UGLYDOLLS Production Notes All publicity materials can be downloaded at www.vvsfilmsmedia.com Username: media Password: vvsmedia1 PUBLICITY CONTACT Claire Peace-McConnell Head of Publicity and Promotions VVS Films [email protected] 416.929.8887 ext. 404 Unconventionality rules in UGLYDOLLS, STXfilms’ new animated musical adventure starring the acting and singing talents of Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, Janelle Monáe, Blake Shelton and Pitbull. The film is inspired by the unique and beloved global plush toy phenomenon launched in 2001. Mixing fun, music, and adventure, with characters and worlds unlike any audiences have experienced, UGLYDOLLS extols acceptance, diversity, empowerment, joy and friendship – and being the best version of yourself you can be. In the adorably different town of Uglyville, weird is celebrated, strange is special and beauty is embraced as more than simply meets the eye. Here, the free-spirited Moxy and her UglyDoll friends live every day in a whirlwind of bliss, letting their freak flags fly in a celebration of life and its endless possibilities. The unique residents of Uglyville occasionally look to the sky above the town, where a new UglyDoll will appear and be embraced by the community. Moxy (Kelly Clarkson) loves her square-peg life in this round-hole town, but her curiosity about all things leads her to wonder if there’s something – anything – on the other side of the mountain that nestles Uglyville. Moxy gathers a group of her closest friends and sets off on a journey where they discover another town – Perfection – where more conventional dolls are trained in protocols before they graduate and are sent to the “real” world to find the love of a child. In Perfection, Moxy and her crew are subject to the manipulations of Lou (Nick Jonas), the perfect doll in charge of training recruits. Here, the UglyDolls will confront what it means to be different, struggle with their desire to be loved, and ultimately discover that you don’t have to be perfect to be amazing because who you truly are is what matters most. Created as a plush toy line by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim, the UglyDoll brand quickly gained a cult following around the globe and was named Toy of the Year by the Toy Industry Association in 2006. Beloved by children, teenagers and adults alike, UglyDoll characters are distinct for their endearing “Uglyness,” in a wonderful “Uglyverse” where differences are cheered and embraced. Also starring in the voice cast of UGLYDOLLS are Wanda Sykes, Emma Roberts, Gabriel Iglesias, Wang Leehom, Bebe Rexha, Charli XCX and Lizzo. 2 STXfilms releases UGLYDOLLS in theaters on May 3, 2019 as the launch vehicle for STX Entertainment’s UglyDolls franchise. The original motion picture soundtrack is released by Atlantic Records. STXfilms and Alibaba Pictures Co., present UGLYDOLLS. The film stars Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, Janelle Monáe, Blake Shelton, Wanda Sykes, Gabriel Iglesias Wang Leehom, Emma Roberts and Pitbull. Plus Bebe Rexha, Charli XCX and Lizzo. Also making an appearance are Ice-T, Jane Lynch and Rob Riggle. It is directed by Kelly Asbury; produced by Jane Hartwell, p.g.a., Robert Rodriguez, and Oren Aviv, p.g.a.; with a screenplay by Alison Peck and a story by Robert Rodriguez, based on the UglyDoll characters created by David Horvath & Sun-Min Kim. The executive producers are, Drew Matilsky, Wei Zhang, Shujin Lan-Shuster, Gabriel Bloch, Pitbull, Robert Simonds and Adam Fogelson. The film is edited by Julie Rogers, ACE and Noland Sutherland. The original songs are by Christopher Lennertz and Glenn Slater, with music by Christopher Lennertz. The music supervisor is Jason Markey, and the head of story is Paul McEvoy. The film’s production designers are Andrew Woodhouse and Shannon Jeffries, the head of animation is Sébastien Bruneau, the VFX supervisor is David Esneault, and the CG supervisor is Scott Peterson. The layout supervisor is Joseph P. Johnston, the associate producer is Andrea McCarthy Paul, and the production manager is Steven Schweickart. MEET THE UGLYDOLLS AND THEIR “PERFECT” COUNTERPARTS There are countless UglyDoll residents in Uglyville, but the film focuses on six friends who embark on a colorful and transformative adventure where they – and everyone else across two disparate worlds – will learn how to embrace what’s special and different about each of us. 3 We meet Moxy, a vibrant, energetic and determined force of nature with a goofy but wonderful three-toothed smile and an odd flower-like thing on her head. She’s not going to let anything deter her from pursuing her dreams. Her best pal is UglyDog, a blue canine with one yellow eye and a tough, streetwise niceness. Ox is the town’s unofficial “mayor,” as well as its founder / father figure / protector; he always wants the UglyDolls to feel nurtured and safe. Lucky Bat is the wisest doll in town but his advice doesn’t always work out as he planned, and Wage is a cynic and voice of reason who likes to play it safe. Babo is the “muscle” of the group, whose infectious positivity makes him the guy you want on any road trip. Together, they’re on the journey of a lifetime, which lands them in Perfection. There, they have unforgettable encounters with Lou, the town’s suave, cool, and “perfect” leader; Mandy, a pretty but lonely doll with a secret she fears will compromise her quest for perfection; and a trio of Lou’s acolytes / henchwomen known as The Spy Girls. To inhabit these motley and lovable characters, the filmmakers envisioned what producer Oren Aviv calls an “Ocean’s 11 with music stars,” adding that all the film’s headliners immediately connected to the story’s themes of inclusivity and the importance of being true to oneself. Moxy is voiced by singing sensation and songwriter Kelly Clarkson, whom director Kelly Asbury says, “is unstoppable, just like Moxy. Kelly brought a lot of herself to the role and really embraced the idea of Moxy being an unconventional heroine unlike any we’ve seen in an animated feature film.” The pairing of Clarkson with the role seemed to be destined. While Clarkson admits that she once dreamed of playing Disney princesses, a determined doll with an offbeat smile had other plans for her. Clarkson fell in love with Moxy, her first lead animated role, which she says “Moxy’s personality is almost identical to my own. She is 100 percent all the time. Moxy is very optimistic, and hopeful. I really leaned into our similarities during the recording sessions. I loved playing a character that is a positive role model and reminds us that we all come in different shapes, sizes and personalities, and that uniqueness is to cherished.” 4 “Also, Moxy is pink, which my daughter was very excited about because it is her favorite color.” Moxy’s firecracker personality is heightened by her fearless determination and boundless hope. “Moxy is super-optimistic and like so many of us, she’s looking to serve a purpose, which she knows is to be the beloved doll of a human child.” Aviv, a veteran studio production and marketing chief who has handled Disney Animation, Pixar and Blue Sky animation titles, confirms that Clarkson is such a remarkable match for the character that when the pop star read the script, she asked the filmmakers, ‘Are you sure you didn’t actually write this for me? This sounds like me!’ Like Moxy, she’s confident and proud of her confidence.” Producer Jane Hartwell agrees that “Kelly is indeed Moxy – always bubbly and optimistic. And the first day she came into the studio to record a song, it felt like some otherworldly creature had entered the room; her voice was awe-inspiring.” It’s no coincidence that Moxy’s closest pal, UglyDog, looks like the musician Pitbull, who voices the role. Says Aviv: “We thought it was a fun idea to get Pitbull to play a character known as UglyDog. He loved the idea and signed on early.” The musician-producer-entrepreneur was drawn to the film’s theme of acceptance, an especially timely message given the culture surrounding social media. “The movie is perfect for what’s going on in the world right now, especially for kids,” he explains. “We live in a society that’s all about instant gratification and perfection; both don’t exist. Kids are worried about followers and likes. This movie is not about being a follower or being liked. It’s about being a leader. It’s about being unique. It’s about being different.” Pitbull also identified with his canine alter-ego. “UglyDog is basically me – someone who likes to get loose and enjoy life. He doesn’t care what anyone else thinks of him. UglyDog wants to help others and always sees solutions to any problem.” Asbury notes that Pitbull brings an essential niceness to the character – a “tough, streetwise likability and eagerness to prove himself because of his small-dog syndrome. UglyDog will overstep his bounds and get himself in and out of trouble, but he’s always confident and always by Moxy’s side.” 5 It was Clarkson who suggested that her friend and fellow music icon Blake Shelton voice the role of Ox, Uglyville’s leader, who joins her on the quest despite his doubts about anything existing outside of Uglyville. Unlike his onscreen persona, Shelton didn’t need much convincing. “It was a fun experience bringing Ox to life in his colorful, misfit world,” notes Shelton. “I can’t wait to see y’all in Uglyville.” Ox wants to make sure everyone under his watch as the town’s mayor and protector is safe.