A Professional Corporation
Newhouse Porter Hubbard represents acclaimed directors, writers, producers, editors, production designers and other high-level artists and executives in animation, live action, and the digital production field. The firm provides outside general counsel to a select group of premiere independent animation studios as well as working with entrepreneurs and new ventures in connection with digital production and internet business opportunities. Additionally, the firm supports clients in video game, electronic and print media, computer software, merchandising, internet and other licensing transactions.
‘SpongeBob’ Sandy Spin-Off Movie Debuts as Netflix’s Most-Watched Title of the Week With 12.8 Million Views
“Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie” ranked as Netflix’s most-watched title of the week in its opening weekend. The “SpongeBob” spin-off film brought in 12.8 million views from its Aug. 2 release through Sunday, Aug. 4, per Netflix viewing figures, leading it to become both the most-watched title as well as the most-watched movie of the week.
Oscar-Winning Brave Director Mark Andrews to Showrun Postapocalyptic Samurai Dinosaur Series “Kyoryu”
Mark Andrews, director of Pixar’s Academy Award winning animated feature Brave and a writer on Genndy Tartakovsky’s “Primal” and “Samurai Jack,” is attached as the showrunner of animated series “Kyōryū,” about samurai dinosaurs living in a postapocalyptic Japan. In development at Wellington, New Zealand-based Floating Rock, an animation and VFX studio, “Kyōryū” is set in Japan in a future where dinosaurs have outlasted humanity.
‘Goat’: Sony Pictures Animation Sets Release Tied To 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend From Director Tyree Dillihay; Stephen Curry & Erick Peyton’s Unanimous Media
Sony Pictures Animation is currently making Goat, an original animated sports comedy from producers Stephen Curry and Erick Peyton of Unanimous Media, Oscar nominee Michelle Raimo Kouyate (The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story, Silver Linings Playbook), and Adam Rosenberg (Creed 3) and Academy Award winner Rodney Rothman (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) of Modern Magic. Emmy-nominated director Tyree Dillihay (Bob’s Burgers) will direct, and Adam Rosette (Orion and the Dark) will co-direct. Aaron Buchsbaum and Teddy Riley (Fairfax) are writing the screenplay. David Schulenburg (The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story, Spider-Ham: Caught in a Ham) is co-producing. Rick Mischel (Open Season: Call of Nature) and Fonda Snyder (Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum) are EPs.
Apple Sets ‘Peanuts’ Animated Film, Featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy Going to the Big City
Apple TV+ has commissioned the computer-generated animated film, which will follow Snoopy and Charlie Brown as they and the rest of the Peanuts gang go on an epic journey to the big city. The project marks the first Apple original film from the partnership with Peanuts Worldwide and WildBrain that has been preceded by the streaming of library Peanuts originals and specials. Steve Martino will direct the untitled Peanuts film from producer Bonnie Arnold and co-writer Karey Kirkpatrick, who has animated screenwriting credits for Chicken Run, Smallfoot and Over the Hedge.
Disney’s ‘How To Be A Carioca’ From ‘Ice Age’ Director Carlos Saldanha To Screen At Iberseries & Platino Industry In Madrid
Carlos Saldanha’s Disney comedy series How to be a Carioca will screen for the first time at the Iberseries & Platino Industria event in October. The Portuguese-language comedy series follows an American writer who has to learn the quirks of Rio de Janeiro’s people after moving to the Brazilian city. The show is set to launch on Star+ in Latin America and Disney’+’s streaming services, including Disney+ worldwide.
Annapurna Animation Expands With ‘Nimona’ Team; Announces Pair of Upcoming Features
Following the release of its first animated feature, Nimona, Annapurna Animation has brought on director Nick Bruno and producer Julie Zackary to join their creative leadership team while expanding its upcoming feature slate to include an adaptation of video game Stray, along with Foo, an original title from Ice Age helmer and Blue Sky co-founder Chris Wedge.
Annapurna Launches Animation Division
Former Disney animation execs have joined Megan Ellison’s Annapurna to establish and co-lead an Animation division at the independent studio. The first film set for release via Annapurna’s new division is Nimona, directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane and produced by Julie Zackary and Karen Ryan. The film is set for release on Netflix next year.
Animated Film Nimona Finds Home at Netflix Following Blue Sky Studios Shutdown
The animated film Nimona, scrapped following the shutdown of Blue Sky Studios amid Disney’s acquisition of Fox, has landed at Netflix, with Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, and Eugene Lee Yang set to star. The adaptation of ND Stevenson’s New York Times bestselling graphic novel is now being helmed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane (Spies in Disguise) and will debut on the streamer in 2023.
Reel FX Cracks Code On Using Video Game Engine For Netflix Ani Series ‘Super Giant Robot Brothers!’
Mark Andrews (Brave) directs this 3D animated action-comedy about two robot brothers, Shiny and Thunder, as they fight off the Kaiju that threaten the world. Reel FX developed and produced this Netflix animated series, created by Executive Producers Victor Maldonado and Alfredo Torres. While many have tried to use video game engines, like Unity or Unreal Engine, for animation in the past, Reel FX is the first to create an innovative production animation pipeline that utilizes the Unreal Game Engine to visualize and render every aspect of the show. Reel FX’s groundbreaking use of the game engine combines live-action techniques and traditional tools makes animation more accessible.
‘The Witch Boy’: Netflix To Release Animated Musical From Oscar-Nominated Director Minkyu Lee
Hailing from the Oscar-nominated Adam and Dog director and based on Molly Knox Osterag’s New York Times bestselling novel series of the same name, The Witch Boy takes place in a secret, magical community where girls are born to be witches and boys grow into shapeshifters. The Witch Boy will also feature original music by the Grammy-nominated sister trio Haim. Maria Melnik writes the script with Roy Lee, Miri Yoon and Ryan Harris producing. Vertigo Entertainment produces the feature and Netflix releases.