‘Wildwood’ Debuts; ‘When The Wind Blows’ Turns 40; Remembering Eric Bauza

This week, the animation community is mourning Eric Bauza, who died Sunday at 46. The remarkably versatile voice actor was also one of the medium’s most passionate advocates, and we’ve gathered tributes from friends and collaborators remembering his talent, generosity, and love of animation.

At the box office, Laika’s Wildwood opened to $12.2 million domestically, with strong audience scores offering hope for long legs. In China, Sanxingdui: Future Past, promoted by its producers as the country’s first fully AI-generated theatrical feature, struggled to attract moviegoers, making just $180,000 from 10,000 theaters.

Meanwhile, The Loud House director Jessica Borutski says the show is returning for a tenth season, with production moving to Canada and its L.A. crew left behind. Her conversation with Maxwell Atoms raises difficult questions about the future of animation work in Hollywood.

We also mark the 40th anniversary of When the Wind Blows with a substantial behind-the-scenes retrospective by longtime contributor Joe Fordham, who worked on the film as an assistant editor. We also got a look behind The Simpsons’ latest Halloween special about Stoopid Buddy’s stop-motion homage to The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Glitch Productions greenlights a full season of Ross O’Donovan’s Gameoverse, The Animation Showcase unveils its 2026 shorts collection, and our Oscar-qualified shorts series continues with What We Leave Behind, from Alexandra Myotte and Jean-Sébastien Hamel.

Check out these stories and more at cartoonbrew.com.

1. 
   Eric Bauza, Looney Tunes Voice Actor And Tireless Champion Of Animation, Dies At 46

   From his beginnings at a drawing desk to his advocacy for the medium, Bauza brought a deep understanding of the art of animation to every role he played.
2. 
   Laika’s ‘Wildwood’ Opens Near ‘Kubo’ With $12.2 Million As Strong Audience Scores Offer Hope For Long Legs

   Laika’s latest more than doubled 'Missing Link’s' debut, with international expansion and the studio’s track record adding context to its opening.
3. 
   Meltdown Memories: ‘When The Wind Blows’ At 40

   Animation art director Richard Fawdry and former animation assistant Paul Donnellon revisit Raymond Briggs’ nuclear satire on its 40th anniversary
4. 
   ‘The Loud House’ Director Jessica Borutski Questions Hollywood’s Future As Show Moves S10 Production To Canada

   Jessica Borutski and 'Grim & Evil' creator Maxwell Atoms discuss lost job opportunities, AI, and if animation artists can still sustain careers in Hollywood.
5. 
   China’s First AI Feature Flops, Months After Scrappy ‘Niu Lai’ Became A Box Office Hit

   Bona Film Group’s AI experiment struggled to attract attention, months after the humble 'Niu Lai’ turned online ridicule into almost $10 million in sales.

6. 
   Here’s How Stoopid Buddy Gave ‘The Simpsons’ A ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ Makeover

   Tim Long and John Harvatine discuss the handmade puppets, costumes, and clay worms behind this year’s ‘Treehouse of Horror’ opening.
7. 
   Glitch Greenlights Full Season Its Hit YouTube Series ‘Gameoverse,’ Sets May 2027 Return

   The series from creator Ross O’Donovan, better known online as RubberRoss, earned a full-season order after its pilot topped 31 million views.
8. 
   The Animation Showcase’s 2026 Shorts Collection Is Now Streaming Free For Industry Professionals

   Industry professionals can watch 15 animated shorts in the new collection, plus curated selections from Miyu and the National Film Board of Canada.
9. 
   ‘A Great Person, A Great Talent, And A Great Friend’: Animation Community Pays Tribute To Eric Bauza

   Friends and collaborators remember Eric Bauza as a gifted performer, artist, animation advocate, and generous friend who brought people together.
10. 
    2027 Oscars Short Film Contenders: ‘What We Leave Behind’ Directors Alexandra Myotte And Jean-Sébastien Hamel

    A man returns to the hockey rink of his childhood in a raw, hand-drawn exploration of sexual abuse, repressed trauma, and the difficult path toward healing.