Hayao Miyazaki’s latest movie Ponyo, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, will be in theaters August 14, 2009. It will be released on 800 screens across the country — the most for any Miyazaki film yet. It stars Noah Cyrus, Frankie Jonas, Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Cloris Leachman, Liam Neeson, Lily Tomlin and Betty White.
Month: July 2009 (Page 1 of 4)
Check out these five concept art images from Disney’s Rapunzel, scheduled for theatrical release Christmas 2010.
Nickelodeon and fashion design brand Nooka have partnered to create a line of limited-edition, high-end wristwatches inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants. In honor of SpongeBob’s 10th anniversary celebration this year, Nooka has created two limited-edition timepieces featuring graphics and colors inspired by the show.
The unique designs of the pieces utilize two brand-new Nooka styles – the ZUB ZENH (horizontal bars) 20 mm in Yellow and the ZENV (vertical bars) Aluminum in Night. The collection, available for both men and women, will be available at retailers in July, The watches will retail at $170 and $275, respectively.
In addition, SpongeBob’s Greatest Hits, released July 14th, is a brand-new full-length album featuring 17 tracks of original music from the past 10 years of the hit animated series, as well as new hits like “We’ve Got Scurvy,” an original song performed by P!nk, and a remix of the SpongeBob SquarePants theme song performed by Cee-Lo Green of Gnarls Barkley. Also included as a holiday bonus track is the aptly titled “Don’t Be a Jerk (It’s Christmas),” a new song, co-written by Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob, and Andy Paley.
A photo of the watch and a CD track listing are after the break.
In theaters: November 13th, 2009
Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures have revealed plans to bring a 3D animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax” to theaters, reports Variety.
The film will be directed by Chris Renaud and Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio from a script by Paul & Daurio, and is set for release March 2, 2012.
The Lorax is narrated by a greedy entrepreneur, who, despite warnings from the tree-loving Lorax, cuts down a forest of Truffula trees to make clothing, destroying the ecosystem and forcing the animals to leave.
Sony Pictures Animation and IMAX today announced that “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,” an adaptation of the bestselling children’s book written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett, written for the screen and directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, will be released to IMAX theatres simultaneously with the film’s wide release on September 18, 2009.
The special IMAX 3D release will be digitally re-mastered from Sony Pictures Animation’s Stereoscopic 3D master into the state-of-the-art image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with IMAX DMR (Digital Re-Mastering) technology.
Bill Hader will voice Flint Lockwood, a young inventor who dreams of creating something that will improve everyone’s life. Anna Faris takes on the role of Sam Sparks, a weathergirl covering the phenomenon who hides her intelligence behind a perky exterior. James Caan plays Tim Lockwood, Flint’s technophobic father. Andy Samberg plays Brent, the town bully who has plagued Flint since childhood. Bruce Campbell plays Mayor Shelbourne, who figures out that Flint’s invention can put the town, and more importantly himself, on the map and Mr. T plays the by-the-rules town cop Earl Devereaux. The film also features the vocal talent of Neil Patrick Harris.
Movie producer and comic book author Jeff Katz will collaborate with Titmouse Animation to produce four original animated feature films. Features will be produced by Katz’s American Original and Executive Produced by Titmouse’s president and co-founder Chris Prynoski.
Katz’s American Original was launched in the spring of 2009 as a new entertainment company that will provide content across multiple platforms geared at the growing genre consumer base as well as provide services to genre creators themselves. American Original consists of multiple divisions, including publishing, film & television production and branding all operating under the American Original banner.
The first feature up will be SPECIAL DEAD which plays to Katz’s skills in the horror arena. Based on the 2006 horror comedy short written by Jared Tweedie and Thomas Phillips, SPECIAL DEAD — SOMETIMES HEROES RIDE THE SHORT BUS, tells the story of when a zombie plague infects Camp Special, a dude ranch for the mentally and physically handicapped, a ragtag band of campers and counselors take the fight to the zombies in an effort to survive the night.
AWN reports that DreamWorks Animation is undecided on whether or not to begin work on a Monsters vs. Aliens sequel. DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg commented that a sequel is questionable after an unimpressive (by DreamWorks Animation standards) international performance.
Monsters vs. Aliens grossed $377 million worldwide, with $198 million coming from the domestic market. According to Katzenberg, “Domestically it has performed at a level that would surely qualify it as a sequel, and internationally it did not. This is the first movie we’ve had that’s right on the bubble.” A decision will be made soon.
Check out the teaser trailer for the October 2nd two-week theatrical release of Toy Story 1 and 2 in 3D. Two movies for the price of one.
