Check out Megamind in all his mega-blueness.
Megamind (voiced by Will Ferrell) is the most brilliant and least successful supervillain. Over the years, he has tried to conquer Metro City in every imaginable way. Each attempt is foiled by the caped superhero known as 'Metro Man,' (voiced by Brad Pitt) an invincible hero until the day Megamind actually kills him in the throes of one of his botched evil plans.
DreamWorks' Megamind, which will be released in theaters November 5, 2010, also stars the voices of Jonah Hill, Tina Fey, Justin Long, and Bill Hader.
John Kricfalusi on Contemporary Animated Features
If I owned a printer, I’d print out this quote, and if I owned a bulletin board, I’d stick it onto that board:
“Modern animated movies are the products not of anyone’s individual vision, but rather a scattered accumulation of compromises made out of fear by members of large committees.” — John Kricfalusi
It doesn’t describe every mainstream studio feature, but it surely applies to a fair percentage of them.
(Thanks Cartoon Brew)
Animation Exec Speak 101
If animation executives thought out loud, this is what they’d sound like. Keep a barf bag handy.
(Thanks, Ted)
(Thanks Cartoon Brew)
Shrek Goes After the Green
Shrek Forever After, the fourth and reportedly final film in the popular DreamWorks Animation series, arrives today in theaters to a big grab for the green.The film, directed by Mike Mitchell, sees the famous ogre suffer in a midlife crisis that prompts him to accept an offer from Rumpelstiltskin to see what the world would be like with him. The film reunites the original cast of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, John Cleese and Julie Andrews.
Shrek Forever After is the first film in the series to be made in stereo and will be rolling out wide in more than 4,300 cinemas. The film also is setting a record for an IMAX release, opening on 194 screens showing the film in the large format.
Reviews for the film have been mixed, earning a 47 percent positive ranking on RottenTomatoes.com as of Thursday afternoon, with only a 30 percent positive ranking from the site’s top critics.
DreamWorks Animation is downplaying expectations for the film’s opening weekend, which are pegged at a modest $80 million. The studio’s stock took a hit on Tuesday after the studio made its expectations known, but rebounded a bit on Wednesday.
The studio’s last film, the stereoscopic 3D How to Train Your Dragon, opened with a modest $43 million, but has since proven a consistent performer on its way to a domestic gross of more than $208 million. The film is still in release.
The sole new major challenger from a studio this week is the parody film MacGruber, based on the Saturday Night Live sketch and inspired by the 1980s TV series MacGyver. The Universal release is set to open in more than 2,500 cinemas.
Also holding over are the two-week champ Iron Man 2, as well as Ridley Scott’s new film, Robin Hood.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
The New York Times on the new Looney Tunes
Brooks Barnes recounts the recent history - and uncertain future - of Warner Bros. Looney Tunes franchise in today’s New York Times. The article contains some interesting details, quotes from the execs (not to mention a plug for my forthcoming book), and this intriguing shot (below) from the new CGI Road Runner cartoons.
(Thanks Cartoon Brew)
“Giddy Up” Music Video by Leah Morgan
I haven’t worked in an office for many years so I have no idea if this video for Tahuna Breaks’ “Giddy Up” qualifies as NSFW, but the video thumbnail offers a good clue about whether you should click or not. It’s a dirty and clever nod to the Pointer Sisters’ Sesame Street classic. There’s a smart lesson within: if you’re going to do a parody, don’t settle for middle-of-the-road references—go all out and own it.
CREDITS
Directed and Illustrated by Leah Morgan
Edited and Animated by Morten Leirkjaer
Produced by Fish N Clips, Auckland, New Zealand
(Thanks, Mike Johnson)
(Thanks Cartoon Brew)
37th Student Academy Award Winners
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the winners of the 37th Annual Student Academy Awards competition, and three shorts shared the prize in the animation category. I’ve linked to two of them which have already been posted online. Congrats to all!
• Departure of Love
Jennifer Bors, Ringling College of Art and Design, Florida
• Dried Up
Isaiah Powers and Jeremy Casper, Kansas City Art Institute, Missouri
• Lifeline
Andres Salaff, California Institute of the Arts
(Thanks Cartoon Brew)
London 2012 Olympics Short
The recently unveiled 2012 London Olympic mascots, which are somehow supposed to evoke the spirit of the games, now have their very own animated short. Frankly, the cartoon isn’t as bad as it should be, but to understand why the Olympics chose to represent itself with hideously phallic blobs, listen to what this Olympic official has to say: “The one thing that came out of our research with children is they weren’t looking for a cuddly toy or something human, but for something rooted in a very good story.” If ever there was proof needed that focus-testing and researching cartoon characters is a fool’s errand, look no further.
(Thanks Cartoon Brew)
Disney assistant animator Mary S. Broggie dies, 85
Mary S. Broggie, assistant animator to Disney legend Ward Kimball and the wife of Walt Disney's first Imagineer, died suddenly March 18 at her Carmel, California home. She was 85.She was born December 29, 1924 in Madison, Wisconsin. After graduating from high school, she traveled to Southern California to pursue her dream of working for Walt Disney Studios after seeing the classic animated feature Fantasia.
In 1944, she was hired at Disney and eventually became assistant animator to Kimball. Disney productions she worked on include The Three Caballeros, Fun & Fancy Free, Alice In Wonderland, Peter Pan, Lady and The Tramp, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Mary Poppins and Sleeping Beauty.
In 1956, she married Roger E. Broggie, Walt Disney's first Imagineer and creator of many Disney technological achievements. Upon her husband's retirement from Disney in 1975, they moved with their son Brian to their home overlooking Carmel Bay.
In the 1980s, Broggie enjoyed using her artistic talents to create a series of window displays for a local store specializing in stamp collecting. Her love of the written works of Robinson Jeffers inspired her to become a docent at Tor House for several years.
Her husband Roger died of cancer in 1991. She did not wish to travel; a series of pet cats and her collection of books, plus frequent visits by her son, who lived nearby, provided comfort after her husband's passing.
In good health for most of her life, Broggie was a breast cancer survivor. She was a prolific correspondent, enjoying writing to and receiving letters from her many friends and members of the family. She also submitted numerous letters to the Monterey Herald's editorial section.
Mary S. Broggie was predeceased by her brothers Theodore and Earl. She is survived by son Brian and his wife Cyndi of Carmel; stepsons Roger Jr. and his wife Marilyn of LaPine, Oregon and Michael and his wife Sharon of Thousand Oaks, California; eight grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.
The lives of Mary and Roger Broggie were celebrated during a private family gathering to scatter their ashes together at sea. Visit www.thepaulmortuary.com to sign Mary's guest book and leave messages for her family.
Celeb-filled Season 2 of Glenn Martin, DDS Starts June 11
The stop-motion animated series Glenn Martin, DDS returns June 11 to Nick at Nite, kicking off a second season that will feature a series of all-star guest voices.Among the talents lending their voice to the series are Bret Michaels, Mel Brooks, Fergie, Kristen Bell, Sean Hayes, Betty White, Jimmy Kimmel, John Corbett, Fran Drescher, Bradley Whitford, Cheri Oteri, MC Hammer, Jason Alexander, George Takei, Howie Mandel, Don Johnson, Ty Burrell, Ashley Tisdale, Jim Parsons, Bryan Cranston, Gabourey Sibide and Ellen Page. The regular cast includes Kevin Nealon, Catherine O’Hara and Judy Greer.
The series will air Fridays at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.
“Season two of Glenn Martin, DDS will feature some of today’s funniest and most recognizable celebrity voices in almost every episode,” said Marjorie Cohn, Nickelodeon’s president of development and original programming.
Glenn Martin, DDS was developed for Nick at Nite by Michael Eisner, who co-created the series along with Alex Berger and Eric Fogel, who is also an executive producer overseeing animation.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
Dentsu Forms New American Entertainment Division
Advertising agency Dentsu Inc. has formed Dentsu Entertainment, a new subsidiary company that will develop original animation programming and media content outside of Asia.Headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., Dentsu Entertainment also will be responsible for licensing its new and existing properties.
Densu Entertainment replaces DCI-Los Angeles, a division of Dentsu America formed in 2008, and will take over all of its activities, projects obligations and staff.
One of those projects, the animated series Deltora Quest, has been picked up by The Hub, a new network that is a joint venture of Hasbro and Discovery Communications that is set to launch in October.
Dentsu Entertainment also will take over from DCI-LA the properties Chub City, Mameshiba and Monsuno.
“Dentsu has given us an opportunity to more aggressively seek U.S. business opportunities in entertainment – including the development of new television properties with global sensibilities – while also serving as a local office for western initiatives on properties originating in Japan, such as Deltora Quest and Mameshiba,’’ said Yuma Sakata, president and CEO of Dentsu Entertainment USA.
Former DCI Los Angeles leadership heading up the new company include Sakata; VP of global strategy & development Marc Harrington Sr.; executive producer for international production Yukio Kusumoto; and manager of licensing and promotions Yulie Yoshimura.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
Rainmaker Adds Ting & Juma to Development Slate
Rainmaker Entertainment has added a feature film and confirmed a pair of previously reported projects as part of its initial original development slate.The new addition is Ting & Juma: The Movie, about a tiny alien with an attitude and a forest dweller with a thirst for creativity and adventure. The characters were created by Rainmaker and have appeared in several short films. The studio is currently taking pitches from writers on the project.
The Vancouver-based animation studio confirmed it is developing Ogo, a theatrical animated movie based on the famous Ogopogo water creature said to live in Lake Okanagan in central British Columbia. Jacob Medjuck, an animator and filmmaker who has worked for DreamWorks Animation, Disney, Sony, Warner Bros. and Fox, is writing the script.
It also confirmed a series of Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes animated holiday specials for television and home entertainment. Bernice Vanderlaan has been signed as the writer on the project, while David Snowden and Alison Fine are on board as consulting directors.
“Rainmaker is fully utilizing its resources – creative talent, storytelling and technical and artistic skills -- to bring an exciting and entertaining array of ideas to the global animation film, television and home entertainment markets,” said Rainmaker president and executive producer Catherine Winder.
Rainmaker is seeking distribution partners for Ting & Juma as well as Ogo and Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
Special Agent Oso Returns July 10 with New Characters
Disney Channel’s Emmy-nominated animated series Special Agent Oso is returning for its second season with two new characters on July 10.The season premiere, set for July 10 at 8 a.m. ET/PT, will introduce two new characters: Buffo, a water buffalo who is charged with developing Oso’s gadgets; and Musa, a silent, stuffed-animal ninja who is a new sparring partner for Oso.
Actor Brad Garrett will provide the voice of Buffo.
The second season also will see a number of guest voices, including Mel Brooks as snoring Grandpa Mel; Lou Holtz as Uncle Lou, Lisa Loeb, Rita Moreno, Ming-Na, Freddy Rodriguez and Rebecca Romijn.
Actor Sean Astin plays the lead role of Oso.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
Dynamite! Acquires Chaos! Comics Library
Comic book publisher Dynamite! Entertainment has purchased the library of Chaos! Comics, acquiring such iconic characters as Evil Ernie, Smiley the Psychotic Button, Chastity, Purgatori, Jade, Omen, Bad Kitty, Cremator and Lady Demon.The deal does not include the character Lady Death.
“After announcing our acquisition of Vampirella, and now the Chaos! characters, Dynamite Entertainment is in possession of some of the most iconic horror characters in comic book history, with Evil Ernie possibly being the most iconic," says Dynamite Entertainment President Nick Barrucci. "Dynamite Entertainment has grown significantly these past several months with our acquisition of Dabel Bros., our publishing relationship with Liquid and Grant Morrison, and with several other more surprises coming up, we are aiming to be the most diverse publisher in comics."
Chaos! Comics was a publisher of horror-themed comics popular in the 1990s. The company recorded more than $30 million in sales and its books featured work from such well-known creators as Alan Moore, Peter David, Brian Pullido, Mike Deodato, Arthur Adams, Steven Hughes and Joseph Michael Linsner.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
“The Art of Shrek Forever After” illuminates DreamWork’s struggle to come up with a fitting final chapter for this popular film franchise
WARNING !! There be spoilers in Jim Hill's review of this new Insight Edition book. Which reveals how Mike Mitchell & his story team drew much of their inspiration for this sequel from the original “Shrek”
Did you see where the purchase price of DreamWorks Animation shares dropped 6% yesterday because some investment analyst said that “Shrek Forever After” was projected to only make $315 million during its initial domestic run?
Care to guess how many movies released last year sold more than $300 million worth of tickets domestically? Out of the 521 motion pictures that Box Office Mojo kept tabs on in calendar 2009, only three crossed that particular box office threshold: “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” ($301 million), “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” ($402 million) and “Avatar” ($748 million).
Copyright 20th Century Fox. All Rights Reserved
I bring this matter up because … Well, there’s an interesting story to be told about the fourth “Shrek” film. One that (I might add) has absolutely nothing to do with what the projected box office of this new DreamWorks Animation release might be.
You see, by the time a studio typically gets around to producing the fourth installment of a series, the creative well has run dry. So the decision to go forward with production usually isn’t story driven. It’s because there’s still profit to be had.
Copyright 2010 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. All Rights Reserved
But Mike Mitchell and his “Shrek Forever After” story team … they were different. Given that this DWA production was supposed to be the really-for-real final chapter of the Shrek saga, they wanted to end this series with a bang. Send things out on a high note.
More to the point, Mike & his team wanted to remind moviegoers why the original “Shrek” had been so popular. That this 2000 DreamWorks Animation release hadn’t won the very first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature because it dared to riff on Disney’s theme parks and/or classic animated films like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Cinderella” & “Pinocchio.” But because “Shrek” had a great story with some really clever writing. Not to mention characters that you actually grew to care about over the course of the movie.
Copyright 2010 Insight Editions / DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. All Rights Reserved
Which is why – in order to make their movie as much like the original “Shrek” as possible – they actually made the inciting incident of their story something that happened off-screen during the first film. As Jerry Schmitz recounts in “The Art of Shrek Forever After” (Insight Editions, May 2010), we …
WARNING !! THERE BE SPOILERS AHEAD !! PROCEED WITH CAUTION !!
Copyright 2010 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. All Rights Reserved
… flash back to the first Shrek film, where Princess Fiona’s curse has yet to be lifted, and her parents are still at a loss as to what to do about their daughter’s tragic fate. On a recommendation from King Midas, (King Harold and Queen Lilian) cross class borders and venture into Far Far Away’s underworld to consult with Rumplestiltskin. Rumpel confirms that he can free Fiona from his course. In exchange, King Harold must give the Kingdom of Far Far Away to Rumpel. But just as Harold is about to sign away his kingdom, a royal messenger bursts through the door with the news that the princess has been saved! Rumplestiltskin’s plan to gain control of the kingdom is thwarted and Rumpel vows to get revenge on the ogre who spoiled his plans: Shrek.
So with that as our back story, Mitchell & his story team now drop moviegoers straight into the world of “Shrek Forever After.”
Copyright 2010 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. All Rights Reserved
Now happily married with three kids, Shrek’s life has now become mundane and very routine (at least in his eyes). Feeling somewhat nostalgic for his ogre bachelor days, Shrek makes a deal with the proverbial devil. Who in this particular case is none other than the classic fairytale schemer Rumplestiltskin.
The newest villain to the world of Shrek, Rumplestiltskin is after one thing: the Kingdom of Far Far Away. Capitalizing on Shrek’s longing for the old days, Rumpel makes Shrek an offer he can’t refuse: to live a day free of responsibility, as a real ogre. In exchange, all Shrek has to do is give Rumpel one day from his past.
Copyright 2010 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. All Rights Reserved
But what Shrek doesn’t realize is that this deal with the devil will literally turn Far Far Away inside out. Putting Rumplestiltskin on the throne.
Copyright 2010 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. All Rights Reserved
And – what’s worse – turning Fiona into a full-on warrior princess who has never known true love. Or – for that matter – doesn’t have a clue who her husband is.
Copyright 2010 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. All Rights Reserved
So how does Shrek set everything right? Sorry, but that would be telling. What I will say is that Schmitz does a skillful job of explaining Mike Mitchell’s creative process. Illuminating the various avenues that he and his “Shrek Forever After” story team explored (Like – for instance – a version of this film that was to have featured a teenaged version of Shrek) before they finally settled on a definitive story for the fourth & final film in this DWA series.
Copyright 2010 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. All Rights Reserved
Which is what makes “The Art of DreamWorks Shrek Forever After” such an interesting read.
Of course, if you’d like to learn more about the director of this new DreamWorks Animation release, come by JHM on Friday. When I’ll talk about my recent chat with Mike Mitchell and his efforts to make “Shrek Forever After” a fitting finale for this franchise.
Pixar-Disney's Up tops Key Art Awards nominations
Pixar-Disney's Oscar-winning "Up" has received 19 nominations -- more than any other -- for The Hollywood Reporter's Key Art Awards, which honor outstanding creative contributions to the marketing of theatrical motion pictures and DVD releases.
Winners of the 39th annual Key Art Awards will be named June 11 during an awards show at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles.
This year's awards will be presented in 74 categories. Top studio marketing executives will hand out 13 Best in Show awards.
The Hollywood Reporter received a record number of submissions for the Key Art Awards. For the first time, films will be recognized for 3D and best integrated marketing campaign.
For the second year in a row, THR is using an online method for submissions. Judging in all categories will be evaluated in person, with the exception of 3D or interactive entries.
The awards show is sponsored by Panasonic. Tickets can be purchased at www.keyartaward.com.
The following animated productions have been nominated in their respective categories:
Theatrical Print -- Animation Posters
9: "9" Final Domestic Poster, created by The Arterie and Blair Green, Focus Features
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs: Payoff Poster, created by Intralink and Columbia Pictures
Coraline: One-Sheet (Door), created by Ignition and Blair Green/Focus Features
Up: Up payoff poster, created by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Creative Print Services and John Sabel, EVP Creative Print Services, The Walt Disney Studios
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Payoff 1-sheet, created by 20th Century Fox In-House Creative Advertising and Tony Sella/20th Century Fox
Theatrical Audio/Visual -- Animation TV Spots
Fantastic Mr. Fox: Whackbat, created by Ignition and Fox Searchlight Pictures
Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs: "Drink It Up," created by Open Road Entertainment and Tony Sella/20th Century Fox
Up: Adventure Rope, created by Create Advertising Group and Joe Tamusaitis/The Walt Disney Co.
Up: Adventure, created by Trailer Park and Walt Disney Studios
Up: Coming Up, created by CMP and Disney/Pixar
Theatrical Audio/Visual -- Animation Trailers
9: 9 Trailer #1, created by Focus In-House and Myles Bender/Focus Features
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs: Bigger, created by Toy Box Entertainment and Sony Pictures Entertainment
Fantastic Mr. Fox: Trailer, created by The Ant Farm and Fox Searchlight Pictures
Up: Domestic Trailer -- Taking Off, created by Create Advertising Group and Joe Tamusaitis/The Walt Disney Co.
Up: Trailer 2, created by Trailer Park and Walt Disney Studios
Home Entertainment -- Video Box Animation
G-Force: Blaster pulls box art under tree, created by Big Boss Creative and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
G-Force: Blaster With Blow Torch, created by Big Boss Creative and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs: "Trick & Treat Alt," created by The Cimarron Group and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Quantum of Solace: Motivation, created by Create Advertising Group and Jeremy Gershman/20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Wolverine: Wolverine DVD Release -- Claw Tear, created by Interlace Media and 20th Century Fox
Home Entertainment Print -- Animation Packaging
Bolt: Bolt 2 Disc Deluxe DVD Packaging, created by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment & Andy Engel Design and Andy Siditsky, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Coraline: Coraline Single Disc and 2 Disc key art and packaging, created by The Refinery and Jamie DeHavilland/Universal Home Entertainment
Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs: DVD Package, created by BLT & Associates and Twentieth Century Fox
Tinker Bell and The Lost Treasure: Tinker Bell and The Lost Treasure BD/DVD Combo Packaging, created by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment & Andy Engel Design and Andy Siditsky, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Up: Up 2 Disc Deluxe DVD Packaging, created by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment & Andy Engel Design and Andy Siditsky, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Home Entertainment -- Animation TV Spots
Bolt: Irresistible, created by Craig Murray Productions Home Entertainment and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs: "Skull Chatter," created by The Cimarron Group and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs: "Trick & Treat Alt," created by The Cimarron Group and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs: "Finally," created by Open Road Entertainment and Jeremy Gershman -- Producer & Julie Markell -- SVP/20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Up: "Timeless," created by Big Boss Creative and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Theatrical Print -- Teaser Posters Rated PG-13 and Below
Up: Up Teaser Poster, created by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Creative Print Services and John Sabel, EVP Creative Print Services, the Walt Disney Studios
Theatrical Print -- Standee Display
Coraline: Standee, created by Ignition and Blair Green/Focus Features
Up: Up Scene Viewer Display, created by Idea Planet, LP and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Theatrical Print -- Outdoor Advertising
District 9: Bus Stop for Humans Bus Shelter, created by Ignition and Bill Loper/Sony
District 9: For Humans Only Outdoor, created by Ignition and Bill Loper/Sony
District 9: Target Practice Bus Shelter, created by Ignition and Bill Loper/Sony
Theatrical Print -- Other Print
9: "9" Book, created by The Arterie and Blair Green, Focus Features
Coraline: Book Cover (Button Moon), created by Ignition and Blair Green/Focus Features
Coraline: One-Sheets (Alphabet Series), created by Ignition and Blair Green/Focus Features
Theatrical Print -- In-Theater Print
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Mobile, created by Intralink and Drissi Creative Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment
The Princess And The Frog: International Floor Cling, created by FIVE33 and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International
Up: International Window Cling, created by Five33 and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International
Theatrical Print -- International Posters
A Christmas Carol: international teaser one-sheet, created by Five33 and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International
Theatrical Print -- Electronic Print
The Christmas Carol: The Christmas Carol Living One Sheet, created by The Refinery and Mari Gastineau/Walt Disney Studios
Up: Up Living One Sheet, created by The Refinery and Mari Gastineau/Walt Disney Studios
Theatrical Print -- 3D Print
Disney/Pixar Toy Story & Toy Story 2 Double Feature: Toy Story & Toy Story 2 double feature lenticular poster, created by Grayson Marshall Dimensional Imaging and John Sabel, EVP Creative Print Services, The Walt Disney Studios
Theatrical New Media -- Special Recognition -- Most Buzzworthy
9: "9" Augmented Reality Cards, created by The Arterie and Blair Green, Focus Features
Theatrical New Media -- Best Website Design
Fantastic Mr. Fox: Fantastic Mr. Fox -- Master Plan, created by Ignition Interactive and Fox Searchlight
Up: Up -- Official Site, created by Ignition Interactive and Disney Pixar
Theatrical New Media -- Best Online Banner Advertising
Monsters vs Aliens: Monsters vs Aliens Theatrical Release Online Ad Campaign, created by Division 13 and DreamWorks Animation
Up: Up Banner Campaign, created by Ignition Interactive and Disney Pixar
Theatrical New Media -- Best Digital Campaign
Fantastic Mr. Fox: Fantastic Mr. Fox -- Digital Campaign, created by Ignition Interactive and Fox Searchlight
Up: Up- Digital Campaign, created by Ignition Interactive and Disney Pixar
Theatrical Audio/Visual -- Motion Graphics
Up: Balloons, created by Create Advertising Group and Joe Tamusaitis/The Walt Disney Co.
Theatrical Audio/Visual -- International Audio/Visual
Up: Wilderness Explorer Lesson #1: First Aid, created by CMP and Disney/Pixar
Home Entertainment Print -- Other Home Entertainment Print
Coraline: Coraline 48-Count Pre-Pack, created by Midnight Oil Creative and Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Coraline: Coraline Best Buy 1/8 Cube with Custom Header, created by Midnight Oil Creative and Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs: Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs Limited Edition Diamond Collector's Set, created by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment & Andy Engel Design and Andy Siditsky, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Home Entertainment -- Comedy TV Spots
G-Force: "Get Ready," created by Big Boss Creative and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Home Entertainment Print -- Comedy Packaging
G Force: G Force, Comedy, created by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment & BLT and Andy Siditsky, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Home Entertainment New Media -- Special Recognition -- Most Buzzworthy
Up: Dug Whisperer Widget, created by Deadline Advertising and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Home Entertainment New Media -- Best Online Banner Advertising
Up: Nick.com Rich Media Pushdown banner, created by Deadline Advertising and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Home Entertainment -- Trailers
Monsters, Inc: Monster Event, created by Craig Murray Productions Home Entertainment and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
The Avengers Will Face the Skrulls in 2012
Several insider reports have revealed who may be the actual villains in The Avengers movie(s); and why Marvel Studios doesn't need to chase down character rights.
It's been assumed for several years now that Marvel Studios ensemble film The Avengers will follow the continuity of the original comics run; where Loki gains control over the Hulk to unleash his fury on Earth, which causes the superhero team to assemble for the first time. Last night I learned that this may not be the case, and apparently I'm not the only one who's privy to this information. Two fellow entertainment journalists, one being our own DCMarvel_Freshman, were tipped to this information around the same time as I was; and by two other sources close to the production.
The highlight of this insider scoop (DISCLAIMER: which has not been confirmed by the studio itself) is that the shape-changing alien race the Skrulls are being used as the main antagonists for The Avengers. Not only that, but the Skrulls will 'brainwash' and use the Hulk in a similar fashion Loki did in the comics. Don't expect a full on alien invasion, though; that will have to wait for a sequel. The Skrulls' role will be largely clandestine, similar to the way S.H.I.E.L.D. operates.
For those of you wondering who the Skrulls are, here's a brief synopsis courtesy of Marvel: 'The Skrulls are an extraterrestrial humanoid race who have created a vast interstellar empire, the oldest known empire still in existence, within the Andromeda Galaxy.. A Skrull can mentally cause the unstable molecules that comprise his or her body to become pliant, enabling him or her to assume other forms through muscular expansion and contraction. Once a new shape has been assumed (human, animal, alien), it takes a conscious act of will to assume another form or revert to natural.. Although the Skrulls became aware of Earth (due to its nearness to a natural warp-space access point) eons ago, it was not until recent times that they considered Earth’s threat. Their first regular surveillances of Earth began in the 1930s. To date most of the Skrulls’ excursions to Earth have been extremely small-scale, with no more than a handful of soldier-infiltrators being dispatched at any given time. It is not yet known how the death of the current ruling family will affect official policy toward Earth or the government of the empire in general. '
Apparently, the Skrulls won't be the only alien race to be introduced in The Avengers; their enemy, the Kree, will also have a presence as Earthly allies. This isn't surprising information, considering a young actor by the name of Kevin Pennington has been rumored to portray a character by the name of Noh-Varr; who just so happens to be a Kree. Though I couldn't get confirmation that Noh-Varr is Pennington's role, at his point, all signs are pointing to 'yes.'That's not all, True Believers, the last bit of information I managed to talk to this source about was regarding comic character film rights, and how Marvel Studios is planning on bringing fan-favorites like Spider-Man, Wolverine and the Fantastic Four back under their umbrella. It seems like the opposite it true. Marvel has no intention of working out deals with neither Fox nor Sony in an effort to use the characters (including the ones mentioned above) in future Marvel Studios projects. Instead, they will simply, "pretend they don't exist in the Marvel Cinema Universe until those companies inevitably grow tired of them."
How on Earth will those studios grow tired of characters that offer them tent pole film franchise opportunities? It may not take as long as expected; after all, there are only so many times you can 'reboot' a character before the general movie going public looses interest. Though it may take another decade or so, that seems to be an acceptable wait for Marvel to bring their heroes home.
Bio Information courtesy of Marvel; Image courtesy of CAS
(Thanks Comic Book Movie)
UPDATE!! Bay Girl Needed!! Mr. Bay Opts Megan Fox Out Of The New TRANSFORMERS Film!!
Nikki Finke says Michael Bay has booted Megan Fox from TRANSFORMERS 3.
I've just learned that Paramount won't be picking up Megan Fox's option on Transformers 3 -- and that it was "ultimately" director Michael Bay's decision.
[EDIT]
Right now Bay and writer Ehren Kruger et al are finishing up the script for the threequel and "giving Shia a new love interest makes more sense for the story," an insider tells me. Bay will start casting immediately for the new female co-star.
...says Deadline HERE.
A few weeks back, Fox was seen doing some pre-viz work with Bumblebee. Wonder what happened between then and now? Maybe the pair's highly visible, super-snarky crossfire made this outcome inevitable...
UPDATE: Megan Out!! TRANSFORMERS 3 Bay Girl Needed!! Many More Candidates Added!!
In the update beneath this one, you'll find TheWrap's list of women being considered to replace Megan Fox in TRANSFORMERS 3.
AICN just learned of a few more candidates via highly trustworthy sources. You can see the list of candidates HERE.
(Thanks AICN)
Lando Calrissian & Han Solo Reunited
Thirty years after first starring as Lando Calrissian and Han Solo in "The Empire Strikes Back," Billy Dee Williams, 73, and Harrison Ford, 67, reunited at an anniversary screening of the classic film in Hollywood last night.
The Force is with them.
(Thanks TMZ)
Three Minutes Of Upfront Presentation For ABC’s Superhero Dramedy NO ORDINARY FAMILY!!
Missing "Heroes" yet?
“No Ordinary Family” is the new ABC dramedy created by dramedy vet Greg Berlanti (“Dawson’s Creek,” “Jack & Bobby,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Brothers & Sisters”) about a family that gets superpowers following a plane crash into a strange body of water. It stars Michael Chiklis (“The Commish,” “The Shield”), Julie Benz (“Angel,” “Dexter”), Autumn Reeser (“The OC,” “Human Target”), Romany Malco (“The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Weeds”), Kay Panabaker (“Summerland,” “CSI”) and Chistina Chang (“24,” “CSI Miami”) and will air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. this fall:
I judge it the most exciting primetime superhero family since the Petrellis!
(Thanks AICN)
Trailer for NBC’s New Superhero Drama, ‘The Cape’
Last week NBC announced that they have cancelled their superhero drama, Heroes. I was pretty bummed about this because I quite enjoyed the show. Yes, it went pretty downhill after season 1, but much like the CW’s Smallville, I was sticking it out because, hey, it was a superhero TV series.
Well, NBC isn’t ready to give up the “geek demographic” quite yet. For the 2011 television season, they are debuting a new superhero drama titled, The Cape. You can check out the 3 minute trailer for the show below! I think it looks pretty interesting…
Official NBC Synopsis:
“The Cape” is a one-hour drama series starring David Lyons (”ER”) as Vince Faraday, an honest cop on a corrupt police force, who finds himself framed for a series of murders and presumed dead. He is forced into hiding, leaving behind his wife, Dana (Jennifer Ferrin, “Life on Mars”) and son, Trip (Ryan Wynott, “Flash Forward”). Fueled by a desire to reunite with his family and to battle the criminal forces that have overtaken Palm City, Faraday becomes “The Cape” his son’s favorite comic book superhero — and takes the law into his own hands. Rounding out the cast are James Frain (”The Tudors”) as billionaire Peter Fleming — The Cape’s nemesis — who moonlights as the twisted killer: Chess; Keith David (”Death at a Funeral”) as Max Malini, the ringleader of a circus gang of bank robbers who mentors Vince Faraday and trains him to be The Cape, Summer Glau (”Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) as Orwell, an investigative blogger who wages war on crime and corruption in Palm City; and Dorian Missick (”Six Degrees”) as Marty Voyt, a former police detective and friend to Faraday. “The Cape” is a Universal Media Studios and BermanBraun production from executive producer/creator Thomas Wheeler (”Empire”), executive producer/director Simon West (”Con Air”), the executive producing team of Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun (NBC’s “Mercy), and executive producer Gene Stein (”Accidentally on Purpose”).
(Thanks Big Shiny Robot)
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