Anti-Potter...

Someone should really hire me at the Mouse...

Yet another project I mentioned would be a good thing to adapt has finally started happening under Alan Horn.  For those of you that haven't heard, Walt Disney Pictures is partnering with Harvey Weinstein to make an adaptation of the fantasy novel series, "Artemis Fowl" as a potential new Mouse franchise.  Yes, the dreaded F word: the holy grail to most studio suits all around Tinseltown.

For those that haven't heard of the character, Artemis is a multimillionaire, twelve year old boy with a criminal mind bent on restoring his family's former glory.  To do that, he actually concocts a magical heist involving fairies.  At least that's the basic plot of the first book.  The film will be based on the first and second book.  I don't know why they couldn't just make the film out if the first one.  At least they have a talented writer to adapt it in Michael Goldenberg ("Harry Potter and the Orde of The Phoenix").

The popular eight book series created by Eoin Colfer is a very engrossing world that, if done right, could be a great addition to the fantasy creations of Disney.  And I'm sure the Suits would love to have this be the first in a long line of films.  Not to mention attractions, games, shirts, shoes, toys, comics, etc.

And maybe even more books...

News From The Rebellion...

So now we have a tiny bit more on the coming Force...

At the Star Wars Celebration in Europe, Executive Producer Dave Filoni gave the audience a tease of what to expect from "Star Wars Rebels" when it premiers next year.  That's the logo up above, and there were several other promising pieces that he showed as well. 

What was shown?

Quite a lot surprisingly, from a Rebel Alliance ship known as the Ghost that will play a prominent role in the film, to battles with Tie Fighters, a Star Destroyer, interior/exterior, to a stylize Storm Trooper were all seen by those attending.  

One thing they all shared in common: a heavily influenced style based on original Star Wars artist, Ralph MacQuarrie. And it was pretty cool to see this is going to be the stylized look of the show.  It appears that Filoni is trying to branch out from "The Clone Wars" and give the series it's own feeling and look in the expansive universe of this famous galaxy. 

Hopefully, the story/scripts will be as attractive as the art that was presented...

Practically Perfect Poster...

Now that this is an example of art…

A lot of times of poster falls under the slavish dominion of a marketing department obsessed with stars.  Where poster will convey nothing of the story, no semblance of art or creativity.  Just a bland picture of an actor saying: "see this!".

Now, while this poster does have the stars, it also conveys what it's about in a very creative way.  The shadows beneath each actor represent the persona of each character they're playing without saying a word.  Very good job, marketing department.

Very good indeed…

A Spin Off, Not A Sequel...

Sorry guys, the real world has been invading here at Blue Sky Headquarters...

 And right when I was going to be at Comic Con. But unfortunately more pressing matters have to be addressed. Posts will be sporadic over the next few weeks as things hopefully get back in order. I was planning a whole lot of coverage of Nerdvana, but with my schedule it wasn't to be.

Now of course, I do want to address the news that Zack Snyder and the Bunny let out about the sequel to "Man of Steel" earlier today. First off, people shouldn't be calling it a sequel. It's not. It's a spin off. It looks like as of now, Warner is taking the route of using the character of Superman as an introduction to the rest of the DC Cinematic Universe: first with "Batman Vs. Superman" and then in "Justice League". He's our alien tour guide, really.

 I'm sure that they'll be more films of a solo Clark Kent/Kal-El, but Henry Cavill is signed for three films and they want to be him to walk us into this new universe. I'd expect that before too long they'll renegotiate his contract for more films. They should go the Marvel route and lock them in for six films, not three. Perhaps whoever they get for Batman will be attached for that long. But it looks like we're in for an epic trip over the next few years.

 We'll just have to wait for that Superman film with Brainiac a little longer...

Age Of Marvel...

Well I guess we'll have to wait for Avengers 3 to get Thanos mad...

While I'm sure he'll play a pivitol role in "Guardians of the Galaxy", it's not likely to be the main villain, and so much screen time for the mad titan will have have to come another day.  But Marvel's big closing announcement of the title of the second team film gave us the villain.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

So, Ultron is it?  And I don't think that it'll be a film based on the currently running series by the same name.  It's more likely going to be Whedon's twist on the story.  But we know that the scope of this Marvel film will be even bigger than the first one.  If Ultron is the villain then you can expect a sort of Terminator type story.  And with Joss Whedon writing it, I look forward to the dialogue between Tony Stark and Ultron.

But will Ant-Man be in this one?  It would be very strange to introduce him here instead of his own film which will come out later in the year after A:AOU.  My guess is it'll be explained away somehow cleverly: like how an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. was able to be brought back after being killed by a Nordic god.  Or how Buffy has a sister that she's never really had before.  Maybe Hank Pym is in this.  Perhaps not and Ultron comes from another creation.  The Marvel Cinematic Universe isn't bound by the rules of the Marvel Comic Universe.

A new age is upon us...

Gelè...

The seasons are changing and before you know it, winter will be here...

And with that, Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Frozen" will be released.  Not just in America, but the world as well.  Disney's marketing department is well underway promoting this about the world.  There are beautiful posters in every country across the world, beautiful campaigns, amazing banners and entertaining trailers to melt the heart of every Disney Animation fans.

While I can't wait to see the Scandinavian posters, the ones we've seen so far are quite beautiful.  These French posters are quite lovely to look at, and when you placed them together you get a surprisingly magical image.  It's nice to have Disney Magic back, isn't it?

And just wait until you see some of the posters for Big...

Retro Woman...

If you've watched DC Nation on Cartoon Network before, tomorrow there's a nice surprise...

As well as shows like "Beware The Batman", the Network also had several experimental shorts.  Many of them quite interesting, including a very hip one that premieres tomorrow.  While the Bunny Suits sit around and try to figure out how to work Princess Diana into the DC Cinematic Universe, television has found a way to make a really bizarre short about the Amazon.

The new animated short done like a 70's blacksploitation film, with very good, stylized animation really is entertaining.  Hopefully, there'll be more these.  Maybe even cameo guess stars?  Would it be interesting to see Superman show up in an Afro?  Maybe the Flash and bellbottoms ?  Batman driving a big Cadillac Batmobile all pimped out? Now that would be wild.  Meanwhile, Warner Bros. struggles to figure out who'll get the next green lantern.

I mean green light...

Haunted Determination...

Finally, Guillermo del Toro revealed some scary news about his Haunted Mansion reboot...

Scary because it's sad.  In an interview with /Film (who graciously posted an article about/linking my WDAS  slate scoop before the Mouse had them take it down) he gives an update on what is happening.  He and Matthew Robbins draft of the screenplay is waiting for a new writer to take it on.  A very big writer, but he doesn't want to mention the name. But he is open to other writers, if they find the right one.

He says that Disney is excited to make the film, but he lets slip the news that he will only be producing it.  While having him write the film and produce it means that the tone will more likely be a successful film, the announcement that he was not directing it is a major disappointment.  So if he won't direct it, who would be a great alternative?  How about Alfonso Cuaròn?   That would calm my fears about Del Toro not helping the film.  Of course, that's just fanboy wishing.

Or maybe that's just me giving the director a very strong hint...

To Infinitum And Beyond...

At the moment when all the critics are saying Johnny Depp's star is fading, the Mouse doubles down...

Those of you that haven't heard, the actor is being reported as nearing a deal to portray the Mad Hatter again in a sequel to "Alice in Wonderland".  What wasn't focused on quite nearly as much in that news is the actors first look deal with Disney through his production company, Infinitum Nihil.  Together, Depp's company will develop projects that will be potential starring, and for producing vehicles under his shingle .

One of those projects is a sequel to the live-action blockbuster "Alice in Wonderland", but other projects will be developed as well.  One of these could be the biopic Paul Revere which his company has been developing with screenwriters Janet Scott Batchler and her writing partner/husband Lee Batchler, currently being rewritten by E. Nicholas Mariani (and many of you will remember that one of my favorite screenplays, "Smoke & Mirrors").  Other projects will be there else as well, but Disney has right of first refusal.  Not all pictures that Infinitum Nihil are developing happen to be family oriented, so it's unsure right if these projects could/would possibly be distributed under the Touchstone Pictures banner, or possibly even the Hollywood Pictures banner.    


While some in Hollywood have speculated that the staying power of this blockbuster actor is now on the wane, the Mouse's Suits in Burbank have planted a flag stating that they still have every confidence in Captain. Jack Sparrow and all his iterations beyond that iconic character.  Jerry Bruckheimer's deal with Disney may not be so bright though. His contract is set to close out in 2014 and at the very least with the recent box office disappointments ("Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time", "The Lone Ranger", etc.), it will most likely be renegotiated with much less lucrative compensation.

Johnny Depp's relationship with the studio looks to go to infinity, and beyond...

Clear Road Ahead...

The future under The Hat Building is being revealed...

When the schedule was announced a couple of weeks ago, a lot of people were confused as so many of the films coming out from Walt Disney Animation Studios had the same name: "untitled".  Well, perhaps it should've just been said unrevealed.  Because now we will slowly start to give you a hint as to what lies ahead, and what you can be prepared to see over the next few years.

Other sites have started to get an inkling as to what is ahead, so I've been given permission to reveal a  little more of what's ahead by my Bothans.  After "Frozen" comes out this year (expect the actual trailer out around "Cloudy 2") we have next year's most unusual animated film yet with the Marvel adaptation of "Big Hero 6" to make an impression on Disney fans like no film before it.  WDAS takes a year break before starting back again on 2016 with Byron Howard's (sans Greno who was attached before his own project) "Zootopia" staring a very foxy Jason Bateman.  Then Nathan Greno's new twist on fairy tales entitled "Giants" which will show you how much his influence on "Tangled" truly was ends out 2016.

After a short break we'll finally get Ron and John's next feature, "Moana" which will be a Polynesian tale involving the island folk and the idols made famous the world over.  It will also mark the directing duo's first computer animated film, or at least computer hybrid animated film (think "Paperman").  Following that, if story issues are worked out Dean Wellin's teenage space race animated film will rush to the screens.  Wellin's film is an unusual story that is different from most Disney Animation, just as Big Hero 6 marks a change in perception of what comes from the Mouse.

After that there are a couple projects being developed right now that are way too early to really get into.  But as you can see, the list of animated films coming ahead are more than just fairy tales.  And John Lasseter is working hard to make sure that the quality and content are focused and entertaining the way that fans expect animated films from Burbank.  So to put it in chronological perspective for you here is the schedule:


Frozen (2013)

Big Hero 6 (2014)

Zootopia (2016)

Giants (2016)

Moana (TBA, likely 2018)

Untitled Dean Wellin's  animated feature ( TBA, likely 2018)


Just get some animated shorts in front of them...

Silver Bullet To The Head...

Well it looks like the Mouse's "The Lone Ranger" lives up to that name...

 As in lone. There won't be another. Not with the horse whipping it got over the weekend.  For those of you that didn't notice, Walt Disney Pictures latest film had a disastrous weekend.  For the second year in a row, Disney had a major box office flop.  It appears that when it came time to write the script, no one knew how to get a take on this character.  So the result was an unevenness, tonally incoherent story that pleased no one.

Hollywood in general, and Disney specifically had no idea of what to do with a character that is a goodie-two-shoe.  A hero that does the right thing has to be looked at with suspicion instead of admiration.  Sadly, this is something that Disnet should excel at.  But for some reason they had to attempt a watered down version of "Unforgiven" on a character that was supposed to inspire the better part of people.

And inso doing they got beat by a film that is filled with optimism and laughter.  I don't blame the actors, I blame the film makers who should have known better.  Gore Verbinski's knows how to make a Western as he has done with "Rango", which was a cowboy film by default.  In this one, he and the producers along with willing writers came up with a story they wanted to tell with a hero they were ashamed of.

It is they that should be ashamed...

Forecast, Extended Reign…

It looks like Bob Iger is going to be around a few more months than expected…

Those of you that haven't seen it yet, the news came out yesterday that Bob Eiger will retain his CEO title in addition to his chairman title until the expiration of his contract in 2016.  Originally, he was supposed to relinquish the CEO title in April 2015, while retaining the chairmanship title until the expiration of his contract in 2016.  Now they both will end together.  This means his leadership will not be split, and it also gives him and the board more time to decide on a successor.

It's going to be a difficult position, many people will be vying for that title as I mentioned in a previous post.  Right now, the odds on favorite is Tom Staggs, but other powerful people are still in the running.  This includes two people who weren't even at the company a year ago, Kathleen Kennedy and Alan Horn.  Lastly, there is the Dark Overlord, Jay Rasulo.  Let's cross our fingers that that one doesn't happen.

So what does all this mean?  Well, it means that Iger will be there through the end of his contract, and the players have a little more time to show their worth.  Three years worth.  That's a long time in the entertainment business, a lifetime compared with any other.  It'll be interesting to see how the jockeying goes over the next couple of years.  The CEO and Chairman of the largest entertainment company in the world is leaving it in an even bigger position that it was under Eisner.  His successor will have to do a lot of shuffeling to compete in this global market that entertainment has transformed into over the last decade.  The world is a lot different than it was at the beginning of this century.

Even the Disney World…

Cold Story...

I know many were not thrilled with the teaser for WDAS's  "Frozen" when it came out...

But it was just a scene from the film.  Not a full teaser, or trailer.  It was meant to show you that a new animated film was coming from the Mouse.  And it was supposed to let you know that it was funny.  Well, not everyone liked it.  Don't worry, the next trailer, and yes, it is a trailer, will give you much more.

The first actual trailer for the film will be out before you know it, and it's a much better look at the story.  In fact it actually tells you what the story is.  It fleshes out the narrative and lets you get to get a better look at the world and who lives in it.  For those that wanted a real look at the film, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

This actual trailer won't leave so many in the cold...