In This Week in Animation News, I’ll take a look at the previous week in the world of animation 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!
This week saw Universal and Illumination Entertainment’s filmDespicable Me 3crossing $1 billion at the worldwide box office, a very impressive feat. In other movie news,The LEGO Ninjago Moviehas unveiled new character posters and a featurette, whileLupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostrodrops two trailers–one new, one vintage–ahead of the film’s theatrical re-release. And ifFrozen’s soundtrack still plays in your head, you’ll want to sample the new songs from the short film,Olaf’s Frozen Adventure.
On the TV side, we have an early look at a new guest star and surprise villain coming to next week’s episode ofMarvel’s Spider-Man. If you’re a fan ofThe Powerpuff Girls, you’ll want to keep an eye on Cartoon Network next Sunday to find out the identity of the fourth hero! We also have an update on Netflix’sTrollhuntersas to the Season 1 DVD release date and premiere date for Season 2. All that and more follows below.
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!
‘Despicable Me 3’ Boosted by International Box Office
Universal and Illumination Entertainment’s latest animated featureDespicable Me 3crossed$1 billion at the worldwide box officethis week, making the franchise the highest-grossing animated film series ever on a global scale.Varietyreports that theDespicable Memovies have surpassed theShrekfranchise globally, as well as theIce Ageseries internationally.Despicable Me 3also becomes the 31st film ever to earn $1 billion and is now the 6th highest-earning animated film.
Illumination bossChris Meledandrisaid, “The enduring success of ‘Despicable Me’ and ‘Minions’ is a testament to the extraordinary talent of the team at Illumination and Illumination Mac Guff, combined with the world’s greatest studio, Universal. Our passion for creating memorable experiences is on display in ‘Despicable Me 3,’ and we thank fans for taking this chapter to a billion-dollar milestone.”
Three-quarters of the billion-dollar box office came from international territories, so clearly Gru and his Minions are still power players on both the domestic and worldwide stages. TheDespicable Mefilms' success has played a huge role in earning Illumination’s animated slate more than $5.7 billion. Impressive stuff!
‘Marvel’s Spider-Man’ to Feature Guest Star Sofia Carson as Sandgirl
Descendants 2starSofia Carsonguest stars onMarvel’s Spider-Mannext Saturday, September 16th at7:00-7:30 A.M. EDTon Disney XD and the Disney XD app.
In the episode, titled “Sandman”, Spider-Man meets the powerful, yet uncontrollable Sandman and helps him reunite with his estranged daughter with the help of the Venom symbiote.
Carson voices Keemia, the estranged daughter of Flint Marko, who is also known as Sandman. Keemia can best be described as smart, cunning and vengeful. She also possesses superpowers, which you can glimpse below:
‘The LEGO Ninjago Movie’ Posters and Featurette Kick the Bricks
A new animated adventure in Warner Bros. Pictures’ LEGO® franchise, “The LEGO NINJAGO® Movie” stars Dave Franco, Justin Theroux, Michael Peña, Fred Armisen, Kumail Nanjiani, Abbi Jacobson, Zach Woods, Olivia Munn, and the legendary Jackie Chan.
In this big-screen NINJAGO adventure, the battle for NINJAGO City calls to action young Master Builder Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja, along with his friends, who are all secret ninja warriors. Led by Master Wu, as wise-cracking as he is wise, they must defeat evil warlord Garmadon, The Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be Lloyd’s dad. Pitting mech against mech and father against son, the epic showdown will test this fierce but undisciplined team of modern-day ninjas who must learn to check their egos and pull together to unleash their inner power of Spinjitzu.
Jackie Chan stars as Master Wu; Justin Theroux is Garmadon; Dave Franc plays Lloyd; and Olivia Munnis Lloyd’s mom, Koko. Making up the secret ninja crew, Michael Peñais Kai; Fred Armisenvoices Cole; Kumail Nanjiani is Jay; Abbi Jacobsonplays Nya; and Zach Woodsvoices Zane.
The film is slated to open onSeptember 22, 2017, in both 3D and 2D formats.
‘The Powerpuff Girls’ to Introduce a Fourth Hero
There’s a new Powerpuff Girl in Townsville…but you’ll have to tune in to Cartoon Network to meet her! Join Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup as Cartoon Network unveils an all-new, superpowered, fourth Powerpuff Girl duringThe Powerpuff Girls: Power of Four, premieringSunday, Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m.(ET/PT).
In the five-part movie event, the Powerpuff Girls’ life as superheroes is turned upside down—and all four Powerpuff Girls must band together and use their strengths and smarts to save their beloved city of Townsville from forces of evil that are bigger than ever.
‘Trollhunters’ Season 1 DVD Release Date Confirmed; Season 2 Coming Soon
Netflix’s excellent animated seriesTrollhunterswill be arriving on DVD November 7th! No word yet on whether or not a Blu-ray version will be available, but the good news is that Season 2 is on the way. Even better news, the lateAnton Yelchinwill still be the voice of Jim Lake Jr. throughout the season since he recorded his performances before his untimely passing.
Guillermo del Toroand the show’s writers/producersDan & Kevin Hagemanconfirmed that Season 2 will be here sooner than you know it!
Listen to Tracks from ‘Olaf’s Frozen Adventure’
AsEWreports, new song snippets from the short featuretteOlaf’s Frozen Adventurehave emerged!Frozenvoice actorsIdina Menzel,Josh Gad, andKristen Bellreturn to reprise their roles and lend their voices to all new songs written byElyssa SamselandKate Anderson.
John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Disney and Pixar animation, had this to say about the short earlier in the summer, appropriately:
“People forget that the first movie took place in the middle of summer, so this is really the first holiday season after the girls have come together, but what they’re realizing is that because they were separated for so long, they don’t have any family traditions. So, Olaf is so sad about this that he decides to step out with Sven the reindeer to go around Arendelle to find the greatest family tradition for Anna and Elsa.”
Olaf’s Frozen Adventurewill premiere ahead ofCocoon November 22nd. The full-lengthFrozensequel will hit theaters July 18, 2025.
Check out a sampling of the songs below:
‘SuperMansion’ Halloween Special Headed to NYCC 2017
In the all-new stop-motion animated Crackle original specialSuperMansion: Drag Me to Halloween, premiering Thursday, October 5th on the free streaming network, the League of Freedom experiences all the fun and adventures of Halloween.
It’s Titanium Rex’s (voice ofBryan Cranston) least favorite night of the year, fraught with beautiful ghosts, demonic spirits, evil dentists, and even some unforeseen attractions mixed in. Special guests include comediansLake Bellas Millicent andPhil LaMarr. In addition to Cranston, the special guests joinSuperMansionstarsKeegan-Michael Key(voice of American Ranger),Jillian Bell(voice of Viking Woman, Clown Girl),Tucker Gilmore(voice of Black Saturn),Zeb Wells(voice of Robobot) andHeidi Gardner(voice of Cooch).
‘Marvel Super Hero Adventures’ Aimed at Preschool Audiences
Marvel Entertainment is proud to announce a landmark, multi-platform content program for Marvel’s youngest fans:Marvel Super Hero Adventures! Through both animation and publishing, preschool children and young readers will have a gateway into the Marvel Universe with a robust slate of content.Marvel Super Hero Adventuresstories touch on the aspirational themes of friendship, helping others and, of course, heroism. The content will also be supported by exciting new offerings across comic books, graphic novels and merchandise including toys, lifestyle and apparel.
Beginning this Fall, Marvel Animation is set to launch a season of 10 short-form episodes across multiple platforms. This is Marvel’s first pre-school audience focused production, with each 3.5-minute animated episode featuring Spider-Man in an epic team-up with other Marvel heroes. Classic iconic heroes like Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Captain America and Ant-Man, as well as emerging favorites like Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Wasp and Ms. Marvel will make appearances in the episodes. Platforms and launch date for this short-form series will be announced at a later date.
Continuing into fall is theMarvel Super Hero Adventurespre-school product line from Hasbro, featuring exciting new character tie-ins and play experiences inspired by the anticipated Marvel Animation. Further merchandise rollouts include wide offerings across toys and apparel with supportive collaborations from Mad Engine, Jay Fanco, GBG, Jakks Pacific and others–all representative of the major categories for Marvel preschoolers. AdditionalMarvel Super Hero Adventuresproducts will debut throughout October during Marvel Mania, Marvel’s celebratory campaign spanning marquee retailers including Walmart, Target, Toys R Us and more.
Additionally, debuting in September, is a series of early-reader chapter books joining the existing line of popularMarvel Super Hero Adventures activity books and storybooks. The first chapter book, “Deck the Malls!” from Marvel Press, written byMacKenzie CadenheadandSean Ryan, illustrated byDerek Laufman, features Spider-Man and Spider-Gwen in a fully illustrated adventure with a bonus one-page comic. Three more chapter books and an expanding publishing program will continue through 2018 and beyond. TheSuper Hero Adventuresmerchandising program is led by a core toy collaboration with Hasbro.
TheMarvel Super Heroes Adventurescontent program launches in synergy with an expanded line of cross-category merchandise at retail this Fall. With enhanced marketing support and retail presence this year, the retail statement will expand even more in Spring ’18.
For the first time ever, Fathom Events and Eleven Arts bring legendary director Hayao Miyazaki’s directorial debut film, LUPIN THE 3RD: THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO, to U.S. cinemas nationwide for a special two-day event on September 14 and 19 only!
Ranked 5th on Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs’ list of Best Anime, The Castle of Cagliostro tell the tale of Lupin III, a renowned international thief, and his adventure to the small European duchy of Cagliostro to investigate some excellently-forged money. There, Lupin III stumbles across a national conspiracy going back some hundreds of years! This exciting event also features never before seen special footage with creator comments!
For tickets and participating theaters, visit FathomEvents.com
