Disney’s first stab at full 3D CG animation, Bolt, hits DVD this week.

We talked to director Chris Williams about the challenges involved in taking over a project that had been developed by a different director and how he shaped the first Disney film mentored by Pixar boss John Lasseter…



Before there was Bolt, there was American Dog…

Lilo & Stitch director Chris Saunders originally developed what became Bolt as American Dog.

But when he failed to see eye to eye with new Disney honcho John Lasseter over the concept and execution, he left the project.

Chris Williams took over what had been a project already at the animation stage.

“The premise is what we took from American Dog - we liked the idea of a dog who is the star of a really OTT action show who comes to believe in the fiction of the show.

“We needed a clean page. Everyone realized that it would not benefit anybody to take bits and pieces of things and try to salvage it. So it was a do-over. As soon as we changed direction we were creating new characters and building new personalities.”

Next: Pressure & Pleasures