In This Week in Animation News I’ll take a look at the previous week in the world of animation in order to get you caught up on everything you might have missed. It’s your one-stop shop for news regarding cartoons, anime, and animated web series. We’re talking movies, TV shows, digital shorts, and everything in between!

This week was another busy one! We'll lead things off with a new deleted scene from Disney's Moana, one that never made it past the animatic stage. Then, there's a new couch gag for The Simpsons which takes a brief stroll through recent animated series history with a little help from the Robot Chicken folks. We also have clips for Star Wars RebelsSpongeBob SquarePants, Rock Dog and Son of Zorn, not to mention news for the upcoming series Tangled: The Series on Disney, and Cartoon Network's Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. There's also a sneak peek at the Blu-ray box art for the highly anticipated arrival of Warner Bros. Entertainment's Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, along with new kids' series coming to the BBC and YouTube.

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Image via Walt Disney Animation Studios

For the latest animation stories we’ve already covered on the site this week, take a look at the following links. Then, check out a selection of new stories below. Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments!

'Moana' Deleted Scene Reveals Her 6 Brothers

Yahoo! had a chance to chat with Moana co-directors John Musker and Ron Clements, who revealed this fantastic (but deleted) scene from the Disney hit. Here's how Clements set it up:

“This is a very early scene in the movie, where Moana had six older brothers, and this was a showcase for Moana’s sailing proficiencies and how she really kind of outdoes her brothers.”

To which Musker added:

“We lost her brothers and wanted to make her less proficient when she was sailing so this scene went away, But it’s a fun scene.”

This deleted scene was one of seven that will be included on the home release, along with songs that didn't make the cut, "the Maui-Moana short “Gone Fishing,” the theatrical short “Inner Workings,” music videos, making-of featurettes, director’s commentary, and a guide to the film’s Easter eggs."

Look for Moana on Digital HD Tuesday, February 21st, followed by the Blu-ray/DVD on March 7th.

'The Simpsons' Couch Gag Created by 'Robot Chicken' Team

Sabine Returns Home with a Surprise in a New 'Star Wars Rebels' Clip

In this clip from the Star Wars Rebels episode "Legacy of Mandalore," Sabine arrives on her homeworld with something unexpected...

Watch Star Wars Rebels every Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD.

Thanks to CBR for the heads up, as well as the synopsis for the upcoming episode "Legacy of Mandalore":

Hoping to get her family to help the rebels, Sabine returns home with Kanan and Ezra, and finds herself embroiled in her family’s power struggle for Mandalore.

Sneak a Peek at Jon Hamm's Character in 'SpongeBob SquarePants'

The above-seen clip from the upcoming special episode of Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants comes courtesy of TV Line.

Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor Jon Hamm will be “voicing the smart, charming, and literally fishy ad exec Don Grouper, whose firm is hired by Mr. Krabs to help sell his frozen Krabby Patties.” You can see Hamm's full performance in the half-hour special “Goodbye, Krabby Patty?” which pays homage to the iconic opening credits of Mad Men. The special airs February 20th at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Nickelodeon.

'Teen Titans: The Judas Contract' Release Date and Blu-ray Art Revealed

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Image via DC Entertainment

Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment bring one of the most momentous Teen Titans plotlines in comics history to animated life with the all-new, feature-length film Teen Titans: The Judas Contract. Inspired by the 1984 DC story arc from Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract will be distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on April 18, 2017.

The landmark Teen Titans story will be available on Blu-ray™ Deluxe Giftset, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD starting April 18, 2017. The Blu-rayTM Combo Pack includes the movie in high definition on Blu-ray Disc, a DVD, and a digital version of the movie on Digital HD with UltraViolet*. The Blu-ray™ Deluxe Edition will include all components of the Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, along with an exclusive figurine of Blue Beetle in a numbered, limited edition gift set. Teen Titans: The Judas Contract will be released via Digital HD on April 4, 2017.

Led by Starfire, the Teen Titans – Beast Boy, Raven, Blue Beetle, Robin and the just-returned Nightwing – have built a cohesive team in their never-ending battle against evil; but their newest teammate, the mysterious and powerful Terra, may be altering that dynamic. Meanwhile, an ancient evil, Brother Blood, has awakened, and familiar foe Deathstroke is lurking in the shadows – both waiting to pounce. Ultimately, the Teen Titans will need to battle their enemies and their own doubts to unite and overcome the malicious forces around them in this twisting tale of intrigue, adventure and deception.

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Image via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

Christina Ricci (Zelda, Sleepy Hollow, The Addams Family) and the late Miguel Ferrer (NCIS: Los Angeles, RoboCop, Crossing Jordan) join the already established Teen Titans voice cast as Terra and Deathstroke, respectively. Returning Titans actors include Sean Maher (Firefly/Serenity, Batman: Bad Blood) as Nightwing, Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story) as Raven, Jake T. Austin (Wizards of Waverly Place, The Fosters) as Blue Beetle, Brandon Soo Hoo (Tropic Thunder, From Dusk Til Dawn: The Series) as Beast Boy, Kari Wahlgren (Phineas and Ferb, Legion of Superheroes) as Starfire, and Stuart Allan (Batman vs. Robin, Batman: Bad Blood) as Robin/Damian. Gregg Henry (Scandal, The Killing, Payback) voices the villainous Brother Blood.

The voice cast also includes Maria Canals-Barrera (Wizards of Waverly Place) as Jaime’s mother, Meg Foster (They Live) as Mother Mayhem, Crispin Freeman (Justice League Action, Batman: Arkham games) as Speedy, Masasa Moyo (Young Justice) as Bumblebee, David Zayas (Gotham, Dexter) as Jaime’s father, Jason Spisak (Young Justice) as Kid Flash, and Kevin Smith (Clerks, Geeking Out) as … himself.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract is directed by Sam Liu (Batman: The Killing Joke) from a screenplay by Ernie Altbacker (Justice League Dark). Sam Register is Executive Producer; James Tucker (Batman Bad Blood, Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders) is Supervising Producer; and Alan Burnett (Justice League vs. Teen Titans) is co-Producer.

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Image via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract pays homage to one of the truly legendary story arcs in DC’s Teen Titan series, one that fans have been requesting for years, so we are excited to release a film that should surpass their expectations,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing. “We are thrilled to deliver this complex and exhilarating story that tests the bonds between all members of the Teen Titans to both longstanding and new fans of all generations.”

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract Enhanced Content:

Blu-ray™ Deluxe Giftset, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack & Digital HD

  • Sneak Peek - Batman and Harley Quinn: Sneak peek at the next DC Universe Original Movie, featuring the talented creators and voice cast.
  • Featurette - Titanic Minds: Wolfman and Perez: This revealing documentary explores a creative partnership that has lasted decades as Marv Wolfman and George Pérez come together to discuss their careers and one of the most famous runs in Teen Titan history, The Judas Contract.
  • Featurette - Villains United—Deathstroke: When the super-soldier Deathstroke appears, the forces of good will be in the fight of their lives. This short featurette reveals the origin and unique abilities of this villain.
  • Additional Sneak Peeks
  • From the DC Comics Vault - Two Bonus Cartoons (Blu-ray™ Deluxe Giftset and Blu-ray™ Combo Pack only)

DVD

  • Sneak Peek - Batman and Harley Quinn: Sneak peek at the next DC Universe Original Movie, featuring the talented creators and voice cast.

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See How the Sounds of 'Trollhunters' Get Made

https://twitter.com/netflix/status/831921897629589504

'Rock Dog' Clip Reveals Eddie Izzard's Character, Angus

M Magazine has an early look at the animated family film Rock Dog, starring Eddie IzzardLuke WilsonJ.K. Simmons, Lewis BlackKenan ThompsonMae Whitman, Jorge GarciaMatt Dillon, and Sam Elliott.

Here’s the official Rock Dog synopsis:

When a radio falls from the sky into the hands of a wide-eyed Tibetan Mastiff, he leaves home to fulfill his dream of becoming a musician, setting into motion a series of completely unexpected events. ROCK DOG opens in theaters February 24, 2017 starring Luke Wilson (Bodi), Eddie Izzard (Angus), J.K. Simmons (Khampa), Lewis Black (Linnux), Kenan Thompson (Riff), Mae Whitman (Darma), Jorge Garcia (Germur), with Matt Dillon (Trey) and Sam Elliott (Fleetwood Yak).

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Disney Orders a Second Season for 'Tangled: The Series'

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Image via Disney

Disney Channel has made a resolute and early commitment to a second season before the first season of the animated Tangled: The Series premieres, with Chris Sonnenburg as executive producer and supervising director. A production of Disney Television Animation, the series is based on Walt Disney Animation Studios' acclaimed feature film. It will be preceded by the music-filled Tangled Before Ever After, a Disney Channel Original Movie, premiering FRIDAY, MARCH 10 (8:00-9:05 p.m. EST), with the series launching FRIDAY, MARCH 24 (7:30-8:00 p.m., EDT), on Disney Channel. The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide.

Tangled: The Series reunites Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, who reprise their roles as Rapunzel and Eugene (formerly known as Flynn Rider), respectively, as well as the music team of Disney legend and Academy Award-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. The story takes place between the events of the 2010 feature film and the start of the 2012 short film,Tangled: The Series. With a visually vibrant animation style, the series follows Rapunzel on her adventures as she acquaints herself with her parents, her kingdom of Corona and its people.

Tangled: The Series was developed by Chris Sonnenburg and Shane Prigmore, with Sonnenburg serving as executive producer and supervising director. Benjamin Balistreri is supervising producer. Kevin Kliesch serves as score composer. The series is produced by Disney Television Animation.

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Image via Disney

'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' Series to Premiere in Early March

Cartoon Network announced a new TV series, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, will make its series premiere on Monday, March 6 at 5:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The mouth-watering comedy series is based on Sony Pictures Animation’s 2009 animated feature comedy hit Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and its 2013 sequel, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 that were both global hits. The TV series is produced by DHX Media and Sony Pictures Animation in association with Corus Entertainment.

The Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs series takes place before giant food rains down on Swallow Falls. Sardines are still the driving force behind the town's booming economy. Favorite character Flint Lockwood returns as a teenager trying to change the world one invention at a time. Lucky for him, his best friend and aspiring meteorologist Sam Sparks is there to lend a hand. All of the great characters from the film return including Flint's dad, Tim; Flint's lab assistant, Steve the monkey; Earl, the school's busiest teacher; Manny, the head of the school's audiovisual department; Brent, the local teenage celebrity and captain of the mascot team; and Mayor Shelbourne, who wins every election with a pro-sardine platform, and more.

A sneak peek of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs will also premiere Monday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network and audiences can see it first on the Cartoon Network app.

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Image via Cartoon Network

Sneak Peek of 'Son of Zorn's Season Finale

Zorn gets a distressing phone call during Edie's wedding.

EW had the sneak peek of Fox's season finale for Son of Zorn, titled "All Hail Son of Zorn", airing Sunday, February 19th at 8:30pm ET/PT.

Featuring the voice of Jason Sudeikis, Son of Zorn is a hybrid live-action/animated comedy about an animated warrior from a faraway island in the Pacific Ocean – where everything and everyone is animated – who returns to Orange County, CA, to win back his live-action ex-wife and teenage son. Zorn (Sudeikis), the Defender of Zephyria, Conqueror of the tribes of Agon, decapitator of the dark herdsmen of Grith, has fought in countless epic battles throughout his life, but may find the greatest challenge of all when travels back to suburbia to reconnect with his family.

Once there, Zorn finds himself estranged from his son, Alangulon or just “Alan” (Johnny Pemberton), a 17-year-old with a mellow, P.C. attitude; and Alan’s mother, Zorn’s ex-wife, Edie (Cheryl Hines), a former wild child now living the life of an upper middle class mom. Zorn’s efforts to win them back are complicated by the fact that Edie is now engaged to Craig (Tim Meadows), an online psychology professor and a stable presence in their lives. Nevertheless, to be a good dad, Zorn commits to remaining in Orange County for the long haul, renting an apartment and even working in the exciting field of industrial soap sales under his boss, Linda (Artemis Pebdani), who likes his passion, but just wants him to rein it in at the office. As he adjusts to life in the suburbs, Zorn is the classic fish out of water, navigating his way through fatherhood, divorce and a boring office job. Sure, as an overlord of pain, he defeated glombeasts, wolf-bats and bloodthirsty arachnobots, but now he’ll go toe-to-toe with a new set of enemies: meter maids, dress codes and the DMV.

New Pre-school Series 'Moon and Me' Coming from 'Teletubbies' Creator

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The BBC's pre-school banner 

CBeebies has commissioned 

the original new series Moon and Me from Andrew Davenport’s Foundling Bird and Sutikki, the new kids and family division of Bento Box Entertainment.

Moon and Me is a magical, groundbreaking series for pre-school, created, written and produced by Andrew Davenport – the co-creator of Teletubbies and creator of In the Night Garden, and will begin airing on the BBC’s pre-school channel CBeebies in early 

2018.

Inspired by well-loved tales of toys that come to life when nobody is looking, Moon and Me is the comical story of a special friendship between two characters from completely different worlds.

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Through the partnership with Foundling Bird announced last year, Sutikki is serving as the primary production, merchandising and non-UK distribution partner for the series. Pre-production has begun at multiple locations in the U.S. and in the UK, making it a truly international 

undertaking. 

As Sutikki’s first production, and Bento Box Entertainment’s official entry into the kids’ space, we set the bar extremely high by teaming with the best in the business,” said Sutikki Partner, Irene Weibel. “We know the benefits of our collaborative relationship with Foundling Bird will be immeasurable and are honored that CBeebies has chosen to be a very important part of Andy’s latest endeavor.”

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Hasbro has also entered into an agreement with Sutikki to create play experiences for kids based on the new original preschool series.

“We are thrilled to team up with Sutikki to help bring Foundling Bird’s amazing Moon and Me series to life through our upcoming preschool product line,” said Samantha Lomow, senior vice president, Hasbro Brands. “We are truly inspired by Andrew Davenport’s prestigious background and unique creative vision forMoon and Me and can’t wait to add this exciting new property to our PLAYSKOOL portfolio.”

“We are very excited to announce Hasbro as our global master toy licensee for Moon and Me,” said Andrew Kerr, Co-Founder of Sutikki. “With a rich history of innovation and brand storytelling we couldn’t imagine a better, more appropriate lead partner for the project. We’re also very proud that with this announcement today Hasbro becomes Sutikki’s first ever global master toy licensee.”

YouTube Red Greenlights Four Kids Series

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Image via YouTube

Variety reports on YouTube's first investments into children’s programming for their subscriber service, YouTube Red:

Hyperlinked -  Starring the five members of music group L2M, the series sees them come together to create their own website by girls for girls.

DanTDM Creates a Big Scene - British YouTuber Daniel Middleton and his animated friends overcome the challenges of staging a live show on the road.

The Kings of Atlantis - This animated series follows two young monarchs who intend to overthrow their kingdom's brutal usurper.

Fruit Ninja: Frenzy Force - A team of four Fruit Ninjas join forces to fight the evil Durian Grey and the Deep Fried Sensei.

The kids’ original series work in concert with the two-year-old YouTube Kids app "designed to provide a curated, family-safe set of content and features." Last summer, YouTube extended the Red subscription service to YouTube Kids, to let subscribers watch videos without any ads and download them for offline viewing.