Latest news with #CatintheHat
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Cat in the Hat' Teases Not One, but Three Different Worlds – and a Pig in a Wig
Latest Warner Bros. Animation offering, 'Cat in the Hat' – based on the Dr. Seuss creation – will introduce the audience to three different universes, its team revealed at Annecy. 'We have the real world, we have the Seuss' world, which is where the Cat comes from, and the boxes' world,' said co-director Alessandro Carloni of the feature. The latter has a very simple explanation: Gabby and Sebastian's family has just moved into a new home. More from Variety Passion Paris, Amplitude Studios Partner on Animated Series Set in the Endless Universe (EXCLUSIVE) 'We Did Not Make 'Animal Farm' for Any Algorithm': Director Andy Serkis on Animating Orwell Nickelodeon, Paramount Animation Smurf Up Annecy Crowds With Packed Slate and Exclusive SpongeBob SquarePants Preview 'We chose to introduce our characters through the content of their boxes,' said Carloni. Left on the floor, they will allow the Cat to take the kids on crazy adventures after turning their old couch into a magical transportation device. 'Parents know that all the kids need is a couch and a bunch of boxes,' joked Erica Rivinoja, co-director and writer. Sebastian's box is all about the ocean, and his desire to reconnect with his older sister who's not playing with him anymore. But this underwater universe will feel 'handmade and not mass-produced: as if it was created by one wildly imaginative kid. A world of plenty from nothing but imagination,' assured production designer Aidan Sugano. Gabby's box reflects her past as a 'band nerd' and what she's currently going through – she desperately wants to go back to her old school and old life. Art director Amos Sussigan explained: 'Emotionally, it lives between Sebastian's playful chaos and full-blown existential dread – which is what I'm feeling right now. She's romanticizing the past. It's not your typical reference for animation, but I was looking at 'Euphoria,' which is a bit extra and bold, and that's what we tried to do with Gabby's world.' 'It becomes this wonderful journey into her old life. She gets to re-experience it – not how it really was but as she remembered it. She sees everything through the eyes of nostalgia, which obviously clouds things. Even her modest home becomes a castle,' said Rivinoja. 'And then we have mum's box. She's an overwhelmed yet tireless nurse. She has all the things us adults love: tax forms, insurance documents, paperwork. Her children think it's all she cares about.' But there's much more to discover. Sugano noted: 'We try to craft these surreal landscapes of metaphors. How do you create visually the core identity of a person? Here, we landed on this abstract, celestial galaxy of personality, turning the entire space into a mood ring to reinforce the emotionality of the characters at this time, and to reinforce the poetic core of who she is.' According to Rivinoja, the source material defined the whole project. 'We really looked into the art of Dr. Seuss, leaning into its wackiness.' 'Even if you didn't grow up with the Cat in the Hat, I bet you know someone like him, because he's bonkers and out of control. A total agent of chaos, tornado of excitement, driven by a single overriding desire: to have fun. If a kid asks him to drive a car, he will say: 'It's very dangerous. Of course!' He's the quintessential 'carpe diem' guy and the keeper of the theme of our movie, which is about living in the present. All he cares about is having a good time.' Or so it seems. 'If he really just a crazy lunatic? Or deep down, is he the greatest child psychologist ever and the greatest support animal? That is the question we're asking ourselves,' added Carloni, which is why they decided to follow him as he returned to his office. 'Where does this furry home invader go?! This office is filled with hilarious characters like Pig in the Wig, Ox in the Box, Owl in a Towel. His job is to engage with bored, sad kids to give them exactly what they need: a crazy, fun day of adventure.' Joined by other Seuss' characters, like the Things, the Cat will also reveal a bit more of his past. 'What we know from the original book is just one case file of his many assignments. He's caused a mess at his company,' said Carloni. And at one point put a moose in a diaper. But his next assignment will be his hardest yet. '[This character] has been a part of so many childhoods, so we had to do it justice. It had to be a celebration of Seuss. We try to portray this very cerebral idea of creating visceral landscapes of personality. This film is completely about connection,' underlined Sugano. According to art director Amos Sussigan, the team wanted to focus on the color of red. 'Not just because it pops. It represents connection, presence and the now. Color had to do a lot of heavy lifting for it not to feel disconnected or episodical.' 'We reference movies like Pixar's 'Soul,' which was great for our real-life world, and it's a great example of a movie that also goes into the fantastical. We also looked at Disney's 'Feast' and [unreleased] 'Me and My Shadow,' which had a really rich use of colors,' added VFX supervisor Matt Waters. Sugano noted: 'Seuss has been done before, and very well. We wanted to study the source material and find what Seuss is. Look for the core, for the identity. There's what Seuss is, his compositional choices and use of color, and the Seuss that we remember, the spirit many people connect to.' Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Cat in the Hat set to return with three surprising new worlds in 2026
Warner Bros. Animation's upcoming Cat in the Hat movie, based on Dr. Seuss' beloved character, will take audiences on a journey through three distinct universes, as revealed by the creative team at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Co-director Alessandro Carloni shared that the film explores the "real world," the fantastical "Seuss world" where the iconic Cat originates, and a unique "boxes world." The latter features the family of Gabby and Sebastian, who have just moved into a new house. Their adventures begin when the Cat turns an old couch into a magical portal using the contents of their moving boxes, as explained by Carloni. 'Parents know that all the kids need is a couch and a bunch of boxes,' joked Erica Rivinoja, co-director and writer. Each character's box represents their personal world: Sebastian's box is ocean-themed, reflecting his desire to reconnect with his older sister, while Gabby's box delves into her nostalgic memories as a 'band nerd,' portraying the emotional complexity of her longing for her old life. Gabby's world is described by art director Amos Sussigan as "between playful chaos and existential dread," influenced by the visual language of Euphoria. Gabby's mother's box is filled with paperwork, representing her life as an overwhelmed nurse. Production designer Aidan Sugano emphasized the surreal nature of these landscapes, which explore the core identity of each character through imaginative, abstract designs, including a celestial galaxy to reflect her personality. The film's source material, Dr. Seuss' original work, heavily influenced the project's wacky, whimsical style. Carloni reflected on the Cat's persona, questioning whether he is simply a chaotic figure or, as the film suggests, a profound child psychologist who knows exactly how to bring joy to bored kids. The Cat's latest assignment, filled with familiar Seuss characters, will challenge him like never before. With vibrant use of color and inspiration from films like Soul and Feast, the team aims to bring a visually rich and emotionally connected experience to the screen. However, fans of Dr. Seuss' iconic character will have to wait a little longer for the magic to unfold on the big screen. The Cat in the Hat is now set for release in the United States on February 27, 2026.
Los Angeles Times
01-03-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Huntington Beach leaders come together for Read Across America Day
Peterson Elementary School was abuzz with Huntington Beach leaders on Friday morning, each of whom brought a book to read as part of National Read Across America Day. One guest reader actually read a book that she wrote herself. Huntington Beach Fire Dept. Marine Safety Division Captain Leslie Schwene finished writing a book on beach safety last year, 'Let's Go to the Beach! Beach Safety Tips with Lifeguard Leslie.' 'Whenever we get asked to do this, there's never a book about beach safety,' said Schwene, who was named the department's first female Marine Safety Division captain in 2022. 'I thought, why not write one? ... I love reading. My mom instilled that from an early age. You can go somewhere without packing a suitcase.' Her book was funded through the Huntington Beach Fire Department Outreach Foundation, she said. After reading it during one of three 15-minute classroom stops Friday, Schwene was peppered with questions by students in Jamie Anderson's second-grade class. 'The message I try to instill in them all the time, but especially this week, is the importance of reading and writing,' said Anderson, adding that she has been teaching at Peterson since 1997. 'It's important that we do it every day, because any job they're going to have when they're older, they're going to have to be able to read and write.' The Peterson Read Across America event, organized each year by past PTA presidents Laura Costelloe and Deanna Garza, has become a beloved tradition in the Huntington Beach community. Friday's eighth annual event featured reading from Mayor Pro Tem Casey McKeon along with City Council members Gracey Van Der Mark and Butch Twining, and many other city leaders. They were guided around campus by Peterson fifth-grade ASB students for their three blocks, before watching a performance of Peterson kindergartners and taking a group picture outside. National Read Across America Day is celebrated each year on or around March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Some on campus at Peterson on Friday wore the comical tall, red-and-white striped 'Cat in the Hat' hats. 'I think it's more amazing each year,' Peterson Principal Kevin Smith-Johnson said of the event. 'It really just echoes Huntington Beach as a city. We get support from every department, each side of the aisle, and it's an event that everybody can rally around.'
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Boys and Girls Club of Rochester celebrates Dr. Suess's birthday
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Did you know that March 2 is Dr. Suess's birthday? The Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester celebrated the author's birthday a little early Thursday. Kids enjoyed reading some of Dr. Suess's most iconic books including 'Cat in the Hat' and 'One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish'. Whether reading on their own or being read to, staff members said Thursday was about letting the kids get to know the books and have fun at the same time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dr. Seuss low-plate lottery auction being held for Massachusetts drivers
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Massachusetts license plates featuring Dr. Seuss's iconic Cat in the Hat began rolling out this year and now drivers can bid on low numbers. The Springfield Museums will hold an online auction beginning at noon on Friday, February 28th through Monday, March 10th at 5 p.m. The low numbers are from 1 to 99 and some start at $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, and the highest at $25,000 for the 'DR 1' plate. Those interested are encouraged to register in advance online at or text DrSeussPlates to 76278. Cat in the Hat license plates available in Massachusetts Additional Dr. Seuss Plates can be purchased online or at an RMV service center for $40, plus standard registration fees. Proceeds from the custom Dr. Seuss plates support The Springfield Museums. 'We're thrilled with the response to the Dr. Seuss plate and are looking forward to offer a limited release of these low-numbered plates in this exciting charitable auction,' said Kay Simpson, President and CEO of the Springfield Museums. 'This is a unique opportunity to acquire a previously unavailable plate, while supporting our efforts to promote literacy and the joy of reading through programs offered at the Springfield Museums.' Author Theodor Seuss Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, was born in Springfield in 1904 and became an internationally renowned children's book author, selling over 600 million copies that have been translated into dozens of languages. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
