October
Barnyard is a 3-D CG movie from Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount. It seems that the barnyard animals have had enough of pretending to be dumb animals incapable of standing, speaking, and driving like humans, and they're out to prove a point. [Trailer]
November
Aardman Animation, famous for the Wallace & Gromit series of claymation shorts and last year's delightful Curse of the Were-Rabbit, are presenting a film with the help of DreamWorks Animation SKG. It's about a high-class rat lost in the London sewers. Amazingly, also due in November is a film from Pixar, about a high-class rat in a Parisian restaurant. At least when Pixar and DreamWorks both had ant movies, they were spaced a little further apart. For that matter, Shark Tale (DreamWorks) and Finding Nemo (Pixar) bowed the same year as well. The rough idea behind Pixar's film has been known since late 2003, while principal work on the DreamWorks feature is reported to have begun in 2004. Coincidence? If not for the involvement of Aardman Animation, I would expect another rip-off, but Aardman gives me hope.
First up is Aardman's Flushed Away on November 3. Several cast members from the Lord of the Rings trilogy are providing voice talent for this film, which details the adventures of a rat trying to return to his penthouse apartment. Rumors have swirled that Aardman may, for the first time, include some CG animation along with their usual claymation style, but nothing has been confirmed and no trailer has yet been released.
Later in the month, but without a specific date set yet, is Pixar's Ratatouille. This will be Pixar's first film indpendent of Disney, assuming that a deal isn't worked out between now and then. Ratatouille apparently also involves a very famous and very "eccentric" chef. Since it's Pixar, it will be all 3-D CG. Frankly, I suspect that this movie will slide into 2007, just as Cars slid into 2006. This will also help to avoid questions about two rat movies appearing at the same time, but it would have the down-side of making it look as if Pixar is the copy-cat, when that certainly isn't the case.
On November 7, we get Foodfight!, depicting the "city life" of a supermarket after-hours. It's the first film from Lion's Gate's new Family division. The creators of the film secured licenses to use many well-known brand-name product mascots, such as Mr. Clean, Charlie The Tuna, and Twinkie the Kid, so it will probably be a product-placement nirvana. It's all 3-D CG, but no trailer has been released yet.
Article comments
1 - Phillip Winn
My wife despises the "new look" of Curious George, as well as the updating of the story evident in the trailer.
2 - El Bicho
Your wife is a smart woman. Curious George looks horrible with pupils. I hope they don't cut him huffing ether.
3 - Phillip Winn
I tried to explain that it could be worse, but our kids still love the books, so she won't budge.
4 - Sterfish
Reading this list, I'm reminded of Jerry Beck's comments about the large amount of films dealing with animals banding together for a big task. Despite that, I'm looking forward to a lot of these films.
Over The Hedge looks like a very fun film, based on the trailer. I'm very much looking forward to Cars not just because it's a Pixar film but also because John Lassiter is directing it. Happy Feet looks like fun as well and it has George Miller of Babe/Mad Max behind it. I'm also very intrigued by Meet The Robinsons (which is actually Disney-made unlike The Wild).
Overall, though, if even half of these films end up being good, it will end up being a great year for animation. One thing I'm curious about, though, is what anime films will make their way to the U.S. this year. Last year had two big films by two powerhouses of Japanese animation. I really don't know what there is to look forward to in terms of Japanese animated films this year.
5 - dannykino
A scanner Darkly is an awesome book, I hope the film lives up to P.K Dicks books (if u dont know his works- Bladerunner, Minority Report, Total Recall!!!). Looks pretty good anyway. I guess they maybe able to use CG to get rid of some of Keanus woodenness. Can't wait!!!
6 - Phillip Winn
Over the Hedge is such a darkly-written strip that I assume they're softening it *a little* for the big screen.
I did a decent bit of research for this article, and it seems that no Japanese animation is scheduled to be released in U.S. theaters in 2006. There's a large pile of stuff coming out on DVD, of course, but it looks like we'll be waiting until 2007 or later to see anything on the big screen.
A Scanner Darkly is a fascinating book, but I'm guess that Keanu still acts like a robot even when illustrated. :-)
7 - Megan LeeWoonChing
Hello. This is my first time here. I think that it is really great of you all to come up with all these animation movies and I hope that you will keep up the good work. May Father in heaven lead you and guide you in all that you do to give you success. REMEMBER: DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH WASTE (URINE, FAECES, GARBAGE, POISON, & ETC.).
I have done it so far. SO CAN YOU!
8 - Anonymous
I heard there is going to be a Simpsons movie as well.
9 - Phillip Winn
July 27, 2007 for the Simpsons, so it doesn't make this list.
10 - thomas
why did i not see any elfquest being at least made.
dreamworks should cut out the bad stuff and at least try to make a movie base on the comics of elfquest.