Irish animation studioCartoon Saloonhas been around for nearly 20 years, though their most famous feature titles have come in the last decade. The studio counts Oscar-nominated filmsThe Secret of Kells(2009),Song of the Sea(2014), andThe Breadwinner(2017) as their only three major feature releases, but that might be about to change thanks to a possible deal with Apple, Inc.
Bloombergreports that, as part of Apple’s push into original programming, there are plans for an animated feature film that will be produced through Cartoon Saloon, possibly with even more films to follow. The deal is not finalized, no movie is currently under production as part of the deal, and a potential release date would be more than a year away, but it’s clear that Apple is taking the animation side of its original content plans very seriously. What’s less clear, however, is just how Apple plans to release that film; a theatrical release is currently still required for an Academy Award qualification, so that’s certainly in the cards despite the company’s plans to push into the digital content arena. We can expect to see the first fruits of Apple’s plans in 2019, though whether that includes this particular animated feature remains to be seen.
As for Cartoon Saloon, the production company is still moving ahead withWolfwalkers, the third feature film to be directed byTomm Moore. Production on that film is slated to start up later this year. That might mean thatNora Twomeyis freed up to direct an animated feature for Apple, following up on her co-director efforts onThe Secret of Kellsand her directorial work onThe Breadwinner. That would be a big get for Apple.
On the small screen, Cartoon Saloon also has the Annie Awards-nominated preschool seriesPuffin Rockand the award-winning children’s series,Skunk Fu!It was also recently reported during apresentation by Disney at Annecythat the production company would also be making the animated seriesVikingskoolfor the Mouse House’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa market. Stay tuned for more as we hear it!
