Cartoon Network’s Massive Leak; Don Bluth’s New Doc; Disney’s AI Bankruptcy Buffet

A massive collection of Cartoon Network production materials leaked online over the weekend, exposing decades of storyboards, animatics, model sheets, and working files. The leak comes as the studio’s new parent company, Skydance, raises fears of widespread layoffs.

In more positive West Coast news, California’s expanded animation tax credit program has awarded nearly $9 million to two independent features, the first time any indie titles have scored the newly expanded incentives, alongside another $40 million for Pixar.

Today, we were thrilled to debut the trailer for Don Bluth: Somewhere Out There, a new documentary exploring the legendary filmmaker’s triumphs, failures, and efforts to challenge Disney. And speaking of Disney, some corporate irony is unfolding at the House of Mouse. Less than a month after hiring Character.AI’s CEO to oversee its technology operations, his former company filed for bankruptcy, and Disney is bidding $20 million for some of its remaining assets.

With no major animation releases at the box office, the biggest toon debut of the weekend was Knights of Guinevere, which continues to show a massive appetite for independent animation, with its second episode nearing 9 million views in its first two days.

Also, since we last wrote, Disney has greenlit an animated Artemis Fowl series, Paramount is expanding the Avatar universe, and Naruto is crossing over with Ninku, the manga that inspired it.

Check out these stories and more at cartoonbrew.com.

1. 
   Decades Of Cartoon Network Production Materials Leak Online

   This is Skydance’s second major animation leak of the year, exposing artists’ working files months after the unreleased ‘Avatar’ film leaked online in full.
2. 
   ‘Somewhere Out There’ Trailer Celebrates Animation Rebel Don Bluth Ahead Of Nov. 20 Digital Release (EXCLUSIVE)

   The iconic filmmaker reflects on his dramatic departure from Disney, the challenges of building an independent studio, and the cost of artistic ambition.
3. 
   California Awards Nearly $9M In Tax Credits To Two Indie Animated Features, Pixar Scores Another $40M

   Baobab’s 'Shine' and Namethemachine’s 'The Long Walk' appear to be the first independent animated features backed by the expanded program.
4. 
   Skydance’s New Era Begins With Highly Controversial Board Appointments And Imminent Layoffs Warning

   With more than $80 billion in debt and a target of $6 billion in annual savings, executives at the media giant warn of "difficult decisions" to come.
5. 
   Character.AI Is Bankrupt, And Disney Is Picking Through The Scraps Of Its New Tech Chief’s Former Company

   Karandeep Anand, the former CEO of the failed tech company is now the head of all technology for The Walt Disney Company.

6. 
   ‘Knights Of Guinevere’ Episode 2 Nears 9 Million Views In Two Days

   Dana Terrace, John Bailey Owen, and Zach Marcus’s sci-fi thriller proves just how big an impact the indie 2D animated series has made with a massive E2 launch.
7. 
   Disney Greenlights ‘Artemis Fowl’ Animated Series With Author Eoin Colfer Producing

   Author Eoin Colfer joins Ben Juwono and Colleen Evanson as executive producers, with the adaptation following the first book’s 25th anniversary.
8. 
   ‘Naruto’ And ‘Ninku’ Team Up For New Four-Episode Crossover

   Studio Pierrot will produce the four-episode series, while Masashi Kishimoto returns to drawing the franchise with a new ‘Shadow Rising’ manga.
9. 
   Paramount+ Unveils New Series ‘Avatar Kuruk: Wave Of Chaos,’ Renews ‘Seven Havens’ For Two More Books

   Bryan Konietzko will showrun the new series, following a rebellious teenage Avatar as he learns the four elements through globetrotting adventures.
10. 
    Sony Launches Crunchyroll Storyworks To Develop Anime And Live-Action Adaptations

    Led by Sony veteran Tohru Iokibe, Storyworks will work with Japanese creators and develop projects for Crunchyroll and Aniplex’s HAYATE venture.