Finding Nemo Blu-ray Trailer

With Finding Nemo 3D recently in US cinemas, and Finding Nemo 2 in the works, Nemo-fever continues with the 4th December US release of the 2003 Academy Award winner on Blu-ray!

To help promote the impending release (that'll surely make Disney a bucketload of bucks this holiday season), Pixar have released the above ad for the film - which is sure to look absolutely stunning in HD. Interesting song choice though...

Finding Nemo 3D is scheduled for a UK release date of 29th March, 2013, so we can probably expect the UK Blu-ray release sometime in early April.

An Open Letter to The Walt Disney Company

Cc: Hollywood

To Mr. Rober Iger, Mr. Alan Horn and whomever else it may concern,

Let me preface this by saying I am a huge Disney fan, it formed my childhood, and it and its subsidiaries continue to shape my present and, hopefully, my future. That said, there is one particular area of Disney that I am not a fan of: excessively delayed 'foreign' release dates.

Interview: Mark Walsh, Pixarian and Partysaurus Rex Director

Today, I had the opportunity to interview Pixar's Mark Walsh, the director of the latest Toy Story Toon, Partysaurus Rex! Partysaurus Rex is showing now in America, alongside Finding Nemo 3D - although they don't arrive here until March (unless you can attend the VIEW Conference that is). However, I was able to watch the short online, via a secure link, just prior to our interview, and it's great (I'll post a quick review later)! I've loved all of the Toy Story Toons, but this is definitely the most original one yet.

Thanks of the highest magnitude, again, should also go to Pixar's PR king, Chris Wiggum, for setting the interview up!

Mark is a lovely, down-to-Earth guy, who went out of his way to ask me about my own life; and his enthusiasm and zeal for the characters and the short was abundant. In our conversation, visible after the jump break, Mark and I discuss his inspirations for the short, basing it around Rex, his other work for Pixar, working with Pixar Canada, Finding Nemo 3D, the future and more!

Mark Walsh (And More!) To Appear At View Conference

Tomorrow (as well as the last day of voting in Groups 1 - vote here - and 2 - vote on the right-hand sidebar of this site - of our Round Two "A113 Ten Years" polls; and the day after my birthday!) is the US re-release of Pixar's Finding Nemo, in 3D! Accompanying Nemo 3D is a brand new Toy Story Toon, directed by Finding Nemo's directing animator Mark Walsh, Partysaurus Rex.

However, those of us in Europe don't get Finding Nemo 3D until mid-March - so no Partysaurus Rex until then either! However, a select few won't have to wait that long! Mark Walsh will be appearing at the VIEW Conference, a huge computer graphics and animation expo that runs in Turin, Italy from 16th to 19th October. In addition to appearing at the event, Mark will bring with him Partysaurus Rex, for its European premiere!

In addition to Walsh, Genndy Tartakovsky will be on hand to present exclusive footage of Sony's Hotel Transylvania, as well as DreamWorks' Madagascar 3 co-director Eric Darnell; the VFX supervisor of The Dark Knight Rises Double Negative's Paul J. Franklin; the former director of Pixar's newt, Skywalker Sound's Gary Rydstrom; and even Halo creative director, Josh Holmes, who'll premiere Halo 4 at the event! Check out the website for fuller listings - it certainly looks to be a must-attend event if you can afford the flights!

Check out the full press release which the VIEW PR team sent me, after the jump break - with details on how and when to get tickets.

Andrew Stanton Confirms Finding Nemo 2; Talks John Carter

Rumour have been swirling over the past month or so, concerning the directorial future of Andrew Stanton. The two-time Oscar winner most recently directed Disney's famed mega-flop, John Carter. For one reason or another, the WALL-E director's passion project didn't find an audience and resulted in a $200 million write-down and executive shifts for the Mouse House. News broke last month though, that Stanton was returning to more familiar waters (pun intended) with a sequel to his 2003 mega-hit, Finding Nemo.

Since then, we've heard that Lindsey Collins was set to produce, Victoria Strouse had been penned to write the script, and Ellen DeGeneres was in talks to return as Dory, with a view to a 2016 release date. No word, though, had been heard from Pixar's camp, and nothing from Stanton himself, save a Tweet that seemed to deny the rumours. Until now.

Speaking to the LA Times, Stanton spoke candidly about the production of, and response to, the adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' 100 year old novel, and Nemo 2. Check it all out after the jump break:

Monsters, Inc. 3D Poster

The first poster for the 3D re-release of Pixar's Monsters, Inc. has surfaced online, courtesy of MoviePoster.com. The poster spoofs the original teaser poster for the film's original 2001 release, showing Mike adapting to the 3D treatment.

For US cinema-goers, Monsters, Inc. 3D will be the second Pixar 3D re-release of the year, when it opens on 19th December, after Finding Nemo 3D opens on 14th September. Both films open much later here in the UK, with Nemo opening on 29th March, 2013 and Monsters, Inc. currently without a release date.

What's got you more excited, Nemo or Monsters in 3D?

Related news: Monsters University Plot Details Emerge

Finding Nemo 3D Featurette

A new featurette for Finding Nemo 3D has appeared on the Walt Disney Studios New Zealand YouTube channel. The video (above) features Pixar head honcho, John Lasseter, Nemo director, Andrew Stanton, co-director, Lee Unkrich, and some of Pixar's 3D experts, Josh Hollander and Bob Whitehill, talking about the supposedly brilliant 3D on the re-release.

Although I'm very much in favour of re-releasing classic films in 3D - because it means we get to see them on the big screen again! - sometimes the transition doesn't work that well, particularly if it's a hand-drawn film; not a problem seemingly with Nemo. Finding Nemo really does seem the perfect film for the 3D treatment, the immensely detailed, luscious ocean and the vibrant characters will, literally, just leap off the screen; John Lasseter speaks enthusiastically, also, about the brilliant stereoscopic effect of the particulate matter.

For me though, the most exciting prospect is one stated by Andrew Stanton: "The biggest thrill of Nemo going 3D, is it's an opportunity to get a whole new generation of kids to see it like it was originally seen."

Finding Nemo 3D hits US cinemas on 14th September with the Toy Story Toon, Partysaurus Rex, and arrives in the UK on 29th March, 2013.

Related news: Ellen DeGeneres in Talks to Return for Finding Nemo 2.

Ellen DeGeneres in Talks to Return for Finding Nemo 2

Last month, news broke that Andrew Stanton had begun work on a sequel to Pixar's Academy Award winning Finding Nemo. Pixar have since offered no confirmation, but with The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline both reporting it, the rumours seemed pretty solid. We were also told that Lindsey Collins, who recently worked with Stanton on Disney's John Carter, was set to produce, and that Victoria Strouse was the lead screenwriter on the project.

Today, we got another piece of the puzzle, as THR reports that Ellen DeGeneres, who voiced Dory in the 2003 original, is in talks to reprise her beloved role in the sequel! It seems to be only a formality though; given how vocal DeGeneres has been in the past 9 years about wanting a sequel to Finding Nemo, it seems pretty certain she'll be eager to return. Hopefully we'll get a host of great new characters too, as well as many of the beloved ensemble from the first film.

At the time of the first announcement, opinions were pretty divided: some overjoyed, some outraged, some indifferent. We held a poll here: yay or nay? And those in favour of a Nemo sequel narrowly edged out the naysayers. I'll admit, I wasn't certain about it, but the more I think about it, the more excited I am! Pixar wouldn't green-light a cash-grab, and Andrew Stanton wouldn't allow - much less to return to direct - a film that wouldn't live up to his magnificent original. Also, let's not forget, Nemo was Pixar's highest grossing film until Toy Story 3 came along; it's popular for a reason, and Nemo 2 may reclaim the throne from Toy Story 3.

With a great production team, and some of the original voice cast already coming back, Finding Nemo 2 will surely be fantastic!

A release date in 2016 is currently being eyed though, so it may be a while before we hear much more about this. In the meantime, the original Finding Nemo returns to US theatres in 3D on 14th September, and UK ones on 29th March, 2013 - check out the new TV spot for Nemo 3D here!

Partysaurus Rex Clip

Pixar just uploaded a sneak peak from the latest Toy Story Toon, Partysaurus Rex, which will play before Finding Nemo 3D (released 14th September, US; 29th March, 2013, UK). UPDATE - Pixar've made the clip private, fortunately Stitch Kingdom have uploaded it, in HD, above.

The short is being described as "a Toy Story rave", and sees everybody's favourite neurotic dinosaur trying to reinvent himself at Bonnie's house. It turns out having arms makes a toy very in-demand at bath time! Check out the clip (above), which is certainly a bit different for Pixar, but - as with previous Toy Story Toons - is very funny.

Partysaurus Rex is directed by Pixar veteran Mark Walsh, over at Pixar Canada, and the music was created by techno-artist BT. Also, check out Rex's King Fergus look above - surely one of the many Pixar references we've been told the short features.

First Look at Partysaurus Rex

This shouldn't come as any great surprise - given that electro-artist BT spilled the beans (1:12 onwards) a while back, and a line of Disney Holiday toys uncovered by The Pixar Times's Samad were for the short - but Pixar have finally officially announced, through Entertainment Weekly, that their next Toy Story will be called Partysaurus Rex, and released the first images from it!

EW also announced that the Rex-focused short will be directed by veteran Pixar animator Mark Walsh, and that it will be paired with Finding Nemo 3D when that hits cinemas next month (14th September in the US; 29th March, 2013 over here in the UK).

The short, the third Toy Story Toon, is - in the words of BT, who handles the dance music for the short - "like a Toy Story rave!" Rex, the only bath-time toy endowed with limbs, turns on the water to get the party started! And we can expect to see gorgeous underwater, bubble filled, techno-lit animation!

Wallace Shawn, who has voiced Rex since the original Toy Story in 1995, says that Rex is "sick of being the angel of goodness and sensibleness and caution and fear. He wants to stand on the side of pleasure and happiness and joy". And Walsh, the director, also offered up a brief summary:

“If you’re a bath toy you get really intense playtime. It’s like a party. Then when the water goes down you can’t move. You’re helpless. And that’s pathetic, these guys in bottom of the tub all the time. What I was going for was, you move to a new town and make new friends, and suddenly you think you have this chance where you can reinvent yourself. I love that Rex, in his sweetness, thinks he can reinvent who he is in the image of a party animal.”

The short is apparently full of easter-eggs and references; you can even see a few in these images - check out the toilet seat! We'll likely see Partysaurus Rex on Pixar Short Films: Volume 2 in November.

I'm excited for Partysaurus Rex - even if us in the UK have to wait until next year for it - are you?

Finding Nemo 3D TV Spot

Disney are rolling out the TV spots at the moment. Yesterday we got a TV spot for Disney's 52nd animated feature film, Wreck-It Ralph, and today Pixar's official YouTube channel released one for the upcoming 3D re-release of Finding Nemo.

Almost a decade after Andrew Stanton's directorial debut first hit the big screens, Nemo is still a fantastic (both in terms of story/character quality and animation quality) movie and is beloved the world over; it's sure to be a huge hit for Disney when it opens stateside on 14th September.

Alas, those of us in the UK won't get to "sea" Finding Nemo 3D until some time in early 2013.

Monsters, Inc. 3D Release Moved Up

With the release of its first prequel, Monsters University, fast approaching, Disney and Pixar have a tactical re-release of the 2001 original planned, Monsters, Inc. 3D. Originally intended for an 18th January, 2013, The Hollywood Reporter now informs us that the re-release has been shunted up to 19th December.

Though it's a bold move to move Monsters, Inc. 3D into the packed Christmas Holiday season - meaning it'll be competing against The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, part one of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings prequel - it is a smart move on behalf of Disney. It'll be competing against DreamWorks' Rise of the Guardians, due on 18th November (30th November in the UK), but aside from that, Monsters, Inc. 3D would have the animation category entirely to itself. And following from Disney's Wreck-It Ralph at the start of November (15th February, 2013 in the UK), this promises to bring in huge Christmas Season receipts for Disney, and the beloved Pixar classic is sure to be a huge hit... again!

Finding Nemo 3D is due on 14th September (in the US, but much later - on 29th March, 2013 - here in the UK), so this means US fans get 3 Pixar films in cinemas this year - with Brave still out (just passing $200 million domestically) in the US and opening here in the UK on 17th August. Who knows when Monsters, Inc. 3D will arrive here in the UK though...

Monsters University is then is due on 21st June, 2013 in the US and 12th July, 2013 in the UK.

Andrew Stanton Reportedly Working on Finding Nemo 2!

No, you didn't read that wrong, that's the story that Deadline's reporting! Deadline reports, following the supposed $200 million loss on his live-action directorial debut John Carter, that Andrew Stanton is returning to animation with a sequel to his Oscar winning 2003 animation directorial debut, Finding Nemo!

Deadline's Mike Fleming says that he has been "told [Stanton's] now officially come aboard the Finding Nemo sequel and has a concept the studio loves." The article also suggests that the reason behind Stanton's sudden involvement is directly due to the failings of John Carter (belated review up soon by the way) and that a sequel to Pixar's second highest-grossing film might ingratiate him to the Disney top-brass again. I can't believe - if the story is true - that this is the legitimate reason behind the sequel. One of Pixar's brain trust and a two-time Academy Award winner for his animated films, the faith in Andrew should still be there, despite one shortcoming - one not even necessarily due to the quality of the film.

It may not be the sequel fans were particularly clamouring for (The Incredibles 2), but it's almost a complete certainty that Finding Nemo 2 would be huge; possibly the only Pixar film that would have a real shot at beating Toy Story 3 worldwide. The timing of the reveal also makes sense, with Finding Nemo 3D hitting theatres in September. But, I can't escape the feeling that a sequel is not needed! Nemo 1 had a perfect ending as is.

That said, Pixar have never disappointed me; Toy Story 3 had its naysayers prior to release - if you're looking for them, just check the "Toy Story 3 was great!" bandwagon - and, although its quality is debated much more, the same is true for Cars 2. Both were, in my eyes, fantastic films, and I have no doubt that Pixar would give a sequel to one of its most beloved properties its all. It would also take a remarkably strong idea to get Stanton interested in a sequel - if the rumours about it being a ploy for more Barsoom time are false of course.

Let's see how Monsters University turns out first.

Where do you stand on a Nemo sequel? Yay or nay? There will be a poll up on the right very shortly, sound off there, in the comments section or Tweet us about it (@A113Animation).

UPDATE

Giving more credence to the already trustworthy claims is the fact that The Hollywood Reporter is also reporting that Lindsey Collins (also John Carter) is set to produce, Victoria Strouse is set to write the script, and a 2016 release date is being aimed for.

Finding Nemo Blu Ray Due 4th December

Almost a decade after it first hit cinemas, Andrew Stanton's Finding Nemo is finally ready to appear on Blu Ray.  The release date is currently set for 4th December, likely about a month after we'll see Brave and Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 2 released on home video, and the Oscar winning animated film (re-released in cinemas in 3D on 14th September) will likely prove a very popular Christmas present - I'll certainly be asking for it!

No bonus features have been announced as of yet, but expect it to follow in the tradition of recent Pixar Blu Ray releases; including the original DVD special features and a new round table discussion with the film-makers.

Via Pixar Talk and Pixar Post.

New Pixar Videos: Finding Nemo 3D Trailer and Brave TV Spot

Disney and Pixar continue to roll out the promotional videos for their 2012 releases: their latest feature Brave, and Finding Nemo 3D. Following on from the teaser trailer we got a few months back, Pixar have now unveiled the full-length theatrical trailer for the 3D re-release of Andrew Stanton's Academy Award winning 2003 release, Finding Nemo (above).

Well edited to focus on the parts of the movie that are sure to look great in Disney's solid 3D, as well as highlighting the beautiful, visceral animation that'll feel even more immersive, the trailer comes via Yahoo! Movies.



We're also treated to, yet another, video from Brave. The new TV spot (above), entitled "One Family", showcases the great family dynamic that is at the heart of Pixar's thirteenth feature film.

Brave hits US theatres on 22nd June, and UK theatres on 13th August. Finding Nemo 3D arrives in US theatres on 14th September (the day after my birthday) although who knows when it'll be released here in the UK; Beauty and the Beast 3D is only being released here now.