900 billion was invested to bring him back to his homeland. However, in the early 2000s, he featured in an animated cosmic escapade that failed to perform at the box office. While it is now regarded as a cult classic, its influence on the studio that produced it remains one of the most significant failures in animation history.
This animated film is “Titan A.E.,” set in a distant future where Earth has been destroyed by aggressive aliens following a war. Prior to its annihilation, scientists were able to send out the Titan — a state-of-the-art vessel capable of terraforming worlds. It exists out in the cosmos as the last refuge for humanity, but its location is unknown. Cale Tucker (Damon) learns he possesses the map to the Titan after encountering a mismatched team searching for the ship and hesitantly decides to join them on their mission to locate it before the aliens obliterate it as well.
The film premiered on June 16, 2000, and was distinguished for its blend of 2D and CGI animation, mature content, soundtrack, and cast ensemble (including Drew Barrymore and Bill Pullman). Nevertheless, it only earned $36.7 million against a budget of $75 million. Subsequently, on June 26, ten days post-release, Fox Animation Studios closed permanently. The box office results were merely the final blow in a string of unfortunate circumstances.