Veteran animation executive Nate Hopper has joined Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures as the executive in charge of adapting the work of bestselling author and illustrator Mo Willems.
Willems in the award-winning creator of iconic oddball children’s characters, including the “Elephant and Piggie” book series and the “Pigeon” franchise, which just released the New York Times-bestselling “The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster!”
Nate Hopper
Hopper will report to Stampede CEO Silverman, who said, “as we continue to expand and world-build Mo’s beloved characters into new forms of entertainment, we need someone with an eye for fresh content who thinks outside the box. Nate knows what resonates for this demographic better than anyone and we’re thrilled to have him aboard.”
Stampede has already produced two specials based on the author’s properties, both distributed by HBO Max. “Storytime All-Stars Presents: Don’t Let the Pigeon Do Storytime...
Willems in the award-winning creator of iconic oddball children’s characters, including the “Elephant and Piggie” book series and the “Pigeon” franchise, which just released the New York Times-bestselling “The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster!”
Nate Hopper
Hopper will report to Stampede CEO Silverman, who said, “as we continue to expand and world-build Mo’s beloved characters into new forms of entertainment, we need someone with an eye for fresh content who thinks outside the box. Nate knows what resonates for this demographic better than anyone and we’re thrilled to have him aboard.”
Stampede has already produced two specials based on the author’s properties, both distributed by HBO Max. “Storytime All-Stars Presents: Don’t Let the Pigeon Do Storytime...
- 11/3/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
The hilarious family animated film Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank, from Paramount Pictures, is available now to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada. The exciting action-adventure stars Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais and Samuel L. Jackson.
Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank also stars Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Cathy Shim and Kylie Kuioka.
A down-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem… cats hate dogs!
Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank is directed by Rob Minkoff,...
Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank also stars Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Cathy Shim and Kylie Kuioka.
A down-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem… cats hate dogs!
Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank is directed by Rob Minkoff,...
- 9/5/2022
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank Review — Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022) Film Review, a movie directed by Chris Bailey, Mark Koetsier and Rob Minkoff, written by Ed Stone, Nate Hopper, Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor and Alan Uger and starring Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais, Samuel [...]
Continue reading: Film Review: Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank (2022): Michael Cera Voices a Samurai Warrior Dog in an Energetic Animated Tale...
Continue reading: Film Review: Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank (2022): Michael Cera Voices a Samurai Warrior Dog in an Energetic Animated Tale...
- 7/17/2022
- by Thomas Duffy
- Film-Book
Click here to read the full article.
Richard Pryor would no doubt have been amused, or possibly chagrined, to see his name on the writing credits for Paramount’s new animated kiddie film. In case you’re wondering how someone who’s long dead is still managing to crank out screenplays, it’s because Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, whose original title was Blazing Samurai, is an extremely loose reimagining of Mel Brooks’ 1974 classic comedy Blazing Saddles, for which Pryor received a writing credit. Not that any of this will matter to the extremely young target audience, except to prove that vulgar humor will score laughs regardless of whether it’s the R or PG-rated variety.
And this movie certainly doesn’t shy away from vulgarity, taking the idea of “toilet humor” all too literally with its far too many gags regarding a giant jade toilet and numerous...
Richard Pryor would no doubt have been amused, or possibly chagrined, to see his name on the writing credits for Paramount’s new animated kiddie film. In case you’re wondering how someone who’s long dead is still managing to crank out screenplays, it’s because Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, whose original title was Blazing Samurai, is an extremely loose reimagining of Mel Brooks’ 1974 classic comedy Blazing Saddles, for which Pryor received a writing credit. Not that any of this will matter to the extremely young target audience, except to prove that vulgar humor will score laughs regardless of whether it’s the R or PG-rated variety.
And this movie certainly doesn’t shy away from vulgarity, taking the idea of “toilet humor” all too literally with its far too many gags regarding a giant jade toilet and numerous...
- 7/13/2022
- by Frank Scheck
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It’s not every day that you get to see Richard Pryor listed as one of the screenwriters of a new movie. That’s because Pryor died in 2005. But when I saw his name credited among the seven writers of “Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank,” it gave me an unreasonable jolt of optimism. If you’re wondering what Pryor’s name is doing on a computer-animated comedy about a samurai canine, it’s because the script is credited to Ed Stone and Nate Hopper — and also to Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman, Alan Uger, and Pryor, who were the five screenwriters of “Blazing Saddles,” the landmark Mel Brooks Western comedy that came out in 1974.
“Paws of Fury” was originally entitled “Blazing Samurai,” because it recycles (sort of) the premise of “Blazing Saddles,” a movie Brooks originally wanted to make with Pryor as its star. He was set...
“Paws of Fury” was originally entitled “Blazing Samurai,” because it recycles (sort of) the premise of “Blazing Saddles,” a movie Brooks originally wanted to make with Pryor as its star. He was set...
- 7/13/2022
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
The amusing “Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank” capably makes the case that more animated kids’ movies should be based on classic comedies.
Formerly titled “Blazing Samurai,” “Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank,” written by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper, directed by Rob Minkoff (“The Lion King”), Mark Koetsier, and Chris Bailey, borrows a title structure from the Bruce Lee movie “Fist of Fury” and riffs on the classic Mel Brooks Western comedy “Blazing Saddles” (Brooks also offers a delightful vocal performance).
It’s a breezy, funny, highly self-referential flick steeped in movie history.
Stone and Hopper swap the Old West setting for a Japanese village inhabited entirely by cats, and the intrepid Sheriff Bart played by Cleavon Little in “Blazing Saddles” for a dog named Hank (voiced by Michael Cera), who dreams of being a samurai. “Paws of Fury” stylistically inhabits the aesthetic of the Western and the classic martial arts movie,...
Formerly titled “Blazing Samurai,” “Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank,” written by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper, directed by Rob Minkoff (“The Lion King”), Mark Koetsier, and Chris Bailey, borrows a title structure from the Bruce Lee movie “Fist of Fury” and riffs on the classic Mel Brooks Western comedy “Blazing Saddles” (Brooks also offers a delightful vocal performance).
It’s a breezy, funny, highly self-referential flick steeped in movie history.
Stone and Hopper swap the Old West setting for a Japanese village inhabited entirely by cats, and the intrepid Sheriff Bart played by Cleavon Little in “Blazing Saddles” for a dog named Hank (voiced by Michael Cera), who dreams of being a samurai. “Paws of Fury” stylistically inhabits the aesthetic of the Western and the classic martial arts movie,...
- 7/13/2022
- by Katie Walsh
- The Wrap
The trailer for the forthcoming animated film Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank has been released. The film stars Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais, Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Kylie Kuioka, Cathy Shim, and Samuel L. Jackson. It is directed by Mark Koetsier and Rob Minkoff; and will be in theaters on July 15, 2022.
A hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem…cats hate dogs!
About The Film Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy, Family MPAA Rating: PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor,...
A hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem…cats hate dogs!
About The Film Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy, Family MPAA Rating: PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor,...
- 4/11/2022
- by Editor
- CinemaNerdz
Do you believe? A new story surrounding the mythological half-human, half-fish creatures of the sea crashes on Freeform's shores this March, and it's called Siren. Set in the coastal town of Bristol Cove, the series will have a two-hour premiere on March 29th, which is also International Mermaid Day, and you can watch the teaser trailer right now:
Siren will debut on Freeform with a two-hour premiere episode on Thursday, March 29th (International Mermaid Day).
"Siren takes us inside Bristol Cove—a coastal town known for its legend of once being home to mermaids. When the arrival of a mysterious girl proves this folklore all too true, the battle between man and sea takes a very vicious turn as these predatory beings return to reclaim their right to the ocean. The series stars Alex Roe (“The 5th Wave”) as Ben, a bright marine biologist who finds himself drawn to a mysterious new girl in town,...
Siren will debut on Freeform with a two-hour premiere episode on Thursday, March 29th (International Mermaid Day).
"Siren takes us inside Bristol Cove—a coastal town known for its legend of once being home to mermaids. When the arrival of a mysterious girl proves this folklore all too true, the battle between man and sea takes a very vicious turn as these predatory beings return to reclaim their right to the ocean. The series stars Alex Roe (“The 5th Wave”) as Ben, a bright marine biologist who finds himself drawn to a mysterious new girl in town,...
- 1/22/2018
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Exclusive: Twentieth Century Fox Film has acquired Rock the Bells, a pitch from Girls Trip director Malcolm D. Lee. He will direct the hybrid Christmas family comedy, which will be written by Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson. Lee and Tajamika Paxton will produce under Lee's Blackmaled Productions banner. Melanie Clark, VP Production and Development for Blackmaled Productions, will oversee. Vanessa Morrison, Nate Hopper and Karen Toliver will oversee for the studio. They…...
- 9/27/2017
- Deadline
The Memory Thief, a live-action/animated feature based on the novel written by Bryce Moore, is being planned at Fox Animation, which acquired the novel for its hybrid initiative. Working to create a slate of family films, Fox Animation’s hybrid strategy was launched last year, and Nate Hopper was hired to spearhead it. The Memory Thief, about a boy with special powers, is being produced by Adaptive Studios and Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps, who produced this year’s Best Picture…...
- 3/21/2017
- Deadline
Exclusive: Fox Animation will turn the Peter, Paul and Mary song “Puff the Magic Dragon” into a hybrid live action/animated feature that will be directed by Trolls helmer Mike Mitchell. The film will be produced by Safehouse partners Tory Tunnell and Joby Harold and Weed Road’s Akiva Goldsman. They secured the rights to the song, which has lyrics by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton. Vanessa Morrison and Nate Hopper are overseeing for the studio. At a time when Hollywood has…...
- 12/9/2016
- Deadline
Ex-Sony Animation czar Yair Landau ("Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs"), who is now President and Founder of Mass Animation, is serving up another animated action-adventure throwback with help from "The Lion King" director Rob Minkoff and "Blazing Saddles" creator Mel Brooks. Read More: Open Road Films Acquires Animated Saga 'Blazing Samurai' Minkoff is producing "Blazing Samurai" and assisting co-directors Chris Bailey ("Alvin And The Chipmunks") and Mark Koetsier ("Kung Fu Panda," "How To Train Your Dragon") as they navigate a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper. "Samurai" borrows heavily from Brooks' seminal fish-out-of-water western, but instead of a wisecracking African American sheriff, the film's new protagonist will take the shape of a dog named Hank (voiced by Michael Cera), who dreams of becoming a samurai warrior. Ricky Gervais is voicing villain...
- 11/5/2015
- by Ruben Guevara
- Thompson on Hollywood
The British comedian will star in the Mass Animation, Huayi Brothers Media Corporation, Flying Tigers Entertainment and Gfm Films animation that Gfm is touting at the Afm.
Gervais, who recently signed a deal to host his fourth Golden Globes ceremony in January, will voice the villainous Ika Chu, a cat who plans to rid the town of Kakamucho of its feline inhabitants.
Previously announced Michael Cera will voice Hank, a dog who dreams of becoming a heroic warrior and must save his community.
Other cast members on board include Samuel L Jackson, Mel Brooks, George Takei, Gabriel Iglesias, Aasif Mandvi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Mel B and Heavenly Joy Jerkins.
Rob Minkoff, Yair Landau and Susan Purcell produce. Chris Bailey and Mark Koetsier are directing from a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper. Mel Brooks serves as executive producer alongside Reginald Hudlin and Pietro Ventani.
Open Road Films will release in the Us...
Gervais, who recently signed a deal to host his fourth Golden Globes ceremony in January, will voice the villainous Ika Chu, a cat who plans to rid the town of Kakamucho of its feline inhabitants.
Previously announced Michael Cera will voice Hank, a dog who dreams of becoming a heroic warrior and must save his community.
Other cast members on board include Samuel L Jackson, Mel Brooks, George Takei, Gabriel Iglesias, Aasif Mandvi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Mel B and Heavenly Joy Jerkins.
Rob Minkoff, Yair Landau and Susan Purcell produce. Chris Bailey and Mark Koetsier are directing from a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper. Mel Brooks serves as executive producer alongside Reginald Hudlin and Pietro Ventani.
Open Road Films will release in the Us...
- 11/4/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Cera and Mel Brooks are set to provide the voices for the animated family comedy "Blazing Samurai" at Mass Animation, Huayi Brothers Media, Flying Tigers Entertainment and Gfm Films.
Inspired by Brooks' "Blazing Saddles," the story involves a scrappy dreamer of a dog who longs to become a true samurai and who fights to save the town of Kakamucho from the grips of a nefarious feline warlord.
Chris Bailey ("Alvin And The Chipmunks") and Mark Koetsier ("Kung Fu Panda," "How To Train Your Dragon") helms from a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper.
George Takei, Gabriel Iglesias, Aasif Mandvi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Mel B., and Heavenly Joy Jerkins also star in the film with Rob Minkoff, Yair Landau and Susan Purcell are producing.
Source: Variety...
Inspired by Brooks' "Blazing Saddles," the story involves a scrappy dreamer of a dog who longs to become a true samurai and who fights to save the town of Kakamucho from the grips of a nefarious feline warlord.
Chris Bailey ("Alvin And The Chipmunks") and Mark Koetsier ("Kung Fu Panda," "How To Train Your Dragon") helms from a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper.
George Takei, Gabriel Iglesias, Aasif Mandvi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Mel B., and Heavenly Joy Jerkins also star in the film with Rob Minkoff, Yair Landau and Susan Purcell are producing.
Source: Variety...
- 11/4/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Blazing Samurai, the animated family comedy from Mass Animation, Huayi Brothers Media Corporation, Flying Tigers Entertainment, and Gfm Films has cast Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Cera and Mel Brooks along with George Takei, Gabriel Iglesias, Aasif Mandvi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Mel B., and introducing Heavenly Joy Jerkins.
The film is being produced by the director of The Lion King and Stuart Little, Rob Minkoff, along with long-time animation industry executive and President and Founder of Mass Animation Yair Landau (Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs) and producer Susan Purcell (Mother Up!).
Executive producers include Mel Brooks (Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein), Reginald Hudlin (Academy Award nominated producer of Django Unchained) and Pietro Ventani.
Blazing Samurai is directed by Chris Bailey (Alvin And The Chipmunks) and Mark Koetsier (Kung Fu Panda, How To Train Your Dragon) from a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper.
Blazing Samurai is...
The film is being produced by the director of The Lion King and Stuart Little, Rob Minkoff, along with long-time animation industry executive and President and Founder of Mass Animation Yair Landau (Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs) and producer Susan Purcell (Mother Up!).
Executive producers include Mel Brooks (Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein), Reginald Hudlin (Academy Award nominated producer of Django Unchained) and Pietro Ventani.
Blazing Samurai is directed by Chris Bailey (Alvin And The Chipmunks) and Mark Koetsier (Kung Fu Panda, How To Train Your Dragon) from a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper.
Blazing Samurai is...
- 11/3/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Samuel L Jackson, Michael Cera and Mel Brooks have joined Mass Animation, Huayi Brothers Media Corporation, Flying Tigers Entertainment and Gfm Films’ animation.
Gfm Films has invited collaborators including Mel Brooks to show early footage from Blazing Samurai to market buyers on Wednesday.
Sony Pictures International Releasing acquired several major territories, Huayi Brothers Media Corporation distributes in Greater China and Open Road Films will release the film in the Us on August 4, 2017.
Chris Bailey and Mark Koetsier direct from a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper about a dog who dreams of becoming a samurai and must save his community from a feline warlord.
George Takei, Gabriel Iglesias, Aasif Mandvi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Mel B and Heavenly Joy Jerkins have also come on board.
Rob Minkoff, who directed The Lion King and Stuart Little, will produce with Mass Animation founder Yair Landau and Susan Purcell. Brooks [link=nm...
Gfm Films has invited collaborators including Mel Brooks to show early footage from Blazing Samurai to market buyers on Wednesday.
Sony Pictures International Releasing acquired several major territories, Huayi Brothers Media Corporation distributes in Greater China and Open Road Films will release the film in the Us on August 4, 2017.
Chris Bailey and Mark Koetsier direct from a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper about a dog who dreams of becoming a samurai and must save his community from a feline warlord.
George Takei, Gabriel Iglesias, Aasif Mandvi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Mel B and Heavenly Joy Jerkins have also come on board.
Rob Minkoff, who directed The Lion King and Stuart Little, will produce with Mass Animation founder Yair Landau and Susan Purcell. Brooks [link=nm...
- 11/3/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Rob Minkoff, Yair Landau produce family animation.
Gfm has boarded sales on family animation Blazing Samurai, which is being produced by former vice chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Yair Landau (Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs) and The Lion King director Rob Minkoff.
Ed Stone and Nate Hopper’s script, partly inspired by Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles, tells the story of Hank, a scrappy, wide-eyed pooch that dreams of becoming a Samurai. In order to fulfil his dream, he travels to a small town in the middle of ancient Japan, which turns out to be inhabited exclusively by cats.
Although beset by prejudice, Hank perseveres, befriends a once great Samurai cat and fastest blade in the East, Jimbo, and learns not only how to be a great warrior, but how to be an even better dog.
Landau said: “Blazing Samurai is a broadly appealing family film that marries a classic western narrative with brilliant Japanese visuals...
Gfm has boarded sales on family animation Blazing Samurai, which is being produced by former vice chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Yair Landau (Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs) and The Lion King director Rob Minkoff.
Ed Stone and Nate Hopper’s script, partly inspired by Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles, tells the story of Hank, a scrappy, wide-eyed pooch that dreams of becoming a Samurai. In order to fulfil his dream, he travels to a small town in the middle of ancient Japan, which turns out to be inhabited exclusively by cats.
Although beset by prejudice, Hank perseveres, befriends a once great Samurai cat and fastest blade in the East, Jimbo, and learns not only how to be a great warrior, but how to be an even better dog.
Landau said: “Blazing Samurai is a broadly appealing family film that marries a classic western narrative with brilliant Japanese visuals...
- 11/6/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
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