Two major animation projects have been announced today. First, Variety reports that David Reynolds, who co-scribed Finding Nemo is setting up his directorial debut for Sony Animation, who most recently delivered the successful Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. He will write the script with Despicable Me‘s Stephan Franck. The film is currently untitled and has no plot details, only a quick shot of praise from Sony Pictures Animation executive producer Ellen Goldsmith-Vein:
We are thrilled and excited to be making a movie at Sony Pictures Animation with Stephan directing and David, one of the funniest writers in the business.
Also announced today, via Coming Soon, is the next feature from Oscar-nominated Corpse Bride co-director Mike Johnson. He will direct a CG/stop-motion hybrid feature film, Oz Wars. The animation is written by Rob Moreland (Space Chimps 1 & 2) and Athena Gam (upcoming Alien Rock Band), in which the Oz narrative is transformed “into a contemporary, freaky action-packed PG-13 audience pleaser, with Dorothy caught up in a whirlwind of warrior witches, black magic, martial arts and monsters.”
Johnson also has big plans for the feature:
“‘Oz Wars’ is an animated action-adventure story, but unlike most animated films, it’s not just for kids,” Johnson says. “The Land of Oz will be re-imagined using stop-motion to create a world that’s dark, slick, sexy, and dangerous. It’s long been a goal of mine to create a hard-hitting, grown-up action film using stop-motion animation. ‘Oz Wars’ is my opportunity to do that.”
Lets hope it weighs more on the side of Coraline, then the other “dark” animation last year, 9.
What do you think of these two projects? What are you more excited to see?