In January of 2021, Megan Ellison got a call from Erik Lomis, the former head of distribution at her company, Annapurna Pictures, asking if she’d like to take a look at a movie whose filmmakers needed a lifeline. Disney was days away from announcing that it planned to shutter Blue Sky Studios, the 500-person, Greenwich, Connecticut-based animation studio it had inherited in the 2019 Fox acquisition, and with that closure, the Burbank media giant would be dropping Blue Sky’s most promising movie, Nimona.
“I wasn’t really engaging in new film projects at the time, but being curious, I said yes,” Ellison said, in an email.
Ellison watched the hand-drawn storyboard reels, which directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane had adapted from Nd Stevenson’s 2015 graphic novel, and instantly connected with the title character, a shape-shifter voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz who appears most often as a young woman, but...
“I wasn’t really engaging in new film projects at the time, but being curious, I said yes,” Ellison said, in an email.
Ellison watched the hand-drawn storyboard reels, which directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane had adapted from Nd Stevenson’s 2015 graphic novel, and instantly connected with the title character, a shape-shifter voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz who appears most often as a young woman, but...
- 2/22/2024
- by Rebecca Keegan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Following the release of its first animated feature, Nimona, Annapurna Animation has brought on director Nick Bruno and producer Julie Zackary to join their creative leadership team while expanding its upcoming feature slate to include an adaptation of video game Stray, along with Foo, an original title from Ice Age helmer and Blue Sky co-founder Chris Wedge.
Based on Nd Stevenson’s graphic novel of the same name, Nimona began its life at Blue Sky, and moved to Annapurna after Disney shut down the production and studio following its acquisition of Fox, which owned the animation umbrella. Netflix released the well-received Nimona in June.
Bruno — a Blue Sky alum, who made his directorial debut with Spies in Disguise — is already developing and directing an untitled original feature for the studio, while developing additional originals. Zackary is joining the studio as head of animation production, having previously served as vp of...
Based on Nd Stevenson’s graphic novel of the same name, Nimona began its life at Blue Sky, and moved to Annapurna after Disney shut down the production and studio following its acquisition of Fox, which owned the animation umbrella. Netflix released the well-received Nimona in June.
Bruno — a Blue Sky alum, who made his directorial debut with Spies in Disguise — is already developing and directing an untitled original feature for the studio, while developing additional originals. Zackary is joining the studio as head of animation production, having previously served as vp of...
- 9/6/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
There's no shortage of kickass cyberpunk movies out there, but these stories tend to be exclusively told from the perspective of humans adapting to a not-so-distant future filled with androids and lots of bisexual lighting. Sure, it's cool to see how lone-wolf adults adjust to a world like "Blade Runner," but what about families with children? What about rural areas far from overpopulated cities with a lack of resources? What about beloved family pets? In 2022, BlueTwelve Studio and Annapurna Interactive flipped the script and pivoted to an unconventional protagonist in a cyberpunk environment: an adorably stealthy cat in the adventure game "Stray."
The game has players taking on the role of a stray cat who ends up in a walled-off city filled with robots and mutant bacteria. With the help of a friendly drone companion named B-12, you as the cat must evade the antagonistic Zurks and Sentinels which want you dead,...
The game has players taking on the role of a stray cat who ends up in a walled-off city filled with robots and mutant bacteria. With the help of a friendly drone companion named B-12, you as the cat must evade the antagonistic Zurks and Sentinels which want you dead,...
- 9/5/2023
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Annapurna Interactive’s award-winning video game Stray will be getting its very own movie adaptation from the indie studio’s animation branch, Annapurna Animation. Stray, a 2022 adventure game from BlueTwelve Studio, takes players on a journey playing as a drone-equipped, stray cat trying to survive against robots and machines.
The Stray adaptation was announced by Robert Baird of Annapurna Animation. “This is a game that’s all about what makes us human, and there are no humans in it,” Baird told Entertainment Weekly. “It’s a buddy comedy about a cat and a robot, and there’s such a hilarious dynamic. So, there’s comedy inherent in this, but there’s not one human being in this movie. I think it’s one of the reasons why the game was incredibly popular, that you are seeing the world through the point of view of an adorable cat.”
Baird added that,...
The Stray adaptation was announced by Robert Baird of Annapurna Animation. “This is a game that’s all about what makes us human, and there are no humans in it,” Baird told Entertainment Weekly. “It’s a buddy comedy about a cat and a robot, and there’s such a hilarious dynamic. So, there’s comedy inherent in this, but there’s not one human being in this movie. I think it’s one of the reasons why the game was incredibly popular, that you are seeing the world through the point of view of an adorable cat.”
Baird added that,...
- 9/5/2023
- by Sophia Scorziello
- Variety Film + TV
We have news that will make cat owners and gamers purr with anticipation! Stray, the award-winning adventure game from the developers at BlueTwelve Studio, is getting a film adaptation from Annapurna! According to Entertainment Weekly, Annapurna’s Nimona is a significant hit for the studio, and now Annapurna Animation is giving the green light to multiple projects, including a new venture from Nimona co-director Nick Bruno and the Stray movie adaptation from Ice Age director Chris Wedge.
“Lost, alone, and separated from family, a stray cat must untangle an ancient mystery to escape a long-forgotten city,” reads the game’s official synopsis. “Stray is a third-person cat adventure game set amidst the detailed, neon-lit alleys of a decaying cybercity and the murky environments of its seedy underbelly. Roam surroundings high and low, defend against unforeseen threats, and solve the mysteries of this unwelcoming place inhabited by curious droids and dangerous creatures.
“Lost, alone, and separated from family, a stray cat must untangle an ancient mystery to escape a long-forgotten city,” reads the game’s official synopsis. “Stray is a third-person cat adventure game set amidst the detailed, neon-lit alleys of a decaying cybercity and the murky environments of its seedy underbelly. Roam surroundings high and low, defend against unforeseen threats, and solve the mysteries of this unwelcoming place inhabited by curious droids and dangerous creatures.
- 9/5/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Annapurna Animation is kicking into overdrive, with director Nick Bruno (Netflix’s “Nimona” and 20th Century Studio’s “Spies in Disguise”) and producer Julie Zackary joining up.
They are also planning to expand their feature development slate, with the first flick being an adaptation of the acclaimed “play as a cat” video game “Stray.” Also on tap is a new film from Chris Wedge (“Ice Age”), an original called “Foo.” Along with directing an untitled original in development, Bruno is actively developing original ideas for Annapurna Animation.
“Stray,” an open-world adventure where you play as an ordinary cat, earned strong reviews and 2.5 million copies sold in the first month prior to even launching on Steam. The game came from Annapurna Interactive, so the synergy speaks for itself, and Annapurna plans to adapt more titles from its game library.
Wedge is an Academy Award-winning director and producer as well as a...
They are also planning to expand their feature development slate, with the first flick being an adaptation of the acclaimed “play as a cat” video game “Stray.” Also on tap is a new film from Chris Wedge (“Ice Age”), an original called “Foo.” Along with directing an untitled original in development, Bruno is actively developing original ideas for Annapurna Animation.
“Stray,” an open-world adventure where you play as an ordinary cat, earned strong reviews and 2.5 million copies sold in the first month prior to even launching on Steam. The game came from Annapurna Interactive, so the synergy speaks for itself, and Annapurna plans to adapt more titles from its game library.
Wedge is an Academy Award-winning director and producer as well as a...
- 9/5/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Annapurna Animation has ramped up the creative leadership of its team with the addition of Nimona director Nick Bruno and producer Julie Zackary. Zackary, a former Blue Sky Studios executive, will serve as Annapurna’s Head of Animation.
Also joining the division is Erica Pulcini as Creative Executive.
First out of the gate for the division is a feature take of BlueTwelve videogame, Stray.
Zackary will oversee all aspects of production throughout Annapurna Animation’s division. Zackary served as VP of Production Management at Sony Pictures Imageworks before joining Blue Sky Studios as Vice President of Production.
In Pulcini’s role as Creative Executive, she will help curate, develop and further define Annapurna Animation’s feature film slate.
Also in development is Foo, the next project from renowned director Chris Wedge.
Bruno is already on tap to develop and direct an untitled original feature film, and he is actively developing...
Also joining the division is Erica Pulcini as Creative Executive.
First out of the gate for the division is a feature take of BlueTwelve videogame, Stray.
Zackary will oversee all aspects of production throughout Annapurna Animation’s division. Zackary served as VP of Production Management at Sony Pictures Imageworks before joining Blue Sky Studios as Vice President of Production.
In Pulcini’s role as Creative Executive, she will help curate, develop and further define Annapurna Animation’s feature film slate.
Also in development is Foo, the next project from renowned director Chris Wedge.
Bruno is already on tap to develop and direct an untitled original feature film, and he is actively developing...
- 9/5/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Stray, the 2022 adventure game that lets you play as a cat in a cyberpunk world, is getting an animated movie adaptation from Annapurna Animation, the studio announced on Monday. The movie will be co-produced by former Disney Animation executives Robert Baird and Andrew Millstein, who are also the co-heads of Annapurna Animation12.
Stray is a third-person cat adventure game set amid the detailed neon-lit alleys of a decaying cybercity and the murky environments of its seedy underbelly. The game follows the journey of a stray cat who befriends a drone named B12 and tries to find its way back home. Along the way, the cat encounters various challenges and mysteries, as well as other friendly and hostile animals. The game received critical acclaim for its immersive world, charming characters, and emotional story12.
Strays Trailer
Annapurna Animation is a newly launched division of Annapurna Pictures, which is known for producing and...
Stray is a third-person cat adventure game set amid the detailed neon-lit alleys of a decaying cybercity and the murky environments of its seedy underbelly. The game follows the journey of a stray cat who befriends a drone named B12 and tries to find its way back home. Along the way, the cat encounters various challenges and mysteries, as well as other friendly and hostile animals. The game received critical acclaim for its immersive world, charming characters, and emotional story12.
Strays Trailer
Annapurna Animation is a newly launched division of Annapurna Pictures, which is known for producing and...
- 9/5/2023
- by amalprasadappu
- https://thecinemanews.online/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4649
The long-awaited animated feature adaptation of Nd Stevenson’s cult graphic novel Nimona enjoyed a triumphant world premiere at the Annecy International Film Festival on Wednesday evening ahead of its launch on Netflix on June 30.
Set in a futuristic medieval world, the story revolves around the titular Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a mischievous, shape-shifting teenager with a violent streak, and Ballister Blackheart (Riz Ahmed), an up and coming knight of humble origins.
When Blackheart is framed for a heinous crime and is forced to go on the run, Nimona becomes an unlikely saviour, initially because she believes he is guilty and thinks he is a kindred spirit.
Blackheart is determined to prove his innocence, especially in the eyes of his long-time soul mate, fellow knight Ambrosius Goldenloin.
The work is adapted from Stevenson’s award-winning graphic novel of the same name, which in turn was developed from a webcomic about...
Set in a futuristic medieval world, the story revolves around the titular Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a mischievous, shape-shifting teenager with a violent streak, and Ballister Blackheart (Riz Ahmed), an up and coming knight of humble origins.
When Blackheart is framed for a heinous crime and is forced to go on the run, Nimona becomes an unlikely saviour, initially because she believes he is guilty and thinks he is a kindred spirit.
Blackheart is determined to prove his innocence, especially in the eyes of his long-time soul mate, fellow knight Ambrosius Goldenloin.
The work is adapted from Stevenson’s award-winning graphic novel of the same name, which in turn was developed from a webcomic about...
- 6/15/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Imagine if the ad men from the "Mad Men" era were to put down their drinks and make documentaries. That probably wouldn't have happened back in the day, but one longstanding ad giant is giving it a go.
Ogilvy & Mather's entertainment divisions are creating feature-length movies that don't advertise anything. At least not in the traditional Madison Avenue sense.
Their civil rights documentary, "Booker's Place: A Mississippi Story," premiered earlier this year and continues to gain recognition. An "NBC Dateline" segment called "Finding Booker's Place" airing Sunday will revisit the project.
Ogilvy Entertainment's Aisle C Productions produced "Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and will be released in October by Roadside Attractions.
The expanding definition of content has moved Ogilvy and other ad houses into longer-form works that don't push product, creatives say.
"I think that there's a lot of value...
Ogilvy & Mather's entertainment divisions are creating feature-length movies that don't advertise anything. At least not in the traditional Madison Avenue sense.
Their civil rights documentary, "Booker's Place: A Mississippi Story," premiered earlier this year and continues to gain recognition. An "NBC Dateline" segment called "Finding Booker's Place" airing Sunday will revisit the project.
Ogilvy Entertainment's Aisle C Productions produced "Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and will be released in October by Roadside Attractions.
The expanding definition of content has moved Ogilvy and other ad houses into longer-form works that don't push product, creatives say.
"I think that there's a lot of value...
- 7/11/2012
- by Ron Dicker
- Huffington Post
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