InThis Week in Animation News,I’ll take a look at the previous week in the world of animation in order to get you caught up on everything you might have missed. It’s your one-stop shop for news regarding cartoons, anime, and animated web series. We’re talking movies, TV shows, digital shorts, and everything in between!
If the rumors are true,Steven Spielbergmay be joining the team behind a possibleAnimaniacsreboot, bringing the popular 1990s series into the modern era. Speaking of nostalgia, we also have some beautiful and historic concept art and clips from Disney’sBambito share with you for the classic’s 75th anniversary, and we’re bringing you the news ofStudio Ghibli’s plans for aMy Neighbor Totorotheme park in Japan.
Lots of animated superhero news this week, like the reveal of new animated shorts featuring the heroes ofMarvel’s Avengers: Secret Wars, plus details on the upcomingBatman and Harley QuinnBlu-ray. There’s also the arrival of the first-ever crossover betweenLEGOandDC Super Hero Girlscoming to DVD later this year. Oh and Rooster Teeth’s fourth volume ofRWBYis now available, if you like your heroes on the indie side of things.
For the latest animation stories we’ve already covered on the site this week, take a look at the following links. Then, check out a selection of new stories below. Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Ready for Another Round of ‘Animaniacs’?
AsIndieWirereported, Amblin Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation are mulling the idea of anAnimaniacsreboot.Steven Spielberg, who shepherded the series in the early 1990s after the success of hisTiny Toon Adventuresseries, is expected to be involved with the potential reboot. Keep in mind that, despite the rampant sweep of this news across the internet, this project is still in early development; there’s currently not even a network or streaming platform locked down for the reboot to air.
However, nostalgia remains as strong as ever, and with the original run of the Emmy Award-winningAnimaniacsnow playing on Netflix, the stage is set for the return of Yakko, Wakko, and Dot. And if the Warner Siblings find success in the modern era, there’s no telling what other characters might show up as well, like Pinky and the Brain, the Goodfeathers, and Buttons and Mindy, to name but a few. Would you be interested in checking out a rebootedAnimaniacs? Let us know in the comments!
‘Marvel’s Avengers: Secret Wars’ Origin Stories Revealed!
We recently reported that Disney XD would not only be bringing Season 4 ofMarvel’s Avengersto fanslater this Junebut that the show would be tackling the “Secret Wars” storyline. In addition to the season’s one-hour premiere and follow-up episodes, Disney XD has also released animated shorts introducing the team’s newest characters. Interestingly, they all seem to focus around the young superheroine, Ms. Marvel.
Check out the origin stories of Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Ms. Marvel, Ant-Man, Wasp, and Vision below!
Ms. Marvel became a hero when she used her powers for good. Captain America reminds Ms. Marvel how her heart and compassion will always be the source of her real power.
It’s Ms. Marvel’s first official day as an Avenger! But what was supposed to be awesome, quickly turns intimidating. Will Ms. Marvel learn to trust herself and join her new team?
Vision’s heart is bigger than anyone’s (even if he is a synthetic human). Ms. Marvel is reminded of her own compassion through his story.
The chemistry and teamwork of Ant-Man and Wasp inspire Ms. Marvel to depend on her team and trust in her training.
Captain Marvel is Ms. Marvel’s favorite hero. Hearing her story helps inspire Ms. Marvel to be more tough and confident.
Ms. Marvel is inspired by Black Panther and his duty to not only the Avengers, but to his home country of Wakanda. He will do whatever it takes to protect them.
‘Batman and Harley Quinn’ Blu-ray Details, Release Date Revealed
A looming global catastrophe forces Batman and Nightwing to partner with an unlikely hero inBatman and Harley Quinn, the next entry in the popular series of DC Universe Original Movies. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the all-new, feature-length animated film arrives August 15th on Digital and August 29th on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Deluxe Giftset, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD.
Spawned from an original story by animation iconBruce Timm,Batman and Harley Quinnsees Poison Ivy and Jason Woodrue (a.k.a. The Floronic Man) embark on an ecological quest to save the planet – and, unfortunately, eliminate most of humankind along the way. To save humanity, Batman and Nightwing are forced to enlist Harley Quinn to catch Poison Ivy, Harley’s BFF and frequent partner-in-crime. But Batman’s patience is put to the test by the unpredictable and untrustworthy Harley during the twists and turns the reluctant companions face during their bumpy road trip. The result is a thrill ride of action, adventure and comedy no Batman fan has seen before.
The latest DC animated film features a stellar voice cast led byKevin Conroy(Batman: The Animated Series) reprising his role as the Dark Knight, alongsideMelissa Rauch(The Big Bang Theory) making her debut as the irrepressible Harley Quinn.Loren Lester, the voice of Robin inBatman: The Animated Series, returns as Nightwing.Paget Brewster(Criminal Minds) andKevin Michael Richardson(The Cleveland Show) provide the voices of the villainous duo Poison Ivy & Jason Woodrue, respectively.
Sam Liu(Batman: The Killing Joke) directed from an original story by Bruce Timm (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) with a teleplay written by Timm &Jim Krieg(Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox). Co-Producer isAlan Burnett(The Batman). Executive Producers areSam Registerand Bruce Timm.Benjamin MelnikerandMichael Uslanare Executive Producers.
Batman and Harley Quinnboasts enhanced content including multiple featurettes and sneak peeks into what is next for the DC Universe.
Batman and Harley Quinn Enhanced Content
Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray Deluxe Giftset, Blu-ray and Digital:
‘Bambi’ Trailer, Bonus Clips and Concept Art Emerge for the 75th Anniversary Blu-ray Release
Disney’sBambi, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, joins the Walt Disney Signature Collection. The Collection release includes a variety of new bonus material, including recordings of Walt Disney discussing the challenges and triumphs during the production ofBambi; deleted scenes and characters; stories and effects thatBambihad on the Studio, other films and artists; and much, much more. Additionally, the Digital HD release includes an exclusive, heartfelt feature on the incredible artist,Tyrus Wong, who inspired the film’s soft watercolor backgrounds and beautiful palette.Bambiis available on Digital HD, Disney Movies Anywhere now and will be coming to Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on June 6th.
The clips below showcase the early character designs and art styles that went into developing theBambiwe all know and love today, along with some of the late Tyrus Wong’s art that inspired the backgrounds that gaveBambiits unique style.
Check out deleted scenes fromBambibelow, along with new images:
RWBY Volume 4 Blu-ray Now Available!
It’s been several months since the Fall of Beacon, and the world of Remnant is still recovering. Tensions are high, lives have been lost, and the members of Team RWBY… are divided. Each of our heroines now face a journey of her own. While some must search inward if they ever hope to move on, others will venture out into the world in search of answers. Alongside the remaining members of Team JNPR, Ruby Rose has begun the long trek to the kingdom of Mistral, but the road ahead is full of surprises. New friends and enemies await, while the threat of an even larger catastrophe draws near.
It’s Also A Gun - Special Edition Includes:
you’re able to place your order onRooster Teeth’s siteand check out some images here:
‘My Neighbor Totoro’ Theme Park to Open in Japan
AsThe Japan Timesreports, Studio Ghibli Inc. will team up with Aichi Prefecture governorHideaki Omurato construct the tentatively named “Ghibli Park," which will bring to life “situations and landscapes portrayed inHayao Miyazaki’s 1988 filmMy Neighbor Totoro.” The 200-hectare known as Moricoro Park, which hosted the 2005 World Expo,will be the site of the new, expandedTotoroexperience. Details such as the size of the park and who will be in charge of it are still being worked out.
The plan includes the use of playgrounds and other existing parts of the park to host Ghibli Park to avoid felling trees, according to the governor. The current park, which was visited by 1.6 million visitors in fiscal 2016, boasts the Satsuki and Mei’s House attraction, modeled after their house inMy Neighbor Totoro.
“Studio Ghibli’s films have love toward living creatures and Earth, which fits the concept of the expo,” Omura said. “I would like to pass down this idea to future generations.”
‘My Little Pony: Equestria Girls’ Specials Coming to Discovery Family This Summer
The spirited teens ofMy Little Pony: Equestria Girlsreturn to Discovery Family with three brand new half-hour specials, where they meet new friends and embark on even more fun adventures! Full-time students and part-time magical pony-girls, the Equestria Girls are always ready to save the day with the Magic of Friendship! The premiere ofEquestria Girls: Dance Magickicks off the fun on Saturday, June 24 at 11:30a/10:30c and will stream live and on demand on Discovery Family GO, the network’s TV Everywhere app. All three specials will premiere during the network’s annual fun-filled “Summer Splash” programming event.
The three newEquestria Girlsspecials show that when you are with your squad, exciting adventures lead to more friendship lessons:
‘LEGO DC Super Hero Girls: Brain Drain’ Coming to DVD August 8th
Missing memories provide an intriguing mystery for everyone’s favorite young female protagonists in the all-new animated film,LEGO DC Super Hero Girls: Brain Drain. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC Entertainment and The LEGO® Group, the film – the first LEGO® entry in the worldwide DC Super Hero Girls franchise phenomenon – will be distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) July 15, 2025 on Digital HD and August 8th on DVD.
When Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Bumblebee and Katana suddenly realize they cannot remember a single moment from their Monday at Super Hero High, the young DC Super Heroes spring into sleuthing action! Suspecting foul-play, they band together to retrace their steps and uncover the mystery of who exactly stole their memories – and what nefarious plan might be afoot?
LEGO DC Super Hero Girls: Brain Drainvoice cast returns its core cast inGrey Griffin(Wonder Woman),Tara Strong(Harley Quinn/Poison Ivy),Anais Fairweather(Supergirl),Teala Dunn(Bumblebee) andStephanie Sheh(Katana), withAshlyn Selichjoining the group (as Batgirl). The cast also includesYvette Nicole Brown(Amanda Waller),Greg Cipes(Beast Boy),Romi Dames(Lena Luthor),John DiMaggio(Gorilla Grodd, Wildcat),Jennifer Hale(Mad Harriet),Josh Keaton(Flash),Tom Kenny(Gordon),Rachael MacFarlane(Artemiz),Mona Marshall(Eclipso),Khary Payton(Cyborg) andMeredith Salenger(Lashina).
Todd Grimes(Back at the Barnyard, Star Wars: Detours) directsLEGO® DC Super Hero Girls: Brain Drainfrom a script byJeremy Adams(Justice League Action, LEGO® Scooby-Doo).Rick Moralesserves as producer, withSam Register,Jill WilfertandRobert Fewkesas executive producers.
Following the success of two home entertainment releases for theDC Super Hero Girls franchise –DC Super Hero Girls: Super Hero HighandDC Super Hero Girls: Intergalactic Games, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has brought together two of the world’s most recognizable brands in DC and LEGO for their first combined DC Super Hero Girls franchise production. The DC Super Hero Girls franchise aims to empower and connect with young girls through the brand’s vast digital content networks across LEGO.com, DCSuperHeroGirls.com, YouTube and social media.
“Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is excited to unite two extremely popular brands – LEGO® and DC Entertainment – to present the first ever LEGO® DC Super Hero Girls film,” saidMary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing. “Animated feature-length movies featuring DC Super Hero Girls and LEGO are extremely popular amongst our fans, so we look forward to bringing this first collaboration to life.”
Barcelona’s Cartoon 360 Spotlights International Animation Projects
Varietyhas a look at some of the promising new animation projects to come out of Barcelona’s fourthCartoon 360event, with the aim of promoting “the development and production of digital contents based on European animation for unlimited formats and devices.” Check some of them out below!
‘The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole’ Adaptation Lands at Fox Animation
Deadline reports that Fox Animation has landed the adaptation ofMichelle Cuevas' children’s book,The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole. The book will be published in September by Dial Books for Young Readers. The project is being set up forMatt Reeves(War for the Planet of the Apes) to produce through his 6th and Idaho production company. Fox Animation is also developing another of Cuevas' tales,Confessions of an Imaginary Friend.
Here’s the synopsis ofThe Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole(viaAmazon):
When eleven-year-old Stella Rodriguez shows up at NASA to request that her recording be included in Carl Sagan’s Golden Record, something unexpected happens: A black hole follows her home, and sets out to live in her house as a pet. The black hole swallows everything he touches, which is challenging to say the least—but also turns out to be a convenient way to get rid of those items that Stella doesn’t want around. Soon the ugly sweaters her aunt has made for her all disappear within the black hole, as does the smelly class hamster she’s taking care of, and most important, all the reminders of her dead father that are just too painful to have around.
It’s not until Stella, her younger brother, Cosmo, the family puppy, and even the bathroom tub all get swallowed up by the black hole that Stella comes to realize she has been letting her own grief consume her. And that’s not the only thing she realizes as she attempts to get back home. This is an astonishingly original and funny adventure with a great big heart.
