Fine-Tuning Animation News: Emperor's New Groove, Sequels, and 2021 Film Releases

Animation Industry Shifts and 2021 Outlook

• 🗓️ The year 2020 is ending with a mix of hope for the COVID-19 vaccine and acknowledgment that its effects will linger into 2021, as seen with Boss Baby Family Business being pushed to September.
• 🎬 Universal and DreamWorks Animation are navigating release date changes, with The Bad Guys moved to 2022, highlighting the ongoing reliance on properties like Scholastic books for future content.
• 🎬 The discussion touches on the strategic importance of DreamWorks' Scholastic deal within NBC Universal's broader animation strategy, alongside Illumination.

Sequels and New Projects in Development

• 🌟 Disenchanted, the sequel to Enchanted, is moving forward with a new writer and the confirmed return of Patrick Dempsey, though the long development time is noted.
• 🎬 Director Kevin Lima's past projects and potential future endeavors, including Monkeys of Mumbai and 221 Baker Street, are mentioned.
• 🎬 Come Away, directed by Brenda Chapman and Kevin Lima, is praised for its unique concept and performances, though its limited release and distribution are discussed.
• 🎬 Disenchantment, Matt Groening's Netflix series, is set to release its third season in January 2021, with a new trailer released.

2021 Film Release Slate and Academy Awards

• 🍿 The 2021 film release schedule is presented with caveats about potential shifts due to the pandemic, including Tom and Jerry, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Peter Rabbit: The Runaway.
• 🎬 Uncertainty surrounds the release of The Bob's Burgers Movie and Ron's Gone Wrong, with a discussion on how Fox properties have been handled in the past.
• 🎬 The upcoming slate also includes Luca, Minions: The Getaway, Hotel Transylvania 4, and Encanto, with a note that a significant portion of these are sequels or reboots.
• 🏆 The Academy Awards eligibility period has been extended, leading to more films, particularly from Netflix, being considered in early 2021. Soul and Wolfwalkers are highlighted as top contenders for Best Animated Feature.
• 🌟 The possibility of Soul receiving a Best Picture nomination is discussed, which would be a significant achievement for an animated film.

The Making of The Emperor's New Groove

• ✍️ Drew Taylor's article on Collider details the tumultuous development of Disney's The Emperor's New Groove, originally titled Kingdom of the Sun.
• 🎬 The film underwent significant creative changes, including a directorial split between Roger Allers and a comedic approach led by Mark Dindal and Chris Williams.
• ⚠️ A key moment in development involved considering Arnold Schwarzenegger for a voice role during the film's crisis.
• 🎭 The article highlights the contributions of voice actors like Harvey Fierstein and the challenges faced by director Roger Allers, including his eventual firing from the project.
• 🎶 The unique comedic style of The Emperor's New Groove is attributed to influences like Looney Tunes and the personal experiences of the filmmakers.
• 💰 Despite a high production cost and initial box office disappointment, the film has become a beloved cult classic, with its humor and memorable characters resonating with audiences over time.
• 🗣️ The name change from