Movies: Blue Sky’s Latest Delightful Animation “Ferdinand” Opens January 8

In the tradition of beloved animals from children’s classic tales comes a gentle giant with a heart of gold in “Ferdinand” – starring the voice of wrestling superstar John Cena along with Gina Rodriguez, Kate McKinnon, Bobby Cannavale and Anthony Anderson.

Directed by Carlos Saldanha, who also helmed global blockbuster animation films such as “Rio,” “Ice Age” and “Robots”, “Ferdinand” is a Blue Sky Studios feature that tells the unlikely and delightful story of a bull who prefers flowers to fighting.  John Cena stars as the voice of the titular character, a peace-loving animal with no desire to battle matadors, like the rest of the herd, which makes him an outsider.  At the ranch where he’s expected to train for the bullring, he meets Lupe, supposedly a calming goat, but in fact she is brash and feisty. The two become fast friends. Action-packed, funny and heartwarming, the film explores resonant themes of authenticity, courage and what home really means. 

Set in Spain, “Ferdinand” relates the journey of a charming, fun-loving bull. A gentle giant, Ferdinand loves to smell the flowers and play in the fields, but has no interest in fighting. He’s different from his peers and that leads to bullying from the other bulls. When his beloved father leaves the ranch and doesn’t come back, Ferdinand embarks on a journey to find a new home where he will be accepted unconditionally. He finds a beautiful farm in the countryside and is taken in by the kind farmer and his daughter, Nina. Becoming part of a loving family, Ferdinand is free to play in the fields among the flowers.

Movies: Nick Jonas’ Original Song In “Ferdinand” Scores Nomination At Golden Globes 2018

Set in Spain, the delightful movie “Ferdinand” tells the remarkable story of a gentle bull, voiced by John Cena, a gentle giant who prefers flowers to fighting and has no desire to face off against matadors in the bullring. It follows Ferdinand as he embarks on a thrilling, dangerous and fun-filled journey to find love, acceptance and a real home. ‘Home’ is also the title of the new song from Jonas, about the place where people (and bulls) can relax and be themselves.

From the award-winning Blue Sky Studios, “Ferdinand” was directed by Carlos Saldanha. Based on the classic 1936 children’s book of the same name, by author Munro Leaf and illustrator Robert Lawson, the film also stars Saturday Night Live’s Kate McKinnon as the voice of Lupe the goat.

We join Ferdinand as he sets off on an adventure looking for somewhere he can call home. He comes across an idyllic farm, befriends the kind farmer and his little girl, Nina, and finds happiness and peace in the flower-filled countryside. But Ferdinand is torn apart from his adoptive family after he’s mistaken for a vicious beast and he ends up in a bull training camp, the last place he wants to be! Developing a friendship with a quirky and hilarious ‘calming’ goat called Lupe (Kate McKinnon) Ferdinand has one goal—to get back home to Nina’s farm.
             

Movies: Blu Sky’s “Ferdinand” Starring John Cena Nominated For Best Animation Feature In Latest Golden Globes

The new animated film and Golden Globe nominee for Best Animation and Original Song, “Ferdinand,” tells the charming story of a bull who prefers flowers to fighting. John Cena stars as the voice of the titular character, a peace-loving animal with no desire to fight, like the rest of the herd, which makes him an outsider at the ranch where he is raised. Set in Spain, the story follows Ferdinand as he embarks on a journey to find love and acceptance. Facing danger and making close friends along the way, he always stays true to himself. Also starring Saturday Night Live’s Kate McKinnon as the hilarious voice of Lupe the goat, it’s a delightful, action-packed tale about individuality, friendship and the courage to be who you are. From the award-winning Blue Sky Studios, the film was directed by Carlos Saldanha and is based on the classic 1936 children’s book by author Munro Leaf and illustrator Robert Lawson.

From the start, it’s clear that Ferdinand has little in common with the other bulls on the ranch. Like Ferdinand’s own father, the animals all have the same goal: to become fighting bulls. But the hero of FERDINAND has other ideas. “He realizes early on in his life that unlike the rest of the group, he doesn’t want to fight, so he is ostracized,” says John Cena who stars as the voice of the warm-hearted bull. “They say, ‘man, this is what bulls do,’ and Ferdinand says, ‘well fighting is cool for you guys, it’s just not for me.’”

“They won me over as soon as they showed me a few clips in the theater,” recalls Cena. “Carlos was up at the podium, trying to pitch me on this project, and I told him, ‘Dude, just stop…I’m in. When do we do this!?’ From there on, it’s been such a joy to work with him. We worked so well together, and the quality of animation that Blue Sky produces is simply amazing.”

Movies: Meet “Ferdinand”: The Inspiring Bull That Isn't A Bully

Wrestling superstar John Cena lends voice to the gentlest bull that will soon capture everyone’s hearts on January 8 in “Ferdinand” – a giant bull who prefers flowers to fighting.

Today’s generation can enjoy the delightful CG-animated film based on the 1936 book “The Story of Ferdinand” by author Munro Leaf and illustrator Robert Lawson, a warm and charming take on how appearances can be deceptive (or, why you should never judge a bull by its cover…) the book’s message of love and acceptance has resonated for decades.

Directed by Academy Award nominee Carlos Saldanha, creator and director of the Rio series and director of many of the Ice Age movies, “Ferdinand” centers on the adventures of a peace-loving bull (voiced by John Cena), who is adopted by a loving farmer and daughter. However, his idyllic life changes after he’s mistaken for a vicious beast and is taken away to the last place on earth he wants to be, a bull training camp. But Ferdinand is determined to get back home. Along the way, the kind-hearted bull makes many friends and changes the lives of those he meets. But there still one great obstacle he’ll have to overcome… in the film’s thrilling climactic scene, Ferdinand has to face the matador El Primero in a packed arena, but he valiantly stays true to his peaceful nature, and inspires all those around him.           

Movies: Blue Sky Studio’s “Ferdinand” Second Trailer Reveal

20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studio released the second trailer of the upcoming adventure animation “Ferdinand” about a gentle giant bull voiced by wrestling star John Cena.

“Ferdinand” tells the story of a bull who was mistaken for a dangerous beast and separated from his human best friend.  Unknown to his captors, Ferdinand is the gentlest of all bulls and prefers to smell the flowers instead of fighting matadors.    

The latest trailer brings us to Ferdinand’s journey from quietly living with his family to his captivity and meeting new friends who eventually go with him on an exciting journey going back to his family.

The animated movie is directed by Carlos Saldanha, who also helmed the animated franchise “Ice Age” movies.  The movie also features the voices of Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, Daveed Diggs, Gabriel Iglesias, Bobby Cannavale, David Tennant, Anthony Anderson, Flula Borg, Sally Phillips, Boris Kodjoe, Jerrod Carmichael, Raúl Esparza, Karla Martínez, and Miguel Ángel Silvestre.

“Ferdinand” will open in cinemas (Phils.) on January 8, 2018 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.                

Movies: Wrestling Superstar John Cena Is A Friendly Bull In Blue Sky Studios’ “Ferdinand”

WWE superstar John Cena takes on the form of a friendly bull in Blue Sky Studios’ “Ferdinand.”  From blockbuster toonmaker Carlos Saldanha, who also helmed global hits “Ice Age” and “Rio” comes the story of a beast with a big heart in “Ferdinand,” based on the story of a classic children’s book by Munro Leaf illustrated by Robert Lawson.

“Ferdinand” (Cena) tells the inspiring and joyful story of a giant gentle bull forced into the dangerous arena of bullfighting.  After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure. Set in Spain, Ferdinand proves you can’t judge a bull by its cover.

Cena, in recent interviews clearly relates to his character – big but hesitant to fight. “He's a peaceful bull, people think he's a fighter because he's a big bull,” said Cena.

“Ferdinand” voice cast includes (Jane the Virgin’s) Gina Rodriguez as hedgehog Una, Kate McKinnon as goat Lupe,  David Tennant as Angus, Anthony Anderson as Bones, Gabriel Iglesias as Cuatro, Daveed Diggs as Dos, Miguel Ángel Silvestre as El Primero, Sally Phillips as Greta, Flula Borg as Hans, Karla Martinez as Isabella, Boris Kodjoe as Klaus, Raul Esparza as Moreno, Jerrod Carmichael as Paco and Bobby Cannavale as Valiente.

A Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox presentation distributed by Warner Bros. - “Ferdinand” opens in cinemas (Phils.) on January 8, 2018 and will also be available in 3D screens.