Nominations voting is from January 11–16, 2024, with official Oscar nominations announced on January 23, 2024. Final voting is February 22–27, 2024. And finally, the 96th Oscars telecast will be broadcast on Sunday, March 10, and air live on ABC at 8 p.m. Et/ 5 p.m. Pt. We update predictions throughout awards season, so keep checking IndieWire for all our 2024 Oscar picks.
The State of the Race
Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” solidified its standing as the Oscar favorite after dominating Asifa-Hollywood’s 51st Annie Awards on February 17 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. The acclaimed sequel from producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller grabbed seven awards, including best animated feature. It also won FX, character design, direction, music, production design, and editorial.
Its closest Oscar competitor, Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron“ (Studio Ghibli-GKids), took home two Annies for Takeshi Honda’s character animation and Miyazaki’s storyboarding. However, “The Boy and the Heron...
The State of the Race
Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” solidified its standing as the Oscar favorite after dominating Asifa-Hollywood’s 51st Annie Awards on February 17 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. The acclaimed sequel from producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller grabbed seven awards, including best animated feature. It also won FX, character design, direction, music, production design, and editorial.
Its closest Oscar competitor, Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron“ (Studio Ghibli-GKids), took home two Annies for Takeshi Honda’s character animation and Miyazaki’s storyboarding. However, “The Boy and the Heron...
- 2/20/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
The Oscar-frontrunning Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” was the big winner at Asifa-Hollywood’s 51st Annie Awards (held February 17 at UCLA’s Royce Hall), grabbing seven awards, topped by best animated feature. As a 66 percent Oscar predictor, the Annie win bodes well for Sony and producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
The other “Spider-Verse” awards were for FX, character design, direction, music, production design, and editorial.
The Oscar-nominated dark horse, “Robot Dreams” (Neon), from Pablo Berger, won best independent feature, and “War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko” (ElectroLeague) took best short. The prestige short got a boost in its race for the Oscar. It’s directed by Pixar alum Dave Mullins and executive produced by Sean Ono Lennon, in partnership with Peter Jackson and his Wētā FX Limited animation team.
Hayao Miyazaki’s summary film, “The Boy and the Heron“ (Studio Ghibli-GKids), won two Annies for Takeshi Honda...
The other “Spider-Verse” awards were for FX, character design, direction, music, production design, and editorial.
The Oscar-nominated dark horse, “Robot Dreams” (Neon), from Pablo Berger, won best independent feature, and “War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko” (ElectroLeague) took best short. The prestige short got a boost in its race for the Oscar. It’s directed by Pixar alum Dave Mullins and executive produced by Sean Ono Lennon, in partnership with Peter Jackson and his Wētā FX Limited animation team.
Hayao Miyazaki’s summary film, “The Boy and the Heron“ (Studio Ghibli-GKids), won two Annies for Takeshi Honda...
- 2/18/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse sling-shotted past the competition to dominate the 51st Annie Awards, which were handed out Sunday night at UCLA’s Royce Hall. The Sony Animation sequel snared Best Feature and six other trophies — the same number that Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse scored at the 2019 Annies — setting it up as the front-runner for the Animated Feature Oscar next month.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse went on to take Best Animated Feature at the 91st Academy Awards.
Since the Best Animated Feature Oscar category was launched in 2002, 14 of the 21 winners of the Annies’ top feature prize – and seven of the past 11 – went on to claim the golden statuette. Last year followed suit, as Netflix’s Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio triumphed at both trophy shows.
On Sunday, Spider-Man scored wins for Directing, Music, Production Design, Character Design, FX and editing.
Gkids’ Hayao Miyazaki hit The Boy and the Heron...
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse went on to take Best Animated Feature at the 91st Academy Awards.
Since the Best Animated Feature Oscar category was launched in 2002, 14 of the 21 winners of the Annies’ top feature prize – and seven of the past 11 – went on to claim the golden statuette. Last year followed suit, as Netflix’s Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio triumphed at both trophy shows.
On Sunday, Spider-Man scored wins for Directing, Music, Production Design, Character Design, FX and editing.
Gkids’ Hayao Miyazaki hit The Boy and the Heron...
- 2/18/2024
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures Animation’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” swung its way to victory at the 51st Annie Awards, snatching up seven prizes, including best feature. It was also a good night for Netflix, whose projects earned a total of nine awards, with period revenge series “Blue Eye Samurai” snagging six of those, including best TV/Media – Mature.
In addition to best feature, the “Spider-Verse” sequel’s Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson were honored for their direction while Daniel Pemberton and Metro Boomin won for music. The film also picked up awards for FX, character design, production design and editorial.
Arcadia Motion Pictures’ bittersweet Spanish-French film “Robot Dreams,” about a lonely dog who builds a robot companion, won for best feature – independent.
Netflix’s feature “Nimona,” which had the most nominations with nine, picked up two Annies, one for Chloe Grace Moretz’s voice work as the...
In addition to best feature, the “Spider-Verse” sequel’s Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson were honored for their direction while Daniel Pemberton and Metro Boomin won for music. The film also picked up awards for FX, character design, production design and editorial.
Arcadia Motion Pictures’ bittersweet Spanish-French film “Robot Dreams,” about a lonely dog who builds a robot companion, won for best feature – independent.
Netflix’s feature “Nimona,” which had the most nominations with nine, picked up two Annies, one for Chloe Grace Moretz’s voice work as the...
- 2/18/2024
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
Deadline’s Read the Screenplay series spotlighting the year’s most talked-about scripts continues with Nimona, Netflix’s animated feature based on Nd Stevenson’s 2015 National Book Award-nominated graphic novel about finding friendship in the most surprising situations and accepting yourself and others for who they are.
Nick Bruno and Troy Quane (co-directors of Spies In Disguise) directed the film, which was adapted by Big Hero 6 scribe Robert L. Baird and Spies co-writer Lloyd Taylor and features the voices of Riz Ahmed and Chloë Grace Moretz in the lead roles. Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, RuPaul Charles, Eugene Lee Yang, Indya Moore, Sarah Sherman and Beck Bennett also have voice roles.
A family-focused film with authentic queer themes set in a vibrant techno-medieval world (credit to teams at Blue Sky Studios and Dneg Animation), the plot centers on Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, who is...
Nick Bruno and Troy Quane (co-directors of Spies In Disguise) directed the film, which was adapted by Big Hero 6 scribe Robert L. Baird and Spies co-writer Lloyd Taylor and features the voices of Riz Ahmed and Chloë Grace Moretz in the lead roles. Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, RuPaul Charles, Eugene Lee Yang, Indya Moore, Sarah Sherman and Beck Bennett also have voice roles.
A family-focused film with authentic queer themes set in a vibrant techno-medieval world (credit to teams at Blue Sky Studios and Dneg Animation), the plot centers on Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, who is...
- 12/29/2023
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Features the voices of: Chloe Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, Indya Moore, RuPaul Charles, Julio Torres, Sarah Sherman | Written by Robert L. Baird, Lloyd Taylor | Directed by Nick Bruno, Troy Quane
Adapting the 2015 graphic novel from Nd Stevenson, Nimona was originally a production of Blue Sky Studios before Disney’s acquisition of Fox resulted in Blue Sky’s closure and the cancellation of this film. The project was thankfully revived by Annapurna Pictures, with Netflix providing worldwide distribution, allowing for the release of one of 2023’s best films.
Within a medieval-futuristic kingdom, Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) is about to make history as the first commoner to become a knight. He is a beacon of hope for those not of noble blood, establishing that “anyone can be a hero”, which makes his crowning glory even more horrifying when he is framed for killing the queen.
Adapting the 2015 graphic novel from Nd Stevenson, Nimona was originally a production of Blue Sky Studios before Disney’s acquisition of Fox resulted in Blue Sky’s closure and the cancellation of this film. The project was thankfully revived by Annapurna Pictures, with Netflix providing worldwide distribution, allowing for the release of one of 2023’s best films.
Within a medieval-futuristic kingdom, Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) is about to make history as the first commoner to become a knight. He is a beacon of hope for those not of noble blood, establishing that “anyone can be a hero”, which makes his crowning glory even more horrifying when he is framed for killing the queen.
- 8/10/2023
- by James Rodrigues
- Nerdly
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on Wbgr-fm on June 29th, reviewing “Nimona,” a new Netflix animated film featuring the voices of Grace Chloe Moretz and Riz Ahmed. Streaming beginning June 30th.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Based on a 2015 graphic novel, the story is of a kingdom if the royalty/knight/castle system reflected our modern times, but more futuristic … its whole system of heroism is based on the slaying of a monster 1000 years before. Ballister Boldheart (voice of Riz Ahmed) is about to become the first commoner knight, encouraged by his lover Ambrosius Goldenloin (Eugene Lee Yang). When he receives his sword from the Queen, a laser embedded in the weapon kills her … Ballister is framed for regicide. Forced to go underground, he meets Nimona (Chloe Grace Moretz), a dark world character who desires to be his sidekick and find the real murderer. Oh,...
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Based on a 2015 graphic novel, the story is of a kingdom if the royalty/knight/castle system reflected our modern times, but more futuristic … its whole system of heroism is based on the slaying of a monster 1000 years before. Ballister Boldheart (voice of Riz Ahmed) is about to become the first commoner knight, encouraged by his lover Ambrosius Goldenloin (Eugene Lee Yang). When he receives his sword from the Queen, a laser embedded in the weapon kills her … Ballister is framed for regicide. Forced to go underground, he meets Nimona (Chloe Grace Moretz), a dark world character who desires to be his sidekick and find the real murderer. Oh,...
- 6/30/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
After seven years of toil and trouble, a cancelation by Disney, and resurrection by Annapurna and Netflix, Nd Stevenson’s Nimona is finally ready to make a splash on the small screen. Nimona is a larger-than-life tale of identity, othering, acceptance, and finding ways to stand out in a world that fears what it does not understand. In the film, a knight in a futuristic, medieval world is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. The only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona — a mischievous teen who happens to be a shapeshifting creature he’s sworn to destroy. With brilliant animation from Dneg, Nimona leaps off the screen with style, vibrant colors, and attitude.
We had the pleasure of speaking with key members of the cast and crew, including Nimona creator Nd Stevenson, directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, and lead actors Chloë Grace Moretz...
We had the pleasure of speaking with key members of the cast and crew, including Nimona creator Nd Stevenson, directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, and lead actors Chloë Grace Moretz...
- 6/29/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Having had to venture its way through a thorny early phase, animated adventure Nimona is headed our way at the end of the month. Check out the trailer…
When Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn't commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a mischievous teen with a taste for mayhem – who also happens to be a shapeshifting creature Ballister has been trained to destroy.
But with the entire kingdom out to get him, Nimona’s the best sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters start to blur, the two of them set out to wreak serious havoc: for Ballister to clear his name once and for all, and for Nimona to… just wreak serious havoc.
Directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane,...
When Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn't commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a mischievous teen with a taste for mayhem – who also happens to be a shapeshifting creature Ballister has been trained to destroy.
But with the entire kingdom out to get him, Nimona’s the best sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters start to blur, the two of them set out to wreak serious havoc: for Ballister to clear his name once and for all, and for Nimona to… just wreak serious havoc.
Directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane,...
- 6/14/2023
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
The new animated film premiering on Netflix starts exactly the way you’d think a fairy tale should. The first words we hear, after all, are, “A long, long time ago, a kingdom lived in peace.”
But don’t be fooled. Nimona, based on Nd Stevenson’s acclaimed graphic novel, is about as far from an ordinary fairy tale as animated films get. Cheekily irreverent and hilariously subversive, it’s a consistent delight.
After that lulling introduction, the action shifts forward one thousand years, with the story set in a futuristic medieval kingdom that boasts skyscrapers along with its ancient fortresses. The story begins with a cheesy news broadcast hosted by two over-enthusiastic anchors (Indya Moore, RuPaul) covering the kingdom’s “Night to Knight Knights,” a reality show-style competition. Among the competitors is the insecure, one-armed Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), who’s encouraged in his efforts by his boyfriend and fellow knight-in-training,...
But don’t be fooled. Nimona, based on Nd Stevenson’s acclaimed graphic novel, is about as far from an ordinary fairy tale as animated films get. Cheekily irreverent and hilariously subversive, it’s a consistent delight.
After that lulling introduction, the action shifts forward one thousand years, with the story set in a futuristic medieval kingdom that boasts skyscrapers along with its ancient fortresses. The story begins with a cheesy news broadcast hosted by two over-enthusiastic anchors (Indya Moore, RuPaul) covering the kingdom’s “Night to Knight Knights,” a reality show-style competition. Among the competitors is the insecure, one-armed Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), who’s encouraged in his efforts by his boyfriend and fellow knight-in-training,...
- 6/14/2023
- by Frank Scheck
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Just four weeks ago, the Netflix streaming service unveiled a teaser trailer for the animated adventure film Nimona – and since we’re a little over two weeks from the film’s June 30th release date, it makes sense that a full trailer for the movie has now arrived online. You can check it out in the embed above.
Nimona had a bumpy ride on its way to Netflix. The project was scrapped by Blue Sky Studios when it was near completion, then canceled by Fox… but by the end of this month, it will finally be out in the world.
Inspired by Nd Stevenson‘s (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power) webcomic-turned-graphic novel, Nimona was directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane from a screenplay by Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor. Here’s the synopsis: When Ballister Boldheart, a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit,...
Nimona had a bumpy ride on its way to Netflix. The project was scrapped by Blue Sky Studios when it was near completion, then canceled by Fox… but by the end of this month, it will finally be out in the world.
Inspired by Nd Stevenson‘s (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power) webcomic-turned-graphic novel, Nimona was directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane from a screenplay by Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor. Here’s the synopsis: When Ballister Boldheart, a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit,...
- 6/14/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Chloë Grace Moretz is ready to save Riz Ahmed in animated form.
The two actors lead the long-awaited queer graphic novel adaptation “Nimona,” now being released by Netflix after previously being scrapped by Walt Disney Co. after the company allegedly took issue with the now-defunct Blue Sky Studios’ inclusion of a same-sex kiss.
The official synopsis for “Nimona” reads: When Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Moretz), a mischievous teen with a taste for mayhem — who also happens to be a shapeshifting creature Ballister has been trained to destroy. But with the entire kingdom out to get him, Nimona’s the best (or technically the only) sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters start to blur, the two...
The two actors lead the long-awaited queer graphic novel adaptation “Nimona,” now being released by Netflix after previously being scrapped by Walt Disney Co. after the company allegedly took issue with the now-defunct Blue Sky Studios’ inclusion of a same-sex kiss.
The official synopsis for “Nimona” reads: When Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Moretz), a mischievous teen with a taste for mayhem — who also happens to be a shapeshifting creature Ballister has been trained to destroy. But with the entire kingdom out to get him, Nimona’s the best (or technically the only) sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters start to blur, the two...
- 6/14/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Not even the House of Mouse is powerful enough to prevent Nd Stevenson's spirited shape-shifting hero Nimona from making her way to the screen.
For those not in the know, "Nimona" is an animated sci-fi fantasy adventure feature based on Stevenson's award-winning comics series that began its life at Fox's Blue Sky Studios all the way back in 2015. However, after acquiring Fox's movie and television divisions, Disney closed down Blue Sky in 2021, at which point "Nimona" was reportedly a mere 10 months away from being completed. Thankfully, much like a knight in shining armor with a mechanical prosthetic arm (more on that to come), Annapurna Pictures and Netflix eventually swooped in to save the film and bring it across the finish line.
We're now a month away from "Nimona" making its way into the public's eye, starting with its premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 14, 2023. The film...
For those not in the know, "Nimona" is an animated sci-fi fantasy adventure feature based on Stevenson's award-winning comics series that began its life at Fox's Blue Sky Studios all the way back in 2015. However, after acquiring Fox's movie and television divisions, Disney closed down Blue Sky in 2021, at which point "Nimona" was reportedly a mere 10 months away from being completed. Thankfully, much like a knight in shining armor with a mechanical prosthetic arm (more on that to come), Annapurna Pictures and Netflix eventually swooped in to save the film and bring it across the finish line.
We're now a month away from "Nimona" making its way into the public's eye, starting with its premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 14, 2023. The film...
- 5/18/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Fans of the Tumblr comic series “Nimona” can finally take a peek at Netflix’s upcoming animated feature film adaptation.
“Nimona,” set in a techno-medieval landscape where magic and technology combine, follows shape-shifting teenager Nimona (Moretz) as she tries to prove the innocence of wrongly convicted Knight Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed).
Joining Moretz and Ahmed in the film are Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul Charles, Indya Moore, Julio Torres, Sarah Sherman and Eugene Lee Yang.
In 2015, the internet comic was published by HarperCollins, becoming a New York Times bestselling graphic novel. Twentieth Century Fox Animation initially acquired the rights to the film, based on cartoonist Nd Stevenson’s webcomics, and planned to release the film in 2020 with “Big Hero 6” animator Patrick Osborne to direct. But when Disney acquired Fox in 2019, the company shuttered animation house Blue Sky Studios and canceled the project. In April 2022, Netflix announced it had acquired the film,...
“Nimona,” set in a techno-medieval landscape where magic and technology combine, follows shape-shifting teenager Nimona (Moretz) as she tries to prove the innocence of wrongly convicted Knight Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed).
Joining Moretz and Ahmed in the film are Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul Charles, Indya Moore, Julio Torres, Sarah Sherman and Eugene Lee Yang.
In 2015, the internet comic was published by HarperCollins, becoming a New York Times bestselling graphic novel. Twentieth Century Fox Animation initially acquired the rights to the film, based on cartoonist Nd Stevenson’s webcomics, and planned to release the film in 2020 with “Big Hero 6” animator Patrick Osborne to direct. But when Disney acquired Fox in 2019, the company shuttered animation house Blue Sky Studios and canceled the project. In April 2022, Netflix announced it had acquired the film,...
- 5/18/2023
- by Charna Flam
- Variety Film + TV
Chloë Grace Moretz and Riz Ahmed are finally debuting their respective graphic novel counterparts in Netflix’s “Nimona.”
The long-awaited big screen adaptation of Nd Stevenson’s bestselling queer 2015 graphic novel finally comes to Netflix this summer. “Nimona” was previously scrapped by Walt Disney Co. after the company allegedly took issue with the now-defunct Blue Sky Studios’ inclusion of a same-sex kiss. Blue Sky Studios executives claimed that “Nimona” was “75 percent” completed before Disney allegedly had “pushback” on the LGBTQ+ themes central to the story.
Netflix acquired the film in April 2022 and partnered with Annapurna Pictures to bring it to the streamer. “Nimona” started production again early last year with Dneg Animation.
Per the official synopsis of the new Netflix film, when Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his...
The long-awaited big screen adaptation of Nd Stevenson’s bestselling queer 2015 graphic novel finally comes to Netflix this summer. “Nimona” was previously scrapped by Walt Disney Co. after the company allegedly took issue with the now-defunct Blue Sky Studios’ inclusion of a same-sex kiss. Blue Sky Studios executives claimed that “Nimona” was “75 percent” completed before Disney allegedly had “pushback” on the LGBTQ+ themes central to the story.
Netflix acquired the film in April 2022 and partnered with Annapurna Pictures to bring it to the streamer. “Nimona” started production again early last year with Dneg Animation.
Per the official synopsis of the new Netflix film, when Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his...
- 5/18/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Annapurna has hired Picturestart’s former EVP, Shayne Fiske Goldner as EVP of Physical Production.
She replaces David Wolkis who is leaving the studio as their Head of Physical Production for TV and film.
Meanwhile, Skye Optican has also been promoted to Creative Director of International Development and Production.
Goldner will oversee all aspects of production management for Annapurna’s vast slate of film and television programming. Director of production Skye Caruso will continue to work for the production department, directly reporting to Goldner. Prior to joining Annapurna, Goldner worked at Picturestart, where she oversaw production on projects, including the 2022 Sundance Audience Award Winner Cha Cha Real Smooth and the Netflix Original, Luckiest Girl Alive, starring Mila Kunis.
Goldner has served in executive roles for companies such as Participant – where she worked on Academy Award Best Picture winners, Green Book and Spotlight, Oscar winner Roma and Oscar winner A Fantastic Woman,...
She replaces David Wolkis who is leaving the studio as their Head of Physical Production for TV and film.
Meanwhile, Skye Optican has also been promoted to Creative Director of International Development and Production.
Goldner will oversee all aspects of production management for Annapurna’s vast slate of film and television programming. Director of production Skye Caruso will continue to work for the production department, directly reporting to Goldner. Prior to joining Annapurna, Goldner worked at Picturestart, where she oversaw production on projects, including the 2022 Sundance Audience Award Winner Cha Cha Real Smooth and the Netflix Original, Luckiest Girl Alive, starring Mila Kunis.
Goldner has served in executive roles for companies such as Participant – where she worked on Academy Award Best Picture winners, Green Book and Spotlight, Oscar winner Roma and Oscar winner A Fantastic Woman,...
- 1/25/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Disney animation execs Robert Baird and Andrew Millstein have joined Megan Ellison’s Annapurna to establish and co-lead an Animation division at the independent studio.
The first film set for release via Annapurna’s new division is Nimona, directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane and produced by Julie Zackary and Karen Ryan. The film set for release on Netflix next year follows Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) who is the only person that can help Knight Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) to prove his innocence, when he is framed for a crime he didn’t commit.
Baird and Millstein previously headed Fox/Disney’s Blue Sky Studios, where they led over 500 filmmakers and were responsible for the development and production of Blue Sky’s feature animation slate. Millstein also previously served as President of Walt Disney Animation Studios, with the company during his tenure releasing such blockbuster hits as Big Hero 6,...
The first film set for release via Annapurna’s new division is Nimona, directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane and produced by Julie Zackary and Karen Ryan. The film set for release on Netflix next year follows Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) who is the only person that can help Knight Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) to prove his innocence, when he is framed for a crime he didn’t commit.
Baird and Millstein previously headed Fox/Disney’s Blue Sky Studios, where they led over 500 filmmakers and were responsible for the development and production of Blue Sky’s feature animation slate. Millstein also previously served as President of Walt Disney Animation Studios, with the company during his tenure releasing such blockbuster hits as Big Hero 6,...
- 12/1/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
With Nimona set as its first release, Annapurna Pictures has launched its own animation studio.
The division will be co-led by former Disney animation execs Robert Baird and Andrew Millstein. They collaborated with Annapurna on the long-gestating animated movie Nimona, which will debut on Netflix next year.
“Robert and I have had an inspiring experience collaborating with Megan, Nathan, and Annapurna. We’re excited to bring incredible animated stories to Annapurna’s portfolio of talent-led projects,” Millstein said in a statement.
Nimona started production at Blue Sky Studios before its parent, Fox, was acquired by Disney and subsequently shuttered the animation studio. The animated pic moved to Netflix, under the direction of Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, and follows a knight who is framed for a crime he didn’t commit and a shape-shifting teen named Nimona. Dneg is behind the animation.
Millstein...
With Nimona set as its first release, Annapurna Pictures has launched its own animation studio.
The division will be co-led by former Disney animation execs Robert Baird and Andrew Millstein. They collaborated with Annapurna on the long-gestating animated movie Nimona, which will debut on Netflix next year.
“Robert and I have had an inspiring experience collaborating with Megan, Nathan, and Annapurna. We’re excited to bring incredible animated stories to Annapurna’s portfolio of talent-led projects,” Millstein said in a statement.
Nimona started production at Blue Sky Studios before its parent, Fox, was acquired by Disney and subsequently shuttered the animation studio. The animated pic moved to Netflix, under the direction of Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, and follows a knight who is framed for a crime he didn’t commit and a shape-shifting teen named Nimona. Dneg is behind the animation.
Millstein...
- 12/1/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After Disney shut down Blue Sky Studios in 2021, it seemed all hope was lost for the highly anticipated animated feature “Nimona,” based on indie darling comic series from creator Nd Stevenson’s comics of the same name. But fear not, as Netflix announced that it will release the previously scrapped film in 2023, with Chloë Grace Moretz (“Kick-Ass”), Riz Ahmed (“Sound of Metal”) and Eugene Lee Yang (“Spring Bloom”) in the leading roles.
“Nimona’s always been a spunky little story that just wouldn’t stop,” Stevenson wrote in a tweet Monday. “She’s a fighter … but she’s also got some really awesome people fighting for her. I am excited out of my mind to announce that The Nimona Movie Is Alive.”
From Annapurna Pictures and Netflix, the animated feature will follow the story of shape-shifting teenager Nimona (Moretz), the only person who can prove the innocence of wrongly convicted...
“Nimona’s always been a spunky little story that just wouldn’t stop,” Stevenson wrote in a tweet Monday. “She’s a fighter … but she’s also got some really awesome people fighting for her. I am excited out of my mind to announce that The Nimona Movie Is Alive.”
From Annapurna Pictures and Netflix, the animated feature will follow the story of shape-shifting teenager Nimona (Moretz), the only person who can prove the innocence of wrongly convicted...
- 4/11/2022
- by Sasha Urban
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has officially acquired the animated “Nimona” adaptation after the project, originally set up at Blue Sky Studios, was shelved by owner Disney in February 2021. Netflix is now partnering with Annapurna Pictures to bring “Nimona” to the streamer in 2023.
Nd Stevenson, who wrote the book on which the film is a based, tweeted, “Nimona’s always been a spunky little story that just wouldn’t stop. She’s a fighter…but she’s also got some really awesome people fighting for her. I am excited out of my mind to announce that The Nimona Movie Is Alive…coming at you in 2023 from Annapurna and Netflix.”
The animated fantasy film stars Chloë Grace Moretz as gender-non-conforming teen Nimona, who is the only person who can save a knight after he is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. However, Nimona may be the knight’s target he’s sworn to assassinate.
Nd Stevenson, who wrote the book on which the film is a based, tweeted, “Nimona’s always been a spunky little story that just wouldn’t stop. She’s a fighter…but she’s also got some really awesome people fighting for her. I am excited out of my mind to announce that The Nimona Movie Is Alive…coming at you in 2023 from Annapurna and Netflix.”
The animated fantasy film stars Chloë Grace Moretz as gender-non-conforming teen Nimona, who is the only person who can save a knight after he is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. However, Nimona may be the knight’s target he’s sworn to assassinate.
- 4/11/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Netflix announced on Monday morning that it would be picking up “Nimona,” the LGBTQ animated project based on Nd Stevenson’s graphic novel that was one of the projects scrapped following the Disney/Fox merger in 2019. The film is already in production and will be released in 2023.
“Nimona” will star Chloë Grace Moretz as the antihero Nimona, a shapeshifter bent on destroying a powerful organization known as the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics by any means necessary — even if it means killing people. To this end, she teams up with with Lord Ballister Blackheart (Riz Ahmed), who also seeks to bring down the Institution but will not break his own code of ethics to do so.
Standing in their way is the Institution’s champion, Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin (Eugene Lee Yang), the knight who defeated Ballister in a duel and cast him out from the Institution. Goldenloin has been tasked to destroy Nimona,...
“Nimona” will star Chloë Grace Moretz as the antihero Nimona, a shapeshifter bent on destroying a powerful organization known as the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics by any means necessary — even if it means killing people. To this end, she teams up with with Lord Ballister Blackheart (Riz Ahmed), who also seeks to bring down the Institution but will not break his own code of ethics to do so.
Standing in their way is the Institution’s champion, Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin (Eugene Lee Yang), the knight who defeated Ballister in a duel and cast him out from the Institution. Goldenloin has been tasked to destroy Nimona,...
- 4/11/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
The animated film Nimona, scrapped following the shutdown of Blue Sky Studios amid Disney’s acquisition of Fox, has landed at Netflix, with Chloë Grace Moretz (Mother/Android), Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal) and Eugene Lee Yang (Spring Bloom) set to star. The adaptation of Nd Stevenson’s New York Times bestselling graphic novel—originally to have been directed by Patrick Osborne, but now being helmed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane (Spies in Disguise)—will debut on the streamer in 2023.
In the LGBTQ+-themed Nimona, Knight Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed) is framed for a crime he didn’t commit and the only person who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Moretz), a shape-shifting teen who might also be a monster he’s sworn to kill. Set in a techno-medieval world unlike anything animation has tackled before, this is an inclusive story about the labels we assign to people...
In the LGBTQ+-themed Nimona, Knight Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed) is framed for a crime he didn’t commit and the only person who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Moretz), a shape-shifting teen who might also be a monster he’s sworn to kill. Set in a techno-medieval world unlike anything animation has tackled before, this is an inclusive story about the labels we assign to people...
- 4/11/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Nd Stevenson graphic novel to debut in 2023.
Netflix has acquired techno-medieval graphic novel adaptation Nimona and set Chloe Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed and Eugene Lee Yang to star in the voice cast after the project was shelved when Disney acquired Fox’s entertainment assets and shut down Blue Sky Studios.
Netflix and Annauprna Pictures quietly began production last year and the feature will debut on the platform in 2023.
Roy Lee, Karen Ryan, Julie Zackary are producing Nimona based on Nd Stevenson’s graphic novel about a shape-shifting teenager who might be the only one to help a knight accused of...
Netflix has acquired techno-medieval graphic novel adaptation Nimona and set Chloe Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed and Eugene Lee Yang to star in the voice cast after the project was shelved when Disney acquired Fox’s entertainment assets and shut down Blue Sky Studios.
Netflix and Annauprna Pictures quietly began production last year and the feature will debut on the platform in 2023.
Roy Lee, Karen Ryan, Julie Zackary are producing Nimona based on Nd Stevenson’s graphic novel about a shape-shifting teenager who might be the only one to help a knight accused of...
- 4/11/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Nd Stevenson graphic novel to debut in 2023.
Netflix has acquired techno-medieval graphic novel adaptation Nimona and set Chloe Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed and Eugene Lee Yang to star in the voice cast after the project was shelved when Disney acquired Fox’s entertainment assets and shut down Blue Sky Studios.
Netflix and Annauprna Pictures quietly began production last year and the feature will debut on the platform in 2023.
Roy Lee, Karen Ryan, Julie Zackary are producing Nimona based on Nd Stevenson’s graphic novel about a shape-shifting teenager who might be the only one to help a knight accused of...
Netflix has acquired techno-medieval graphic novel adaptation Nimona and set Chloe Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed and Eugene Lee Yang to star in the voice cast after the project was shelved when Disney acquired Fox’s entertainment assets and shut down Blue Sky Studios.
Netflix and Annauprna Pictures quietly began production last year and the feature will debut on the platform in 2023.
Roy Lee, Karen Ryan, Julie Zackary are producing Nimona based on Nd Stevenson’s graphic novel about a shape-shifting teenager who might be the only one to help a knight accused of...
- 4/11/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Chicago – Like the repeat tenets of real estate, good animated films come down to story, story, story. And ‘Ferdinand,’ an older children’s tale adapted to modern audiences, combines a gentle source narrative with palatable visual and cartoon jokes. It’s fun for the whole family!
Rating: 3.5/5.0
The story of Ferdinand the Bull has roots in 1936, when an old timey writer of children’s books, Munro Leaf (who also wrote “Mr. Popper’s Penguins”), chronicled the scenario of a physically-strong-yet-gentle bull, who would rather sniff flowers than fight in the bullring. Three screenwriters – usually a red flag – adapted the story for modern kid audiences, yet maintained the gentleness and humor associated with it (the film is produced by Blue Sky Animation, the creators of the Ice Age series). Strong voice characterizations also make it work, including ex-WWE wrestler John Cena as the title character. The antics in the film...
Rating: 3.5/5.0
The story of Ferdinand the Bull has roots in 1936, when an old timey writer of children’s books, Munro Leaf (who also wrote “Mr. Popper’s Penguins”), chronicled the scenario of a physically-strong-yet-gentle bull, who would rather sniff flowers than fight in the bullring. Three screenwriters – usually a red flag – adapted the story for modern kid audiences, yet maintained the gentleness and humor associated with it (the film is produced by Blue Sky Animation, the creators of the Ice Age series). Strong voice characterizations also make it work, including ex-WWE wrestler John Cena as the title character. The antics in the film...
- 12/17/2017
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Talented screenwriter Daniel Gerson, who co-wrote Monsters, Inc., died Saturday at home. He was 49. Gerson had been battling brain cancer, according to a statement released by his family, but before he passed he left an incredible footprint behind. Often collaborating with Robert L. Baird on Disney-Pixar films, Gerson was responsible for prequel Monsters University and Big Hero 6, which won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The 49-year-old screenwriter was also credited with working on Up, Chicken Little and Inside Out, so he basically had a hand in every amazing creation to come out of Disney-Pixar's studios. He also worked on Meet the Robinsons, debatably one of Disney's most underrated animated...
- 2/8/2016
- E! Online
Stars: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, Daniel Henney, T.J. Miller, Damon Wayans Jr., Genesis Rodriguez, James Cromwell, Alan Tudyk, Maya Rudolph, Abraham Benrubi | Written by Jordan Roberts, Daniel Gerson, Robert L. Baird | Directed by Don Hall, Chris Williams
Cursory Wikipedia research suggests that Disney’s latest animated feature bears little resemblance to the Marvel property on which it is based. Which is fine; feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think there’s exactly a horde of Big Hero 6 fans to outrage. Disney’s film is certainly a lot more cutesy than the source material. At no point does Baymax, the movie’s inflatable, medical robot, transform into a ‘battle dragon’. Rather, he is the creation of Tadashi Hamada, a university student who tragically dies in a fire shortly before successfully inspiring his younger brother, Hiro, to make more of his outrageous...
Cursory Wikipedia research suggests that Disney’s latest animated feature bears little resemblance to the Marvel property on which it is based. Which is fine; feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think there’s exactly a horde of Big Hero 6 fans to outrage. Disney’s film is certainly a lot more cutesy than the source material. At no point does Baymax, the movie’s inflatable, medical robot, transform into a ‘battle dragon’. Rather, he is the creation of Tadashi Hamada, a university student who tragically dies in a fire shortly before successfully inspiring his younger brother, Hiro, to make more of his outrageous...
- 1/26/2015
- by Jack Kirby
- Nerdly
The best part of Big Hero 6—the awesomely odd exploding-fist sound cuddly robot Baymax makes when bumping knuckles with his pal Hiro—comes as a delightful surprise for audiences...which is fitting, since it was initially received the same way by the guys who actually made the film. "I remember having that feeling of like, 'That's really weird and strange, and it'll never make it into the movie," says co-writer Robert Baird, who was listening when the voice of Baymax (30 Rock alum Scott Adsit) loosed his first "balalalalalala." Of course, there's more to the story than that. It takes...
- 12/10/2014
- by Hillary Busis
- EW - Inside Movies
Yay! One of my favorite animated films of 2014 topped the recently announced 2014 Annie Awards honoring excellence in the field of animation. Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi's "The Boxtrolls" received 12 nominations including Best Animated Feature. The winners will be announced at a black tie ceremony on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at UCLA.s Royce Hall. For more information on the Annie Awards, click here.
Here's the full list of nominees for the 2015 Annie Awards
Production Categories
Best Animated Feature
Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Cheatin' - Plymptoons Studio
How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Song of the Sea - Gkids/Cartoon Saloon
The Book of Life - Reel FX
The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
The Lego Movie -Warner Bros. Pictures
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya - Gkids/Studio Ghibli
Best Animated Special Production
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey - Voyager Pictures LLC
Dawn of the...
Here's the full list of nominees for the 2015 Annie Awards
Production Categories
Best Animated Feature
Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Cheatin' - Plymptoons Studio
How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Song of the Sea - Gkids/Cartoon Saloon
The Book of Life - Reel FX
The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
The Lego Movie -Warner Bros. Pictures
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya - Gkids/Studio Ghibli
Best Animated Special Production
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey - Voyager Pictures LLC
Dawn of the...
- 12/1/2014
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Monday morning, the International Animated Film Society, Asifa-Hollywood, announced nominations today for its 42nd Annual Annie Awards, recognizing the year’s best in the field of animation. Leading the pack with 13 nominations, including a nod for Best Animated Feature, is Laika Animation's "The Boxtrolls." Dreamworks Animation's "How to Train Your Dragon 2" followed with 10 nominations, joining "Boxtrolls" in the Character Animation, Animation Effects, and Best Feature categories. Rounding out the organization's big prize are "Big Hero 6" (seven nominations), "Cheatin'" (three), "Song of the Sea" (seven), "The Book of Life" (five), "The Lego Movie" (six), and "The Tale of Kaguya" (three). The Annie Awards also announced nominations in TV, video game and short subject categories. “We had a steady increase in submissions this year and I am excited to say it’s going to be a great awards ceremony,” remarked Asifa-Hollywood Executive Director, Frank Gladstone. “We added a new category...
- 12/1/2014
- by Matt Patches
- Hitfix
Big Hero 6, Cheatin’, How to Train Your Dragon 2, Song Of The Sea, The Book Of Life, The Boxtrolls, The Lego Movie and The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya have been nominated in the top category for the International Animated Film Society, Asifa-Hollywood’s 42nd annual Annie Awards. The Annies cover 36 categories and include Best Animated Feature, Best Animated Special Production, Commercials, Short Subjects and Outstanding Individual Achievements. The winners will be announced January 31 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Here’s the full list of noms:
Best Animated Feature
Big Hero 6
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Cheatin’
Plymptoons Studio
How to Train Your Dragon 2
DreamWorks Animation
Song of the Sea
Gkids/Cartoon Saloon
The Book of Life
Reel FX
The Boxtrolls
Focus Features/Laika
The Lego Movie
Warner Bros. Pictures
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
Gkids/Studio Ghibli
Best Animated Special Production
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
Voyager...
Best Animated Feature
Big Hero 6
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Cheatin’
Plymptoons Studio
How to Train Your Dragon 2
DreamWorks Animation
Song of the Sea
Gkids/Cartoon Saloon
The Book of Life
Reel FX
The Boxtrolls
Focus Features/Laika
The Lego Movie
Warner Bros. Pictures
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
Gkids/Studio Ghibli
Best Animated Special Production
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
Voyager...
- 12/1/2014
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline
Big Hero 6
Written by Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson & Jordan Roberts
Directed by Don Hall & Chris Williams
USA, 2014
If kids needed their own version of the Guardians of the Galaxy, they now have it in Big Hero 6. Hopelessly irreverent with an emphasis on brain over brawn, this gang of self-appointed heroes is poised to launch a lucrative animated action franchise. Not even the derivative plot points can detract from the visual mastery and goofy fun of Disney’s first foray into the Marvel universe. Kids will demand multiple viewings of Big Hero 6 because it delivers the action, the gags, and a genuine emotional connection to this “walking marshmallow” and his nerdy pals.
The reason why Marvel succeeds while other superhero franchises fail is because they never skimp on story. They know the action may put people in the seats, but the memorable characters will keep them coming back for more.
Written by Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson & Jordan Roberts
Directed by Don Hall & Chris Williams
USA, 2014
If kids needed their own version of the Guardians of the Galaxy, they now have it in Big Hero 6. Hopelessly irreverent with an emphasis on brain over brawn, this gang of self-appointed heroes is poised to launch a lucrative animated action franchise. Not even the derivative plot points can detract from the visual mastery and goofy fun of Disney’s first foray into the Marvel universe. Kids will demand multiple viewings of Big Hero 6 because it delivers the action, the gags, and a genuine emotional connection to this “walking marshmallow” and his nerdy pals.
The reason why Marvel succeeds while other superhero franchises fail is because they never skimp on story. They know the action may put people in the seats, but the memorable characters will keep them coming back for more.
- 11/7/2014
- by J.R. Kinnard
- SoundOnSight
Disney's Big Hero 6 is entirely tolerable while at the same time 100% mediocre. I enjoyed myself enough during the film's 108-minute running time, but as soon as I left the theater memories of what I'd seen began to fade. It's essentially a cinematic candy bar, enjoyable while consuming, but when you're done you're debating the value of feasting on it in the first place. It hits all the right beats, a little sweet on the outside with bits of substance on the inside, but like any piece of candy you've had before, this movie hits all the standard story beats, never really feeling new or fresh, but more like the same old product in a new wrapper... In 3D!!!! Considering Big Hero 6 is a Disney movie you know at least one parent is going to be dead once we meet the film's lead character, Hiro Hamada (voiced by Ryan Potter), a 14-year-old robotics prodigy.
- 11/3/2014
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Big Hero 6
Directed by Dan Hall and Chris Williams
Written by Robert L. Baird, Jordan Roberts and Daniel Gerson
USA, 2014
Loosely inspired by an obscure series of Marvel comics, Disney’s Big Hero 6 is here to firmly shut the door on Let It Go’s last dying breath with an unlikely origin story that merges the emotional core we’ve come to expect from the House of Mouse, with a splashy, manga-like aesthetic and millenial sensibility. From the vibrant cosmopolitan mash-up San Fransokyo, where the story takes place, to the technologic conundrum of research development versus sale for immediate gain that protagonist Hiro (Ryan Potter) faces, Big Hero 6 weaves together a compelling futuristic adventure comedy with surprising deftness.
Hiro is a messy-haired, hoody-wearing fourteen year-old high school graduate who, initially, squanders his smarts building robots and entering them in illegal fights. His older and more polished brother...
Directed by Dan Hall and Chris Williams
Written by Robert L. Baird, Jordan Roberts and Daniel Gerson
USA, 2014
Loosely inspired by an obscure series of Marvel comics, Disney’s Big Hero 6 is here to firmly shut the door on Let It Go’s last dying breath with an unlikely origin story that merges the emotional core we’ve come to expect from the House of Mouse, with a splashy, manga-like aesthetic and millenial sensibility. From the vibrant cosmopolitan mash-up San Fransokyo, where the story takes place, to the technologic conundrum of research development versus sale for immediate gain that protagonist Hiro (Ryan Potter) faces, Big Hero 6 weaves together a compelling futuristic adventure comedy with surprising deftness.
Hiro is a messy-haired, hoody-wearing fourteen year-old high school graduate who, initially, squanders his smarts building robots and entering them in illegal fights. His older and more polished brother...
- 10/25/2014
- by Misa Shikuma
- SoundOnSight
One of the things that fanboys asked the moment Marvel was sold to Disney was, "Does this mean we'll see Pixar superhero movies?" With Brad Bird currently working on a screenplay for "The Incredibles 2," Pixar has no need to get into the Marvel business, and Marvel's live-action movies are so successful that I can't really imagine them handling over a viable franchise to an animated division. Walt Disney Feature Animation was given permission to go through Marvel's vast catalog of characters to see if there was anything in there that they might spark to, anything they could make their own, and when they found "Big Hero 6," an obscure team book created by Duncan Rouleau (aka "Man Of Action") and Steven T. Seagle, they found their way in. Right now, it feels like Wdfa is on a roll. You can divide the history of Disney animation into eras, and...
- 10/24/2014
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
Earlier this summer, a group of journalists was invited to Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, CA to learn about the impressive process that went into Disney’s latest film Big Hero 6. Big Hero 6 is based on, but not linked to, a Marvel comic book of the same name. That makes it the first Disney animated Marvel […]
The post ‘Big Hero 6′ Story Team Robert Baird and Paul Briggs Talk Development and Disney Animation appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Big Hero 6′ Story Team Robert Baird and Paul Briggs Talk Development and Disney Animation appeared first on /Film.
- 10/8/2014
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
Big Hero 6, Disney’s all new animated film based off of the comic book series published by Marvel Comics, is set to release on November 7, 2014 but Wamg was lucky enough to get a sneak peek. A few weeks ago, I attended an early press day for the film where a small group of journalists were shown scenes from the film. While there, we also talked with Chris Williams (Director), Don Hall (Director), Jin Kim (Character Design Supervisor), Kyle Odermatt (Visual Effects Supervisor), Lorelay Bove (Visual Development Artist), Mark Henn (Lead 2D Animator), Michael Franceschi (Animation Supervisor), Michael Kaschalk (Head of Effects), Nathan Curtis (Effects Production Supervisor), Nathan Engelhardt (Animation Supervisor), Paul Briggs (Head of Story), Paul Felix (Production Designer), Robert L Baird (Screenplay By), Roy Conli (Producer), Shiyoon Kim (Lead Character Designer) and Zach Parrish (Head of Animation) about their role in bringing the story, characters and world of Big Hero 6 to life.
- 9/8/2014
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
While now known for a variety of film offerings, Disney has often been known best for their animated features, from older movies such as Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King to more recent features such as Tangled and Frozen. Thus, news that the animation studio was working on a new project was met with excitement, excitement which was heightened by the news that it would be an adaptation of a Marvel comic book series. Titled Big Hero 6, the movie is co-directed by Chris Williams and Don Hall, who also co-wrote the movie with Jordan Roberts, Daniel Gerson, and Robert L. Baird. The film features the voiceover talents of Jamie Chung, Tj Miller, Maya Rudolph, and Alan Tudyk, and a full trailer for the film has now been released. The trailer can be seen below.
The post ‘Big Hero 6′, Disney’s animated adaptation of the Marvel comic book,...
The post ‘Big Hero 6′, Disney’s animated adaptation of the Marvel comic book,...
- 7/15/2014
- by Deepayan Sengupta
- SoundOnSight
Nominations for the 41st Annual Annie Awards were announced and "Frozen" and "Monsters University" led the pack with 10 nominations each. "Despicable Me 2" and "The Croods" followed closely with 9 noms each.
I am rooting for "Frozen" to win! It's a return to form to what Disney does best -- affecting fairy tale with memorable musical numbers. "Monsters University," on the other hand, was bland. The film bored me on second viewing.
Steven Spielberg will receive the Winsor McCay Award for career achievement at the awards ceremony happening on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus. Patrick Warburton will serve as host.
2013 Annie Award Nominations
Production Categories
1 . Best Animated Feature
A Letter to Momo . Gkids
Despicable Me 2 . Universal Pictures
Ernest & Celestine . Gkids
Frozen . Walt Disney Animation Studios
Monsters University . Pixar Animation Studios
The Croods . DreamWorks Animation
The Wind Rises . The Walt Disney Studios
2 . Annie Award for Best Animated...
I am rooting for "Frozen" to win! It's a return to form to what Disney does best -- affecting fairy tale with memorable musical numbers. "Monsters University," on the other hand, was bland. The film bored me on second viewing.
Steven Spielberg will receive the Winsor McCay Award for career achievement at the awards ceremony happening on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus. Patrick Warburton will serve as host.
2013 Annie Award Nominations
Production Categories
1 . Best Animated Feature
A Letter to Momo . Gkids
Despicable Me 2 . Universal Pictures
Ernest & Celestine . Gkids
Frozen . Walt Disney Animation Studios
Monsters University . Pixar Animation Studios
The Croods . DreamWorks Animation
The Wind Rises . The Walt Disney Studios
2 . Annie Award for Best Animated...
- 12/3/2013
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Monsters University managed a strangely subtle debut for a Pixar film, earning neither the high praise of most of their works, nor the backlash of Cars 2. Instead, the film was met with medium reviews, a lot of happy kids, and a very curious feeling of nostalgia for characters that aren’t actually all that old.
By the way, check out our Monster University podcast review for an expanded take on the film itself.
Our favorite monsters are back, but this time Mike Wazowski and Sully are headed to school, and we enter the picture before they’ve even met. Going back to a time when our best buds and co-workers don’t know each other, and are very different monsters, means the doors are wide open to introduce new characters, new parts of the universe, and we have a lot of options for figuring out just how they ended...
By the way, check out our Monster University podcast review for an expanded take on the film itself.
Our favorite monsters are back, but this time Mike Wazowski and Sully are headed to school, and we enter the picture before they’ve even met. Going back to a time when our best buds and co-workers don’t know each other, and are very different monsters, means the doors are wide open to introduce new characters, new parts of the universe, and we have a lot of options for figuring out just how they ended...
- 11/20/2013
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
2013 has been, by all accounts, a forgettable year of mainstream animated films at best, and a woeful one at worst. With only two fully animated films left to be released on a wide platform—the upcoming 20th Century Fox film Walking with Dinosaurs is partially animated—it’s not likely that anyone will look back on this 12-month period as being a landmark year for animation. (Those two fully animated films are Free Birds, opening this Friday; and Frozen, opening at the end of the month. My hopes are much higher for the latter. Also, Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, The Wind Rises, will have a 1-week release very soon for Oscar consideration, hence the “wide platform” qualifier.) Up until now, the best animated film of the year has been, almost predictably, from Pixar Animation Studios: Monsters University, a prequel to the widely beloved Monsters, Inc.; it’s being...
- 10/29/2013
- by Josh Spiegel
- SoundOnSight
The Monsters University Blu-Ray is hitting October 29th, in both 3D and standard versions, with digital versions coming out a couple of weeks earlier (October 8th), and the releases are packed with some pretty nice bonuses.
Take a look at the full release below for all the info, including the rundown on the bonus features. We aren’t often disappointed with Pixar home releases, and it doesn’t look like this will be the release that changes that. If you caught our Monsters University podcast review, you know we didn’t love this one as much as most Pixar titles, but it is still a lot of fun for the younger crowd.
Rush to get Digital HD and Digital HD 3D Versions Available for Purchase October 8, 2013 Celebrate Mu’s Homecoming on Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on October 29, 2013.
This Fall, Disney•Pixar celebrates homecoming with the release of “Monsters University” on...
Take a look at the full release below for all the info, including the rundown on the bonus features. We aren’t often disappointed with Pixar home releases, and it doesn’t look like this will be the release that changes that. If you caught our Monsters University podcast review, you know we didn’t love this one as much as most Pixar titles, but it is still a lot of fun for the younger crowd.
Rush to get Digital HD and Digital HD 3D Versions Available for Purchase October 8, 2013 Celebrate Mu’s Homecoming on Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on October 29, 2013.
This Fall, Disney•Pixar celebrates homecoming with the release of “Monsters University” on...
- 8/11/2013
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
Fans of Disney•Pixar’s feature films love to scour the screen in search of the Hidden Gems the filmmakers sneak into each film: Wall•E’s explorations uncover a Mike Wazowski antenna ball, paying homage to Monsters, Inc., and in Up, the classic Luxo Jr. ball can be seen in the girl’s bedroom as Carl Fredricksen’s house flies by her window.
Disney•Pixar’s Monsters University features a few such gems, three of which are revealed here:
A113 – The School of Scaring classroom number is A113, which refers to the former classroom of John Lasseter, Brad Bird, Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton at CalArts. The number makes an appearance in every Pixar feature film.
Pizza Planet – The Pizza Planet truck is in the driveway of the Jox fraternity house when Mike is riding Archie the Scare Pig down Greek Row. The Pizza Planet truck, which first made an appearance in “Toy Story,...
Disney•Pixar’s Monsters University features a few such gems, three of which are revealed here:
A113 – The School of Scaring classroom number is A113, which refers to the former classroom of John Lasseter, Brad Bird, Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton at CalArts. The number makes an appearance in every Pixar feature film.
Pizza Planet – The Pizza Planet truck is in the driveway of the Jox fraternity house when Mike is riding Archie the Scare Pig down Greek Row. The Pizza Planet truck, which first made an appearance in “Toy Story,...
- 6/27/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Disney•Pixar continue their long-standing tradition of unveiling their new films at the Edinburgh International Film Festival with Monsters University. The prequel to Monsters, Inc., Monsters University bears the unfortunate task of being a follow-up to one of the studios most adored, original and hugely successful efforts. And, while it sadly never reaches the heights of its predecessor in terms of intelligence and ingenuity, it’ll win audiences over nonetheless with its abundant charm and wit.
Long before the events depicted in Monsters, Inc., Michael “Mike” Wasowski (Billy Crystal) and James P. “Sully” Sullivan (John Goodman) are freshman at Monsters University. As complete opposites (Mike is a book-smart dreamer, while Sully is big-headed natural scarer), they initially butt heads. But when their ego clashes threaten their chances of becoming Scarers for Monstropolis, they’re forced to band together and prove their natural born talents to Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren).
Returning to the crisp,...
Long before the events depicted in Monsters, Inc., Michael “Mike” Wasowski (Billy Crystal) and James P. “Sully” Sullivan (John Goodman) are freshman at Monsters University. As complete opposites (Mike is a book-smart dreamer, while Sully is big-headed natural scarer), they initially butt heads. But when their ego clashes threaten their chances of becoming Scarers for Monstropolis, they’re forced to band together and prove their natural born talents to Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren).
Returning to the crisp,...
- 6/25/2013
- by Jamie Neish
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Monsters University and World War Z box office: Monsters hungry for knowledge and zombies hungry for humans bring down Man of Steel Here’s a quick rundown of this past weekend, June 21-23, 2013, at the North American box office. If studio estimates found at Box Office Mojo are on target, Pixar / Disney’s Monsters University surpassed expectations, grossing $82 million at 4,4004 locations. Approximately 30% of the gross came from 3D shows. (Image: Monsters University artwork.) Directed by Dan Scanlon, Monsters University features the voices of John Goodman, Helen Mirren, Billy Crystal, Nathan Fillion, Aubrey Plaza, Steve Buscemi, John Krasinski, Peter Sohn, Dave Foley, Sean Murray, Bonnie Hunt, Julia Sweeney, Sean Hayes, Alfred Molina, Tyler Labine, Bill Hader, Bob Peterson, and John Ratzenberger. Screenplay credit for the Monsters, Inc. sequel has gone to director Scanlon, Daniel Gerson, and Robert L. Baird. Starring Brad Pitt as a man having a number of close encounters of the living-dead kind,...
- 6/24/2013
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
World War Z weekend box office: Monsters rule, but zombies are the big surprise hit (photo: Brad Pitt in World War Z) World War Z, Brad Pitt, and his living-dead pals have turned out to be the big (happy) surprise at the North American box office this weekend, June 21-23, 2013. In case Friday’s estimates are on target, the $190-$200 million-budgeted World War Z should collect $57-$60 million by Sunday evening, or about $10-$15 million more than many pundits had been expecting. Yesterday, World War Z opened with $25 million — about $5 million above early estimates — from 3,607 locations according to studio estimates found at Box Office Mojo. That figure includes $3.6 million from Thursday evening screenings. In case there’s a Saturday surge for Marc Forster’s Paramount-distributed PG-13 zombie movie, World War Z could actually go quite a bit beyond the $60 million mark. That’s good news for the studio and for producer Brad Pitt,...
- 6/23/2013
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
World War Z box office vs. Monsters University vs. Man of Steel (photo: Brad Pitt in World War Z) The North American box office will be huge this weekend, June 21-23, 2013. You’ve surely read that elsewhere, and it’s no exaggeration. The combined gross of the top three movies alone — Monsters University, World War Z, Man of Steel — should hover around $180 million. Now, what remains to be seen is if there’ll be any dollars (whether Canadian or American) left for the dozens of other movies on North American screens. It’s like having huge supermarkets making little neighborhood stores disappear from view. But hey, that seems to be exactly what the moviegoing public wants. According to early, rough estimates found at Deadline.com, Disney / Pixar’s Monsters University will easily top the domestic box office following a Friday gross around $25-$28 million, in addition to $2.6 million from Thursday evening screenings.
- 6/22/2013
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
Looking back to one’s college years and what is remembered the most could be a myriad of experiences including sleepless cram sessions, school pride in athletics, on-campus protests and stacks of cardboard pizza boxes. So what would the focus be in Monsters University?
Surprisingly, the scale of the tale is a small and simple, neither amplified by multiple layers or 3D glasses. The prequel to Monsters’ Inc. reveals how Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sullivan (John Goodman) met in college and overcame their differences to discover the best in each other while trying to get into the Monstropolis School of Scare. One is a devoted, overachieving scholar, the other a born natural and latest in a long bloodline of legendary scarers. One quick look and you know who is who, even though they haven’t gained the freshman fifteen quite yet. They don’t make a good first impression on...
Surprisingly, the scale of the tale is a small and simple, neither amplified by multiple layers or 3D glasses. The prequel to Monsters’ Inc. reveals how Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sullivan (John Goodman) met in college and overcame their differences to discover the best in each other while trying to get into the Monstropolis School of Scare. One is a devoted, overachieving scholar, the other a born natural and latest in a long bloodline of legendary scarers. One quick look and you know who is who, even though they haven’t gained the freshman fifteen quite yet. They don’t make a good first impression on...
- 6/21/2013
- by Ernie Estrella
- BuzzFocus.com
Director: Dan Scanlon; Screenwriters: Robert L. Baird, Dan Scanlon, Daniel Gerson; Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren; Running time: 104 mins; Certificate: U
Can this prequel set a decade before Monsters, Inc. recapture the magic of the 2001 animated hit? Not quite. There are flashes of visual invention scattered throughout and Helen Mirren steals the show with a stunning vocal display of austerity, but this is very much a case of Pixar going through the motions with an overfamiliar and predictable plot only partially salvaged by a clever climax.
Billy Crystal and John Goodman rekindle their rapturous rapport as the voices of affable monsters Mike and Sulley, who we witness first encountering each other during a lecture in 'scaring' at university. For there are certain techniques to maximise the screams of the children, although far too much of the movie is devoted to the monsters pulling various faces while trying to hone their skills.
Can this prequel set a decade before Monsters, Inc. recapture the magic of the 2001 animated hit? Not quite. There are flashes of visual invention scattered throughout and Helen Mirren steals the show with a stunning vocal display of austerity, but this is very much a case of Pixar going through the motions with an overfamiliar and predictable plot only partially salvaged by a clever climax.
Billy Crystal and John Goodman rekindle their rapturous rapport as the voices of affable monsters Mike and Sulley, who we witness first encountering each other during a lecture in 'scaring' at university. For there are certain techniques to maximise the screams of the children, although far too much of the movie is devoted to the monsters pulling various faces while trying to hone their skills.
- 6/21/2013
- Digital Spy
Chicago – Let’s everybody say it together, “the key to great animation is a great story.” This has to be the motto for Pixar Animation – now part of Disney. Their latest, “Monsters University,” is a prequel with a heart, soul and attention to what makes this type of entertainment work.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
With a story that takes place before the first film in the series, “Monsters, Inc.,” the college bound characters of Sully and Mike (the buddy Monsters) are just as fresh as when they were the company men in movie number one. The creative team – screenwriters Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson and Dan Scanlon (who also directed) – expand upon the origin of the two, and imagine a sort of Harry-Potter-meets-Animal-House vibe. The adventures in the film, and the steps they take to get through those adventures, are natural, moral and very funny. The inventiveness of putting our heroes through their...
Rating: 4.5/5.0
With a story that takes place before the first film in the series, “Monsters, Inc.,” the college bound characters of Sully and Mike (the buddy Monsters) are just as fresh as when they were the company men in movie number one. The creative team – screenwriters Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson and Dan Scanlon (who also directed) – expand upon the origin of the two, and imagine a sort of Harry-Potter-meets-Animal-House vibe. The adventures in the film, and the steps they take to get through those adventures, are natural, moral and very funny. The inventiveness of putting our heroes through their...
- 6/21/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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