John Stevenson, a British filmmaker and puppeteer, has spent over 40 years honing his craft in the world of animation. His extensive experience began with his work as a story artist on feature films such as The Great Muppet Caper, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and Little Shop of Horrors.
Stevenson's impressive resume also includes his work as a character designer and story artist on various shows and films, including The Dreamstone, Count Duckula, Back to the Future: The Animated Series, The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat, Fox Tales specials, and FernGully 2: The Magical Rescue. He also served as an art director on Back to the Future: The Animated Series and a puppeteer on James & the Giant Peach and Motion Capture Performer on The Moxy Pirate Show.
In 1991, Stevenson relocated to the United States, where he was hired as a head of story at DreamWorks Animation in 1998. During his tenure, he worked on numerous films, including Shrek, Shrek 2, Madagascar, and Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas, as well as directing episodes of the animated primetime show Father of the Pride. He also played a significant role in bringing Kung Fu Panda to the screen.
Stevenson's achievements were recognized with an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature for Kung Fu Panda and an Annie Award win for Directing in a Feature Production with Mark Osborne. In 2011-12, he directed a six-minute animated short film for The Coca-Cola Company, titled The Polar Bears.
Since 2012, Stevenson has been directing for Rocket Pictures, including the sequel to Gnomeo & Juliet, titled Sherlock Gnomes, which was released in 2018 to negative reception. He has also been attached to various projects, including an upcoming film based on the character He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, as well as The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break, We3, Alien Rock Band, and Rotten Island.
In August 2014, it was announced that Stevenson would direct a CG-animated feature film, The Ark and the Aardvark, inspired by Noah's Ark, for Unified Pictures.
