Fine Tuning Episode 102: John Candy, Pocahontas, and Disney Animation News

Animaniacs! Reboot and Freakazoid

• 💡 The "Animaniacs!" reboot on Hulu features a discussion about how Freakazoid almost appeared in the show.
• ⚠️ The actor for Freakazoid was unavailable, leading to his exclusion, despite a successful appearance in a "Teen Titans Go!" episode.
• 📺 The new "Animaniacs!" features new characters like a girl and an alien, but notably lacks fan favorites like Slappy Squirrel and The Goodfeathers.

Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse Shorts

• 🐭 New "Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse" shorts on Disney Plus are longer than the originals, running around 9 minutes each.
• 🎭 These new shorts allow for actual antagonists like Pete and Mortimer, and even Ursula voiced by Pat Carroll, offering more narrative possibilities.
• 🤩 The art direction for the roller disco episode is inspired by the Moonlight Roller Rink in Burbank.

Tom and Jerry, Pink Panther, and The Witches

• 🎬 The trailer for the new "Tom and Jerry" movie features a cool art style reminiscent of "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle."
• 🤔 The discussion questions whether "Tom and Jerry" can still work in a post-"Itchy and Scratchy" universe.
• 🐾 A Pink Panther movie is in development, featuring the animated character interacting with a bank robber, directed by the same person who helmed "Sonic the Hedgehog."

Warner Bros. and HBO Max Strategy Shifts

• 💥 Warner Bros.' decision to release "Wonder Woman 1984" simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max is seen as a potential game-changer for Hollywood.
• 🏠 This strategy, influenced by the pandemic, allows for wider accessibility while theaters are struggling.
• 💰 Universal's VOD strategy for films like "Freaky" and "The Croods 2" further indicates a shift in distribution models.

Animation News and Book Recommendations

• 📚 "Wild Minds: The Artists and Rivalries That Inspired the Golden Age of Animation" by Reed Mittenbeller is recommended for animation fans.
• 🎨 "The Art of Pixar Soul" and "The Art of Onward" are also highlighted as notable books.
• 🌟 The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special is praised for its animation, vocal performances, and playful approach to canon.

Inside Pixar Documentary Series

• 🎬 The "Inside Pixar" documentary series on Disney Plus offers fascinating, focused stories on individual artists and their creative processes.
• 💡 Episodes cover topics like finishing "Soul" remotely, gender imbalance in screenplays, and the development of characters for "Luca."
• 🤩 Shorts like Kemp Powers' barber shop piece and the story behind "Onward" are particularly highlighted for their emotional impact and behind-the-scenes insights.

Rescuers Down Under and John Candy's Legacy

• 🇦🇺 "The Rescuers Down Under" is discussed as a film that deserves more recognition, despite its initial box office struggles, falling between "The Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast."
• 🎶 Bruce Broughton's score for "The Rescuers Down Under" is highly regarded within the industry.
• 🦃 It's revealed that John Candy was slated to voice a character named Red Feather in Disney's "Pocahontas" before his untimely passing, with some test footage possibly existing.