Animation News: SpongeBob, Godzilla, Chris Pratt, and Comic-Con Insights

San Diego Comic-Con Previews

• 🎤 Drew Taylor will be hosting a panel on Godzilla's 70th anniversary and its licensing partners on Friday, July 25th.
• 🦖 A Super7 pop-up store, "Godzilla Station," will feature a destroyed train replica and props from "Godzilla Minus One," with no credentials needed to enter.
• 📅 The programming schedule for Comic-Con is released late, causing frustration for attendees trying to plan.

Voice Acting Debate: A-Listers vs. Trained Actors

• 🗣️ The discussion touches on the trend of casting A-list celebrities in animated films, referencing Chris Pratt in "Garfield 2" and the past performance of "DC League of Super-Pets."
• 🎙️ Jim Hill recalls Billy West's strong opinions against non-voice actors taking jobs, highlighting the importance of trained professionals.
• 🎬 While A-listers can drive marketing, the effectiveness of their voice performances is questioned, with directors like Mark Dindal praised for their animation work.

Animated Film Releases and News

• 🌊 Paramount has released a teaser for "The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants," featuring Mark Hamill as the Flying Dutchman, set for a December 19th release.
• 🦇 "Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires," a collaboration between Warner Bros. and Mexico's Anima, will have a panel at San Diego Comic-Con, with a potential HBO Max release.
• 🎬 "Ne Zha 2" is getting a new English dub distributed by A24, featuring Michelle Yeoh, following its global success.

Animation Industry Tributes and Events

• 💔 The passing of voice actor James Carter Cathcart, known for voicing James and Meowth in "Pokémon," is mourned.
• 🎶 "Bugs Bunny at the Symphony" celebrated Bugs Bunny's 85th birthday with a live orchestra performing scores for 17 Looney Tunes shorts.
• 📺 "Bluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef" will bring eight fan-favorite episodes to European theaters, a compilation strategy reminiscent of classic cartoon showcases.