Award-winning digital production company Animal Logic bolsters its LA commercials and short form studio with a larger team, new location and an impressive slate of recently completed projects.

Leading kids and family entertainment specialist DECODE Enterprises, the distribution subsidiary of DHX Media Ltd., has scored a hat trick of deals with Australian broadcasters across its slate of standout preschool entertainment.

Disney's D23 Expo has been a wealth of news for the studio's big upcoming films.

Relativity and Universal will partner to make the 3-D underwater drama SANCTUM, reports VARIETY.

HANCOCK is coming back. Columbia has just hired Adam Fierro (THE SHIELD/DEXTER) and Glen Mazzara (CRASH/LIFE) to pen the sequel. In 2008, the original film grossed $624M worldwide.

The HollywoodReporter notes both Will Smith and helmer Peter Berg will both return. Plot details are yet still unknown.

Variety reports James Cameron's underwater survival drama, SANCTUM, has secured funding. Wayfare Entertainment has committed to finance the $30M 3-D film that plans to shoot with James Cameron’s AVATAR cameras and 3-D technology.

Sony Pictures Entertainment has landed screenwriter James Vanderbilt to pen SPIDER-MAN 5 and SPIDER-MAN 6, reports
Variety.

Vanderbilt was the first writer onboard SPIDER-MAN 4. Director Sam Raimi then brought in playwright David Lindsay-Abaire to rewrite his script and Gary Ross to perform final rewrites, before the 2010 shoot begins.

Asian actor/singer, Jay Chou, will replace Stephen Chow as Kato in THE GREEN HORNET. According to the HollywoodReporter Chou and Seth Rogen are confirmed to be the new crime-fighting team for Columbia’s THE GREEN HORNET, under Michel Gondry’s direction.

Chou, born in Taiwan, transitioned from singer to actor with a lead role in the 2005 comedy, INITIAL D. In 2006, he appeared in CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER, alongside Chow Yun-Fat and Gong Li.

Press Release by Activision

Santa Monica, California (Aug 05, 2009) -- Activision Blizzard, Inc. today announced better-than-expected financial results for the second quarter 2009.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2009, Activision Blizzard’s GAAP net revenues were $1,038 million, and its non-GAAP net revenues were $801 million. The company’s prior GAAP net revenue outlook for the quarter was $1 billion. On a non-GAAP basis, the company’s net revenue outlook was $775 million.

Producer Alex Garcia plans to bring the Hanna-Barbara TV cartoon, TOP CAT, to new life reports Variety.

Garcia will pair with Anima Studios for the animated feature as WB preps for a summer 2011 or 2012 release across Latin America. The former finance exec. has also partnered with Santa Barbara-based Nala Films, the Rovzar Bros.' Lemon Films in Mexico and Argentina's Costa Films.

Garcia’s grandfather, Arturo de Cordova, was a screen icon from Mexico’s Golden Age.

Press Release from Ottawa Animation Festival

From October 14-18, 2009, hundreds of international animators will descend on Canada’s capital with one goal in mind: capturing one of the prizes up for grabs at this year’s Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF).

Columbia's BATTLE: LOS ANGELES had added Michelle Rodriguez, Michael Pena and Bridget Moynahan to the cast, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Aaron Eckhart will stars in the sci-fi flick, which begins filming this fall.

Directed by Jonathan Liebesman follows a Marine staff sergeant (Eckhart) and his new platoon as the try to repel an alien invasion on the Los Angeles streets.

Press Release from IMAX Corporation

LOS ANGELES, July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sony Pictures Animation and IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ: IMAX; TSX: IMX) today announced that CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS, an adaptation of the bestselling children's book written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett, written for the screen and directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, will be released to IMAX(R) theatres simultaneously with the film's wide release on September 18, 2009.

Paul W.S. Anderson and producing partner Jeremy Bolt (RESIDENT EVIL franchise) have purchased the film rights to fantasy novel THE WARDED MAN from Peter V. Brett, per THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.

Anderson is attached to direct and produce along with Bolt. Stephanie Johnson will exec produce, after bringing the novel to the duo's attention. Anderson and Bolt got the rights via their respective production companies: Tannhauser Gate and Bolt Pictures.

Press Release from Walden Media and Twentieth Century Fox

Press Release from Autodesk

Shanghai, CHINA, July 28, 2009 -- The Animation Public Technical Service Platform of Shanghai (APTSP) has created China's first post-production training center, to grow high-end animation and post-production public services, train local talent and showcase innovative technology. APTSP offers complete, data-centric workflows that include Autodesk, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: ADSK) Autodesk Flame and Autodesk Inferno visual effects systems, Autodesk Smoke editorial finishing system, and Autodesk Lustre digital color-grading system.

Press Release from DECODE Enterprises

Leading kids and family entertainment specialist DECODE Enterprises, the distribution subsidiary of DHX Media Ltd., has scored a major package deal with TG4, selling six of its animated series to the Irish channel.

Press Release from PPC Enterprises

PPC Enterprises has announced major international sub-agency representation deals for two of its hottest brands: MONTY PYTHON and PINKY AND PERKY.

The new deals will see both brands taken into new territories by two hugely respected agencies: Alicom will be representing them in Scandinavia, whilst Grahame Grassby will be taking the reins in Australia and New Zealand.

At SIGGRAPH this year, an added focus will highlight music and audio in their significant relationship with computer graphics and interactive techniques.

Nicolas Cage is in early talks with Columbia Pictures to play the gangster villain in THE GREEN HORNET, reports VARIETY.

Cameron Diaz has been in discussions to play a reporter and love interest to Seth Rogan's masked crime fighter. Michel Gondry is directing the film, set for a fall start date. Last week, the studio announced they were looking to replace Stephen Chow as sidekick Kato.

The film is set for a summer 2010 release.

Rogen and writing partner Evan Goldberg wrote the script. Neal Moritz is producing via his Original Films banner.