Tony Leondis

Anthony Leondis is an American former animator, storyboard artist, filmmaker, and voice actor, known for directing The Emoji Movie, Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch, and Igor.

Career Tony Leondis was at CalArts for a time, and had the opportunity to enter the industry thanks to his then professor Brenda Chapman, who offered him an internship to work on one of her films, The Prince of Egypt. After about 6 months, Leondis ended up working as a story artist on that film full-time.

Leondis started his career as a story artist working on films such as The Prince of Egypt and The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. He later joined DisneyToon Studios, where he co-wrote the script for Kronk's New Groove. Leondis made his directorial debut on Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch in 2005. In 2008, he directed his first theatrical animated film, Igor, for Exodus Film Group.

Since 2009, he was directing at DreamWorks Animation an animated feature film about ghosts. Leondis originally pitched the film as a school story called BOO U, but during development over the next few years, the plot would be drastically changed. Leondis went on to direct the Kung Fu Panda short Secrets of the Masters . Finally, in 2012, his ghost film, now called B.O.O. Otherworldly Operations Office took its apparent final form and entered pre-production. Leondis also directed this version of the film, alongside Ryan O'Loughlin, who became co-director.

Now titled B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations, based on Leondis's original idea, the film was scheduled to be released in 2015, but by late 2014, it was pulled from DWA's schedule and went back into restructuring. By 2015, Leondis left DreamWorks to develop his next animated film, while B.O.O. was left dead at the studio.

The Emoji Movie In 2017, Leondis directed and co-wrote Sony Pictures Animation's animated film The Emoji Movie. Leondis pitched the film to the studio and co-wrote it with Eric Siegel.

According to statements by Leondis himself, Emoji Movie had a very rushed production once Sony began producing it, He won two Razzie Awards for Worst Director and Worst Screenplay, the latter shared with Eric Siegel and Mike White, making Leondis the first animation director in motion picture history to win those categories. Despite showing interest in live-action filmmaking, and the son of a Greek Orthodox priest. He is gay.

Filmography

Film Year Title Director Writer Animation department Story artist Voice actor Role Notes1998 The Lion King II: Simba's Pride Direct-to-videoAdditional character designer The Prince of Egypt 2000 The Road to El Dorado 2004 Home on the Range 2005 Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch Direct-to-video Kronk's New Groove 2008 Igor Killiseum Fan #4 Additional screenplay material 2011 Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters Master Croc Video short 2017 The Emoji Movie Laughter,Broom,Pizza Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director winner

Television Year Title Special thanks Notes 1997 Cartoon Sushi Episode #1.4

Awards and nominations