'Toy Story That Time Forgot' SDCC News

Some big news regarding Pixar's upcoming television special, Toy Story That Time Forgot, have been revealed this past week at San Diego Comic Con 2014. Steve Purcell (director), Galyn Susman (producer), Derek Thomson (head of story),  Kristen Schaal (voice of Trixie), and Michael Giacchino (composer) were all at the panel to show fans a behind-the-scenes look at storyboards, concept art, video clips, and other tidbits about Toy Story That Time Forgot. 

A selfie featuring the Toy Story That Time Forgot crew at SDCC.

Here's a sneak peak at what the film is about (from HitFlix.com): When Bonnie’s friend Mason gets the latest interactive video game system for Christmas, all of his other toys fall to the wayside…including a complete set of Battlesaurs that were also part of his Christmas haul. As yet unplayed with, these armored dinosaurs have no idea they are toys…instead convinced they are a hierarchal society inhabiting a hostile planet. The half hour special stars triceratops Trixie and her quest to finally get to be a dinosaur. While Trixie (Kristen Schaal) is falling for charismatic leader Reptillus Maximus (Kevin McKidd) and Rex is finally getting the opposable thumbs he deserves, the rest of the team is sent to the Arena of Woe to await death is glorious gladiatorial battle at the hands of the Skeksis inspired Cleric.

First official image from Toy Story That Time Forgot.
Look at the Christmas Tree-shaped spears!

New characters include Angel Kitty, an adorable Christmas ornament who's voiced by Joan Cusack. Reptillus Maximus; ign describes him as a nice version of 'Beauty and the Beast's' Gaston. He's got skills, he's handsome, he's charming and witty, and he seems to have a crush on Trixie.  The Cleric, he's the leader and spiritual adviser of the Battlesaurs. Ray-Gon is the most intelligent of the group. He's also a scientist (he has two brains)! Goliathon is a Godzilla-looking tough dino toy. He's kept as a fighting beast for the Arena of Woe. There are also different groups of warriors; the Elysian guards are dazzling female Battlesaurs with karate fighting talents, Raptorians are the 'Stormtrooper' type warriors, and lastly there are the Brutes. These guys are the dumbest and slowest of the Battlesaurs.

Check out images from the event below:

Images courtesy of munchanka (Austin Madison, Pixar story artist).

Watch the video of the event below (Inside the Magic):

Toy Story That Time Forgot premieres this December 2nd (8:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on ABC!

First Poster For 'Toy Story That Time Forgot'

Even though there's no Pixar movie scheduled for 2014, that doesn't mean we won't get any Pixar films. So far this year we've gotten to see Oozma Kappa steal the party in the hilarious short, Party Central, and Lightning McQueen take on Baja racers in The Radiator Springs 500 ½. But the highlight for this year will be Pixar's second television special, Toy Story That Time Forgot. Check out the poster for the film below:

Exclusive copies of this poster will be
given away today at SDCC.

Pixar had this to say on Twitter with the release of the poster: Want a piece of the action (figures)? The poster for Toy Story That Time Forgot, a new ABC holiday special, is here. Not really the kind of poster one would expect for a Christmas special, with all the dark dinosaurs and action figures. Also, check out this banner from San Diego Comic Con of Toy Story That Time Forgot: 

From @cathicks Twitter Account.

Here's the official synopsis for the film: During a post-Christmas play date, the 'Toy Story' gang find themselves in uncharted territory when the coolest set of action figures ever turn out to be dangerously delusional. It’s all up to Trixie, the triceratops, if the gang hopes to return to Bonnie’s room in this ‘Toy Story That Time Forgot.’ All the actors for the Toy Story gang will return to voice your favorite characters including a new addition, Kevin McKidd, who will lend his voice to an action figure named Reptillus Maximus. The TV special is directed by Steve Purcell (Co-director of Brave.) and produced by Galyn Susman (Toy Story of TERROR!).

Toy Story That Time Forgot will air this holiday season on ABC.

First Image From 'Lava'

Meet Uku, Pixar's newest character. Uku is a mountain who is “crusty and prone to eruptions, but (he has) a warm core underneath." He's a volcano from Lava, Pixar's next theatrical short film. Lava a seven-minute musical love story starring Uku (seen below) and Lele. The film is inspired by the beauty of tropical islands and the explosive allure of ocean volcanoes. 

Image from Lava

James Ford Murphy, the director of Lava, said that he thought it would be cool to fall in love with a place who is also a character. He goes on to say: "This whole story has been an exercise in contrast. Volcanoes are so destructive, but they're so creative. They’re so powerful in their eruptions but they’re so peaceful."

For this musical love story, James Murphy wrote a Hawaiian-inspired song for the Ukelele. The song is sung by Kuana Torres Kahele and Napua Greig. According to Pixar Post, the music goes for the same emotional feeling as Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

Lava will premiere at the Hiroshima International Animation Festival next month, and arrives in theaters on June 19, 2015 before Inside Out.

(Source: The LA Times)

Concept Art for 'Inside Out'

Pixar's next movie, Inside Out, is getting a lot of positive feedback from people who have seen footage of the film at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. At the festival, director Pete Docter shared with the audience his inspirations for Inside Out, showed off some animation tests of the main characters, and revealed concept art of the Headquarters. In the image below, you can see Joy in Riley's mind (the Headquarters) managing a control board to obtain Riley's memories.

Image Source: D23

Here is the synopsis for Inside Out: Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it's no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley's main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.

The Official logo for Inside Out that was revealed at the Annecy Film Festival.
Image Source: D23

Inside Out is in theaters next year on June 19.

'Lava' Will Premiere in Front of 'Inside Out'

Pixar's Facebook profile just revealed that the short film to play before Inside Out is titled, Lava. They described the short as a musical love story inspired by the beauty of tropical islands and the explosive allure of ocean volcanoes. Lava is directed by James Ford Murphy (animator at Pixar since A Bug's Life) and produced by Andrea Warren (production manager on WALL-E and Brave). Pixar also posted an image of a poster for the film:

Lava was first rumored when Animated Views discovered that the short was included in a list of upcoming Pixar films in the LinkedIn profile of Pixar layout artist Shaun Seong-Young Kim, but the short was not confirmed until today.

Pixar also posted a picture of Pete Docter (director of Monsters Inc., Up, and Inside Out) with the words: Pete Docter would like to share a little Joy with you. Inside Out opens in theaters one year from today!

Watch Lava in front of Inside Out on June 19, 2015!