In this solo episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill dives into a packed week of animation news while Drew Taylor covers the opening of Epic Universe in Florida. Topics include:

The 70th anniversary of Gumby – A look back at Art Clokey’s clay-animated classic and upcoming updates like Gumby Kids.

Faith-based animation on the rise – Following the box office success of The King of Kings, Fairly OddParents creator Butch Hartman launches a new animation studio focused on spiritual storytelling.

DreamWorks embraces early childhood IP – From the upcoming Cocomelon feature to Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie and Bad Guys 2.

Paramount’s shifting release schedule – New dates for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2, The Legend of Aang, and Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie.

Peppa Pig’s gender reveal episode debuts… on Walmart.com – A bold retail-media crossover with exclusive merchandise tied to streaming content.

Smurfs movie sparks fan backlash – Rihanna’s new song “Friend of Mine” fails to impress her Navy, despite her upcoming role as Smurfette.

AI in animation – With $42 million raised by AI animation startups like Cartwheel and Hedra, concerns about job displacement echo the shift from hand-drawn to CG in the ’90s.

New Shaun the Sheep movie announced – Aardman’s The Beast of Mossy Bottom arrives in 2026 with a Halloween theme.

A thoughtful and wide-ranging episode covering preschool hits, legacy IP, streaming trends, theatrical strategy, and the evolving role of AI in the animation industry.

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