Peep and the Big Wide World: The Movie

Peep and the Big Wide World: The Movie is a 2020 Canadian-American computer-animated musical comedy film produced by WGBH Boston and 9 Story Media Group, in association with TVOntario and Discovery Kids. The film was directed by Kaj Pindal from a screenplay written by Joe Ansolabehere, Paul Germain, Jennifer Pertsch and Tedd Anasti. It is the first theatrical Peep and the Big Wide World production. The film stars Scott Beaudin as Peep, Amanda Soha as Chirp, Jamie Watson as Quack; Robert Tinkler as Ant; Tessa Marshall as Beaver Boy; Debra McGrath as Beaver Mom; Phillip Williamsas Beaver Dad; Catherine Disheras Dragonfly Fish Frog Hoot Nellie Newton Quack #2 Rabbit Robin Skunk Bat Squeak Tom Raccoon Blue Jays

The cast also includes Jayne Eastwood, Holly Hunter , Adrian Truss , Colin Fox , Kathleen Laskey and Jeff Lumby.

Plot
When an egg rolls into a faraway barnyard where three young chickens live—Peep (Beaudin), Chirp (Soha) & Quack (Watson)—they hatch out of their shells to discover that they have each won one of three mysterious and powerful objects. The egg, it turns out, was a magic one that had rolled from the home of an evil wizard who now wants his property back! When he comes to take them away by force, our heroes must use their wits—and teamwork—to protect their treasures and defeat him. Along the way they learn about cooperation vs. competition; what makes something truly valuable; how things change as we grow up…and even discover some surprising talents in themselves!

Distributed
The film was distributed by Universal Pictures (US), Entertainment One (Canada) and Pathé Films (International).

Soundtrack
The soundtrack for the film would be released on June 30, 2020.

Animation
The animation for the film was provided by 9 Story Media Group.

Trailers
A teaser trailer for the film was released on May 5, 2020; followed by a second trailer on June 15, 2020.

Production/Development
WGBH Boston and 9 Story Media Group began production of an animated Peep and the Big Wide World feature-length movie in early 2019. Kaj Pindal returned to direct from a screenplay written by Joe Ansolabehere, Paul Germain, Jennifer Pertsch & Tedd Anasti with co-direction from David Fine & Alison Snowden. In September 2019 it was announced that Robert Tinkler had joined the cast as Ant while Scott Beaudin reprised his role as Peep from previous incarnations of the franchise including 2004's TV series adaptation also directed by Pindal himself along with Amanda Soha returning as Chirp and Jamie Watson reprising his role as Quack respectively. It wasn't until December 12th that Jayne Eastwood, Holly Hunter , Adrian Truss , Colin Fox , Kathleen Laskey and Jeff Lumby had joined the cast in undisclosed roles.

Release/Screening
The film was originally scheduled to be released on April 3, 2020; but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was pushed back to July 3, 2020.

Home media
Peep and the Big Wide World: The Movie will be released by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment on Digital HD on September 15th, 2020 followed by a 4K UHD Blu-ray & DVD release on October 6th.

Reception/Box office
Upon its release, Peep and the Big Wide World: The Movie received positive reviews from critics with many praising Pindal's direction along with Beaudin , Soha & Watson's performances as well as Robert Tinkler being singled out for his performance as Ant while others praised 9 Story Media Group 's animation calling it "visually stunning"  and "a feast for the eyes". It grossed $85 million worldwide against its $20 million budget making it a box office success. Accolades : At the 43rd Annie Awards, Peep and the Big Wide World won 2 awards for Best Animated Feature - Independent (for Kaj Pindal) & Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production (for Scott Beaudin as Peep).

Legacy
In May 2021 it was announced that a sequel to the film is currently in development with Pindal returning to direct from a screenplay written by Joe Ansolabehere, Paul Germain & Jennifer Pertsch with Tedd Anasti set to produce alongside Robert Tinkler who will also reprise his role as Ant.

Categories
2020 films | 2010s animated comedy films | American children's animated comedy films | Canadian children's animated comedy films | English-language films | 3D computer-animated musical comedy film s|Animated musical comedy films