Top Animation News: Disney deals, Comic-Con, WIA Montreal and more!

Top Animation News is a weekly column that rounds up the biggest, best and breaking stories from the animation industry. This edition covers July 19 to 26, 2019.

1. Tons of toons coming from Disney TV Animation
Studio Disney TV Animation has signed overall deals with 17 creators and animator in an effort to create content across platforms. Among them are Howy Parkins (The Lion Guard), Steve Marmel (The Fairly OddParents) and Natasha Kline (Big City Greens). Disney TV Animation also greenlit an original animated series, The Curse of Molly McGee — a buddy comedy following an optimistic tween and a ghost.

Toon into all the Disney TV Animation overall deals on Kidscreen. 

2. Comic-Con 2019: Rick and Morty, Harley Quinn and other animated trailers 
While the Cats trailer may have broken the internet, there were plenty of animated previews from San Diego Comic-Con 2019 (SDCC 2019) to pique toon lovers’ curiosity. The list includes a trailer for Steven Universe The Movie, a sneak peek of Rick and Morty season four and a very R-rated first look at Harley Quinn. Notably, both of the latter two series were produced in Toon Boom Storyboard and Toon Boom Harmony. 

Have a look at the other Comic-Con 2019 animated trailers on Animation Magazine.

3. Women in Animation launch Montreal chapter 
As a growing hub in Canada and the world, the Montreal animation industry has attracted its own chapter of Women In Animation (WIA) — the organization’s ninth overall. WIA is the largest group dedicated to the advancement of women in the animation and VFX industries, and aims to establish a 50/50 gender balance in creative roles in the city by 2025. “WIA Montreal gives women, men, and gender-fluid folks at every seniority level the opportunity and agency to really bring about a change,” said Lauren McCallum, global managing director at Mill Films and a member of the chapter’s executive committee. 

Learn more about the Montreal Women In Animation chapter on Cartoon Brew.

4. Kyoto Animation crowdfunding campaign hits $2M
The Gofundme campaign launched to support the victims of last week’s Kyoto Animation arson attack has raised over $2 million. Started by US animation distributor Sentai Filmworks, donations will be given directly to the studio’s families. The Kyoto Animation fire killed 34 people —mostly women— and shocked Japan as one of the country’s worst mass killings in nearly 20 years. 

Read more about the Kyoto Animation fund on CNN or donate directly here.

5. The European Animation Awards 2019 are delayed
In a letter from its board this week, the European Animation Awards —colloquially known as the Emiles— will be delaying its 2019 edition until an undisclosed date due to financial difficulties. Memberships purchased for this year will be extended into 2020; the event celebrates the best in the continent’s creators and cartoons.   

Learn more about the European Animation Awards 2019 delay on Animation Magazine.

6. Prince releases posthumous animated music video
The estate of legendary, late rocker Prince has released an animated music video for his track “Holly Rock”. The song will appear on a recent posthumous collection of his music, titled “Originals”. “Holly Rock” was first recorded in Los Angeles in April 1985 — the same time Prince did his hit single, “Kiss”. 

Watch the Prince “Holly Rock” animation music video on Rolling Stone.

7. Canada’s animation industry to unionize 
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and the Art Babbitt Appreciation Society (ABAS) are partnering to unionize Canada’s animation sector — starting with Vancouver. The two are joining forces to better develop collaborative strategies. IATSE is the largest union representing toon professionals in North American while ABAS is a nationwide collective seeking improved workers’ rights in the industry. 

Head over to Cartoon Brew for more on unionizing Canada’s animation industry.

8. Archer season 11 is coming — with changes 
FX’s adult animated comedy Archer will be back for 11th season, it was revealed Friday at San Diego Comic-Con 2019. The titular character will wake up from his three-year coma and the series will return to its spy agency origins. Despite fan speculation that season 10 would be the show’s last, executive producer Matt Thompson said, “[Archer] feels brand-new again to me. And if that feeling stays and we see a way to make season 12 and continue that interest, I don’t see why not.” (Archer is animated in Toon Boom Harmony.)

Awaken to all of the Archer season 11 details and full interview on Entertainment Weekly.

Source: Fox

9. Matt Groening: The Simpsons Movie sequel is (probably) coming
According to The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, a second The Simpsons Movie is on the way — albeit, the details are vague. Speaking at SDCC, he said, “No doubt there will be another Simpsons movie one of these days. I think Disney wants something for its money.” Toon Boom's software was used in The Simpsons Movie (2007).

Spring(field) into The Simpsons Movie sequel details on NME.

10. Archibald’s Next Big Thing gets huge voice talent
DreamWorks Animation's upcoming series for Netflix, Archibald’s Next Big Thing, was created by Emmy Award-winning actor Tony Hale, who will also star on the toon as the titular character. He will be joined by Adam Pally (The Mindy Project), Chelsea Kane (Baby Daddy), Jordan Fisher (To All the Boys I've Loved Before 2), Kari Wahlgren (Spirit Riding Free) and Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl). Archibald’s Next Big Thing is inspired by the children’s book by Hale, Tony Biaggne and Victor Huckabee, and follow the eponymous, cheerful chicken as his adventures and curiosity take him astray.

Get more details on Archibald’s Next Big Thing on Animation World Network. 

What Top Animation News were you most excited about this week? Was there something we forgot to mention? Let us know in the comments below!

Banner image source: Disney TV Animation