Disney brings 3D thunder to 'Bolt'

Posted on ZDNet News: Nov 26, 2007 9:53:00 AM

Disney Feature Animation's Bolt--previously titled American Dog--will be released in digital 3D when it opens November 26, 2008. "We absolutely believe in the whole concept of 3D and the enhancement that it brings in the ability to separate us from any of the other mediums," said Chuck Viane, Disney's president of domestic distribution. John Travolta and Susie Essman lead the voice cast of Bolt, the story of a TV star dog named Bolt (Travolta) who is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York, where he begins a cross-country journey through the real world. Chris Williams directs.

Bolt is the latest digital-3D announcement from Disney, which has been a pioneer of the format. The company's digital-3D releases have included Chicken Little, Meet the Robinsons and Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. Burton recently signed a two-picture deal with Disney, through which he will direct and produce 3D features based on Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and Burton's short Frankenweenie. Disney next releases in 3D the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour, which will play in theaters February 1 through 7. The Hannah Montana release should be available on about 700 screens. "By the time we get to Bolt, I think you may be looking at somewhere between 1,200 and 1,500 potential 3D screens (domestically)," Viane said. "That would be terrific."

©2007 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. CNET , CNET.com , and the CNET logo are registered trademarks of CNET Networks, Inc. Used by permission.

Story Copyright © 2007 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.