Chethma De Mel, Jadetimes Staff
C. J. De Mel is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Entertainment News
In a surprise, Universal is making Dreamworks Animation's The Wild Robot available on digital platforms a mere 19 days after its wide theatrical bow. That's quite an unexpected move, given that the Rob Harrell adaptation has been performing well at the box office, finishing as the #2 movie in the United States last weekend. By comparison, Dreamworks' Kung Fu Panda 4 bowed in theaters on March 8 this year, and wasn't available to purchase digitally until May 28, over 11 weeks later.
As the first feature to be released from Illumination Entertainment since before the COVID-19 pandemic, The Wild Robot picked up a number of year-end award contender mentions from Chris Sanders, is now available to rent or buy on such digital platforms as Apple TV, Fandango at Home-formerly Vudu-Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Microsoft Movies & TV, and Movies Anywhere. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment also announced physical copies will be made available as 4K UHD and Blu-ray starting December 3.
Bonus content available with many digital retailers in a package deal with the digital download of the film are:
Commercial for Rozzum: This is an alternate opening of the film in storyboard format presented by the film's director Chris Sanders.
Moments from the Mic: A behind-the-scenes look at the cast performing some lines in the recording booth that stand out in the film.
Meet the Cast: A behind-the-scenes look at how voice actors brought feelings and depth to the characters.
The Smother Mother: A deleted storyboard sequence intro by Sanders.
Assembly Required: Animating The Wild Robot: Behind-the-scenes footage revealing the ingenuity of the animation process bringing this film's world to life.
Feeling Alive: A feature about how the filmmakers made Peter Brown's original story even more impactful emotionally.
Wild Sounds: A deep dive into Kris Bowers' original score for the film and two original songs by Maren Morris.
How to Draw: An interactive lesson with Sanders teaching drawing Roz to Lupita Nyong'o, along with another drawing lesson about other characters by story artist Genevieve Tsai.
Fly Your Own Brightbill: A fun tutorial on how to create a Brightbill kite inspired by the various attempts Roz made to teach the goose to fly.
In such rapid movements from theater to digital platforms, The Wild Robot is yet on the waves, allowing viewers not only to see a fantastic story but also be included in very substantial backstage information and interaction.
