Dublin-based Giant Animation has kicked off production on The Overcoat — a 26-minute animated film being co-produced with A Film Estonia — and announced that the short story adaptation will feature the voices of Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders, The Dark Knight Rises) and Alfred Molina (Angie Tribeca, Secret in Their Eyes).
Adapted for the screen by writer and executive producer Hugh O’Conor, The Overcoat is based on Nikolai Gogol’s classic short story about an office worker (Cillian Murphy) who saves all his money to buy a new coat in time for Christmas — only for fate to take a ghostly turn.
Murphy and Molina are joined in the voice cast by Devorah Dailey, Mikel Murfi, Michael McElhatton, Sam McGovern and Fiona O’Shaughnessy. Sean Mullen and Meelis Arulepp are directing, with Meabh Tammemagi (Gian) and Kristel Tolsepp (Estonia) producing.
Giant Animation is an award-winning studio whose work ranges from shorts and series, to interactive and game development, advertising and illustration. Previous productions include IFTA-winning short Geist and CBeebies series Go Jetters.
A Film Estonia, based in Tallinn, has worked with many major European and U.S. studios including Columbia Pictures, Warner Bros., Animagic, Motionworks, TerraGlyph, Egmont Imagination and Happy Life. Their credits include kids’ shorts The Little Short-Sighted Snake and If I Were a Grown-Up, and the 1998 Oscar short animation nominee When Life Departs.
CBeebies Controller Kay Benbow has commissioned a new animated comedy-adventure from FremantleMedia Kids & Family, Bitz & Bob (44 x 11). The groundbreaking series aimed at preschoolers combines funny, whimsical stories and key STEAM principles as it follows the antics of eight-year-old inventor Bitz and her little brother Bob. Part of CBeebies five-year co-production partnership with FME Kids, the show is slated for 2017.
Engineering adventurer Bitz loves to play and make amazing creations at home in her “Maker-space” treehouse. She and her brother Bob weave these inventions into magical stories where her creations come to life and lead them on epic journeys. Inevitably things go just a little haywire and Bitz has to use her special “Engineer-o-vision” to visualise and enact inventive solutions that empower her and her friends to help “invent a way to save the day!”
“We always aim to inspire on CBeebies and I hope that Bitz & Bob will encourage a new generation of engineer,” says Benbow. “Bitz is a wonderful female role model, she is full of creative ideas and energy that will take our viewers on adventures that we know will fire their imaginations.”
Bitz & Bob boasts an international writing team consulting with sector experts from the U.K. and the U.S.: Helen Heggie, Director of STEMFirst, and Dr. Lisa Regalla, Deputy Director of Maker Ed. The series is being produced by CBeebies Productions and FremantleMedia Kids & Family, with CG animation by Jellyfish Pictures. FMK’s Bob Higgins and CBeebies’ Vanessa Amberleigh serve as exec producers. FMK holds full global rights.
SIGGRAPH 2016 will run its world-leading conference and exhibition at the Anaheim Convention Center in SoCal this July 24-28. Under the banner of “Render the Possibilities,” the latest edition once again promises a look at the latest accomplishments and emerging computer graphics technology. This year’s Production Sessions program will offer a look at the “Making Of” a number of high-profile motion pictures, video games, VR films and theme park attractions.
Some highlights of the Production Sessions are listed below. Visit the SIGGRAPH 2016 website for more details.
From Armadillo to Zebra: Creating the Diverse Characters and World of “Zootopia”
The world of Zootopia is a vast, multi-scale city where humans never existed and animals are evolved city-dwellers. Walt Disney Animation Studios pushed the artistic boundaries of this production to create vastly different environments filled with hundreds of unique characters.
Panelists: Ernest Petti, Nicholas Burkard, Brian Leach, Sean Palmer, Michelle Robinson, and Hans-Joerg Keim.
“Kubo and the Two Strings”: One Giant Skeleton, One Colossal Undertaking
For this upcoming film (in theatres August 19), LAIKA created a giant 18-foot skeleton with a 24-foot wingspan, a massive undertaking involving the studio’s interdependent and collaborative crew. A miniature version of the puppet (approx. 3 feet tall) will be on display during the conference.
Panelists: Steve Emerson (VFX Supervisor) and Steve Switaj (Engineer, Camera and Motion Control).
Under the Sea – The Making of “Finding Dory”
This session will take a look at how Pixar artists created the studio’s latest feature film. Top animators and technical artists will deliver a deep dive into the process behind this animated film, which required an entirely new back-end pipeline and cutting-edge technology.
Panelists: Steve Pilcher, Jeremie Talbot, Jim Brown, Masah Ellsworth, Chris Burrows, Chris Chapman, Ian Megibben, and John Halstead.
Digital Domain worked on Deadpool’s Colossus, Deadpool interacting with Colossus, and the Helicarrier. Blur Studio created the opening title sequence and provided pre-viz for several action sequences.
Panelists: Digital Domain’s Jan Phillip Cramer (Animation Director) and Scott Edelstein (CG Supervisor); Blur’s Franck Balson (Previsualization Supervisor) and Sebastien “Zeb” Chort (CG Supervisor)
Industrial Light & Magic Presents the Visual Effects of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”
The ILM team will discuss the range of challenges presented by bringing the latest installment of the storied Star Wars series to life.
Panelists: ILM’s Daniel Pearson (CG Supervisor); Patrick Tubach (VFX Supervisor); Paul Kavanagh (Animation Supervisor); and Polly Ing (CG Supervisor)
The Making of Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War”
Marvel Studios, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Rise FX, and Method Studios will show session attendees how they created some of this smash hit movie’s most heart-stopping moments. They will also have the Captain America suit on display during the session.
Panelists: Marvel Studios’ Victoria Alonso (EVP, Physical Production), Dan Deleeuw (VFX Supervisor) and Jen Underdahl (VFX Producer); Russell Earl (VFX Supervisor, ILM); and Greg Steele (VFX Supervisor, Method Studios).
The Making of “Pearl”, A Google Spotlight Story
Pearl is a Google Spotlight Story directed by Oscar-winning animator Patrick Osborne. Conceived as a 360-degree experience, the film takes place entirely in a car and explores the gifts we inherit from our parents. The storyline collapses decades into minutes through montage, and can run on devices ranging from mobile phones to VR headgear, in real time.
Panelists: Patrick Osborne (Director), Rachid El Guerrab (Spotlight Stories Project Lead), David Eisenmann (Producer) and Cassidy Curtis (Tech Art Lead).
“Star Wars: Battlefront” – Game Development in the “Star Wars” Universe!
The Electronic Arts Digital Illusions Creative Entertainment (DICE) team reveals some of the work that went into this award-winning, visually stunning game. Topics include PBR, photogrammetry, vertex shading, fragment shading, and other creative disciplines.
Panelists: Kenneth Brown (Technical Art Director), Jonas Andersson (Visual Effects Artist), Pontus Ryman (Senior Environment Artist), Anders Egleus (Senior Visual Effects Artist) and Oscar Carlén (Senior Lighting Artist).
Developing “Mass Effect: New Earth” – A 4D Holographic Adventure
Focus on the development of a first-of-its-kind theme park attraction at California’s Great America in Santa Clara — featuring “holographic 3D,” using the world’s largest and highest resolution 3D LED screens combined with 4D effects. The partners behind this upcoming project are BioWare, Cedar Fair, 3D Live, and Halon Entertainment. Panelists: BioWare’s Robert deMontarnal (Business Development); Christian Dieckmann (VP Strategic Growth) and Howard Newstate (Executive Producer) of Media Networks Cedar Fair Entertainment Company; Clint Reagan (Previs Supervisor, Halon Entertainment); and Nathan Huber (Co-Founder/CEO, 3D Live).
For the third year running, the Special Prizes were awarded in a ceremony held at Annecy’s Town Hall on Friday night. The Mayor of Annecy, Jean-Luc Rigaut, was on hand for the presentation of 10 prizes. The winners are:
Festivals Connexion Jury Distinction – Region Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes
(In partnership with Lumieres Numeriques & Pilon Cinema)
Moms on Fire – Joanna Rytel (AltoFilm; Sweden)
And
Decorado – Alberto Vazquez (Uniko; Spain/France)
Junior Jury Award for a Graduation Film
The Alan Dimension – Jac Clinch (NFTS; U.K.)
Junior Jury Award for a Short Film
Blind Vaysha -Theodore Ushev (NFB; Canada)
FIPRESCI Award
How Long, Not Long – Michelle Kranot & Uri Kranot (Dansk Tegnefilm 2 APS, The Animation Workshop; Denmark)
Andre-Martin Award for a 2015 French Feature Film
Adama – Simon Rouby (Naia Prod., Pipangai Prod.; France)
Andre-Martin Award for a French Short Film
Peripheria – David Coquard-Dassault (Autour de Minuit, Schmuby Prod.; France)
Gan Foundation Award for Distribution
White Fang – Alexandre Espigares (SuperProd, Once Upon, Big Beach; France/Luxembourg)
Best Original Music Award for a Short Film
(Sponsored by the SACEM)
Beast! – Pieter Coudyzer (S.O.I.L.; Belgium)
CANAL Creative Aid Award for a Short Film
¾ oz – Pierre Grillere & Romain Peyronnet (EMCA; France)
Satellite of Love LLC — in partnership with Shout! Factory and series creator Joel Hodgson — has hired on former Saban Brands president Elie Dekel as strategic brand advisor and worldwide consumer products licensing agent for iconic entertainment brand Mystery Science Theater 3000. Dekel will guide the branding, licensing and expansion of the long-running, cult-hit TV series.
“Mystery Science Theater 3000 is one of those rare entertainment brands that has consistently grown its audience over more than 25 years through smart comedy, creative innovation, and a sincerely devoted fan community,” said Dekel. “Now, that legion of passionate ‘MSTies’ has banded together to bring MST3K back to life, with the largest film and television crowdfunding campaign ever. The result is an all-new 11th season coming soon to a massive and highly devoted audience.”
Satellite of Love and Dekel have been working to develop a global licensing program for MST3K, and will be meeting potential partners, licensees and retailers at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas (June 21-23) to discuss opportunities across all categories.
Created by Joel Hodgson, MST3K first aired in 1989 and ran for 11 years, though 198 episodes and a feature film. The show features a human host and his robot sidekicks stranded aboard the spaceship Satellite of Love, where they are forced to watch outrageously bad B movies by mad scientists. Their only chance for rebellion? Mercilessly mock the terrible sci-fi and horror schlock being beamed up.
The series won a Peabody Award in 1993, and was nominated for writing Emmys in 1994 and 1995. In late 2015, Shout! Factory acquired the global IP rights to this long-running cult comedy series and entered into an agreement with creator Joel Hodgson to produce new episodes. A Kickstarter campaign last winter surpassed the goal of fully funding the production of 14 new episodes and set a new world record as the highest-funded Film and TV crowdfunding campaign of all time.
Animatsu Entertainment, a new London-based producer, licensor and distributor of anime in the U.K. & Ireland (with global expansion in the cards), has secured global distribution rights to highly anticipated period feature In This Corner of the World (ono Sekai no Katasumi ni), which it is introducing to buyers this week at the Annecy festival and MIFA market in the Works in Progress program.
In This Corner of the World tells the story of the adolescent Suzu, who in 1944 moves to the small town of Kure in Hiroshima to live with her husband’s family. Suzu’s life is thrown into chaos when her town is bombed during World War II. Her perseverance and courage, however, underpin this heart-warming and inspirational tale of the everyday challenges faced by the Japanese in the midst of a violent, war-torn country.
“There have been previous anime films set around the devastation in Hiroshima, but none with the ultimately uplifting and positive message of In This Corner of the World, so we can’t wait to bring this beautiful film to Annecy,” Animatsu COO Jerome Mazandarani said. “We believe the rest of the world will share our enthusiasm for this story.”
Based on the award-winning manga by Fumiyo Kouno, the film adaptation is produced by GENCO with animation studio MAPPA and is written and directed by Sunao Katabuchi. Katabuchi began his career working with Hayao Miyazaki before pursuing his own projects like Mai Mai Miracle. GENCO’s Taro Maki and MAPPA’s Masao Maruyama are producers for the project, arriving in Japanese theaters this October.
“War is the opposite of daily life, yet daily life must go on even through war. And perfectly normal people can achieve this miraculous feat in the most extreme circumstances one can imagine,” says Katabuchi. “That’s what this film explores. I believe those very specific details in this film help viewers perceive the infinite emotions experienced by these absolutely normal people.”
In This Corner of the World is partially supported by a successful crowdfunding drive, which raised 39 million yen (approx. $350,000).
Corus Entertainment in Canada has extended its partnership with Turner’s Cartoon Network in a new multi-year broadcast and merchandise deal that taps Corus’ Nelvana as the exclusive merchandising agent for CN’s iconic brands in the country. This includes fan favorite The Powerpuff Girls, Adventure Time, Steven Universe, Ben 10 and more, which Nelvana will showcase at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas (June 21-23; Booth H214).
Nelvana will develop a wide array of licensed merchandise for Cartoon Network’s properties, greatly expanding the product offerings currently available in Canada and maximizing the opportunities around the re-launch of The Powerpuff Girls this fall and Ben 10 in 2017. The new categories include secondary and seasonal toys, softlines, food and beverage, sporting goods, and consumer electronics. Among the newest consumer products programs launching this fall in Canada is an assortment of The Powerpuff Girls toys from master toy licensee Spin Master.
VICELAND, the multinational TV channel launched by VICE magazine back in February, has released a trailer for its new animated series Party Legends. Set to premiere on Thursday, July 7 at 10:30 p.m., the six episode series takes hilarious, candid and entertaining tale of real-life party experiences related by notable personalities and illustrates them in a variety of distinct, engaging animations by up-and-coming artists.
In the first season, viewers can enjoy the epic social mishaps of comedians and celebrities including Fred Armisen, TJ Miller, Margaret Cho, Alia Shawcat and Dennis Rodman, among many others. The animated retellings are overseen by filmmaker and music video director Lance Bangs, and produced at Starburns Industries (Rick and Morty, Anomalisa).
Leading internet TV network Netflix reveals plans for five new original animated series for kids (and a second-season renewal for Kong: King of the Apes) on the heels of its announcement about the edgy new Nick Kroll animated comedy Big Mouth. The new offerings for youngsters adapt characters and stories from well known videogames (Skylanders Academy), books (Llama Llama, Hilda) and movies (Spy Kids: Mission Critical, Spirit Riding Free).
The not-for-kids Big Mouth (10 half-hour episodes) is created by real-life best friends Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg (Family Guy) and writer-director team Mark Levin & Jennifer Flackett (Little Manhattan, Nim’s Island), who all serve as exec producers. The show is about “teenaged adventures in puberty” and features the voices of Kroll as Nick, John Mulaney as Andrew, Maya Rudolph, Jason Mantzoukas, Jordan Peele, Fred Armisen, Jenny Slate and Jessi Klein.
“Andrew and I have been best friends since 1st grade, so this show is over 30 years in the making. I can’t wait to tell all the stories that make up the glorious nightmare of puberty,” said Kroll. Big Mouth will debut in 2017.
New kids’ animated Netflix originals:
Skylanders Academy(Activision Blizzard Studios) Fall 2016
Animated action-comedy Skylanders Academy follows the heroic adventures of the Skylanders team, a ragtag group of heroes with unique elemental skills who travel the vast Skylands universe, protecting it from evil-doers. They achieve victory by setting aside their egos, learning to trust one another and fighting as one to maintain harmony and balance in the land. Led by showrunner Eric Rogers (Futurama), the series features the voices of Justin Long (Ask Me Anything) as Spyro, Ashley Tisdale (High School Musical, Phineas and Ferb) as Stealth Elf, Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) as Eruptor and Norm MacDonald (Saturday Night Live) as Glumshanks. Additional voice talent includes Susan Sarandon, Daniel Wu, Parker Posey, James Hetfield, Catherine O’Hara, Chris Diamantopoulos and Harland Williams, among others. Thirteen episodes this Fall, second season in late 2017.
Llama Llama (Genius Brands) 2017
Based on the award-winning and best selling book series by author and illustrator Anna Dewdney, Llama Llama is an animated show about childhood moments and adventures, as well as the special connections between lead character Llama, his parents, grandparents and best friends.L lama Llama tells heart-warming tales of life in a safe, friendly town seen through the eyes of Llama as he interacts with the amazing world around him. The series is led by an all-star team of creators including Oscar-winning director Rob Minkoff (The Lion King), director Saul Blinkoff (Doc McStuffins), showrunner Joe Purdy, legendary art director Ruben Aquino (Frozen, The Lion King, Aladdin, Mulan) and Emmy-award winning producers Jane Startz and Andy Heyward.
Spirit Riding Free (DreamWorks Animation) 2017
Inspired by the Oscar-nominated film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, Spirit Riding Free follows the heartfelt journey of a wild mustang who could not be tamed. A whole new generation will experience all the daring adventures when Spirit meets a girl named Lucky whose courage matches his own. Together they push limits, harness the power of friendship and discover what it means to be free. With their best friends by their side, they explore a world filled with endless rides, magnificent horses and never-ending fun. Premieres exclusively on Netflix in 2017 in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the Nordics, Benelux and France.
Kong: King of the Apes – Season 2 (41 Entertainment & Avi Arad Prods.) 2017
In the season one finale, we find our heroes Kong and Lukas falling into a volcano at the hands of their main antagonist, Botila. At the start of season two, the fate of the group will be revealed and viewers will discover a prehistoric underworld where dinosaurs roam the land, pterosaurs soar and giant insects still exist. Will Kong, Lukas and their loyal team manage to save the Earth from Botila’s plans to replace nature with technology? Netflix members worldwide will find out in 2017.
Spy Kids: Mission Critical (The Weinstein Company) 2018
From producer Bob Weinstein comes an animated adventure comedy series based on the beloved family film franchise, Spy Kids. The show follows brother and sister team Juni and Carmen Cortez as they attend Spy Kids Academy, a top secret spy school for kid agents. When a new counter-spy agency threatens the safety of the world, it will be up to junior spies Juni and Carmen to train and lead a team of fellow Spy Kids cadets against the forces of S.W.A.M.P. (Sinister Wrongdoers Against Mankind’s Preservation) and their diabolical leader, Golden Brain. The Mission Critical team may not be ready, but they are the only ones to call when grown-up spies can’t do the job! FM DeMarco of Netflix original series Dragons: Race to the Edge is head write. Available to Netflix members worldwide in 2018.
Hilda (Silvergate) 2018
A production of Silvergate Media, the makers of Octonauts, in collaboration with Mercury Filmworks, Hilda transforms the Eisner-Award nominated graphic novels by Luke Pearson and published by Nobrow into an incredible animated adventure for older kids. The series follows the journey of a fearless blue-haired girl as she travels from her home in a vast magical wilderness full of elves and giants to the bustling city of Trolberg, where she makes new friends and discovers mysterious creatures who are stranger – and sometimes more dangerous – than she ever expected. Available to Netflix members worldwide in 2018.
Toon Boom Announces Harmony 14 at MIFA
Software developer will demo user-requested enhancements and heightened 3D integration at the Annecy market, June 15-17.
French broadcaster TF1 announced at Annecy that it is developing a new animated series with Zagtoon: Ghost Force. The two companies collaborated on the recently delivered superhero series Miraculous: The Adventures of Ladybug and Cat Noir, which has sold to numerous broadcasters worldwide, including Nickelodeon in the U.S.
Ghost Force (52 x 13) is being developed by TF1 with Zagtoon in partnership with Japanese toy company Bandai and distributor PGS Entertainment, which inked a three-year first-look deal with Zagtoon back in 2013. The series is aimed at kids 5-8 and follows three city dwelling students whose super-powered suits allow them to track, fight and catch the ghosts — just in time to make it to their next class!
The series was pitched by Zagtoon co-founder Jeremy Zag, who calls the production an ambitious, international project.
Silvergate Media has renewed its broadcast agreement with Russian broadcaster CTC for its undersea adventure preschool series Octonauts. The series also airs daily on the country’s number one kids’ channel, Karusel. And the series has enjoyed regional success on YouTube, exceeding 10 million views per month.
In September, Fisher Price will launch Octonauts toys across all key retail channels in Russia, supported by a full TV advertising campaign. Silvergate’s agent Megalicense is negotiating publishing and merchandising deals in support of the Autumn 2016 toy launch.
“Russia is an important new market for Octonauts and we are delighted to have CTC and Karusel as our partners,” says Silvergate SVP – Commercial Ron Allen. “Retailers’ response to the toy launch has been excellent, and we look forward to Octonauts being a leading pre-school property in Russia.”
Now in its fourth season since launching in 2011, Octonauts airs in over 100 countries with major broadcasting partners including Disney Channel (USA), CBeebies (UK), ABC (Australia), TF1 (France), Super RTL (Germany) and China Central TV (CCTV).
Entertainment One has announced a second season of its animated preschool series PJ Masks has been greenlit for production, with delivery set for Fall 2018. A new run of 52 x 11 episodes will be produced by eOne and Frog Box, in collaboration with Disney Junior and France 5.
“Since PJ Masks launched on Disney Junior and France 5 we’ve been delighted by both the fans’ instant admiration for the series and also the broadcasters’ complete commitment to the show,” said eOne Family’s Managing Director, Olivier Dumont. “Commencing production on a second series whilst PJ Masks is still launching around the world speaks to its potential to be the next big preschool hit and we look forward to introducing new narratives and characters that will excite the show’s growing fanbase around the world.”
Based on the popular picture books from Romuald Racioppo, PJ Masks follows Connor, Amaya and Greg who by day are normal 6-year-old kids, but when they don their pyjamas and activate their special animal amulets, they turn into the crime-fighting superheroes Catboy, Gekko and Owlette and embark on exciting nocturnal adventures.
The series has proven a ratings success on Disney Junior in the US and in key territories including the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Australia. eOne is now preparing to launch a consumer products line at retail in the US this fall. Global master toy partner Just Play LLC will roll out an extensive line of action figures, playsets, vehicles, plush, dress-up and roleplay in multiple territories in 2017. Simon and Schuster has signed on as publishing partner in North America. PJ Masks will also be supported by music videos, apps and an interactive website launching this year.
Stuttgart’s Animation Production Day has received funding for its 2017 edition from the Creative Europe MEDIA program — making it the sole new addition to the “Access to Markets” section based in Germany. Held annually during the Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film and FMX events, APD has grown steadily over the past few years.
The 2016 APD attracted more than 140 producers, broadcasters, distributors and investors from 18 countries which undertook 600-plus one-on-one meetings to hash out possible co-production and funding opportunities for the 39 participating projects. Despite the animation concepts often being in early development stages, over 30% of APD presented productions are realized. The 2017 event is set for May 4 and 5.
Along with the funding announcement, APD has confirmed its first partner for 2017: the Hamburg Animation Awards. This international competition for animation students and recent graduates is organized by the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, and this year holds its 13th edition on June 22. Short films are presented to a 15-person expert jury as well as industry representatives and compete for five cash prizes totally over 11,000 EU. The new partnership will grant the Hamburg Animation Award winner accreditation for APD 2017 in addition to the prize money, supported by Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein.
Warner Animation Group announced at the Annecy festival on Tuesday that Warner Bros. has set a release window of Spring 2018 for the Group’s original animated feature Smallfoot. The news was revealed by producer Brad Lewis during the unveiling of seven sequences from Storks — WAG’s second feature release and first original concept — coming to theaters September 23.
Smallfoot is a fresh take on the cryptozoological Yeti myth, centered on a Yeti who is convinced that the elusive creatures known as “humans” really do exist. The film is based on an original pitch from Sergio Pablos (Despicable Me), who is set to direct. John Requa and Glenn Ficarra (Crazy, Stupid, Love, Cats & Dogs) serve as writers on the project. The character design and most of the story reel will be created at Pablos’ SPA studios in Madrid before moving into animation production at one of WB’s partner studios.
This is a slightly different tack from WAG’s general production model, according to Warner Bros. Pictures’ President – Animation, Digital Production and VFX, Christopher deFaria, who during the Annecy presentation described Los Angeles-based WAG as a “front-end” studio handling storyboarding, character design, concept art, editorial, story and voice recording.
Speaking to the Storks footage, Lewis and deFaria said that the film underscores the emerging style of the studio, which channels the tradition of Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoons. Storks is being directed by Pixar veteran Doug Sweetland and live-action helmer Nicholas Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Neighbors) and follows Junior, a stork, and Tulip, a girl who works at the factory, who have to set things right after the storks’ baby making machinery is accidentally triggered for the first time in years. The animation is being produced by Sony in Vancouver.
WAG’s release schedule also includes The LEGO Batman Movie (Feb. 10, 2017), LEGO Ninjago (Sept. 22, 2017), The LEGO Movie Sequel and S.C.O.O.B.
During a retrospective of his career at the Annecy festival today, creator and executive producer Guillermo del Toro announced the initial casting for Trollhunters — his epic, family event series premiering on Netflix this December. The series is produced by DreamWorks Animation.
The cast includes Anton Yelchin as “Jim,” an ordinary teenage boy whose discovery of a mystical amulet sets his life on a course filled with high-stakes adventure; Kelsey Grammer as “Blinky,” a kind-hearted troll who befriends Jim; and Ron Perlman provides the voice of “Bular,” a sinister troll who targets Jim and his friends for battle.
Trollhunters is an epic tale of two fantastical worlds set to collide. Set in the fictional suburb of Arcadia, our unlikely hero, Jim, and his two best friends make a startling discovery that beneath their hometown lies a hidden battle between good trolls and bad, the outcome of which will impact their lives forever. Featuring stunning visuals and ambitious, complex storytelling from the rich and creative mind of Guillermo del Toro, Trollhunters raises the bar for family series as a global must-see viewing event.
Trollhunters is produced by DreamWorks Animation for Netflix. Guillermo del Toro, Marc Guggenheim (Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow) and Christina Steinberg (Rise of the Guardians, National Treasure) serve as executive producers. Dan Hageman (The LEGO Movie) and Kevin Hageman (The LEGO Movie) are co-executive producers, and Chad Hammes (Dragons: Race to the Edge) serves as producer.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the art and industry of animation, the organizers of the Annecy Film Festival presented DreamWorks Animation’s CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg with the festival’s first ever “Golden Ticket,” a lifetime pass to the French animation festival. A long-time supporter of the event, Katzenberg was taken by surprise by the presentation.
The Golden Ticket was presented to Katzenberg at the end of the Keynote Masterclass with acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro, who provided the 1,000 attendees at the Grande Salle Bonlieu a preview of his upcoming series Trollhunters, produced by DreamWorks Animation for Netflix.
“Not only has Jeffrey been a long-time collaborator and supporter of all of us here in Annecy, his track-record in animation is nothing short of legendary,” said Annecy’s Artistic Director Marcel Jean, as he presented the award. “From reviving the industry with such critically acclaimed films like Beauty and The Beast, and The Lion King, to launching DreamWorks Animation and giving us such memorable characters in films like Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon, there is no one more deserving of a lifetime pass to our festival.”
The Annecy festival opened Monday evening with a gala screening of The Red Turtle, and runs through June 18. (www.annecy.org)
Marcel Jean, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Guillermo del Toro at Annecy 2016
Disney has released a new trailer for its update on classic hybrid kids flick Pete’s Dragon, landing in theaters August 12. The spot sets up the story of Pete, a semi-feral child found living in the woods. But Pete wasn’t as alone in the wild as he seemed, and the trailer offers a glimpse at the furry green dragon who happens to be the boy’s best friend (and some of the creature’s magical abilities).
Pete’s Dragon is directed by David Lowery (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints), who, with Toby Halbrooks, also penned the screenplay inspired by the original story by Seton I. Miller and S.S. Field. The film stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Oakes Fegley, Wes Bentley, Karl Urban, Oona Laurence and Robert Redford. Jim Whitaker (The Finest Hours, Friday Night Lights) produces with Barrie M. Osborne (LotR: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Great Gatsby) as executive producer.
Synopsis:
For years, old wood carver Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has delighted local children with his tales of the fierce dragon that resides deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. To his daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard), who works as a forest ranger, these stories are little more than tall tales…until she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley). Pete is a mysterious 10-year-old with no family and no home who claims to live in the woods with a giant, green dragon named Elliott. And from Pete’s descriptions, Elliott seems remarkably similar to the dragon from Mr. Meacham’s stories. With the help of Natalie (Oona Laurence), an 11-year-old girl whose father Jack (Wes Bentley) owns the local lumber mill, Grace sets out to determine where Pete came from, where he belongs, and the truth about this dragon.
GKIDS has announced theatrical openings in New York and Los Angeles for Phantom Boy — the latest animated feature from Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol, the Academy Award-nominated filmmakers behind A Cat in Paris. The film bow at the IFC Center in NYC on July 15, and at the Nuart Theatre in LA on July 22.
Synopsis:
Leo has a secret. A mysterious illness has transformed him into a phantom boy, able to leave the confines of his body and explore the city as a ghostly apparition. While in the hospital, he befriends Alex, a New York City cop injured while attempting to capture a nefarious gangster who has taken control of the city’s power supply, throwing the metropolis into chaos. Now they must form an extraordinary duo, using Leo’s phantom powers and Alex’s detective work to foil the plot and save New York from destruction. Phantom Boy continues Gagnol and Felicioli’s fascination with animated film noir, in a heart-thumping adventure that pushes their trademark visual style to literal new heights, as Leo swoops and soars above the greatest skyline in the world.
