When taking on established animated franchises, you can’t just “listen to nostalgia,” according to Jeff Rowe, director of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.”
“That’s when things get stale,” he said during Variety’s “Innovation and Inspiration in Global Animation” panel at Annecy Animation Festival, moderated by international editor Elsa Keslassy. Rowe was joined by “Transformers One” director Josh Cooley, “The Smurfs Movie” helmer Chris Miller and María Trénor, the director of “Rock Bottom.”
“It’s important to look at things with fresh eyes and ask, ‘Does this make sense? Does a man who was a sensei turning into a rat make sense?'” Rowe continued. “Our goal was to make a film that those who have never heard of ‘Ninja Turtles’ – or hated it and hated that the movie was even happening – were still able to enjoy.”
Therefore, the team hired many people who had “no familiarity with the franchise.
“That’s when things get stale,” he said during Variety’s “Innovation and Inspiration in Global Animation” panel at Annecy Animation Festival, moderated by international editor Elsa Keslassy. Rowe was joined by “Transformers One” director Josh Cooley, “The Smurfs Movie” helmer Chris Miller and María Trénor, the director of “Rock Bottom.”
“It’s important to look at things with fresh eyes and ask, ‘Does this make sense? Does a man who was a sensei turning into a rat make sense?'” Rowe continued. “Our goal was to make a film that those who have never heard of ‘Ninja Turtles’ – or hated it and hated that the movie was even happening – were still able to enjoy.”
Therefore, the team hired many people who had “no familiarity with the franchise.
- 6/12/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Rihanna is proving to be a powerful force for Paramount Animation’s upcoming feature The Smurfs Movie.
Director Chris Miller led the film’s presentation at the Annecy Animation Festival on Tuesday, where he was joined on the stage by Paramount and Nickelodeon Animation president Ramsey Naito. The Smurfs Movie is based on the characters and work of artist Peyo and is set to hit theaters Feb. 14, 2025.
Miller (Puss in Boots) debuted work-in-progress footage from the movie’s opening sequence, along with a demo version of original music. The filmmaker went on to describe how Peyo’s art laid the groundwork for the film’s vision.
“The DNA in Peyo’s original drawings guide so many creative choices in the film,” Miller said. “It’s the blueprint for the kind of film I want to make. All of the action lines and thought bubbles from the comics are going in the movie,...
Director Chris Miller led the film’s presentation at the Annecy Animation Festival on Tuesday, where he was joined on the stage by Paramount and Nickelodeon Animation president Ramsey Naito. The Smurfs Movie is based on the characters and work of artist Peyo and is set to hit theaters Feb. 14, 2025.
Miller (Puss in Boots) debuted work-in-progress footage from the movie’s opening sequence, along with a demo version of original music. The filmmaker went on to describe how Peyo’s art laid the groundwork for the film’s vision.
“The DNA in Peyo’s original drawings guide so many creative choices in the film,” Miller said. “It’s the blueprint for the kind of film I want to make. All of the action lines and thought bubbles from the comics are going in the movie,...
- 6/11/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Will Ferrell and Bad Bunny are teaming up on new animated film 'Dropz'.The 56-year-old Hollywood star and Grammy Award winning musician, 30, are both involved in a new project for Paramount Animation, which is currently under development.As reported by Variety, studio president Ramsey Naito revealed the film is being produced by Ferrell, with Bad Bunny serving as an executive producer.She described the animated movie as "our E.T. about real kids in a super extraordinary situation".Rob Letterman - known for his work on the likes of 'Shark Tale', 'Monsters vs Aliens' and 'Pokemon Detective Pikachu' - is directing and co-writing the script with playwright Ike Holter.Naito revealed the story is "infused with fashion", and will serve as a "cultural statement" for both kids and families.The Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation chief also revealed other original films, including an adaptation of 'Swan Lake',...
- 6/11/2024
- by Alistair McGeorge
- Bang Showbiz
As the Annecy Animation Festival gets underway, Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation president Ramsey Naito has revealed development on a string of original films — including the Bad Bunny- and Will Ferrell-produced film “Dropz” and a “Swan Lake” adaptation — which will sit alongside franchises such as Transformers, Smurfs and SpongeBob.
Naito describes “Dropz” as “our E.T. about real kids in a super extraordinary situation.” Producers Will Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum and David Koplan have teamed up with Bad Bunny, who is on board as an exec producer. Rob Letterman is directing and co-writing the script with Ike Holter. Naito adds that the story is “infused with fashion” and will be a “cultural statement” for kids and families.
“Muttnik” is a sci-fi comedy about a sweet puppy turned “Han Solo-type space bandit,” who is forced to return to the family on Earth that abandoned him. Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Zareh Nalbandian are producing.
Naito describes “Dropz” as “our E.T. about real kids in a super extraordinary situation.” Producers Will Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum and David Koplan have teamed up with Bad Bunny, who is on board as an exec producer. Rob Letterman is directing and co-writing the script with Ike Holter. Naito adds that the story is “infused with fashion” and will be a “cultural statement” for kids and families.
“Muttnik” is a sci-fi comedy about a sweet puppy turned “Han Solo-type space bandit,” who is forced to return to the family on Earth that abandoned him. Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Zareh Nalbandian are producing.
- 6/10/2024
- by Carolyn Giardina
- Variety Film + TV
Rihanna now has a host of blue pals to join her journey as Smurfette in the animated The Smurfs Movie for Paramount Pictures and Paramount Animation.
During the studio’s presentation at CinemaCon on Thursday, Paramount chief Brian Robbins announced that an all-star cast has been set for the film including Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, Jp Karliak, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña with Kurt Russell and John Goodman. Or, as Robbins put it, “Pretty much the rest of the Screen Actors Guild.” He also praised Rihanna as “the most legendary Smurfette ever.”
The news comes one year after Rihanna turned up to surprise CinemaCon attendees on the Colosseum stage inside Caesars Palace to announce that she had signed on to tackle the project as a triple threat by providing the voice of Smurfette, producing alongside Ryan Harris,...
During the studio’s presentation at CinemaCon on Thursday, Paramount chief Brian Robbins announced that an all-star cast has been set for the film including Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, Jp Karliak, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña with Kurt Russell and John Goodman. Or, as Robbins put it, “Pretty much the rest of the Screen Actors Guild.” He also praised Rihanna as “the most legendary Smurfette ever.”
The news comes one year after Rihanna turned up to surprise CinemaCon attendees on the Colosseum stage inside Caesars Palace to announce that she had signed on to tackle the project as a triple threat by providing the voice of Smurfette, producing alongside Ryan Harris,...
- 4/11/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Image Source: Getty / Alberto E. Rodriguez / CinemaCon
Rihanna is lending her voice to a new project, but it's not the ninth album fans have been hoping for since 2016. On April 27, the "Lift Me Up" singer made a surprise appearance at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, where she announced that she will be playing Smurfette in the upcoming Smurfs musical movie.
In addition to voicing the animated character, Rihanna joins the project - directed by Chris Miller and Matt Landon - as a writer and producer, according to Entertainment Weekly. Notably, the Paramount adaptation will follow a separate storyline from Sony's three-part series, which starred Neil Patrick Harris, Katy Perry, Sofía Vergara, and Hank Azaria. The upcoming musical will also feature original songs by Rihanna. It's not the album we've long been waiting for, but new music is new music.
"I got to play a part and just imagine. I got to just be myself.
Rihanna is lending her voice to a new project, but it's not the ninth album fans have been hoping for since 2016. On April 27, the "Lift Me Up" singer made a surprise appearance at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, where she announced that she will be playing Smurfette in the upcoming Smurfs musical movie.
In addition to voicing the animated character, Rihanna joins the project - directed by Chris Miller and Matt Landon - as a writer and producer, according to Entertainment Weekly. Notably, the Paramount adaptation will follow a separate storyline from Sony's three-part series, which starred Neil Patrick Harris, Katy Perry, Sofía Vergara, and Hank Azaria. The upcoming musical will also feature original songs by Rihanna. It's not the album we've long been waiting for, but new music is new music.
"I got to play a part and just imagine. I got to just be myself.
- 4/28/2023
- by Chanel Vargas
- Popsugar.com
Paramount Pictures has unveiled a release date for its third Sonic the Hedgehog film, at the same time pushing back the date for its Untitled Smurfs Animated Musical. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will open wide on December 20, 2024, with the newest Smurfs pic going wide on February 14, 2025, having previously been set to unspool on the date now claimed by the former film.
While Sonic will open against James Cameron’s Avatar 3, it’s not yet clear what kind of box-office competition the new Smurfs pic has in store.
Based on the beloved video game franchise from Sega, Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog franchise launched with a 2020 film of the same name, in which a small-town police officer (James Marsden) helped the titular blue hedgehog (Ben Schwartz) contend with Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), an evil genius looking to make him the subject of his experiments. Jeff Fowler directed from a script...
While Sonic will open against James Cameron’s Avatar 3, it’s not yet clear what kind of box-office competition the new Smurfs pic has in store.
Based on the beloved video game franchise from Sega, Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog franchise launched with a 2020 film of the same name, in which a small-town police officer (James Marsden) helped the titular blue hedgehog (Ben Schwartz) contend with Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), an evil genius looking to make him the subject of his experiments. Jeff Fowler directed from a script...
- 8/9/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
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