When the Sky Fell: The Turbulent Legacy of Chicken Little (Ep. 332)
Jim Hill and Drew Taylor salute Veterans Day and talk about Xavier “X” Atencio, the new Disney Editions book celebrating the Imagineer behind the Haunted Mansion’s “Grim Grinning Ghosts.” Then, Drew and Jim dive into the weekend box office — from Predator: Badlands breaking franchise records to the upcoming Zootopia 2 — before Jim goes solo to finish his deep-dive on the 20th anniversary of Chicken Little: Disney’s first CG feature and the film that changed everything at the studio.
HIGHLIGHTS
Disney Legend spotlight: The new Xavier X. Atencio biography reveals rare sketches, wartime cartoons, and Haunted Mansion concept art — including the one-eyed cat that almost was.
Box office breakdown: Predator: Badlands lifts Disney past $4 billion for 2025, while Zootopia 2’s early projections could redeem TRON: Ares’ underperformance.
Streaming watch: Netflix’s In Your Dreams wins praise from Collider and The Hollywood Reporter; Star Wars: Visions Vol. 3 drops on Disney+.
The forgotten fowl: Why Chicken Little struggled in 2005 — from corporate pressure and story changes to a release window crushed by Goblet of Fire.
Animation turning point: How Pixar’s arrival, John Lasseter’s leadership, and Ratatouille’s success permanently shifted Disney away from hand-drawn animation.
Hosts
Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
Drew Taylor — X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | Website: drewtaylor.work
Patreon
Support Fine Tooning and the entire Jim Hill Media Podcast Network at patreon.com/jimhillmedia
Follow Us
Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia
Producer Credits
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com — where Disney and Universal fans can save up to 12% on park tickets and after-hours events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Powered by the same trusted team behind DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market.
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When “Chicken Little” Took Flight: Disney’s First CGI Gamble and What Came Next (Ep. 331)
This week on Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor mark the 20th anniversary of Chicken Little — Disney’s first fully computer-animated feature — and trace how the film’s rocky launch reshaped the studio’s animation strategy in the mid-2000s. Recorded the morning after Daylight Savings Time kicked in, this episode mixes history, humor, and behind-the-scenes insight as the guys unpack what really happened inside Disney Animation during one of its most volatile eras.
HIGHLIGHTS
Drew and Jim revisit the creative chaos that followed The Emperor’s New Groove and how Mark Dindal & Randy Fullmer’s next project evolved into Chicken Little.
Why Bob Iger’s early plans to buy Pixar cast a shadow over the film’s release.
How Chicken Little became both a casualty and catalyst in Disney’s CGI transformation.
Updates on the new Zootopia Zoobetter Together 4-D show at Animal Kingdom and why fans may want to wait for the Merrie Menagerie’s return.
Studio Ghibli Fest’s finale screenings of The Boy and the Heron, plus news on Laika’s upcoming Wildwood and ESPN’s animated Monsters Funday Football event.
Hosts
Drew Taylor — X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | Website: drewtaylor.work
Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
Patreon
Support Fine Tooning and the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network on Patreon: patreon.com/jimhillmedia
Follow Us
Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia
Producer Credits
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com — where you can save up to 12% on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets, including hard-ticket events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights.
Learn More
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How Disney’s “Pinocchio” Became the Studio’s Most Terrifying Classic (Ep. 330)
Jim Hill and Drew Taylor celebrate Halloween week by taking a deep dive into Disney’s darkest fairy tale — and the long, strange legacy of “Pinocchio.” From canceled attractions and creepy Hong Kong mazes to Julie Taymor’s unrealized Broadway musical, this little wooden boy has haunted Disney history for over 80 years.
Why Walt Disney once scrapped six months of work on “Pinocchio”
The forgotten Disneyland expansion that almost gave us “Pinocchio Square”
How Hong Kong Disneyland turned the film into a full-blown haunted maze
Julie Taymor’s eerie, abandoned “Pinocchio” stage musical
The odd connections between “Pinocchio,” “Wicked,” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”
Plus Drew talks about four new animated shorts that he recently saw at Disney Studios which are up for Oscar consideration next year
A spooky, story-filled episode perfect for animation fans and Halloween listeners alike.
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From Disneyland to “Charlotte’s Web”: The Sherman Brothers’ Forgotten Tunes (Ep. 329)
This week on Fine Tooning, Drew Taylor and Jim Hill explore how Disney’s most beloved songwriting duo—the Sherman Brothers—found new creative life after leaving the Mouse House in 1968. From the heartfelt melodies of Snoopy Come Home to the timeless charm of Charlotte’s Web, Jim revisits how their music carried Disney’s spirit into other studios’ animated worlds.
Drew shares highlights from the Animation Is Life event, including Q&As for ChaO and Arco
Why TRON: Ares’s box office dip has Disney nervous
The rise of Gabby’s Dollhouse as a Universal park franchise
A live-action Jetsons film that’s finally moving forward—again
The legacy of Marsupilami and Nickelodeon’s attempt to revive it
Jim wraps things up by celebrating the Sherman Brothers’ post-Disney era—two films that remind us that great songs can make any animation studio feel like home.
Unlocked Magic
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Inside the Animation Is Film Festival with Matt Kaszanek (Ep. 328)
Jim Hill and Drew Taylor welcome special guest Matt Kaszanek, Program Director for the Animation Is Film Festival, to talk about what fans can expect at this year’s event at the TCL Chinese Theatre. From exclusive screenings and panels to the state of the animation industry, this episode dives deep into the heart of Hollywood’s celebration of animated storytelling. Jim and Drew also cover the latest box-office chatter, streaming updates, and big animation headlines.
• Why Tron: Ares may still have a chance to rebound despite a soft opening• The premiere lineup and behind-the-scenes planning of the Animation Is Film Festival• Drew’s firsthand look at Sony’s new Animation campus and Infinity Festival highlights• Updates on Primal Season 3, Bat-Fam, and The Bad Guys: Breaking In• Guillermo del Toro’s new stop-motion school and what it means for future filmmakers
Whether you’re a longtime animation fan or just curious about what’s next on the big screen, this episode of Fine Tooning packs plenty of insight, stories, and laughter from Hollywood’s animation insiders.
Unlocked Magic
Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.
Learn More
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Jim and Drew break down the animation world frame by frame, until you get the singular picture. If you love Disney animation, Pixar, and the classics that were hand sketched, or built out of 1's and 0's in a computer, this is the podcast that draws you in.
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