We’ve known for a while that a new My Little Pony movie was coming, and that–mercifully–it would not be attempted in live-action. Instead, this new venture promised to stay true to the Friendship Is Magic canon that has hooked fans far beyond the original target demographic of young girls. What we didn’t know is what the movie might look like. Would it be like the Equestria Girls TV movies that used exactly the same animation as the show (and were created primarily to showcase a new line of dolls)? Or would it be something bigger and better, befitting a fanbase that holds large conventions every year?
With the reveal today of the first poster and announcement teaser, Lionsgate has answered:
Friendship still comes in many colors, but animation has gotten an upgrade. Our “Mane 6” protagonists–and sidekick Spike–now come in shaded animation that gives them more of a Roger Rabbit, rounded quality than the Flash style of the TV show. Beyond that, the teaser doesn’t tell us much beyond what we knew already: celebrity cameos galore and a new Sia song. But it’s Pinkie Pie’s familiar excitement, as always, that gets us hyped for the party.
The new official synopsis is quite generic, but just in case you can glean something from it, it is:
A new dark force threatens Ponyville, and the Mane 6 – Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity – embark on an unforgettable journey beyond Equestria where they meet new friends and exciting challenges on a quest to use the magic of friendship and save their home.
The property has come a long way since the ’80s, with writing so smart and references so savvy that Hasbro had to pivot and retool the toy line to support the show more specifically, rather than the reverse.
Are you ready to smile, smile, smile in theaters this fall? Come on every Pony, comment, comment, comment below!
Images: Lionsgate/Hasbro
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