Tom & Jerry Director Tim Story on Animation, Slapstick, and Visual Effects

New Disney Short: "Us Again"

• 🎬 A new theatrical short from Disney, titled "Us Again," is set to be released, marking the first in five years.
• ✍️ Written and directed by Zack Parish, the story follows an elderly African-American couple who relive their youth through dance, transforming into their younger selves.
• 😭 The short is anticipated to be a tearjerker and will be shown theatrically with "Raya and the Last Dragon" starting March 5th, and will be available on Disney Plus in June.

"Cruella" Trailer and Director Craig Gillespie

• 🤩 The "Cruella" trailer has generated excitement, with its bold choices and late '70s/early '80s setting.
• 🎬 Director Craig Gillespie, known for "I, Tonya" and "The Finest Hours," is praised for his visual style and previous work with Disney.
• 🎶 The film is expected to have a cool soundtrack, and Emma Stone is anticipated to deliver a strong performance.

Skydance Animation's Move to Apple

• 🍎 Skydance Animation's films "Luck" and "Spellbound" are officially heading to Apple TV, with a significant deal in place.
• 🌟 Jane Fonda has joined the cast of "Luck" as the head of the luck organization.
• 🤔 The move raises questions about the future of animation distribution and the potential for similar stories to emerge regarding John Lasseter, mirroring recent documentaries about Woody Allen and Harvey Weinstein.

"Tom and Jerry" Live-Action/Animation Hybrid

• 🐾 Director Tim Story discusses the challenges and creative decisions behind the "Tom and Jerry" live-action/CG hybrid film.
• 🐇 "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and the original "Tom and Jerry" shorts served as key inspirations for the visual style and tone.
• 🎨 The animation style, described as "2D Plus," aimed to maintain the integrity of the original characters while integrating them seamlessly into the real-world environments with creative lighting.
• 🗣️ Story was adamant about keeping Tom and Jerry silent, adhering to the rules set by the original Hannah-Barbera shorts.
• 🏙️ The New York chase sequence was one of the most challenging shots to execute due to the complexities of filming in a real-world environment.
• 💥 The film embraces the classic slapstick violence of "Tom and Jerry," with the studio giving significant creative freedom to push the envelope while ensuring it remained fun and not gratuitous.
• 🤝 The story intentionally avoids a clear villain, opting for a redemptive arc for all characters, aiming for a feel-good ending.

Other Animation News

• 🌳 A "Gremlins" prequel animated series has been renewed for a second season, featuring a strong voice cast including Ming Na Wen and James Hong.
• 👻 Tim Burton was previously attached to an animated "Addams Family" stop-motion movie for Illumination.
• 🧜‍♂️ Fox is developing an animated comedy about a merman prince juggling life between the ocean and Tampa, Florida.
• 📺 "South Park" continues to push boundaries with its specials, with a "Vaccination Special" airing after the success of its "Pandemic Special."
• 🦆 The final three episodes of "DuckTales" will air as a 90-minute special, with creators still hoping for a potential revival.