Television duo Nick Stanton and Devin Bunje (writers on Disney live-action series Zeke and Luther) now team-up as creators and executive producers of a new animated comedy for The Mouse House. Hailey’s On It!, starring Auli’i Cravalho (Moana) as the title character, premieres Thursday June 8th at 8pm on Disney Channel and Disney XD. Episodes begin streaming June 9th on Disney+. Stanton and Bunje can’t wait for audiences to embrace Hailey and join her on quite the rollercoaster ride. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length, structure and clarity.) Jackson Murphy: Was creating a Dis ..read more

Heroes of the Golden Mask is a new animated action comedy adventure from Canada-based Arcana Studio and longtime animation director Sean Patrick O’Reilly. It debuts on digital platforms June 9th, through distributor Gravitas Ventures. The film, about a young man and some new friends on a quest to defeat evil, features the final performance from legendary actor Christopher Plummer, who passed away in 2021. O’Reilly and I discuss Plummer’s impact, the film’s other stars and important messages, as well O’Reilly’s dynamic career. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.) J ..read more

As the world recognizes Africa Day today, Disney+ announced that Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire will premiere exclusively on Wednesday, July 5th on Disney+. In celebration, the key art for the 10-part collection of original animated short films was also released. The artwork is an original illustration by Nigerian artist and director Shofela Coker, the creator of the short film “Moremi”. Featuring stories from creators hailing from Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, “Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire” promises to take viewers on an unforgettable ride into Africa’s future, pr ..read more

Carl’s Date, a new “Up” short in the “Dug Days” family, will screen in theaters before showings of Pixar feature Elemental beginning June 16th. It’s directed by Bob Peterson (co-writer and co-director of “Up” and the voice of Dug), and it’s produced by Kim Collins (production manager on Toy Story 4). Carl is going on a date — his first since losing the love of his life, Ellie. Dug will help Carl get ready in humorous and heartwarming ways. In March, I screened the short at Pixar Animation Studios and attended a post-screening press conference with Peterson and Collins. When it comes to the s ..read more

Bento Box – the production company behind Bob’s Burgers and many more – have teamed up with co-writer of Aqua Teen Hunger Force for a new, hilariously unhinged animated Tubi original. It’s called Pastacolypse, and you can watch the whole thing online – for free – today. Take a peek: Here’s a synopsis of the film: When a global ban on gluten destroys his life, billionaire celebrity chef Alfredo Manicotti seeks revenge on all mankind. In the process, Alfredo is disfigured into a hideous creature – half-man, half-macaroni – and leads a pasta uprising that threatens humanity. In the end, it’s up ..read more

Netflix debut the official teaser, new teaser art and announced the premiere date for Nimona today. The film premieres globally on Netflix June 30th. Directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, Nimona is an epic tale about finding friendship in the most surprising situations and accepting yourself and others for who they are. Based on the National Book Award-nominated, New York Times best-selling graphic novel by ND Stevenson. About the Film When Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove hi ..read more

Today Disney/Pixar announces that tickets are now on sale for their next feature Elemental, which opens in exactly one month, on June 16th. It’s directed by Pete Sohn (The Good Dinosaur) and focuses on water boy Wade and fire girl Ember. Are they truly meant to be together? When I visited Pixar Animation Studios for the first time in March, I had the chance to screen select footage from the film, watch a special presentation and speak with several of the film’s talented makers. (These interviews were edited for length and clarity.) Let’s begin with my chat with Production Designer Don Shank ..read more

Robert Carlock and Sam Means (of 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) team-up once again, this time as co-creators of the new adult animated comedy series Mulligan. It premieres this Friday May 12th on Netflix. They, and supervising director Colin Heck (The Simpsons Movie), join me for this Animation Scoop Q&A to share what makes the show unique, relevant and quite funny. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.) Jackson Murphy: Washington DC survives a global disaster — an alien attack. What fascinated you the most about wanting to explore the idea of Earth starting over? Rob ..read more

Today, FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations) and WIA (Woman In Animation) announced the five delegations selected for the second edition of Stories x Women, a program aimed at increasing diversity of voices in animation globally. Stories x Women’s goal is to support access to international opportunities for women animators who want to tell their authentic stories from emerging national film and audio-visual animation communities of Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. These talented creatives, chosen from a competitive pool of 130+ candidates, will benefit from ..read more

Max has released the official trailer and key art for the Original animated series Gremlins: Secret Of The Mogwai. Dive into a world of magic and mythology with Gremlins: Secret Of The Mogwai, an animated prequel series to the iconic “Gremlins” films, debuting with the first two episodes TUESDAY, MAY 23 on Max. Two new episodes debut weekly on Thursdays. Gremlins: Secret Of The Mogwai takes viewers back to 1920s Shanghai where the Wing family first meets the young Mogwai called Gizmo (AJ LoCascio). Voiced by Izaac Wang, Sam Wing (future shop owner Mr. Wing in the 1984 “Gremlins” film) accept ..read more