Dusk and Dawn

***Dusk and Dawn*** is 2003 American 3D computer animated comedy fantasy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by DreamWorks Pictures. It was directed by Eric Darnell and Cody Cameron from screenplay written by Jymn Magon, Roger Schulman and Ralph Zondag and story by Phil Nibbelink. Film stars voices of Josh Peck, Zooey Deschanel, Anthony Hopkins, Christine Baranski, and Dan Aykroyd. Set in fantasy world where parts of day are depicted as beings, film follow 2 individuals Dusk and Dawn, who encounter each other for 1 time and discover their abilities to world, but must save Dawn home from danger threat.

*Dusk and Dawn* was originally intended as 2D animated film developed by Amblimation and later Universal Animation, but eventually became fully 3D CGI film by Pacific Data Images follow *Antz* and *Shrek*. Production began in 1999, with Darrell select as director and Cameron join him follow year, replacing Nibbelink as original director. Focus shift from making action adventure comedy drama film to more comedy oriented 1, and several writers, such as Magon and Schulman, were brought on to bring out wittier tone, while Geo G. was also brought on to design most of film characters, especially titular duo.

*Dusk and Dawn* was release on December 19, 2003 in US. It received mostly positive reviews from critics, who commended it animation, script, characterizations, and voice acting, while character designs were mostly criticized. It grossed $351 million over it $100 million budget, making it 2 highest grossing animated film of 2003 and 10 highest grossing film of year overall. Film was nominated for Best Animated Feature at 76 Academy Awards which lost to *Finding Nemo*, later gaining cult follow through TV syndication and it home video release. It has since been expanded into Franchise with sequel title *Belt of Venus* release on May 15, 2009, 3 Short Films, TV special title *Dusk and Dawn Holiday*, 2 TV Series, and spin off prequel film title *Dusk Before Dawn* release on July 31, 2015. Another sequel, title *Zodiacal Night*, was release on March 2, 2018.

## Plot

In world where part of day are depicted as beings, Twilight create his dark stage Dusk in order to collect time and stages for Twilight so that he can grain his energy after sunset. Elsewhere, Sun create Dawn, 1 appearance of light in sky before sunrise. Dusk is social from others in Twilight palace due to frequently mess things up by accident. Though he is unconditionally support by Twilight, Dusk dream for more than palace bleak existence collect stages. In Sun palace, Dawn is dissatisfied with her life there and is fascinated by outside world. She ignore warn of Sun and her loyal friend Light, who serves as her adviser, that contact of Sun and Twilight sides is forbidden.

Day, battle at Sun palace where couple of Twilight tribe break in to imprison their rivals Sun and her people, except Dawn, who is separated from every 1 else and crash on Twilight palace, where she encounters Dusk. While hiding her from Twilight tribe due to fact that people from Sun palace are outlaw in Twilight, Dusk gains Dawn trust by keep her safe in his house and feed her some food. Realizing Dawn is not a threat, 2 begin to bond and spend time with each other, as well as show off their special abilities. However, Dusk later discover that Dawn is desperate and worried about her home as she feel like she do fit in Twilight palace, making her outcast just like Dusk. She convinces Dusk to make deal to help her return, and pair leave Dusk home for Dawn. Sun instructs Light to find and rescue Dawn from Twilight side upon learn of her predicament.

Dusk and Dawn stumble upon tribe of humanoid creatures including leader Keeper who reveal that they know way to Dawn home, lead them across bridge to palace. However, things go wrong as when pair almost reach end, bridge snap, causing them to fall into river where they are throw off waterfall. Exhausted, Dusk decides to give up, but Dawn realizes that she and Dusk are almost near her home. On way, Light arrive and becomes thrill when he eventually find pair, who he helps them reach palace.

Pair enter of Sun palace where they find book about history of parts of day, containing moral which acknowledges relationship between 2. Learn of their appearances, Dawn realizes she is home and bids farewell to Dusk while Light take her back. However, Twilight army capture Dawn and Light, but Dawn interferes long enough for Light to escape and end up being captured instead. Twilight army take Dawn to main room where Sun and her tribe were imprisoned. She discovers Twilight, who reveals that he is plan to capture all lights around world, making it all dark and night forever.

Light come back to Dusk and tell him that Dawn has been captured. 2 manage to rescue Dawn, Sun and their other people with help of Keeper and his tribe and return to palace where they defeat Twilight army and free imprisoned people including Dawn and Sun before Twilight confronts them. When Dusk refuses Twilight order to transform Sun people into dark and night, citing Dawn's teach, Twilight use power to control Sun people while making them transform into their night forms to attack Dusk. However, sun rises which causes possessed people to turn back to normal. Dawn tell Twilight and his tribe that she and her people are harmless, making Twilight army isolate him for trick them. With Dusk encouraging him to have change of heart, Twilight eventually apologizes to Sun people for his misdeed, both sides make peace and become close allies rather than rivals. Dusk is praised for his heroism and live happily ever after with Dawn, resuming their relationship.

## Cast

*See also: List of Dusk and Dawn characters*
* Josh Peck as Dusk, a teenage boy who is a representation of the darkest stage of Twilight.
* Zooey Deschanel as Dawn, a teenage girl who is a representation of the first appearance of light in the sky before sunrise.
* Anthony Hopkins as Twilight, the creator of Dusk.
* Christine Baranski as Sun, the creator of Dawn.
* Dan Aykroyd as Light, a midget who is a close friend of Sun and Dawn.
* Eric Darnell as Keeper, Judge, Tick-Tock Guy
* Christopher Knights as Elder Jo
* Erika Thomas as Elder Ji
* Keith David as Elder Ja
* Cody Cameron as Tio
* Conrad Vernon as Mark, Guard #1, Billy, Teacher Ted
* Chris Miller as Sparkle, Guard #2
* Anne Lockhart as Miss Night
* David P. Smith and Aron Warner as Photogs
* Justin Shenkarow as Teen
* Nika Futterman as Shelly
* Donald Fullilove as Harry
* Guillaume Aretos as Grooming Critter

### ADR Group

* Newell Alexander
* Tom Amundsen
* Steve Bulen
* Kate Carlin
* Mitch Carter
* Robert Clotworthy
* David Cowgill
* Holly Dorff
* Moosie Drier
* Chad Einbinder
* Iake Eissinmann
* Rylee Fansler
* Donald Fullilove
* Elisa Gabrielli
* Nicholas Guest
* Wendy Hoffmann
* Sherry Hursey
* Marabina Jaimes
* Edie Mirman
* Paul Pape
* Devika Parikh
* Peter Renaday
* Philece Sampler
* Justin Shenkarow
* Marcelo Tubert

## Production

### Development

*Dusk And Dawn* was initially set up in 1990 at Amblin Entertainment defunct animation division Amblimation and later Universal Animation, based on pitch originally created and developed by former Walt Disney Animation Studios animator Phil Nibbelink who interested in Romeo and Juliet style story about representation of dusk till dawn, after creating bible for franchise of several films, TV series, video games, books, merchandising, hotel chain, and theme parks, he later participated in development during early stages of production and took package unsolicited to Universal Pictures, later DreamWorks where he became 1 of several screenwriters on project. Nibbelink was also attached to direct project, which was set to have action oriented comedy drama tone.

In 1999, Universal put film in turnaround, to which DreamWorks Animation pick up project when Nibbelink was approached by studio chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg. Nibbelink was still directing project, but was later replaced by Eric Darnell, as Nibbelink left project due to creative difficulties. DreamWorks also opted for movie to take more comedy oriented direction albeit while still maintaining some dramatic elements, and brought writer Roger Schulman to help emphasize funnier tone. In 1999, *Los Angeles Times* report that film was in it preliminary stages with Darnell directing. Darnell was originally directing film alone, but in 2000, Cody Cameron, part of additional story on *Chicken Run*, had join him as director.

### Casting

Haley Joel Osment initially auditioned for lead role of Dusk, but later turn it down, feel it was too similar to his role as Deon Splatt in *Paint World*. As result, Osment departed from *Dusk And Dawn* in 2000 and was replaced by Josh Peck. Christine Baranski was hired to voice Sun after having tried for voice role of Eris in DreamWorks other animated film *Legend Of 7 Seas* which was later replaced by Michelle Pfeiffer.

### Animation and Design

Originally intended as 2D hand drawn traditional animated feature produced in DreamWorks Glendale animation department, *Dusk And Dawn* was later converted into 3D CGI animated feature at Pacific Data Images in Redwood City, who began production on film in 2000 while production of *Shrek* was almost finish at time. According to producer Aron Warner, discussion to move project to 3D CGI sound better and more than using 2D traditional animation for film themes and elements. Like it previous films *Antz* and *Shrek*, PDI use it own proprietary software like it own Fluid Animation System for it animated movies including *Dusk And Dawn*. Studio also utilized Maya for animation process, as well as for hair of titular protagonists.

Many of character designs were supplied by Geo G, creator of *Gabriel Garza*, *Niz Chicoloco Series* and *Zina Supermoon*, as well as executive producer of *Kit Mineko*. Other character designers include Raman Hui, Craig Kellman, Carlos Grangel, Nico Marlet, Carey Yost, Andy Bialk and Chris Battle. Additionally, Geo served as uncredited director of film.

### Music

*Main article: Dusk and Dawn/Soundtrack*
Film score was compose by Hans Zimmer and John Powell, who all previous score DreamWorks *Road To El Dorado*. Originally, Harry Gregson Williams was set to compose score with Powell, as had been done with DreamWorks previous 4 films *Antz*, *Kit Mineko*, *Chicken Run* and *Shrek*, but Gregson Williams left out project due to scheduling conflicts, with Hans Zimmer replacing him. However, Gregson Williams was only under Special Thanks in film end credits.

Soundtrack for film was release by DreamWorks Records on December 16, 2003.

## Release

*Dusk And Dawn* was originally slated for release on November 7, 2003 before being push back to December 19 in order to avoid competition with Walt Disney Animation Studios *Brother Bear* and New Line Cinema *Elf*.

### Marketing

1 teaser trailer was release on December 13, 2002, and was attached to *Tale Of Sea Monster*. Film 2 trailer was release on May 30, 2003, and was attached to *Finding Nemo*.

Upon it release, Burger King had promo tie in with 5 toys including Dusk, Dawn, Twilight, Sun and Light with paid Kids Meal order. Video Game based on film was release on December 9, 2003 for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nokia N Gage, PC and mobile phones. Gingo also promo film with several promo spots, alongside sweepstakes for film merchandise, which appeared on Gingo.com, but later expired on December 25, 2003. Other merchandise promo for film includes plush items, toys, activity sets, keepsakes and apparel.

## Franchise

*Main article: Dusk and Dawn (franchise)*
### Sequels and spin-offs

Sequel, title *Belt Of Venus*, was release on May 15, 2009. Directed by Tim Johnson, Aron Warner return as producer, with William Davies and Michael Wilson as writers. Josh Peck, Zooey Deschanel, Anthony Hopkins, Christine Baranski, and Dan Aykroyd return to voice their roles, with James Woods, Isla Fisher, Nicole Kidman, Jeff Garlin, and Bill Nighy join cast. In this film, Dusk and Dawn new life turn upside down when advanced Venus threatens their home, and they attempt to get rid of Venus, but are force to make peace with him.

2 sequel, title *Zodiacal Night*, was release on March 2, 2018. This film was directed by Simon Smith and directed by Alessandro Carloni and written by Eyal Podell and Jonathon Stewart. Many of voice cast from 1 2 films return for 3 film, join by Jake Johnson, Bobby Cannavale, Kate McKinnon, Matt Frewer, and James Corden. In this film, Dusk and Dawn accidentally switch colors of their appearances when several optical phenomena including zodiacal light occur in their homes, pair must work together to stop zodiacal light so they can return to their normal forms before it is too late.

Spin off prequel film title *Dusk Before Dawn* was release on July 31, 2015, and centers around life of Dusk before met Dawn. It was directed by Tom McGrath and written by Walt Dohrn and Darren Lemke. Voice cast has Josh Peck and Anthony Hopkins reprising their roles from both films, along with Sophia Bush, Morgan Freeman, Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow join cast and Zooey Deschanel providing film narration as Dawn.

### Other Media

Beside films, *Dusk And Dawn* franchise also includes several video games, 3 short films title *Dawn Nature*, *Before Dusk* and *Dawn Of Hallow*, TV special title *Dusk And Dawn Holiday*. TV Series based on films also started airing on Nickelodeon on June 5, 2010 and end on May 30, 2015. Another TV series starring Dawn and set before events of 1 film, title *Dawn of Dawn*, debut on July 21, 2017, on Netflix, when 1 5 22 minute episodes were release.

## Transcripts

### Main Transcript

To see the transcript of the film, click here.

### Trailer Transcripts

To see the transcripts for the trailers of the film, click here.

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1. ↑ In July 2014, the film's distribution rights were purchased by DreamWorks Animation from Paramount Pictures and transferred to 20th Century Fox before reverting to Universal Studios in 2018.