Pixar’s “Be Fri” Mystery, Netflix’s Animation Expansion & the Future of Theatrical Animation (Ep. 354)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Tv & Film

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 14 April 2026

⏱️ 42 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Jim and Drew dig into a packed week of animation news, from the surprising cancellation of a promising Pixar project to Netflix’s growing global animation footprint. Along the way, they explore box office winners, long-gestating passion projects finally coming to life, and the evolving relationship between streaming, theatrical releases, and viral animation hits. It’s a wide-ranging conversation that highlights just how quickly the animation industry continues to shift. HIGHLIGHTS • Pixar’s canceled “Be Fri” project revealed - a female-led film that was deep into development before being shelved amid studio shifts and Disney+ strategy changes • “Super Mario Galaxy” tops the box office while global competition heats up from international hits like China’s “Pegasus 3” • Netflix expands its animation empire with a new Vancouver studio hub, joining Disney and Sony in a growing production hotspot • Fathom Events brings viral hit “The Amazing Digital Circus” to theaters, highlighting the pipeline from YouTube to the big screen • Brad Bird’s long-awaited “Ray Gunn” finally unveils first images after decades in development • Warner Bros. and Netflix continue investing in YA and reimagined fairy tale animation, including “Steps” and new book adaptations • One Piece grows into a full franchise push with new seasons, specials, and theme park experiences HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Drew Taylor - IG: @drewtailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR Planning a Disney or Universal trip in 2026? Save money and skip the stress with expert help from UnlockMagic.com, your go-to source for theme park tickets and deals. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Isn't life grande?
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0:27.7	Subject to availability while stocks last.
0:30.0	Welcome back to fine tuning with Drew Taylor.
0:32.4	You one-stop shop when it comes to animation news and commentary.
0:35.9	I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill and Mr. Taylor,
0:38.5	whose writings in the industry you can regularly read over on the rap and whose musings on
0:43.9	the Mission Impossible movies you can still listen to over on Light the Fuse, the official
0:49.4	Mission Impossible podcast. He and I are recording this week's show on Sunday, April 12th. And by the way,
0:56.7	tonight, folks, the final episodes of Smiling Friends air on Adult Swim. You may recall from an
1:06.2	earlier episode of this podcast, and I mentioned that back in late February this year, we learned that in
1:12.9	spite of this animated series being renewed for season four and five, that the show was being
1:20.0	shut down due to creative burnout on the part of Smiling Fence creators, Michael Haddle, and
1:27.0	Zach Cusack.
1:29.1	And correct me if I'm wrong, Drew, these aren't necessarily, well, these are leftover episodes, the ones airing tonight from season four.
1:41.2	Yeah, they were made for season four. Yeah. Uh, yeah.
1:44.4	That's, that's my understanding of it.
1:46.2	These are the, these are the quote unquote bonus episodes.
	...

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