The Iron Giant is a 1999 American animated science fiction film directed by Brad Bird (in his feature directorial debut) and written by Tim McCanlies, from a story by Bird. Loosely based on Ted Hughes's novel The Iron Man, it features an ensemble cast consisting of Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., Vin Diesel, James Gammon, Cloris Leachman, John Mahoney, Eli Marienthal, Christopher McDonald and M. Emmet Walsh. Set during the Cold War in 1957, the film centers on a young boy named Hogarth Hughes, who discovers and befriends a giant robot of extraterrestrial origin. With the help of beatnik artist Dean McCoppin, Hogarth attempts to prevent the United States military from finding and vanquishing the Giant.