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 saw some very violent animated treatments for the new, R-rated releaseThe Belko Experiment, teased by a new LEGO trailer and claymation shorts. In more traditional family-friendly fare, some character details emerged for the highly anticipated new anime seriesBoruto: Naruto Next Generations, specifically concerning Naruto and Sasuke. In renewal news, Disney XD has ordered up a second season ofBig Hero 6: The Seriesbefore it even airs, while also launchingRocket & Groot, a series of animated shorts based on theGuardians of the Galaxycharacters. Disney Junior also renewed its hit seriesMickey and the Roadster RacersandThe Lion Guard.
On the film front, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment announced the exclusive world premiere ofTeen Titans: The Judas Contractat WonderCon 2017. There are also new trailers forAlpha and Omega: Journey to Bear Kingdom–the eighth film in the family-friendly franchise–and the English-language Canadian-French 3D computer-animated musical/adventure/comedy filmBallerina(now known asLeap!); that latter film also addsKate McKinnonto the voice cast.
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!
‘The Belko Experiment’ Goes LEGO, Claymation, and Very NSFW
Huxley Berg Studios gaveThe Belko Experimentthe LEGO treatment in this animated trailer forGreg McLean’s violent, R-rated thriller scripted byJames Gunnand playing in theaters now. Not to be outdone, veteran claymation animatorLee Hardcastlegot in on the fun by creating a few signature shorts based on the film.
Here’s the official synopsis ofThe Belko Experiment, followed by Hardcastle’s series of claymation shorts:
Written by the acclaimed writer/director James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy,Slither) and directed by Greg McLean (creator of theWolf Creekfranchise), THE BELKO EXPERIMENT is a terrifying, provocative and at times hilarious thrill-ride that literally provokes the question; what does it take to survive at work?
From Orion Pictures, THE BELKO EXPERIMENT stars John Gallagher Jr. (“The Newsroom”,10 Cloverfield Lane), Tony Goldwyn (“Scandal”), John C. McGinley (“Stan Against Evil,” “Scrubs”), Adria Arjona (“True Detective”), Josh Brener (“Silicon Valley”) and Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy). The film was directed by Greg McLean and executive produced by James Gunn and Peter Safran (The Conjuring 1&2,Annabelle).
‘Boruto’ Anime Director Reveals Naruto and Sasuke’s Roles
AsNaruto: Shippudenprepares to draw to a close after 500 episodes and nearly 10 years on the air, a new generation prepares to step forward. The anime adaptation ofBoruto: Naruto Next Generationsis due to hit TV Tokyo on April 5th, but fans of the long-running precursor are curious to know how their favorite characters–Naruto and Sasuke–will factor in. Luckily, the series co-directorNoriyuki Abecleared things up on that account.
Spiralling Sphere(viaComicbook) has the translation of the interview with Abe from the April issue of Gakken Publishing’s Monthly Animedia magazine. Here’s the part Naruto and Sasuke will play in the new series:
[W]e don’t want it to become “Naruto 2.0”. We want to create a new work that our fans, who have followed us these 15 years, and now grown into adults and their children can enjoy. Of course, this is on top of also including the characters that are already a part of the series. We as the staff of “Naruto” refer to Naruto and Sasuke as “legendary characters”, and it’s awesome when they appear in the story, but we are careful to portray Boruto and the next generation as the main characters as we are creating the series.
Basically it sounds like Naruto and Sasuke will be featured about as often as the previous Hokage and legendary Sannin were in the previous series. As long as the adventures continue, I’m on board!
SAN FRANSOKYO – Disney XD has ordered an early second season of the highly anticipatedBig Hero 6 The Seriesbefore the first season premieres this fall, with Emmy Award-winnersMark McCorkle,Bob SchooleyandNick Filippi(the team behind the global hit Disney Channel seriesKim Possible) as executive producers. Based on Walt Disney Animation Studios' Academy Award-winning feature film inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name, the series starsMaya Rudolphas Aunt Cass,Jamie Chungas Go Go,Scott Adsitas Baymax,Ryan Potteras Hiro,Genesis Rodriguezas Honey Lemon,Khary Paytonas Wasabi,Brooks Wheelanas Fred,Alan Tudykas Alistair Krei,David Shaughnessyas Heathcliff and Marvel Comics legendStan Leeas Fred’s dad.
The Disney Television Animation-produced series picks up immediately following the events of the feature film and continues the adventures and friendship of 14-year-old tech genius Hiro and his compassionate, cutting-edge robot Baymax. Along with their friends Wasabi, Honey Lemon, Go Go and Fred, they form the legendary superhero team Big Hero 6 and embark on high-tech adventures as they protect their city from an array of scientifically enhanced villains and seek to solve a mystery that threatens the city of San Fransokyo. In his normal day-to-day life, Hiro faces daunting academic challenges and social trials as the new prodigy at San Fransokyo Institute of Technology.
Disney Junior Orders More ‘Mickey and the Roadster Racers’ and ‘The Lion Guard’
Disney Junior has ordered a second season of 2017’s #1 series among preschooler-targeted networks,Mickey and the Roadster Racers, which since its January premiere, has reached over 41 million viewers nationwide. Disney Junior, geared towards kids age 2-7 and the #1 preschooler-dedicated network for the past five years, has also ordered a third season of its popular animated seriesThe Lion Guard.
Mickey and the Roadster Racersis a madcap car-racing adventure series for preschoolers that takes Disney’s #1 star, Mickey Mouse, and his pals Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Daisy and Donald, along with their unique transforming vehicles, on humorous high-spirited races around the globe, as well as hometown capers in Hot Dog Hills. Off the racetrack, Minnie and Daisy also run their own successful business as Happy Helpers, solving problems for anyone in need of a helping hand. The stories are designed to impart social and emotional lessons about friendship, teamwork, optimism and good sportsmanship. The Emmy-nominated creative talent behind Disney Junior’s hit series,Mickey Mouse ClubhouseandJake and the Never Land Pirates, comprise the production team:Rob LaDucais executive producer andMark Seidenbergis co-executive producer and supervising story editor.Mickey and the Roadster Racersis a production of Disney Television Animation.
The Lion Guardcontinues the epic storytelling ofThe Lion Kingand follows the adventures of Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, and his diverse group of friends as they unite to protect the Pride Lands. Ranked as 2016’s #1 series across preschooler networks in Total Viewers and Kids 2-5, season two of the series will debut this summer and feature new guest star voices includingRenée Elise Goldsberry(“Hamilton”) andKristofer Hivju(Game of Thrones).The Lion Guardvoice cast includes:Rob Loweas Simba;Gabrielle Unionas Nala;Max Charlesas Kion;Joshua Rushas Bunga;Atticus Shafferas Ono;Diamond Whiteas Fuli andDusan Brownas Beshte.Ford Riley(Special Agent Oso) is executive producer andHowy Parkins(Jake and the Never Land Pirates) is co-executive producer and supervising director. The Education and Science experts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park serve as consultants and author and Swahili expertSarah Mirzais the language and cultural advisor.The Lion Guardis a production of Disney Television Animation.
‘Teen Titans: The Judas Contract’ Makes Its World Premiere at WonderCon 2017
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment continues its annual WonderCon tradition with the exclusive World Premiere ofTeen Titans: The Judas Contract, the next DC Universe Original Movie, on the evening of Friday, June 24, 2025 at WonderCon Anaheim in the Arena of the Anaheim Convention Center.
Teen Titans: The Judas Contractwill screen at 6:00pm in the 4,000-seat Arena, followed by a panel discussion amongst the film’s acting stars and filmmakers.
The entertaining post-screening panel will featureSean Maher(Firefly/Serenity, Batman: Bad Blood), the voice of 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; plus directorSam Liu(Batman: The Killing Joke), supervising producerJames Tucker(Batman Bad Blood, Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders) and character designerPhil Bourassa(Justice League Dark, Young Justice). Additional panelists will be announced as confirmed.
Inspired by the 1984 DC story arc fromMarv WolfmanandGeorge Pérez,Teen Titans: The Judas Contractfinds the Teen Titans – Starfire, Beast Boy, Raven, Blue Beetle, Robin and the just-returned Nightwing – working as a cohesive team in their never-ending battle against evil. But their newest teammate, the mysterious and powerful Terra (voiced byChristina Ricci), may be altering that dynamic. Meanwhile, an ancient evil, Brother Blood (Gregg Henry), has awakened, and familiar foe Deathstroke (the lateMiguel Ferrer) 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.
Fans will have the opportunity to meet the cast on Friday, March 31 when all of theTeen Titans: The Judas Contractpanelists will sign limited edition, WonderCon Anaheim exclusive mini-posters at the DC Entertainment booth. For information on the cast’s Autograph Signing, please visit Hall D on Friday morning.
An encore presentation ofTeen Titans: The Judas Contract(without an accompanying panel) is slated for Sunday, April 2 at 3:15pm in the Arena.
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment,Teen Titans: The Judas Contractwill be distributed on Digital HD starting August 27, 2025, and on Blu-ray Deluxe Edition, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD beginning June 25, 2025.
Marvel and Disney Launch ‘Rocket & Groot’ Animated Shorts
Marvel and Disney XD announced a 12-episode series ofRocket & Grootanimated shorts. The shorts follow Rocket and Groot as they try to figure out how to get enough credits to buy a new ship after their old one breaks down. A compilation of all the shorts will premiere on Disney XD at7:00am ET/PT onApril 10th.
Rocket is voiced byTrevor Devall(Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Johnny Test) and Groot is voiced byKevin Michael Richardson(Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, The Cleveland Show).
Featuring animation by Oscar-nominated Passion Pictures, the shorts are directed byArnaud Delord, written byChris “Doc” WyattandKevin Burke, executive produced byCara Speller,Alan Fine,Dan Buckley,Joe Quesada,Cort Lane, and co-executive produced byStephen WackerandStan Lee.
‘Alpha and Omega: Journey to Bear Kingdom’ Trailer Reveals Lionsgate’s Latest Animated Animal Adventure
Get ready for an all-new animated adventure when the family filmAlpha and Omega: Journey to Bear Kingdomarrives on DVD, Digital HD and On Demand May 9th from Lionsgate. The wolf pups Stinky, Claudette, and Runt must defend Bear Kingdom’s royalty and their forest home from the evil Rogue Wolves. With over three million DVDs of the animated series sold worldwide, theAlpha and Omega: Journey to Bear KingdomDVD will be available May 9th!
Here’s the official synopsis:
The pack is back in a pawsitively thrilling adventure the whole family will love! All the animals in the Eastern Forest are excited because Queen Bear and Princess Canue are coming to visit. But when evil Rogue Wolves threaten the royal bears, wolf pups Stinky, Runt, and Claudette leap into action. With courage, wits, and plenty of help from their wild and wonderful friends, the alpha and omega wolves rise to protect the queen and princess and save their forest home.
Kate McKinnon Joins the Cast of ‘Leap!’
The Weinstein Company announced that Kate McKinnon has joined the cast for the new animated filmLeap!She will provide the voice for three different characters: Régine Le Haut, Mother Superior & Félicie’s Mother. The film also starsElle Fanning,Nat Wolff,Maddie Ziegler,withMel BrooksandCarly Rae Jepsen.
Leap!features Original Music bySia, Demi Lovato, andCarly Rae Jepsenand opens in theaters nationwide April 21.
Paris, 1884. A orphaned girl arrives in Paris from Brittany. Félicie Milliner is 11 and has no money but one big, passionate dream: to become a dancer. With nothing left to lose, Félicie takes a big risk: she ‘borrows’ a spoiled brats identity and enters the Opera Ballet School. But how long can she be someone else? Mentored by the tough and mysterious cleaner, Odette , Félicie learns that talent is not enough - it takes hard work to be better than her ruthless, conniving fellow students. That and friendship. Felicie’s inventive, exhausting and charismatic best friend Victor also has a dream: becoming a famous inventor. Together, they both encourage each other to reach for the stars.
