The producers of upcoming animated family comedy Blazing Samurai (slated for August 4, 2017) have announced that Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Cera and Mel Brooks will lead the film’s all-star voice cast, which also includes George Takei, Gabriel Iglesias, Aasif Mandvi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Mel B. and newcomer Heavenly Joy Jerkins, a five-year-old singing sensation who appeared on season 10 of America’s Got Talent.
Blazing Samurai is an animated action-comedy about a scrappy dreamer of a dog named Hank (voiced by Michael Cera) who longs to become a great warrior and fights to save the town of Kakamucho from becoming the litter box of a nefarious feline warlord, transforming society and himself on his quest to become a true samurai. It is equal parts inspired by and an homage to Mel Brooks’ classic Western spoof Blazing Saddles.
Samuel L. Jackson voices Jimbo, a cat who used to be a great warrior but now hits the catnip a little too hard. Nevertheless, he takes Hank under his wing and teaches him the ways of the samurai. Mel Brooks plays the misguided but benevolent Shogun. George Takei is the warlord’s enforcer Ohga, Djimon Hounsou is gentle giant Sumo, Aasif Mandvi and Gabriel Iglesias are Laurel & Hardy style cats Ichiro and Chuck, Sandra Tsing Loh plays cranky grand dame Little Mama, Heavenly Joy Jerkins is feisty fightin’ kitten Emiko, Michelle Yeoh is Emiko’s overly protective mom Yuki, and Mel B. is the Giraffe who sees herself as a cat.
Blazing Samurai is being produced by Mass Animation, Huayi Brothers Media Corporation, Flying Tigers Entertainment and GFM Films. It is directed by Chris Bailey (Kim Possible, Clerks) and fellow animation veteran Mark Koetsier from a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper.
Open Road Films has acquired U.S. distribution rights for Blazing Samurai — Producers Rob Minkoff, Yair Landau and Mel Brooks will present footage and visual development during AFM.
Arc Productions (Gnomeo & Juliet) is the lead animation service studio on the film.
Its funny how companies like this STILL get away with getting (dumb) artists to do their work for them…FOR FREE!
I wonder if Sam L., Micheal cera, or Mel Brooks is doing this pro bono? for “exposure”
I highly doubt it.
Looks like these poor sap artists with zero confidence are donating their wages to the big name actors fund and executives personal accounts.
because that’s all that drives the entertainment industry right? a big name… and that is just sad.
A VERY IMPORTANT message to any artist working for free… STOP IT… YOU MORON
You are bringing the rest of us respectable artists down with you. If you do not value your work. No one else will!!! do us all a favor and get a job at starbucks. hell at least they will help you through school! WAKE UP YA SHMUCKS!