After 2023’s earlier surprise comedic family gem You Are Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah, Adam Sandler and his Happy Madison Productions have done it again for Netflix, this time in the delightful and remarkably wise CGI animated feature Leo. It is a charmer for kids and their parents who get a few lessons here along the way as well.
Sandler voices 74-year-old Iguana, Leo, as if he were about to take the lectern at a Friar’s Roast. Leo has lived his whole life on display in a fifth grade classroom with revolving groups of kids since the 1940s. Next to him is Bff Squirtle, a fast talking turtle voiced memorably by Bill Burr. They are kind of the Bert and Ernie of the classroom, talking only to each other, and never revealing to the kids or teachers that they can actually converse with humans too. Leo, for whatever reason,...
Sandler voices 74-year-old Iguana, Leo, as if he were about to take the lectern at a Friar’s Roast. Leo has lived his whole life on display in a fifth grade classroom with revolving groups of kids since the 1940s. Next to him is Bff Squirtle, a fast talking turtle voiced memorably by Bill Burr. They are kind of the Bert and Ernie of the classroom, talking only to each other, and never revealing to the kids or teachers that they can actually converse with humans too. Leo, for whatever reason,...
- 11/21/2023
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s a cool indie weekend when the new album by André 3000, New Blue Sun, has morphed into a “cinematic listening experience.” Variance Films is putting the experience, directed by Terence Nance, into three theaters in NYC (IFC Center), LA (Cinepolis Inglewood) and Atlanta (Tara).
Right now, it’s just those locations but after this weekend, “We will see what happens, where the wind takes us,” said Variance CEO Dylan Marchetti. “I swear, I wanted to make a ‘visual album’ but this is literally the way the wind blew me this time,” André has said.
Asked what’s is on the screen, Marchetti said, “Vibes.”
New Blue Sun, out today, is André’s debut solo album, his first full-length LP since his group Outkast released its last record 17 years ago. He described it as “an entirely instrumental album centered around woodwinds; a celebratory piece of work in the form of a living,...
Right now, it’s just those locations but after this weekend, “We will see what happens, where the wind takes us,” said Variance CEO Dylan Marchetti. “I swear, I wanted to make a ‘visual album’ but this is literally the way the wind blew me this time,” André has said.
Asked what’s is on the screen, Marchetti said, “Vibes.”
New Blue Sun, out today, is André’s debut solo album, his first full-length LP since his group Outkast released its last record 17 years ago. He described it as “an entirely instrumental album centered around woodwinds; a celebratory piece of work in the form of a living,...
- 11/18/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
In one of Brian Robbins’ first major moves as Paramount Pictures President and CEO, he has brought in one of his top lieutenants at Nickelodeon, Ramsey Naito, to lead the film studio’s animation division in addition to her current duties as President of Nickelodeon Animation. Naito’s new title will be President, Animation & Development, Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation, with the expansion of her portfolio mirroring that of Robbins, who also remains President and CEO of Nickelodeon. Mireille Soria, President of Paramount Animation, is leaving.
“Ramsey is one of the savviest executives and creative minds in our industry,” Robbins said. “During her time at Nick, she has transformed and reinvigorated the Animation Studio division with her sharp business instincts, deep stable of relationships and unique eye for great storytelling, and I’m thrilled to have her bring her talents to this expanded role where she can further elevate our overall animation business.
“Ramsey is one of the savviest executives and creative minds in our industry,” Robbins said. “During her time at Nick, she has transformed and reinvigorated the Animation Studio division with her sharp business instincts, deep stable of relationships and unique eye for great storytelling, and I’m thrilled to have her bring her talents to this expanded role where she can further elevate our overall animation business.
- 9/30/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Paramount Pictures has parted ways with animation president Mireille Soria. In a promotion, Nickelodeon’s Ramsey Naito has added oversight of the label to her purview.
Soria’s exit comes during a continuing reorganization of Paramount Pictures by new chairman and CEO Brian Robbins, who replaced Jim Gianopulos in early September. Emma Watts, the seasoned production executive only a year in her post as president of the Paramount motion picture group, was dismissed last Friday.
“Ramsey is one of the savviest executives and creative minds in our industry. During her time at Nick, she has transformed and reinvigorated the Animation Studio division with her sharp business instincts, deep stable of relationships and unique eye for great storytelling, and I’m thrilled to have her bring her talents to this expanded role where she can further elevate our overall animation business,” Robbins said in a statement.
Soria, he added, “has been...
Soria’s exit comes during a continuing reorganization of Paramount Pictures by new chairman and CEO Brian Robbins, who replaced Jim Gianopulos in early September. Emma Watts, the seasoned production executive only a year in her post as president of the Paramount motion picture group, was dismissed last Friday.
“Ramsey is one of the savviest executives and creative minds in our industry. During her time at Nick, she has transformed and reinvigorated the Animation Studio division with her sharp business instincts, deep stable of relationships and unique eye for great storytelling, and I’m thrilled to have her bring her talents to this expanded role where she can further elevate our overall animation business,” Robbins said in a statement.
Soria, he added, “has been...
- 9/30/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
The shake-up continues at Paramount Pictures.
New Paramount president and CEO Brian Robbins announced Thursday that Nickelodeon’s Ramsey Naito will succeed Mireille Soria as animation chief on the movie side.
Naito’s title will be expanded to include serving as president of animation and development of Paramount in addition to continuing to serve as president of animation and development of sister Viacom studio Nickelodeon Animation.
Soria, part of the regime put together by former Paramount chief Jim Gianopulos, is exiting the organization. Robbins succeeded Gianopulous earlier this month. Not long after, motion picture group president Emma Watts was shown the ...
New Paramount president and CEO Brian Robbins announced Thursday that Nickelodeon’s Ramsey Naito will succeed Mireille Soria as animation chief on the movie side.
Naito’s title will be expanded to include serving as president of animation and development of Paramount in addition to continuing to serve as president of animation and development of sister Viacom studio Nickelodeon Animation.
Soria, part of the regime put together by former Paramount chief Jim Gianopulos, is exiting the organization. Robbins succeeded Gianopulous earlier this month. Not long after, motion picture group president Emma Watts was shown the ...
- 9/30/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The shake-up continues at Paramount Pictures.
New Paramount president and CEO Brian Robbins announced Thursday that Nickelodeon’s Ramsey Naito will succeed Mireille Soria as animation chief on the movie side.
Naito’s title will be expanded to include serving as president of animation and development of Paramount in addition to continuing to serve as president of animation and development of sister Viacom studio Nickelodeon Animation.
Soria, part of the regime put together by former Paramount chief Jim Gianopulos, is exiting the organization. Robbins succeeded Gianopulos earlier this month. Not long after, motion picture group president Emma Watts was shown the ...
New Paramount president and CEO Brian Robbins announced Thursday that Nickelodeon’s Ramsey Naito will succeed Mireille Soria as animation chief on the movie side.
Naito’s title will be expanded to include serving as president of animation and development of Paramount in addition to continuing to serve as president of animation and development of sister Viacom studio Nickelodeon Animation.
Soria, part of the regime put together by former Paramount chief Jim Gianopulos, is exiting the organization. Robbins succeeded Gianopulos earlier this month. Not long after, motion picture group president Emma Watts was shown the ...
- 9/30/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
A “game of chicken” is commonly known as a conflict between two parties where neither wants to yield, but both are hoping to avoid embarrassment and failure.
That seems to be the pervading psychological dynamic right now at Paramount Pictures, as it continues to topple its legacy leadership structure in favor of a streaming-first future under new studio chief Brian Robbins.
“We’re all playing chicken right now,” one insider told Variety, explaining that studio employees are carrying out the work of making movies with no substantive input from Robbins – the former Nickelodeon head who replaced industry statesman Jim Gianopulos as Paramount chairman and CEO earlier this month.
On Friday, Emma Watts, the stalwart production head who was labelled Paramount’s “white knight” when she joined as motion picture group president last summer, was dismissed during a morning meeting with Robbins. The call came after two weeks of Watts trying...
That seems to be the pervading psychological dynamic right now at Paramount Pictures, as it continues to topple its legacy leadership structure in favor of a streaming-first future under new studio chief Brian Robbins.
“We’re all playing chicken right now,” one insider told Variety, explaining that studio employees are carrying out the work of making movies with no substantive input from Robbins – the former Nickelodeon head who replaced industry statesman Jim Gianopulos as Paramount chairman and CEO earlier this month.
On Friday, Emma Watts, the stalwart production head who was labelled Paramount’s “white knight” when she joined as motion picture group president last summer, was dismissed during a morning meeting with Robbins. The call came after two weeks of Watts trying...
- 9/25/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Trevor Noah is staying in the Viacom family for his next creative endeavor, an untitled feature film with Paramount Animation, Variety has learned exclusively.
The untitled project is based on an original idea from Noah. The plot is under wraps but is said to be timely, poignant and comedic. Jonathan Groff (“Black-ish”) and Jon Pollack (“Modern Family”) are set to write the script. Noah will produce via his Day Zero Productions, with his president of production Haroon Saleem.
Norman Aladjem, Derek Van Pelt and Sanaz Yamin will also serve as producers via Mainstay Entertainment.
Noah, who began in stand-up, rose to fame as the host of “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central. The comedy-news hybrid has found new resonance amid the pandemic and social unrest of 2020.
He is repped by CAA, Mainstay Entertainment, Day Zero Productions, Jill Fritzo PR and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, & Gellman L.
The untitled project is based on an original idea from Noah. The plot is under wraps but is said to be timely, poignant and comedic. Jonathan Groff (“Black-ish”) and Jon Pollack (“Modern Family”) are set to write the script. Noah will produce via his Day Zero Productions, with his president of production Haroon Saleem.
Norman Aladjem, Derek Van Pelt and Sanaz Yamin will also serve as producers via Mainstay Entertainment.
Noah, who began in stand-up, rose to fame as the host of “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central. The comedy-news hybrid has found new resonance amid the pandemic and social unrest of 2020.
He is repped by CAA, Mainstay Entertainment, Day Zero Productions, Jill Fritzo PR and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, & Gellman L.
- 1/27/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Industrial Light & Magic’s Dennis Muren will receive the View Conference’s 2020 Visionary Award during this year’s event, which is taking place both in-person in Turin, Italy, and virtually.
The longtime VFX maven is best known for his work on the original “Star Wars,” as well as “The Abyss,” “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” and “Jurassic Park.” Currently he is creative director and senior visual effects supervisor and Ilm, working on the company’s ground-breaking techniques and technologies. He’s won nine Oscars.
“Dennis Muren is a force of nature and a real living legend,” said conference director Maria Elena Gutierrez. “Throughout his career, he has elevated his craft to the highest levels and inspired young artists to follow him into the stratosphere. He is, without question, a worthy recipient of this year’s Visionary Award.”
Muren will give a keynote address on Friday, Oct. 23, the last day of the conference,...
The longtime VFX maven is best known for his work on the original “Star Wars,” as well as “The Abyss,” “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” and “Jurassic Park.” Currently he is creative director and senior visual effects supervisor and Ilm, working on the company’s ground-breaking techniques and technologies. He’s won nine Oscars.
“Dennis Muren is a force of nature and a real living legend,” said conference director Maria Elena Gutierrez. “Throughout his career, he has elevated his craft to the highest levels and inspired young artists to follow him into the stratosphere. He is, without question, a worthy recipient of this year’s Visionary Award.”
Muren will give a keynote address on Friday, Oct. 23, the last day of the conference,...
- 10/19/2020
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
The View Conference is offering free streaming access to its 2020 program, which runs from Oct. 18-23 in Turin, Italy.
“There has been so much bad news in 2020, so I’m thrilled to be able to share some great news for a change,” said conference director Maria Elena Gutierrez. “Everyone could use some extra light and joy in their lives, so we have made the unprecedented decision to make this year’s conference completely free.” Those who register will have streaming access to the conference’s 125 online and on-site talks, workshops, master classes and panels.
“Every session will be available online, allowing anyone to attend anywhere in the world,” said Gutierrez. “This is a fantastic chance to grow the View community and to welcome into our family participants who are unable to travel to Torino or buy a full access pass.”
Keynote speakers include Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull, Industrial Light & Magic’s Dennis Muren,...
“There has been so much bad news in 2020, so I’m thrilled to be able to share some great news for a change,” said conference director Maria Elena Gutierrez. “Everyone could use some extra light and joy in their lives, so we have made the unprecedented decision to make this year’s conference completely free.” Those who register will have streaming access to the conference’s 125 online and on-site talks, workshops, master classes and panels.
“Every session will be available online, allowing anyone to attend anywhere in the world,” said Gutierrez. “This is a fantastic chance to grow the View community and to welcome into our family participants who are unable to travel to Torino or buy a full access pass.”
Keynote speakers include Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull, Industrial Light & Magic’s Dennis Muren,...
- 10/7/2020
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
Paramount Pictures has named influential production executive Emma Watts president of its motion picture group, studio chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos announced on Tuesday.
The former Twentieth Century Fox leader replaces Wyck Godfrey, who will exit Paramount and transition back to producing film and TV. Watts starts July 20, and will report directly to Gianopulos.
The move reunites Gianopulos with Watts — the two worked together at 20th Century Fox for decades and enjoyed a close collaboration on hit franchises such as “Planet of the Apes” and “Kingsman.” It was Watts’ ability to oversee big, tentpole features that helped earn her the job. Godfrey’s tastes veered more towards the young adult and smaller fare he made his reputation on by producing “Fault in Our Stars” and “Twilight.”
At Paramount he championed the likes of Damien Chazelle’s upcoming Hollywood drama “Babylon” and last year’s hit “Rocketman.” Word in the industry...
The former Twentieth Century Fox leader replaces Wyck Godfrey, who will exit Paramount and transition back to producing film and TV. Watts starts July 20, and will report directly to Gianopulos.
The move reunites Gianopulos with Watts — the two worked together at 20th Century Fox for decades and enjoyed a close collaboration on hit franchises such as “Planet of the Apes” and “Kingsman.” It was Watts’ ability to oversee big, tentpole features that helped earn her the job. Godfrey’s tastes veered more towards the young adult and smaller fare he made his reputation on by producing “Fault in Our Stars” and “Twilight.”
At Paramount he championed the likes of Damien Chazelle’s upcoming Hollywood drama “Babylon” and last year’s hit “Rocketman.” Word in the industry...
- 6/30/2020
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
“The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run” from Paramount and Nickelodeon Movies is skipping theaters and will premiere on premium Video On Demand, followed by a debut exclusively on Viacom’s CBS All Access, ViacomCBS announced Monday.
The movie was meant to open in theaters on Aug. 7 after being pushed back from a May 22 theatrical release date, but it will now debut on VOD and on the streaming service in early 2021.
The move is part of CBS All Access’ rebranding into an expanded streaming service that should allow ViacomCBS to compete with Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock and other streaming services. The new platform will also launch with all seasons of the Nickelodeon kids series “Spongebob Squarepants.”
Also Read: David Dobrik to Host Nickelodeon's 'SpongeBob Squarepants' Cast Table Read (Exclusive)
ViacomCBS president and CEO Bob Bakish suggested on an earnings call back in May that this move was possible, noting that...
The movie was meant to open in theaters on Aug. 7 after being pushed back from a May 22 theatrical release date, but it will now debut on VOD and on the streaming service in early 2021.
The move is part of CBS All Access’ rebranding into an expanded streaming service that should allow ViacomCBS to compete with Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock and other streaming services. The new platform will also launch with all seasons of the Nickelodeon kids series “Spongebob Squarepants.”
Also Read: David Dobrik to Host Nickelodeon's 'SpongeBob Squarepants' Cast Table Read (Exclusive)
ViacomCBS president and CEO Bob Bakish suggested on an earnings call back in May that this move was possible, noting that...
- 6/22/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
“The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run,” Paramount and Nickelodeon’s animated adventure based on the absorbent underwater fry cook, is skipping its planned theatrical debut. It will instead launch on premium digital rental services in early 2021 before landing exclusively on CBS All Access, the streaming service owned by the studio’s parent company, ViacomCBS.
It was originally slated to hit the big screen on May 22, but was postponed until Aug. 7 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are thrilled to have ‘The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run,” a premier, first-run movie from one of ViacomCBS’ biggest brands, join CBS All Access’ expanding slate of franchise content from across ViacomCBS,” said Marc DeBevoise, chief digital officer at ViacomCBS and president and CEO of ViacomCBS Digital. “This launch will be perfectly timed with our continued expansion and planned rebranding of the service in early 2021, as we welcome SpongeBob and the gang...
It was originally slated to hit the big screen on May 22, but was postponed until Aug. 7 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are thrilled to have ‘The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run,” a premier, first-run movie from one of ViacomCBS’ biggest brands, join CBS All Access’ expanding slate of franchise content from across ViacomCBS,” said Marc DeBevoise, chief digital officer at ViacomCBS and president and CEO of ViacomCBS Digital. “This launch will be perfectly timed with our continued expansion and planned rebranding of the service in early 2021, as we welcome SpongeBob and the gang...
- 6/22/2020
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Live-action film production as we know it, from Jurassic World: Dominion to The Batman, remains shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, with myriad headaches involved in figuring out how exactly to return, from the possible elimination of group extras to paring down crew sizes.
But throughout this entire Covid-19 Hollywood halt, feature animation production has remained full-steam ahead, with a consistent workflow sans stoppages.
For studios and streamers looking to reap profits off the shelter-at-home crowd, finished live-action movies are gold, and so are animated movies. Any fresh marquee title is ripe to tame any wiry, shut-in child who has watched Frozen 2 on Disney+ too many times. Of course, immediate proof of this are Universal’s $100 million Premium VOD U.S. riches from DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls World Tour, which premiered in homes over Easter weekend. Observing those fireworks from the sidelines, Warner Bros decided to move its...
But throughout this entire Covid-19 Hollywood halt, feature animation production has remained full-steam ahead, with a consistent workflow sans stoppages.
For studios and streamers looking to reap profits off the shelter-at-home crowd, finished live-action movies are gold, and so are animated movies. Any fresh marquee title is ripe to tame any wiry, shut-in child who has watched Frozen 2 on Disney+ too many times. Of course, immediate proof of this are Universal’s $100 million Premium VOD U.S. riches from DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls World Tour, which premiered in homes over Easter weekend. Observing those fireworks from the sidelines, Warner Bros decided to move its...
- 5/8/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Women in Hollywood are finally starting to exhale. Two years after sexual misconduct allegations against Harvey Weinstein first broke, turbocharging the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, there’s a growing sense among women in showbiz that meaningful change is underway — though much remains to be done before true parity is reached.
“There have been some good inroads,” says Donna Langley, chairman, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, whose studio was the first major to sign on to USC Annenberg Inclusion Institute and Time’s Up’s 4% Challenge for female directors in January. “It’s never going to feel like it’s enough. It’s never going to be enough — this is work that is going to be ongoing.”
Langley’s views were echoed by other women surveyed by Variety for its annual Women’s Impact Report. They reported increased opportunity behind and in front of the camera.
“I think we’ve...
“There have been some good inroads,” says Donna Langley, chairman, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, whose studio was the first major to sign on to USC Annenberg Inclusion Institute and Time’s Up’s 4% Challenge for female directors in January. “It’s never going to feel like it’s enough. It’s never going to be enough — this is work that is going to be ongoing.”
Langley’s views were echoed by other women surveyed by Variety for its annual Women’s Impact Report. They reported increased opportunity behind and in front of the camera.
“I think we’ve...
- 10/8/2019
- by Diane Garrett
- Variety Film + TV
Paramount Animation has teamed up with the WWE to create an animated movie called Rumble that is set to star Will Arnett (Arrested Development), Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine Nine), Geraldine Viswanathan (Blockers), Fred Melamed (In a World…), Tony Danza (Who’s the Boss?), Stephen A. Smith (General Hospital), Jimmy Tatro (American Vandal), and Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation), plus the famous voice of boxing announcer Michael Buffer and WWE stars Becky Lynch and Roman Reigns. Here’s the synopsis for the film:
In a world where monsters are tame and monster wrestling is a popular sport, Winnie seeks to follow in her father’s footsteps as a manager by turning an inexperienced monster into a contender.
Mireille Soria, president of Paramount Animation, had this to say in a statement:
“Rumble is steeped in the world of wrestling, and what better partners to help bring this world to life than WWE.
In a world where monsters are tame and monster wrestling is a popular sport, Winnie seeks to follow in her father’s footsteps as a manager by turning an inexperienced monster into a contender.
Mireille Soria, president of Paramount Animation, had this to say in a statement:
“Rumble is steeped in the world of wrestling, and what better partners to help bring this world to life than WWE.
- 9/20/2019
- by Jessica Fisher
- GeekTyrant
Studio logos are powerful signals to audiences.
Multiple generations of moviegoers flipping through channels or scanning streaming titles have frozen at the sight of a desk lamp hopping across the screen, because it means a Pixar movie is about to play. Likewise, when a young boy lounging inside a crescent moon casts his fishing line into the clouds, you know DreamWorks Animation is about to deliver a family-friendly story. Paramount Animation now joins their ranks with its first-ever dedicated logo for the division, which is run by Mireille Soria.
Audiences are about to meet a character who will represent the Paramount Animation brand in film, TV and marketing spots. She’s a tween named Star Skipper, and she appears in a heightened version of the iconic Paramount logo: a snowcapped mountain surrounded by a forest and a serene lake. There’s some magic built in, however: The character skips a stone across the water,...
Multiple generations of moviegoers flipping through channels or scanning streaming titles have frozen at the sight of a desk lamp hopping across the screen, because it means a Pixar movie is about to play. Likewise, when a young boy lounging inside a crescent moon casts his fishing line into the clouds, you know DreamWorks Animation is about to deliver a family-friendly story. Paramount Animation now joins their ranks with its first-ever dedicated logo for the division, which is run by Mireille Soria.
Audiences are about to meet a character who will represent the Paramount Animation brand in film, TV and marketing spots. She’s a tween named Star Skipper, and she appears in a heightened version of the iconic Paramount logo: a snowcapped mountain surrounded by a forest and a serene lake. There’s some magic built in, however: The character skips a stone across the water,...
- 9/19/2019
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Ron Howard.
Imagine Entertainment co-founder Ron Howard will direct The Shrinking of Treehorn, the first of four live-action animated co-productions between his company and Animal Logic Entertainment.
Paramount Pictures will release the film based on a 1971 children’s book by Florence Parry Heide with illustrations from Edward Gorey.
Rob Lieber is writing the script, which follows Treehorn, a boy who begins shrinking after playing a strange board game, which goes largely unnoticed by his parents. He spends an unhappy day and night until he discovers a magical game that restores him to his natural size.
It will be Howard’s first animated feature as a director, a move suggested by Animal Logic Entertainment CEO Zareh Nalbandian, who signed a co-production agreement with Imagine in 2017.
When the Jv was announced Imagine chairman Brian Grazer said: “The animation space consistently outperforms other genres and we wanted to enter into that space by...
Imagine Entertainment co-founder Ron Howard will direct The Shrinking of Treehorn, the first of four live-action animated co-productions between his company and Animal Logic Entertainment.
Paramount Pictures will release the film based on a 1971 children’s book by Florence Parry Heide with illustrations from Edward Gorey.
Rob Lieber is writing the script, which follows Treehorn, a boy who begins shrinking after playing a strange board game, which goes largely unnoticed by his parents. He spends an unhappy day and night until he discovers a magical game that restores him to his natural size.
It will be Howard’s first animated feature as a director, a move suggested by Animal Logic Entertainment CEO Zareh Nalbandian, who signed a co-production agreement with Imagine in 2017.
When the Jv was announced Imagine chairman Brian Grazer said: “The animation space consistently outperforms other genres and we wanted to enter into that space by...
- 6/23/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
In a prolific career that has yielded numerous iconic movies, Ron Howard is set to direct his first animated film.
The project is one of four ambitious, original animated and live-action hybrid films he and Brian Grazer have set up through their company Imagine Entertainment, in a joint venture with Australian production engine Animal Logic.
Howard is attached to direct “The Shrinking of Treehorn,” a children’s book by Florence Parry Heide with illustrations from Edward Gorey, originally published in 1971. Paramount Pictures will release the film.
“I’ve long had this passionate point of view that Ron Howard should make a tentpole animated movie. That’s how this started,” said Zareh Nalbandian, Animal Logic’s entertainment CEO.
“It was serendipitous that Imagine was sort of evolving and growing, and Animal Logic was more and more committed to the development and production of our own intellectual property. We have a shared...
The project is one of four ambitious, original animated and live-action hybrid films he and Brian Grazer have set up through their company Imagine Entertainment, in a joint venture with Australian production engine Animal Logic.
Howard is attached to direct “The Shrinking of Treehorn,” a children’s book by Florence Parry Heide with illustrations from Edward Gorey, originally published in 1971. Paramount Pictures will release the film.
“I’ve long had this passionate point of view that Ron Howard should make a tentpole animated movie. That’s how this started,” said Zareh Nalbandian, Animal Logic’s entertainment CEO.
“It was serendipitous that Imagine was sort of evolving and growing, and Animal Logic was more and more committed to the development and production of our own intellectual property. We have a shared...
- 6/20/2019
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
<!--[Cdata[
Paramount Animation president Mireille Soria is bringing girl power to the unit — literally. The studio, which boasts a mostly female senior staff, is in early development on a Spice Girls movie among a slate eyeing two releases a year, starting in 2020.
All five members of the iconic '90s group — Melanie Brown (Scary), Emma Bunton (Baby), Melanie Chisholm (Sporty), Geri Halliwell (Ginger) and Victoria Beckham (Posh) are on board, with Simon Fuller producing and Karen McCullah and Kiwi Smith writing the screenplay. The animated feature will include Spice Girls classics as well as new songs. The Spice ...
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Paramount Animation president Mireille Soria is bringing girl power to the unit — literally. The studio, which boasts a mostly female senior staff, is in early development on a Spice Girls movie among a slate eyeing two releases a year, starting in 2020.
All five members of the iconic '90s group — Melanie Brown (Scary), Emma Bunton (Baby), Melanie Chisholm (Sporty), Geri Halliwell (Ginger) and Victoria Beckham (Posh) are on board, with Simon Fuller producing and Karen McCullah and Kiwi Smith writing the screenplay. The animated feature will include Spice Girls classics as well as new songs. The Spice ...
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- 6/12/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
When animation guru John Lasseter was ousted from his post at Pixar last year, trailed by a series of allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct, it seemed like a wake-up call for an animation industry that was slowly coming around to its own #MeToo moment. Yet Lasseter’s controversial hiring by Skydance Animation just months later highlighted the challenges of reshaping an industry that many women say has systematically worked against them.
“I do feel like there’s been a glass ceiling that I’ve been hitting up against,” Marge Dean, president of Women in Animation, says. “I feel like I have to justify myself and my position, or explain myself in more detail than my male colleagues have to. I think I have to work a little bit harder to prove myself.”
Some of the most powerful positions in the animation industry are held by women, including newly minted DreamWorks Animation president Margie Cohn,...
“I do feel like there’s been a glass ceiling that I’ve been hitting up against,” Marge Dean, president of Women in Animation, says. “I feel like I have to justify myself and my position, or explain myself in more detail than my male colleagues have to. I think I have to work a little bit harder to prove myself.”
Some of the most powerful positions in the animation industry are held by women, including newly minted DreamWorks Animation president Margie Cohn,...
- 5/15/2019
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Registration is now open for the 2019 edition of the View Conference in Turin, Italy. No speakers have been announced yet, but past conferences have featured some of the world’s top creative talents in visual effects, animation, gaming, virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality. Last year’s edition featured composer Hans Zimmer, Paramount Animation topper Mireille Soria, Ilm’s Rob Bredow and Dennis Muren, and many others.
View Conference will take place this year from Oct. 21-25 in its new Officine Grandi Riparazioni venue.
The conference is popular with speakers and attendees alike for its relaxed atmosphere, Italian setting and high-level networking opportunities.
“View is not just a conference; it’s a community of people,” says View Conference director Maria Elena Gutierrez. “Folks love attending and staying the week to network and relax. Turin is such a rich, magical city with a solid history in the arts. To play...
View Conference will take place this year from Oct. 21-25 in its new Officine Grandi Riparazioni venue.
The conference is popular with speakers and attendees alike for its relaxed atmosphere, Italian setting and high-level networking opportunities.
“View is not just a conference; it’s a community of people,” says View Conference director Maria Elena Gutierrez. “Folks love attending and staying the week to network and relax. Turin is such a rich, magical city with a solid history in the arts. To play...
- 4/18/2019
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
Skydance’s decision to hire John Lasseter to head its animation division has put Paramount Pictures in a bind.
The studio was not consulted about the decision to bring Lasseter on board, according to insiders. This omission is remarkable because Skydance has a distribution pact with Paramount and the two companies are pairing on a number of animated films, two of which, “Split” and “Luck,” will now be overseen by Lasseter. Feelings were raw on the Paramount lot after Lasseter’s hire was announced.
Lasseter was one of the most powerful men in animation, but he was ousted from Disney after staffers complained that he touched them inappropriately or kissed them without their consent. The former Pixar chief was forced to take a sabbatical and remained at Disney through the end of 2018, at which point his contract was not renewed.
Many staffers on the Paramount lot, particularly female employees, are...
The studio was not consulted about the decision to bring Lasseter on board, according to insiders. This omission is remarkable because Skydance has a distribution pact with Paramount and the two companies are pairing on a number of animated films, two of which, “Split” and “Luck,” will now be overseen by Lasseter. Feelings were raw on the Paramount lot after Lasseter’s hire was announced.
Lasseter was one of the most powerful men in animation, but he was ousted from Disney after staffers complained that he touched them inappropriately or kissed them without their consent. The former Pixar chief was forced to take a sabbatical and remained at Disney through the end of 2018, at which point his contract was not renewed.
Many staffers on the Paramount lot, particularly female employees, are...
- 1/14/2019
- by Matt Donnelly and Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
On Wednesday, the animation industry was rocked by two major events: Ousted Pixar/Disney leader John Lasseter resurfaced as head of upstart Skydance Animation, and DreamWorks Animation TV head Margie Cohn took over feature animation from Chris deFaria (who served as president for only two years). Her elevation should improve synergy at DreamWorks and create greater unity with Illumination, which has taken an active role in developing “Shrek” and “Puss in Boots” sequels.
But the Lasseter hire was the most shocking update, as it found the disgraced animation guru instantly returning to a new senior leadership position after a string of sexual harassment allegations took him out of circulation.
It was unlikely that Lasseter would ever return to Disney and Pixar, the company he helped launch more than 30 years ago, or any other major studio. The post-Lasseter era at Pixar and Disney has already begun, with the promise of greater inclusion,...
But the Lasseter hire was the most shocking update, as it found the disgraced animation guru instantly returning to a new senior leadership position after a string of sexual harassment allegations took him out of circulation.
It was unlikely that Lasseter would ever return to Disney and Pixar, the company he helped launch more than 30 years ago, or any other major studio. The post-Lasseter era at Pixar and Disney has already begun, with the promise of greater inclusion,...
- 1/10/2019
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Nora Twomey, Cartoon Saloon co-founder and director of the critically lauded animated feature “The Breadwinner,” has been awarded the inaugural View Visionary Award by the View Conference in Turin, Italy.
View Conference director Maria Elena Gutierrez pointed to Twomey’s “exceptional artistry” for the reason she was given the award.
Twomey, who also co-directed Cartoon Saloon’s “The Secret of Kells” alongside fellow studio co-founder Tomm Moore and was head of story on the studio’s “Song of the Sea,” was nominated for an animated feature Oscar for “Breadwinner,” which won the 2017 Annie Award for best animated feature – independent.
“These three 2D animated films exemplify Nora Twomey’s exceptional artistry,” Gutierrez said. “With ‘The Breadwinner,’ Nora has created a story of a young Afghani girl’s struggle using stunning visuals that honestly portray real-life issues. The bravery and creativity [main character] Parvana shows is inspirational. Parvana and [‘Breadwinner’ director] Nora Twomey give everyone hope that we,...
View Conference director Maria Elena Gutierrez pointed to Twomey’s “exceptional artistry” for the reason she was given the award.
Twomey, who also co-directed Cartoon Saloon’s “The Secret of Kells” alongside fellow studio co-founder Tomm Moore and was head of story on the studio’s “Song of the Sea,” was nominated for an animated feature Oscar for “Breadwinner,” which won the 2017 Annie Award for best animated feature – independent.
“These three 2D animated films exemplify Nora Twomey’s exceptional artistry,” Gutierrez said. “With ‘The Breadwinner,’ Nora has created a story of a young Afghani girl’s struggle using stunning visuals that honestly portray real-life issues. The bravery and creativity [main character] Parvana shows is inspirational. Parvana and [‘Breadwinner’ director] Nora Twomey give everyone hope that we,...
- 10/31/2018
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
As the View Conference in Turin, Italy continues to dazzle guests of the event with breaking news regarding the latest in animation and film, president of Paramount Animation Mireille Soria revealed to the crowd that the upcoming SpongeBob animated film, Spongebob: It's A Wonderful Sponge, will include an origin story related to the character who lives in a pineapple under the sea. Set to bubble…...
- 10/24/2018
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Oscar-winning visual effects veteran Dennis Muren, known for his groundbreaking work on films in the “Star Wars” franchise (including the original trilogy), “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Jurassic Park,” “The Abyss,” and “Terminator 2,” among others, will give a keynote talk at the View Conference in Turin, Italy.
Muren, senior visual effects supervisor and creative director of Industrial Light & Magic, will discuss “Visual Effects: Defining That Critical, Elusive & Final 5%” at the October event that celebrates computer graphics, interactive and immersive storytelling, animation, visual effects, games, Vr, Ar, and mixed reality.
Muren’s talk will wrap up the conference on Oct. 26.
Muren joins a strong lineup of keynote speakers, including award-winning composer Hans Zimmer; Paramount Animation president Mireille Soria; senior VP, executive creative director, and head of Ilm Rob Bredow; SideFX president and CEO Kim Davidson; Google Spotlight Stories creative director Jan Pinkava; Cornell University professor Don Greenberg; Magic Leap senior VP...
Muren, senior visual effects supervisor and creative director of Industrial Light & Magic, will discuss “Visual Effects: Defining That Critical, Elusive & Final 5%” at the October event that celebrates computer graphics, interactive and immersive storytelling, animation, visual effects, games, Vr, Ar, and mixed reality.
Muren’s talk will wrap up the conference on Oct. 26.
Muren joins a strong lineup of keynote speakers, including award-winning composer Hans Zimmer; Paramount Animation president Mireille Soria; senior VP, executive creative director, and head of Ilm Rob Bredow; SideFX president and CEO Kim Davidson; Google Spotlight Stories creative director Jan Pinkava; Cornell University professor Don Greenberg; Magic Leap senior VP...
- 8/21/2018
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer will deliver a keynote address at the View Conference in Turin, Italy, in October. In addition to Zimmer, the conference has also lined up Cartoon Saloon’s Nora Twomey, director of last year’s Academy Award-nominated animated film “The Breadwinner.”
Zimmer has amassed a collection of awards including an Oscar for his work on “The Lion King,” two Golden Globes (“The Lion King” and “Gladiator”) and four Grammys (two for “The Lion King” plus wins for “Crimson Tide” and “The Dark Knight”). He received a Stephen Hawking Medal for his work on “Interstellar” and has more than 100 other awards and even more nominations across a number of organizations. His work can be heard in some of the biggest film and TV projects around the world. He was most recently nominated for an Oscar for his “Dunkirk” original score.
He is one of the most sought-after composers...
Zimmer has amassed a collection of awards including an Oscar for his work on “The Lion King,” two Golden Globes (“The Lion King” and “Gladiator”) and four Grammys (two for “The Lion King” plus wins for “Crimson Tide” and “The Dark Knight”). He received a Stephen Hawking Medal for his work on “Interstellar” and has more than 100 other awards and even more nominations across a number of organizations. His work can be heard in some of the biggest film and TV projects around the world. He was most recently nominated for an Oscar for his “Dunkirk” original score.
He is one of the most sought-after composers...
- 7/25/2018
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
Studio rising star Amy Powell issues denial after dismissal.
In a shock development on Thursday evening (July 19), Paramount TV chief and rising star Amy Powell was fired over alleged insensitive remarks and responded with an emphatic denial.
Not long after studio chief Jim Gianopulos circulated a memo to staff explaining the dismissal, Powell herself issued the following statement: “There is no truth to the allegation that I made insensitive comments in a professional setting — or in any setting. The facts will come out and I will be vindicated.”
Earlier in the evening the memo from Gianopulos was leaked to the press,...
In a shock development on Thursday evening (July 19), Paramount TV chief and rising star Amy Powell was fired over alleged insensitive remarks and responded with an emphatic denial.
Not long after studio chief Jim Gianopulos circulated a memo to staff explaining the dismissal, Powell herself issued the following statement: “There is no truth to the allegation that I made insensitive comments in a professional setting — or in any setting. The facts will come out and I will be vindicated.”
Earlier in the evening the memo from Gianopulos was leaked to the press,...
- 7/20/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Studio rising star issues denial after dismissal.
In a shock development on Thursday evening (July 19), Paramount TV chief and rising star Amy Powell was fired over alleged insensitive remarks and responded with an emphatic denial.
Not long after studio chief Jim Gianopulos circulated a memo to staff explaining the dismissal, Powell herself issued the following statement: “There is no truth to the allegation that I made insensitive comments in a professional setting — or in any setting. The facts will come out and I will be vindicated.”
Earlier in the evening the memo from Gianopulos was leaked to the press, although...
In a shock development on Thursday evening (July 19), Paramount TV chief and rising star Amy Powell was fired over alleged insensitive remarks and responded with an emphatic denial.
Not long after studio chief Jim Gianopulos circulated a memo to staff explaining the dismissal, Powell herself issued the following statement: “There is no truth to the allegation that I made insensitive comments in a professional setting — or in any setting. The facts will come out and I will be vindicated.”
Earlier in the evening the memo from Gianopulos was leaked to the press, although...
- 7/20/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Studio rising star issues denial after dismissal.
In a shock development on Thursday evening (July 19), Paramount TV chief and rising star Amy Powell has been fired over alleged insensitive remarks.
Not long after studio chief Jim Gianopulos circulated a memo to staff explaining the dismissal, Powell herself issued the following denial: “There is no truth to the allegation that I made insensitive comments in a professional setting — or in any setting,” the statement said. “The facts will come out and I will be vindicated.”
Earlier in the evening the memo from Gianopulos was leaked to the press, although it did not go into specifics.
In a shock development on Thursday evening (July 19), Paramount TV chief and rising star Amy Powell has been fired over alleged insensitive remarks.
Not long after studio chief Jim Gianopulos circulated a memo to staff explaining the dismissal, Powell herself issued the following denial: “There is no truth to the allegation that I made insensitive comments in a professional setting — or in any setting,” the statement said. “The facts will come out and I will be vindicated.”
Earlier in the evening the memo from Gianopulos was leaked to the press, although it did not go into specifics.
- 7/20/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Updated with Powell’s statement: Five years after she was hired to head Paramount TV, Amy Powell has been fired. Paramount CEO Jim Gianopulos announced the move to staff in an internal memo Thursday afternoon.
In the memo, Gianopulos noted “multiple individuals” who raised “concerns around comments” made by Powell in a “professional setting, which they believed were inconsistent” with Viacom’s values, something she denies.
“Having spent the past several days conducting a thorough investigation into this matter and speaking to those who were present, our Human Resources and Legal teams came to the same conclusion, and we have made the decision to terminate Amy’s employment, effective immediately,” Gianopulos wrote.
Several hours after the news of her firing got out, Powell on Thursday evening issued a statement disputing the charges.
“There is no truth to the allegation that I made insensitive comments in a professional setting — or in any setting,...
In the memo, Gianopulos noted “multiple individuals” who raised “concerns around comments” made by Powell in a “professional setting, which they believed were inconsistent” with Viacom’s values, something she denies.
“Having spent the past several days conducting a thorough investigation into this matter and speaking to those who were present, our Human Resources and Legal teams came to the same conclusion, and we have made the decision to terminate Amy’s employment, effective immediately,” Gianopulos wrote.
Several hours after the news of her firing got out, Powell on Thursday evening issued a statement disputing the charges.
“There is no truth to the allegation that I made insensitive comments in a professional setting — or in any setting,...
- 7/20/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Paramount Television president Amy Powell has denied making racially insensitive comments that led to her being fired from the studio today after a 14-year run.
Paramount Pictures chairman Jim Gianopulos told studio staffers in a memo that Powell was terminated Thursday after complaints from other employees sparked an investigation into her remarks. Powell’s remarks were made last week in what the studio described as “a professional setting.”
A source with knowledge of the situation characterized her comments as racially charged in nature and related to Paramount Television’s adaptation of the 1996 comedy “First Wives Club” as a series for Paramount Network.
“Having spent the past several days conducting a thorough investigation into this matter and speaking to those who were present, our Human Resources and Legal teams came to the same conclusion, and we have made the decision to terminate Amy’s employment, effective immediately,” Gianopulos wrote. “While...
Paramount Pictures chairman Jim Gianopulos told studio staffers in a memo that Powell was terminated Thursday after complaints from other employees sparked an investigation into her remarks. Powell’s remarks were made last week in what the studio described as “a professional setting.”
A source with knowledge of the situation characterized her comments as racially charged in nature and related to Paramount Television’s adaptation of the 1996 comedy “First Wives Club” as a series for Paramount Network.
“Having spent the past several days conducting a thorough investigation into this matter and speaking to those who were present, our Human Resources and Legal teams came to the same conclusion, and we have made the decision to terminate Amy’s employment, effective immediately,” Gianopulos wrote. “While...
- 7/20/2018
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Former Paramount TV president Amy Powell has denied making the insensitive and inappropriate comments that led to her firing on Thursday.
“There is no truth to the allegation that I made insensitive comments in a professional setting — or in any setting. The facts will come out and I will be vindicated,” Powell said in a statement to TheWrap.
Her statement came just hours after her dismissal from the company, which was announced in an internal memo from Paramount Pictures chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos on Thursday afternoon.
Also Read: Fired Hallmark Channel Host Mark Steines to Return to TV Tonight
“Last week, multiple individuals came to us to raise concerns around comments made by Amy Powell in a professional setting, which they believed were inconsistent with our company’s values,” Gianopulos wrote.
Gianopulos did not specify the nature of the comments, though an individual familiar with the situation told TheWrap that they were racially charged.
“There is no truth to the allegation that I made insensitive comments in a professional setting — or in any setting. The facts will come out and I will be vindicated,” Powell said in a statement to TheWrap.
Her statement came just hours after her dismissal from the company, which was announced in an internal memo from Paramount Pictures chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos on Thursday afternoon.
Also Read: Fired Hallmark Channel Host Mark Steines to Return to TV Tonight
“Last week, multiple individuals came to us to raise concerns around comments made by Amy Powell in a professional setting, which they believed were inconsistent with our company’s values,” Gianopulos wrote.
Gianopulos did not specify the nature of the comments, though an individual familiar with the situation told TheWrap that they were racially charged.
- 7/20/2018
- by Reid Nakamura and Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Annecy, France — Paramount Animation’s presentation of “Wonder Park” at the Annecy Festival packed a large interest. It was the first Annecy for DreamWorks Animation veteran Mireille Soria since she was appointed president of Paramount Animation by Jim Gianapaolos in July 2017. People were keen to know what she’d say about where she wanted to take the division.
Also, after several years absent from most international events, Spain animation made an impressive splash at March’s Cartoon Movie in Bordeaux. The big film missing there was Paramount Animation’s “Wonder Park,” whose animation vendor and co-producer – along with Nickelodeon Movies – was Madrid’s Ilion Animation Studios. Clips of “Wonder Park” and a song featured at cinema.con. But Annecy’s sneak peek promised a far deeper drill down.
Production on “Wonder Park” was initiated in September 2014, nearly three years before Mireille Soria took over at Paramount Animation. As it turned out,...
Also, after several years absent from most international events, Spain animation made an impressive splash at March’s Cartoon Movie in Bordeaux. The big film missing there was Paramount Animation’s “Wonder Park,” whose animation vendor and co-producer – along with Nickelodeon Movies – was Madrid’s Ilion Animation Studios. Clips of “Wonder Park” and a song featured at cinema.con. But Annecy’s sneak peek promised a far deeper drill down.
Production on “Wonder Park” was initiated in September 2014, nearly three years before Mireille Soria took over at Paramount Animation. As it turned out,...
- 6/13/2018
- by John Hopewell and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Annecy, France— Women in Animation (Wia) and Les Femmes s’Animent (Lfa) will celebrate the second annual Women in Animation World Summit in partnership with the 2018 Annecy International Animation Festival and Mifa Market. The event will take place on Monday, June 11 at the Impérial Palace hotel.
Wia will also receive the 2018 Mifa Animation Industry Award. It’s the first time such acknowledgment has been granted to an organization or institution.
The day-long symposium features panels and discussions. The first panel will be devoted to “Inclusion and Intersectionality.” Moderated by Julie Ann Crommett, VP of multicultural engagement at Walt Disney Studios, the event will include input from head of studio, Ellation, and Wia president Marge Dean, Corinne Kouper, director of development at TeamTO and Lfa president, and Mickaël Marin, managing director of Citia, which organizes the Annecy Festival.
A second panel will be also hosted by Crommett, which will focus on...
Wia will also receive the 2018 Mifa Animation Industry Award. It’s the first time such acknowledgment has been granted to an organization or institution.
The day-long symposium features panels and discussions. The first panel will be devoted to “Inclusion and Intersectionality.” Moderated by Julie Ann Crommett, VP of multicultural engagement at Walt Disney Studios, the event will include input from head of studio, Ellation, and Wia president Marge Dean, Corinne Kouper, director of development at TeamTO and Lfa president, and Mickaël Marin, managing director of Citia, which organizes the Annecy Festival.
A second panel will be also hosted by Crommett, which will focus on...
- 6/11/2018
- by Emilio Mayorga
- Variety Film + TV
Mireille Soria, president of Paramount Pictures Animation, and Rob Bredow, visual effects supervisor and co-producer for Disney’s “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” will deliver keynote addresses at the View Conference 2018 in Turin, Italy. The conference takes place from Oct. 22-26.
Animation veteran Soria was tapped to run Paramount’s animation division last year after serving as co-president of feature animation at DreamWorks Animation, shepherding such films as “Trolls” and “The Boss Baby.” Among the upcoming animated fare planned by Paramount are the third SpongeBob SquarePants movie “It’s a Wonderful Sponge” and the adaptation of the graphic novel “Monster on the Hill,” both slated for 2020, as well as the pickup from Skydance Media, “Luck,” about the ongoing battle between good and bad fortune that affects people’s lives on a daily basis.
In addition to his duties as visual effects supervisor on “Solo,” which was released on May 25, Bredow...
Animation veteran Soria was tapped to run Paramount’s animation division last year after serving as co-president of feature animation at DreamWorks Animation, shepherding such films as “Trolls” and “The Boss Baby.” Among the upcoming animated fare planned by Paramount are the third SpongeBob SquarePants movie “It’s a Wonderful Sponge” and the adaptation of the graphic novel “Monster on the Hill,” both slated for 2020, as well as the pickup from Skydance Media, “Luck,” about the ongoing battle between good and bad fortune that affects people’s lives on a daily basis.
In addition to his duties as visual effects supervisor on “Solo,” which was released on May 25, Bredow...
- 5/29/2018
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
The movie exhibition business wrapped its annual CinemaCon gathering in Las Vegas this week, and there was plenty to learn about the state of the entertainment industry and the change that is convulsing the entertainment business.
One studio had an entirely new executive team, another had to address the elephant in the room — its pending acquisition by another huge conglomerate — and the bar for entertaining the room was raised by a marching band, a video skit starring a studio mogul and … Cher.
One thing I’ll say for the movies overall — the ones coming down the pipeline about music and musicians and their journeys seem the ones with the most heart. Here are my takeaways
Also Read: Lionsgate Trots Out Blake Lively and 'Blindspotting,' But Identity Crisis Looms
Marvel Studios
1. Disney is a monster.
There’s no denying the dominance of this content-creating, brand-defining machine led by Bob Iger and Alan Horn on the movie side. Never was the strategic brilliance of Iger in acquiring Marvel and Lucasfilm more clearly on display than at this year’s presentation (last year the studio barely bothered to show, it felt so confident).
Disney consistently leads the Hollywood pack in market share, has had 12 films hit $1 billion at the box office in the last six years, and looks poised to continue to do so with upcoming films including this weekend’s “Avengers: Infinity War” and the new Star Wars installment, “Solo.”
And while Marvel is a hit machine, spinning off one global superhero hit after another, the other pillars of the Disney palace are also incredibly strong – besides the “Star Wars” saga, Pixar with another “Incredibles” franchise coming, traditional animation and a whole lot of interesting realistic computer graphic-drawn movies. The one most intriguing to me is “The Lion King,” with real animals. Any excuse to bring that beloved title and music to the screen seems like a good idea. Things to worry about: what will happen to animation if John Lasseter doesn’t come back?
Also Read: 'Mowgli' Director Andy Serkis Promises a Darker, Bloodier 'Jungle Book' Sequel
Getty Images
2. Suddenly, Paramount has come back to life.
After years of moribund production and morale-sucking boardroom battles and family strife, this iconic studio finally seems to have some energy, direction and pulse. New CEO and chairman Jim Gianopulos got everybody’s attention by opening with a self-deprecating video skit, in which a “Vegas Air” flight attendant criticized the mogul for having too many vowels in his name and then did her own imitation of “A Quiet Place,” the studio’s stealth horror hit.
It was a savvy way to win over the crowd since a lot of the upcoming films on Paramount’s slate would not be out until 2019 and an entirely new executive team — Wyck Godfrey, Brian Robbins, Mireille Soria — was being introduced. The studio is counting on good will and a little patience but the overall message was clear — Paramount has a plan, is making movies at a steady clip once again and has its head back in the game.
My only real quibble: Tom Cruise spent waaaaay too much time on stage explaining his latest death-defying stunt jumping out of an airplane for “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” but that’s because he’s Tom Cruise. At least he didn’t jump on a couch.
Also Read: 'A Quiet Place' Sequel in Development at Paramount Pictures
3. Universal brought the delight of movies to the room.
Universal offered a mix of drama (“First Man” is about Neil Armstrong’s journey to the moon), horror (“Halloween” with an irrepressible Jamie Lee Curtis), fantasy (Peter Jackson’s “Mortal Engine” is creating new worlds that, he promises, are like nothing we’ve ever seen) and thrillers (M. Night Shyamalan has a new one coming with Bruce Wiillis and Sam Jackson).
But even though he wasn’t in the room, it was Dwayne Johnson’s new action movie, “Skyscraper,” that seemed like something that you need to see on a massive screen, and that is likely to make your heart stop. That guy is a movie star, can we just say that?
Universal ended it all with a surprise live performance by Cher of “Fernando” by Abba. She plays the grandmother in the sequel to “Mamma Mia.” The original was an unwatchable mess of a movie with the cheesiest performances on the planet that made a bajillion dollars. I’ll probably watch the sequel.
The great @Cher delights us all at #cinemacon with performance of Fernando by Abba. Here’s a glimpse: @TheWrap pic.twitter.com/nKthcmHPpy
— Sharon Waxman (@sharonwaxman) April 26, 2018
4. Warner Bros. needed help, a lot of help.
The studio is in transition, now under former New Line head Toby Emmerich, and his newness showed. The presentation dragged on as one troupe of movie stars followed another, making small talk and pretending to be relaxed around stilted emcee Will Arnett. (Why bring Anne Hathaway on stage for “Ocean’s 8” if you’re not going to talk to her?)
And if “Life of the Party” with Melissa McCarthy seemed like one too many versions of the movie we’ve already seen her do (clueless fish out of water, this time she’s a mom going back to college), the ensemble film “Tag” — drama? comedy? thriller? mystery? — about a group of friends who play a highly aggressive form of tag for a month every year was simply a hot mess.
“Crazy Rich Asians” looks like it could be a big winner, though the trailer made it hard to tell. But wait! There’s one huge redeeming movie on the Warner slate that made all of it worthwhile. Bradley Cooper brought “A Star Is Born,” his remake of the famed Barbara Streisand – Kris Kristofferson love story. And the trailer unveiled of Cooper and Lady Gaga was a revelation. The film promises a full-on love story with Gaga dropping all the makeup and pretense and bravada. Which brings us to…
5. Music movies rule.
There are so many wonderful films this year about music and musicians that it’s worth pointing it out. As mentioned, “A Star Is Born” looks like it will deliver. Cooper learned to play an instrument well enough to perform.
But Fox’s upcoming “Bohemian Rhapsody” appears to be a similarly strong take on the legendary Freddy Mercury, an epic performer and rule-breaker, played by Rami Malek. And did I mention that the “Mamma Mia” sequel has Cher in it?
6. 3-D is dead.
Over four days and dozens of movies that were presented to the exhibitors in Vegas, only one movie — One — was in 3-D, a technology that was all the rage four or five years ago. The lone exception was “Alita,” a largely CG action movie by technology diehard James Cameron about a young female cyborg given a superhuman body. (I think that’s what it was about.)
Robert Rodriguez directed it, and I’m not entirely sure if the 3-D adds all that much to the story. But what was once supposed to be the salvation of movie theaters — adding a premium ticket price to their weekend box office haul — has mostly fizzled. Calling Jeffrey Katzenberg, who predicted otherwise.
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7. And finally: Fox.
Who knows if the studio will be at CinemaCon next year? If the Disney acquisition of most of 21st Century Fox goes through, it won’t. So studio chief Stacey Snider wisely used the moment to remind the thousands of exhibitors in the room that she knew no more than they did about the future of her studio, but that she was committed to delivering great movies in the meantime.
And she backed it up with an emotional reel of Fox movies over the last 80 years, from “Titanic” to Shirley Temple to “12 Years a Slave,” reminding everyone what a contribution Fox has made to the culture. “Let’s wear our heart on our sleeves,” she urged the packed hall, choking up (and she wasn’t the only one). “Let’s celebrate the humanity that comes from discovering that we are more alike than different.”
Her words managed to overshadow the bravura, hilarious opening of the Fox presentation with Deadpool leading dancers to the song “One” from the Broadway classic “A Chorus Line.” And it was a fitting reminder that if Fox goes away, we may all be the poorer.
Read original story 7 Takeaways From CinemaCon 2018: Change Is Everywhere, Movies Endure At TheWrap...
One studio had an entirely new executive team, another had to address the elephant in the room — its pending acquisition by another huge conglomerate — and the bar for entertaining the room was raised by a marching band, a video skit starring a studio mogul and … Cher.
One thing I’ll say for the movies overall — the ones coming down the pipeline about music and musicians and their journeys seem the ones with the most heart. Here are my takeaways
Also Read: Lionsgate Trots Out Blake Lively and 'Blindspotting,' But Identity Crisis Looms
Marvel Studios
1. Disney is a monster.
There’s no denying the dominance of this content-creating, brand-defining machine led by Bob Iger and Alan Horn on the movie side. Never was the strategic brilliance of Iger in acquiring Marvel and Lucasfilm more clearly on display than at this year’s presentation (last year the studio barely bothered to show, it felt so confident).
Disney consistently leads the Hollywood pack in market share, has had 12 films hit $1 billion at the box office in the last six years, and looks poised to continue to do so with upcoming films including this weekend’s “Avengers: Infinity War” and the new Star Wars installment, “Solo.”
And while Marvel is a hit machine, spinning off one global superhero hit after another, the other pillars of the Disney palace are also incredibly strong – besides the “Star Wars” saga, Pixar with another “Incredibles” franchise coming, traditional animation and a whole lot of interesting realistic computer graphic-drawn movies. The one most intriguing to me is “The Lion King,” with real animals. Any excuse to bring that beloved title and music to the screen seems like a good idea. Things to worry about: what will happen to animation if John Lasseter doesn’t come back?
Also Read: 'Mowgli' Director Andy Serkis Promises a Darker, Bloodier 'Jungle Book' Sequel
Getty Images
2. Suddenly, Paramount has come back to life.
After years of moribund production and morale-sucking boardroom battles and family strife, this iconic studio finally seems to have some energy, direction and pulse. New CEO and chairman Jim Gianopulos got everybody’s attention by opening with a self-deprecating video skit, in which a “Vegas Air” flight attendant criticized the mogul for having too many vowels in his name and then did her own imitation of “A Quiet Place,” the studio’s stealth horror hit.
It was a savvy way to win over the crowd since a lot of the upcoming films on Paramount’s slate would not be out until 2019 and an entirely new executive team — Wyck Godfrey, Brian Robbins, Mireille Soria — was being introduced. The studio is counting on good will and a little patience but the overall message was clear — Paramount has a plan, is making movies at a steady clip once again and has its head back in the game.
My only real quibble: Tom Cruise spent waaaaay too much time on stage explaining his latest death-defying stunt jumping out of an airplane for “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” but that’s because he’s Tom Cruise. At least he didn’t jump on a couch.
Also Read: 'A Quiet Place' Sequel in Development at Paramount Pictures
3. Universal brought the delight of movies to the room.
Universal offered a mix of drama (“First Man” is about Neil Armstrong’s journey to the moon), horror (“Halloween” with an irrepressible Jamie Lee Curtis), fantasy (Peter Jackson’s “Mortal Engine” is creating new worlds that, he promises, are like nothing we’ve ever seen) and thrillers (M. Night Shyamalan has a new one coming with Bruce Wiillis and Sam Jackson).
But even though he wasn’t in the room, it was Dwayne Johnson’s new action movie, “Skyscraper,” that seemed like something that you need to see on a massive screen, and that is likely to make your heart stop. That guy is a movie star, can we just say that?
Universal ended it all with a surprise live performance by Cher of “Fernando” by Abba. She plays the grandmother in the sequel to “Mamma Mia.” The original was an unwatchable mess of a movie with the cheesiest performances on the planet that made a bajillion dollars. I’ll probably watch the sequel.
The great @Cher delights us all at #cinemacon with performance of Fernando by Abba. Here’s a glimpse: @TheWrap pic.twitter.com/nKthcmHPpy
— Sharon Waxman (@sharonwaxman) April 26, 2018
4. Warner Bros. needed help, a lot of help.
The studio is in transition, now under former New Line head Toby Emmerich, and his newness showed. The presentation dragged on as one troupe of movie stars followed another, making small talk and pretending to be relaxed around stilted emcee Will Arnett. (Why bring Anne Hathaway on stage for “Ocean’s 8” if you’re not going to talk to her?)
And if “Life of the Party” with Melissa McCarthy seemed like one too many versions of the movie we’ve already seen her do (clueless fish out of water, this time she’s a mom going back to college), the ensemble film “Tag” — drama? comedy? thriller? mystery? — about a group of friends who play a highly aggressive form of tag for a month every year was simply a hot mess.
“Crazy Rich Asians” looks like it could be a big winner, though the trailer made it hard to tell. But wait! There’s one huge redeeming movie on the Warner slate that made all of it worthwhile. Bradley Cooper brought “A Star Is Born,” his remake of the famed Barbara Streisand – Kris Kristofferson love story. And the trailer unveiled of Cooper and Lady Gaga was a revelation. The film promises a full-on love story with Gaga dropping all the makeup and pretense and bravada. Which brings us to…
5. Music movies rule.
There are so many wonderful films this year about music and musicians that it’s worth pointing it out. As mentioned, “A Star Is Born” looks like it will deliver. Cooper learned to play an instrument well enough to perform.
But Fox’s upcoming “Bohemian Rhapsody” appears to be a similarly strong take on the legendary Freddy Mercury, an epic performer and rule-breaker, played by Rami Malek. And did I mention that the “Mamma Mia” sequel has Cher in it?
6. 3-D is dead.
Over four days and dozens of movies that were presented to the exhibitors in Vegas, only one movie — One — was in 3-D, a technology that was all the rage four or five years ago. The lone exception was “Alita,” a largely CG action movie by technology diehard James Cameron about a young female cyborg given a superhuman body. (I think that’s what it was about.)
Robert Rodriguez directed it, and I’m not entirely sure if the 3-D adds all that much to the story. But what was once supposed to be the salvation of movie theaters — adding a premium ticket price to their weekend box office haul — has mostly fizzled. Calling Jeffrey Katzenberg, who predicted otherwise.
Getty Images
7. And finally: Fox.
Who knows if the studio will be at CinemaCon next year? If the Disney acquisition of most of 21st Century Fox goes through, it won’t. So studio chief Stacey Snider wisely used the moment to remind the thousands of exhibitors in the room that she knew no more than they did about the future of her studio, but that she was committed to delivering great movies in the meantime.
And she backed it up with an emotional reel of Fox movies over the last 80 years, from “Titanic” to Shirley Temple to “12 Years a Slave,” reminding everyone what a contribution Fox has made to the culture. “Let’s wear our heart on our sleeves,” she urged the packed hall, choking up (and she wasn’t the only one). “Let’s celebrate the humanity that comes from discovering that we are more alike than different.”
Her words managed to overshadow the bravura, hilarious opening of the Fox presentation with Deadpool leading dancers to the song “One” from the Broadway classic “A Chorus Line.” And it was a fitting reminder that if Fox goes away, we may all be the poorer.
Read original story 7 Takeaways From CinemaCon 2018: Change Is Everywhere, Movies Endure At TheWrap...
- 4/27/2018
- by Sharon Waxman
- The Wrap
Oscar-nominated producer Ramsey Naito has been named executive vp at Paramount Animation, the studio announced Thursday.
She will report to Paramount Animation president Mireille Soria, with whom she previously worked at DreamWorks Animation.
In the newly created role, Naito will oversee production on the next SpongeBob SquarePants movie. She also will seek out new projects for development and animation talent, as well as work with Soria to build cross-divisional opportunities with Nickelodeon and parent company Viacom’s other brands. (Naito's résumé includes a stint at Nickelodeon Movies.)
“I have had the privilege of knowing and working with Ramsey for a number...
She will report to Paramount Animation president Mireille Soria, with whom she previously worked at DreamWorks Animation.
In the newly created role, Naito will oversee production on the next SpongeBob SquarePants movie. She also will seek out new projects for development and animation talent, as well as work with Soria to build cross-divisional opportunities with Nickelodeon and parent company Viacom’s other brands. (Naito's résumé includes a stint at Nickelodeon Movies.)
“I have had the privilege of knowing and working with Ramsey for a number...
- 4/12/2018
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paramount Pictures has named “The Boss Baby” producer Ramsey Naito to the post of executive vice president at Paramount Animation.
Naito received an Oscar nomination for DreamWorks Animation’s “The Boss Baby” along with Tom McGrath. She will report to Paramount Animation’s president, Mireille Soria. Paramount made the announcement Thursday.
“I have had the privilege of knowing and working with Ramsey for a number of years,” Soria said. “She is a consummate professional with incredible creative instincts and relationships. I am so excited for her to bring her skills and energy to our growing team.”
Naito will oversee production on the next SpongeBob SquarePants movie. She will actively seek new projects for development and animation talent to work with the division. Naito will work with Soria to build cross-divisional opportunities with Nickelodeon and parent company Viacom’s other brands.
In addition to the third installment of “SpongeBob SquarePants,” Paramount...
Naito received an Oscar nomination for DreamWorks Animation’s “The Boss Baby” along with Tom McGrath. She will report to Paramount Animation’s president, Mireille Soria. Paramount made the announcement Thursday.
“I have had the privilege of knowing and working with Ramsey for a number of years,” Soria said. “She is a consummate professional with incredible creative instincts and relationships. I am so excited for her to bring her skills and energy to our growing team.”
Naito will oversee production on the next SpongeBob SquarePants movie. She will actively seek new projects for development and animation talent to work with the division. Naito will work with Soria to build cross-divisional opportunities with Nickelodeon and parent company Viacom’s other brands.
In addition to the third installment of “SpongeBob SquarePants,” Paramount...
- 4/12/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
“Captain Underpants” turned out to be one of the animated surprises of the year as DreamWorks’ cheapest, most unconventional feature (outsourced to Canada and made for $38 million). Adapted from Dav Pilkey’s popular children’s books, it was a stripped down, comic strip of a movie that didn’t talk down to kids or adults and took all sorts of quirky chances.
It revolves around two fourth-grade pranksters, George (Kevin Hart) and Harold (Thomas Middleditch), who create comic books about a a superhero named Captain Underpants and hypnotize their principal, Mr. Krupp (Ed Helms), into becoming their superhero when he separates them.
An Experiment in Cost-Cutting and Outsourcing
As a result of cost-cutting and reorganization in 2015, DreamWorks outsourced to Technicolor-owned Mikros Image in Montreal (“The Little Prince,” “Mune: Guardian of the Moon”). “It came about because the resources at the studio were on to other movies [‘Trolls’ and ‘Boss Baby’],” said producer Mireille Soria.
It revolves around two fourth-grade pranksters, George (Kevin Hart) and Harold (Thomas Middleditch), who create comic books about a a superhero named Captain Underpants and hypnotize their principal, Mr. Krupp (Ed Helms), into becoming their superhero when he separates them.
An Experiment in Cost-Cutting and Outsourcing
As a result of cost-cutting and reorganization in 2015, DreamWorks outsourced to Technicolor-owned Mikros Image in Montreal (“The Little Prince,” “Mune: Guardian of the Moon”). “It came about because the resources at the studio were on to other movies [‘Trolls’ and ‘Boss Baby’],” said producer Mireille Soria.
- 12/20/2017
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Former DreamWorks Animation senior executive to work closely with Viacom brands.
Paramount Pictures on Monday announced producer Mireille Soria has been named president of Paramount Animation.
Soria most recently served as co-president of feature animation at DreamWorks Animation where she oversaw creative development and production on the likes of The Boss Baby and Trolls.
She also produced Fox’s Captain Underpants and the Madagascar franchise among others, including the Fox-DreamWorks Animation animated TV series Neighbors From Hell for TBS.
Soria reports to president of the motion picture group Marc Evans and a will work closely with the brands under the umbrella of Paramount parent company Viacom in line with Viacom president and CEO Bob Bakish’s broad mandate to foster synergy.
Prior to DreamWorks Animation, Soria had a producing agreement with Fox Family Pictures. She was a vice-president of production at Disney and before that served at the Steve Tisch Company and ABC.
“Mireille is a seasoned...
Paramount Pictures on Monday announced producer Mireille Soria has been named president of Paramount Animation.
Soria most recently served as co-president of feature animation at DreamWorks Animation where she oversaw creative development and production on the likes of The Boss Baby and Trolls.
She also produced Fox’s Captain Underpants and the Madagascar franchise among others, including the Fox-DreamWorks Animation animated TV series Neighbors From Hell for TBS.
Soria reports to president of the motion picture group Marc Evans and a will work closely with the brands under the umbrella of Paramount parent company Viacom in line with Viacom president and CEO Bob Bakish’s broad mandate to foster synergy.
Prior to DreamWorks Animation, Soria had a producing agreement with Fox Family Pictures. She was a vice-president of production at Disney and before that served at the Steve Tisch Company and ABC.
“Mireille is a seasoned...
- 7/10/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Paramount Pictures has named Mireille Soria president of Paramount Animation, where she will report to Marc Evans, president of the Motion Picture Group. Soria previously served as co-president of feature animation at DreamWorks Animation until last December.
At Dwa, Soria oversaw the animated movies Trolls and Boss Baby and recently produced Captain Underpants. She also produced the movies in the Madagascar franchise, which grossed nearly $1.9 billion worldwide, as well as earlier films such as Home, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron and Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas.
At Paramount, Soria will be responsible for all operations of the animation...
At Dwa, Soria oversaw the animated movies Trolls and Boss Baby and recently produced Captain Underpants. She also produced the movies in the Madagascar franchise, which grossed nearly $1.9 billion worldwide, as well as earlier films such as Home, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron and Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas.
At Paramount, Soria will be responsible for all operations of the animation...
- 7/10/2017
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paramount Pictures named Mireille Soria to be president of Paramount Animation. She will report to Marc Evans, President of the Motion Picture Group. Soria will be responsible for all operations of the animation group from creative development to release and also work closely with the Viacom teams to develop animated feature films. Soria was co-president of Feature Animation at DreamWorks Animation, where she oversaw creative development and production on films including T…...
- 7/10/2017
- Deadline
Mireille Soria has been named President of Animation at Paramount Pictures, the studio announced Monday. She’ll report to Motion Picture Group President Marc Evans, and will be responsible for all operations of the animation group from creative development to release Soria most recently served as Co-President of Animation at DreamWorks Animation, overseeing hits like “Trolls” and Alec Baldwin’s sleeper “Boss Baby.” She also served as a producer on the “Madagascar” franchise, which earned over $1.9 billion worldwide. Also Read: Tom Cruise 'Top Gun' Sequel Gets Release Date From Paramount “Mireille is a seasoned producer and filmmaker and...
- 7/10/2017
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
DreamWorks Animation has appointed Warner Animation Group’s Chris DeFaria its president. The executive will replace DreamWorks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg in the leadership role, who stepped down from the position after Dwa was acquired by NBCUniversal in April for $3.8 billion. “He has excellent creative instincts, a strong business sense, deep relationships and most importantly, a proven ability to harness technology to push the boundaries of animation and innovative, hybrid filmmaking,” said Universal Pictures Chairman Donna Langley of the hire. Also Read: DreamWorks Animation Co-President Mireille Soria Steps Down DeFaria will work closely with Universal Pictures President Jimmy Horowitz, and supervise...
- 1/10/2017
- by Matt Donnelly and Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Mireille Soria is exiting her post as co-president of DreamWorks Animation, leaving Bonnie Arnold, who shared the co-president title with her, to serve as president. Soria plans to remain at the studio as a producer of its Madagascar franchise.
Soria and Arnold were named co-presidents of feature animation at Dwa in January 2015, following the departure of Bill Damaschke as chief creative officer, and in August 2016, they were both named co-presidents of the studio as part of a restructuring in the wake of Comcast’s $3.8 billion acquisition of Dwa.
Before moving into the executive suit, Soria had produced such...
Soria and Arnold were named co-presidents of feature animation at Dwa in January 2015, following the departure of Bill Damaschke as chief creative officer, and in August 2016, they were both named co-presidents of the studio as part of a restructuring in the wake of Comcast’s $3.8 billion acquisition of Dwa.
Before moving into the executive suit, Soria had produced such...
- 12/22/2016
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
DreamWorks Animation co-president Mireille Soria is stepping down to focus on producing, TheWrap has learned. Bonnie Arnold will become the sole president of the studio. She and Soria were named co-presidents of feature animation last January, and were elevated to co-presidents of the entire studio when Ann Daly departed after Comcast’s NBCUniversal acquired DreamWorks for $3.8 billion in August. Soria and Arnold were the lead producers behind the studio’s “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Madagascar” franchises. The three DreamWorks “Madagascar” films have each made more than $500 million worldwide, while the two “How to Train Your Dragon” movies have combined for a.
- 12/22/2016
- by Matt Pressberg
- The Wrap
The post-merger DreamWorks Animation is unraveling slowly. Mireille Soria has stepped down from her co-president post at Dwa after just four months, Deadline has confirmed. She was named to the gig of alongside Bonnie Arnold in August, replacing Ann Daly right after the $3.8 billion buyout by NBCUniversal parent Comcast. Universal Pictures Chairman Donna Langley said in a December 12 memo to staff last week that Soria is returning to producing. She and Arnold are behind…...
- 12/22/2016
- Deadline
The post-merger DreamWorks Animation is unraveling slowly. Mireille Soria has stepped down from her co-president post at Dwa after just four months, Deadline has confirmed. She was named to the gig of alongside Bonnie Arnold in August after the $3.8 billion buyout by NBCUniversal parent Comcast. Universal Pictures Chairman Donna Langley said in a December 12 memo to staff last week that Soria is returning to producing. She and Arnold are behind the Dwa franchises How to Tr…...
- 12/22/2016
- Deadline TV
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