Anaheim, Calif. - The Walt Disney Studios, in collaboration with
acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (Pans Labyrinth, The Hobbit), is
launching a new production label called Disney Double Dare You (DDY), to
create new animated films full of chills and thrills for audiences of
all ages. Dick Cook, chairman
of The Walt Disney Studios, revealed the news at the D23 Expo. All films will be produced under the
guidance of del Toro, who originated the concept and the design of DDY
and who will also direct certain projects.
The first project in development for the new label is called Trollhunters, an original del Toro story which he will produce.
Commenting on the announcement, Cook said, Guillermo is a brilliant and visionary filmmaker, and were excited to be launching this new label with him. His knowledge and appreciation for Disney films, along with his penchant for creating worlds of fantasy, presented a great opportunity for us to explore a whole new genre of filmmaking for moviegoers of all ages. We have admired Guillermos imaginative approach to filmmaking for some time, and now were proud to be working with him to create films full of imaginative delights and lots of thrills at the same time.
Del Toro added, As a director, I love to take audiences into fantastic new worlds and provide them with some anxious moments in the process. It is part of the Disney canon to create thrilling, unforgettable moments and villains in all their classic films. It is my privilege for DDY to continue in this tradition. To partner up with The Walt Disney Studios, with the support of Dick Cook and John Lasseter, is to belong to a storytelling partnership that I admire deeply. It is a true honor. I look forward to coming up with fresh and original stories that will take Disney films in a whole new direction. The emphasis is on fun, and we have some great ideas already on the storyboards.
Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth received six Academy Award nominations in 2007, including one for his original screenplay, and went on to win three awards. That film also received a BAFTA Award for Best Film not in the English language. His other directing credits include Hellboy, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, The Devils Backbone, Cronos, and Mimic, among others. Del Toro is currently directing back-to-back feature film adaptations of the Tolkien classic, The Hobbit, for release in 2011 and 2012.