Clay

[Sotiris]

This is a new original movie by WDAS coming in November 2028. I think it looks absolutely horrible. It doesn't read Disney at all. This looks like a Cartoon Network movie.

https://x.com/DisneyAnimation/status/20 ... 7673280944
https://x.com/DisneyAnimation/status/20 ... 8792224185
https://x.com/DrewDisneyDude/status/2088483942114746467
https://x.com/laughingplace/status/2088484170951758104

[PatchofBlue]

I expect that will probably be the new norm for animation styles, at least for their non-franchise pics, until WDAS films become consistent box office draws. In the same way most of Pixar's films are going to look like Hoppers for a little bit. I imagine it's just cheaper to take on more cartoonish designs.

As is the norm, I'll keep an open mind, but I can't get a read on this thing right now for better or worse.

[Clindor]

I agree that we reach a point where an original movie from the Walt Disney Animation Studios is now undistinguishable from an Illumation project. It's sad.

[MoonMarc21]

So this is the movie Jared Bush mentioned about with it not being set on Earth back in that interview near Zootopia 2’s release.

I’m honestly enthusiastic for this movie, the premise and first look pique my interest, giving off very PS1/Dreamcast/Gamecube era of games. Really reminds me of a 2d platforming video game like Rayman, with them jumping on what seems to be daffodils that look like truffula trees. The main character even looks like him as well.

I can only hope that the “fantastical forest” mentioned in that brief blurb of the plot lives up to it’s adjective, since I now have a gripe of so-called magical/enchanted forests that just act like your normal forests but with “magical things” happening à la Frozen 2 ehm ehm My standard for those types of settings is thanks to Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, where the forest really changes and gets creative in how it presents itself to the characters in the story. Now THAT is an enchanted forest.

I know that the artists there at Disney Animation really do get creative and have such wonderful ideas they’d like to see come to reality. We’ve seen how much creativity they do have in the Wish Artbook. It’s just that for some reason, they go for something more tamer instead for the final product, which is most likely imposed to them by the higher ups in the studio/company. I like the vibe presented through the one concept art shared to us, so hopefully it can retain that up to the film’s release. And I trust that Jared Bush can help the filmmakers there not shy away from bringing that creative spark back to their films given that he has a record of making good movies that are "generally" well received by Disney fans (Zootopia, Moana, Encanto).

But hey, it’s Modern Disney. Best thing to do is just hope ig

[Sotiris]

I agree that we reach a point where an original movie from the Walt Disney Animation Studios is now undistinguishable from an Illumination project. It's sad.

They're losing their signature style. First, with Strange World, then with Hexed, and now with Clay. How is it a positive thing for a Disney movie to be visually indistinguishable from a DreamWorks or an Illumination one? How does that add value to the Disney brand? Adopting a generic, cartoony style that has been associated with TV animation for decades is not something creative or original.

[DisneyFan09]

This is a new original movie by WDAS coming in November 2028. I think it looks absolutely horrible. It doesn't read Disney at all. This looks like a Cartoon Network movie.

Agreed. It looks even Pixar-esque. I don't mind the premise and settings of the story, but the designs of the characters looks bad.

They're losing their signature style. First, with Strange World, then with Hexed, and now with Clay. How is it a positive thing for a Disney movie to be visually indistinguishable from a DreamWorks or an Illumination one? How does that add value to the Disney brand? Adopting a generic, cartoony style that has been associated with TV animation for decades is not something creative or original.

Agreed. At least movies like Raya and the Last Dragon and Wish had the classical Disney-esque designs, but not the other movies. Despite how Hexed could've definitively benefited from the Disney-esque designs, since it's somewhat steeped to Disney's traditional elements.

[Refael]

I agree that we reach a point where an original movie from the Walt Disney Animation Studios is now undistinguishable from an Illumination project. It's sad.

They're losing their signature style. First, with Strange World, then with Hexed, and now with Clay. How is it a positive thing for a Disney movie to be visually indistinguishable from a DreamWorks or an Illumination one? How does that add value to the Disney brand? Adopting a generic, cartoony style that has been associated with TV animation for decades is not something creative or original.

This is exactly how I’ve felt and what I’ve been claiming for years. When Disney abandoned traditional animation in 2004 (and completely by 2011), the designs and style leading the studio started looking generic and lacking uniqueness in a market full of animated films that look almost identical. In traditional animation, character design pulses and feels different because it is human and personal, created by the hands of an artist—drawn from their very soul. I truly believe in this. In Disney's old era, they didn't have many competitors that looked like them

[Dis2d]

it also looks like an uglier version of the lead from the video game Jak and Daxter.

I agree with everything everyone is saying about the visuals and how Disney is losing itself.

will add that Disney started to lose itself in another way, the Pixarfication of Disney
-twist villains
-no villains
-0 romance in every movie. Crazy to think Tangled was the last Disney romance movie and Frozen 1 was last movie with some romance (was more focus on sisterly love, LOL)
-basing a WHOLE movie base on a premise seems to be recurring theme of Disney these days......Bush was like
"What if the mentor is a garbage mentor?" (paraphrasing)

and they highlighted Dumbo and T.Mouse and Merin-Wart.

since when were Disney movies based on premises of WHAT IF???
What if the bad guy wants to be good? What if the dog actor thinks he's a real spy? Etc.

NONE of these are Disney these are ALL Pixar Mentality, Pixar Logic shoved into WDAS.

I think Disney started to lose itself more and more once they moved on from adapting books, fairy tales, classical stories, myth, legends as basis for their movies. They went from timeless stories to generic all made up based on a single premise.

Also in 2D, Disney had to make sure the story was very good and the characters too because you can't really go back and start from scratch due to expense. Now we see all the time, how they change things on a fly aka more weak stories allround for their films due to how unstable it all is. In past 10 years, clear that sooooo many of their films needed better scripts and less flip flopping.

[Disney's Divinity]

Oh, for heaven's sake. Between this and Strange World, the studio comes across like it's being deliberately sabotaged from within. This looks like straight garbage, no way this would have been greenlit. Honestly, this movie, just like I said about Elio back when, needs to be scrapped and whatever dipstick wanted them to put millions into making this nonsense should be sent packing.

[Dis2d]

Oh, for heaven's sake. Between this and Strange World, the studio comes across like it's being deliberately sabotaged from within. This looks like straight garbage, no way this would have been greenlit.

Strange World is legit the ugliest animation movie I've ever seen from a major animation studio, legit embarrassing character designs. Like how was it greenlight anyways??? I also think its the worst ever WDAS movie of all time too.

like looking at Clay is this movie supposed to be a box office draw???

I know artistic people don't like to think about box office but character designs do need to have mass appeal if you don't want your movie to underperform-flop.

you would think that Bush should be thinking more about his job. If Hexed and Clay don't perform he likely will follow Lee (flopped with Strange World+Wish) out the door as CCO of WDAS.

feels like this movie will likely have to oversell the clay character to try to win over the mass but so far, the creature looks generic.

WDAS has struggled recently in Original films because their originals don't have mass appeal. Like watch the trailers for their 2020s movies and its like nothing worthwhile there. Why would people pay $ to watch them. Its generic stuff, some ugly animation, a lot of meh. They legit aren't thinking about mass appeal for their productions.

hopefully the first trailer down the line shows something worthwhile because so far its eh/meh based on premise, concept of story and concept art.

[Sotiris]

I've only talked about the visual style, but the premise itself is really weak, uninteresting, and flimsy. This is not feature-length material.

[bulgaross]

This looks truly awful and even more generic than Hexed, Strange World and Wish combined.

What is going on at WDAS? They've been releasing endless cash-grab sequels and shockingly soulless fluff since 2021's Encanto.

[Dis2d]

OMG, Guys we got our answer to HUGE Disney issue.....they are almost all directed by same person, facepalm.
Wish=Hexed=Clay= Fawn Veerasunthorn

also head of story for Raya is another issue since Raya although not bad wasn't well written. The fact that the highlighted says she's one of best story artists is a sign that writing at WDAS is not doing well if this is your best after Raya and Wish......

can someone please explain why she out of nowhere has become a "star" director at WDAS.....so what happens if Hex underperforms or bombs-flops....that would be 2 back to back failures, will she get a 3rd???

Like Bush is betting his future on her????

Bush said that Disney Animation has a long and storied history of great mentor characters, like Merlin from “The Sword in the Stone” or Phil from “Hercules.” But “Clay” answers the question, What if that mentor was really lousy? Enter Flip. According to the official synopsis, Flip “is unwillingly chosen during a yearly ritual to mentor a young, impressionable ball of clay named Mushy.” Afterwards “the unlikely duo is swept into a chaotic, funny and ultimately life-changing adventure.” Sounds pretty wild, right?

Incredibly, “Clay” will be directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn, who is currently helming “Hexed” alongside Jason Hand. It will be produced by Peter Del Vecho.

The production art that Bush shared on stage was striking and extremely bizarre. The entire world of “Clay” is a ground-up fantasy scenario, with imagery that feels indebted to Jeff Smith and his sprawling “Bone” saga, along with role playing videogames and lord knows what else.

Veerasunthorn is one of the most exciting filmmakers working at Disney Animation; she stepped to foster “Wish” across the finish line with veteran director Chris Buck and has a long history as one of the very best story artists, along with serving as head of story on “Raya and the Last Dragon.” The fact that we’ll be getting two features from her in just two years is pretty amazing.

https://www.thewrap.com/creative-conten ... -explained

[Sotiris]

I can't believe that after Wish's failure, she was given not only one, but two original features to direct...and a short!

After Strange World failed, Don Hall and Qui Nguyen were let go. After Wish failed, Jennifer Lee was demoted and Chris Buck went on a sabbatical. Not only she wasn't penalized for Raya and Wish's failure, but she was rewarded with more projects to helm. I get that she ticks multiple diversity boxes for Disney because she's a woman of color, but this is ridiculous!

[The Disneynerd]

The way i didnt gaf when it got announced because i thought it was a project by Illumination or smth but ITS FROM WDAS?! WOW! They really want that bankruptcy...

Oh, for heaven's sake. Between this and Strange World, the studio comes across like it's being deliberately sabotaged from within. This looks like straight garbage, no way this would have been greenlit. Honestly, this movie, just like I said about Elio back when, needs to be scrapped and whatever dipstick wanted them to put millions into making this nonsense should be sent packing.

They're losing their signature style. First, with Strange World, then with Hexed, and now with Clay

I can only agree with you guys. What a dissapointment. The way they abondened the idea of a 100th anniversary Mickey Movie for something that looks so off brand and out of a 2010s TV series is frustrating. It looks worse than Strange World and this is saying something. Atleast SW and Wish had their target audiences with Sci Fi flicks like Atlantis/TP and the princess movies, but this looks so aimless. Based on premise and visuals it looks like a regression in every way. Seriously WDAS needs to adapt a more edgy realistic artstyle again like Pocahontas or smth and not something even MORE generic and cartoony. Its going to flop. I say not more than 160$ Million Worldwide

Also maybe its just me but it kinda reminded me of that Dreamworks short Bilby, kinda the same premise and Character silluottes..

MV5BMTNmYWQwM2QtODk3ZS00YWU0LWJiMjQtYjVlZjZhYzJiMjg2XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg (83.71 KiB) Viewed 716 times

[Disney's Divinity]

I can't believe that after Wish's failure, she was given not only one, but two original features to direct...and a short!

After Strange World failed, Don Hall and Qui Nguyen were let go. After Wish failed, Jennifer Lee was demoted and Chris Buck went on a sabbatical. Not only she wasn't penalized for Raya and Wish's failure, but she was rewarded with more projects to helm. I get that she ticks multiple diversity boxes for Disney because she's a woman of color, but this is ridiculous!

Well, I think Lee was more a case of her not enjoying the job, and both she and WDAS didn't want her to be the face of the studio that gets darts thrown at since they need her to stick around for the Frozen franchise at least. As for Veerasunthorn, it's not like she's a talent on level with Lee or Domee Shi to give her this amount of leniency to begin with (and even Shi is probably diminished after Floppers).

I loved Raya which I expect is not due to her alone, and Hexed looks slightly more interesting after this new trailer, but no idea from the other things she's been involved in why she would still be given this level of control over direction. Between this and the racebend remakes that altered everything, it's very hard to pretend their obsession with pushing non-white characters, people, artists, musicians, etc. over and above anything else as if it's the only thing that matters is coming at the expense of quality after nonsense like Julia Michaels in charge of Wish's soundtrack. Even if they were going to give a pop artist a go, she is not even well-known like an Elton John or Phil Collins. So maybe it's a good thing that every new thing that isn't a faithful remake of or a sequel to something from better times is flopping. Probably the only thing that will wake them up at some point.

[Dis2d]

what's crazy is that I see Byron Howard as the current star director at WDAS, the most reliable and successful one. But the man if Zootopia 3 is released in 2030, will only have directed 2 WDAS movies this decade or 3 if Z3 is released in 2029.

Veerasunthorn out of nowhere is releasing 3 movies this decade....how exactly is she making this much stride so fast.

Howard took 8 years to release his 1st 3 WDAS movies, she's releasing her 1st 3 WDAS movies in 5 years, LOL.

its clear they are trying to fast track her as next big thing.

Reason why Animation Directing is brutal and usually 1 bomb and your out its because these movies cost $150-200M each, these are live action blockbuster budget. When you flop no studio wants to take risks and give you another such movie. Compare live action if you flop with blockbuster movie you can still go and make indie movie, low budget, mid-budget etc but for animation that is average cost of these movies especially at WDAS and Pixar.

Veerasunthorn got a pass at a huge failure will she get a 2nd pass if Hexed underperforms, flops or bombs. My gut instinct tells me the reason why Jared Bush-Disney never announced the director for Clay its because they are likely waiting to see how Hexed does at box office and reception. If its not good, would not be surprised if she's silently replaced on the film.

what's crazy.
WDAS Originals for 2020 decade=Encanto, Raya, Wish, Strange World, Hexed, Clay,
I presume the 2029 will be a sequel between Moana 3, Zootopia 3 and Frozen IV.

Veerasunthorn will have had major hand in 2/3 of that original list.....

[Disney's Divinity]

That list is pitiful. No question the worst decade in WDAS' history, even with Raya and Encanto being pretty good. The rest are so mediocre or flat-out dire, whew.

[Dis2d]

Agreed its the worst decade ever for WDAS, sequels and mediocre originals is the combo.

we got another update on film.
"CLAY" new animation style will be CGI that will be as close to claymation described by Jared Bush as "A style that Walt Disney Animation Studios has never done before". via @TheWrap
https://x.com/DTVANews/status/2089050580140376315

this is a studio that really is avoided 2D for as long as possible.
can someone explain how Gatto from Pixar is 2D/3D hybrid whereas WDAS keeps avoiding using 2D/3D at every chance.Pixar outside of like 1 short has 0 history with 2D yet Pete Doctor is like he wants to bring more usage of 2D in Pixar films and that Gatto was perfect choice etc. Whereas WDAS continues with generic 3D and now 3D that looks like claymation.....

claymation like stop motion aren't the type of movies or looks that lend to HUGE box office, on a whole more niche.

[Disney's Divinity]

Well, I liked the sequels, it's just that list of originals I'm referring. We know WDAS was not allowed to make originals as often as PIXAR though. Which screams of favoritism--Hoppers looked just as awful from the outset as Clay.

The concept art makes me think of The Lorax. The main character's design is a cross between Jak and one of the Bone characters.