Walt Disney Animation Studios Is Open to Reviving 2D-Animation. Walt Disney Animation Studios has been making iconic and enchanting stories for all ages to enjoy since the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. As we approach the 10-year anniversary for Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, we are reminded of just how far Walt Disney Animation Studios has come in terms of developing new forms of animation.

Walt Disney himself is credited with bringing 2D-animation into the fold of mainstream entertainment and with the help of Pixar, Disney and Pixar ushered in a new era of 3D-animation starting in the 1990’s and continues to this day. Though technological advances have allowed for some truly magical film making, there are still fans who prefer the hand drawn animated films over the currently produced 3D animated motion pictures.

Recently, SlashFilm.com, had the chance to sit down with newly appointed Walt Disney Animation Studios President, Jennifer Lee, Frozen II Director, Chris Buck, and Producer Peter Del Vecho during a press event for Frozen II. During the interview the group discussed the incorporation of 2D-animation and how it is still alive and well within Disney Animation, though we may not see it directly on the screen. Most 3D-animated films are actually designed after 2D animation that is first drawn by 2D animators before it even reaches the CG animators for 3D animation.

During the interview, SlashFilm asked, “Is hand-drawn animation on the table for Walt Disney Animation moving forward?”

Del Vecho: “That’s such a big part of our legacy, and I loved Princess and the Frog. I would say that there’s still a lot of hand-drawn influence going into our CG films.”

Lee: “In our films.”

Del Vecho: “I think we’re one of the only studios in the world that can do both, and how that evolves over time and how we experiment with different styles. But it ultimately comes down to the filmmakers and how they want to tell that particular story.”

Lee: “Yeah, and some of our new shorts you’re going to see, as they come out, new styles. Watercolor styles, even things we’ve never done, but using technology to help us do it in ways that are exciting as well.”

Buck: “And there’s another thing. People aren’t even aware of it. The hand drawn animators have helped out a lot with our CG animators. I think there’s an appeal that the hand drawn animators, it’s innate in them, and they’ve been teaching the CG animators –”

Lee: “Silhouettes and the swirls, that language.”

Buck: “– putting that into their work. So when you look at some of our movies now, even though it’s CG on the screen, underneath it is the hand drawn deal.”

Slashfilm continued with, “But it sounds like you guys might be open to it if a filmmaker came to you.”

Lee: “Of course. And it really is, the style is driven by the filmmakers and certainly there’s a lot of, as we’ve developed new talent, excitement to try different styles.”

From the sounds of it, it seems Walt Disney Animation Studios is still a large supporter of 2D-animation and would work on 2D-animated features again for the right story. The last 2D-animated film was Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, which premiered in December 2009, nearly 10 years ago. So it would be both refreshing and nostalgic to see the classic animation style back in theaters, especially paired with an enriching story.

To check out the rest of the interview between SlashFilm and Lee, Buck, and Del Vecho, you can visit SlashFilm.com by CLICKING HERE.

What are some of your favorite animated Disney Classics? Are you excited at the prospect of new 2D-animated films by Disney? What stories would you like to see on the big screen? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

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Photo Credit: Disney/Walt Disney Animation Studios/Pixar