Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor break down the stunning debut of Laika’s “Wildwood” teaser trailer, the surprising revival of Matt Braly’s cancelled animated feature “Afterworld,” and Universal’s massive push behind the 25th anniversary of “Shrek.” They also discuss Warner Bros. Animation’s uncertain future, Disney’s latest animation-themed park projects, and new details on “CoCoMelon: The Movie” and Apple TV’s upcoming “Snoopy Unleashed.”

AUDIO DISCLAIMER - we had some tech issues, but things clear up after the first break. Thanks for hanging in there.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Laika’s “Wildwood” teaser trailer racks up 115 million views in 24 hours as the studio prepares a major theatrical event strategy for the film’s October release.
• Drew previews his upcoming trip to the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where “Wildwood” will receive a major presentation.
• Matt Braly’s cancelled Sony animated feature gets new life as Thailand’s MONK Studios acquires the rights to develop “Afterworld.”
• Warner Bros. Pictures Animation hosts an open house amid growing industry concern over the studio’s future during the Paramount acquisition talks.
• Universal begins its full-scale marketing push for “Shrek 5” with anniversary screenings, popcorn buckets, and new theme park expansions.
• A deep dive into DreamWorks Animation’s “Shrek” legacy as the original film celebrates its 25th anniversary.
• How NBCUniversal is leveraging “Shrek” across theme parks, merchandising, stage productions, and future film spin-offs.
• New details on Disney’s reimagined Animation Courtyard and “Magic of Disney Animation” experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
• Fresh casting details for “CoCoMelon: The Movie” and discussion of Apple TV’s upcoming “Snoopy Unleashed.”

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

UnlockedMagic.com - Save on your next Disney or Universal vacation with special ticket deals from https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=finetooning

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Jim Hill and Drew Taylor unpack the latest animation and box office news, from the surprising strength of The Devil Wears Prada 2 to new reveals tied to Toy Story 5, Dragon Striker, and Netflix’s Annecy plans. The duo also discuss upcoming art books, anime releases, and Tom Sito’s new memoir about the animation renaissance of the 1980s and 1990s. Along the way, they reflect on how modern animation continues to blur the line between live-action and CG filmmaking.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Devil Wears Prada 2 narrowly defeats Mortal Kombat II at the North American box office during a crowded Mother’s Day weekend
• Amazon MGM’s Sheep Detective overperforms thanks to strong reviews and audience response
• Target stores begin rolling out extensive Toy Story 5 merchandise months ahead of the film’s theatrical debut
• Jim and Drew discuss the latest trailer for Minions & Monsters and its playful references to classic Hollywood history
• Disney XD and Disney+ finally announce premiere dates for Dragon Striker after the series’ lengthy delay from its original Annecy reveal
• Netflix prepares its latest Annecy Festival animation showcase while GKIDS sets a June release for the anime feature Another World
• New animation art books spotlight Star Trek: Lower Decks, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and Laika’s upcoming Wildwood
• Tom Sito’s memoir Drawing Life Back into Animation offers firsthand stories from the rise of modern feature animation in Hollywood

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

UnlockedMagic.com - Save on your next Disney or Universal vacation with exclusive ticket deals from travel experts who know the parks inside and out: https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=finetooning

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 episode that jumps from a galaxy far, far away to the runways of a surprise box office hit. They break down the evolving strategy behind Disney’s theatrical releases, spotlight a full-circle Star Wars character comeback, and dig into the unexpected success of a long-awaited sequel. Along the way, they explore new animation experiments, streaming debuts, and what’s next for both studios and theaters as summer heats up.

HIGHLIGHTS
• “The Devil Wore Prada 2” stuns with a $236 million global opening weekend, far exceeding expectations
• Strong ongoing demand suggests the sequel has real staying power beyond its debut
• Disney’s $80 million marketing push helps turn the film into a true theatrical event
• “The Mandalorian & Grogu” positions itself as a lower-risk, high-upside Star Wars release
• Rotta the Hutt returns in a full-circle moment from Dave Filoni’s earliest Star Wars work
• “Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord” continues expanding the Disney+ storytelling universe
• Disney experiments with ASL storytelling via “Songs in Sign Language” featuring Encanto, Frozen 2, and Moana 2
• Pixar’s “Hoppers” crosses $375 million globally and shows strong post-theatrical life on digital
• Annecy 2026 lineup teases the next wave of global animation talent and projects

HOSTS
• Jim Hill (@JimHillMedia) – jimhillmedia.com
• Drew Taylor (@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
This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com – your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal theme park tickets. Whether you’re planning ahead or finally ready to book that 2026 trip, their team helps you save money and skip the stress so you can focus on the fun.

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 goes solo this week while Drew Taylor is off moderating panels at a film festival, delivering a packed episode that jumps from animation industry headlines to box office chatter and even a bit of theme park savings strategy. Along the way, Jim reflects on past California travels, breaks down major animation announcements, and then dives deep into why Hollywood continues to struggle with blending animation and live-action. From legacy hits to modern misfires, it’s a thoughtful look at what works, what doesn’t, and why.

NEWS
• “Ne Zha 2” heads to HBO after becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time
• Bong Joon Ho’s animated feature “Ally” announced for 2027 release
• Illumination’s “Minions & Monsters” to open Annecy 2026 ahead of its July theatrical debut
• Disney and Pixar preview new projects including “Hexed,” “Gatto,” and a Cars preschool series
• “Coyote vs. Acme” back on track with a confirmed 2026 theatrical release

FEATURE
• A look back at “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” and why it remains the gold standard for hybrid films
• How “Space Jam” and its successors highlight the difficulty of scaling cartoon concepts to feature length
• Behind-the-scenes challenges that have plagued projects like “Coyote vs. Acme”
• Why blending animation and live-action continues to be one of Hollywood’s toughest creative balancing acts

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia

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
• UnlockedMagic.com - The go-to place for great deals on Disney and Universal theme park tickets. If a 2026 trip is on your radar, their team helps you lock in savings and plan smarter.

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 Dan Graney unpack Marvel’s latest wave of announcements, from Avengers: Endgame returning to theaters with new footage to the growing sense that Doomsday is directly rewriting what came before. Along the way, they explore CinemaCon reveals, Infinity Vision, and what Disney’s internal shifts could mean for the future of the MCU. It’s a conversation about spectacle, strategy, and whether Marvel is quietly reshaping its own legacy in real time.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Avengers: Endgame returns to theaters with newly added footage that directly connects to Avengers: Doomsday
• CinemaCon reactions point to a massive, Endgame-scale story with Doctor Doom positioned as an even greater threat than Thanos
• Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom is driven by performance, not just star power
• Infinity Vision debuts as a premium theatrical format designed to create a must-see, big-screen experience
• Marvel may be repositioning Doomsday as a direct sequel to Endgame, potentially reshaping the Multiverse Saga
• Rumors suggest Spider-Man’s Ned could take a surprising new path after MIT, tied to his magical abilities
• Deadpool may shift into a supporting role as Marvel builds toward a more ensemble-driven future
• X-Men are emerging as a central pillar of Marvel’s long-term storytelling plans
• Disney layoffs impact Marvel’s visual development team, raising questions about the studio’s signature visual style
• AI and freelance workflows could become a bigger part of Marvel’s production pipeline moving forward
• “FOMO-vision” highlights Marvel’s strategy to turn theatrical releases into can’t-miss events
• Comparisons to classic theatrical gimmicks show how Hollywood continues to sell spectacle as experience

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: ⁠⁠@JimHillMedia⁠⁠ | X: ⁠⁠@JimHillMedia⁠⁠ | Website: ⁠⁠JimHillMedia.com⁠⁠
• Dan Graney - YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheHubbubbery⁠⁠ | Facebook: ⁠⁠/thehubbubbery⁠⁠ | Website: ⁠⁠thehubbubbery.com⁠⁠

FOLLOW
• Facebook: ⁠⁠JimHillMediaNews⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠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 - ⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠

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