Back in the early ’90s, a New Jersey-based company called GoodTimes Entertainment carved out a place for itself in the home-video space churning out straight-to-video knockoffs of Disney animated features. While “The Lion King” was in theaters, there was GoodTimes’ “Leo the Lion: King of the Jungle” on retail shelves, packaged (for maximum mix-uppability) in Disney’s signature white clamshell case. From a copyright perspective, GoodTimes’ strategy was super-sketchy, but as far as parents were concerned, it was easy to get confused — and most kids probably didn’t know the difference.
That bait-and-switch phenomenon crossed my mind when I saw that Netflix was making “The Monkey King,” which — like GoodTimes’ “Aladdin” or “The Little Mermaid” — was certainly fair game, since the source material (the 16th-century Chinese classic “Journey to the West”) was squarely in the public domain. The cynical part of my brain instantly imagined that the streamer was churning...
That bait-and-switch phenomenon crossed my mind when I saw that Netflix was making “The Monkey King,” which — like GoodTimes’ “Aladdin” or “The Little Mermaid” — was certainly fair game, since the source material (the 16th-century Chinese classic “Journey to the West”) was squarely in the public domain. The cynical part of my brain instantly imagined that the streamer was churning...
- 8/18/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
We are all set two witness the new animated feature film titled The Monkey King which is soon going to come up on the streaming giant Netflix in the month of August 2023.
If you don’t know then let us tell you that the upcoming animated feature film The Monkey King is basically a Chinese adaptation of the 16th-century Chinese tale of Journey to the West.
During the past few years, Netflix is coming up with some exceptionally brilliant Chinese animated feature films and I am sure that it is going to be added to that list too as soon as it is released.
This Chinese animated feature film on Netflix is directed by Anthony Stacchi and as mentioned above an adaptation of the classic Chinese tale Journey to the West. Steve Bencich and Ron J. Friedman wrote the screenplay of this animated film.
I am sure but you must...
If you don’t know then let us tell you that the upcoming animated feature film The Monkey King is basically a Chinese adaptation of the 16th-century Chinese tale of Journey to the West.
During the past few years, Netflix is coming up with some exceptionally brilliant Chinese animated feature films and I am sure that it is going to be added to that list too as soon as it is released.
This Chinese animated feature film on Netflix is directed by Anthony Stacchi and as mentioned above an adaptation of the classic Chinese tale Journey to the West. Steve Bencich and Ron J. Friedman wrote the screenplay of this animated film.
I am sure but you must...
- 7/14/2023
- by Bhavi Parihar
- https://dailyresearchplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/new-sam
Exclusive: Vertical Entertainment has locked down worldwide rights to the comedy The Donor Party, toplined by Malin Åkerman (Chick Fight), Rob Corddry (The Unicorn), Erinn Hayes (Gaslit) and Jerry O’Connell (Billions). The company’s plans for the recently-wrapped pic’s release have not yet been disclosed.
The first feature from writer-director Thom Harp is a farce centered on the recently single Jaclyn (Åkerman), who desperately wants to become a mom — by any means necessary. Realizing she doesn’t need a husband to make her dream come true, she devises a plan and enlists her best friends (Hayes and Bria Samoné Henderson) to pull off the ultimate sperm heist from unsuspecting donors Tim (O’Connell), Mj (Dan Ahdoot), Mateo (Jeff Torres) and Armin (Ryan Hansen), all while celebrating an intimate birthday party for her oblivious friend, Geoff (Corddry).
Anthony J. Kraus cast the pic, which also stars Meadow Williams (Aileen Wuornos:...
The first feature from writer-director Thom Harp is a farce centered on the recently single Jaclyn (Åkerman), who desperately wants to become a mom — by any means necessary. Realizing she doesn’t need a husband to make her dream come true, she devises a plan and enlists her best friends (Hayes and Bria Samoné Henderson) to pull off the ultimate sperm heist from unsuspecting donors Tim (O’Connell), Mj (Dan Ahdoot), Mateo (Jeff Torres) and Armin (Ryan Hansen), all while celebrating an intimate birthday party for her oblivious friend, Geoff (Corddry).
Anthony J. Kraus cast the pic, which also stars Meadow Williams (Aileen Wuornos:...
- 6/14/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
To mark the release of Wish Upon a Unicorn on 19th October, we’ve been given a copy to give away on DVD.
Written and directed by Steve Bencich. Two sisters and their father move from the city to the country to live with their grandmother. On her farm, they miraculously discover and befriend a baby unicorn named Rocco. Rocco has magical powers and gives the girls a little bit of luck, hijinks and a lot of laughter, which makes the adjustment to their new home and school easier. But when the local good-for-nothing cowboys learn about the magical unicorn, the gang steals Rocco to use his powers for themselves. The sisters must embark on a fun Western adventure to save Rocco in this original story full of heart, humour and magical adventures –perfect for the whole family.
Please note: This competition is open to UK residents only
Wish Upon...
Written and directed by Steve Bencich. Two sisters and their father move from the city to the country to live with their grandmother. On her farm, they miraculously discover and befriend a baby unicorn named Rocco. Rocco has magical powers and gives the girls a little bit of luck, hijinks and a lot of laughter, which makes the adjustment to their new home and school easier. But when the local good-for-nothing cowboys learn about the magical unicorn, the gang steals Rocco to use his powers for themselves. The sisters must embark on a fun Western adventure to save Rocco in this original story full of heart, humour and magical adventures –perfect for the whole family.
Please note: This competition is open to UK residents only
Wish Upon...
- 10/19/2020
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Annecy, France — Legendary Chinese director Stephen Chow, the man behind 2004’s dark-horse hit “Kung Fu Hustle,” is in development on ‘The Monkey King’ with Pearl Studio, the Shanghai-based animation company announced Thursday at the Annecy Intl. Animation Film Festival.
The studio also unveiled that young actor Albert Tsai, Tensing Norgay Trainor, the grandson of Tensing Norgay, the first man to reach the summit of Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary, and Tsai Chin will be joining “Agents of Shield’s” Chloe Bennet in its upcoming feature “Abominable.”
The announcements came as Pearl detailed its upcoming slate of animated feature productions, backstory and ambitions, straight from the mouths of animation legends Jill Culton and Glen Keane.
“The Monkey King” is penned by animated-animal feature experts Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich, whose past credits include “Brother Bear” and “Chicken Little.” The film is an effort to bring to the world, a character described...
The studio also unveiled that young actor Albert Tsai, Tensing Norgay Trainor, the grandson of Tensing Norgay, the first man to reach the summit of Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary, and Tsai Chin will be joining “Agents of Shield’s” Chloe Bennet in its upcoming feature “Abominable.”
The announcements came as Pearl detailed its upcoming slate of animated feature productions, backstory and ambitions, straight from the mouths of animation legends Jill Culton and Glen Keane.
“The Monkey King” is penned by animated-animal feature experts Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich, whose past credits include “Brother Bear” and “Chicken Little.” The film is an effort to bring to the world, a character described...
- 6/14/2018
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Shanghai-based Pearl Studio, formerly Oriental DreamWorks, is teaming up with Kung Fu Hustle and The Mermaid director Stephen Chow to develop an animated feature version of Chinese box office smash The Monkey King ‘for a worldwide audience’.
Chow’s involvement was announced today at animation festival Annecy in France and represents an exciting collaboration for Pearl, which previously co-produced Kung Fu Panda 3. Chow has not been set as director.
The animation update, adapted from the classic Monkey King legend about a monkey who gains supernatural powers, is being written by Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich, whose credits include Brother Bear and Chicken Little.
Multi-hyphenate Chow’s directing credits include The Mermaid and Journey To The West: Conquering The Demons, both of which shattered Middle Kingdom box office records, as well as action-comedy Kung Fu Hustle, which grossed more than $100M worldwide as well as BAFTA and Golden Globe noms.
“Stephen...
Chow’s involvement was announced today at animation festival Annecy in France and represents an exciting collaboration for Pearl, which previously co-produced Kung Fu Panda 3. Chow has not been set as director.
The animation update, adapted from the classic Monkey King legend about a monkey who gains supernatural powers, is being written by Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich, whose credits include Brother Bear and Chicken Little.
Multi-hyphenate Chow’s directing credits include The Mermaid and Journey To The West: Conquering The Demons, both of which shattered Middle Kingdom box office records, as well as action-comedy Kung Fu Hustle, which grossed more than $100M worldwide as well as BAFTA and Golden Globe noms.
“Stephen...
- 6/14/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Abominable, Over The Moon also on Chinese company’s slate.
Stephen Chow is developing an epic animated adventure based on The Monkey King myth for China’s Pearl Studio, it emerged at Annecy International Animated Film Festival on Thursday (June 14).
Chow, whose credits include Chinese box office smashes The Mermaid and Journey To The West: Conquering The Demons as well as global hit Kung Fu Hustle, is collaborating with Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich, who were among the writing teams on Brother Bear and Chicken Little.
“Stephen Chow is the perfect creative partner to develop The Monkey King with Pearl Studio,...
Stephen Chow is developing an epic animated adventure based on The Monkey King myth for China’s Pearl Studio, it emerged at Annecy International Animated Film Festival on Thursday (June 14).
Chow, whose credits include Chinese box office smashes The Mermaid and Journey To The West: Conquering The Demons as well as global hit Kung Fu Hustle, is collaborating with Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich, who were among the writing teams on Brother Bear and Chicken Little.
“Stephen Chow is the perfect creative partner to develop The Monkey King with Pearl Studio,...
- 6/14/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Joint venture to be rebranded as Pearl Studio under CEO Frank Zhu.
Li Ruigang’s China Media Capital (Cmc) has acquired full ownership of Oriental DreamWorks, the animation joint venture it established with DreamWorks Animation in 2012.
NBCUniversal inherited a 45% stake in the joint venture when it acquired DreamWorks Animation for $3.8bn in 2016. Last year, the Financial Times reported that Universal was in talks to selling its stake to Warner Bros.
The joint venture will be rebranded as Pearl Studio and headed by CEO Frank Zhu and chief creative officer Peilin Chou. It has released one big animated feature to date, Kung Fu Panda 3 (pictured), which was considered to have under-performed when it grossed $154m in January 2016.
NBCUniversal and DreamWorks Animation will continue to collaborate with Pearl Studio on its upcoming animated movie Everest, scheduled for release in 2019. Pearl is distributing in China while Universal will handle the rest of the world.
Li Ruigang said in...
Li Ruigang’s China Media Capital (Cmc) has acquired full ownership of Oriental DreamWorks, the animation joint venture it established with DreamWorks Animation in 2012.
NBCUniversal inherited a 45% stake in the joint venture when it acquired DreamWorks Animation for $3.8bn in 2016. Last year, the Financial Times reported that Universal was in talks to selling its stake to Warner Bros.
The joint venture will be rebranded as Pearl Studio and headed by CEO Frank Zhu and chief creative officer Peilin Chou. It has released one big animated feature to date, Kung Fu Panda 3 (pictured), which was considered to have under-performed when it grossed $154m in January 2016.
NBCUniversal and DreamWorks Animation will continue to collaborate with Pearl Studio on its upcoming animated movie Everest, scheduled for release in 2019. Pearl is distributing in China while Universal will handle the rest of the world.
Li Ruigang said in...
- 2/4/2018
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Studios and Storyoscopic Films on Monday announced a joint venture whereby Storyoscopic will produce and finance approximately five or more projects a year.
Films produced under the joint venture and backed by what a source said would be at least $200m in production funding will release internationally via Relativity’s network of output partners and go through Relativity Europa Distribution (Red) in the Us.
Relativity launched Red in 2010 after it acquired Overture Films from John Malone’s Liberty Media and four years later EuropaCorp came on board in a reported $130m deal to acquire a 50% stake.
The venture comes as Relativity shifts its focus towards financing, producing and distributing family films and branded features with global appeal.
George Lee and Marcus Englefield, the duo behind 2D-to-3D conversion specialists Venture 3D, have worked with Hollywood and Chinese partners and launched Storyoscopic in 2013 to make family and genre films in the $15-50m range...
Films produced under the joint venture and backed by what a source said would be at least $200m in production funding will release internationally via Relativity’s network of output partners and go through Relativity Europa Distribution (Red) in the Us.
Relativity launched Red in 2010 after it acquired Overture Films from John Malone’s Liberty Media and four years later EuropaCorp came on board in a reported $130m deal to acquire a 50% stake.
The venture comes as Relativity shifts its focus towards financing, producing and distributing family films and branded features with global appeal.
George Lee and Marcus Englefield, the duo behind 2D-to-3D conversion specialists Venture 3D, have worked with Hollywood and Chinese partners and launched Storyoscopic in 2013 to make family and genre films in the $15-50m range...
- 11/14/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Back in December 2010, DreamWorks announced they were developing a new film by the name of Me and My Shadow that would combine CG and hand-drawn animation, in a way that sounded more ambitious than most animated films we’ve seen in a long time.
All has been fairly quiet on that front since then, but now the studio have released the first poster, via the film’s official Facebook, and it’s rather fantastic.
“In Spring 2014, DreamWorks Animation brings global audiences Me And My Shadow, an original project that pioneers a groundbreaking combination of both CG and traditional 2D animation techniques.
Me And My Shadow is the story of an extremely frustrated shadow, Shadow Dan – voiced by Bill Hader, who yearns for a dynamic life. Unfortunately, Shadow Dan happens to be stuck with the world’s most boring human as his “caster”, Daniel Grubb – voiced by Tony Award™ nominee Josh Gad.
All has been fairly quiet on that front since then, but now the studio have released the first poster, via the film’s official Facebook, and it’s rather fantastic.
“In Spring 2014, DreamWorks Animation brings global audiences Me And My Shadow, an original project that pioneers a groundbreaking combination of both CG and traditional 2D animation techniques.
Me And My Shadow is the story of an extremely frustrated shadow, Shadow Dan – voiced by Bill Hader, who yearns for a dynamic life. Unfortunately, Shadow Dan happens to be stuck with the world’s most boring human as his “caster”, Daniel Grubb – voiced by Tony Award™ nominee Josh Gad.
- 7/24/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
DreamWorks Animation Skg, today announced that Tony Award. nominee Josh Gad (Love and Other Drugs), who currently appears on Broadway in The Book of Mormon, will star as Stanley, Bill Hader (Saturday Night Live, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs) as his shadow, and Academy-Award® nominee Kate Hudson (Almost Famous, Something Borrowed) as Heidi in Me & My Shadow , coming to the big screen on November 13, 2013. In this original feature film conceived at DreamWorks Animation, the studio will pioneer a groundbreaking combination of both CG and traditional animation techniques, which will be used seamlessly to create a never-before-seen movie experience.
Animation veteran Alessandro Carloni, who most recently served as head of story on DreamWorks Animation’s Academy Award®-nominated How to Train Your Dragon, will make his directorial debut on Me & My Shadow . Melissa Cobb ( Kung Fu Panda , Kung Fu Panda 2) will produce and Jeff Hermann ( Kung Fu Panda , Kung Fu Panda 2) will co-produce.
Animation veteran Alessandro Carloni, who most recently served as head of story on DreamWorks Animation’s Academy Award®-nominated How to Train Your Dragon, will make his directorial debut on Me & My Shadow . Melissa Cobb ( Kung Fu Panda , Kung Fu Panda 2) will produce and Jeff Hermann ( Kung Fu Panda , Kung Fu Panda 2) will co-produce.
- 2/1/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
DreamWorks Animation has found its voice cast for Me & My Shadow. THR reports that the studio has cast Josh Gad (The Book of Mormon), Bill Hader (SNL), and Kate Hudson in the animated feature. Me & My Shadow will be the directorial debut of Alessandro Carloni, who served as the story head for How to Train Your Dragon. Kung Fu Panda 2's Melissa Cobb will produce on the film.
The story centers "on Stan, a shadow (Hader) who yearns for a more exciting life than being attached to a timid human named Stanley Grubb (Gad). When a crime in the shadow community puts both of their lives in danger, Stan is forced to take control of Stanley, thrusting both of them into an adventure featuring a shadowy villain, who intends to lead a rebellion to take over the human world. Hudson will voice Grubb’s potential love interest in the real world.
The story centers "on Stan, a shadow (Hader) who yearns for a more exciting life than being attached to a timid human named Stanley Grubb (Gad). When a crime in the shadow community puts both of their lives in danger, Stan is forced to take control of Stanley, thrusting both of them into an adventure featuring a shadowy villain, who intends to lead a rebellion to take over the human world. Hudson will voice Grubb’s potential love interest in the real world.
- 2/1/2012
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
It might seem as though DreamWorks Animation is all about the sequels to its big hits like Kung Fu Panda and How To Train Your Dragon, but the company is still keeping the fires of originality burning, announcing that it’ll release Me and My Shadow in March 2013.According to Variety, the movie will blend CG and hand-drawn animation, which will mark the first time that the company has attempted to mix the two. "The way Who Framed Roger Rabbit combined hand-drawn and live-action, this does the same, but with CG and hand-drawn," DreamWorks’ Bill Damaschke.Shadow will follow Shadow Stan, the frustrated dark half of Stanley Grubb, who happens to be the world’s dullest human being. Pushed too far by the boredom, Stan shatters the only rule of the Shadow World and takes over control of Stanley. The hand-drawn animation will be used for the Shadow World, while...
- 12/13/2010
- EmpireOnline
DreamWorks Animation Pioneers Groundbreaking Combination of CG and Hand-Drawn Animation Techniques in Me and My Shadow for March 2013
Glendale, Calif., Dec. 10, 2010. DreamWorks Animation Skg, Inc. announced that it will bring Me and My Shadow, an original project, to the big screen in March of 2013. The studio will pioneer a groundbreaking combination of both CG and traditional animation techniques, which will be used seamlessly together throughout this 3D feature film.
Mark Dindal (Chicken Little, The Emperor’s New Groove) is the film’s Director and Melissa Cobb (Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2) and Teresa Cheng (Shrek Forever After, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron) are serving as Producers. Shane Prigmore (Coraline, Lord of the Rings) is Head of Story and Scott Wills (Monsters vs. Aliens, Ren & Stimpy) and Raymond Zibach (Kung Fu Panda, The Road to El Dorado) are Production Designers. Nick Fletcher (Shrek Forever After, The Prince of Egypt) is serving as Editor.
Glendale, Calif., Dec. 10, 2010. DreamWorks Animation Skg, Inc. announced that it will bring Me and My Shadow, an original project, to the big screen in March of 2013. The studio will pioneer a groundbreaking combination of both CG and traditional animation techniques, which will be used seamlessly together throughout this 3D feature film.
Mark Dindal (Chicken Little, The Emperor’s New Groove) is the film’s Director and Melissa Cobb (Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2) and Teresa Cheng (Shrek Forever After, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron) are serving as Producers. Shane Prigmore (Coraline, Lord of the Rings) is Head of Story and Scott Wills (Monsters vs. Aliens, Ren & Stimpy) and Raymond Zibach (Kung Fu Panda, The Road to El Dorado) are Production Designers. Nick Fletcher (Shrek Forever After, The Prince of Egypt) is serving as Editor.
- 12/11/2010
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
DreamWorks Animation is trying to take a semi-different turn with their next film "Me and My Shadow," an upcoming production that'll be directed by Mark Dindal. The 3D film will combine CG and traditional animation, more or less along the same lines of what they did for "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." The script for "Me and My Shadow" was originally written by Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich and will be polished up by Matt Ember and Tom Astle. The story is about Shadow Stan, an incredibly frustrated shadow that yearns for a more dynamic life but happens to be stuck with Stanley Grubb, the world's most boring human. Eventually pushed to the brink, Shadow Stan breaks the singular rule of the Shadow World -- "they lead, we follow" -- and takes control of Stanley.Of course the higher-ups over at DreamWorks Animation are just absolutely ecstatic that they're going ahead...
- 12/10/2010
- LRMonline.com
DreamWorks Animation Skg, Inc. today announced that it will bring Me and My Shadow, an original project, to the big screen in March of 2013. The studio will pioneer a groundbreaking combination of both CG and traditional animation techniques, which will be used seamlessly together throughout this 3D feature film.
Mark Dindal (Chicken Little, The Emperor’s New Groove) is the film’s Director and Melissa Cobb ( Kung Fu Panda , Kung Fu Panda 2) and Teresa Cheng (Shrek Forever After, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron) are serving as Producers. Shane Prigmore (Coraline, Lord of the Rings) is Head of Story and Scott Wills (Monsters vs. Aliens, Ren & Stimpy) and Raymond Zibach ( Kung Fu Panda , The Road to El Dorado ) are Production Designers. Nick Fletcher (Shrek Forever After, The Prince of Egypt ) is serving as Editor. The screenplay for Me and My Shadow, which was originally penned by both Steve Bencich and Ron Friedman (Chicken Little,...
Mark Dindal (Chicken Little, The Emperor’s New Groove) is the film’s Director and Melissa Cobb ( Kung Fu Panda , Kung Fu Panda 2) and Teresa Cheng (Shrek Forever After, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron) are serving as Producers. Shane Prigmore (Coraline, Lord of the Rings) is Head of Story and Scott Wills (Monsters vs. Aliens, Ren & Stimpy) and Raymond Zibach ( Kung Fu Panda , The Road to El Dorado ) are Production Designers. Nick Fletcher (Shrek Forever After, The Prince of Egypt ) is serving as Editor. The screenplay for Me and My Shadow, which was originally penned by both Steve Bencich and Ron Friedman (Chicken Little,...
- 12/10/2010
- by Allan Ford
- Filmofilia
If you were wondering whether there would be any 3D computer-animated films in theaters two years from now, we’ve got your answer. Today, Dreamworks Animation Skg, Inc. announced its new original project, Me and My Shadow, is slated to hit screens in March 2013.
Me and My Shadow tells the story of Shadow Stan, a frustrated shadow who dreams of leading an exciting life. Unfortunately, he’s stuck trailing Stanley Grubb, the most boring man in the world. When he can’t stand his dull existence one second longer, he breaks the only rule of the shadow world, “They lead, we follow,” and takes direct control of Grubb.
Dreamworks is using this film to pioneer what it calls a “groundbreaking” combination of seamlessly blended computer-generated and traditional animation techniques in 3D. The studio impressed us this year with How to Train Your Dragon, so it’s safe to assume Me...
Me and My Shadow tells the story of Shadow Stan, a frustrated shadow who dreams of leading an exciting life. Unfortunately, he’s stuck trailing Stanley Grubb, the most boring man in the world. When he can’t stand his dull existence one second longer, he breaks the only rule of the shadow world, “They lead, we follow,” and takes direct control of Grubb.
Dreamworks is using this film to pioneer what it calls a “groundbreaking” combination of seamlessly blended computer-generated and traditional animation techniques in 3D. The studio impressed us this year with How to Train Your Dragon, so it’s safe to assume Me...
- 12/10/2010
- by James Battaglia
- The Film Stage
DreamWorks Animation dropped off a press release this morning announcing a new 3D animated film called Me and My Shadow. There's no voice cast yet, but the plot will follow "Shadow Stan, an extremely frustrated shadow who yearns for a dynamic life but happens to be stuck with Stanley Grubb, the world's most boring human. Finally pushed to the brink, Shadow Stan breaks the singular rule of the Shadow World ("They lead, we follow"), and takes control of Stanley!" More information about the forces behind the film is after the break. Here's the hook: the film will be a mix of CG and "traditional animation techniques." I can't say it any better than the press release did, so let's cut and paste: Mark Dindal (Chicken Little, The Emperor's New Groove) is the film's director and Melissa Cobb (Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2) and Teresa Cheng (Shrek Forever After,...
- 12/10/2010
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
DreamWorks Animation is working on a pretty interesting 3D film project called Me and My Shadow, which will combine both CGI animation and traditional hand drawn animation.
According to DreamWorks Animation co-prexy of production Bill Damaschke, "The way 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' combined hand-drawn and live-action, this does the same, but with CG and hand-drawn." He goes on to say that "Shadow will combine the time-honored tradition of hand-drawn animation with the magical sophistication of CG characters and worlds in ways that have never been experienced by audiences before."
Me and My Shadow tells the story of Shadow Stan, an incredibly frustrated shadow that yearns for a more dynamic life but happens to be stuck with Stanley Grubb, the world's most boring human.Eventually pushed to the brink, Shadow Stan breaks the singular rule of the Shadow World -- "they lead, we follow" -- and takes control of Stanley.
According to DreamWorks Animation co-prexy of production Bill Damaschke, "The way 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' combined hand-drawn and live-action, this does the same, but with CG and hand-drawn." He goes on to say that "Shadow will combine the time-honored tradition of hand-drawn animation with the magical sophistication of CG characters and worlds in ways that have never been experienced by audiences before."
Me and My Shadow tells the story of Shadow Stan, an incredibly frustrated shadow that yearns for a more dynamic life but happens to be stuck with Stanley Grubb, the world's most boring human.Eventually pushed to the brink, Shadow Stan breaks the singular rule of the Shadow World -- "they lead, we follow" -- and takes control of Stanley.
- 12/10/2010
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
Chicago – At its rare best, “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore” recalls Looney Tunes productions with their brilliant blend of slapstick humor, wordplay, and breakneck pace. And the odd collection of TV-caliber guest stars including Fred Armisen (“Saturday Night Live”), Jack McBrayer (“30 Rock”), and Chris O’Donnell (“NCIS: Los Angeles”) along with a truly weird group of vocal performances that include Bette Midler and Nick Nolte of all people make for a film that sometimes resembles “Looney Tunes: Back in Action.” Sadly, resembling a funny movie does not make a comedy and this half-assed attempt at family entertainment should be sent to the pound.
Blu-Ray Rating: 1.5/5.0
When I come down hard on family movies, I’m often accused of being cynical and not appreciating the target audience but I think I’m actually more critical of films like this because we are so clearly in the prime of children’s movie entertainment overall.
Blu-Ray Rating: 1.5/5.0
When I come down hard on family movies, I’m often accused of being cynical and not appreciating the target audience but I think I’m actually more critical of films like this because we are so clearly in the prime of children’s movie entertainment overall.
- 11/22/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Director: Brad Peyton Writers: Ron J. Friedman, Steve Bencich, John Requa, Glenn Ficarra Starring (Mostly Voice): Chris O' Donnell, Christina Applegate, Michael Clarke Duncan, Neil Patrick Harris, Sean Hayes, James Marsden, Bette Midler, Nick Nolte, Joe Pantoliano, Katt Williams, Chris O' Donnell, Jack McBrayer, Fred Armisen, Paul Rodriguez, J.K. Simmons, Roger Moore, Wallace Shawn Just when you thought there would be no more talking animal movies, along comes another talking animal movie; and a sequel at that. Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore might pick up where the first left off, but I’m not entirely sure, as I did not have the pleasure of viewing the first. I thought about it, but I had other things to do. If the first was anything like the latest animal fiasco, I’m happy I missed it. Here we have Kitty Galore, a cat that has had enough of her...
- 7/30/2010
- by Dirk Sonniksen
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
I don't know the exact origins of Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, but it's probably safe to assume that it's the kind of project that was assigned to a couple of screenwriters by the studio to make a quick buck, not some Great American Screenplay that Ron J. Friedman and Steve Bencich have been working on in their spare time over the past nine years. Keeping that in mind, Cats & Dogs: Trokg is a minor miracle as a kids' flick sequel -- a nearly forgotten, seemingly one-joke property given a new leash on life by its playful, zippy screenplay.
You can tell Friedman and Bencich had fun bouncing gags off of one another in the writing process, to the point that even the most awful, obvious gags are still delivered with some small amount of charm. The audience may groan and roll their eyes, but they'll be ready for the next joke,...
You can tell Friedman and Bencich had fun bouncing gags off of one another in the writing process, to the point that even the most awful, obvious gags are still delivered with some small amount of charm. The audience may groan and roll their eyes, but they'll be ready for the next joke,...
- 7/29/2010
- by John Gholson
- Cinematical
Cats And Dogs 2: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore
Stars (voices of): James Marsden, Nick Nolte, Christina Applegate, Bette Midler, Neil Patrick Harris, Roger Moore, Joe Pantoliano, Michael Clarke Duncan, Chris O’Donnell | Written by Ron J. Friedman & Steve Bencich | Directed by Brad Peyton
Cats & Dogs 2 – Just like real spies… only furrier.
As a prelude to my review, I should mention, I’m not a big cat or dog lover and very much of the opinion that I should try and find love amongst my own species before I begin projecting my love onto animals without opposable thumbs. However… That’s just me and it hasn’t in any way affected my thoughts, feelings and emotions towards Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore.
Back in 2001, perhaps I missed something, but as far as I can remember the original Cats and Dogs didn’t set the movie industry on...
Stars (voices of): James Marsden, Nick Nolte, Christina Applegate, Bette Midler, Neil Patrick Harris, Roger Moore, Joe Pantoliano, Michael Clarke Duncan, Chris O’Donnell | Written by Ron J. Friedman & Steve Bencich | Directed by Brad Peyton
Cats & Dogs 2 – Just like real spies… only furrier.
As a prelude to my review, I should mention, I’m not a big cat or dog lover and very much of the opinion that I should try and find love amongst my own species before I begin projecting my love onto animals without opposable thumbs. However… That’s just me and it hasn’t in any way affected my thoughts, feelings and emotions towards Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore.
Back in 2001, perhaps I missed something, but as far as I can remember the original Cats and Dogs didn’t set the movie industry on...
- 7/27/2010
- by Rob
- Nerdly
Check out new film clips from Warner Bros. Pictures' "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore." We also have interview videos with Christina Applegate, Neil Patrick Harris, James Marsden, Bette Midler, Joe Pantoliano, Chris O'Donnell, Jack McBrayer and Paul Rodriguez as well as director Brad Peyton and producers Andrew Lazar and Polly Cohen. Peyton directs from the writing by Ron J. Friedman & Steve Bencich, based on characters created by John Requa & Glenn Ficarra. The film opens on July 30th. In the eternal battle between cats and dogs, one crazed feline has just taken things a paw too far. Kitty Galore, a former elite agent for spy organization Meows, has gone rogue. In 48 hours, she plans to unleash a diabolical device designed to not only bring her canine enemies to heel but take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post...
- 7/19/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Check out more pics from Warner Bros. Pictures' "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore." The film opens on July 30th. The comedy is a blend of live action, state-of-the-art puppetry and computer animation in 3D, stars Emmy Award winner Christina Applegate, Michael Clarke Duncan, Neil Patrick Harris, Sean Hayes, James Marsden, Bette Midler, Nick Nolte, Joe Pantoliano, Katt Williams, Chris O'Donnell, Jack McBrayer, Fred Armisen and Paul Rodriguez. Ron J. Friedman and Steve Bencich wrote the screenplay based on the characters created by John Requa and Glenn Ficarra. In the eternal battle between cats and dogs, one crazed feline has just taken things a paw too far. Kitty Galore, a former elite agent for spy organization Meows, has gone rogue. In 48 hours, she plans to unleash a diabolical device designed to not only bring her canine enemies to heel but take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post.
- 7/16/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
We take a look at Cats & Dogs sequel The Revenge Of Kitty Galore in our latest blockbuster preview…
What Is It?
A sequel to 2001's Cats & Dogs, The Revenge Of Kitty Galore is a family comedy about fluffy pets at war. Featuring celebrity voice talent from Nick Nolte, Joe Pantoliano and Bette Midler, it's a kind of a anthropomorphic Look Who's Talking with added jet-powered canines, nefarious cats and exploding squirrels.
Of the human players, Kitty Galore stars Chris O'Donnell (who must surely remember his role as Robin in Batman Forever with the same shudder we all experience when we think about it), 30 Rocks's Jack McBrayer and an appearance from 007 himself, Roger Moore.
The story revolves around the evil Kitty Galore of the title, a hairless Sphynx cat and former spy who plans to take over the world, forcing the rest of the film's cats and dogs to team up and foil her dastardly plans.
What Is It?
A sequel to 2001's Cats & Dogs, The Revenge Of Kitty Galore is a family comedy about fluffy pets at war. Featuring celebrity voice talent from Nick Nolte, Joe Pantoliano and Bette Midler, it's a kind of a anthropomorphic Look Who's Talking with added jet-powered canines, nefarious cats and exploding squirrels.
Of the human players, Kitty Galore stars Chris O'Donnell (who must surely remember his role as Robin in Batman Forever with the same shudder we all experience when we think about it), 30 Rocks's Jack McBrayer and an appearance from 007 himself, Roger Moore.
The story revolves around the evil Kitty Galore of the title, a hairless Sphynx cat and former spy who plans to take over the world, forcing the rest of the film's cats and dogs to team up and foil her dastardly plans.
- 6/3/2010
- Den of Geek
Both Marmaduke, based on the syndicated comic strip and the sequel Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore were filmed in Vancouver. Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore, directed by Canadian Brad Peyton is being converted to 3D by Korean and Los Angeles-based Stereo Pictures, ready to to be 'unleashed' in a wide release July 30. Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore a Warners, Village Roadshow production, filmed throughout Vancouver, September to December 2008, including sequences shot @ the Pne Amusement park. Starring Chris O'Donnell and Jack McBrayer, Kitty Galore was produced by Andrew Lazar for Mad Chance in association with former Warner Independent head Polly Cohen. Screenplay is by Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich, following the continuing "...great battle between cats and dogs for control of the Earth...". Marmaduke from 20th Century Fox is a family comedy feature, directed by Tom Dey (Shanghai Noon)) from a screenplay by Vince Di Meglio,...
- 5/13/2010
- HollywoodNorthReport.com
Both "Marmaduke", based on the syndicated comic strip and the sequel "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore" were filmed in Vancouver.
"Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore", directed by Canadian Brad Peyton is being converted to 3D by Korean and Los Angeles-based Stereo Pictures, ready to to be 'unleashed' in a wide release July 30.
"Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore", a Warners, Village Roadshow production, filmed throughout Vancouver, September to December 2008, including sequences shot @ the Pne Amusement park.
Starring Chris O'Donnell and Jack McBrayer, "Kitty Galore" was produced by Andrew Lazar for Mad Chance in association with former Warner Independent head Polly Cohen.
Screenplay is by Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich, following the continuing story of "...the great battle between cats and dogs for control of the Earth...".
"Marmaduke" from 20th Century Fox is a family comedy feature, directed by Tom Dey ("Shanghai Noon"), from a screenplay by Vince Di Meglio,...
"Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore", directed by Canadian Brad Peyton is being converted to 3D by Korean and Los Angeles-based Stereo Pictures, ready to to be 'unleashed' in a wide release July 30.
"Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore", a Warners, Village Roadshow production, filmed throughout Vancouver, September to December 2008, including sequences shot @ the Pne Amusement park.
Starring Chris O'Donnell and Jack McBrayer, "Kitty Galore" was produced by Andrew Lazar for Mad Chance in association with former Warner Independent head Polly Cohen.
Screenplay is by Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich, following the continuing story of "...the great battle between cats and dogs for control of the Earth...".
"Marmaduke" from 20th Century Fox is a family comedy feature, directed by Tom Dey ("Shanghai Noon"), from a screenplay by Vince Di Meglio,...
- 5/9/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Chicago – This 18-image slideshow contains the official press images for Warner Brothers’ Summer 2010 slate including “Sex and the City 2,” “Splice,” “Jonah Hex,” “Inception,” “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore,” “Lottery Ticket,” and “Going the Distance”. Stars featured include Sarah Jessica Parker, Adrien Brody, Megan Fox, Josh Brolin, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Drew Barrymore.
Official details courtesy of WB:
“Sex And The City 2”
Release Date: May 27th, 2010
Director/Writer: Michael Patrick King
Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler, Jason Lewis, Mario Cantone, Willie Garson, John Corbett, Chris Noth
“Comedy. The fun, the fashion, the friendship: “Sex and the City 2” brings it all back and more as Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) take another bite out of The Big Apple—and beyond—carrying on with their busy lives and loves in a sequel that truly sparkles.
Official details courtesy of WB:
“Sex And The City 2”
Release Date: May 27th, 2010
Director/Writer: Michael Patrick King
Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler, Jason Lewis, Mario Cantone, Willie Garson, John Corbett, Chris Noth
“Comedy. The fun, the fashion, the friendship: “Sex and the City 2” brings it all back and more as Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) take another bite out of The Big Apple—and beyond—carrying on with their busy lives and loves in a sequel that truly sparkles.
- 5/6/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Sneak Peek new posters supporting the Vancouver-lensed 3D fantasy adventure, "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore".
Korean-based Stereo Pictures is converting Canadian director Brad Peyton's Disney release in 3D, to be 'unleashed' for a July 30 release.
"Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore", a Warners, Village Roadshow production, is a sequel to the 2001 feature "Cats & Dogs". The new movie filmed throughout Vancouver, September to December 2008, including sequences shot @ the Pne Amusement park.
Starring Chris O'Donnell and Jack McBrayer, "Kitty Galore" was produced by Andrew Lazar for Mad Chance in association with former Warner Independent head Polly Cohen.
Screenplay is by Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich, following the continuing story of "...the great battle between cats and dogs for control of the Earth...".
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore"...
Korean-based Stereo Pictures is converting Canadian director Brad Peyton's Disney release in 3D, to be 'unleashed' for a July 30 release.
"Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore", a Warners, Village Roadshow production, is a sequel to the 2001 feature "Cats & Dogs". The new movie filmed throughout Vancouver, September to December 2008, including sequences shot @ the Pne Amusement park.
Starring Chris O'Donnell and Jack McBrayer, "Kitty Galore" was produced by Andrew Lazar for Mad Chance in association with former Warner Independent head Polly Cohen.
Screenplay is by Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich, following the continuing story of "...the great battle between cats and dogs for control of the Earth...".
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore"...
- 3/26/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Take a look at new posters supporting the Vancouver-lensed 3D fantasy adventure, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore. Korean-based Stereo Pictures is converting Canadian director Brad Peyton's Disney feature in 3D, for a July 30 wide release. Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, a Warners, Village Roadshow production, is a sequel to the 2001 feature Cats & Dogs, lensed throughout Vancouver, September to December 2008, including sequences shot @ the Pne Amusement park. Kitty Galore stars actors Chris O'Donnell and Jack McBrayer, produced by Andrew Lazar for Mad Chance in association with former Warner Independent head Polly Cohen. Screenplay is by Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich, following the continuing story of "...the great battle between cats and dogs for control of the Earth..."...
- 3/26/2010
- HollywoodNorthReport.com
Warner Bros. will convert director Zach Snyder's Vancouver-lensed action feature "Sucker Punch" into 3D, targeting a March 25, 2011 wide release.
The studio is also in the process of converting Vancouver-lensed "Cats and Dogs 2: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore" into 3D, through Stereo Pictures of South Korea, for a summer release July 2010.
R-rated "Sucker Punch", from the director of "Watchmen", started shooting September 10 2009, wrapping January 22, 2010.
Snyder co-wrote the screenplay with Steve Sibuya, referring to the film as "...Alice in Wonderland with machine guns". Premise follows a girl confined to a mental institution by her 'evil' stepfather. As a coping strategy, she retreats into an alternative, imaginative reality with"dragons, B-52 bombers and brothels", according to Snyder, who also co-produced the film with his wife Debra.
Cast includes Emily Browning as 'Baby Doll', Carla Gugino as 'Mrs. Schulz', Abbie Cornish as 'Sweetpea', Vanessa Hudgens as 'Blondie' and Jamie Chung as 'Amber'.
The studio is also in the process of converting Vancouver-lensed "Cats and Dogs 2: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore" into 3D, through Stereo Pictures of South Korea, for a summer release July 2010.
R-rated "Sucker Punch", from the director of "Watchmen", started shooting September 10 2009, wrapping January 22, 2010.
Snyder co-wrote the screenplay with Steve Sibuya, referring to the film as "...Alice in Wonderland with machine guns". Premise follows a girl confined to a mental institution by her 'evil' stepfather. As a coping strategy, she retreats into an alternative, imaginative reality with"dragons, B-52 bombers and brothels", according to Snyder, who also co-produced the film with his wife Debra.
Cast includes Emily Browning as 'Baby Doll', Carla Gugino as 'Mrs. Schulz', Abbie Cornish as 'Sweetpea', Vanessa Hudgens as 'Blondie' and Jamie Chung as 'Amber'.
- 3/8/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Korean-based Stereo Pictures, will convert Canadian director Brad Peyton's, Vancouver-lensed Disney sci-fi fantasy, "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore" to 3D, in time for a July release.
Stereo's Us branch, opened in 2007, is managed by former Warner's staffers James R. Miller and Dan Romanelli, with former Cfc Entertainment president Phillip Rhee.
Last month, Stereo Pictures signed an agreement with the Korea Film Council (Kofic) 'to cultivate' S3D professionals and develop S3D technology, planning to train 750 3D artists, engineers through the program, before recruiting them into the company.
"Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore", a Warners, Village Roadshow production, is a sequel to the 2001 "Cats & Dogs". The new movie filmed throughout Vancouver, September to December 2008, including sequences shot @ the Pne amusement park.
Starring Chris O'Donnell and Jack McBrayer. Andrew Lazar produced "Kitty Galore" for Mad Chance with former Warner Independent head Polly Cohen.
Screenplay is by Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich,...
Stereo's Us branch, opened in 2007, is managed by former Warner's staffers James R. Miller and Dan Romanelli, with former Cfc Entertainment president Phillip Rhee.
Last month, Stereo Pictures signed an agreement with the Korea Film Council (Kofic) 'to cultivate' S3D professionals and develop S3D technology, planning to train 750 3D artists, engineers through the program, before recruiting them into the company.
"Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore", a Warners, Village Roadshow production, is a sequel to the 2001 "Cats & Dogs". The new movie filmed throughout Vancouver, September to December 2008, including sequences shot @ the Pne amusement park.
Starring Chris O'Donnell and Jack McBrayer. Andrew Lazar produced "Kitty Galore" for Mad Chance with former Warner Independent head Polly Cohen.
Screenplay is by Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich,...
- 2/4/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Chris O'Donnell and Jack McBrayer are the live-action stars of the upcoming sequel to Cats And Dogs to be titled Cats And Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore. In other news why the hell is there a sequel to Cats And Dogs. The film will continue to follow the battle between the two species for control of the planet. Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich (Brother Bear) wrote the script. O'Donnell will next be seen in Max Payne with Mark Wahlberg. Man, I bet he had some serious street cred on that set....
- 10/1/2008
- by James Thoo
- JoBlo.com
I can’t say I’m excited about a “Cats & Dogs” sequel, but the film is happening and it’s already in production. Nope, there’s nothing we can do about it.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the live-action parts of "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore” are shooting in Vancouver, with Chris O’Donnell and Jack McBrayer cast in the lead roles.
Directed by Brad Peyton, the film obviously follows a bunch of cats and dogs fighting for world domination. Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich wrote the script.
O’Donnell is known for his roles in “Batman & Robin,” “The Bachelor” and the recent “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.” He will next be seen with Mark Wahlberg in John Moore’s “Max Payne.”
McBrayer recently appeared in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” He’s best known for playing Kenneth Parcell on television’s “30 Rock.”...
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the live-action parts of "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore” are shooting in Vancouver, with Chris O’Donnell and Jack McBrayer cast in the lead roles.
Directed by Brad Peyton, the film obviously follows a bunch of cats and dogs fighting for world domination. Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich wrote the script.
O’Donnell is known for his roles in “Batman & Robin,” “The Bachelor” and the recent “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.” He will next be seen with Mark Wahlberg in John Moore’s “Max Payne.”
McBrayer recently appeared in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” He’s best known for playing Kenneth Parcell on television’s “30 Rock.”...
- 10/1/2008
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
Chris O'Donnell and Jack McBrayer are the live-action stars of Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow's "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore," which is being directed by Brad Peyton.
Andrew Lazar is producing the CGI-blended movie via his Mad Chance banner along with former Warner Independent head Polly Cohen.
The movie continues the story of the battle between cats and dogs for control of Earth. Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich -- who have made family movies and talking animals their bag with "Brother Bear," "Chicken Little" and "Open Season" -- wrote the script.
The movie marks the feature debut of Peyton, who made waves at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival with his acclaimed short, "Evelyn: The Cutest Dead Girl."
The live-action portions of the film already are in production in Vancouver, with voice casting to come.
Miri Yoon is co-producing.
O'Donnell, repped by Endeavor and Untitled, next appears opposite Mark Wahlberg in "Max Payne.
Andrew Lazar is producing the CGI-blended movie via his Mad Chance banner along with former Warner Independent head Polly Cohen.
The movie continues the story of the battle between cats and dogs for control of Earth. Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich -- who have made family movies and talking animals their bag with "Brother Bear," "Chicken Little" and "Open Season" -- wrote the script.
The movie marks the feature debut of Peyton, who made waves at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival with his acclaimed short, "Evelyn: The Cutest Dead Girl."
The live-action portions of the film already are in production in Vancouver, with voice casting to come.
Miri Yoon is co-producing.
O'Donnell, repped by Endeavor and Untitled, next appears opposite Mark Wahlberg in "Max Payne.
- 10/1/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ryan Saul has joined APA Talent and Literary Agency in the feature literary group, while Melissa Orton has been promoted to literary agent.
Saul joins APA from the Metropolitan Talent Agency, where for the past three years he represented writers and directors in film and television. He brings with him such clients as Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich ("Chicken Little"), Darcy Meyers ("The 4400"), Ken Lazebnik ("A Prairie Home Companion") and Brett Conrad ("Sons of Anarchy") as well as television directors Matthew Hastings ("Eureka") and Roger Christiansen ("Hannah Montana").
Before becoming an agent, Saul worked in Disney's strategic planning department.
Orton, who worked to feature lit agent David Boxerbaum, will be a literary agent in the television and feature departments. She has been at APA for two years after beginning her career at Metropolitan Talent Agency.
Saul joins APA from the Metropolitan Talent Agency, where for the past three years he represented writers and directors in film and television. He brings with him such clients as Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich ("Chicken Little"), Darcy Meyers ("The 4400"), Ken Lazebnik ("A Prairie Home Companion") and Brett Conrad ("Sons of Anarchy") as well as television directors Matthew Hastings ("Eureka") and Roger Christiansen ("Hannah Montana").
Before becoming an agent, Saul worked in Disney's strategic planning department.
Orton, who worked to feature lit agent David Boxerbaum, will be a literary agent in the television and feature departments. She has been at APA for two years after beginning her career at Metropolitan Talent Agency.
- 6/17/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
20th Century Fox has acquired Steve Bencich and Ron Friedman's pitch The Devil You Know for mid-six figures against just under $1 million.
Shawn Levy will produce through his Fox-based 21 Laps shingle alongside Gotham Group's Ellen Goldsmith-Vein.
Bencich and Friedman, who penned Open Season, Chicken Little and Brother Bear, will adapt Devil from the children's book by Nathan Hale. Despite Bencich and Friedman's animation pedigree, Devil will be a live-action film.
The book revolves around the Fell family and the little devil that lives in their house. The Fells grow impatient with the demon, who does all sorts of bad things. When the prim and proper Ms. Phisto mysteriously appears and offers to remove the little devil and take his place, the Fells wind up with more than they bargained for.
Plot details of Bencich and Friedman's pitch are being kept under wraps, but the family comedy is described as in the vein of Fox blockbuster Night at the Museum. 21 Laps' Tom McNulty brought the project into the shingle, which also ushered in Museum.
Fox's Emma Watts is shepherding the film for the studio.
Shawn Levy will produce through his Fox-based 21 Laps shingle alongside Gotham Group's Ellen Goldsmith-Vein.
Bencich and Friedman, who penned Open Season, Chicken Little and Brother Bear, will adapt Devil from the children's book by Nathan Hale. Despite Bencich and Friedman's animation pedigree, Devil will be a live-action film.
The book revolves around the Fell family and the little devil that lives in their house. The Fells grow impatient with the demon, who does all sorts of bad things. When the prim and proper Ms. Phisto mysteriously appears and offers to remove the little devil and take his place, the Fells wind up with more than they bargained for.
Plot details of Bencich and Friedman's pitch are being kept under wraps, but the family comedy is described as in the vein of Fox blockbuster Night at the Museum. 21 Laps' Tom McNulty brought the project into the shingle, which also ushered in Museum.
Fox's Emma Watts is shepherding the film for the studio.
If there's one thing that the market could probably live without these days, it's another animated movie about pampered critters that get a taste of the wild life.
Enter "Open Season", an ill-timed first feature from Sony Pictures Animation about a spoiled pet bear who finds himself plunked smack dab in the middle of the scary wilderness just before the start of hunting season.
Somebody ought to declare open season on these copycat movies, but in the meantime, you could do a lot worse than this bright-looking, lightly amusing excursion from the studio's Imageworks CG division.
Of course, the big question is, will besieged families still be game for what sounds like more of the same? Even with the added incentive of notably crisp 3-D versions in select Imax theaters, the picture could easily get lost in the crowded woods.
Directed by Roger Allers ("The Lion King") and former Pixar artist Jill Culton, the film brings together an energetic voice cast to tell the story of Boog (Martin Lawrence), a big-hearted grizzly rescued as a cub by forest ranger Beth (Debra Messing) and has been living the domesticated life in her converted garage.
But Boog's idyllic existence is about to receive a rude awakening with the arrival of Elliot, a hyper, one-antlered mule deer (Ashton Kutcher paying homage to Eddie Murphy's Donkey), whom Boog made the mistake of rescuing from the hood of a truck belonging to a rabid hunter (Gary Sinise).
Determined to repay the bear for his good deed, Elliot takes him out for a night on the town culminating in a slushy-fueled bender in a convenience store.
Realizing the fateful day has finally arrived, Beth reluctantly sets Boog free in the forest, where his survival instincts eventually click into gear. With open season upon them, Boog and Elliot rally the four-legged troops in a bid to reclaim their turf.
Despite that nagging whiff of familiarity, there are enough character quirks and inspired bits of funny business to carry this amiable if slight tale, credited to Steve Bencich & Ron J. Friedman ("Chicken Little", "Brother Bear") along with veteran sitcom writer Nat Mauldin and co-director Anthony Stacchi, based on an original story by "In the Bleachers" cartoonist Steve Moore and John Carls.
Those adding to the competent voice work also include Billy Connolly as a combative squirrel, Patrick Warburton as a vain alpha deer and Jane Krakowski as his main doe.
Visually there is a nice, retro-stylized simplicity to the character drawings and the Big Bear-type mountain resort backdrops, while, thanks to state-of-the-art CG texture, all the fur really flies, especially in 3-D.
On the aural side, Paul Westerberg, in his first full-length soundtrack assignment, contributes a comfortably down-home score and song selection that feels a considerable distance away from his harder-rocking Replacements days.
OPEN SEASON
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures presents a Sony Pictures Animation film
Credits:
Directors: Jill Culton, Roger Allers, Anthony Stacchi
Screenwriters: Steve Bencich & Ron J. Friedman and Nat Mauldin
Screen story: Jill Culton and Anthony Stacchi
From an original story by: Steve Moore and John Carls
Producer: Michelle Murdocca
Executive producers: John Carls, Steve Moore
Editor: Pamela Ziegenhagen-Shefland
Music: Paul Westerberg and Ramin Djawadi
Voices:
Boog: Martin Lawrence
Elliot: Ashton Kutcher
Beth: Debra Messing
Shaw: Gary Sinise
McSquizzy: Billy Connolly
Reilly: Jon Favreau
Ian: Patrick Warburton
Giselle: Jane Krakowski
Bobbie: Georgia Engel
Gordy: Gordon Tootoosis
Running time -- 87 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
Enter "Open Season", an ill-timed first feature from Sony Pictures Animation about a spoiled pet bear who finds himself plunked smack dab in the middle of the scary wilderness just before the start of hunting season.
Somebody ought to declare open season on these copycat movies, but in the meantime, you could do a lot worse than this bright-looking, lightly amusing excursion from the studio's Imageworks CG division.
Of course, the big question is, will besieged families still be game for what sounds like more of the same? Even with the added incentive of notably crisp 3-D versions in select Imax theaters, the picture could easily get lost in the crowded woods.
Directed by Roger Allers ("The Lion King") and former Pixar artist Jill Culton, the film brings together an energetic voice cast to tell the story of Boog (Martin Lawrence), a big-hearted grizzly rescued as a cub by forest ranger Beth (Debra Messing) and has been living the domesticated life in her converted garage.
But Boog's idyllic existence is about to receive a rude awakening with the arrival of Elliot, a hyper, one-antlered mule deer (Ashton Kutcher paying homage to Eddie Murphy's Donkey), whom Boog made the mistake of rescuing from the hood of a truck belonging to a rabid hunter (Gary Sinise).
Determined to repay the bear for his good deed, Elliot takes him out for a night on the town culminating in a slushy-fueled bender in a convenience store.
Realizing the fateful day has finally arrived, Beth reluctantly sets Boog free in the forest, where his survival instincts eventually click into gear. With open season upon them, Boog and Elliot rally the four-legged troops in a bid to reclaim their turf.
Despite that nagging whiff of familiarity, there are enough character quirks and inspired bits of funny business to carry this amiable if slight tale, credited to Steve Bencich & Ron J. Friedman ("Chicken Little", "Brother Bear") along with veteran sitcom writer Nat Mauldin and co-director Anthony Stacchi, based on an original story by "In the Bleachers" cartoonist Steve Moore and John Carls.
Those adding to the competent voice work also include Billy Connolly as a combative squirrel, Patrick Warburton as a vain alpha deer and Jane Krakowski as his main doe.
Visually there is a nice, retro-stylized simplicity to the character drawings and the Big Bear-type mountain resort backdrops, while, thanks to state-of-the-art CG texture, all the fur really flies, especially in 3-D.
On the aural side, Paul Westerberg, in his first full-length soundtrack assignment, contributes a comfortably down-home score and song selection that feels a considerable distance away from his harder-rocking Replacements days.
OPEN SEASON
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures presents a Sony Pictures Animation film
Credits:
Directors: Jill Culton, Roger Allers, Anthony Stacchi
Screenwriters: Steve Bencich & Ron J. Friedman and Nat Mauldin
Screen story: Jill Culton and Anthony Stacchi
From an original story by: Steve Moore and John Carls
Producer: Michelle Murdocca
Executive producers: John Carls, Steve Moore
Editor: Pamela Ziegenhagen-Shefland
Music: Paul Westerberg and Ramin Djawadi
Voices:
Boog: Martin Lawrence
Elliot: Ashton Kutcher
Beth: Debra Messing
Shaw: Gary Sinise
McSquizzy: Billy Connolly
Reilly: Jon Favreau
Ian: Patrick Warburton
Giselle: Jane Krakowski
Bobbie: Georgia Engel
Gordy: Gordon Tootoosis
Running time -- 87 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
- 9/29/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chicken Little scribes Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich are reteaming with Walt Disney Pictures for the live-action family comedy The Missing Link. Disney paid mid-six figures for Friedman and Bencich's pitch, which is described as a monkey spy adventure in the vein of The Bourne Identity. Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson of ContraFilm are producing along with Bryan Brucks, who brought the idea to Flynn and ContraFilm creative executive Gitty Daneshvari. Disney's Karen Glass and Casey Wolfe will oversee for the studio.
Warner Bros. Pictures has purchased the coming-of-age adventure "The Treehouse" from writers Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich. Wes Ball will make his feature directing debut on the project, which is being produced by Robert Levy, Peter Abrams and Andrew Panay of Tapestry Films. "Treehouse" follows the adventures of a lonely boy who discovers a magical treehouse in his backyard and is propelled into a fantastical forest where children rule and parents are a distant memory.
- 3/31/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Opens
October 24
Brother Bear will be the last 2-D or cel animated feature cartoon to come out of Disney for a long time. Whether Disney, enthralled with the creative (and boxoffice) potential of 3-D computer animation, will ever return to traditional animation is an open question. But at least Disney bids farewell to 2-D in fine style. For Brother Bear is a playful movie that celebrates nature and the spirit world with striking imagery and a smooth blend of drama and comedy. The film should attract solid family business at the boxoffice.
Directors Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker along with producer Chuck Williams also have fun with the layout and design: The film starts off in an earthen color palette and the standard 1.85:1 format. Then, at the moment the movie's central character, a native American youth named Kenai, is transformed into a grizzly bear, the screen shifts to more saturated colors and Cinemascope or a 2.35:1 format, thus opening up the rich vistas of the Pacific Northwest of 10,000 years ago to our startled eyes. It's a grand moment.
The movie begins as an old man relates a story to a group of young people in a cave, a story about himself and his two brothers. Years before, Tanana (Joan Copeland), the village shaman, gave the youngest brother, Kenai (Joaquin Phoenix), a totem to guide him through life. The totem, a carved bear, the symbol of love, disappoints him. This red-blooded brave would have preferred an eagle, such as the one given to his eldest brother, Sitka (D.B. Sweeny), or even the wolf that belongs to his brother Denahi (Jason Raize).
Later that day, when he discovers a bear has made off with his basket of fish, he hunts the grizzly down only to become trapped in the confrontation. His older brothers race to the rescue, with Sitka sacrificing his life to save Kenai. Heartbroken, Kenai vows revenge against the grizzly. Despite warnings from Denahi and Tanana, Kenai tracks the grizzly down and kills the animal. At that moment, the Great Spirits in the sky transform Kenai into a bear himself. So when Denahi comes upon the scene, he assumes this bear has now killed a second brother and moves to attack the bear, forcing Kenai to flee.
Tanana appears to the young man in a bear's body to explain that he was transformed by Sitka and that Kenai can find Sitka on the "mountain where the light touches the earth." While pondering this, Kenai encounters two dumber-than-dirt Canadian-accented moose (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas hilariously reprising their MacKenzie brothers routine as dimwitted moose). Neither Rutt nor Tuke has any idea where to find this mountain, but they do reappear occasionally for comic relief.
Becoming ensnared in a hunter's trap, Kenai is rescued by a chatterbox bear cub named Koda (Jeremy Suarez) who not only frees him but claims to know where the mountain is. Reluctantly, Kenai takes on the cub as his companion for an adventurous trek through lively forests, glacial caverns and a volcanic field, all the while being tracked by revenge-minded Denahi.
The relationship between the put-upon Kenai and the gabby Koda is more than a little reminiscent of other recent cartoon "road" movies, say, the laconic mammoth Manfred and Sid the chattering sloth in Ice Age or even the loquacious donkey and the cranky ogre in Shrek. But this odd-couple pairing does lead to solid laughs, fueled in no small part by the wonderful comic patter of Suarez as Koda.
All the voice actors in fact are terrific, especially Moranis and Thomas and later Michael Clarke Duncan as Tug, a jovial bear who welcomes fellow bears at the annual salmon run. The mix of 2-D and 3-D effects gives this post-Ice Age wilderness startling, painterly beauty. Disney animators fill the landscapes with spectacular water effects, billowing clouds, drifting snow, volcanic mud pots and the brilliant hues of the Northern Lights aurora. The Cinemascope format gives a vastness to the scenery as if this wilderness goes on forever. The film also benefits from melodic songs written by Phil Collins in his second Disney cartoon outing and his first collaboration (with Mark Mancina) on a film score.
BROTHER BEAR
Buena Vista Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures
Credits:
Directors: Aaron Blaise, Robert Walker
Producer: Chuck Williams
Screenwriters: Tab Murphy, Lorne Cameron, David Hoselton, Steve Bencich, Ron J. Friedman
Songs: Phil Collins
Music: Mark Mancina, Phil Collins
Associate producer: Igor Khait
Editor: Tim Mertens
Art director: Robh Ruppel
Background stylist: Xiangyuan Jie
Voices:
Kenai/Bear: Joaquin Phoenix
Koda: Jeremy Suarez
Rutt: Rick Moranis
Tuke: Dave Thomas
Sitka: D.B. Sweeny
Denahi: Jason Raize
Tug: Michael Clarke Duncan
Tanana: Joan Copeland
Mabel: Estelle Harris
Running time -- 81 minutes
MPAA rating: G...
October 24
Brother Bear will be the last 2-D or cel animated feature cartoon to come out of Disney for a long time. Whether Disney, enthralled with the creative (and boxoffice) potential of 3-D computer animation, will ever return to traditional animation is an open question. But at least Disney bids farewell to 2-D in fine style. For Brother Bear is a playful movie that celebrates nature and the spirit world with striking imagery and a smooth blend of drama and comedy. The film should attract solid family business at the boxoffice.
Directors Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker along with producer Chuck Williams also have fun with the layout and design: The film starts off in an earthen color palette and the standard 1.85:1 format. Then, at the moment the movie's central character, a native American youth named Kenai, is transformed into a grizzly bear, the screen shifts to more saturated colors and Cinemascope or a 2.35:1 format, thus opening up the rich vistas of the Pacific Northwest of 10,000 years ago to our startled eyes. It's a grand moment.
The movie begins as an old man relates a story to a group of young people in a cave, a story about himself and his two brothers. Years before, Tanana (Joan Copeland), the village shaman, gave the youngest brother, Kenai (Joaquin Phoenix), a totem to guide him through life. The totem, a carved bear, the symbol of love, disappoints him. This red-blooded brave would have preferred an eagle, such as the one given to his eldest brother, Sitka (D.B. Sweeny), or even the wolf that belongs to his brother Denahi (Jason Raize).
Later that day, when he discovers a bear has made off with his basket of fish, he hunts the grizzly down only to become trapped in the confrontation. His older brothers race to the rescue, with Sitka sacrificing his life to save Kenai. Heartbroken, Kenai vows revenge against the grizzly. Despite warnings from Denahi and Tanana, Kenai tracks the grizzly down and kills the animal. At that moment, the Great Spirits in the sky transform Kenai into a bear himself. So when Denahi comes upon the scene, he assumes this bear has now killed a second brother and moves to attack the bear, forcing Kenai to flee.
Tanana appears to the young man in a bear's body to explain that he was transformed by Sitka and that Kenai can find Sitka on the "mountain where the light touches the earth." While pondering this, Kenai encounters two dumber-than-dirt Canadian-accented moose (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas hilariously reprising their MacKenzie brothers routine as dimwitted moose). Neither Rutt nor Tuke has any idea where to find this mountain, but they do reappear occasionally for comic relief.
Becoming ensnared in a hunter's trap, Kenai is rescued by a chatterbox bear cub named Koda (Jeremy Suarez) who not only frees him but claims to know where the mountain is. Reluctantly, Kenai takes on the cub as his companion for an adventurous trek through lively forests, glacial caverns and a volcanic field, all the while being tracked by revenge-minded Denahi.
The relationship between the put-upon Kenai and the gabby Koda is more than a little reminiscent of other recent cartoon "road" movies, say, the laconic mammoth Manfred and Sid the chattering sloth in Ice Age or even the loquacious donkey and the cranky ogre in Shrek. But this odd-couple pairing does lead to solid laughs, fueled in no small part by the wonderful comic patter of Suarez as Koda.
All the voice actors in fact are terrific, especially Moranis and Thomas and later Michael Clarke Duncan as Tug, a jovial bear who welcomes fellow bears at the annual salmon run. The mix of 2-D and 3-D effects gives this post-Ice Age wilderness startling, painterly beauty. Disney animators fill the landscapes with spectacular water effects, billowing clouds, drifting snow, volcanic mud pots and the brilliant hues of the Northern Lights aurora. The Cinemascope format gives a vastness to the scenery as if this wilderness goes on forever. The film also benefits from melodic songs written by Phil Collins in his second Disney cartoon outing and his first collaboration (with Mark Mancina) on a film score.
BROTHER BEAR
Buena Vista Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures
Credits:
Directors: Aaron Blaise, Robert Walker
Producer: Chuck Williams
Screenwriters: Tab Murphy, Lorne Cameron, David Hoselton, Steve Bencich, Ron J. Friedman
Songs: Phil Collins
Music: Mark Mancina, Phil Collins
Associate producer: Igor Khait
Editor: Tim Mertens
Art director: Robh Ruppel
Background stylist: Xiangyuan Jie
Voices:
Kenai/Bear: Joaquin Phoenix
Koda: Jeremy Suarez
Rutt: Rick Moranis
Tuke: Dave Thomas
Sitka: D.B. Sweeny
Denahi: Jason Raize
Tug: Michael Clarke Duncan
Tanana: Joan Copeland
Mabel: Estelle Harris
Running time -- 81 minutes
MPAA rating: G...
- 11/10/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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