Fox Animation Studios President Vanessa Morrison Re-Ups

On the heels of the successful worldwide opening of Ice Age: Continental Drift, Vanessa Morrison has signed a new multiyear deal with Fox Filmed Entertainment.

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Concurrently, Blue Sky Studios — a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fox Animation — announced that executive vp and COO Brian Keane also has reupped. He continues to report to Morrison.

"Vanessa and her teams at Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios set the bar higher with each picture, and the results speak for themselves," Fox Filmed Entertainment chairmen Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman said. "We couldn't be happier that she will continue to work her magic in the years ahead."

Continental Drift, the fourth title in the Ice Age series, came in No. 1 last weekend at both the domestic and international box office with a total gross of $140 million. The film is a monster overseas and boasts a worldwide total of more than $380 million.

Morrison also oversaw Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, which earned north of $886 million worldwide, and Rio, which grossed more than $486 million. She also was responsible for the critically acclaimed Fantastic Mr. Fox and the adaptation of Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!

Next up for Fox Animation and Blue Sky is Epic, an 3D action-adventure directed by Chris Wedge that reveals a hidden world. The voice cast incluedes Beyonce Knowles, Colin Farrell, Josh Hutcherson and Amanda Seyfried.

Morrison was named president of the animation division in 2007 after serving as executive vp for the studio proper. She was previously a senior vp production and vp production. During her tenure in the studio's live-action division, she spearheaded production of Garfield: The Movie, Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties, Cheaper by the Dozen, Cheaper by the Dozen 2, Dr. Dolittle 2 and Fat Albert.