Nobody has seen Wall-E yet, but we know what he/it looks like. Nice concept, very cool emotional expressions from a robot, the high quality stuff we’re used to getting from Pixar.
However, there’s a very striking resemblance between Wall-E and the robot from the 1986 movie ‘Short Circuit’, called ‘Johnny 5’. Even stranger, the box art is also suspiciously similar. There’s of course a hard to define line between inspiration and stealing, but it seems to me as though Pixar is balancing on the edge here.
The picture of Wall-E was inverted to resemble the colors of Johnny 5 more.
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8 comments
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February 11, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Doug Glass
I think maybe you need to read Roger Zalazny’s short story “For A Breath I Tarry” before you begin pinning the inspiration.
http://www.kulichki.com/moshkow/ZELQZNY/forbreat.txt
June 2, 2008 at 5:50 pm
schublog
Hey pixar may seem like its copying Johnny 5 with Wall.E however there are some typical studies of shape and proportion that helpp us attribute human “cuteness” to non-human things. Check out on my blog ( http://schmovies.wordpress.com/2008/05/19/crystal-ball-3-wall-e/ )where i compare Johnny 5, Wall.E and ET. All 3 have similar shape and proportions, specially the heads. Pixar obviously studies this kind of thing, the resemblance to Johnny 5 isn’t a ripoff, and it isn’t an accident either.
June 15, 2008 at 11:02 am
Netbug
I’m sorry to sound rude, but you’re wrong. Short Circuit is not the only film to have a poster with a look onto the character from a distance, and inverting the colors? Warn color schemes and cool color schemes are two common elements of characters in general.
Watch the movie before you declare it a rip off please. That’s all I’m saying.
God bless. 🙂
June 24, 2008 at 10:38 am
Hitech Stupidity
This is awesome.
July 30, 2008 at 10:24 am
kirit
short circuit was so cool love Roshni xxx
September 27, 2008 at 11:12 am
AUTO
It’s not stealing. It’s called hommage. There’s a cultured difference.
January 2, 2021 at 10:40 pm
Alex
Author, you’re a total ass.
January 3, 2021 at 11:11 am
dwerf
Aw, thank you so much for responding to my blog that has been dead for over ten years — it’s lovely to be reminded it still exists! Happy New Year Alex, may this be your best year ever.