Disney Announces Animation Slate Through 2012
--Disney's BOLT, which is scheduled for a Nov. 26 release this year in Disney Digital 3D, will have HANNAH MONTANA'S Miley Cyrus voicing opposite John Travolta, in this feature directed by Chris Williams and Byron Howard. For super-dog Bolt (voiced by Travolta), every day is filled with adventure, danger and intrigue -- at least until the cameras stop rolling. When the canine star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, he begins his biggest adventure yet -- a cross-country journey through the real world. Armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and with the help of two unlikely traveling companions -- a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens (voiced by Susie Essman), and TV-obsessed hamster in a plastic ball named Rhino -- Bolt discovers he doesn't need superpowers to be a hero. Cyrus brings her vocal talents to the role of Penny, Bolt's human co-star on the television series.
--Disney's THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, the studio's much anticipated return to traditional animation, will bow Christmas 2009. Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements (THE LITTLE MERMAID and ALADDIN), the New Orleans-based musical features frogs, voodoo and a singing alligator. Produced by Peter Del Vecho, THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG boasts the voice talent of Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Jennifer Lewis and John Goodman. Oscar-winning composer Randy Newman sets it all to a jazzy score.
--Pixar's TOY STORY 3 will bow June 18, 2010 in Disney Digital 3D, directed by Lee Unkrich (co-director of TOY STORY 2), produced by Darla K. Anderson and written by LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE'S Oscar-winning Michael Arndt. Voice talent includes Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, Estelle Harris, John Ratzenberger and Ned Beatty. Composer Newman is back on board too. The only plot detail revealed was that it begins with Woody and Buzz's owner, Andy, set to leave for college.
--Disney's RAPUNZEL has been set for a Christmas 2010 release in Disney Digital 3D. Directed by famed animator Glen Keane and Dean Wellins, the classic fairy tale will get an innovative, painterly 3D approach. Roy Conli serves as producer.
In addition, the first four in a series of direct-to-DVD/Blu-ray films featuring Disney Fairies from DisneyToon Studios were unveiled:
--TINKER BELL (Oct. 28 of this year), directed by Bradley Raymond and produced by Jeannine Roussel, introduces the characters of Pixie Hollow, in which the legendary Tinker Bell tries to change who she is when she doesn't believe that she is special.
--TINKER BELL NORTH OF NEVERLAND (a 2009 release), directed by Klay Hall and produced by Sean Lurie, has Tink being entrusted with crafting a great treasure that can rejuvenate the Pixie Dust Tree.
--TINKER BELL A MIDSUMMER STORM (set for 2010), directed by Carolyn Gair and produced by Margot Pipkin, has Tink confronting antagonist Vidia without considering the dire consequences.
--TINKER BELL A WINTER STORY (a 2011 release), produced by Sean Lurie, completes the cycle of seasons with Tink.
The studio also reaffirmed first-time 3D theatrical releases for the first two TOY STORY films on Oct. 2, 2009, and Feb.12, 2010.
Commenting on the announcement, Cook said, "We couldn't be more proud and excited about our upcoming line-up of feature projects. With so many great films literally on the drawing boards and computer screens, we felt that now was the perfect time to give moviegoers all over the world an update on the state of our art. In a year when our studio is marking the 80th anniversary of Mickey Mouse, the character that started it all for us, it seems especially timely to share our plans for the future of animation. With John Lasseter and Ed Catmull guiding our creative efforts both at Emeryville and in Burbank, this is as exciting a time as any in our history."























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