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Vanguard Animation CG has announced that Ewan McGregor will headline their next CGI project, “Valiant”. According to the studio press release, “The animated comedy tells the story of a lowly wood pigeon named Valiant, who overcomes his small size to become a hero in Great Britain’s Royal Air Force Homing Pigeon Service during World War II. The RHPS advanced the Allied cause by flying vital messages about enemy movements across the English Channel, while evading brutal attacks by the enemy’s Falcon brigade. Sir Ben Kingsley will voice General Keyserlingk, the feared German falcon leader. Other actors lending their voices include Jim Broadbent, Rupert Everett, Hugh Laurie, John Hurt, and Ricky Gervais. Valiant, which will be completed in December 2004, is currently in production, with a staff of 95, at Vanguard Animation’s recently completed CG studio built at Ealing Studios in London, as well as continuing at its Los Angeles and New York offices. Disney is distributing the picture in North America, and Odyssey Entertainment in the UK is handling international distribution. Disney holds worldwide merchandising, soundtrack, and video game rights as well. The producer is John H. Williams (Shrek 1 & 2) for Vanguard Animation. Executive Producers are Barnaby Thompson for Ealing Studios, Ralph Kamp for Odyssey Entertainment, Robert Jones for the UK Film Council, and Keith Evans for Baker Street Media Finance. Co-Producers are Eric M. Bennett, Curtis Augspurger and Buckley Collum for Vanguard Animation. The picture is being directed by British character designer Gary Chapman.”
