Regency Animation

**Regency Animation**, formerly known as **Regency Feature Animation** from 1994 to 2005, is an American animation studio located in Los Angeles, California, U.S. it is organized as a division of Regency Enterprises. Founded in December 1994 by Tyrone Davis. The studio is best known for *Nicholas*, *Julie Jackson* and *Mystic of Spirits* film series and has also produced the films like *The Princess and the Chicken* and *In the Magical World of Wonder*. Regency Animation has produced 18 feature films, with its latest release being *Britt and Williams: Wizard Journey*.

Regency Animation is currently managed by Tyrone Davis (Chief Executive Officer), under the direction of Chris Wedge and Simon Clark who both also oversee 20th Century Animation.

## History

### Regency Feature Animation/Warner Bros. deal (1994–98)

In late 1994, after the premiere of *Free Willy*, animator Tyrone Davis met with Regency Enterprises founders Arnon Milchan to discuss the creation of a feature animation division, an offer that Davis immediately accepted. Regency Feature Animation was officially established in December 1994 to produce theatrical animated films to rival other studios, Walt Disney Feature Animation, Hyperion Animation, Rich Animation Studios and Turner Feature Animation.

In 1996, Regency Feature Animation agreed to a contract with Warner Bros. under its feature animation banner to make feature animated films. The joint venture would mostly produce new material, though a Regency executive did not rule out the possibility of making films such as *The Romeos*, *Power Girl* and *Roger Ramjet*. None of the movies were produced due to the 15-year distribution pact with 20th Century Fox by Regency's founders, Arnon Milchan in 1997, and they would distribute the movies instead. With the creative differences with Tyrone Davis, he scuttled the films. However, Fox and Regency would go forward and start development on *Power Girl* 3 months after 15-years distribution pact with 20th Century Fox.

### 2000s

On May 12, 2000, the studio released its first film *Power Girl*, a animated sci-fi comedy action film, The film received generally positive reviews from critics, it was also a box office success, grossing over $369 million in the United States and $590 million worldwide.

Four months later, the studio then released its second film and first Regency Feature Animation motion capture films, *Nicholas: The Beginning* on September 15, 2000, It received positive reviews from critics, who praised its animation, characters, music, and voice acting. It was a success at the box office, earning over $464 million worldwide on its $39 million budget, The success of the film led to three sequels.

On September 7, 2001, the studio released *Traveler's Keep*, a animated comedy slapstick adventure film. The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised its animation, characters, music, and voice acting. It was a modest success at the box office, earning over $297 million worldwide on a budget of $55 million.

On August 16, 2002, the studio released *Racing Galaxy,* a live-action/animated science fiction action comedy film based on the characters from *Wacky Toons,* It was a box office success, opening at number one at the North American box office and grossing over $324 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing Regency Animation live-action/animated film of all time. However, it received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the live-action, animation, visual effects, score, performances (particularly Fanning), and the faithful Saban Animation (originally gonna produced it, but removed due to acquired by The Walt Disney Company) comedy gags, but criticized the plot and lack of originality with several negative comparisons to *The Love Bug*, *Tron* and *Space Jam*. However, the film has nonetheless amassed a significant cult following, and is considered among the most iconic early 2000s movies. It is the first live-action/animated film produced by Regency Feature Animation, as well as first theatrically-released film to feature the Wacky Toons characters since *Wacky Toons: Around the Worldwild* (1997), Dakota Fanning first voice acting role (although she still portrayed it in real world at the beginning and the end of the film) and the first Wacky Toons films that was not produced by Saban Animation after Saban Animation being sold to Disney in 2001, merged with Saban Entertainment and was renamed BVS (Buena Vista Studios) Entertainment.

On August 15, 2003, the studio released *My Best Cat Partner,* it was met with positive reviews from critics, many of whom pointed to the art direction, script and Alan Silvestri's score. However, while grossing $178 million worldwide on its $68 million budget, the film underperformed disappointingly at the box office, forcing a writedown of $28 million for Regency Feature Animation.

On November 24, 2004, Regency Feature Animation released *Reawakening Afternoon,* It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its animation, score, and performances, but criticized its story and writing. Due to the film's lackluster box office performance, Regency suffered an $93 million loss for the film, which led its Regency Feature Animation to abandon traditional animation for computer animation. It was the last Regency Animation film to use traditional animation until the release of *Wesley and Annie: Final Friendship Moments.*

On April 15, 2005, the studio released *Julie Jackson,* It received generally negative reviews from critics, but it was a box office success, grossing $196.4 million worldwide on a budget of $58 million. It is the second live-action/animated film produced by Regency Feature Animation after *Racing Galaxy*,

On December 2, 2005, Regency released *Nicholas: The Second Chapter,* It is the first sequel to 2000's *Nicholas: The Beginning,* It was an immediate critical and commercial success, earning over $346 million worldwide on its $43 million budget, making it the highest-grossing animated film of 2005. It was the last film produced by Regency Feature Animation before the studio was renamed to its current name, Regency Animation.

On December 1, 2006, the studio released its first CGI animated film, *In the Magical World of Wonder*, It received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. However, the film was a box office success, grossing $389 million worldwide against a budget of $53 million. It later gaining a cult following through television syndication and its home video release.

On September 21, 2007, the studio released another CGI film, *The Adventures of Pedrinoho and Ylacinho,* it received positive reviews from critics, praising its animation, voice acting, writing, musical score, and character development. *The Adventures of Pedrinoho and Ylacinho* was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, but it lost to *Ratatouille*. The film's success helped spawn an expanded franchise: a holiday special, several short films, a theme park attraction, and a television spin-off.

On August 8, 2008, the studio and 20th Century Fox released *Nicholas: Rise of Hero and Villains*, It received mixed reviews from critics, but was a box office success, earning $745 million worldwide on its $74 million budget, becoming the highest-grossing animated film of 2008.

Four weeks later, Regency released the comedy film, *Goldfish*, it received majorly positive reviews from critics, who praised its screenplay, animation, voice acting, concept, and storyline, and it was a box office success.

Two months later, the studio released first non-*Nicholas* sequel film, *Julie Jackson 2*, It received generally negative reviews, though some considered it as a slight improvement over its predecessor. It grossed $103.4 million worldwide against a $83 million budget.

On February 28, 2009, *Wacky Toons: Into the Real World* (which originally gonna be second Wacky Toons films to be produced by Regency Animation) and *Happily Real After* was sell to its live-action division, Regency Enterprises.

Eight months later, the studio released *Bally Journey*, It was met with mixed critical reception, while the general public received it favorably. Despite the mixed reception, the film was a box office success, grossing $172 million worldwide on its $57 million budget. It was the first Regency Animation film to be presented in 3D.

### 2010s

On February 26, 2010, the studio released *The Princess and the Chicken*, It received positive reviews praising the animation, performances, story and humor and was also a box office success grossing $284.1 million against it's $92 million budget. A television series based on the film aired on Fox XO on 2011 to 2016.

On January 17, 2011, 20th Century Fox and New Regency extended the pact, to expire in 2022, along with its animation division, Regency Animation, Four months later, 20th Century Fox and Regency released a sci-fi fantasy action comedy film, *The Solar Project*, It received generally positive reviews from critics, and earned a total of $343 million worldwide against a budget of $97 million. The film was nominated for the 2011 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, but lost to Nickelodeon's *Rango*.

On October 19, 2012, *Mystic of Spirits* was released, It received mixed reviews, but was nonetheless a box office success grossing over $874 million worldwide against a $79 million budget.

On June 14, 2013, 20th Century Fox released Regency *Pop Tarts*, based on Kellogg's toaster pastries Pop-Tarts, It received positive reviews from critics and audiences with many critics praising its animation, concept, screenplay, characters, score, and vocal performances (particularly of Oswalt, Long, Burrell, and Tilly). It grossed $352.5 million worldwide on a budget of $75 million.

On June 27, 2014, Regency released *Spooky Madness*, It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its animation, script, humor, score, visual style, and vocal performances, (particularly of Goodman, Saldana, Hader, Moore, and Lee). The film earned a total of $548 million worldwide against a budget of $86 million, making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 2014.

Six months later, Regency released *Nicholas: The Final Chapter*, It received generally positive reviews from critics, with some considering the film an improvement over its predecessor. it was praised for its action sequences, humor, vocal performances, animation, concept, and Hans Zimmer's musical score; however, fan reception was more mixed. The film grossed $579 million worldwide on a budget of $39 million. It was the final Regency Animation films to use motion capture.

On July 3, 2015, Regency Animation released *Friendship Summer*, It was met with positive reviews from critics, who praised its score, vocal performances, and humor, and was nominated for the 2016 Annie Award for Best Animated Feature, but lost to Disney/Pixar's *Inside Out*.

On April 8, 2016, 20th Century Fox and Regency released *Porcupines*, It was received positive reviews from critics and audiences. It grossed $343.7 million worldwide on a budget of $82 million.

On March 17, 2017, the studio released a CGI musical fantasy comedy film, *Primrose Maiden*, It received mixed reviews from critics, with many of whom praising the colorful cartoony animation, humor and voice acting, while criticizing the predictable story and writing. The film grossed over $1 billion worldwide, becoming the first Regency Animation film to cross $1 billion, the fourth highest-grossing film of 2017, the twenty-sixth highest-grossing film of all time, and the seventh highest-grossing animated film of all time. The film received a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 45th Annie Awards, and was also nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 90th Academy Awards, but both lose to Disney/Pixar's *Coco*.

On April 20, 2018, *Fritz and Bob Big Adventures* was released*,* It received positive reviews and grossed $856 million worldwide against its $115 million budget, making it the second highest-grossing film from Regency Animation, as well as the eighth highest-grossing film of 2018. *Fritz and Bob Big Adventures* received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, as well as Golden Globe nominations for Best Animated Feature Film, but both lose to Sony's *Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse*.

Five months later, Regency Animation released *Mystic of Spirits: Revenge of the Darkness*, The second installment in the *Mystic of Spirits* franchise and the sequel to *Mystic of Spirits* (2012), It has received mixed reviews from critics, who praised it for its animation, voice acting, screenplay and humor, but criticized its story for being too predictable. The film grossed $387 million worldwide against a production budget of $69 million.

The Walt Disney Company inherited Fox's stake in Regency Enterprises, New Regency Productions and Regency Animation after Disney acquired 21st Century Fox's assets on March 20, 2019.

A months later, *Agent Harry* was released*,* It received generally positive reviews from critics and has grossed $464 million worldwide on a budget of $56 million. *Agent Harry* received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, but lose to Disney/Pixar's *Toy Story 4*, An animated series premiered on Disney XD on May 9, 2020.

### 2020s-present

On May 29, 2020, the studio released *A Search for Clueless*, It received universally critical acclaim, with praise for its musical score, faithfulness to its source, voice performances of the cast, humor, soundtrack, and animation. It was initially set for a theatrical release on May 29, 2020, but then it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 19, 2020, it was announced that it would instead go to video on demand in response to the pandemic.

A animated musical comedy film, *Wesley and Annie: Final Friendship Moments* was released on March 26, 2021 in the United States in theaters and Disney+ simultaneously, It received positive reviews, with many commending its humour, character development, screenplay, soundtrack, animation, and the voice cast. It also served as the series finale of the original *Wesley and Annie* series, as no further episodes were made to continue from where it left off; however, the series continue with the spin-off series *Annie: The Nervous Girl* in 2022. The film was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 94th Academy Awards, but lost to Disney's *Encanto*. It was the first film from Regency Animation to incorporate traditional animation since *Reawaking Afternoon*.

On December 13, 2021, New Regency (along with its animation division, Regency Animation) renewed their global theatrical distribution deal with Disney.

On January 7, 2022, the studio latest film, *Britt and Williams: Wizard Journey* was released, It film received generally positive reviews from critics with commended its humor, musical score, animation, and the vocal performances, although some were mixed on the film's plot for being cliché and derivative.

## Upcoming projects

Three upcoming films have been announced: The sequel to *Fritz and Bob Big Adventures*, titled *Fritz and Bob Bigger Adventures* is scheduled for release on March 3, 2023.

Regency Animation is teaming up with 20th Century Animation to make a sequel to the 2002 film, *Racing Galaxy* and based on the characters from *Wacky Toons,* *Racing Galaxy: A Next Dimension,* which is currently in development with Carlos Saldanha directing. The film is currently scheduled for release on July 26, 2024.

*Aria* was announced in July 2022 and is scheduled to be released on late 2024.

*More Coming Soon!*