Martians, Many Martians...

More of the cast for Andrew Stanton's live-action debut keeps lining up...

Today the Hollywood Reporter announced that three actors have joined Disney's 2012 tent pole and franchise in waiting.

One of those actors has been previously associated with the project but was confirmed today. Thomas Haden Church, James Purefoy and Mark Strong have all joined the cast of Walt Disney Pictures “John Carter of Mars.” All three will play Martians that Civil War vet Carter encounters in his adventures on Mars. Church will portray Tal Hajus, an ambitious and viciously cruel Thark warrior who wishes to rule Mars. Purefoy will play Kantos Kan, the captain of the Xavarian, the kingdom of Helium’s grand warship. Strong will be Matai Shang, the ruler of the Thems who is worshiped almost as a god.

All of these actors join William Defoe, Lynn Collins and Taylor Kitsch, who plays the title role in this epic adaption of Edgar Rice Burroughs famous series of novels. A very strong line up of very good actors for the most part. Looking forward to hearing more about this film as the start date for the Mouse production looms ever closer. Can't wait to see some photos of the Kitsch dressed as Carter.

Prepping...

Halloween DisneySEAson...

Details, details, details...

That's what counts. It's the amount of attention paid to an attraction, the love and care put into the craft of designing things that interest people. Imagineers can move or build mountains if given the opportunity and released of the shackles that Suits typically put on them.

Halloween is a special time inside any Disney theme park, and this year Tokyo DisneySEA joins the celebration. Tokyo Disneyland has participated for many years, but this year the Second Gate becomes part of the celebration and it does so in grand style.

If you're a Disney fan and you haven't been over to the Disney and More blog, then you really need to. Alain's Japanese photographer, Yumiko Murata has a whole batch of beautiful pics of the 2009 Halloween decorations. And as always, TDS never does anything halfway and they continually pull out the stops with the beauty and originality that they put on display.

Makes for a very, Happy Halloween...

Much More Pixie Dust...

Sprinkle, sprinkle little star...

And you thought it was just a fad...

We've seen the schedule released last year showing the timeline for the "Tinker Bell" series of the Disney Fairies franchise. It originally started out as a quartet of films; each reflecting on a different season (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter).

Tinker Bell.

Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.

Tinker Bell: A Midsummer Storm.

Tinker Bell: A Winter Story (working title).

And with the success of the first film and the rough layout of the continuing stories, the Mouse has announced that there will be another film after that one entitled: "Tinker Bell: Race Through The Seasons."

That will take us past 2012. But what they haven't announced is that there are plans for more Disney Fairy films after the fifth Tinker Bell film. In fact, there will probably be a couple more at least, taking us close to the middle of the next decade. That puts this series on the road to a decade worth of properties so you have to know the company is very serious about these films.

They're deep into story on the series thanks to the attention that John Lasseter has give it. Now, I know this series isn't for everyone. It's definitely not for me. But there is a huge following of Tink out there and they love her and I prefer this as part of the Disneyverse than seeing a Hannah Montana t-shirt or a High School Musical lunchbox. And one other thing is that these films actually have plots and characters. And they're pretty good... just not my taste. Lasseter has cared enough to be involved in the creation of story from beginning to end. With the exception of the first film, he's been involved with the plot far more than any film by a Creative in the studio. When Eisner was there, he let the Suits over at Disney Consumer Products just pump out crappy sequel after sequel. Hence the deserved title that came to be known as "Cheapquel" to all this dreak.

Luckily the person that DCP had handling Disney Toon Studios was relieved of her position and all future titles were put under Catmull and Lasseter's supervision. And it's worked out so far. The artist and everyone in management over there has been decidedly upbeat with the infusion of trust that the Mousetro has given to them. Just like the WDAS brand, he expects more of them and they've been delivering when respected and given the ability to show their talent. Plot and story points actually get thought out, not thrown in on these films. Take for example the third film, which will be out next year, it's being animated right now over in India, but the story lines are still being reworked, extended or tweaked. When a new plot device is discovered to advance the story, it goes in. If a new suggestion will help out with making it better, it'll get serious attention. There is actually real care being taken to handling these properties because they want the product to be worthy of the Disney name. The stories for the fourth one are getting more and more in depth with it also being refined as the production dates move closer. The fifth film, which Lasseter admitted will be released around the same time as the Olympics will have a topical narrative to tie into that atmosphere, but as of right now they're in early story development. As for a sixth and seventh or even an eighth outing of fairies? Story plots are being pitched and thrown around at a leisurely pace. But it's been made known that such ideas are welcomed. Good ones will move further down the creative assembly line.

There are good things happening in the home distribution division of the Mouse and I have a feeling that a year or two from now, animation at the theatrical and home areas of Disney will be thought of in a much better light by the people that purchase tickets and DVD's. Quality has a way of doing that. I have a hunch that those fairies will have a hold on girls for a long time to come. Now when it comes to boys? I have a feeling we're going to see Disney get a grasp on them soon enough. After all, you didn't think Tink was the only series they've been developing, did you?

Obviously, developing...

Pirate Plunder/Pirate Blunder...

Yeah, I've heard the rumors...

I'm waiting to hear back from several Bothans on this, but I'll offer my opinions based on what we've heard. For those that don't know what I'm talking about, Walt Disney Pictures is rumored to be offering Depp a lot of money for the franchise. Should they only get him for POTC 4, then they're angling on continuing the franchise with another actor; someone that can take the mantle from Cap'n Jack. Again, remember that this is a rumor as of now. Many times rumors fly all throughout Hollywood that turn out to be nothing more than speculation, hopes and fears.

Now with that said, should this turn out to be true I expect whoever is attempting this to be fired. Not that they will be... but they should be. It's an idiotic thought to even attempt to do this. The attraction may have been around for four decades, but when it comes to the film franchise, Depp IS the franchise. To think that some Suit has had an epiphany to believe they can continue on without Jack Sparrow is beyond ridiculous. It's about as insane as George Lucas talking about having Shia LaBeouf taking over the Indiana Jones franchise. Johnny Depp is the soul of that series and to replace him would be like a theatrical version of when the morons that made "The Dukes of Hazzard" decided to replace the stars with two new people that happened to look and act exactly like the original stars. Even if the studio tried hard to create original characters to replace Depp it's a mistake they're going to pay dearly for. Not to mention that whoever came up with this idea to offer Johnny Depp a great deal of money doesn't understand Johnny Depp. He doesn't need the money. He doesn't want the money. He has more money than he could/would ever use or need. He does the character of Sparrow because he loves the character and he agreed to a fourth film because he trusted Cook. Now that Cook is gone so is that trust. I sincerely hope that Iger factored that in when he made this decision. I pray that he has a plan to fix this and I hope that this rumor is not that plan. Because it's a plan that's doomed to failure. It's clear that there are more Suits than Jay Rasulo that I now want fired.

I've heard some people think that they can take another younger star, like someone that is becoming what Orlando Bloom has become and making him the star of the fifth and six parts of the series. If that were the case, when that fifth film comes out I'd expect Walt Disney Pictures to suffer the worse loss in the history of the film division. That film will be a bomb. No matter if it cost one hundred million or more, it will be a disaster. And if Bob Iger fired Dick Cook after the Mouse losing money the last fiscal quarter, whoever takes over now better suffer the same fate. I can only hope that Iger is smart enough to be working the phones over the last week to smooth over ruffled feathers with Depp and others. And the person he chooses to replace Cook now takes on added significance.

Because the betting on when this person gets fired has already started...

New Lamp Shades, Old Lamps...

Pixar is known for making great stories...

But they're also known for making great computer animated films. If you've noticed the schedule over at sister studio Walt Disney Animation Studios, then you've noticed that they are making both computer animated and hand-drawn films. My question is this: "Will Pixar someday make a hand drawn animated film?"

It's not like the Lamp hasn't ever done anything hand-drawn. If you watch the closing credits to Brad Bird and Andrew Stanton's latest films, the closing credits are all hand-drawn. If you bought the DVD for "Ratatouille" then you've probably seen the short "Your Friend the Rat," which was also hand-drawn. So the question becomes whether or not Lasseter will let them make one. He's already said each studio will develop their own projects and that they will be director driven studios. Will one of the Pixar directors say that he wants to make a project on paper? Or is their some unknown or perhaps unwritten rule up in the Emeryville Kingdom that doesn't allow for hand drawn animation?

I for one would love to see what a film under their guidance would look like if it was hand-drawn. And just because it's hand drawn doesn't mean it would/should emulate the Disney look or style. If you've ever seen their concept art it presents some original ways of making one of these films. Can you conceive of what one of these features would look coming from Docter, Stanton or Unkrich? Now I know that these guys are a little busy, but they've got a bench filled with talent. Wouldn't it be interesting to see what Doug Sweetland, Gary Rydstrom, Dan Scanlon, Jim Capobianco and Peter Sohn could do with this medium? This could be another avenue for Pixar's talent to shine. Just as WDAS is making a combination of hand-drawn and computer animated films, wouldn't it be a wonderful surprise to sit back and watch a Pixar film made with pencil and paper?

Because it's not medium, it's the story...

Lessons In Cloning (Glendale To Tokyo)...

There are wrong ways to clone, there are right was to clone and then there's the Oriental Land Company's way to clone...

Alain, over at his always topical "Disney and More" website has posted an article with some great photos of the new "Turtle Talk with Crush" clone that will be opening up next week in the American Waterfront port of Tokyo DisneySEA.

Go over and take a look at how to blend an attraction that you would think doesn't belong and isn't needed, into Disney's most lovely theme park. My only complain is that there isn't a high-res picture of the one they showed at the "Imagineering Pixar for the Disney Parks" panel.

It shows you how you can look forward to Midway Mania and World of Color coming from WDI and OLC over the next year and a half without worrying that it'll just be wedged in. Instead, it'll be intimately woven into the fabric of the narrative that is this great park.

Also, if you really want to see the attraction's opening from a Japanese perspective then click here to watch this segment from a television morning show in Japan.

Advancing...

Box Office Recipe...

It appears that after Cook there may not be a Chef, I mean Chief...

The trade, Variety is reporting and Hollywood gossip queen, Nikki Fink seems to be confirming pieces of what may happen to the Mouse's theatrical unit over the next few weeks. Walt Disney Studios may no longer have one Suit to lead them all, but instead have several executives to handle various wings of the film division of the Mouse.

The non-Disney brands (Touchstone, Hollywood, Miramax, Bruckheimer, DreamWorks, Marvel) could under this scenario report to someone like Oren Aviv, the current production chief. The Disney brands (Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios) would report to someone, possibly Rich Ross, president of Disney Channel Worldwide. Now granted, WDAS and Pixar reporting to this studio Suit would be more like confirming release dates and such, because all theatrical animation would be handled by Lasseter himself.

This will in a sense, fragment power across the company with everyone reporting to Iger. That way, in the future if someone does get fired, the effect will be localized and not disrupt other aspects of the various film divisions. It will be interesting to see how the different units work under this model, because if one of the divisions does dramatically better than the rest it's going to create pressure on the others to perform and place scrutiny on their own unit's business model. What hasn't been addressed if this happens is what will be done with a film that is handled by one division, say Touchstone Pictures moniker (like National Treasure) that later turns out to be worthy of the Disney Pictures moniker (like National Treasure). It seems they thought it would turn out to be too intense and harsh a rating to be under the family banner. Will they all willingly move films to other labels or will they create content that could in essense, compete amongst themselves?

It'll be interesting to see how this model works. Think of it as Iger the king and his many lords within the film kingdom. If Lasseter is able to work that Lamp magic at Disney Animation, he could inadvertently amass even more power and sway under this model. No matter if that were the intent or not. Interesting.

Developing...

Looking To Get Lost...

With "Lost" about to enter its final season, the network is looking for a replacement to the show...

Actually, it's been looking for a couple years. A show as popular and cult-like as this one is hard to come by and the Alphabet Network has been looking to have something ready to take on that mantle.

"Flash Forward" will likely be that show. It's good, real good. Well written, compelling characters that are expertly cast, and talented direction I might add (Goyer redeems himself for "Blade 3"). The story is sci-fi set in the present day world and it's twist is a hook that will keep people watching week after week to find out what's going on. Just as Lost was filled with strange mysteries and plot points we couldn't understand (hello, Dharma Initiative), but would watch week after week to get the answer, so FF has these important story lines as well. Many people will draw parallels between the two shows, but if I had to pitch it I'd go with this: "What if Lost and Heroes had a child named Jack Bauer?" That crudely would describe the show in a high-concept nutshell.

David S. Goyer has fashioned a show that's rich in characters and drama wrapped in a mystery disguised as a thriller. If you don't know what Fast Forward is, well imagine a story following several different people around the world as they try and piece together the reason for a massive worldwide blackout that happens one morning. Imagine if you and everyone on the earth suddenly lost consciousness and saw for those two minutes what your life would be like six months from now. What if what you saw was something horrible or an event you had waited for all your life. Would it be something that you could change? Could it be something that is man-made? And most importantly, why?

If you want to be drawn into this world then tune in that new HDTV to the ABC Network tomorrow night and become part of the next Lost. I've already seen this show twice and I'll be watching it again when it premieres. It's really that good. I can't wait to see how the story progresses.

Thursday night, become lost in this new world...

More Gods...

Marvel keeps adding to the cast of their new "Thor" feature...

The production has cast Jaimie Alexander as Sif, an Asgardian warrior and former lover of Thor, while Colm Feore will play a secondary villain under Tom Hiddleston, who will play Loki.

I truly hope that they've retained most of the script I read. I know that part of this one is set in the modern day world, which worries me. The original was very faithful, following closely to Walt Simonson's run on the character, but being a Norse myth, it set the events on Earth in the ancient world of the Vikings and it was truly epic. Here's crossing fingers and wishing for the best. Mark Protosevich seems to have bad luck with great scripts. Zack Stentz will hopefully enhance and not take away from the brilliance of Protosevish's script. Unlike "I am Legend," which went from great to average under the guidance of Akiva Goldsman.

Time will tell...

The First/Last Keynote...

The bitter, inside details...

The Los Angeles Times has a great story on how Dick Cook's firing (and yes, he was actually fired as several Bothans have now informed me) went down. It's really sad to see Dick Cook fired from a company that he didn't just work for but truly loved. He had the Mouse in his DNA.

I have a feeling he's going to make a big impression somewhere else, either as a studio head or perhaps his own production company. He's got a lot of friends and will be able to attract talent to anything he's connected to rather easily.

My best wishes go with him...

Not Your Daddy's Sherlock Holmes...

Behold...

Feast your eyes on "The Napoleon of Crime!"

Brad Pitt as the criminal genius that thwarts Sherlock Holmes with his dastardly plans?

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Please, stop it! Tell me you're joking. Really? He is? No sh... ooops! I mean, Pitt has picked some really good projects and he knows enough to work on mostly smart scripts, but the mastermind of evil that is the bane of the Basil of Baker Street? This is clearly not the literary Holmes of Arthur Conan Doyle. Of that, I'm sure.

It's elementary...

Frogs, Princesses And Posters...

It's magic...


When I'm with you...
Check out the latest "The Princess and the Frog" poster...

Hat Tip to Latino Review.

John Lasseter Perception Conference...

When John Lasseter was at the D23 Expo on the final day he was a busy man...

He not only participated in giving the "Walt Disney Animation Studios/Pixar Animation Studios" keynote and then the "Imagineering Pixar in the Disney Parks" panel, but he also did a Q&A Interview with the press while there. Another facinating look into his view of the Lamp, the Mouse and all things Disney.


Part One.
Part Two.
Part Three.

Enjoy...

Telling Tales...

It's hard to believe, but twenty-two years ago today Carl Barks greatest creation became a television superstar...

Disney's "Ducktales" premiered today in syndication across the country and became an instant hit. This lead to the creation of a block of two hours of animation that became known as the "Disney Afternoon."

But the cornerstone of it were the adventures of Scrooge McDuck and lovable nephews that were inspired by the comics drawn by Barks over a quarter of a century before. I remember watching these episodes with giddy, geeked out abandonment as I never thought I'd get to see those comics I read as a small child actually turned into an animated series.

If you happen to have them on DVD like me, pop in a disc and reminisce a bit...

Marvel(ous) Opportunity...

When it rains, it pours...

Just weeks after it was revealed that the heirs of Superman would gain control of the iconic figure in 2013, the heirs of Jack Kirby, co-creator of Captain America, Fantastic Four and others, have filed suit against Disney, Marvel and a collection of others for ownership of those and other properties.

I remember when hearing about the "Disney buying Marvel" deal and wondering if Iger had asked the Mouse's lawyers about this. I can't imagine it didn't come up and I wouldn't believe that they would approve an acquisition that wasn't water tight. If anything comes of this lawsuit I'd expect several legal experts to get their walking papers. And Bob Iger would be on very shaky ground with shareholders and the Board after paying four billion dollars for something they now would have to fork over more money just to keep.

Developing...

Hat Tip to /Film.

Luxolands...

If you weren't lucky enough to get to attend the D23 Expo then YouTube is here to save you...

There was a panel called "Imagineering Pixar for the Disney Parks" that had a fascinating conversation with Imagineers, Animators and Lasseter which any fan of the Lamp should love. Here for you to see is that panel, in eight glorious YouTube chapters.

I recommend watching all of the parts if you have the time. It's filled with thoughtful analysis by everyone with commentary you wouldn't expect from a company sponsored event. The last part is extremely candid with Lassetter offering up thoughts that I'm sure every Disney fan would be cheering in agreement.

Part One.
Part Two.
Part Three.
Part Four.
Part Five.
Part Six.
Part Seven.
Part Eight.

Enjoy...

Friends With The Cook...

There's a lot of reaction from people in Hollywood about Dick Cook suddenly stepping down from heading the Mouse's film division...

Key among these is Johnny Depp, who has developed a bond over the last half decade. It's not surprising, Cook's developed that kind of trust from many people in the industry. In front or behind the camera, Walt Disney Studios chairman was liked by all and many are still shocked as to what happened. Depp did a phone interview with the Los Angeles Times Friday about the events and his relationship with Cook:

"shocked and very sad, it seems like the whole town is shocked, I didn't see this coming. There was no reason to see this coming."

"the sweetest man on the planet and such a gent."

"He is the utmost gentleman, so he made the call himself. He said, 'I'd like you to hear it from me before you hear it from someone else or read it,' He said today was my last day. He didn't give me a reason."

"He's instantly trustworthy. And you generally don't meet people at the studios you trust, he's a rare beast."

And his comment about his feelings for a new "Pirates of the Caribbean" film shows he's temporarily a little less enthused:

"There's a fissure, a crack in my enthusiasm at the moment, it was all born in that office."

And he still believes that he'll work with/for Cook again, just not at Disney:

"He will be somewhere and I will always look forward to working with him. I consider Dick a friend inside an insane system. He's someone I understand and I think he understands me."

And he's not the only one, big producer Scott Rudin, whose production company has a first-look deal with Disney Studios:

"I'm completely shocked - as is literally everybody I've spoken to,"

According to Nikki Finke of Dateline Hollywood, Spielberg is supposedly devastated that Dick Cook's gone. Cook was a major reason why Spielberg and Stacey Snider decided to go with Disney on DreamWorks new distribution deal. "Steven worships Dick Cook," a DreamWorks insider told Finke.

He was instrumental in working out this new deal with Guillermo del Toro and his new label at Disney. He seems to know what the company is lacking and has tried to attract talent that seems to have their finger on the pulse of what audiences like.

Cook also is supposedly on very friendly terms with Lasseter ever since the Pixar deal went through, I wonder what John thinks of all this? Having Cook by his side was a very reassuring thing for Lasseter and Ed Catmull. How will the new leader deal with Lasseter? Granted, John Lasseter is a big fish, and he pretty much gets his way, but it helps having those around you that you know you can trust. Cook was one of those guys, but we don't know if the next guy/gal will be.

You can see these people have a great deal of loyalty to Dick Cook, as do so many countless others. Relationships in Hollywood, true relationships, not the plastic kind, are hard to come by. Walt Disney Studios had something going for it with a leader that was so trusted. It'll be a very difficult challenge for Iger to find someone with the cache of credibility Cook had.

Here's crossing our fingers and wishing for the best for both Disney and Cook...

Disney Fires Its Cook...

The Walt Disney Company has fired Dick Cook...

Or he resigned, depending on who you believe. Wow, now that's a surprise I wasn't expecting after his D23 Expo keynote which was held a week ago today.

Now who to replace him? I like Cook, he's been a good Suit. It's going to be hard to replace someone with the connections he has in Hollywood. But two names are floating around as replacements. One is Kevin Feige, who is head of Marvel Productions. The other choice is John Lasseter, currently head of Pixar and Disney Animation, and Head of Creativity at Imagineering. Wow, Lasseter has a shot at running the whole Disney film division. Now as interesting as that could be, I don't want the animated division to suffer. He's a very, very busy man now. But imagine what the Disney line up would look like under his guidance. More commentary to follow later.

Here's Dick Cook's official statement:

"STATEMENT FROM RICHARD W. COOK, CHAIRMAN, THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS

I am stepping down from my role as chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, effective immediately.

I have loved every minute of my 38 years that I have worked at Disney…from the beginning as a ride operator on Disneyland’s steam train and monorail to my position as chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. To wrap up my Disney experience in a neatly bundled statement is close to impossible. But what I will say is, during my time at the Studio, we have achieved many industry and Company milestones. Our talent roster is simply the best in the business. I believe our slate of upcoming motion pictures is the best in our history. But most of all, I love the people, my colleagues, my teammates, who are the most talented, dedicated and loyal folks in the world. I know that I leave the Studio in their exceptional hands.

I have been contemplating this for some time now and feel it’s the right time for me to move on to new adventures…and in the words of one of my baseball heroes, Yogi Berra, “If you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

Here's Bob Iger's official statement:

"STATEMENT FROM ROBERT A. IGER, PRESIDENT AND CEO, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

Throughout his distinguished 38-year Disney career, Dick Cook’s outstanding creative instincts and incomparable showmanship have truly enriched this company and significantly impacted Disney’s great legacy,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger. “We thank Dick for his tremendous passion for Disney, and his many accomplishments and contributions to The Walt Disney Studios, including a very promising upcoming film slate. On behalf of everyone at Disney, we wish him the best with all the future has to offer."

If only this story was about Rasulo I'd be throwing a party instead of a wake...

Crew Envy...

The Toy Story 3 crew sure gets some swell stuff...

Thanks to Lee Unkrich, we know that this here is the logo for the front of the shirt that some lucky Pixar employees happen to be wearing. If you'd like to see the front of the shirt click here and for the back here at his Twitter site.

Those guys in Emeryville are soooo darn lucky...

Clone Wars: Take Two, Too...

Again, it comes...

Those of you, like me, who slowly grew to like the first season of the Star Wars "Clone Wars" series on Cartoon Network will remember the first trailer for the second season was pretty good. Well, now they've released a second trailer for the second season that shows even more of the bounty hunter angle they're going for this time out. As an added bonus, IGN has posted a couple clips from this season that you can see here and here. Have a look and form your own opinion; it's only days before the animated series begins.

And years before the live-action series comes to the small screen...

The Wonderful Wizarding World Of Competition...

Universal Studios has came out with some interesting artwork and video for their Harry Potter theme park within a theme park...

If you'd like to see what Universal Orlando has up their sleeve, then check out the video here that highlights what Universal Creative (Universal's equivalent to Imagineers) has designed. The primary attraction, "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" will be interesting to experience when the attraction opens in spring 2010. Although there's not a lot of information about that ride on the site yet. Go over to the official website and look at a lot of the concept art. Also, Brooks Barnes has a nice article over at the New York Times about the announcement.

Some people worry that this will steal guest away from WDW, while some think it'll have no affect on Disney whatsoever. I tend to play it in the middle. Islands of Adventure is a great, fun theme park with many detailed areas, but it didn't do the damage that Eisner and Co. worried it would do to the Florida resort, because if it had there would've been a couple nice additions to the park to compensate. Never panned out. I hope it does gangbusters, because competition is good. If they do something that draws more people into their park, the Mouse will have to counter and that's good for everyone. After all, why do you think that Fantasyland expansion got the go-ahead? Universal was one reason, Lasseter and others pushing the expansion was the other. But that's what happens when challenges are put upon you... you strive to do better and the results of that benefit us all. Difficult times lie ahead.

So let's have at those obstacles...

More Caroling...

Place MoCap here.


End Mocap here.
The latest poster for Walt Disney Pictures' "A Christmas Carol" has been released...

I can't wait to play the video game of this, I'm sure it'll look just... like... the... movie. Coming to a PS3 near you.

Oh, I mean, coming to a theater near you...

The Hidden Sea...

There are many things about Tokyo DisneySEA that are wondrous and amazing, but I'll bet most of you didn't know the secret side to DisneySEA...

Or should I say S.E.A.? Remember that the park is themed to the oceans and aquatic encounters of the world, but it's also themed to the world of exploration. In fact, most people don't know about a hidden Society that lives and operates inside the ports of Tokyo DisneySEA. A secret organization that deals in mysterious and dangerous things. A group of people that are responsible for many of the structures that the Imagineers sometimes take credit for.

A club for those that believe the world should be examined and enjoyed, charted and experienced. In fact, the name of this club is right out in public and no one ever notices.

Tokyo DisneyS.E.A. I'll bet you didn't know that the name of the theme park was actually an acronym for something else, did you? Those three letters stand for an organization that's done a lot for the park, in fact, it's done quite a bit for the Asian area that Disney has been smart enough to host and this club has been generous enough to let the company in on some of its knowledge and customs. In fact, the very culture of TDS is heavily influenced by this Club/Group/Society. And it was all under our noses.

May I present to you, "The Society of Explorers and Adventurers." Also known as S.E.A., the organization that is responsible for several places and parts inside the most beautiful theme park in the world. I bet you didn't notice that the "SEA" in Disneysea was all caps, did you? Or if you did, you didn't think much of it. Just a nice stylization most would guess, but they would be wrong. As with all great layering and narrative in the Disney world, this park has it in spades.

And this organization has been around for centuries, maybe a Millennia even. Those of you that have been to DisneySEA will recognize probably the oldest known building belonging to the organization: The Fortress Exploration area of the Mediterranean Harbor. It was constructed in the earliest known days of the secret organization. With the help of visionary men like Leonardo da Vinci and others. The place is a perfect example of how the members of the club strike out to search for arcane knowledge, unique exploration and thrilling adventure. Many of the artifacts you find throughout the resort were graciously donated to the Disney Imagineers by members of the club. Their Society has allowed the tours and examination of their dwellings and treasures in this little plot of land in Asia. One of the most well known members (some would say infamous) of the S.E.A. Club is Harrison Hightower III. Or at least he was before his mysterious disappearance several years ago. His Gothic, dark and opulent Hightower Hotel was opened up for all to see the wonders of a man whose sometimes unseemly desire for treasure hunting is accomplished through less than ethical methods. It's not known actually how many members are in the club as they keep the order and rituals of their organization mostly secret... mostly.

Disney's latest theme park in Asia, Hong Kong Disneyland has a connection with this society or at least it will in 2013. When an area most guest haven't been allowed to enter, opens up. The Mystic Point location happens to hold Mystic Manor which is owned by Lord Henry Mystic. He happens to also be a member of S.E.A. and is a club rival with Hightower. Although, Mystic is known more for his admirable qualities than the missing adventurer and hotel owner ever was. And right next to his manor you'll find a great little place to soak up the 1908 atmosphere called, The Explorer's Club, where you may just find some treasure and a S.E.A. member or two. And you know what? There're more of the Society's club members spread throughout this magnificent world... this Disney world.

And who knows when and where in the future the Society of Explorers and Adventurers will show up next...

Fifth Time's The Charm...

Whit it!
If adventure has a lame...

Actually, I never, ever want there to be a film staring my favorite film character to be bad. It's just that after the disappointment of "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" last year, I'm somewhat sceptical. And if you believe I'm just looking for Lucas to fail, take a look at my post before the film came out. I was truly excited. I wanted it to be great. In fact, I don't hate the film like many of my friends do. I just feel that it's so below what should be an Indiana Jones adventure. He deserves better than the fourth film. Heck, he deserves better than the third film.

But the reason I'm rambling is Harrison Ford himself is rambling about doing another Indy film. And there has been talk from various people connected with the production, like Shia LaBeouf, who I never want to see in another Dr. Jones adventure again. But now, we've got quotes from one of the "Big 3." As The Man In The Hat said himself:

"The story for the new Indiana Jones is in the process of taking form. Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and myself are agreed on what the fifth adventure will concern, and George is actively at work. If the script is good, I'll be very happy to put the costume on again."

I'll keep my hopes dampened until I hear or read the script and find out more information about it. I hope if a Fifth film happens it's got a fantastic script and I hope they get it done quick. If Lucas takes as long as he did for the last one we'll wind up seeing Indy using his whip to pull his wheelchair into the nursing home.

Where there's a whip, there's a way...

Hat Tip to Latino Review and Ain't It Cool News.

A Fork In The Ronin For DC...

Some interesting news regarding my adolescence...

Well, only tangentially regarding it. Frank Miller's "Ronin" is a graphic novel I remember buying as a young kid, not knowing what to expect. I fell in love with it. Truly an amazing milestone in the history of comics that has only gotten better as the pages of time have moved on past it. There have been attempts to bring this to the screen before, but like most of Miller's work, it languished in development hell until most recently with his works like "Sin City" and "300" making Hollywood take note. Of course, Frank shot his own ego down a few notches when he decided to direct someones work that wasn't his own... and one that had a comedic tone no less.

"The Spirit" will not go down as his finest moment, but after his epic work on "The Dark Knight Returns," his work on "Ronin" stands out as his best work. All this came during his a high point in his career, off of his run on "Daredevil." He was a comics superstar and the comic book's own Steven Spielberg. After leaving Marvel he wanted to write something of his own, not another super-hero running around in his underwear and DC Comics gave him the creative freedom and the outlet to do so. The result was "Ronin," a combination of "Highlander" and "Yojimbo" set in the world of "Blade Runner." At least that's what I would pitch it as. It's a little more layered than that, but that high concept phrase gives you an idea of what to expect.

Now, the latest director attached to the project is hoping to get it off the ground in a big way. Sylvain White is the man slated to bring Miller's post apocalyptic samurai film to the big screen and Collider talked to him about the project. He just got the latest draft of the script and he's hoping to make it his next film after "The Losers." It's clear from the article that he's got a passion for the graphic novel, hopefully he'll be able to take that world and bring it to film.

But another wrinkle in the story is how Diane Nelson feels about the project and will DC Entertainment have any involvement in this? Many of the comic book properties have recently been brought back in house from the development slates they've been at. Will she want to bring this one is as well, or does she trust where White wants to take it. I think we're going to hear about this and many other projects over the next few months as Nelson creates a more streamlined production schedule. I think by next summer you're going to have a good idea of the path DCE is headed and which films will be seeing the light of day over the next three or four years.

I'm just wondering if Ronin will be one of them...

Hat Tip to /Film.

White On Blue...

Next month we'll see Walt Disney's first animated classic released on Blu-Ray...

If you would like to see the trailer for it, then click here.

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

Toy Story Posterland...

I heard that you Hockey Puck!


I'm a married Spud! I'm a married Spud!
News and suprises don't always happen at the D23 Expo, I guess...

Strangely enough, one of the things Jay didn't mention was that Paris is getting it's own Toy Story Playland (like HKDL in Asia). Now, the company has released several posters of the attractions. Alain over at Disney and More has some great pics of them, take a look.

The Disney world slowly changes, one attraction at a time...

Tale Ends...

And so ends the Walt Disney Company's first D23 Expo...

It was a rather nice start to what will hopefully become a yearly tradition. It wasn't Comic-Con numbers, but that shouldn't be a desire anyway. This is the first year and it wouldn't be fair to compare it to the first year of Nerdvana. But it had quite a few people and quite long lines for many events. One of the biggest differences between this and San Diego is you actually had room to breath and the ability to move around without stepping on someones toes.

I wish I could have attended all four days, particularly Friday with all the Walt Disney Pictures announcements, but Saturday was my first day there. I arrived almost an hour before Jay's speech and the lines were already very long. By the time I got in, the room was probably 80% full already. There were many people who showed up and waited in line only to be told the arena was full.

When Jay Rasulo took the stage yesterday to a loud ovation, the crowd was anxious to here some surprising news and the Chairman (as Darth Vader called him) delivered. Jay seemed to be in a rush and many of his remarks appeared to be delivered as if he was in a hurry to get through them. Perhaps this explains why the Star Tours announcement came so quickly and felt rushed. It was almost an afterthought as he made his spiel with Vader, showed the clip and then essentially said: "Goodnight."

But there were a few nice expected/unexpected surprises. First off, he announced the expansion of the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland that we broke here over a year ago. The Star Tours news was brief, but had a nice humorous back and forth between an evil Sith Lord and Darth Vader... wait, I mean Chairman Jay Rasulo and Darth Vader. They showed one tour where you were participating in Pod Racing. Jay conveniently left out the details of the attraction which are actually still being finalized. As I mentioned in an earlier post, perhaps they're waiting for next year's D23 Expo to shine the light on more details. But the entire interior and design of the queue area is supposed to receive an overhaul that will give the ride a much snazzier new feel. Another thing the Chairman didn't mention was that there will be a few familiar Star Wars characters in ST II never seen in the old version. One of them, I believe is an 800 year old, wrinkly guy from Dagobah. This, along with multiple adventures will actually make Star Tour(s) finally become Star Tours.

Anyone that got to take a peek inside the Parks and Resorts Pavilion (check out Disney and More for great pictures of it) got a peek into the many models of WDI that wouldn't fit into DCA's Blue Sky Cellar. The area holding all the Carsland models actually wouldn't fit into the building, truthfully. Those that saw the three different scaled models of the park's new land will understand why this attraction is costing as much as two-thirds of the price of the entire theme park.

There were two parts of the keynote that didn't actually make it in the presentation. One was Paris and the other was Tokyo. For reasons not discussed here, those parts were left to be explained at a later date. And then, there were all the Walt Disney Pictures announcements, but we'll talk a bit about that in our second part.

There will also be a couple small articles I'm going to try and post this week about individual Imagineering projects on display as well...

Stranger Things...

It appears the coincidence isn't...

El Guapo over at Latino Review did some detective work and talked to the agent of Tim Powers, whose book, "On Stranger Tides" shares the same name as Disney's upcoming Pirate film. She didn't say much, but what she did say means that Disney is either adapting or using part of the book as the premise for Jack Sparrow's new adventure.

So, it appears that Cap'n Jack may face a new villain. First he faced Barbossa, then Davy Jones and now... Blackbeard. Check out the exclusive report at the site right here. Which is stranger? Truth or fiction?

We'll soon find out...

Star Tours: Episode Two...

What you've all been wondering about for a couple years has now become official...

Now, I was privy to some of this, but not all of this a couple weeks ago. I knew that there was going to be a Star Wars/Star Tours announcement and all. I didn't know all the details and my Bothans asked me to not say anything since being employed has an added importance in this economy right now. It doesn't mean I didn't give you guys a hint. There was a reason why I put that picture up of a Stormtrooper/Clonetrooper when talking about the D23 Expo. I expect you guys to be smart and tag along, no room for stragglers here. I was hoping some of you would take the hint as to why is there such a Star Wars presence on the day Imagineering takes the spotlight. Then I posted the "Saturday Matinee" article which should have clearly got your attention. I just couldn't come right out and tell you anything at that time. Now, I can...

Jay Rasulo gave his big speech today and talked about a lot of expansion news. Strangely, there were advertisements of news about Paris and Tokyo that weren't mentioned in the keynote. But Jay did mention that Star Tours is getting a makeover. Sort of a "Pimp my Landspeeder" kind of thing, actually. The attraction will close in October 2010 to reopen in the later part of 2011. More details were expected than what the Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts mentioned, but I take it they're wanting to save some of those details for later. Perhaps a D23 Expo in 2010?

I'll be back at the end of the weekend with a recap of the other news from Saturday and Sunday, but I've got to get some sleep so I can get up early for a keynote tomorrow...

Four For The Fifth...

Today, Disney's first, but not last, park in China celebrates its fourth anniversary.

Hong Kong Disneyland was opened on this day on Penny's Bay, Lantau Island. While the smallest "Magic Kingdom" style park, HKDL is richly layered in great detail(unlike DCA), Disney paid close attention to Chinese culture, customs, and traditions when building the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and followed the rules of Feng Shui in much of the park's construction so as to give the park good luck.

It didn't work, unfortunately. More so because of the lack of many E-Ticket rides than anything to do with Feng Shui. Three rides every traditional Disney theme parks has were left for future expansion... Pirates of the Caribbean (which was rejected by the Hong Kong Government), Haunted Mansion (Now known as Mystic Manor with it's own unique variation on the original) and It's A Small World which opened a year or so ago. The park is slowly making progress, but an impatient world doesn't want to wait for it to happen...

If you get the chance to go to the D23 Expo, you'll see some amazing models of the Mystic Manor and Grizzly Trail attractions (check out Disney and More's post on the HKDL Expansion). And this will expand the options that guest have at the park. This and several other things which could be announced by next year should make the park a worthy addition by the 2014/2015 timeline.

Anyway, happy birthday Hong Kong Disneyland! Here's to a great, positive future.

Progressively progressing...

DDDY...

Boo!

That little tease that Guillermo del Toro mentioned the other day turned out not to be "Deadman" film that he's working on...

But it did turn out to be something he's working on with Disney. The very busy writer/director/producer is starting a production company for making animation under the Mouse's banner. Known as "Disney's Double Dare You!," the shingle will be charged with making del Toro styled scary animated films that have a Disney touch.

Under the guidance of Dick Cook and John Lasseter (woo hoo!), Guillermo will produce several films for DDDY as well as direct ones that he chooses fit his own time schedule. Of course, he won't be directing any of these for a few years since he's got that little project with Peter Jackson up next.

Here's the office press release from the Mouse:

Anaheim, California — September 11, 2009 — The Walt Disney Studios, in collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth,” “The Hobbit”), is launching a new production label called Disney Double Dare You, to create new animated films full of chills and thrills for audiences of all ages, it was announced today at the D23 Expo by Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. All films will be produced under the guidance of del Toro, who originated the concept and the design of DDY and who will also direct certain projects. The first project in development for the new label is called “Trollhunters,” an original del Toro story which he will produce.

Commenting on the announcement, Cook said, “Guillermo is a brilliant and visionary filmmaker, and we’re excited to be launching this new label with him. His knowledge and appreciation for Disney films, along with his penchant for creating worlds of fantasy, presented a great opportunity for us to explore a whole new genre of filmmaking for moviegoers of all ages. We have admired Guillermo’s imaginative approach to filmmaking for some time, and now we’re proud to be working with him to create films full of imaginative delights and lots of thrills at the same time.”

Del Toro added, “As a director, I love to take audiences into fantastic new worlds and provide them with some anxious moments in the process. It is part of the Disney canon to create thrilling, unforgettable moments and villains in all their classic films. It is my privilege for DDY to continue in this tradition. To partner up with The Walt Disney Studios, with the support of Dick Cook and John Lasseter, is to belong to a storytelling partnership that I admire deeply. It is a true honor. I look forward to coming up with fresh and original stories that will take Disney films in a whole new direction. The emphasis is on fun, and we have some great ideas already on the storyboards.”

Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth received six Academy Award® nominations in 2007, including one for his original screenplay, and went on to win three awards. That film also received a BAFTA Award for Best Film not in the English language. His other directing credits include “Hellboy,” “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” “The Devil’s Backbone,” “Cronos,” and “Mimic,” among others. Del Toro is currently directing back-to-back feature film adaptations of the Tolkien classic, “The Hobbit,” for release in 2011 and 2012.

The first project being development for the company is an original story by del Toro entitled: “Trollhunters,” del Toro will produce this as well as oversee the script. More projects are soon to follow.

Developing...

Sparrow's Next Journey Has A Name...

That's the title of the fourth film in Walt Disney Pictures swashbuckling series...

Johnny Depp was apparently there as well as "The Bruck" too. Dick Cook announced that the official title of the next Cap'n Jack adventure is "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."

Hmmm... interesting. Latino Review's El Guapo says there's a book by that name and it's about pirates. I wonder if it's an adaption of that story or just a coincidence?

Sailing into theaters in summer 2011...