Dan Scanlon directing Monsters University

Today during the Cars 2 blogger event, Pixar announced that Dan Scanlon will be the new director for the upcoming prequel Monsters University. Scanlon is a former Disney and DreamWorks animator. He joined Pixar in the 2000's, working on storyboards and screenplays for Cars and co-directed Mater and the Ghostlight. This will be his first project that he will direct at Pixar.

New "Brave" Image shows Princess Merida

Pixar has released this brand new image of Princess Merida in Brave. It gives us an idea of what she'll look like.

Monsters, Inc. 2: Monsters University

(Source Comingsoon.net) Well, the rumors of Monsters, Inc. 2 being a prequel are official. Today Walt Disney Pictures announced that Monsters, Inc. 2 will indeed be a prequel and is titled "Monsters University". It will go all the way back to show how Sully and Mike became great friends, although started as rival enemies during their time during school. Also, Monsters Inc. 2 has a new director, but hasn't been announced on who. John Goodman and Billy Crystal will return as Sully and Mike. I think its a great idea for a prequel. The original ended beautifully and wasn't sequel material.

New Cars 2 Character: David Hobbscap

Pixar has released a new character; Meet David Hobbscap. He'll be one of the announcers in the World Grand Prix alongside Darrell. He is voiced and based on the real announcer David Hobbs.

Also, character Lewis Hamilton was released.

Official Description:

As a handsome forest green 1963 Jaguar Coombs Lightweight E-Type, David Hobbscap, originally from Royal Leamington Spa, England, is a worldwide racing luminary. His 30-year career in professional racing spans the globe and all types of motorsports. Now David shares that priceless knowledge as an announcer, where he’s also well known for providing comic relief during race broadcasts. A former champion with 20 starts at 24 Hours of Le Mans, his storytelling comes from personal experience. Anything but your ordinary television sportscaster, David can’t wait to enlighten and entertain the World Grand Prix audiences.

"Brave" Exclusive Art

Take a look at these exclusive art images of "Brave" from Entertainment Weekly.

Brave will be directed by Mark Aandrews and co-directed by Brenda Chapman, the first ever female to direct a pixar film. The film will be set in Scotland and will be the first fairy tale film from Pixar. We're also learning more about the cast: Reese Witherspoon, who was originally casted to play the main roll, Princess Merida, has been replaced by actress Kelly Macdonald. Also, Craig Ferguson, Kevin McKidd and Robbie Cultrane joins the cast as Lord MacGuffin, Lord Macintosh and Lord Dingwall.

Official Synopsis of Brave:

A rugged and mythic Scotland is the setting for Pixar's action-adventure "The Bear and the Bow." The impetuous, tangle-haired Merida, though a daughter of royalty, would prefer to make her mark as a great archer. A clash of wills with her mother compels Merida to make a reckless choice, which unleashes unintended peril on her father's kingdom and her mother's life. Merida struggles with the unpredictable forces of nature, magic and a dark, ancient curse to set things right. Co-Director Brenda Chapman ("The Prince of Egypt," "The Lion King") and the storytelling wizards of Pixar conjure humor, fantasy and excitement in this rich Highland tale.

New Cars 2 Character: Lewis Hamilton (Update)

Heres new Cars 2 character, Lewis Hamilton. The character will be voiced and based on the real driver Lewis Hamilton who will make his cameo in the film.

Official Description:

Lewis Hamilton, the famously sleek and seriously fast #2 Grand Touring Sports champion, has been a determined and winning racer for nearly his entire young life. Like all youngster cars, Lewis spent his childhood going to school, taking karate lessons and winning the British Karting Championship by the age of 10. Today, the celebrated native Brit continues to bring an exceptional work ethic and soft-spoken confidence to the race course where his extraordinary achievements speak for themselves via a spotless track record on the junior and professional circuits. With his striking metallic black and yellow paint scheme, Lewis will represent Great Britain at the World Grand Prix. His car also carries the flag of Grenada, home to his family who emigrated to Britain in the 1950s. His unrivaled technical skills, natural speed ability and cool, karate-inspired attitude make him a powerful contender too.

Here's real life Lewis Hamilton. His car has the same trademark gap-toothed grin as real life Lewis in his radiator grille- along with a metallic paint job.

Ellen DeGeneres Wants A Finding Nemo 2

Ellen DeGeneres, voice of the beloved "Dory" in Finding Nemo, featured this video on her show mocking Pixar for making sequels to Cars, and other movies based off of it, like Planes, although not Pixar, instead of making a Finding Nemo 2 which she points out.

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New Cars 2 Poster

Check out this new Cars 2 Poster, released by Pixar from MovieWeb.

This is the eighth poster so far. Cars 2 releases June 24th!

Cars 2 Character: Darrell Cartrip

Pixar has released our favorite race car reporter: Darrell Cartrip, who will return for Cars 2 to report in the World Grand Prix.

Official Description:

Darrell Cartrip is a legendary multi-Piston Cup champion turned beloved racing announcer. The Kentucky-born #17 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is known for his wild color commentary, delighting Piston Cup fans with his humor, charisma and signature catch phrases—"Boogity, Boogity, Boogity! Let's go racin' boys!" He’s spent years on the track, in the pits and in the grease, and he’ll tell you all about it. This American Southern gentleman knows what it takes to win, and plans to bring that fervent expertise to calling the World Grand Prix.

Darrell in the World Grand Prix:

New Cars 2 Character: Jeff Gorvette

Pixar has released a new Cars 2 Character: Meet American Racer Jeff Gorvette!

(Voiced and based on the real Nascar driver Jeff Gordon)

Official Description:

Jeff Gorvette is one of the greatest American racecars alive today. Donning the stars and stripes of his country's flag, the #24 Corvette C6.R has proven his ability to succeed on the big ovals and the road courses of the Grand Touring Sports circuits. Having moved from his hometown of Vallejo, California to Indiana to be closer to the racing world, Gorvette's ability to accelerate at such a young age has turned hoods wherever he competes. His championships and number of victories are unmatched, making him a respected competitor-and legitimate threat-at the World Grand Prix.

Screenwriter Sues Pixar, Claiming "Cars" was Stolen

From the Hollywood Reporter:

A U.K. screenwriter is suing Disney and Pixar, alleging the animated hit Cars and its forthcoming sequel are based in part on work he submitted in the early 1990s. The man is seeking an injunction to stop the release of Cars 2, which is scheduled to be released theatrically on June 24.

Jake Mandeville-Anthony filed the claim this week in U.S. District Court. According to the complaint, he created a three-part screenplay titled "Cookie & Co.," about the true-life adventure race-car driver Michael Owen Perkins, who won a 1988 race, and a second work titled "Cars," which included a treatment, sample screenplay, 46 animated car character descriptions, 10 cars character sketches, and a marketing and merchandising plan.

Mandeville says he sent copies of the works to various production companies, including Disney. The plaintiff also says he met in person with a Lucasfilm executive named Jim Morris in 1993 and delivered copies of his work. Pixar and Lucasfilm have had relations with each other since the 1980s, when Pixar acquired certain divisions of the George Lucas company. In 2005, according to the complaint, Morris joined Pixar and is currently general manager at the company.

The lawsuit isn't the first action that the plaintiff has filed against Disney/Pixar. The two sides have been engaged in a semi-private dispute in the U.K. A recent judgment in the case is currently under seal.

In Manderville's latest complaint, he points to a long list of similarities among the characters in each of the works. Both have characters named "Stanley" modeled after a Model T Ford. Both have lead characters modeled after a "James Aston-Martin" sports car. Both feature broken down truck characters, doctors as authority figures, glitzy showgirl movie star females, Italians, rich business cars past their prime, and so on.

The plaintiff is alleging copyright infringement and breach of implied contract.

The first animated Cars film grossed over $450 million at the box office and has become a merchandising powerhouse for Disney. Besides an injunction, the plaintiff requests actual or statutory damages.

"Newt" Concept Art Hits the Web

Take a look at these new concept art images of Newt from the german PixarBlog. These images were created by Pixar art director/character designer Jason Dreamer. These were probably released by Dreamer himself, with maybe the permission by Pixar to do so. Usually when a movie finishes, concept art is released, but unfortunately these were released because the film was cancelled. I personally feel that this film would have been an original charm and its a bummer it was cancelled.

New Cars 2 Image

Pixar has updated their website, with Cars 2 images on their homepage. Here is a new image of McQueen and Francesco racing.

Cars 2 Exhibit at Walt Disney World

Check out these photos from Stitch Kingdom of the new Cars 2 exhibit at Walt Disney World. It features over dozens of the films art images in the making of the production. This comes after exhibits for Up and Toy Story 3 from last year. Also, you'll notice the exhibit for the new upcming movie "Winnie the Pooh"!

Exclusive Cars 2 Artwork: "Carified" Landmarks

Pixar has released these exclusive art production images from Cars 2, of some of the famous landmark buildings across the world that will be in the movie for the World Grand Prix race. The buildings have been CARified!!!! Photos from Comingsoon.net

ITALY - Pixar's redesign of the signature casinos of the European Riviera with the Porto Corsa Casino in Italy. CARified elements: Instead of lion statues, there are car statues!

LONDON - Pixar's redesign of London's New House of Parliament and Big Den. CARified elemnts: The Big Den is transformed into Big Bentley, with spark plug towers, car grill arches and classic Bentley hood ornaments. The rest of the parliament has car grills and headlights built into the facade with spark plugs on the spires.

PARIS, FRANCE - Pixar's redesign of Paris' Eiffel Tower. CARified elements: The arches at its base take the form of wheels topped by car grill facades; the Tower's top sports a modified spark plug and car antenna.

Release Date for "Brave" Changed

Both The Wrap and The Pixar Blog report that Pixar has confirmed a push back for the release of Brave to June 22, 2012. It was originally scheduled for June 15, 2012, but has now been moved back a week.

John Lasseter Talks "Cars 2"

Here is a recent video from Disney Living on youtube, of Lasseter talking about his new upcoming film "Cars 2". He shares his ideas of how he came up with the character Finn McMissile. Appariently, they had originally thought of him in the first "Cars" movie, when McQueen and Sally were gonna go on a date while watching a movie in the theater, in which was going to be a spy movie featuring McMissile. Cars 2 hits theaters, June 24th.

Cars 2 Turntables: Fillmore, Guido, Luigi

New Cars 2 Character: Rip Clutchgoneski

Pixar has released a new character from Cars 2. Meet Rip, very similar to Francesco. By the way, the country "Rearendia" actually doesn't exist. It was made up by Pixar.

Official Description:

The former European colony and newly independent Republic of New Rearendia is desperate to put their name on the map – the #10 open-wheeled racer Rip Clutchgoneski is their best bet. After putting together a remarkable string of qualifying races, Rip’s entry into the World Grand Prix is clearly the Cinderella story of the competition. Though Rip credits luck for his chance on the international stage, it’s really skill and exuberance that brought the proud New Rearendian racer to the starting line.

Cars 2 Vintage Posters

New Cars 2 Trailers

Check out two of the new Cars 2 trailers released today by Disney. The first video is the extended trailer. The scene where McMissile is out spying, is absolutely stunning! Animation has come a long way!

Recreating "Up"

Check out this video from ABC News, GMA, of two guys who were inspired from the movie "Up" to use 300 gas balloons to float a house in the air! And it worked!!! The idea was part of the tv show called "How Hard Can It Be?" on National Geographic.

Everyone Smile and Say "Oscar"!!!

Lee Unkrich shared this photo on his twitter, of all the animators who worked on Toy Story 3 with their deserved Oscar Award they won for Best Animated Feature Film at the 83rd Academy Awards. I love this photo!! Everyone's facial expressions are so funny, especially Lee's. Can you point out where Lee is? I'll give you a hint........he isn't the guy with no shirt on.

New Cars 2 Character: Tomber

Pixar has released a new Cars 2 character; Meet 3 wheel Tomber!

Official Description:

Tomber is a dubious little French car with an unusual, and very unstable, three-wheeled design that befits the meaning of his name – to fall. By trade he deals car parts from a stall in a Parisian market—though his questionable merchandise sources have led to his reluctant acquaintance with British secret agent Finn McMissile.

New Cars 2 Character: Professor Z!

Pixar has released Professor Z, the main villain in Cars 2.

Official Description:

Professor Z, aka “The Professor,” is an internationally wanted weapons designer in a small, sophisticated German package. He is a brilliant, but mad monocle-wearing scientist who is plotting to sabotage the World Grand Prix. Though his true motive is unclear, Professor Z is willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate all obstacles and keep the “project” on schedule.

New Image from Toy Story Short "Hawaiian Vacation"

Disney has released this image shot, of its new toy story short 'hawaiian vacation". I love the outfits!!!!! Especially the candies the alliens have around their neck!

Toy Story Short "Hawaiian Vacation" Video Clip

Disney Pixar has released this new preview clip of the new toy story short "hawaiian vacation".