Sony Pictures Animation today announced its upcoming roster of titles through 2018, along with additional highly anticipated future feature film projects.

Of note, given this blog’s stated interests is an “Untitled Animated Spider-Man” feature film that will star, not Peter Parker, but Miles Morales – a.k.a. the first black Spider-Man in the official Marvel Comics universe.

Set for a December 21, 2018 release, the feature will be shepherded by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, and will be directed by Peter Ramsey and Bob Persichetti, from a script written by Lord.

Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, Lord and Miller are executive producing; Christina Steinberg is producing.

No word on story at this time. Also the press release doesn’t state explicitly whether Sony will release this in theaters or as a TV or DVD/Blu-ray release only. But, the announced December 21, 2018 release date is a Friday, so I can only assume that the animated movie is heading to theaters. Home video releases typically happen in Tuesdays. Theatricals on Fridays. It’ll out just in time for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

With this news, one can only wonder whether a live-action Miles Morals movie might eventually follow, although likely not immediately after.




Also of note is “The Star,” directed by writer/director Timothy Reckart; executive-produced by DeVon Franklin, Lisa Henson and Brian Henson; produced by Jenni Magee Cook; with a story by Carlos Kotkin and Simon Moore; and screenplay by Carlos Kotkin.

Synopsis: A small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.

Set for a November 10, 2017 release, included in the voice cast for “The Star” are names you’d be familiar with like Keegan-Michael Key, Anthony Anderson, Ving Rhames, Gina Rodriguez, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry and Tracy Morgan. They are joined by Steven Yeun, Kelly Clarkson, Aidy Bryant, Kristin Chenoweth, Gabriel Iglesias,  Delilah Rene, Kris Kristofferson, Zachary Levi and Christopher Plummer.

Kristine Belson, President of Sony Pictures Animation, says, “We are proud of the artist-driven titles we have coming to the marketplace. The abundance, variety and quality of the features are a testament to the wealth of creative talents who call Sony Pictures Animation their home.”