Following in the footsteps of recent Walt Disney Animation Studios hits like Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen might seem a daunting undertaking, but it’s one that the team behind this fall’s Big Hero 6 is eager to take on. The new film, hitting theaters on November 7, is directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams and is loosely based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name. To show off their unique approach to the material, Disney recently invited a small group of journalists to take a look at the world of both the superhero ensemble as well as that of Feast, the new short film that will precede Big Hero 6 in theaters.
Hall’s career with Disney began when he joined the story department on 1999’s Tarzan, continuing on at the studio through animated features like The Emperor’s New Groove, Meet the Robinsons and The Princess and the Frog. He then made his directorial debut with 2011’s Winnie the Pooh. Williams, meanwhile, began on Mulan in 1998, worked in the story department on films like Brother Bear and The Emperor’s New Groove and made his own debut with 2008’s Bolt. Now, not unlike the heroes at the center of their new film, the two talents have joined forces. Instead of taking on evil high-tech criminals, however, they’re aiming to deliver a family adventure with heart.
Read on for our conversation with Hall and Williams to learn about some of the themes behind Big Hero 6 and its connections to Marvel and, in the gallery viewer at the bottom of this page, check out a collection of behind-the-scenes stills that show off concept art, inspirational architecture and the talented crew themselves behind the upcoming fall release. Check back soon, too, for more coverage from Big Hero 6, including our interview with Feast director Patrick Osborne.
Q: I imagine that, for artists with focuses on animation, getting to tackle a superhero story is a particular delight.
Chris Williams: Oh yeah. Specifically yours, Donnie. He grew up with the comics.
Don Hall: Yeah, it is a dream sort of thing. It wasn’t like I was a fan of “Big Hero 6,” specifically, just because it wasn’t invented in the ’70s. It was much later, in the ’90s. But the idea of Marvel Comics and Disney Animation? Those are my top everything. If you ask my eight-year-old self what he was into, it was that. In addition, that is, to “Star Wars” and a few other things. The chance to combine those two things, though, in this new and unique way, makes it one of those things that — yeah, it’s hard to do right now because we’re still in the woods with it — on reflection, is such an amazing chance to be able to tell this story. There have been so many challenges because there’s so many elements we want to get into the story. There’s a robot story, a superhero origin story, there’s Disney and Marvel and the eastern and western thing. Now, being on this side of it and knowing that we — hopefully — got all those things to work together in a nice, pleasing way and seeing all those things come together, it’s a nice, gratifying feeling.
Q: Was there ever a point where this could have taken place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Williams: That was never considered.
Hall: Yeah, it was just early on that we had inquired about “Big Hero 6.” They were like, “That’s interesting. That’s cool.” Then we had a meeting where we sat down and talked it out. It felt strong. They were like, “You guys should just take this and go. We’d like to see what you do with it.” I think they were just really curious to see what that would be. There was really nothing but encouragement from that side of the fence with the Marvel guys.
Williams: Yeah, I think there was general agreement on all sides that it would be great to have something inspired by a Marvel property, but that we’d be happy to take it and make it out own. If we had tried to make it adhere to the Marvel world, it would have been too tangled. It was important to take it and make it our own and they were very supportive in that. The Marvel guys were always a part of the process. They would come to screenings and give feedback. They’re really smart guys and we speak the same language. They were never limiting and they were always protective. They were always willing to let us just see where we could take it.
Hall: Then, during the making of all this, we made “Tangled,” “Wreck-It Ralph” and “Frozen.” They’re astute guys and they went and saw those movies and, I think, saw the animation that is being done at this place and thought, “God, what are they going to do with one of our things?” I think there was a genuine excitement and curiosity on their part about what would happen.
Williams: It was a real level of respect going both ways and we both share such similar creative cultures.
Q: There’s an extremely beautiful metaphor in Hiro’s brother, Tadashi, leaving him with a robot specifically designed to heal. How quickly did Hiro’s healing from an extreme loss become a driving element of the story?
Hall: It was very early in the original inception. We knew we wanted to have an element of that. The healing robot wasn’t a part of it yet. That came during the research trips. But the idea of a kid going through a loss and then the notion of a robot creature helping him deal with that and become a surrogate brother, that was very early. That was part of the original DNA. The actual healing robot came when we went to Carnegie Mellon and found the soft robotics and the vinyl and stuff like that. That was where Baymax the character — our Baymax the character — was birthed. It always seemed like there was something very poetic about a kid losing an older brother and the older brother’s creation being the thing that’s left behind to fill the void. We realized that there was something very powerful in that and Tadashi, as a good and selfless person, would pass it along to his creation. Then we came up with the idea that Baymax knows quite a bit about physical injuries, but isn’t so good at emotional ones. So he’s going through his own learning process, too and they’re going to grow together. We realized the potential of this kind of relationship more and more over years of development.
Q: The last few films from Walt Disney Animation Studios have been huge hits, both critically and at the box office. Do you find that things are changing artistically as far as the way new ideas are approached on a company level?
Hall: Well, every since John Lasseter showed up, the culture changed dramatically. We’re really, really proud of everything we’ve made since then. It’s a collaborative culture, which is the main thing they’ve brought to this place. There are no egos. Its a very humbling thing to develop something and pitch something and then be given all sorts of alternative points of view of how we might have done things differently. But what has really grown since John showed up is maybe a sense of confidence. We really believe in what we can do. Nicely, though, that has not been coupled with ego. There’s a big sense of confidence and a sense that we have a lot we can prove, but I don’t see it going to anyone’s head. As long as that’s the case, we can keep that collaborative environment.
Williams: It really was about a culture shift more than anything else. You can’t really ever predict how much money a movie is going to make or if it catches fire or not. There are so many variables. What you can control is sort of the culture and the way you approach the craft of making one of these films. That’s what drastically changed when John and Ed [Catmull] came in. It has always been a magnet for talent, the chance to work at Disney Animation, because of the legacy. Disney has always pulled in the best talent in the animation industry. What they came and provided was the ability and the confidence and the knowledge on how to craft a masterpiece. How to create something that will live on well past us. How well it does at the box office is kind of a variable, but what they did was create a culture as to how to approach the filmmaking in a way that would make these movies the best they can be.
Hall: They did encourage us to challenge each other. They encouraged us to really invest in what we’re making and pursue only movies that we really love. They unleashed this creative potential in this place that was already there. They just allowed it to really grow.
Big Hero 6 hits theaters November 7.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Hiro & Baymax. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Hiro & Baymax. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Fred, Honey Lemon, Hiro, Baymax, GoGo Tomago, Wasabi. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Hiro, Baymax. ?2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Hiro & Baymax. "Big Hero 6" is in theaters Nov. 7, 2014. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" — YOKAI is the masked man behind the terrible tragedy that strikes San Fransokyo, turning Hiro’s world upside down. As a result, Hiro transforms a group of nerds into a team of high-tech crime fighters—“Big Hero 6”—with one mission: Track down Yokai and bring him to justice. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" — Pictured (L-R): Baymax & Hiro. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" – The “Big Hero 6” character lineup pictures (L-R): Wasabi, Go Go Tomago, Honey Lemon, Fred, Hiro Hamada, Baymax, Aunt Cass, Tadashi Hamada, Professor Robert Callaghan and Yokai. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" – (Progression Image 1 of 3) Filmmakers combed the streets of San Francisco to find this architectural gem that served as the inspiration for Aunt Cass's Cafe. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" – (Progression Image 2 of 3) Artists transformed the real-life inspiration to create concept art for the design of Aunt Cass's Cafe. Drawing by Scott Watanabe. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6” – The production team took a research trip to Carnegie Mellon University where they learned about soft robotics, the cutting-edge technology that helped inspire Baymax’s inflatable, vinyl, truly huggable design. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6” – The production team took a research trip to Carnegie Mellon University where they learned about soft robotics, the cutting-edge technology that helped inspire Baymax’s inflatable, vinyl, truly huggable design. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" – The production design team was impressed by the attention to detail that was given to even the most common objects in Tokyo, and was inspired to include the design aesthetic in the landscape of San Fransokyo. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" – Animators use character model sheets like this one of Hiro Hamada as a guideline that showcases the character’s range of facial expression. Drawings by Jin Kim. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" – Visual development artist Lorelay Bove created character lineup concept art to showcase the “Big Hero 6” team. Pictured (L-R): Fred, Honey Lemon, Wasabi, Go Go Tomago, Hiro Hamada & Baymax. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" – Visual development artist Lorelay Bove created character lineup concept art to showcase the “Big Hero 6” team. Pictured (L-R): Wasabi, Go Go Tomago, Honey Lemon, Fred, Hiro Hamada & Baymax. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" – Filmmakers used early “slice of life” concept drawings to explore Hiro’s personality. Drawing by Shiyoon Kim. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" – Hiro Hamada’s ultimate look was achieved with character visual development like this design by Shiyoon Kim. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" – Filmmakers captured the busy look of a bustling multicultural city in an early visual test of the look of San Fransokyo in the daytime. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" – Filmmakers used early “slice of life” concept drawings to explore Baymax’s personality. Drawing by Shiyoon Kim. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured: FEAST Director Patrick Osborne. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Directors Chris Williams & Don Hall. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured: Animation Supervisor Michael Franceschi. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Michael Franceschi (Animation Supervisor), Zach Parrish (Head of Animation), Nathan Engelhardt (Animation Supervisor). Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Shiyoon Kim (Character Stylist), Lorelay Bove (Visual Development Artist), Jin Kim (Character Design Supervisor), Paul Felix (Production Designer). Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured: Producer Roy Conli. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Michael Franceschi (Animation Supervisor), Zach Parrish (Head of Animation), Nathan Engelhardt (Animation Supervisor). Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured: Animation Supervisor Nathan Engelhardt. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured: Disney Animator Mark Henn. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Producer Roy Conli. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Kyle Odermatt (VFX Supervisor), Michael Kaschalk (Head of Effects), Nathan Curtis (Effects Production Supervisor). Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Mark Henn (Animator), Michael Francheschi (Animation Supervisor), Nathan Engelhardt (Animation Supervisor), Zach Parrish (Head of Animation). Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Jin Kim (Character Design Supervisor), Lorelay Bove (Visual Development Artist), Shiyoon Kim (Character Stylist), Paul Felix (Production Designer). Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Lorelay Bove (Visual Development Artist), Shiyoon Kim (Character Stylist), Paul Felix (Production Designer). Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Directors Chris Williams & Don Hall. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Directors Chris Williams & Don Hall and Producer Roy Conli. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Robert Baird (Screenwriter) and Paul Briggs (Head of Story). Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Paul Briggs (Head of Story) and Robert Baird (Screenwriter). Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by: Patrick Wymore. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured: Aunt Cass. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Pictured (L-R): Hiro & Baymax. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Robotics prodigy HIRO HAMADA has the mind of a genius—and the heart of a 14-year-old: his state-of-the-art battle-bots dominate the underground bot fights held in the dark corners of San Fransokyo. Fortunately, big brother Tadashi redirects Hiro’s brilliance, inspiring him to put his brain to the test in a quest to gain admission to the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. When a tragic event changes everything, Hiro turns to a robot named Baymax, and they form an unbreakable bond—and two-sixths of a band of high-tech heroes on a very important mission. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" BAYMAX cares. That’s what he was designed to do. The plus-sized inflatable robot’s job title is technically Healthcare Companion: With a simple scan, Baymax can detect vital stats, and, given a patient’s level of pain, can treat nearly any ailment. Conceived and built by Tadashi Hamada, Baymax just might revolutionize the healthcare industry. But to the inventor’s kid brother Hiro, the nurturing, guileless bot turns out to be more than what he was built for—he’s a hero, and quite possibly Hiro’s closest friend. And after some deft reprogramming that includes a rocket fist, super strength and rocket thrusters that allow him to fly, Baymax becomes one of the “Big Hero 6.” ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Fanboy FRED comes off like a laid-back dude with no direction. But this sign-twirling, monster-loving, comic-book aficionado is sure to go places—when he’s good and ready. For example, Fred doesn’t hesitate to join “Big Hero 6,” and he has a lot of ideas for his super-hero skillset, too. His ferocious, fire-breathing alter ego comes complete with claws, integrated communications and a super bounce. But his sign-spinning may still come in handy. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" Aptly named GO GO TOMAGO knows what it takes to be fast. She’s tough, athletic and loyal to the bone, but not much of a conversationalist. Popping bubble gum and delivering well-placed sarcasm are totally her speed. The daredevil adrenaline junkie is at her best on wheels, and when Go Go joins forces with “Big Hero 6,” she rolls like never before, using maglev discs as wheels, shields and throwing weapons. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" WASABI is committed to precision. He’s super smart and just a touch neurotic, but the big and burly neatnik can’t help but join the cause when Hiro needs him most. As part of “Big Hero 6,” Wasabi amplifies his martial arts skills with jaw-dropping plasma blade weaponry. Sharp doesn’t even begin to describe this guy. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" It’s elemental when it comes to chemistry whiz HONEY LEMON. Don’t let her glasses and funky fashion fool you: Honey may be as sweet as her namesake, but she has a fire in her belly and a can-do attitude that make her pretty much unstoppable. Her knowledge of alchemy proves powerful, too, when the effusive brainiac becomes part of the “Big Hero 6” and creates clever concoctions that when thrown, can get her team out of nearly any jam. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6"MEET BAYMAX — A robot named Baymax befriends robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, and together—along with an unlikely band of high-tech heroes—they race to solve a mystery unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo. "Big Hero 6" is in theaters Nov. 7, 2014. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" TRANSFORMING BAYMAX — When he finds himself in the middle of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada transforms his closest companion—a robot named Baymax—into a high-tech hero in the action-packed comedy-adventure "Big Hero 6"--in theaters Nov. 7, 2014. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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"BIG HERO 6" HIGH-TECH HERO — Hiro Hamada transforms his closest companion—a robot named Baymax—into a high-tech hero in the action-packed comedy-adventure "Big Hero 6"--in theaters Nov. 7, 2014. ©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved. -
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