Tony Leondis
Tony Leondis | |
---|---|
Born | Anthony Leondis (1972-03-24) March 24, 1972 (age 52) New York City, U.S. |
Alma mater | Hellenic College[1] |
Occupation(s) | Animator, voice actor, filmmaker |
Years active | 1997–2017 |
Notable work | Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch, Igor, Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters, The Emoji Movie |
Anthony Leondis (born March 24, 1972) is a Greek[2]-American animator, filmmaker, and voice actor, known for directing The Emoji Movie, Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch, Igor, and the unreleased DreamWorks Animation film B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations.
Career
Leondis started his career as a story artist working on films such as The Prince of Egypt and The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. He later joined DisneyToon Studios, where he co-wrote the script for Kronk's New Groove. Leondis made his directorial debut on Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch in 2005. In 2008, he directed his first theatrical animated film, Igor, for Exodus Film Group.[3]
Since 2009, he was directing at DreamWorks Animation an animated feature film about ghosts, titled B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations.[4] The film, which was based on his original idea,[5] was scheduled to be released in 2015,[6] but by late 2014, it was pulled from DWA's schedule and went back into restructuring.[7][8] By 2015, Leondis left DreamWorks to develop his next animated film, while B.O.O. is left dead at the studio.
The Emoji Movie
In 2017, Leondis directed and co-wrote Sony Pictures Animation's animated film The Emoji Movie.[8] Leondis pitched the film to the studio and co-wrote it with Eric Siegel.[8]
The film was released on July 28, 2017. Though the film was a box-office success, it was panned by critics.[9] He won two Razzie Awards for Worst Director and Worst Screenplay, the latter he shared with Eric Siegel and Mike White, making him the first animation director in motion picture history to get those categories.[10][11][12] Leondis has not been active in the entertainment industry since, but continues to make public appearances occasionally as of June 2022, with his most recent appearance being at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Personal life
Leondis is openly gay.[13]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Director | Writer | Animation department | Voice actor | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | The Lion King II: Simba's Pride | Yes | Direct-to-video Additional character designer | ||||
The Prince of Egypt | Yes | Story artist | |||||
2000 | The Road to El Dorado | Yes | Additional story artist | ||||
2004 | Home on the Range | Yes | Story artist | ||||
2005 | Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch | Yes | Yes | Direct-to-video | |||
Kronk's New Groove | Yes | ||||||
2008 | Igor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Killiseum Fan #4 | Additional screenplay material | |
2011 | Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters | Yes | Yes | Master Croc | Video short | ||
2017 | The Emoji Movie | Yes | Yes | Yes | Laughter, Broom, Pizza | Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director winner |
Television
Year | Title | Special thanks | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1997 | Cartoon Sushi | Yes | Episode #1.4 |
Awards and nominations
Ceremony | Film/TV Show | Category | Year | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Razzie Awards | The Emoji Movie | Worst Director | 2018 | Won |
Worst Screenplay | ||||
Annie Awards | Kronk's New Groove | Best Writing In An Animated Feature Production | 2006 | Nominated |
DVD Exclusive Awards | Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch | Best Director (of a DVD Premiere Movie) | ||
Best Screenplay (for a DVD Premiere Movie) |
References
- ^ "Tony Leondis - Film director and writer of famous animations produced by Walt Disney". Retrieved September 2, 2018.
- ^ Stelinia Theodosopoulou (September 24, 2017). "GREEK-AMERICAN DIRECTOR TONY LEONDIS SPEAKS AT IGN GREECE". IGN Greece. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
- ^ Zeitchik, Steven (September 21, 2006). "Weinsteins tap 'Igor' helmer". Variety. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
- ^ Barrett, Annie (June 19, 2009). "DreamWorks greenlights animated ghost project 'Boo U'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
- ^ DreamWorks Animation (October 31, 2013). "Bill Murray Gets Ghost Busted with Jennifer Coolidge and Octavia Spencer in B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations". Pitch Engine. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ^ DreamWorks Animation (September 9, 2012). "New Distributor Twentieth Century Fox Unveils DreamWorks Animation's Release Slate Through 2016". DreamWorks Animation. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ Verrier, Richard (November 17, 2014). "DreamWorks Animation shares plummet after Hasbro talks end". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
- ^ a b c Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 21, 2015). "Emoji At Center Of Bidding Battle Won By Sony Animation; Anthony Leondis To Direct". Deadline. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
- ^ Lawrence, Derek (July 27, 2017). "The most brutal reviews of The Emoji Movie". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ Amidi, Amid (January 22, 2018). "'The Emoji Movie' Sets Animation Record With 4 Razzie Nominations". Cartoon Brew.
- ^ Perez, Lexy (March 3, 2018). "Razzie Awards: 'Emoji Movie' Named Worst Picture of the Year". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
- ^ Stefansky, Emma (March 3, 2018). "The Emoji Movie Wins(?) Big at the 2018 Razzie Awards". Vanity Fair. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
- ^ Freeman, Molly (July 10, 2017). "How Toy Story Inspired The Emoji Movie, According to Tony Leondis". Screen Rant. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
External links
- Tony Leondis at IMDb
- v
- t
- e
- Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005, direct-to-video)
- Igor (2008)
- The Emoji Movie (2017)
- Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters (2011)