Genndy Tartakovsky leaving for Lucasfilms

[Jeffrey]

I read about it throughout the net, but I haven't see you guys talking about it on any board. That means it was just a bulls*** rumor, right?

[WingZombie38]

I haven't ever heard anything about this. Are there any links you can provide to where you read this from?

[Jeffrey]

I haven't ever heard anything about this. Are there any links you can provide to where you read this from?It was on Animation Insider and a Samurai Jack fan-site (http://samsite.anre.net/portal.php?article=6&sid=9f65196cdbe947dd9891813352ec4b34).

[The Dork Knight]

If it's true, then wow.... One more thing I did not see coming....

- The Dork Knight

[Mek]

Hmm, well, Lucasfilm did say at one point they wanted to persue 'other' avenues to continue the Star Wars franchise after 'Episode 3'; and one of the ideas was an animated series...

Ohh man, that would be too cool. :D

[bladeliger]

Would this mean the end of Samurai Jack. Could they continue it from Lucas and if not would it be the same. If they can't I hope they end it somehow.

[Allen's Nickname.]

It was on Animation Insider and a Samurai Jack fan-site (http://samsite.anre.net/portal.php?article=6&sid=9f65196cdbe947dd9891813352ec4b34)....both of whom got it from Aint' It Cool News; of whom all info should be taken with a grain of salt.

[Discloner]

...both of whom got it from Aint' It Cool News; of whom all info should be taken with a grain of salt.
ACTUALLY....We (at AI) got it from http://www.animationblast.com/.

When I saw the link I told Albright about it who posted it on his site.

[Killtacular]

Genndy is finishing up work at CN Studios on the second season of Clone Wars. He is EXPECTED to move to Lucasfilm Animation to produce an animated feature. He has not made the move yet.

And I will tell you now:

1) Lucasfilm Animation is NOT doing any Star Wars related projects.
2) Lucasfilm Animation looks to have a focus on CGI animation, though they are hiring 2d people (at this point nothing is finite).
3) Cartoon Network stands to lose a LOT in losing this man. Don't expect them to give him up easily. I imagine they will bend over backwards to please him while he's still working for them.

[wrenchien]

maybe kevin kaliher might finish up jack.. after all , there's still a couple of movies coming out about him (maybe the animated movie will be the series finale) and a live action thing that was supposed to come out.. unless they were cancelled?

[NewLib]

What has LucasArts Animation ever made?

[Killtacular]

Headlines, so far. They're not officially doing anything yet. Still hiring and getting ready for... THE FUTURE.

And Samurai Jack is done. There is not going to be a film. Not after Powerpuff Girls Movie bombed. There will be the remaining episodes and that's it. 52 was the committment and that comittment is about to be reached. The live-action movie will probably never get off the ground. It's been in pre-production for nearly a year now.

[Allen's Nickname.]

ACTUALLY....We (at AI) got it from http://www.animationblast.com/.

When I saw the link I told Albright about it who posted it on his site.Bah, I knew that. Even then, he goes out of his way to say it's a rumor.

[Animation Otaku]

Matt, what happened to those 52 extra episodes of Samurai Jack? Was that just a misunderstanding or something?

[Allen's Nickname.]

I'm not Matt, but it was a misunderstanding.

The show is done after episode 52.

[Discloner]

Bah, I knew that. Even then, he goes out of his way to say it's a rumor.
Then why'd you say we got it at Ain't it Cool News?

Anyway when it was posted at AI it was also stated it was a rumor.

[Allen's Nickname.]

Then why'd you say we got it at Ain't it Cool News?

Beacuse I remember it being a rumor.

Also, AICN posted early news about a Clone Wars series a ways back; I got the two mixed up.

[Killtacular]

Just wait until the news becomes official. CN probably doesn't want negative vibes like this lingering. They or Lucasfilm will address the issue within the coming months.

For now, enjoy the rest of Samurai Jack and Clone Wars. Still some good stuff up CN's sleeve for the rest of the year. Be patient.

[CookieS]

Even the Samurai Jack Fan page admits that Animation Blasts listed it as a RUMOR. No wonder it hasn't been in the news. If G.T. decides to leave, more power to him. I just haven't see Lucas turn out any 2-D cartoons....or 3-D. I'm wondering why they'd want him on perment staff?

[Killtacular]

I'm not sure if it's permanent staff but Lucas highly respected him and any major animation studio needs some serious directoral power to pull off the kind of films that put them on the map. Genndy is such a director.

[William C. Maune]

Even if they didn't do a theatrical animated Samurai Jack movie, couldn't they do a straight to video one as Dexter and PPG have?

[Animaniac]

^They had the Samurai Jack- Premiere Movie...which sucked. It was just 3 episodes combined to one, none of which really told a lot about Jack except he travels a lot.

I read that Genndy went to Skywalker ranch for production of Clone Wars...I believe it because the animation/CGI graphics were far above what Cartoon Network could produce, but he brought his Sam Jack animators with him, which is why they are similar in style and look.

G-T has already made it clear he wont be involved in Dexter anymore. It was just a college idea he had, now he wants to make other things, mainly action.

Evan

[LightAngel]

I refuse to believe in anything regarding the end of Samurai Jack or Genndy's departure until I read something official. Maybe I'm just in denial, but everything I've heard concerning these things just seem all about rumors.

[Killtacular]

Not done at Skywalker Ranch. They don't have the set-up for it. Lucasfilm Animation as it is is a far separate studio and hasn't been finished yet.

Lucasfilm themselves did not have much input on the show, although Lucas laid down the guidelines and from time to time they would bring a story issue up with them. Otherwise, it was done in Burbank as always.

The reason the CGI is good is not because it's higher than CN can pay for (certainly not the case). They brought on Scott Vanzo, CGI director for Futurama, to oversee CG production and it's his natural gift to produce quality celshaded models that mesh smoothly with 2D.

Samurai Jack is ending. CN could option for more episodes, but if Genndy leaves, it would be in the hands of someone else, like Randy Myers or Chris Reccardi or Chris Savino.

[Nin-Nin69]

I don't see any problems with this. That means Genndy could create a spinoff to the old Sam and Max cartoon or even one for Maniac Mansion.

[reviewer zim]

Even the Samurai Jack Fan page admits that Animation Blasts listed it as a RUMOR. No wonder it hasn't been in the news. If G.T. decides to leave, more power to him. I just haven't see Lucas turn out any 2-D cartoons....or 3-D. I'm wondering why they'd want him on perment staff?
The First Clone Wars was pretty popular, even though I didn't like it much personally. I think it's probably a good chance that if Genndy is leaving it will be to produce some full legth regular Star Wars or Indiana Jones animated series and perhaps even animated features.

[Behonkiss]

I don't see any problems with this. That means Genndy could create a spinoff to the old Sam and Max cartoon or even one for Maniac Mansion.I don't think Lucasarts has TV rights to Sam and Max. Nelvana does.

And God, please don't let this be true. Genndy's the best thing CN has right now, and I don't give a damn about Lucasfilms Animation. CN can't keep going down the crapper like this.

[Jimmy Kustes]

The live-action Samurai Jack film was being made by New Line so I don't know what that has to do with this.

[Jaguar]

Samurai Jack is ending. CN could option for more episodes, but if Genndy leaves, it would be in the hands of someone else, like Randy Myers or Chris Reccardi or Chris Savino.
Which means it has a good chance of going down the tubes, quality-wise.

[Nin-Nin69]

I don't think Lucasarts has TV rights to Sam and Max. Nelvana does.
Like I said, a spin off for Sam and Max. A more mature version that teens and adults could enjoy. Nelvana can't just walk up and go, "Na-uh! We created Sam and Max! We have all of the legal documents!" Thats only towards the previous show that aired on Fox Kids. Not anything else they have done before that and down the road.

[bladeliger]

Alright, first off, Samurai Jack is nothing without G.T. He created it, all the cliche action sequences are from him, and no one, AND I MEAN NO ONE, can replace him. So if G.T. goes, so ends Samurai Jack. But hopefully not before we get closure.

And just as a side question, I dont suppose they have any plans to bring Jack on DVD anytime soon?:shrug:

[Discloner]

It'll be horrible when and if Genndy does infact leave, for Cartoon Network. But that doesn't mean none of his works would wind up there in the future. He could develop a series or Movie for LucasAnimation which could in turn be bought by Cartoon Network.

Plus, Genndy has expressed he feels he's ready to do a theatrical animation project. At CN he has next to no chance of this, but at LucasAnimation he just might.

Either way I'm sure he'll do what he thinks is best for himself, and either way we're sure to see some cool stuff from the guy down the road.

[Nin-Nin69]

I'm glad Lucas is giving Genndy a home at Lucas Animation. Both Genndy and Craig have too much tallent to be making just family related cartoons. I wouldn't be supprised if Genndy chose to leave and Craig gave up PPG's sometime down the road and left to do his creative indie animation again. Then again like Plympton once said, "Once you sell out to the big corporations, you can't do what you like anymore. And thats not what being an animator is all about."

The downside of this will be giving a hard blow to CN and the fans of Dexter's Lab and SJ. Then again fans were allready disapointed in DL since the 3rd season and SJ won't go over the 52 episode mark as expected.

[reviewer zim]

I just wanted to say in contrary to of all the Dexter bashing that goes on here that I rather enjoyed season three of DL. With that said: yes, I was not dissappointed in the third season of Dexter's Lab, now the fourth was where I saw the writing drop off quite a bit. Still even then, it was still better than most of the other stuff I see on Disney and Nick on a daily basis.

(Back on topic) If Genndy leaves for other projects then sure there will be a mourning time, but CN will continue to exist. It will just open up doors for other talented on the rise creators/directors to fill the void. Things like this are expected as the river of life is not a stagnant stream.

[Killtacular]

Craig is not leaving CN for a long time. He'll have at least (inevitably) 52 episodes of Imaginary Friends to do which will last him to 2007.

[reviewer zim]

Craig is not leaving CN for a long time. He'll have at least (inevitably) 52 episodes of Imaginary Friends to do which will last him to 2007.
Is Craig through with The Powerpuff Girls? Has it been cancelled or will it be passed on to other creative minds while Craig pursues other projects (Imaginary Friends), If so would it be similar to how things were done with Genndy and Dexter's Laboratory?

[Killtacular]

Chris Savino is handling the sixth season of Powerpuff Girls, and all of the staff is in place. The only people missing are Genndy (left after the movie) and Craig (left halfway through season 5). Lauren had been at the reins inbetween, IIRC.

Personally I think Savino will do a better job than Lauren or Randy. I've seen one of the episodes he storyboarded and directed himself and it was quick and speedy, which is exactly what PPG needs.

[Jeffrey]

Chris Savino is handling the sixth season of Powerpuff Girls, and all of the staff is in place. The only people missing are Genndy (left after the movie) and Craig (left halfway through season 5). Lauren had been at the reins inbetween, IIRC.

Personally I think Savino will do a better job than Lauren or Randy. I've seen one of the episodes he storyboarded and directed himself and it was quick and speedy, which is exactly what PPG needs.Who's "Lauren"?

[Corrado]

"Who's "Lauren"?"

Lauren Faust, a writer on PPG.

[Animaniac]

Most are forgetting that the first to really leave Cartoon Network was Rob Renzetti, Seth MacFarlane, and Butch Hartman, who went off to do other HIGHLY successful projects. Genndy wasnt the best thing to happen to CN, there are many great cartoon makers that work for CN: Waburton, Antonnuci, Maxwell Atoms, and probably many more I cant think of or spell correctly.

[Animation Otaku]

Danny Antonnuci doesn't work for CN, he works for aka Cartoon.

[Bubblegum Girl]

If Genndy's leaving for Lucas, I have to say "Good Luck and see you in the Movies!" :D

[Animaniac]

Danny Antonnuci doesn't work for CN, he works for aka Cartoon.
Hmmm...the "technical" kind of person. Well, technically Genndy doesnt work for Cartoon Network, he works for Hanna-Barbera

[Killtacular]

Hmmm...the "technical" kind of person. Well, technically Genndy doesnt work for Cartoon Network, he works for Hanna-Barbera
aka Cartoon is not owned by Cartoon Network, so your attempt at comedy fails miserably.

[Animaniac]

^Man you really live in your own world, huh? You think you are this high authority on cartoons and you know it all. You think what you say is the truth and everything anyone else says is a lie. You make a few cruddy flash films and you think your in animation...give me a break. Maybe when I see you at REAL studios make REAL animation, rather than sitting on your butt making flash from your mom's basement will I take you seriously.


Grow up Matt Wilson, your attitude is poor and your ego is huge.

[Discloner]

But.....aka Cartoon ISN'T owned by Cartoon Network...:shrug:

[Duke]

Matt Wilson, your attitude is poor and your ego is huge.
Wow, thanks for stating the obvious. ;)

This thing has both pros and cons. No more SJ, but some really kick-ass Lucasfilm stuff. I'm both excited by and dreading this.

[Animaniac]

Yeah, I know AKA Cartoon isnt owned by CN, it's in Canada! My point wasnt what CN owned and produced, but what they HAVE to work with. Danny is a huge asset to Cartoon Network, because regardless of who makes it, it airs on Cartoon Network exclusively.

I agree though, Lucasfilms is probably way better than any studio in town. Skywalker ranch kicks ass! And we all know George Lucas is probably one of the best innovators in film :)

[Animation Otaku]

But my point was that Danny could decide he wanted to do a show for another network, and do it. They have rights to Ed, Edd n'Eddy, but not exclusively to anything aka produces.

[Animaniac]

^I see your point and nod in agreement =)

[Jimmy Kustes]

In fact Danny made Brother's Grunt for MTV.

[Sora Takenouchi]

I think it's great Genndy's trying to further his animation career. You're heading for the bigtime Genndy! Er, not that CN isn't "bigtime".:sweat:

[Jeffrey]

Hmmm...the "technical" kind of person. Well, technically Genndy doesnt work for Cartoon Network, he works for Hanna-BarberaHanna-Barbera was changed to Cartoon Network Studios after Bill Hanna's death.

Oh wait a minute, you're JOKING? Oh,well.....

[ToliverChap]

Jack is good but he hasn't written the last few new ones just co-directed them. I think if he leaves the show could still work but as the creator of such and epic I wouldn't see him letting go without ending it first. I know there are fans but that show doesn't seem to get the kind of press on Cartoon Network that it deserves it needs to find a slot where demographically speaking people will be able to watch it consistently and all that unless they are phasing it out. If it whimps to a death that'd be no good.

[Ben]

Grow up Matt Wilson, your attitude is poor and your ego is huge.

You were wrong. Because you're frustrated is no reason to hurl insults at Matt and his work. Take a few deep breaths.

This could either be great (movies) or, if Lucasfilm Animation turns out to be a corporate disaster, it could stop Genndy from working for a few years (or more). Here's hoping its the former.

[ClockStomper]

I wouldn't blame him, since Lucas obviously has all the money. He spent millions to ruin his old films!

[MattThomasM2B]

A whole lot of insultsMaybe...........but he still proved you wrong.

[Anarky]

so if genndy leaves CN, it could spell the end of Samurai Jack

that sucks because there's only 4 episodes left...and I'm fairly certain those are already in the can, and CN is probably holding them back for sweeps month (Feb/May)

and since this rumor is new, i'm thinking that none of the final eps were penned as a series finale, which could mean that Samurai Jack could end w/o closure

we'll just have to wait and see what unfolds in eps 49-52

on the other hand:
though tv is not the same as comics, creators come and go yet their creations live on

jack is cn's property so they could continue the series with or without genndy

either way, i'm crossing my fingers that Jack will end with closure. it'd be a waste of 52 episodes and 3 years of viewership if it doesn't.

[JordanS.]

What would happend if Clone Wars ended up earler too and what would Genndy T. do next? Well he come back to Cartoon Network?

Jordan