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.
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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.
