TRAILER: Aniventure and Viva Present HITPIG!

TRAILER: Aniventure and Viva Present HITPIG!

August 16th, 2024

Lauren Ashton

The upcoming animated feature film, HITPIG! is to be released exclusively in theaters in the United States on November 1st of this year. With animation by Cinesite (The Addams Family 2, Iwájú, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem), the film is produced by Aniventure (Animal Farm, Stitch Head) and distributed by Viva Pictures (2023 Sundance Film Festival selection The Amazing Maurice).

Jason Sudeikis plays Hitpig: a witty bounty hunter who captures escaped animals and returns their owners. His next gig is his most important: he is to return Pickles, a dancing elephant (played by Lily Singh), to a deranged Vegas showman (played by Rainn Wilson). For a one million dollar reward, the assignment suddenly becomes a wild journey that takes the characters all over the world. When the going gets tough, it’s up to the titular character to save everyone, but he can’t do it by himself. Throughout this mission, he considers that some things in life may be worth more than a good payday. It’s an adventure that leads to a priceless discovery: friends are the greatest reward of all. The new film is based on the New York Times bestseller Pete & Pickles from Pulitzer Prize-winner Berkeley Breathed.

Featuring an exciting cast of incredible talent, HITPIG! stars The all-star voice cast features Emmy© winner Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso, The Angry Birds Movie) as the titular bounty hunter Hitpig, joined by Emmy© nominee Lilly Singh (The Muppets Mayhem, Riverdance: The Animated Adventure) as Pickles, the dancing elephant; Rainn Wilson (The Office) as villainous Vegas showman The Leapin’ Lord of the Leotard; Emmy© winner RuPaul (RuPaul’s Drag Race) as the sassy and a little gassy Polecat; GRAMMY-nominated rap artist Flavor Flav as the lobster-loving Host of “King Chef for the Day”; Emmy©-winning comedian Hannah Gadsby (Hannah Gadsby: Nanette) as the dangerously adorable Lola the Koala; global pop superstar Anitta as fur-eedom fighter Letícia Dos Anjos; Lorraine Ashbourne (Bridgerton, The Crown) as Hitpig’s mama mentor Big Bertha the Bounty Hunter; Andy Serkis (Planet of the Apes, Lord of the Rings) as primetime’s most famous Newscaster; Charlie Adler (Transformers franchise) as superhero film star Super Rooster; and Shelby Young (Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga) as Catchvan Voice.

Directed by David Feiss (Cow & Chicken, Minions: The Rise of Gru) and Cinzia Angelini (Mila, Minions), HITPIG! is produced by Adam Nagle (Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, Cracké) and Dave Rosenbaum (Animal Farm, The Secret Life of Pets). Featuring a music score from Isabella Summers of Florence & the Machine, the film’s screenplay comes from Dave Rosenbaum and Tyler Werrin (The Lorax), with story by Berkeley Breathed.

“We are delighted to see indie animation continuing on its incredible growth trajectory at the theatrical level. With HITPIG!’s witty humor, thrilling adventures, and a touching story about friendship and self-discovery, the title is a standout addition to our slate,” expressed the CEO of Viva Pictures. Victor Elizalde.

“Viva Pictures has proven themselves to be one of the best and most efficient distributors of animated family films in the business. They have continued to believe in the importance of the theatrical experience for families, and we’re excited to be partnering with them on bringing HITPIG! to the big screen,” continued Joe Della Rosa. the executive producer and Aniventure’s Chief Commercial Officer.

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Lauren Ashton

Lauren Ashton is a Los Angeles-based writer. She has also taught stop-motion animation and film history since 2020, and holds a BFA in Acting from The California Institute of the Arts. Lauren has previously worked with Walt Disney Imagineering, and since graduating from CalArts, she has worked at Spellbound Inc. (a YouTube Production Company), Gnomon School of Animation, and written plays and sketch comedy for various theaters.