Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor

With Drew Taylor sidelined by a broken foot, Jim Hill takes the controls for a solo edition of Fine Tooning packed with animation news and Disney history. Jim checks in on DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island, Studio Ghibli Fest, Dana Terrace's Knights of Guinevere, and Drew's new making-of book, The Art of Wildwood. Then he digs into Bob Chapek's new memoir, Behind the Castle Walls, and questions the former Disney CEO's account of how The Return of Jafar came to be. Along the way, Jim revisits The Rescuers Down Under, Disney's early sequel strategy, and the Robin Williams dispute that complicated any plans for another theatrical Aladdin adventure.
NEWS
• DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island shows encouraging word of mouth despite a disappointing start at the box office.• Studio Ghibli Fest brings Spirited Away: Live on Stage back to theaters for another special screening.• Episode Two of Dana Terrace's Knights of Guinevere arrives on Glitch's YouTube channel.• Drew Taylor's new Rizzoli book, The Art of Wildwood, goes behind the scenes of Laika's upcoming stop-motion feature.
FEATURE
• Jim examines Bob Chapek's claim that he pushed Disney Animation to create an Aladdin sequel after the original film became a VHS phenomenon.• The Rescuers Down Under complicates the idea that Disney's animation executives were fundamentally opposed to theatrical sequels.• Robin Williams' very public falling-out with Disney created a major obstacle to producing another Aladdin movie for theaters.• The Return of Jafar ultimately became a direct-to-video blockbuster after beginning life as material connected to Disney's Aladdin animated television series.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | 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 GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
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Jim Hill and Drew Taylor are back with a packed week of animation news, including Disney+ finally ordering its long-in-development Darkwing Duck reboot to series with Mark Hamill, Seth Rogen, and Lizzy Caplan among the announced voice cast. They also check in on DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island, react to the trailer for Skydance Animation's Ray Gunn, and look ahead to the next chapter of Dana Terrace's Knights of Geneviere. Plus, Drew previews the Animation Is Film Festival, Netflix brings KPop Demon Hunters into the real world, and Sherri Shepherd prepares to make Disney Broadway history.

NEWS

• Disney+ orders the Darkwing Duck reboot to series, 35 years after Drake Mallard's original animated adventures.

• Mark Hamill voices Darkwing Duck, with Seth Rogen as Launchpad McQuack and Lizzy Caplan as Gosalyn Mallard.

• DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island arrives in theaters as Universal looks to build another fall animation success.

• Skydance Animation's Ray Gunn heads to Netflix in December, with select theatrical and 70mm screenings beginning earlier in the month.

• Netflix expands KPop Demon Hunters with an immersive experience featuring Derpy Tiger and Sussie Bird.

• Dana Terrace's Knights of Geneviere returns with its second episode on October 9 and a decidedly twisted new trailer.

• Drew previews the 2026 Animation Is Film Festival at the TCL Chinese Theatre and some of the animation headed to the big screen this fall.

• Sherri Shepherd prepares to make Broadway history as the first woman to play the Genie in Disney's Aladdin.

• Drew looks ahead to The Art of Wildwood, while Jim flags Ron Clements' upcoming Making Disney Magic.

HOSTS

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

• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter & Instagram: @DrewTailored - 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 vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, cruises, and all the details that go into your getaway, with planning services at no additional cost to you. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com to start planning your next trip.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
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Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into Hasbro’s “Transformers: The Apology Tour,” marking 40 years since Transformers: The Movie traumatized a generation by killing Optimus Prime. They also look at Peter Cullen’s final performance as the Autobot leader, his lesser-known Disney animation work, and Jim Cummings’ pointed reaction to the latest class of Disney Legends. Plus, there’s animation news from DreamWorks, Netflix and Laika, along with a box-office milestone for Coyote vs. Acme.

HIGHLIGHTS

• DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island heads to theaters on September 25 as the studio previews an extended opening sequence.

• Netflix keeps KPop Demon Hunters in the spotlight with new General Mills cereals while unveiling the trailer for its Cinderella-inspired animated musical Steps.

• Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn is headed to Netflix in December, while Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory is slated for a theatrical run before its 2027 streaming debut.

• Coyote vs. Acme crosses $50 million at the domestic box office, passing the reported price Ketchup Entertainment paid for its distribution rights.

• Hasbro’s “Transformers: The Apology Tour” revisits the still-infamous death of Optimus Prime in the 1986 animated feature.

• The 40th-anniversary theatrical release pairs Transformers: The Movie with the new CG short Optimus Prime: Awakening, featuring Peter Cullen’s final performance as Optimus Prime.

• Jim and Drew trace Cullen’s Disney animation history, including his work as Eeyore and the original voice of Monterey Jack on Chip ’n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers.

• Jim Cummings’ reaction to the latest Disney Legends ceremony sparks a larger discussion about who the honor should recognize.

• Laika releases the final trailer for Wildwood ahead of its October theatrical debut, with Drew’s The Art of Wildwoodarriving from Rizzoli Universe.

HOSTS

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

• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored - Instagram: @drewtailored - 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 Orlando vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the details that make vacation planning easier, all at no additional cost to you. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com to start planning your next getaway.

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 kick things off with Drew’s behind-the-scenes perspective on moderating the press day for DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island, the studio’s Filipino mythology-inspired adventure. Then they run through the latest animation and box office news, from Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Coyote vs. Acme to Toy Story 5, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and Aardman’s anniversary celebrations. Finally, Drew shares an early look inside the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles and how it compares with the nearby Academy Museum.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drew goes behind the scenes of DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island press day and the film’s celebration of Filipino mythology and folklore.

• Spider-Man: Brand New Day closes in on another major domestic box office milestone as Practical Magic 2 takes the weekend’s top spot.

• Coyote vs. Acme continues its theatrical run while details begin emerging about its eventual 4K Steelbook release.

• Pixar Place Hotel gets a Monsters, Inc. Halloween makeover as Disney marks 25 years of both the Pixar classic and Haunted Mansion Holiday.

• Aardman celebrates its 50th anniversary with a Wallace & Gromit pop-up and the theatrical arrival of Shaun the Sheep and the Beast of Mossy Bottom.

• Drew gets an advance tour of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park and compares it with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

HOSTS

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

• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | 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 vacation? The team at BeOurGuestVacations.com can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, cruises, and all the details that go into making your trip easier to plan - at no additional cost to you.

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 return with a packed round of animation news, beginning with a fascinating follow-up to their Tim Curry tribute and the real story behind his brief run as the Joker on "Batman: The Animated Series." They break down a record-setting summer at the box office, from "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" and "The Odyssey" to the theatrical comeback of "Coyote vs. Acme," "Cars," and "Akira." Plus, Jim and Drew look ahead to new projects from Matt Braly and Dana Terrace, the return of "Spirited Away: Live on Stage," and the upcoming opening of the revamped Magic of Disney Animation at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

NEWS• Why Tim Curry's frightening Joker ultimately gave way to Mark Hamill on "Batman: The Animated Series."• "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" helps push the Summer 2026 domestic box office to a record $4.7 billion.• "Coyote vs. Acme," the 20th anniversary re-release of "Cars," and a 4K IMAX restoration of "Akira" find audiences in theaters.• Matt Braly's "Clara and the Below," Dana Terrace's "Knights of Guinevere," and "The Owl House" graphic novel "The Long Lived King" move forward.• "Spirited Away: Live on Stage" heads to theaters as Disney's Hollywood Studios prepares to open the new Magic of Disney Animation.

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

FOLLOW• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews• YouTube: @jimhillmedia• TikTok: @jimhillmedia• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

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

PRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

SPONSORPlanning a Disney or Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, cruises, and the details that make vacation planning easier, all at no additional cost to you. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com to start planning your next getaway.

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