Illumination’s Sing 2 is the highly-anticipated follow-up to their blockbuster 2016 musical hit. The main voice cast is back, along with director Garth Jennings. Sing 2 opens in theaters this Wednesday Dec. 22. In this Animation Scoop Q&A, Jennings discusses trying to top the original, bringing Bono on board, and the franchise’s cool connection to […]
Archive for the ‘Universal’ Category
INTERVIEW: Director Garth Jennings Makes Triumphant Return With “Sing 2”
December 16th, 2021 
Jackson Murphy 
Universal Unveils 2021 “Universal Animation Writers Program”
July 14th, 2021 Jerry Beck Universal Filmed Entertainment Group today announced the writers selected to participate in the newly launched 2021 Universal Animation Writers Program, a first-of-its-kind animation writing program for both feature film and television content. The Studio is proud to welcome its inaugural group of participants: Shari Coleman, Kiana Johnson, Senibo Myers, David Ngo and Joe Winters. These […]
INTERVIEW: Tom McGrath Brings “The Boss Baby” Back For “Family Business”
June 28th, 2021 Jackson Murphy DreamWorks The Boss Baby was a box office smash hit in 2017 and earned longtime studio director Tom McGrath (Madagascar, Megamind) an Oscar nomination. Now comes sequel The Boss Baby: Family Business, which opens in theaters and debuts on Peacock this Friday July 2nd. McGrath discusses what inspired the follow-up, some of the smaller detailed […]
TRAILER: Illumination’s “Sing 2”
June 24th, 2021 Jerry Beck Sing 2 is written and directed by acclaimed returning filmmaker Garth Jennings and features additional new characters played by music superstar Pharrell Williams, Black Panther’s Letitia Wright and comedians Eric Andre and Chelsea Peretti. The film is produced by Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and by Janet Healy. This new chapter in Illumination’s animated […]
INTERVIEW: Director Elaine Bogan Unleashes “Spirit Untamed”
May 31st, 2021 Jackson Murphy DreamWorks Animation is opening two new animated movies in theaters over a five-week period. Sequel The Boss Baby: Family Business debuts on July 2nd. But first up – this Friday June 4th – is Spirit Untamed. Director Elaine Bogan re-imagines the popular Netflix Spirit: Riding Free TV series with this epic and heartwarming feature. She […]
Season Three Full Trailer: “Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous”
April 22nd, 2021 Jerry Beck DreamWorks Animation is very excited to debut the full trailer for the highly-anticipated third season of Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, premiering globally on Netflix May 21st, 2021. The trailer provides a peek into the campers uncovering more details of Dr. Wu’s secret research, and realizing that they must take fate into their own hands with […]
UPDATED WITH TRAILER: Universal “The Croods: A New Age”
September 17th, 2020 Jerry Beck Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation’s The Croods: A New Age will move up from December 23th, 2020, to Wednesday, November 25, 2020 in a wide release. Will it play theaters – or go to streaming? No one can say – but the studio is determined to go head to head with Pixar’s Soul and become […]
INTERVIEW: Scott Kreamer Welcomes You To “Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous”
September 14th, 2020 Jackson Murphy A new chapter of the Jurassic era is born with the debut of animated series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous this Friday September 18th on Netflix. Five-time Emmy-nominated executive producer and showrunner Scott Kreamer talks Dinos, Dominion and getting the Spielberg seal of approval. Jackson Murphy: What was the initial inspiration for wanting to add an […]
TEASER for TRAILER of “Minions: The Rise of Gru”
February 2nd, 2020 Jerry Beck This summer, from the biggest animated franchise in history and global cultural phenomenon, comes the untold story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain, in Minions: The Rise of Gru. The feature – directed by Kyle Balda – opens on July 3rd. In the meantime, because we know you can’t wait, here […]
Cast from ‘Secret Life of Pets’ Reprise Their Roles in Universal Studios Ride, “Off the Leash!”
January 22nd, 2020 Jerry Beck The voice talent behind the lovable furry stars of Illumination’s global blockbuster hits The Secret Life of Pets and The Secret Life of Pets 2 unleash their animal instincts to reprise their roles in Universal Studios Hollywood’s lively new ride, “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!,” opening in Spring 2020, which answer the […]
Executive Producers Tim Hedrick and Bret Haaland “Fast and the Furious: Spy Racers”
December 23rd, 2019 Jackson Murphy The “Fast and the Furious” franchise is getting animated with DreamWorks’ new series Fast & Furious: Spy Racers, premiering Dec. 26th on Netflix. Executive Producers Tim Hedrick and Bret Haaland share insights on their family-friendly entry in this saga – and working with Vin Diesel. Jackson Murphy: Were you fans of the “Fast & Furious” saga […]
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Tags: Dreamworks TV Animation, Fast and Furious, Universal Pictures 
No Comments » Universal and Dreamworks Announce Exclusive Deals With “Dragon’s” Dean DeBlois
December 18th, 2019 Jerry Beck Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation today announced that the studios have entered into production agreements with Dean DeBlois, the Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe-winning filmmaker behind DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, which has collectively grossed more than $1.6 billion globally, and his recently formed Anvil Pictures banner. Universal will have a first-look […]
Universal Kids Launches “Powerbirds” on January 19th
December 11th, 2019 Jerry Beck Universal Kids (previously Sprout!) has announced the launch date of its new preschool series Powerbirds – premiering on Sunday, January 19th at 10am ET/PT. Parakeet siblings Ace and Polly at first glance seem like ordinary pets, but they’re not your average birds, both possessing special super powers. Inspired by their owner Max’s love of comic […]
FIRST LOOK: Universal, DreamWorks, Netflix “Fast & Furious: Spy Racers”
November 18th, 2019 Jerry Beck Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation have released first look images and announced the cast of the Netflix original series Fast & Furious: Spy Racers, based on Universal’s multi-billion dollar franchise. The series is executive produced by Vin Diesel, Neal H. Moritz, Chris Morgan, Tim Hedrick and Bret Haaland and is slated to debut on Netflix […]
TRAILER: Dreamworks “Trolls World Tour”
November 14th, 2019 Jerry Beck Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Another Trolls movie. But take a look at this trailer. It’s funny. It looks cool. Trolls World Tour is directed by Walt Dohrn, who served as co-director on the original Trolls, and is produced by returning producer Gina Shay. The film is co-directed by David P. Smith and co-produced […]
