Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into Hasbro’s “Transformers: The Apology Tour,” marking 40 years since Transformers: The Movie traumatized a generation by killing Optimus Prime. They also look at Peter Cullen’s final performance as the Autobot leader, his lesser-known Disney animation work, and Jim Cummings’ pointed reaction to the latest class of Disney Legends. Plus, there’s animation news from DreamWorks, Netflix and Laika, along with a box-office milestone for Coyote vs. Acme.

HIGHLIGHTS

• DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island heads to theaters on September 25 as the studio previews an extended opening sequence.

• Netflix keeps KPop Demon Hunters in the spotlight with new General Mills cereals while unveiling the trailer for its Cinderella-inspired animated musical Steps.

• Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn is headed to Netflix in December, while Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory is slated for a theatrical run before its 2027 streaming debut.

• Coyote vs. Acme crosses $50 million at the domestic box office, passing the reported price Ketchup Entertainment paid for its distribution rights.

• Hasbro’s “Transformers: The Apology Tour” revisits the still-infamous death of Optimus Prime in the 1986 animated feature.

• The 40th-anniversary theatrical release pairs Transformers: The Movie with the new CG short Optimus Prime: Awakening, featuring Peter Cullen’s final performance as Optimus Prime.

• Jim and Drew trace Cullen’s Disney animation history, including his work as Eeyore and the original voice of Monterey Jack on Chip ’n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers.

• Jim Cummings’ reaction to the latest Disney Legends ceremony sparks a larger discussion about who the honor should recognize.

• Laika releases the final trailer for Wildwood ahead of its October theatrical debut, with Drew’s The Art of Wildwoodarriving from Rizzoli Universe.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com

• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored - Instagram: @drewtailored - drewtaylor.work

FOLLOW

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews

• YouTube: @jimhillmedia

• TikTok: @jimhillmedia

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey

Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

SPONSOR

Planning a Disney or Universal Orlando vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the details that make vacation planning easier, all at no additional cost to you. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com to start planning your next getaway.

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Jim Hill and Drew Taylor kick things off with Drew’s behind-the-scenes perspective on moderating the press day for DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island, the studio’s Filipino mythology-inspired adventure. Then they run through the latest animation and box office news, from Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Coyote vs. Acme to Toy Story 5, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and Aardman’s anniversary celebrations. Finally, Drew shares an early look inside the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles and how it compares with the nearby Academy Museum.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drew goes behind the scenes of DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island press day and the film’s celebration of Filipino mythology and folklore.

• Spider-Man: Brand New Day closes in on another major domestic box office milestone as Practical Magic 2 takes the weekend’s top spot.

• Coyote vs. Acme continues its theatrical run while details begin emerging about its eventual 4K Steelbook release.

• Pixar Place Hotel gets a Monsters, Inc. Halloween makeover as Disney marks 25 years of both the Pixar classic and Haunted Mansion Holiday.

• Aardman celebrates its 50th anniversary with a Wallace & Gromit pop-up and the theatrical arrival of Shaun the Sheep and the Beast of Mossy Bottom.

• Drew gets an advance tour of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park and compares it with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com

• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work

FOLLOW

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews

• YouTube: @jimhillmedia

• TikTok: @jimhillmedia

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey

Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

SPONSOR

Planning a Disney or Universal vacation? The team at BeOurGuestVacations.com can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, cruises, and all the details that go into making your trip easier to plan - at no additional cost to you.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/

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Jim Hill and Drew Taylor return with a packed round of animation news, beginning with a fascinating follow-up to their Tim Curry tribute and the real story behind his brief run as the Joker on "Batman: The Animated Series." They break down a record-setting summer at the box office, from "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" and "The Odyssey" to the theatrical comeback of "Coyote vs. Acme," "Cars," and "Akira." Plus, Jim and Drew look ahead to new projects from Matt Braly and Dana Terrace, the return of "Spirited Away: Live on Stage," and the upcoming opening of the revamped Magic of Disney Animation at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

NEWS• Why Tim Curry's frightening Joker ultimately gave way to Mark Hamill on "Batman: The Animated Series."• "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" helps push the Summer 2026 domestic box office to a record $4.7 billion.• "Coyote vs. Acme," the 20th anniversary re-release of "Cars," and a 4K IMAX restoration of "Akira" find audiences in theaters.• Matt Braly's "Clara and the Below," Dana Terrace's "Knights of Guinevere," and "The Owl House" graphic novel "The Long Lived King" move forward.• "Spirited Away: Live on Stage" heads to theaters as Disney's Hollywood Studios prepares to open the new Magic of Disney Animation.

HOSTS• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work

FOLLOW• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews• YouTube: @jimhillmedia• TikTok: @jimhillmedia• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

SUPPORTSupport the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

SPONSORPlanning a Disney or Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, cruises, and the details that make vacation planning easier, all at no additional cost to you. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com to start planning your next getaway.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coyote vs. Acme finally gets its theatrical moment, and Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into the surprisingly strong opening weekend for the long-shelved Warner Bros. Animation film. They also reflect on the losses of Tim Curry and Peter Cullen, as well as stop-motion and visual-effects legend Phil Tippett’s retirement and the liquidation of Tippett Studio. Plus, the guys run through the latest animation news, from Aardman’s new Pokémon series to changes at Warner Bros. Animation and a promising awards run for Tangles.

NEWS

• Coyote vs. Acme opens to a strong $15.4 million weekend after Ketchup Entertainment’s theatrical rescue of the Warner Bros. Animation film.

• Jim and Drew remember Tim Curry and Peter Cullen and look back at their lasting contributions to animation and entertainment.

• Phil Tippett retires as his legendary Berkeley studio prepares for liquidation, prompting a look back at his remarkable stop-motion and visual-effects career.

• Disney+ lands Aardman’s new Pokémon animated series, while Sam Register prepares to step down from Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios.

• IFC picks up Tangles for an Oscar-qualifying run, and Stranger Things: Tales from '85 returns with a new Season 2 trailer.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia - Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com

• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored - Instagram: @drewtailored - drewtaylor.work

FOLLOW

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews

• YouTube: @jimhillmedia

• TikTok: @jimhillmedia

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey

Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

SPONSOR

Planning a Disney or Universal vacation can get complicated fast, and our friends at BeOurGuestVacations.com can help. They’re an EarMarked by Disney travel agency at the Platinum level and a Universal U Preferred Platinum Planning Partner. They can help with hotels, tickets, reservations, cruises, and all the little details that come with planning a trip. Best of all, their planning services come at no additional cost to you.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/

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Fine Tooning is back with a packed post-D23 week of animation news, as Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into fresh trailers, release dates, box-office milestones, and one potentially very big Disney revival. The conversation ranges from Laika’s long-awaited Wildwood and Warner Bros. Animation’s Margie Claus to Blue Eye Samurai, LEGO Star Wars, and the remarkable theatrical run of Toy Story 5. Jim and Drew also discuss Brent Spiner’s unexpected suggestion that a new Gargoyles series may be headed to Disney+, and remember Hayden Panettiere and her early voice work as Princess Dot in A Bug’s Life.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Brent Spiner may have accidentally revealed that a Gargoyles revival is in development for Disney+.

• Laika unveils the first trailer for Wildwood ahead of its October 23 theatrical release.

• Margie Claus sets a November 12, 2027 release date with Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Octavia Spencer, and Andrew Scott.

• Blue Eye Samurai previews Season 2 while Netflix announces a third and final season for 2028.

• Jim and Drew look at the latest animation-related box-office numbers, including Toy Story 5 and Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie.

• Jim remembers Hayden Panettiere and her performance as Princess Dot in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life.

• Panettiere’s memoir offers a revealing look at the demanding voice-recording process behind the Pixar film.

• Drew reflects on Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol and the continuing legacy of Light the Fuse.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com

• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work

FOLLOW

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews

• YouTube: @jimhillmedia

• TikTok: @jimhillmedia

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey

Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

SPONSOR

Planning a fall getaway to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the details that can make an Orlando vacation easier to manage. Their vacation-planning services come at no additional cost to you. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com to start planning.If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices