Disney News

Category: Disney

  • Disney Developing African Princess Live-Action Fairytale

    Disney Developing African Princess Live-Action Fairytale

    Disney is developing a live-action fairytale film centered on an African princess currently title “Sadé.”

    The project was picked up based on a pitch by Ola Shokunbi and Lindsey Reed Palmer who will co-write the screenplay. The story follows a young heroine, named Sadé, as she attempts to save her kingdom from mysterious evil forces using her newly discovered magical powers, according to Deadline.

    The film marks the first-time that a female African character will lead an original Disney princess fairytale. Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog,” featured the studios first Black princess when it was released in 2009.

    Marvel’s “Black Panther,” set in the fictional African nation of Wakanda brought Disney massive success this year grossing $1.35 billion worldwide and is the third-highest domestic performer of all time at $700 million. Disney recognizes the popularity of underrepresented minority narratives in blockbuster films and is looking to continue that trend.

    A director has yet to be named. “Dope” director Rick Famuyiwa is attached to produce, while Scott Falconer will serve as exec producer.

  • ‘Incredibles 2’ Crosses $1 Billion Worldwide

    ‘Incredibles 2’ Crosses $1 Billion Worldwide

    Incredibles 2 hit the $1 billion mark globally on Monday, making it the seventh animated film to cross this threshold at the global box office.

    It is Disney’s fifth animated and 18th-ever billion-dollar release and joins Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War as Disney’s third release to reach the $1 billion milestone this year.

    The film, which holds an A+ CinemaScore and a 93% Certified Fresh on RottenTomatoes, has earned $574.0M domestically and $430.9M internationally for a global total of $1.005 billion through July 30.

    After setting a domestic box office record for biggest animated debut ever with $182.7 million (June 15–17), Incredibles 2 became the first animated film ever to surpass the $500 million mark in North America and now stands as the ninth biggest overall release in U.S. history. With Toy Story 3, Finding Dory and Incredibles 2, Pixar is the first and only animated studio to have released three billion-dollar films.

    Incredibles 2 continues its global rollout this week, opening in Japan tomorrow and in Spain on Friday, followed by Italy and Germany in September.

  • Disney, 21st Century Fox Shareholders Vote to Approve $71.3 Billion Merger

    Disney, 21st Century Fox Shareholders Vote to Approve $71.3 Billion Merger

    Disney’s acquisition of fox is nearly complete. Friday, shareholders approve Disney’s $71.3 billion acquisition of Fox entertainment assets.

    The tie-up brings together Marvel’s X-Men and Avengers franchises and creates an entertainment behemoth in the digital streaming era. The shareholder vote caps a saga that began in December 2017, when Disney made its first offer for part of Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomerate. It kicked off a bidding war with Comcast, which dropped out last week focus on attempted buyout of the European pay-TV operator Sky.

    The Fox deal will help Disney compete with technology players like Amazon and Netflix. The agreement is not expected to close for several months and still requires regulatory approvals.

    Source: AP

  • Disney Plans to Eliminate Plastic Straws From Theme Parks By 2019

    Disney Plans to Eliminate Plastic Straws From Theme Parks By 2019

    Disney is sharing another important step in their journey of environmental stewardship. By mid-2019, The Walt Disney Company announced today they will eliminate single-use plastic straws and plastic stirrers at all owned and operated locations across the globe, amounting to a reduction of more than 175 million straws and 13 million stirrers annually.

    The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to environmental stewardship goes back to our founding more than 60 years ago. Walt himself said that “conservation isn’t just the business of a few people. It’s a matter that concerns all of us.” Disney taken that message to heart and is acting on that commitment in big and small ways around the world.

    In fact, since 1995, the Disney Conservation Fund has directed more than $70 million to reverse the decline of wildlife around the world. We’ve also reduced our net greenhouse gas emissions by 41 percent in 2017 and diverted nearly 50 percent of waste from landfills and incineration in 2017, making significant progress on our long-term goal of attaining a net zero greenhouse gas emissions and zero waste, while conserving water resources.

    In addition, over the next few years Disney Parks will be transitioning to refillable in-room amenities in their hotels and on their cruise ships, reducing plastics in guest rooms by 80 percent. They will also reduce the number of plastic shopping bags in their owned and operated parks and on Disney Cruise Line, offering guests the option to purchase reusable bags at a nominal price. Finally, Disney will complete their work to eliminate polystyrene cups across their global owned and operated business.

    “These steps are part of our long-term effort to reduce single-use plastics, and we will continue recycling and responsibly disposing single-use waste that cannot be eliminated,” according to Disney.

    “Eliminating plastic straws and other plastic items are meaningful steps in our long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products. “These new global efforts help reduce our environmental footprint, and advance our long-term sustainability goals.”

    “Disney has always been inspired by nature – and it is a uniquely powerful brand that inspires, educates, and entertains, all at the same time,” said Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International. “Today’s announcement is more than about reducing single-use plastic waste, it’s also about showing millions of kids and adults from around the world the many ways we can change our daily habits to care for the oceans and protect nature that sustains us all. It also builds on Disney’s longstanding commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship, a legacy that stretches from the highlands of Peru to the islands of the South Pacific.”

  • Applications Now Open for Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort

    Applications Now Open for Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort

    Applications are being accepted now through Oct. 31, 2018, for the Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence magazine. This annual outside-the-classroom mentoring program is scheduled for March 21-24, 2019, at the Walt Disney Resort in Florida. The program helps 100 select high school students, ages 13-19, from across the United States jump-start their life goals and pursue their dreams.

    Disney Dreamers Academy turns the entire magical setting of Walt Disney World into a vibrant classroom. Students participate in a series of sessions and workshops designed to help them imagine bright futures, make exciting discoveries and learn how to put their goals into action. Disney Dreamers engage in a wide variety of experiences at Walt Disney World while working side by side with celebrities, community and industry leaders and Disney cast members.

    For more than a decade, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired young people from across the country by fueling their dreams and showing them a world of possibilities as they prepare for the future. Each year, students participate in hands-on, immersive career seminars in a wide range of disciplines found at Walt Disney World. Participants learn how to improve their communication skills, what it means to be a leader and networking strategies, among other skills. They are also inspired by celebrity speakers and other special guests who share their stories and provide insights on how to achieve their life goals.

    The second decade of Disney Dreamers Academy is focused on challenging young people to relentlessly pursue their dreams through the “Be 100” campaign. This promotional push is inspired by the powerful impact Disney Dreamers Academy has made on graduates, who have gone on to become doctors, nurses, engineers, pilots, journalists and more. Some have started their own public relations firms, while others have worked with national political leaders.

    Applicants must answer essay questions about their personal journeys and dreams for the future. Students are selected based on a combination of attributes, including strong character, positive attitude and determination to achieve their dreams. A parent or guardian accompanies each student on the trip.

    This four-day, all-expenses-paid experience at Walt Disney World will continue to help change the lives of young people in 2019. For more information or to apply, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com.

  • Disney Unveils First Image From Live-Action ‘Kim Possible’ Movie

    Disney Unveils First Image From Live-Action ‘Kim Possible’ Movie

    If you’re wondering “what’s the sitch” with the New live-action “Kim Possible” movie, then we have the details for you.

    The Disney Channel released promotional images for the forthcoming live-action motion picture this past weekend at San Diego Comic-Con showing Sadie Stanley, 16, in the titular role of the high schooler with an alter ego that has global implications.


    For those who don’t know, Kim Possible is a cheerleader and she saves the world, even on school nights. With her sidekick, Ron Stoppable and his naked mole rat Rufus they go through normal teenage life while saving the world.

    The original series which ran for 87 episodes was launched in 2002.  In 2003 it was nominated for an Emmy for outstanding animated program and it also inspired two animated Disney Channel movies.

    The “Kim Possible” movie also stars Sean Giambrone — who leads sibling network ABC’s The Goldbergs — as Kim’s loyal bestie Ron Stoppable. It’s executive produced by McCorkle, Schooley, and Zanne Devine, and co-directed and co-produced by Adam B. Stein and Zach Lipovsky.

  • No, Disney Is NOT Making Fortnite TV Show for Disney XD

    No, Disney Is NOT Making Fortnite TV Show for Disney XD

    Recently, rumors of a Fortnite TV show in the works for Disney have gained a lot of attention, but the hopes of Fortnite fans have been “knocked” as they find out the announcement made by a fake Twitter account isn’t real.

    If you’ve never heard of Fortnite, it’s a co-op fantasy ‘Battle Royale’-style survival game that was first released in July 2017. Earlier this year, it became the most-viewed game in YouTube history and the free-to-play game has attracted more than 125 million players globally. The games massive success made it easy for some to believe that a TV show was a real possibility.

    The rumors started after a Disney XD parody account tweeted the fake announcement of a Fortnite TV show leading many to believe a show was in the works as you can see in the post below.

    The fake announcement stated the show would premiere on August 12, 2019 and teased upcoming sneak peeks throughout the week and has been retweeted more than three thousand times.

    The parody account goes by the Twitter handle @DisnayXD and even uses a globe icon at the end of the username to convince users that it’s a verified account.

    The tweet gained enough attention to get addressed by an employee of Epic.

    Nick Chester tweeted condemned the tweet and anyone reporting it as fact, eliminating any question that a TV show is being made.

     

  • Disney Wins Bidding War Over Fox As Comcast Drops Out Of Battle

    Disney Wins Bidding War Over Fox As Comcast Drops Out Of Battle

    Disney and Comcast have been battling for months for control of Twenty-First Century Fox’s entertainment business, but today Comcast dropped out of the fight leaving Disney the winner of one of the highest-stakes duels in media history.

    “Comcast does not intend to pursue further the acquisition of the Twenty-First Century Fox assets and, instead, will focus on our recommended offer for Sky,” the company said in a statement Thursday.

    Comcast had been locked in a battle with the Walt Disney Company for the bulk of Mr. Murdoch’s Fox empire, with the cable company submitting a $65 billion offer for the assets last month topping Disney’s initial $52 billion offer. Disney quickly pushed back on Comcast’s offer with a higher bid of $71.3 billion, which Mr. Murdoch and his board quickly accepted. Shareholders for both Disney and Fox will vote on the proposed merger on July 27.

    CEO Brian Roberts, who had sought to outdo Disney given Comcast’s history with the company, which dates to an unsolicited takeover bid rebuffed by Disney in 2004, delivered a sporting statement. “I’d like to congratulate Bob Iger and the team at Disney and commend the Murdoch family and Fox for creating such a desirable and respected company,” he said.  The Department of Justice has already given the green light to Disney’s bid as long as it sells 22 regional sports networks.

    Comcast Corp. and Fox have been battling for Fox and Sky in order to amass more programming as they compete for viewers with both traditional TV networks and technology companies such as Netflix and Amazon.

    Comcast’s stock rose more than 2.5 percent today in premarket trading. Shares of Disney climbed 1.2 percent, while Fox’s stock dipped 1 percent before the opening bell.

  • Evan Rachel Wood and Sterling K. Brown in Talks To Join Frozen 2 Cast

    Evan Rachel Wood and Sterling K. Brown in Talks To Join Frozen 2 Cast

    Evan Rachel Wood and Sterling K. Brown are in talks to join the cast of Disney’s “Frozen 2”, the sequel to the 2013 Oscar-winning animated film.

    Both Wood and Brown fresh off their Emmy nominations, announced on Thursday morning. Wood is up for her work on HBO’s “Westworld,” and Brown is nominated for NBC’s “This Is Us” and Fox’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”

    “Frozen” grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide and won the Academy Award for best animated film in 2014. Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, and Josh Gad are returning to reprise their roles as Elsa, Anna, and Olaf.

    Directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck return to helm the film. Lee, who is penning the script as well was recently appointed chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studio after John Lasseter’s departure. She will split Lasseter’s duties with Pete Docter, who will oversee Pixar Animation Studios.

    “Frozen 2” is expected to hit theaters November 27, 2019.

  • Disney & ABC Television Receive 39 Emmy Nominations for 2018!

    Disney & ABC Television Receive 39 Emmy Nominations for 2018!

    The nominations for the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards were announced Thursday morning, and Disney and ABC scored a combined 39 nods from the Television Academy.

    ABC received 31 nominations—including six for Dancing with the Stars and five for black-ish—while Disney XD and Disney Channel added five, for a total 36 nominations for the Disney ABC television group. Together with Marvel Television’s three nominations, Disney programs collected a total 39 Emmy nominations.

    The Emmys air Monday, September 18 at 8pm EST.  Check out the full list of ABC nominees for 2018 below as well as some highlights from the past season. Congrats to all the ABC Emmy nominees!

    ABC

    American Koko
    Outstanding Actress in A Short Form Comedy or Drama Series, Diarra Kilpatrick

    black-ish
    Outstanding Contemporary Costumes
    Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, Anthony Anderson
    Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Tracee Ellis Ross
    Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, Wanda Sykes
    Outstanding Comedy Series

    Dancing with the Stars
    Outstanding Production Design for a Variety, Reality or Reality-Competition Series
    Outstanding Costumes For Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Programming
    Outstanding Hairstyling For a Multi-Camera Series or Special
    Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Series
    Outstanding Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series or Special (Non-Prosthetic)
    Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Series

    Grey’s Anatomy: B Team
    Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series

    How to Get Away with Murder
    Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, Cicely Tyson

    Jimmy Kimmel Live!
    Outstanding Variety Talk Series
    Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Series

    Modern Family
    Outstanding Sound Mixing for A Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation

    Once Upon A Time
    Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)

    The Oscars 
    Outstanding Production Design for A Variety Special
    Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
    Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media Within an Unscripted Program
    Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special
    Outstanding Music Direction
    Outstanding Variety Special (Live)
    Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series Or Special
    Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Limited Series, Movie or Special

    Roseanne 
    Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series
    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, Laurie Metcalf

    Scandal 
    Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, Viola Davis

    Shark Tank
    Outstanding Directing for a Reality Program
    Outstanding Structured Reality Program

    DISNEY CHANNEL

    The Scariest Story Ever: A Mickey Mouse Halloween Spooktacular
    Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance, Russi Taylor

    DISNEY XD

    Big Hero 6: Baymax Returns
    Outstanding Animated Program

    Star Wars Rebels
    Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)
    Outstanding Children’s Program
    Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation

    MARVEL TV ON NETFLIX

    Marvel’s Jessica Jones
    Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)

    Marvel’s The Defenders
    Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music

    Marvel’s The Punisher
    Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Drama Series, Limited Series or Movie