Tony Leondis

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Tony Leondis
Born
Anthony Leondis

(1972-03-24) March 24, 1972 (age 49)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Alma materHellenic College[1]
OccupationAnimator, voice actor, filmmaker
Years active1997–present
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, and Igor.

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]

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
Unreleased B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations Yes Yes Story artist

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[]

  1. ^ "Tony Leondis - Film director and writer of famous animations produced by Walt Disney". Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  2. ^ Stelinia Theodosopoulou (September 24, 2017). "GREEK-AMERICAN DIRECTOR TONY LEONDIS SPEAKS AT IGN GREECE". IGN Greece. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  3. ^ "Weinsteins tap 'Igor' helmer". Variety. August 11, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  4. ^ Barrett, Annie (June 19, 2009). "DreamWorks greenlights animated ghost project 'Boo U'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  5. ^ 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. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  6. ^ DreamWorks Animation (September 9, 2012). "New Distributor Twentieth Century Fox Unveils DreamWorks Animation's Release Slate Through 2016". DreamWorks Animation. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  7. ^ Verrier, Richard (November 17, 2014). "DreamWorks Animation shares plummet after Hasbro talks end". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  8. ^ Jump up to: 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.
  9. ^ "7 brutal reviews of The Emoji Movie". Entertainment Weekly. July 27, 2017.
  10. ^ "'The Emoji Movie' Sets Animation Record With 4 Razzie Nominations - Cartoon Brew". January 23, 2018.

External links[]

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