Where is "Shaun the Sheep 2"? (Part 2)

Remember back in February of this year when I was initially worried about the US release of Farmageddon: A Shaun the Sheep Movie?

Well, I have even more reason to worry...

I'm a bit late on this, but about a month ago, Aardman had announced that they were making a sequel to their 2000 hit Chicken Run. In the tweet they made announcing it, something rather interesting came up regarding Farmageddon: A Shaun the Sheep Movie.

"Chicken Run 2 will be our next movie release following Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon in Autumn 2019 with StudioCanal."

If you've been following this film for a while, you'll know that it was initially pegged for April 5 of next year in the UK. A trailer was running before Early Man both over there and in the US, the latter of which has still yet to get an exact release date from Lionsgate.

In the original post, I had worried because they were playing the trailer in America before an exact date had been inked. I had worried that Lionsgate would break away from Aardman and we would have to wait a little longer to get the film. Well, that looks to be partially true.

Now, you may say that Lionsgate is only distributing because of their contract with StudioCanal, but that doesn't necessarily affect all of their movies. For example, Warner Bros. had gotten Paddington 2 from the now-disgraced Weinstein Company about a week or so after Lionsgate announced their partnership with StudioCanal which included the distribution rights to Farmageddon. Insiders say that Lionsgate was even in the running for Paddington 2's distribution rights!

Anywho, what I'm trying to say is that there's still the possibility that Lionsgate will end up not releasing this movie. After all, them moving it to a later timeframe in the UK could potentially be a result of how poorly Early Man did at the worldwide box office. I wouldn't be shocked if we have to wait until 2020 to see it for our American selves!

(Side note: When does Chicken Run 2 happen? 2021? 2022? Who distributes it? Could be Universal, since the first film is part of the DreamWorks Animation canon. Could it be that untitled DWA movie in December 2021? If not, then who? Lionsgate? A24[as I suggested for Farmageddon in the last post]? Paramount, maybe?)

What say you?

Alternate Predicted Animation Slate(07/19/2018)

UPDATE(07/24/2018, 10:25 PM EST): I'm a bit late on this, since I've been away on vacation for a few days, but Comcast has just decided to not go any further on their bid for 21st Century Fox, so what you see here will be the last time this page gets updated.

You've heard of my Predicted Animation Slate...

You've heard of my Disney/Fox slate predictions...

But now...

Here's an alternative version of the former. Why am I doing this, you may ask?

Well, currently, both Comcast and Disney are in a bidding war to acquire all of 21st Century Fox's assets. While I predict that Disney will ultimately end up winning the bid, I decided to make this slate in case Comcast somehow prevails. I'll only be making major changes to Fox and Universal's animated movies, since some of them are being released close to each other (e.g. Minions 2 and Bob's Burgers both coming in July 2020).

Let's begin, shall we?

Teen Titans Go! To the Movies(Warner Bros. Animation) - July 27, 2018
Animal Crackers(Blue Dream) - August 10, 2018

Gnome Alone(3QU)
Prediction: August 24, 2018 - This timeframe is open, and Smith Global Media has been sitting on it for a while, so I say go for it.

Charming(3QU)
Prediction: September 7, 2018 - Both of 3QU's movies are completed, but don't have release dates. With Gnome Alone pegged for late Summer, why not Charming in early Fall?

Smallfoot(Warner Animation Group) - September 28, 2018
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween(Sony Animation) - October 12, 2018
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch(Illumination) - November 9, 2018
Ralph Breaks the Internet(Disney Animation) - November 21, 2018
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse(Sony Animation) - December 14, 2018

The Extincts(Cirrina)
Prediction: January 18, 2019 - Fox had left January vacant when they moved Spies in Disguise, so I think that whoever picks up this film should take advantage of that timeslot.

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part(Warner Animation Group) - February 8, 2019
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World(DreamWorks) - March 1, 2019
Wonder Park(Paramount Animation) - March 15, 2019
Missing Link(LAIKA) - April 19, 2019
Uglydolls(STX) - May 10, 2019
The Secret Life of Pets 2(Illumination) - June 7, 2019
Toy Story 4(Pixar) - June 21, 2019

Spies in Disguise(Blue Sky)
Current Date: September 13, 2019
Prediction: July 3, 2019 - September 13 is one week after The Angry Birds Movie 2, a sequel to a film that pretty much prevented Rovio from going bankrupt! How about July where Blue Sky's own Ice Age sequels have scored since the third entry? Take advantage of the holiday, too!

Farmageddon: A Shaun the Sheep Movie(Aardman)
Prediction: July 31, 2019 - Hear me out first. I am aware that according to Aardman themselves, this is supposed to be an Autumn 2019 release (meaning somewhere from September 21-December 20). However, nothing said that this film was being moved out of its April 5, 2019 UK bow. More thoughts on this here.

Since Lionsgate released the first movie on a Wednesday, why not do the same for its sequel? At least try to make some extra money before competition like New Mutants and Dora the Explorer comes crashing in.

Playmobil: Robbers, Thieves & Rebels(ON) - August 16, 2019
The Angry Birds Movie 2(Rovio) - September 6, 2019
Abominable(DreamWorks) - September 27, 2019
The Addams Family(MGM) - October 11, 2019
Sonic the Hedgehog(Paramount Animation) - November 15, 2019
Untitled Frozen Sequel(Disney Animation) - November 27, 2019
The Call of the Wild(Fox Animation) - December 25, 2019
The Mitchells vs. The Machines(Sony Animation) - January 10, 2020
Peter Rabbit 2(Sony Animation) - February 7, 2020

Nimona(Blue Sky)
Current Date: February 14, 2020
Prediction: February 21, 2020 - This really needs to move back a week, especially with all the family-friendly competition it has. I mean, Peter Rabbit 2, a live-action Disney film, and(to a lesser extent)an untitled DC feature? The only other competition on that date is Sony's Bloodshot, which may or may not make a huge mark, so I think Fox should use it to their advantage.

Untitled Pixar Animation - March 6, 2020
Prediction: Suburban Fantasy World - Out of all the originals on Pixar's development schedule, this is the only one that has the most details, so I can see it being the first of four originals that opens after Toy Story 4.

SPA Animated Franchise - April 3, 2020
Prediction: Wish Dragon - The film is aiming for a 2019 release in China, but Sony Animation has removed both of their 2019 release dates, so I think the earliest it opens is Spring 2020.

Trolls World Tour(DreamWorks) - April 17, 2020

Untitled Paramount Animation - May 15, 2020
Prediction: Monster on the Hill - It was recently announced at CinemaCon for a 2020 release, and Paramount has a date claimed in that year, so it all lines up.

Scooby(Warner Animation Group)
Current Date: May 15, 2020
Prediction: June 5, 2020 - This has some serious competition, with both Godzilla v. Kong and an untitled Paramount Animation movie in its way("Ruh-roh! Re've got rompetition!", if you want to talk about an inside joke between me and CoreyTheAnimator), so I think it should move. Early June could work before the inevitably big Pixar movie comes in.

Untitled Pixar Animation - June 19, 2020
Prediction: Untitled Mark Andrews Film - This movie is rumored to be a sci-fi film, so it kind of sounds like a Summer release. Plus, the movie's been in development since 2012 when Brave was completed, so...

Minions 2(Illumination) - July 3, 2020

Untitled SPA Animated Franchise
Current Date: July 24, 2020
Prediction: July 17, 2020 - The Emoji Movie sequel - I know this is the same day as the Bob's Burgers movie, but just try to bear with me here. Also, a sequel to this film is likely given what Sony Animation has done in the past like Open Season: Scared Silly and Surf's Up 2: WaveMania. If it goes straight-to-video like the two films I mentioned, then could there be room for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3? I'm shocked they haven't even announced it yet.

The SpongeBob Movie: It's a Wonderful Sponge(Paramount Animation) - July 31, 2020

Bob's Burgers(Fox Animation)
Current Date: July 17, 2020
Prediction: August 7, 2020 - This film, from Fox, is opening around the same time as Minions 2, from Universal. If Comcast does end up buying Fox, then they'll have to space them out. August 2020 is currently vacant in terms of animated films, so why not? This is also why I have that untitled Sony Animation project slotted for this film's current date.

The Croods 2(DreamWorks) - September 18, 2020

SPA Animated Franchise II
Current Date: September 25, 2020
Prediction: October 2, 2020 - Goosebumps 3 - I think Sony will fast-track this movie, but certainly not against The Croods 2. Pushing it back another week should work out fine.

Ron's Gone Wrong(Locksmith)
Current Date: November 6, 2020
Prediction: October 16, 2020 - Since this movie opens the same day as Sony Animation's Vivo, I say this moves up to mid-October for some extra money.

Vivo(Sony Animation) - November 6, 2020

Untitled Disney Animation - November 25, 2020
Prediction: Dragon Empire - It was just announced recently, so I think it'll ultimately be a 2020 release. Plus, Paul Briggs said a while ago that he was working on the 2020 feature with Dean Wellins, and they are attached to this project, so it lines up perfectly.

Sing 2(Illumination) - December 25, 2020

Untitled Gorgon Film(Sony Animation)
Prediction: January 22, 2021 - As for this date, Warner Bros has an untitled event scheduled for the week prior and it is likely going to be Paddington 3, so I think releasing something animated here is smart. My money's on a Sony Animation title.

Untitled Co-Production(Sony Animation)
Prediction: February 5, 2021 - Like in 2020, an in-house film in January followed by a co-production in February. This date is also one week before an untitled Marvel Studios film, which is sure to be a sequel to the gargantuan Black Panther.

Foster(Blue Sky) - March 5, 2021
Luck(Paramount Animation) - March 19, 2021

The Boss Baby 2(DreamWorks)
Current Date: March 26, 2021
Prediction: April 16, 2021 - Two things: First off, this Universal film opens in the same month as Fox's Foster. Secondly, this film is being released right next to a movie called Luck which, despite coming from a studio smaller than DreamWorks, sounds just about right for the St. Patrick's Day timeframe. I say push this film back to mid-April like they are doing with Trolls World Tour.

Untitled Co-Production(Sony Animation)
Prediction: May 21, 2021 - Can't hurt, right? Only competition is an untitled WB event picture.

The Beastlies(Paramount Animation)
Prediction: June 4, 2021 - J.J. Abrams said to expect an announcement on this franchise by the Fall, and with Star Wars: Episode IX scheduled for December 2019, the earliest I see this movie happening is in 2021. I think Paramount will push for his projects more due to his successful Cloverfield films.

Untitled Pixar Animation - June 18, 2021
Prediction: Untitled Pete Docter Film - If we are to go by how long it takes Pete Docter to make a film, he completed Inside Out in 2015, which was six years after 2009's Up. Logically, his next project should be ready by 2021.

Untitled Illumination Animated Film - July 2, 2021
Prediction: Super Mario Bros. - Simple. With the franchise turning 40 in 2021, it would only make logical sense if the movie were released around that time.

Hotel Transylvania 4(Sony Animation)
Prediction: July 16, 2021 - Going by my predictions, an in-house production for the Summer of 2021 just screams "logical" to me. Also, Hotel Transylvania movies tend to take three years to produce, and there is no way they're stopping after Summer Vacation, so I think a fourth film is inevitable.

Untitled Co-Production(Sony Animation)
Prediction: August 6, 2021 - Sony releases an in-house film in July, right before a co-production the following month. It's as simple as that.

Spooky Jack(DreamWorks) - September 17, 2021

Untitled Jon Saunders Film(Sony Animation)
Prediction: October 15, 2021 - From here on out, I won't describe why I think future Sony Animation movies are going where I think they'll go.

Untitled WB Animation Event Film
Current Date: December 22, 2021
Prediction: November 12, 2021 - Space Jam 2 or The Ice Dragon - The former if it's Warner Bros. Animation, and because the original turns 25 that year, the latter if it's Warner Animation Group. Either way, it's probably going to move since Universal just got that release date for a DreamWorks movie.

Untitled Disney Animation - November 24, 2021
Prediction: Untitled Stephen J. Anderson Film - Since this is Disney's 60th animated feature, I reckon it'll be something special. Since I have Dragon Empire pegged for 2020, I have a feeling that Stephen Anderson's project is next.

Untitled Dreamworks Animation Film - December 22, 2021
Prediction: Shrek 5 - The franchise turns 20 years old in 2021, so I think it only makes logical sense. Another possibility is The Boss Baby 2 taking this date while this film goes for the traditional May slot.

Untitled(Sony Animation)
Prediction: January 14, 2022

Untitled Co-Production(Sony Animation)
Prediction: February 4, 2022

Wonder Park sequel(Paramount Animation)
Prediction: March 4, 2022 - Since it seems like Ilion is doing more animated movies for Paramount, they can start this one right after Luck is completed in early 2021. It seems inevitable because Wonder Park is supposed to start a Nickelodeon TV series.

Untitled Pixar Animation - March 18, 2022
Prediction: Untitled Bob Peterson Film - Since he got kicked off of The Good Dinosaur back in late 2013, he's likely been working on this project for a good while, so I wouldn't be shocked if it ended up getting a March 2022 release date.

Untitled Co-Production(Sony Animation)
Prediction: April 1, 2022

Untitled Dreamworks Animation Film - April 15, 2022
Prediction: Madagascar 4 - They really can not delay on this sequel, can they? The last film will be almost 10 years old by this time, so they might as well utilize it. I figure Tom McGrath could do this film back-to-back with his Boss Baby sequel.

Ice Age 6(Blue Sky)
Prediction: May 20, 2022 - Sorry, guys, but this one seems like it's going to happen theatrically. While Collision Course may have underperformed, it still made a good-sized amount. Plus, the franchise will be 20 years old around this time. I didn't choose July because Universal has it occupied for an untitled Illumination feature

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat(Warner Animation Group)
Prediction: June 3, 2022 - With most of the Summer being empty for this year, I say Warner Bros. should take advantage. I mean, they probably will anyway with some of their live-action tentpoles, but I think something animated should go here. My money's on Cat in the Hat, since that is likely to move forward once Illumination's Grinch movie wraps up at the end of this year.

Untitled Pixar Animation - June 17, 2022
Prediction: Monsters, Inc. sequel - With the four originals out of the way, a sequel is pretty much guaranteed for the June 2022 slot. I say a third Monsters film because Pixar seems to have this three-year pattern with sequels to their most well-known franchises (the other two being Toy Story and Finding Nemo).

Untitled Illumination Animated Film - July 1, 2022
Prediction: Despicable Me 4 - I mean, think about it. The first one opened in 2010, its sequel opened three years later, and then Illumination waited four years to release the third film. If they wait five years this time, then the fourth movie will be out by 2022.

Untitled(Sony Animation)
Prediction: July 22, 2022

The Loud House Movie(Paramount Animation)
Prediction: August 5, 2022 - Initially pegged for 2020, no official word on if Paramount removed it from their schedule or not, but a Loud House writer said that they decided not to make a movie as of now. I still think it'll happen eventually, since The Loud House is a Nickelodeon hit on the level of SpongeBob SquarePants. It likely won't be here until 2022 at the earliest.

Untitled(Sony Animation)
Prediction: September 23, 2022

Untitled Co-Production(Sony Animation)
Prediction: October 14, 2022

Untitled Disney Animation - November 23, 2022
Prediction: Zootopia sequel - Ralph Breaks the Internet and Frozen's untitled sequel are opening exactly six years after their predecessors, so I wouldn't be shocked if the same thing happened to Zootopia.

Untitled Illumination Animated Film - December 21, 2022
Prediction: Johnny Express - To me, this sounds like it could be Illumination's Christmas 2022 movie. I think Universal could do a whole marketing joke where Johnny delivers packages like how Santa Claus delivers presents.

Untitled(Sony Animation)
Prediction: January 13, 2023

Untitled Co-Production(Sony Animation)
Prediction: February 10, 2023

Split(Paramount Animation)
Prediction: March 10, 2023 - I wouldn't be surprised if Ilion starts doing one movie a year for Paramount, and then this happens as early as 2023. A title change may or may not occur, since this is opening long after that other movie named Split.

Untitled Dreamworks Animation Film - April 7, 2023
Prediction: Sputnik - David Matsuda was just brought on, and he's obviously going to do an adaptation before Yokai Samba, so this lines up pretty darn well. Not to mention the fact that this was the latest project that DreamWorks has announced.

Untitled Co-Production(Sony Animation)
Prediction: April 21, 2023

The Jetsons(Warner Animation Group)
Prediction: May 19, 2023 - They've had the director of Sausage Party and Madagascar 3 attached for a while, so it seems it'll be the next Hanna-Barbera movie that WAG does after Scooby. I also think it could switch years with Bone.

Untitled Brian Fee Film(Pixar)
Prediction: June 16, 2023 - I chose this date because it would mark exactly six years after his directorial debut, Cars 3.

Untitled Illumination Animated Film - June 30, 2023
Prediction: The Secret Life of Pets 3 - If we follow Despicable Me's sequel pattern, it actually matches quite nicely with the Secret Life of Pets franchise, so the third film (you know it will happen!) opening in 2023 would not shock me.

Spies in Disguise sequel(DreamWorks)
Prediction: July 14, 2023 - By my predictions, July 2023 will mark four years after the original, so it could work out.

Untitled(Sony Animation)
Prediction: July 28, 2023

The Flamingo Affair(Paramount Animation)
Prediction: August 11, 2023 - I figure that after J.J. Abrams finishes the safe-sounding Beastlies movie for Paramount Animation, he'll go right to this ambitious film and it'll open in 2023.

Abominable sequel(DreamWorks)
Prediction: September 22, 2023 - Four years after the original, so it lines up pretty nicely.

Untitled Co-Production(Sony Animation)
Prediction: October 13, 2023

Untitled(Sony Animation)
Prediction: November 10, 2023

Gigantic(Disney Animation)
Prediction: November 22, 2023 - Typical Disney Thanksgiving slot, but I think Gigantic makes sense so that it doesn't open right after another fairy tale (it was supposed to open in 2020, which would have placed it right after Frozen 2)

The Bad Guys(DreamWorks)
Prediction: December 22, 2023 - Since this is the second-to-latest DreamWorks project we've heard any word about, I would not be surprised if this film opens after Sputnik.

That's all for now...