Now with Add On!
The various media organs tell us this:
Disney's long-gestating animated film King of the Elves is back on the front burner thanks to an infusion of new creative blood.
Variety reports that Michael Markowitz (Horrible Bosses) has been hired to script the adaptation of the Philip K. Dick short story ... upon which the movie is based. ...
Strange thing is, I've been hiking through the Hat Building for years, and I recall KOTE being in work more often than not. Board people working on it, designers noodling with it, etc.
Take for instance this almost identical story regarding King of the Elves being "back in work":
The King of the Elves (which was due out in the next few years) had actually been shelved. The film, based on Philip K. Dick’s story, has now come back into the forefront however – with Chris Williams as director. ...
A report from last week? Nope. A year ago.
Elves has been in and out of the lineup so many times that I lose track. But glad to see that another pass is being made, although something tells me this is sort of old news.
Add On: I received an e-mail Thursday from a Disney staffer assigned to Elves. He said that he'd been working on the show for some time with Chris Williams, and he was surprised how wrong Variety's story was. They were acting as if something was new, and little was new.
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43 comments:
Steve don't say "Elves."
Before we know it, that'll be the title.
Maybe it's the next hand-drawn feature. I'm almost positive that's the way they're intending it to be done. I also hope that maybe Ron and John might be brought on as directors of the Snow Queen.
Steve, do you know if the 'revived' "King of the Elves" will remain in CGI?
nope, not the next hand drawn feature... because, at the moment, there is none.
"Snow Queen" was to be the next 2d when I was there on "PATF" but then it got scrapped because of the whole "No more princess films". "Tangled" hit and now "Snow Queen" is back but as a CG film. "Mort" was next in line as 2d but that deal fell through. "Pooh" is going up against Harry Potter so any bit of money it might of made is gone as once again Disney puts its 2d films up against a huge hit (PATF up against "Avatar" nice move Disney that whole soft opening worked like a charm). At this point I have no clue if they even care to make anymore 2d films there. If anyone has any concrete info on this, I and many others would love to hear about it. Disney (John, Ed and Andrew) can all talk the talk about they want to do 2d there and that it plays a vital role but they need to back it up and real fast. Just my two cents.
Btw, does anyone know of the whereabouts of Clements & Musker?
Are they still at Disney after Mort's cancellation? Are they pitching new ideas? Are they working on a project?
Is "Snow Queen" really back in development as a CGI film? If so, is it still going to be a musical with Menken writing the songs?
I spoke to Ron Clements by phone about 2-3 weeks ago. He said that Mort might still see the light of day and that he's still at Disney. Ron and John are working on ideas if Mort doesn't work out. We also talked some about hand-drawn animation and he told me overall they've been pretty supportive.
Things are humming along nicely at Disney right now, but thats all my NDA will allow me to say :)
Also, there's no such thing as "shelved" in Hollywood. At least, not in the permanent sense.
I know Ron and John are still there and they went up to Pixar about a month ago I think to pitch some features (2d). Their heart is in 2d and I like Ron and John and I am happy they are pushing for it. Disney needs to announce something, they play this big silent act and piss off the artists. I doubt Mort will get made it is out of their league in terms of style. Why doesnt Chris Buck (director for Snow Queen) make it a 2d feature? Cant a director just dictate what style they want their film to be in as far as CG or 2d?
Because Tangled proved that fairy tales look even better in CG. Hate to say it...but I think its true.
Does WDAS have any hand-drawn shorts in development or have they gone all CGI with the shorts too?
Isn't Chris Buck working on another CG film with Mike Giaimo?
I will agree that Tangled was the best looking CG film ever but come on 2d could still look amazing. Disney needs to think outside of the box with their 2d and start doing hybrid films so that we dont know if it is 2d or CG. Remember "Book of Kells"? That film looks amazing, it was a bit of a bore but visually it was there. How is it a small studio with small funds can put out animation so visually compelling yet Disney with their deep pockets cant bring their 2d into the modern age with a style. Tarzan was the last big jump for them as far as 2d goes with trying something new (at least till the Rosie O'Donnell gorilla began talking). Also, Home on the Range (awful film I know) but the style was like modern UPA, I loved it. So much to do with 2d yet it goes untouched, so sad.
King of the Elves should be scrapped along with Snow Queen, and Disney should try to make something original and fresh for a change.
As for 2D animation, I won't be surprised if John Lasseter declares "No more 2D for Disney! It's too expensive and unprofitable!" Unlike him, I know, but then again, he and Pixar once frowned upon cheapquals... and now they're making 'em.
Btw, does anyone know of the whereabouts of Clements & Musker?
I heard laughter coming out of Ron's office a few days ago, when I stumbled by. I peeked around the corner and there Ron was. Didn't peek around the corner enough to see who else was in there.
Word is that they'll be pitching stories to Mr. Lasseter soon. If Disney can land the rights to Mort, they'll probably do it. Certainly the motivation and enthusiasm for the projects is there.
Disney should try to make something original and fresh for a change.
You mean like Wreck-It Ralph? And the 4 other films not including KOTE and Snow Queen that are being developed right now at Disney?
Well. That's exciting^^
You mean like Wreck-It Ralph? And the 4 other films not including KOTE and Snow Queen that are being developed right now at Disney?
OK, we have:
Dean Wellins' Untitled Film
Greno's & Howard's Untitled Film
Chris Buck's Untitled Film
That's three. What's the other one?
What happened to Burny Mattinson's pitch about a Mickey Mouse feature? Did that project get greenlit for development or not?
"Unlike him, I know, but then again, he and Pixar once frowned upon cheapquals... and now they're making 'em."
Uhm, no they're not. Lasseter put an end to the sequels. If you are referring to the Tinkerbell series or the new Planes series.. no. They aren't sequels. They are spin-offs. John isn't opposed to using Disney characters, particularly secondary characters, but he didn't want films that follow on the classic stories of Disney animation. Exploring other parts of the Disney universe is ok with him and it's ok with me.
Now, if he suddenly comes up with Tangled 2: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow, you may have a point.
That's three. What's the other one?
Like I'm going to spill the beans here...
Like I'm going to spill the beans here...
We're not asking much. Just the name of the director(s) working on the project. That's all. No big deal.
'Wreck-it Ralph' is the best title since 'The Rural Juror'
"Lasseter put an end to the sequels."
So no more sequels after Toy Story 3, Cars 2 and Monsters Inc. 2?
That's too bad. I would have loved to see "The Incredibles 2".
We're not asking much. Just the name of the director(s) working on the project. That's all. No big deal.
Nope. Im not biting.
We're not asking much. Just the name of the director(s) working on the project. That's all. No big deal.
Ah, such entitlement!
Nope. I'm not biting.
Just saying than an X person is working on a project at Disney, hardly constitutes a breach of the non-disclosure agreement.
It's nothing.
Don't be such big wussies.
If you knew who it was, it would make a huge difference. The director IS the news.
Stop being a nosy bastard, and wait until the official announcement is made.
People working at Pixar and WDAS seem to be quite paranoid about releasing the slightest of info.
No other animated studio is so secretive about their upcoming projects.
It's not the Holy Grail people!
It's really not their fault you know.
When you first join Disney or Pixar, they take you to a dark room and force you to make a blood vow not to reveal anything about the studios.
If you do, then Lasseter...I mean Lucifer collects your soul!!!
If you knew who it was, it would make a huge difference. The director IS the news.
Please! The only news-worthy name at WDAS would be Glen Keane but he's leaving for Dreamworks in the Fall.
So many fanboy students here, infesting this professional site, trying to extract proprietary, confidential information from actual employees.
Go away. That is not why this site exists.
No other animated studio is so secretive about their upcoming projects.
Earth to stupid: If a studio decides to release info on an upcoming slate of films, that's their prerogative. But it's not up to the employees to anonymously spill any information on a public union blog.
Idiot!
Also, Glen isnt going to Dreamworks in the fall. Whatever rumors you hear arent substantiated.
"Please! The only news-worthy name at WDAS would be Glen Keane but he's leaving for Dreamworks in the Fall."
I read he was suppose to have already made a decision and left?
what happened?????
Does anyone know who else is working on Elves or the Chris Buck project?
Dont believe everything you read on the internet.
especially on this blog from anonymous posters claiming to work at Disney
especially on this blog from anonymous posters claiming to work at Disney
Ha ha, this is great.
WHO CAN YOU TRUST? This anonymous or that anonymous?
"People working at Pixar and WDAS seem to be quite paranoid about releasing the slightest of info."
It's not "paranoia." It's RESPECT. It's simple, it works, and it's been proven. Everyone in the company knows just about everything that's going on. In exchange, they don't blab--it's a company in a small town and an even smaller business.
that's what makes this blog kind of joke......
Makes you proud of your union, huh?
I'm guessing Miyazaki, if "the director IS the news."
Now THAT... would be news.
that's what makes this blog kind of joke......
Makes you proud of your union, huh?
I'm proud of my union, thank you very much. I'm not always proud of my coworkers, who sometimes come here and write anonymous bullshit, and I'm not always proud of animation fans, who also sometimes come here and write anonymous nonsense, but both of those groups are easy to ignore.
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