Animation Magazine

Author: Mercedes Milligan

  • “Powerpuff Girls’ Celebrates 25 Years of Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice!

    “Powerpuff Girls’ Celebrates 25 Years of Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice!

    In honor of the small but mighty defenders of Townsville, Warner Bros. Discovery announced today the year-long celebration for the 25th anniversary of the animated series The Powerpuff Girls, from Cartoon Network. The studio will celebrate the milestone with new anniversary products, TV programming, a social filter, digital experiences and promotions for fans around the world.

    “For 25 years, The Powerpuff Girls have inspired women and girls across the globe, representing relatable, strong role models who use their intelligence, teamwork and resilience to fight for what is right. The Girls’ distinct personalities, wits and superhero abilities have made them a pop culture favorite,” said Josh Hackbarth, SVP, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Brands, Franchises and Experiences. “With the collection of experiences, content and products, we hope to continue to empower The Powerpuff Girls fans with confidence, creativity and the unstoppable spirit of the Powerpuff team.”

    Don’t miss the beloved series The Powerpuff Girls on Cartoon Network and Boomerang, check your local listing for days and times. Stream some of your favorite episodes of the series anytime on Max and check out digital retailers to purchase episodes and full-length films.

    Cartoon Network Game On! featuring Powerpuff Girls

    Warner Bros Discovery is bringing The Powerpuff Girls to audiences on the hit gaming experience, Cartoon Network Game On! A fully experiential world in the metaverse of Roblox. For the first time ever, with an exclusive Powerpuff Girls integration, players will be able to interact with Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup. Featuring rip-roaring rides and manic minigames, users will be transported to a realm outside the bounds of reality in the fully immersive virtual world of the hit Cartoon Network series. Players who log on now can celebrate the original superhero sisters by finding special collectibles across the Cartoon Network Game On! map for a chance to win exclusive Powerpuff Girls avatar items.

    Food Network is celebrating with a new recipe from Food Network Kitchen: Three mini cakes inspired by the trio of superheroes. Just like Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup, the cakes are “sugar, spice and everything nice.” Decorated with buttercream frosting and fondant, they’re a tasty tribute to the mighty, petite characters. Head to FoodNetwork.com for the recipe.

    The Powerpuff Girls 25th Anniversary AR filter lets fans become their favorite Powerpuff Girl with a personal twist. The social filter is available on Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok as well as ppg25th.com. Additionally, the Powerpuff Yourself App takes on new heights with a brand-new asset pack collection in partnership with the fan favorite K-pop band NewJeans. Fans can personalize their Powerpuff Girls avatars with outfits, hairstyles and accessories mirroring the NewJeans Powerpuff Girls personas from their music video release this summer. The app is available on iOs and Google Play.

    From Warner Bros. Discovery’s very own WB Shop comes a new Powerpuff Girls 25th Anniversary collection. Featuring apparel and homewares with designs exclusive to the WB Shop, this collection will make you feel empowered any time of day.

    In addition to the WB Shop exclusive merchandise, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products has joined forces with top licensees to create new offerings and partnerships across beauty, fashion, home goods categories, and more throughout the year:

    A new classic Little Golden Book starring The Powerpuff Girls by creator Craig McCracken follows the Girls as they save the city of Townsville from Mojo Jojo, Fuzzy Lumpkins and other terrible trouble. Exclusive to Five Below, Bendon will keep the littlest fans busy with a Jumbo Coloring & Activity Book. Continuing the celebrations into 2024, Dynamite Comics, Random House Children’s Books and Insight Editions will release additional titles spanning graphic novels, screen comix, cookbooks and coloring books.

    Unite color and confidence with Bobbi Brown’s new The Powerpuff Girls Collection. Fans can power up their beauty with the new range in China now and rolling out around the world in November.

    Arriving this holiday season, The Powerpuff Girls Nike SB Dunk Low collaboration includes three different colorways to pay tribute to the three tiny superheroes: Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup. Each style is constructed out of premium materials and features the characters’ big eyes on the heels, making these shoes stand outs. The Powerpuff Girls Nike SB Dunk Low is available at skate shops December 14 and on the SNKRS app December 15.

    Powerpuff Girls and NewJeans fans will want to run to Line Friends pop-up shops now in New York and L.A. to get their hands on an assortment of limited-edition products including shirts, hats, key chains, cell phone cases and more with further products to come in 2024 at additional retailers. Prepare to protect your devices with a touch of sugar, spice and everything nice as Casetify joins the 25th anniversary to bring The Powerpuff Girls‘-inspired accessories. Dollz Kill honors the trio featuring a collection of graphic t-shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, skirts, a rain jacket and matching umbrella, available this December. Check out Dumbgood for a vibrant collection that merges style with girl power.

    Igloo and The Powerpuff Girls teamed up to create a lunch bag, cooler and can holder, combining cool and colorful designs to keep adventures as powerful as Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup. After a day of saving the world, create a relaxing space with blankets and a pillow from Northwest and wrap yourself up in fun a vibrant colored throw from Franco. Walk your furry friends in super style with Sassy Woof’s limited edition Powerpuff Girls line of harnesses, leashes, collars and bandanas designed to bring a whole new level of powerfully fun style to a furry friend.

    Powerpuff Girls fans in Italy won’t want to miss out on three brand-new collections of super cute high-end custom bags and accessories from Graziella Braccialini, the Post Card Collection, the Macro Collection and the Shape Collection. Latin America will see a wide range of product collections from Cornejotex, Arval, and Walmart starting early in 2024. And Powerpuff Girls fans across Asia will be getting lots of love with product collections from GS Retail, HK Enterprise, Ten by Ten, Life 4 Cuts, Paris Croissant, OWNDAYS, ARCHITA, Happy Sunday, Tala by Kyla, Reinfore, Gnarly! Padini, Carlo Rino, Matahari Department Store and more.

    Follow the celebration with #PPG25 on social platforms.

  • Trailer: ‘Merry Little Batman’ Brings a Lighter Dark Knight Tale to Prime Video

    Trailer: ‘Merry Little Batman’ Brings a Lighter Dark Knight Tale to Prime Video

    🎵 Jingle bells, Batman smells
    Robin laid an egg🎵

    The Caped Crusader and his feisty ward are ready to save Christmas in the new trailer for Merry Little Batman, a lighthearted new family comedy-adventure from Warner Bros. Animation and DC. The special debuts December 8 on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories world wide.

    Synopsis: When young Damian Wayne finds himself alone in Wayne Manor on Christmas Eve, he must transform into “Little Batman” in order to defend his home and Gotham City from the crooks and supervillains intent on destroying the holidays.

    Merry Little Batman is directed by Mike Roth (Regular Show) from a screenplay by Morgan Evans (Teen Titans Go!). Roth also serves as executive producer, alongside Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios & Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe head Sam Register.

    The voice cast is led by Yonas Kibreab (Pupstruction, Pretty Freekin Scary, Sweet Tooth) as Damian, with Luke Wilson (Fired on Mars, Stargirl) as Bruce Wayne/Batman, James Cromwell (Big Hero 6: The Series, Succession) as Alfred Pennyworth and David Hornsby (DC Super Hero Girls, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) as The Joker.

    The voice cast also includes a rogues gallery made up of Dolph Adomian as Mr. Freeze, Brian George as The Penguin, Theresa McLaughlin as Poison Ivy and Chris Sullivan as Bane, with Michael Fielding as Terry, Cynthia McWilliams as Vicki Vale, Natalie Palamides as Francine and Reid Scott as Commissioner Gordon.

    Read all about how the creative team delivered Merry Little Batman in time for the holidays in the January ’24 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 336), available soon!

  • NATAS Inducts ‘Tiny Toons,’ ‘Fairly OddParents,’ ‘Sesame Street’ Talent to Gold & Silver Circle

    NATAS Inducts ‘Tiny Toons,’ ‘Fairly OddParents,’ ‘Sesame Street’ Talent to Gold & Silver Circle

    The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has announced the 2023 Gold and Silver Circle inductees who will be feted at the Second Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 17.

    The Gold and Silver Circle is a society of honor. Inductees have performed distinguished service within the industry, setting standards for achievement, mentoring, leadership and professional accolades for 50 or 25 years, respectively.

    The 2023 inductees include Toon Town icons Fred Seibert, Andrea Romano, Tom Ruegger, Ellen Doherty and Tara Sorensen.

    “This year’s Gold & Silver honorees are recognized for their outstanding and ongoing contributions to family entertainment,” said Adam Sharp, NATAS President and CEO. “Their excellence as storytellers has entertained and informed viewers for generations. We look forward to celebrating each of them.”

     

    Gold Circle – 2023 Children’s & Family Inductees:

    • Peter Engel, Producer/Executive Producer (Saved by the Bell, One World)
    • David Newell, Actor/Producer/Public Relations Director/Props/Manager/Talent Booker (Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, My Tale of Two Cities)
    • Fred Seibert, Producer/Creator/Innovator/Creative Genius/Mentor/Mensch (Adventure Time, The Fairly OddParents)

     

    Silver Circle – 2023 Children’s & Family Inductees:

    • Vicki Ariyasu, Senior Vice President, Content, Education and Inclusion; Disney Branded Television
    • Ellen Doherty, Chief Creative Officer and Executive Producer (Cyberchase, Donkey Hodie)
    • David Kleeman, Strategist, Analyst/Author/Speaker/Connector around Children’s Media
    • Carol-Lynn Parente, Executive Producer (Sesame Street)
    • Andrea Romano, Casting/Voice Director (Batman Beyond, Pinky and the Brain)
    • Tom Ruegger, Creator/Executive Producer/Writer (Animaniacs, Tiny Toon Adventures)
    • Tara Sorensen, Head of Children’s Programming, Apple TV+
  • Titmouse Foundation and Warrior Art Camp Launch Scholarship Program for Diverse Animation Talent

    Titmouse Foundation and Warrior Art Camp Launch Scholarship Program for Diverse Animation Talent

    Today (Friday, Nov. 17), Titmouse Foundation, the nonprofit created by the team behind animation studio Titmouse (Big Mouth, Venture Bros., Beavis and Butt-Head, The Legend of Vox Machina), in partnership with Warrior Art Camp, announced a new scholarship course that enables equitable education for animators looking to advance their careers.

    Entitled ‘Future Art Directors Program,’ the 20-week online course will take place from late January 2024 to June 2024, marking the first Warrior Art Camp collaboration with an animation studio. Spots are limited with application submissions now open through December 22, 2023. Awardees will be notified by mid-January 2024.

    “Titmouse is thrilled to host this special course with Warrior Art Camp to nurture the next generation of animation art directors,” said Titmouse Co-founder Shannon Prynoski. “Our goal is to empower creatives to focus on honing their craft and to think big when it comes to their career, relieving any concerns of financial limitations that could be roadblocks in their journey. We hope that in offering this scholarship-based education, we ultimately open the door for more diversity and inclusion at the studio leadership level moving forward.”

    Kayleigh Ma, Founder of Warrior Art Camp, commented, “We are deeply grateful for the collaboration with Titmouse Foundation in establishing this distinctive scholarship program. In our two years of operation, we’ve noted the increasing need for comprehensive training to access higher positions within the animation art department. With the invaluable support of an esteemed animation studio, we have curated a curriculum tailored to fulfill the industry’s practical demands.”

    The Legend of Vox Machina [Amazon Studios/Critical Role/Titmouse]
    Arthur Loftis (self portrait)

    Taught by Arthur Loftis, an art director at Titmouse, whose 2D and 3D projects include popular series like The Legend of Vox Machina, Voltron: Legendary Defender, Motorcity and Son of Zorn, the Future Art Directors Program is available to candidates across the U.S. with at least four years of animation experience. Course participants will learn all aspects of an art director-level role through lectures, guest panels, co-working sessions, and practical exercises. Topics include technical skills like style guide creation, script/animatic breakdown, and asset packaging, as well as soft skills development, including cross-department collaboration, problem-solving and effective team communication.

    “Mentoring aspiring animators is something that’s extremely important to me,” said Loftis. “Through the Future Art Directors Program, I want participants to feel equal parts inspired and armed with the right kind of knowledge that will help them have a competitive advantage in taking their careers to the next level.”

    Future Art Directors Program is funded through scholarships provided by Titmouse Foundation and made possible by the support of Amazon Studios. Only recipients of the scholarship will have full access to the curriculum and assignment feedback. Other participants will be able to join the guest lectures for a fee, with more details to be announced soon.

    For more information about the Future Art Directors Program, including curriculum and scholarship submission guidelines, please visit: warriorartcamp.com/future-art-directors.

    titmousefoundation.org | titmouse.net | warriorartcamp.com

  • StudioNX and Toon City Team for ‘Virtual Realiteens’

    StudioNX and Toon City Team for ‘Virtual Realiteens’

    StudioNX, creators of the award-winning animated show Niko and the Sword of Light, has partnered with development/production studio Toon City Vancouver to bring Virtual Realiteens to international audiences. Now in development, the 2D-animated comedy-adventure series for children ages 8-12 is based on the concept by Emmy-winning creators Adam Jeffcoat, Jim Bryson and Matt Lyon.

    In Virtual Realiteens (26 x 22′) An awesomely uncool teen and his oddball crew gain videogame superpowers and must defend their school from a treasure-trove of sinister 8-bit aliens and monsters.

    “We wanted to explore a story about an obnoxious new kid that truly believes he is a legend yet the whole school seems to disagree. How would he prove himself once and for all? Well, if it was the 1980s, he would do something outlandish like turning himself into a real-life video game superhero with the help of some tech savvy misfits. That felt like a great premise for an animated comedy” says Jeffcoat.

    Bentley adds, “When Adam and Jim pitched me Realiteens, I immediately wanted to be involved. I can’t think of a better medium for mixing 1980s science fiction with over-the-top, eye watering comedy than hand drawn animation. Combining low-fi visuals, razor-sharp comedic cuts and loads of keytar. This is a world I want to explore!”

    Bentley will be presenting Virtual Realiteens to distributors and broadcasters at Kidscreen Summit 2024 in San Diego in February.

  • ‘American Sikh’ Takes Quest for Justice Online for Limited Run (Exclusive)

    ‘American Sikh’ Takes Quest for Justice Online for Limited Run (Exclusive)

    Following the news that Oscar winner Guneet Monga Kapoor and chef/filmmaker Vikas Khanna have boarded as executive producers, American Sikh has made its online debut on its official website (americansikhfilm.com). The Oscar-qualified animated documentary short will be available to watch for free for a limited time during awards season.

    The comic-book styled 2D film animates the true and unlikely story of an American born, turban-wearing Sikh man, Vishavjit Singh, who after a lifetime of facing prejudice, self-doubt and violence, finally finds acceptance in a superhero costume.

    American Sikh has won best short animation at Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham, Alabama, best animation at San Diego International Film Festival, the grand jury award for best short documentary at and the audience choice award at the Tasveer Film Festival in Seattle, a special mention at Chicago International Film Festival and an honorable mention at Tallgrass Film Festival.

    The film is directed by Singh — a Harlem, New York City-based illustrator, writer, performance artist, TEDx speaker, DEI advocate and creator of sikhtoons.com — and documentary filmmaker Ryan Westra. It was animated by Studio Showoff, a Melbourne-based production house founded by Ivan Dixon and Sean Zwan that has produced work for Childish Gambino, HBO and Cartoon Network.

    Singh got his spark for cartooning in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy when Americans with turbans and beards became the targets of hate crimes. For the past few years he has been traveling across the U.S. with his Sikh Captain America persona armed with a turban, beard and humor to tackle fear, anxiety, bigotry and intolerance. Singh hosts talks & keynotes in schools, universities, government agencies and companies including Google, Apple, Amazon, NASA & Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. He is currently working in the FDNY Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

    Westra’s career has seen him tackle challenging topics on film. He has traveled the world to document Sikh genocide, indigenous activism against oil companies in Montana, HIV/AIDS outreach in Mozambique, para-athletics, Himalayan monastic mindfulness, re-housing at-risk people in Los Angeles, and has contributed to many other important stories. American Sikh is the sixth film he’s worked on about Sikhs and Sikh issues, and the second film he’s worked on with Singh, following Red, White and Beard. The duo have collaborated for almost four years to craft Sikh Captain America’s origin story.

    Watch American Sikh online in full for a limited time at americansikhfilm.com. Check out the official trailer below.

  • New ‘Sand Land’ Anime from ‘Dragon Ball’ Creator Rolls to Hulu

    New ‘Sand Land’ Anime from ‘Dragon Ball’ Creator Rolls to Hulu

    In spring 2024, audiences are invited to revisit the dry and desolate wasteland of Sand Land in Sand Land: The Series, a new Japanese action-adventure anime coming exclusively to Hulu. This retelling of the 2023 feature film, the show will build out the original universe with new stories featuring Fiend Prince Beelzebub, Sheriff Rao and Thief.

    Sand Land: The Series is set in a world where the water supply is all but dried up, with the small amount remaining controlled by a greedy king. Tired of suffering under the king’s rule, Sheriff Rao reaches out to Sand Land’s demons for help, and together they set off on a journey to discover the “Legendary Spring.”

    Starring Mutsumi Tamura as the voice of the Fiend Prince Beelzebub, Kazuhiro Yamaji as the voice of Rao, Chō as the voice of Thief, Satoshi Tsuruoka as the voice of General Are and Nobuo Tobita as Supreme Commander Zeu, Sand Land: The Series is directed by Toshihisa Yokoshima and is adapted for the screenl by Hayashi Mori.

    Based on the popular graphic novel short story by Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump, Sand Land: The Series is a collaboration between anime studios Sunrise (Mobile Suit Gundam, Love Live! Series), Kamikaze Douga (Pop Team Epic, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure title sequence) and ANIMA, which specializes in 3D CG animation.

    Hulu will be spotlighting Sand Land: The Series, as well as several of its most popular anime titles — including Hulu Originals Undead Unluck and Tokyo Revengers, as well as Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War — at this weekend’s Anime NYC convention. Attendees who visit the Hulu Animayhem booth will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in these fan-favorite titles with unique photo opportunities and specialty giveaways including a keychain, Animayhem poster, and Hulu green boba tea.

  • ‘Harley Quinn’ Renewed for 5th Season on Max

    ‘Harley Quinn’ Renewed for 5th Season on Max

    The critically acclaimed Max Original adult-animated series Harley Quinn has been renewed for a fifth season.

    “Harley Quinn has raised the comedic crowbar with every new season,” says Peter Girardi, EVP, Alternative Programming, Warner Bros. Animation. “We’re excited to continue this partnership with Max and take our biggest swing yet for Season 5.”

    Executive producers Justin Halpern, Patrick Schumacker and Dean Lorey comment, “We’re thrilled that the news of Harley and Ivy’s continuing misadventures is finally out and we can stop telling people in secret. We must have handed out at least three thousand NDAs by now. It was a big waste of paper.”

    Logline: This biting and uproarious adult animated comedy follows Harley Quinn (voiced by executive producer Kaley Cuoco) as she strikes out on her own following her breakup with The Joker (Alan Tudyk). With help from Poison Ivy (Lake Bell) and a ragtag crew of DC castoffs, Harley attempts to work her way into the Legion of Doom, before an identity crisis sends her on a larger quest to find her true place in Gotham City.

    With appearances by DC’s most notorious characters and featuring a notable voice cast — including Christopher Meloni, Ron Funches, JB Smoove and Tony Hale — Harley Quinn showcases the titular antiheroine’s killer journey from girlfriend to leading lady.

    Noting the critical success of Season 4, Suzanna Makkos, EVP Original Comedy & Adult Animation, Max and Adult Swim, says, “The talented Harley Quinn team has once again succeeded in delivering a season that builds on everything that has come before while still feeling fresh and inventive. They continue to provide hilarious, heartwarming, and deranged stories with our lovable group of DC misfits, and we couldn’t be more excited for the fans to see what they’ve accomplished in Season 5.”

    Based on characters from DC, Harley Quinn is produced by Delicious Non-Sequitur Productions, Lorey Stories and Yes, Norman Productions in association with Warner Bros. Animation. The series was developed by Halpern, Schumacker and Lorey, who also serves as executive producer and showrunner. Executive producers are Halpern, Schumacker, Cuoco, Sam Register and Katie Rich. Co-exec producers are Chrissy Romero. Supervising producers are Cecilia Aranovich Hamilton and Ian Hamilton. Producer is Susan Ward.  Consulting producers are Jamiesen Borak and Leslie Schapira. Co-producer is Vidhya Iyer.

  • Alê Abreu’s Fantasy-Adventure ‘Perlimps’ Debuts on The Animation Showcase

    Alê Abreu’s Fantasy-Adventure ‘Perlimps’ Debuts on The Animation Showcase

    The Animation Showcase, the industry-only free streaming platform spotlighting acclaimed animated films from around the world, announces the release of the feature Perlimps, by Oscar-nominated Brazilian director Abreu. The richly illustrated 2D work is available worldwide during awards season, at no cost for all animation & motion pictures industry members.

    The film follows the journey of Claé and Bruô, a pair of secret agents from rival kingdoms who must join forces in spite of their differences to search for the ‘Perlimps,’ mysterious creatures who can ultimately bring peace in times of war. The animation for the film was hand-drawn by Abreu and a reduced team who spent four years making the film in a mountain village in Brazil.

    Perlimps is Abreu’s follow-up to Boy and the World, which was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2016 Academy Awards, winner of the 2014 Annecy Cristal and the Best Independent Feature Award at the 43rd Annie Awards. The film first released domestically in Brazil on February 9, and later in cinemas internationally in France, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Portugal, Japan, China. Perlimps will have a Christmas release in Spain on VOD.

    Alê Abreu

    “The inspiration for this film was a desire to imagine childhood as a possible physical space or a territory — the Enchanted Forest — where there would be no barriers for friendship and where we would feel a connection with any living creature and also with nature,” says Abreu. “I believe there is an unspeakable power within ourselves to get along with any other creatures. I decided, therefore, to use the entire color spectrum to convey feelings that otherwise I could not express in words. Perlimps gave me an opportunity to explore the color palette and test a more complex technique after the minimalism of Boy and the World.”

    “Just as his previous masterpiece left us spellbound, Alê Abreu’s latest film is a tapestry of vibrant colors, an enchanting realm of imagination, with profound values that touch the heart,” notes Benoit Berthe Siward, The Animation Showcase CEO. “We are incredibly thrilled to release Perlimps to our community and members during the Thanksgiving holiday, aspiring for them to be inspired and moved by this enchanting cinematic journey.”

    Exclusive bonuses, making-of and featurettes are also streaming exclusively on the platform, offering insights of the entire fabrication process of the animated feature Perlimps alongside more from the annual Best Animated Short Collection 2023, released earlier this fall.

    How to access The Animation Showcase:

    1. Click on the SIGN-UP PORTAL to request a membership to the streaming platform.
    2. Add your email address and work proof (IMDb, LinkedIn, Vimeo or other)
    3. After the information verification, you will receive an email with the instructions to connect to the streaming platform and begin watching.

  • ‘Ted’ Teaser Brings Seth MacFarlane’s Cheeky Bear Back to Screens

    ‘Ted’ Teaser Brings Seth MacFarlane’s Cheeky Bear Back to Screens

    Peacock today took the teaser trailer for Ted off the shelves, offering fans a first look at the new series inspired by Seth MacFarlane’s (Family Guy, The Orwell) hit live-action/CGI feature films. The NBCUniversal-owned streamer also announced that the adult comedy will debut on January 11.

    The series will stream exclusively on Sky Max in the U.K. & Ireland early next year.

    Synopsis: In this comedic prequel event series to the Ted films, it’s 1993, and Ted the bear’s moment of fame has passed. He’s now living back home in Framingham, Massachusetts with his best friend, 16-year-old John Bennett, along with John’s parents, Matty and Susan and cousin Blaire . Ted may be a lousy influence on John, but at the end of the day, he’s a loyal pal who’s always willing to go out on a limb for friendship.

    The seven-episode event series features Seth MacFarlane as the voice of Ted, Max Burkholder as John,  Alanna Ubach as Susan, Scott Grimes as Matty and Giorgia Whigham as Blaire.

    A statement from MacFarlane (executive producer, writer, director and co-showrunner), Paul Corrigan and Brad Walsh (executive producers, writers and co-showrunners) explains:

    “Each generation develops its own unique artistic style, its own way of seeing the world. In the twenties, it was the subversive musical phrasings of jazz. In the fifties, it was the bold brushwork of the abstract expressionists. Our generation’s unique art is streaming content based on previously successful intellectual property. In that proud tradition, we humbly give you Ted.

    Our series is a prequel to the Ted movies. It takes place in the ’90s, but is based on the timeless truth that being 16 sucks. The only thing that makes it tolerable is going through it with a friend, even if that friend is a has-been magical teddy bear with a foul mouth and a proclivity for drug use.

    The three of us were teenagers in the nineties and grew up in and around Boston, where the show takes place, so many of these stories are personal for us. We were able to put the characters through some of the same indignities and milestones we experienced back then. Also, we made stuff up (it’s a lot of pages to fill and real life is mostly boring).”

    Ted is produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, Fuzzy Door and MRC

  • ‘The Canterville Ghost’ Haunts Digital Platforms Dec. 5

    ‘The Canterville Ghost’ Haunts Digital Platforms Dec. 5

    A charming spirit is ready to visit home screens this holiday season, as Shout! Studios and Shout! Kids bring The Canterville Ghost to Digital platforms on December 5.

    The Oscar Wilde adventure tells the story of modern American girl Virginia Otis (voiced by Emily Carey) and her family, who move into their recently purchased English country home, Canterville Chase, only to find it is haunted by a ghost. Effectively, Sir Simon de Canterville (Stephen Fry) has been haunting the grounds of Canterville Chase successfully for over 300 years, but he meets his match in Virginia when he tries to scare out the new arrivals.

    Directed by Kim Burdon (Stressed Eric) and co-directed by Robert Chandler (The Amazing Maurice), from a screenplay by Keiron Self & Giles New, The Canterville Ghost also features the voices of Hugh Laurie as The Grim Reaper, Freddie Highmore as The Duke of Cheshire, David Harewood as Hiram Otis, Meera Syal as Lucretia Otis and Miranda Hart as The Ghost Catcher, with Toby Jones as Reverend Chasubie, and Imelda Staunton as Mrs. Umney.

    Adapted for modern audiences of all ages, the colorful animated adventure uses humor and compelling characters — notably its strong, young female lead — to relay important messages about curiosity, courage, friendship, love and forgiveness.

    The Canterville Ghost will be available to purchase or rent in the U.S. & Canada across digital platforms including Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft, DirecTV and DISH.

  • ‘Mushka’ Original Score Debuts Friday (Exclusive Track)

    ‘Mushka’ Original Score Debuts Friday (Exclusive Track)

    Lakeshore Records (lakeshorerecords.com) is set to release Mushka — Original Score digitally on November 17, with music by Fabrizio Mancinelli. The orchestral score provides a backdrop to the hand-drawn animated short written and created by acclaimed animator Andreas Deja. Disney Legend and Oscar winner Richard M. Sherman created Mushka’s Theme and wrote “Mushka’s Lullaby” for the soundtrack, which was arranged by Mancinelli.

    Ahead of the soundtrack’s launch, Animation Magazine is delighted to share an exclusive advance track, “Grandma Needs Me/Big Cat Rescue Team,” which you can enjoy below.

    Mushka tells the story of the Ukrainian girl Sarah who raises a Siberian tiger during the 1970s. She calls him Mushka, when she discovers an “M” shaped birthmark on the tiger cub’s forehead. (The word “mushka” is a Russian term of endearment, like “sweetheart.”) The film is about the challenge of having to let go of someone you love, even if it is the hardest thing. The heartwarming story concludes with a reminder that life has a way to provide hope and happiness again, even amidst adversity.

    Mushka has qualified by exhibition for Academy Awards consideration in the Best Animated Short Film category. Learn more about the film at mushkathemovie.com.

    ‘Mushka’ production team, L-R (front) Fabrizio Mancinelli, Richard M. Sherman, Elizabeth Sherman, Andreas Deja, (standing) Roger Viloria, Matthieu Saghezchi, Courtney DiPaola, Daniel Ernesto

    “Drawing inspiration from musical legacies of the past, I yearned to craft a score that transcended mere folkloric conventions. The animation’s exquisite visual aesthetic, reminiscent of beautifully illustrated books, served as a guiding light, influencing the musical nuances that painted each frame. The result is a symphonic score that transcends borders, cultures and eras,” says Mancinelli.

    “I was overjoyed when Andreas asked me to compose the score for Mushka, a love letter to his art form, hand-drawn animation. It was an extraordinary opportunity for me to collaborate with not one, but two Disney Legends, Deja himself and Richard M. Sherman, who had already composed a unique and instantly recognizable theme for Mushka, adding another layer of excitement to our collaboration.”

    Pre-save the Mushka OST on major digital music platforms now; direct links available here.

    Vocalist Holly Sedillos singing “Mushka’s Lullaby,” which is nominated for a Hollywood Music and Media Award for Best Song – Animated Short

    Track List

    1. Happy New Year – Fabrizio Mancinelli
    2. I’ll Be Alright – Fabrizio Mancinelli
    3. Arrival At The Station – Fabrizio Mancinelli
    4. The Miners / A New Home – Fabrizio Mancinelli
    5. Out There In The Forest – Fabrizio Mancinelli
    6. Chasing The Tiger – Fabrizio Mancinelli
    7. I’ll Call Him Mushka / Growing Together (feat. Holly Sedillos) – Fabrizio Mancinelli
    8. Instinct Awakes / Sarah’s Nightmare / The Card Game – Fabrizio Mancinelli
    9. They Want Mushka / Chase In The Forest And Farewell – Fabrizio Mancinelli
    10. Grandma Needs Me / Big Cat Rescue Team – Fabrizio Mancinelli
    11. Mushka’s Lullaby (feat. Holly Sedillos) – Fabrizio Mancinelli
    12. Mushka’s Lullaby (Instrumental) – Fabrizio Mancinelli
    13. Fantasia From Mushka (For Flute And Piano) (feat. Sara Andon, Simone Pedroni) – Fabrizio Mancinelli
    14. Mushka’s Lullaby (For Flute And Piano) (feat. Sara Andon, Simone Pedroni) – Fabrizio Mancinelli

    Mancinelli is an Italian-American composer, songwriter and conductor whose impressive list of clients and collaborators includes The Walt Disney Studios, Lionsgate, Warner Bros. and NBC. He has written the score for notable animated and related titles like Disney’s Growing Up with Nine Old Men and Universal’s The Snow Queen 4: Mirrorlands, and has conducted, for colleague Kris Bowers, the orchestral recordings for Warner Bros.’ Space Jam 2 and the Disney’s Haunted Mansion. Macinelli also composed the music for “The Mouse Song,” performed by Daveed Diggs and featured in Netflix’s animated Green Eggs and Ham, collaborating with lyricist and screenwriter Mark Rizzo.

    The L.A.-based composer is a Sundance Film Music Fellow (2015) and BMI Conduction Fellow (2016) and is the founder of Fab Music, Inc., a music sound production company based in Glendale, California. He is also a voting Member of the Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences, the Recording Academy and ASIFA.

  • ‘Nate Is Late’ Marks 5th Anniversary with Season 3 Renewal

    ‘Nate Is Late’ Marks 5th Anniversary with Season 3 Renewal

    Watch Next has announced the production of a third season of Nate Is Late, (52 z 11′), spurred by the series’ success on France Télévisions and Super RTL (Germany), in the digital space and internationally. The series is also known as Oscar & Malika in France.

    Since its launch in October 2018, Nate Is Late has remained in continuous broadcast on France Télévisions’ linear channels, in highly exposed slots during the weekday schedule, both before and after school. The series has also gained popularity on various non-linear platforms, including OKOO, Netflix, OCS, Prime Video and YouTube Kids, accumulating nearly 80 million views in just two years (with an average of 2.5 million monthly views in 2023), despite having only a few episodes available online.

    Internationally distributed by Kids First, a subsidiary of Watch Next, Nate Is Late has been sold to numerous territories on major channels and platforms such as Super RTL, Pop (U.K.), Netflix (France, Benelux, U.K.), Cartoon Network (India), E-Junior (Middle East), Clan (Spain), SVT (Sweden), RTS (Switzerland), VRT (Belgium), Star (Greece), TRT (Turkey), MBC (Middle East), Gloobs (Brazil), RTP (Portugal), TV5 (Canada), Channel 9 (Australia), Tencent (China), TVB (Hong Kong) and more.

    Created by Sylvain Huchet and Peter Saisselin, and co-directed by Edouard Kuchiman and Gaultier Buiret, the third season will be produced with a budget of 7 million euros, co-financed by France Télévisions, Super RTL, COFIMAGE 34, SOFITVCINE 11 and CNC. It will be entirely produced in Europe at Watch Next’s group studios, including La Factorie (Paris and Lille) and Animato (Torino). The relocation of production is made possible through “Sherlock,” an asset bank developed by Watch Next to manage the reuse of models, animations and special effects from previous episodes.

    Aimed at kids 6-10, the series centers on eight-year olds Nate and Malika. Every Morning, they leave home early to get to school — but they always arrive late, because something amazing has happened along the way. Even though their incredible tales are true, the principal never believes them…

  • ‘Urkel Saves Santa’ Xmas Special Rescued from the Naughty List for Digital Release

    ‘Urkel Saves Santa’ Xmas Special Rescued from the Naughty List for Digital Release

    The nerdtastic hero of sitcom classic Family Matters gets a seasonal animated reprise in Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie!, available to purchase on Digital starting November 21 from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment.

    The all-new animated holiday movie musical center on the kind-hearted Steve Urkel, voiced by the character’s original actor Jaleel White, joined by Nicole Byer (Nailed It), Roy Wood Jr. (The Daily Show) and Kym Whitley (The Bay).

    The special was one of the Warner Bros. Animation projects dropped from the Max lineup after the WBD merger. The project was announced in September of 2021 as Did I Do That to the Holidays? A Steve Urkel Story. 

    Synopsis: The holiday season is here, and brilliant but accident-prone super genius Steve Urkel has only one mission: to make the holidays the best they can be for everyone! However, things are off to a not so merry start after he ruins a celebration at his local shopping mall and humiliates the department store Santa. Hoping to make things right, Steve invents a device that helps people spread holiday cheer but it only manages to make things worse. Using his big brain and even bigger heart, it’s up to Steve to help the city rediscover the holiday spirit.

    Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie! is produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Robert L. Boyett (Family Matters) and Sam Register (President;  Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios & Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe) serve as executive producers

    The film is co-directed by Bryan Newton (Rick and Morty, Teen Titans Go!), who also serves as supervising producer, Richard Pose (story artist, Rick and Morty, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Big Mouth) and Jojo Ramos Patrick (story artist, Animaniacs) and written by The Daily Show breakout Wyatt Cenac, who also serves as executive producer; the writer/producer/performer inked an overall cross studio deal with WBA and CNS in 2021.. Jaleel White serves as producer.

    Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie! will be available to purchase from participating digital platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu and more. 

  • ‘Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget’ Official Trailer & New Pics Fly the Coop

    ‘Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget’ Official Trailer & New Pics Fly the Coop

    Aardman’s intrepid feathered friends return for their long-awaited sequel adventure in Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, premiering December 15 exclusively on Netflix. The official trailer and a clutch of new images were debuted this morning, giving fans something to really cluck about!

    Don’t miss the January 2024 issue of Animation Magazine, where you can read all about the making of this eggciting stop-motion project! (OK, enough with the bird puns; mea coop-a.)

    Synopsis: Having pulled off a death-defying escape from Tweedy’s farm, Ginger has finally found her dream — a peaceful island sanctuary for the whole flock, far from the dangers of the human world. When she and Rocky hatch a little girl called Molly, Ginger’s happy ending seems complete. But back on the mainland the whole of chicken-kind faces a new and terrible threat. For Ginger and her team, even if it means putting their own hard-won freedom at risk — this time, they’re breaking in!

    The star-powered voice cast features Thandiwe Newton (Ginger), Zachary Levi (Rocky), Bella Ramsey (Molly), Imelda Staunton (Bunty), Lynn Ferguson (Mac), David Bradley (Fowler), Jane Horrocks (Babs), Romesh Ranganathan (Nick), Daniel Mays (Fetcher), Josie Sedgwick-Davies (Frizzle), Peter Serafinowicz (Reginald Smith), Nick Mohammed (Dr. Fry) and Miranda Richardson (Mrs. Tweedy).

    Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is directed by Sam Fell (ParaNorman, Flushed Away) from a screenplay by Karey Kirkpatrick & John O’Farrell and Rachel Tunnard, produced by Steve Pegram, p.g.a. and Leyla Hobart, p.g.a., and features music by Harry Gregson-Williams. Fell and Kirkpatrick also executive produce with Aardman co-founder Peter Lord, Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park, Carla Shelley and Paul Kewley.

  • Oscar-Qualified Trans-Positive Short ‘Pacemaker’ Debuts Online

    Oscar-Qualified Trans-Positive Short ‘Pacemaker’ Debuts Online

    The trans-positive animated musical short Pacemaker is ready to strike a chord with online audiences, making its free digital debut on YouTube and Vimeo timed to Transgender Awareness Week. Starring Alex Newell, the first non-binary actor to win a Tony Award (2023, for Shucked), and multi-Grammy winner Philip Lawrence, the film tells the story of a grandfather’s journey toward acceptance of his trans grandson. You can watch the full nine-minute film below.

    Composer Christopher Lennertz wrote the short’s original song, “Rhythm of My Heart,” and penned the screenplay. Lennertz was inspired by his personal experience with his trans son, who also provided valuable consultation on the film’s storyline. Brian Vincent Rhodes (story artist, Spies in Disguise) shared directing duties with Lennertz.

    “This film is a love letter to my own family’s journey towards understanding and accepting the identities and purposes of all individuals,” said Lennertz. “Inspired by my son Tobi and our shared love for classic animated musicals, we set out to create a film that captures the essence of beloved classics but delivers a fresh message of love and pride for families within the LGBTQIA+ community and the world. Love emerges victorious when we follow the rhythm of our hearts.”

    Pacemaker is executive produced by Nimona creator ND Stevenson. Animation veterans Darlene Caamaño Loquet (Fox, Nickelodeon) and Magdiela Hermida Duhamel (Pixar) produced the film alongside Alex Bedford and Ben Parkin from A Running Commentary, or A.R.C, in London. Vincent Rhodes also served as the story artist on the film.

    The film has garnered accolades from the Stamped Film Festival, LGBTQ+ Toronto Film Festival, Indie Short Fest, and IndieX Film Fest. “Rhythm Of My Heart,” composed by Lennertz and performed by Newell and Lawrence, recently received a nomination for Best Song in a Short Film from the Hollywood Music in Media Awards.

    Pacemaker has qualified for Academy Awards consideration in the Best Animated Short Film category by exhibition.

  • Trailer: Stop-Motion ‘Pokémon Concierge’ Checks In on Netflix Dec. 28

    Trailer: Stop-Motion ‘Pokémon Concierge’ Checks In on Netflix Dec. 28

    Book an escape from the winter doldrums at the sunny monster-battling resort in Pokémon Concierge, the new stop-motion animated series based on the global hit video game and anime franchise! A new trailer dropped today for the show, which will debut on Netflix on December 28.

    Pokémon Concierge follows the daily adventures of resort newcomer Haru as she learns to take care of all the different creature guests that check in to the luxury retreat. As Haru figures out how to make her guests happy, she ends up discovering a new side to herself.

    Haru and other human characters feature in the trailer alongside popular Pokémon like Psyduck, Pikachu, Eevee, Dragonite and Magikarp.

    Pokémon Concierge marks the first-ever collaborative production between Netflix and The Pokémon Company, bringing fans an imaginative and ambitious stop-motion story crafted by the critically acclaimed dwarf studios. The theme song “Have a Good Time,” performed by 1980s ‘City Pop’ icon Mariya Takeuchi, celebrates the heartwarming friendship between Haru and her Pokémon guests.

    Directed by Iku Ogawa and written by Harumi Doki, with concept art and character design by Tadahiro Uesugi, the four-part series comprising 14- to 20-minute episodes features the voices of Karen Fukuhara (The Boy and the Heron) as Haru, Imani Hakim (Everybody Hates Chris) as Alisa, Josh Keaton (Voltron: Legendary Defender) as Tyler and Lori Alan (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Watanabe in the English-language dub.

    The Japanese-language cast is led by Non (In This Corner of the World) as Haru, Fairouz Ai (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean) as Alisa, Eita Okuno (Yell) as Tyler and Yoshiko Takemura (Tiger & Bunny) as Watanabe.

     

  • Apple TV+ Celebrates ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’s 50th Anniversary

    Apple TV+ Celebrates ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’s 50th Anniversary

    Raise a spoonful of cranberry sauce and toast 50 years of perennial animated holiday classic A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving with its exclusive streaming home, Apple TV+. On top of being available for subscribers to watch all year round, the Peanuts special will be made free to stream for non-subscribers for a limited time, Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, November 19.

    In the iconic Mendelson/Melendez production directed by Bill Melendez and Phil Roman (the 10th animated special based on Charles Schulz’s beloved Peanuts comic), Peppermint Patty invites everyone to Charlie Brown’s for Thanksgiving, even though he’s going to see his grandmother; Snoopy decides to cook his own version of a Thanksgiving meal with help from his friends.

    The free streaming release for A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is part of Apple TV+’s special kids & family lineup for holiday 2023, which will also see A Charlie Brown Christmas enjoying a similar availability window in December. The programming also includes a new Peanuts special, The Snoopy Show: “Happiness Is Holiday Traditions,” as well as the new live-action/animation adaptation of The Velveteen Rabbit and festive episodes from animated series Frog and Toad, Shape Island and Sago Mini Friends.

    Tune in to A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving through tv.apple.com!

  • Pinkfong & Nick Make Fishtory in ‘Baby Shark’s Big Movie’ (Trailer)

    Pinkfong & Nick Make Fishtory in ‘Baby Shark’s Big Movie’ (Trailer)

    Nickelodeon, Paramount+ and The Pinkfong Company today released the official trailer and key art for Baby Shark’s Big Movie, the first-ever feature-length original animated movie based on the global hit preschool property. The fin-tastic musical adventure will debut Friday, December 8, at 12 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon, streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada the same day and the following day in the U.K. and Australia as part of the platform’s Holiday Collectino.

    The animated family film will debut in additional Paramount+ international markets, where the service is available, in 2024.  In Korea, Southeast Asia and China, Baby Shark’s Big Movie is distributed by The Pinkfong Company.

    Co-produced by Nickelodeon Animation and The Pinkfong Company and directed by Daytime Creative Arts Emmy winner Alan Foreman (The Casagrandes, Welcome to the Wayne), the movie follows Baby Shark and his family as they move to Chomp City — the big underwater metropolis of sharks.

    Synopsis: Baby Shark is forced to leave behind the world he loves after his family’s move to the big city and must adjust to his new life without his best friend William. When Baby Shark encounters an evil pop starfish named Stariana, who plans to steal his gift of song in order to dominate all underwater music, he must break her spell to restore harmony to the seas.

    Fans will be able to sing and dance along to original songs from the movie, including the previously released “It’s Stariana!” and “Keep Swimmin’ Through” singles, with the release of the film’s official soundtrack on December 8. Released through a partnership with Sony Music Entertainment UK’s Relentless Records, the Baby Shark’s Big Movie soundtrack album will be available globally on all music streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Music and more. Music for the film was composed by Jon Chau. Songs were written and produced by Matthew Tishler, Andrew Underberg, Chen Neeman, Doug Rockwell, Tova Litvin and Pinkfong.

    The track list is as follows:

    1. Baby Shark (Movie Version)
    2. It’s Stariana!
    3. Peak Fin-ship
    4. Keep Swimmin’ Through
    5. Dive On In
    6. It’s Stariana! (Sea Me Now)
    7. Peak Fin-ship Reprise
    8. Oceans Apart
    9. It’s My Ocean x Baby Shark (Finale) Mashup
    10. Nothin’s Gonna Beat Our Fin-ship
    11. Keep Swimmin’ Through x Baby Shark (Dance Remix)
    12. It’s My Ocean
    13. Baby Shark (Finale)

    The project has hooked a number of special guest voice actors, including actress, singer and producer Ashley Tisdale (Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe, High School Musical) as Stariana, a sharp-witted and manipulative, rising pop starfish who wants to take center stage with a splash hit; Aparna Nancherla (Mira, Royal Detective) as Gillie, a charmingly chaotic, bumbling boxfish and Stariana’s assistant; Ego Nwodim (Saturday Night Live) as Leah, a lantern shark and Mommy Shark’s best friend from college; Chloe Fineman (Saturday Night Live, Father of the Bride) as Lannie, Leah’s hyper, lovable daughter; ENHYPEN as an underwater powerhouse K-pop band of belugas; and Lance Bass as TV announcer Lance Bass.

    This lineup joins series regulars from Baby Shark’s Big Show! — Kimiko Glenn (Orange Is the New Black) as Baby Shark; Luke Youngblood (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) as William; Natasha Rothwell (Insecure) as Mommy Shark; Eric Edelstein (We Bare Bears) as Daddy Shark; Debra Wilson (MADtv) as Grandma Shark; and Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld) as Grandpa Shark. The film also features returning guest star, Grammy-winning, multi-platinum superstar Cardi B as rap icon Sharki B and her family: Offset as Offshark; Kulture as Kulture Sharki; and newcomer Wave as Wavey Shark.

    Baby Shark’s Big Movie is executive produced by Gary “Doodles” DiRaffaele (Breadwinners), Tommy Sica (Breadwinners) and Whitney Ralls (My Little Pony: Equestria Girls), along with Minseok Kim, Ryan Lee and Bin Jeong for The Pinkfong Company. Ralls also serves as writer for the movie. Baby Shark’s Big Show! is executive produced by DiRaffaele, Sica and Ralls. Both Babay Shark’s Big Movie and Baby Shark’s Big Show! are produced by Nickelodeon Animation in Burbank, Calif., with production overseen by Eryk Casemiro, EVP, Nickelodeon Animation, Global Series Content. Miriam Ritchie serves as Nickelodeon’s Executive in Charge of Production for Baby Shark’s Big Movie and Max Goodman serves as Nickelodeon’s Executive in Charge of Production for Baby Shark’s Big Show!.

    ​​​Prior to the movie’s premiere, kids and families can also dive into this year’s 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 23, to see Nickelodeon and Pinkfong’s Baby Shark float featuring an underwater seascape that includes members of the Shark family who will bring their own special brand of aquatic holiday cheer. Showcasing a special performance by ENHYPEN of their single “Keep Swimmin’ Through” from the movie, the 18-foot-long float will also be followed by a larger-than-life 25-foot-long Baby Shark balloon.

    The first season (26 episodes) of Baby Shark’s Big Show! is available now to stream on Paramount+. The series launched globally in 2021 across Nickelodeon-branded channels and platforms and is currently in its second season.

    “Pinkfong’s Baby Shark” launched on YouTube in November 2015 and became the world’s first-ever video to hit 10 billion views on YouTube, making it the most-viewed video in YouTube history. With music, characters, story and dance all combined together, the song earned RIAA Diamond certification (11x platinum), having sold more than 11 million units in the U.S. and spawned a viral phenomenon, #BabySharkChallenge, which generated more than 1 million cover videos around the globe.

  • Trailer: ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ Special Unwraps the Wimpiest Christmas Ever

    Trailer: ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ Special Unwraps the Wimpiest Christmas Ever

    Disney+ is ready to stuff the “naugtiest, nicest, wimpiest Christmas ever,” debuting the official, zanily festive trailer for Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Christmas Cabin Fever, streaming exclusively on the platform on December 8. The original holiday adventure centered on the popular, disaster-prone middle schooler is the latest animated movie based on Jeff Kinney’s successful book series.

    Synopsis: The winter holidays are turning out to be especially stressful for Greg Heffley this year. After accidentally damaging a snowplow while making a snowman with best friend Rowley Jefferson, Greg worries he won’t get the new video game console he so desperately wants for Christmas. To make matters worse, he gets snowed in with his family, including his grumpy older brother Rodrick and annoying younger brother Manny.

    (L-R): Manny (voiced by Gracen Newton), Frank Heffley (Chris Diamantopoulos), Susan (Erica Cerra) holding Elfrendo, Greg (Wesley Kimmel) and Rodrick (Hunter Dillon) in Disney’s ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever,’ exclusively on Disney+. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Directed by Luke Cormican (Teen Titans Go!) and written and produced by Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever features the voices of Wesley Kimmel (The Mandalorian), Spencer Howell (Ithaca), Chris Diamantopoulos (Beavis and Butt-Head), Erica Cerra (Power Rangers) and Hunter Dillon (Deadpool 2).

    https://youtu.be/A–mvyHQhcc?si=-wMMjUcsKVb8aNOd