Category Archives: Animation

Report: The Future of Studio Ghibli in Question

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Take this with a grain of salt because we’re dealing with unconfirmed information via screencapped translations, so…

This has been rumored for a while, but it’s looking increasingly like the retirement of Studio Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki will also mark the beginning of a break in feature film production for the beloved Japanese animation studio.

French-language animation news site Catsuka reports that during an interview with Japan’s MBS, Studio Ghibli co-founder and producer Toshio Suzuki, they would cease production of animated films while still retaining a small number of staff for “Hayao Miyazaki projects.”

This following reports from earlier this year in sites like Liberation that the studio was struggling to find its footing following Miyazaki’s retirement after the release of his latest film, The Wind Rises, which nabbed an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature earlier this year (and got this writer a little choked up during his first viewing). When the Liberation piece was written, Studio Ghibli had yet to find a successor to Miyazaki, the only man seen by the studio who could rally the troops, putting future projects up in the air. Amid all of the speculation, the studio still launched a new feature film back in July, When Marnie Was There from The Secret World of Arrietty director Hiromasa Yonebayashi.

This isn’t the first time Suzuki has talked about restructuring the studio: back in March, during a shareholder’s meeting, amid discussion about dismantling Studio Ghibli in its entirety, Suzuki suggested simply dismantling the animation department, in effect making Studio Ghibli a holding company for its numerous properties.

Kotaku offers a little bit of clarification here: during the MBS program, Suzuki talks about restructuring the studio and in very broad terms discusses bringing an end to production as they attempt to figure out the future and direction of Studio Ghibli in the wake of Miyazaki’s retirement. If true, that could leave the studio open to resuming film production once they sort out what kind of direction they’d like to take in the future.

For now, let’s wait for a more official confirmation from Studio Ghibli about where they’re going and what they’re doing before we all panic.

Disney is making an A Wrinkle In Time movie with the Frozen director

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Frozen writer and co-director Jennifer Lee is slated to adapt Madeleine L’Engle’s children’s book A Wrinkle In Time for the big screen, according to Variety. The first and most well-known of L’Engle’s series about the Murry family, A Wrinkle In Time tells the story of Meg Murry’s cosmic journey to save her scientist father. Lee says the novel was one of her favorites as a child and that she plans to emphasize its strong female lead in her script. A Wrinkle In Time certainly seems primed for a Disney franchise: L’Engle’s Time Quartet includes three more novels about the Murry family, and there’s another four books beyond that based on the next generation of the Murrys.

While no director has been announced for the project, Jim Whitaker and Catherine Hand will produce. Lee co-wrote Wreck-It Ralph and won 2013’s best animated feature Oscar for Frozen.

Big Hero 6 Not Part of Marvel Cinematic Universe

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As Disney preps for its autumn release of the Disney Animation Big Hero 6, a few questions have been thrown about on whether the movie is connected to Iron Man, Captain America or indeed any of the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe. The answer, it seems, is a resounding ‘no’.

This movie had been planned as a standalone startup to a new series of movies and while, yes, Big Hero 6 is a Marvel property, they have obviously decided that downplaying the Marvel connection was best.

Director Don Hall, in an interview with Total Film said:

Very early on, when we were collaborating with Marvel, the decision was made to intentionally not connect it to the Marvel universe… Everybody felt like it would be great for us to take this idea of theirs and make our own universe with it. Marvel really encouraged us to do that. So there’ll be no Iron Man or Captain America, and no Avengers in this world. Our Avengers are the Big Hero 6.

The director and indeed Marvel must have big hopes for this new franchise if that last sentence is anything to go by.

New Info on PACIFIC RIM Animated Series

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Guillermo del Toro not only announced a sequel to Pacific Rim, but an animated series as well. In a recent interview with Collider, the filmmaker talks about the series and what it will entail. The series is still very early in development, but he offered up some details on the premise and the timeline saying:

“It’s a great set-up and a link between the first movie and the second movie.  It really enhances the mythology of the characters; we have cameos of characters from the first movie, but mostly it’s a new set of characters.  New jaegers, except for one or two, [and] new kaijus.  It’s really fun.”

He goes on to reveal that the show will be one long story, and not just a series of self contained episodes, which I love! I wish more American animated series would be like that. That’s why I watch anime.

“We’re going for a long arc, so the idea is to show a group of characters—we have pilots, functional jaegers, but we have all these younger characters.  I really want to explore things that are complimentary to the things that I want to explore in the second movie: drift, what drifting does to you, what is needed to drift, a lot of stuff that I think is important, but also the jaeger technology, the kaijus being evolved, ideas about the precursors—the guys that control the kaijus.  We have a lot of leeway in 13 episodes and I wanna make it sort of in the same spirit of Pacific Rim, which is the ideal audience for Pacific Rim was young—very young, 11-year-olds and so forth—but with really beautiful design and stories that make these characters interesting in a way that I found them interesting in, for example, Year Zero, the graphic novel that we did.  And I think that’s the basic thrust of the thing.”

As for where we might see the show air he says:

“Legendary is talking to a few outlets so I’d rather not disclose myself.  The way we set up The Strain was to talk to everyone, literally, on the map, and then find who’s response we sort of jibe with the most.  I think in this series, it would be great to find a place that can give it a proper presentation and can advertise the creation of the series.  So we’re open to being pleasantly surprised everywhere.”

I know  for one i would love to see an animated show!  what are your thoughts on this project?

Reboot on SCOOBY DOO

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According to Deadline, Warner Bros. is going to reboot Scooby Doo with another live-action film. The last Scooby-Doo film was released in 2004 and starred Freddie Prinze Jr, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini, and Isla Fisher as the young, independent detective team.

The report says that the studio is going to start from scratch, and they’ve hired Randall Green to create a new adventure. I’m not really familiar with that name and couldn’t find much information on him, but he’s going to be the guy bringing Scooby Doo back to the big screen.

I havent watch this show in years!  probably more then just a feew  but i did watch it growing up  and  loved it as a kid even had the  lunchbox!  what do you think about this show

Details on Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors

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https://i0.wp.com/x.annihil.us/u/prod/marvel/i/mg/9/c0/539f7df251fe0.jpg?resize=584%2C581Marvel’s most popular super hero, Spider-Man, swings into a new season in “Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors,” premiering SUNDAY, AUGUST 31 (9:00 a.m. ET) on the Marvel Universe programming block on Disney XD. Accompanied by Nova, Iron Fist, Power Man and White Tiger, Spider-Man and the team take on dangerous S.H.I.E.L.D. missions and encounter some of their most thrilling adventures yet.
The new season begins with Spider-Man accepting an invitation to become an Avenger. Alongside Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Hawkeye, Black Widow and Falcon, everyone’s favorite web-head gets one step closer to becoming the Ultimate Spider-Man!
Presented in a multi-episode story format, “Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors” not only pairs Spidey with the Avengers, but introduces new heroes and villains from the Marvel Universe such as Agent Venom, a new Iron Spider Amadeus Cho, Cloak & Dagger, and Ka-Zar. Additionally, for the first time in animation history, Miles Morales teams up with Spider-Man for a new adventure and he’s not the only Spidey that Peter Parker will encounter in this action-packed season.

“Fans of Marvel Universe will be thrilled with the new season of ‘Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors,'” said Marc Buhaj, Senior Vice President, Programming and General Manager, Disney XD. “In this third installment of the popular series, a new multi-episode story arc structure is fused with Marvel’s trademark epic storytelling, providing our audience with great adventure, relatability and humor in the most enjoyable Spider-Man season yet.”
“We’re telling the biggest stories in Marvel animation through our new season of ‘Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors,'” said Jeph Loeb, Marvel’s Head of Television. “First Spidey joins the Avengers and then travels to places never before seen in Marvel Animation. More importantly, we’re excited about introducing a new group of Marvel characters to fans and families.”
“Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man” has ranked among the network’s top animated TV series since its 2012 launch in Total Viewers and target kid and boy 6-14 demographics. The series is produced by Marvel Television and carries a TV-Y7-FV parental guideline.
The action of “Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors” continues with a robust consumer products program that focuses on Spider-Man, Iron Spider, Agent Venom and many other characters comprising of the New Warriors team who will make their debut in the series later this year.
The award-winning creative team consists of executive producers: Alan Fine (“Marvel’s The Avengers,” “Iron Man,” “Thor”), Dan Buckley (“Marvel’s Avengers Assemble,” “Marvel’s Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.”), Joe Quesada (“Marvel’s Avengers Assemble”) and Jeph Loeb (“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”); co-executive producers: Stan Lee (“Spider-Man”), Eric Radomski (“Spawn,” “Marvel’s Avengers Assemble”), Cort Lane (“The Super Hero Squad Show”) and Stephen Wacker (“Marvel’s Avengers Assemble”); creative consultant: Paul Dini (“Batman: The Animated Series,” “Lost”); consulting producer: Brian Michael Bendis (visionary behind Marvel’s ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN series); story editor: Eugene Son (“The Super Hero Squad Show”); supervising director: Alex Soto (“Teen Titans”); and supervising producers: Henry Gilroy (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”), Harrison Wilcox (“Marvel’s Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.”) and Dana Booton (“The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes”).
“Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors” stars Drake Bell (“Drake & Josh”) as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Chi McBride (“Hawaii Five-0”) as Nick Fury, Clark Gregg (“Marvel’s The Avengers,” “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) as Agent Coulson, JK Simmons (“Spider-Man”) as J. Jonah Jameson, Steven Weber (“Wings”) as Norman Osborn, Greg Cipes (“Teen Titans,” “Ben 10”) as Danny Rand/Iron Fist, Ogie Banks (“Fatherhood”) as Luke Cage/Power Man, Caitlyn Taylor Love (“I’m In The Band”) as Ava Ayala/White Tiger, Logan Miller (“I’m In The Band”) as Sam Alexander/Nova, Tom Kenny (“SpongeBob SquarePants”) as Doctor Octopus, Matt Lanter (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”) as Harry Osborn/Flash Thompson, Tara Strong (“The Fairly OddParents”) as Mary-Jane Watson, Misty Lee (“Batman: Arkham City”) as Aunt May, and recurring guest star Stan Lee (“Spider-Man”) as Stan the Janitor.

More on Marvel.com: http://marvel.com/news/tv/2014/6/16/22699/get_the_first_details_on_marvels_ultimate_spider-man_web_warriors#ixzz351gVPTBN

Powerpuff Girls Returning With New Series on Cartoon Network

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Powerpuff Girls

Sugar, spice and everything nice are coming back to Cartoon Network. That’s right, The Powerpuff Girls—Blossom, Buttercup and Bubbles—are returning for new adventures, Cartoon Network announced almost 10 years after the original series ended.

“The original Powerpuff Girls was a franchise phenomenon for Cartoon Network, paving the way for a new generation of innovative storytellers and enthusiastic fans worldwide,” Rob Sorcher, chief content officer, Cartoon Network, said in a statement. “We are calling these girls back into action based upon an overwhelming demand for sugar, spice and Chemical X.”

The pint-size superheroes were created by accident when Professor Utonium accidentally mixed Chemical X with sugar, spice and everything nice in an attempt to make perfect little girls.

The Powerpuff Girls debuted in 1998 and lasted until 2005. Cartoon Network aired a 10th anniversary special in 2009 and a new CGI TV movie in early 2014. Catherine Cavadini voiced Blossom, Tara Strong portrayed Bubbles and E.G. Daily voiced Buttercup in the original series.

The Powerpuff Girls are just one of many popular children properties returning to life. Disney recently announced The Lion Guard, a sequel series to The Lion King franchise following Simba’s young son. Meanwhile, Netflix and Scholastic Media are bringing The Magic School Bus back to life with a new series. It’s a growing trend in the space with shows like Arrested Development, The Comeback and Heroes also finding new life after cancellation.

New episodes of The Powerpuff Girls are set to debut in 2016.

 

Are you a fan  would you like to see more power puff girls?

Sonic the Hedgehog Races to the Big Screen!

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Sonic the Hedgehog Races to the Big Screen!

Sony Pictures Entertainment and Marza Animation Planet, a CG animation film production company of the SEGA SAMMY Group, today announced a partnership to develop a film based on the acclaimed Sonic the Hedgehog video game series. A hybrid CG-animated/live-action feature, the movie will be written by Evan Susser and Van Robichaux and produced by Neal H. Moritz through his Original Film banner, along with Marza’s Takeshi Ito and Mie Onishi. Toby Ascher will serve as an executive producer.

The film will look to capture Sonic’s irreverent tone and spirit, reuniting him with some of the most revered and infamous characters of the franchise, including the evil Dr. Eggman. Playful, mischievous, and quick on his feet in more ways than one, the world’s fastest hedgehog is known for his ability to move at supersonic speed to protect his friends from their enemies. For more than two decades, Sonic has been one of the world’s biggest gaming icons and a $1 billion franchise with more than 140 million games sold.

Commenting on the announcement, Hannah Minghella, Columbia Pictures’ president of Production said, “There are limitless stories to tell with a character like Sonic the Hedgehog, and a built-in international fan base. Along with our wonderful creative partners at Marza, we’re looking to capture everything that generations of fans know and love about Sonic while also growing his audience wider than ever before.”

Marza Animation Planet CEO Masanao Maeda added, “Sonic has had dozens of adventures on the console and the small screen, and we’re thrilled that he’s now coming to the big screen. Sony Pictures has had great success with hybrid animated and live-action features, and we’re confident that this collaboration will bring a fresh take to Sonic, while still capturing everything that the fans love about him.”

Marza is a leading CG animation production company with the vision to create films to the global market from Japan, by combining global storytelling and Japanese creativity. It plans to release one feature-length film each year.

Marvel’s BIG HERO 6 Teaser Trailer!

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http://static.squarespace.com/static/51b3dc8ee4b051b96ceb10de/t/537e24c0e4b0739b047e43ce/1400775877210/?format=750wDisney has released the first teaser trailer for Marvel’s Big Hero 6, and it looks adorably awesome! The movie was directed by Don Hall (Winnie the Pooh) and Chris Williams (Bolt). The trailer introduces us to the two main characters in the story, Hiro Hamada and his cool  robot Baymax. I’m really excited about this movie, and I can’t wait to see more!

“Big Hero 6? is a heartfelt comedy adventure about robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who learns to harness his genius—thanks to his brilliant brother Tadashi and their like-minded friends: adrenaline junkie Go Go Tamago, clean freak Wasabi No-Ginger, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to his closest companion—a cutting-edge robot named Baymax—and transforms the group into a band of high-tech heroes determined to solve the mystery. Inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name, and featuring comic-book style action and all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Big Hero 6?

So far the voice cast includes TJ Miller, Jamie Chung, and Maya Rudolph. The movie is inspired by the Marvel comic of the same name and is set to hit theaters in 3D on November 7th, 2014.

Looks pretty interesting so far what do you think?

MAX STEEL: Andy Garcia Casted

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andy-garcia-cast-in-big-screen-adaptation-of-max-steel

THR has confirmed that one of the best actors out there, Andy Garcia, will be playing Dr. Miles Edwards in a big screen adaptation of Max Steel. He will join Ben Winchell and Ana Villafane, who were perviously cast. Max Steel was a line of action figures that spawned an animated series in the early 2000s. Here is the synopsis of the film:

The origins story chronicles the adventures of 16-year-old Max McGrath (Winchell) and alien companion Steel, who must harness and combine their tremendous new powers to evolve into the superhero Max Steel. As these two unlikely friends struggle to accept their oddly connected fates, they begin to uncover unimaginable secrets, working together to find the truth, and fighting the mysterious forces threatening their world.

The movie is being written by Christopher Yost (Thor: The Dark World). With the recent demand for superhero movies, this doesn’t sound too bad.What are your thoughts on this?