Disney News

Category: Disney

  • Cogsworth Voice Actor David Ogden Stiers Dies at Age 75

    Cogsworth Voice Actor David Ogden Stiers Dies at Age 75

    David Odgen Stiers has died at the age of 75 after he lost his battle with bladder cancer.  The famous actor is best known for playing Major Charles Winchester on “M*A*S*H”, but for many Disney fans he is known as the voice of Cogsworth — the clock — from Disney’s 1991 animated classic “Beauty and the Beast.”

    The actor’s agent Mitchell Stubbs confirmed the saddening news Saturday night in an email.

    He died “peacefully at his home in Newport, Oregon after a courageous battle with bladder cancer,” the MKS Talent Agency tweeted.
    “His talent was only surpassed by his heart,” the agency added.

    The Emmy-nominated actor also provided the voice of a number of classic Disney characters including Beauty And The Beast’s Cogsworth, Governor Ratcliffe and Wiggins in ‘Pocahontas’ and Jumba in ‘Lilo and Stitch’.

    Stiers was twice Emmy nominated for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy or variety or music series for his work on “M*A*S*H”, but the accomplished award-winning actor also has more than 150 film and television credits. Beyond his beloved role in Beauty and the Beast the actor actually has multiple Disney credits to his name.

    In addition to serving as the voice of Cogsworth in “Beauty and the Beast”, we was also the narrator of the film. Additionally, he also voiced Governor Ratcliffe and Wiggins in Disney’s “Pocahontas” and voiced the Archdeacon in Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

  • Frozen 2 Director Hints Girlfriend For Elsa Is A Real Possibility

    Frozen 2 Director Hints Girlfriend For Elsa Is A Real Possibility

    Love is an open door, but the door has also been left open for the possibility of Elsa having a girlfriend in the upcoming Frozen sequel. Jennifer Lee, the director of Disney’s Frozen confirmed recently that there indeed are “tons of conversations” about Queen Elsa having a lesbian story arc in the film.

    From the moment it was released in 2013, Frozen was a phenomenon. The film smashed records, becoming the highest grossing animated feature of all time and it also became the first Walt Disney Studios picture to win the Academy Award for best animated feature. But it was more than a critically acclaimed fairytale, as it was quickly praised for its perceived pro-LGBTQ themes. The lyrics of the Oscar-winning song “Let it Go” especially received as a coming-out anthem due to the songs lyrics.

    “Couldn’t keep it in, heaven knows I’ve tried Don’t let them in, don’t let them see Be the good girl you always have to be Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know Well, now they know”

    The excitement in the community turned into a movement and fans launched petitions as well as the Twitter hashtag #GiveElsaAGirlfriend, in an effort to push Disney for a female love interest.

    Lee—who also wrote the original 2013 Disney smash hit—said the Frozen team are conscientious of what the fans want and she isn’t ruling it out. “I love everything people are saying [and] people are thinking about with our film―that it’s creating dialogue, that Elsa is this wonderful character that speaks to so many people,” she said in a report from the Huffington Post. “It means the world to us that we’re part of these conversations. Where we’re going with it, we have tons of conversations about it”, she continued.

    While walking the Billboard Music Awards red carpet back in 2016, Singer and actress Idina Menzel, who sang the films oscar winning song “Let it Go”, gave a safe-yet-reassuring answer in regards to Elsa’s questionable sexuality. The actress said simply, “I think it’s great. Disney’s just gotta contend with that. I’ll let them figure that out.”

    There’s yet to be any official word on whether or not creators will actually move forward with a female love interest, so whether a future girlfriend for Elsa makes it into the film remains to be seen. Disney usually doesn’t say very much when it comes to discussing LGBTQ themes within its movies, but knowing that creators are actually considering the possibility should give supporters some hope.

    Frozen 2 is slated to hit theaters on November 27, 2019.

  • Disney Movies Anywhere Service Officially Shuts Down

    Disney Movies Anywhere Service Officially Shuts Down

    The Disney Movies Anywhere service has officially shut down as of Wednesday. They have been and encouraging users to transfer their movies to the ‘Movies Anywhere’ locker service, but thankfully consumers won’t actually lose their movies if they miss the shut-off date.

    The digital locker service was first launched in 2014 for Disney, Pixar and Marvel Movies. It gave users who had purchased these titles—on services like iTunes, Amazon or Google Play—the ability to transfer them to the Disney Movies Anywhere locker. Then they could stream and download them through the service’s apps. DVD or Blu-ray download codes could also be unlocked by users and watched on the app.

    With the service shut down users who still have the app installed are being prompted to transfer their account to Movies Anywhere. Users can also simply go to the Movies Anywhere website, sign up for a new account, and import their Disney Movies Anywhere titles from there.

    Again, if you missed the shut off date there is no need to worry. You can still transfer everything after the shut-off date and you can find all the details in the Movies Anywhere help section.

  • Disney Shakes-Up Movie Release Schedule With Some Big Changes

    Disney Shakes-Up Movie Release Schedule With Some Big Changes

    The Walt Disney Company announced Thursday a few date changes as well as some untitled release dates for the next few years of upcoming film releases. Some of the more notable changes are that Marvel’s “Avengers: Infinity War” will hit theaters one week earlier on April 27, 2018 and Disney’s live-action “Mulan” will be pushed back nearly a year and a half to March 27, 2020.

    Disney set release dates for 28 untitled films through February 2023 from Marvel, Pixar and Disney live action. Most of the films are still marked as untitled, but here is a few things we do know.

    There is no word on reasons for the push back of Mulan, but the cause for moving Avengers: Infinity War out of May, a month which will also see the release of Dead Pool 2 and Solo: A Star Wars Story, seems self-evident. It gives Infinity War another week to rake it in at the box office before those two juggernauts are released and it also gives and a little extra promo time for Solo: A Star Wars Story and we know the hype train for that movie has been traveling at much less than light speed.

    We know that Marvel Studios intends for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers 4 to mark the final chapter in Phase 3 of Marvel Cinematic Universe. They have been tight-lipped about what comes next in Phase 4, but with seven films slated after Avengers 4 it would seem Marvel boss Kevin Feige and Co. have ironed out some sort of path for Phase 4 of the MCU. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has already been confirmed by Director James Gunn, but after that it’s anyones guess.

    Another interesting move is that Disney has completely removed “Nicole” from its schedule. The female Santa Claus movie starring Anna Kendrick, was set to be released on November 8, 2019, but the holiday movie now is expected to make its way to Disney’s upcoming streaming service. The movie also got a title change when it got pulled from the theatrical release schedule going from Nicole to Noelle.

    Take look at the complete rundown of release dates below:

    AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR previously dated 5/4/18 moves to 4/27/18

    DISNEY’S CHRISTOPHER ROBIN is final title of previous UNTITLED CHRISTOPHER ROBIN PROJECT – previously announced date of 8/3/18 is unchanged

    MULAN previously dated on 11/2/18 moves to 3/27/20

    UNTITLED DISNEYTOON STUDIOS previously dated on 4/12/19 is now removed from schedule

    PENGUINS (DISNEYNATURE) now dated on 4/19/19

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated on 10/4/19

    NICOLE previously dated on 11/8/19 is now removed from schedule

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated on 11/8/19

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated on 2/14/20

    UNTITLED PIXAR ANIMATION previously dated on 3/13/20 moves to 3/6/20

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION previously dated on 4/3/20 moves to 5/29/20

    UNTITLED MARVEL previously dated 8/7/20 moves to 7/31/20

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated 10/9/20

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated 12/23/20

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated 2/12/21

    UNTITLED MARVEL now dated on 5/7/21

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated on 5/28/21

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated on 7/9/21

    UNTITLED MARVEL now dated on 7/30/21

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated 10/8/21

    UNTITLED MARVEL now dated on 11/5/21

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated on 12/22/21

    UNTITLED MARVEL now dated on 2/18/22

    UNTITLED PIXAR now dated on 3/18/22

    UNTITLED MARVEL now dated on 5/6/22

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated on 5/27/22

    UNTITLED PIXAR now dated on 6/17/22

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated on 7/8/22

    UNTITLED MARVEL now dated on 7/29/22

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated on 10/7/22

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated on 11/4/22

    UNTITLED DISNEY ANIMATION now dated on 11/23/22

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated on 12/16/22

    UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated on 2/17/23`

  • Disney Celebrate 90 Years of Mickey Mouse with the ‘World’s Biggest Mouse Party’

    Disney Celebrate 90 Years of Mickey Mouse with the ‘World’s Biggest Mouse Party’

    Mickey Mouse may be tuning 90 this year, but he still a kid a heart!  To celebrate this momentous occasion Disney announced today the launch of a world-wide celebration honoring 90 years of Mickey Mouse.

    Since his big-screen debut in Steamboat Willie on November 18, 1928, Mickey has been the global ambassador for The Walt Disney Company. The cross-company festivities will continue through 2018 and beyond and will include an exclusive fashion show, a new television special, a celebration at Disney parks and resorts and much more.

    The party kicks off on March 7 with “The Happiest Show on Earth”—a runway fashion event featuring a Mickey-inspired collection designed by couture brand Opening Ceremony founders Carol Lim and Humberto Leon. The show will also serve as Opening Ceremony’s Spring 2018 runway show and close out fashion week celebrations around the world. Select items from the Mickey collaboration will be immediately available for sale following the runway show at shopDisney.com, while the remaining ready-to-wear looks will hit stores in November. The iconic story of Minnie Mouse, who shares this milestone anniversary with Mickey and recently received her official star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, will also be celebrated at the fashion show.

    Disney’s collaboration with Opening Ceremony will serve as the launch of “Mickey the True Original”—a global celebration of Mickey’s heritage, personality and status as a pop-culture icon. The campaign will come to life through fashion collaborations with other true original brands, as well as engaging content and events that embrace Mickey’s impact on the past, present and future.

    The celebration continues throughout 2018 and beyond:

    • This fall, ABC will air a star-studded celebration of Mickey in honor of his birthday, with special guests, musical performances and more.
    • Disney Channel will debut season five of the Mickey Mouse animated shorts, taking the series total to more than 90 shorts, including a special seven-minute extended-length birthday episode that will air later this year.
    • Walt Disney Parks and Resorts around the world will celebrate Mickey’s 90th on November 18, marking the day with commemorative merchandise, photo locations and more.
    • Beginning in late 2018 and into 2019 the World’s Biggest Mouse Party, saluting Mickey and Minnie, will take place at Disney Parks worldwide.
    • Disney On Ice will salute Mickey as the “True Original” host of Disney On Ice since its inception in 1981 by creating Mickey’s 90th pre-shows for productions touring the United States, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
    • Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Special Celebration, a new production showcasing Mickey Mouse’s memories throughout the years, will launch in Japan in July 2018 and continue touring throughout the Asia-Pacific region until August 2019.
    • In France, 38 design and art schools will take part in “Mickey Is Art,” a unique contest in which students will craft works of Mickey, inspired by their favorite artistic movement. The winning designs will be displayed this summer in 12 major train stations in France and for sale this September at Galerie Glénat in Paris.
    • Disney store will continue to celebrate milestone moments for Mickey Mouse with the Mickey Mouse Memories Collection (launched Jan. 2018), a monthly, limited-release series of 12 collectible plush, mugs and cloisonné pins inspired by Mickey’s most memorable movie roles.
    • Disney Publishing Worldwide will introduce more than 30 titles globally as part of Mickey’s 90th, including books, arts & crafts and comics.

    In addition, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will be celebrating Mickey’s 90th throughout 2018:

    • D23 and the Walt Disney Archives, in partnership with Walt Disney Animation Studios, have commissioned legendary Disney animator Mark Henn to paint Mickey’s official 90th birthday portrait. Henn follows in the footsteps of artists such as Disney Legend John Hench, who crafted five of Mickey’s official portraits. Henn animated Mickey for Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983) and is currently at work on Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 (2018). The new portrait will debut on the cover of the fall issue of Disney twenty-three, a quarterly publication from D23.
    • This November, D23 will present Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse, a two-day event at Walt Disney World Resort featuring panels, presentations and fun-filled entertainment.
    • This year’s annual D23 Gold Member gift is an exclusive box set of 23 special Mickey Mouse mementos—authentic reproductions of such treasured keepsakes as pages from the script of Steamboat Willie and a miniature animation cel from Parade of the Award Nominees (1932).

    Mickey’s birthday is celebrated in honor of the release of his first theatrical film, Steamboat Willie, on November 18, 1928, at the Colony Theatre in New York City. Since then, he has starred in more than 100 cartoons and can currently be seen on Disney Channel in the Mickey Mouse cartoon series and on Disney Junior in Mickey and the Roadster Racers.

    To join the conversation on social, fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #Mickey90.

  • Disney Toys Return To McDonald’s Happy Meals

    Disney Toys Return To McDonald’s Happy Meals

    Disney and McDonalds are planning to put a little magic back in your Happy Meal!  Thats right! McDonald’s USA and the Walt Disney Co announced on Tuesday their first Happy Meal partnership in more than a decade.

    The new multi-year, non-exclusive agreement will begin in June with promotions, including Disney movie-themed Happy Meal toys, for “Incredibles 2,” followed in the autumn by “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2.”

    Though the companies did not announce how long the partnership will last, but they did say it is a multi-year deal.  The last time the two companies teamed up—it was a ten year deal—spanning from 1996 to 2006.

    The companies had to part ways for a while as Disney began self-regulating itself with voluntary guidelines that prohibited licensing Disney characters for foods that fail to meet minimum nutrition requirements.

    Since that time McDonald’s has taken steps to make their food healthier as well as Happy Meals more nutritious and less fattening. some changes have included adding fruit side options, smaller french fry portions and encouraging consumers to order water rather than soda.

    McDonald’s also plans to meet Disney’s nutrition guidelines, promising Happy Meals will meet the Disney standards by June 2018. McDonald’s has already recently announced it would make changes to ensure all Happy Meals by 2022 would have at most 600 calories with 10 percent of those calories coming from saturated fat and 10 percent from added sugar. Sodium also would be reduced.

    A McDonald’s spokeswoman said the new pact does not include any agreement on restaurants in parks but added: “We will continue to explore ways to bring this alliance to life.”

  • Braves Spring Training Games at Disney Begin Today

    Braves Spring Training Games at Disney Begin Today

    Atlanta Braves spring training games get underway today at Champion Stadium when they host the Washington Nationals – their National League East division rivals.

    This year marks Atlanta’s 21st season of conducting spring training workouts at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.

    Atlanta’s rather impressive lineup contains several seasoned veterans and a bevy of talented newcomers, so watching this team this spring should be an exciting proposition for Braves fans.

    Atlanta’s spring training home schedule is an attractive one with games against perennial MLB playoff clubs like the Nationals (Feb. 26, March 1), the St. Louis Cardinals (March 3, 17), the vaunted New York Yankees (March 9, 24) and the 2017 World Series Champion Houston Astros (March 8).

    Disney character appearances and special moments such as kids running the bases after every game are some of the in-game entertainment opportunities that make Braves spring training at Disney a unique experience.

    From a concessions perspective, Braves fans will be able to sample several new food and beverage options this season including the new Latin Rice Bowl (chicken or pork), which is available on the third-base patio at the stadium.

    For those Braves fans who enjoy specialty craft beers, there are four new offerings this spring at the stadium.

    Chopsecutioner, the first new craft beer, is produced by the Terrapin Beer Company in Athens, GA. This beer has a citrusy, hoppy flavor which is nicely paired with the beef brisket from Barbecue Smokehouse.

    Bell’s Oberen Ale wheat beer from Bell’s Brewery in Michigan is available and should be paired with the chicken nugget basket from Champion Stadium’s Home Plate Grill.

    Una Mas Amber Lager from Left Coast Brewing in California is the third new craft beer, which goes great with the buffalo chicken sandwich at the stadium, while Dock Light IPA from 3 Daughters Brewing in St. Petersburg, Florida rounds out the new craft beer selections. It should be paired with mini-hotdogs and brats from Slider Station on the third-base patio at the stadium.

    Braves fans can purchase individual spring training game tickets at www.espnwwos.com/braves, through Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000) and at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Box Office. Tickets range from $15 (general admission berm seating in left field) to $59 (lower level reserved seats).

    We’ll see you all at the ball park!

  • Walt Disney’s Plane Found Safe and Sound on Satellite Imagery

    Walt Disney’s Plane Found Safe and Sound on Satellite Imagery

    Have you ever wondered what happened to Walt’s plane after it was removed from the Studio Back Lot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Well after the famous plane, known as “The Mouse”, was recently spotted from high above, we now have the answer. Satellite Imagery shows the plane in good condition and out of public sight.

    There were some initial reports that the plane was severely damaged and maybe even crushed, while it was being moved to a backstage location elsewhere on property. We now know that isn’t the case thanks to recent satellite images.

    The twin prop plane is surrounded by barricades and being kept safe in a restricted backstage area.

    walt's plane

    The area is easily recognizable as the wastewater treatment plant operated by the Reedy Creek Improvement District. As we mentioned the area is off-limits so it’s best not to try to sneak a peek.

    walt's plane

    If you’ve ever experienced The Backlot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, chances are you’ve seen “The Mouse” – a white airplane with a Mickey Mouse icon on its tail. Before it made its home as part of the attraction the plane was actually used by Walt Disney himself.

    The plane has a storied past and was used from everything from giving Walt a bird’s eye view to survey the future Walt Disney World property to shuttling Imagineers over to Florida to start their work on the project.

    Walt purchased the Grumman Gulfstream 1 (G1) in 1964, and worked with his wife, Lillian, to select the plane’s interior design and color scheme.  The plane seated 15 and featured a galley, two couches and a desk. Walt even designed his own special seat in the plane, which was in the rear left cabin. The seat was equipped with a special altimeter and air-speed gauge, which Walt added to satisfy his endless curiosity about flying.

    walt's plane

    The tail number on the plane has been N234MM since 1967, but it was N732G back when Walt Disney used the plane. Back then the plane was known as “George”. The new tail number of N234MM was originally called by the proper designation of “two three four metro metro,” but soon the FAA replaced the “metro metro” with “Mickey Mouse,” and so it was known for the remainder of its life.

    walt's plane

    The plane’s first trips took Walt and his Imagineers to and from California and New York to oversee the final preparations for Disney’s contributions to the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Later that year, Walt (pictured above, center) began surveying land in Central Florida, considering the site a possibility for his second theme park.

    The plane also led Walt to find inspiration for the look of one classic Disney attraction. According to Mark Malone, son of Pilot Chuck Malone, Walt spotted El Morro fortress while flying over San Juan, Puerto Rico, and remarked that it would be the perfect look for his new Pirates of the Caribbean, which at the time was still in the planning phase.

    walt's plane

    In addition to taking Walt on his secret trips, the plane also took Disney characters on goodwill tours and visits to children’s hospitals around the United States. An estimated 83,000 passengers have flown aboard the plane, including Disney animators and several famous faces, including former Presidents Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, as well as Disney Legends Julie Andrews and Annette Funicello.

    One of the most exciting things you may notice is the fact that it appears as though the plane has been repainted to its original colors.  In some photos found on Nearmap by Blog Mickey you can see a much closer look at the plane and it looks like it’s in great condition.

    walt's plane

    Take an inside look at this amazing piece of history in the video below.

    The airplane’s last flight took place Oct. 8, 1992, when it touched down on World Drive, west of Disney’s Hollywood Studios before it became part of The Back Lot Tour. What is most important is that it looks like Disney is taking good care of it and we hope the fact that it’s been repainted means that it will eventually end up on display again somewhere.

  • Cutest Princess Diaries Throwback Photo On Instagram Posted By Mandy Moore

    Cutest Princess Diaries Throwback Photo On Instagram Posted By Mandy Moore

    Mandy Moore recently posted this adorable throwback photo on Instagram of herself, Julie Andrews, and co-star Heather Matarazzo. The two didn’t really have any scenes together, but Moore and Julie Andrews were able to spend some time together on the set of The Princess Diaries.

    “16 year old me with the inimitable @julieandrews and @heathermatarazzo on the set of #theprincessdiaries. #tbt #thosecurlstho” the caption read.

    Mandy made her film debut in The Princess Diaries, and you can tell just based on that big smile that this must have been a big moment for her. She has gone on to do much more including voicing Rapunzel in Tangled and Tangled: The Series.

    Now 33, the talented actress-musician has come a long way since then. She is widely acclaimed for her breakout role in the NBC drama This Is Us as Rebecca Pearson and she’s also known for voicing Rapunzel in Tangled and Tangled: The Series. All the while continuing her music career. She also picked up a Screen Actors Guild award win and a Golden Globes nomination.

     

  • Disney Streaming Service Will Not Include R-Rated Content

    Disney Streaming Service Will Not Include R-Rated Content

    Disney’s upcoming streaming service is moving full steam ahead and more details are starting to emerge about what types of content the service will offer. Last August Disney announced plans to debut its own streaming service in 2019 with content like Star Wars and Marvel movies, Disney studio and Pixar films.

    The programming for the over-the-top content service will be consistent with the Disney brand and there will be no R-rated films, according to a recent report from Deadline. So Marvel’s series currently on Netflix will stay where they are for now, and any R-rated content will reportedly go to Hulu instead of the Disney streaming service.

    As we previously reported, Disney-ABC TV will providing original content for the service that would include feature-length films regular series and he also touted a “High School Musical” reboot, with the original producers on board.

    Walt Disney Company chairman and CEO Bob Iger already confirmed a live action Star Wars Series and a TV series based on the 2001 Pixar film Monsters Inc. were in the plans for the future streaming service, at a quarterly earnings call with investors.

    Disney is also reportedly prioritizing new movies, including Lady and the Tramp, The Paper Magician, Stargirl and Togo. Other projects in development are 3 Men and a Baby, Sword and the Stone, and Timmy Failure, according to the report.

    Also be heading to the streaming service will be Magic Camp and Noelle, two movies currently in post-production. The shows may cost $25 million to $35 million for 10 episodes, though a more ambitious series could go up to $100 million, the report said.

    There has been no mention of a price point as of yet and the Disney plans to start with a domestic service only, and then expand overseas.