Former Pixar Director Gary Rydstrom Directing Animated Feature At Lucasfilm
Lucasfilmhas always stood for something. For many years, it was a beacon of excellence thanks toIndiana Jones and Star Wars. Then, for a while, it was a whipping boy thanks to fan dissatisfaction. These days, after the sale to Disney, it’s a mystery box. A company whose inner workings and project slate are still quite secret. But there’s a list of stuff we do know the company is doing: theStar Warsmovies, beginning withStar Wars Episode VII, as well as a newStar Warsanimated seriesand video games. Now we have information on another project.
In a new interview the Oscar-winning co-director ofBrave,Brenda Chapman, revealedshe’s completed work on an animated featureat Lucasfilm which is now being directed by multiple Oscar-winning sound man and Pixar directorGary Rydstrom.
The news came from an interview Chapman did withAnimation Magazine, viaBleeding Cool. Last year, news broke Chapman wasnow consulting at Lucasfilmbut it seems, since Disney took over, the project is still progressing, adding a director:
I have been working on a project with Lucas for quite some time — about six months. When Lucasfilm was handed over to Kathleen Kennedy, she asked me to consult on the film to help solve its story problems. It was an opportunity for me to work with her. I felt honored to be asked by her, after what happened at Pixar. DreamWorks was very generous to me in postponing my start date with them so that I could work with Kathleen, also. My work on the project is done. My good friend,Gary Rydstrom, is directing it now.
Rydstrom is best known for his Oscar winning sound work onJurassic Park, Titanic, Saving Private RyanandTerminator 2: Judgement Daybut he also directed the Pixar shortsHawaiian VacationandLiftedas well asthe cancelled featureNewt. He’s a familiar name in both the Lucasfilm and Disney families so his inclusion makes sense.
Disney had no comment on this news but aBig Screen Animationreport suggets Rydstrommighthave been on the film since 2010.
So what the heck could this movie be? AStar Warsmovie? That Fairy movie that was rumored years ago? Who knows. But it seems like Lucasfilm is working on an animated film with Brenda Chapman helping and Gary Rydstrom directing. That sounds pretty great.
