The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network Gumby Turns 70, DreamWorks Eyes Cocomelon, and Peppa Pig Teams Up with Walmart (Ep. 307)
In this solo episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill dives into a packed week of animation news while Drew Taylor covers the opening of Epic Universe in Florida. Topics include:
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The 70th anniversary of Gumby – A look back at Art Clokey’s clay-animated classic and upcoming updates like Gumby Kids.
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Faith-based animation on the rise – Following the box office success of The King of Kings, Fairly OddParents creator Butch Hartman launches a new animation studio focused on spiritual storytelling.
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DreamWorks embraces early childhood IP – From the upcoming Cocomelon feature to Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie and Bad Guys 2.
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Paramount’s shifting release schedule – New dates for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2, The Legend of Aang, and Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie.
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Peppa Pig’s gender reveal episode debuts… on Walmart.com – A bold retail-media crossover with exclusive merchandise tied to streaming content.
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Smurfs movie sparks fan backlash – Rihanna’s new song “Friend of Mine” fails to impress her Navy, despite her upcoming role as Smurfette.
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AI in animation – With $42 million raised by AI animation startups like Cartwheel and Hedra, concerns about job displacement echo the shift from hand-drawn to CG in the ’90s.
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New Shaun the Sheep movie announced – Aardman’s The Beast of Mossy Bottom arrives in 2026 with a Halloween theme.
A thoughtful and wide-ranging episode covering preschool hits, legacy IP, streaming trends, theatrical strategy, and the evolving role of AI in the animation industry.
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