Los Angeles-based Vanguard Animation is producing a sequel to its 2008 CG-animated feature, Space Chimps. Overseen by animation veteran John Williams (Shrek, Valiant, Happily N’Ever After) the studio is working on the 3-D Space Chimps 2 feature with Fox Home Entertainment, The Animation Picture Company and New Market Capital.
Plans are to release the new feature on DVD in the U.S. in January 2010 and theatrically in select foreign territories in March or April. Mumbai-based Prana Studios is handling the animation. Vanguard presented some of the completed 3-D scenes to buyers at the Cannes Festival this spring. An animated TV series based on the property is also in development.
According to Williams, Vanguard is also preparing another animated feature titled Alien Band: The Battle of the Bands Just Got Ugly. Written by Allan Piper and Chris Pearson who penned funnyordie.com’s popular short, The Enthusiasts, the pic is a comedy about a garage band from a backwater planet that sees a flier for the Intergalactic Battle of the Bands. When the garage band finally arrives at the competition, they realize that the battle is a real physical combat and find themselves playing a Death Metal match against the Carnivores. Dave Stewart of The Eurythmics fame is putting together a who’s who of music business stars to participate in the project. Also on board is veteran music supervisor Joel Sill (Forrest Gump). The movie begins production in January 2010.
