When Chris Wedge's animated film "Ice Age" first came out in 2002, it was considered novel and striking for many reasons. It was set in prehistoric times yet eschewed dinosaurs in favor of megafauna living in the Pleistocene Epoch. The three main characters were a sloth named Sid (John Leguizamo), a smilodon named Diego (Denis Leary), and a mammoth named Manfred aka Manny (Ray Romano), and they were engaged in a great migration to flee the oncoming Ice Age. The plot of their first movie apes John Ford's 1946 Western "3 Godfathers," as the three animals discover a human infant that they must keep safe and deliver back to the then-evolutionarily-novel homo sapiens living nearby.
The design of "Ice Age" was striking, aiming for broad, stylized characters that were markedly different from the friendly, big-eyed protagonists of Disney pictures. It certainly helped that the "Ice Age" movies featured a character named Scrat,...
The design of "Ice Age" was striking, aiming for broad, stylized characters that were markedly different from the friendly, big-eyed protagonists of Disney pictures. It certainly helped that the "Ice Age" movies featured a character named Scrat,...
- 3/4/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
It’s hard to believe it’s been 47 years since we first witnessed the adventures of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, but across the nine-movie Skywalker saga, two standalone movies, a multitude of TV series, and one questionable Holiday Special, we’ve learned it’s a big ol’ galaxy out there. With enough characters to fill a Death Star, it’s inevitable that not every player in this grand space opera would get the same attention as Luke, Han, and Leia.
In fact, the franchise has allowed a few characters to slip to the sidelines. From major players who were discarded into the trash compactor to those who didn’t resonate with fans and were quietly pushed to the side, here are 12 Star Wars characters who deserved better.
Rose Tico
Kelly Marie Tran was a fantastic addition to the Sequel Trilogy in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but while she quickly settled in alongside Rey,...
In fact, the franchise has allowed a few characters to slip to the sidelines. From major players who were discarded into the trash compactor to those who didn’t resonate with fans and were quietly pushed to the side, here are 12 Star Wars characters who deserved better.
Rose Tico
Kelly Marie Tran was a fantastic addition to the Sequel Trilogy in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but while she quickly settled in alongside Rey,...
- 2/26/2024
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl victories, and now his storied career with the team will be dramatized for the screen.
Deadline reports that Oscar-nominated screenwriters Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson — who wrote the film “The Fighter” — are developing “The Patriot Way”, a scripted limited series based on the bestselling book 12: The Inside Story of Tom Brady’s Fight for Redemption, by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge.
“It’s a rich, character-driven story that probably will not be duplicated in our lifetime.”
“The Patriot Way” will tell the true story of Brady’s journey from sixth-round draft pick to his legendary run with the Patriots. In addition, the series will also touch on the various controversies to dog the team during Brady’s tenure as quarterback, including Aaron Hernandez’s murder trial, the Spygate and Deflategate scandals, and Brady’s clashes with coach Bill Belichick.
Deadline reports that Oscar-nominated screenwriters Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson — who wrote the film “The Fighter” — are developing “The Patriot Way”, a scripted limited series based on the bestselling book 12: The Inside Story of Tom Brady’s Fight for Redemption, by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge.
“It’s a rich, character-driven story that probably will not be duplicated in our lifetime.”
“The Patriot Way” will tell the true story of Brady’s journey from sixth-round draft pick to his legendary run with the Patriots. In addition, the series will also touch on the various controversies to dog the team during Brady’s tenure as quarterback, including Aaron Hernandez’s murder trial, the Spygate and Deflategate scandals, and Brady’s clashes with coach Bill Belichick.
- 9/29/2023
- by Etcanadadigital
- ET Canada
Tom Brady is considered to be one of the greatest NFL players of all time, and now that he’s retired (for good this time), he’s about to be the focus of a scripted limited TV series.
Deadline reports that Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson, who wrote The Fighter, are developing The Patriot Way. The series, which is based on 12: The Inside Story of Tom Brady’s Fight for Redemption by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge, will chronicle “Brady’s improbable rise from sixth-round NFL draft pick to his half-dozen Super Bowl wins with the Patriots, the Aaron Hernandez, Spygate and Deflategate scandals and Brady’s battle of wills with head coach Bill Belichick.” As Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are public figures, the writers say it will allow them “the freedom to tell the story without a filter.”
The project was first announced back in 2017, but at that time,...
Deadline reports that Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson, who wrote The Fighter, are developing The Patriot Way. The series, which is based on 12: The Inside Story of Tom Brady’s Fight for Redemption by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge, will chronicle “Brady’s improbable rise from sixth-round NFL draft pick to his half-dozen Super Bowl wins with the Patriots, the Aaron Hernandez, Spygate and Deflategate scandals and Brady’s battle of wills with head coach Bill Belichick.” As Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are public figures, the writers say it will allow them “the freedom to tell the story without a filter.”
The project was first announced back in 2017, but at that time,...
- 9/28/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: NFL legend Tom Brady is retired for good, we all assume, and now an Oscar-nominated screenwriting duo is tackling his legacy.
Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson, who wrote The Fighter – a film about a lesser-known Boston-area athlete – are working on The Patriot Way, a scripted limited series in development about the Goat quarterback and his dominant New England Patriots teams. The pair is adapting Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge’s bestselling 2018 book 12: The Inside Story of Tom Brady’s Fight for Redemption.
The Patriot Way chronicles Brady’s improbable rise from sixth-round NFL draft pick to his half-dozen Super Bowl wins with the Patriots, the Aaron Hernandez, Spygate and Deflategate scandals and Brady’s battle of wills with head coach Bill Belichick.
The Maze Runner‘s Ellen Goldsmith-Vein of Gotham Group will produce.
Related: NFL Schedule 2023: Primetime Games, Thanksgiving & Christmas Tripleheaders, Prime Video Black Friday Freebie & More
“The...
Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson, who wrote The Fighter – a film about a lesser-known Boston-area athlete – are working on The Patriot Way, a scripted limited series in development about the Goat quarterback and his dominant New England Patriots teams. The pair is adapting Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge’s bestselling 2018 book 12: The Inside Story of Tom Brady’s Fight for Redemption.
The Patriot Way chronicles Brady’s improbable rise from sixth-round NFL draft pick to his half-dozen Super Bowl wins with the Patriots, the Aaron Hernandez, Spygate and Deflategate scandals and Brady’s battle of wills with head coach Bill Belichick.
The Maze Runner‘s Ellen Goldsmith-Vein of Gotham Group will produce.
Related: NFL Schedule 2023: Primetime Games, Thanksgiving & Christmas Tripleheaders, Prime Video Black Friday Freebie & More
“The...
- 9/28/2023
- by Erik Pedersen and Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Following the release of its first animated feature, Nimona, Annapurna Animation has brought on director Nick Bruno and producer Julie Zackary to join their creative leadership team while expanding its upcoming feature slate to include an adaptation of video game Stray, along with Foo, an original title from Ice Age helmer and Blue Sky co-founder Chris Wedge.
Based on Nd Stevenson’s graphic novel of the same name, Nimona began its life at Blue Sky, and moved to Annapurna after Disney shut down the production and studio following its acquisition of Fox, which owned the animation umbrella. Netflix released the well-received Nimona in June.
Bruno — a Blue Sky alum, who made his directorial debut with Spies in Disguise — is already developing and directing an untitled original feature for the studio, while developing additional originals. Zackary is joining the studio as head of animation production, having previously served as vp of...
Based on Nd Stevenson’s graphic novel of the same name, Nimona began its life at Blue Sky, and moved to Annapurna after Disney shut down the production and studio following its acquisition of Fox, which owned the animation umbrella. Netflix released the well-received Nimona in June.
Bruno — a Blue Sky alum, who made his directorial debut with Spies in Disguise — is already developing and directing an untitled original feature for the studio, while developing additional originals. Zackary is joining the studio as head of animation production, having previously served as vp of...
- 9/6/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
We have news that will make cat owners and gamers purr with anticipation! Stray, the award-winning adventure game from the developers at BlueTwelve Studio, is getting a film adaptation from Annapurna! According to Entertainment Weekly, Annapurna’s Nimona is a significant hit for the studio, and now Annapurna Animation is giving the green light to multiple projects, including a new venture from Nimona co-director Nick Bruno and the Stray movie adaptation from Ice Age director Chris Wedge.
“Lost, alone, and separated from family, a stray cat must untangle an ancient mystery to escape a long-forgotten city,” reads the game’s official synopsis. “Stray is a third-person cat adventure game set amidst the detailed, neon-lit alleys of a decaying cybercity and the murky environments of its seedy underbelly. Roam surroundings high and low, defend against unforeseen threats, and solve the mysteries of this unwelcoming place inhabited by curious droids and dangerous creatures.
“Lost, alone, and separated from family, a stray cat must untangle an ancient mystery to escape a long-forgotten city,” reads the game’s official synopsis. “Stray is a third-person cat adventure game set amidst the detailed, neon-lit alleys of a decaying cybercity and the murky environments of its seedy underbelly. Roam surroundings high and low, defend against unforeseen threats, and solve the mysteries of this unwelcoming place inhabited by curious droids and dangerous creatures.
- 9/5/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Annapurna Animation is kicking into overdrive, with director Nick Bruno (Netflix’s “Nimona” and 20th Century Studio’s “Spies in Disguise”) and producer Julie Zackary joining up.
They are also planning to expand their feature development slate, with the first flick being an adaptation of the acclaimed “play as a cat” video game “Stray.” Also on tap is a new film from Chris Wedge (“Ice Age”), an original called “Foo.” Along with directing an untitled original in development, Bruno is actively developing original ideas for Annapurna Animation.
“Stray,” an open-world adventure where you play as an ordinary cat, earned strong reviews and 2.5 million copies sold in the first month prior to even launching on Steam. The game came from Annapurna Interactive, so the synergy speaks for itself, and Annapurna plans to adapt more titles from its game library.
Wedge is an Academy Award-winning director and producer as well as a...
They are also planning to expand their feature development slate, with the first flick being an adaptation of the acclaimed “play as a cat” video game “Stray.” Also on tap is a new film from Chris Wedge (“Ice Age”), an original called “Foo.” Along with directing an untitled original in development, Bruno is actively developing original ideas for Annapurna Animation.
“Stray,” an open-world adventure where you play as an ordinary cat, earned strong reviews and 2.5 million copies sold in the first month prior to even launching on Steam. The game came from Annapurna Interactive, so the synergy speaks for itself, and Annapurna plans to adapt more titles from its game library.
Wedge is an Academy Award-winning director and producer as well as a...
- 9/5/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Annapurna Animation has ramped up the creative leadership of its team with the addition of Nimona director Nick Bruno and producer Julie Zackary. Zackary, a former Blue Sky Studios executive, will serve as Annapurna’s Head of Animation.
Also joining the division is Erica Pulcini as Creative Executive.
First out of the gate for the division is a feature take of BlueTwelve videogame, Stray.
Zackary will oversee all aspects of production throughout Annapurna Animation’s division. Zackary served as VP of Production Management at Sony Pictures Imageworks before joining Blue Sky Studios as Vice President of Production.
In Pulcini’s role as Creative Executive, she will help curate, develop and further define Annapurna Animation’s feature film slate.
Also in development is Foo, the next project from renowned director Chris Wedge.
Bruno is already on tap to develop and direct an untitled original feature film, and he is actively developing...
Also joining the division is Erica Pulcini as Creative Executive.
First out of the gate for the division is a feature take of BlueTwelve videogame, Stray.
Zackary will oversee all aspects of production throughout Annapurna Animation’s division. Zackary served as VP of Production Management at Sony Pictures Imageworks before joining Blue Sky Studios as Vice President of Production.
In Pulcini’s role as Creative Executive, she will help curate, develop and further define Annapurna Animation’s feature film slate.
Also in development is Foo, the next project from renowned director Chris Wedge.
Bruno is already on tap to develop and direct an untitled original feature film, and he is actively developing...
- 9/5/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Close your eyes and meditate on the Force for a moment. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about "Star Wars"? For me, it's the opening shot of "A New Hope" when the Tantive IV is being stalked by Darth Vader's Star Destroyer, the Devastator. The next image is, without a doubt, Ben Solo igniting Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber to give to Luke in his hut on Tatooine. By leaps and bounds, the lightsaber has become the most recognizable piece of "Star Wars" lore.
Used sparingly throughout the original trilogy, the Jedi's weapon was only unsheathed in a handful of key moments, allowing for maximum impact when Luke, Obi-Wan or Vader ignited their blade. As the Skywalker saga continued into the prequels, the lightsaber was used one too many times and the magic of seeing it on screen was severely diminished. By choosing to not...
Used sparingly throughout the original trilogy, the Jedi's weapon was only unsheathed in a handful of key moments, allowing for maximum impact when Luke, Obi-Wan or Vader ignited their blade. As the Skywalker saga continued into the prequels, the lightsaber was used one too many times and the magic of seeing it on screen was severely diminished. By choosing to not...
- 5/4/2023
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
Part of the joy of Star Wars: Visions is, you never know quite what you’re going to get when you load up an episode. Lucasfilm’s anthology series lets animation houses present their own unique spin on the galaxy far, far away – taking any characters, any settings, any imagery from George Lucas’ sprawling space opera and doing whatever feels right or interesting with them, canon be damned. Think of it like a remix compilation, with wildly creative spins on familiar material from fascinatingly varied voices. Where Volume 1 of Visions was comprised solely of Japanese anime studios, Volume 2 is going worldwide – including a contribution from British stop-motion legends Aardman.
While there’s no Wallace and Gromit or Feathers McGraw here, Aardman’s short ‘I Am Your Mother’ (see what they did there?) is set in the aftermath of the original trilogy, and tells the story of wannabe-pilot Twi’lek tween...
While there’s no Wallace and Gromit or Feathers McGraw here, Aardman’s short ‘I Am Your Mother’ (see what they did there?) is set in the aftermath of the original trilogy, and tells the story of wannabe-pilot Twi’lek tween...
- 4/10/2023
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - TV
Out of all the studios announced to be working on Volume 2 of the animated anthology series, "Star Wars: Visions," it's Aardman Animation's involvement that's got me the most intrigued. The "Wallace & Gromit," "Shaun the Sheep," and "Chicken Run" stop-motion powerhouse's various idiosyncratic settings and toothy-mouthed characters aren't as far removed from the galaxy far, far away as you might imagine, either.
Speaking during the "Visions" panels at "Star Wars" Celebration 2023 in London, England (where members of the /Film crew are currently on the ground), the team behind Aardman's "Visions" short, title "I Am Your Mother," noted that stop-motion has a long history in "Star Wars." Indeed, the Industrial Light & Magic visual effects legend Phil Tippett famously used never-before-seen VFX to make the stop-motion tauntauns and At-ATs more convincing for the Hoth sequences in "The Empire Strikes Back." Magdalena Osinska, the director of "I Am Your Mother," referred to Aardman...
Speaking during the "Visions" panels at "Star Wars" Celebration 2023 in London, England (where members of the /Film crew are currently on the ground), the team behind Aardman's "Visions" short, title "I Am Your Mother," noted that stop-motion has a long history in "Star Wars." Indeed, the Industrial Light & Magic visual effects legend Phil Tippett famously used never-before-seen VFX to make the stop-motion tauntauns and At-ATs more convincing for the Hoth sequences in "The Empire Strikes Back." Magdalena Osinska, the director of "I Am Your Mother," referred to Aardman...
- 4/10/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Spoilers ahead for "Andor" episode 6.
The "Star Wars" universe is full of food and drink. Blue milk and noodles, cereal, polystarch portion bread, bantha tartare... it's a galactic smorgasbord out there. Our heroes and villains and assorted alien species all feast regularly.
Then what?
All of that sustenance has to go somewhere, right? The famous kids' book tells us that everybody poops, and though we haven't seen that in the "Star Wars" universe, we knew it had to happen. Of course, we hadn't even seen a bathroom until Wedge was interrupted in the "refresher" in "Star Wars Rebels," and a vac-tube toilet showed up in "The Mandalorian" premiere. Now, with the sixth episode in "Andor," all that has changed. A man has peed, people. I repeat, a man has peed.
In case you missed it, the momentous event takes place right before Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay) and Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu...
The "Star Wars" universe is full of food and drink. Blue milk and noodles, cereal, polystarch portion bread, bantha tartare... it's a galactic smorgasbord out there. Our heroes and villains and assorted alien species all feast regularly.
Then what?
All of that sustenance has to go somewhere, right? The famous kids' book tells us that everybody poops, and though we haven't seen that in the "Star Wars" universe, we knew it had to happen. Of course, we hadn't even seen a bathroom until Wedge was interrupted in the "refresher" in "Star Wars Rebels," and a vac-tube toilet showed up in "The Mandalorian" premiere. Now, with the sixth episode in "Andor," all that has changed. A man has peed, people. I repeat, a man has peed.
In case you missed it, the momentous event takes place right before Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay) and Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu...
- 10/12/2022
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
This Star Wars: Andor article contains spoilers.
In space, no one can hear you… urinate. Well, that’s what we’d always thought across the past 45 years of Star Wars. The galaxy has never been afraid to show us what the inside of a Tauntaun looks like, or a limbless Anakin Skywalker being charred on Mustafar, but apparently, seeing your favorite Jedi go to the toilet is a step too far. That was until the latest episode of Andor.
The gritty Star Wars live-action series has tried something new as a genre-defining spy-fi sci-fi that’s set in that sweet spot between George Lucas’ Original Trilogy and the Prequels. It’s starkly different in tone and scope too, less grand space adventure, and more a nitty gritty deep dive into the spark of Rebellion. In the hands of showrunner Tony Gilroy, Andor has explored the more mundane details of the galaxy far,...
In space, no one can hear you… urinate. Well, that’s what we’d always thought across the past 45 years of Star Wars. The galaxy has never been afraid to show us what the inside of a Tauntaun looks like, or a limbless Anakin Skywalker being charred on Mustafar, but apparently, seeing your favorite Jedi go to the toilet is a step too far. That was until the latest episode of Andor.
The gritty Star Wars live-action series has tried something new as a genre-defining spy-fi sci-fi that’s set in that sweet spot between George Lucas’ Original Trilogy and the Prequels. It’s starkly different in tone and scope too, less grand space adventure, and more a nitty gritty deep dive into the spark of Rebellion. In the hands of showrunner Tony Gilroy, Andor has explored the more mundane details of the galaxy far,...
- 10/12/2022
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
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