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When Netflix released its “engagement report,” a chart that details the streaming giant’s top performing content from July to December 2024, on the film list, just past word-of-mouth sensations like “Carry-On” and “Rebel Ridge” and a couple of spots below heavily hyped sequel “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” the sixth most-watched thing on Netflix was “Sing: Thriller,” a short film set in Illumination’s “Sing” universe that features Michael Jackson’s beloved smash. This 10-minute “Sing” short performed better than animated features like DreamWorks’ “Trolls Band Together” and Netflix’s own original animated movies “That Christmas” and “Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie,” a “SpongeBob SquarePants” project licensed from Paramount. “Sing: Thriller” racked up a staggering 77,000,000 views.

The short, which features an odd ooze turning the animal denizens of the “Sing” universe into zombie-like creatures, captures the colorful, brightly choreographed charm of the “Sing” movies and distills that charm into an easily digestible,...

It ain’t easy being green, and it ain’t easy spending so much green either.

Disney has axed a series meant for Disney+ called “Tiana” spun off from its 2009 animated film “The Princess and the Frog,” one that would have featured the return of the original film’s voice actress Anika Noni Rose, IndieWire has confirmed. The series was announced back in 2020, has been in development since, and has gone through several different creative teams, but the production costs to make it work were too great to continue, a source told IndieWire. THR first confirmed the news about the series being shelved.

The loss of “Tiana” is not indicative of just one project; it’s part of a larger change of thinking at Disney around long-form animated content intended for streaming. In addition to “Tiana,” an untitled, unannounced, animated feature film meant for Disney+ is also being shelved.

Pixar...

Despite announcing plans for a Princess and the Frog series, titled Tiana, back in 2020, Disney has pulled the plug on the animated follow-up. In addition, Walt Disney Animation is scrapping all development plans for content on Disney+. Walt Disney Animation joins Pixar Animation, Marvel Studios, and Lucasfilm as divisions of the Walt Disney Company that are focusing less on streaming projects and reinvesting their energy in theatrical films, a far cry from where the studio was just five years ago.

The Hollywood Reporter revealed that plans for Tiana have now been scrapped entirely, along with a planned feature-length film for Disney+ which had not been announced. A spokesperson for Disney confirmed there would be some layoffs in its Vancouver studio due to this shift from developing original content for Disney+ to focusing on feature film animation. Sources close to Tiana told The Hollywood Reporter that despite their best efforts to save the series,...

“Tiana,” a streaming series from Walt Disney Animation Studios that was meant to debut on Disney+ and continue the adventures of Disney’s first Black princess (voiced by Anika Noni Rose), is no longer moving forward at the animation studio.

Instead, Joyce Sherri, who was writing and directing on the animated series, will be helming an animated special that will find its home on Disney+. “Meet the Robinsons” director Stephen Anderson will also direct on the new project.

This is part of the House of Mouse’s strategic shift away from long-form animated series to instead focus on both its one-movie-a-year theatrical cadence, which will mix original series with sequels like the upcoming “Frozen 3” and “Frozen 4,” along with its short-form content like the “Zootopia+” and “Baymax!” series (both of which are Emmy winners).

There will also be a small reduction in staff at the Vancouver studio, but this indicates...

Walt Disney Animation Studios has officially pulled the plug on its Tiana princess series as it abandons making original longform content for streaming, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

A spokesperson confirmed there will be some layoffs in its Vancouver studio as a result of this shift in business strategy. In addition to the Tiana series, the studio is also scrapping an unannounced feature-length project that was set to go straight to Disney+.

Tiana was first announced in December 2020, and was envisioned as a musical featuring Anika Noni Rose reprising her role as Tiana from the 2009 film The Princess and the Frog, the film centering on Disney’s first Black princess.

Sources close to the streaming series say that despite best efforts, including several changes to the creative team, Tiana ultimately could not get to where it needed to be given production costs.

Still, The Princess and the Frog remains a key property for the company,...

Quick Links 'Moana 2' Was a Disney+ TV Series The 'Moana' Franchise Won't End with the Sequel Film

This Thanksgiving, movie theaters are set to be rocked by the arrival of a fan-favorite franchise. Eight years after its initial debut, the sequel to the beloved film Moana is riding into theaters with what is expected to be a box office splash. The first film made almost $700 million globally as it captured the hearts of both critics and audiences. Yet, despite its blockbuster success, its sequel, Moana 2, nearly didn’t make it into theaters.

A daring adventure involving a young Polynesian girl who sets off to save her island, Moana follows the titular hero as she confronts the dastardly demigod who has stolen the jewel known as the heart of the island. As her island faces the rage of the awakened goddess Te Fiti, Moana, along...

Animated shows can be some of the most imaginative programs on streaming and network television. They are often known for creativity in style, direction, and storytelling, which can be a breath of fresh air in the limited scope of live-action television, particularly the ones in the anthology format.

Anthology animated series with a new cast of characters and plot lines every new episode or season weren't that common. However, in recent years, anthology animated series have grown in popularity, with shows like Netflix's Love Death and Robots and those that build on existing IP, like Marvel's...What If?. However, this episodic-based storytelling format can prove a challenge for some anthologies, which struggle to maintain viewers' attention without a stable cast or unified storyline. The best animated shows in the anthology format not only attract a stable base of fans but perform well critically for their uniqueness in the market.

It looks like the music of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is staying in the family of a familiar face!

It was revealed today on StarWars.com that the composer for the upcoming series will be Mick Giacchino. If that name sounds familiar, he is the son of Michael Giacchino, who has worked on a plethora of beloved films under the Disney, Marvel, and Pixar umbrella like The Incredibles, Up, and multiple films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Oh, and Michael Giacchino also composed a little thing called Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, complete with its excellent puns.

That's not to say that Mick isn't accomplished like his father. Mick composed the smash hit Max series, The Penguin, which just wrapped up. His work isn't all gritty and grim either. He's also found his footing under the House of Mouse umbrella, working on the miniseries Zootopia+ and the short Zootopia: Hot Pursuit.

Zootopia 2 will feature the return of a fan-favorite character from the original film, Disney has confirmed at D23 Brazil. The upcoming sequel is finally set to arrive in theaters in 2025 after a near 10-year wait for fans of the animated franchise. The animal-filled world that captured audiences worldwide is set to get the gang back together, including Shakira reprising her role as her majestic, fur-covered pop star.

During the Disney Animation portion of their D23 panel, they released a behind the scenes video teasing Zootopia 2, confirming that Shakira is returning as Gazelle. The Colombian musical sensation confirmed her character will be sporting a new look as well as debut a new song for the film. Within the Zootopia world, Gazelle is also a popular pop artist and a predator rights activist, giving a memorable speech advocating for better, less divisive rhetoric about predatory attacks across the city. It's...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Disneys Zootopia #1! Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde earned their stripes as the two best police officers in Zootopia, and now, theyre about to solve their first official case as Zpd partners. In Disneys 2016 animated film, Judy was a rookie cop and Nick was a conman. They were an unlikely duo, to be sure, but they ended up coming together to save Zootopia. After that, Nick became an officer and Judys official partner. And thats exactly where their story begins in an all-new Zootopia sequel comic series.

Shared by Aipt Comics, Dynamite Entertainment released an unlettered preview and main/variant covers for Disneys Zootopia #1 by Jeff Parker and Alessandro Ranaldi. The main cover art is done by artist Trish Forstner, with variant covers by Alessandro Ranaldi and Craig Rousseau (plus artwork from the 2016 film).

The preview opens with Judy and Nick at the police station, awaiting their assignment from Chief Bogo.

Ever since its predecessor in 2003, the Luther franchise has been a popular and well-respected storyline. In 2023, Idris Elba made his second appearance as John Luther, the incredible detective who has been locked behind bars, partly continuing the storyline of the television series titled ‘Luther’. In ‘Luther: The Fallen Sun’, John Luther must make his escape from prison to continue the pursuit of his nemesis - a diabolical serial killer - and prove himself worthy of being called a detective. Idris Elba stars alongside Cynthia Erivo, Andy Serkis, Dermot Crowley, Thomas Coombes, Hattie Morgan, Lauryn Ajufo, and Vincent Regan. Related article: Evolution: Every Ryan Gosling Role From 1995 to 2020, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant Related article: Evolution: Every Henry Cavill Role From 2001 to 2021, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant Related article: All Best Actor/Actress Speeches From The Beginning Of Oscars 1929-2019 | Hollywood Insider Related article: The 2022 NAACP Image Awards: Full List of Nominees, A History of the Ceremony,...

Jennifer Lee, the co-director of the original “Frozen,” has stepped down as Disney Animation’s chief creative officer after six years and will exclusively return to filmmaking to direct the next two “Frozen” sequels. Lee will be succeeded in the role by filmmaker Jared Bush, co-writer and co-director of “Encanto” and the Oscar-winning “Zootopia,” and co-writer of “Moana,” Disney announced on Thursday.

Lee is currently writing and directing “Frozen 3,” which is set for release on November 24, 2027, and is also writing “Frozen 4” with Marc Smith (“Frozen 2” animator). He currently serves as co-writer of “Moana 2” (November 27) and writer and director of “Zootopia 2”. He’s also writing the live-action “Moana” movie.

Bush will report to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, while Oscar-winning producer Clark Spencer continues as president, Walt Disney Animation Studios.

“Jared Bush is an incredible filmmaker and a talented executive who’s been a prominent creative force...

As Disney readies the sequels to its uber-grossing $1.75 billion Frozen franchise, Walt Disney Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee is segueing from her position to direct and write Frozen 3 and executive produce Frozen 4 with Marc Smith. Effective immediately, Oscar-winning Encanto filmmaker Jared Bush has been named Cco of Walt Disney Animation Studios, reporting to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman.

Lee has served as Cco for the division since 2018. Thirty-year Disney veteran and Oscar-winning producer Clark Spencer continues as President, Walt Disney Animation Studios.

“Jared Bush is an incredible filmmaker and a talented executive who’s been a prominent creative force at Disney Animation for the past decade, and I am thrilled that he’ll be taking the reins of this storied studio,” Bergman said. “I also want to thank Jennifer Lee for her passionate leadership of the studio over the past several years – she’s made an indelible...

Disney Animation chief creative officer and Oscar winner Jennifer Lee is reshifting her focus back to filmmaking, stepping out of her role as the studio’s Cco to focus fully on writing and directing “Frozen 3” and “Frozen 4.” Jared Bush, who won an Academy Award for “Encanto” and is one of the writers and executive producers for “Moana 2,” has been named the studio’s Cco.

Lee is writing and directing “Frozen 3” and writing (and exec producing) “Frozen 4” with Marc Smith — the sequels to Disney Animation’s 2013 “Snow Queen”-inspired cultural hit “Frozen,” for which she served as writer/director. The movie made $1.3 billion worldwide and earned two Oscars, for best animated feature and for earworm song “Let It Go.”

Longtime Disney creative Bush won an Oscar for 2021’s “Encanto,” for which he was a writer and director. Earlier, Bush was an executive producer of “Raya and the Last Dragon,...

In an exciting development for animation fans, Walt Disney Animation Studios has unveiled tantalizing new details about the highly anticipated sequel to their 2016 hit, Zootopia. The first footage of Zootopia 2 was revealed exclusively to attendees at Disney's D23 event, marking a significant milestone for the billion-dollar franchise. Among the most notable announcements was the casting of Ke Huy Quan, best known for his role in Marvels Loki, who will be joining the star-studded cast of the sequel.

As revealed at D23 with Cbr in attendance, Quan will lend his voice to a new character named Gary, a reptilian addition to the world of Zootopia. Described as a "creepy, slithery, highly venomous viper," Gary is set to play a significant role in the unfolding narrative. In the exclusive D23 footage, fans got a glimpse of Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps, the beloved fox and rabbit duo, on a mission to...

Walt Disney Animation Studios has teased the first footage for “Zootopia 2,” the long-awaited sequel to its 2016 billion-dollar box office darling. Ginnifer Goodwin welcomed the fans at D23, proclaiming from the stage that “the bunny is back!”

Switching gears the “Zootopia” original police bunny got sentimental, “‘Zootopia’ is my happy place,” she said, “And I am so ready for the world to see this crazy new adventure.” After promising to revisit your favorite animals from the first film, Disney also teased an arks-load of new animals. First up is Disney alum Ke Huy Quan who is playing a reptile named Gary, the snake who was described as a “creepy, slithery, highly venomous viper.” Welcome Gary! Apparently, Gary is a big part of Nick and Judy’s hot new case. Plus this will be the first reptiles we shall see in the Zootopia world.

The D23 exclusive clip showed Nick and...

Zootopia 2 is making a splash at D23 with new and old characters, not to mention teasing new cold-blooded animals.

After Strange World, Lightyear, and Elemental disappointed at the box office, Disney decided to go all in on animated sequels, which has already proven successful with Inside Out 2. Plans are already in motion for sequels to Frozen and Moana, plus Zootopia.

It's already had a spin-off with Zootopia+ on Disney+, which explored many of the lives and backstories of the side characters from the first film, with Zootopia 2 being promised that it'll "take it to another level."

Read full article on The Direct.

Attendees at the D23 Expo got their first look at the return of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde in “Zootopia 2,” the sequel to the 2016 Academy Award winning hit that will be released in theaters November 2025.

Introduced with a plethora of furry puns on other Disney films, including “Dead-Mule and Wolf-erine,” star Ginnifer Goodwin came out to present a preview of what’s to come.

In the sequel, reptiles will join the mammals of Zootopia, including Gary, a snake played by “Everything Everywhere All at Once” Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan. Gary is a wanted snake that Judy and Nick are hunting down.

In a sneak peek clip, Judy and Nick are snooping around a new town called Marsh Market to find leads on where Gary may be. They’re helped by a gopher who talks with a walrus named Bub…who gives them no help.

“Zootopia” grossed $1 billion at...

In a new post from Ginnifer Goodwin, Judy Hopps is back. With Zootopia 2 coming soon, the post seemingly confirms the actress' return to the role.

Judy Hopps' voice actress Ginnifer Goodwin recently shared a post teasing her return to the popular Disney franchise. Donning a pair of Judy Hopps ears, a matching character pouch, and a Zootopia Police coffee tumbler, Goodwin captioned her photo, "This is how I go to work. I am not kidding."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ginnifer Goodwin (@ginnifergoodwin)

Related Is Walt Disney Studios on the Verge of Another Renaissance? Disney's been relying heavily on sequels and its own formulas in recent years. If the past is any indication, it could be due for another upswing. The City of Zootopia Grows

While Zootopia 2 was confirmed all the way back in October, plot and cast details have been kept under wraps; that being said,...

When Disney+ was initially announced, audiences were interested in seeing what the streaming service would boast in terms of its content. While brands like Marvel and Star Wars have helped to round out the premium storytelling on the platform, Disney has also turned to its animation houses to help curate more series. Early into the launch of Disney+, the company announced multiple new shows that would land on the streaming service based on original and new animated characters.

These intellectual properties were wide-ranging, and some shows like Monsters at Work, Cars on the Road, Dug Days, Zootopia+, and Forky Asks a Question have already been released. But Disney's release schedule is still full of series that have been previously announced but have not yet been launched on Disney+. These shows are thus still in development, and some of them aren't even attached to a release date yet.

Monsters at Work...

‘X-Men ’97’ premiered last week with the two first episodes on Disney+ and the first reactions are amazing. The show premiered with 100 % on Rotten Tomatoes with the critics calling it “Best Marvel release in years’ Metacritic gave the show a high 82 score indicating that it earned “Universal acclaim” – a feat that is a rarity in the last few years when it comes to Marvel Studios projects.

The show in large part played on its greatest strength, the fact that it is a direct continuation of the ‘X-Men: The Animated Series’ as it tried to imitate both the characters and animation to a reasonable extent while keeping the plot more mature and “raw” than what we’re used to seeing.

‘X-Men ’97’ had four million views within its initial five days on Disney+. Disney reports this achievement as the streamer’s most-viewed Season 1 premiere for a full-length animated series since Marvel’s ‘What If…...

“X-Men ’97” hit four million views in its first five days on Disney+.

According to Disney, this marks the streamer’s most-watched Season 1 premiere for a full-length animated series since Marvel’s “What If…?” debuted in 2021, putting “X-Men ’97” ahead of shows including “Iwájú” and “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.”

“X-Men ’97” follows up on “X-Men: The Animated Series,” which ran on Fox Kids from 1992 to 1997. The new series follows the X-Men through new challenges after the loss of their leader, Professor Charles Xavier. The cast includes Ray Chase as Cyclops, Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey, Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm, Cal Dodd as Wolverine, Jp Karliak as Morph, Lenore Zann as Rogue, George Buza as Beast, Aj LoCascio as Gambit, Holly Chou as Jubilee, Isaac Robinson-Smith as Bishop, Matthew Waterson as Magneto and Adrian Hough as Nightcrawler.

Beau DeMayo serves as head writer of “X-Men ’97,” while episodes are directed by Jake Castorena,...

Disney is shifting its strategy to focus on original content for Disney+ including the upcoming ambitious animated series Iwájú. Iwájú, created in collaboration with Kugali Media, will explore themes like class clashes in a futuristic Nigerian setting. By centering on Black and African storytellers, Disney is looking to create a groundbreaking animated series that resonates with viewers.

It's no secret that The Walt Disney Company has made substantial changes to its slate of soon-to-be-released movies. From pumping the breaks on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to announcing surprise sequels like Moana 2, Disney is changing its flooding-the-marketplace strategy, especially where its premiere streaming platform is concerned. However, there is an upcoming animated series bound for Disney+ with a more ambitious release plan — one that underscores Disney's confidence instead of highlighting the company's more recent financial and critical setbacks.

Since its founding in 1923, Walt Disney Animation Studios has produced a whopping 62 feature-length films.

Zootopia 2 is confirmed for release on November 26, 2025. Zootopia's success led to a series of shorts called Zootopia+ on Disney+. Zootopia 2 has been in development since February 2023, following the original film's critical and commercial success.

Zootopia 2 has a confirmed release date. Released in 2016, Zootopia was a critical and commercial hit, with glowing reviews and grossing more than a billion dollars worldwide at the box office. Following this success, Zootopia+, a series of shorts focused on secondary characters from the original film, was released on Disney+ in 2022. Zootopia 2 was confirmed to be in development in February 2023.

As per Disney, Zootopia 2 will be released in theaters on November 26, 2025. It is confirmed to be the previously untitled Disney animated movie that was on the release schedule for that date, and is sooner than anticipated for the Zootopia sequel.

Developing...

Source: Disney...

HBO/Max’s Sesame Street, Disney+’s The Muppets Mayhem and Jack Black were among the winners at the second annual Children’ &’s and Family Emmy Awards, which were handed out Sunday night by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Among its wins, Sesame Street (in its 56th season) was named best preschool series, while The Muppets Mayhem — which was canceled last month after airing only one season — was named best children’s or family viewing series.

Black, meanwhile, won his first-ever Emmy for best voice performance in a children’s or young teen program for his work as Po on Netflix’s Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight.

An excited Black took the stage to accept his award, giving a high kick and belting out “Kung Fu Panda, the dragon knight!”

“I’m really nervous and stoked to be here,” he added, noting that he was cast in the role 20 years ago.

The 2023 Children’s & Family Emmy Awards were handed out on Sunday night in a ceremony hosted by Christopher Jackson (Hamilton, And Just Like That…) at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles.

Sesame Street and The Muppets Mayhem took home top honors for Outstanding Preschool Series and Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series, respectively. Meanwhile, Apple TV+’s The Crossover walked away with a win for Outstanding Young Teen Series.

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As far as cartoons go,...

The 2nd Annual Children’s and Family Emmy Awards announced their winners on December 16 and 17. These prizes were formerly handed out as part of the Daytime Emmys, but they were given their own separate event as part of a restructuring of the Emmys as a whole. Scroll down for the complete list of winners in all categories.

SEEStars you didn’t know were Golden Globes nominees this year: Bruce Springsteen, Lenny Kravitz…

Preschool Series

Blue’s Clues & You! — Nickelodeon

Helpsters — Apple TV+

X — Sesame Street — HBO Max

Slumberkins — Apple TV+

Waffles + Mochi’s Restaurant — Netflix

Children’S Or Family Viewing Series

Are You Afraid of the Dark — Nickelodeon

Best Foot Forward — Apple TV+

Jane — Apple TV+

Malory Towers — BYUtv

X — The Muppets Mayhem — Disney+

Young Teen Series

X — The Crossover — Disney+

Ghostwriter — Apple TV+

High School Musical: The Musical – The Series — Disney+

The Mysterious Benedict Society — Disney+

Xo, Kitty...

The 2nd annual Children’s & Family Emmys got underway on Saturday night, starting with the Children’s & Family Creative Arts Emmys at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. According to early results — pending final tallies — Disney+ and Netflix tied the lead with nine wins overall.

The most honored program of the evening was actually Netflix’s “Lost Ollie,” which scored five trophies. Disney+’s wins included multiple awards for “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special” and animated series “Baymax!” Nickelodeon picked up five wins.

And it was also a good night for Disney via its linear Disney Channel, which picked up four wins.

Presenters included Tamara Almeida (“Jane”), Ceci Balagot (“Monster High: The Movie”), Eric Bauza (voice of Bugs Bunny and others), Tantoo Cardinal (“Spirit Rangers”), Nayah Damasen (“Monster High: The Movie”), Miia Harris (“Monster High: The Movie”), Sonia Manzano (“Alma’s Way”), Ava Louise Murchison (“Jane”), and...

The 2nd Annual Children’s and Family Emmy Awards announced their nominations on November 2, with “Sesame Street” and “The Mysterious Benedict Society” among the top contenders. These awards used to be handed out as part of the Daytime Emmys, but they were shifted to their own separate ceremony as part of an overall restructuring of all Emmy events. Scroll down for the complete list of nominees in all categories.

Rachel Schwartz, Director of the Daytime and Children’s and Family Emmy Awards, said in a statement, “We are very proud of the growth experienced in year two of the Children’s and Family Emmys, especially in the development and cultivation of the new categories dedicated to puppetry.”

Brent Stanton, Head of the Daytime and Children’s and Family Emmy Awards, added, “Programming created for children’s and family viewing has a long history of leading the way in innovation and storytelling.

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced on Thursday the nominees for the second annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards.

Disney led the nominees with an overwhelming 93 nods, which included programming across Disney+, Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Netflix followed with 61 nods, while Nickelodeon earned 30 and Apple TV+ earned 27. With 50 categories, the Children’s and Family Emmys is the largest competition that NATAS oversees.

“We are very proud of the growth experienced in year two of the Children’s and Family Emmys, especially in the development and cultivation of the new categories dedicated to puppetry,” said Rachel Schwartz, director of Daytime and Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, in a statement.

Added Brent Stanton, head of Daytime and Children’s & Family Emmy Awards: “Programming created for children’s and family viewing has a long history of leading the way in innovation and storytelling. In this year specifically, a...

As the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences continues to figure out how and when to finally hold this year’s Daytime Emmys — delayed in June due to the WGA strike — it has gone ahead and announced the nominations for this year’s 2nd Annual Children’s & Family Emmys.

There’s no date yet for this year’s Chidren’s & Family Emmys — NATAS is likely waiting for a hopeful soon resolution to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike before firming up dates. But last year, winners were announced during two ceremonies—one focused on creative and technical arts, and the other to performances and programming—at Wilshire Ebell Theatre on December 10 and 11. This year’s Cafe will likely be held around the same time — and NATAS could very well use that timeframe to simultaneously finally hold the Daytime Emmys as well.

In announcing this year’s nominees, NATAS also supplied a...

A Zootopia producer recently discussed the highly anticipated Zootopia 2.

Brad Simonsen, a Disney executive and producer of the first Zootopia, gave fans and viewers high hopes this past week during an interview with The Direct. According to Simonsen, the sequel is something that the team is "all super excited about it. And it's a world that I was part of the first movie, and it was one of the most amazing experiences in my life, to be honest." He continued to hype up the upcoming film, stating that Zootopia 2 is "going to take it to another level and be, as you know, as good or better than the first."

Related: Disney's Encanto Producer Wants to Expand the Franchise

Zootopia's Past and Future

The first Zootopia was a smash hit for Disney, premiering in 2016 and earning over $1 billion worldwide. The story follows a society of animals, with prey...

Producer Brad Simonsen expresses enthusiastic excitement about the development of Zootopia 2, implying it will be as good as or even better than the original. Disney took a measured approach in greenlighting the sequel, similar to the strategy they used for Frozen 3, showcasing their commitment to delivering excellence. Speculation is high regarding the cast of Zootopia 2, with Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman expressing their enthusiasm for reprising their roles and sharing ideas about their characters' development.

It's been a notable seven years since the whimsical city of Zootopia greeted fans on the big screen. 2016 was marked by Disney's animated classic that transported audiences to a world where anthropomorphic animals took center stage, navigating societal complexities reminiscent of our own. The story unfolds with Judy Hopps, the rabbit eyeing a police badge, and Nick Wilde, the fox with a history, navigating a puzzle threatening their urban solace.

With Ginnifer Goodwin...

Producer Brad Simonsen expresses excitement and confidence in the development of Zootopia 2, promising that it will be "as good or better" than the first. While directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore's return is yet to be confirmed, Jared Bush has confirmed his involvement in the sequel. The ongoing Writer's Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes may delay the production of Zootopia 2, but Disney's decision to wait seven years suggests a commitment to ensuring the sequel meets high expectations.

With seven years already gone since the first movie hit theaters, producer Brad Simonsen has offered an encouraging Zootopia 2 update. The 2016 Disney animated movie was set in a world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals and centered on Judy Hopps, an ambitious rabbit police officer, and Nick Wilde, a witty fox con artist, as they investigated an outbreak of animals returning to their predatory instincts. Featuring an ensemble cast led...

According to a Disney Animation producer, Zootopia 2 will be “as good or better” than the original film.

The first movie, starring Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman, was released on March 4, 2016. Since then, the only other stories audiences have gotten in that world came in the form of a short series on Disney+ titled Zootopia+, which debuted on November 9, 2022.

Thankfully, a proper sequel was announced in February 2023 alongside Frozen 3 and Toy Story 5. But besides knowing about the mere existence of the long-awaited sequel, nothing else is known about Zootopia 2.

Read full article on The Direct.

After years of silence, the upcoming Disney+ show Tiana receives a promising update with a lead writer and director and a release target of 2024. Tiana, based on the 2009 movie The Princess and the Frog, has experienced multiple delays and is now two years past its original release window. Tiana is highly anticipated due to its significance as Disney's first Black princess, but viewers have been left waiting while other Disney princess adaptations have been announced and released.

After announcing the project three years ago, Disney+ show Tiana finally received an update. Based on the 2009 animated movie The Princess and the Frog, Tiana was first announced at the end of 2020. Since then, the developments have stayed fairly quiet, with the last major update coming in 2021.

As per Variety, Tiana now has a promising update. The animated show has chosen a lead writer and director, Joyce Sherri (Midnight Mass), while the release...

Disney's Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disney Resort is an immersive experience that extends the narrative of the animated movie, offering fans the opportunity to step into the story beyond the movie's timeline. The land features an exhilarating ride called Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, where guests become auxiliary agents assisting the main characters Nick and Judy in a frantic chase to rescue pop icon Gazelle. The immersive experience includes state-of-the-art trackless ride technology, next-generation audio-animatronic figures, and various vignettes that recreate the cinematic essence of Zootopia, potentially hinting at future expansion opportunities for the franchise.

Disney has recently unveiled its most recent initiative, a groundbreaking effort that brings the lively world of Zootopia into our reality. Nestled within the heart of Shanghai Disney Resort, this immersive Zootopia-themed land serves not merely as a tribute to the animated blockbuster but as a pulsating narrative, inviting fans to step into a...

New photos confirm Zootopia 2 isn't Disney's only new addition to this animated franchise. 

First released in 2016, Walt Disney Animation's Zootopia is a buddy cop tale set within a contemporary, animal-populated metropolis. The film stars Ginnifer Goodwin as idealist rabbit police officer Judy Hopps next to Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde, a cynical fox con artist.

Upon its release, Zootopia enjoyed both critical and financial success, leading Disney to release a Disney+ spin-off, Zootopia+, in 2022; the studio has since announced an upcoming full-length sequel.

Read full article on The Direct.

Star-Lord, Rocket et al are ready to bring their swan song to the small screen, when Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 begins streaming later this summer.

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Released back in May, the box office hit grossed $842 million as it brought to a bittersweet conclusion the space saga that began in 2014 with...

After taking an eight-month breather, TV’s MCU is swinging back into action later this month. Here’s everything you need to know for streaming the espionage thriller Secret Invasion.

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The series premieres Wednesday, June 21, and will release episodes weekly thereafter. Based on the 2008 Marvel comic of the same name,...

The team behind “Coco” has a new coming-of-age tearjerker in the works for Pixar. “Elio,” the 28th animated feature from the legendary studio, is directed by Adrian Molina who wrote and co-helmed 2018 Oscar-winning film.

“Elio” is centered around the titular 11-year-old underdog (voiced by Yonas Kibreab), who has an active imagination and is beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from various galaxies. The official synopsis reads: Mistakenly identified as Earth’s ambassador to the rest of the universe, and completely unprepared for that kind of pressure, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, survive a series of formidable trials and somehow discover who he is truly meant to be.

America Ferrera voices Elio’s mother Olga, with Jameela Jamil and Brad Garrett cast as intergalactic ambassadors.

In addition to Molina, “Coco” associate producer Mary Alice Drumm also produces “Elio.”

“Elio” joins the slew of upcoming Disney/Pixar projects,...

Michelle Yeoh is truly doing everything everywhere all at once these days. Next up is American Born Chinese, which debuts Wednesday, May 24 on Disney+.

The adaptation of the hit graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang follows a mythological god (played by Yeoh) whose life becomes entangled with an average American teenager (played by Ben Wang). Also starring are two of Yeoh’s Everything Everywhere All At Once castmates, Ke Huy Quan and Stephanie Hsu. Here’s what you need to know to stream the series.

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Your fleece-and-foam favorites are rocking and rolling in their new series, The Muppets Mayhem, which debuts Wednesday, May 10.

The comedy series follows the fictional Electric Mayhem Band as they embark on a journey to finally record their first album. In addition to the geniuses who bring the Muppets to life, The Muppets Mayhem stars Lilly Singh (Bad Moms) as Nora, Tahj Mowry (Baby Daddy) as Moog, Saara Chaudry (The Mysterious Benedict Society) as Hannah and Anders Holm (Workaholics) as JJ.

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The Marvel movie Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is ready to shrink down to subatomic size and scamper through through the Internet’s many wires and cables so that you can stream it at home.

Released to theaters in mid-February, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania since April 18 has been available for purchase via digital retailers, and it arrives on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on May 16. But now we also have a release date for those who subscribe to Disney+.

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One Marvel Cinematic Universe star is ready to make a real-world impact.

Jeremy Renner’s Rennervations is a DIY series that follows the actor as he transforms municipal vehicles, such as buses and delivery trucks, into creations that serve communities in new ways across the world. The series debuts later this month on Disney+.

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Famous faces joining Renner along the way include...

Netflix has greenlit a new comedy series starring Kristen Bell with Erin Foster attached to create and executive produce.

Bell will play one of the two leads in the untitled series, which follows a budding relationship between two people on either end of the religious spectrum, highlighting that sometimes opposites do attract.

The official logline is as follows: “A comedy centered on the unlikely relationship between an irreverent, outspoken, agnostic woman and an unconventional rabbi.”

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The series is created by Erin Foster, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Steven Levitan, Craig Digregorio, Kristen Bell, Sara Foster and Danielle Stokdyk. Hailing from 20th Television in association with Steven Levitan Productions, Oly Obst and Josh Lieberman serve as executive producers for 3arts.

Bell, who recently starred in Prime Video’s “The People We Hate at the Wedding,...

“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” has picked up another award on its march to the Oscars, nabbing the feature prize at the 50th Annie Awards, presented by Asifa-Hollywood, on Saturday evening.

In addition to being named the top film by the animation industry, “Pinocchio” led the winners’ list with five trophies overall, including the award for best direction for del Toro and fellow director Mark Gustafson. The stop-motion movie also picked up wins for music, production design (Curt Enderle and Guy Davis) and character design (Tucker Barrie).

Del Toro, who came directly from the PGA Awards where he received the trophy for producing ‘Pinocchio,’ was thrilled to win the Annie for direction alongside Gustafson. “Can I say this? I wanted the fucking Annie so much. It’s the most gorgeous thing in the world!” He noted that the Annies ceremony was the one place that he didn’t have to point...

Some of Disney's most popular animated franchises are getting new installments. Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger announced during the company's first-quarter earnings call today that sequels to "Toy Story," "Zootopia," and "Frozen" are being developed. Iger said that more details beyond their existence will be announced soon, so there's not much to speculate on at the moment. However, that's bound to change throughout the year.

"Toy Story" and "Frozen" are no strangers to sequels. The fourth "Toy Story" movie was released back in 2019, as was the second "Frozen" film. However, the official confirmation of a sequel to "Zootopia" might be major news for fans of the film. Despite making a billion dollars at the box office, little movement has been made to expand the world of anthropomorphic animals the film introduced -- at least on the film side. "Zootopia+" was released on Disney+ in November 2022, but those episodes lasted only a few minutes each.

Step aside, Mayor Eric Adams. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur are leading their own effort to protect New York City’s Lower East Side. Here’s how to stream Marvel’s newest animated series.

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur follows 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur, as they work together to protect the city from danger. The first six episodes (of 16) will be available to stream Wednesday, Feb. 15 on Disney+, to be followed by two additional drops over the next few months.

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He's the suave, smart, and sneaky fox who won the hearts of a plethora of Disney fans and possibly a certain rabbit as well — he's the one and only, Nick Wilde. Next to his bunny buddy, Judy Hopps, Nick is one half of Zootopia's dynamic duo and the two are easily some of Disney's best animal characters.

But there's more to the sly guy than popsicles and Hawaiian shirts. In fact, the fox many fans know and love is far from the original concepts during the film's early drafts. So what was he like before he went from conman to lawman? Or even before Judy even entered the script?

Update: 2023/01/03 00:15 Est By Shawn S. Lealos

Zootopia+ hit Disney+ in 2022, and the title of the animated series is a joke for a couple of reasons. The most obvious joke was the play on the streaming service's name, Disney+. However,...