Disney releases upcoming features slate through 2012.

Here’s the press release spotted in Variety (looks like just a summary): [url]http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117983709.html?categoryid=13&cs=1[/url]

Sifting through the release, here’s what the schedule looks like for Pixar:

Wall-E (Summer 2008, directed by Andrew Stanton)
Up (Summer 2009, directed by Pete Doctor and Bob Peterson)
Toy Story 3 (Summer 2010, directed by Lee Unkrich)
Newt (Summer 2011, directed by Gary Rydstrom)
The Bear and the Bow (Fall 2011, directed by Brenda Chapman)
Cars 2 (Summer 2012, directed by Brad Lewis)

In addition:
Toy Story in 3-D (2009 release)
Toy Story 2 in 3-D (2010 release)

Interestingly, all Disney/Pixar theatrical animated releases from “Bolt” on will be presented in Disney Digital 3-D for 3-D theaters.

Why oh why a Cars 2? The other features sound exciting though. Interesting to note that Brenda Chapman’s feature has cast, yet Rydstrom’s doesn’t. Well there is that rumour of a Pixar Princess tale come true.

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Up (2009)
Voice Talent: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger, Jordan Nagai

From the Academy Award(R)-nominated team of director Pete Docter (“Monsters, Inc.”) and co-director Bob Peterson comes “Up,” a comedic adventure taking off (and lifting spirits) in summer 2009. Carl Fredricksen spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life. “Up” takes audiences on a thrilling journey where the unlikely pair encounter wild terrain, unexpected villains and jungle creatures. When seeking adventure next summer – look “Up.”

Toy Story 3 (2010)
Voice Talent: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, Estelle Harris, John Ratzenberger, Ned Beatty

The creators of the beloved “Toy Story” films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of Woody, Buzz and our favorite gang of toy characters in “Toy Story 3.” Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2” and “Finding Nemo”) directs this highly anticipated film, and Michael Arndt, the Academy Award(R)-winning screenwriter of “Little Miss Sunshine,” brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings.

Newt (2011)
What happens when the last remaining male and female blue-footed newts on the planet are forced together by science to save the species, and they can’t stand each other? That’s the problem facing Newt and Brooke, heroes of “newt,” the Pixar film by seven-time Academy Award(R) winner for sound Gary Rydstrom, and director of Pixar’s Oscar-nominated short, “Lifted.” Newt and Brooke embark on a perilous, unpredictable adventure and discover that finding a mate never goes as planned, even when you only have one choice. Love, it turns out, is not a science.

The Bear and the Bow (2011)
Voice Talent: Reese Witherspoon, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson

A rugged and mythic Scotland is the setting for Pixar’s action-adventure “The Bear and the Bow.” The impetuous, tangle-haired Merida, though a daughter of royalty, would prefer to make her mark as a great archer. A clash of wills with her mother compels Merida to make a reckless choice, which unleashes unintended peril on her father’s kingdom and her mother’s life. Merida struggles with the unpredictable forces of nature, magic and a dark, ancient curse to set things right. Director Brenda Chapman (“The Prince of Egypt,” “The Lion King”) and the storytelling wizards of Pixar conjure humor, fantasy and excitement in this rich Highland tale.

Are you playing with us?

We aren’t having you on. Comes from a press release!

I can’t believe that Pixar are releasing 2 films in one year and if they are producing a sequel of Cars what about Monster inc.

I heard that it’s because Cars had some pretty high merchandise sales… Most of these sound interesting, but let’s also remember that these stories are most likely to change drastically before they’re released. I mean, doesn’t the synopsis of Newt sound a little WALL-E-ish?

And yay for Brenda Chapman bringing about the first Pixar heroine. :wink:

This is somewhat surprising, even though it was already leaked, the announcemenet seemed to come at such a random time. The plots sound interesting although The Bear and the Bow has me worried.

I’m pretty excited right now. :smiley: Looking forward to all of them! (Though not so much for Cars 2…) I can already see Newt being a hit.

Cars… sequel…

no words…

dies of happiness

I’m confident that if John Lasseter and the guys at Pixar have the brunt of the involovment in Cars 2, it’ll be awesome.

And I trust that they’re not gonna let it get by without 'em, so I have to go with Aggie here…

CARS SEQUEL!!! <img src=“{SMILIES_PATH}/grinandwink.gif” alt=“;-D” title="Grin and

Wink" /> When Pixar makes sequels, it’s just another opportunity for me to see more of the characters I love. I always thought there was so much more to expand on Cars with Lightning’s new life and new home.

CGI Clownfish: Yah, that’s what I’m talkin’ about! :wink:

Come on people, have a little faith in Pixar. Cars was great, and this gives them a chance to really explore the world of cars outside of Route 66. It’s a creative masterpiece, and I’m excited to see what ideas they have!

I’m excited for Cars 2 for one reason, and one reason only…knowing Pixar, they aren’t doing it for the money, they’re doing it to prove themselves because Cars was regarded as a failure by some and they’re showing us that they can do better, while also hyping up the new attraction at DCA and getting new merchandise.

Now I’m almost sure WALL-E, Up, Toy Story 3, and Newt will be huge hits, they are of course, conventional Pixar films, but The Bear and the Bow worries me because it seems… I don’t know… not Pixar. But I’m sure they’ll prove me wrong, but I guess I have to wait 3 years 'til then. :smiley:

Well, for the looooooongest time, I always became skeptical whenever I first heard or saw the synopsis of the next Pixar movie. But. they’ve always surprised me in the end. :wink:

[size=200]Cars 2!!![/size]
:smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

Cupcakes tomorrow!!!
:smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

It would be nice to see F1 cars in the next sequel, but how will Mater and Lighting cross the vast ocean?

Let me take a stand here and say that I am not that excited for a Cars 2. If Disney really wanted the money, could they not have explored other avenues like the Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Series? They have to make this film a whole lot better than Cars, as everyone will be ready to pounce and point out each individual flaw.

The highest resolutions available for each of the logos are now available over at the blog. More high-res images coming soon, including images of Bob Peterson, Lee Unkrich and others.

Oh wow. So much Pixar news. When it rains, it pours, huh?

Guuuuuuuh… Cars 2? -____- [i]

The Incredibles[/i] deserves a sequel waaaaay more. The movie is probably one of the weaker Pixar films, and the only reason Pixar is making one is because of all the marketing possiblities - Disney probably put the pressure on them. Unlike Toy Story, Pixar doesn’t have that solid movie to build upon with this sequel, so I hope they improve a lot. The idea of talking cars just didn’t fly with me - they just creeped me out, so I don’t think I would ever be completely happy with the end product, anyway.

Yay, more Up news. I thought the wilderness ranger would have been about the same age as Linguini, not an 8-year-old… But it will be good to see the dynamics of a child and an old man working together.

Nothing much new for Toy Story 3, yet…

newt sounds weird on paper… But I’m sure I’ll change my mind when I see the trailer, or even just some production shots. Only Pixar could make a love story about two amphibians work. Just as long as they don’t give them creepy faces. I loved Lifted, and adore Gary Rydstrom’s normal “day job” as sound designer in film, so I’m looking forward to this unique story.

Hoorah for a female lead role in The Bear and the Bow! They better make Reese Witherspoon work for her money, since she has a pretty recognisable voice and I don’t want her to become just a “celebrity voice”, if you know what I mean. I’ve never really been into princess films, but it seems as if this is a princess film with an edge.

Two Pixar films in one year? I don’t think I can wrap my head around it quite yet. Heheh. That’s great news. As long as they can keep the quality the same, I don’t mind. They have expanded a lot and have the resources, money, and employees for it, so I think they can do it. I think I will look forward to newt more than TBATB, but two Pixar movies in one year (plus two Pixar short films on top of that) is nothing to complain about. I hope they release another film in 2012, so I have that to look forward to instead, while ignoring Cars 2.

Thanks for the logos. You can tell so much about a Pixar film from its logo alone. The Up one is cute, but I’m surprised about the very slanty text. I wonder what the floating house has to do with the story… The newt logo is very plain, but then they stick the character on the end it becomes very intriguing - I can get a feel for his personality already. I am totally shocked with the design for Toy Story 3 and Cars 2. ;-p

I’m sure I’ll write more later.

Kyr, you beat me to the post!
Thanks for the info.
There’s also a NY Times mention of it, though not very detailed (see below)
And a Hollywood Reporter Article (see below that) that says all Disney animated films will now be in 3D.

Actually… to me, the Newt one seems the most interesting… :sunglasses:

From NY Times:
nytimes.com/2008/04/09/movie … ref=movies
A lonely newt, a strong-willed Scottish princess and modern-day elves are among the stars of 10 new animated movies from Walt Disney Studios and its boutique animation unit, Pixar.

The media conglomerate on Tuesday unveiled its upcoming animation slate for movie theater owners and the media. The message of the splashy, three-hour presentation: Disney’s acquisition of Pixar has resulted in rejuvenation of the company’s entire animation business.

The slate, while not entirely a surprise to Disney followers, is certainly ambitious. Over the next five years, Disney’s offerings will include a quartet of straight-to-DVD animated features starring Tinker Bell and her friends; the company’s first hand-drawn musical in nearly two decades, “The Princess and the Frog”; a 3-D retelling of “Rapunzel”; and much-anticipated additional installments to the “Cars” and “Toy Story” franchises.

Among the original features Pixar is attempting are “Newt,” a summer 2011 film about a lizard cooling his heels in a community college science lab; “The Bear and the Bow,” a holiday 2011 fantasy about an impetuous Scottish princess; and “King of the Elves,” a 2012 offering focusing on elves and trolls who live in modern-day Mississippi.

Disney also announced a roster of celebrities who will lend their voices to various characters. For instance, Ed Asner will create the cranky septuagenarian adventurer at the center of “Up,” a Pixar feature set for a May 2009 release. The voices of John Travolta and Miley Cyrus will star in “Bolt,” a November 2008 film about the adventures of a Hollywood show dog and his owner, Penny.


From Hollywood Reporter:
hollywoodreporter.com/hr/con … bf96c116c1
All computer-animated features from Disney and Pixar Animation Studios will be released in digital 3-D, starting this year with the release of Disney’s “Bolt.”

The decision underscores Disney’s belief in the emerging format. The studio has been an aggressive 3-D pioneer, with computer-animated 3-D fare including “Chicken Little” in 2005 and “Meet the Robinsons” in 2007. Now, Disney has adopted the same strategy that DreamWorks Animation announced last summer: going exclusively 3-D with computer-animated titles (DWA begins this effort in 2009).

Tuesday’s news came as Disney revealed its animated release schedule through 2012, which includes six films from Pixar Animation Studios, four from Walt Disney Animation Studios, newly converted 3-D versions of “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2” and a series of direct-to-DVD films featuring Disney Fairies from DisneyToon Studios.

There are slightly more than 1,000 3-D-capable digital 3-D screens in the domestic market, and estimates suggest that that number might approach 4,000 by May 2009. “As we approach 1,500-2,000 screens, that probably will (provide) the coverage we need across the country,” Disney chairman Dick Cook said. “As there is more deployment, hopefully we’ll release (some titles) only in 3-D.”

Summer 2012 will bring “Cars 2,” Pixar’s sequel to its Oscar-nominated “Cars.” “Ratatouille” producer Brad Lewis will direct the film, in which “Cars” characters Mater and Lightning McQueen find themselves in escapades around the globe.

Disney will then present “King of the Elves” for Christmas 2012. Phillip K. Dick’s short story is the basis for this tale about an average man living in the Mississippi Delta who becomes king of a band of elves and joins them as they attempt to escape from an evil troll. Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker will direct.

Disney’s 2011 schedule will include Pixar’s “Newt” (summer), the directorial debut of Gary Rydstrom – a seven-time Oscar winner for sound and director of Pixar’s short “Lifted.” “Newt” revolves around the last remaining male and female blue-footed newts on the planet, who are forced together by science to save the species.

Pixar’s “The Bear and the Bow” – featuring the voices of Reese Witherspoon, Billy Connolly and Emma Thompson – is slated for Christmas 2011. Brenda Chapman will direct the story of the impetuous Merida, who though a daughter of royalty, would prefer to make her mark as a great archer.

The 2010 slate includes Disney’s “Rapunzel” (December), directed by Glen Keane and Dean Wellins, and Pixar’s “Toy Story 3” (June 18th). Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2” and “Finding Nemo”) will direct “Toy Story 3” from a script by Michael Arndt (“Little Miss Sunshine”). The voice cast includes Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, Estelle Harris, John Ratzenberger and Ned Beatty.

The studio’s 2009 animated slate begins with Pixar’s first 3-D feature, “Up” (May 29), from director Pete Docter and co-director Bob Peterson. The film will feature the voices of Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger and Jordan Nagai.

Miley Cyrus has joined the voice cast of “Bolt,” which also features the voice of John Travolta and was previously announced as a digital 3-D release for Nov. 26.

Disney also has had success with live-action 3-D. The studio’s 3-D “Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Best Worlds Concert” opened No. 1 at the boxoffice in February and has grossed roughly $65 million. When asked about Disney’s strategy for 3-D live action, Cook said that in the foreseeable future, it would not be as aggressive as with computer animation. “Production is more difficult to do, and there are a limited number of cameras available,” he said.