Wang Film Productions

Wang Film Productions

Industry	Animation
Founded	July 10, 1978
Headquarters	Taipei, Taiwan
Products	Feature films, television series
Services	Animation outsourcing
Owner	Government of Taiwan

Wang Film Productions (also known as Hong Guang (宏廣) and Cuckoo's Nest Studio) is one of the oldest and most prolific Taiwanese animation studios. The company, based in Xindian, Taipei,^[1] has done animation/ink and paint for various TV shows and films for studios in North America, Europe and Asia.

Its founder, James Wang (王中元), started the studio in 1978 as an overseas facility for the U.S. animation outlet Hanna-Barbera.^[2] At the time, it was called Cuckoo's Nest Studio.^[2]

The company is also famous for their work on the overseas production for Nelvana's Care Bears franchise, Film Roman's Garfield and Friends, Klasky Csupo's Rugrats pilot and first season, Disney's DuckTales and Stretch Films' Courage the Cowardly Dog. They also helped produce effects for the 1982 film Tron and some Peanuts television specials.

Feature films

Films produced by Wang Films

• Fire Ball (2005)
• Lin Wang (2018) (currently in production)

Films outsourced from other studios

• The Adventures of Brer Rabbit (2006)
• An All Dogs Christmas Carol (1998)
• All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 (1996)
• Annabelle's Wish (1997)
• Babes in Toyland (1997)
• Balto II: Wolf Quest (2002)
• Balto III: Wings of Change (2003)
• Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)
• Bebe's Kids (1992)
• Bionicle: Mask of Light (2003)
• Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui (2004)
• Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows (2005)
• The Brave Little Toaster (1987) (also co-produced with Hyperion Pictures and The Kushner-Locke Company)
• The Care Bears Adventure in Wonderland (1987)
• The Care Bears Movie (1985)
• Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation (1986)
• Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure (2003)
• Curious George (2006)
• Felidae (1994) (uncredited)
• FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992)
• FernGully 2: The Magical Rescue (1998)
• GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords (1986)
• Holly Hobbie and Friends: Surprise Party (2005)
• Holly Hobbie and Friends: Christmas Wishes (2006)
• Holly Hobbie and Friends: Best Friends Forever (2007)
• How the Toys Saved Christmas (1997)
• Jetsons: The Movie (1990)
• Joseph: King of Dreams (2000) (animation assistance)
• The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire (2000)
• The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze (2001)
• The Land Before Time IX: Journey to Big Water (2002)
• The Land Before Time X: The Great Longneck Migration (2003)
• The Land Before Time XI: Invasion of the Tinysauruses (2005)
• The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers (2006)
• The Land Before Time XIII: The Wisdom of Friends (2007)
• Leroy & Stitch (2006)
• The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000) (animation assistance)
• Mulan II (2005)
• My Little Pony: A Charming Birthday (2003)
• My Little Pony: Dancing in the Clouds (2004)
• My Little Pony: Friends are Never Far Away (2005)
• My Little Pony: A Very Minty Christmas (2005)
• My Little Pony Crystal Princess: The Runaway Rainbow (2006)
• My Little Pony: A Very Pony Place (2007)
• My Little Pony: Twinkle Wish Adventure (2009)
• Once Upon a Forest (1993)
• The Pagemaster (1994)
• Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension (2011)
• The Prince and the Pauper (1990, additional ink and paint)
• Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw (1988)
• Regular Show: The Movie (2015)
• Rover Dangerfield (1991)
• The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue (1998)
• Scooby-Doo! and the Monster of Mexico (2003)
• Tarzan & Jane (2002)
• The Tale of Tillie's Dragon (1995)
• The Thief and the Cobbler (1993) (ink and paint: American unit)
• Tom and Jerry: The Movie (1992) (additional animation)
• Tom Sawyer (2000)
• Tron (1982, production ink and paint matting)
• Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving (1999)
• Yu Yu Hakusho: The Movie (1993) (additional animation)

TV shows

Outsourced from other Studios

• The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo (1985–1986, uncredited) - 13 half-hour episodes: To All the Ghouls I've Loved Before, Scoobra Kadoobra, Me and My Shadow Demon, Reflections in a Ghoulish Eye, That's Monstertainment, Ship of Ghouls, A Spooky Little Ghoul Like You, When You Witch Upon a Star, It's a Wonderful Scoob, Scooby in Kwackyland, Coast-to-Ghost, The Ghouliest Show on Earth and Horror-Scope Scoob
• 101 Dalmatians: The Series (1997–1998)
• 2 Stupid Dogs
• The Adventures of Raggedy Ann and Andy (1988–1990)
• Aladdin (TV series) (1994) - 14 half-hour episodes: Elemental, My Dear Jasmine, To Cure a Thief, My Fair Aladdin, Web of Fear, Seems Like Old Crimes: Part 1, Seems Like Old Crimes: Part 2, The Love Bug, The Vapor Chase, The Day the Bird Stood Still, Smells Like Trouble, Armored and Dangerous, Dune Quixote, The Prophet Motive and Sea No Evil.
• All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series
• American Dragon: Jake Long
• Animaniacs (1993–1998)
• Around the World with Willy Fog (2nd series produced in association with BRB Internacional, Spain)
• Baby Looney Tunes (2002–2005)
• Back to the Future: The Animated Series
• Beetlejuice (TV series)
• Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (Hanna-Barbera version)
• Bobby's World (1990–1998)
• Bonkers (1993–1994)
• Brandy & Mr. Whiskers
• The Busy World of Richard Scarry
• Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
• Captain N: The Game Master (1991–1992)
• Captain Planet and the Planeteers (Hanna-Barbera version)
• Capitol Critters
• Care Bears (Nelvana series)
• ChalkZone
• Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers (1989–1991, Seasons 2 and 3 only)
• Challenge of the GoBots
• The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show
• Clifford the Big Red Dog (Nelvana series)
• The Comic Strip
• The Country Mouse and the City Mouse Adventures
• Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999–2002)
• Darkwing Duck (1991) - 3 half-hour episodes: The Darkwing Squad, Inside Binkie's Brain and Slime Okay, You're Okay.
• Detention
• Dragon Tales
• Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds (2nd series produced in association with BRB Internacional, Spain; and Thames Television, UK)
• Donkey Kong Country (1996–2000)
• DuckTales (some 1987 and 1989–1990 episodes only)
• The Emperor's New School (2006–2008)
• The Fairytaler (2004–2005)
• Family Dog (1993)
• Fantastic Four (First Season only. Animation production shared with Kennedy Cartoons)
• Fievel's American Tails (1992)
• Fillmore! (2002)
• The Flintstone Kids (1986–1988)
• Free Willy (TV series)
• The Further Adventures of SuperTed
• Foofur (1986-1988)
• Galtar and the Golden Lance (1985–1987)
• Garfield and Friends (1988–1994)
• Gargoyles (1994–1997)
• The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible (1985–1993, direct-to-video series)
• Generation O!
• Goof Troop (1992–1993) - 8 half-hour episodes: Buddy Building, Where There's a Will, There's a Goof, Terminal Pete, Rally Round the Goof, Frankengoof, Calling All Goofs, Pistolgeist and Tee for Two.
• Hercules: The Animated Series (1998–2000)
• Hey Arnold! (1st season only)
• Histeria! (1998–2000)
• House of Mouse (2001–2004)
• Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling (1985–1987, Animation production shared with Shaft and Hanho Heung-Up)
• Inspector Gadget (first season only, 12 episodes: Down on the Farm, Gadget at the Circus, The Amazon, Movie Set, Amusement Park, Art Heist, M.A.D. Trap, Eye of the Dragon, King Wrong, Pirate Island, Smeldorado and So It Is Written)
• James Bond Jr. (1991)
• The Jetsons (1980's revival, 1985 episodes only, uncredited)
• Jungle Cubs (1996–1998)
• Jungledyret Hugo (TV series, overseas animation)
• The Land Before Time (2007–2008)
• The Legend of Tarzan (2001–2003)
• Life with Louie
• Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003–2006)
• The Little Mermaid (TV series) (1992–1994)
• The Little Lulu Show
• Madballs
• Marsupilami (1993–1994)
• Mickey Mouse Works (1999–2001)
• Mighty Ducks (1996–1997, Animated series)
• Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures (1987–1988)
• Mother Goose and Grimm
• Mythic Warriors
• Ned's Newt
• The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (3 episodes: A Pooh Day Afternoon, The Wise Have It and To Dream the Impossible Scheme, 1991)
• New Kids on the Block (TV series)
• Noddy
• The Oz Kids
• Ozzy & Drix
• Phineas and Ferb
• Piggsburg Pigs! (uncredited)
• The Pink Panther (1993 series)
• Pinky and the Brain (1995–1998)
• Pippi Longstocking
• Popeye and Son (1987–1988)
• Police Academy: The Animated Series
• A Pup Named Scooby-Doo (1988–1991)
• Quack Pack
• Rambo and the Forces of Freedom
• Raw Toonage (1992)
• Slimer! And The Real Ghostbusters (final 3 seasons only)
• The Ren & Stimpy Show (3 episodes only)
• The Replacements
• Rugrats (Pilot & 1st season only)
• Sandokan (BRB International) (1992)
• The Shnookums and Meat Funny Cartoon Show (1995)
• Snorks (1984–1989)
• The Smurfs (Animation production shared with Toei Animation on some episodes during season 6-8)
• Star Wars: Ewoks (1985–1987)
• Sonic Underground
• Stuart Little: The Animated Series (2003)
• The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries (1995–2001)
• Tales from the Cryptkeeper
• TaleSpin (1990–1991) - 8 half-hour episodes: The Bigger They Are, the Louder the Oink, Bearly Alive, On a Wing and Bear, The Old Man and the SeaDuck, Sheepskin Deep, Waiders of the Wost Tweasure, Mach One for the Gipper and A Jolly Molly Christmas.
• Teacher's Pet (TV series) (2001)
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987–1996)
• Timon & Pumbaa (1995–1999)
• Tiny Toon Adventures (1990–1992) - 31 half-hour episodes: The Looney Beginning (animated by Kennedy Cartoons with a few scenes by Wang Film Productions), You Asked for It, Rock 'n' Roar, Career Oppor-Toon-ities, Dating, Acme Acres Style, Hare Raising Night, Citizen Max, Prom-ise Her Anything, The Acme Acres Zone, Starting from Scratch, Looking Out for the Little Guy, Spring in Acme Acres, Ask Mr. Popular, Europe in 30 Minutes, Fairy Tales for the 90's, Here's Hamton, No Toon Is An Island, Return to the Acme Acres Zone, Mr. Popular's Rules of Cool!, Viewer Mail Day, K-ACME TV, High Toon (animated by Kennedy Cartoons with a few scenes by Wang Film Productions), Going Places, Best of Buster Day, Toon TV, New Class Day, Flea for Your Life, Weekday Afternoon Live, Buster's Directorial Debut and The Horror of Slumber Party Mountain.
• Tom & Jerry Kids (1990–1993)
• The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat
• What's New, Scooby-Doo? (2002–2003) - 4 half-hour episodes: It's Mean, It's Green, It's the Mystery Machine, Roller Ghoster Ride, A Scooby-Doo Christmas and Pompeii and Circumstance.
• Yo Yogi! (1991–1992)
• Yogi's Treasure Hunt (1985–1987)
• The Weekenders (1999–2001)
• What-A-Cartoon (some shorts)
• Wisdom of the Gnomes
• W.I.T.C.H. (TV series) (1st Season)
• Wildfire (1986–1987)
• Winx Club
• Zazoo U

Television films and specials

• The Betty Boop Movie Mystery (1989) (co-produced by King Features)
• Care Bears Nutcracker Suite (1988)
• Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue (1990) (co-produced by Southern Star Productions)
• Garfield: His 9 Lives (1988)
• Hanna-Barbera Superstars 10 TV movies (1987–1988)
• Peanuts (two specials, "It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown" & "You're in the Super Bowl, Charlie Brown", 1992 & 1994)
• Scooby-Doo in Arabian Nights (1994)
• Tiny Toon Spring Break Special (1994)
• The Town Santa Forgot (1993)
• The Wind in the Willows (1987)

See also

• List of animation studios
• List of companies of Taiwan

References

1. Chang, Violet (1 May 1998). "Wang's World". Taiwan Review (Government Information Office, Republic of China (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2010-04-12.
2. Lent, John A. (1 November 2000). "Animation in Asia: appropriation, reinterpretation, and adoption or adaptation". Screening the Past. La Trobe University. Retrieved 2010-04-12. It was while he was in the U.S., after completing his masters degree at Indiana University and looking for ways to enter animation, that James Wang convinced Bill Hanna of Hanna-Barbera to back an offshore animation facility that Wang proposed in his native Taiwan. His Cuckoo's Nest (Wang Film Productions) quickly became one of the world's largest animation producers.

External links

• Official website, October 2007 (accessed at the Wayback Machine)
• Wang Film Productions at TV Tropes
• Wang Film Productions at the Internet Movie Database
• Cuckoo's Nest Studios at the Internet Movie Database