Category: Films

Cinesite completed more than 700 visual effects shots on BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA, including CG muzzles for eleven different breeds of dog. Cinesite was the largest single supplier of effects to the film and created the most advanced talking animal effects to ever hit the cinema screen.

ENCHANTED director Kevin Lima has been hired by Warner Bros. to direct a live action TOM THUMB tentpole film, per VARIETY.

Red Wagon's Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher will produce, and Chris Chase will exec produce.

Robert Rodat (SAVING PRIVATE RYAN) is writing the script, which will follow the story of an arrogant knight who is shrunk down to 6 inches when working to protect a princess. While thumb-sized, he learns to be a real hero.

WALTZ WITH BASHIR, an animated, foreign documentary, will not be considered in the Best Documentary category at the Academy Awards this year, and it's due to a controversial change in the rules, per THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.

New this year, a documentary feature must have had a one-week qualifying run in New York by August 31. Previously, a doc had to be screened for one week in either Los Angeles or New York, while also playing 14 three-day bookings in at least 10 states. The Academy wants to encourage theatrical distribution, but the rules change is causing grumblings.

Disney's CG-heavy Chihuahua film BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA placed first in its opening weekend with $29.3M. Per VARIETY, it's the biggest opening for Disney in October ever. The film's vfx work was done by Tippett Studio, Cinesite, Image Engine Design, K.N.B. Effects Group, Kerner Optical, Proof, Realscan 3D and Svengali Visual Effects.

Last week's winner EAGLE EYE (Paramount/DreamWorks, vfx by Sony Pictures Imageworks, The Third Floor and Kerner Optical) placed second with $17.7M and a two-week total of $54.61M.

Production I.G in collaboration with Fuji Television Network have started production on a new full length computer graphic animation feature film entitled HOTTARAKE NO SHIMA -- HARUKA TO MAHO NO KAGAMI (tentative English title: OBLIVION ISLAND: HARUKA AND THE MAGIC MIRROR).

Today, American-made 3D CG animated feature films have become a well established and recognized global reality in the entertainment industry. However, budget restrictions and lack of know-how prevented similar productions to become prevalent in Japan so far.

Writer Craig Miller has been hired to write the script for the That's-A-Wrap Productions' sci-fi action-adventure feature and television project RESISTANCE.

RESISTANCE is the story of a covert attempt by aliens from outer space to take over the Earth and a guerilla-style battle to stop them when most of the world won't believe the threat exists. What makes the story even more interesting is its focus on a band of super-smart teenagers at the center of this conflict: not only do they have to save the world but they have to deal with school, hormones and dating.

Warner Bros. is in development on a YOGI BEAR feature film, per THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Ash Brannon (co-director and co-writer of SURF'S UP) will direct.

The classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon will be a hybrid of live action and animation much like Fox's ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS and GARFIELD: THE MOVIE. A CG Yogi Bear and sidekick Boo Boo will live in a live-action world.

Seven years after the destruction of Raccoon City, Leon and Claire are back as the war against the zombies rages on in RESIDENT EVIL: DEGENERATION, a co-production of CAPCOM and Sony Pictures Ent. Japan based on the popular video game franchise.

Making its worldwide theatrical debut in Japan on October 18, 2008, RESIDENT EVIL: DEGENERATION will be exhibited in the U.S. at the New York City Horror Film Festival on November 13 and at a screening in Los Angeles on November 18 hosted by Fangoria.

Paramount Pictures will distribute Marvel Studios' next five self-produced feature films on a worldwide basis.

The deal, an extension of the original agreement made by Brad Grey when he arrived as CEO and Chairman of Paramount, includes theatrical distribution in foreign territories previously serviced by Marvel through local distribution entities (Japan, Germany, France, Spain and Australia/New Zealand). This new worldwide distribution pact capitalizes on Marvel and Paramount’s successful efforts with IRON MAN, which has grossed $574 million worldwide for Marvel.

THE NEW YORK TIMES has a story about Sylvain Chomet's desire to receive credit for his participation in the upcoming animated feature THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX.

Chomet (THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE) says he has been paid in full for his work on the film and stops short of accusing anyone of violating his contractual rights. "I feel utterly disgusted that someone else is going to take credit for all my visuals and concepts on this film," Chomet said.

Pixar's Andrew Stanton, who is currently writing and directing JOHN CARTER OF MARS, revealed that he and co-writer Mark Andrews want to put their own spin on the Edgar Rice Burroughs books, per SCI FI WIRE.

As for the look of the film, Stanton told reporters in group interview at the Pixar headquarters in Emeryville, California Thursday that," I'm going to do what I remember more than what they exactly do" in the books.

Stanton, who directed WALL-E, is deep in the writing process with Andrews. "Writing, it's all about writing this year," he said.