First footage from Disney Animation's debut Marvel movie 'Big Hero 6'

When Disney purchased Marvel Comics four years ago, it was inevitable that the legendary animation studio would soon be turning their talents towards the publisher's vast collection of superheroes. The thought of Disney or Pixar tackling an Avengers animated movie or something along those lines was certainly something to get excited over, so it was surprising last summer when we learned that the first animated film would be for the unknown Japan-centric team known as Big Hero 6. Well now Disney has not only set the film for a 2014 theatrical release, but we're also getting the first footage from it.

Directed by Don Hall (Winnie the Pooh), the film is based on the 1998 limited series created by Steven T. Seagle and Duncan Rouleau. Primarily an ode to Japanese anime culture of big robots, child heroes, and giant monsters, the team was led by boy genius Hiro Takachiho and his robotic dragon pal, Baymax, who is imprinted with the memories of Hiro's dead father. Also part of the team at various stages was the Silver Samurai, who will be seen this summer as a villain in The Wolverine. The book was quirky and whimsical, and should fit in well with Disney's animated library. The first footage doesn't reveal much, but it does show Hall's vibrant color palette (his Winnie the Pooh was gorgeous in its simplicity) is perfect for depicting the fictional San Fransokyo, which is Marvel's way of merging San Francisco and Tokyo.

If Big Hero 6 is a hit, don't be surprised to see Disney Animation put an increased focus on bringing more Marvel heroes to the silver screen. Maybe they'll even develop their own animated cinematic universe? [LA Times]