News

Before Netflix started decimating its production teams, and canceling every show, it was once the land of second opportunities. The streaming platform not only produced great shows, but also offered a place where underappreciated and underseen titles could finally find an audience. In the case of TV shows, some even got a chance to finish their stories. "Breaking Bad" became a global hit thanks to people being able to binge on Netflix, and "Arrested Development" was brought back to life almost a decade after being canceled, as were "Lucifer" and "Manifest."

Sadly, the streamer doesn't seem to be in the business of reviving titles anymore, and Netflix originals often get scant promotion and slip under the radar. And yet, the platform does still provide a platform for underappreciated titles to find a larger audience even years after their initial release. Case in point: the sudden resurgence in popularity of "The Book of Life,...

(Welcome to My Most Ridiculous Note, a series of interviews in which animators talk about the weirdest and funniest notes they received from studio executives.)

The early to mid-'00s was not a good time for Walt Disney Animation, with the failures of "Treasure Planet" and "Home on the Range" all but killing traditional animation on the big screen. On the TV side of things, however, it was an exciting time. The studio was producing a slate of cool high-concept cartoons as it began producing animation for the Disney Channel, with shows like "American Dragon: Jake Long," "Brandy & Mr. Whiskers," and "The Replacements" offering a good blend of family sitcom and genre hijinks.

In this period, there was arguably no show as consistently weird and funny as "Dave the Barbarian," a cartoon perhaps best remembered for its anachronistic jokes and fourth wall breaks (like the construction of a medieval megaphone...

The inaugural Children’s & Family Emmys got underway at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles for a two-night gala to award the best in kid-friendly programming. JoJo Siwa hosted the Creative Arts ceremony on Night 1 and Jack McBrayer took over hosting duties on Night 2 with the rest of the categories.

On Night 1, it was Maya and the Three, Sneakerella and The Quest that took the most accolades with three trophies each.

Some of the first night’s highlights included a special performance by Xomg Pop!, the all-girl group created by Jess and Siwa. There was also an appearance from Martin P. Robinson, the legendary puppeteer who has been with Sesame Street since 1980, providing voices and puppeteering for Mr. Snuffleupagus, Telly Monster, Slimey the Worm, Martians and more. He also built, designed and performed the Audrey II puppets for Little Shop of Horrors.

Night 2 of the...

HBO Max announced that Season 2 of “Love Life” will premiere Oct. 28 with its first three episodes.

Then, the second three episodes of the 10-episode season will stream on Nov. 4, with the final four concluding on Nov. 11.

The second season of the romantic dramedy centers on Marcus Watkins (William Jackson Harper), who comes out of a years-long relationship and is forced to once again look for the perfect love he thought he had already found.

The season also stars Jessica Williams, Punkie Johnson and Chris “Comedian Cp” Powell. Arian Moayed, Leslie Bibb and John Earl Jelks are recurring guest stars and Maya Kazan, Ego Nwodim, Kimberly Elise, Blair Underwood, Janet Hubert, Jordan Rock and Steven Boyer are guest stars. Keith David narrates. Season 1’s Anna Kendrick, who also executive produces, Zoë Chao, Peter Vack, Sasha Compére and Nick Thune will appear.

In addition to Kendrick, “Love Life” is executive produced by showrunners Sam Boyd,...

Zoe Saldaña will lead a voice cast for the upcoming animated fantasy epic coming to Netflix called “Maya and the Three.”

“Maya and the Three” is an animated series in nine chapters from the mind behind “El Tigre” and “The Book of Life,” Jorge R. Gutiérrez, and it’s a fantasy about a warrior princess that’s inspired by Mesoamerican and Caribbean culture, as well as the ancient mythologies of the Aztec, Maya and Inca.

Netflix on Tuesday unveiled the full cast for the animated series along with a teaser trailer. Alongside Saldaña as the title character, “Maya and the Three” has an impressive voice cast that also includes Gabriel Iglesias, Allen Maldonado, Stephanie Beatriz, Diego Luna, Gael García Bernal, Alfred Molina, Kate del Castillo, Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin, Rosie Perez, Queen Latifah, Wyclef Jean, Jorge R. Gutiérrez, Sandra Equihua, Isabela Merced, Chelsea Rendon, Joaquín Cosío, Carlos Alazraqui, Eric Bauza and Rita Moreno.

Features the voices of: Tomás Ayuso, Karina Matas Piper, Scott Cleverdon, Stephen Hughes, Elisabeth Gray, Robbie K. Jones, Blair Holmes | Written by Doug Langdale | Directed by Toni García

Beloved 1980s children’s cartoon Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds gets the big screen adaptation treatment in this feature-length animated adventure, which, like the series, sticks closely to the plot of Alexandre Dumas’ literary classic The Three Musketeers. However, while the film definitely offers some nostalgia value, when it comes to the script and the animation, it’s more of a downgrade than an upgrade.

The original 1981 series was a Spanish-Japanese co-production that ran for 26 episodes and was broadcast with an English language dub on BBC Children’s Television in 1985. The new movie is produced by the same Spanish company (Brb International), but the animation is the 3G CGI variety, rather than the traditional hand-drawn cel animation of the TV series.

The...

Netflix will expand its children’s animation programming slate with the addition of A Tale Dark & Grimm, Dogs In Space and Super Giant Robot Brothers.

The first in the trio of animated series is A Tale Dark & Grimm, based on the best-selling book by Adam Gidwitz. The series follows Hansel and Gretel as they

run away from home to find better parents…or at least ones who won’t chop off their heads! As Hansel and Gretel leave their own story and venture through other classic Grimm fairy tales, unexpected narrators’ guide us through their encounters with witches, warlocks, dragons and even the devil himself.

The series, which features Raini Rodriguez, Andre Robinson, Nicole Byer and Adam Lambert, is produced in partnership with Boat Rocker Studios in association with Novo Media Group and Astro-Nomical Entertainment. Animation services by Boat Rocker’s Jam Filled Entertainment.

Executive producers are David Henrie, James Henrie,...

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jamie Ward, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Simon Harrison, Chipo Chung and Amber Fitzgerald-Woolfe have joined the third and final season of “His Dark Materials,” directed by Amit Gupta, Charles Martin and Weronika Tofilska.

The eight-episode season, which is currently in production, is based on “The Amber Spyglass,” the final novel in Philip Pullman’s bestselling trilogy.

Season 3 of “His Dark Materials” follows Lyra (Dafne Keen) and Will (Amir Wilson), the bearer of The Subtle Knife, as they travel through multiple worlds to find and protect each other.

Also starring Ruth Wilson, Simone Kirby, Will Keen, Jade Anouka, Ruta Gedminstas and James McAvoy, “His Dark Materials” is produced by Bad Wolf in association with New Line Cinema for BBC One and HBO. Executive producers include Jane Tranter, Dan McCulloch, Joel Collins and Julie Gardner for Bad Wolf; Philip Pullman, Jack Thorne, Tom Hooper; Deborah Forte, Toby Emmerich and Carolyn Blackwood for...

Altitude Films has dropped the first look trailer for its upcoming animation ‘Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds’.

Based on the beloved animated series and inspired by the famous novel by Alexandre Dumas, the movie is brought to the big screen by celebrated animation writer Doug Langdale.

For those not familiar, Dogtanian is an ambitious young swordsman who dreams of becoming a hero and joining the legendary Muskehounds. After proving his skills and earning their trust, he and the three Muskehounds must defend the King from the villainous Cardinal Richelieu’s secret plot to seize power. Will the Cardinal win and take control, or will Dogtanian and his new friends foil the evil scheme before it’s too late?

Also in trailers – First trailer arrives for animation ‘Ron’s Gone Wrong’

The film will hit UK and Irish cinemas on 25 June, with previews on 19 and 20 June over the National Lottery Cinema Weekend.

Join Dogtanian, everyone’s favourite swashbuckling hound, on the biggest adventure of the summer as Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds, an updating of the classic cartoon series, opens exclusively in cinemas across the UK & Ireland this month!

Dogtanian is an ambitious young swordsman who dreams of becoming a hero and joining the legendary Muskehounds. After proving his skills and earning their trust, he and the three Muskehounds must defend the King from the villainous Cardinal Richelieu’s secret plot to seize power. Will the Cardinal win and take control, or will Dogtanian and his new friends foil the evil scheme before it’s too late?

Based on the beloved animated series and inspired by the famous novel by Alexandre Dumas, Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds is brought to the big screen by celebrated animation writer Doug Langdale.

Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds is released only in cinemas on June 25th...

Altitude has acquired U.K. distribution rights to “Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds,” a 3D animated feature inspired by Alexandre Dumas’ 19th-century classic D’Artagnan novels.

The family adventure film is being represented in international markets by Charades, the sales banner behind the Oscar-nominated “Mirai” and “I Lost My Body.”

Budgeted in the range of $10 million, the movie is a reboot of the popular 1980s TV series “Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds,” which aired in more than 100 countries and on 150 networks, and was adapted by Doug Langdale.

Directed by Toni García, the film follows Dogtanian, a fearless young boy who embarks on an adventure-filled journey to Paris hoping to become one of the king’s “muskehounds” guards.

Altitude is planning to release “Dogtanian and the Three Muskehound” in the U.K. and Ireland on June 25. The deal marks the first collaboration between Charades and Altitude.

Charades previously sold the film...

All those of a certain age, get ready for a trip down memory road as the beloved series animation ‘Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds’ has been made into a film and will be coming to a cinema near you soon.

Based on the beloved animated series and inspired by the famous novel by Alexandre Dumas, the movie is brought to the big screen by celebrated animation writer Doug Langdale.

For those not familiar, Dogtanian is an ambitious young swordsman who dreams of becoming a hero and joining the legendary Muskehounds. After proving his skills and earning their trust, he and the three Muskehounds must defend the King from the villainous Cardinal Richelieu’s secret plot to seize power. Will the Cardinal win and take control, or will Dogtanian and his new friends foil the evil scheme before it’s too late?

Also in news – Kate Hudson becomes latest name to...

A burgeoning film-tv hub and shoot locale in Spain, Navarre is proving a hotbed for new companies and projects which are now helping the region to gain bigger visibility abroad. Some start-up, or standout Navarre-based outfits expected to attend this week’s on-site Conecta Fiction in Pamplona:

Adhokers Navarra

Created by Beatriz Acinas and José Luis Tejedor, Adhokers has offices in Madrid and Pamplona and produces TV contents and commercials. Upcoming projects include TV series “Encuentros en Villa Lancaster” and “Manual de usar y tirar.”

Apolo Films

Founded by legendary animation creator-entrepreneur Claudio Biern Boyd, indie studio Apolo has operated in Navarre since 2018, focusing on toon features inspired by well-known international brands. On Jan. 21, it will release in Spain swashbuckling adventure “Dogtanian & The Three Muskehounds,” the newest installment in the the 40-year-old iconic TV property. “Dogtanian” is helmed by Apolo creative director Toni García and written by “Puss in Boots...

Netflix has ordered “Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles,” a new CGI animated kids’ series based on the award-winning “Usagi Yojimbo” comic books by Stan Sakai.

Produced by Gaumont, “Samurai Rabbit” marks the first animated TV adaptation inspired by Sakai’s comics. The show will follow a brand new character, teenage Rabbit Samurai Yuichi, a descendent of Miyamoto Usagi, the protagonist of the “Usagi Yojimbo” comic books.

Per Netflix, “The series takes place in the far future, set in a world that mixes modern high-tech images with classic Japanese references. It follows the teenage Rabbit Samurai Yuichi, descendent of the great warrior Miyamoto Usagi, on his epic quest to become a true samurai. But he isn’t alone! He leads a ragtag team of misfit heroes – including a roguish bounty hunter, a cunning ninja, an acrobatic pickpocket and a faithful pet lizard – as he battles depth-charging moles, metal-tipped winged bats, and monsters from another dimension,...

The world of the iconic “Usagi Yojimbo” comic books is coming to television for the first time.

Netflix is teaming with Gaumont on a CGI animated series titled “Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles,” which is based on the 35-year-old comic book series by Stan Sakai.

Rather than centering around the comic books’ protagonist Miyamoto Usagi, the series will take place in the far future and follow the teenage Rabbit Samurai Yuichi, descendent of the aforementioned great warrior, on his epic quest to become a true samurai. Yuichi will lead a ragtag team of misfit heroes – including a roguish bounty hunter, a cunning ninja, an acrobatic pickpocket and a faithful pet lizard – as he battles depth-charging moles, metal-tipped winged bats, and monsters from another dimension, all in the pursuit to become the best samurai Usagi.

Sakai will serve as an executive producer on the show, along with Gaumont’s Nicolas Atlan,...

Netflix has set the first animated TV series based on the long-running Usagi Yojimbo comic books by Stan Sakai. The streamer today announced Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles, which is set in a world that mixes modern high-tech images with classic Japanese references.

Spawned from Sakai’s comics that began in 1984 and counting James Wan among its executive producers, the CGI Samurai Rabbit follows the teenage Rabbit Samurai Yuichi, descendent of the great warrior Miyamoto Usagi, on his epic quest to become a true samurai. But he isn’t alone. He leads a ragtag team of misfit heroes – including a roguish bounty hunter, a cunning ninja, an acrobatic pickpocket and a faithful pet lizard – as he battles depth-charging moles, metal-tipped winged bats and monsters from another dimension, all in the pursuit to become the best samurai Usagi.

The series hails from Sakai — creator, writer and illustrator of the comic book...

In today’s TV News Roundup, Peacock released the trailer for “Psych 2: Lassie Come Home,” and HBO announced the premiere date for its upcoming documentary “Showbiz Kids.”

Dates

HBO has announced its upcoming documentary “Showbiz Kids” will premiere on July 14 at 9 p.m. Directed by former child actor Alex Winter, the film chronicles the unique experiences of working as a child actor in the entertainment industry through a combination of archival footage and interviews. The film comes from Ringer Films, with Bill Simmons serving as executive producer along with Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller for HBO. Watch a trailer below.

First Looks

Peacock has released trailers for its launch slate of original programming. NBCUniversal’s streaming service will become available on July 15. Watch the new trailers below.

“Brave New World” is an adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s dystopian novel of the same name. David Wiener serves as showrunner; Grant Morrison,...

India and Singapore-based animation outfit Cosmos-Maya is driving into the animated feature arena with “Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds,” an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel “The Three Musketeers.”

A co-production with Spain’s Apolo Films, “Dogtanian” is an iconic television property that was first aired on Mbs in Japan in 1981, Television Espanola in 1982 and the BBC in 1985. There have been several iterations of the show since, and some 40 years on, it is still airing in more than 100 territories.

Emmy and Annie nominee Doug Langdale (“Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness”) is writing the film script, based on the original written by Claudio Biern Boyd, who is President of Apolo Films. Toni Garcia (“Invizimals”) is set to direct.

Universal has boarded the project, taking Svod for several territories including the U.K., France and Germany. Spanish partners on the project include Tve, Lusomundo and A Contracorriente, with financial support from Ico,...

Though much of TV has slowed down for the end of the year, one sword-fighting cat is ready to return to screens everywhere this Friday. The indelible Puss in Boots (voiced by Eric Bauza) is back in the fourth season of the Netflix original series “The Adventures of Puss in Boots” In the upcoming season, Puss continues his quest to defeat the evil Bloodwolf using the mythical Crown of Souls to direct his journey. He and the Senior Puss Squad embark on numerous adventures to track down the magical items needed to defeat the Bloodwolf. But when he finally arrives, who will stop him from destroying San Lorenzo? Watch an exclusive clip from the new season below featuring Puss showing off his many powers to a skeptic.

Read More: Watch: Danny Trejo Gets Animated in Exclusive Clip of Netflix Original ‘The Adventures of Puss in Boots’

Executive produced by Doug Langdale,...

Exclusive: Reel FX Animation Studios, the company behind The Book Of Life, has made a long term deal with that film’s writer/director Jorge R. Gutierrez. The first animated picture under the new deal will be an untitled Kung Fu Space Western. Gutierrez will direct from a script he’s writing with Douglas Langdale. Reel FX’s Brad Booker will produce with Gutierrez and Chatrone LLC. Sandra Equihua has been set to oversee the character design. Gutierrez has moved to Dallas to…...

The animation is fresh, unique, and gorgeous. But we don’t need another tale of a man having exciting adventures while a woman waits around to marry him. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing

I’m “biast” (con): nothing

(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)

The animation, a CGI explosion of Mexican folkloric motifs, is fresh, unique, and gorgeous, if the design is at times so frenetic and overstuffed that it threatens sensory overload. The story the animation is used to tell, however, is so familiar as to be blandly generic, and totally unsurprising in both its overarching themes and its specific details.

Two deities who oversee realms of the afterlife — La Muerte (the voice of Kate del Castillo), who rules the Land of the Remembered, and Xibalba (the voice of Ron Perlman: Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, Pacific Rim), who rules the Land of...

Director: Jorge R. Gutierrez; Screenwriters: Jorge R. Gutierrez, Douglas Langdale; Starring: Channing Tatum, Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana, Ron Perlman, Danny Trejo, Christina Applegate, Ice Cube; Running time: 95 mins; Certificate: U

Mexican mythology provides the inspiration for The Book of Life, a sunny and spirited animation that's as much about what happens after we leave this mortal coil. Channing Tatum, Zoe Saldana and Diego Luna lend their voices, each in the corner of a love triangle that spans three beautifully realised worlds: the Land of the Living, the Land of the Remembered and the Land of the Forgotten.

At the centre of some cosmic turbulence is Manolo (Luna), the son of a bullfighter who is expected to follow in dad's footsteps, but Manolo would rather play his guitar and serenade the town beauty Maria (Saldana). Rivalling him for Maria's affections is best pal Joaquin (Tatum), a bit of a blowhard who...

One of the unique fixtures of an opening weekend in Los Angeles, whether it's an art house release or a studio blockbuster, are filmmakers and sometimes stars popping their heads into a theater to see how their baby plays. Well, if you're going to a screening of the new animated feature "The Book of Life" in the Southland this weekend, there's a good chance you might see Jorge R. Gutierrez dropping by your theater. "Book" is Gutierrez's directorial debut and a project he's worked diligently to bring to the big screen for 14 years. The talented animator has received advice about handling the release from the film's producer, Guillermo del Toro, but Gutierrez jokes he's not listening to it. "He said don't read the Internet, don't read any reviews, like, don't look at the comments," Gutierrez says. "But I am a masochist, so I'm reading everything. And then this whole weekend...

The great “schnozzola” Jimmy Durante’s signature catch phrase “Everybody wants ta’ get into da’ act!’ couldn’t be more true when it comers to animated features these days. Perhaps this may be a result of the incredible all-ages success of Pixar. Or it might be the love of animation held be many aging “baby boomer” film makers who awaited Saturday mornings in front of the tube (which just ended now that no broadcast networks run weekend ‘toons) or those grand ole’ special kiddie matinees. Tim Burton may have kick-started this trend by coming off his big Batman flicks to produce The Nightmare Before Christmas and later direct The Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie. Johnny Depp and his Pirates director scored a hit with Rango. And recently Adam Sandler started a new franchise with Hotel Transylvania. New to the animation arena, but a big name in the fantasy/horror genre is...

Over the weekend I had a chance to speak with director Jorge Guiterrez about his new film "The Book of Life," which is also produced by Guillermo del Toro. The look of the film is inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) celebrations.

"The Book of Life" is the journey of Manolo (Diego Luna), a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. Before choosing which path to follow, he embarks on an incredible adventure that spans three fantastical worlds where he must face his greatest fears. Rich with a fresh take on pop music favorites, "The Book of Life" encourages us to celebrate the past while looking forward to the future.

Here is what Guiterrez had to say about the film.

For me, when I first saw the film, I thought of it as elements of a video game.

Featuring the voices of Christina Applegate, Ice Cube, Hector Elizondo, Diego Luna, Zoë Saldana, Danny Trejo, Channing Tatum and Ron Perlman, The Book Of Life is a vibrant fantasy-adventure that tells the legend of Manolo, a conflicted hero and dreamer who sets off on an epic quest through magical, mythical and wondrous worlds in order to rescue his one true love and defend his village.

The cast also includes Cheech Marin, Hector Elizondo, tenor Placido Domingo, plus Ana de la Reguera (Nacho Libre, Eastbound and Down), Eugenio Derbez (Instructions Not Included), comedian Gabriel Iglesias (Stand-up Revolution), and Danny Trejo (Machete).

The Book Of Life’s original score and songs are by two-time Academy Award-winner Gustavo Santaolalla (Brokeback Mountain). The film is produced by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and directed by Jorge Gutierrez. Gutierrez also wrote the screenplay with Doug Langdale.

The Book Of Life Hits Theaters Everywhere On October 17th.

20th Century Fox has released the original soundtrack for their highly anticipated film, The Book Of Life. Effectively capturing the distinctive Latin American flavor found in the movie and featuring 18 eclectic tracks, the soundtrack is available on iTunes now, and physical copies will also be available on Amazon on October 13.

Digital album on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/bookoflife-ost

Physical album on Amazon: http://smarturl.it/bookoflife-ost-cd

Visit SoundCloud for a sneak peak Here: https://soundcloud.com/sony-soundtracks/sets/the-book-of-life-original

Track Listing: 1. Live Life – Jesse & Joy 2. The Apology Song – La Santa Cecilia 3. No Matter Where You Are – Us the Duo 4. I Love You Too Much – Diego Luna and Gustavo Santaolalla 5. I Will Wait – Joe Matthews, Diego Luna and Gustavo Santaolalla 6. Mas – Kinky 7. Cielito Lindo – Plácido Domingo 8. Creep – Diego Luna and Gustavo Santaolalla 9. Can’t Help Falling In Love With You – Diego Luna and Gustavo Santaolalla 10. Ecstasy Of Gold – Gustavo Santaolalla 11. Do...

We brought you a first look at the Guillermo del Toro-produced ‘toon The Book Of Life back in May. At Comic-Con, the filmmakers unveiled a new trailer for the Mexican-flavoured, afterworld-inspired film, which has now gone online via Apple. The Book Of Life, sprung from the brain of illustrator/director Jorge R. Gutierrez, and has been brought to the screen with a bit of help from writer Doug Langdale and the oversight of Mr. “I’m involved with 63,000 projects at any one time” del Toro who was also working on Crimson Peak while offering guidance and support on Book.A sort of Corpse Bride-meets-Romeo-And-Juliet tale, this sees a matador, Manolo (Diego Luna), and town hotshot Joaquin (Channing Tatum), vying for the attentions of a beautiful girl called Maria (Zoë Saldana). Things go awry for Manolo when he's bitten by a snake and sent plunging into a trippy underworld...

20th Century Fox has just released a brand new trailer for the animated film, The Book Of Life.

Featuring the voices of Christina Applegate, Ice Cube, Hector Elizondo, Diego Luna, Zoë Saldana, Danny Trejo, Channing Tatum and Ron Perlman, the movie will be in theaters on October 17.

The Book Of Life, a vibrant fantasy-adventure, tells the legend of Manolo, a conflicted hero and dreamer who sets off on an epic quest through magical, mythical and wondrous worlds in order to rescue his one true love and defend his village.

The film produced by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and directed by Jorge Gutierrez. Gutierrez also wrote the screenplay with Doug Langdale.

The cast also includes Cheech Marin, Hector Elizondo, tenor Placido Domingo, plus Ana de la Reguera (Nacho Libre, Eastbound and Down), Eugenio Derbez (Instructions Not Included), comedian Gabriel Iglesias (Stand-up Revolution), and Danny Trejo (Machete).

The film’s original score...

"I'll do anything to be with Maria." Though we're not accustomed to a filmmaker like Guillermo del Toro venturing into kids territory, the story at the center of The Book of Life certainly doesn't seem like a typical fairytale, at least when it comes to the vibrant style of the animation. Jorge R. Gutierrez is behind the new film which follows a young man named Manolo (Diego Luna) struggling to win over the love of his life and please his family. But things get complicated when a wager between the gods of the dead over who will win the hand of Maria (Zoe Saldana) forces Manolo into an adventure through fantastical worlds. Here's the first trailer for Jorge R. Gutierrez's The Book of Life, originally from Apple: The Book of Life is directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez, who co-wrote the film with Douglas Langdale ("Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness...

Guillermo del Toro may be up to the Pale Man's eyeballs in haunted mansion horror Crimson Peak and FX's upcoming vampire show The Strain, but he has still found time to lend a hand with The Book Of Life, an CG animation inspired by Mexico's famous Dia de Muertos festival. A new trailer for the film, hitherto shrouded in mystery, has dropped and Empire is happy to share it with you.  brightcove.createExperiences();The Book Of Life is the brainchild of Mexican animator and artist Jorge Gutierrez, its director and, with American screenwriter Doug Langdale, co-scribe, and his painterly creations look kaleidoscopic and macabre in the best Corpse Bride-sense of the words. The trio have crafted a Romeo And Juliet-style tale of a matador, Manolo (Diego Luna), and town hotshot Joaquin (Channing Tatum), both vying for the attentions of a beautiful girl called Maria (Zoë Saldana). Things clearly go...

Following yesterday's first look photos, the first official trailer and poster for the animated film The Book of Life from producer Guillermo del Toro have arrived. The story follows the journey of Manolo (Diego Luna), an aspiring musician struggling with pleasing his family and winning over the love of his life (Zoe Saldana). There's some truly stunning animation on display here, like a mix of the world of Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas, but in the style of the Day of the Dead celebration. Channing Tatum seems a bit out of place as a rival romancer, but this still looks like an original adventure for everyone. Watch it! Here's the first trailer for Jorge R. Gutierrez's The Book of Life, originally from Apple: And here's the first poster for the animated film from Collider: The Book of Life is directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez, who co-wrote the film...

Though the next film from Guillermo del Toro as a director is Crimson Peak, and that's not arriving until 2015, we'll still get a project that will have a special touch from the revered filmmaker. The Book of Life is a new animated film from Fox Animation coming this fall, and while we've seen some concept art from the project directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez, the first official stills have arrived, showing off a unique animation style. The male characters look a bit like boxy marionettes, which is a bit weird, and I can't decide if I really like it or not. But the settings look gorgeous, and again, it sounds like a truly original tale. Images below! Here's the first photos from Jorge R. Gutierrez's The Book of Life from USA Today: The Book of Life is directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez, who co-wrote the film with Douglas Langdale...

20th Century Fox Animation and Reel FX Animation Studios have announced casting for the companies’ animated comedy The Book Of Life, which 20th Century Fox releases in theaters everywhere one year from today - October 17, 2014.

Channing Tatum, Zoë Saldana, Diego Luna, Christina Applegate, Ice Cube, Kate del Castillo and Ron Perlman star in the film produced by acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and directed by Jorge Gutierrez. Gutierrez also wrote the screenplay with Doug Langdale.

Also joining the cast are Cheech Marin, Hector Elizondo and legendary tenor Placido Domingo, plus Ana de la Reguera (Nacho Libre, Eastbound and Down), Eugenio Derbez (Instructions Not Included), comedian Gabriel Iglesias (Stand-up Revolution), radio personality Ricardo (“El Mandril”) Sanchez, and Danny Trejo (Machete).

An animated comedy with a unique visual style, The Book Of Life is the journey of Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart.

Channing Tatum, Zoe Saldana, Diego Luna and Christina Applegate have joined the voice cast of the animated comedy "The Book of Life" at 20th Century Fox Animation and Reel FX Animation.

The story follows Manolo, a young man torn between his heart and his family's expectations. Before choosing which path to follow, he embarks on an incredible adventure that spans three fantastical worlds where he must face his fears.

Ron Perlman, Ice Cube, Cheech Marin, Hector Elizondo, Placido Domingo, Ana de la Reguera, Kate del Castillo, Gabriel Iglesias, Eugenio Derbez, Ricardo Sanchez, and Danny Trejo also voice characters in the film.

Jorge Gutierrez directs the project from a script he co-wrote with Doug Langdale. Gustavo Santaolalla ("Brokeback Mountain," "Babel") will compose the original score.

Guillermo del Toro is producing and the film is currently targeting a release this time next year.

Source: Heat Vision...

Channing Tatum and Zoe Saldana will lend their voices to 20th Century Fox Animation and Reel FX Animation Studios’ animated comedy “The Book of Life,” the companies announced Wednesday. Guillermo del Toro is producing the movie, which Jorge Gutierrez is directing from a script he wrote with Doug Langdale. Also Read: Comic-Con 2013: Channing Tatum Will Be Superman in ‘The Lego Movie’ The rest of the voice cast includes Diego Luna, Christina Applegate, Ice Cube, Kate del Castillo and del Toro favorite Ron Perlman, as well as Cheech Marin, Danny Trejo, Hector Elizondo, Ana de la Reguera (“Nacho Libre”), Eugenio Derbez (“Instructions.

Channing Tatum, Zoe Saldana, Diego Luna and Christina Applegate are starring in Book of Life, an animated comedy from 20th Century Fox Animation and Reel FX Animation. Guillermo del Toro is producing the feature, which also counts Ice Cube, Kate del Castillo, and Ron Perlman in its cast. Jorge Gutierrez, the co-creator of TV’s El Tigre: The Many Adventures of Manny Rivera, is directing the movie and also wrote the screenplay with Doug Langdale. The film has a release date of Oct. 17, 2014. Photos: Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum: Exclusive Portraits of the 'White House Down' Stars Book is

read more...

The nominations are in! Ellen DeGeneres, The View and General Hospital lead the pack in the 2013 Daytime Emmy nominations.

Sam Champion read the 2013 Daytime Emmy Nominations on Good Morning America on May 1, and it’s a great list! General Hospital and The Young & The Restless were some of the many shows nominated, while Ellen DeGeneres, Katie Couric and the lovely ladies of The View are some of the hosts nominated. Read on for the full list.

Daytime Emmys 2013 — Full List Of Nominations

Outstanding Drama Series

The Bold and the Beautiful, CBS

Bradley P. Bell, Executive Producer

Rhonda Friedman, Edward J. Scott, SupervisingProducers

Ronald W. Weaver, Senior Producer

Mark Pinciotti, Coordinating Producer

Cynthia J. Popp, Colleen Bell, Casey Kasprzyk, Producers

Days of Our Lives, NBC

Ken Corday, Executive Producer

Lisa de Cazotte, Greg Meng, Co-Executive Producers

Janet Drucker, Tim Stevens, Coordinating Producers

Albert Alarr, Producer

General Hospital , ABC

Frank Valentini, Executive Producer

Mary-Kelly Weir,...

I really don't put much stock in the International Animated Film Society's 2013 Annie Awards, which is why I didn't rush to report on their results on Saturday. One year Disney and Pixar boycott the event, feeling there was an unfair advantage paid to larger contributing sponsors, DreamWorks being the primary example. So with such a nasty stench over the event what good does it do to pay it much mind? That said, I'll be brief in mentioning Wreck-It Ralph topped Saturday night's winners with five awards, including Best Animated Picture. The awards have something like a 75% streak when it comes to helping predict the eventual Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature and as the days have gone on, it's looking more and more like Ralph will be this year's winner (see my predictions here). Pixar's Brave, Laika's ParaNorman and DreamWorks' Rise of the Guardians each took home two awards in lesser,...

Disney's "Wreck-It-Ralph" was the big winner at the 40th Annie Awards held Saturday taking home the Best Animated Feature award. It is now officially the Oscar frontrunner in the Best Animated Film category.

Here's the complete list of winners/nominees; for winners/nominees of other award-giving bodies this season, click here:

Animated Feature

"Brave" . Pixar Animation Studios

"Frankenweenie" . Walt Disney Studios

"Hotel Transylvania" . Sony Pictures Animation

"ParaNorman" . Focus Features

"Rise of the Guardians" . DreamWorks Animation

"The Pirates! Band of Misfits" . Aardman Animations

"The Rabbi.s Cat ". Gkids

Winner "Wreck-It Ralph" . Walt Disney Animation Studios

Animated Special Production

"Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" . Warner Bros. Animation

"Before Orel" . Trust . Starburns Industries, Inc.

Winner "Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem" . Illumination Entertainment

"Disney Tron: Uprising . Beck.s Beginning" . Disney TV Animation

"Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury" . DreamWorks Animation

"Justice League: Doom" . Warner Bros. Animation

Animated Short Subject

"Brad and Gary" . Illumination...

First announced back in February, the animated, Guillermo del Toro-produced Day of the Dead project is now titled Book of Life and set for release on October 10, 2014.

What's more, Fox Animation is now involved in its production, says a story at The Hollywood Reporter. Emmy Award winner Jorge R. Gutierrez (El Tigre, The Adventures of Manny Rivera) will direct the film which he wrote alongside Doug Langdale. 

Read more...

While his biggest current project – that would be a certain action epic named Pacific Rim – has just been trailered today, there is also news about a much more tangential Guillermo del Toro project. The animated movie formerly known as Day Of The Dead is now called Book Of Life and is set to arrive in cinemas (in the Us at least) on October 10 2014.The movie itself, backed by Fox Animation, is still shrouded in some secrecy, though when it was first talked up back in February, there was mention of a musical, Romeo and Juliet-style romance set against the famous Mexican celebration.Del Toro is still simply producing the film, leaving the actual filmmaking to handpicked director Jorge Gutierrez. Gutierrez will bring his experience on shorts and TV ‘toons to play making the new movie, and has written the script with Doug Langdale.The October release date seems fitting given the subject matter,...

First announced back in February , the animated, Guillermo del Toro-produced Day of the Dead project is now titled Book of Life and set for release on October 10, 2014. What's more, Fox Animation is now involved in its production, says a story at The Hollywood Reporter . Emmy Award winner Jorge R. Gutierrez ( El Tigre , The Adventures of Manny Rivera ) will direct the film which he wrote alongside Doug Langdale. The film was previously described as being an action-packed, fully CG-animated picture, with a .Romeo and Juliet. style love story set against a Mexican "Day of the Dead" backdrop. It represents the first time in almost twenty years -- since 1993's Cronos -- that del Toro has collaborated on a feature project set in Mexico. Music is also integral to the...

I love the art of animation, and it's amazing to see how far things have come and advanced over the years. The industry is changing in terms of technology, but what it all really comes down to is telling good stories. There's been a lot of great animated movies this year, and many of them are up for several awards at the 40th Annual Annie Awards.

Some of the movies nomainated include Brave, Frankenweenie, Hotel Transylvania, ParaNorman, Rise of the Guardians, The Pirates! Band of Misfits, and Wreck-It Ralph. Out of those films my favorite is a toss up between Wreck-It Ralph and ParaNorman, those were two pretty incredible films. I think ParaNorman has the edge though.

Some of the other animated properties nominated are Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1, Disney Tron: Uprising, Justice League: Doom, Robot Chicken ‘DC Comics Special', South Park ‘Raising the Bar’, and several others.

The International Animated Film Society (Asifa-Hollywood) has announced the nominees for the 40th Annie Awards also known as Animation's Highest Honor. Disney/Pixar led the nominees with "Brave," "Frankenweenie," and "Wreck-It-Ralph" getting Best Picture nods. The 40th Annual Annie Awards will take place on February 2, 2013 at UCLA.s Royce Hall, in Los Angeles, California.

And the nominees for the 40th Annual Annie Awards are:

Best Picture nominees:

Brave - Disney/Pixar)

Frankenweenie -The Walt Disney Studios

Hotel Transylvania - Sony Pictures Animation

ParaNorman - Focus Features

Rise of the Guardians - DreamWorks Animation

The Pirates! Band of Misfits - Aardman Animations

The Rabbi.s Cat - Gkids

Wreck-It Ralph - Walt Disney Animation Studios

Annie Award for Best Animated Special Production

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 . Warner Bros. Animation

Best General Audience Animated Television Production

Archer .Space Race, Part 1. . Weissman Markovitz Communications for FX

Bob.S Burgers .Earsy Rider...

Which of 2012′s animated films drew the most applause? According to the International Animated Film Society, Asifa-Hollywood, the options include Pixar’s Brave, Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph, and DreamWorks’s Rise of the Guardians. All three — among others — were nominated for animation’s highest honor today when the group named the contenders for its 40th annual Annie Awards. The prizes will be distributed Saturday, Feb. 2 in Los Angeles.

See who else made the cartoon cut with this list of nominees for the Annie Awards’ biggest honors. A full list of nominees can be found at the awards’ website.

Best Animated...

Exclusive: Chatrone LLC has optioned both film and television rights to the Mexican novel, Death Of Artemio Cruz by the late Carlos Fuentes. Chatrone partners Carina Schulze and Aaron D. Berger will developing for both feature and TV treatments. The novel is considered Fuentes’ masterpiece and was at the center of the Latin “Boom” movement in the world of literature in the late 80s. The novel is essentially a deathbed confession by the title character as he looks back on his corrupt and sordid life and how he evolved from idealistic revolutionary to successful businessman and exploiter of the people and the ideals he once fought for. The book won the Cervantes Prize in 1987. “Artemio’s story is compelling because it embodies the history and struggles of Latin America,” says Chatrone’s Carina Schulze. “We are pleased to obtain the opportunity to bring the story to the big screen and other media,...

According to Variety, Guillermo del Toro is headed back to Mexico to pair with director Jorge R. Gutierrez for a CGI romantic adventure called Day of the Dead. There is nothing short of fantastic about this news. For one, they’ve chosen perhaps the second best holiday as their backdrop – one that can provide a wealth of vibrant and meaningful imagery. For two, Gutierrez is an eclectic and skilled animator. For three, del Toro wrote the script along with Doug Landale – who has worked on animated television shows since the early 90s. As for the title, it’s unclear how George Romero will feel about it. There are some cool sensibilities here, and the story is supposedly “Romeo and Juliet”-style, so the fantastical elements can probably be in full force. Of course, del Toro has a tight schedule and he won’t be directing, but his reputation as a hands-on producer speaks for itself. There...

As if the guy didn’t already have enough on his plate, we can now add one more movie to our favourite Mexican auteur’s ever growing pile. Director of the modern fantasy classic Pans Labyrinth and the Hellboy Series: Guillermo Del Toro has recently signed on to produce an upcoming CG-animated feature ‘Day Of The Dead’.

At first glance the title may be a bit confusing but let me clarify something: This is not a remake of George Romero’s Day Of The Dead and contains no connection to his zombie franchise or zombies at all it seems;

The story is “an action-packed, fully CG-animated picture, with a “Romeo and Juliet” style love story set against a Mexican “Day of the Dead” backdrop”.

Setup at Reel FX, the project will be directed by Emmy Award Winner Jorge R. Gutierrez best known for Nickelodeons El Tigre, The Adventures of Manny Rivera.

Guillermo del Toro is set to produce the Mexican CG animated feature "Day of the Dead" with Reel FX says Heat Vision.

"El Tigre" creator Jorge R. Gutierrez helms the film described as a Romeo & Juliet-style love story set against the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead. Gutierrez and Doug Langdale co-wrote the script.

Aaron Berger and Carina Schulze will also produce. The film is aiming for a Fall 2014 release.