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Sony Unveils Plans for Animated ‘Spider-Man’ and ‘Emojimovie: Express Yourself’

Also: Genndy Tartakovsky is returning to helm the company’s 'Hotel Transylvania 3.'

ByBorys Kit

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Borys Kit

Senior Film Writer

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June 20, 2016 2:00pm

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BobPersichetti, the animator who served as head of story forPuss in Bootsand The Little Prince, will direct Sony Pictures Animation’sSpider-Man animated movie, whileGenndyTartakovsky is returning to helm the company’sHotel Transylvania 3.

At the same time, SPA is moving into television production and will produce a newGhostbusters television series titledGhostbuster:Ecto Force.

The moves are part of major ramping up of SPA that is planning on releasing five movies through 2018 while also producing three TV series (including theGhostbusters show) and one direct-to-video.

The new slate is the work of KristineBelson, who took over the top spot of SPA in January 2015.

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“We are meaningfully stepping up our level of production, while creating an environment that fosters the best talent,”Belson said Monday in a statement. “Our goal is to enlarge our presence in the animation landscape with a uniquely diverse slate, and our strategy to get there is to let artists drive the movies creatively.”

Perhaps the most anticipated movie on SPA’s slate is the animatedSpider-Man, set for release on Dec. 21, 2018. The project has a script by Phil Lord, half theLego Movie team that also includes partner Chris Miller. The two also are producing withAviArad and Amy Pascal.

The company was mum on rumors that the new film will focus on Miles Morales, the character that is half-black and half-Hispanic who was introduced several years ago as a new Spider-Man.

Tartakovskyhelmed the first two installments of theTransylvania series, which proved hits with audiences and gave SPA a franchise to call its own.

“I thought I was done exploring the world ofHotel Transylvania after the first two films, but while I was away from the franchise finishing my TV showSamurai Jack, an idea sparked that I got really excited about and made it irresistible to return and helm myself this third adventure,” saidTartakovsky.

Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez and AndySamberg are returning as the respective voices of Dracula, his vampire daughter Mavis and her human husband Johnny in a tale written by MichaelMcCullers (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me).

First up on the slate, however, isSmurfs: The Lost Village, the first fully animated take on thePeyo-created creatures. (The otherSmurfs movies were CGI/live-action hybrids.) Kelly Asbury is directing the feature that is scheduled to be released April 7, 2017, and has DemiLovato voicingSmurfette.

Next will comeEmojimovie: Express Yourself, targeting an August 2017 release, followed byThe Star, formerly titledThe Lamb. The latter is a faith-based story about “a small but brave donkey and his animal friends [who] become the unsung heroes of the greatest story ever told, the first Christmas.”DeVon Franklin, a producer who focuses on faith-based movies, as well as Lisa Henson and Brian Henson are executive producing. 

SPA’s television slate includes aCloudy With a Chance of Meatballs series and aHotel Transylvania series, produced in partnership with Canada’s animation powerhouseNelvana, focusing on the teenage years of Dracula’s daughter Mavis and her friends. It will air on the Disney Channel worldwide sometime in 2017.

Ecto Force is part of Sony’sGhostbusters cinematic universe and an expansion of the property into various realms following the rollout of this summer’s all-female reboot of the original 1984pic. Described as “younger-skewing,” the show will focus on “a new generation ofGhostbusters in the year 2050 who capture ghosts around the world with help from local teams — and some very cool gear!” It is targeting an early 2018 debut.

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