Hitpig! is a 2024 animated comedy film directed by Cinzia Angelini and David Feiss. The film comes from an original story by Berkeley Breathed, rooted from his 2008 children's book Pete & Pickles. Breathed also wrote the screenplay alongside Dave Rosenbaum and Tyler Werrin. Produced by Aniventure and animated by Cinesite, the film features the voices of Jason Sudeikis, Lilly Singh, Rainn Wilson, Anitta, RuPaul, Hannah Gadsby and Charlie Adler.
| Hitpig! | |
|---|---|
 American theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by |
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| Written by |
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| Story by | Berkeley Breathed |
| Based on | Pete & Pickles by Berkeley Breathed |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Edited by | Rob Neal |
| Music by | Isabella Summers |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | VVS Films (Canada) |
Release date |
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Running time | 86 minutes |
| Countries | United Kingdom Canada |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $2.3 million[1][2] |
Hitpig! was released in North America on 1 November 2024.
Plot
editIn a futuristic cyberpunk world, Hitpig sets out to capture a dancing elephant named Pickles, but the two of them actually end up finding themselves on an immersive journey to a circus in Las Vegas. However Hitpig soon realizes that no amount of money is worth losing his newfound friend.
Voice cast
edit- Jason Sudeikis as Hitpig, a bounty hunting pig
- Lilly Singh as Pickles, an elephant
- Rainn Wilson as the Leapin Lord of the Leotard, a showman from Las Vegas
- Anitta as Letícia dos Anjos, an animal rights activist
- RuPaul as Polecat
- Lorraine Ashbourne as Bertha, Hitpig's adopted mother and mentor
- Andy Serkis as a newscaster
- Shelby Young as Hitpig's catchvan
- Hannah Gadsby as Lola, a koala
- Charlie Adler as Super Rooster / Lobster
- Flavor Flav as Chef Emcee
Production
editHitpig! was conceived by Berkeley Breathed as a film adaptation of his 2008 children's book Pete & Pickles. The film initially entered development at DreamWorks Animation in 2014 before being abandoned soon afterwards.[3][4] Prior to the creation of Hitpig, Breathed had first attempted to adapt Pete & Pickles in 2010, as a computer-animated preschool series with Technicolor.[5]
In 2020, it was announced that the British animation firm Aniventure would produce the film, with Cinzia Angelini and Maurizio Parimbelli directing.[6] Shortly afterwards, Parimbelli would be replaced by David Feiss. Animation production was handled by Cinesite through its Montreal facilities as well as its Vancouver facilities.[7]
In 2020, it was announced that Peter Dinklage, Lilly Singh, Rainn Wilson, RuPaul, Hannah Gadsby and Dany Boon had joined the cast.[6] When David Feiss joined on as a director, Boon would exit the project, and would be recast by veteran voice actor and Feiss' former Cow and Chicken collaborator Charlie Adler, who also provides the voices for two other roles for the film.[8] On March 8, 2022, it was announced that Anitta would be providing the voice for the character Letícia dos Anjos.[9] In May 2024, it was reported that Jason Sudeikis would be playing the titular character, replacing Dinklage, while GFM Animation launched international sales.[10] Isabella Summers composed the score for the film.[11]
Release
editIn August 2024, Viva Pictures acquired the United States rights and scheduled the film for a theatrical release on 1 November 2024.[12]
Reception
editBox office
editIn the United States and Canada, Hitpig! was released alongside Here and Absolution. The film debuted with $1.2 million from 2,107 theaters in its opening weekend, finishing 13th at the box office.[13]
Critical response
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 55% of 20 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.3/10.[14] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.[15]
References
edit- ^ "Hitpig". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Hitpig – Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ Tapper, Joan (29 November 2014). "SB People: Berkeley Breathed: Cartoonist/Author/Scriptwriter". Santa Barbara Magazine. Santa Barbara, California: Smith Publish Group. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ "DREAMWORKS HITPIG- Trademark Details". Trademarkia. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ Desowitz, Bill (6 May 2010). "Sarnoff Talks Technicolor, Pete & Pickles". Animation World Network. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ a b Wiseman, Andreas (22 October 2020). "'Hitpig': Peter Dinklage, Lilly Singh, Rainn Wilson, RuPaul, Hannah Gadsby & Dany Boon To Voice Animated Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ "About- Charlie Adler". Official Charlie Adler. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ Diamond Sarto, Debbie (9 March 2022). "Brazilian Singer-Songwriter Anitta Joins 'Hitpig' Cast". Animation World Network. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ Tabbara, Mona (14 May 2024). "GFM Animation launches sales on HitPig, with Jason Sudeikis, RuPaul among voice cast". Screen Daily. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "Isabella Summers to Score Cinzia Angelini's & David Feiss' 'Hitpig'". Film Music Reporter. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (15 August 2024). "Viva Pictures Acquires Animated Feature Hitpig! Starring Jason Sudeikis For November Release". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Domestic 2024 Weekend 44". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ "Hitpig!". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ "Home". CinemaScore. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
