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Rob Minkoff in talks to develop family adventure Storm Dogs
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
Rob Minkoff, co-director of Disney’s The Lion King, is in advanced discussions to develop and executive produce Storm Dogs, a family adventure film from UK-based Particle 6. He will work with CEO Eline van der Velden on the story, characters and screenplay, with production planned for 2027. The project will combine conventional live-action filmmaking with photorealistic animated characters and emerging AI tools, while its creators stress that human performers and filmmakers will retain creative control.
The film follows two-year-old Poppy, who is separated from her carer during a devastating storm in an English village. Over 24 hours, five mismatched dogs must cross flooded fields, damaged bridges and hazardous countryside to return her safely, gradually forming an unlikely family and changing Poppy’s dog-fearing mother’s perspective. Particle 6 says its performance-led process will translate actors’ expressions, movements, timing and emotional choices into the animated characters; the company previously attracted attention for its AI actor Tilly Norwood, whose use prompted wider debate about AI in entertainment.
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In short
- Rob Minkoff is joining Particle 6’s Storm Dogs as developer and executive producer.
- Five dogs try to rescue a toddler during a devastating English storm.
- The film will combine live action, animation and human-directed AI tools.
How this story developed
- 2 months ago The filmmakers have stressed that human creative control will remain paramount throughout production, with live actors' performances being translated into photorealistic AI animation for the dogs and child character, positioning the technology as a means to expand artistic possibilities rather than replace human creative agency.
- 2 months ago Minkoff's involvement in the Particle 6 project has progressed from discussion stage to confirmed partnership, with production planned for 2027 and the collaboration bringing his celebrated expertise in animal character creation to an innovative blend of live-action performance with photorealistic AI animation.
- 2 months ago Rob Minkoff will serve as executive producer on Storm Dogs, a Particle 6 adventure film following a toddler and five dogs undertaking a rescue mission through a storm-swept English village, using a hybrid production combining live-action filmmaking with AI-generated photorealistic animation.
Explained simply
Rob Minkoff is a film director known for co-directing Disney's animated The Lion King. He is now in talks to develop and executive produce a new family adventure film called Storm Dogs with Particle 6, a UK production company, with work expected to begin in 2027.
The film centres on a two-year-old girl named Poppy who becomes separated from her carer during a severe storm in an English village. The story follows five dogs as they navigate dangerous terrain over 24 hours to reunite her with her family, in the process forming bonds with one another and with Poppy's mother, who initially fears dogs.
Storm Dogs will use a blend of live-action filming and computer-generated animated characters, with the production company employing AI tools to translate actors' performances into the digital animal characters. Particle 6 has previously worked with AI-generated actors, which has sparked broader discussion about the role of artificial intelligence in film and entertainment.
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Originally published by Deadline as “‘The Lion King’ Director Rob Minkoff To Develop & Exec Produce Family Pic ‘Storm Dogs’ From Tilly Norwood Creator Particle 6”.