Toronto-based studio ToonBox Entertainment announced on Tuesday that it has expanded its operations by opening new offices south of the border.

The studio’s new U.S. office is situated in downtown Los Angeles. ToonBox has also set up a working division in the same building as development and production partner Gulfstream Pictures, based out of the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California.

This expansion comes on the heels of ToonBox’s success with its animated 3D film The Nut Job. Launched in January of this year, the Surly Squirrel film has grossed over US$77 million worldwide. Revenue for the film is expected to grow, with global release dates scheduled through to the end of the year.

The new U.S. locations will also help ToonBox as the studio continues to develop new features. Its second animated film Spark is due to wrap up at the end of this year, hitting theatres in 2015. The studio is also collaborating closely with writers and directors as it works on a sequel and TV series for The Nut Job. 

Also in the works, ToonBox has teamed up with Gulfstream and Warner Bros. for the animated feature Pecking Order. The new film is currently in development, and is being incubated in ToonBox’s Animation Lab.

– From Kidscreen