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2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 1998
1-20 of 92 items from 2013 « Prev | Next »
Lucasfilm Developing Animated Feature with Former Pixar Director
13 June 2013 12:55 PM, PDT | GeekTyrant | See recent GeekTyrant news »
In a recent interview with Animation Magazine, Brave co-director Brenda Chapman revealed that she just finished working on an animated movie at Lucasfilm. That movie is being directed by Gary Rydstrom, who directed the Toy Story short Hawaiian Vacation. He was also directing the animated movie Newt at one point, which ended up being shut down. Most of his career has been as an Oscar winning movie sound designer though. Looks like he's moved on to bigger and better things! Here's what Chapman had to say about the new Lucasfilm project in development:
I have been working on a project with Lucas for quite some time — about six months. When Lucasfilm was handed over to Kathleen Kennedy, she asked me to consult on the film to help solve its story problems. It was an opportunity for me to work with her. I felt honored to be asked by her, after what happened at Pixar. »
- Joey Paur
Gary Rydstrom Now Directing Mysterious LucasFilm Animation Project That Brenda Chapman Was Once Involved With
12 June 2013 7:44 PM, PDT | The Playlist | See recent The Playlist news »
Oh, the tangled web of feature animation. When Brenda Chapman, who had directed "Prince of Egypt" and was set to become the first female director of a Pixar feature, was fired from "Brave" 18 months before it was set to be released, after a contentious (sometimes outright hostile) production period, she regrouped at Lucasfilm Animation, working as a creative advisor on an unspecified feature film project. When Disney acquired Lucasfilm, it seemed to most that Chapman would quietly move along too, and she has, but not before finishing up work on the Lucasfilm project and passing it along to a more-than-worthy successor. She also spills some details about what she's working on now.Before Disney's acquisition, scuttlebutt was that Lucasfilm was working on an animated feature centered around the world of fairies and that it would be a musical, but not an original one – it would feature well known, expensively licensed pop songs. »
- Drew Taylor
Disney Princesses: Ranking Merida, Snow White & More as Role Models
28 May 2013 7:25 AM, PDT | Moviefone | See recent Moviefone news »
Every year it seems there's a new controversy about the Disney Princesses –- whether it's Peggy Orenstein's scathing indictment of pink-princess mania in the book "Cinderella Ate My Daughter" or the newest kerfuffle over "Brave's" Princess Merida and her makeover from scrappy, wild-haired archer into a sexified Scottish babe. Disney unveiled the curvier, older-looking rendition of Merida in time for the Pixar character's official "coronation" as a Disney Princess on May 11 –- angering not only many fans but the movie's writer and co-director, Brenda Chapman. The Academy Award-winning animator, who based Merida's look on her own daughter, Emma, told the Marin Independent Journal that Disney's "makeover" was "a blatantly sexist marketing move based on money." The Merida makeover sparked such a backlash that Disney has since stated the stylized version was a one-off to celebrate the coronation (as well as a limited-edition set of merchandise), and that the »
- Sandie Chen
Disney Princesses: Ranking Merida, Snow White & More as Role Models
28 May 2013 3:25 AM, PDT | Moviefone | See recent Moviefone news »
Every year it seems there's a new controversy about the Disney Princesses -- whether it's Peggy Orenstein's scathing indictment of pink-princess mania in the book "Cinderella Ate My Daughter" or the newest kerfuffle over "Brave's" Princess Merida and her makeover from scrappy, wild-haired archer into a sexified Scottish babe.
Disney unveiled the curvier, older-looking rendition of Merida in time for the Pixar character's official "coronation" as a Disney Princess on May 11 -- angering not only many fans but the movie's writer and co-director, Brenda Chapman.
The Academy Award-winning animator, who based Merida's look on her own daughter, Emma, told the Marin Independent Journal that Disney's "makeover" was "a blatantly sexist marketing move based on money." The Merida makeover sparked such a backlash that Disney has since stated the stylized version was a one-off to celebrate the coronation (as well as a limited-edition set of merchandise), and that the »
- Sandie Chen
Disney Princesses: Ranking Merida, Snow White & More as Role Models
28 May 2013 3:25 AM, PDT | Moviefone | See recent Moviefone news »
Every year it seems there's a new controversy about the Disney Princesses -- whether it's Peggy Orenstein's scathing indictment of pink-princess mania in the book "Cinderella Ate My Daughter" or the newest kerfuffle over "Brave's" Princess Merida and her makeover from scrappy, wild-haired archer into a sexified Scottish babe.
Disney unveiled the curvier, older-looking rendition of Merida in time for the Pixar character's official "coronation" as a Disney Princess on May 11 -- angering not only many fans but the movie's writer and co-director, Brenda Chapman.
The Academy Award-winning animator, who based Merida's look on her own daughter, Emma, told the Marin Independent Journal that Disney's "makeover" was "a blatantly sexist marketing move based on money." The Merida makeover sparked such a backlash that Disney has since stated the stylized version was a one-off to celebrate the coronation (as well as a limited-edition set of merchandise), and that the »
- Sandie Chen
More Rules Changes for the 86th Academy Awards
21 May 2013 3:37 PM, PDT | Alt Film Guide | See recent Alt Film Guide news »
Oscar 2014: (Flexible) maximum of two winners in Best Animated Feature Film category (photo: 2013 Best Animated Feature winner Brave) The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced another rule change for the 2014 Academy Awards. This latest change affects the Animated Feature Film category. According to the Academy’s press release, from now on there will be "a maximum of two award recipients" for Best Animated Feature Film, one of whom must have a producer credit. And that’s where things get a bit confusing. Despite the "maximum of two" Oscar recipients, "the director and/or key creative individual shall continue to be a recipient, and in the circumstance of a two-person team with shared and equal director credit, a third statuette may be awarded." In other words, it’s a flexible two-person maximum. Last year, at most two individuals were listed per nominated film in the Best Animated »
- Andre Soares
Future Animated Film Oscars To Be Shared by Producers
20 May 2013 11:57 AM, PDT | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Future recipients of the Oscar for animated feature film will include one producer, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday.
A new tweak to the Oscar rules by the Acad’s Board of Governors reiterated that there would typically be two people honored for each animated feature Oscar, but specified that one would be a producer, alongside the director “and/or key creative individual.”
In the case of a two-person team with shared and equal director credit, the Academy said a third statuette may be awarded.
The most recent animated film Oscar went to “Brave” and its two directors, Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman. »
- Jon Weisman
Academy Changes Rules For Animated Feature Oscar Category
20 May 2013 11:44 AM, PDT | Indiewire | See recent Indiewire news »
The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has approved the rules for next year's Oscars, with the most significant change affecting the Animated Feature Film category. In that category, a new rule designates a maximum of two award recipients, one of whom must have a producer credit. "The director and/or key creative individual shall continue to be a recipient, and in the circumstance of a two-person team with shared and equal director credit, a third statuette may be awarded," The Academy noted. This year, a film with two director credits -- "Brave" (shared by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman) -- won the Oscar, and both Andrews and Chapman took a statuette. However, producer Katherine Sarafian did not. Previously announced rules changes for the 86th Academy Awards include allowing members to see the nominated documentary shorts and foreign language films either at a theatrical screening or on DVD. »
- Peter Knegt
Disney Buckles Under 'Sexy Merida' Backlash
16 May 2013 9:40 AM, PDT | NextMovie | See recent NextMovie news »
So apparently the suits at Disney have given up and are like, "Fiiiiine, we'll make Merida an un-hot ginger."
The controversy, which first reared its head earlier this week when a more slim-trim/glammy Merida from "Brave" was unveiled for her coronation as a Disney World Princess, has resulted in fan outcry that ultimately led the Mouse House to tell Inside the Magic that the redesign was strictly a "one-time stylized version" that will only be used on a "limited line of products" for Target.
While the studio claims the backlash was "blown out of proportion," it's fair to say that when the lady who won an Oscar for "Brave," Brenda Chapman, is calling you out for sexism it might be time to prick up your ears.
Fans have a history of anger at the first sign of change in an iconic character (see Bat nipples in "Batman and Robin, »
- Max Evry
Disney retreats from Princess Merida makeover after widespread criticism
16 May 2013 3:51 AM, PDT | The Guardian - Film News | See recent The Guardian - Film News news »
'Glam' version of character from Pixar animation Brave removed from Disney website after creator describes it as 'horrible'
Disney has been forced to remove a "glammed-up" version of Princess Merida from the Pixar fantasy fairytale Brave from its official website following a high-profile campaign.
Red-headed teenage tomboy Merida had been given a makeover in advance of her induction into the Disney Princess collection, rendering the character slimmer, older and somewhat sexualised in comparison with her appearance in 2012's Oscar-winning animation. More than 200,000 people signed a Change.org petition calling on the studio to return the character to her more realistic origins and the redesign was also criticised by Merida's Oscar-winning creator Brenda Chapman.
While Disney has not officially announced a U-turn, the creator of the Change.org petition says "glam" Merida has gone missing from the Disney Princesses website after being officially inducted at Disney World last weekend.
"Numerous supporters »
- Ben Child
Brave Battle: Disney Pulls Sexy Merida Makeover Following Public Outcry
15 May 2013 5:30 PM, PDT | E! Online | See recent E! Online news »
Mad about Merida's makeover? If so, you're not alone. In fact, so many Brave fans were outraged by Disney's recent decision to give the animated character a new look—which trimmed her waist, boosted her bust and tamed her delightfully disheveled hair—that they launched a petition urging the company to restore the heroine to her original tomboyish style. And now it appears Disney has listened to the uproar. The redesigned redhead, whose new look debuted just in time for her coronation as the 11th Disney princess, has been pulled from the Disney princess website. This move should please Brenda Chapman, the Oscar-winning film's writer, seeing as she was pretty vocal »
Pulled Down! Sexified Merida Vanishes From Disney Site!
15 May 2013 4:01 PM, PDT | Manny the Movie Guy | See recent Manny the Movie Guy news »
Last Monday, we told you about the brouhaha going on about Disney's sexy makeover of Merida, our heroine in "Brave." The studio has announced that Merida would be Disney's 11th princess. That was nice and all, but they had to give her more vivacious curves as well. The film's director (who was replaced in the middle of the making of "Brave" but was awarded an Oscar anyway), Brenda Chapman, wrote a passionate letter to her newspaper denouncing Disney's makeover decision.
Many folks are indeed passionate about this sexified Merida look that A Mighty Girl, a blog dedicated to empowering girls, created a Change.org petition and posted, yup, another impassioned letter to Bob Iger, Disney CEO. Right now, the petition has garnered more than 200,000 votes! Wow! You can sign if you want by clicking here.
So Disney's response to the controversy? Merida's sexified self disappeared from Disney's princess website! Vanished! »
- Manny
'Brave' Princess Merida 'sexed up' redesign pulled from Disney website?
15 May 2013 2:59 PM, PDT | Digital Spy | See recent Digital Spy - Movie News news »
Disney has allegedly pulled the redesigned Princess Merida from its website after a number of protests.
The Brave character was said to have joined the Disney Princess lineup as the 11th Princess at the weekend, but had been given a noticeable makeover.
The new-look Merida appeared slimmer, with neater hair and a tighter dress - something the character expressed a hatred of in the film. She had also lost her bow and arrow.
A petition against the studio was created by the website Change.org and was signed by over 200,000 people, including the film's director Brenda Chapman.
Carolyn Danckaert, co-founder of A Mighty Girl - which launched the Change.org petition - wrote on its Facebook page: "Numerous supporters have written to us to share the news that the new makeover version of Merida is no longer appearing on Disney.com.
"To know that Disney is truly committed to preserving »
Disney Pulls Redesigned Princess Merida After Backlash
15 May 2013 10:28 AM, PDT | Moviefone | See recent Moviefone news »
Sassy, yes. Sexy, no. Disney has pulled a redesign of “Brave” character Merida after facing backlash over the “sexy” makeover. Disney had put up the new version of Merida for her “coronation” as a Disney princess on May 11. The new Merida looked thinner, had a fuller bust, and was wearing eye makeup. Her signature wild red curls were tamer, and she sported a sash instead of a bow and arrows. The makeover received criticism from women's groups, who argued that Disney was sending the wrong message to girls. “Brave” writer and co-director Brenda Chapman called it “atrocious.” One group, A Mighty Girl, started a petition on Change.org. “By making her skinnier, sexier and more mature in appearance, you are sending a message to girls that the original, realistic, teenage-appearing version of Merida is inferior; that for girls and women to have value -- to be recognized as true princesses »
- Kelly Woo
First Image Debuts From 'Toy Story of Terror' Halloween Special; Brenda Chapman Weighs In On 'Brave' Princess Controversy
15 May 2013 6:45 AM, PDT | The Playlist | See recent The Playlist news »
Anyone who thought that Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story" franchise would really be kaput following "Toy Story 3" (a movie that practically crow-barred tears out of even the most hardened misanthrope) were, of course, out of their collective minds. Since the third film was released, we've had three dazzling theatrical short films ("Hawaiian Vacation," "Small Fry," and "Partysaurus Rex") and idle chatter of a fourth film. And come Halloween, we'll get something even more special – a 22-minute TV special called "Toy Story of Terror," the first image of which debuted today. Also, former Pixar director Brenda Chapman weighs in on the controversy surrounding her "Brave" character Merida becoming an official Disney Princess. The first image from the special – featuring Woody (Tom Hanks) and Jessie (Joan Cusack) huddled around a ominously glow-in-the-dark Buzz (Tim Allen) – is appropriately atmospheric, and along with the image, some details have emerged about the special's tone and plot. »
- Drew Taylor
Disney Backlash As Brave’s Merida Gets “Sexy” Makeover
15 May 2013 1:58 AM, PDT | Obsessed with Film | See recent Obsessed with Film news »
On May 11, 2013, Disney crowned Merida from Disney/Pixar’s feature film “Brave” as the 11th official Disney princess, making her the first Pixar princess. The ceremony took place at Cinderella’s Castle in Disney’s Orlando theme park. Merida joins the likes of Snow White, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Belle, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, Rapunzel, and Aurora from “Sleeping Beauty.” The woman that Disney has selected to be Merida in Orlando is impeccable (unless she can’t do a Scottish accent). Her resemblance to the Scottish princess is uncanny.
Merida has been praised by audiences and the media as an ideal Disney princess for little girls to admire and take many pages out of her book. But Disney’s makeover of the Scot undermines the admiration. So much so that a petition has been started to repeal the diminishment. In the petition, Merida is described as “strong, confident, and self-rescuing.” In the movie “Brave, »
- Matthew Curry
'Brave' co-director slams Disney's 'sexualised' Princess Merida redesign
14 May 2013 1:49 AM, PDT | RealBollywood.com | See recent RealBollywood news »
London, May 14: Disney is under heavy criticism for creating a "glammed-up" version of Princess Merida from the Pixar's fantasy fairytale 'Brave' for a new toy line.
The bow-slinging princess appears slimmer, older and somewhat sexualised, in comparison to the teenage tomboy from last year's movie, in advance of her official induction into The Disney Princess Collection.
Merida's creator Brenda Chapman - replaced by Mark Andrews part way through the production - but maintained a co-director's credit, said that Disney missed the point when they created a new version of her creation, the Guardian reported.
She wrote to her. »
- Smith Cox
Merida Sexified, "Brave" Director Fires Back at Disney
13 May 2013 5:33 PM, PDT | Manny the Movie Guy | See recent Manny the Movie Guy news »
Just look at the picture above -- before, for the movie "Brave," Merida is tomboyish in stature, even a little chubby with baby fat. Then, when Disney announced that Merida would be the 11th official princess, all hell broke loose. Why? Because the studio sexified the character, complete with vivacious curves and much thicker, fuller set of hair!
Many protested the new image of Merida, even prompting a Change.org petition headed by A Mighty Girl, a blog and online girl empowerment site. Right now, the petition has garnered a 129,278 signatures! The crux of the petition claims that:
The redesign of Merida in advance of her official induction to the Disney Princess collection does a tremendous disservice to the millions of children for whom Merida is an empowering role model who speaks to girls' capacity to be change agents in the world rather than just trophies to be admired. Moreover, »
- Manny
'Brave' Director Brenda Chapman Calls Disney's Princess Merida Makeover 'Atrocious'
13 May 2013 12:01 PM, PDT | Moviefone | See recent Moviefone news »
The recent decision to revamp the image of Merida, the young Scottish heroine of Pixar's “Brave,” into a glamorous Disney princess has faced harsh backlash, and now the character's creator is also speaking out against the change. Brenda Chapman, who wrote and co-directed “Brave” and took home an Academy Award and Golden Globe for her efforts, sent a scathing response to the decision to her hometown newspaper, the Marin Independent Journal. Chapman, who modeled Merida on her then-middle school-aged daughter, called the makeover “atrocious” and “a blatantly sexist marketing move based on money.” The uproar comes over multiple changes to the character's image: her long, unruly red curls have been made fuller and sleeker, her waist is noticeably smaller, her dress now exposes her shoulders, and her eyes and lips have been enhanced with makeup. In some promo stills of her new look, she's no longer holding her signature bow and arrow. »
- Katie Roberts
'Brave' Creator Is Not Happy About Merida's Makeover
13 May 2013 10:37 AM, PDT | Huffington Post | See recent Huffington Post news »
Don't mess with Merida.
That's the message more than 114,000 fans have already sent to Disney through a petition launched by A Mighty Girl since complaints about the "Brave" heroine's "makeover" -- an image revamp that seemed to leave her slimmer, sexier and sparklier than ever before -- went viral.
Among the parents who are up in arms about the makeover is Brenda Chapman -- not just any mom, but the creator and co-director of "Brave" who based Merida on her own daughter, Emma.
Chapman won an Animated Feature Film Oscar for her work on the Pixar movie despite being fired before the film was completed. And she didn't mince words in telling the Marin Independent Journal that she found Merida's makeover irresponsible, "atrocious," "blatantly sexist" and mercenary.
"Merida was created ... to give young girls a better, stronger role model, a more attainable role model, something of substance, not just a »
- Emma Mustich
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 1998
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