The dynamic CG version of beloved cartoon character Woody Woodpecker returns in the new live-action / animated family comedy Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp. It premieres Friday April 12th on Netflix. On this LCJ Q&A Podcast episode I'm joined by... Guess Who?... the film's Emmy nominated director, Jon Rosenbaum.
Jake Castorena is the supervising producer and head director of Marvel Animation's X-Men '97 (premiering Wednesday March 20th on Disney+). The show gives us new adventures with these iconic characters in the hand-drawn, comic book animation style of the popular X-Men: The Animated Series from the '90s.
Miguel Puga, who co-developed Nickelodeon’s Loud House spinoff series The Casagrandes, makes his feature directorial debut with The Casagrandes Movie. The epic animated action/adventure comedy premieres this Friday March 22nd on Netflix. Puga shares his enthusiasm for the film and what fans of the beloved characters should look forward to.
It's a fun annual tradition joining longtime Las Vegas host JT The Brick live on his radio show to make Oscars Predictions!
To predict this year's Oscars winners, I'm joined by popular entertainment analyst, host, content creator and film critic John Rocha. We name our picks in 12 categories and discuss other aspects of the 96th Annual Academy Awards.
DreamWorks' "Kung Fu Panda 4" is directed by Mike Mitchell, co-directed by Stephanie Ma Stine and produced by Rebecca Huntley. I first spoke with them back in December at the launch of the film's first trailer. Now that I've seen the entire movie (which opens in theaters this Friday March 8th), here's my new LCJ Q&A Podcast episode with this trio about what fans of this long-running, nearly $2 Billion franchise should get ready "4".
Rob David serves as executive producer, and Melanie Shannon is the co-creator, of Mattel’s new animated family series Hot Wheels Let’s Race. It premieres this Monday March 4th on Netflix. You’ve got the green light to learn what David and Shannon have to say about this super-charged show.
One of DreamWorks' most memorable characters returns this Friday March 1st. Feature-length movie Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate and series Megamind Rules both debut on Peacock. Director & EP Eric Fogel (of Archibald's Next Big Thing) shares how he approached the comeback of this supervillain turned superhero, including making the movie and the show simultaneously.
“Iwájú” is a new six-episode animated event series premiering this Wednesday February 28th on Disney+. It’s a collaboration of Walt Disney Animation Studios and African studio Kugali. The story centers on 10-year-old girl Tola and friend Kole in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. Crime threatens them and their families. Director and writer Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, production designer Hamid Ibrahim and cultural consultant Tolu Olowofoyeku join me for this LCJ Q&A Podcast episode.
Beginning this Friday February 23rd, you can head to theaters for a new live-action, R-rated horror movie about the art and intensity of stop-motion animation. In director and co-writer Robert Morgan's "Stopmotion", Ella, the daughter of a stop-motion animation legend, takes on a new project that quickly, and viciously, takes over her.
Sweet new special Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin premieres this Friday February 16th on AppleTV+. Co-writer Robb Armstrong, director Raymond S. Persi and executive producer Craig Schulz reflect on their — and the entire world’s — longtime affection for the Peanuts crew.
The legendary game becomes a new animated comedy series. Rock Paper Scissors stars anthropomorphic versions of the title three items. A sneak preview episode airs on Nickelodeon this Sunday Feb. 11 immediately following the channel’s highly-anticipated Super Bowl telecast, with the official premiere set for Monday Feb. 12 at 5:30pm. Creators Kyle Stegina and Josh Lehrman join me for this lively LCJ Q&A Podcast episode.
Two-time Annie Awards nominee Raman Hui (co-director of Shrek the Third) directs the new Paramount+ animated feature The Tiger’s Apprentice, which is now streaming. It’s based on a popular book about 15-year-old Tom, who teams-up with the animals of the Zodiac to prevent the evil Loo (voiced by Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh) from destroying all that matters.
Director Sean Charmatz and Producer Peter McCown present the ambitious and memorable new DreamWorks animated feature Orion and the Dark. The fearless family adventure about overcoming your fears was written by Charlie Kaufman, who adapts from Emma Yarlett’s book. It debuts Feb. 2 on Netflix.
One of the best in the business when it comes to animation and family programming is PBS KIDS. Lyla in the Loop, a great new series, joins the lineup this Monday February 5th (check your local listings). Emmy-winning creator and executive producer Dave Peth and EP and head writer Fracaswell Hyman loop me in on this LCJ Q&A Podcast episode.
Emmy-winner Todd Newton (of "Family Game Night" and "Hollywood Showdown") returns as host of "The Price is Right LIVE" stage show, which kicks-off its 2024 North America tour on Feb. 27. Newton talks about the magic of "Price" and his friendship with the late Bob Barker. He also shares stories from his time hosting "Whammy!" and covering the Oscars red carpet for E!
Rob David is the executive producer of Netflix’s Masters of the Universe: Revolution. All five episodes are now streaming. David, who’s also Mattel’s Vice President, Content Creative, joins me for this Non-Spoiler interview to talk about what continues to make MOTU an animation event.
Peacock's new series In the Know has a lot of things I love: comedy, stop-motion animation, and interviewing. All six episodes debut Thursday January 25th. The show's creator, EP, showrunner and star is The Office and Silicon Valley actor Zach Woods, who joins me for a fun and revealing LCJ Q&A Podcast episode.
Five-time Emmy-winners Paul Corrigan and Brad Walsh ("Modern Family") are now the writers and executive producers of Seth MacFarlane's new seven-episode "Ted" prequel event series, premiering this Thursday Jan. 11 on Peacock. Corrigan and Walsh discuss the show's '90s setting and stories, working with MacFarlane, and how the foul-mouthed bear comes to life thanks to a talented VFX team.
Murder mystery detective comedy Grimsburg joins FOX's Animation Domination lineup this Sunday January 7th at 8pm. Showrunner Chadd Gindin clues me in on all facets of the entertaining series, including working with star and EP Jon Hamm.
The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales director Benjamin Renner takes to the sky with Illumination's new animated comedy Migration. It opens in theaters next Friday December 22nd. Renner talks about his love of hand-drawn and CG animation, ducky research, working with a star-studded voice acting ensemble and collaborating with writer and "Survivor" contestant Mike White.
The Caped Crusader’s eight year old son Damian is on a Christmas Eve mission to save Gotham City in the heartwarming and hilarious new animated comedy feature Merry Little Batman. You can watch it starting this Friday December 8th on Prime Video. Writers Morgan Evans and Jase Ricci describe the fa-la-la-la-fun of crafting an entertaining and exciting Batman story.
Nickelodeon's popular Baby Shark's Big Show expands to feature-length format for the hilarious and heartwarming Baby Shark's Big Movie. It premieres this Friday December 8th on Paramount+. Writer Whitney Ralls and director Alan Foreman join me to talk about the film they hope earns wave reviews from families this holiday season.
DreamWorks presents a feisty, heisty new prequel special to one of their most recent hit movies. The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday premieres Thursday November 30th on Netflix. Director (and seven-time Emmy-winner) Bret Haaland and Executive Producer Katherine Nolfi bring good tidings on this episode of the LCJ Q&A.
Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim direct the new Netflix animated family feature Leo, starring the voice of Adam Sandler in the title role of a 74 year old Mary Poppins-like lizard in a 5th Grade Florida classroom. Learn what makes Leo (debuting this Tuesday Nov. 21) one of the holiday season's must-see comedies.
Academy Award nominated Chico & Rita directors Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal have made a new animated feature for grown-ups — a unique, moving investigation documentary drama. They Shot the Piano Player, starring Jeff Goldblum as the narrator and voice of journalist / author Jeff Harris, opens in New York City and Los Angeles for an awards qualifying run on November 24th. Sony Pictures Classics will then release it nationwide in early 2024. Trueba and Mariscal joined me from Spain on Zoom for this 300th Episode of the LCJ Q&A Podcast.
DreamWorks is bringing Poppy and Branch back to the big screen with the new third feature in their popular pop music franchise. Trolls Band Together is already a hit overseas, and held preview screenings nationwide in North America this past weekend, with an official release date of November 17th. Director Walt Dohrn shares info on the *NSYNC reunion, the visual splendor and if the "Trolls" brand will keep on rolling.
Fox's Animation Domination is giving us a post-Halloween treat with the latest "Treehouse of Horror" episode of The Simpsons airing this Sunday November 5th at 8pm. Writer and Co-EP Brian Kelley, who's been with the iconic series for nearly two and a half decades, shares insights on this year's stories, some Simpsons secrets, and how a movie sequel will be decided.
Build-A-Bear Entertainment is bringing popular Glisten and the Merry Mission to the big screen with a new animated feature for the whole family to kick-off the holiday season. It opens exclusively in Cinemark theaters nationwide this Friday November 3rd. Director Cory Morrison explains the magic of the movie and what Clark Griswold and Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick have in common.
Let’s go to Japan in the 1600’s and meet an incredibly skilled swordmaster who’s hiding her true identity while also being a badass. It’s the new adult animated series Blue Eye Samurai, premiering this Friday November 3rd on Netflix. Creators, writers and EPs Amber Noizumi and "Logan" Oscar nominee Michael Green (who are also wife and husband) join me for this LCJ Q&A Podcast episode.