EXCLUSIVE: Rob Minkoff, co-director of Disney’s classic animated hit The Lion King, is in advanced discussions to develop and executive produce Storm Dogs, an upcoming family adventure title from Tilly Norwood creator Particle 6.

Minkoff, who also directed Stuart Little, will be the creative lead on the upcoming feature film and will work closely with Particle 6 CEO Eline van der Velden on developing the story, characters and screenplay ahead of production.

Based on an original idea from Van der Velden, the story is set in an English village during a devastating storm. When two-year-old Poppy is unexpectedly separated from the adult caring for her, five different dogs must overcome their instincts, and one another, to bring her safely home.

Set over the course of 24 hours, the film follows the unlikely pack as it carries Poppy across flooded fields, damaged bridges and a countryside transformed by the storm. What begins as a desperate journey gradually turns five mismatched dogs into a family and forces Poppy’s dog-fearing mother to see them in an entirely new light.

The film will combine live-action performances with photorealistic animated characters. Human roles will be filmed “conventionally”, according to a statement, while the dogs and Poppy will be created through an approach that brings together live-action performance, traditional filmmaking techniques and emerging AI tools. Production is slated for 2027.

The Particle 6 creative team says it is developing a “performance-driven process that translates an actor’s facial expressions, physicality, timing and emotional choices into the animated characters.” This, it says, will enable the actor shape and complete the performance.

“Rob has helped create some of cinema’s most enduring animal characters,” said Van der Velden. “His understanding of character, comedy and emotional storytelling makes him an extraordinary creative partner for Storm Dogs. This film presents a challenge that would be extraordinarily difficult to achieve through conventional production alone: a toddler and five dogs carrying much of the story through extreme weather and hazardous terrain. By bringing performers, filmmakers and emerging tools together, we can attempt something unusually ambitious while keeping every creative decision in human hands.”

Minkoff added: “I have spent much of my career looking for ways to create animal characters who are funny, emotionally truthful and completely alive. When I visited Particle 6 in London, I found a group of filmmakers who care deeply about story, character and performance. They are also serious about exploring how new production methods can expand how filmmakers’ imaginations are realised on screen. Storm Dogs is a wonderful opportunity to develop that approach together in the service of a story with real jeopardy, heart and humor.”

Van der Velden added: “I’m not interested in AI as a replacement for human creativity. But I believe it has extraordinary potential to transform the process of making motion pictures, to help filmmakers manifest what they imagine with greater freedom and fewer limitations. We are still in the pioneering phase of this transformation, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help define how it can be used responsibly.”

Particle 6 made waves at the Zurich Film Festival last year when its AI actor Tilly Norwood was launched at the festival’s flagship industry event Zurich Summit, sparking a global debate about the use of AI in the entertainment space. Van der Velden is returning to speak to the Summit this year to reflect on the aftermath of that viral story. As previously announced, Tilly Norwood is set to star in her own feature Misaligned, which is being developed at Particle 6.

EXCLUSIVE: Zee 5 Global is today saying Hi to its latest movie premiere.

The Indian content-focused streamer will premiere the pic, which stars Nayanthara and Kavin, today. The pic is billed as “an unconventional yet heartwarming romance that offers a fresh perspective on modern relationships.”

Directed by Vishnu Edavan, the film follows a young man (Kavin), who refuses to give up on finding love despite heartbreak and rejection, and a young woman (Nayanthara) grappling with family challenges while trying to escape an unwanted marriage. When their paths cross, they embark on a heartfelt journey of love, acceptance, and self-discovery.

The film also stars Tamil cinema veterans Radhika Sarathkumar, Prabhu and K. Bhagyaraj, who passed away in June, making Hi his final performance on-screen.

Above you can watch the trailer for the film, which is from Zee Studios, Seven Screen Studio and Rowdy Pictures, the latter of which Nayanthara runs with filmmaker Vignesh Shivan.

The movie released in cinemas in late August and will now stream in all Zee 5 territories, including the U.S. and Canada.

Siju Prabhakaran, Chief Business Officer at Zee 5 Global, said: “At Zee 5 Global, we are committed to bringing audiences stories that are rooted in emotion and connect with viewers across markets. With Hi, we are delighted to present a refreshing take on love, relationships and the complexities that come with them.

“The film brings together Nayanthara and Kavin in a heartfelt story that balances romance, humour and emotion. We look forward to bringing this film to audiences across our global markets and hope it resonates with viewers worldwide.”

Nayanthara said of her role: “The character I play in Hi is someone who is independent, resilient, and deeply grounded in her convictions, yet she carries her own fears and emotional complexities.

“That balance of strength and vulnerability is what made the role so meaningful to me. She is protective of the people she loves, thoughtful in her choices, and someone who learns that opening her heart can be both challenging and beautiful.

Kavin added: “What I loved most about Hi was that it gives us a male protagonist who is unapologetically vulnerable, emotionally honest, and unafraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. In a world where men are often expected to hide their emotions, my character embraces them, making him incredibly real and relatable. He is a young man navigating love, rejection, self-doubt, and the fear of not being enough, all while holding on to the hope of finding a meaningful connection.”