Jayson & Friends: The Movie (2023 animated film)

Project Echo is a in-development movie, being worked on at Bluejay Animations. The film started development back in 2021, and has been in development since then, being changed and improved many times over. A official release date, is yet to be announced, though fans believe the film could release as early as October of 2023, and the latest being March 2024.

Backstory
Project Echo was started on April 20, 2021, after Bluejay Animations, wanted to do something new, to hopefully help the studio get back into relevancy, after COVID caused the studio to fall into debt. The film was in heavy development, for months, and many rumors swirled around what it would be, from a original project, to a possible Roger Rabbit continuation.

On December 1st, 2021, Jake Hensley released more information about the film, stating that because of a issue with budget & licensing, they could not get The Walt Disney Company, to back the film, and they could only gain rights to Disney properties, and would have to find a distribution company. Silence was made between late December and early January of 2022, but on February 2nd, 2022, Jake Hensley announced that it was possible, that Brock Baker could be voicing a character, but he was unsure. On February 15, he confirmed, that Baker agreed to voice Elijah's dad, and that they were in talks with voice actors, to voice other characters, like Jayson. Throughout the Spring, silence was made, and people started to believe, that once again, Project Echo was abandoned. However, they were once proven wrong, as on May 2nd, 2022, William McCray, a VA who had been in the business for many years, and was known for his soft, energetic voice, announced publicly, that he'd be voicing Elijah in Project Echo, and that a undisclosed VA would be voicing Jayson. He also confirmed, that the film would be a "remake" of the abandoned project, The Secret Life Of Jayson, a film that had been in limbo for many years.

A few days later, during a public appearance, at a convention, in Las Vegas, Edwin Johnson, confirmed, that he was asked to voice Jayson's dad, and he agreed, and told everyone, that he'd be trying to craft a unique voice, as much as possible, while adding his own emotion, and heart to the character. Jake Hensley, who was also at the conference, announced they were also looking for Female VAs to voice Lucille (Luna) & Greg, since their voice actors, were too generic sounding, and they wanted the characters to sound older. A day later, Jake posted online, that Angelina Waters would be voicing Luna, and that they were looking for someone who can yell with a serious tone, but also a sweet tone, to do Greg. It was revealed also, that Dean Norman, would be voicing Amaya's dad. In August, Johnson stated, that he had decided to step down from voicing Jayson's dad, due to getting tied in with a contract for a musical, that would cut into the time he would be doing voice work, but stated a new actor would be on board. Johnson confirmed, his son Ryan would take over as Amaya's dad, due to having a good light deep voice, and also being a bit younger, which would fit the character well. It was revealed that Charlie Day & Ed Helms were tied to the project, with Day voicing Edward, and Helms voicing a new character, who was still in development. A rumor started, that Bill Murray, would be in the film, as Amaya's uncle, however this was shot down by Hensley, who said that Murray was considered, but was too busy to appear. Hensley also revealed on the same day, that Zachary Levi, would be voicing Elijah's brother, Jerrod. A few days later, it was revealed by actor William Dafoe, that he would be voicing Amaya's uncle, who would make a appearance as a side character, and a important part of the plot. For the rest of Spring, more silence was given, and in December of 2022, 4 voice actors (Matthew Lillard, Addison Holley, John Goodman, & Matthew Broderick) were all announced to be working as voice actors on the film. In 2023, Jake confirmed that the film was moving along well, and that a official name, would be revealed soon, alongside some plot details. Another rumor started, in March of 2023, that Hensley was talking with several actors, including Jim Pirri, Alexander Meyers, & Steve Blum about possibly being in the film. Hensley confirmed, that both Pirri & Meyers would be in the movie, but ruled out Blum, saying that he never considered Blum for the film. In future updates, it was revealed that Jack Dylan Grazer would be voicing Jayson, replacing his original voice actor. It was also revealed that Amaya from PJ Masks fame, would also be used, but it would be a complete fabrication of the character, making her less of a superhero character, and more of a troubled suburban girl, having issues fitting in. It was also revealed, that Jayson & Amaya would have a relationship, and that Catboy would not be in the film, instead being ruled out, to give Jayson the leader spotlight. It was also revealed, that the "PJ Masks" would not exist in this film, as this would be a alternate universe, where they never formed. It was also revealed that Goodman had left the project, for undisclosed reasons.

Synopsis
Jayson & Amaya, are two best friends, with 2 stepdads they do not like, and wish they knew their real dads, so they decide to learn more about their past fathers, and what their future holds.

Cast

 * William McCray as Elijah
 * Ryan Johnson as Jayson's dad
 * Angelina Waters as Lucille/Luna
 * Jim Pirri as Steven, Amaya's stepdad
 * Matthew Broderick as Wyatt, Jayson's stepdad.
 * Brock Baker as Elijah's dad
 * Dean Norman as Amaya's dad
 * Alexander Meyers as Principle William
 * Charlie Day as Edward
 * Zachary Levi as Jerrod, Elijah's brother.
 * William Dafoe as Amaya's uncle
 * Jack Dylan Grazer as Jayson
 * Addison Holley as Amaya
 * Matthew Lillard as Uncle Jerry (Jayson's uncle)
 * Ed Helms as TBA