When Disney first acquired Marvel back in 2009, fans immediately started speculating about the numerous possibilities that this partnership could create.  Chief among them was whether Disney or Pixar would be bringing a Marvel Comics property to life in the world of animation.  Rumors swirled last summer that Disney was developing an animated feature film adaptation of the Marvel comic Big Hero 6, and they were quickly followed up by an official confirmation that the project was in the early stages of development.

Well now Disney has formally announced that the first animated feature based on a Marvel property will indeed be Big Hero 6, and the film is slated for release sometime next year.  Hit the jump for more, including the first footage from the pic.

Ever since word first broke that Disney was looking to acquire Marvel Studios, fans started speculating about which Marvel property would inevitably be turned into an animated film by the Mouse House. With Pixar also under Disney’s distribution banner, the excitement over a possible Pixar-led Marvel film was almost palpable.  Just a few weeks ago, Pixar and Disney Animation head John Lasseter went so far as to say he “wouldn’t be opposed” to Pixar and Marvel teaming up on a property, but now it looks like the first animated Marvel film to come out of the Mouse House may be from Disney Animation.  The studio is apparently in development on an animated iteration of the comic series Big Hero 6.  Hit the jump for more.

Perennial family favorite Winnie the Pooh returns to theaters this Friday in Disney’s new traditionally animated film of the same name. Pooh Bear is back with all of his friends in the 100 Acre Wood, getting into mischief and looking for honey. It’s a very sweet family film that will make a great first theater experience for many children and manage to keep parents engaged without indulging in any double entendre.

Last weekend I sat down with the film’s directors Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall to discuss their new cartoon. During the interview we talked about keeping it fun but innocent, the work dynamic with two directors, the less wistful tone of this film, Pooh Bear’s honey addiction and get an update on Bebe’s Kids. Hit the jump to watch.

Inspired by the stories from A.A. Milne’s books, and in Disney’s classic, hand-drawn art style, the beloved characters in the world of Winnie the Pooh are back on the big screen after 35 years. As lovable and charming as ever, Pooh wakes up hungry and out of honey, setting him out on a journey to stop the rumbling in his tummy. Along the way, he learns that Eeyore has lost his tail and, after misinterpreting a note, believes Christopher Robin to have been captured by a creature in the Hundred Acre Wood. Over the course of one very busy day, Pooh, Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Kanga and Roo, all work together to save Christopher Robin from the imaginary culprit, and find something for the always gloomy Eeyore to use as a tail.

At the film’s press day, co-directors Don Hall and Stephen Anderson talked about bringing such well-loved characters back to life on the big screen, how much they enjoyed working in 2D hand-drawn animation, what Zooey Deschanel’s musical contribution adds to the film, and bringing humor to these classic characters. Check out what they had to say after the jump

With Walt Disney’s Winnie the Pooh opening July 15, we’ve been provided with six clips from the film. Narrated by John Cleese, the 2D “hand-drawn style” animated film follows Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Kanga and Roo on an all-new adventure to help Christopher Robin.   It’s directed by Stephen Anderson and Don Hall and features the voices of Jim Cummings, Craig Ferguson, Tom Kenny, Travis Oates, and Bud Luckey.  Hit the jump to check out the clips.

New posters have been released for two upcoming films: Super and Winnie the Pooh. Directed by James Gunn (Slither), Super tells the story of an average guy who takes on the persona of “The Crimson Bolt” upon learning that his wife is having an affair. The film stars Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler and Kevin Bacon. IFC is set to release the film on April 1^st.

The “bear of little brain” returns to the big screen in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh. Narrated by John Cleese, the 2D “hand-drawn style” animated film follows Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Kanga and Roo on an all-new adventure to help Christopher Robin. Winnie the Pooh is slated for a July 15^th release. Hit the jump to check out both posters.

While some companies are turning to a live-action/CGI blend with their older properties, Walt Disney is sticking to what it knows best and will bring a brand new Winnie the Pooh film to screens for the first time in 35 years next summer.  At the helm are Stephen J. Anderson (Meet the Robinsons) and Don Hall (story for The Princess and the Frog), who are working off five short stories by A.A. Milne.  Joining the fray on voice cast for the first time are Craig Ferguson, Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) and Bud Luckey (director of the Pixar short Boundin’). Zooey Deschanel will be performing the Pooh theme song, while Tony Award-winning songwriter Bobby Lopez will be providing seven new songs.

With all that, this certainly is shaping up to be a winning effort from Disney. I personally can’t wait. This will be hand-drawn wholesomeness that only Pooh can inspire.  Hit the jump for the press release that includes the first synopsis and the two brand-new images.

Walt Disney Animation is sure keeping busy these days.  Not content with adding Princesses Tiana and Rapunzel, WDA is looking to introduce to an old standby to some new friends.  That’s right, Winnie the Pooh is returning to theaters.  Hit the jump to find out what is in store for that willy, nilly, silly ol’ bear.