Malachi: The Ultimate Time!

'Malachi: The Ultimate Time! 'is an 2020 American animated action-adventure science-fiction comedy film based on the Malachi Universal franchise. It was produced by Sony Pictures Animation, WildBrain, Bear Bones Productions, Maloing Entertainment, Sensation Animation, Bear Bones Australia, Arad Productions, Lord Miller Productions, L1N Pictures and Vertigo Entertainment, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing.

The CGI animation was provided by Animal Logic and the traditionally animated sequences were animated by 6 Point Harness, Boulder Media, Jam Filled Entertainment, Renegade Animation, Wang Film Productions, Mercury Filmworks, Bear Bones Australia, Saerom Animation, Tycoon Animation, Titmouse, Snipple Animation, Yowza! Animation, Neko Productions, and Bardel Entertainment. The film was released on May 22, 2020. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic causing the closure of theaters across the globe, Sony Pictures made the film available to own digitally in North America on the same date it was planned to be released in theaters. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, it topped the digital rental charts in its first three weekends of release. To make up for its intended worldwide theatrical release, the film was theatrically released in select countries between June and December 2020. A sequel is set for release on January 13, 2023.

Plot
Arriving in the deepest and darkest place in space, an evil princess has found the real Power Red Star, and she plans to find the time stones for her superior, King Bipper, and let him destroy the world. The next day, Malachi celebrates his birthday with his friends until Princess Darkness interrupts the celebration, showing the real Power Red Star, and said that King Stormer destroys the world and time. The Power Pink Ruby sucking everyone, including Malachi, through Time Portal and scattering them across different points.

When Malachi, Purple Guy, Red, Lotta, and Lioe find themselves in Hub City, they encounter Cabel as they begin to fight, as Cabel's help with her brother Whalestook, as well as other villains, Nixie, Nerio, Krazy Klown, Paisley, and Ryde. After the fight, Malachi, Purple Guy, Red, Lotta, and Lioe reunited with Deja, Dr. Wack, Pots, Stanley, Woody, Jesse, Trudy, Olivia, Polly, Gael, and Leonardo, and finally find Nataly and Laddie. Davina going to help Malachi, Purple Guy, Lotta, Lioe, Nataly, and Laddie to find Elizabeth and get all the time stones. As they left, Fiora discovers Dr. Wack, Pots, Stanley, Woody, Jesse, Trudy, Olivia, Polly, Gael, and Leonardo got sucked into Time Portal, she knows something going on.

On arrival at King Bipper's castle, Princess Darkness is contacted by King Bipper, who reminds her to gather all of the time stones for him to rule the entire universe with his Staff of Universe. Princess Darkness realizes that there is not enough for their army, except she got an idea. Malachi, Purple Guy, Lotta, Lioe, Red Nataly, and Laddie arrive in the lair, Shane, Miea, and Nelck were captured by Dale, who been also working for King Stromer, and his assistant, Cora. After Larry unlocks the gate to free Shane, Miea, and Nelck. When Dale and his henchmen cornered them, they are rescued by a group from an elite undercover task force agency called "South Wind" consisting of their leader, Jet, Tamia, Kada, Bo-Bo, and Blaze. They have been fighting Trevor to save the universe. Jet sends Malachi and the gang on a mission.

Meanwhile, Malachi finally reunited with Nilha, ever since they leave for their lives after they defeat Cabel and Sharptooth. When Malachi and the gang enter the world and found Isabella, they discover the studio, where they meet Keyna, Leslie, and Zander, as well as Trisha. However, after Malachi and his gang discover the first time stone during their visit, Fiora appears and tells them that King Bipper ruled the entire universe. However, the studios had been attacked by Nyx and Nixie, who are sent by Princess Darkness for getting one of the Time Stones. Lotta, Red, and Lioe are ready for another fight with Nyx and Nixie, but Metal Malachi arrives and fights with them instead. After Lotta, Red, and Lioe defeat Metal Malachi, Nyx and Nixie teleport them into the outside of Trevor's lair. Malachi and his gang started escaping again and left the studios.

Malachi and the friends went into the pirate world, where they meet a brave girl, Rora, who is part of the pirate gang. Rora and the pirate help Malachi and the gang to search the time stones before Mick and Marky do. After finding the other time stones between the pirate world and the music world, Malachi and his gang find the final time stones and are ready for the final fight with Princess Darkness. Arriving at Trevor's lair, The South Wind manages to corner Trevor in his lair only to be captured by Cyra and Trevor's henchmen.

At King Bipper's Castle, Princess Darkness captured Malachi and his gang and revealed that Trevor and Cyra working with King Bipper, and they took them to King Bipper's jail, where his other friends are teleported into their cells. Princess Darkness teleports herself to the Phantom Dimension. Cyra free Princess Darkness, allowing King Bipper to enslave, cause havoc and chaos upon Tyrusville, with the villains, Dr. Wilfil, Tiana, Lola Chase, Gree Guy, Pingux, Bryan, Wilfil Jr., Kinki, Doom Vercetti, Nixie, Nyx, Cabal, Whalestook, Kookie the Clown, Metal Malachi, Bhyna Girl, Mick, and Marky.

Malachi teamed up with his rest of the friends, as well as Keyna, Leslie, Zander, Rora, Cyra (who give up bringing evil, and turn into the good side), and the South Wind to stop King Bipper and his entire army. By the time they head off to fight King Bipper, Nataly, Daniel, Laddie, Zaria, and Keyna had been captured by Cabel, Whalestook, and Nixie. At King Bipper's lair, Rosie Tash (who returned from her new adventure) comes to stop Princess Darkness, who believes she was her sister, Ronnie Tash. After Rosie fails to defeat her, Malachi ad his gang arrived at King Bipper's lair, it was a trap. However, King Bipper and the other villains betrayed Ronnie Tash and banish her to the Phantom Dimension. After they escape from King Bipper's lair, Malachi must save Ronnie from Phantom Dimension, along with Nisha.

As Malachi and Nilha arrive at Phantom Dimension and with Ronnie in the empty dimension crying she decided to give up being Princess Darkness and become good. Making a deal with the dimension's gatekeeper Fila to be allowed back to Tyrusville in order to retrieve the dimension's escaped prisoners, Malachi, Nilha, and Ronnie arrive in time to save his teammates, rescue Trisha, Nataly, Daniel, Laddie, Zaria, and Keyna and Ronnie apologizing to Rosie for abandoning her in a long time ago. Knowing that they're outnumbered by King Bipper's army, Malachi decides to create an army of his own and teamed up with the citizens of Tyrusville, the Wuuds, the South Wind, the pirates, and the rest of the people from each world. The entire group successfully sends the escaped villains back to the Phantom Dimension. However, King Bipper, along with Trevor, Dr. Wilfil, Tiana, Lola Chase, Wilfil Jr., Pingux, Bryan, Gree Jr., Kinki, Nixie, Nyx, and Cabel, get in their new robot, Ultimate Super Mega Forces Death Robot. Malachi, along with Lotta, Red, Lotta, Rosie, and Ronnie, Pinky Robot GX turns into perfect forms. When Ultimate Super Mega Forces Death Robot is almost destroyed, King Bipper stops them as he was about to kill Malachi's friends. But, Malachi saves them just in time and takes King Bipper along with Power Red Star to the portal and destroyed it. As soon as Power Red Star entered the portal, it made everything suck, as well as the villains, and the portal closed.

The citizens of Tyrusville, along with the Wuuds and the pirates, begin to cry and moan believing Malachi is gone forever. However, another portal opens up from the sky and an unconscious Malachi comes falling down, they all thought he was dead until he woke up. Malachi finally reunites with his friends. King Bipper still survives and going to kill Malachi and his friends using the Staff of Worlds, but Ronnie attacks him with her magical scepter, broke his staff, and turns him into stone, leaving King Bipper to fall into the ground and shatter. As the whole city cheered for Malachi's action and defeating King Bipper, Tyrusville finally returned to normal.

Everyone, including Malachi's gang, celebrate Malachi's birthday and greatest victories. Rosie and Ronnie travel back to their own world as everyone bids their farewells. As Malachi looks at the stars at night, Sama appears and chooses to let him remain after seeing how much he had changed in order to save everyone and the universe, Malachi started to go home.

Trevor, who survived after the final fight, wanted revenge on Malachi, his friends, and The South Wind. But, Lola Chase said that this film was the last one, much to Trevor's dismay.

In a scene that plays after the first part of the closing credits sequence, Tiana, Gree, Pingux, Bryan, Kinki, Wilfil Jr., Nixie, Nerio, Krazy Klown, Paisley, and Ryde are trapped in White Space and argue with each other while Nixie and Bryan starting dating. Pingux angrily tells the remaining audience to go home and it simply ends with Cabel having an idea for The Wilfil Kids to be the main villain, Lola walk to her friends, she said, it's the end time, but Pingux decides to punch Cabel knocking her unconscious, telling the audience what a crazy boy she is.

In a scene that plays after the second part of the closing credits sequence, sometime later in Tyrusville, a robot woman speaks to yet another boy named Raymond. She informs him of what happened and that the Multiverse was saved. Meanwhile, a mysterious unknown figure is seen in a mysterious place, who saw what happened the last time. However, she noticed that Tyrusville could be in peril again with another unknown force. Noticing Tyrusville, she decides to check it out.

In a scene that plays after the third part of the closing credits sequence, Amber hears about the events of the film and plans to plot to turn all universes into disaster into her hands. However, Amber's henchman that there is no time left in the movie, to which Amber tells "Wait, until another movie"

In the post-credit scene, a mysterious young girl named Saisa is seen in a mysterious place, who saw what happened the last time, which The Good Master told her once. However, he noticed that Tyrusville could be in peril again when the new villain, Amerie, is coming. Noticing that, she brings Gabrielle, a princess warrior, with her and decides to need the heroes' help, as they emerge from a portal in search of Malachi. Various celebrities appear to wish Malachi a happy birthday while the post-credit scene.

Cast

 * Mala Miles as Malachi / Purple / Iope / Metal Malachi / Nalachi / Noah / Ethan / Lucas / Rele Pira
 * Christian J. Simon as Young Malachi
 * Jackson Dollinger as Young Purple Guy
 * Russi Taylor (archival recordings) as Cindy / Moctor / Lolly
 * Mela Lee as Nisha
 * Jessica DiCicco as Daisy / Nesa / Lucia / Meat Boy / Bee-Girl
 * Tress MacNeille as Fabia / Julissa / Amy Violet / Della Plwin / Arpeggio
 * Dee Bradley Baker as Joyce the Star / Darrell / Ythan / Aarex / Nachelle / Erik
 * Carli Mosier as Sarah
 * E.G. Daily as Kally / Zaria / Brenna / Nick
 * Liliana Mumy as Mya
 * Ally Brooke as Sama
 * Tom Kenny as Pingux / Bob / Jay / Robert / Rico / Panted Pirate
 * Jamie Marchi as Tiana
 * Katie Crown as Villa
 * Anne Yatco as Maria Milez
 * Brad Garrett as Dope / Remington
 * Khary Payton as Kenzo
 * Zach Callison as Sid
 * Ben Schwartz as Dick
 * Michelle Ruff as Trudy
 * Fred Tatasciore as Sleepy Sheep / King Liguen / Metal Malachi / Dookie the Clown / Pube Beanson / Gangster Sailor / Whalestook / Dr. Wack
 * Cree Summer as Kila / Julie / Serenity / Gwen
 * Saweetie as Krystal Cole
 * Samuel Vincent as Fisher / Santo
 * Phil Hayes as Lantern Ant
 * Brittney Karbowski as Liewa
 * Anndi McAfee as Lotta
 * Nicole Sullivan as Parla
 * Erica Mendez as Bionia
 * Kira Buckland as Nelck / Bena
 * Saffron Henderson as Shantel
 * Mark Hamill as Maximum Tipe / Hypergoblin
 * Keegan-Michael Key as Cabel
 * Kevin Michael Richardson as Gree Guy / Ryden / Tolachi / William Milez
 * Gregg Berger as Dr. Wilfil
 * Jim Cummings as Trevor / Largering / Lord Darkness / Dr. Henry
 * Tara Strong as Daisuke / Evil Ashley / Lola / Giana / Isabella / Kinki / Samoa / Edgar Jr.
 * Grey Griffin-DeLisle as Jenny / Pola / Andi / Hilda Cat / Pelle Pira
 * Kath Soucie as Alimee / Lila Violet / Rele Pira / Tanya
 * Bill Fagerbakke as Shade
 * Rodger Bumpass as Tevin
 * Pamela Adlon as Noelle
 * Kelly Miles as Miea
 * Tom Kane as Nash
 * Zig Miles as Shane
 * Bill Kopp as Lauper
 * Jennifer Hale as Princess Eloise
 * Faye Mata as Lila Violet
 * Alanna Ubach as Juanita
 * Dani Chambers as Candy Milez
 * John DiMaggio as Fofo the Dino / Major Edwin
 * Jeff Bennett as Jules / Pelle Pira / Polar
 * Pat Fraley as Monster Lizards
 * Danny Pudi as Bres the Wolf
 * Trevor Devall as Grant / MC Jo-Jo / Donald
 * Cathy Cavadini as Nevada
 * Lara Jill Miller as Nataly / Cathrine / Desiree
 * Nika Futterman as Maisy / Lily
 * Vincent Tong as Nikko
 * James Arnold Taylor as Jonathan Dicks / Carmine
 * Tara Platt as Dayla
 * Hynden Walch as Ashley / Debbie
 * Kari Wahlgren as Tina the Tapper / Lara / Betty / Melissa / Kitty / Orangea Violet / Rubina
 * Brina Palencia as Wilfil Jr.
 * Howie Mandel as Peter
 * Syo Tortellini as Syo / Lip
 * Max Casella as Hippie
 * Scott Menville as Peclan
 * Frank Welker as Takashi / Fatty / Jack / Squd / Freddy / Gum / Missy / Jake the Robot
 * Newton Pittman as Ratchet
 * Billy West as Cory / Santed Sailor / Brody
 * Brian Dobson as Dr. Beanson
 * Steven Blum as Wyatt
 * Cherami Leigh as Olivia
 * Richard Ian Cox as Aldo
 * Dan Castellaneta as Christopher / Captain Turbo
 * Danny Mann as Donky
 * Kate Higgins as Deja
 * Travis Willingham as Butch
 * Maile Flanagan as Yusuf
 * Rachael MacFarlane as Shayla
 * April Winchell as Santipa
 * Kazumi Evans as Princess Lala
 * Richard Newman as Corney
 * Olivia Hack as Ginger
 * David Paul Grove as Lon
 * Seth Green as Nikolo
 * Kimberly Brooks as Laddie / Polly
 * Laura Bailey as Megan
 * Mike Pollock as Krazy Klown
 * Salli Saffioti as Paisley
 * Pat Musick as Binna / Verson
 * Zeno Robinson as Garrell
 * Cristina Vee as Dina
 * Jerry Jewell as Damar
 * Ian James Corlett as Derek / Simon Plwin
 * Marieve Herington as Fiora
 * Kyle McCarley as Mac
 * Michael Sinterniklaas as Pots
 * Clancy Brown as Hamilton Violet
 * David Kaye as Luke Violet
 * Kathleen Barr as Alaina
 * Terry Klassen as Jon
 * Andrea Libman as Celina
 * Stephanie Sheh as Sikia
 * Ashly Burch as Kristin
 * Jason Marsden as George / Kenji
 * Charlie Schlatter as Theodore / Siamoa
 * Carolyn Lawrence as Ella
 * Janice Kawaye as Haraki
 * Keith Ferguson as Iwao / Marky
 * Jess Harnell as Edgar / Alex
 * Bob Bergen as Pots
 * Phil LaMarr as Eis / Odin / Barry
 * Amanda Leighton as Lyric
 * Lauren Tom as Failie
 * Jill Talley as Angelina
 * Nancy Cartwright as Ben
 * Ty Burrell as Jet
 * Debi Derryberry as Milena / Hill
 * Erin Mathews as Devin
 * Cassandra Lee Morris as Bella / Nicole
 * Eric Bauza as Edwin / Teiz / King Bipper's minions / Mick
 * Benjamin Diskin as Gael / Chip
 * Matthew Mercer as Davey
 * Carlos Alazraqui as Erik / Ro
 * Carrie Keranen as Keira
 * Stephanie Lemelin as Lariah
 * Jack McBrayer as Javier
 * Laraine Newman as Ninka
 * Ashley Johnson as Erica
 * Max Mittelman as Stanley
 * Selah Victor as Brenda
 * Kyle McCarley as Woody
 * Lucien Dodge as Lenoardo
 * Brian Cummings as Boper
 * Jeannie Elias as Denise
 * Wally Wingert as Huxley / Nikolai
 * Dave Wittenberg as Dr. Rhiter / Uncle Luke
 * Jessica Gee as Alla
 * John Kassir as Tomos
 * Reba Buhr as Rasha
 * Lori Alan as Ms. Fuffy
 * Cam Clarke as Gary's Father
 * Erin Fitzgerald as Luna
 * Paul St. Peter as Grandpa Milez
 * Cristina Pucelli as Fila
 * Doug Lawrence as Lignen / Nate
 * Charlie Adler as Deshean / Earthy / Sam
 * Kehlani as Deborah
 * Jeff Bergman as Daniel
 * David Kaufman as Ryan
 * Candi Milo as Michael / Kelia / King Bipper's minions
 * Maurice LaMarche as Noel / Screiel / Sharptooth
 * Yuri Lowenthal as Scott / Keithy
 * Peter Kelamis as Jikinao
 * Kel Mitchell as Corn
 * Kenan Thompson as Kaco
 * Janyse Jaud as Yuika
 * Rob Paulsen as Sebastian / Mellow / Felix
 * Jeremy Shada as Henry
 * Michael Bell as Elijah / Stinky
 * Niki Yang as Kaliani
 * Lindsey Seidel as Renee
 * Johnny Yong Bosch as William
 * Rebecca Shoichet as Flama
 * Cindy Robinson as Lotta
 * Sean Schemmel as Lioe
 * Mae Whitman as Ania
 * Robbie Daymond as Jesse
 * Corey Burton as Demetris
 * Mona Marshall as Mekal
 * Josh Keaton as Salty
 * Roger Craig Smith as Collin
 * Matt Hill as Ken
 * Lee Tockar as Garyson
 * Kirby Morrow as Aeson
 * Richard Steven Horvitz as Ruik
 * Scott McNeil as Kerio
 * Kelly Sheridan as Nixie
 * Michael Daingerfield as Kenny
 * Shannon Chan-Kent as Paula
 * Chiara Zanni as Beryl
 * Garry Chalk as Nyx
 * Brian Drummond as Talon
 * Tabitha St. Germain as India
 * Britt McKillip as Gloria
 * Chantal Strand as Kecila
 * Catherine Taber as Ronnie Tash (Starina)

New debuting cast

 * Jessica DiCicco as Rosie Tash (Princess Darkness) / Leslie
 * Kari Wahlgren as Keyna
 * Awkwafina as Lika
 * Alex Hirsch as Sealy Sike
 * Fred Tatasciore as Scylla
 * Justin Roiland as Bunce
 * Kimiko Gleen as Helen
 * Eric Stonestreet as King Bipper
 * Kristen Wiig as Gani
 * Max Charles as Dennis
 * Daran Norris as Roger
 * Sarah Silverman as Hende
 * Michael Cera as Tathan
 * Lisa Koshy as Triple True host
 * JoJo Siwa as Glorida
 * Michelle Rodriguez as Kalina
 * Jennifer Lawrence as Greta the Cat
 * Lil Yachty as Blaze the Grizzly Bear
 * Julie Nathanson as Gabrielle
 * Greg Cipes as Zander
 * Kate Micucci as Cyra
 * Jessica Biel as Spark
 * Demi Lovato as Trisha
 * Christine Marie Cabanos as Mindel
 * Kristen Schaal as Rora
 * "Weird Al" Yankovic as Sergio
 * Jess Harnell as Lazzey / Gruber
 * Charlie Schlatter as Huey
 * Carolyn Lawrence as Poamy
 * Janice Kawaye as Kizzy
 * Keith Ferguson as Papaz
 * Bob Bergen as Windzy
 * Phil LaMarr as Eazzy Jr.
 * Lauren Tom as Nennay
 * Eric Bauza as Teiz
 * Maurice LaMarche as Wikz

Additional voices

 * Michael Adamthwaite
 * Jack Angel
 * Ava Acres
 * Isabelle Acres
 * Andrea Baker
 * Tia Ballard
 * Lisa Ann Beley
 * Susan Blu
 * Nicole Bouma
 * Don Brown
 * Justin Briner
 * Clifford Chapin
 * Luci Christian
 * Carrie Savage
 * Tom Wayland
 * Greg Abbey
 * Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld
 * Lisa Ortiz
 * H.D. Quinn
 * Erica Schroeder
 * Dan Green
 * Eric Stuart
 * Wayne Grayson
 * Scott Rayow
 * Rebecca Soler
 * David Brimmer
 * Jessica Calvello
 * Jason Griffith
 * Marc Thompson
 * Michele Knotz
 * Eileen Stevens
 * Billy Bob Thompson
 * Townsend Coleman
 * Claire Corlett
 * Philip Corlett
 * Cynthia Cranz
 * Paul Dobson
 * Michael Dobson
 * Aidan Drummond
 * Ashlyn Drummond
 * Brynna Drummond
 * Sarah Edmondson
 * Kazumi Evans
 * Bill Farmer
 * Andrew Francis
 * Josh Grelle
 * Ron Halder
 * Cole Howard
 * Xanthe Huynh
 * Alessandro Juliani
 * Rick Jones
 * Neil Ross
 * Diana Kaarina
 * Mikaela Krantz
 * Stephanie Wittels
 * Elizabeth Maxwell
 * Gwendolyn Lau
 * Emily Neves
 * David Matranga
 * Nathan Sharp
 * Colleen Clinkenbeard
 * Peter Kelamis
 * Lauren Landa
 * Lex Lang
 * Misty Lee
 * Wendee Lee
 * Julie Lemieux
 * Erin Mathews
 * Megan Hollingshead
 * Scott McCord
 * Terry McGurrin
 * Carly McKillip
 * Carli Mosier
 * Trina Nishimura
 * Nicole Oliver
 * Anastasia Muñoz
 * Chris Hackney
 * Joe Zieja
 * Tara Platt
 * Brina Palencia
 * Leah Clark
 * Kristi Kang
 * Terri Doty
 * Khary Payton
 * Adrian Petriw
 * Laura Post
 * Abby Trott
 * Zach Aguilar
 * Jeannie Tirado
 * Colleen O'Shaughnessey
 * Christopher Sabat
 * Cathy Cavadini
 * Jan Rabson
 * Kyle McCarley
 * Billy Kametz
 * Allegra Clark
 * Chris Niosi
 * Chris Telgliafera
 * Tyson Rinehart
 * Tara Sands
 * Patrick Seitz
 * Ian Sinclair
 * Brad Swaile
 * Danielle Judovits
 * Veronica Taylor
 * Rachael Lillis
 * Austin Tindle
 * Karen Strassman
 * Mallorie Rodak
 * Kirk Thornton
 * French Tickner
 * Cathy Weseluck

Production
Between 2016 and 2018, Bear Bones Productions' CEO and chairman Mala Miles confirmed that there would be another film in the Malachi Universal film series. In September 2017, Bear Bones Productions announced a new theatrical Malachi Universal film and Sony Pictures Animation greenlit the new theatrical Malachi Universal movie. In March 2018, during the production of Smurfs: The Lost Village and The Star, DHX Media (now WildBrain), the company that produced The New Malachi, was in talks with Sony Pictures and Bear Bones, to co-produce a Malachi Universal film.

Development
For development, Malachi went to Sony Pictures to be the distributor, as he felt that they would be "favorable", and that he didn't have to worry about "unnecessary story changes" during production.

Malachi: The Ultimate Time! was long-planned; In November 2016, it was announced that Miles told a crowd at Comikaze that plans to revive the series were in motion. In May 2015, Sony Pictures greenlit the animated Malachi Universal movie in production. Miles was concerned after watching animated films with his family, about the challenge of Malachi doing something more cinematically consequential and inspiring without losing the charm of the series.

Writing
David N. Weiss, Seth Green, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Melissa Wolfe, along with Mala Miles and Sid John, return from previous films to write the script for Malachi: The Ultimate Time!, and began developing a treatment in March 2017. In its earliest stages, the story was very different from the final film, the storyline follows Malachi and his gang were going on a journey through the other world to stop the bunch of intergalactic armies, led by a light blue-haired female master, from taking over the world and kidnapping a "space princess" named Ciara. Some other characters from the final film, such as Keyna, Leslie, Greta, and Rora, had not yet been added. However, after the storyboard was complete, Malachi felt that the storyline wasn't good enough for this film and she didn't want a live-action scene in the film, it would destroy the heart of Malachi Universal fans. As Malachi agreed, he, along with screenwriters, would be too similar to The Lego Movie and decided to rewrite the script. Some elements and characters from the early drafts are later reused for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.

Animation
Animation began in October 2017. Mala Miles and Tom John rejected making a live-action/CGI hybrid film, calling the film's animation "a tribute to the world, art of traditional hand-drawn animated films and mix with hand-drawn, flash and CGI". He said that he would not like it if the film was live-action/CGI and that it would destroy the hearts of people who grew up with Malachi Universal. The film was produced in a widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio.

The animation was directed by Tyson Heese and supervised by veteran animators James Baxter, Glen Kennedy, Jon McClenahan, Eric Goldberg, and Matthew O'Callaghan.

Most of the in-house animation crew of the film were from many different animation studios, including Walt Disney Animation Studios, Disney Television Animation, Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studio, DreamWorks Animation, WildBrain, Duncan Studio, Warner Bros. Animation, and Cartoon Network Studios. Artists from The Simpsons, Family Guy, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Loud House, Rick & Morty, Tiny Toons Adventures, Animaniacs, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, DuckTales (2017), Adventure Time, The Amazing World of Gumball, Unikitty! and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic joined the animation crew.

The film is a mix of traditional hand-drawn animation, digital flash animation, and computer-generated (CG) animation. The 2D hand-drawn/flash animation scenes are animated by Bear Bones Australia in Sydney, Australia, Boulder Media in Ireland, Renegade Animation in Glendale, California, WildBrain Studios in Vancouver, Canada, and Yowza! Animation in Toronto, Canada, Slap Happy Cartoons in Canada, Snipple Animation in Philippines, Asia, Mercury Filmworks in Ottawa, Canada, Jam Filled Entertainment in Ottawa, Canada, and Neko Productions in Burbank, California. Additional animation production work was divided among several studios: Bardel Entertainment in Vancouver, Canada, A. Film Production A/S in Denmark, The Sergio Pablos Animation Studios in Madrid, Spain, Toon City Animation in Manila, Philippines, Wang Film Productions in Xindian, Taipei, Taiwan, AKOM in Seoul, South Korea, Digital eMation in South Korea and in Japan at Trigger, Toei Animation, TMS Entertainment, OLM, Kyoto Animation, Science SARU, Production I.G, A-1 Pictures, Madhouse, Bones, as well as Pierrot, and J.C Staff. Additional pre-production work was done at Bear Bones Productions in Los Angeles, California.

The visual effects and CGI animation for the film were done by Bear Bones via its computer animation department, Maloing Entertainment, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Animal Logic, Blur Studio, Reel FX Creative Studios, and Marza Animation Planet.

The storyboards, designs, visual development, layouts, backgrounds, character animation, and visual effects were done in America while the outsource studios completed the additional animation, inbetweening, digital ink and paint, and animation rendering before being shipped back to the United States for animation checking, compositing, and editing.

David Silverman describes the "Tyrusville Chaos" scene in which King Bipper wreaks havoc at Tyrusville as one of the hardest things the animators ever had to animate. It features several villains making havoc and chaos, with a lot of lava, laser, explosion, and fire, and it took three months to complete. The scene is directed by Tyson Heese with 2D animation made by Wang Film Productions, TMS Entertainment (Telecom Animation Film), Titmouse, Inc., Studio Yotta and Duncan Studios, and CGI by Sony Pictures Imageworks, Animal Logic, Blur Studio, Reel FX Creative Studios, Marza Animation Planet, Nitrogen Studios, and Prana Animation Studios.

Storyboard
Storyboarding for the film will be handled by Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, TVPaint Animation (which also handles the 2D animation software), Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Paint, Scratch, and Paint Tool SAI, as the storyboarding software.

Design
Microsoft Paint, TVPaint Animation, Scratch, and Paint Tool SAI serve as the matte painting, visual development, character design, and 2D layout of the film. Autodesk Mudbox, The Foundry Modo, and ZBrush also serve as the modeling software.

There is other software used to make this film, including the discontinued Autodesk Softimage as the CGI animation, compositing, rendering, and lighting software, The Foundry Nuke as the animation camera and compositing software, Houdini Effects as the visual effects software, Adobe After Effects as the visual effects and compositing software, The Foundry Mari as the texture painting software, and Pixar's RenderMan as the rendering and lighting software. Autodesk Sketchbook Pro, Microsoft Paint, Moho, and Paint Tool SAI served as the matte painting, visual development, design, 2D layout, and 2D animation software

Visual effects
The visual effects production for the film began on February 8, 2017, where it was supervised by Caleb Elbourn. Video editors, compositors, and visual effects artists edited the film just by importing 2D images and 3D animated footage as the backgrounds. They also imported digital hand-drawn animated footage with the vector background as their cels that really needs editing and compositing along with the backgrounds. They even add CGI animated footage with the vector background as their cells, so they composite the backgrounds and the animation cels to make it look like the fantasy in the final cut.

Post-production
The post-production began on June 23, 2019, where it was supervised by Caleb Elbourn, Tom John, and Mala Miles, and directed by Sid John. The sound production was created at Skywalker Sound in Marin County, California. Sound editors Tom Myers, Teresa Eckton, and Chris Boyes, and sound designers Gary Rydstrom and Randy Thom design the sound and then edit it, next sound recorder Mala Miles recorded the sound for Gray Rydstrom, Randy Thom, and Tom Johnson to edit and mix it, then sound re-recording mixers Tom Johnson and Gary Summers re-recorded the sound and mix it. Some of the sound effects are cartoony while others tend to be more realistic.

Stereoscopic 3D production was directed, supervised, created, and animated by Caleb Elbourn and Tom John. The stereoscopic 3D conversion and stereographic animation were done by Legend3D in Los Angeles, California. The digital imaging services are at Technicolor Digital Intermediates, where they time the color of the film, and cut the negative clips into the film. The closing titles are created by Renegade Animation and Pacific Title, while the end credits are created by Scarlett Letters.

By March 2019, Mala Miles considered a possible post-credits scene that can be added continuing its tradition for post-credit scenes.

Editing
Like The Simpsons Movie, every aspect of the film is constantly analyzed, with storylines, jokes, and characters being rewritten. Although most animated films do not make extensive changes to the film during active production due to budget restrictions, the Malachi: The Ultimate Time! crew continued to edit the film into 2019, with some edits taking place months before the film will be released.

Casting
Mala Miles reprised his role as Malachi. Miles later announced that he will be serving as executive producer and that he will return as Malachi. The rest of the cast was announced in September 2018.

Music
The music for the film is by Mark Mothersbaugh, and composers such as John Debney, Lorne Balfe, Daniel Ingram, Steve Bernstein, Julie Bernstein, Steve Rucker, Thomas Chase, and James L. Venable, and Guy Moon.

The music score was recorded at The Newman Scoring Stage in Los Angeles and Abbey Road Studios in London and mixed at Five Cat Studio in New York, Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, and Air Lyndhurst Studios in London, England, and Remote Control Productions in Santa Monica.

The sound design work was done at Skywalker Sound in Marin County, California.

Inspiration
The animation styles and techniques are somewhat similar to that of Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Blue Sky Studios, Warner Bros. Animation (Warner Animation Group), Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon Movies, DreamWorks Animation, Illumination Entertainment, Nelvana, Zagtoon, Film Roman, and Toei Animation.

Software
The software used for this movie are Toon Boom Harmony (for 2D animation, clean-up, in-betweens, 2D effects, and digital ink & paint), Toon Boom Storyboard Pro (for storyboards), Adobe Animate (for 2D animation, building, rigging, and in-betweens), Adobe Photoshop (for visual development concept art, 2D layouts, backgrounds, storyboards, 2D animation, clean-up, and in-betweens), TVPaint Animation (for 2D animation and storyboards), Pencil 2D (for pencil animation and storyboards) Microsoft Paint (for storyboards, matte painting, visual development, character design, and 2D layout) Scratch (for 2D animation, storyboards, matte painting, visual development, character design, and 2D layout), Autodesk Maya (for CGI modeling, texturing, rigging, simulation, layout, animation, lighting, and rendering), Pixar's RenderMan (for CGI simulation and rendering), Adobe After Effects (for visual effects and compositing), The Foundry Nuke (for compositing), Houdini Effects (for CGI effects), Avid Media Composer (for video editing), Audacity (for sound and dialogue editing), and Avid Pro Tools (for music editing and arrangements).

Toon Boom Harmony has been used in most of the 2D animated sequences, while Adobe Photoshop is used for the rest of the 2D animated sequences.

Release
''Malachi: The Ultimate Time! ''will be released by Sony Pictures Releasing on originally aired on April 24, 2020, in 2D, 3D, Digital 3D, 4K, RealD 3D, IMAX, IMAX 3D, Dolby Cinema, Premium Theaters, Cinemark XD, RPX, AMC Prime, Ultrascreen and BigD. But, it was changed to be released on an on-demand streaming service platform instead due to the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic's impact on the film industry. The film's release was preceded by Sypha: The Real Coolest, a Sypha animated short written and directed by David Feiss. The film also had its premiere at Regency Village Theater in Los Angeles on March 6, 2020; The directors, producers, and cast including the guest stars are scheduled to come to the red carpet premiere. The film also had a television airing on BBToons on September 6, 2020, and on Teletoon on September 7, 2020.

In April 2020, Netflix acquired international distribution rights to the film, excluding the United States, Canada, Japan, and China.

It was originally set to be released on April 24, 2020; the date was pushed forward to May 2020 due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Marketing
The voice cast appeared at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con International to announce the movie and present a clip highlighting traditionally animated films, along with footage from ''Malachi: The Ultimate Time! ''done entirely in storyboards. The footage, which was screened exclusively for the panel, received a strong audience reaction with traditional/flash animation fans "literally jumping on the floor once the footage played." In September 2019, the first clip was released on YouTube. At the Bear Bones Productions presentation at CinemaCon 2018 and Bear Bones Con 2018, "unfinished footage" was seen, revealing that the film will focus on Malachi and his friends going on a journey. On April 13, 2019, the first poster was released.

The red-carpet premiere for the movie has been confirmed at the Regency Village Theater in Los Angeles. The directors, producers, and cast including the guest stars are scheduled to come to the premiere.

Bear Bones partnered with more than 100 licensing and promotional partners in a deal valued at an unprecedented $250 million. Spots for the film appeared on Bravo, E!, USA, Syfy, Telemundo, Cartoon Network, BBToons, Nickelodeon, Boomerang, NBC Universo, and other channels.

Trailers

 * The teaser trailer was released via Sony Pictures, Bear Bones, and BBToons' YouTube channel on March 29, 2019, and was shown before Dumbo, Missing Link, Avengers: Endgame, UglyDolls, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, A Dog's Journey, Aladdin, and The Secret Life of Pets 2. A "teaser reaction" video, introducing the new characters, voiced by Kari Wahlgren, Jessica DiCicco, Kehlani, Ty Burrell, Demi Lovato, Lil Yachty, Janice Kawaye, Jack McBrayer, and Stephanie Lemelin was released the following day. The teaser's trailer music was Say Yeah by Wiz Khalifa.
 * A sneak peek of the movie (featuring the directors) was released on the 4K Ultra HD home media releases of The Kidriends.
 * An exclusive extended trailer was released at the San Diego Comic-Con in August 2019.
 * The first trailer was released on September 14, 2019, and was shown before Abominable. It was also shown on Friday, September 27, 2019, on BBToons during BBToons' Fridays block.
 * The second official trailer was released on December 12, 2020, and was shown before Jumanji: The Next Level and Dolittle.
 * To promote the 3D technology that is utilized in this film, a 3D trailer was shown during Super Bowl LIV. On February 2, 2020, the film is second promoted on television with Super Bowl Sunday, with Malachi and his friends in a stadium seeing the football game.
 * A special announcement was made on February 25, 2020, concerning its BBToons release.
 * The third and final official trailer was released on Friday, February 14, 2020, on BBToons during The New Malachi, and was shown before Sonic the Hedgehog, Mulan and Onward.
 * TV spots originally airing in 2020 on theatrically, plans were changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Short film
The film will be accompanied by a short animated film, Sypha: The Real Coolest.

Screenshots
Screenshots of the film were presented at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in June.

Home media
''Malachi: The Ultimate Time! ''was released digitally on Netflix, iTunes, Movies Anywhere, PlayStation Network, Microsoft Store, Vudu, and Amazon Prime on May 22, 2020, and on DVD, Blu-ray (2D and 3D), and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on June 26, 2020. Malachi: The Ultimate Time! was also released in a limited edition VHS on June 27, 2020. Also released a PS5 4K Movie Essentials on December 1, 2020.

Special features include behind the scenes, deleted scenes, 5 Malachi Universal shorts, bloopers, concept art, two episodes from Malachi and Friends, five episodes from The New Malachi, the music video of "Past, Future & Present", and an exclusive extended directors cut that featuring more scenes for 30 minutes, more humor and scenes not shown theatrically, including the deleted scenes. In addition to Sypha: The Real Coolest, the releases also include four animated short films: TIWF: Toons in Working Film, The Baby Crossing!, Music Video Television!, Dina Done It, and The Water. A Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray combo pack included a limited edition comic book titled Malachi: Ultimately Adventures Ever. A Walmart exclusive Blu-ray/DVD combo pack included two limited editions Malachi, Keyna, and Princess Darkness toy, while a Target exclusive Blu-ray/DVD combo pack included a filmmaker gallery book.

The Blu-ray/DVD release includes a CD, iTunes, and Spotify entitled "Cyra's Track List".
 * Demi Lovato's "Super Duper Amazing"
 * Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive"
 * Cheryl Lynn's "Got To Be Real"
 * Kool and the Gang's "Celebration"

Director's cut
A 2-disc direct-to-video special edition cut, titled Malachi: The Ultimate Time!: Alternate Cut, was released on Blu-ray (2D and 3D), and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on June 26, 2020. Unlike the original version of the film, it features more scenes, more humor, an on-screen death, and scenes not shown theatrically, including the deleted scenes. A director's cut of the movie will be released on December 25, 2020, in theaters for one night only.
 * Disc 1: Malachi: The Ultimate Time! (theatrical version)
 * Disc 2: Malachi: The Ultimate Time!: Alternate Cut

Video games
On March 16, it was announced that the film is going to be getting "a tie-in game" titled Malachi: The Ultimate Time!: The Video Game, and it will be developed and published by Ubisoft. It will be released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Traveler's Tales and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment released a Lego-themed video game adaptation of Malachi Universal films, which will be released on the same day as Malachi: The Ultimate Time!.

It was announced that the film is going to be getting "a 2D Sonic Mania style-tie-in game" titled Malachi: Time Forces, and it will be developed by Yacht Club Games, StudioMDHR, WayForward Technologies, Inti Creates, PagodaWest Games and published by Ubisoft.

To coincide with the film's release, Rosie Tash and Ronnie Tash appear as an unlockable characters in the fighting game Bear Bones All-Stars Smackdown!.

Box office
Malachi: The Ultimate Time! was released in theaters on June 26, 2020, in five countries (France, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Vietnam) and made $1.8 million in its opening weekend. Warner Bros. announced plans to eventually release the film into 20 markets. Over its second weekend of release, the film made $254,000 in the Netherlands and $257,000 in Spain, as well as finished third in France. Over the weekend of July 31, the film made $1.5 million from 12 countries. As of August 9, 2020, the film has grossed a total of $9.8 million from international territories.

VOD sales
Malachi: The Ultimate Time! was the top-rented film on Prime Video, Google Play, FandangoNow, and the iTunes Store in its opening weekend. Although Sony Pictures has yet to report actual figures, the film had a higher count than Trolls World Tour, which made $40 million over its first three days. It remained the top-rented film across all services in its second weekend.

Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 52% based on 105 reviews, with an average rating of 5.32/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "Malachi: The Ultimate Time! is fun enough for youthful viewers and some hardcore fans, but never quite solves the cartoons audiences shouldn't watch old episodes instead." At Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 43 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews." On Metacritic, the film holds a weighted average score of 90 out of 100, based on 30 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a rare grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale.

Ken Jaworowski of Time Magazine praised the cast, and described them as having "elevated their vocal work to a craft that goes way beyond simple line readings". Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a rare "A+" grade and applauded the film's creative team for "upholding the bars of traditional animation". Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter praised the directors for "rediscovering hand-drawn traditional animation" and for "a funny yet daring journey for the characters". Honeycutt also stated that the movie "tackled dark themes better than Wonder Park." Andrew Barker of Variety praised the film for "being downright funny and adventurous". Although he felt the film was too long and the 3D elements were bugging him, he said the film would prove "popular among kids and adults alike." Elizabeth Weitzman of the New York Daily News gave the film five out of five stars, saying "The spirit of traditional animation remains true to its source. In other words, it's cheerfully random and spectacular."

The Los Angeles Times gave the film a positive review claiming that "It is clever, ridiculous, and ageless." Nicolas Rapold of The New York Times also gave the film a positive review saying that "somewhere in the film's colorful imagery, fresh animation, and well-balanced script, we might begin to realize that we’re watching a terrifying satire about the ways that a life without imagination makes monsters of us all". IGN gave the film a 9.5 out of 10 "Amazing" score, saying that "The colorful action and adventure should delight children, but the smart and humorous script makes it definitely appealing to grown-ups."

Sequel
In June 2020, in an interview with CNN, Mala Miles and Tom John hinted that another film would be possible, saying, "we would like to show more stories featuring these unique and special characters. But you may have to wait a bit for it to happen as we are far from finished with these characters."

In November 2020, Bear Bones confirmed that the sequel installment is already moving forward, and the cast of the entire series has expressed interest in reprising their roles in the sequel film. While the fifth installment is in early development, Miles and John stated that they planned to include other films to the plot's style, such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Angry Birds Movie 2, Steven Universe: The Movie, Trolls World Tour, Shrek Forever After, and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, as well as Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: World of Light.

On January 16, 2021, Bear Bones and Maloing announced that the film's official title was announced as Malachi: MalaVerse, and it will be released on September 16, 2022, with the entire cast from the last film reprising their previous roles. It was the first film to be distributed by Warner Bros., since Malachi: Extreme Sports.

Main transcript
To see the main transcript of the film, click here.

Trailer transcript
To see the transcript for the trailers of the film, click here.

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