Lion King director Rob Minkoff in talks for AI-assisted Storm Dogs
The man who co-directed Disney's The Lion King is in advanced discussions to lead an AI-assisted family film about a lost toddler and a pack of dogs, Variety reported on 25 September 2026.
Rob Minkoff, whose credits also include Stuart Little, is in talks to board Storm Dogs as creative lead, according to Variety. The deal is not signed. Unsigned deals stay in talks.
Storm Dogs is the next project from Particle 6, the company behind AI actress Tilly Norwood, Variety reported. Its first feature-length project is Misaligned, starring Norwood.
The story is a family comedy-drama. The toddler is Poppy. After a storm separates her from her adult caretaker in an English village, she bands together with dogs to find her way home.
If the deal closes, Minkoff would work with Particle 6 founder Eline van der Velden to develop the story, characters and script, Variety reported. Van der Velden is the creator of Tilly Norwood, according to Deadline. Deadline, in reporting by Diana Lodderhose, described Minkoff's role as developing and executive-producing the film, a senior overseeing role rather than day-to-day direction.
Production is targeting a 2027 start, Variety reported.
The filmmaking method mixes live action with animation. Particle 6 says Storm Dogs will combine live-action performances with photorealistic animated characters, meaning lifelike computer-made figures, using AI tools alongside traditional approaches and human actors.
Actors will contribute more than voices. Their facial expressions, physical movement and vocal inflections will be applied to the animated characters, according to Particle 6 via Variety.
That approach shapes the casting of the youngest leads. Poppy and the dogs will be created with a mix of live-action performance and AI, so toddlers and animals do not need to be on set for long hours, Particle 6 says.
What makes this stand out is the pairing. Minkoff built his career on animals that talk and feel human on screen. Particle 6 describes itself as an AI-first production studio working in film, TV and branded content, according to its website.
The company was founded in 2015 by van der Velden, who serves as chief executive, Particle 6 says. It identifies Xicoia as its sister company. It says Norwood burst onto the scene in late 2025.
