The World Only Needs One Endangered Species Animated Film, Says Pixar
If you are a fan of Pixar, you might recall that in 2008 the studio announced an exciting 3-D love story called Newt that would hit theaters in the summer of 2011. But the project, about the last remaining blue-footed newts on the planet, mysteriously disappeared from the studio's production schedule and finally, Pixar's CEO is ready to explain why.
Speaking to IGN.com, Pixar Chief Creative Office John Lasseter explained that the studio never ended up making the film because "its story was very similar to a movie that's out in theaters right now with a blue parrot. Oh my! Wow, we were like ... no, there was no ... great minds think alike, I guess. It was really pretty similar."
Of course, Lasseter refers to Fox's Rio which was released April 15 and has grossed over $100 million already. Strangely enough, Rio (which Movieline reviewed here) tells the tale of the world's last male Macaw (voiced by Jesse Eisenberg) who -- with the help of his owner (Leslie Mann) -- must find and mate with the last female Macaw (Anne Hathaway) to save the species.
Eerily enough, Newt would have followed the last two blue-footed newts as they are forced together by science and expected to overcome their own differences so that they can mate and save their species.
Lasseter clarified that the project has only been shelved with the possibility of being produced in the future -- but do you think this is a tale worth retelling?
· Pixar on Newt: Blame It on Rio? [IGN]
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Comments
I'm positive the pixar film would have been a hundred times better than the borefest that is rio. I hope they produce it some day.
I guess that puts to rest who came up with the idea of an 'ant movie' first then.
I think Pixar could come back around to it and do something very unique with the concept. I would much rather see them do a movie with a similar idea (let's face it, there aren't really any more original ideas), than become a studio that grinds out sequels.
And by the way, A Bug's Life and Antz were both very entertaining.
they can change the color of the newt
At least tell us who you wanted to cast!
It takes Pixar 4 years to produce a film. They were bought by Disney in 2008. So that means Newt would have been the last film Disney had influence over. I find it surprising that they canceled Newt and went with Cars 2, if I'm not mistaken. Pixar will never be the same. I really believe that from here on out, it will never be what it used to be.
But that is what happens in life. Everything changes. In 5 years, film may not even show up in theaters. Things change.
Actually, Pixar did come up with A Bugs Life first. It was originally called simply "Bugs", I can't remember all of the names, but I believe it was Laseter who was talking about "Bugs" with a friend who ended up taking over at Dreamworks and decided to make Antz because he was pissed at Disney for firing him or something. You can find the story online or in books about Pixar.
Pixar's movie would have undoubtedly been better than Rio, but that's just the way the cookie crumbles. They may give the story new life in the future, but they will definitely be making other films, so I don't worry. Unfortunately, as they have officially aligned themselves with Disney for the rest of eternity, they will also be making sequel after sequel. I just hope this doesn't prevent them from making excellent new and unique pictures as well.
Thanks-a-mundo for the article post.Much thanks again. Fantastic.