Saturday, May 30, 2009

No Dog At The Box Office...


Pixar's "Up" made $21,400,000, on its Friday opening according to Box Office Mojo...

Wonder how those critics that felt the film would have limited appeal because the hero was a senior citizen and therefore, not very likable to the young kids that normally go see these films? Crickets, I hear crickets.

Nuff said...

A Perfect Ten...


Well, the Lamp has done it again...

Now, this really won't be a review of "Up" though I will share my thoughts and feelings about it. I want to address the success of Pixar in general and use Up as representation of that success since it's the latest example of what comes out of Emeryville.

As for Pete Doctor's new film, I can only say that it's another phenomenal achievement for John Lasseter and his crew. Pete Docter as one of the original Pixar animators goes for the outfield with his second at bat and he hits the sweet spot on the leather. Ok, for those of you that don't understand baseball metaphors let's just say I liked it. I liked it a lot. More than his first film, "Monsters Inc." even. As with all films produced under the Pixar banner, it's a film filled with great, approachable characters that you feel for in situations that make you wonder how they did it. These guys seem to take the strangest ideas that anyone else would turn into a flaming ball of mediocrity and create a jewel of entertainment. In fact, if George Lucas was going to make an adventure featuring an old explorer going to South America for adventure like he attempted to do with "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," then this is what it should have been. There was more heart in this than that soulless, by the numbers stab at bringing back the magic of my favorite film character. Up is a film that shows us what you can do when you focus on story first.

But then again, that's what every Pixar film does. That is why they've been so successful over the last fourteen years. Ten films in that period and each of them a box office and critical success. Some more than others, but each and every one of them better than almost everything else out there, animated or live-action. I don't know of another studio with such a long, winning streak. Granted, they don't produce four or five or more films a year. They only make one a year (with 2011 being the exception that we get two), but each one has been a hit and many people are wondering what will be the first one to fail? When will we get a box office bomb from them? Or at the least, a disappointment. Well, I don't think 2010 with "Toy Story 3" will be it. And 2011 with the "Cars 2" sequel and the ever growing fan base of young boys it gathers will be it either. Maybe it'll be the Christmas release of "The Bear and the Bow" which will take the traditional Disney animated spot? Or 2012 with Gary Rydstrom's "Newt" film? Of those two I can't say, but if "Monsters Inc. 2" makes it in 2012, which is still tentative, I can guarantee that won't be that one.

Pixar is on a roll. Rolls end, but for now it's one great winning streak that you have to applaud. Succeeding in Hollywood is extremely difficult, succeeding as well as they have is almost next to impossible. Many are hoping that that magical pixie dust rubs off on its owner. Walt Disney Animation Studios took a step in the right direction last year with "Bolt" as Lasseter's first fully influenced film under his management. This year with "The Princess and the Frog" it moves out front and center to see if he's going to be able to not only continue, but expand his winning streak. And then "Rapunzel" next year and 2012's "King of the Elves" sweetens the gamble even more. It could impossible, but having ten films in a row like this could've been said to be impossible as well. At least before Pixar came around.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go plan for an adventure I've been putting off for quite some time...

Friday, May 29, 2009

The Mouse Is Toying With Us...


If you go see "Up" today, you not only get to see the best movie I've seen this summer. It's another Pixar classic. You also get the "Partly Cloudy" short, which is charmingly innocent and beautiful. You not only get to see the new "The Princess and the Frog" trailer on a giant screen. But you also get a teaser, not trailer will be attached to Up. But you also get to see the first teaser for "Toy Story 3" attached to the film. We're supposed to get a more detailed teaser when TS1 and TS2 are released in 3D and then an actual trailer for the film attached to "The Princess and the Frog" this holiday season.

But Disney has done something I didn't expect. They already released the teaser over at Apple's trailer website. So click here if you want to see it, but don't expect any footage. Remember that this film is over a year away and you'll have to wait till later this year to see anything actually from the movie.

So until then, Enjoy...

Thursday, May 28, 2009

More Dreams...


Jeffrey Katzenberg's DreamWorks Animation has announced a big increase in film production...

Looks like they're gonna give the Mouse a run for its money. The original plans were to release two films a year and now with the success of "Monsters Vs Aliens" and the wonderful "Kung Fu Panda" they've decided to release five films every two years. That's a twenty percent increase for those that are mathematically challenged.

March 26th 2010:


How To Train Your Dragon - “Meet Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, heir of the Viking chiefdom, but a boy with one very big problem: a hero he is not. “How to Train Your Dragon’ is the riotous story of Hiccup’s quest to hunt down the fiercest dragon, bring it into submission, and—hopefully—pass his initiation. Instead, he ends up with the smallest, most ornery dragon—it’s even toothless! Thus begins the hijinx of the world’s most lovable, unlikely hero and a most reluctant “beast.” Packed with energetic drawings and plenty of action, this boisterous tale is just right for fantasy fans or anyone with a spirit of adventure. Based on the book by Cressida Cowell.” Directed by Chris Sanders (you guys remember him, right?), and featuring the voices of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

May 21st 2010:

Shrek Forever After (formerly Shrek Goes Fourth) — Directed by Mike Mitchell (Duce Bigelow, Surviving Christmas, Sky High). Shrek suddenly finds himself in a in a twisted, alternate version of Far Far Away, where ogres are hunted, Rumplestiltskin is king and Shrek and Fiona have never met. Now, it’s up to Shrek to undo all he’s done in the hopes of saving his friends, restoring his world and reclaiming his one True Love.

November 5th 2010:

Oobermind (formerly Master Mind) - Written by Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons, Oobermind is a satirical take on superhero movies (think The Incredibles), in which a notorious villain (Robert Downey Jr) who finds life a little bit boring after he accidentally kills his nemesis, good guy superhero Metro Man. Ben Stiller and Tina Fey are part of the all-star voice cast.

June 3rd 2011:


Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom (formerly Kung Fu Panda 2) — Longtime story exec Jennifer Yuh Nelson makes her feature directorial debut, in a story following continuing adventures of Po, the Kung Fu panda.

November 4th 2011:

The Guardians — Based on an upcoming book series by William Joyce, whose work inspired Disney’s Meet The Robinsons. Described as “a contemporary fairytale based on existing fairytale characters,” Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost and the Sandman team up to defend the world from a Bogeyman-like villain. Of course, the characters have been “somewhat renamed and massively reimagined”. The first book has a tentative release of Christmas 2010. Visual effects artist and animator Jeff Lynch makes his feature directorial debut.

March 20th 2012:

Puss in Boots — Shrek the Third director Chris Smith directs this prequel spin-off to Shrek 2, telling the story of Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas). Salma Hayek will voice the female love interest named Kitty.

May 27th 2012:

Madagascar 3 — Directed by Eric Darnell (Madagascar, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa), in the third film in this franchise we follow the animals as they travel this time to Europe as part of a traveling circus. Tom McGrath previously said that the would like to see the characters return to their home, the Central Park Zoo, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen any time soon.

November 12th 2012:


Not chosen yet, but it will be one of these three projects that are in development.

The Croods (formerly Crood Awakenings) - From Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco’s comes the prehistoric story of a man’s position as Leader of the Hunt is threatened by the arrival of a prehistoric genius who comes up with revolutionary new inventions… fire. Sanders about the project: “The idea of having all the modern conveniences and social structures that we’re familiar with gone and being left with just a pure form of people was really fun to imagine working with.”

Truckers — based on the first of the thee books in Terry Pratchett’s best-selling The Bromeliad Trilogy, which tells the story of the Nomes, a race of tiny people from another world who now struggle to survive in the world hidden among humans. They find an artifact known as “The Thing” which teaches them about their secret history and make plans to return home. The screenplay is being written by "Slumdog Millionaire" scribe Simon Beaufoy. The film has been has been in development since 2001, originally with Shrek director Andrew Adamson attached to write and direct.

Super Secret Ghost Project
(working title) — A story that examines what ghosts think about humans. Hilarity will undoubtedly ensue...

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Oh No, International Joe...


Vanilla! Did someone order vanilla? I got yer vanilla here...

What Was Gotten Versus What Could've Been (Part Two)...


To recap what we were talking about last time...



The DisneySea theme park that was to exist in Long Beach was very similar and vastly different than the one Tokyo got. The American version of the park, while more ambitious, was much more vague in its focus and direction. Not because of any lack of vision, but because they wanted to know what they would have to build on. It would be foolish to design a lavish park constructed on over three hundred acres only to find the politicians approved two hundred. As it turns out, they approved zero and Long Beach missed out on a renovation that would have turned it into a massive tourist destination. The beautiful seaside park, hotels and retail district would have made the image of Long Beach a much different one than that pictured today. But it wasn't necessarily the politicians of Long Beach fault, but more the state officials and the California Coastal Commission which wouldn't budge on the landfill issues. So Port Disney died in a mass of red tape...

But from the death of Port Disney came the birth of Tokyo DisneySEA, quite literally the most ambitious theme park that WDI had worked on since EPCOT. Euro Disney as a resort was as big, but in terms of just the park itself, nothing had been this massive since Walt Disney Productions mounted that effort to build a second theme park in Florida.



Tokyo DisneySEA sprang from the desires of the Oriental Land Company to have a park that was unique to the resort that they planned on building. No clone would do... there would be no Tokyo Disney-MGM Studios despite what Disney CEO Michael Eisner wanted. Instead they planned on building a park that could reflect the Japanese people and their culture. When WDI pitched the project it was quickly approved, but was budgeted far less than the actual cost it would wind up once built. Around a billion dollars was planned for the project (still almost twice what DCA was to cost) until the plans the Imagineers proposed began expanding. Once the OLC could see that their desire to have such a immersive and detailed was going to cost more they could do one of two things. Cut the budget and settle for a smaller, less extensively planned park or go forward with the rising cost and find a way to pay for it. They chose to go forward and to do so they took their company public to raise the necessary cash for the project. Once it was done, this glittering jewel would be the feather in the Imagineer's cap.

Gone from the original Port Disney project would be any adherence to the realistic representation of the oceans. Instead the focus would be on the idealized vision of the oceans and the theming of exploration and adventure. In a sense it was the flip side of Tokyo Disneyland. Both are stylized, both celebrate fantasy, but TDS would celebrate mankind's love of the ocean and all things around it. They let TDL deal with the inland side of things. And the Japanese people have a particular affinity for the sea. It is a nation that likes to think of themselves as farmers and people of the sea and earth although it may not be the case anymore... again, an idealized view. Perfectly Disney.

Now for those that don't know, Tokyo DisneySEA is divided into seven "Ports" whereas Tokyo Disneyland is divided into seven "Lands" and each of these is devoted to a specific example of the oceanic world.



Mediterranean Harbor is set up as a Venetian style waterway. What better way to enter a park about the ocean than to go through a representation of city almost literally built on water.

Mysterious Island is at the center of the park and is basically the island atoll of Captain Nemo from 20K. Inside you'll find adventures that go beneath the earth and sea while a Mount Prometheus erupts continually outside. This port was to be off to the right and further back in Port Disney, but for Japan the Imagineers moved it right in the middle as the Weenie of the park.

Mermaid Lagoon is as the name says, a tribute to the classic film that officially started the Second Golden Age of Disney animation. The majority of it is housed in a large building whose front facade appears to be King Triton's Castle. It's beautiful in the daytime and jaw dropping at night. An area mainly for kids, but a wonderful Broadway quality stage show of "The Little Mermaid" is a must see. Event the C-Ticket in this place are themed beyond normal Disney standards.

Arabian Coast is essentially "Agrabah by the Sea" in this port takes its main influence from Aladdin. The area is filled with Middle East details that transport you to around the seventh century and has Disney's only double decker carousel.

Lost River Delta is the parks tribute to adventure in South America and is for the most part, a land designed around Indiana Jones. Think if Disneyland had more land what and had turned Indiana Jones and the Forbidden Eye into an entire land until itself. This port will take you back to the Continent in the mid to late 30's and offers an area that reminds you most of DAK's Asia area in theming and detail.

Port Discovery is a reimagined Tomorrowland set up with aquatic theming. Picture a seaside port in a retro-futuristic society where exploration is the primary means of the people's livelihood. Set amongst a collection of Art Deco buildings you get the feeling of being transported back to an oceanic world of a past that never existed, but you wish had.

American Waterfront is TDS's idealized representation of a turn of the century American. It's divided into two areas, the larger New York area which looks like what the city would have appeared at the dawn of the 20th Century (think 1890's-1910's) while the smaller area, Cape Cod evokes a past of a small fishing village.

A park which is truly the only offspring from Port Disney and the only true survivor of The Disney Decade. Now, let's look a little more over the Long Beach resort that could have been...

Around the Port Disney Resort:

The Queen Mary herself would have been moved down further and although the plans had not been finalized, there were several ideas for her use in the new resort. The Spruce Goose was to be sold off to someone since it didn't fit into the theme of things. The QM was going to be renovated and there were plans for themed parties and events on board. Some ideas involved an idea like Florida's Adventurer's Club, but more of a seafaring version. Several other sea-themed events, dining and shopping were planned, but like the resort itself, nothing was fine tuned since they were awaiting approval before moving ahead.

Disney Cruise Line:



We all know that the Disney Cruise Line is finally coming to California. It would have been here almost a decade earlier had this resort been built. The plans were extremely ambitious. Probably more so that was feasible. There were plans for up to ten ships with five of them stationed in the Pacific Ocean here at Port Disney in California(with other ports possible later) and the other five stationed where they are now in Florida, Europe and possibly other ports. What I love about this and many other projects is Disney's attention to detail and bringing out the best styles from the past to evoke a period of architecture romantically. We all know how the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic bring back the look and feel of old 1930's ocean liners and the port of call for the West Coast would look just as stunning.

Imagine a turn of the century harbor of New York, something along what you find in the American Waterfront of TDS. You'd feel like you entered another era as you left your car and walked down the buildings and corridors lined to look like something out of the early 20th century. If you've seen the Disney Cruise Line's home in Port Canaveral then you have a small idea of what it would've looked like. But picture it a little more themed to an earlier period and the surrounding area to evoke the past as well. Long Beach Harbor would be transformed back to the 20's/30's at least when you were in Disney's portion of it. The industrial area that exist there now wouldn't be seen from the sanctuary against time that the Mouse had intended on building. Off to the south of the cruise terminal were fishing piers and the entire area would be filled with lush greenery. The entire pier area would be teaming with life.



Much as Tokyo's reflects the spirit of the sea, Port Disney would have done the same, but on a "resort level" not just a "park level" scale. When you actually see how grand the area is in its respect for the ocean, one can imagine what was planned for an entire resort with hotels, shops, entertainment and naturally the park all paying homage to the aquatic life.



And speaking of hotels, Port Disney was to be filled with them. While the other proposal for California, "WestCOT" had new ones as well, it only had three planned new hotels. Port Disney was to get five...

Port Hotel - This was to have been the flagship hotel of the resort. The "Disneyland Hotel" so to speak of the entire grand plan. It was the inspiration for Tokyo DisneySEA's Hotel MiraCosta and was designed in an Italian style similar to it. An exclusive luxury hotel with 500 rooms and deluxe sweets. It sat across from the DisneySea theme park with an adjoining small inlet for yachts and water taxis. There were also going to be extremely large amounts of layered theming around the area to give it a sense of history. Old fashion sea ships would be placed in various slips and the docks would draw back to a Mediterranean port of bygone time to exhance the experience.

Canal Hotel - This would have been a hotel designed with a Venetian them, hence it would have canals that would have gondolas floating up and down them. While the Port Hotel would evoke the image one would get from a resort in central Italy, this one would be themed to that lovely city that's submerged in the Northern region. It would be three times as large as the Port Hotel(with over 1,400 rooms) and have its own shopping mall, fine Italian restaurants and an open retail area lined along its 150 slip marina.

Marina Hotel - Would have been a mid-size hotel(700 rooms) that would range from mid prices. This one would have been located near the Long Beach Convention Center, slightly where the parking lot is located. The plans for this hotel were not as advanced as the Port or Canal and several designs were under consideration. All of them would have aquatic themes, of course.

Shoreline Resort Hotel - A small, exclusive hotel(400 rooms) that would have low hung suites and rooms over a series of shops, restaurants, theaters and other entertainment opportunities in the Shoreline Aquatic Park. What was the Shoreline Aquatic Park? Think of the SAP as a very lushly themed, maritime version of the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica with hotels built atop it.

Tidelands Hotel - Would be the second largest hotel(900 rooms) after the Canal Hotel. Themed to another variation on man's quest for exploration of the sea, this hotel would have been surrounded by rich foliage of trees and walking parks/bicycle paths, nature trails wrapped inside a six acre park. Several plans were drawn up and the architecture was not finalized... however, as with all the other hotels you could have expected a theme to match the water-themed extravagance of the other hotels.

During the changing plans there was at one time a decision to go with six hotels, but that was because of the shrinking land the resort was going to be able to use and the reduction in size of one of the original five hotels.

All we have left from these grand hotels is the Tokyo DisneySEA Hotel MiraCosta, an amazing hotel that leaves the trails of what could have been had they been built. As for the MiraCosta, it's an amazing hotel. A grand resort hotel that is the prime jewel of the Tokyo Disney Resort. Actually, it's the Hope Diamond of all Disney hotels. Simply put, there is no better Disney hotel in the world (Disney's worlds or the real world). From detail to service, this is the grail for every hotel to aspire to reach.

The Italian style, the layered theming, the shops, the restaurants and the location are absolutely top level service is unmatched anywhere. It's that good.



Styled in a theme that befit the Mediterranean Harbor it occupies the result is a hotel that blends in with the Old World of Europe while extending out into the other themes of exploration that the resort would offer. When looking at this lovely hotel you can get a whiff of what we in America could have looked forward to had it all not fallen apart.

Everything from the rooms to the excellent shops (MickeyAngelo Gifts, Minnie Lisa Sundries and Hippocampi) and restaurants (Oceano, Silk Road Garden and the Bellavista Lounge) are top notch and no detail is left unthemed. Don't believe me? Walk into the hotel lobby and look up at the lovely paintings on the ceiling. It's not just a lovely splatter of oil up there. There are eight goddesses up there that each symbolize one of the seven ports and one goddess that represents the entire park. In this park, as would probably have been in Port Disney, theming would not only envelop you... it would drown you.



Oh, and if you're interested, the eight goddesses are:

The Main Goddess of DisneySEA: Aventura

* Mediterranean Harbor: Romanza
* American Waterfront: Libertas
* Port Discovery: Minerva
* Lost River Delta: Ferista
* Mermaid Lagoon: Matuta
* Arabian Coast: Exotica
* Mysterious Island: Vesta

The devil's in the details, hmmm? This is why Disney fans love this park so much. There is so much care and detail put into the artistry and craft of this park. It gives you more and more reasons to return. Here that Suits in America? If you included this kind of detail in California Adventure you might have had more guests coming through those turnstiles and you might have had them returning over and over again. Lessons lost, lessons learned... we hope.



The 502 rooms in the hotel were divided into three sections.

The Venice Side which is the right of the hotel and provides rooms inside a nice inlet that is heavily themed to Venice, obviously.

The Porto Paradiso Side which is the area that is open up to Mediterranean Harbor and thus offers the most beautiful (and expensive) views.

The Tuscany Side are the rooms that face outside the park and offer the theming one sees when entering the park.



Tokyo DisneySEA is a wonderful park. An amazing experience that you won't find anywhere else in the world and something that totally fits in the Disney world. Before it was created, Tokyo Disneyland was an example of an incredibly marvelous hybrid of Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom. After TDS and the hotels the resort has become a destination of those seeking what was promised here in the states that the Mouse never delivered.



Lastly, let's finish up with a final section of Port Disney...



WorldPort:

WorldPort was the area right across from the DisneySea theme park. It would be the aquatic point for excursions by fair and water taxi and had an entire entertainment complex set along a nostalgic boardwalk that evoked the late 19th/early 20th Century. A station for the Port Disney Monorail would also be part of the mix. Amongst the icons was that a variation of an old style wooden coaster, only it would be made of steel. There was also to be a Ferris Wheel modeled after a Wonder Wheel themed version with a shining sun at its center. Sound familiar? The area would feature hot air balloon rides and have many dining options as well.



All this and more was to be of a truly unique Disney theme park. If it would have opened on schedule, it would have thrown open those gates in 2000 had all the permits been issued and approved. My speculation is that a project this massive would of at least has some delays and you could probably add a year or so for the opening. That would put it in fall of 2001. Tokyo DisneySEA's opening was in September 4, 2001. So maybe it did open up after all? A little different than originally proposed and in a location a lot further east that Long Beach. We can dream at least.



It's good to dream...

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The Mouse Is Looking For A New Navigator...


And another film from my childhood is being remade...

You know, when I was a wee, young lad, I had no idea how good I had it. I didn't realize that everything I saw was gold and everything I read was worth a mint. But the 80's sure are a treasure chest for studio Suits in the current world we live in.

The Hollywood Reporter
is reporting that Walt Disney Pictures is going to remake "Flight of the Navigator" which I remember fondly from my childhood. It's not the best film ever made, but it's a sweet, nostalgic family film that deserves more credit than it gets. Hopefully, whoever was in charge of the "Race to Twit Mountain," err I mean "Race to Witch Mountain" remake will be nowhere around on the development of this. You hear that Mr. Cook? You too, Aviv. Please get people who know what the heck they're doing... because whoever you put in charge of RTWM obviously didn't. And if you guys are the ones that came up with that then do me a favor and fire yourselves. Perhaps you can call Lasseter for help? He seems to know a thing or two about STORY. What am I thinking? The man is too busy with all those animated units, the Imagineering projects and the other live action adaptations he's currently working on.

Someone please stop these Suits from sneaking into my head at night and destroying the dreams of my childhood...

Monday, May 25, 2009

32 Years Ago In A Galaxy Far, Far Away...


On this day, thirty-two years ago George Lucas released his little homage to Saturday morning serials and the rest was history...

Sadly, we didn't know he thought it was flawed and wanted to perfect it. A couple decades later he took what was perfect and made it flawed. Should have stopped while you were ahead, George.

Anyway, Happy Birthday Star Wars...

For Those That Protect Our Freedom...


Today, Memorial Day, we honor and pay our respects to those that put on the uniform and place themselves in harm's way so as to protect the freedoms we take for granted.

Thank you from Blue Sky Disney,

Honor

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Doctor Is Making The Rounds...


Pete Docter is out doing interviews for Pixar's "Up" and he's been a busy boy. He's chatted recently with the San Francisco Chronicle about his sophomore outing. Go over and give the interview a look.

All will be revealed Friday...

Saturday, May 23, 2009

A Fourth Echo...


With the sad news of losing Wayne Allwine comes the realization that now someone else will be doing the voice of Mickey Mouse...

While it's been known that Wayne was suffering from diabetes, it wasn't known by most of us that it was as bad as it turned out to be. I've talked to several sources around the lot and it's interesting how things have/are developing.

It's been known around the lot that Wayne's been coming into work with a walker. Everyone thought he was in bad health but no one expected it to be that bad. The people in Disney Character Voices, knowing that he wouldn't last forever with his health deteriorating, had begun screening for the fourth voice of Mickey Mouse months ago. They wanted to find an understudy for Wayne to mentor like Jimmy MacDonald did to him. They've cast a wide net inside the company's creative departments. Anyone inside Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios or Disney Toon Studios who is interested are being tested to see who does the alter ego of Walt best.

A decision hasn't been made yet, but possibly later this year we'll find out who takes the character onward and further into the 21st Century. Remember whoever gets these gigs tends to last 25 to 30 years. It's strange, but nothing last forever.

Except maybe Mickey Mouse...

Friday, May 22, 2009

Kong Returns...

No Man in Suit.


I know this is a blog that focuses primarily on Disney and all things surrounding the Mouse, but on occasion we give time to the competition and other entertainment in general...

Here is a case where I whole heartily applaud Universal Studios for doing something that is pitch perfect and totally cool. This is the kind of thing that would give Mickey competition and I like competition... it makes everone the better for it.

The Suits over at the Big U announced the other day something that many a fan had wished for but didn't expect. King Kong returns to Universal Studios Hollywood. After the fire destroyed the set which guest would see when they rode the tram, it was announced that new attractions would take it's place. Well, it looks like the new attraction is based on the old. Well actually it's based on Peter Jackson's 2005 remake of "King Kong" which is set in the 1930's. I love that they're doing this. I loved that film. Not that it's in its own place from the original which I love as well. The 1976 version I've never liked. I love the fact that it's going to be set in the 30's and I expect if these Suits are smart they'll have Jackson involved heavily with the creation of this new attraction. Here's the press release:

“The Eighth Wonder of the World” Rises From Ashes to Astound Studio Tour Guests:

King Kong Re-Emerges In A Fierce New 4-D Attraction in 2010 at Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A.

Los Angeles, California, May 19-2009--King Kong, among the screen’s most powerful and enduring icons, will re-emerge on the famed and newly upgraded Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour in summer, 2010 as a thrilling and ground-breaking 4-D multi-sensory marvel, a new signature attraction for Universal Studios Hollywood.

The new King Kong attraction, based on the Oscar®-winning 2005 Universal Pictures film, will combine thrilling visceral effects with the world’s largest Surround Digital projection system to create a next-generation theme park experience.

Larry Kurzweil, President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Studios Hollywood, said: “King Kong has been an integral part of Universal Studios Hollywood for decades and, after last year’s fire, we knew he had to be resurrected for our Studio Tour guests. We’re very excited to announce that not only are we re-introducing King Kong, but we’ve completely re-imagined the experience and will incorporate this legendary icon into a truly innovative Studio Tour attraction.”

In the new attraction, guests will don special glasses as they enter a darkened soundstage aboard the Studio Tour trams and will be transported— via the magic of Surround Digital 3D projection —deep into the dark heart of the world of Skull Island. They’ll survive a close encounter with a swarm of monstrous bats, only to be confronted by the terrifying presence of Kong himself. Suddenly, an enormous, ravenous 35' tall dinosaur will challenge Kong and guests will feel their trams jolt, roll and shudder as they find themselves caught in the middle of a ferocious showdown between the great ape and the giant lizard. The action will immerse guests in the battle between the two colossal predators.

A previous King Kong attraction was introduced at Universal Studios Hollywood in 1986 and remained a much-admired part of the Studio Tour until it was destroyed last year.

King Kong, known as “the eighth wonder of the world,” has been called “the experience for which movies were invented.” Since first appearing on the screen in the 1933 original classic, “King Kong” has been re-made twice, each time on a tremendous scale, earning a total of seven Oscar and three Golden Globe® nominations.

Most recently, the 2005 version took the best elements of the original “King Kong” story and adrenalized them with up-to-the-minute effects magic and the alchemic talents of a superlative group of filmmakers, cast and crew. Released to critical acclaim in late 2005, “King Kong” was a worldwide box office hit and, with DVD sales, earned well over $700 million, becoming the fourth-highest grossing movie in Universal Pictures history.

The arrival of the new King Kong experience will follow major enhancements to the Studio Tour. Universal Studios Hollywood will introduce an upgraded Studio Tour experience this summer, transforming its trams into "mobile movie theaters" with state-of-the-art flat-screen high-definition monitors and digital playback systems. The new high-definition monitors will feature commentary from filmmakers, including Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard and Stephen Sommers, along with insight from such personalities as Al Roker, Nancy O’Dell, Billy Bush and Whoopi Goldberg. Clips from numerous movie and television productions, corresponding to sites visited along the Tour route, will add a new dimension to the tour of backlot attractions, sets and facades, capturing how they were transformed for various productions.

Famed film locations on the Universal back lot include the “War of the Worlds” set, Western Streets, European Street, Mexican Street, the Psycho House-Bates Motel, and sets from ABC’s hit series “Desperate Housewives” on Wisteria Lane. Back lot attractions include "Earthquake," "Jaws," "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" and "The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb."

Also this summer, Universal Studios welcomes the "The Tonight Show Starring Conan O'Brien" to a newly constructed soundstage at the studio and will celebrate the re-opening of most of the iconic sets damaged in last year's fire. Studio tours and film production will resume at the world- famous Courthouse Square, Brownstone Street and an enhanced New York Street. Additionally, new film locations will be introduced to meet contemporary film production needs, including a modern urban cityscape, with glass and steel façade structures that will provide film and TV crews with the opportunity to replicate a modern city street scene in a controlled studio environment. The new contemporary cityscape will be the largest modern urban backlot shooting location in Los Angeles.

Universal Studios Hollywood (www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com) is a unit of Universal Parks & Resorts, a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience."


I had hoped that those meetings Peter Jackson had on the lot a while back would result in him coming on board as a consultant on a Lord of the Rings attraction at say, Disney's Hollywood Studios or even an entire land based on that property, but so far it's not materialized. Then again, there is hope. Next year they start filming "The Hobbit" so if the Mouse plays its cards right you never know what could magically appear. And that would also possibly involve Guillermo del Toro as well. Perhaps he could start working on that "The Chronicles of Prydain" project that he's been talking about...

V Stands For Vu...


As in Déjà Vu all over again...

And not in a bad way. It actually looks pretty good and not as cheesy as the original series, which I loved, btw. Take a minute and check out the new trailer for the "V" remake which as of right now is set for a 2010 mid-season replacement.

Developing...

Seeing Surrogates...


The trailer for Touchstone Pictures "Surrogates" is out...

Get out of your comfort zone and go take a look at it. It looks interesting. I'll give Bruce Willis new movie a chance...

Thursday, May 21, 2009

The Greatest Time Travel Story Ever Written...


Really...

Really? A new featurette of Robert Zemeckis' "A Christmas Carol" is out over at YouTube right now from the Backlot Buzz. Give it a check out and see what you think...

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Mickey Has Lost His Voice, Minnie Has Lost Her Love...



Sadly, news I would like to not be reporting...

Wayne Allwine, the man that voices Mickey Mouse(and only the third man to do so) passed away yesterday from complications due to diabetes. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Russi Taylor(the voice of Minnie Mouse), his family and their friends.

Somewhere in heaven there are a trio of voices chatting together in a familiarly sweet, innocent tone...

Lights, Camera, ACTION...


In response to that Tomorrowland story, I figured it was time for this...

With the economy the way it's going, most people are holding off on big purchases like cars and expensive electronics items. But they're going to the movies in record droves because it's easier to pay ten or twelve bucks for movie than $500 for a HD television or $15,000 for a new vehicle. The studios are having a grand year so far... except for Walt Disney Pictures and the studio in general. It's ranking last in almost every category. The last year hasn't been too kind to the Mouse. The choices it's made for the box office haven't bombed so much as they've just underperformed or disappointed. So that begs the question: "What do they have planned for the future?"

Well let's start with the end of summer. Right after those wonderful releases like "G-Force" and in between "Old Dogs" you'll get the new Bruce Willis sci-fi "Surrogates" which could wind up being a hit for Disney. I don't know how Old Dogs will do, but I think G-Force will be a hit just like last year's "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" was. Not my cup of tea, but not everything is.

So then what do they have in store for us in future? What about the road ahead of 2010? What about 2011 and 2012 and maybe beyond? Ok, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. Well, if you've seen their development slate for the next few years, it can be described in one word.

Action.

Action and adventure films seemed to be deep in the pipeline for the next few years and being as I like that kind of film I'm a bit happy about it. Of course, it's going to depend on what these projects turn into. I mean if the scripts are good then that'll be great but casting plays a pivotal role as well. Not to mention that little thing about getting the right director. With that said, here are a list of some of the projects that Dick Cook and Oren Aviv plan on coming to a silver screen near you.

Prince of Persia
(2010) - Mike Newell directs this adaption of the popular gaming franchise starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a prince in search of his destiny. Hopefully it'll be good. The script has been rewritten since the draft that I read. Video game adaptions haven't panned out that well yet, maybe Jerry Bruckheimer will make sure this could be the one.

Nemo(2010/2011) - McG will direct this prequel to 20K that he hopes will star Will Smith(please no, please no) as the brooding younger Nemo before he found that island, built that fantastic sub and went on his vengeance streak. Please let fate step in and find someone else for the part. Since the Mouse wants to turn this into a trilogy I don't want to suffer through three adventures in miscasting.

Gemini Man(2011) - Curtis Hanson is attached to direct the script by David Benioff set in the future of an aging hitman that suddenly goes on the run from a younger hitman trying to kill him. The catch is that the other hitman happens to be a clone of himself. Jerry Bruckheimer will make this one of his big 2011 tent poles.

National Treasure 3(2011) - Not confirmed, but definitely wanted by the studio. Nicholas Cage is all up for another adventure. Supposedly the scope of this new tale will involve more international action. Expect a search for the right screenwriter to give the story the proper angle. As usual, Jerry Bruckheimer produces.

Jungle Cruise (2011) - Nothing has been heard about this project in a while. It was given to Alfred Gough and Miles Millar to rewrite Josh Goldstein and John Norville's script last year but nothing has come forward about their draft. The plot would loosely follow the attraction and involve a roguish boat captain piloting his ship down dangerous waters searching for a miraculous cure for... something. Time will tell if the project is stuck in development hell or moving smoothly down the river.

The Lone Ranger
(2011) - Mike Newell is in final negotiations to direct this 21st century adaption of the classic radio character. With a script by Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott and Johnny Depp as Tonto this film will be a huge event film for Disney. Now if they will just find who is going to be playing that masked man, all the pieces will have come together.

Tron 2(2011) - Famed commercial director Joseph Kosinski makes his feature film debut directing the sequel to the 80's cult classic. With a script by Lost's Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis and original stars Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner, this will be the Mouse's best chance to rule the summer box office in 2011.

Pirates of the Caribbean 4(2012) - Johnny Depp returns as the lovable pirate in this film minus Will and Elizabeth. No writers or directors have been signed yet, but expect this project to heat up by the end of the year. The only other cast member I hope returns is Geoffrey Rush because he's the perfect foil to Depp's Sparrow.

John Carter of Mars(2012) - Andrew Stanton makes his live-action debut with this big screen adaption of Edgar Rice Burroughs famed Civil War character that fights across the landscape of a distant planet thought to be Mars. This will be Disney's most interesting film of 2012 with many wondering if Pixar's magic will translate into Disney's live-action side.

Swiss Family Robinson(2012) - Not much has been announced lately, but director Jonathan Mostow is supposed to take us on a remake of the Disney classic three years from now. The script by Gregory Poirier and Mostow is supposed to be set in the original time period(good) and will hopefully have the heart and adventure of the first film. Hopefully the film will be more intense like the director's "Breakdown" and less "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" which was a whimpering sequel.

And then there are the other projects. Those are the ones that Disney will be distributing for DreamWorks over the next six years. Think Spielberg and company won't have a few big action films in that line up?

But that's a story for a seperate post...

Monday, May 18, 2009

Marvel Finds Their Trickster...


Another piece of Kenneth Branagh's puzzle falls into place...

No sooner have they named(not officially) the hammer holder himself than they announce who will be his nemesis in the upcoming film. Again, I'm glad they didn't just go with a star(Disney are you listening?) and picked an unknown. I know Josh Hartnett had been talked about for the role, but he's way too buff to play this character and doesn't have the range for part if it's the same character from the script I've read. Loki is a tormented villain. He's definitely evil, but complex and not a cardboard cutout supervillain. Tom Hiddleston looks exactly right. I like the direction they're going in. Maybe they plan on using an older famous actor as Odin and that way they'll appease the Suits with a name.

But right now I'm happy the direction this is headed...

Sunday, May 17, 2009

What The Future Holds...


Let's see, how do I put this...

I tend to be pretty up on Hollywood projects, Disney projects in particular as you know if you read this blog regularly. But I really am out of the loop on this one. It's not that I've not heard ramblings about it. I simply thought it was a joke. One of those rumors that you brush aside because it's too ridiculous to actually be true.

I may be wrong. According to the writers of "The Hangover," Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, they are actually working on a "Tomorrowland" film. I had heard rumblings like I said, but hmmm... I guess it's actually in development for Dwayne Johnson. Here's what they have to say:

"In Tomorrowland his character's name is Rip. And he plays a present day test pilot who tests a plane and gets shot into the future, and so he's a sort of a fish out of water in the future and he is sort of figuring out how everything works. And the people in the future don't know who he is, and they think he's bad guy come to destroy the future."


I really don't know. I'm incredibly critical of a project like this, but if they've come up with a great concept and were able to execute it in a script you never can tell. I'll hold my powder dry until I actually read the screenplay or hear more about the project in the coming weeks. I guess I'll have to take those rumors of "It's A Small World" the movie a little more serious now.

Developing...


Hat Tip to El Guapo over at Latino Review for the link to his original article.

The World Needs This...


I have no doubt that Jerry Bruckheimer's lastest production will make bucket loads of money...

Kids will eat this up. I'm trying to think of this as something akin to "The Absent Minded Professor" or "Blackbeard's Ghost" or something. But it isn't for me. The Mouse has had a dismal year in theaters, so perhaps this will be a glimmer of light in the unforgiving box office jungle.

Me? I've got "Up" and a certain "Princess" on my mind...

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Owning A Piece Of History...


On this day...

Eighty years ago, Walt Disney applied to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a trademark to a new character he had created to replace Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, whom he lost in a shady business deal with his former distributor. He doesn't intend that to happen again with his new one, Mickey Mouse.

And the rest was history....

Your God Of Thunder Has Been Chosen...


It appears Kenneth Branagh has chosen his Thor...

And it appears to be a pretty good choice. Chris Hemsworth who was last seen as the father of James T. Kirk in the new "Star Trek" series will play the long blond haired, hot tempered Marvel superhero. I was very worried that a Pro-Wrestler would get the gig. From what I hear the audition went pretty good and I trust Branagh as he's someone that knows how to stage something like this. I only hope they stick to the script I read. I really don't want to see the son of Odin turn into an ordinary doctor. I was always fond of the Walt Simonson stories which are what the Mark Protosevich script was really like.

Developing...

Thursday, May 14, 2009

A Long Time Ago In A Small Town Far, Far Away...


Sixty-five years ago today in the small town of Modesto, California...

George Walton Lucas Jr. was born. A near-death car crash right before his high school graduation forced him to consider another career path(he wanted to be a race car driver) and made him focus on something different at the local community college. He developed an interest in making films... Modern cinema would never be the same. He gave my childhood a constant wonder and my adulthood a continual pain. But I'm so very happy he decided to do that little take off on Saturday matinee serials. I owe him greatly for that.

Happy Birthday to the Father of the Force...

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Christmas Greedings...

Bah! Humbug on MoCap! Bah! Humbug on MoCap! Bah! Humbug on MoCap! Bah! Humbug on MoCap!

The poster for the Mouse's other holiday film is out...

Robert Zemeckis' next MoCap wonder will be out on November 6th. Will it be brilliant or will it be Bah! Humbug?

Waiting and watching...

Monday, May 11, 2009

Princess Posted...


Whoa...

No need for words. Well, other than if you want to see a bigger/better version of the one-sheet go over to Cinematical where they premiered this link. I knew it was coming and had it described to me, but didn't get to see this till this morning.

Nice...

Prince Of Persia Pictures, Uhm Footage...


The ABC Network had a special about Hollywood/Films which showed some footage from next summer's "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" from Walt Disney Pictures...

I've been so out of it the last couple weeks. I haven't watched hardly any television while battling an evil version of the flu. Is there a good version? Anyway, if you want to check it out the link is here.

Interesting...

Friday, May 8, 2009

Catching The Next Wave...


I can't wait for this one...

I remember watching these in reruns as a kid. Love the show, love the song, love the way it presents a wonderful view of good versus evil, justice versus lawlessness - Disney style.

Here's the 411...

On November 3, 2009 will release two volumes:

"Zorro: The Complete First Season" and "Zorro: The Complete Second Season." A six-disc set which will cost $59.99 bucks and have its 39 episodes in their original black & white format.

The four famous "third season" one-hour "Zorro" specials will be divided among the two disc sets, with each set getting two each.

A Leonard Maltin introductions is included of course, certificates of authenticity, Zorro pins and lithographs. You can't have a Walt Disney Treasures series without lithographs!

I'm so there...