Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor take a Fourth of July detour on Fine Tooning for a deep dive into the first 50 years of Disney animation directors. With Ron Clements’ memoir now pushed to October and The Great Mouse Detective celebrating its 40th anniversary, Jim and Drew trace how Disney’s animated features evolved from Walt’s hands-on oversight to the rise of the CalArts generation. Along the way, they revisit Snow White, Dumbo, Cinderella, The Jungle Book, The Rescuers, The Black Cauldron, and the film that helped set the stage for Disney animation’s next era.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ron Clements’ long-awaited memoir, Making Disney Magic, gets another release-date delay.

• The Great Mouse Detective turns 40, giving Jim and Drew the perfect excuse to revisit Disney animation’s directing history.

• Walt Disney’s role in shaping Snow White, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo, and Bambi gets a fresh look.

• The wartime package films reveal how Disney kept animation alive during a difficult stretch for the studio.

• The conversation follows the handoff from veteran Disney directors to the CalArts generation that changed feature animation.

FEATURE

• How early Disney animated features used supervising directors, sequence directors, and Walt’s final creative say.

• Why Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, and Sleeping Beauty marked a major postwar rebuilding period.

• How Wolfgang Reitherman’s run helped define the studio’s animated output after Walt’s death.

• Why The Rescuers, The Fox and the Hound, The Black Cauldron, and The Great Mouse Detective became turning points for the next generation of Disney storytellers.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com

• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored, Instagram: @drewtailored, Website: drewtaylor.work

FOLLOW

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews

• YouTube: @jimhillmedia

• TikTok: @jimhillmedia

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey

Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com. If a Disney or Universal trip is on your radar for 2026, Unlocked Magic helps you lock in great ticket prices without the stress, all handled by people who know the parks and how to save you money.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor is back from Annecy, sleep-deprived but fully loaded with animation news, studio reveals, and a few very good Brad Bird breakfast stories. This week, Jim and Drew look at Toy Story 5’s massive second weekend, Supergirl’s box office debut, and the Minions’ return to the big screen before diving into what Drew saw at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. From DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island to new Warner Bros. Animation projects, Disney and Pixar updates, and a tribute to Lilo & Stitch voice actress Daveigh Chase, it is a packed tour through the current state of animation.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Toy Story 5 continues its huge theatrical run, pushing Disney past $3 billion at the 2026 worldwide box office.

• Supergirl opens below last summer’s Superman debut, while several genre titles continue to hold spots in the domestic top ten.

• Minions & Monsters heads toward a major Independence Day weekend launch after its Annecy screening.

• Drew shares what it was like covering Annecy while filing stories, hosting press conferences, and juggling interviews throughout the festival.

• Forgotten Island gets the spotlight as one of DreamWorks Animation’s funniest and most heartfelt upcoming projects.

• DreamWorks confirms Donkey, a Shrek spinoff prequel centered on Eddie Murphy’s beloved character.

• Warner Bros. Animation announces a packed slate, including Last Laugh, Krypto, Absolute Batman, Adventure Time, and a Powerpuff Girls feature.

• Disney and Pixar updates include Gatto, Loving Dory, Hexed, and the 2D/CG hybrid Lilo & Scratch.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com

• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored, Instagram: @drewtailored, Website: drewtaylor.work

FOLLOW

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews

• YouTube: @jimhillmedia

• TikTok: @jimhillmedia

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey

Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

SPONSOR

Planning a Disney or Universal trip in 2026? UnlockedMagic.com helps you lock in great ticket prices without the stress, with support from people who know the parks and how to save you money.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor look at a packed week in animation, from the box office surprises around Disclosure Day and Obsession to the latest honors for Aardman’s founders. They also preview Pixar’s Gatto, salute Floyd Norman’s upcoming Academy Honorary Award, and remember Tinker Bell reference model Margaret Kerry. The main event is Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch 2, with Chris Sanders returning to write and direct a brand-new story for everyone’s favorite blue alien experiment.

NEWS

• Disclosure Day opens big for Universal while Obsession continues its remarkable box office run.

• Jim and Drew talk physical media, Hoppers on Disney+, and Best Buy’s exit from DVDs and Blu-rays.

• Aardman founders Peter Lord and David Sproxton receive knighthoods as the studio celebrates with a Royal Mint coin.

• Pixar’s Gatto gets a closer look, including its Venice setting, painterly style, and voice cast.

• Floyd Norman is set for an Academy Honorary Award, while Jim and Drew remember Margaret Kerry’s legacy as Tinker Bell’s live-action reference model.

FEATURE

• Disney moves ahead with live-action Lilo & Stitch 2 for May 2028.

• Chris Sanders returns to write and direct after voicing Stitch in both the original animated classic and the 2025 live-action remake.

• Jim and Drew discuss how Angel, Stitch’s pink counterpart from the animated series, may factor into the sequel.

• The conversation connects Sanders’ busy slate, from The Wild Robot to Lilo & Stitch, with Disney’s long-running affection for Experiment 626.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia

• Drew Taylor - X: @DrewTailored, Instagram: @drewtailored

FOLLOW

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews

• YouTube: @jimhillmedia

• TikTok: @jimhillmedia

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey

Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

SPONSOR

If a Disney or Universal trip is on your radar for 2026, UnlockedMagic.com helps you lock in great ticket prices without the stress. Head to UnlockedMagic.com to grab the best ticket deals and make that future trip just a little more magical.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor is back from the Toy Story 5 Premiere and Jim Hill gets all the details! They talk about some highly anticipated projects like The Doomies heading to Disney Plus, some Treehouse of Horror-related theming coming to The Simpsons at Universal, and plenty of other animation they’re looking forward to like Gatto from Pixar (with a teaser dropping pretty much right now!)

NEWS

• Toy Story 5 has it’s premiere, and Drew was there to get the scoop

• Ice Age Boiling Point is on it’s way in February 2027

• Pixar’s Gatto is coming shortly after in March 2027, with a teaser trailer dropping June 11th

• Universal may be losing The Simpsons theme park rights, but they’re planning some spooky changes in the coming years

• Friend of the show Josh Gad karate kicked his way back into Book of Mormon after 14 years at the Tony’s and as it turns out, he’s still amazing

FEATURE

•Toy Story 5 had its premiere and Drew has now seen the film twice, so what’s going on with all of the Buzz Lightyears? Jim and Drew talk about his reaction (without diving into spoilers) and some of the new tech Drew is hoping will make its way into a movie-accurate Buzz toy. 

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Drew Taylor - X: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work

FOLLOW

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - StrongMindedAgency.com

SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, the go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal theme park tickets. If a 2026 theme park vacation is on your radar, their team can help you save money while making the planning process easier.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Jim Hill Media Sponsorship Information
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor and Jim Hill dive into one of the busiest weeks in animation and entertainment news, from early reactions to Pixar's Toy Story 5 and its surprisingly Jessie-focused story to major developments involving Rick & Morty, X-Men '97, Jorge Gutierrez, and Netflix animation. Along the way, they unpack box office surprises, discuss the end of Disney Twenty-Three magazine, and explore what the future may hold for some of animation's biggest franchises. This episode also includes Drew's thoughts after seeing the first 45 minutes of Toy Story 5 and a look at why Pixar may have another blockbuster on its hands.

NEWS

• Early box office projections suggest Toy Story 5 could set a new franchise opening weekend record.
• Pixar's Hoppers arrives on home video as the film continues its strong theatrical run.
• Universal launches major Minions & Monsters promotion ahead of the film's July debut.
• D23 members react to the discontinuation of Disney Twenty-Three magazine.
• Rick & Morty's President Curtis is getting his own Adult Swim spin-off series.

FEATURE

• Drew shares impressions after seeing the first 45 minutes of Toy Story 5.
• New details reveal a deeper continuation of Jessie's story from Toy Story 2.
• The film revisits one of the franchise's most emotional storylines in an unexpected way.
• Could Toy Story 5 set the stage for even more adventures beyond the fifth film?

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Drew Taylor - X: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work

FOLLOW

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
• Patreon: @jimhillmedia

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - StrongMindedAgency.com

SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, the go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal theme park tickets. If a 2026 theme park vacation is on your radar, their team can help you save money while making the planning process easier.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Jim Hill Media Sponsorship Information
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices