China Literature to Acquire Tencent Animation and Comics
The leading online Chinese literature and IP incubation platform will acquire Tencent’s APP platform, intellectual property rights, and related rights to its content (animation, film and TV series projects) in a deal worth more than US$83 million.
Imaginary Friends ARE Real in ‘IF’ Teaser Trailer
From writer, director, producer and star John Krasinski, the live-action/3DCG hybrid film about a girl whose superpower lets her see everyone’s imaginary friend, and her magical adventure to reconnect forgotten ‘IFs’ with their kids, hit theaters in May 2024.
Danielle Brooks, Sebastian Eugene Hansen Board ‘Minecraft’
The upcoming live-action adaptation of Mojang’s best-selling video game has yet to secure a title but is set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025; production slated to begin in New Zealand by the end of December.
Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door Launches ‘ViewScreen’ Visualization Suite
Designed for full-scale productions, the new ProVis tools let filmmakers visualize and animate entire scenes, including digital assets, in real-time, across multiple cameras.
The Mill Shares ‘Bunny Saves Christmas’ Duracell Campaign
Go behind-the-scenes as the iconic mascot saves Santa from a Xmas power outage in the charming, animated advert, directed by Geoffroy Barbet Massin; the spot clearly reminds viewers – and Rudolf - it's best to ALWAYS have a couple spare AA batteries on hand.
Nominations Revealed for the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards
‘Barbie’ nabs 18 nominations, including Best Production Design, while ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Poor Things’ each scored 13 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Visual Effects, and ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ earned 3 nominations, including Best Animated Feature and Best Visual Effects; winners will be announced January 14 at a gala broadcast live on The CW.
Netflix Drops Trailer for Live-Action ‘Yu Yu Hakusho’ Series
The five-part adaptation of the legendary smash-hit manga from Weekly Shonen Jump takes place across three worlds and follows a dead teen detective tasked with investigating demonic and spiritual cases in the Human World; the series begins streaming December 14.
Je Suis Bien Content Launches ‘Silex & The City’ Feature Production
Based on the popular comic book series by Juls, the 2D live-action hybrid prehistoric operetta follows the Dotcom family in a tragi-comic time-travel escapade that kicks off evolution; coming to theaters in Q4 2024.
Disney+ Teases ‘Doctor Who - The Church on Ruby Road’ Xmas Special
The upcoming holiday episode, streaming globally on Christmas day, introduces Ncuti Gatwa as the newest Doctor Who and Millie Gibson as the Doctor’s newest companion.
Disney Branded TV Teases ‘Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’ Season 2
Jonathan Banks, Giancarlo Esposito, Parker Posey, and Ann Harada lead an all-star guest cast in the upcoming season of the hugely popular series that follows the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur; new episodes debut in February 2024 on Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney+.
Prime Video Drops ‘Hazbin Hotel’ Official Trailer
All-new animated adult comedy series from A24 and Bento Box follows Charlie, Princess of Hell, on her mission to depopulate her homeland; early access will be available January 12 on the A24 app, 2 weeks before the January 19 Prime Video premiere.
It’s the Second Biggest Skadoosh Ever in First ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Trailer
Jack Black returns as Po, called upon by destiny – and Master Shifu - to become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace, only to find a wicked, powerful, shapeshifting sorceress, Chameleon, with greedy eyes on the powerful Staff of Wisdom, standing in his way and threatening to unleash every master villain ever vanquished to the spirit realm; from DreamWorks Animation, coming to theaters March 8, 2024.
Warner Bros. Drops Latest ‘Dune: Part Two’ Official Trailer
Denis Villeneuve’s highly anticipated sci-fi sequel returns to Arakis… and will hit U.S. theaters and IMAX March 1, 2024, with the international release beginning on February 24, 2024.
The-Artery Taps Spatial AI for ‘Dream Cube’
New Louisiana Civil Rights Museum exhibit culminates in an immersive environment created using projection mapping and motion detection, where visitors step into and experience the Civil Rights journey that shaped the country.
Lightfold Shares Olan Rogers’ ‘Godspeed’ Trailer
The series, from the creator of ‘Final Space,’ follows a young woman and her sidekick bot, Bowie, as they navigate the desolate landscape and abandoned homes of their crumbling world; the studio’s inaugural project premieres December 15 on YouTube.
‘Slide,’ ‘The Voice in the Hollow’ Lead LAAF 2023 Winners
Indie legend Bill Plympton takes home awards for ‘Best Feature Director’ and ‘Best Music Video’ while the Columbian director nabs ‘Best of the Fest’ and ‘Best Short’ awards.
Peacock Greenlights ‘Twisted Metal’ Season 2
The series adaptation of the hugely popular PlayStation games, starring Anthony Mackie as John Doe, will return to deliver another package; Season 1 now streaming.
AOUSD Announces New Members
Organization reveals roadmap in push towards global OpenUSD standardization, development, evolution, and growth; 12 new general members added: Cesium, Chaos, Epic Games, Foundry, Hexagon, IKEA, Lowe's, Meta, OTOY, SideFX, Spatial, and Unity.
‘Robot Dreams’ and ‘Society of the Snow’ Notch European Film Award Wins
Pablo Berger’s film, based on the graphic novel by Sarah Varon and inspired by Buster Keaton and early 20th-century Hollywood films, chronicles the adventures and misfortunes of Dog and Robot in NYC during the '80s; J.A. Bayona’s film tells the harrowing tale of the tragic 1972 Uruguayan Air Andes mountain plane crash.
Ataboy Launches Boston Studio
Led by EPs Ned Biddle and Nick Sterling, the expansion aims to increase use of regional talent while tapping company’s NYC hub.
2024 Annecy Festival Residency Selections Announced
Out of 36 applications, three artists/directors will receive support and mentoring on visual development of their feature-length animated films while living and working in Annecy from April 5 – June 28, 2024.
Netflix Announces ‘Blue Eye Samurai’ Season 2 Pickup
Streamer greenlights another season for the beautifully stylized animated series, created by Amber Noizumi and Michael Green, which follows a mixed-race sword master living a life in disguise and shame while seeking vengeance in Edo-period Japan.
‘Great Pretender – The Complete Series Deluxe Edition’ Coming March 2024
Shout! Studios has just announced the 5-disc Blu-ray collection, featuring all 23 series episodes of the cult anime series, is now available for preorder.
God’s Gang Ltd. Adds Animation Veteran Bruce Daitch
Ex-DreamWorks COO and CFO joins advisory board of company behind ‘God’s Gang’ animated series, led by former Disney exec Nimrod Avraham May; the group’s multinational team is committed to projects free of AI-generated content.
Prime Video Teases ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’
New action series starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine promises romance and espionage when two lonely spies are placed undercover together as Mr. and Mrs.; binge all 8-episodes in February 2024.
