Disney News

Category: Movies & TV

  • Melissa McCarthy in Talks to Play Ursula in Live-Action ‘Little Mermaid’

    Melissa McCarthy in Talks to Play Ursula in Live-Action ‘Little Mermaid’

    Melissa McCarthy is in early talks to play the villain Ursula in Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.”

    The deal is not yet complete, according to multiple reports, but would mark the first official casting for the remake, which follows such similar live-action adaptations as “Beauty and the Beast” and this year’s “Aladdin” and “Lion King.”

    The story centers on the mermaid Ariel who yearns to live among humans and finds her wish granted when she trades her voice for legs from the sea witch, Ursula.

    “Mary Poppins Returns” director Rob Marshall is helming. The film will incorporate the original songs from the 1989 animated hit as well as new tunes from Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda is also producing the film along with Marshall, Marc Platt and John DeLuca. David Magee wrote the script.

    David Magee wrote the latest script for the reboot after Jane Goldman. Marc Platt, Marshall, Miranda and John DeLuca are producers. No release date has been set yet.

  • The Simpsons are Coming to D23 Expo 2019

    The Simpsons are Coming to D23 Expo 2019

    Disney just announced, Springfield’s number one family will be making their way to Anaheim this August when The Simpsons comes to D23 Expo for the first time ever.

    Now that the Disney/Fox merger is complete, the longest-running primetime scripted show in television history, The Simpsons, is now part of the family and will be headed to D23 Expo this year. They’ll be talking all about the upcoming season in a panel on Saturday, August 24, at 10 a.m. in the D23 Expo Arena.

    Creator Matt Groening, Executive Producer Al Jean, Executive Producer Matt Selman, Supervising Director Mike B. Anderson, and stars Nancy Cartwright and Yeardley Smith will all be in attendance, and you can expect lots of surprises, including an exclusive Simpsons collectible item for everyone in attendance.

    If you head over to the convention floor during D23 Expo 2019, you’ll have the opportunity to get close and personal with Bart, Lisa, and the rest of The Simpsons family. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll even get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet Matt Groening and the rest of the panelists during a one-hour autograph signing session of an exclusive The Simpsons mini-poster right after the panel.

    For fans of the long running series this is news that’ll make you say, “Ay caramba!,” and run all the way from Moe’s to D23 Expo 2019!

  • Pixar Announces New Animated Feature ‘Soul’ for Release in 2020

    Pixar Announces New Animated Feature ‘Soul’ for Release in 2020

    Disney announced this morning that Pixar’s next animated feature film is “Soul” and it will hit theaters next summer.

    “Soul” will be the second original Pixar film next year after “Onward,”which bows March 6.

    Disney made the announcement via tweet earlier today. Take a look below:

    Disney didn’t give many details about the movie other than a logline that reads: “Ever wonder where your passion, your dreams and your interests come from? What is it that makes you… YOU? In 2020, Pixar Animation Studios takes you on a journey from the streets of New York City to the cosmic realms to discover the answers to life’s most important questions.”

    The film is directed by Pete Docter (“Up,” “Inside Out”) and produced by Dana Murray (“Lou” short film), and will open in theaters one year from today on June 19, 2020.

  • Disney+ Reveals First Look at Monsters, Inc. TV Spin-Off

    Disney+ Reveals First Look at Monsters, Inc. TV Spin-Off

    Disney has revealed a first look at Monsters at Work, the upcoming Disney+ animated show that will spin off Pixar’s Oscar-winning Monsters, Inc. into a new expanded series.

    Monsters At Work stars Ben Feldman as a brand new character in the Monsters world, Tylor Tuskmon. And, of course, Monstropolis wouldn’t be the same without the original Monsters, Inc. voices Billy Crystal and John Goodman returning as Mike and Sulley.

    The series picks up six months after the original movie’s story, with the Monsters, Inc. power plant now harvesting laughter (instead of screams) to fuel the city of Monstropolis. Tylor Tuskmon is an eager mechanic on the Monsters, Inc. Facilities Team (MIFT) who dreams of working his way up to the factory “Laugh Floor” to become a jokester alongside his idols Mike and Sulley.

    In addition to Mike and Sulley, other fan-favorite Monsters, Inc. characters will appear in the show as well! Including Celia, voiced by Jennifer Tilly, and Yeti, voiced by Pixar mainstay John Ratzenberger (who will also voice a new character, Bernard). Plus, Bob Peterson returns as Roz… as well as her twin sister Roze?!

    On top of these classic characters, there are tons of new characters as well! Joining the cast of the new animated series is Kelly Marie Tran as Val Little, Tylor’s lifelong friend and confidante; Henry Winkler as Fritz, the scatterbrained boss; Lucas Neff as Duncan, an opportunistic plumber; Alanna Ubach as Cutter, the rule follower; Stephen Stanton as Smitty and Needleman, the bumbling custodial team, and Aisha Tyler as Tylor’s mom Millie Tuskmon.

    The series is produced by Disney Television Animation, executive produced by Disney animation veteran Bobs Gannaway (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Planes: Fire & Rescue) with Ferrell Barron (Planes: Fire & Rescue) serving as producer.

    Disney+ launches in the U.S. on November 12, 2019.

  • Disney Announces ‘Chip ‘n’ Dale’ Reboot In Works At Disney+

    Disney Announces ‘Chip ‘n’ Dale’ Reboot In Works At Disney+

    Disney+ has announced a reboot of its classic animated series Chip ‘n’ Dale is in production and set for release as a Disney+ original series.

    The 39 seven minute episodes will feature the return of everyone’s favorite chipmunk troublemakers in non-verbal, classic comedy stylings.

    Each of the 39 shorts will follow the ups and downs of the cutest chipmunks around living life in the big city. Combining a traditional style of animation with contemporary, comedic narratives, Chip ‘n’ Dale is directed by Jean Cayrol and produced by Marc du Pontavice.

    The series is developed by Disney’s London-based animation team in collaboration with Xilam Animation in Paris.

    Disney+ launches in the U.S. on November 12, 2019.

  • Brand New Full-Length “Frozen 2” Trailer Released by Disney

    Brand New Full-Length “Frozen 2” Trailer Released by Disney

    Today, Disney dropped the first full trailer for “Frozen 2” and you’re not going to want to let it go!

    In the dramatic, action-packed trailer for the highly-anticipated “Frozen 2,” Elsa takes center stage and is asked to both find out the truth about her past and use her powers for good.

    The trailer, which premiered on “Good Morning America,” opens with Elsa falling into frozen waters after an ice bridge she makes crumbles in a wave. Take a look at the full trailer below:

    “Elsa, the past is not what it seems,” a voice tells the beloved character. “You must find the truth.” The deep voice tells her to go North, into the unknown.

    Everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf, the lover of warm hugs, also makes an appearance in the new trailer — he is paddling through a river in a boat made out of ice with Anna in the back. The two appear to hit a rapid, and cling to their canoe for dear life.

    As the gang sets off on an unspecified adventure, the trailer’s narrator says, “We have always feared Elsa’s powers were too much for this world.”

    The original “Frozen” movie became a massive hit when it opened in 2013, earning over $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office, along with two Oscars. It’s still the highest-grossing animated film ever, as well as the 13th biggest movie of all time.

    While the teaser trailer, which was released in early February, didn’t reveal much about the storyline, the trailer sheds a bit more light on the plot. However, a lot of questions are left unanswered. But come fall, fans of the Disney franchise will get their answers. “Frozen 2,” hits theaters Nov. 22.

  • Harrison Ford Confirms ‘Indiana Jones 5’ will start Filming Next Year

    Harrison Ford Confirms ‘Indiana Jones 5’ will start Filming Next Year

    The long-awaited fifth movie in the Indiana Jones series could be set to begin filming as early as next week, according to Harrison Ford.

    Ford, who would be putting on his famous fedora one last time, confirmed as much while visiting the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland.

    According to Indy himself, the much-anticipated Steven Spielberg film “should be starting to shoot sometime next year”, states a report from Variety.

    “I’m looking forward to it,” he went on. “Things are coming along well.”

    The fifth movie has been in the offing since 2016, following the last instalment, 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

    That movie, which despite luke-warm reviews was the second highest-grossing of the year, was released a full 19 years after the previous film, 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

    Delays have pushed the fifth movie back some, and according to Disney it’s now set for release on July 21, 2021.

    Ford, who first played the swash-buckling archeologist in Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981, will be 77 this year, meaning that he’ll be nearly 80 when the movie hits screens.

  • New ‘Toy Story 4′ Trailer Reveals Keanu Reeves’ Character, Duke Caboom

    New ‘Toy Story 4′ Trailer Reveals Keanu Reeves’ Character, Duke Caboom

    The newest trailer for ‘Toy Story 4” was released today and Sporky isn’t the only new face in the movie. The movie also introduces Duke Caboom, Canada’s greatest stuntman, voice by Keanu Reeves.

    Duke Caboom is a real “poser,” according to Bo Peep, but he’s the perfect toy to help track down a missing toy.

    Take a look at the trailer below:

    “Toy Story 4”, written by Stephany Folsom and Andrew Stanton and directed by Josh Cooley, opens June 21, 2019.

  • Sneak Peek of ‘Toy Story 4’ Coming Soon to Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line

    Sneak Peek of ‘Toy Story 4’ Coming Soon to Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line

    For a limited time this summer, a preview of scenes from Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” will be presented in sneak peeks coming to Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line.

    At Disneyland park, the preview of “Toy Story 4” will be presented at the Tomorrowland Theater beginning May 24, and starting the same day Disney’s Hollywood Studios will include this advance look at a portion of the film as part of the Walt Disney Presents attraction. Guests aboard Disney Cruise Line can catch the sneak peek during sailings between May 24 and June 20, and Disneyland Paris will offer this unique opportunity in the Studio Theater at Walt Disney Studios Park from June 18 – 28.

    Here’s Tony Hale, who provides the voice of Forky in the film, to tell you more below:

    When we catch up with him in Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4,” Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the least of their worries.

  • Disney Gains Full Control Of Hulu In Deal With Comcast

    Disney Gains Full Control Of Hulu In Deal With Comcast

    Disney and Comcast announced today that, effective immediately, Disney will assume full operational control of Hulu.

    NBCUniversal owns 33% of Hulu right now. According to the agreement, Disney can demand Comcast, which owns NBCUniversal, sell the remaining stake to Disney for its fair market value in the future. Disney has guaranteed a sale price that represents a minimum total equity value of $27.5 billion.

    And Comcast can require Disney to buy its stake in early 2024.

    Walt Disney Co. and Comcast Corp. also agreed to fund Hulu’s recent purchase of AT&T Inc.’s 9.5% interest in Hulu. When Hulu make that deal in April, it was rumored that Comcast would allow Disney to acquire whatever part of Hulu it still owned.

    Disney may bundle Hulu with its upcoming kids-focused streaming service, Disney Plus, and its sports service, ESPN Plus, executives said last week.

    Hulu’s $6-a-month service lets users watch original series and network TV episodes after they air on TV. It has a newer live-TV service that costs $45 a month.

    AT&T came by its Hulu stake after buying Time Warner, which invested $583 million in Hulu in 2016. Now the company, known as WarnerMedia, is launching its own streaming service this year, which will focus on HBO and other shows and movies owned by the company.

    NBCUniversal, too, will debut a streaming service in 2020.

    Comcast, as part of the deal announced Tuesday, will extend the Hulu license of NBCUniversal content and the Hulu Live carriage agreement for NBCUniversal channels until late 2024. NBCUniversal can cut off its content for Hulu within three years, if no new agreement exists.