Disney News

Category: Movies

  • Disney’s Live-Action ‘Little Mermaid’ Casts Halle Bailey as Ariel

    Disney’s Live-Action ‘Little Mermaid’ Casts Halle Bailey as Ariel

    Halle Bailey will be part of Disney’s world. Disney announced today, the R&B singer and actress has been cast as Ariel in Disney’s next live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.”

    “After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role,” director Rob Marshall said in a statement.

    Bailey, best known for her work on Freeform’s Grown-ish and as one half of the singing duo Chloe x Halle took to Twitter immediately after the news broke to share her excitement as you can see in the post below:

    Bailey is joining a cast that includes Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina, while Melissa McCarthy is in talks to play Ursula.

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Disney Releases First ‘Maleficent 2’ Teaser-Trailer

    Disney Releases First ‘Maleficent 2’ Teaser-Trailer

    Today, Disney released the first teaser-trailer for “Maleficent 2” and Angelina Jolie is back to her wicked ways!

    “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil”, the follow-up sequel to 2014’s “Maleficent”, sees the return of Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning as the dark fairy Maleficent and Princess Aurora.

    Take a look at the teaser-trailer below:

    The sequel is described as “a fantasy adventure that picks up several years after “Maleficent”, in which audiences learned of the events that hardened the heart of Disney’s most notorious villain and drove her to curse a baby Princess Aurora, “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” continues to explore the complex relationship between the horned fairy and the soon to be Queen, as they form new alliances and face new adversaries in their struggle to protect the moors and the magical creatures that reside within.”

    Joachim Rønning directs from a story by Linda Woolverton and a screenplay by Linda Woolverton and Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster. Film is produced by Joe Roth, Angelina Jolie and Duncan Henderson with Matt Smith, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Michael Vieira serving as executive producers.

    Maleficent: Mistress of Evil hits theaters nationwide October 18.

  • Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew From ‘Star Wars’ Dies at 74

    Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew From ‘Star Wars’ Dies at 74

    Peter Mayhew, who is known to fans worldwide as the lovable Wookiee Chewbacca from “Star Wars”, has died at the age of 74, according to his agent.

    The London actor played Chewbacca in “Star Wars” (1977), “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980), “Return of the Jedi” (1983), “Revenge of the Sith” (2005) and “The Force Awakens” (2015). He also consulted on “The Last Jedi” to help teach his successor.

    Mayhew died on April 30 with his family by his side in his North Texas home. He is survived by his wife, Angie, and three children. His official Twitter account shared the news Thursday, as you can see in the post below:

    “He put his heart and soul into the role of Chewbacca and it showed in every frame of the films from his knock-kneed running, firing his bowcaster from the hip, his bright blue eyes, down to each subtle movement of his head and mouth,” his family said. “But, to him, the Star Wars family meant so much more to him than a role in a film.”

    He established the Peter Mayhew Foundation to provide funds for those in need, and suported the 501st Legion, Wounded Warriors, Make-a-Wish and other non-profits. Donations may be made to the Peter Mayhew Foundation.

    “His kindness, generosity and care will live on in the Peter Mayhew Foundation with Angie taking the helm as his voice,” his family said.

    There will be a memorial service for friends and family on June 29, with a memorial for fans in Los Angeles in early December at EmpireCon. He is survived by his wife, Angie, and three children.