Disney News

Category: Disney

  • Man Accused Of Groping Boy On Disney Ride

    Man Accused Of Groping Boy On Disney Ride

    A man was arrested at Disney’s Epcot after he allegedly groped a child on a ride Saturday.

    He was in line for Test Track when a group of people let him get in front of them, the victim told deputies.

    The suspect is 20 year-old Arturo Benitez-Pita and according to deputies he told the child, “I’m riding with you” and the child assumed he was just being friendly. Benitez-Pita was continually asking the victim questions about the ride, deputies said.

    The victim said Benitez-Pita touched him inappropriately on the ride and the child told deputies he pushed Benitez-Pita’s hand away.

    Benitez-Pit admitted to going on the ride with the child, but denied that there was any touching.  He initially said he got scared on the ride and his hand moved toward the boy out of reflex, according to an arrest affidavit.

    He was arrested and charged with lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim under 12 years old.

  • Dark Horse Releasing Original Comics Featuring Disney’s “Frozen”

    Dark Horse Releasing Original Comics Featuring Disney’s “Frozen”

    Dark Horse Comics announced Monday that they will be  teaming up with Disney and creating a new three-issue miniseries to release this August titled Disney Frozen. Founded in 1986, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic publisher in the United States.

    Disney-Dark-Horse-Frozen-Comic

    Disney Zootopia Comics and Disney DuckTales: Treasure Trove writer Joe Caramagna and artists from the Kawaii Creative Studio both return to bring some fan-favorite Disney characters to the world of comics.

    Disney Frozen #1 finds Queen Elsa and Princess Anna trying to get to the bottom of things when the peace of their beloved kingdom is disrupted. There’s a wild animal loose in the village, destruction in the forest, and unrest brewing in a nearby kingdom. Luckily, Elsa and Anna will have the help of Olaf, Kristoff . . . and a mysterious, adventurous young woman to restore peace in their kingdom.

    “We are incredibly excited to collaborate with Disney on this great project,” Mike Richardson, Dark Horse president and founder, said in a press release. “Frozen has legions of fans, many of whom are here at Dark Horse. I’ve personally enjoyed repeated viewings with my granddaughter, and I look forward to sharing this new series with her.”

    The first issue of Disney Frozen is scheduled for a summer 2018 release. Dark Horse and Disney will announce additional comics in the coming months.

  • First Ant-Man and the Wasp Trailer Just Released By Marvel

    First Ant-Man and the Wasp Trailer Just Released By Marvel

    The first trailer for Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man and the Wasp” has landed and we’ve got your first official look right here, True Believers! Check out the official trailer below and make sure to check out the film in theaters July 6!

    From the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes “Ant Man and the Wasp,” a new chapter featuring heroes with the astonishing ability to shrink. In the aftermath of “Captain America: Civil War,” Scott Lang grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he’s confronted by Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside the Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from the past.

  • The Last Jedi Blasts Into The Top 10 Highest Grossing Films All Time

    The Last Jedi Blasts Into The Top 10 Highest Grossing Films All Time

    Although Star Wars: The Last Jedi was met with mixed reviews and probably won’t come close to the box office earnings of The Force Awakens, it is still a huge financial success for Disney. The most recent installment to the Star Wars saga is now one of the top 10 highest grossing films of all time.

    The film cracked the top 10 and is now sits as the ninth highest grossing film of all time. It passed Frozen which now holds the 10 spot and it pushed Beauty and the Beast out completely, dropping it to 11th. It’s not likely, but it’s possible it could still gain a spot or two before it’s all said and done. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 sits at number eight with $1.34 billion.

    With Disney now owning 7 of the Top 10 highest grossing films of all time — everytime a Star Wars, Marvel or Disney movie starts breaking records — they are basically just rearranging the top 10 with their own movies and will eventually just end up controlling a majority of the top 20 highest grossers. One small sad bit of news that comes with all this is that Toy Story 3 has now been pushed out of that top 20.

    The film has now officially crossed the $1.31 billion mark at the global box office, which includes $700 million from the overseas market. The film is nearing the end of its box office run after 49 days in theaters. The film has brought in more than $600 billion domestically and brought in $4.2 million this weekend. The Last Jedi is also the sixth-biggest grosser ever in North America.

    It’s not all about breaking records, but the film has already set several. Disney-Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi brought in more than $220 Million during its opening weekend making it the second biggest opening day total behind only Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($247M).

    Those numbers make it the fourth film in domestic box office history to cross the $200 million threshold in its opening weekend.  It is also had the second highest opening day total bringing in $104 million. It’s the second highest opening day for a film in U.S. history and once again second only to The Force Awakens.

    The film fell 35% from The Force Awakens in the U.S. and globally even more, down around $750 million from The Force Awakens. But when a film with a $225 million production budget brings in $1.3 billion in global sales, Disney isn’t losing any sleep.

  • Former Disney Star Charged With Multiple Armed Robberies

    Former Disney Star Charged With Multiple Armed Robberies

    In connection with a string of armed robberies, former Disney star, Adam Hicks, was arrested and on Wednesday.

    The 25 year-old is accused of robbing several people on the street on Wednesday morning. According to the Burbank Police Department in California he committed three robberies over a two-hour period with the help of his girlfriend. His girlfriend is also in police custody.

    According to reports, Hicks and his girlfriend went up to several people and put a gun in their face, demanding money. Two of the victims were women in their 70s and another was a 52-year-old man.

    Police were able to locate the car used during the robberies and detained a female said to be connected to one of the suspects.  Some of the stolen property was recovered by police at the scene. Hicks was found and arrested at his home after a SWAT team showed up to serve a search warrant.

    Hicks starred as Luther on the Disney XD show from 2009 to 2012. He also appeared in Hulu’s “Freakish,” in 2016-2017, and the 2015 film “The Boy Next Door.”

    Hicks is set to appear in the movie “Shifting Gears,” due out in March, and is currently starring in the show “Freakish” on Hulu.

    Jail records show that Hicks was also arrested in both July and September of 2017. The arrest happened about 2 p.m and he is due to appear in court on Friday. According to court records he is being held in jail on $350,000 bail.

  • Disney Launches A Nationwide Filmmaking Competition

    Disney Launches A Nationwide Filmmaking Competition

    Nissan and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures have created a nationwide filmmaking competition for the upcoming release of “A Wrinkle in Time,” directed by Oscar nominee and Emmy winner Ava DuVernay.

    A contest created just for those who are looking to be the next big filmmaker. “Searching for the Next Visionary Filmmaker” contest will be sponsored by Nissan. Essentially, those aged 18 and up can submit a two-minute video that discusses their journey as a filmmaker. The more imaginative, the better. The only criteria other than age is that the key dialogue from the film, “Be a Warrior,” must be included.

    Director Ava DuVernay has this to say about the contest in a statement.

    “I’m thrilled to stand with Nissan and Disney to launch this dynamic contest with the goal of supporting an emerging filmmaker to think big, be bold and move forward bravely.”

    Why participate? Because you can win a $100,000 prize and a trip to Hollywood to attend the premiere of A Wrinkle in Time. And just as icing on the cake, you also win an all-new Nissan Leaf.

    THE “SEARCH FOR THE NEXT VISIONARY FILMMAKER” WINNER WILL RECEIVE:

    The chance to meet “A Wrinkle in Time” director Ava DuVernay at the world premiere

    $100,000 to create their own film

    An all-new zero emissions 2018 Nissan LEAF

    A paid trip to Hollywood for the film’s premiere including airfare and accommodation

    A computer to assist in their future filmmaking

    Official contest rules are available at AWITFilmChallenge.com.

  • Nissan Teams Up With Disney For ‘A Wrinkle in Time’

    Nissan Teams Up With Disney For ‘A Wrinkle in Time’

    Disney and Nissan are partnering up once again, this time to promote Disney’s upcoming adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time. Just like they found a way to bring the Rogue SUV into the Star Wars universe, they are now promoting the Nissan Leaf which will make an appearance in the upcoming film directed by Oscar nominee and Emmy winner Ava DuVernay.

    The two companies have had a lot of success collaborating lately. Last year Disney teamed up with Nissan to promote Rogue One: A Star Wars Story with a Star Wars-themed vehicle.  It was so well received that they partnered up again with them for The Last Jedi and created a fleet of new ‘Star Wars‘ themed vehicles.

    So how exactly does this all-electric car fit into A Wrinkle in Time?

    The basic plot of the film is a fantasy story in which a girl, her brother, a classmate and three astral travelers go on a journey to save an astrophysicist father that is held captive on a distant planet. Naturally, Nissan had to get on board. While the Nissan LEAF is certainly not a model that will take you out of this world, it is the vehicle of the future. Which is exactly why the model will be present in the new movie, coming to theaters on March 9, 2018.

    Not only will the 2018 Nissan LEAF be present in the new film, but the brand has permission to create a new ad campaign inspired by the upcoming movie.

    They also have created a contest just for those who are looking to be the next big filmmaker. “Searching for the Next Visionary Filmmaker” contest will be sponsored by Nissan.

    The film’s star-studded cast includes Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Storm Reid, and hits theaters on March 9.

     

  • Romantic Valentine’s Day Spa Package Available at Disney World Feb. 10-18

    Romantic Valentine’s Day Spa Package Available at Disney World Feb. 10-18

    Are you looking for that perfect romantic evening with your sweetie? Well look no further because Disney Parks & Resorts has created the perfect Valentine’s Day spa package that will make for date for any couple.

    Senses – A Disney Spa has created an exclusive Valentine’s Day massage package designed to be enjoyed with that special someone you feel so fortunate to have as “Part of Your World.”

    Available at both Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa from Feb. 10-18, 2018, the “Part of Your World” package includes a couple’s massage with apricot-infused body oil, a chocolate hand-hydration treatment, sparkling wine served in a chocolate champagne glass and a take-home, custom-blended bath salt.

    While the regular price is $340 (plus tax) for 50 minutes and $450 (plus tax) for 80 minutes (note that a 20 percent gratuity is added automatically for convenience, with any additional gratuity paid at your discretion), Disney Vacation Club Members enjoy a 15 percent discount.

    Call Member Services for reservations.

    A valid Disney Vacation Club Membership Card with photo ID will be required for this discounted experience.

  • E-Sports Deal Brings EA’s ‘Madden NFL’ To Disney XD And ESPN

    E-Sports Deal Brings EA’s ‘Madden NFL’ To Disney XD And ESPN

    A new deal between Disney, Electronic Arts and the NFL is bringing e-sports tournaments for the popular Madden franchise to Disney XD and ESPN2.

    The deal gives Disney and ESPN exclusive broadcasts of the coming EA Sports Madden NFL 18 Championship Series. The parties characterized the deal as the first “long-term multi-event competitive gaming agreement” struck with ESPN.

    “Through this collaboration with ESPN and Disney XD, we’ll provide ongoing coverage for fans worldwide across a variety of ESPN and Disney platforms, but also digitally through our own Madden streaming and social channels,” said Todd Sitrin, senior VP and GM of the Competitive Gaming Division at EA.

    The Madden NFL Ultimate League kicks off Friday, February 2 and continues through the NFL Draft on April 28th. The competition features 16 of the best “Madden NFL 18” in head to head action.

    The “Madden NFL 18″ Club Championship tournament is expected to run on the same day as the Pro Bowl, Friday, January 26. Starting on Saturday, January 27, fans can watch ESPNEWS to see the quarterfinal match ups. Then fans can follow the Club Championship Final on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes on Thursday, February 1, live from the Super Bowl Experience in Minneapolis.

    Also Disney XD and the ESPN App will become the weekly home to “Madden NFL 18” competitive gaming content. It will be bringing the latest action from the Madden NFL Ultimate League each week. The Madden NFL Ultimate League champion will be crowned at the Madden Bowl, live from the 2018 NFL Draft on ESPN2.

    Also ESPN2 will broadcast an Ultimate League Episodic Series beginning in April. The show will follow the best players in the Ultimate League on Tuesdays at 9pm ET and runs through May 1. You will also be able to find episodes on demand on the ESPN App.

    E-sports are ever-increasing in popularity especially among young audiences like the tween market Disney XD is aiming for. So popular in fact consideration is even being given to adding competitive gaming to the 2024 Olympics.

  • The Last Jedi Gets 4 Oscar Nominations

    The Last Jedi Gets 4 Oscar Nominations

    Nominations for the 90th Annual Academy Awards were announced Tuesday, and the latest film in the Star Wars saga, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, has been nominated for four Oscars. The film, which started off with mixed reviews, has still wound up being one of the most successful movies of all time at the box office with $1.2 billion and counting.

    The eighth episode in the saga garnered attention in four categories:

    • Original Score – John Williams 
    • Visual Effects – Ben Morris, Mike Mulholland, Chris Corbould, and Neal Scanlan
    • Sound Editing – Matthew Wood and Ren Klyce
    • Sound Mixing – Stuart Wilson, Ren Klyce, David Parker, and Michael Semanick

    For Original Score, it’s up against Dunkirk, Phantom Thread, The Shape of Water and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

    In Visual Effects, the other competitors are Blade Runner 2049, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, Kong: Skull Island and War for the Planet of the Apes.

    The original Star Wars, released in 1977, received 10 nods and won six Oscars; The Empire Strikes Back (1980) received three nominations, winning two Oscars; Return of the Jedi (1983) nabbed four nominations with one win; The Phantom Menace (1999) captured three nominations; Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005) both received one nomination; The Force Awakens (2015), which kicked off the current trilogy, received five nominations — the most since the original Star Wars.

    Congratulations to all the nominees. Star Wars: The Last Jedi, written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman, has taken the saga in bold new directions — and perhaps most importantly, also brought us porgs.