In January of 2021, Megan Ellison got a call from Erik Lomis, the former head of distribution at her company, Annapurna Pictures, asking if she’d like to take a look at a movie whose filmmakers needed a lifeline. Disney was days away from announcing that it planned to shutter Blue Sky Studios, the 500-person, Greenwich, Connecticut-based animation studio it had inherited in the 2019 Fox acquisition, and with that closure, the Burbank media giant would be dropping Blue Sky’s most promising movie, Nimona.
“I wasn’t really engaging in new film projects at the time, but being curious, I said yes,” Ellison said, in an email.
Ellison watched the hand-drawn storyboard reels, which directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane had adapted from Nd Stevenson’s 2015 graphic novel, and instantly connected with the title character, a shape-shifter voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz who appears most often as a young woman, but...
“I wasn’t really engaging in new film projects at the time, but being curious, I said yes,” Ellison said, in an email.
Ellison watched the hand-drawn storyboard reels, which directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane had adapted from Nd Stevenson’s 2015 graphic novel, and instantly connected with the title character, a shape-shifter voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz who appears most often as a young woman, but...
- 2/22/2024
- by Rebecca Keegan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nominations voting is from January 11–16, 2024, with official Oscar nominations announced on January 23, 2024. Final voting is February 22–27, 2024. And finally, the 96th Oscars telecast will be broadcast on Sunday, March 10, and air live on ABC at 8 p.m. Et/ 5 p.m. Pt. We update predictions throughout awards season, so keep checking IndieWire for all our 2024 Oscar picks.
The State of the Race
Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” solidified its standing as the Oscar favorite after dominating Asifa-Hollywood’s 51st Annie Awards on February 17 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. The acclaimed sequel from producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller grabbed seven awards, including best animated feature. It also won FX, character design, direction, music, production design, and editorial.
Its closest Oscar competitor, Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron“ (Studio Ghibli-GKids), took home two Annies for Takeshi Honda’s character animation and Miyazaki’s storyboarding. However, “The Boy and the Heron...
The State of the Race
Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” solidified its standing as the Oscar favorite after dominating Asifa-Hollywood’s 51st Annie Awards on February 17 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. The acclaimed sequel from producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller grabbed seven awards, including best animated feature. It also won FX, character design, direction, music, production design, and editorial.
Its closest Oscar competitor, Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron“ (Studio Ghibli-GKids), took home two Annies for Takeshi Honda’s character animation and Miyazaki’s storyboarding. However, “The Boy and the Heron...
- 2/20/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
The 2024 Best Animated Feature Oscar race is in full force, and it is an interesting one. Once again, there is no Walt Disney Animation movie nominated, but an underrated Pixar gem instead. There's a sequel to a movie that already won an Oscar with "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," the latest (but seemingly not last) masterpiece from legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki, and a fantastic little indie dark horse in the form of the largely wordless "Robot Dreams."
Then there's "Nimona," the latest Oscar-hopeful from Netflix. The film is not small enough to be considered a dark horse like "Robot Dreams," but definitely feels like an underrated contender considering it didn't get as much widespread attention as the other theatrically released films in this category. Still, "Nimona" is every bit as worthy of the award as the other nominees.
The movie is based on Nd Stevenson's graphic novel of the same name.
Then there's "Nimona," the latest Oscar-hopeful from Netflix. The film is not small enough to be considered a dark horse like "Robot Dreams," but definitely feels like an underrated contender considering it didn't get as much widespread attention as the other theatrically released films in this category. Still, "Nimona" is every bit as worthy of the award as the other nominees.
The movie is based on Nd Stevenson's graphic novel of the same name.
- 2/20/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
The Oscar-frontrunning Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” was the big winner at Asifa-Hollywood’s 51st Annie Awards (held February 17 at UCLA’s Royce Hall), grabbing seven awards, topped by best animated feature. As a 66 percent Oscar predictor, the Annie win bodes well for Sony and producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
The other “Spider-Verse” awards were for FX, character design, direction, music, production design, and editorial.
The Oscar-nominated dark horse, “Robot Dreams” (Neon), from Pablo Berger, won best independent feature, and “War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko” (ElectroLeague) took best short. The prestige short got a boost in its race for the Oscar. It’s directed by Pixar alum Dave Mullins and executive produced by Sean Ono Lennon, in partnership with Peter Jackson and his Wētā FX Limited animation team.
Hayao Miyazaki’s summary film, “The Boy and the Heron“ (Studio Ghibli-GKids), won two Annies for Takeshi Honda...
The other “Spider-Verse” awards were for FX, character design, direction, music, production design, and editorial.
The Oscar-nominated dark horse, “Robot Dreams” (Neon), from Pablo Berger, won best independent feature, and “War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko” (ElectroLeague) took best short. The prestige short got a boost in its race for the Oscar. It’s directed by Pixar alum Dave Mullins and executive produced by Sean Ono Lennon, in partnership with Peter Jackson and his Wētā FX Limited animation team.
Hayao Miyazaki’s summary film, “The Boy and the Heron“ (Studio Ghibli-GKids), won two Annies for Takeshi Honda...
- 2/18/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Sony Pictures Animation’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” swung its way to victory at the 51st Annie Awards, snatching up seven prizes, including best feature. It was also a good night for Netflix, whose projects earned a total of nine awards, with period revenge series “Blue Eye Samurai” snagging six of those, including best TV/Media – Mature.
In addition to best feature, the “Spider-Verse” sequel’s Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson were honored for their direction while Daniel Pemberton and Metro Boomin won for music. The film also picked up awards for FX, character design, production design and editorial.
Arcadia Motion Pictures’ bittersweet Spanish-French film “Robot Dreams,” about a lonely dog who builds a robot companion, won for best feature – independent.
Netflix’s feature “Nimona,” which had the most nominations with nine, picked up two Annies, one for Chloe Grace Moretz’s voice work as the...
In addition to best feature, the “Spider-Verse” sequel’s Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson were honored for their direction while Daniel Pemberton and Metro Boomin won for music. The film also picked up awards for FX, character design, production design and editorial.
Arcadia Motion Pictures’ bittersweet Spanish-French film “Robot Dreams,” about a lonely dog who builds a robot companion, won for best feature – independent.
Netflix’s feature “Nimona,” which had the most nominations with nine, picked up two Annies, one for Chloe Grace Moretz’s voice work as the...
- 2/18/2024
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
(Welcome to Animation Celebration, a recurring feature where we explore the limitless possibilities of animation as a medium. In this edition: "Nimona.")
Following the Walt Disney Company's acquisition of Fox, Blue Sky Studios, the animation company behind films like "Ice Age," "The Peanuts Movie," and "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!" was shuttered. This meant the already-in-progress adaptation of Nd Stevenson's graphic novel, "Nimona," was canceled. It's a tragedy when any project is unceremoniously scrapped as what boils down to a corporate cost-saving measure but for a film like "Nimona," whose production was already fighting to be presented authentically as Disney attempted to stifle the overtly queer elements of the film, it felt like yet another example of a corporation devaluing the stories of an already marginalized community to appease the status quo.
Fortunately, a savior appeared in the form of Annapurna Pictures, who rescued the production, brought it to Netflix,...
Following the Walt Disney Company's acquisition of Fox, Blue Sky Studios, the animation company behind films like "Ice Age," "The Peanuts Movie," and "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!" was shuttered. This meant the already-in-progress adaptation of Nd Stevenson's graphic novel, "Nimona," was canceled. It's a tragedy when any project is unceremoniously scrapped as what boils down to a corporate cost-saving measure but for a film like "Nimona," whose production was already fighting to be presented authentically as Disney attempted to stifle the overtly queer elements of the film, it felt like yet another example of a corporation devaluing the stories of an already marginalized community to appease the status quo.
Fortunately, a savior appeared in the form of Annapurna Pictures, who rescued the production, brought it to Netflix,...
- 1/12/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
The nominees have been revealed for the 51st Annie Awards, and Makoto Shinkai's Suzume anime film came through with seven across a variety of categories that include Best Feature. Shinkai's latest came in second place for most nominations, just behind the Nick Bruno and Troy Quane directed Nimona , which adapts the best-selling graphic novel by Nd Stevenson and received nine nominations. Suzume tied with two other heavy-hitter features from the past year. Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron also received seven nominations, as did Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse from directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson and Kemp Powers. Pokémon: Path to the Peak received a nomination in the Best TV/Media - Limited Series category. Here's a quick look at everything Suzume is up for: Best Feature Best FX - Feature | Yoshitaka Takeuchi, Hiroyuki Seshita Best Character Animation - Feature | Kenichi Tsuchiya Best Music - Feature | Kazuma Jinnouchi,...
- 1/11/2024
- by Joseph Luster
- Crunchyroll
“Nimona,” the underdog Oscar contender from Annapurna Animation/Netflix, was the surprise leader for Asifa-Hollywood’s 51st Annie Awards with nine nominations. Meanwhile, the leading Oscar frontrunners, Sony’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” and Studio Ghibli/GKids’ “The Boy and the Heron” each scored seven nominations. The awards ceremony will be held February 17 at UCLA’s Royce Hall.
They will compete for best feature honors with Crunchyroll/Sony’s “Suzume,” the latest 2D fantasy/adventure from anime master Makoto Shinkai, which also collected seven nominations, and Nickelodeon/Paramount’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” which grabbed six noms.
Pixar’s “Elemental” also earned six nominations, while Neon’s “Robot Dreams,” an indie Oscar hopeful from Spain/France, earned five nominations.
The other best indie feature contenders are GKids’ “Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia,” “Four Souls of Coyote” (Cinemon Entertainment), “The Inventor” (Curiosity Studios), and “White Plastic Sky...
They will compete for best feature honors with Crunchyroll/Sony’s “Suzume,” the latest 2D fantasy/adventure from anime master Makoto Shinkai, which also collected seven nominations, and Nickelodeon/Paramount’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” which grabbed six noms.
Pixar’s “Elemental” also earned six nominations, while Neon’s “Robot Dreams,” an indie Oscar hopeful from Spain/France, earned five nominations.
The other best indie feature contenders are GKids’ “Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia,” “Four Souls of Coyote” (Cinemon Entertainment), “The Inventor” (Curiosity Studios), and “White Plastic Sky...
- 1/11/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
In a competitive year in animation, Nimona, based on the graphic novel by Nd Stevenson, leads the 51st Annie Awards feature competition with nine nominations includes best feature, direction and writing.
In the top category for best feature, the International Animated Film Society Asifa-Hollywood — which hands out the annual animation prizes — also nominated Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron, Sony Pictures Animation’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Makoto Shinkai’s Suzume, which earned seven nominations apiece; and Paramount and Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, which collected six nominations. Pixar’s Elemental also earned a total of six nominations, though it was snubbed in the top category.
Nimona, The Boy and the Heron, Across the Spider-Verse, Mutant Mayhem and Robot Dreams (which was also nominated for best independent feature) received directing noms.
Disney’s centennial-celebrating Wish and Dreamworks Animation’s Trolls World Tour both failed to earn a single nomination.
In the top category for best feature, the International Animated Film Society Asifa-Hollywood — which hands out the annual animation prizes — also nominated Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron, Sony Pictures Animation’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Makoto Shinkai’s Suzume, which earned seven nominations apiece; and Paramount and Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, which collected six nominations. Pixar’s Elemental also earned a total of six nominations, though it was snubbed in the top category.
Nimona, The Boy and the Heron, Across the Spider-Verse, Mutant Mayhem and Robot Dreams (which was also nominated for best independent feature) received directing noms.
Disney’s centennial-celebrating Wish and Dreamworks Animation’s Trolls World Tour both failed to earn a single nomination.
- 1/11/2024
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Acclaimed filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki earned his first Golden Globe Award nomination on the strength of his semi-autobiographical fantasy film The Boy and the Heron, capping a big week for the film that this weekend opened to a record-breaking $12.8 million, becoming the first original anime title in history to top the North American box office.
The Boy and the Heron was nominated for the animated feature Golden Globe alongside Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Elemental, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Suzume and Wish. Both The Boy and the Heron and Spider-Verse received additional nominations for original motion picture score.
A year after Netflix won the animated feature Golden Globe for the first time, for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, the streamer was shut of out this year’s race despite a slate of contenders that included Nimona, the fantasy based on the graphic novel by Nd Stevenson; Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget...
The Boy and the Heron was nominated for the animated feature Golden Globe alongside Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Elemental, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Suzume and Wish. Both The Boy and the Heron and Spider-Verse received additional nominations for original motion picture score.
A year after Netflix won the animated feature Golden Globe for the first time, for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, the streamer was shut of out this year’s race despite a slate of contenders that included Nimona, the fantasy based on the graphic novel by Nd Stevenson; Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget...
- 12/11/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nimona has had quite a journey before arriving on Netflix. After Disney acquired Blue Sky Studios, the film was repeatedly delayed before being canceled in 2021 when the studio was dissolved. Directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, along with the creator of the graphic novel Nd Stevenson, liken the experience to the story of Nimona, the “scrappy underdog” fighting against the superpower looking for conformity. The fight paid off the following year, where Annapurna Pictures and Netflix picked up the film and gave it a new chance at life.
Based on Stevenson’s original graphic novel, Nimona takes place in a futuristic medieval world. Ballister (Riz Ahmed), a knight framed for killing the Queen, meets Nimona, a shapeshifting teenager looking to embrace villainy, and the pair sets out to prove Ballister’s innocence. Along the way the pair bond, and the lines between heroes and monsters starts to blur. During development,...
Based on Stevenson’s original graphic novel, Nimona takes place in a futuristic medieval world. Ballister (Riz Ahmed), a knight framed for killing the Queen, meets Nimona, a shapeshifting teenager looking to embrace villainy, and the pair sets out to prove Ballister’s innocence. Along the way the pair bond, and the lines between heroes and monsters starts to blur. During development,...
- 12/5/2023
- by Ryan Fleming
- Deadline Film + TV
A broad range of titles, animation styles and plenty of music define this season’s animated feature race, with some expected contenders still to debut.
For instance, as the studio celebrates its centennial, Walt Disney Animation Studios hopes to grab one of the five nomination slots with its Nov. 22 musical Wish, which tells the story of how Disney’s wishing star came to be. Its voice cast is led by Ariana DeBose as young protagonist Asha and Chris Pine as villainous King Magnifico. The cast performs a collection of original songs from Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice, including “This Wish,” “I’m a Star” and “This Is the Thanks I Get.” Oscar winner Chris Buck (Frozen) and Fawn Veerasunthorn direct, and Disney Animation chief creative officer and Oscar winner Jennifer Lee is a writer and executive producer.
This title joins an already crowded field. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse — the bold...
For instance, as the studio celebrates its centennial, Walt Disney Animation Studios hopes to grab one of the five nomination slots with its Nov. 22 musical Wish, which tells the story of how Disney’s wishing star came to be. Its voice cast is led by Ariana DeBose as young protagonist Asha and Chris Pine as villainous King Magnifico. The cast performs a collection of original songs from Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice, including “This Wish,” “I’m a Star” and “This Is the Thanks I Get.” Oscar winner Chris Buck (Frozen) and Fawn Veerasunthorn direct, and Disney Animation chief creative officer and Oscar winner Jennifer Lee is a writer and executive producer.
This title joins an already crowded field. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse — the bold...
- 12/4/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One of the standout characters in Matthew Vaughn’s 2010 superhero film, Kick-Ass, is the daughter of Nicolas Cage’s Big Daddy character, Hit-Girl portrayed with a breakthrough performance that put Chloë Grace Moretz on the map. Along with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Moretz would return for the sequel, which didn’t quite duplicate the success of the original. The director of the first, Matthew Vaughn, has gone on to tackle Marvel’s famous mutants in X-Men: First Class, then helmed the trilogy of films in the Kingsman franchise.
Vaughn has the new spy comedy Argylle coming soon early next year. Lately, he’s revealed shocking details about Fox’s trick to have Halle Berry sign on to X-Men: The Last Stand. Now the director says his Kick-Ass reboot has room for more Chloë Grace Moretz’s Hit-Girl in the future. ScreenRant reports that Vaughn’s Kick-Ass 3 will feature a new cast...
Vaughn has the new spy comedy Argylle coming soon early next year. Lately, he’s revealed shocking details about Fox’s trick to have Halle Berry sign on to X-Men: The Last Stand. Now the director says his Kick-Ass reboot has room for more Chloë Grace Moretz’s Hit-Girl in the future. ScreenRant reports that Vaughn’s Kick-Ass 3 will feature a new cast...
- 10/24/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
David Ellison’s fledgling Skydance Animation — run by head of animation John Lasseter and president Holly Edwards — has moved its movie slate from Apple Studios to Netflix. The multi-year streaming deal commences with next year’s musical fantasy “Spellbound,” directed by Vicky Jenson (“Shrek” and “Shark Tale”), featuring the voice talent of Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman, and Javier Bardem, and boasting a score from Alan Menkin and original songs with lyricist Glen Slater. It’s about a princess who tries to reverse a spell that transformed her parents into monsters.
Set for release in 2025 is “Pookoo,” a buddy comedy about two enemies — a woodland creature and a majestic bird — that magically trade places. It’s helmed by former Disney director Nathan Greno (“Tangled”), with original music composed by Siddhartha Khosla.
Also in the works are two prestigious features that are a result of Lasseter’s strong relationships with directors Brad Bird...
Set for release in 2025 is “Pookoo,” a buddy comedy about two enemies — a woodland creature and a majestic bird — that magically trade places. It’s helmed by former Disney director Nathan Greno (“Tangled”), with original music composed by Siddhartha Khosla.
Also in the works are two prestigious features that are a result of Lasseter’s strong relationships with directors Brad Bird...
- 10/18/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
There’s something uniquely special about the films you discover when you’re a child. Whether it’s a wondrous flight of fantasy, a mind-boggling work of animation, an adventure in a whole new world, or a coming-of-age tale that teaches you some of life’s biggest lessons, the movies we see when we’re kids stay with us for life — and the best ones help shape who we are. But in an age where you don’t have to leave the house — or even the sofa — to lose yourself in the magic of moving pictures, it can be hard to even know where to start when it comes to finding the films that will truly connect with the next generation of budding young film buffs.
Thankfully, your cool aunt/uncle Empire is here to help. We’ve got down with the kids, reconnected with the child within, and spent...
Thankfully, your cool aunt/uncle Empire is here to help. We’ve got down with the kids, reconnected with the child within, and spent...
- 10/18/2023
- by Jordan King
- Empire - Movies
The Italian premiere of Illumination and Universal Pictures’ upcoming animated feature “Migration” rounds out the lineup for this year’s View Conference in Turin, Italy. The conference, which brings together top industry professionals, thought leaders and enthusiasts to celebrate the latest achievements in animation, VFX and games, runs from Oct. 15 through Oct. 20.
“Migration” director Benjamin Renner will offer a presentation on the making of the film, which follows the Mallard family on a surprising journey outside of their New England home. Lending their voices to the project are Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Carol Kane and Danny DeVito. The film opens in the U.S. on Dec. 22.
“It is an honor to welcome Benjamin Renner to our live stage at View Conference 2023,” says conference director Maria Elena Gutierrez. “This Italian premiere event will give our global audience an exclusive preview of this highly anticipated movie, which enjoys its theatrical release this coming holiday season.
“Migration” director Benjamin Renner will offer a presentation on the making of the film, which follows the Mallard family on a surprising journey outside of their New England home. Lending their voices to the project are Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Carol Kane and Danny DeVito. The film opens in the U.S. on Dec. 22.
“It is an honor to welcome Benjamin Renner to our live stage at View Conference 2023,” says conference director Maria Elena Gutierrez. “This Italian premiere event will give our global audience an exclusive preview of this highly anticipated movie, which enjoys its theatrical release this coming holiday season.
- 9/22/2023
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
Following the release of its first animated feature, Nimona, Annapurna Animation has brought on director Nick Bruno and producer Julie Zackary to join their creative leadership team while expanding its upcoming feature slate to include an adaptation of video game Stray, along with Foo, an original title from Ice Age helmer and Blue Sky co-founder Chris Wedge.
Based on Nd Stevenson’s graphic novel of the same name, Nimona began its life at Blue Sky, and moved to Annapurna after Disney shut down the production and studio following its acquisition of Fox, which owned the animation umbrella. Netflix released the well-received Nimona in June.
Bruno — a Blue Sky alum, who made his directorial debut with Spies in Disguise — is already developing and directing an untitled original feature for the studio, while developing additional originals. Zackary is joining the studio as head of animation production, having previously served as vp of...
Based on Nd Stevenson’s graphic novel of the same name, Nimona began its life at Blue Sky, and moved to Annapurna after Disney shut down the production and studio following its acquisition of Fox, which owned the animation umbrella. Netflix released the well-received Nimona in June.
Bruno — a Blue Sky alum, who made his directorial debut with Spies in Disguise — is already developing and directing an untitled original feature for the studio, while developing additional originals. Zackary is joining the studio as head of animation production, having previously served as vp of...
- 9/6/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Annapurna Interactive’s award-winning video game Stray will be getting its very own movie adaptation from the indie studio’s animation branch, Annapurna Animation. Stray, a 2022 adventure game from BlueTwelve Studio, takes players on a journey playing as a drone-equipped, stray cat trying to survive against robots and machines.
The Stray adaptation was announced by Robert Baird of Annapurna Animation. “This is a game that’s all about what makes us human, and there are no humans in it,” Baird told Entertainment Weekly. “It’s a buddy comedy about a cat and a robot, and there’s such a hilarious dynamic. So, there’s comedy inherent in this, but there’s not one human being in this movie. I think it’s one of the reasons why the game was incredibly popular, that you are seeing the world through the point of view of an adorable cat.”
Baird added that,...
The Stray adaptation was announced by Robert Baird of Annapurna Animation. “This is a game that’s all about what makes us human, and there are no humans in it,” Baird told Entertainment Weekly. “It’s a buddy comedy about a cat and a robot, and there’s such a hilarious dynamic. So, there’s comedy inherent in this, but there’s not one human being in this movie. I think it’s one of the reasons why the game was incredibly popular, that you are seeing the world through the point of view of an adorable cat.”
Baird added that,...
- 9/5/2023
- by Sophia Scorziello
- Variety Film + TV
The Monkey King is an animated adventure comedy movie. Directed by Anthony Stacchi, the Netflix movie is inspired by the epic Ming Dynasty classic Journey to the West. In the film we follow the Monkey King’s journey to become immortal, he is assisted by a girl named Lin. So, if you loved The Monkey King here are some similar movies you could watch next.
Kung Fu Panda (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – DreamWorks Animations
Synopsis: Prepare for awesomeness with this delightful Academy Award®-nominated DreamWorks Animation film. Jack Black is the voice of Po, a noodle slurping dreamer who must embrace his true self-fuzzy flaws and all–in order to become the real Dragon Warrior. Filled with high-kicking humor, groundbreaking animation, and an all-star cast including Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan and Dustin Hoffman.
Raya and The Last Dragon (Disney+) Credit – Walt Disney Animation
Synopsis: Walt Disney Animation...
Kung Fu Panda (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – DreamWorks Animations
Synopsis: Prepare for awesomeness with this delightful Academy Award®-nominated DreamWorks Animation film. Jack Black is the voice of Po, a noodle slurping dreamer who must embrace his true self-fuzzy flaws and all–in order to become the real Dragon Warrior. Filled with high-kicking humor, groundbreaking animation, and an all-star cast including Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan and Dustin Hoffman.
Raya and The Last Dragon (Disney+) Credit – Walt Disney Animation
Synopsis: Walt Disney Animation...
- 8/18/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Features the voices of: Chloe Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, Indya Moore, RuPaul Charles, Julio Torres, Sarah Sherman | Written by Robert L. Baird, Lloyd Taylor | Directed by Nick Bruno, Troy Quane
Adapting the 2015 graphic novel from Nd Stevenson, Nimona was originally a production of Blue Sky Studios before Disney’s acquisition of Fox resulted in Blue Sky’s closure and the cancellation of this film. The project was thankfully revived by Annapurna Pictures, with Netflix providing worldwide distribution, allowing for the release of one of 2023’s best films.
Within a medieval-futuristic kingdom, Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) is about to make history as the first commoner to become a knight. He is a beacon of hope for those not of noble blood, establishing that “anyone can be a hero”, which makes his crowning glory even more horrifying when he is framed for killing the queen.
Adapting the 2015 graphic novel from Nd Stevenson, Nimona was originally a production of Blue Sky Studios before Disney’s acquisition of Fox resulted in Blue Sky’s closure and the cancellation of this film. The project was thankfully revived by Annapurna Pictures, with Netflix providing worldwide distribution, allowing for the release of one of 2023’s best films.
Within a medieval-futuristic kingdom, Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) is about to make history as the first commoner to become a knight. He is a beacon of hope for those not of noble blood, establishing that “anyone can be a hero”, which makes his crowning glory even more horrifying when he is framed for killing the queen.
- 8/10/2023
- by James Rodrigues
- Nerdly
[This story contains major spoilers for Nimona.]
Nimona voice actress Chloë Grace Moretz “loves” that pink is the sole color embraced by the titular shapeshifting hero behind the Netflix animated film.
“When I was younger, I shirked pink like crazy. I remember being like, ‘Pink’s not cool. I’m going to wear everything other than pink,'” she recalled on the pink carpet of the movie’s New York screening. “Then I grew up, and I was like, ‘I can wear pink. I can do this.’ Those colors were gender-neutral for many years until like the 1940s. It’s a color that I think we should gain more ownership over and be able to wear it whenever we want it, however we want it, in all its different shades.”
In America, pink is a color that has spanned the gender spectrum at various points in history. Having spent decades not being associated with any particular gender,...
Nimona voice actress Chloë Grace Moretz “loves” that pink is the sole color embraced by the titular shapeshifting hero behind the Netflix animated film.
“When I was younger, I shirked pink like crazy. I remember being like, ‘Pink’s not cool. I’m going to wear everything other than pink,'” she recalled on the pink carpet of the movie’s New York screening. “Then I grew up, and I was like, ‘I can wear pink. I can do this.’ Those colors were gender-neutral for many years until like the 1940s. It’s a color that I think we should gain more ownership over and be able to wear it whenever we want it, however we want it, in all its different shades.”
In America, pink is a color that has spanned the gender spectrum at various points in history. Having spent decades not being associated with any particular gender,...
- 7/4/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The seven-year production of the latest Netflix animation feature, Nimona, was a rocky one. The film, based on Nd Stevenson’s webcomic about a sadistic little shapeshifter sidekick with a heart of gold, survived biblical hurdles in its leap from Nd’s panels to TV and big screens, including a studio acquisition, a whole pandemic, and a studio closure. Nimona’s epic journey is unlike anything else in feature animation history. But when a film boasts a subversive protagonist full of fiery, offbeat, punk-rock LGBTQ+ energy in a family film with a unique pro-trans message,...
- 7/3/2023
- by Rendy Jones
- Rollingstone.com
[The following story contains major spoilers from Nimona.]
Nimona is only Eugene Lee Yang’s second-ever voice acting gig, but it’s a “beautiful” role, he says, and one already for the history books.
The actor, who is best known for his work with YouTubers and media production group The Try Guys, is the voice behind Ambrosius Goldenloin, the presumed hero of the animated Netflix film. Released on Friday and based on an award-winning graphic novel by the movie’s co-producer Nd Stevenson, Nimona follows the titular punky shapeshifter, voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz, as she teams with an outcast knight, Riz Ahmed’s Ballister Boldheart, after he is accused of plotting and then killing Queen Valerin (Lorraine Toussaint).
Yang plays Goldenloin, a knight of royal lineage who finds himself cutting off his boyfriend Ballister’s arm while trying to save his ruler. Eventually, he also agrees to track and capture Ballister at the behest of the Director...
Nimona is only Eugene Lee Yang’s second-ever voice acting gig, but it’s a “beautiful” role, he says, and one already for the history books.
The actor, who is best known for his work with YouTubers and media production group The Try Guys, is the voice behind Ambrosius Goldenloin, the presumed hero of the animated Netflix film. Released on Friday and based on an award-winning graphic novel by the movie’s co-producer Nd Stevenson, Nimona follows the titular punky shapeshifter, voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz, as she teams with an outcast knight, Riz Ahmed’s Ballister Boldheart, after he is accused of plotting and then killing Queen Valerin (Lorraine Toussaint).
Yang plays Goldenloin, a knight of royal lineage who finds himself cutting off his boyfriend Ballister’s arm while trying to save his ruler. Eventually, he also agrees to track and capture Ballister at the behest of the Director...
- 7/1/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
[Editor’s note: The following interview contains spoilers for “Nimona.”]
Netflix’s “Nimona” (now streaming) represents the latest post “Spider-Verse” animated breakthrough in handmade-looking 2D stylization. The twist here was creating a futuristic medieval fantasy that mixes “Sleeping Beauty” with “Blade Runner.” Fortunately, Dneg Animation (“Entergalactic”) answered the Sos after the trouble-plagued adaptation of Nd Stevenson’s queer graphic novel about the titular teen shapeshifter (Chloë Grace Moretz) came back from the dead. That’s because Annapurna Animation and the streamer rescued the Blue Sky feature after Disney shuttered the Fox-owned animation studio in 2021.
“We obviously followed it really closely, what happened to Blue Sky,” Dneg VFX supervisor Archie Donato told IndieWire. “We knew that they were shutting down. It was all over media and everything, so it was incredibly heartbreaking because we had many, many friends working there. We actually hired a lot of their animators and people in lighting and compositing and other departments. So we managed...
Netflix’s “Nimona” (now streaming) represents the latest post “Spider-Verse” animated breakthrough in handmade-looking 2D stylization. The twist here was creating a futuristic medieval fantasy that mixes “Sleeping Beauty” with “Blade Runner.” Fortunately, Dneg Animation (“Entergalactic”) answered the Sos after the trouble-plagued adaptation of Nd Stevenson’s queer graphic novel about the titular teen shapeshifter (Chloë Grace Moretz) came back from the dead. That’s because Annapurna Animation and the streamer rescued the Blue Sky feature after Disney shuttered the Fox-owned animation studio in 2021.
“We obviously followed it really closely, what happened to Blue Sky,” Dneg VFX supervisor Archie Donato told IndieWire. “We knew that they were shutting down. It was all over media and everything, so it was incredibly heartbreaking because we had many, many friends working there. We actually hired a lot of their animators and people in lighting and compositing and other departments. So we managed...
- 6/30/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including red carpets for The Afterparty, Joy Ride and They Cloned Tyrone.
Joy Ride premiere
Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu joined director Adele Lim, co-writers Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao, and producers Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, and Josh Fagen at the film’s Los Angeles premiere on Monday.
Sherry Cola, Sabrina Wu, Stephanie Hsu, Teresa Hsiao, Cherry Chevapravatdumrong, Adele Lim and Ashley Park Josh Fagen, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weave
The Out-Laws premiere
Netflix hosted a special screening of its new comedy in Los Angeles on Monday, with stars Adam Devine, Nina Dobrev, Pierce Brosnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Michael Rooker, Blake Anderson, Lauren Lapkus, Lil Rel Howery, Laci Mosley and producer Adam Sandler.
Adam DeVine, Nina Dobrev and Pierce Brosnan Adam DeVine and Adam...
Joy Ride premiere
Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu joined director Adele Lim, co-writers Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao, and producers Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, and Josh Fagen at the film’s Los Angeles premiere on Monday.
Sherry Cola, Sabrina Wu, Stephanie Hsu, Teresa Hsiao, Cherry Chevapravatdumrong, Adele Lim and Ashley Park Josh Fagen, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weave
The Out-Laws premiere
Netflix hosted a special screening of its new comedy in Los Angeles on Monday, with stars Adam Devine, Nina Dobrev, Pierce Brosnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Michael Rooker, Blake Anderson, Lauren Lapkus, Lil Rel Howery, Laci Mosley and producer Adam Sandler.
Adam DeVine, Nina Dobrev and Pierce Brosnan Adam DeVine and Adam...
- 6/30/2023
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Plot: After an ostracized knight in a futuristic, medieval world is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona – a mischievous teen who’s also the shape-shifting creature he’s sworn to destroy.
Review: After years of hard work, uncertainty, multiple delays, and a damning cancellation by the Walt Disney Company, Nimona is ready to dazzle audiences with a stunningly animated adventure about defying expectations, exploration of self, acceptance, and the limitless potential of love and friendship. After being canceled by Disney and resurrected by Annapurna and Netflix, Nimona‘s arrival on the small screen is a cause for celebration. Both a triumph of animation and heart, Nimona delivers a story as powerful as its title character for a film that deserves to be seen by everyone.
For the sake of full disclosure, I’ve been a Nimona...
Review: After years of hard work, uncertainty, multiple delays, and a damning cancellation by the Walt Disney Company, Nimona is ready to dazzle audiences with a stunningly animated adventure about defying expectations, exploration of self, acceptance, and the limitless potential of love and friendship. After being canceled by Disney and resurrected by Annapurna and Netflix, Nimona‘s arrival on the small screen is a cause for celebration. Both a triumph of animation and heart, Nimona delivers a story as powerful as its title character for a film that deserves to be seen by everyone.
For the sake of full disclosure, I’ve been a Nimona...
- 6/30/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
After seven years of toil and trouble, a cancelation by Disney, and resurrection by Annapurna and Netflix, Nd Stevenson’s Nimona is finally ready to make a splash on the small screen. Nimona is a larger-than-life tale of identity, othering, acceptance, and finding ways to stand out in a world that fears what it does not understand. In the film, a knight in a futuristic, medieval world is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. The only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona — a mischievous teen who happens to be a shapeshifting creature he’s sworn to destroy. With brilliant animation from Dneg, Nimona leaps off the screen with style, vibrant colors, and attitude.
We had the pleasure of speaking with key members of the cast and crew, including Nimona creator Nd Stevenson, directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, and lead actors Chloë Grace Moretz...
We had the pleasure of speaking with key members of the cast and crew, including Nimona creator Nd Stevenson, directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, and lead actors Chloë Grace Moretz...
- 6/29/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Chloë Grace Moretz and Riz Ahmed star in buoyant, good-humoured LGBTQ+ parable from the directors of Spies in Disguise
The web comic and graphic novel Nimona by Nd Stevenson was an adventure in queer science-fantasy; now it has been mainstreamed into an animation directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, who made their feature debut in 2019 with Spies in Disguise.
What has emerged is a buoyant and good-humoured LGBTQ+ parable, set in a kind of retro-futurist kingdom, super-modern and hi-tech in every way but with a medieval-style queen and a court of knights who have competed hard for the honour of the title “sir”. One of these is Ballister Boldheart (voiced by Riz Ahmed), a lowborn person of colour in love with fellow knight Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin (Eugene Lee Yang), and Ballister is about to be officially dubbed in a gigantic stadium ceremony halfway between the Hunger Games and the Super Bowl.
The web comic and graphic novel Nimona by Nd Stevenson was an adventure in queer science-fantasy; now it has been mainstreamed into an animation directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, who made their feature debut in 2019 with Spies in Disguise.
What has emerged is a buoyant and good-humoured LGBTQ+ parable, set in a kind of retro-futurist kingdom, super-modern and hi-tech in every way but with a medieval-style queen and a court of knights who have competed hard for the honour of the title “sir”. One of these is Ballister Boldheart (voiced by Riz Ahmed), a lowborn person of colour in love with fellow knight Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin (Eugene Lee Yang), and Ballister is about to be officially dubbed in a gigantic stadium ceremony halfway between the Hunger Games and the Super Bowl.
- 6/21/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
When Nd Stevenson, co-producer of Nimona, discusses the fiery titular character of Netflix’s upcoming animated film, he uses descriptors rare for a lead: angry, punky, chubby, weird, off-putting. “She’s this teen girl who wants to murder people,” he says of the charmingly chaotic shape-shifter, aspiring villain and self-dubbed sidekick.
She also happens to be his avatar and alter-ego. Releasing June 30 on Netflix, Nimona is an animated feature based on Stevenson’s popular webcomic-turned-graphic novel, which garnered an Eisner Award and a National Book Award nomination. Onscreen, the story follows a feared shape-shifter (voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz) after she comes to the aid of Lord Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), a knight accused of a crime.
For Stevenson, Nimona is a “power fantasy,” but one who is equally wounded and scared, desperate to be seen, held and loved. “She is a character with a lot of pain and anger at her heart,...
She also happens to be his avatar and alter-ego. Releasing June 30 on Netflix, Nimona is an animated feature based on Stevenson’s popular webcomic-turned-graphic novel, which garnered an Eisner Award and a National Book Award nomination. Onscreen, the story follows a feared shape-shifter (voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz) after she comes to the aid of Lord Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), a knight accused of a crime.
For Stevenson, Nimona is a “power fantasy,” but one who is equally wounded and scared, desperate to be seen, held and loved. “She is a character with a lot of pain and anger at her heart,...
- 6/16/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Long before celebrating the world premiere of “Nimona” at a hilltop castle high above Annecy, Nd Stevenson devised the character out of sheer necessity. “I was an extremely depressed art student, I was 19 years old, and I was struggling,” he tells Variety.
“I was really trying to find myself and figure out who I was, and Nimona was this character who kind of embodied everything I wanted to be. She was a shapeshifter, able to change her appearance with the click of a finger, and she could be anything, any person, as big as a dragon or as small as a cat. There was really no limit to her power, and that gave me an emotional language to talk about my feelings at a time when I really needed to.”
What’s more, Nimona could travel, starting on the back of sketchbook and then to a serialized web-comic and then...
“I was really trying to find myself and figure out who I was, and Nimona was this character who kind of embodied everything I wanted to be. She was a shapeshifter, able to change her appearance with the click of a finger, and she could be anything, any person, as big as a dragon or as small as a cat. There was really no limit to her power, and that gave me an emotional language to talk about my feelings at a time when I really needed to.”
What’s more, Nimona could travel, starting on the back of sketchbook and then to a serialized web-comic and then...
- 6/16/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
The long-awaited animated feature adaptation of Nd Stevenson’s cult graphic novel Nimona enjoyed a triumphant world premiere at the Annecy International Film Festival on Wednesday evening ahead of its launch on Netflix on June 30.
Set in a futuristic medieval world, the story revolves around the titular Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a mischievous, shape-shifting teenager with a violent streak, and Ballister Blackheart (Riz Ahmed), an up and coming knight of humble origins.
When Blackheart is framed for a heinous crime and is forced to go on the run, Nimona becomes an unlikely saviour, initially because she believes he is guilty and thinks he is a kindred spirit.
Blackheart is determined to prove his innocence, especially in the eyes of his long-time soul mate, fellow knight Ambrosius Goldenloin.
The work is adapted from Stevenson’s award-winning graphic novel of the same name, which in turn was developed from a webcomic about...
Set in a futuristic medieval world, the story revolves around the titular Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a mischievous, shape-shifting teenager with a violent streak, and Ballister Blackheart (Riz Ahmed), an up and coming knight of humble origins.
When Blackheart is framed for a heinous crime and is forced to go on the run, Nimona becomes an unlikely saviour, initially because she believes he is guilty and thinks he is a kindred spirit.
Blackheart is determined to prove his innocence, especially in the eyes of his long-time soul mate, fellow knight Ambrosius Goldenloin.
The work is adapted from Stevenson’s award-winning graphic novel of the same name, which in turn was developed from a webcomic about...
- 6/15/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
"Nimona" is a new CG-animated comedy feature, based on the comic series by Nd Stevenson, directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, starring the voices of Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul, Indya Moore, Julio Torres and Sarah Sherman, streaming June 30, 2023 on Netflix:
"...teenage 'Nimona', with the power to 'shapeshift', is targeted by a knight for assassination. The knight's mission to kill Nimona becomes complicated when he is accused of a crime and learns that Nimona may be able to exonerate him..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...teenage 'Nimona', with the power to 'shapeshift', is targeted by a knight for assassination. The knight's mission to kill Nimona becomes complicated when he is accused of a crime and learns that Nimona may be able to exonerate him..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 6/15/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Having had to venture its way through a thorny early phase, animated adventure Nimona is headed our way at the end of the month. Check out the trailer…
When Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn't commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a mischievous teen with a taste for mayhem – who also happens to be a shapeshifting creature Ballister has been trained to destroy.
But with the entire kingdom out to get him, Nimona’s the best sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters start to blur, the two of them set out to wreak serious havoc: for Ballister to clear his name once and for all, and for Nimona to… just wreak serious havoc.
Directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane,...
When Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn't commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a mischievous teen with a taste for mayhem – who also happens to be a shapeshifting creature Ballister has been trained to destroy.
But with the entire kingdom out to get him, Nimona’s the best sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters start to blur, the two of them set out to wreak serious havoc: for Ballister to clear his name once and for all, and for Nimona to… just wreak serious havoc.
Directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane,...
- 6/14/2023
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
Once upon a time, animated movies made it easy to tell the heroes apart from the villains. Now, the trend is for princesses to remain happily unmarried (“Frozen”), for kids to know better than their elders (“Encanto”) and for monsters to be revealed as misunderstood allies (“Luca”). For a while, those twists on the Disney fairy-tale formula felt surprising to audiences, aligning nicely with where the cultural conversation was headed. Through repetition, however, such enlightenment has become its own cliché.
Enter Nimona, who brings a fresh dose of attitude to such inclusive messaging. She’s a monster, but doesn’t like to be called that. (And who can blame her?) Apparently the only one of her kind in a fictional kingdom where medieval customs and flying cars aren’t mutually exclusive, Nimona is capable of shape-shifting into practically any species — be it a shark, a rhinoceros or a ginormous dragon...
Enter Nimona, who brings a fresh dose of attitude to such inclusive messaging. She’s a monster, but doesn’t like to be called that. (And who can blame her?) Apparently the only one of her kind in a fictional kingdom where medieval customs and flying cars aren’t mutually exclusive, Nimona is capable of shape-shifting into practically any species — be it a shark, a rhinoceros or a ginormous dragon...
- 6/14/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Aardman founder Peter Lord and director Sam Fell took to the stage at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on Wednesday to present first footage for Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget.
The reveal was part of a special Netflix presentation of its upcoming animation productions including Leo, starring Adam Sandler as a 75-year-old lizard; martial arts drama Blue-Eyed Samurai as well as animated comedy series Exploding Kittens.
Launching December 15, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget will arrive 23 years after the cult original Chicken Run.
The Aardman team unveiled footage of the utopian island chicken haven created by heroine Ginger after she led the breakout from the Tweedy farm in late 1940s Britain, described by Fell as a sort of “Chicken Wakanda”.
Its now the early 60s and Ginger is the mother with Rocky of rebellious teenager Molly.
Ginger in the meantime has buried her rebel side, devoting herself instead...
The reveal was part of a special Netflix presentation of its upcoming animation productions including Leo, starring Adam Sandler as a 75-year-old lizard; martial arts drama Blue-Eyed Samurai as well as animated comedy series Exploding Kittens.
Launching December 15, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget will arrive 23 years after the cult original Chicken Run.
The Aardman team unveiled footage of the utopian island chicken haven created by heroine Ginger after she led the breakout from the Tweedy farm in late 1940s Britain, described by Fell as a sort of “Chicken Wakanda”.
Its now the early 60s and Ginger is the mother with Rocky of rebellious teenager Molly.
Ginger in the meantime has buried her rebel side, devoting herself instead...
- 6/14/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Just four weeks ago, the Netflix streaming service unveiled a teaser trailer for the animated adventure film Nimona – and since we’re a little over two weeks from the film’s June 30th release date, it makes sense that a full trailer for the movie has now arrived online. You can check it out in the embed above.
Nimona had a bumpy ride on its way to Netflix. The project was scrapped by Blue Sky Studios when it was near completion, then canceled by Fox… but by the end of this month, it will finally be out in the world.
Inspired by Nd Stevenson‘s (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power) webcomic-turned-graphic novel, Nimona was directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane from a screenplay by Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor. Here’s the synopsis: When Ballister Boldheart, a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit,...
Nimona had a bumpy ride on its way to Netflix. The project was scrapped by Blue Sky Studios when it was near completion, then canceled by Fox… but by the end of this month, it will finally be out in the world.
Inspired by Nd Stevenson‘s (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power) webcomic-turned-graphic novel, Nimona was directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane from a screenplay by Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor. Here’s the synopsis: When Ballister Boldheart, a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit,...
- 6/14/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
As part of Netflix’s appearance this week at the Annecy International Animation Festival, the streaming service hosted a sneak peek at upcoming work and the world premiere of Nimona, the anticipated adaptation of Nd Stevenson’s graphic novel coming to the platform on June 30. Additionally, the studio announced that Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget — Aardman Animations’ anticipated sequel to 2000’s Chicken Run — will get a Dec. 15 release.
In a new clip from the sequel to Chicken Run — from the Oscar-winning studio behind Wallace and Gromit and Shawn the Sheep — the Annecy audience was introduced to Molly (Bella Ramsey), the daughter of Chicken Run‘s Ginger (Thandiwe Newton) and Rocky (Zachary Levi). Molly is among those captured and placed in a truck carting chickens to a new fortress-like farm. After a classic Aardman chase — with Ginger, Rocky and others in hot pursuit of the truck — they begin to devise a rescue plan.
In a new clip from the sequel to Chicken Run — from the Oscar-winning studio behind Wallace and Gromit and Shawn the Sheep — the Annecy audience was introduced to Molly (Bella Ramsey), the daughter of Chicken Run‘s Ginger (Thandiwe Newton) and Rocky (Zachary Levi). Molly is among those captured and placed in a truck carting chickens to a new fortress-like farm. After a classic Aardman chase — with Ginger, Rocky and others in hot pursuit of the truck — they begin to devise a rescue plan.
- 6/14/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Things are about to get metal in the first trailer for Netflix and Annapurna Pictures’ animated feature, “Nimona.”
The official synopsis is as follows: When Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a mischievous teen with a taste for mayhem — who also happens to be a shapeshifting creature Ballister has been trained to destroy.
But with the entire kingdom out to get him, Nimona’s the best (or technically the only) sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters start to blur, the two of them set out to wreak serious havoc — for Ballister to clear his name once and for all, and for Nimona to…just wreak serious havoc.
The film’s distinct animation style...
The official synopsis is as follows: When Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a mischievous teen with a taste for mayhem — who also happens to be a shapeshifting creature Ballister has been trained to destroy.
But with the entire kingdom out to get him, Nimona’s the best (or technically the only) sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters start to blur, the two of them set out to wreak serious havoc — for Ballister to clear his name once and for all, and for Nimona to…just wreak serious havoc.
The film’s distinct animation style...
- 6/14/2023
- by Kristen Lopez
- The Wrap
Chloë Grace Moretz is ready to save Riz Ahmed in animated form.
The two actors lead the long-awaited queer graphic novel adaptation “Nimona,” now being released by Netflix after previously being scrapped by Walt Disney Co. after the company allegedly took issue with the now-defunct Blue Sky Studios’ inclusion of a same-sex kiss.
The official synopsis for “Nimona” reads: When Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Moretz), a mischievous teen with a taste for mayhem — who also happens to be a shapeshifting creature Ballister has been trained to destroy. But with the entire kingdom out to get him, Nimona’s the best (or technically the only) sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters start to blur, the two...
The two actors lead the long-awaited queer graphic novel adaptation “Nimona,” now being released by Netflix after previously being scrapped by Walt Disney Co. after the company allegedly took issue with the now-defunct Blue Sky Studios’ inclusion of a same-sex kiss.
The official synopsis for “Nimona” reads: When Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Moretz), a mischievous teen with a taste for mayhem — who also happens to be a shapeshifting creature Ballister has been trained to destroy. But with the entire kingdom out to get him, Nimona’s the best (or technically the only) sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters start to blur, the two...
- 6/14/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Netflix, the world’s preeminent animation producer by production volume, outlay and awards, has set out a roadmap at Annecy for how it is looking to invest in the future of animation.
Sketched by John Derderian and Karen Toliver, Netflix animation heads of series and film respectively, the game plan takes in building on Netflix’s strengths, in adult animation, and genre and anime in series; maintaining a vast diversity of shows and movies; and looking in every project for a creator’s vision which Netflix will seek to connect with the right audience, at the right price.
Derderian and Toliver talked to Variety at France’s Annecy Animation Festival whose Netflix’s panel this Wednesday June 14, From Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget to Blue Eye Samurai – See What’s Next @ Netflix, promises to be one of Annecy’s most talked-about highlights.
As for diversity, the panel looks set...
Sketched by John Derderian and Karen Toliver, Netflix animation heads of series and film respectively, the game plan takes in building on Netflix’s strengths, in adult animation, and genre and anime in series; maintaining a vast diversity of shows and movies; and looking in every project for a creator’s vision which Netflix will seek to connect with the right audience, at the right price.
Derderian and Toliver talked to Variety at France’s Annecy Animation Festival whose Netflix’s panel this Wednesday June 14, From Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget to Blue Eye Samurai – See What’s Next @ Netflix, promises to be one of Annecy’s most talked-about highlights.
As for diversity, the panel looks set...
- 6/14/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
“Nimona” took a twisty road to the big screen. But now it’s ready for its debut at Annecy Animation Film Festival. Pictured above is an exclusive still from the anticipated fantasy adventure.
Based on the graphic novel by N.D. Stevenson, the feature follows Ballister Boldheart, a knight in a futuristic medieval world who is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. The only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona, a mischievous teen who happens to be a shapeshifting creature he’s sworn to destroy.
“Nimona” started out at 20th Century Fox’s animation shingle Blue Sky Studios, which optioned the novel in 2015. Nick Bruno and Troy Quane were brought onboard in 2020 when creative direction of the film changed. The film continued production apace even after Disney completed its $71.9 billion merger with 20th Century Fox in 2019.
Production continued during the pandemic as well, but then in 2021, Disney shuttered Blue Sky.
Based on the graphic novel by N.D. Stevenson, the feature follows Ballister Boldheart, a knight in a futuristic medieval world who is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. The only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona, a mischievous teen who happens to be a shapeshifting creature he’s sworn to destroy.
“Nimona” started out at 20th Century Fox’s animation shingle Blue Sky Studios, which optioned the novel in 2015. Nick Bruno and Troy Quane were brought onboard in 2020 when creative direction of the film changed. The film continued production apace even after Disney completed its $71.9 billion merger with 20th Century Fox in 2019.
Production continued during the pandemic as well, but then in 2021, Disney shuttered Blue Sky.
- 6/11/2023
- by Carole Horst
- Variety Film + TV
There were times when it seemed like Nimona would never reach the big screen. Based on Nd Stevenson’s fantasy webcomic and graphic novel, the story involves a teenage shapeshifter with a murky past and penchant for villainy, fighting alongside dark knight Ballister Blackheart against the shady Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics – and the tale was swiftly picked up for a feature film. But having originally been announced in 2015, the animated Nimona movie was then put through development hell, studio shutdown, cancellation, and eventual revival. Now, it’s finally ready to arrive – and it’s a kind of magic that it’s actually going to be with us.
For directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, that journey – with the film set up at Blue Sky under 20th Century Fox, before moving to Disney in the Fox acquisition, where it was later cancelled despite reportedly being 75% completed, and ultimately revived...
For directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, that journey – with the film set up at Blue Sky under 20th Century Fox, before moving to Disney in the Fox acquisition, where it was later cancelled despite reportedly being 75% completed, and ultimately revived...
- 6/7/2023
- by Owen Williams
- Empire - Movies
"Nimona" is a new CG-animated comedy feature, based on the comic series by Nd Stevenson, directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, starring the voices of Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul, Indya Moore, Julio Torres and Sarah Sherman, streaming June 14, 2023 on Netflix:
"...teenage 'Nimona', with the power to 'shapeshift', is targeted by a knight for assassination. The knight's mission to kill Nimona becomes complicated when he is accused of a crime and learns that Nimona may be able to exonerate him..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...teenage 'Nimona', with the power to 'shapeshift', is targeted by a knight for assassination. The knight's mission to kill Nimona becomes complicated when he is accused of a crime and learns that Nimona may be able to exonerate him..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 5/18/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Well, I’ll be damned! After being scrapped by Blue Sky Studios when it was near completion, then canceled by Fox, and resurrected by Netflix, Nimona is taking a victory lap with today’s Nimona teaser trailer! Inspired by Nd Stevenson‘s (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power) webcomic-turned-graphic novel, the story of Nimona unfolds in a colorful techno-future where Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic, medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a mischievous teen with a taste for mayhem. Oh, and did I mention Nimona is a shape-shifter?
With the entire kingdom out to get him, Nimona’s the best (or technically the only) sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters blur, the unlikely duo set out to wreak...
With the entire kingdom out to get him, Nimona’s the best (or technically the only) sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters blur, the unlikely duo set out to wreak...
- 5/18/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
With “Nimona,” what started as a webcomic for cartoonist Nd Stevenson became a graphic novel sensation. After HarperCollins published a print edition of Stevenson’s comic, it won a Cybils Award and an Eisner Award, two of the highest accolades for graphic novels; it also got nominated for a National Book Award. Not too shabby for a senior thesis to graduate from the Maryland Institute College Of Art for Stevenson.
Continue reading ‘Nimona’ Teaser: Chloë Grace Moretz & Riz Ahmed Lead Voice Cast Of Netflix’s Graphic Novel Adaptation On June 30 at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Nimona’ Teaser: Chloë Grace Moretz & Riz Ahmed Lead Voice Cast Of Netflix’s Graphic Novel Adaptation On June 30 at The Playlist.
- 5/18/2023
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Fans of the Tumblr comic series “Nimona” can finally take a peek at Netflix’s upcoming animated feature film adaptation.
“Nimona,” set in a techno-medieval landscape where magic and technology combine, follows shape-shifting teenager Nimona (Moretz) as she tries to prove the innocence of wrongly convicted Knight Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed).
Joining Moretz and Ahmed in the film are Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul Charles, Indya Moore, Julio Torres, Sarah Sherman and Eugene Lee Yang.
In 2015, the internet comic was published by HarperCollins, becoming a New York Times bestselling graphic novel. Twentieth Century Fox Animation initially acquired the rights to the film, based on cartoonist Nd Stevenson’s webcomics, and planned to release the film in 2020 with “Big Hero 6” animator Patrick Osborne to direct. But when Disney acquired Fox in 2019, the company shuttered animation house Blue Sky Studios and canceled the project. In April 2022, Netflix announced it had acquired the film,...
“Nimona,” set in a techno-medieval landscape where magic and technology combine, follows shape-shifting teenager Nimona (Moretz) as she tries to prove the innocence of wrongly convicted Knight Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed).
Joining Moretz and Ahmed in the film are Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul Charles, Indya Moore, Julio Torres, Sarah Sherman and Eugene Lee Yang.
In 2015, the internet comic was published by HarperCollins, becoming a New York Times bestselling graphic novel. Twentieth Century Fox Animation initially acquired the rights to the film, based on cartoonist Nd Stevenson’s webcomics, and planned to release the film in 2020 with “Big Hero 6” animator Patrick Osborne to direct. But when Disney acquired Fox in 2019, the company shuttered animation house Blue Sky Studios and canceled the project. In April 2022, Netflix announced it had acquired the film,...
- 5/18/2023
- by Charna Flam
- Variety Film + TV
Chloë Grace Moretz and Riz Ahmed are finally debuting their respective graphic novel counterparts in Netflix’s “Nimona.”
The long-awaited big screen adaptation of Nd Stevenson’s bestselling queer 2015 graphic novel finally comes to Netflix this summer. “Nimona” was previously scrapped by Walt Disney Co. after the company allegedly took issue with the now-defunct Blue Sky Studios’ inclusion of a same-sex kiss. Blue Sky Studios executives claimed that “Nimona” was “75 percent” completed before Disney allegedly had “pushback” on the LGBTQ+ themes central to the story.
Netflix acquired the film in April 2022 and partnered with Annapurna Pictures to bring it to the streamer. “Nimona” started production again early last year with Dneg Animation.
Per the official synopsis of the new Netflix film, when Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his...
The long-awaited big screen adaptation of Nd Stevenson’s bestselling queer 2015 graphic novel finally comes to Netflix this summer. “Nimona” was previously scrapped by Walt Disney Co. after the company allegedly took issue with the now-defunct Blue Sky Studios’ inclusion of a same-sex kiss. Blue Sky Studios executives claimed that “Nimona” was “75 percent” completed before Disney allegedly had “pushback” on the LGBTQ+ themes central to the story.
Netflix acquired the film in April 2022 and partnered with Annapurna Pictures to bring it to the streamer. “Nimona” started production again early last year with Dneg Animation.
Per the official synopsis of the new Netflix film, when Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his...
- 5/18/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Lin (voiced by Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) and Monkey King (Jimmy O. Yang) – Photo Credit: Netflix © 2023)
Netflix’s slate of upcoming animated films includes The Monkey King directed by Anthony Stacchi (The Boxtrolls) and Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie – a new SpongeBob SquarePants film. The 2023-2024 slate also includes the animated musical comedy Leo featuring the voice of Adam Sandler, along with a new Chicken Run film, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget.
The streaming service also released details on In Your Dreams, That Christmas, Thelma the Unicorn, Nimona, and Ultraman.
Nimona – Summer 2023
This summer, Netflix will release the highly anticipated Nimona, based on the bestselling graphic novel by Nd Stevenson. Nimona follows Ballister Boldheart, a knight framed for a crime he didn’t commit, and the titular shapeshifter who sets out to help him prove his innocence.
Netflix confirms joining the film’s previously announced cast members Chloë Grace Moretz...
Netflix’s slate of upcoming animated films includes The Monkey King directed by Anthony Stacchi (The Boxtrolls) and Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie – a new SpongeBob SquarePants film. The 2023-2024 slate also includes the animated musical comedy Leo featuring the voice of Adam Sandler, along with a new Chicken Run film, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget.
The streaming service also released details on In Your Dreams, That Christmas, Thelma the Unicorn, Nimona, and Ultraman.
Nimona – Summer 2023
This summer, Netflix will release the highly anticipated Nimona, based on the bestselling graphic novel by Nd Stevenson. Nimona follows Ballister Boldheart, a knight framed for a crime he didn’t commit, and the titular shapeshifter who sets out to help him prove his innocence.
Netflix confirms joining the film’s previously announced cast members Chloë Grace Moretz...
- 4/26/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Netflix on Tuesday announced the new animated films In Your Dreams and Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, coming to the platform in 2024, also setting new voice cast for the fantasy adventure Nimona and offering new first-look stills from each of its animated titles debuting over the next 18 months, which you can view above and below.
The streamer’s first new film, In Your Dreams, is billed as a comedy adventure about Stevie and her brother Elliot, who magically travel into the world of dreams with the mission of finding The Sandman who will grant them their ultimate wish — saving their parents’ marriage. The kids are total opposites, making them an unlikely duo to navigate the absurdity of their own subconscious. Along their journey, they discover that as long as they have each other, they can face anything, even their worst nightmare. Alex Woo is directing, with Erik Benson as co-director,...
The streamer’s first new film, In Your Dreams, is billed as a comedy adventure about Stevie and her brother Elliot, who magically travel into the world of dreams with the mission of finding The Sandman who will grant them their ultimate wish — saving their parents’ marriage. The kids are total opposites, making them an unlikely duo to navigate the absurdity of their own subconscious. Along their journey, they discover that as long as they have each other, they can face anything, even their worst nightmare. Alex Woo is directing, with Erik Benson as co-director,...
- 4/25/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix’s animated output is certainly having a moment, between the Best Animated Feature win for Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio” and the acquisition of Animal Logic, the Australian animation studio that had previously been responsible for “Happy Feet,” “The Lego Movie” and “DC League of Super-Pets” (among many others). The streamer has just unveiled its 2023-2024 slate, revealing new details about upcoming projects like “Nimona” and announcing new movies like “Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie,” a brand-new “SpongeBob SquarePants” film.
Read on for the full rundown of Netflix’s upcoming animated films and see brand-new images.
“Nimona” “Nimona” (Netflix)
Coming this summer is “Nimona,” based on the graphic novel by Nd Stevenson and set in a futuristic yet still medieval world, it centers around a disgraced knight (Riz Ahmed) and a young shapeshifter (Chloë Grace Moretz) who team up to clear both of their names. We’d...
Read on for the full rundown of Netflix’s upcoming animated films and see brand-new images.
“Nimona” “Nimona” (Netflix)
Coming this summer is “Nimona,” based on the graphic novel by Nd Stevenson and set in a futuristic yet still medieval world, it centers around a disgraced knight (Riz Ahmed) and a young shapeshifter (Chloë Grace Moretz) who team up to clear both of their names. We’d...
- 4/25/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
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