Toon Zone reports that Beach Boy band leader Brian Wilson will get animated soon in an episode of Cartoon Network’s Duck Dodgers, starring as himself playing a spiritual advisor to Daffy Duck’s galaxy-hopping alter ego. The episode will also feature clips from the song Brian Wilson penned specifically for it, entitled “Believe in Yourself.” Here’s […]

Animation Insider reports on the upcoming final episode of Cartoon Network’s DC Comics-based Justice League, set to air on May 29, and gives details of its replacement series, Justice League Unlimited.

If the big studios won’t do it right, now it’s up to independent studios to keep the flame of hand-drawn animation alive at the moment. Silver Sky Animation and Arctic Wind Animation are collaborating on an animated feature called Wolf. Check out their site for more information. Thanks to Kristin for the heads up.

Just when you thought it was over, the Star Wars fan mega-site TheForce.Net reports that there is some consideration being given to creating a third and final season of the Clone Wars micro-series for Cartoon Network.

Independent producer and animator Jeff Haas has single handedly produced a feature length computer animted sci-fi movie, The Dalmarian Chronicles, using off the shelf software to complete the task. Haas, who has also managed to make his film’s DVD available through {{link http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001214CK/102-4687562-8010520 Amazon.com}} and set up an online store which sells merchandise and apparel […]

Following their review of {{link http://www.dvdtoons.com/reviews/297 Mickey Mouse In Living Color 2}}, DVD Toons returns with a look at another in the new series of Walt Disney Treasures, and the kudos continue to pour in with {{link http://www.dvdtoons.com/reviews/298 TomorrowLand: Disney In Space And Beyond}}. “There are some great [Ward Kimball-directed] episodes on these two discs, […]

FilmForce has the DVD reviews of Invader Zim Volume 1: Doom Doom Doom, Samurai Jack: Season One, Galaxy Angel – What’s Cooking?, Wedding Peach – Pluie’s War (Vol. 2), and .hack//Legend of the Twilight.

Hot off the press comes a new announcement from Buena Vista Home Entertainment that American Idol star Clay Aiken will be performing the song “Proud of Your Boy,” which was cut from the original release of Aladdin for a music video that will appear on the upcoming DVD. Follow the ‘More’ link for more information […]

‘HanyaanFaery’ in the {{link http://animation.skyblueproductions.net/showthread.php?s=&postid=2306#post2305 Animated News Forum}} has posted a picture of Young Sofie from Miyazaki’s upcoming Howl’s Moving Castle, which is a character design watercolor from the Image Album. Thanks for scanning it in!

DreamWorks will debut the first five minutes of their May 19th summer sequel Shrek 2 on kids television, says {{link http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000504352 The Hollywood Reporter}}. “The studio aims to whet its target audience’s appetite by previewing the movie May 18 on Nickelodeon. The 5-7pm edition of Nick’s U Pick Live block will be entirely Shrek 2-themed, […]

DVD Toons continue their in-depth appraisal of animation on DVD with a full look at {{link http://www.dvdtoons.com/reviews/297 Mickey In Color 2}}, due out May 18. “These shorts are simply eye-popping, vibrant and detailed unlike any previous versions I’ve ever seen”, says Ben Simon, “while disc two is even better: Mickey’s three recent featurettes are presented […]

Yesterday’s Orange County Register reported on Disneyland’s newly unveiled plans for celebrating its 50th anniversary. Part of the 18-month celebration includes opening a new ride called Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, “an interactive attraction in Tomorrowland,” which allows participants to fight the evil Emperor Zurg. There are also rumors that the closed-down Submarine ride will re-open […]

They were right before and likely they’ll be proved right again: {{link http://www.thedigitalbits.com/rumormill.html The Digital Bits}} have posted the rumored titles for Warners next wave of Hanna-Barbera classics on DVD. “Sources are telling us that titles include Top Cat, The Flintstones: Season Two and Wacky Races. Look for these possibly as soon as the 4th […]

Rodney Figueiredo over at DVD Toons reviewes the new Warner Video release of {{link http://www.dvdtoons.com/reviews/296 The Jetsons: Complete Season One}} box set on DVD. “It is great to see such a great cartoon get its due on DVD and I hope this is the first of many more releases”, says Rod. “When I was a […]

Latino Review has a load of new pictures from Shrek 2.

TV Shows on DVD indicates that the Futurama – Volume 4 DVD set may be arriving in stores on August 24th, if the Fox TV-DVD consumer-oriented website is correct.

As {{link http://www.animatedviews.com/wp-content/uploads/archives/00000499.html we reported}} at the end of 2003, Warner Bros. Pictures and the Imax Corporation have announced that Robert Zemeckis’ latest film, the 3D animated The Polar Express is headed to Imax theaters day and date with the standard 35mm theatrical release. {{link http://www.comingsoon.net/news.php?id=4592 Coming Soon}} has the latest info, including the new […]

Popping up with a couple of interesting tidbits, {{link http://www.showbizdata.com/contacts/picknews.cfm/35384/DEPP_WANTS_KEITH_RICHARDS_TO_PLAY_HIS_FATHER Showbiz Data}} reports that Johnny Depp has announced on UK TV that he would like Keith Richards, member of the Rolling Stones and the model for Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow, to play his father in the upcoming sequel to Pirates Of The Caribbean. The story […]

Disney Online has just opened up a site for the Aladdin 2-Disc Special Edition DVD with the Genie character noticably absent, presumably to keep Robin Williams happy. The DVD is due out on October 5.

While searching the ‘net for some new animated shorts to bring to the attention of the Animated News readership I stumbled across the mother lode at Animation World Network. This article highlights “The Best in Animated & VFX Commercials” so there are some great hand-drawn commercials in addition to many computer-generated ones for a total […]

Ultimate Disney has the brand-new, revised video and DVD cover art for The Three Musketeers, starring Mickey, Donald, and Goofy. Click here to see the old cover art, for comparison. The Three Musketeers will be available to own on August 17, 2004.

The producers of Elton John & Tim Rice’s Broadway musical Aida have announced the show will have its last performance on Sunday, September 5, after playing 54 months and 1,852 regular performances at the Palace Theatre. La Cage aux Folles will be taking Aida’s place at the Palace Theatre, as it also orginally opened there. […]

\\{{link http://www.animationmagazine.net/article.php?article_id=2446 Animaton Magazine}}\\ reports that DreamWorks’ \\Shrek 2\\ will be released earlier than planned. “Originally scheduled to hit theaters May 21, \\Shrek 2\\ has been pushed up two days to get a Wednesday launch on May 19. In making the announcement, DreamWorks head of distribution Jim Tharp also revealed that advance tickets can be […]

Thanks to ‘monkeyboy12′ in the {{link http://animation.skyblueproductions.net/showthread.php?s=&postid=2277#post2277 Animated News Forum}}, who has posted a link to a preview of Activision’s upcoming game tie-in for DreamWorks’ October animated film {{link http://cube.ign.com/articles/511/511146p1.html Shark Tale}}.

Animation HQ’s {{link http://animationhq.net/v2/news/411.php Industry 411}} page has reported that Legacy Animation, founded only this past January with the goal of continuing Walt Disney’s vision of traditional hand drawn animation, is “no more”, according to directing manager Eddie Pittman. In a note to the site, Pittman says: “To set the record straight, Legacy is in […]

As a few early looks at this year’s Walt Disney Treasures line of DVDs begin to surface online, it’s surprising to see that no-one has commented on the “Roy Disney signature” situation. With a {{link http://www.dvdtoons.com/reviews/297 review copy}} of Mickey Mouse In Living Color Volume Two having turned up, we can confirm that Roy’s signature […]

We’ve a couple of posters in the {{link http://animation.skyblueproductions.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=353 AN Forum}} who point out that all Home On The Range merchandise in The Disney Stores from Pittsburgh to Florida has now been reduced in price to 50% off. Thanks to ‘macaluso’ and ‘Special Ed’, who adds: “Isn’t that a new record for a Disney film?”

What’s in development at which companies, and what can we expect to see playing in games consoles soon? Those are the questions ‘MusicFan’ answers in the {{link http://animation.skyblueproductions.net/showthread.php?s=&postid=2269#post2269 Animated News Forum}}, with a list of all known games on the way across all platforms.

Animation Master developer Hash Inc. has launched a web site devoted to promote independent movies created with their software. A:M Films is a free service to both animators and viewers, and allows you to search for films by name, animator, year, and genre. Genres include stories, music videos, anime, cartoons, game graphics, martial arts, and […]

Ultimate Disney has the cover art for the Mulan Special Edition DVD.