http://www.valiantmovie.co.uk/indexflash.html
Looks like it is premiering this month in the UK, August here in the states.
VALIANT
Until now, for computer animated films, Walt Disney Pictures has relied on Pixar Animation Studios, the people who created the very first one with Toy Story in 1995. Ten years later, with moviegoers flocking to computer animation in theaters (even critically-maligned fare like Shark Tale), it's not surprising that Disney would want to expand their offerings. They're getting into the game themselves; their in-house debut Chicken Little opens this fall. But with their current Pixar agreement running out after just one more film, Disney has formed relationships with other CGI studios as well.
Valiant, a British film produced by Vanguard Animation, is the first to come from these strategic partnerships. It tells the story of Valiant, a tiny carrier pigeon who works his way into the Royal Air Force during World War II. This coming-of-age comedy has its roots in reality. England really did use the Royal Pigeon Service to communicate with the French Resistance during the War. Against the odds and an evil German falcon, Valiant is called upon for a very important assignment.
The subject matter of talking birds and a World War II setting may call to mind Aardman's Chicken Run, which was distributed by DreamWorks in 2000 to critical praise and a US gross of over $100 million. Disney doesn't appear to be expecting those kinds of numbers for this film, as there's been very little exposure to the film, at least in contrast to their own further-off CGI production Chicken Little.
Valiant eschews the need for even a Mel Gibson, instead opting for a famous European cast headed by Ewan McGregor (who voices the spunky title character) and English actors like Ricky Gervais ("The Office"), Jim Broadbent, Tim Curry, John Cleese, and Hugh Laurie. Produced by John H. Williams (Shrek, Shrek 2), the film was made for $40 million, a fraction of Pixar's budgets. Valiant is set to open in the UK in March, and was penciled in for April 15th here in the US. As there was nothing publicly released from Disney, the film was not surprisingly bumped back four months and will now open on August 19th, near the tail end of the summer movie season.
Coming to Theaters August 19 / Rated G
Looks like it is premiering this month in the UK, August here in the states.
VALIANT
Until now, for computer animated films, Walt Disney Pictures has relied on Pixar Animation Studios, the people who created the very first one with Toy Story in 1995. Ten years later, with moviegoers flocking to computer animation in theaters (even critically-maligned fare like Shark Tale), it's not surprising that Disney would want to expand their offerings. They're getting into the game themselves; their in-house debut Chicken Little opens this fall. But with their current Pixar agreement running out after just one more film, Disney has formed relationships with other CGI studios as well.
Valiant, a British film produced by Vanguard Animation, is the first to come from these strategic partnerships. It tells the story of Valiant, a tiny carrier pigeon who works his way into the Royal Air Force during World War II. This coming-of-age comedy has its roots in reality. England really did use the Royal Pigeon Service to communicate with the French Resistance during the War. Against the odds and an evil German falcon, Valiant is called upon for a very important assignment.
The subject matter of talking birds and a World War II setting may call to mind Aardman's Chicken Run, which was distributed by DreamWorks in 2000 to critical praise and a US gross of over $100 million. Disney doesn't appear to be expecting those kinds of numbers for this film, as there's been very little exposure to the film, at least in contrast to their own further-off CGI production Chicken Little.
Valiant eschews the need for even a Mel Gibson, instead opting for a famous European cast headed by Ewan McGregor (who voices the spunky title character) and English actors like Ricky Gervais ("The Office"), Jim Broadbent, Tim Curry, John Cleese, and Hugh Laurie. Produced by John H. Williams (Shrek, Shrek 2), the film was made for $40 million, a fraction of Pixar's budgets. Valiant is set to open in the UK in March, and was penciled in for April 15th here in the US. As there was nothing publicly released from Disney, the film was not surprisingly bumped back four months and will now open on August 19th, near the tail end of the summer movie season.
Coming to Theaters August 19 / Rated G
