News

You read that right: Emoji The Movie is in the works at Sony Pictures Animation...

And you thought some of the remake stories we've been running have been odd.

Still, we suppose it was inevitable, really. The rise of the Emoji - those little pictures designed to get across messages that used to be conveyed by things such as words - has been quick and brutal. The Emoji first came to prominence in Japan in the late 1990s, and we now learn that there's going to be an Emoji movie.

The film has come about courtesy of a pitch from Eric Siegel (the TV show Men At Work) and Anthony Leondis (who made Igor, and DreamWorks' unreleased B.O.O.: Bureau Of Otherworldly Operations). Leondis reportedly storyboarded the film in detail, leading to a bidding war breaking out between Sony Pictures animation, Warner Bros and Paramount.

Sony has won the battle for the film,...

Sony Pictures Animation has emerged victorious in a bidding war for a project based on the social media icons known as Emoji. Warner Bros. and Paramount were also vying for the project, but Deadline reports that Sony Pictures Animation was much more aggressive in their pursuit of the animated movie. Anthony Leondis (B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations) is attached to direct and he is co-writing the screenplay with Eric Siegel.

What makes this project unique is there are no underlying rights to purchase, because the Emoji icons are in public domain. There is reportedly another pitch that will be shopped to the studios soon centering on Emoji, but it isn't clear who is behind that project quite yet. No details were given about how the story will be brought to life, but director Anthony Leondis pitched the studios using storyboards that explained how the movie would play out.

Emoji icons...

Sony Pictures Animation has won a heated auction for an animated movie pitch centering on emojis, the ideograms which are a key component of modern day social media correspondence.

Eric Siegel and Anthony Leondis will co-write the project which Leondis ("B.O.O.: Bureau Of Otherworldly Operations") will direct, and the pair have already storyboarded out a bunch of the film as part of the pitch. Sony beat out both Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures for the project.

First hatched in Japan, emojis are now a worldwide phenomenon and - more importantly - aren't copyrighted and thus public domain. There's reportedly another emoji-related pitch about to be shopped around which is why Sony Animation moved so fast on this.

Source: Deadline...

The hilarious Spy, from director Paul Feig, is on track to take the number one spot at this weekend’s box office.

20th Century Fox has announced that their new comedy is currently Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. In honor of opening day, the studio is debuting a new Mondo poster and some fun gifs.

Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) is an unassuming, deskbound CIA analyst, and the unsung hero behind the Agency’s most dangerous missions. But when her partner (Jude Law) falls off the grid and another top agent (Jason Statham) is compromised, she volunteers to go deep undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent a global disaster.

The film also features Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Allison Janney, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and Miranda Hart.

Read Tom Stockman’s review here: http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2015/06/spy-review/

Spy is in theaters now.

McCarthy was recently seen...

DreamWorks Animation has announced plans to reel in is once-ambitious production slate, laying off 500 people and reshuffling its upcoming releases in the process.

First picked up by Variety, the studio’s Company Chief Jeffrey Katzenberg revealed that a string of financial flops — namely Turbo, Peabody & Sherman and the like — caused the the studio to write off more than $290 million, and Katzenberg himself admitted that the goal of releasing three feature films per year proved to be too much.

“I don’t think we ever attained the creative capacity to maintain the highest level of quality while we went for the quantity,” Katzenberg said in an interview with Variety. “We achieved the production capacity but not the creative capacity to do it. We have fallen short on the creative side of it. Making three films a year was too ambitious.”

Such a change of pace will now see DreamWorks Animation focus...

2014 was one of the least interesting years in animation I can remember from a studio perspective. Granted, I didn't see Penguins of Madagascar or The Book of Life, but at the same time I didn't really want to and neither Dreamworks or Fox even bothered sending either film to members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association for consideration for this year's Critics Choice Awards. Yikes, if the studio has that little confidence in the movies what does that say about themc The "best" animated films of the year that I saw were How to Train Your Dragon 2 and, I guess, Big Hero 6, neither of which really moved the dial and the former resulted in Dreamworks scrapping plans for two more Dragon films and deciding a third would suffice. So what do we have to look forward to in 2015c Will the new year be any betterc Well, in...

DreamWorks Animation has delayed their upcoming animated adventure B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations, pushing it from its June 5, 2015 release, although a new date has not been determined. If it would have opened on June 5 next year, it would have gone up against Warner Bros.' Entourage and Focus Features' Insidious Chapter 3.

Here's what a DreamWorks Animation spokesperson had to say about the release date shift.

"Animated features are our most valuable assets and we regularly evaluate how to maximize their value, including determining the most opportune time to release a film."

The move now leaves Dwa with two movies set for release next year, Home (March 27, 2015) and Kung Fu Panda 3 (December 23, 2015). It's possible that the studio may simply move B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations to a fall 2015 release, but that has not been confirmed.

B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations centers on a government organization that uses ghosts to protect humans from being haunted.

While Disney Animation and Pixar carefully release one movie per year, and sometimes not even that (there's no Pixar movie this year and there won't be a Disney Animtion film in 2015), DreamWorks Animation cranks out 2-3 films almost every year.  They had three movies on tap for 2015 with Home, B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations, and Kung Fu Panda 3, but now B.O.O. had been bumped from its June 5, 2015 date.  The film tells the story of a pair of ghosts who go to work for the B.O.O., an organization dedicated to protecting humans from evil spirits.  When the agency comes under attack, the two rookies must work to save the day. Hit the jump for more.  B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations features the voices of Seth Rogen, Melissa McCarthy, Rashida Jones, Octavia Spencer, Matt Bomer, and Bill Murray. Regarding the decision to delay B.O.O., a DreamWorks Animation spokesperson told THR,...

The date of the picture is likely going to change, but no new release date has been set by DreamWorks Animation, sources tell Deadline. The Jeffrey Katzenberg-led toon studio currently has B.O.O.: Bureau Of Otherworldly Operations – which features voice work by Matt Bomer, Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Rashida Jones, Seth Rogen and Octavia Spencer — set for June 5. The potential shift is in line with comments Katzenberg made on a recent earnings call during which he talked about evaluating the release date of each new film individually.

As it stands, Dwa has a pair of pics cemented on its 2015 schedule: Home, topped by Jim Parson, Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez, which is due March 27, and the tentpole threequel Kung Fu Panda 3 with Jack Black and the gang.

The B.O.O. bump comes just as merger talks between Dwa and Hasbro have ended and a week-plus before the November 26 opening...

Focus Features has announced Insidious: Chapter 3 will now open in theaters nationwide on June 5, 2015. The previous date was May 29 and the move will give it a little breathing room between it and Dwayne Johnson’s San Andreas. Other films scheduled to be released the first weekend of June 2015 are Entourage and B.O.O.: Bureau Of Otherworldly Operations (Melissa McCarthy, Bill Murray, Seth Rogen).

The newest chapter in the terrifying horror series is written and directed by franchise co-creator Leigh Whannell.

This chilling prequel, set before the haunting of the Lambert family, reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl (Stefanie Scott) who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.

The film’s cast includes Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, Lin Shaye, Angus Sampson, and Leigh Whannell.

Follow on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsidiousMovie

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When DreamWorks first unveiled its kid-friendly animation B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations, the all-new IP seemed to echo the comic tones of other genre pieces like Men In Black and Ghostbusters — particularly the latter, with Bill Murray himself on board to voice the film’s overarching big bad.

And while we’re a ways away from seeing any footage from the upcoming action comedy, we now know the style of DreamWorks’ latest project thanks to a pre-emptive marketing image courtesy of Amazon.

Going off of face value, the art style of B.O.O. is reminiscent of Nickelodeon’s Jimmy Neutron combined with a dollop of the studio’s other franchises, such as Kung Fu Panda and How To Train Your Dragon.

Perhaps what’s most promising about B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations at this early stage is its eye-catching ensemble cast. Joining the aforementioned Bill Murray are Seth Rogen...

I’ve got a soft spot for cute, pet-like animated characters so when news first broke that DreamWorks Animation was making a movie about a ghost who needs to attend ghost school in order to become a better scarer, I was hooked. However, that was a few years ago and since, the narrative and title of Boo U has changed. Now we’ve got B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations on the way and it tells the story of a pair of ghosts who go to work for the B.O.O., an organization dedicated to protecting humans from evil spirits. The scenario still sounds fun and also has Seth Rogen, Melissa McCarthy, Rashida Jones, Octavia Spencer, Matt Bomer and Bill Murray leading the voice cast, but the very first look at the characters just surfaced and it’s not really what I was hoping for. Hit the jump to check it out.

Ever wonder what Seth Rogen and Melissa McCarthy might look like if they had their own Saturday morning CGI animated TV show? The first look at B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations gives us a pretty good idea, and it seems this DreamWorks Animated adventure isn't straying too far from their everyday appearance. This cute art comes courtesy of Amazon, who bring us the first look at B.O.O. with the cover of a tie-in activity book for kids. Take a look, then read on for a synopsis of the movie that describes both the plot and what this book has to offer:

Short for "Bureau of Otherworldly Operations," B.O.O. introduces children to ghostly adventures in the digital age, as they come along for a spooky ride with the super-classified ghost-busting agency no one has ever heard of and certainly never seen. The agents of B.O.O.

Feature Simon Brew 31 Mar 2014 - 05:42

Blockbuster season is almost upon us, but what will next summer's big hitters be? Here's a roundup

Once upon a time, summer blockbuster season 2015 was set to be packed with the biggest collision of big franchises we'd ever seen together. However, one by one, lots of these films moved away to other dates. As such, you won't be seeing Star Wars: Episode VII, Pirates Of The Caribbean 5, Independence Day 2, Batman Vs Superman or Finding Dory in a cinema next summer.

But even with those films gone, there's still no shortage of huge movies battling for your cash in a year's time. And as is traditional for us at the start of summer blockbuster season, we've taken a look at what's coming up in 12 months' time.

We kick off at the start of April (although note that March has Kenneth Branagh’s live action Cinderella movie,...

Bill Murray to make a rare appearance on the small screen by starring in the HBO mini-series, Olive Kitteridge. Based on Elizabeth Strout’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Olive Kitteridge was adapted by Jane Anderson and will be directed by Lisa Cholodenko (The Kids Are All Right). The story focuses on a retired schoolteacher in a small Maine town and the characters that surround her. The various tales of affairs, suicide, and emotional problems are told through her eyes. Her the jump for more. Deadline reports that Murray will join the Olive Kitteridge mini-series on HBO. Frances McDormand will play the title character, Richard Jenkins plays Olive’s husband, and Murray "is playing Jack Kennison, a local widower whom Kitteridge befriends." John Gallagher Jr., Rosemarie DeWitt, Zoe Kazan, Jesse Plemons, and Cory Michael Smith also star. As for Murray, the veteran just wrapped Ted Melfi's St. Vincent De Van Nuys,...

Benjamin Stockham has been added to the cast of DreamWorks Animation's B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations, the supernatural-themed animated feature. The young actor, whose previous roles include stints on TV's 1600 Penn and Once Upon a Time, joins a voice cast that includes Bill Murray, Jennifer Coolidge, Octavia Spencer, Seth Rogen, Melissa McCarthy, Rashida Jones and Matt Bomer. Stockham will voice a character named Henry. Story: Bill Murray Joins Dwa's 'B.O.O.' According to Dwa, the story "follows two bumbling apparitions who find themselves in an extraordinary afterlife adventure when they join the Bureau

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Bill Murray may not be joining the Ghostbusters gang anytime soon for that third movie that doesn't seem to be going anywhere, but it doesn't mean he's done with the supernatural genre. The actor has just joined the voice cast of a new DreamWorks animated film called B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations. He'll play a villainous ghost named Addison Drake.

Also joining the cast are Jennifer Coolidge as Carol Sue, a bubbly transitions-relations officer and Octavia Spencer as the tough as nails Sr. B.O.O. officer, Captain Book. The trio will join the previously announced Seth Rogen, Melissa McCarthy, Rashida Jones, and Matt Bomer.

This supernatural action comedy is based on an original idea from director Tony Leondis, and the story follows "two bumbling apparitions who find themselves in an extraordinary after-life adventure when they join the Bureau of Otherworldly Operations (B.O.O.) – the ghost world’s elite...

Ghost stories will never be the same again … Just in time for Halloween, DreamWorks Animation has a big treat for audiences: legendary funny man Bill Murray will join the all-star cast of B.O.O.: Bureau Of Otherworldly Operations as villainous ghost, Addison Drake.

Jennifer Coolidge, best known for her role as Stifler’s mom in American Pie will play Carol Sue, a bubbly transitions-relations officer and Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer will play the tough as nails Sr. B.O.O. officer, Captain Book.

The trio will join the previously announced Seth Rogen, Melissa McCarthy, Rashida Jones and Matt Bomer in this original film set to be released by Twentieth Century Fox on June 5, 2015.

“Bill Murray is the perfect actor to bring this character to life – or should I say ‘after-life?” said Director Tony Leondis. “Along with Jennifer and Octavia, this is a dream cast. I can’t imagine a team...

Bill Murray may be holding up the long talked about Ghostbusters III, but he's more than happy joining the spirit realm in the most kid-friendly way possible with the announcement of B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations.

In the flick Murray (pictured) will play a villainous ghost; Jennifer Coolidge will play Carol Sue, a bubbly transitions-relations officer; and Octavia Spencer will play a tough as nails senior B.O.O. officer, Captain Book. Seth Rogen, Melissa McCarthy, Rashida Jones, and Matt Bomer also star in this original film set to be released by Dreamworks Animation and Twentieth Century Fox on June 5, 2015.

Based on an original idea by Tony Leondis (Igor), who is also directing, the film is produced by Maryann Garger (Flushed Away) with a screenplay written by Tom Wheeler (Puss in Boots).

Synopsis

This supernatural action comedy follows two bumbling apparitions who find themselves in an extraordinary after-life adventure when...

Channing Tatum is lining up another producing project, and this time he’ll star as well. THR reports that Tatum is in talks to produce and star in Bad Romance for MGM, with 50/50 and Warm Bodies helmer Jonathan Levine set to write and direct. Details on the film are not given, but if it’s anything like Levine’s previous work it’ll be a swell blend of humor, drama, and of course, romance. Tatum is currently busy filming the comedy sequel 22 Jump Street and has a range of roles on the horizon. Next year he’ll be seen in Lana and Andy Wachowski’s sci-fi epic Jupiter Ascending, Bennett Miller’s real-life drama Foxcatcher, and the excellent-looking animated pic The Lego Movie. Hit the jump for casting news concerning a comedy legend joining DreamWorks Animation’s B.O.O. Additionally, Variety reports that Bill Murray will voice the villain...

Ghost stories will never be the same again... Just in time for Halloween, DreamWorks Animation has a big treat for audiences: legendary funny man Bill Murray will join the all-star cast of B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations as villainous ghost, Addison Drake. Jennifer Coolidge, best known for her role as Stifler's mom in American Pie will play Carol Sue, a bubbly transitions-relations officer and Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer will play the tough as nails Sr. B.O.O. officer, Captain Book. The trio will join the previously announced Seth Rogen, Melissa McCarthy, Rashida Jones and Matthew Bomer in this original film set to be released by Twentieth Century Fox on June 5, 2015.

Here's what director Anthony Leondis had to say about the new casting additions.

"Bill Murray is the perfect actor to bring this character to life - or should I say 'after-life? Along with Jennifer and Octavia, this is a dream cast.

Bill Murray has joined the voice cast of B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations, DreamWorks Animation’s latest production. Jennifer Coolidge and Octavia Spencer also are boarding the project, which already counts Seth Rogen, Melissa McCarthy, Rashida Jones and Matt Bomer among its voice cast. According to Dwa, B.O.O. is a “supernatural action comedy [that] follows two bumbling apparitions who find themselves in an extraordinary afterlife adventure when they join the Bureau of Otherworldly Operations (B.O.O.) -- the ghost world’s elite counter-haunting unit -- and ultimately must face off against the planet’s greatest haunter.” Murray will voice

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Though it already boasts the tonsil talents of Seth Rogen and Melissa McCarthy, two people proven to be thoroughly funny, DreamWorks Animation isn’t stopping there with regards to B.O.O.: Bureau Of Otherworldly Operations. The company has announced via Twitter that Bill Murray, Octavia Spencer and Jennifer Coolidge are now among the cast.Billed as a supernatural action comedy, the new film finds a pair of bumbling ghosts (Rogen and McCarthy) who join the Bureau and do their best to take down evil spirits. A real threat emerges when they must tackle the Most Wanted Haunter.Murray is set to play a villainous spirit called Addison Drake, while Spencer is the no-nonsense Captain Book and Coolidge is ditzy transitions-relations officer Carol Sue. They join an ensemble that also includes Rashida Jones and Matt Bomer.Tony Leonidis is directing from a script by Tom Wheeler. “Bill Murray is the perfect actor...

Matthew Bomer and Rashida Jones have joined the voice cast of DreamWorks Animation's upcoming animated comedy B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations.

Seth Rogen stars as a amateur ghost named Jackson Moss, who works for the Bureau of Otherworldly Operations. The top-secret government agency is staffed with ghosts and is dedicated to protecting humans from evil hauntings. He and his partner Watts (Melissa McCarthy) uncover a plot to destroy the agency and go on a mission to take down the agency's Most Wanted Haunter and save the world.

Rashida Jones will be voicing the role of Seth Rogen's ex-wife with Matthew Bomer playing her new husband. Anthony Leondis is directing from a script by Tom Wheeler. Maryann Garger will be producing.

No production schedule has been released.

B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations comes to theaters June 5th, 2015 and stars Seth Rogen, Melissa McCarthy. The film is directed by Anthony Leondis.

As is typical for animated movies these days, DreamWorks’ B.O.O.: Bureau Of Otherworldly Operations has been through several versions on its way to the screen. Once called Boo U, the film already has Seth Rogen and Melissa McCarthy on board to lend their voices, and Rashida Jones and Matt Bomer are new recruits.With a plot that sounds spookily similar to recent live-action adventure comedy R.I.P.D., the new ‘toon follows operatives from the eponymous Bureau, which handles ghost activity in the world and keeps humanity safe from evil hauntings. Their job becomes trickier when the Most Wanted Haunter plots to destroy the agency. Rogen will be Jackson Moss, who partners with McCarthy’s Watts to fight the evil plan.Jones is set to voice Moss’ ex-wife, while Bomer will be her new husband, an annoyingly perfect stepfather to his son. Anthony Leonidis is directing, working from a script by Tom Wheeler.

She’s been appearing in lots of films this year, from Identity Thief to This Is 40 and even The Hangover Part III. But for a future project, Melissa McCarthy will only be heard, as she’s signed to voice DreamWorks Animation’s B.O.O.: Bureau Of Otherworldly Operations.Given the lead time on animated movies, she’s probably been at work on the thing for a while, but we now know she’s playing Watts, the partner to fellow spook Jackson Moss (Seth Rogen). The bureau of the title handles ghost activity in the world and keeps humanity safe from evil hauntings. Their job becomes trickier when the Most Wanted Haunter plots to destroy the agency.Yes, it sounds a little close to the concept for R.I.P.D. (itself feeling awfully similar to Men In Black), but the combo of Rogen and McCarthy as wacky ghost cops is appealing.

Melissa McCarthy has signed on to voice star opposite Seth Rogen in DreamWorks Animation’s B.O.O. (Bureau of Otherworldly Operations), THR has confirmed. Anthony Leondis, who directed and co-wrote the 2008 animated movie Igor, is helming the project, which is based on his original idea. Photos: Revenge of the Over-40 Actress: 10 A-Listers Whose Clout (and Salaries) Are Skyrocketing According to Dwa, “B.O.O. (Bureau of Otherworldly Operations) is the superclassified agency you've never heard of and certainly never seen. Dedicated to protecting humans from evil hauntings, the agents of B.O.O. have a

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Now here's something I don't see ever day - three movies have all had their release dates adjusted... by being moved up so that they can be seen sooner, rather than being delayed. It's weird.  Perhaps there's something otherworldly going on here.  Good thing then that I can check out B.O.O.: Bureau Of Otherworldly Operations starring Seth Rogen over a month earlier on September 25th, 2015 rather than its original release date of November 6th, 2015. Of course, when I go to...

DreamWorks Animation is known for being prolific, but the studio has just announced a massive 12-picture slate that runs through 2016. Here’s a brief look: The Croods – March 22nd, 2013 Turbo – July 19th, 2013 Mr. Peabody & Sherman – November 1st, 2013 Me and My Shadow – March 14th, 2014 How to Train Your Dragon 2 – June 20th, 2014 Happy Smekday! – November 26th, 2014 The Penguins of Madagascar – March 27th, 2015 Trolls (working title) – June 5th, 2015 B.O.O: Bureau of Otherworldy Operations – November 6th, 2015 Mumbai Musical (working title) – December 19th, 2015 Kung Fu Panda 3 – March 16th, 2016 How to Train Your Dragon 3 – June 18th, 2016 Hit the jump for more details on this ambitious line-up of animated films. This release slate announcement comes on the heels of the news that DreamWorks Animation struck a distribution deal with 20th Century Fox, who will handle the studio’s films after Dwa’s contract with Paramount Pictures expires at the end of this year. This November...

Toronto -- Kicking off their new partnership in high style, 20th Century Fox has dated a dozen DreamWorks Animation movies through the middle of 2016 -- marking the most ambitious slate for an animation house in Hollywood history. The 12 DWA films include newly announced B.O.O: Bureau of Otherwordly Operations, set to hit theaters on Nov. 6, 2015, and How to Train Your Dragon 3, dated for June 18, 2016, and returning Dean DeBlois in the directors' chair. The Seth Rogen-voiced Bureau of Otherworldly Operations is based on an original idea by Tony Leondis (Igor), who is directing the ghost pic. It is produced by Maryann Garger (Flushed Away) and the

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FilmNation Entertainment has acquired the feature film rights to the popular children's book A Tale Dark & Grimm by author Adam Gidwitz. FilmNation will partner with Marissa McMahon of Kamala Films to finance the development and produce alongside FilmNation Entertainment's Aaron Ryder and Karen Lunder. Jon Gunn (Mercy Streets, My Date With Drew) and John Mann (Mercy Streets) are confirmed to adapt the screenplay.

Currently in development, the live action feature film will be based on Gidwitz's original frightening and witty stories. Inspired by some of Grimm's more gruesome tales, the story follows the adventures of two unsuspecting children who hold the key to breaking out of the dark ages.

FilmNation Entertainment's Aaron Ryder said: "We have been searching for distinctive source material for our first family project. We found this in Gidwitz's witty manuscript and look forward to nurturing the project with our partners at Kamala Films."

Currently,...

Seth Rogen will attend a school for ghosts in DreamWorks Animation's Boo U. He'll voice the lead character, a ghost who goes back to school to get better at his craft of being scary.

Rogen is a popular choice for animated movies: he's voiced characters in Monsters vs. Aliens, Horton Hears a Who, Kung Fu Panda, and The Spiderwick Chronicles. He'll be heard in 2011's Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom.

Source: Heatvision...

Seth Rogen may want to get all these roles lined up while people still care, because I've got a feeling they won't sooner than later. With animation, you can last a little longer than in live action because even the stars aren't really the "stars," but I do wonder if The Green Hornet will prop him back up or be the first spade of dirt thrown.

Heat Vision reports that DreamWorks has signed up Rogen for their fourth go-round together. He was B.O.B. in Monsters vs. Aliens, most notably, and he's Mantis in Kung Fu Panda and its upcoming sequel. Now he'll play "a ghost who must return to ghost school to learn how to be a better spook" in Boo U.

I think I liked part of this concept more when it was Monsters, Inc.

Seth Rogen has been signed to lend his voice to the lead character in DreamWorks Animation’s Boo U., a story about a ghost sent back to haunting school.

According to THR, the 3D project is being directed by Tony Leondis (Igor).

Not much of a stretch for the studio (we’ve all seen Pixar’s Monsters Inc.) or Rogen, who apparently loves doing voiceover work.

The 28-year-old actor has already voiced characters in DreamWorks’ Monsters vs. Aliens, Kung Fu Panda, and Shrek the Third, as well as Blue Sky’s Horton Hears a Who and an animated character in The Spiderwick Chronicles. On top of that, he’s the voice of the titular alien in Greg Mottola’s upcoming comedy, Paul. Somehow, Rogen has simultaneously made a career out of goofy cartoon characters and live-action guys who can comically deliver a string of expletives.

Seth Rogen, who provided his voice for DreamWorks Animation movies "Monsters vs Aliens" and "Kung Fu Panda" is re-teaming with the studio to voice the lead character in "Boo U." The comic story centers on a ghost who must return to ghost school to learn how to be a better spook. The film will be in 3D and directed by Tony Leondis (Igor). Is it the studio's answer to Pixar's "Monsters, Inc"? Rogen's voice is in high-demand these days. He recently recorded for "Horton Hears a Who" and for "The Spiderwick Chronicles." He also voices the alien in Simon Pegg's "Paul."...

Using Seth Rogen as a voice actor is one of those gloriously counter-intuitive decisions that's almost but not quite as inexplicable as using Jerry Seinfeld's nasal voice in Bee Movie. Obviously Rogen's roles in Dreamworks' Kung Fu Panda and Monsters Vs. Aliens were both not leading men and Seinfeld's in Bee Movie was played for yuks but think about it--these guys are being paid as "voice talents." I mean, Rogen sounds like the lead singer of a certain hardcore band whose name rhymes with "Bucked Pup" (don't believe me? I dare you to listen to track 2 on The Chemistry of Common Life and not think of Seth Rogen. I double dare you.).

Well apparently Rogen is lending his "voice talents" to a new Dreamworks animated movie to be helmed by Igor director Tony Leondis called Boo U. The Holly wood Reporter's Heat Vision Blog reports that, as the title suggests,...

Having already voiced Mantis in Kung Fu Panda and B.O.B. in Monsters vs. Aliens, THR are reporting that Dreamworks Animation are hitting up Seth Rogen to yet again voice a character in their new animated movie Boo U.

The actor is to voice the lead character – a spook who must return to school to improve his ghostly skills – in the film directed by Tony Leondis, who was previously responsible for MGM’s CG animated movie Igor (did anyone actually go see that?)

Rogen is also reprising his role as Mantis in Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom, which Dreamworks are set to release in summer 2011.

Seth Rogen is no stranger to voice roles in animated movies and TV shows. The typically comedic actor's distinct vocal talents can be heard in movies like Monsters vs. Aliens, Horton Hears A Who!, Kung Fu Panda, Shrek the Third, The Spiderwick Chronicles, and TV shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Dad.

A couple of his previous works are through DreamWorks Animation, and the studio seems to have a thing for Rogen. It's been announced that the actor will now be voicing the lead role in an upcoming DreamWorks production, Boo U.

Rogen will play a ghost who isn't very good at being spooky, and as is such, he must return to Boo University (it's assumed; maybe Boo U. is just a nickname and not the literal name), a school to help and train ghosts to be the best spooks they can be.

Boo U. will be directed by Tony Leondis,...

After working with the studio as a supporting player on two past projects, DreamWorks Animation has picked Seth Rogen as the star for Boo U. The 3D 'toon, which is tentatively scheduled for release sometime in 2012 or '13, sees Rogen playing a spirit that is enrolled in a supernatural school for spooks. There his character has to learn better ways to haunt the living. So it's Casper meets Dangerous Minds?

Rogen's got an established history with Dwa so giving him his own animated movie to frontline isn't that much of a leap. He gave his voice to Mantis in Kung-Fu Panda and will reprise the character in the sequel and last year he played B.O.B. in Monsters vs. Aliens. Rogen was also a character in Horton Hears a Who! so making money from doing a 'toon is becoming his second job after live-action projects.

Boo U. was announced...

The perpetually busy Seth Rogen just lined up his next gig. He'll voice the lead character in DreamWorks Animation's "Boo U.," The Hollywood Reporter reveals. The character isn't named, but he'll play a ghost who is sent back to school because he's no good at scaring little kids. Sounds like "Monsters Inc." with a "Back to School" twist.

Rogen is no stranger to animated features. He voiced Mantis in "Kung Fu Panda" -- another DreamWorks joint -- a role to which he'll be returning for next summer's "Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom." More recently, Rogen voiced the blob creature B.O.B. in "Monsters & Aliens." "Lilo & Stitch 2" and "Igor" director Tony Leondis will helm the flick, which will hit screens in 3-D. No release date is listed.

Lining up another animated feature to lend his voice to, Seth Rogen has signed up to play the lead in Dreamworks school for ghouls pic, Boo U.

So far we’ve heard Rogen in Kung Fu Panda, The Spiderwick Chronicles and Monster Vs. Aliens among others and this new comedy from Igor director Tony Leondis has a dash of Monster Inc about it, as according to HeatVision

The comic story centers on a ghost who must return to ghost school to learn how to be a better spook.

In a high concept animation like this the script is of great importance, and Jon Vitti has an impressive background in TV, including King of the Hill and The Simpsons as well as acting as a story consultant on Horton Hears a Who! which also starred Rogen.

We’re all looking forward to seeing Rogen in Michel Gondry’s Green Hornet which is due out next year.

DreamWorks Animation has cast Seth Rogen in the lead role of a new animated film they are developing called Boo U. 

The story is a comedy that revolves around a ghost who must return to ghost school to learn how to be a better ghost.

It's no surprise that the film will be in 3D, and it's set to be directed by Tony Leondis, who directed the animated film Igor, which I never saw.

This isn't the first time Rogen has worked with the studio, he lent his voice to characters in both Monster vs. Aliens and Kung Fu Panda, but this new film will be his first lead role in an animated movie with the studio. 

Only time will tell if DreamWorks has another another hit or miss on their hands.

DreamWorks continues to keep Seth Rogen at a close distance, scooping him up for the lead role in their upcoming production called "Boo U." Anthony Leondis, director of "Lilo & Stitch 2" and "Igor", is taking on the animated feature. The story is set on a ghost (Rogen) who is ineffective at haunting the living is sent back to school, where he learns how to become a scary spirit. Yes, if you didn't guess it already, this film will be presented in 3D, just like every other animated feature.Of course this isn't the first time that Rogen lent his voice to an animated film, especially for DreamWorks. He was Mantis in "Kung Fu Panda" and the oozing B.O.B. in "Monsters vs. Aliens". Right now Rogen's latest, and ridiculously delayed, film "The Green Hornet" will be in theaters on January 14th, 2011.Source: Heat Vision Blog...

Seth Rogen will voice Boo U.Heat Vision is reporting that DreamWorks Animation has tapped Seth Rogen (The Green Hornet) to voice the lead character in their film Boo U.

The story follows a ghost who isn't very good at his job so he must go back to school to become better at it.

Rogen also provided voices for Monsters vs. Aliens and Kung Fu Panda.

Tony Leondis (Igor) is directing this 3D project.

DreamWorks Animation has signed Seth Rogen to voice the lead character in Boo U, a computer animated film which asks what ghosts think about humans. The film tells the story of a ghost who is bad at his job and must return to ghost school to learn how to become a better spook. Jon Vitti, who was a writer on The Simpsons and King of the Hill, is working on the screenplay. And the film will be directed by Tony Leondis, the filmmaker behind the forgettable Weinstein Co animated comedy Igor and the not-so-great direct to video sequel Lilo & Stitch 2. Pixar had A Bugs Life, Dreamworks had Ants. Pixar released Finding Nemo, and Dreamworks made A Shark's Tale, Pixar created The Incredibles, and in 2010 Dreamworks will release their own superhero film Oobermind. Could Boo U. be Dreamworks Animation's attempt at trying to replicate some of the story elements ...

At this point, Seth Rogen is a bona fide voice actor: he’s been the pipes behind animated characters in Shrek the Third, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Horton Hears a Who, Kung Fu Panda, Monsters vs. Aliens, and the upcoming Simon Pegg/Nick Frost comedy Paul. Now DreamWorks Animation has signed Rogen to voice the lead ghost in Boo U. According to Heat Vision, “the comic story centers on a ghost who must return to ghost school to learn how to be a better spook.” Tony Leondis (Igor) is on board as director.

Rogen will next be seen in live-action form in the Michel Gondry’s 3D The Green Hornet (January 14, 2011). His gruff voice can soon be heard again in the aforementioned Paul (March 18, 2011) and Kung Fu Panda 2 (May 26, 2011).

Back in 2006, Universal Pictures was working with director Tom Shadyac (Bruce Almighty) to turn the Magic 8 Ball toy into a romantic comedy. Nothing came of that. Now that every single toy is being turned into a feature film (Battleship, Ouija Board), Paramount Pictures has decided that it's the perfect time for a Magic 8 Ball movie. The studio separated from Shadyac and assigned its former production chief Brad Weston to head up the project. NY Magazine has learned that the plan is to turn the Magic 8 Ball into an action-adventure movie similar to "National Treasure." And Weston has already hired screenwriters Jon Gunn and John Mann (Mercy Streets, Boo U.) to pen the script. For those not familiar with the toy, it is basically an over-sized black-and-white billiard ball that gives one of twenty alternately affirmative, negative, or noncommittal answers.

Just when you thought Hollywood had decided to rein in some of these insanely idiotic toy and board game movie announcements, Paramount and Mattel have gone ahead and dreamed up another winner. According to Deadline New York [1], the two companies have worked out a deal to give the Magic 8 Ball toy its very own feature film. Jon Gunn and John Mann (Boo U.) will write the script, which is being described as a "live action adventure film." The first thing that comes to mind in thinking about this project is that it would actually make a perfect double bill with the upcoming Platinum Dunes Ouija Board movie (which, it was recently revealed, will be more action-adventure than horror [2]). Obviously they are both playthings that involve mystical prognostications, although one communicates with spirits while the other simply offers one of 20 pre-defined predictions. I'll spare you the jokes about the film's outlook,...

There really isn't any more appropriate time to say "jump the shark" or the more recent incarnation "nuke the fridge", as Paramount is really taking things too far with this Hollywood obsession of adapting toys into feature length films. Vulture reports that the studio responsible for toy-based movies Transformers and G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra is scraping the bottom of the barrel in their preparation of a live-action adventure film based around Mattel's divination driven toy The Magic 8 Ball, a hollow, plastic sphere that upon being shaken offers affirmative, negative or non-committal answers to questions courtesy of a 20-sided die inside. Jon Gunn & John Mann (who are currently writing Boo U., a film about a ghost who's sent to school to learn how to become a more frightening specter) will be scripting this action adventure flick that will be crafted in the same vein as National Treasure. Maybe the...