Movement in Toon Town

The big forthcoming releases from Pixar and DreamWorks have moved, while Aardman Animations have finally cast their lead rat.

Dec  9 2004

'Toon fans of the world, prepare to be disappointed – two of animation's biggest forthcoming movies have been dramatically put back in the release schedule.

First to shift its gear into neutral is Pixar's latest 'Cars', which will be finished in time for its original American release at the end of 2005, but will instead remain cooped up in the Walt Disney garages until June 9, 2006.

The decision for the delay is largely a financial one, as Disney Chairman Dick Cook explained in a statement: ''Cars' is the quintessential summer film for audiences of all ages. In the vein of 'Finding Nemo', we feel the movie will have legs throughout the summer and beyond.'

The time shift also means that 'Cars', which features the vocal talents of Paul Newman, Owen Wilson and Bonnie Hunt, will hit DVD towards the end of the year, when the film can properly cash in on the lucrative Christmas market.

As for the UK release, 'Cars' is all set to hit cinemas over here on July 14, which unfortunately means we'll have to wait more than 18 months for the next Pixar release.

And to further spoil every 'toon fan's day, another high-profile animated comedy is also delaying its release date, with 'Shrek 3' moving back from late 2006 to May 2007.

The sequel to 2004's most successful film will then be followed by a further 'Shrek' instalment (which we're guessing will be called 'Shrek 4'), as well as a 'Puss 'N' Boots' spin-off sometime in 2008.

And if that weren't enough toon-related action, Aardman Animations have just announced that Kate Winslet is to voice a savvy sewer rat called Rita in the studio's next film, 'Flushed Away'.

Playing opposite Hugh Jackman, Andy Serkis and Bill Nighy, the film will chart Rita's efforts to save the sewer city of Ratropolis, and is all set to hit screens in the autumn of 2006.

 

 

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