EXCLUSIVE: The Angry Birds have just landed some very experienced handlers. Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly have signed on to co-direct the animated 3D pic based on the hugely popular game app from Rovio Entertainment. A 19-year Disney employee, Kaytis recently worked as the animation supervisor on the likes of Tangled and was an animator on Wreck-It Ralph, for which he also oversaw the film’s end credits. He served as an animator on the studio’s upcoming Frozen. At Sony since 2003, Reilly has served as storyboard artist on the likes of Hotel Transylvania, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and its sequel, as well as head of story at Sony Pictures Animation. This will be the directorial debut for the animation veterans as well as the first feature for Rovio, which is producing the pic in-house. “I’m very excited that Fergal and Clay have joined us, bringing with them their vast expertise,” said Rovio CEO Mikael Hed today. Sony Pictures has set a July 1, 2016 worldwide release date already.
Related: Sony Takes Worldwide Rights To Angry Birds Movie
Despicable Me producer John Cohen is producing the Angry Birds movie along with Catherine Winder. Former Marvel Studios boss David Maisel is executive producing. Emmy-winning King Of The Hill and The Simpsons scribe Jon Vitti is writing the screenplay.
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