Thursday, January 3, 2008

Bolt & Beyond...


I've noticed a lot of e-mails complaining about the artwork that was released for "Bolt" last week. I knew when I first saw it that some fans of Disney and Chris Sanders would take offense at this pic. But everyone needs to give it a bit of time. You can't really judge a whole film based on one publicity pic. And it is a publicity pic friends. This isn't a shot from the film. From what my sources at Disney say, it appears that the animators are quite happy with the way "Bolt" is turning out. Now, they're not saying it's going to be the next "The Little Mermaid", but they are saying that it's a far better story and a much more cohesive story than what Walt Disney Feature Animation has been putting out over the last four or five years. It's meant to be an endearing story that evokes what made Disney stories so charming back in the early days of Disney feature animation... it's not supposed to be a film that Ariel, Belle or Jasmine would feel comfortable in...

for that you have to wait for "The Princess and the Frog" in 2009. That will be a return to the grandeur of those classic "Princess" films. I've heard the people working on this production and "Rapunzel" are impressed at the strong narrative Lasseter has got the story crews working on. They're sweeping, epic and classic fairy tales that will sure to please veteran animation lovers and create a whole new generation of animation fans. The artwork for "Princess" is said to be stunning and Rapunzel's moving painting look is going to take CG into new terrain.

For those of you that think Rapunzel is a reversal of making hand drawn animation, fear not... Lasseter has been looking over several pitches and is about to approve the second hand-drawn animated feature of his reign.

So please don't judge "Bolt" by that one pic. Judge it by the film you see in a darkened theater this November. If what I've heard is correct, many of you doubters will become true believers. Don't you think John Lasseter deserves you wait until you see his first production before you declare it a failure?

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why don't people like the picture of Bolt? I loved it, much better than the other dog we saw a while ago! Can't wait to see it, but I heard Europe has to wait until 2009 :(

Anonymous said...

Because he looks like Scrappy Doo. At any rate, if the problem with American Dog / Bolt was the story why then would they change the amazing character designs that Sanders came up with? Just change the story and leave Scrappy Doo out of it.

cola boy said...

Hey...the movie's got a hamster in it! I think that's a first for Disney. I personally can't wait to see it.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the article, Honor. Looking forward to these.

Any word on the release dates of Princess and the Frog and Rapunzel? I read something about Frog not being released until March 2010 because Bob Zemeckis's Christmas Carol was taking the winter slot in 2009. And since Toy Story 3 is being released winter 2010, does that mean Rapunzel will be shown summer 2010, or will it be pushed to 2011?

Anonymous said...

"It's meant to be an endearing story that evokes what made Disney stories so charming back in the early days of Disney feature animation"


Uh, to my recollection, that would include Snow White. This don't look like no Snow White to me.

Unknown said...

I'm excited about this.

I can't wait for everyone to start considering Pixar films as Disney films. There is no difference any longer!

Thanks, Honor!

Anonymous said...

Steve Hulett, an Animation Guild representative has his own blog, the Animation Guild Blog, and he visits Disney Animation Studios every week or so. What he's mentioned about Bolt coincides pretty well with what Honor's written.

hamletprimeiro said...

I am very excited about all this new animated Disney movies. Including Bolt. The problem with that picture is: it's looks to generic. Without a personal touch (this is frequent in this marketing images). But I have total confidence that the creators at Disney Animation are doing a good job. I believe that when we see Bolt animated will be great and full of life. It's possible for Disney have two structures? One for hand drawn animation and other for CG animation. How John and Ed will manage this ? A post about this would be great Honor.

Rogério
São Paulo, Brazil

Anonymous said...

Releases:

A Chsristmas Carol: 6th November 2009

The Princess And the Frog: 18th December 2009

Alice´s Remake (by Tim Burton): sure March-April 2010

Toy Story III: summer 2010

Rapunzel: Christmas 2010.

Sure, the new 2D movie beyond Rapunzel, will be SNOW QUEEN for 2011 and, posibility, a Scotish princess for Disney/Pixar for 2011

Anonymous said...

gnomeo, are you sure about what you said? Expecially about The Snow Queen as the top secret next 2d project? Do you know that there are people that would die for a news like this?
I really hope you are right!!!
And what about Ramayana? Unconfirmed rumors say that it will be the next 2d project...

Anonymous said...

Hi!! I know you from a italian forum!! I´m not really sure! But 'Snow Queen' is in storyboards revision by Lasseter last April 2007 or summer 2007 and Ramayana is only a rumor for 2012 with Musicana (a new Fantasia) because Disney/Pixar trilogy 'John Carter of Mars' for 2012 too, will be a live action film with background-animation and its for to present two animated movie each year. But... for disney 2011? I Think will be Snow Queen because is the favourite fable of Lasseter.

PD: Sorry for my english. I´m spanish and i know talk French and to write initalian.

XD!

Brad said...

"I can't wait for everyone to start considering Pixar films as Disney films. There is no difference any longer!"

Yes there is.
Pixar animators work in San Fran.
Disney animators work in Burbank.

Just because they change the corporate banner in front of the film doesn't mean that this will change the quality of the film. Management, directors and even artists are different from one location to another.

In fact, 'BuenaVista pictures' is owned by Disney, but they don't want you to call them 'Disney pictures' because they contain things like violence... and violence is bad for the 'Disney' name.

Names are just Names. Who does the work in making the film is what is important. Right now that is what continues to separate 'Disney' from 'Pixar'.

Anonymous said...

Ramayana? Musicana? What are these? Are they just guesses or do you have inside info?

Anonymous said...

Ramayana? This is an animated project that Disney is working on? Is it up on boards? Who is doing it?

Anonymous said...

"Hi!! I know you from a italian forum!! I´m not really sure! But 'Snow Queen' is in storyboards revision by Lasseter last April 2007 or summer 2007 and Ramayana is only a rumor for 2012 with Musicana (a new Fantasia) because Disney/Pixar trilogy 'John Carter of Mars' for 2012 too, will be a live action film with background-animation and its for to present two animated movie each year. But... for disney 2011? I Think will be Snow Queen because is the favourite fable of Lasseter.

PD: Sorry for my english. I´m spanish and i know talk French and to write initalian.

XD!"

Thank you very much gnomeo....
Yes, I am italian and I write in a wonderful italian Disney forum. Glad you know it!!!
I really hope you are right!!
The snow queen will be a perfect Disney picture...

Honor Hunter said...

Snow Queen, based on HCA's story? Ramayana based on the old Indian tale?

Wonder where you guys heard of that?

Hmmm...

Anonymous said...

[DCHall- "...does that mean Rapunzel will be shown summer 2010, or will it be pushed to 2011?"]

Yahoo reports that it will be released in 2011, Christmas time.