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Atlantis: The Lost Empire movie storyline. 1914: Milo Thatch, grandson of the great Thaddeus Thatch works in the boiler room of a museum. He knows that Atlantis was real, and he can get there if he has the mysterious Shephards journal, which can guide him to Atlantis. But he needs someone to fund a voyage. His employer thinks he’s dotty, and refuses to fund any crazy idea.
He returns home to his apartment and finds a woman there. She takes him to Preston B. Whitmore, an old friend of his Grandfathers. He gives him the shepherds journal, a submarine and a 5 star crew. They travel through the Atlantic ocean, face a large lobster called the Leviathan, and finally get to Atlantis. But does the Atlantis crew have a lust for discovery, or something else?
Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a 2001 American animated action-adventure film created by Walt Disney Feature Animation—the first science fiction film in Disney’s animated features canon and the 41st overall. Written by Tab Murphy, directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, and produced by Don Hahn, the film features an ensemble cast with the voices of Michael J. Fox, Cree Summer, James Garner, Leonard Nimoy, Don Novello, Phil Morris, Claudia Christian, Jacqueline Obradors, and Jim Varney in his final role before his death. Set in 1914, the film tells the story of a young man who gains possession of a sacred book, which he believes will guide him and a crew of mercenaries to the lost city of Atlantis.
Before the film’s release, reporters speculated that it would have a difficult run due to competition from DreamWorks’ Shrek (a wholly CGI feature) and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (an action-adventure film from Paramount Pictures). Regarding the market’s shift from traditional animation and competition with CGI films, Kirk Wise said, “Any traditional animator, including myself, can’t help but feel a twinge. I think it always comes down to story and character, and one form won’t replace the other. Just like photography didn’t replace painting. But maybe I’m blind to it.”
Atlantis: The Lost Empire had its world premiere at Disney’s El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on June 3, 2001 and a limited release in New York City and Los Angeles on June 8; a wider release followed on June 15. At the premiere, Destination: Atlantis was on display, featuring behind-the-scenes props from the film and information on the legend of Atlantis with video games, displays, laser tag, and other attractions.
The Aquarium of the Pacific also loaned a variety of fish for display within the attraction. With a budget of $100 million, the film opened at #2 on its debut weekend, behind Lara Croft: Tomb Raider earning $20.3 million in 3,011 theaters. The film’s international release began September 20 in Australia and other markets followed suit.
During its 25-week theatrical run, Atlantis: The Lost Empire grossed over $186 million worldwide ($84 million from the United States and Canada). Responding to its disappointing box-office performance, Thomas Schumacher, then-president of Walt Disney Feature Animation, said, “It seemed like a good idea at the time to not do a sweet fairy tale, but we missed.”
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Directed by: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Starring: Michael J. Fox, James Garner, Leonard Nimoy, Cree Summer, Natalie Strom, Claudia Christian, Jacqueline Obradors, Jacqueline Obradors, Florence Stanley
Screenplay by: Tab Murphy
Cinematography by: Jim Martin
Film Editing by: Ellen Keneshea
Art Direction by: David Goetz
Music by: James Newton Howard, Diane Warren
MPAA Rating: PG for action violence.
Distributed by: Buena Vista Pictures
Release Date: June 15, 2001
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