InThis Week in Animation NewsI’ll take a look at the previous week in the world of animation to get you caught up on everything you might have missed. It’s your one-stop shop for news regarding cartoons, anime, and animated web series. We’re talking movies, TV shows, digital shorts, and everything in between!
This week was another busy one! We’ll lead things off with a new deleted scene from Disney’sMoana, one that never made it past the animatic stage. Then, there’s a new couch gag forThe Simpsonswhich takes a brief stroll through recent animated series history with a little help from theRobot Chickenfolks. We also have clips forStar Wars Rebels,SpongeBob SquarePants,Rock DogandSon of Zorn, not to mention news for the upcoming seriesTangled: The Serieson Disney, and Cartoon Network’sCloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. There’s also a sneak peek at the Blu-ray box art for the highly anticipated arrival of Warner Bros. Entertainment’sTeen Titans: The Judas Contract, along with new kids' series coming to the BBC and YouTube.
For the latest animation stories we’ve already covered on the site this week, take a look at the following links. Then, check out a selection of new stories below. Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments!
‘Moana’ Deleted Scene Reveals Her 6 Brothers
Yahoo!had a chance to chat withMoanaco-directorsJohn MuskerandRon Clements, who revealed this fantastic (but deleted) scene from the Disney hit. Here’s how Clements set it up:
“This is a very early scene in the movie, where Moana had six older brothers, and this was a showcase for Moana’s sailing proficiencies and how she really kind of outdoes her brothers.”
To which Musker added:
“We lost her brothers and wanted to make her less proficient when she was sailing so this scene went away, But it’s a fun scene.”
This deleted scene was one of seven that will be included on the home release, along with songs that didn’t make the cut, “the Maui-Moana short “Gone Fishing,” the theatrical short “Inner Workings,” music videos, making-of featurettes, director’s commentary, and a guide to the film’s Easter eggs.”
Look forMoanaon Digital HD Tuesday, February 21st, followed by the Blu-ray/DVD on March 7th.
‘The Simpsons’ Couch Gag Created by ‘Robot Chicken’ Team
Sabine Returns Home with a Surprise in a New ‘Star Wars Rebels’ Clip
In this clip from the Star Wars Rebels episode “Legacy of Mandalore,” Sabine arrives on her homeworld with something unexpected…
Watch Star Wars Rebels every Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD.
Thanks toCBRfor the heads up, as well as the synopsis for the upcoming episode “Legacy of Mandalore”:
Hoping to get her family to help the rebels, Sabine returns home with Kanan and Ezra, and finds herself embroiled in her family’s power struggle for Mandalore.
Sneak a Peek at Jon Hamm’s Character in ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’
The above-seen clip from the upcoming special episode of Nickelodeon’sSpongeBob SquarePantscomes courtesy ofTV Line.
Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actorJon Hammwill be “voicing the smart, charming, and literally fishy ad exec Don Grouper, whose firm is hired by Mr. Krabs to help sell his frozen Krabby Patties.” You can see Hamm’s full performance in the half-hour special “Goodbye, Krabby Patty?” which pays homage to the iconic opening credits ofMad Men. The special airs February 20th at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Nickelodeon.
‘Teen Titans: The Judas Contract’ Release Date and Blu-ray Art Revealed
Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment bring one of the most momentous Teen Titans plotlines in comics history to animated life with the all-new, feature-length filmTeen Titans: The Judas Contract.Inspired by the 1984 DC story arc fromMarv WolfmanandGeorge Pérez,Teen Titans: The Judas Contractwill be distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on July 24, 2025.
The landmark Teen Titans story will be available on Blu-ray™ Deluxe Giftset, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD starting June 07, 2025. The Blu-rayTMCombo Pack includes the movie in high definition on Blu-ray Disc, a DVD, and a digital version of the movie on Digital HD with UltraViolet*. The Blu-ray™ Deluxe Edition will include all components of the Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, along with an exclusive figurine of Blue Beetle in a numbered, limited edition gift set.Teen Titans: The Judas Contractwill be released via Digital HD on June 04, 2025.
Led by Starfire, the Teen Titans – Beast Boy, Raven, Blue Beetle, Robin and the just-returned Nightwing – have built a cohesive team in their never-ending battle against evil; but their newest teammate, the mysterious and powerful Terra, may be altering that dynamic. Meanwhile, an ancient evil, Brother Blood, has awakened, and familiar foe Deathstroke is lurking in the shadows – both waiting to pounce. Ultimately, the Teen Titans will need to battle their enemies and their own doubts to unite and overcome the malicious forces around them in this twisting tale of intrigue, adventure and deception.
Christina Ricci(Zelda,Sleepy Hollow, The Addams Family) and the lateMiguel Ferrer(NCIS: Los Angeles, RoboCop, Crossing Jordan) join the already established Teen Titans voice cast as Terra and Deathstroke, respectively. Returning Titans actors includeSean Maher(Firefly/Serenity, Batman: Bad Blood) as Nightwing,Taissa Farmiga(American Horror Story) as Raven,Jake T. Austin(Wizards of Waverly Place, The Fosters) as Blue Beetle,Brandon Soo Hoo(Tropic Thunder, From Dusk Til Dawn: The Series) as Beast Boy,Kari Wahlgren(Phineas and Ferb, Legion of Superheroes) as Starfire, andStuart Allan(Batman vs. Robin, Batman: Bad Blood) as Robin/Damian.Gregg Henry(Scandal, The Killing, Payback) voices the villainous Brother Blood.
The voice cast also includesMaria Canals-Barrera(Wizards of Waverly Place) as Jaime’s mother,Meg Foster(They Live) as Mother Mayhem,Crispin Freeman(Justice League Action, Batman: Arkhamgames) as Speedy,Masasa Moyo(Young Justice) as Bumblebee,David Zayas(Gotham, Dexter) as Jaime’s father,Jason Spisak(Young Justice) as Kid Flash, andKevin Smith(Clerks, Geeking Out) as … himself.
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment,Teen Titans: The Judas Contractis directed bySam Liu(Batman: The Killing Joke)from a screenplay byErnie Altbacker(Justice League Dark).Sam Registeris Executive Producer;James Tucker(Batman Bad Blood, Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders) is Supervising Producer; andAlan Burnett(Justice League vs. Teen Titans) is co-Producer.
“Teen Titans: The Judas Contractpays homage to one of the truly legendary story arcs in DC’s Teen Titan series, one that fans have been requesting for years, so we are excited to release a film that should surpass their expectations,” saidMary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing. “We are thrilled to deliver this complex and exhilarating story that tests the bonds between all members of the Teen Titans to both longstanding and new fans of all generations.”
Teen Titans: The Judas Contract Enhanced Content:
Blu-ray™ Deluxe Giftset, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack & Digital HD
See How the Sounds of ‘Trollhunters’ Get Made
‘Rock Dog’ Clip Reveals Eddie Izzard’s Character, Angus
M Magazinehas an early look at the animated family filmRock Dog, starringEddie Izzard,Luke Wilson,J.K. Simmons,Lewis Black,Kenan Thompson,Mae Whitman,Jorge Garcia,Matt Dillon, andSam Elliott.
Here’s the officialRock Dogsynopsis:
When a radio falls from the sky into the hands of a wide-eyed Tibetan Mastiff, he leaves home to fulfill his dream of becoming a musician, setting into motion a series of completely unexpected events. ROCK DOG opens in theatersFebruary 24, 2017starring Luke Wilson (Bodi), Eddie Izzard (Angus), J.K. Simmons (Khampa), Lewis Black (Linnux), Kenan Thompson (Riff), Mae Whitman (Darma), Jorge Garcia (Germur), with Matt Dillon (Trey) and Sam Elliott (Fleetwood Yak).
Disney Orders a Second Season for ‘Tangled: The Series’
Disney Channel has made a resolute and early commitment to a second season before the first season of the animatedTangled: The Seriespremieres, withChris Sonnenburgas executive producer and supervising director. A production of Disney Television Animation, the series is based on Walt Disney Animation Studios' acclaimed feature film. It will be preceded by the music-filledTangled Before Ever After, a Disney Channel Original Movie, premieringFRIDAY, MARCH 10(8:00-9:05 p.m. EST), with the series launchingFRIDAY, MARCH 24(7:30-8:00 p.m., EDT), on Disney Channel. The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide.
Tangled: The Series reunitesMandy MooreandZachary Levi, who reprise their roles as Rapunzel and Eugene (formerly known as Flynn Rider), respectively, as well as the music team of Disney legend and Academy Award-winning composerAlan Menkenand lyricistGlenn Slater. The story takes place between the events of the 2010 feature film and the start of the 2012 short film,Tangled: The Series.With a visually vibrant animation style, the series follows Rapunzel on her adventures as she acquaints herself with her parents, her kingdom of Corona and its people.
Tangled: The Serieswas developed by Chris Sonnenburg andShane Prigmore, with Sonnenburg serving as executive producer and supervising director.Benjamin Balistreriis supervising producer.Kevin Klieschserves as score composer. The series is produced by Disney Television Animation.
‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs’ Series to Premiere in Early March
Cartoon Network announced a new TV series,Cloudy with a Chance ofMeatballs,will make its series premiere onMonday, March 6 at 5:30 p.m.(ET/PT). The mouth-watering comedy series is based on Sony Pictures Animation’s 2009 animated feature comedy hitCloudy with a Chance of Meatballsand its 2013 sequel,Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2that were both global hits. The TV series is produced by DHX Media and Sony Pictures Animation in association with Corus Entertainment.
TheCloudy with a Chance of Meatballsseries takes place before giant food rains down on Swallow Falls. Sardines are still the driving force behind the town’s booming economy. Favorite character Flint Lockwood returns as a teenager trying to change the world one invention at a time. Lucky for him, his best friend and aspiring meteorologist Sam Sparks is there to lend a hand. All of the great characters from the film return including Flint’s dad, Tim; Flint’s lab assistant, Steve the monkey; Earl, the school’s busiest teacher; Manny, the head of the school’s audiovisual department; Brent, the local teenage celebrity and captain of the mascot team; and Mayor Shelbourne, who wins every election with a pro-sardine platform, and more.
A sneak peek ofCloudy with a Chance of Meatballswill also premiereMonday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network and audiences can see it first on theCartoon Networkapp.
Sneak Peek of ‘Son of Zorn’s Season Finale
Zorn gets a distressing phone call during Edie’s wedding.
EWhad the sneak peek of Fox’s season finale forSon of Zorn, titled “All Hail Son of Zorn”, airing Sunday, February 19th at 8:30pm ET/PT.
Featuring the voice ofJason Sudeikis,Son of Zornis a hybrid live-action/animated comedy about an animated warrior from a faraway island in the Pacific Ocean – where everything and everyone is animated – who returns to Orange County, CA, to win back his live-action ex-wife and teenage son. Zorn (Sudeikis), the Defender of Zephyria, Conqueror of the tribes of Agon, decapitator of the dark herdsmen of Grith, has fought in countless epic battles throughout his life, but may find the greatest challenge of all when travels back to suburbia to reconnect with his family.
Once there, Zorn finds himself estranged from his son, Alangulon or just “Alan” (Johnny Pemberton), a 17-year-old with a mellow, P.C. attitude; and Alan’s mother, Zorn’s ex-wife, Edie (Cheryl Hines), a former wild child now living the life of an upper middle class mom. Zorn’s efforts to win them back are complicated by the fact that Edie is now engaged to Craig (Tim Meadows), an online psychology professor and a stable presence in their lives. Nevertheless, to be a good dad, Zorn commits to remaining in Orange County for the long haul, renting an apartment and even working in the exciting field of industrial soap sales under his boss, Linda (Artemis Pebdani), who likes his passion, but just wants him to rein it in at the office. As he adjusts to life in the suburbs, Zorn is the classic fish out of water, navigating his way through fatherhood, divorce and a boring office job. Sure, as an overlord of pain, he defeated glombeasts, wolf-bats and bloodthirsty arachnobots, but now he’ll go toe-to-toe with a new set of enemies: meter maids, dress codes and the DMV.
