Wildwood, Shrek Buckets & the Return of Matt Braly’s Lost Movie (Ep. 359)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Tv & Film

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 19 May 2026

⏱️ 44 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor break down the stunning debut of Laika’s “Wildwood” teaser trailer, the surprising revival of Matt Braly’s cancelled animated feature “Afterworld,” and Universal’s massive push behind the 25th anniversary of “Shrek.” They also discuss Warner Bros. Animation’s uncertain future, Disney’s latest animation-themed park projects, and new details on “CoCoMelon: The Movie” and Apple TV’s upcoming “Snoopy Unleashed.” AUDIO DISCLAIMER - we had some tech issues, but things clear up after the first break. Thanks for hanging in there. HIGHLIGHTS • Laika’s “Wildwood” teaser trailer racks up 115 million views in 24 hours as the studio prepares a major theatrical event strategy for the film’s October release. • Drew previews his upcoming trip to the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where “Wildwood” will receive a major presentation. • Matt Braly’s cancelled Sony animated feature gets new life as Thailand’s MONK Studios acquires the rights to develop “Afterworld.” • Warner Bros. Pictures Animation hosts an open house amid growing industry concern over the studio’s future during the Paramount acquisition talks. • Universal begins its full-scale marketing push for “Shrek 5” with anniversary screenings, popcorn buckets, and new theme park expansions. • A deep dive into DreamWorks Animation’s “Shrek” legacy as the original film celebrates its 25th anniversary. • How NBCUniversal is leveraging “Shrek” across theme parks, merchandising, stage productions, and future film spin-offs. • New details on Disney’s reimagined Animation Courtyard and “Magic of Disney Animation” experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. • Fresh casting details for “CoCoMelon: The Movie” and discussion of Apple TV’s upcoming “Snoopy Unleashed.” HOSTS • Jim Hill X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia Instagram: @JimHillMedia Website: jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor X/Twitter: @DrewTailored Instagram: @drewtailored Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR UnlockedMagic.com - Save on your next Disney or Universal vacation with special ticket deals from https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=finetooning If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome back to fine tuning with Drew Taylor, your one-stop shop when it comes to animation news and commentary.
0:06.6	I am entertainment writer Jim Hill and Mr. Taylor, whose writings on the industry you can regularly read over on the rap,
0:14.9	and whose musings on the Mission Impossible movies, you can still listen to on Light the Fuse,
0:20.6	the official Mission Impossible podcast.
0:23.4	He and I are recording this week's show on Saturday, May 16th.
0:30.3	And if you've listened previously to this podcast, you know that among the things we like to do here at fine-tuning is make you aware of the various panels and presentations that Mr. Taylor moderates or takes part in
0:42.6	out there in Southern California.
0:45.0	So anything we can talk about hype at the top of the show, Drew?
0:50.2	Yeah, well, I'm doing a Madison Q&A on Sunday, May 13th.
0:56.6	So we're taking a break this next weekend for the holiday.
0:59.9	Thank God.
1:00.8	So, yeah, that's next Sunday at 1.
1:04.2	And I don't know what gil that is.
1:06.9	But on the next show, I will be sure to bring all the details.
1:11.4	So should you want to see me talk to the kind of below the line team from the Madison,
1:17.1	the Paramount Plus series, you can do that.
1:20.0	Very cool.
1:21.0	Likewise, we like to talk up.
1:24.1	The books of Taylor is writing or has written.
1:37.1	By the way, his latest, The Art of Wildwood, is coming from Rosoli Universe that gets published on October 6th, which I know a while down the line.
1:47.0	But it's a 176-page hardcover that takes a look at how Laika's latest, which will arrive in theaters on October 23rd, came together.
1:48.6	By the way, folks, this is a wildwood significant.
	...

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