Variety reports a change in the rules for the Best Animated Feature Film Academy Award that one recipient will be a producer on the winning film. Typically, two people are given the award, with the new rules stating that one be a producer and the other a director "and/or key creative individual." In the event a film has a shared and equal director credit, a third statuette may be awarded. Variety also reports that the Spanish animation industry is growing both in the domestic production market and as an export to foreign markets, with new distribution and broadcast deals bringing substantial amounts into an otherwise beleaguered industry. The Hollywood Reporter notes that U.K.-based Moviehouse Entertainment is shopping around their animated feature The Hero of Color City at the Cannes Film Festival. The movie is directed by Frank Gladstone and stars Christina Ricci, Rosie Perez, and Craig Ferguson, and is slated for release...

Manga Entertainment UK will be selling an exclusive limited edition bundle of their first One Piece DVD collection at MCM London Comic Con this weekend, 24-26th May. The bundle includes the first complete dual-language DVD set of 26 episodes along with a tote bag containing various exclusive extras. The collection is the start of the first ever UK release of the popular Japanese comedy action serious, focussed on the adventures of a crew of misfit pirates led by their eccentric captain Monkey D. Luffy. Further discussion of Manga's plans for the convention can also be found in their latest podcast.

MCM LONDON COMIC CON – EXCEL LONDON – 24-26 MAY Deadpool: Exclusive Worldwide First Play at MCM London Comic Con Visitors to MCM London Comic Con on 24-26 May will get an exclusive worldwide first to play of Deadpool, Activision's exciting new actioner starring Marvel Comics' iconic anti-hero. The publisher says that show attendees will have the chance to get hands-on with two levels from the upcoming game, which will be released on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC (via Steam) on 28 June. As if getting a worldwide exclusive first play isn't enough, you'll also be able to take part in a range of special Deadpool activities across the weekend: •    Everyone who plays the game will get a free and exclusive Deadpool poster with artwork that has been especially created for MCM London Comic Con by a Marvel artist. •    Everyone who pre-orders Deadpool from GAME at the Activision stand will walk...

Finally Releasing from the Disney Vault for the First Time on Blu-ray™! Return to Never Land Available For Purchase Nationwide Beginning August 20, 2013 Synopsis: Let your imagination soar as your favorite characters from Peter Pan, Disney’s classic adventure, Return to Never Land! Now, for the first time through the magic of Blu-ray, experience all the thrilling action with digitally restored picture and spine-tingling high-definition sound! Wendy’s very practical and no-nonsense daughter, Jane, begins the adventure of a lifetime when the infamous Captain Hook whisks her away to the enchanted island of Never Land. It’s up to Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and the Lost Boys to help Jane believe in faith, trust and pixie dust. With the first-ever Lost Girl at his side, will Peter Pan finally defeat Hook and his swashbuckling band of pirates? Share the power of believing with your family in Return To Never Land—now more spectacular than ever on Disney Blu-ray! Cast:...

It’s a mad race between the Autobots and Decepticons when they discover a fossilized Predacon skull. With the chaos and sense of hopelessness of the last four episodes over, the Autobots have a chance to breathe and focus on their new mission: locate the fossilized Predacons before the Decepticons do. Fortunately for them they’re all located on Earth, established in a rather needlessly complicated backstory, though I do like that they may have inspired Earth mythology.   “Project Predacon” lays the groundwork for a lot of character explorations while neatly moving the plot along. The main story centers primarily on Optimus, Bumblebee, and Smokescreen, the former spending most of his time flying around advertising his new flight mode while the latter two get the meat of the development. Smokescreen struggles with his return to rookie role after the whole Prime candidate fiasco, eventually asking Bumblebee why a skilled guy like...

Lucasfilm has announced that production has begun on a new Star Wars animated series called Star Wars Rebels. The show, a production of Lucasfilm Animation, will cover events in the nearly 20-year-long gap separating Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, in the days when the Rebel Alliance comes into being as the Galactic Empire subjugates the galaxy. In fall 2014 the cartoon will premiere with a one-hour special on the Disney Channel, to be followed by a regular televised showing on Disney XD. The creative team for Star Wars Rebels is headed up by a team of three executive producers: screenwriter & producer Simon Kinberg (X-Men: First Class, Sherlock Holmes, Mr. & Mrs. Smith), Star Wars: The Clone Wars supervising director Dave Filoni, and Greg Weisman (Gargoyles, Young Justice, The Spectacular Spider-Man). Furthermore, Lucasfilm's announcement promotes Star Wars Rebels as "...featuring...

Deathstroke got the worst of it in the teaser trailer for the upcoming [currently scheduled release date: October 25, 2013] video game "Batman: Arkham Origins" - a prequel to the previous two games in the Arkham series - but that's no surprise as he generally doesn't have the goods to deal with the Dark Knight...

Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz from "Phineas and Ferb" [on the Disney Channel, like you didn't know] will try to sell his newest ominously named invention - The Shrinkinator - to the five panel judge on ABC's "Shark Tank" series finale tonight. Unfortunately, he will fail but perhaps he should have used a different pitch - since the panel includes the NBA's Dallas Mavericks' owner, he might have touted the invention's ability to shrink the San Antonio Spurs or Houston Rockets, allowing the Mavericks to win their division and make the playoffs this year. Alas, he chose to go this way...

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment has announced that The Sword in the Stone, Robin Hood, and Oliver and Company will all be coming to Blu-ray disc on August 6, 2013. Disc artwork and fact sheets follow. Rediscover The Humor And Magic of The Classic Animated Film Which Is Celebrating its 50Th Anniversary The Sword in the Stone 50th Anniversary Edition Available for The Very First Time on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack with Digital Copy on August 6, 2013 Synopsis: Disney proudly presents the 50th anniversary edition of a spellbinding and beloved animated classic. Conjure up magical family fun with the humor, adventure and Academy Award®-nominated music (Best Score – Adaptation or Treatment, 1963) of The Sword In The Stone – now on Blu-ray Combo Pack for the first time ever! Take an amazing journey with a young orphan named “Wart” and the extraordinary wizard Merlin. According to legend, only someone with the purest character and inner strength can pull...

The Hub Network has released an exclusive promo video for The Aquabats Super Show! season 2, set to premiere on June 1, 2013, at 1:00 PM (ET). The season 2 premiere episode will guest star skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. The Aquabats Super Show! follows the (mis-)adventures of a quintet of costumed crime-fighters/rock stars on a mission to "right wrongs, destroy boredom and seek justice for all!" The series earned a Daytime Emmy Award nomination last year for Outstanding Children's Series. Stay tuned for Toonzone's interview with Christian Jacobs, co-founding member of the Aquabats and the band's semi-fearless leader the MC Bat Commander. For more info about the Aquabats Super Show!, visit the official web page on the Hubworld website, or catch up with season 1 of the show on Hulu.com.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment has announced that The Sword in the Stone, Robin Hood, and Oliver and Company will all be coming to Blu-ray disc on August 6, 2013. Disc artwork and fact sheets follow. Rediscover The Humor And Magic of The Classic Animated Film Which Is Celebrating its 50Th Anniversary The Sword in the Stone 50th Anniversary Edition Available for The Very First Time on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack with Digital Copy on August 6, 2013 Synopsis: Disney proudly presents the 50th anniversary edition of a spellbinding and beloved animated classic. Conjure up magical family fun with the humor, adventure and Academy Award®-nominated music (Best Score – Adaptation or Treatment, 1963) of The Sword In The Stone – now on Blu-ray Combo Pack for the first time ever! Take an amazing journey with a young orphan named “Wart” and the extraordinary wizard Merlin. According to legend, only someone with the purest character and inner strength can pull...

The Hub Network has released an exclusive promo video for The Aquabats Super Show! season 2, set to premiere on June 1, 2013, at 1:00 PM (ET). The season 2 premiere episode will guest star skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. The Aquabats Super Show! follows the (mis-)adventures of a quintet of costumed crime-fighters/rock stars on a mission to "right wrongs, destroy boredom and seek justice for all!" The series earned a Daytime Emmy Award nomination last year for Outstanding Children's Series. Stay tuned for Toonzone's interview with Christian Jacobs, co-founding member of the Aquabats and the band's semi-fearless leader the MC Bat Commander. For more info about the Aquabats Super Show!, visit the official web page on the Hubworld website, or catch up with season 1 of the show on Hulu.com.

Manga Entertainment UK will be selling an exclusive limited edition bundle of their first One Piece DVD collection at MCM London Comic Con this weekend, 24-26th May. The bundle includes the first complete dual-language DVD set of 26 episodes along with a tote bag containing various exclusive extras. The collection is the start of the first ever UK release of the popular Japanese comedy action serious, focussed on the adventures of a crew of misfit pirates led by their eccentric captain Monkey D. Luffy. Further discussion of Manga's plans for the convention can also be found in their latest podcast.

A report on Deadline.com cites anonymous Disney sources that a proposed redesign of Brave's Princess Merida does not match a widely publicized image that has drawn a firestorm of controversy, including sharply critical comments from Brave co-director Brenda Chapman (who was replaced as director late in the development process and is currently working for DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc). Chapman described the redesign as "a blatantly sexist marketing move" that sent the wrong messages with its "sexy 'come hither' look and the skinny aspect of the new version," in contrast to the way, "Merida was created to break that mold — to give young girls a better, stronger role model, a more attainable role model, something of substance, not just a pretty face that waits around for romance." The redesign drew over 200,000 signatures on a petition in protest addressed to Disney CEO Bob Iger. The Deadline.com sources add that the...

In this week's Adventure Time, Finn and Jake decide to spend their day by playing a game: neither of them are allowed to speak, and they can only use pre-written cards to communicate. Both Finn and Jake's refusal to lose the game scares BMO in the process, causing him to hide himself in the wall. Jake shrinks and goes into the wall to cheer BMO up and explain everything. Meanwhile, scantily-clad women begin flocking together outside the treehouse. As seen from last week's episode, a heartfelt tribute disguised as a simple, strange romp, Adventure Time is capable of hidden depth while also being fun, surreal television. Despite a dedication to the late storyboarder Armen Mirzaian, this week's episode is less of a cryptic metaphor and more of a chance for guest artist Graham Falk to have some fun within the show's world. His style is nowhere near as distinctive or different...

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment has announced that The Sword in the Stone, Robin Hood, and Oliver and Company will all be coming to Blu-ray disc on August 6, 2013. Disc artwork and fact sheets follow. Rediscover The Humor And Magic of The Classic Animated Film Which Is Celebrating its 50Th Anniversary The Sword in the Stone 50th Anniversary Edition Available for The Very First Time on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack with Digital Copy on August 6, 2013 Synopsis: Disney proudly presents the 50th anniversary edition of a spellbinding and beloved animated classic. Conjure up magical family fun with the humor, adventure and Academy Award®-nominated music (Best Score – Adaptation or Treatment, 1963) of The Sword In The Stone – now on Blu-ray Combo Pack for the first time ever! Take an amazing journey with a young orphan named “Wart” and the extraordinary wizard Merlin. According to legend, only someone with the purest character and inner strength can pull...

The Hub Network has released an exclusive promo video for The Aquabats Super Show! season 2, set to premiere on June 1, 2013, at 1:00 PM (ET). The season 2 premiere episode will guest star skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. The Aquabats Super Show! follows the (mis-)adventures of a quintet of costumed crime-fighters/rock stars on a mission to "right wrongs, destroy boredom and seek justice for all!" The series earned a Daytime Emmy Award nomination last year for Outstanding Children's Series. Stay tuned for Toonzone's interview with Christian Jacobs, co-founding member of the Aquabats and the band's semi-fearless leader the MC Bat Commander. For more info about the Aquabats Super Show!, visit the official web page on the Hubworld website, or catch up with season 1 of the show on Hulu.com.

Opening Today on 2.4 Billion Screens Around The World! Bristol, UK Thursday 14th May - After a worldwide search, THE 99 have partnered with Aardman Animations, to design and create an exciting new kids fansite for their hit animated series, which will serve the brand’s rapidly growing global audience. THE 99 is a comic book brand and animated TV show created with the intention of providing new role models for young people all over the world. The superheroes are based on Middle Eastern principles and Islamic archetypes that possess values that are shared the world over. Aardman Digital, the digital arm of Aardman, has been commissioned to devise and develop a multinational, inclusive digital home for THE 99. The exciting new website will eventually be a bilingual brand site that includes sophisticated and cleverly designed mechanics which allow children from across the world to work together, no matter what language they speak, to...

It's a really good time for pre-schooler TV because more and more programming is breaking from older conventional wisdom that skewed these programs to the kiddie audience and nobody else. Kids may love the likes of Dora the Explorer or Go Diego Go! or Caillou, but I'd think any adult expressing genuine affection for programs like them is either on staff or suffering from prolonged child-induced sleep deprivation. The Hub may be the network that most consistently produces shows equally enjoyable to kids and supervising adults, but the latest offerings from Disney present a formidable challenge to the Hub's crown. This is quite easily seen in Doc McStuffins, which has just gotten its second DVD release in Time for Your Checkup, as well as in the DVD inaugurating the newest Disney Princess, Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess. The title character of Doc McStuffins is a young girl (wonderfully voiced...

Shout! Factory has released the following new clips from Monsuno: Power, the next volume in the series coming to DVD on May 21, 2013. For more details, check out the press release below. The Race to Control the MONSUNO Continues! MONSUNO: POWER DVD to be Unleashed May 21, 2013 in Stores Nationwide from Shout! Factory Kids On May 21, 2013, Shout! Factory Kids, in collaboration with FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment, will release MONSUNO: POWER, the latest DVD collection based on the highly popular Nicktoons animated series! Delivering five action-packed episodes that kids and families are sure to enjoy, the DVD also features bonus content including character bios, and has a suggested retail price of $14.97. Pre-order is available now on ShoutFactory.com for MONSUNO: POWER, the follow-up to the season 1 MONSUNO: DESTINY DVD collection which released earlier this year. MONSUNO is an epic boys action adventure series where kids discover, command and battle creatures with tremendous...

Warner Bros. Animation has released a new video clip and stills from LEGO Batman: The Movie - DC Superheroes Unite, showing Batman and Robin breaking into Arkham Asylum to stop a mass inmate jailbreak. The following stills were also released from the movie. Click any thumbnail to enlarge: The film will be available as a Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and OnDemand starting May 21, 2013. It is now available to own via Digital Download. Initial Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD releases will include an exclusive Lego Clark Kent/Superman figurine while supplies last. For more details, check out Toonzone's earlier coverage here. OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS LEGO Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite provides the ultimate blend of action and humor guaranteed to entertain fanboys of all ages. The film finds Lex Luthor taking jealousy to new heights when fellow billionaire Bruce Wayne wins the Man of the Year Award. To top...

Build-A-Bear Workshop Makes a Splash  with New SpongeBob SquarePants Collection Company introduces collection of plush friends based on the global pop culture icon ST. LOUIS (May 14, 2013) - Build-A-Bear Workshop®, the interactive entertainment retailer of customizable stuffed animals, announced today a new relationship with Nickelodeon to bring the hit animated series, SpongeBob SquarePants, to Build-A-Bear Workshop. Beginning May 17, the company will offer make-your-own SpongeBob and Patrick ($23 each) at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores throughout North America and online at buildabear.com®. SpongeBob’s Bikini Bottom friends Sandy Cheeks and Gary the Snail will also be available as pre-stuffed minis for $10 each. “For the first time ever, Build-A-Bear Workshop Guests can finally take home the underwater fun of SpongeBob SquarePants and his friends,” said Maxine Clark, Build-A-Bear Workshop founder and chief executive bear. “We are excited to be working with Nickelodeon to bring this iconic series and its loveable characters to life at...

CLANCY BROWN RETURNS AS LEX LUTHOR TO ANCHOR VERSATILE ENSEMBLE CAST FOR LEGO BATMAN: THE MOVIE – DC SUPERHEROES UNITE Star of The Shawshank Redemption, Highlander reprises iconic villain role for new Blu-ray/DVD feature-length animated film coming May 21 Over two nights in early February 2012, the versatile cast of LEGO Batman: The Movie – DC Superheroes Unite gathered to record the animated film in a spacious Studio City location. The room was filled with renowned voice talent, yet one man – literally and figuratively – stood above the rest: Clancy Brown. As the definitive voice of Lex Luthor from his days creating the character for Superman: The Animated Series and numerous other series and films, Brown was the lone returning voice in a room of familiar heroes and villains. For the veteran actor known for memorable roles from The Shawshank Redemption to Highlander, voicing Lex Luthor in an animated Lego film offered an altogether...