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Unlikely as it may seem, Disney has announced that an animated movie of a Philip K Dick short story will one of a whole bunch of 3D and 2D animated movies the company will be releasing between 2008 and 2012.
Scheduled for a Christmas 2012 release, King of the Elves is based on a Dick story about a gas (English translation – petrol) station attendant who offers some elves shelter from a storm and is made their king in return, and has to lead them in a war against some trolls (who retaliate by going onto internet forums to slag off the film… possibly).
In the movie version the Elves – who will have a leafy- foliage-like appearance – will have been living in secret in modern Mississippi. The film, which has been in development for at least six years already, will be directed Bob Walker and Aaron Blaise (who co-directed Brother Bear, which was released almost unnoticed in most of the world, except South America where it was a huge hit.)
Other upcoming Disney animated projects include:
• Up – set for a May 2009 release, this will be Pixar's first 3-D title, after which every Pixar toon will be produced in 3-D (so order your trendy 3D glasses now ). It’s about a 70-year old man who joins forces with a wilderness ranger to fight beasts and villains. Pete Docter (Monsters Inc) is directing.
• Cars 2 – set for a summer 2012 release, directed by Ratatouille producer Brad Lewis, is the first sequel for Pixar since Toy Story 2. Though Cars didn't do as well at the box office as some other Pixar titles, its spin-off merchandise has done very nicely indeed, according to Disney.
• Toy Story 3 – set for a June 2010 release, will see Andy going off to college and a Ken doll being introduced.
• The Princess and the Frog – 2D animation set for a Christmas 2009 release, will be directed by Aladdin Little Mermaid helmers John Musker and Ron Clements.
• Rapunzel – 2D animation set for a Christmas 2010 release.
• Newt – Pixar movie for 2011, a romantic comedy directed by Oscar-winning sound designer Gary Rydstrom.
• The Bear and the Bow – another Pixar movie for 2011, a magical tale set in Scotland and helmed by Brenda Chapman (The Prince of Egypt). Voice talents include Reese Witherspoon, Billy Connolly and Emma Thompson.
