Production Underway on New Disney/Pixar Computer-Animated Feature 'Finding Nemo'

Production Underway on New Disney/Pixar Computer-Animated Feature 'Finding Nemo'

Production is underway on "Finding Nemo," (tentative title), a new computer-animated feature film from Pixar Animation Studios (Nasdaq: PIXR - news ) in partnership with Walt Disney Pictures, it was announced today (11/8) by Thomas Schumacher, president of Walt Disney Feature Animation and Steve Jobs, CEO of Pixar. The film is written and directed by Academy Award®-nominee Andrew Stanton, who served as co-director of the 1998 Disney/Pixar hit "A Bug's Life" and is credited as co-screenwriter of "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2" and "Monsters, Inc." Graham Walters, "Toy Story 2" production manager and Pixar veteran, is set to produce. "Finding Nemo" is scheduled for a summer 2003 release.

"Finding Nemo" is an underwater adventure between a father and son. Nemo, a boy clownfish, is tragically stolen away from the safety of his coral reef home, and his timid father must search the dangerous and unforgiving ocean to find him. This latest original story from Pixar Animation Studios follows "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2" and the upcoming "Monsters, Inc." which is scheduled for a November 2001 release.

"'Finding Nemo' has been swimming around in my head ever since 'Toy Story,' and I'm thrilled to have gotten the go-ahead from Pixar and Disney to make the movie," said Andrew Stanton. "Pixar has always been a place that inspires excellence from its artists, and I feel that 'Finding Nemo' will be yet another testament to that notion."

Stanton joined the Pixar animation team in 1990 and was one of four screenwriters to receive an Oscar® nomination in 1996 for his contribution to "Toy Story." His credits to the latter film also include original story, story artist and additional voices. He went on to receive screenwriting credits on "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2" and the 2001 Disney/Pixar animated feature, "Monsters, Inc." Selected to join Pixar on the basis of his independent animated shorts -- "Somewhere in the Arctic" and "A Story" -- Stanton went on to serve as directing animator on commercials for Trident, La Nouvelle Polo, Lifesavers (co-director) and directed spots for Tropicana, Bunn Coffee Makers and Listerine. He also co-directed with John Lasseter on "Luxo Jr. in Surprise/Light and Heavy," which was produced for "Sesame Street." A graduate of CalArts with a BFA in character animation, Stanton's professional career also includes stints with Ralph Bakshi and Kroyer Films, Inc.

-- Posted November 9, 2000

Source: Company Press Release