Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor

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

Coyote vs. Acme finally gets its theatrical moment, and Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into the surprisingly strong opening weekend for the long-shelved Warner Bros. Animation film. They also reflect on the losses of Tim Curry and Peter Cullen, as well as stop-motion and visual-effects legend Phil Tippett’s retirement and the liquidation of Tippett Studio. Plus, the guys run through the latest animation news, from Aardman’s new Pokémon series to changes at Warner Bros. Animation and a promising awards run for Tangles.

NEWS

• Coyote vs. Acme opens to a strong $15.4 million weekend after Ketchup Entertainment’s theatrical rescue of the Warner Bros. Animation film.

• Jim and Drew remember Tim Curry and Peter Cullen and look back at their lasting contributions to animation and entertainment.

• Phil Tippett retires as his legendary Berkeley studio prepares for liquidation, prompting a look back at his remarkable stop-motion and visual-effects career.

• Disney+ lands Aardman’s new Pokémon animated series, while Sam Register prepares to step down from Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios.

• IFC picks up Tangles for an Oscar-qualifying run, and Stranger Things: Tales from '85 returns with a new Season 2 trailer.

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 can get complicated fast, and our friends at BeOurGuestVacations.com can help. They’re an EarMarked by Disney travel agency at the Platinum level and a Universal U Preferred Platinum Planning Partner. They can help with hotels, tickets, reservations, cruises, and all the little details that come with planning a trip. Best of all, their planning services come 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

Fine Tooning is back with a packed post-D23 week of animation news, as Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into fresh trailers, release dates, box-office milestones, and one potentially very big Disney revival. The conversation ranges from Laika’s long-awaited Wildwood and Warner Bros. Animation’s Margie Claus to Blue Eye Samurai, LEGO Star Wars, and the remarkable theatrical run of Toy Story 5. Jim and Drew also discuss Brent Spiner’s unexpected suggestion that a new Gargoyles series may be headed to Disney+, and remember Hayden Panettiere and her early voice work as Princess Dot in A Bug’s Life.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Brent Spiner may have accidentally revealed that a Gargoyles revival is in development for Disney+.

• Laika unveils the first trailer for Wildwood ahead of its October 23 theatrical release.

• Margie Claus sets a November 12, 2027 release date with Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Octavia Spencer, and Andrew Scott.

• Blue Eye Samurai previews Season 2 while Netflix announces a third and final season for 2028.

• Jim and Drew look at the latest animation-related box-office numbers, including Toy Story 5 and Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie.

• Jim remembers Hayden Panettiere and her performance as Princess Dot in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life.

• Panettiere’s memoir offers a revealing look at the demanding voice-recording process behind the Pixar film.

• Drew reflects on Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol and the continuing legacy of Light the Fuse.

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 fall getaway to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the details that can make an Orlando vacation easier to manage. Their vacation-planning services come at no additional cost to you. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com to start planning.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 and Jim take a break from Disney’s D23 fan expo festivities to talk about everything they learned in a jam-packed set of panels and announcements!

NEWS

• The End of Oak Street beats Paw Patrol at the box office but Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into first place again

• The threequels are coming! Zootopia 3, Frozen 3, and The Incredibles 3 are all on their way

• Jodie Foster has her first animated role in Hexed alongside Walton Goggins as Beef Roger Crumbchuck

• Kingdom Hearts finally gets an animated series along with a new entry in the Final Fantasy meets Disney video game series

• Pixar gets spooky with the upcoming Ghost Market, in what is being described by Pete Docter as its first ‘horror movie’

• Drew is hosting a special 15th anniversary screening of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol at the Aero Theater in Santa Monica, California on August 22nd at 7:30PM featuring a live virtual Q&A with director Brad Bird (and another mystery in-person guest along with other surprises!)

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

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor are getting ready for D23 2026 with a look at the animation news, movies, and announcements worth watching before the big Disney Entertainment Showcase. Along the way, they check in on the box office, upcoming Looney Tunes and PAW Patrol releases, and a newly announced Family Guy spin-off. Then Jim and Drew revisit some memorable animation moments from past D23 Expos and consider what Disney, Pixar, and 20th Century Animation might bring to the stage this year.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Coyote vs. Acme prepares for its August 28 theatrical release from Ketchup Entertainment.

• PAW Patrol 3: The Dino Movie adds dinosaurs to the franchise as Jim and Drew consider its box-office potential.

• Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Odyssey, Toy Story 5, and Minions & Monsters continue shaping the 2026 box-office conversation.

• Adult Swim's President Curtis earns a second season while Fox orders The Stewie Show for the 2027-2028 television season.

• Jim and Drew preview D23 2026 and the animation announcements that could emerge from Disney's Entertainment Showcase.

• The Simpsons Movie 2, The Bluey Movie, Ice Age: Boiling Point, Gatto, Frozen 3, Incredibles 3, Coco 2, and Monsters, Inc. 3 are among the projects potentially in the spotlight.

• Drew looks back at memorable D23 animation presentations, including Idina Menzel performing "Let It Go," the reveal of Get a Horse!, and the onstage pitches for Gigantic and Coco.

• Jim revisits the complicated road to Pixar's The Good Dinosaur and recalls an emotional early screening with director Peter Sohn.

• Drew previews the 15th-anniversary 35mm screening of Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol and his upcoming book, The Art of Wildwood.

• Jim spotlights Welcome to Wackyland: The Wonderful World of Bob Clampett and the unusual Disney history connecting Clampett, Roald Dahl, and The Gremlins.

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 your next Disney or Universal adventure? Let the experts at BeOurGuestVacations.com help plan your resort stay, theme park tickets, cruises, and special extras with personalized concierge service. Be sure to mention that Drew and Jim sent 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