Howdy, folks. Put down the fork, ’cause that’s not your stomach rumbling. Instead, it’s the sound of animation-related rumors racing across the web. As lovers of animation, and valued readers of Animated News & Views, you certainly deserve to know that latest gossip.
Please keep in mind that the “news” noticed in this column may not be news at all, but rather the result of a mistaken fan, an imaginative enthusiast or a sly prankster. Hence, I ask that you place a grain of salt in each spoonful of tidbits. With every “Rumored Rumblings” article, you will not only be pointed in the direction of the most recent hearsay, but will also be updated on back buzz.
With that said, let’s start reviewing rumors. For the first batch of unconfirmed tidings, Wikipedia, of course, holds a healthy assortment. The site is already reporting a third Ice Age movie, titled Ice Age: A New Beginning, is in the works for 2008. Likewise, the wiki spot recognizes Fox Dogs (2009) and Robots 2 (?) as upcoming projects from Blue Sky Studios, as referenced on the Ice Age 3 page. Meanwhile, a possible update on The Neopets Movie has arrived at the site. Supposedly, the film is to feature an original score by Oscar-winning composer James Horner.
In other animation stories, Wikipedia offers its take on some future films from Disney. One of those films, as it turns out, is not Cat Tale. This April, it was discovered that the site had recorded the 2008 Imagi Entertainment flick as set to be distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. That piece of information, however, is no longer displayed on Cat Tale’s Wikipedia page.
Nonetheless, no matter which studio distributes the film, it is certain that Cat Tale will be released. The same cannot be said, however, for two flicks Wikipedia lists as Disney features scheduled for 2009: Bucky’s New Groove, the latest spin-off in the New Groove saga, and The Dave the Barbarian Movie. Neither movie has been publicly validated as definitely being in the works.
One film that, at this time, will never see the light of the day – but was once in the works – is AristoCats II. For those who ponder what the voice cast for that project would have included, Wikipedia might have the answer. The site records the following actors were involved with the sequel before its cancellation: Linda Gray (Duchess), John Goodman (Thomas O’Malley), Jack Black (Scat Cat), Andy Richter (Dennis the Rat/Morter the Frog/Alley Cats), Jim Cummings (Roquefort), and Bruce Richterman (Kittens).
Of course, Wikipedia cannot always be trusted when it comes to disclosing casting information. For an example of such a fact, look no further than its section for The Fox and the Hound 2. As someone who has already seen the film a couple of times, I can confirm myself that Jonah Bobo voices only Tod, while Harrison Fahn voices Copper. Meanwhile, Vicki Lawrence has the role of Granny Rose, as Stephen Root plays a talent scout. Yes, those actors are linked to The Fox and the Hound 2 – unlike Eartha Kitt, John Goodman, Peter Cullen and possibly Frank Welker, all of whom Wikipedia lists as being in the movie.
Obviously, that is just one of the numerous cases in which Wikipedia has been vandalized with fallacious knowledge. Actually, another page at the site currently has data not matching information displayed at the Internet Movie Database. The contradictory lowdown from these two domains regards the movie Tinker Bell. According to Wikipedia, the movie is being directed by Temple Mathews. The IMDB, on the other hand, has Lion King 1 ½ director Bradley Raymond as directing the “Disney Fairies” flick. The earlier site also notes Cheryl Abood and Carter Crocker as the screenwriters of Tinker Bell. As far as casting goes for the picture, the IMDB indicates the following actors: Kristin Chenoweth (Garden Fairy), Emma Hunton (Victoria) and Zack Shada (Slightly).
In other voice cast information, it appears that Melody will not be found in The Little Mermaid III, but her voice will be – sort of. On her MySpace blog, Tara Strong writes that she will voice some of Ariel’s sisters for the prequel. Concurrently, Horton Hears Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Town Crier), Josh Flitter (Rudy) and Joey King (Katie), says the IMDB. Likewise, the same database states Bernie Mac, Woody Harrelson, Bruce Greenwood and Liv Hutchings have joined American Dog.
With all of that written, is the above information true or false? Yes. Unfortunately, until confirmations – and angry e-mails – arrive, which info belongs in what category is unknown. As for now, though, please keep in mind that the “rumored rumblings” are not reported to spread incorrect info. Instead, the happenings are listed with the hope of two things being achieved. While folks are given the lowdown on possible movements in the animation community, studio representatives are given a heads up on erroneous knowledge needing to be corrected. Thus, in the near future, please look for an update on the status of the noted tidbits.
As always, thanks for reading - and please don’t attack the messenger!
