LCJ Q&A Podcast

Shea Wageman, President and CEO of ICON Creative Studio, is also the director of new animated feature "Charlie the Wonderdog", which opens in theaters nationwide on Jan. 16. Wageman discusses the superhero comedy adventure, including working with star Owen Wilson, and even teases a "Charlie" sequel.

Angel Studios' "David" is an epic new animated feature in theaters Dec. 19 (with nationwide early access screenings on Dec. 14). Directors Brent Dawes and Phil Cunningham share how they adapted the text of The Bible to create a dramatic, musical adventure experience for the whole family.

Kent Seki, the cinematographer of 2023 animated feature "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem" (and its 2027 sequel), has directed the new holiday short "Chrome Alone 2 — Lost in New Jersey". Seki dives into the making of the short, which is Oscar qualified and will screen in theaters nationwide with "The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants" starting December 19th.

A new DreamWorks Animation short focuses on a teen who visits his grandpa and discovers a passion that will strengthen their relationship. It is Oscar qualified and vying for Best Animated Short Film consideration. Co-Director Chris Copeland and producer Shabrayia Cleaver share what makes them so proud about "Wednesdays with Gramps".

We've all heard the phrase, "two ships passing in the night". A new animated short, which is qualified for the Best Animated Short Film Oscar this year and is vying for consideration, takes that phrase and presents it in emotional ways. McKinley Benson, Mackenzie Benson and Disney Legend Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel) join me to discuss "Two Ships"... and a little bit on "The Little Mermaid".

The iconic Chuck E. Cheese is getting the animated holiday special treatment. "A Chuck E. Cheese Christmas" premieres this Thursday Nov. 27 on Prime Video and YouTube. Annie winner Zac Moncrief and Emmy winner Jon Colton Barry join me for a chat about the look, the story, the songs, working with star Nathan Kress ("iCarly") and hopes for more adventures in the "CEC" animation space.

Four-time Academy Award nominee and BAFTA and Caesar Awards winner Sylvain Chomet (director of "The Triplets of Belleville" and "The Illusionist") joins me to discuss his latest animated feature, "A Magnificent Life", about French playwright, poet and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol. It opens in select theaters for an awards-qualifying run this Friday Nov. 21 and will officially release in North America on Feb. 20, 2026.

New one-hour holiday special "A PAW Patrol Christmas" premieres Friday Nov. 28 at 8pm on CBS. Executive Producer Laura Clunie, who also serves as Senior VP of Development, Current Series & Feature Film at Spin Master, shares highlights of this new adventure, plus more holiday treats for "PAW" fans, and a preview of next summer's theatrical "Dino Movie".