Free Of The Mountain...

Famed Archaeologist freed from unknown red tape...

Been keeping an eye on things even though I haven't posted lately.  I said I'd try to do a few posts before Blue Sky goes quite for a while.  This story is enough to make my fingers reach for the keyboard.  I'm sure you've heard the news, and if you haven't why are you reading this?

When The Walt Disney Company bought Lucasfilm last year, it was primarily for the Star Wars franchise. But George Lucas' company has many other valuable properties, but none more valuable besides Luke Skywalker than the Man in the Hat.  Many people thought that the Mouse would not do anything with the iconic character because of entanglement of distribution rights that belong, not to it but to Paramount Pictures.

Sure, Disney owned the character, but to distribute it they had to go through the original studio that Lucas and Spielberg partnered with back in 1979.  This all comes from a deal that then Paramount executive Michael Eisner made with the two wunderkind storytellers.  Many people thought that Iger and the Mouse Suits around him wouldn't want to deal with the hassle of the previous contracts and hoops the studio would have to jump through.

It appears now that they/we were wrong.

According to Variety today, the Walt Disney Studios has negotiated an agreement with Paramount Pictures where the new owner has distribution rights to all new films related to the classic adventure. Paramount does retain distribution rights to the original four films, and will receive a percentage of the profits from any new films of this valuable franchise.

Although this doesn't mean that Walt Disney Pictures has a Indiana Jones film in the pipeline, it does clear the way for one. And with Harrison Ford's interest in playing the character again it looks like the green light could soon be given, if it hasn't already been.  Hopefully they will play this smart and hire the right people for it. No more space aliens even if it fits the 1950s Red Scare time period.  I would immediately get Lawrence Kasdan to brainstorm ideas with Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas over the coming months.

Once a great idea is approved, hire someone who is capable of creating great screenplays like Mark Protosevich or the hot flavor-of-the-month Simon Kinberg.  Any film that they make would likely be Ford's last adventure as the character since he is 72 years old and I can't imagine him in a sixth film because it would probably involve a wheelchair.  Let's face it, if there's an Indy VI then the MacGuffin will have to search for him instead of the other way around.

I'm sure after that Disney will want to continue such a valuable creation, but it leaves me fearful of the character's future. Sure, I would love to see an Indiana Jones Animated Series, or maybe an Indiana Jones animated film. But Harrison Ford IS Indiana Jones. Just like he IS Han Solo.  It's hard to imagine anyone with his form of masculinity playing those characters. Then again, I guess it would be hard for some to have pictured anyone taking over James Bond from Sean Connery, but someone did. Many, many times.

It might just be my soft spot for the portrayal he created in the character that sprang forth from his performance, but I have trouble imagining a future reboot/reinterpretation of the whip carrying, pistol packing, hat wearing archaeologist from America.  It could happen, and it likely will. But it won't be the hero from the past, his, yours or mine.  Sometimes it's hard to let go of things, even when you know it's right.  People, characters, and events seem to attach themselves to your heart and create a bond that is hard to separate.

Like the red tape Doctor Jones just was set free from...

Telling & Teasing A Tale Of The Dark Fairy...

So we've now got a idea of what the world of "Maleficent" reveal to us...

And it looks a lot like the animated film. "Sleeping Beauty".  Only in live-action.  The one sheet we got yesterday was just a head shot of Jolie with horned headgear on full display.  The trailer was much more expansive, revealing a detail and quality that hopefully will be backed up by an equally impressive script.  And as that script was worked on by Paul Dini I have hope that it will be great considering Dini's strong stories involving female characters.

Time will tell...

The Real Star Wars Holiday Special...

It looks like the Mouse is going to be giving us presents for years to come...

Maybe that post should say specials, as in plural.  Between the three episode films, which will now obviously be out in December and the two spinoff films which will most likely come out during the holidays as well, we will have at least five years of joyous Christmas gifts to open.  Essentially, five holiday specials over five years.  And thankfully, no sign of Bea Arthur anywhere.

Those of you hiding in a hole probably don't know about the recent announcement of the release date of "Episode VII" being December 18, 2015.  Now the three people that didn't know actually do.  I know that some of the hard-core purist will be upset that a May release date is not in the cards, but I prefer the film to be good and later, then bad and a slave to tradition.

The Lucasfilm Suits know that we don't want another disappointment like we got when the Prequels debuted.  J.J. Abrams and his crew are working hard to make sure we get the film we deserve, not the one some fans fear.  Being as Abrams is a fan, we shouldn't have to worry as much. The absence of the Jedi Master will make sure the minds are not clouded in the creation of this new chapter in the galaxy.  No more Jar Jars, no Midi-chlorians, please.

Starting next year we'll be getting new content for the next six years. Star Wars Rebels will bridge us between this year and the 2015 debut of the Sequel Trilogy.  I have a feeling after "Episode IX", they might take a breather, but there should be periodic films every two or three years from then on. Star Wars, specifically new Star Wars theatrical adventures should be a part of our future for decades to come. For fans of the series, and science fiction/science fantasy fans and geeks the world over it's great news.  Now if we can just get the Prequels released in a special edition that takes out all the bad parts.

Sadly, that would mean that "Episode I" wouldn't be very long...

A Few Months Ago In A Galaxy Far, Far Away...

So the earth shattering news is that "Episode VII" moves quietly forward...

It appears that after almost a year working on the next Star Wars, Michael Arndt is stepping away.  J.J. Abrams and veteran Lucas collaborator, Lawrence Kasdan are taking over screenwriting duties.  Some will take this as a sign of doom while I take it as just building on what has already been constructed.  Remember that Leigh Brackett's script was tossed out and Kasdan was brought in to fashion the best chapter of the series.  That is another reason I'm not worried.  This man wrote "The Empire Strikes Back" and the Greatest Film of All Time.

Here's the official press release from the Mouse's Lucasfilm division:

MASTER FILMMAKING TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR STAR WARS: EPISODE VIIOctober 24, 2013

As Episode VII continues pre-production, Lawrence Kasdan and director J.J. Abrams have assumed screenwriting duties for the film. Kasdan, who has been serving as a consultant on the film, is a veteran of several classic Lucasfilm productions, writing the screenplay for Raiders of the Lost Ark and serving as co-screenwriter for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Acclaimed director and screenwriter Abrams’ credits include Super 8, Mission: Impossible III, Fringe, and Lost. 

“I am very excited about the story we have in place and thrilled to have Larry and J.J. working on the script,” states Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “There are very few people who fundamentally understand the way a Star Wars story works like Larry, and it is nothing short of incredible to have him even more deeply involved in its return to the big screen. J.J. of course is an incredible storyteller in his own right. Michael Arndt has done a terrific job bringing us to this point and we have an amazing filmmaking and design team in place already prepping for production.”

Location scouting, production design, casting, and costume design are already underway on Episode VII. A team of gifted artists are working to bring the latest installment of the Star Wars saga, including director of photography Dan Mindel (Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness), production designers Rick Carter (Lincoln, Avatar, Forrest Gump) and Darren Gilford (Oblivion, TRON: Legacy), costume designer Michael Kaplan (Star Trek Into Darkness, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Fight Club),special effects supervisor Chris Corbould (Skyfall,The Dark Knight Rises, Inception), sound designer Ben Burtt (Lincoln, Wall-E, Star Wars: Episodes I-VI), re-recording mixer Gary Rydstrom (Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, Toy Story, Mission: Impossible -Ghost Protocol), supervising sound editor Matthew Wood (Star Trek Into Darkness, The Master, There Will Be Blood) of Skywalker Sound, and visual effects supervisor Roger Guyett (Star Trek Into Darkness, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith) of Industrial Light & Magic. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, with Tommy Harper (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Jack Ryan, Star Trek Into Darkness) and Jason McGatlin (Tintin,War of the Worlds) serving as executive producers. John Williams is returning to score Star Wars: Episode VII. 

Shooting is scheduled to begin Spring 2014 at Pinewood Studios for an expected 2015 release.

Of course, this delay could mean the release date will change to the holidays meaning that light sabers will likely battle big blue smurfs (possibly Episode VIII at least).  Which doesn't bother me at all.  I care that that get the story right.  If it's December instead of May, I'm happy with that.

It'll be a really wonderful Christmas gift...

Countdown To Extinction Bumped...

Nobody ever remembers that you slipped a film, but they will remember a bad film.

- Ed Catmull

The dinosaurs have dodged the meteor...

The prehistoric creatures will live to star in the Lamp's next film.  Just not in 2014.  The film "The Good Dinosaur" that was scheduled to open on May 30, 2014 will now open on November 25, 2015.  If that date sounds familiar it's because that was the release date for "Finding Dori".  And I mean was because it has now been bumped to summer 2016.

There still has been no decision on who will take the helm, although an announcement should be coming soon.  This leaves 2014 without a Pixar film.  But don't feel sad for long as you'll get two films in 2015.  John Lasseter and Ed Catmull are ultimately concerned about getting the story right, not meeting a release date.  If they could have met the original date they would have.

Now the dinosaurs have a little breathing room having escaped extinction...

Successful Flight...

I know a great many Disney fans were passionate about their dislike of "Planes" from DisneyToons...

Or maybe the correct word would be dispassionate.  Many have decried the effort to make this film.  Many of the same didn't even bother to see it.  A great argument was made that it would fail, with a few openly wishing as much.   Websites, blogs and commenters have written about its opening box office as proof of its failure.

And those that were bragging about this have turned out to be way, way wrong.

Success for the Mouse or any other studio isn't determined by what we like or what we want.  It's what the market wants.  It's what the world likes.  It what life has a taste for, not how we want an image of something we love to appear as.

The direct to DVD film which got a theatrical release cost around $50 million ("Elysium"which came out the same week cost twice as much) to make and has generated around $138 million so far.  This is in addition to the merchandising sales, home video sales and interactive media.  So all this is essentially gravy to the suits in Burbank.  This is why the property is considered an evergreen IP.  Which is why the sequels to it are on the way.

This is the future of the DisneyToons production schedule.  It's the structure that was set up when John Lasseter took over most animation at the company.  The plans for the Cheapquells was scrapped and a plan was constructed to have the studio handle Disney related properties that weren't the main iconic characters of the films.  They wouldn't tred on the main story, but instead would sort of dance around it.

This was how the Tinker Bell series was resurrected from the ashes of the original plan and this is how the Planes idea came to pass.  As well as the upcoming stories this division makes in the future.  While it's not my cup of tea, it does have an audience and the quality of the films is far above what we were getting with "Cinderella III" and most of the other offerings that came out of the company before the Lamp's bosses took over.

It's not the films I watch, but not everything the Mouse does is.  We should all remember that the studio makes entertainment for many people. We can all have our own piece of the pie without having to worry what others are eating.  

After all, there are plenty of films for us to enjoy over the next few years as Blue Sky let you know a couple months ago.  There are plenty of films and new series coming from Walt Disney Pictures for us to critique without having to worry about these little toys.

We have plenty to play with in the toy box...

Lost In Space...

Not everything that starts out in the Hat Building always makes it out...

Just ask the creators of "My Peoples", "Musicana", "Hare in My Soup" or a number of orher animated films/shorts that started out blasting off the creative launch pad only to crash and burn years down the line.  But when projects die at Walt Disney Animation Studio, it's more like a slow, cold, isolated death.

There is usually no person to come in and tell you it's over and you're let go.  The words: "You're Fired!" rarely come out of the suit that's been avoiding you.  Instead, it's the loneliness of working on something that will never be seen.  It's the calls that aren't returned.  Or maybe the meetings that can never be set up.  The silence of walking down the hallway after working all night trying to get the kinks out of the story you've been working on for months, or years on some projects.  Such is the case of projects that just aren't working out, or of a creative falling out with the ones above you.

That appears to be the case on Dean Wellins "space race" film.  It was an attempt at something daring, but each passing version of it has fallen further from its goal.  While the film isn't dead, it is in the process that films go through before they fall off the chart as its creator moves on to another project or another studio.  No recognizable advancement has happened on the story for some time now.  It's moved further down the line as each project that is in better development moves ahead of it.

This shouldn't reflect badly on Dean.  He's a great animator and compelling storyteller.  Sometimes even a good idea can't find it's way out into the world.  It took "The Snow Queen" many years and several directors to make to the point someone was confident enough to green light it for production.  And even then, "Frozen" will bare little resemblance to the Hans Christian Andersen story, much less the first reels of the original animated version.  Sometimes stories move beyond their creators, and their creators simply move on.

There might be a story breakthrough on it.  There is time with so many films already in front of it.  But time isn't the main problem, story is.  While the project began like "Big Hero 6" as a story unlike any typical Disney animated film.  The Marvel project has moved forward, the adventurous attempt to capture Millenials with a tonal story involving science fiction, outer space and teen racing hasn't.  At least not enough to advance closer to production.  Several projects that were proposed after it have moved in front of it.

Hopefully this race doesn't get cancelled...

The Dark Fairy's Brilliant Bard...

I've looked forward to seeing "Maleficent" from the moment I heard of it...

But now I am even more excited about the film, and the reason is simple.  It's not Angelina Jolie, it's not the director, Robert Stromberg, and it's not the writer, Linda Wooverton.  Ok, it's not the original writer.  It's the other writer that is attached to the film.

Paul Dini.

He's the reason this film could be great.  Not only is he responsible for the best animated series ever on television: "Batman: The Animated Series", but he's written some of the best animated series, comics and video games ever created.  

He is highly praised by fan geekdom, but not given near enough credit as a writer.  And as a writer he's known to write some very great stories that are about women.  Dini created the Joker's sidekick, Harley Quinn.  Some of his best episodes of BTAS involved female protagonist/characters.  He's a fountain of pop-culture that is perfect to take on this iconic Disney fairy.

Knowing that his prose is going to be on the pages these actors read is a huge benefit to the believability of this story.  Dini knows character.  Heck, he knows characters.  Not only comics, but cultural. He's able to handle the worlds of Star Wars, Batman, and yes, Disney.  The fact that he's handled diverse comic book characters like Poison Ivy, Barbara Gordon, Catwoman, to his own Jingle Belle, make him perfect for handling a Disney princess like Aurora or the Dark Fairy who cursed her.

Maybe if this does well they'll actually let him tell a story from the princesses point of view?  Perhaps John Lasseter would/could get him to help write one of Walt Disney Animation Studios' films?  And then hopefully someone will get Kathleen Kennedy to have him work on his/my, dream project:  "Indiana Jones the Animated Series".  He does want to do it after all.

If he runs into Kennedy on the Burbank Lot maybe they can strike up a conversation…

A Better Tomorrow...

We now have a clearer idea of what Brad Bird's "Tomorrowland" will be...

With an official press release from Disney about the beginning of shooting in Vancouver, a new synopsis has been released.  It gives a much more expansive description of what the film will be, while still shrouding the story in enough mystery to make everyone wonder what Bird and Lindelof have in store for us.  Here is the release;

DISNEY’S “TOMORROWLAND” BEGINS FILMING IN VANCOUVER
STARRING ACADEMY AWARD® WINNER GEORGE CLOONEY, HUGH LAURIE, BRITT ROBERTSON, RAFFEY CASSIDY AND THOMAS ROBINSON 

Burbank, Calif. (Aug. 26, 2013) —Principal photography has begun on Disney’s mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” starring two-time Academy AwardÒ winner George Clooney (“Michael Clayton,” “Syriana”), Hugh Laurie (“Monsters vs. Aliens,” “Arthur Christmas”), Britt Robertson (“Under The Dome”), Raffey Cassidy (“Dark Shadows,” “Snow White and the Huntsman”) and Thomas Robinson (“The Switch”). 

The film is directed, produced and co-written by two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird (“Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” “The Incredibles”). Damon Lindelof (“Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Prometheus”) and Jeffrey Chernov (“Star Trek,” “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol”) are also producers. The screenplay is written by Brad Bird and Damon Lindelof from a story by Lindelof & Jeff Jensen and Brad Bird. 

Jeff Jensen and John Walker (“The Incredibles”) will executive produce with Bernard Bellew (“Les Misérables,” “28 Weeks Later”) and Tom Peitzman, VFX producer (“Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol,” “Alice in Wonderland”) serving as co-producers. 

Bound by a shared destiny, a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy-genius inventor jaded by disillusionment embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory as “Tomorrowland.”   

Bird has gathered a great team behind the lens with Oscar® winning director of photography Claudio Miranda (“Life of Pi,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”), production designer Scott Chambliss (“Star Trek,” “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Cowboys & Aliens”), Oscar® nominated costume designer Jeffrey Kurland (“Inception,” “Ocean’s Eleven”) and Academy Award®-winning editor Walter Murch (“The English Patient,” “Cold Mountain”). 

“Tomorrowland” will be released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on December 12, 2014.

The trailer for this is going to be so welcome...

The Mechanics Of Cars…

Pixar has had a long running streak of sucess in animation...

For most of its slate, the Lamp has not only had financial hits, but critical hits as well.  Out of these films the low bar by many is considered the "Cars" film series (yes, there will be more films from the inhabitants of Ornament Valley).  And even though the film is one of the least loved by animation fans, it's still a much better film than ninety-percent of everything out there.

There have been many critics of these films, but the one thing that can't be argued is the success of it among sales of merchandise.  It falls just behind the mouse and bear in terms of earnings.  There are a lot of fans out there of anthropomorphic metal creations.  And there are also a lot of people that hit a logical roadblock there as well.

A lot of people had this problem with the first film, and the second, and even the new DisneyToon Studios spinoff, "Planes" which opened this weekend.   Take the review of that film by Capone over at Ain't It Cool, or Drew McWeeny's review of the film over at Motion Captured.  There is a common thread of confusion or detachment from the ability to suspend disbelief in a world of talking vehicles.  While the Transformers get a pass, the cars, planes, trains and ships get no such break.

It all comes down to the question of where the humans are?  Or where did they go?  This is the psychological pothole in the road that has some people hitting the brakes on enjoying what happens next.  Well, I'm here to put an end to this question.  I'm here to tell you where the humans are in the world of Cars.  Or to put it more precisely, I'm going to define what humans are in this world/reality.

Humans are the souls of these cars.  The souls are the drivers, the conscience of the automobile.

That is why you don't see them, yet the cars seem to function as a repository for them.  We are watching the world through their experiences and that is reason they're not visible.  Souls can't be seen, but they're there.  What you see in the personality of the vehicles, is reflective of the human that owns it. The experiences you see are from the unliving objects point of view based on the guidance of the driver, the soul.

When you see Mater interacting with Lightning or Sally, you're getting a look into the unseen soul of the driver of that car, or plane.  The actions that they do are the result of the decisions of the soul.  He/she is the one that puts his/her foot on the gas and he/she is the one that decides the destination and makes the decisions.  When the wheels move, the heart follows.  The driver takes you on the journey.  So the next time you watch one of those films, imagine the souls guiding the action of the events that unfold.  Think about your soul: the one you know you have, but isn't really visible to the naked eye.  It's the driver of your actions, the lead foot on the gas pedal of your choices.  Even though it's not tangible to you, you know it's there.

Just like the unseen driver that is the soul in each piece of metal that rolls down the street chasing tractors for fun...

Bird Watching...

So those rumors of J.J. Abrams leaving "Episode VII" circling about...

Alan Horn put an end to them at D23 Expo 2013 yesterday, unless he's not in the loop with the director.  Which I have to say is unlikely.  So, with JJ moving full steam ahead directing the latest episode, one has to wonder if they are moving ahead planning for who will direct the next one.  It is unlikely that Abrams will direct the rest of the series as it will keep him occupied for the rest of the decade were he to do so.  As much as a fan as he is, I don't expect him to want to be tied exclusively to nothing but Star Wars for that long a time.  I mean, look at what it has done to George.

So the question becomes who will direct Episode VIII?  My response would be the person I wanted to direct Episode VII.

Brad Bird.

Now I know it's early, but Kathleen Kennedy isn't going to want to wait too long before looking ahead to who will helm the franchise after the next film.  Unlike the original trilogy, or even the Prequel's where there were three years between each film, this new one will have a film out every other year.  This will mean that by the time EP7 is in post, they will have to be preparing the next film already.  Not long after the film is released they will be very close to starting production on the next one.  That is how tight the schedule will be.

And many like myself were hoping that Bird would get the nod, but as he has talked about in interviews, the director is too busy with his current project: "Tomorrowland".  That film comes out next year, and he will just so happen to be looking for his next project.  Hello luck, meet opportunity.  I hope that Horn and Kennedy are being proactive and focusing on the great chance they have here.  He's ripe for the picking.  Imagine the continuation of the new trilogy under his command?

It could be "The Empire Strikes Back" of this Postquel...

Big Six...

 

So after "Frozen" comes out the Mouse moves in a very different direction...

And today at the D23 Expo guest got a tease of how different that would be with the news about "Big Hero 6".  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to be there this year. I have the real world pressing me so I had to make other plans. But luckily, I've seen what everyone else saw today.  And if you look around the web, you've noticed a reaction from people that have seen the clips and the concept art.  It is definitely Disney, but it is also different.

I've known about this for a while (I mean, what did you think Blue Sky meant when we said Don Hall was directing a marvelous film?), but they finally revealed the list of characters that are going to be in the film. And they're mostly from the second volume of the comic book, not the original comic. Keep in mind that these are adaptations of those characters, and they aren't exactly the same as the ones in the comics.  Don Hall wanted characters that weren't as well formed in the minds of comic book fans so that he could play with the characters more. He didn't want fans screaming at him that you didn't include this or you changed that.  So if you've read the comic, you'll enjoy the movie, but it will not exactly be the same.

Here are the list of characters in the film.  For those that know, and don't know:



Hiro Hamada  - Based on the comic character Hiro Takachiho, a brilliant teen with computer skills far beyond his age.

Baymax - The character is basically the same as the comic, he's almost like a robotic best friend, and is largely like the character in the comic, slightly Disneyfied.

Go Go - Known in the comic as GoGo Tomago, she is the bad girl of the group; the one with attitude and reflecting as an outsider in the group.  In the film she's a bike messenger.

Wasabi No Ginger - An assassin chef that is an expert knife thrower, think Bullseye if he were a cook.

Honey Lemon - She is the possible love interest for Hiro in the film, a chemist that he has a slight crush on.

Fred - Known in the comic as Fredzilla, he has the ability to transform into monstrous creature, thus explaining the name.  In the film he is a comic book geek.



A little note, if you watched the atmosphere teaser that came out a while ago, if you look inside the trolley going down the streets you can see Hiro's inside.  Just a little detail that you didn't know and might like.

And just wait until you see the first trailer…

Tommorow, Today..

This is a very important week for film fans...

It marks the start of filming of another Brad Bird film.  And I always say that any time that that man is making a film it's a momentous occasion.  Each work of his is a joy to behold. A little jewel, a cinematic treasure really, given to us to enjoy for two hours that allow us to step away from the world that is into a world That could/would be.  From his first, best film "The Iron Giant", to his stepping into live-action with the thrill filled fun of "Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol", Bird has never not amazed me.

This marks the first week of shooting of "Tomorrowland", a new film from Walt Disney Pictures, directed by Brad Bird from a script that Damon Lindelof co-wrote based on his own idea.  I expect nothing short of greatness from this film.  I've never been disappointed by his work, and I don't expect to be by this one.  Even with all the hype amd mystery that has surrounded it, I still have lofty expectations for this film.  With his amazing list of actors in it including George Clooney, Hugh Laurie and others, I look forward to an amazing experience.  And with each passing day, I expect us to get snippets of the supersecret story as more spy pictures come in and more details emerge.

I have to wonder how much, if any will be shot at Disneyland in Tomorrowland?  Or perhaps it will just be a metaphor for something very Disneyesque?  Bird is an accomplished and skilled storyteller who knows structure like very few directors do, much less screenwriters do. So if Lindelof's script piqued his interest, then it'll definitely peak mine.  If I were Alan Horn, I'd sign him up to an exclusive agreement for years so that every work of art he made had the Magic Kingdom's castle in front of it.

If the Bunny can have a Governor, then the Mouse should have a Bird…

Star Wars 3 Battlefronts...

Yes, I know many were disappointed that Battlefront 3 won't be out till 2015…

And from what I hear it will look pretty impressive. But a little news to tide you over till then that just might make you a little happier, that game isn't the only one that Electronic Arts has planned for you.

In fact, they have a couple more plan for you.

They won't be released anytime soon, and they are in an embryonic stage at this time, but there are a total of three games in development at the gaming studio.  The plans are evolving and nothing is set in stone of course, but there are other games already on the fast track. one of them is a space action shooter, and you can guess what that would be about, and the other is currently being developed as a online role playing game.  Neither game is a continuation of any former series, at least as of right now.

So in addition to DICE's Battlefront game, two other development teams are fast at work to give you even more fun with the Force.  Well the details are scarce right now, but plans are for one of these titles to be released early 2016, or late 2016.  That could change, as videogame releases tend to be quite mercurial.  At this time neither game is definitively scheduled to be released before the other, but they are both actively being worked on by game planners and Suits at Lucasfilm.

Yes, even Kathleen Kennedy is providing input on some of these titles.  And I've heard that there is talk of the screenwriters helping out with suggestions as well.  It is unknown right now if J.J. Abrams will have any input, but with his micromanaging of all things Bad Robot it is likely.

It appears that the Force will be with us a lot more than just on the battlefront…

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...

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…

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...

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...