When “Chicken Little” Took Flight: Disney’s First CGI Gamble and What Came Next (Ep. 331)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Tv & Film

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 4 November 2025

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This week on Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor mark the 20th anniversary of Chicken Little — Disney’s first fully computer-animated feature — and trace how the film’s rocky launch reshaped the studio’s animation strategy in the mid-2000s. Recorded the morning after Daylight Savings Time kicked in, this episode mixes history, humor, and behind-the-scenes insight as the guys unpack what really happened inside Disney Animation during one of its most volatile eras. HIGHLIGHTS Drew and Jim revisit the creative chaos that followed The Emperor’s New Groove and how Mark Dindal & Randy Fullmer’s next project evolved into Chicken Little. Why Bob Iger’s early plans to buy Pixar cast a shadow over the film’s release. How Chicken Little became both a casualty and catalyst in Disney’s CGI transformation. Updates on the new Zootopia Zoobetter Together 4-D show at Animal Kingdom and why fans may want to wait for the Merrie Menagerie’s return. Studio Ghibli Fest’s finale screenings of The Boy and the Heron, plus news on Laika’s upcoming Wildwood and ESPN’s animated Monsters Funday Football event. Hosts Drew Taylor — X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | Website: drewtaylor.work Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com Patreon Support Fine Tooning and the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network on Patreon: patreon.com/jimhillmedia Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer Credits Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency Sponsor This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com — where you can save up to 12% on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets, including hard-ticket events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:28.6	Gamblingware.org.
0:29.9	Welcome back to fine tuning with Drew Taylor, your one-stop shop when it comes to animation news and commentary.
0:36.7	I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill and Mr. Taylor,
0:39.3	whose writings on the industry you can regularly read over on the rap and whose musings on the
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0:50.2	Impossible podcast. Anyway, Drew and I are recording this week's show on Sunday, November 2nd.
0:57.3	Daylight savings time started today.
1:00.2	I'm always grateful for that extra hour of sleep when we turn back the clock.
1:05.6	Problem is nobody ever tells the animals.
1:08.5	Yes, exactly, Jim.
1:10.3	Exactly. Exactly.
1:11.6	All right.
	...

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