Sony Pictures Animation is forging ahead with its plans to increase its release output while creating a distinctive mix of titles, evidenced by the newly released feature film slate dated through 2018 — which tacks on the much buzzed-about new Lin-Manuel Miranda project due in 2020.
The films will feature familiar favorites like the Smurfs, Spider-Man, and the ghoulish gang of Hotel Transylvania, plus all-new animated faces audiences can get to know.
“We are proud of the artist-driven titles we have coming to the marketplace, said SPA President Kristine Belson. “The abundance, variety and quality of the features are a testament to the wealth of creative talents who call Sony Pictures Animation their home.”
Sony Pictures Animation upcoming features:
April 7, 2017
Smurfs: The Lost Village
Voice cast: Newly announced, Michelle Rodriguez (SmurfStorm), Ellie Kemper (SmurfBlossom), Ariel Winter (SmurfLily) and Julia Roberts (SmurfWillow), all residents of the title’s Lost Village. Cameos include Gordon Ramsay (Baker), Gabriel Iglesias (Jokey), Tituss Burgess (Vanity), Jeff Dunham (Farmer), Jake Johnson (Grouchy), and director Kelly Asbury (Nosey). Previously announced, Demi Lovato (Smurfette), Rainn Wilson (Gargamel), Joe Manganiello (Hefty), Jack McBrayer (Clumsy), Danny Pudi (Brainy), and Mandy Patinkin (Papa).
Directed by Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2), produced by Jordan Kerner (Charlotte’s Web) and Mary Ellen Bauder Andrews (Hotel Transylvania), and written by Stacey Harman and Pamela Ribon, based on the characters and works of Peyo. Digital animation by Sony Pictures Imageworks.
In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does. Embarking on a rollercoaster journey full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history!
August 4, 2017
The Emoji Movie
Voice cast: Newly announced, Jennifer Coolidge (Gene’s mother, Mary Meh), Maya Rudolph (Smiler), Jake T. Austin (Alex), and Sir Patrick Stewart (Poop). Previously announced, T.J. Miller (Gene), James Corden (Hi-5), Ilana Glazer (Jailbreak), Steven Wright (Gene’s father, Mel Meh).
Directed by Tony Leondis, produced by Michelle Raimo Kouyate, and written by Tony Leondis & Eric Siegel and Mike White. Digital animation by Sony Pictures Imageworks.
The Emoji Movie unlocks the never-before-seen secret world inside your smartphone. Hidden within the messaging app is Textopolis, a bustling city where all your favorite emojis live, hoping to be selected by the phone’s user. In this world, each emoji has only one facial expression – except for Gene, an exuberant emoji who was born without a filter and is bursting with multiple expressions. Determined to become “normal” like the other emojis, Gene enlists the help of his handy best friend Hi-5 and the notorious code breaker emoji Jailbreak. Together, they embark on an epic “app-venture” through the apps on the phone, each its own wild and fun world, to find the Code that will fix Gene. But when a greater danger threatens the phone, the fate of all emojis depends on these three unlikely friends who must save their world before it’s deleted forever.
November 10, 2017
The Star
Voice cast: Steven Yeun (Bo the donkey), Kelly Clarkson (Leah the horse), Aidy Bryant (Ruth the sheep), Keegan-Michael Key (Dave the dove), Kristin Chenoweth (Mouse), Anthony Anderson (Zach the goat), Gabriel Iglesias (Rufus the dog), Ving Rhames (Thaddeus the dog), Delilah Rene (Elizabeth), Kris Kristofferson (Old Donkey), Gina Rodriguez (Mary), Zachary Levi (Joseph), with Oprah Winfrey (Deborah), Tyler Perry (Cyrus) and Tracy Morgan (Felix) as the three camels, and Christopher Plummer (King Herod).
Directed by Academy Award-nominated writer/director Timothy Reckart (Head Over Heels); executive produced by DeVon Franklin (Miracles from Heaven), Lisa Henson and Brian Henson (The Jim Henson Company); produced by Jenni Magee Cook; with a story by Carlos Kotkin and Simon Moore; and screenplay by Carlos Kotkin. Digital animation by Cinesite Studios.
A small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.
September 21, 2018
Hotel Transylvania 3
Voice cast: Returning ensemble, including Adam Sandler (Dracula), Selena Gomez (Mavis) and Andy Samberg (Johnny).
Directed once more by Genndy Tartakovsky (Samurai Jack, Star Wars: Clone Wars), with Michelle Murdocca back producing and Adam Sandler executive producing, with a screenplay by Genndy Tartakovsky and Michael McCullers (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me).
Mavis surprises Dracula with a family voyage on a luxury Monster Cruise Ship so he can take a vacation from providing everyone else’s vacation at the hotel. The rest of Drac’s Pack cannot resist going along and once they leave port, romance zings Drac when he meets the mysterious ship captain Ericka. Now it’s Mavis’ turn to play the overprotective parent, keeping her dad and Ericka apart. Little do they know that his “too good to be true” love interest is actually a descendent of Van Helsing, arch nemesis to Dracula and all monsters!
***In addition to this feature film, a new animated short, Puppy, directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, will be debuting in theaters attached to The Emoji Movie in August 2017. In the short, the residents of Hotel Transylvania find their world turned upside-down when youngster Dennis gets a surprise monster-sized pet!
December 21, 2018
Untitled Animated Spider-Man
From Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, the geniuses behind The LEGO Movie, comes an animated Spider-Man feature starring Miles Morales. The feature is directed by Bob Persichetti (head of story, Puss in Boots and The Little Prince) and Peter Ramsey (Rise of the Guardians). The film is written by Phil Lord. Avi Arad (Iron Man, Spider-Man), Amy Pascal (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Phil Lord & Christopher Miller (Untitled Han Solo Movie) are executive producing; Christina Steinberg (Trollhunters) is producing.
December 18, 2020
Vivo
Lin-Manuel Miranda, the award-winning (Emmy, Tony, Grammy, Olivier, Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient) creative force behind the groundbreaking Broadway musical Hamilton, writes new songs for this musical animated feature. Academy Award-nominated director Kirk DeMicco (The Croods) is set to helm a script by Pulitzer Prize-winner Quiara Alegría Hudes (In the Heights). Academy Award-nominated producer Laurence Mark (Dreamgirls, Julie & Julia) serves as executive producer, and Lisa Stewart (Almost Famous) produces.
