Movies can move us in many ways. They can inspire us, motivate us, and encourage us. The Sony Pictures Animation team continues to create films that have a long-lasting impact, quickly becoming family favorites.
As a family, we love to watch movies together. Movie time is our special family bonding activity. I am always looking for uplifting, feel-good movies that have a good message.
Earlier this month, I was invited to Sony Pictures Animation Studios to get the behind-the-scenes scoop on the studio’s upcoming film projects for 2017. Sony also announced its highly anticipated future feature film projects, including one from Pulitzer Prize-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda. Celebs Demi Lovato and Joe Manganiello made a special guest appearance.
According to Kristine Belson, President of Sony Pictures Animation, Sony is proud of the artist-driven titles coming up. “The abundance, variety and quality of the features are a testament to the wealth of creative talents who call Sony Pictures Animation their home,” she said.
Thank you Sony Animation Pictures for inviting me to your event!
Sony Pictures Animation Unveils Upcoming Slate
Check out the list of upcoming films we can look forward to from Sony Pictures Animation!
Smurfs: The Lost Village – April 7, 2017 release
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.
Actress Demi Lovato will star as Smurfette in this new film. Demi made an appearance at the Sony Studios Animation Pictures event. She is bright and bubbly just like her on screen character Smurfette. (love her!)
The cast for this movie is amazing! Michelle Rodriguez (SmurfStorm), Ellie Kemper (SmurfBlossom), Ariel Winter (SmurfLily) and Julia Roberts (SmurfWillow) are all residents of the title’s Lost Village. Special voice cameos to include: Gordon Ramsay (Baker), Gabriel Iglesias (Jokey), Tituss Burgess (Vanity), Jeff Dunham (Farmer), Jake Johnson (Grouchy), and director Kelly Asbury (Nosey).
I grew up watching the Smurfs, so this one brings on a bit of nostalgia for me. My kiddos and I can’t wait to see this film. It’s going to be Smurftacular!
The Emoji Movie – August 4, 2017 release
Ok, you know that Emojis rule the world, or at least your phone… In this new upcoming film, Emojis come to life.
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 (voiced by funnyman T.J. Miller), 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 (James Corden) and the notorious code breaker emoji Jailbreak (Ilana Glazer). 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.
Newly announced voice cast members include Jennifer Coolidge (Gene’s mother, Mary Meh), Maya Rudolph (Smiler), Jake T. Austin (Alex), and Sir Patrick Stewart (Poop).
The Star – November 10, 2017 release
The Star is poised to be the star of this holiday season, and I can’t wait to see this film with my entire family!
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.
The voice cast will be led by 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).
Hotel Transylvania 3 – September 21, 2018 release
My son loves the Hotel Transylvania movies and is ecstatic about this new film… He enjoys the dark humor and adventures these monsters embark upon. (Listening to his giggles while watching are the best!)
In Hotel Transylvania 3, 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!
The voice ensemble of favorites returns, including Adam Sandler (Dracula), Selena Gomez (Mavis) and Andy Samberg (Johnny).
Untitled Animated Spider-man – December 21, 21, 2018 release
Are you a Spider-man fan? If so, start getting excited!
From Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the geniuses behind The Lego Movie, comes an animated Spider-man feature starring Miles Morales.
The details are hush-hush, but here’s what we know:
The feature is directed by Bob Persichetti (head of story on 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.
Vivo – December 18, 2020 release
If you love a good musical, you don’t want to miss 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 De Micco (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)
We had a fun filled day getting the scoop at Sony Animation Pictures. Thank you Joe Manganiello for the photo bomb! I mean, not that we mind. 😉
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