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“The Bad Guys 2”, is the upcoming animated comedy sequel, based on the book series by Aaron Blabey, directed by Pierre Perifel and Jp Sans, starring Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Awkwafina, Zazie Beetz, Richard Ayoade, Lilly Singh, Alex Borstein, Danielle Brooks, Maria Bakalova and Natasha Lyonne as ‘anthropomorphic animal’ characters, releasing August 1, 2025 in theaters:

“…one year after the events of the first film, ‘The Bad Guys’ are struggling to find trust and acceptance…

“…in their newly minted lives as ‘Good Guys’, when they are pulled out of retirement…

“…and forced to do ‘one last job’ by an all-female squad of criminals…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

Catch up with Bad Guys – and meet the Bad Girls – in DreamWorks Animation’s The Bad Guys 2 trailer. The trailer confirms the Bad Guys are trying to be good, but that won’t be easy when they’re introduced to a trio of female villains: Kitty Kat, Pigtail, and Doom.

In an interview with The Wrap, director Pierre Perifel hinted at what’s happening with Wolf and the gang. “They’re struggling a little bit, going from job interviews to try and pay bills that they can’t afford, until they get captured by this trio of super villains and forced to do one last job,” said Perifel. “The movie is about testing Wolf’s determination to be a good guy. Did he make the right choice? That really is the big philosophical argument for him.”

The original film’s voice cast returns, with Oscar winner Sam Rockwell back as Mr.

Everyone’s favorite felons are back, and this time, they’ve got company.

In the new action-packed chapter from DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed comedy smash about a crackerjack crew of animal outlaws, our now-reformed Bad Guys are trying to be good, but instead find themselves hijacked into a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist, masterminded by a new team of criminals they never saw coming: The Bad Girls.

The Bad Guys (review) grossed $97.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $153.4 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $250.4 million.

Based on the New York Times best-selling book series by Aaron Blabey, which has soared from 8 million to over 30 million copies sold since the first film’s release in 2022, The Bad Guys 2 stars the stellar original cast, led by Academy Award® winner Sam Rockwell as Mr. Wolf, SAG award nominee Marc Maron as safe-cracker Mr. Snake, SAG award nominee Craig Robinson as master-of disguise Mr. Shark,...

Universal Pictures has released the official trailer and poster for The Bad Guys 2, which will open in theaters on August 1, 2025. Everyone’s favorite felons are back in the sequel, and this time, they’ve got company.

In the new action-packed chapter from DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed comedy smash about a crackerjack crew of animal outlaws, our now-reformed Bad Guys are trying to be good but instead find themselves hijacked into a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist, masterminded by a new team of criminals they never saw coming: The Bad Girls.

The franchise is based on the New York Times best-selling book series by Aaron Blabey, which has soared from 8 million to over 30 million copies sold since the first film’s release in 2022.

The Bad Guys 2 stars Academy Award winner Sam Rockwell as Mr. Wolf, SAG award nominee Marc Maron as safe-cracker Mr. Snake, SAG award nominee Craig Robinson as master-of-disguise Mr. Shark,...

Asad Ayaz

Chief brand officer, The Walt Disney Co.; president of marketing, The Walt Disney Studios and Disney+

A recent day from Ayaz’s calendar explains why Bob Iger hand-picked the marketing wizard in 2023 to serve as the conglomerate’s first-ever branding officer while continuing to oversee campaigns for movies and streaming series. This year, Disney is back on top at the box office (including Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, Alien: Romulus), with Moana 2 and Mufasa yet to come.

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024

6 a.m. Gym.

7 a.m. Travel time.

8 a.m. Internationals marketing monthly with regional leads; in TD416A.

9 a.m. Release dates with distribution; Thunderbolts trailer review. Release dates are highly classified, but Ayaz reveals that theatrical dates for Freakier Friday and the live-action Lilo & Stitch have been signed off on for May 8 and May 23, 2025, respectively; in Td 416A.

10 a.m. D23 Brazil — run of show; in Pandora Td 413D conference room.

Here’s everything we know about The Bad Guys 2 (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation are revving up for The Bad Guys 2! The 2022 animated heist hits theaters on August 1, 2025. After raking in $250M, it’s no shock Mr. Wolf and his crew are ready for more shenanigans. This time, they’re trying to embrace the “Good Guy” life, but of course, they can’t resist the pull of “one last job” from a sly all-female crime squad. Buck up for chaos!

Mr. Wolf and the Gang are Back

Oscar-winner Sam Rockwell returns as the slick pickpocket Mr. Wolf. Marc Maron’s sarcastic safe-cracker Mr. Snake, Craig Robinson’s shape-shifting Mr. Shark, and Anthony Ramos’ short-tempered Mr. Piranha are all set to join the ride. And who could forget Awkwafina’s sharp-tongued hacker, Ms. Tarantula, aka “Webs”? She’ll be spinning her web of codes once more.

Universal Pictures will release DreamWorks Animation’s The Bad Guys 2 on Friday, August 1, 2025, the studio announced today.

The first film hit theaters in April 2022 and grossed $250.4 million worldwide, with $97.5 million coming from North American theaters and $152.9 million from international markets. The movie has also been successful in streaming on services like Netflix, Peacock, and Prime Video.

Who’s badder than The Bad Guys? The Bad Girls. In the new chapter of DreamWorks Animation‘s acclaimed action-comedy hit about a crackerjack criminal crew of animal outlaws, The Bad Guys struggle to find trust and acceptance in their newly minted lives as Good Guys when they are pulled out of retirement and forced to do “one last job” by an all-female squad of criminals.

Based on the New York Times best-selling book series by Aaron Blabey, The Bad Guys 2 reunites the film’s all-star cast and filmmakers.

Returning to their...

The Bad Guys are looking to make trouble at the 2025 box office. Universal and DreamWorks Animation have set The Bad Guys 2 for an Aug. 1, 2025 release in theaters.

It’s a sequel to the 2022 film and once again stars Sam Rockwell as Mr. Wolf, Marc Maron as Mr. Snake, Craig Robinson as Mr. Shark, Anthony Ramos as Mr. Piranha and Awkwafina as Ms. Tarantula, aka “Webs.” Others stars include Zazie Beetz as Diana Foxington, Richard Ayoade as Professor Marmalade, Alex Borstein as police chief Misty Luggins and Lilly Singh as Tiffany Fluffit.

According to the logline, “The Bad Guys are struggling to find trust and acceptance in their newly minted lives as Good Guys, when they are pulled out of retirement and forced to do ‘one last job’ by an all-female squad of criminals.”

Pierre Perifel returns to direct with Damon Ross once again producing. Jp Sans steps up to co-direct...

Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation are readying a sequel to their $250M-grossing 2022 hit, The Bad Guys, which will release on Aug. 1, 2025.

Uni already had the date reserved for an untitled DreamWorks Animation title.

The Bad Guys 2 follows the crackerjack criminal crew of animal outlaws who are struggling to find trust and acceptance in their newly minted lives as Good Guys. However, they’re pulled out of retirement and forced to do “one last job” by an all-female squad of criminals.

Part two will reteam the first pic’s filmmakers and cast. The movie is based on Aaron Blabey’s New York Times best-selling book series.

Oscar winner Sam Rockwell is back as dashing reformed pickpocket Mr. Wolf; Marc Maron plays safe-cracker Mr. Snake, Craig Robinson is master-of-disguise Mr. Shark, Grammy winner Anthony Ramos portrays short-fused Mr. Piranha and Golden Globe winner Awkwafina will reprise her expert hacker Ms. Tarantula,...

To the surprise of no one, James Cameron’s dazzling Avatar: The Way of Water dominated the 21st annual Visual Effects Society Award nominations, which were announced on Tuesday. The juggernaut earned 14 Ves noms, a record number for a feature film or any single project in the society’s awards history.

That includes a nomination in the top category for outstanding VFX in a photoreal feature. Alongside The Way of Water, the category nominees are Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Jurassic World: Dominion, The Batman and Top Gun: Maverick. Nominees in the category for supporting VFX are Death on the Nile, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, The Fabelmans, The Gray Man, The Pale Blue Eye and Thirteen Lives.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio leads the animated contenders, with six nominations including one for outstanding VFX in an animated feature. Meanwhile The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power...

“Avatar: The Way of Water” has made history once more.

As James Cameron’s long-gestating sequel continues its climb up the all-time box-office charts, “The Way of Water” set a new record for the most nominations for a single project from the Visual Effects Society Awards, announced this morning. The film’s 14 nods highlight achievements that range from VFX to character animation to emerging technology, where it accounts for three of the category’s five nominees. This tally surpasses the previous records set by the 11 nominations for the original “Avatar” in 2010 and the 13 nominations for “The Mandalorian” in 2021.

Joining “The Way of Water” on the Ves leaderboard are “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” and “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” which respectively top the animation and TV fields with six and seven nominations. The 21st annual Visual Effects Society Awards will take place February 15 at the Beverly Hilton,...

James Cameron’s “Avatar: The Way of Water” leads the feature competition at the 21st Annual Ves Awards.

The film earned a total of 14 Ves Awards nominations, setting a new record for record nominations for a feature film. The original “Avatar” was the previous record holder when it received 11 nominations at the 8th Annual Ves Awards held in 2010.

“Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio” received six nominations in the animation category making it the top animated contender.

Ves members selected nominees in 25 categories at 27 in-person and virtual nomination events conducted worldwide. The winners will be announced on Feb. 15 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

This year marks the presentation of the first Ves Emerging Technology Award, which celebrates the creators of the technology behind the visuals and honors the inventors of a novel and uniquely innovative tool, device, software or methodology of outstanding value to the art and science of visual effects,...

Suffice it to say that Avatar: The Way of Water commanded the Visual Effects Society’s attention. James Cameron box office-smash sequel scored a record 14 nominations for the 2023 Ves Awards, which were announced today.

Helped by three noms in the Emerging Technology category, Disney’s The Way of Water topped the single-year noms haul by Disney+’s The Mandalorian in 2021. It also shattered the old high-water mark for films, set by — no big surprise here — the original Avatar, which amassed 11 noms in 2010.

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The hardware will be doled out at the 21st annual Ves Awards on Wednesday,...

Universal Pictures has announced the release date and details for the 4K Ultra HD/Blu-Ray release of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Come inside to learn more!

If you're looking to bring the thrilling conclusion of the How to Train Your Dragon series into the comfort of your own home, you'll get the chance this May. Universal has announced The Hidden World will arrive digitally on May 7th, with the physical release landing on May 21, 2019 which will come loaded with plenty of special features:

Nearly ten years after the first movie wowed audiences around the world, Hiccup and Toothless return to captivate fans with an adventure of a lifetime in DreamWorks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. The final quest from Dean DeBlois’ arrives on Digital and via the digital movie app Movies Anywhere on May 7, 2019 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™, DVD,...

Nearly ten years after the first movie wowed audiences around the world, Hiccup and Toothless return to captivate fans with an adventure of a lifetime in DreamWorks Animation’s “How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World”. The final quest from Dean DeBlois’ arrives on Digital and via the digital movie app Movies Anywhere on May 7, 2019, and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand May 21, 2019, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Hailed as “the perfect conclusion to one of the best-animated trilogies of all time” and certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes®, the film opened at #1 in over 40 markets. The 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital versions feature over an hour of exclusive behind-the-scenes bonus content including an alternate opening, two DreamWorks animated shorts, deleted scenes and more.

To mark the film’s global 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD release, Universal has partnered with Facebook and Messenger to...

I’ve got an enjoyable animated short film from you to watch today from DreamWorks Animation called Bilby.

The story is set in the harsh environment of Australia’s Outback, which is overrun by deadly creatures looking to kill and eat. It follows the lonesome Bilby, “who finds himself an unwitting protector, and unexpected friend, to a helpless (and quite adorable) baby bird.”

Bilby was directed by Liron Topaz, Pierre Perifel and Jp Sans and, as you’ll see, it’s pretty funny to watch these little creatures on a never ending adventure of trying to survive in a place where the odds are stacked against them.

Pixar’s “Bao” (available for online viewing below through December 23rd) and DreamWorks’ “Bilby” and “Bird Karma” lead the Academy’s shortlist of 10 for Best Animated Short.

They were joined by “Age of Sail,” from Oscar winner John Kahrs (“Paperman”) via his Vr Google Spotlight short about being adrift at sea; National Board of Canada’s “Animal Behaviour” (directed by Alison Snowden and David Fine) about hilarious animal issues; Cartoon Saloon’s “Late Afternoon” (directed by Louise Bagnall), which explores dementia; “Lost & Found” (directed by Andrew Goldsmith & Bradley Slabe) about recovering a special friendship; “One Small Step” (directed by Disney alums Andrew Chesworth and Bobby Pontillas) about qualifying for the space program; “Pépé le Morse” (directed by Lucrèce Andreae) about a family’s sojourn of mourning; and “Weekends” (directed by Pixar story artist Trevor Jimenez) based on his difficult childhood being shuttled between parents in Toronto.

However, the frontrunner remains “Bao,...

This year’s Oscar race for Best Animated Short is led by Pixar’s China-flavored “Bao” and a pair of DreamWorks projects that launched its new shorts program: the CG “Bilby” and the 2D “Bird Karma.”

Semi-autobiographical “Bao” explores empty nest syndrome. Chinese-Canadian story artist Domee Shi, the first female to direct a short at Pixar, tells the story of a woman who gets a second chance at motherhood when one of her hand-made dumplings come to life. Shi grew up in Toronto and the short reflects her upbringing as the only child of Chinese immigrants. (Her dumpling master mom served as consultant.) Animating the delectable Chinese meals proved the biggest challenge, but story wise, Shi delivered Pixar’s first Wtf moment when the mom eats her dumpling child to prevent it from leaving the nest.

Also from Pixar, story artist Trevor Jimenez made the semi-autobiographical, hand-drawn “Weekends” in his...

The Oscar race for Best Animated Short offers several mainstream studio contenders, led by Pixar’s China-flavored “Bao” and a pair of DreamWorks projects that launched its new shorts program: the CG “Bilby” and the 2D “Bird Karma.”

In addition, Pixar story artist Trevor Jimenez made the semi-autobiographical, hand-drawn “Weekends” in his spare time; former Disney Oscar winner John Kahrs (“Paperman”) ventured into Vr with the Google Spotlight short, “Age of Sail”; and former Pixar animator Carlos Baena conjured the gorgeous, horror-filled “La Noria” with a contingent of online collaborators.

“Bao,” which explores empty nest syndrome, is also semi-autobiographical. It’s from story artist Domee Shi, the first female to direct a short at Pixar, who is currently developing a feature, guided by her mentor, Pete Docter, the studio’s new chief creative officer.

“Bao” is about a Chinese-Canadian woman who gets a second chance at motherhood when one of...

Without an animated feature release this year (“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” and “Abominable” bow in 2019 through Universal Pictures), DreamWorks will rely on its new shorts program for Oscar contention. Launched by studio president Chris deFaria, the program represents its own brand of inclusion and diversity.

The first two releases are the exquisite and refreshingly dark “Bird Karma,” and the charming and funny “Bilby.” Both offer very different survival stories and distinctive 2D and CG looks.

With “Bird Karma,” director William Salazar (“Kung Fu Panda”) got to finish a short he started more than 20 years ago about a long-legged bird that takes a liking to a multi-colored fish. But instead of becoming friends, the bird eats the fish, which results in some really bad karma. Enhancing the Indian theme is a score by Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum as part of an inclusion program, “Universal Film Music Composer Initiative: DreamWorks Animation.