Superman and Batman have been the subject of various live-action films, enjoying portrayals from the likes of Christopher Reeve, Christian Bale, and Henry Cavill. But the third member of DC's Holy Trinity has yet to leave Paradise Island -- until now.
Wonder Woman will finally make her blockbuster debut in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" before headlining her solo film in 2017.
It's been a long journey on the road of development hell for Warner Bros., which has spent years trying to make a Wonder Woman movie (or TV show) happen. Here are 11 notable times they tried, and failed.
1. "Who's Afraid of Diana Prince?" (1967)
What Went Wrong: Actress Ellie Wood Walker played Wonder Woman for a presentation reel for a prospective TV series. Following the success of the Adam West-led "Batman," "Who's Afraid of Diana Prince?" featured a similar style of camp. It's unclear why the network execs passed on this project specifically,...
Wonder Woman will finally make her blockbuster debut in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" before headlining her solo film in 2017.
It's been a long journey on the road of development hell for Warner Bros., which has spent years trying to make a Wonder Woman movie (or TV show) happen. Here are 11 notable times they tried, and failed.
1. "Who's Afraid of Diana Prince?" (1967)
What Went Wrong: Actress Ellie Wood Walker played Wonder Woman for a presentation reel for a prospective TV series. Following the success of the Adam West-led "Batman," "Who's Afraid of Diana Prince?" featured a similar style of camp. It's unclear why the network execs passed on this project specifically,...
- 3/18/2016
- by Nick Romano
- Moviefone
Sony Pictures Animation has found success with animation director Gendy Tartakovsky, who made a name for himself behind cartoon's like "Samurai Jack" and "Dexter's Laboratory." Now another animation director from Cartoon Network's early past is getting a crack at a feature film now too. Lauren Faust has directed 29 episodes of "Powerpuff Girls" and is best known for recently rebooting "My Little Pony" on television, and Sony Pictures Animation has announced that she will be at the helm of an animated comedy called Medusa, from a pitch from Antz co-writer Todd Alcott and reality TV producer Holly Golden. Plot details weren't up for grabs, but as you might have guessed, the film will offer a completely new take on the snake-headed woman from Greek mythology. Faust herself says: "Todd and Holly's version of the tale of Medusa is filled with so many of my favorite ideas to work with: magic, mythology,...
- 6/6/2014
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
Sony Pictures Animation has acquired Todd Alcott and Holly Golden's original animated comedy feature pitch "Medusa". Emmy winner Lauren Faust ("My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic") is attached to direct.
Much like "Maleficent" gave us a new take on a Disney evil villainess, this film will offer an all-new origin story behind the infamous snake-headed Gorgon from the story of Perseus in Greek mythology. This animated tale however will offer a far more comedic take.
Sony Pictures Animation president of production Michelle Raimo Kouyate says:
"After hearing the ingeniously funny pitch from Todd and Holly, we could immediately see the enormous potential in the idea. And when Lauren Faust, a uniquely gifted animation filmmaker with a real talent for relating to audiences, connected with the project, we knew the combination of her vision and their story would create something extraordinary. Medusa will be a clever, heartfelt animated comedy about...
Much like "Maleficent" gave us a new take on a Disney evil villainess, this film will offer an all-new origin story behind the infamous snake-headed Gorgon from the story of Perseus in Greek mythology. This animated tale however will offer a far more comedic take.
Sony Pictures Animation president of production Michelle Raimo Kouyate says:
"After hearing the ingeniously funny pitch from Todd and Holly, we could immediately see the enormous potential in the idea. And when Lauren Faust, a uniquely gifted animation filmmaker with a real talent for relating to audiences, connected with the project, we knew the combination of her vision and their story would create something extraordinary. Medusa will be a clever, heartfelt animated comedy about...
- 6/5/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Sony Pictures Animation today announced the acquisition of an original animated comedy feature pitch by Todd Alcott and Holly Golden entitled Medusa, which will tell an all-new story behind the infamous snake-headed lady from Greek mythology. Emmy® winner Lauren Faust, who rebooted the My Little Pony franchise in 2010 and turned it into the current My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic phenomenon with an ever-growing fanbase of all ages, is attached to direct the feature.
Sony Pictures Animation president of production Michelle Raimo Kouyate will supervise production, along with Jenny Marchick and Daniel Inkeles. Kouyate states:
"After hearing the ingeniously funny pitch from Todd and Holly, we could immediately see the enormous potential in the idea. And when Lauren Faust, a uniquely gifted animation filmmaker with a real talent for relating to audiences, connected with the project, we knew the combination of her vision and their story would create something extraordinary.
Sony Pictures Animation president of production Michelle Raimo Kouyate will supervise production, along with Jenny Marchick and Daniel Inkeles. Kouyate states:
"After hearing the ingeniously funny pitch from Todd and Holly, we could immediately see the enormous potential in the idea. And when Lauren Faust, a uniquely gifted animation filmmaker with a real talent for relating to audiences, connected with the project, we knew the combination of her vision and their story would create something extraordinary.
- 6/5/2014
- by Kellvin Chavez
- LRMonline.com
Medusa, the infamous snake-headed lady of Greek mythology, will be slithering onto the big screen in a new animated comedy at Sony. Sony Pictures Animation bought a pitch from Todd Alcott and Holly Golden entitled Medusa, and My Little Pony director Lauren Faust is attached to direct. Michelle Raimo Kouyate, Sony Pictures Animation president of production, will supervise production, along with Jenny Marchick and Daniel Inkeles. Photos: 10 Inappropriately Sexy Cartoon Characters Faust, repped by Metropolis Talent, developed the Hub Network cartoon My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, which spawned the pop culture phenomena and their accompanying terms, "bronies" and "pegasisters.
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- 6/5/2014
- by Rebecca Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lauren Faust, best known for rebooting the popular My Little Pony franchise, has been hired by Sony Pictures Animation to helm their all new animated film, Medusa. The movie will be a new take on the classic Greek Mythology that will be more accessible for a younger audience (i.e. all the damnation and abuse from the Gods will probably be left out). Come inside to learn more about the upcoming film!
Honestly, I'm kind of interested in this new adaptation. Greek Mythology has always been interesting to me, and Hollywood is making bigger efforts to bring some of those stories to the big screen. A new version of Medusa could be a lot of fun, especially with this director behind it:
Sony Pictures Animation today announced the acquisition of an original animated comedy feature pitch by Todd Alcott and Holly Golden entitled Medusa, which will tell an all-new story...
Honestly, I'm kind of interested in this new adaptation. Greek Mythology has always been interesting to me, and Hollywood is making bigger efforts to bring some of those stories to the big screen. A new version of Medusa could be a lot of fun, especially with this director behind it:
Sony Pictures Animation today announced the acquisition of an original animated comedy feature pitch by Todd Alcott and Holly Golden entitled Medusa, which will tell an all-new story...
- 6/5/2014
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Jordan Maison)
- Cinelinx
Sony Pictures Animation today announced the acquisition of an original animated comedy feature pitch by Todd Alcott and Holly Golden entitled Medusa, which will tell an all-new story behind the infamous snake-headed lady from Greek mythology. Emmy winner Lauren Faust, who rebooted the "My Little Pony" franchise in 2010 and turned it into the current "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" phenomenon with an ever-growing fanbase of all ages, is attached to direct the feature.
- 6/5/2014
- Comingsoon.net
Sony Pictures Animation had some success in 2012 exploiting supernatural creatures for comedy with Hotel Transylvania. A sequel is already in the works, and the company has decided to stick with unusual leading characters, picking up a pitch focusing on the mythical Medusa and hiring My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic cartoon series creator Lauren Faust to direct it.Antz co-writer Todd Alcott and producer Holly Golden were behind the original comedy concept, which appears to be following the current trend for revisionist fantasy tales by exploring the genesis of the Greek monster. Our heroine will be a decent, beautiful young girl who annoys the wrong goddess. Turned into the snake-haired demon, she learns to embrace her differences."I love the originality of it, the comedy take on Medusa,” Michelle Raimo-Kouyate, president of production at Sony Animation, tells The Wrap. “The minute I heard it, it felt ingenious and clever and funny.
- 6/5/2014
- EmpireOnline
Revisionist fairy tales are all the rage in Hollywood right now, thanks to the success of films like Red Riding Hood, Snow White and the Huntsman and now Maleficent. Hoping to capitalize on this recent trend, Sony Pictures Animation is throwing its hat in the ring with a comedic take on the classic Greek myth Medusa. Today, we learned that the studio has tapped My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic creator Lauren Faust to direct the project.
Antz writer Todd Alcott and producer Holly Golden pitched Medusa to Sony Pictures Animation as a comedy which reinterprets the myth of Medusa, a powerful creature with snakes for hair whose gaze turns people to stone. This time around, however, Medusa will be portrayed as a sweet and kind girl who accidentally angers a deity but, after being transformed into the fearsome creature, eventually learns to accept her new appearance and believe in herself.
Antz writer Todd Alcott and producer Holly Golden pitched Medusa to Sony Pictures Animation as a comedy which reinterprets the myth of Medusa, a powerful creature with snakes for hair whose gaze turns people to stone. This time around, however, Medusa will be portrayed as a sweet and kind girl who accidentally angers a deity but, after being transformed into the fearsome creature, eventually learns to accept her new appearance and believe in herself.
- 6/5/2014
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
Sony Pictures Animation has hired Lauren Faust to direct a movie about Medusa, the snake-haired monster from Greek mythology. Faust created “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic,” a popular television series inspired by the colorful Hasbro toys. “Antz” writer Todd Alcott and producer Holly Golden sold the studio on a comedy pitch about a beautiful, young girl who transforms into Medusa, a gorgon whose gaze turns people to stone. Also read: Sony's Foster Driver Joins Disney as Creative Executive (Exclusive) “I love the originality of it, the comedy take on Medusa,” Michelle Raimo-Kouyate, president of production at Sony Animation,...
- 6/5/2014
- by Lucas Shaw
- The Wrap
Cold weather still have you bummed? Looking for something neat to do while home that will induce a different kind of chill? Then this latest spooker, The Occupants, might do the trick for you! The flick is now available on VOD, and we have a look at its new artwork for you right here!
Todd Alcott directs, and Cristin Milioti, Michael Rady, James Urbaniak, and Toby Huss star.
Synopsis
Lucy has a new husband, a new home, and a new baby; but old ghosts won't let her be. She has dedicated her life to helping families "break the cycle" of abuse so when she and her husband, Wade, see the echoes of a violent family tragedy in their home, Lucy tries to help the tortured souls break free of their torment and move on. She finds, however, that these ghosts don't want her help -- they want to lead Lucy...
Todd Alcott directs, and Cristin Milioti, Michael Rady, James Urbaniak, and Toby Huss star.
Synopsis
Lucy has a new husband, a new home, and a new baby; but old ghosts won't let her be. She has dedicated her life to helping families "break the cycle" of abuse so when she and her husband, Wade, see the echoes of a violent family tragedy in their home, Lucy tries to help the tortured souls break free of their torment and move on. She finds, however, that these ghosts don't want her help -- they want to lead Lucy...
- 1/13/2014
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Get ready for a steady deluge of Cannes news, kids, as the horror will be flowing freely over the next several days. On tap for you now are the official sales art and trailer for Lightning Entertainment's latest spooker The Occupants. Dig it!
Todd Alcott directs, and Cristin Milioti, Michael Rady, James Urbaniak, and Toby Huss star.
Synopsis
Lucy has a new husband, a new home, and a new baby; but old ghosts won't let her be. She has dedicated her life to helping families "break the cycle" of abuse so when she and her husband, Wade, see the echoes of a violent family tragedy in their home, Lucy tries to help the tortured souls break free of their torment and move on. She finds, however, that these ghosts don't want her help -- they want to lead Lucy and her family to their doom.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Todd Alcott directs, and Cristin Milioti, Michael Rady, James Urbaniak, and Toby Huss star.
Synopsis
Lucy has a new husband, a new home, and a new baby; but old ghosts won't let her be. She has dedicated her life to helping families "break the cycle" of abuse so when she and her husband, Wade, see the echoes of a violent family tragedy in their home, Lucy tries to help the tortured souls break free of their torment and move on. She finds, however, that these ghosts don't want her help -- they want to lead Lucy and her family to their doom.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
- 5/7/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Todd Alcott has completed work on The Occupants, starring Cristin Milioti, Michael Rady, James Urbaniak and Toby Huss.
Lucy has a new husband, a new home and a new baby, but old ghosts won't let her be. She has dedicated her life to helping families "break the cycle" of abuse, so when she and her husband Wade see the echoes of a violent family tragedy in their home, Lucy tries to help the tortured souls break free of their torment and move on. She finds, however, that these ghosts don't want her help - they want to lead Lucy and her family to their doom.
No word yet on a release, but you can watch a trailer inside.
Read more...
Lucy has a new husband, a new home and a new baby, but old ghosts won't let her be. She has dedicated her life to helping families "break the cycle" of abuse, so when she and her husband Wade see the echoes of a violent family tragedy in their home, Lucy tries to help the tortured souls break free of their torment and move on. She finds, however, that these ghosts don't want her help - they want to lead Lucy and her family to their doom.
No word yet on a release, but you can watch a trailer inside.
Read more...
- 5/7/2013
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Plus, Will Emeril replace LuRe, the Glee-bashing begins, Neil Patrick Harris needs a little powder, Beautiful People returns, and David Sedaris to the big screen!
CBS has three pilots in contention for As the World Turn’s timeslot. We previously mentioned the ripoff of The View starring Sarah Gilbert (who’s producing, so big chance for her) and Julie Chen. Also a reboot of Pyramid, and now a cooking competition show hosted by Emeril Lagasse. We should know in the next couple weeks.
The second season of Being Human, starring Russell Tovey’s ears and featuring gay vampires in a subplot, will hit BBC America July 24th.
Craig Kilborn, who made a gay joke so foul when hosting The Daily Show I almost wouldn't watch it once he was gone, is being given a shot at a talker by Fox. They’ll test it in the 7pm hour in...
CBS has three pilots in contention for As the World Turn’s timeslot. We previously mentioned the ripoff of The View starring Sarah Gilbert (who’s producing, so big chance for her) and Julie Chen. Also a reboot of Pyramid, and now a cooking competition show hosted by Emeril Lagasse. We should know in the next couple weeks.
The second season of Being Human, starring Russell Tovey’s ears and featuring gay vampires in a subplot, will hit BBC America July 24th.
Craig Kilborn, who made a gay joke so foul when hosting The Daily Show I almost wouldn't watch it once he was gone, is being given a shot at a talker by Fox. They’ll test it in the 7pm hour in...
- 5/6/2010
- by lostinmiami
- The Backlot
Neill Cameron the A to Z of Awesomeness. This is so fun
Sunset Gun Kim Morgan recalls her time on the now departed At the Movies
Twitpic Tom Hanks tweets the casting of his new film. He's reuniting with Julia Roberts for Larry's Crowne. Let's hope it's better than Charlie Wilson's War
Empire Bryan Singer will oversee but not direct X-Men: First Class. I haven't seen this much craziness for "young" versions of things since the Muppet Babies craze in the 80s
popbytes Dennis Hopper gets his Walk of Fame star
Celebitchy on Jude Law's hair and the "naughty Adonis" vibe
Chud announces the best back-to-back filming news I've heard in years and years: Viggo & Cronenberg will follow filming of Talking Cure with Eastern Promises 2. Yay!
The Awl Clash of the Titans "Adventures in Mimicry"
Here's the trailer for The Lovely Laura Linney's Showtime series The Big C...
Sunset Gun Kim Morgan recalls her time on the now departed At the Movies
Twitpic Tom Hanks tweets the casting of his new film. He's reuniting with Julia Roberts for Larry's Crowne. Let's hope it's better than Charlie Wilson's War
Empire Bryan Singer will oversee but not direct X-Men: First Class. I haven't seen this much craziness for "young" versions of things since the Muppet Babies craze in the 80s
popbytes Dennis Hopper gets his Walk of Fame star
Celebitchy on Jude Law's hair and the "naughty Adonis" vibe
Chud announces the best back-to-back filming news I've heard in years and years: Viggo & Cronenberg will follow filming of Talking Cure with Eastern Promises 2. Yay!
The Awl Clash of the Titans "Adventures in Mimicry"
Here's the trailer for The Lovely Laura Linney's Showtime series The Big C...
- 3/28/2010
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Wonder Woman! The most popular superhero costume for a woman on halloween and one of DC’s three consistent characters since 1944, Wonder Woman has been a staple in our culture for generations. She burst onto the scene in 1941 in All Star Comics #8 and hasn’t looked back since. Wonder Woman was created by Willaim Moulton Marston with the intent of being a feminist role model. Her (Wonder Woman aka Princess Diana aka Diana Prince) background consists of being one of the Amazon people sent here to spread the message of love, sexual equality, and peace in a world that was being polluted by the hatred and anger of men. Who knew that a comic from so long ago would have been such a messenger before it’s time, only to carry on after the feminist movement of the 70’s? Not to mention hold the title of being a memer of the trinity of DC comics?...
- 9/15/2009
- by Melissa
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Roughly five years ago, it looked like the comic book "Deadworld" was going to be adapted for the screen. George Clooney's Maysville Pictures was on board with Robert Lawrence producing and Todd Alcott ( Antz ) scripting. Mark Pavia ( The Night Flyer ) was circling to direct. Then the project seemed to fizzle out. There's renewed interest in the property now from producer Bill Mechanic ( Coraline ) who tells MTV he's in development on a Deadworld feature film. "I've always looked for a good story and these guys have created stories that are so visual that you just see the movie," he says. "There's story that needs to be worked out and character that needs to be worked out, but you at least know what you're going to do." The series - about...
- 2/8/2009
- shocktillyoudrop.com
In keeping up with the comings and goings of DC’s comic book franchises that have plans to segue to the silver screen, here we have put together Warner Bros. more recent plans on making that adaptation for some of our favorite heroes, as well as some other characters and how close we are to seeing them in theaters.
Wonder Woman
In January 2001, producer Joel Silver approached Todd Alcott to write a Wonder Woman screenplay, with Silver Pictures backing the project. Early gossip linked actresses such as Mariah Carey, Sandra Bullock, Rachel Bilson, and Catherine Zeta-Jones to the role of Wonder Woman. Leonard Goldberg, speaking in a May 2001 interview, named Bullock as a strong candidate for the project. Bullock claimed that she was approached for the role, while Lucy Lawless and professional wrestler Chyna both expressed interest. Lawless indicated that she would be more interested if Wonder Woman was portrayed as a "flawed hero.
Wonder Woman
In January 2001, producer Joel Silver approached Todd Alcott to write a Wonder Woman screenplay, with Silver Pictures backing the project. Early gossip linked actresses such as Mariah Carey, Sandra Bullock, Rachel Bilson, and Catherine Zeta-Jones to the role of Wonder Woman. Leonard Goldberg, speaking in a May 2001 interview, named Bullock as a strong candidate for the project. Bullock claimed that she was approached for the role, while Lucy Lawless and professional wrestler Chyna both expressed interest. Lawless indicated that she would be more interested if Wonder Woman was portrayed as a "flawed hero.
- 11/1/2008
- by Matt Raub
- Comicmix.com
Vadim Perelman has signed on to adapt and direct Lois Lowry's Newbery Award-winning novel The Giver for 20th Century Fox and Walden Media. The story centers on Jonas, a 12-year-old boy living in an idyllic future society where all memory of human history has been erased. His life is thrown into turmoil when he is designated to inherit the role of the Giver -- the sole keeper of the vast range of human emotions. Perelman will work from an earlier draft penned by Todd Alcott. Jeff Bridges and Neil Koenigsberg of AsIs Prods. and Orly Wiseman and Nikki Silver of On Screen Entertainment are producing.
Vadim Perelman has signed on to adapt and direct Lois Lowry's Newbery Award-winning novel The Giver for 20th Century Fox and Walden Media. The story centers on Jonas, a 12-year-old boy living in an idyllic future society where all memory of human history has been erased. His life is thrown into turmoil when he is designated to inherit the role of the Giver -- the sole keeper of the vast range of human emotions. Perelman will work from an earlier draft penned by Todd Alcott. Jeff Bridges and Neil Koenigsberg of AsIs Prods. and Orly Wiseman and Nikki Silver of On Screen Entertainment are producing.
NEW YORK -- Following its recent feature productions Holes and Around the World in 80 Days, indie production shingle Walden Media is continuing to mine the children's lit world by fast-tracking a trio of new adaptations. The company said Wednesday that it has acquired rights to Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia as well as Australian author Wendy Orr's Nim's Island. Walden also has tapped Antz co-writer Todd Alcott to adapt another children's novel, The Giver, for the silver screen. Published in 1977 by HarperCollins, the Newbery Award-winning Bridge follows the story of an 11-year-old boy whose life is changed forever when he befriends the class outsider, a girl. Together they create the world of Terabithia, an imaginary kingdom filled with giants, trolls and other magical beings.
Columbia Pictures is negotiating with two screenwriters to come aboard a couple of the studio's projects earmarked for possible franchises. James Robinson will write a live-action feature film based on Mattel Inc.'s Hot Wheels, while Antz helmer Todd Alcott is coming aboard Fantasy Island. Wheels will be directed by McG for producers John Baldecchi and Jason Hoffs. The project aims to be a high-octane dramatic screenplay with a story line immersed in the world of Hot Wheels involving a charismatic young hero. Stephanie Savage of McG's studio-based Wonderland Prods. Savage will also be executive producer. Fantasy will be a feature film based on the classic television series. Columbia senior vp production Andrea Giannetti will oversee development on both projects. Robinson, repped by Endeavor, wrote the upcoming 20th Century Fox feature The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, starring Sean Connery. A veteran comic book writer, Robinson is also developing a live-action, English-language remake of the Japanese anime Akira for Warner Bros. Pictures and is writing the action-adventure pitch Holmes and Watson, about a descendant of the legendary sleuth for New Line Cinema (HR 3/6). Acott is repped by CAA.
- 4/11/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Busy director Adam Shankman, who helmed the breakout hit Bringing Down the House, has signed for Enchanted, a Disney romance that will mix both animation and live action, Variety reports. Starting out in animation, Enchanted tells the tale of a poor young girl who meets and falls in love with a prince, and is promptly banished from her cartoon kingdom by the evil queen. Landing in New York, she falls in love with the Big Apple . but complications ensue when both the prince and the queen follow her, for very different reasons. Originally written by Bill Kelly, the script has been reworked by both Rita Hsiao (Toy Story 2) and Todd Alcott (Antz). Shankman is already set for the Disney remake of Topper, starring his House man Steve Martin, as well as a Warner Bros. version of The Jetsons, for which no start date has been set.
- 4/3/2003
- IMDbPro News
A weak ant can carry 10 times its own weight, but this computer-animated "Antz" is no weakling -- it should carry thousands of times its own heft in enjoyment and success at the boxoffice.
The first coupling in DreamWorks and PDI's partnership in animation, this marvelously enjoyable feature animation not only was a towering delight at the Toronto International Film Festival, it represents a giant leap forward in the aesthetic of computer-animated entertainment.
If you can say nothing else for animation (computer-generated or hand-drawn), the mere fact that the process can line up such a disparate cast of characters as Woody Allen, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, Anne Bancroft and Gene Hackman for one production is a novelty. In this brainy creation, these players' voices bring distinct personality to a winning and sobering storyline.
"Antz" centers around Z (Allen), not surprisingly a neurotic and self-absorbed insect who is not cut out to be a worker. Slogging away underground moving dirt with millions of his peers is not the hyper Z's idea of fulfillment. Surely there has to be more to life than serving the state, Z surmises. There must be a better place.
To Z's surprise and glee, he spots a female ant who makes his many legs buckle. Unfortunately, she's Princess Bala (Stone) and way out of his league, but Z manages to convince his soldier friend Weaver (Stallone) to switch places with him so that he might have a shot at seeing the princess again at a military inspection. One hyperventilating thing leads to another and before he can say "social revolution," Z has unwittingly whisked the princess away and kindled a new spirit of enthusiasm among his fellow workers.
Although foremost and always a wonderfully entertaining story, "Antz" also carries an inspiring message. In its depiction of Z's discontent with the conformity of the colony and his need for personal expression, it's a shrewd laceration of the fascist state and the totalitarian mindset. Screenwriters Todd Alcott, Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz have nimbly juggled deep ideas with zany comedy.
The power of computer animation is not exercised just for showmanship here, but magnifies the story line through appropriate usage. Aesthetically, a number of computer-animated crowd scenes of massive Red Square/Nuremberg/Shanghai proportion are daunting as the filmmakers marshal spectacular numbers of animated characters into sequences of colossal proportion. The sheer number of these characters, marching in perfect phalanx, etc., is overwhelming and makes us feel the monstrous oppression of such formidable orders.
Under directors Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson's inventive hands, the character ants are packed with personality. No mere caricatures of the players, each character is etched with droll exactitude. Moreover, the 3-D like quality with which the process imbues them seems to bring them even more to life. Their vitality and appeal is in no small part due to the flavorful voicings of the cast.
As the distressed and unwittingly heroic Z, Woody Allen's shrill, nasal twang evokes memories of his overly-intellectual neurotic persona. He's a perfect selection for this story's juicy ironic thrust, that a social revolution would be lead by a generally cowardly, non-physical type and motivated solely by self-interest.
Sylvester Stallone's clipped cadence and good-hearted tones infuse his soldier character with just the right amount of humanity, while Sharon Stone's princess combination is just right -- spoiled and sexy. Giving stentorian finality to the role of the evil empire-builder Gen. Mandible is Gene Hackman. Hackman's growlings would scare the pants off Mussolini.
Other voices of distinction include: Jennifer Lopez as a blue-collar ant, Anne Bancroft as the colony's queen, Danny Glover as a soldier-drone and Christopher Walken as a consummate soldier.
While "Antz" is first and foremost a visual treat, its music is a jaunty and delicious accompaniment, from the playful score of composers Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell to the witty inclusion of such standards as "High Hopes", warbled by Doris Day, no less.
ANTZ
DreamWorks Distribution
DreamWorks Pictures and PDI Present
Producers: Brad Lewis, Aron Warner, Patty Wooton
Directors: Eric Darnell, Tim Johnson
Executive producers: Penney Finkelman Cox, Sandra Rabins, Carl Rosendahl
Screenwriters: Todd Alcott, Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
Music: Harry Gregson-Williams, John Powell
Production designer: John Bell
Art director: Kendal Cronkhite
Editor: Stan Webb
Lead character designer: Raman Hui
Supervising animator: Rex Grignon
Color/stereo
Z: Woody Allen
Chip: Dan Aykroyd
Queen: Anne Bancroft
Muffy: Jane Curtin
Barbatus: Danny Glover
Mandible: Gene Hackman
Azteca: Jennifer Lopez
Drunk Scout: John Mahoney
Psychologist: Paul Mazursky
Foreman: Grant Shaud
Weaver: Sylvester Stallone
Bala: Sharon Stone
Cutter: Christopher Walken
Running time -- 77 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
The first coupling in DreamWorks and PDI's partnership in animation, this marvelously enjoyable feature animation not only was a towering delight at the Toronto International Film Festival, it represents a giant leap forward in the aesthetic of computer-animated entertainment.
If you can say nothing else for animation (computer-generated or hand-drawn), the mere fact that the process can line up such a disparate cast of characters as Woody Allen, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, Anne Bancroft and Gene Hackman for one production is a novelty. In this brainy creation, these players' voices bring distinct personality to a winning and sobering storyline.
"Antz" centers around Z (Allen), not surprisingly a neurotic and self-absorbed insect who is not cut out to be a worker. Slogging away underground moving dirt with millions of his peers is not the hyper Z's idea of fulfillment. Surely there has to be more to life than serving the state, Z surmises. There must be a better place.
To Z's surprise and glee, he spots a female ant who makes his many legs buckle. Unfortunately, she's Princess Bala (Stone) and way out of his league, but Z manages to convince his soldier friend Weaver (Stallone) to switch places with him so that he might have a shot at seeing the princess again at a military inspection. One hyperventilating thing leads to another and before he can say "social revolution," Z has unwittingly whisked the princess away and kindled a new spirit of enthusiasm among his fellow workers.
Although foremost and always a wonderfully entertaining story, "Antz" also carries an inspiring message. In its depiction of Z's discontent with the conformity of the colony and his need for personal expression, it's a shrewd laceration of the fascist state and the totalitarian mindset. Screenwriters Todd Alcott, Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz have nimbly juggled deep ideas with zany comedy.
The power of computer animation is not exercised just for showmanship here, but magnifies the story line through appropriate usage. Aesthetically, a number of computer-animated crowd scenes of massive Red Square/Nuremberg/Shanghai proportion are daunting as the filmmakers marshal spectacular numbers of animated characters into sequences of colossal proportion. The sheer number of these characters, marching in perfect phalanx, etc., is overwhelming and makes us feel the monstrous oppression of such formidable orders.
Under directors Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson's inventive hands, the character ants are packed with personality. No mere caricatures of the players, each character is etched with droll exactitude. Moreover, the 3-D like quality with which the process imbues them seems to bring them even more to life. Their vitality and appeal is in no small part due to the flavorful voicings of the cast.
As the distressed and unwittingly heroic Z, Woody Allen's shrill, nasal twang evokes memories of his overly-intellectual neurotic persona. He's a perfect selection for this story's juicy ironic thrust, that a social revolution would be lead by a generally cowardly, non-physical type and motivated solely by self-interest.
Sylvester Stallone's clipped cadence and good-hearted tones infuse his soldier character with just the right amount of humanity, while Sharon Stone's princess combination is just right -- spoiled and sexy. Giving stentorian finality to the role of the evil empire-builder Gen. Mandible is Gene Hackman. Hackman's growlings would scare the pants off Mussolini.
Other voices of distinction include: Jennifer Lopez as a blue-collar ant, Anne Bancroft as the colony's queen, Danny Glover as a soldier-drone and Christopher Walken as a consummate soldier.
While "Antz" is first and foremost a visual treat, its music is a jaunty and delicious accompaniment, from the playful score of composers Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell to the witty inclusion of such standards as "High Hopes", warbled by Doris Day, no less.
ANTZ
DreamWorks Distribution
DreamWorks Pictures and PDI Present
Producers: Brad Lewis, Aron Warner, Patty Wooton
Directors: Eric Darnell, Tim Johnson
Executive producers: Penney Finkelman Cox, Sandra Rabins, Carl Rosendahl
Screenwriters: Todd Alcott, Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
Music: Harry Gregson-Williams, John Powell
Production designer: John Bell
Art director: Kendal Cronkhite
Editor: Stan Webb
Lead character designer: Raman Hui
Supervising animator: Rex Grignon
Color/stereo
Z: Woody Allen
Chip: Dan Aykroyd
Queen: Anne Bancroft
Muffy: Jane Curtin
Barbatus: Danny Glover
Mandible: Gene Hackman
Azteca: Jennifer Lopez
Drunk Scout: John Mahoney
Psychologist: Paul Mazursky
Foreman: Grant Shaud
Weaver: Sylvester Stallone
Bala: Sharon Stone
Cutter: Christopher Walken
Running time -- 77 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
- 9/21/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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