Imprint Entertainment and Bob Logan are positioning 'Groove Tails' as a heartwarming, family-friendly celebration of dance and music. The producers describe it as high-voltage entertainment with emotional resonance—a surefire four-quadrant hit.
Sources close to the production say this Annecy debut is no coincidence—studios are hungry for fresh animated IP, and a starry voice cast plus a Q4 2026 delivery date signals confidence. But can an animated mouse story stand out in a crowded market?
The film will be introduced at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival to international buyers. Currently in production with animation expected to complete Q4 2026, per Variety's June 18, 2026 report.
With Ansel Elgort and Halle Bailey headlining, this could be a career rebrand for one of them—or just another animated gamble hoping to dance its way into theaters.
Well, well. Looks like Hollywood's animation arms race just got a little more interesting. Variety broke the news exclusively on June 18: "Groove Tails," an upcoming animated feature from "Twilight" producers Imprint Entertainment, has assembled quite the voice cast.
Leading the charge are Ansel Elgort of "Baby Driver" fame and Halle Bailey, who just wrapped her Disney princess era with "The Little Mermaid." Rounding out the ensemble? Ludacris, Alan Ritchson, J.B. Smoove, CeeLo Green, and international recording artist Agnez Mo.
That's not a small get—these are names that can sell tickets in multiple demographics. The film follows an enthusiastic young mouse with dreams of becoming a world-famous dancer. When his father dismisses those ambitions (classic), he hits the road with a band of misfits to fight for their home while discovering their own rhythms.
Director Bob Logan—an Emmy and Peabody Award winner whose credits include "The Croods: A New Age"—called it "a celebration of individuality, perseverance and the universal language of music." Producers Maryann Garger (Oscar-winning for "If Anything Happens I Love You") and Imprint's Michael Becker said their goal was blending "high-voltage, magnetic entertainment with the emotional resonance of a classic family adventure." Here's where it gets interesting: The producers are debuting "Groove Tails" at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival—the industry's premier animation showcase—to buyers and the international animation community.
That's not a soft rollout. That's a calculated move to generate buzz and, more importantly, pre-sales before anyone even sees footage. The timing matters too.
With animation completion targeted for Q4 2026, this project is moving fast—and so are the stakes. Animation budgets aren't cheap, and four-quadrant ambitions mean everyone from toddlers to adults needs to care. Whether Elgort's "Baby Driver" dance energy translates to a cartoon mouse, or if Bailey can pivot from Ariel to something new remains to be seen. But one thing's clear: someone believes in this project enough to attach serious talent.
