hits theaters on the 9th of July.

Futurama is back… again

After being canceled after four seasons on FOX, then jumping from Cartoon Network to Comedy Central in reruns, then getting four new direct to DVD movies, Futurama has received yet another new lease on life, Variety reports. 20th Century Fox TV is producing 26 new episodes of the series for Comedy Central with an option […]

Shrek the Musical wins Tony Award

DreamWorks Theatricals’ Shrek the Musical took home a Tony Award for Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tim Hatley). The production was nominated for 8 awards including Best Musical.

New Up interviews

The Washington Post speaks briefly with Up writer, co-director and voice of Dug the dog, Bob Peterson. Concurrently USA Today talks with Pixar’s “lucky charm” John Ratzenberger, who’s contributed a performance in all 10 of Pixar’s movies, starting with Ham the piggy bank in Toy Story.

Heathcliff to make comeback

Variety reports Magic Lantern Entertainment has entered into a joint agreement with FitzRoy Media to develop a range of properties, from direct-to-DVD toons to a potential live-action theatrical feature, around the flabby tabby, updating the popular comicstrip character for the 21st century.

Spectacular Spider-Man season 1 DVD box art

TV Shows on DVD has the finalized front and rear box art for The Spectacular Spider-Man – The Complete First Season. The DVD is scheduled for a July 28th release date.

Shrek, WALL-E at the Tony Awards

Jim Hill reports that WALL-E will be making an appearance at the Tony Awards this Sunday. Jerry Herman (composer of such Broadway his as La Cage aux Folles, Mame, and, of course, Hello Dolly!) will be receiving a lifetime achievement award and WALL-E will be part of the tribute. Also making a big splash at […]

DreamWorks announces upcoming slate

DreamWorks Animation has announced its upcoming slate of eight animated feature film releases through 2012. They also announced plans to release five feature films every two years, up one from their current two picture a year release schedule. Bill Damaschke, Co-President of Production and President of Live Theatrical, said “Our exceptionally talented and highly experienced […]

The secret to Pixar's success? Their people

CNN talks with the people of Pixar to figure out how they churn out hit after hit. Up director Pete Docter says “I don’t really think it’s much of a secret. I think it comes down to two basic things: one is that we’re run by artists… Second, we have some pretty great people that […]

Technology lifts Up

CNet reports on the technology behind Pixar’s Up. Not any diferent from their past films you might say? “Try thinking of the algorithms required to animate more than 10,000 helium balloons, each with its own string, but each also interdependent on the rest, which are collectively hoisting aloft a small house… Consider that within the […]

Up opens

Disney/Pixar’s tenth film, Up, opens today in 3,766 theatres according to Box Office Mojo. The film is getting sky high reviews from critics, earning a 98% Fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times says, “This is another masterwork from Pixar, which is leading the charge in modern animation”. The Los Angeles […]

Penguins of Madagascar interview

Animation World Magazine speaks with Robert Schooley and Mark McCorkle, co-creators of Disney Channel’s Kim Possible and now current executive producers for The Penguins of Madagascar series on Nickelodeon. The article goes in-depth on what changes were required for the series, how replacement voice actors were found for some characters, such as Sacha Baron Cohen […]

Toy Story 3 plot details revealed

According to The Associated Press, during the premiere of Disney/Pixar’s Up at the the Cannes Film Festival, early rumors were confirmed that Toy Story 3 would show what happens after Andy grows up and goes to college. Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter stated “The thing they worry about the most is all the things in […]

Pixar's Up wins first award at Cannes

The BBC News reports the talking dog named Dug from the animated Disney/Pixar film Up has won the Palm Dog, a comic alternative to the Cannes Film Festival’s main prize, the Palme d’Or. This is the film’s first award after its debut at the Cannes Film Festival.

Nickelodeon orders pilot for Monsters vs. Aliens

The Hollywood Reporter reports Nickelodeon has ordered a pilot for a new series based on Dreamworks Monsters vs. Aliens, DWA CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg said Tuesday. Katzenberg mentioned the pilot order at the 37th Annual J. P. Morgan Technology, Media and Telecom Conference in Boston in an appearance that was Webcast. The announcement comes at the […]

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel teaser!

The teaser trailer for the upcoming Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel has appeared online at Worstpreviews. Details on the plot are still unknown, the new movie will introduce the Chipmunks’ female counterparts, the Chipettes. Christina Applegate and Anna Faris are rumored to voice two of the chipettes. “Squeakuel” arrives at theaters Christmas day, December […]

Ponyo to close Los Angeles Film Festival

Variety reports that Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo will be the closing night film of the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival on June 28. Ponyo which follows the story of an ordinary boy and his friendship with Ponyo, a goldfish who wishes to be human, features the voices of Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Tina […]

Coraline DVD and Blu-ray in July

DVDTimes reports that Universal Studios Home Entertainment have announced the DVD and Blu-ray Disc release of Coraline on 21st July 2009. Available on single-disc DVD, two-disc Collector’s Edition DVD and Blu-ray Disc, all include both the 2D and 3D version of the main feature and come packaged with 4 pairs of 3D glasses. Features on […]

New Up clip, production featurette, and more

IESB has shared a new clip called “Pursuit” from Disney/Pixar’s feature Up. The site has also posted a production featurette and also an interview with the director Pete Docter. Beware of the possible spoilers. Up opens in theatres on May 29.

Christmas Carol one-sheet online

A new poster for Disney’s motion-captured adaption of The Christmas Carol can now be seen on Yahoo! Movies. The one-sheet gives us a look at the character of Scrooge, who is portrayed by Jim Carry. The retelling of the classic story is set to hit theaters on November 6th, 2009.

New Up clip

Apple has shared an exclusive new clip called “Tepui Landing” from Disney-Pixar’s forthcoming feature Up in various formats including HD. Directed by Pete Docter, Up opens in theatres May 29.

New Princess And The Frog poster

A new one-sheet advertising Disney’s upcoming traditionally animated feature The Princess And The Frog has appeared online and can now be seen on Cinematical. The poster showcases several of the starring characters in the movie against a swamp backdrop. The New Orleans-set film will hit theaters on December 11th of this year.

Family Guy heads to the big screen

In an interview to Wired, Seth MacFarlane has revealed that he is moving ahead with plans for a Family Guy movie. The announcement came at a special event this week to celebrate the 100th episode of American Dad. MacFarlane adds, “Fox wants it. We know what we want to do with it. It’s just a […]

Venice to premiere Toy Story in 3-D

Variety reports that the 3-D versions of Pixar’s Toy Story and Toy Story 2 will premiere at the 66th Venice Film Festival in September marking the festival’s lifetime award to John Lasseter and the Pixar directors. The Venice film festival will run September 2-12.

The Princess and the Frog trailer online

Apple has made available a new trailer for Disney’s upcoming feature The Princess and the Frog. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, film marks Disney’s return to hand-drawn animation. The Princess and the Frog opens in theaters on December 11, 2009.

Pixar to open second studio

Pixar will be opening a second studio in Vancouver according to the Vancouver Sun. The 20,000 square foot facility will employ 75-100 people and will be tasked with making the company’s short films. “Amir Nasrabadi, who will run the Vancouver operation as studio general manager, said Vancouver was attractive to Pixar for a number of […]

Nine animated films compete for Student Academy Awards

Thirty-six students from 20 colleges and universities have been selected as finalists in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 36th Annual Student Academy Awards competition. Nine films will compete in the animation category for Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal awards. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 13, at 6pm at the […]

Soderbergh to animate character in Moneyball

Animation Magazine reports that Steven Soderbergh will be animating a character in his upcoming live action baseball film Moneyball. “We have this sort of oracle character that appears throughout and declaims various issue… He’s your host in a way… The background will be real but the person who is supposed to be him will be […]