Disney News

Category: Disney

  • Dwayne Johnson to Replace Johnny Depp in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Film, Report Says

    Dwayne Johnson to Replace Johnny Depp in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Film, Report Says

    As Johnny Depp and Amber Head’s legal battle comes to a close, rumours regarding Dwayne Johnson replacing Depp as ‘Captain Jack Sparrow’ have started doing rounds on the internet.

    ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ producer Jerry Bruckheimer officially confirmed recently that a script is being developed with Margot Robbie as the lead character. When asked if Johnny Depp’s character ‘Captain Jack Sparrow’ would return, he said that currently there were no plans in the works.

    It doesn’t seem that Johnson would play the role of Captain Jack Sparrow, but rather would be a different character introduced in the franchise, similar to what will be seen with Margot Robbie’s spinoff film.

    Now, a report from Giant Freakin’ Robot indicates that Depp may never return in the role and, instead, Dwayne Johnson may be eyed for the next leading role in a Pirates of the Caribbean spinoff.

    The report reads:

    “It has already been announced by Jerry Bruckheimer that two spinoffs are in the works. One will see Margot Robbie take the lead of the franchise. The other is currently a mystery for now. However, based on our trusted and proven source, we can report that a third spinoff is in the works. This third Pirates spinoff will star Dwayne Johnson.”

    The Rock co-starred with Emily Blunt in Jungle Cruise, a film released in 2021. The positive link was enough reason to advance Johnson as the new protagonist.

  • Disney Developing Residential Communities Around the Country

    Disney Developing Residential Communities Around the Country

    Disney has announced plans to begin constructing vibrant new residential neighborhoods that are infused with their special brand of magic.

    Each community will feature distinctively designed spaces, unique amenities and Disney’s brand of world-renowned service.

    These master-planned, new home communities are intended to inspire residents to foster new friendships, pursue their interests and write the next exciting chapter in their lives —all while enjoying the attention to detail and special touches that are Disney hallmarks. For a closer look, take a peak at the video below:

    At each location, including some neighborhoods for residents ages 55+, Disney cast members trained in the company’s legendary guest service will operate the community association. Through a club membership, Disney will also provide access to curated experiences, such as wellness programming; entertainment ranging from live performances to cooking classes; philanthropic endeavors; seminars and much more.

    And where will the first one be? None other than a place that has known the footsteps of Walt Disney himself! Cotino, a Storyliving by Disney community, will be built in the heart of the Coachella Valley in Rancho Mirage, Calif. If you’re a Disney history fan, you might know that the brilliant mountain-ringed valley in the Greater Palm Spring area was once a rejuvenating retreat for Walt and Lillian Disney!

  • Seven Dwarfs Being Removed from the ‘Snow White’ Remake After Criticism

    Seven Dwarfs Being Removed from the ‘Snow White’ Remake After Criticism

    Peter Dinklage’s recently criticized of the forthcoming “Snow White” live-action re-make, particularly due to the depiction of the titular seven dwarfs and now Disney has responded.

    “To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement. “We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period.”

    The response came after the “Game of Thrones” actor expressed concern over the announced reimagining of the 1937 classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” the first full-length animated film from Disney, while appearing on the “WTF with Marc Maron” podcast.

    When discussing “West Side Story” star Rachel Zegler’s casting as the titular Disney princess, Dinklage said he was “a little taken aback” at the discrepancy in the “progressive” casting of a Latina actress as Snow White while telling a “backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together.”

    Rounding out the forthcoming film’s cast alongside Zegler is Gal Gadot (Red Notice) as the Evil Queen and Andrew Burnap (The Chaperone) in an unknown leading role. Neither of the three actors have spoken out about Dinklage’s comments at this time. 

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney has planned to retool the dwarf characters since the film’s “earliest stages” and is working with “cultural consultants” to ensure an inoffensive portrayal, as the company previously did with 2019’s Aladdin and 2020’s Mulan. However, the former faced criticism for darkening white extras with brown makeup during filming and its stereotypical portrayal of the Middle Eastern community. Similarly, the live-action remake of Mulan proved quite controversial amongst many Chinese critics for the film’s production team’s lack of diversity, inaccurate depictions of Chinese culture, and historical errors.

  • ‘Santa Clause’ Series Starring Tim Allen Coming to Disney Plus

    ‘Santa Clause’ Series Starring Tim Allen Coming to Disney Plus

    Disney has announced Tim Allen will return for a new Disney Plus series based on The Santa Clause movies.

    The new series will revisit Scott on his 65th birthday, when he realizes he can’t be Santa forever. He wants to spend more time with his family, especially his two kids raised in the North Pole, so he sets off to find a suitable Santa replacement.

    The first “Santa Clause” movie came out in 1994, and followed divorced dad Scott, who accidentally became Santa after the original gift-giver fell off his roof. After he puts on Santa’s red coat, he learns that there is a built-in contractual clause for the occupational risk of falling off roofs.

    This will now be the fourth time Allen has taken up the role of Calvin/Santa. He first starred in the film “The Santa Clause” in 1994, which was followed by two sequels in 2002 and 2006.

    Jack Burditt, who created the Allen-led comedy series “Last Man Standing,” will serve as executive producer and showrunner on “The Santa Clause” series. Allen will executive produce in addition to starring. Kevin Hench, Richard Baker, and Rick Messina will also executive produce. The Disney Branded Television series will be produced by 20th Television. Production on the series will begin in March.

  • Bob Saget, star of ABC’s ‘Full House,’ dead at 65

    Bob Saget, star of ABC’s ‘Full House,’ dead at 65

    Celebrated comedian and sitcom star Bob Saget has died at the age of 65.

    The stand-up comedian known for starring on Full House and hosting America’s Funniest Home Videos, died Sunday, the Orlando Sheriff’s Department confirmed.

    Saget died in his hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida. The Orange County Sheriff’s office confirmed the news on Twitter Sunday afternoon as you can see below:

    Best known for playing Danny Tanner in the ABC sitcom show, Full House from 1987-1995., he was also the first host of America’s Funniest Home Videos from 1989-1997. They also appeared in an episode with him on America’s Funniest Home Videos. In addition, he played Ronnie in the Fox/ABC Studios TV show, Grandfathered and appeared in the The Mickey Mouse Club.

  • Disney Patents a 3D World Simulator That Doesn’t Need a Headset Or Glasses

    Disney Patents a 3D World Simulator That Doesn’t Need a Headset Or Glasses

    Disney has filed a patent for a Virtual World Simulator that will allow it to simulate augmented digital worlds without the need for users to wear headsets or glasses.

    Disney Enterprises was approved for a “virtual-world simulator” patent during the last week of December. The technology would project 3D images and virtual effects onto physical spaces, according to the US Patent Office.

    The technology described in the patent would not be geared for large audiences but would instead track individual visitors around the parks and project images specifically for them on nearby objects, buildings and walls.

    Visitors could be tracked through their smartphones or other devices they are carrying so that the tracking information could be relayed to a computer connected to projection devices located throughout the theme parks. After locating the visitors, the “Virtual World Simulator” could project an image of a Disney character in front of the guests, with hidden speakers providing voices for an immersive experience, according to the patent.

    The Virtual World Simulator would use a SLAM technique — which stands for Simultaneous Localization and Mapping — to continuously track the ever-changing point of view of a visitor moving through a real-world venue.

  • Man Creates Christmas Lights Display Set to Disney’s ‘Frozen’

    Man Creates Christmas Lights Display Set to Disney’s ‘Frozen’

    A North Carolina man has set up a Christmas lights display, outside his house, choreographed to music including Disney’s Frozen theme song.

    Michael Shoaf strings up hundreds of lights on his house every year and treats his neighbors to a show.

    Shoaf started the tradition when he was a child and it has been carried on to each house he moved to.

    Now a professor of lighting and sound, and with a masters under his belt, Shoaf puts his qualifications to good use over the holidays.

  • Spider-Man: No Way Home Crosses $1 Billion at the Box Office

    Spider-Man: No Way Home Crosses $1 Billion at the Box Office

    “Spider-Man: No Way Home” cruised past the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office Sunday, according to Sony Pictures.

    After having the third-biggest worldwide opening of all time last weekend, Spider-Man: No Way Home has earned $467.3 million from domestic and $587.1 million from international markets to reach a global box office total of $1.05 billion over 12 days.

    “No Way Home” — which stars Tom Holland and Zendaya as Peter Parker and MJ as they battle villains from across the Marvel multiverse — is also the only film of the pandemic era to make $1 billion worldwide.

    It is the first film to reach $1 billion since “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” which was released in December 2019.

    Sony also said that “No Way Home” is now the top grossing film of the year worldwide.

  • Bob Iger Will Return as Disney’s CEO, Media Executives Predict

    Bob Iger Will Return as Disney’s CEO, Media Executives Predict

    Media executives predict Bob Iger will return as Disney’s CEO in 2022, according to a CNBC report.

    It hasn’t even been two years since Bob Chapek took over as Disney’s CEO. But one executive told CNBC there are already internal wagers at Disney about Iger returning.

    Iger, 70, repeatedly extended his contract after planning to retire in 2015, 2016 and 2018 before abruptly stepping down in 2020. He’s still Disney’s executive chairman until the end of the year.

    It’s unclear if Iger wants to return. He’s already working on a second book, according to The Hollywood Reporter, after publishing one in 2019.

    But Disney shares have stumbled this year, down nearly 20% year to date. Iger owns a lot of those shares. The board and Iger may get restless if Disney+ growth stagnates and the company continues to have turf tensions between executives.

  • BREAKING: MagicBand+ Coming Disneyland Resort in 2022

    BREAKING: MagicBand+ Coming Disneyland Resort in 2022

    MagicBand+ is headed to Disneyland Resort! The enhanced MagicBand+ wearable technology will come to Disneyland Resort in 2022, Disney Parks announced during today’s Destination D23 event.

    The original MagicBand was introduced in 2013 at Walt Disney World, making the guest experience in the parks and resorts more convenient and hands-free for things like park and guest room entry, retail and dining, Disney PhotoPass and more.

    This will mark the first time MagicBand+ will be available at Disneyland Resort, and it will have its own unique features to better enhance the guest experience with hands-free convenience and unlock moments of magic unique to Disneyland Resort guests.

    Disney Parks chairman Josh D’Amaro said the hands-free convenience of the next gen Magic Bands are designed to “enhance the guest experience” and “unlock unique moments of magic” at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.