Elton John's Movie Company Making New Animated Family Film

Elton John's animation studio, Rocket Pictures, is set to produce a new live-action / CG animated family movie. According to Dateline.com, Rockect Pictures has required the rights to Will Gallows and the Snake Bellied Troll,  series of books by Derek Keilty, and are already looking for talent. The story is about a young cowboy seeing justice in a fantasy/Wild West setting. Gnomeo & Juliet writer/director Kelly Asbury has already signed on to direct. Steve Hamilton Shaw and David Furnish will produce with Elton John himself as executive producer.

 It's a classic cowboy story for kids, set in an amazing world. We think family audiences will love it. - Elton John

I can guess that John will compose and perform the score and soundtrack himself.

Kool Kids Klub Podkast Episode 15

Episode 15 of the Kool Kids Klub is now available for your listening pleasure!

This episode focuses on the Flashpoint event which DC is currently running and on Victory Gundam (warning: some deaths and plot points from Victory Gundam are spoiled in this episode).

This episode is also available on iTunes.
Flashpoint in graphic novel format on Amazon.com

What does it mean to Voltron?

Running a soundtrack based website, I tend to pay attention to the music present in the animation I watch. Most cartoon soundtracks are not noteworthy. They get the job done, and that's it. Many of the scores are not even worth streaming. There are a few bright spots though, and then there are the WTFs.

One WTF I have discovered recently is for the new NickToons rendition of Voltron, Voltron Force. For the most part, the score for the series is ignorable. The opening theme music is not.

The opening theme song is nothing special musically. It is a brief techno theme with lyrics that reflect the short-attention spans of the kids the show is aimed at. My problem is not with the msuic or lyrics. My problem is with the title: Let's Voltron.

The title seems to indicate that the word voltron is a verb. This is nothing new in the English language. Proper nouns have been used as verbs for years, but what gets me here is trying to figure out what to voltron actually means.

Since the verb is mentioned in the theme song for Voltron Force, the show, and the Voltron franchise as a whole, are obvious places to look for answers.

The franchise is about a team of pilots that operate robot lions that can form Voltron. One posible definition of to voltron is just that: combining to form a giant robot. The three cadets want to be pilots, so wanting to voltron would be their dream. Thus, this makes sense, but it is not mentioned in the show itself, just the theme song.

Which leads me back to the phrase itself. Let us voltron, sung in a techno dance beat, strongly suggests that voltron is a type of dance. Voltroning maybe similar to the dance styles shown within the Robot Chicken skit where Voltron had to dance against a robeast. If this is indeed the case, then let's go.

I mean, just imaging the dance competitions we could have at Comic-Con. Teams of voltron dancers (5 per team, of course) could do battle against each other to see who has the best moves. I kind of like this idea.

There is only one way to true know, though, and that is for WEP to come out and enlighten us all. Until then, feel free to post your favorite to voltron definitions in the comments.

As for having Let's Voltron play on Toon Radio? I have to wait and see if WEP will release a soundtrack, or otherwise allow for the theme song to be downloaded.

Until next time, let's voltron!

Kool Kids Klub on iTunes

The Kool Kids Klub Podkast is now available for download on iTunes!

Click the link below to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, and be sure to send it to all your friends.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/toon-radio/id451093639

Kool Kids Klub Podkast Episode 14

Episode 14 of the Kool Kids Klub Podcast is now available for listening on demand. In this episode we discuss Ogre Slayer.

Unfortunately there is a lot of background noise in this episode, but the source of that problem has been discovered and it will not happen again in future episodes.

WTF? Live-Action Captain Planet?

From the WTF? category, the Hollywood Reporter is stating that Cartoon Network has signed on Transformers producer Don Murphy and his company Angry Fireworks as developers for a live-action movie based on the 1990s cartoon Captain Planet and the Planeteers. The article fails to mentioned who'll play Captain Planet at this time, but with San Diego Comic-Con this weekend, expect more news on this coming very soon.

I do not know what they are planning to do with this franchise. Captain Planet is as political as a cartoon can get, but at least it has some story behind it.
This news comes after a mid-June announcement that Joel Silver will be making a live-action Ben 10 film.

Nickelodeon Brings Back The 1990s

If you haven't heard yet, Nickelodeon is bringing back some cartoon favorites from the 1990s via their TeenNick channel.

The repeats will run between midnight and 4 a.m. under the title “The ’90s Are All That,” a reference to one of Nickelodeon’s most popular shows in that decade, “All That.” That sketch comedy show (1994 to 2005) is one of the first to be featured in the block, along with the sitcoms “Clarissa Explains It All” (1991 to 1994) and “Kenan & Kel” (1996 to 2001) and the cartoon “Doug” (1991 to 1994).
--- New York Times

It is great to see some of these 20-year-old classics return. I never seen most of them (I didn't have cable until 1998). So, getting the chance to watch them is something wonerful. Of course, you need to have TeenNick to watch these shows, but that s a small price to pay to see the original Doug.

Animation Software Skills

The Animation Anomally, Charles Kenny, pondered:

When it comes to animation and technology where does software skills play into things?

What I mean is that with a wide variety of different programs out there how do you choose which ones to learn?

My answer to these and similar question is the same I follow for science, blogging, ad broadcasting: learn as many programming and software languages that you possible can. You will never know when a perticular skill will be useful until the exact moment you need that skill. You might get lucky, and only have to learn new langiages as they come along, or you may find yourself having to use projects that were created over thiry years ago.

Pixar's New School

Cartoon Brew is reporting that a brand new animation school has open up, across the streat from Pixar's Emeryville campus. The school/workshop, called the Animation Collaborative, is staffed by current Pixar animators, and competively priced at $1,400 for a 8-week summer session abd $1,900 for 13-week fall sessions. Unfortunately, the schoo isn't accreditied, so you will get no degree or certificate for attending, but if you want to be an animator, check them out.

The three guarantees in life...

PetrifiedJello over at the Anime News Network Forums remarked that the three guarntees in life are :

• Taxes
• Erin Finnegan will rate a "loli" series as "Perishable"
• Death

Since PetrifiedJello is a known 12-year-old who likes animaetd child porn, such a statement from him isn't much a surprise. PetrifiedJello's resentment to Finnegan's collumn Shelf Life - Chocolate Bund Cake is still quite amusing. Personally, I have never seen K-ON or the other series mention in Finnegan's rant, but I can get a alot from their descriptions. And from I have read, I have to side with Finnegan's remarks. These series are disguised pornography froma culture that despises public nudity in all forms, even in film, and should be treated as such.

Kool Kids Klub Podkast Episode 13

Episode 13 is now available for listening on demand.

In this episode we talk about new episodes of the Looney Tunes Show and the news from Anime Expo.

Lego Star Wars on Cartoon Network

According to Collider, Cartoon Network will be airing Star Wars: The Padawan Menace, to feed off the popularity of Stars Wars: The Clone Wars. The special, which will star a group of young jedis being guidesdby Master Yoda through the Senate chambers,  will air on July 22 at 7:00 PM on Cartoon Network.

Top 10 Cartoons that Need Live-Action Movies

The third live-action Transformers movie is now in theaters, with the Smurfs not far away, it is time to give you my list of top ten old cartoons that deserve to have live-action remakes. These cartoons were all released prior to the year 2000, and they all need to be brought back in one form or another.  Now, you are going to ask: Why" Why do these great properties of our youth need to redone with a live-action film? Because live-action is where it's at!

Without further ado, here are the top ten cartoons I would like to see redone in live-action!

1. Batman Beyond - The son of Batman deserves to have a live-action Batman remake too!
2. The Pirates of Dark Water - Live-action pirates are in this year, so why not add some dark water to go with them. Some Caribbean island can moonlight as the Planet Mir.
3. Exosquad - I have never seen Exosquad, but what I have heard of this American mech series has me intrigued. If I can catch the series as a live-action film, even better
4. Voltron - If Transformers can do it, why not Voltron?!?
5. Biker Mice From Mars - You can't go wrong with live-action Martian mice riding motorcycles!
6. Silverhawks - Partly computer generated, partly live actors,  Silverhawks!
7. Bravestar - Space cowboys with CG tech and magic, in beautiful 3D live-action
8. Captain N - The Game Master - All Nintendo franchises in one movie. How can you go wrong with that!
9. Gargoyles - CG gargoyles protecting New York City, shot on location! Get on it, Disney.
10. Snorks - Underwater smurfs! 'Nuff said.

I hope you enjoy this list as much I had fun making it!

Adam Sandler is the new Dracula

According to ComingSoon.net, Adam Sandler is going to be the voice of none other than Dracula himself in Sony’s upcoming animated comedy Hotel Transylvania. To be directed by Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter’s Lab, the original 2-D animated version of Star Wars: The Clone Wars), the story will involve Dracula as the head of a lavish resort that’s run by monsters, including Frankenstein (Kevin James) and Quasimodo (David Spade). It will also have Dracula dealing with the stress of parenthood, being an overprotective father to his teenage daughter. The film is set to be released to theaters everywhere on September 21, 2012.

Spongebob IS the Rabbit

During an interview with Jim Hill Media, Tom Kenny, the voice of Spongebob Squarepants, mentioned that he will be providing the voice for Rabbit in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, set to be released later this year. While voicing Rabbit, Tom Kenny noted that he will be leaving the Spongebob franchise.

Press Release: Boomerang Celebrates Original SMURFS in Advance of Movie Premiere

Boomerang Celebrates Original SMURFS in Advance of Movie Premiere

Month-long Tribute to Emmy Award-Winning Cartoon Revisits Little Blue

Characters Prior to July 29 Film Opening

  

This July, Boomerang will whet fan appetites for all things "smurfy" as the all-classics cartoon network heralds the worldwide premiere of the new 3D live-action/animated film, The Smurfs, opening Friday, July 29. The commercial-free network will clear its regular schedule across the month to devote morning, afternoon and evening air time each day-Monday-Friday 9-10 a.m., 3-4 p.m. and 8-9 p.m. (ET); Saturday-Sunday 9-10 a.m., 2-4 p.m., 8-9 p.m.-to present all-time favorite episodes of the Emmy Award-winning (Outstanding Children's Entertainment Series) classic animated series, THE SMURFS.

 Stacy Isenhower, senior vice president of programming and scheduling for Boomerang and Cartoon Network, remarked:

Children who grew up watching THE SMURFS in the '80s are now having children of their own, and with the major motion picture coming out at the end of the month, we decided Boomerang's July schedule would offer a great opportunity for the whole family to meet the characters and get to know the many special meanings of the word 'smurfy'.

In fall 1981, a decidedly new cartoon debuted on NBC's Saturday morning lineup. Based on a 1957 Belgian comic strip, THE SMURFS made television history following its premiere by becoming the highest-rated Saturday morning show in eight years, and the NBC's highest-rated animated series since 1970. THE SMURFS follows the lives of little blue people who live in mushrooms. Led by wise magician Papa Smurf, the eclectic crew includes such characters as Brainy, Vanity, Hefty, Clumsy and Smurfette (the only female Smurf), a happy bunch threatened only by the evil wizard Gargamel and his cat Azrael. For nine years on broadcast television (1981-1990), the series chronicled various adventures in Smurf Village, including Gargamel's multiple failed attempts to rid the world of the Smurfs altogether.

Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation will release The Smurfs in 3D worldwide on Friday, July 29. The live-action and animation feature film is directed by Raja Gosnell and stars Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Sofia Vergara and Hank Azaria as Gargamel.

Highlights of the month-long tribute include the following favorite episodes:

• "Sir Hefty" - Tuesday, July 19, 9 a.m. (ET) - A giant fire-breathing dragon roams the forest, torching the trees as it passes. Hefty must fight the fires and defend Smurf Village. He leads the dragon away and is knighted "Sir Hefty Knight of the Smurf Table" by Papa Smurf.
• "Three Smurfketeers" - Thursday, July 21, 9 a.m. (ET) - The Smurfs put on a play where Hefty, Jokey, and Greedy play the three musketeers, helping Clumsy Smurfingham win Smurfette Smurfington's hand in marriage.
• "The Haunted Castle" - Friday, July 22, 3:30 p.m. (ET) - Johan and Peewit, a young squire and his sidekick, join the Smurfs to help a ghost of a haunted castle find his rightful heir.
• "The Littlest Giant" - Sunday, July 24, 9:30 a.m. (ET) - Papa Smurf helps a young runaway giant reunite with his own family.

Boomerang is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s (TBS, Inc.) 24-hour cable/satellite network offering the best in classic animated entertainment. In partnership with Cartoon Network, the service boasts 75 percent unduplicated programming and is available to cable/satellite operators and their customers in Spanish. Boomerang's official Web site is located at http://Boomerang.CartoonNetwork.com.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 99 million U.S. homes and 166 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for kids and families. Nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults
18-34.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

The Super Hero Squad Returns!

It looks like Marvel's Super Hero Squad Show is returning for its final season. According to Toon Zone's Marvel Animation Age, The Super Hero Squad will return to Teleton on Sundays starting this weekend (July 3), while Cartoon Network will get the new season three weeks later on July 23.

Along with the air date, it seems that the new season will be the last. The final episode: The Super Hero Squad Show: The Final Battle! (‘Nuff Said!), has been produced and will air in this set of episodes. However, Marvel has noted that they will be returning to the Super Hero Squad universe in other projects.

RIP Cassandra Hodges (1983-2011)

Confirmed by FUNimation's Chris Ayres, voice actress Cassandra Hodges has passed away, at age 28. She provided voices for many of the recent FUNimation-dubbed anime, with her two biggest roles being Gotanda and Yuku in Hell Girl and Camembert in Glass Fleet. She also provided miscellaneous voices, such as in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Hetalia Axis Powers, Evangelion 2.0, and Chrome Shelled Regios, among others. The cause of death is unkown.

Rest in peace, Ms. Hodges

Press Release: Voltron goes to Comic-Con

ICONIC FRANCHISE VOLTRON®

TO HOLD ITS FIRST-EVER COMIC-CON PANEL

PRESENTATION

CARRIE KEAGAN OF VH1, NO GOOD TV & G4 WILL MODERATE EVENT WITH PANELISTS

THQ, WORLD EVENTS PRODUCTIONS, NICKTOONS, MATTEL AND MORE

SAN DIEGO, CA (June 30, 2011) — Voltron®, the franchise that began when the 1980s robot-themed television action series Voltron: Defender of the Universe® launched, will make its first-ever panel presentation at Comic-Con International at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 21, in the Indigo Ballroom at the Bayfront Hilton hotel.

The panel will feature entertainment and a presentation of both all-new and iconic Voltron content including original graphic novels, comic books, video games, Nicktoons’ highly-successful Voltron Force™ television series, and toys and merchandise in addition to other collectibles, exclusive sneak previews, never-before-seen material and surprises for attendees.

Carrie Keagan, current host of VH1’s Big Morning Buzz Live, lead anchor on No Good TV and known for her appearances on G4’s Attack of the Show, will moderate the hour-long event, which includes artists, producers and designers from the entire Voltron universe:

• From THQ, Adam Affrunti, producer;
• From World Events Productions, Jeremy Corray, Voltron Force supervising producer, and Todd Garfield, Voltron Force story editor;
• From Nicktoons, Keith Dawkins, senior vice president and general manager of Nicktoons;
• From Mattel, Steed Sun, entertainment brands design director, Michael Montalvo, entertainment brands design manager, and Brandon Sopinsky, entertainment brands designer;
• From Dynamite Entertainment, Joe Rybrandt, editor, and Brandon Thomas, Voltron comic book writer;
• From VIZ Media, Traci Todd, senior editor, and Jacob Chabot, cartoonist and illustrator for VIZ Media graphic novels

The panel’s scope highlights the transcendent nature of Voltron’s inter-galactic appeal, says Peter Armstrong, executive producer of THQ’s forthcoming video game. “This is an epic year for Voltron fans and the Comic-Con panel is going to be a memorable event for them. It’s the perfect time for us to present the first-ever Voltron panel since this legendary robot action franchise is back right now in a very big way. We can’t wait to talk about what’s next for Voltron, and to showcase some of the best and most exclusive Voltron content for the first time.”

Following the Voltron panel presentation, an autograph session with some of the major talent and participating executives will take place in a nearby area. A giant Voltron figure will also be on-site for photo opportunities with fans and attendees.

Voltron: Defender of the Universe first blazed on to TV screens in 1984, and quickly became a top-rated animated series. It’s the tale of a galaxy plagued by chaos and evil, and the five robotic lions – piloted by a team of brave space explorers – that combine to form the mighty robot hero, Voltron®. The hit series inspired a best-selling toy line and made Voltron a pop-culture icon.

An all-new 2D/CGI animated series, Voltron Force, recently debuted in the U.S. on Nicktoons, where it enjoyed the highest-rated premiere in the network’s history. The series is scheduled to air on broadcast networks around the world in 2011.

Contributing to the Comic-Con events celebrating the return of Voltron are the following:

THQ

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. THQ and its logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc. More information about THQ and its products can be found at www.thq.com.

World Events Productions

St. Louis-based World Events Productions, Ltd. (WEP) has produced and distributed children’s animation for over 25 years. WEP is the IP holder for shows including: Voltron, Defender the of the Universe, Voltron: The Third Dimension, Denver the Last Dinosaur, Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs and Vytor the Starfire Champion, among others. WEP is a Koplar Communications company. WEP is represented by United Talent Agency. For more information visit www.wep.com and www.voltron.com.

Nicktoons

Nicktoons is the fastest growing kids’ network and offers programming such as NFL’s Rush Zone: Guardians of the Core, Dragon Ball Z Kai, Fantastic Four: The World’s Greatest Heroes, Iron Man: Armored Adventures, Wolverine and The X-Men and Speed Racer: The Next Generation, as well as a roster of hits that have defined kids’ and animation lovers’ TV, including Avatar: The Last Airbender, Invader Zim, Danny Phantom, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius. Nicktoons currently reaches almost 58 million homes via cable, digital cable and satellite, and can be seen on Cablevision, Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, Cox Communications, DirecTV, DISH Network and Time Warner Cable. Nicktoons and all related titles and logos are property of Viacom, Inc. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com.

Mattel

Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT - News) (www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, Radica® and Tyco R/C®, as well as Fisher-Price® brands, including Little People®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2011, Mattel was named as one of FORTUNE Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" for the fourth year in a row, and was also ranked among Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s "100 Best Corporate Citizens". With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs approximately 31,000 people in 43 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. At Mattel, we are "Creating the Future of Play." For more information on Mattel’s collector offerings, visit www.facebook.com/mattycollector .

Dynamite Entertainment

Dynamite Entertainment was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling comic book titles and properties, including The Boys, Green Hornet, Vampirella, Warlord of Mars, Project Superpowers, Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time and more! Dynamite is consistently ranked in the upper tiers of comic book publishers and several of their titles - including PROJECT SUPERPOWERS - which debuted at #4 in the Top Ten lists produced by Diamond Comics Distributors. In 2005 Diamond awarded the company a GEM award for Best New Publisher and another GEM in 2006 for Comics Publisher of the Year (under 5%). The company has also been nominated for several industry awards, including the prestigious Eisner Award. For art and more information, please visit:www.dynamite.net. To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit www.comicshoplocator.com.

VIZ Media

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive andinnovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including the popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and website at www.VIZ.com.

Classic Media

Classic Media, one of the world’s largest independent entertainment companies, is a leader in reinventing the classics of yesterday and creating the entertainment classics of tomorrow. The Company owns and manages a globally-recognized portfolio of well-known family and pop-culture entertainment brands, including Casper the Friendly Ghost®, Where’s Waldo?®, The Lone Ranger®, Lassie®, Postman Pat®, and new global brands Tinga Tinga Tales® and Guess with Jess®. Big Idea, a member of the Classic Media family, is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s programming, including the best-selling animated series, VeggieTales®. More than 3,600 hours of Classic Media programming is distributed in more than 170 territories worldwide and showcased in multiple formats, including TV, film, home video, consumer products, publishing, digital, and music. Visit us at http://classicmedia.tv.