Carlos Saldanha

Fox and ICE AGE Director Developing Adaptation of THE STORY OF FERDINAND

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 18th, 2011 at 1:38 pm

Fox Animation Studios has recently acquired the rights to the classic 1936 childrens book The Story of Ferdinand. Written by Munro Leaf, the book tells the story of a pacifist bull and his mellow-going life. Vulture reports that Carlos Saldanha, the director behind all three Ice Age films and the upcoming Rio will helm the project.

Ferdinand is one of the best selling childrens books of all time, making a recent appearance in The Blind Side as a book that Sandra Bullock’s character was seen reading to her kids. Disney previously adapted the book into a short film back in 1938. Hit the jump to read a synopsis.

Anne Hathaway, Jamie Foxx, George Lopez and Carlos Saldanha Interview RIO

by Christina Radish    Posted: January 31st, 2011 at 8:11 pm

The other day, 20^th Century Fox hosted a special presentation of footage from the upcoming animated feature Rio, due out in theaters on April 15^th. Prior to a Brazilian celebration that kept in theme with the event, director Carlos Saldanha (known for the Ice Age films) enlisted the help of voice actors Anne Hathaway, Jamie Foxx and George Lopez to introduce clips of each of the main characters and give members of the press an overview of what audiences can expect from the vibrant and fun film that includes song and dance numbers, featuring its stars.

Rio tells the story of Blu (Jesse Eisenberg), a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, who travels to Rio de Janeiro, where he meets the fiercely independent Jewel (Hathaway). The two take off on an adventure that will lead them to make new friends, band together to fight common enemies, explore their feelings for each other, and follow their dreams.

Following the presentation, the director and actors held a press conference to discuss the process of making the film, the appeal of voice-over work and recording the music that gives the story a real flavor. Check out what they had to say after the jump:

Anne Hathaway, Neil Patrick Harris and Rodrigo Santoro Are Voicing Blue Sky Studios RIO

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: October 23rd, 2009 at 9:14 am

While Blue Sky Studios has produced some great looking movies (the “Ice Age” films and “Horton Hears A Who”), only “Horton” impressed me with both its animation and story. However, since it was based on a Dr. Seuss book, that shouldn’t surprise anyone. Anyway, Blue Sky Studios, Fox Animation and director Carlos Saldanha have announced their next animated project and it’s called “Rio”. According to THR, the film follows the adventures of a nerdy macaw who leaves his small-town Minnesota cage for Rio de Janeiro. While I’m sure there is a lot more to the story, that’s the logline for now.

While the story sounds a little weak, they’re trying to get Anne Hathaway, Neil Patrick Harris and Rodrigo Santoro to voice the film. Anything that has Neil Patrick Harris voicing a character gets a pass from me. Of course, with the three “Ice Age” movies, “Horton” and “Robots”, Blue Sky and Fox have made $2.4 billion in worldwide grosses since 2002. Clearly my opinion doesn’t really matter. Chris Jenkins (“Surf’s Up”) and Bruce Anderson (“Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!”) are producing.

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