peanuts

The Stills (and First Trailer) For The New ‘Peanuts’ Movie Are Glorious

new peanuts movie

Cartoon Brew | Five New High-Res Stills from Blue Sky’s ‘Peanuts’ Movie:

Blue Sky Studios has released five new high-res stills from The Peanuts Movie via an article in USA Today. And thanks to the wonders of computer animation, they’ve finally added all the glorious details—fully-rendered hair, fur, cloth, lighting, shadows, even reflective eye highlights—that Peanuts creator Charles Schulz was too lazy to draw himself.

Blue Sky is no stranger to gorgeous animated moviemaking (Ice Age, Rio, Epic, and so on), but this is technically their first attempt at making an adaptation.

And from what I can tell, they’re off to a splendid start with their take on Peanuts, which is set for release next November (2015).

Go on…The Stills (and First Trailer) For The New ‘Peanuts’ Movie Are Glorious

Let’s Talk About The New “Peanuts” Trailer And Why We Love It

You’ve probably heard of Blue Sky Studios, the computer animation company that gave us the Ice Age movies, Robots (that movie with Robin Williams), Horton Hears a Who, Rio and Epic.

Well, the Connecticut-based studio has a new project coming out in late 2015, and it’s about a group of characters you’re probably more than familiar with. A Peanuts movie is coming, and it doesn’t look like anything most of us have ever seen.

Here is the first trailer for Peanuts:

Peanuts as an overall franchise has always meant a lot to me, personally. The cartoon, comic strips and movies were a big part of my upbringing, mostly due to their raw emotional pull that I  could never overlook. Most animated offerings like to pull punches with introspective kids like me, but Peanuts never really tried to do that.

It was just real. Well, as real as fictional cartoons go.

So the idea of a new Peanuts movie coming out and being computer animated rightfully set off a lot of alarms for me and many of you, as well. I’m all for re-introducing classics to new audiences, but aren’t some properties just sacred? 

Of course, I’ve come around since the movie was first announced, and it has a lot to do with this trailer. What I see is a blend of the old and new: hand-drawn animation combined with a CGI flare, making the style something truly unique.

We’ve talked before about this new kind of hybrid animation style that even Pixar has been working on, but Peanuts may be one of the first major productions to actually show it off. Who would have thought that our first chance to evaluate hybrid animation would be an adaptation? (Not me).

At this point, there is reason for both concern and optimism when it comes to this new Peanuts film, though it is almost two years away. All we can take certainty in for now is that Blue Sky is promising to honor the memory of these beloved characters without distorting what made them great. That means avoiding a faux-modernization of the subject material—think Smurfs—or anything else ridiculous like making Snoopy talk.

We’ll just have to wait and see if they can live up to that promise come November, 2015.

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15 Movies That Could Make 2015 The Best Year Ever

Pop Quiz: What’s the most anticipated movie of 2015?

BUZZER

The answer is too many. See, 2015 is shaping up to be a big (and I mean big) year for movies, and the list just keeps growing.

Below are just the 15 we know about: (in no particular order)

15. Mockingjay (Part 2)

The story so far is that the final movie in the “Hunger Games” franchise will be a two-parter. Because hey, if it worked for Harry Potter, then it works for Katniss (Catness).

14. Superman/Batman (Working Title)

The world’s finest are officially teaming up in 2015. I’m sick of talking about it too.

13. Warcraft


Based on the video game responsible for ending millions of relationships, Warcraft is currently in pre-production and has been announced as a 2015 title. I’m skeptical on whether or not this will translate well to film, but the lore is definitely rich enough to craft (unintended pun) an immersive fantasy film.

12. Avengers: Age of Ultron


Like I said, it’s going to be a big year.

11. Pixar’s “Inside Out”


I know what you’re thinking. Of course the Pixar Theory guy brings this up. Well leave me alone! You know you want this too. Besides one other movie, this is the only non-sequel we know Pixar is working on and the concept is awesome and original.

It’s apparently about an amazing world that exists within the mind of a 12-year-old girl, who is probably Boo fingers crossed.

10. Assassin’s Creed


Even non-gamers have probably heard about this (maybe?), so I have high hopes for Hollywood’s next attempt at nailing a video-game adaptation. What they’ve got going for them so far is Michael Fassbender on the cast, but we don’t yet know how they’re going to handle the story.

All we know for sure is that Desmond and the Animus will be the driving force of the plot, which is unfortunate. That was easily the weakest aspect of the games, at least later on, but I understand why they want to run with this interesting premise of a man living as his ancestors and getting wasted with Leonardo DaVinci.

9. Peanuts


Maybe it’s just the nostalgia talking, but I’m weirdly excited about this. It’s in 3D so it will probably make the TV movies look like District 9 (I’m bad at comparisons), but the Peanuts characters definitely deserve to finally hit the big screen.

8. Star Wars Episode VII


I’m pretty sure I could just stop the list here…

7. Ant-Man


This will be the “other” Marvel movie coming out in 2015, but don’t expect it to get lost in the shuffle. It will be coming out in November, a month usually devoid of superhero action, and will be directed Edgar Wright

But Jon, who is Edgar Wright and why should I care?

Well inner dialogue, Edgar Wright has directed multiple movies and cult classics, such as Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, and the recent film, The World’s End. We like this guy, basically.

Thanks Jon. 

Um…you’re welcome.

I love you.

…

6. Mission Impossible 5


Before Ghost Protocol, a sequel to the now 20-year-old Mission Impossible franchise wouldn’t have caused much excitement. But now we know just how good these spy thrillers can be, so let’s hope Ethan Hunt’s next outing lives up to the last.

5. Finding Dory


Technically, Dory has already been found (in our hearts), but that doesn’t mean the Finding Nemo movie will fail to make millions cashing in on our love for aquatic mayhem and feels.

4. Bond 24


The follow-up to Skyfall, considered to be one of the best Bond films of all time, will also be vying for our attention come 2015. Daniel Craig is set to reprise his role and Sam Mendes will also be returning as director.

The pressure is surely on, as the duo must be able to live up to the success of Skyfall, which may not be easily done.

3. Pitch Perfect 2


I could just say, “Enough said.” and many of you would nod at your computer screens and proceed to scroll to #2. Unfortunately, there are people who haven’t watched this movie, which means there are people who don’t like this movie.

Yes, I am one of those moviegoers that was forced to see this movie by attractive females and then walked out loving it. It was more funny than cheesy, although barely, and it has really picked up a rabid following thanks to word-of-mouth and meme culture. I’m expecting the sequel to make a bigger splash.

Also: Fat Amy.

2. Terminator (Reboot)


I only care because Arnold has personally announced his involvement, though I’m taking that news with a grain of salt. Though I’ve never been much of a Terminator fan in the past, I don’t doubt this will be a big deal in 2015.

1. Jurassic Park 4


Look, I’m not going to BS you guys. Dinosaur Island 4 wasn’t even on my list 10 minutes ago, Avatar 2 was. Then someone approached me and said in a 1920’s voice, “HOLD THE PRESSES, SEE! AVATAR 2 COMING OUT IN 2016, SEE! READ ALL ABOUT IT!” Then he threw an iPad at me.

So I panicked because 15 is a cooler number than 14, so I scavenged the depths of the internet to find another movie coming out. It was between Pirates of the Caribbean 5, Independence Day 2 and a new take on Cinderella, so feel appreciative.