Disney News

Category: Movies

  • Disney’s Vault Program Ending as Entire Library is Added to Disney+ Streaming Service Catalog

    Disney’s Vault Program Ending as Entire Library is Added to Disney+ Streaming Service Catalog

    Disney’s streaming service, called Disney+, is scheduled to launch later this year. On Thursday, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger revealed that the new service will eventually house the entire Disney Studios Library effectively ending the company’s long standing ‘Vault’ Program.

    Iger told shareholders that Disney+ “at some point fairly soon after launch” will carry films that “traditionally have been kept in a ‘vault’ and brought out basically every few years.”

    Disney’s catalog of films dates back to the 1920s, and includes iconic films such as “Snow White” and “Bambi” alongside modern classics like “Frozen” and “Wreck-it Ralph”. Traditionally however, Disney has only made individual titles available on home video for limited periods of time.

    The “Disney Vault” has been a marketing and sales strategy for years. After a film’s initial release run, Disney would return the film to the vault for a long period of time. That meant that customers who didn’t buy a physical copy of the movie immediately would be out of luck until Disney brought it out of the vault as a new edition or a special release run.

    In addition to archived titles, Disney has announced a number of big projects in development exclusively for its streaming service. Those include a “Star Wars” series called “The Mandalorian“, which is set during the rise of the Resistance; an untitled Marvel series revolving around Loki that will involve Tom Hiddleston; another “Star Wars” series called “Cassian Andor” that follows the titular hero in “Rogue One” played by Diego Luna; and yet more projects that span everything from “High School Musical” to a series based on Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.

    A content hub of its very own also means that Disney will be pulling all of its titles from other streaming services, with “Captain Marvel” being the first MCU movie to stream exclusively on Disney+.

  • ‘Maleficent 2’ Gets a Title, a New Release Date and a New Poster

    ‘Maleficent 2’ Gets a Title, a New Release Date and a New Poster

    Today, Disney announced the upcoming follow-up sequel to 2014’s “Maleficent” has a new title, a new poster and a new release date.

    “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil”, as it’s now titled, will hit theaters on Oct. 18, 2019. The fantasy adventure is moving its release date up by seven months. It had previously been slated to debut on May 29, 2020.

    The new date pits “Maleficent 2” against an untitled film from horror-maker Blumhouse. It will also have to contend with the second weekends of “The Adams Family,” the adaptation of Donna Tartt’s “The Goldfinch,” “Zombieland 2,” and “Gemini Man,” a futuristic thriller that unites Will Smith and Ang Lee. Take a look at the amazing new poster released today as well:

    Angelina Jolie reprises her role as the villainous enchantress Maleficent. The cast also includes Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, and Lesley Manville, who appeared in the first installment, as well as franchise newcomers Michelle Pfeiffer, Ed Skrein, Harris Dickinson, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Joachim Rønning (“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales”) directs from a screenplay by Linda Woolverton, Micah Fitzerman-Blue, and Noah Harpster.

    The first “Maleficent” was a box office smash when it opened in 2014. It grossed $758.5 million globally on a $180 million budget.

  • RUMOR: George Lucas Returning to Star Wars to Help Fix Episode IX

    RUMOR: George Lucas Returning to Star Wars to Help Fix Episode IX

    Star Wars: The Last Jedi received a lot of backlash and divided Star Wars fans on a whole new level. Now a new rumor claims that Disney may be bringing in George Lucas to help JJ Abrams on Episode IX and to help fix the franchise.

    According to a recent report by Express, “a leak claims George Lucas is closely involved with JJ Abrams on Episode IX and will help bring Luke Skywalker’s character back to his original vision following The Last Jedi fan backlash.”

    The report says that the director will work closely with the godfather of Star Wars that they have very exciting plans for Luke Skywalker and the other legacy characters.

    As with all rumors, you can take this with a grain of salt, but taking advice from the man who invented the galaxy far far away might not be a bad idea.

    The leak said: “George Lucas was involved in numerous sequences to fine-tune some of the legacy characters and their interactions with some of the sequel trilogy characters.

    George Lucas directed and guided JJ Abrams with Mark Hamill in exactly how the character of Luke Skywalker should be done.

    He will also be involved in some of the reshoots and editing techniques he will be overseeing during the reshoots in April and post production, which is set to end all the way in September and into October this year.”

    It’s all speculation at this point, but it was already widely reported that Lucas had a role as consultant on the franchise after Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2012, so it isn’t that far of a stretch to imagine that they might return to the source to help bring the saga home.

  • Disney Brings Home Four Oscars Including Three for Black Panther

    Disney Brings Home Four Oscars Including Three for Black Panther

    Disney picked up Four Oscars at last nights 91st Academy Awards. Marvel Studios’ groundbreaking film Black Panther received three and Pixar Animation Studios’ Bao picked up one as well.

    Black Panther’s costume design, production design and original score were recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which also honored Pixar Animation Studios’ Bao as best Short Film (Animated).

    Black Panther’s costume designer, Ruth Carter, and production designer, Hannah Beachler, made history at the 91st Oscars, becoming the first African American women to win in their respective categories.

    “Marvel may have created the first black Super Hero, but through costume design we turned him into an African king,” said Carter, as she accepted the Academy Award for best Costume Design.

    “It’s been my life’s honor to create costumes,” she added. “Thank you to the Academy. Thank you for honoring African royalty and the empowered way women can look and lead on screen.”

    The film’s three Oscars cap a memorable awards season for Black Panther, which was also nominated for Best Picture and counts among its many honors a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and a Grammy® Award for Göransson’s score. The film was also an American Film Institute (AFI) Movie of the Year and featured in the National Board of Review’s Top Films of 2018.

    Bao’s director, Domee Shi, began her animation career as an intern at Pixar in 2011 and made her directing debut with the short that opened ahead of Incredibles 2 in 2018. Accepting the Oscar with the film’s producer, Becky Neiman-Cobb, Shi sought to inspire young female artists who may follow in her footsteps. “To all of the nerdy girls out there who hide behind their sketchbooks, don’t be afraid to tell your stories to the world,” Shi emphasized. “They’re going to freak people out, but you’ll probably connect with them, too, and that’s an amazing feeling to have.”

  • VIDEO: Elsa Meets Dory in Ellen DeGeneres Spoof of New ‘Frozen 2’ Teaser

    VIDEO: Elsa Meets Dory in Ellen DeGeneres Spoof of New ‘Frozen 2’ Teaser

    The “Frozen 2” teaser-trailer was viewed online more than 116 million times, setting an all time record for an animated movie and now Ellen has revealed her own version of the teaser on Friday’s episode of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and it is too funny!

    The spoof trailer opens with the same scene that fans saw last week, with Elsa (Idina Menzel) using her powers in an attempt to freeze the ocean as she crosses it.

    Then, a familiar voice rises from the ocean. “Hi, I’m Dory, hi,” the Degeneres-voiced fish from Finding Nemo says while trailing Elsa. “I love your hair. That is some pretty hair. Do you blow dry that hair? It’s really, really pretty,” Dory says in her typical fast-paced fashion, only to be ignored by the oblivious Elsa. Take a look at the hilarious clip below:

    Even the waves and a “ooh, slippery rock!” can’t slow her down. “I’m frozen, are you frozen, too?” Dory cleverly says at the conclusion of the mock trailer.

    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.

    “Frozen 2,” hits theaters Nov. 22.

  • First Look: Disney Releases First ‘Frozen 2’ Teaser-Trailer

    First Look: Disney Releases First ‘Frozen 2’ Teaser-Trailer

    Today, Disney dropped the first teaser-trailer for “Frozen 2” and it looks amazing!

    Co-director Jennifer Lee teased that the characters are “going to go far out of Arendelle” in the sequel for a “bigger, more epic” journey.

    The teaser for the highly anticipated follow up to Disney’s 2013 hit gives us a peek at what all your favorite Arendelle characters have been up to for these last six years. Take a look at the trailer below:

    The teaser starts off with Elsa watching the rise and fall of the waves as a storm brews overhead. She then musters her courage and manages to run across the water by making a path of snowflakes and ice. However, she quickly falls into the surf.

    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.

    “Frozen 2,” hits theaters Nov. 22.

  • New ‘Aladdin’ Trailer Reveals First Look at Will Smith’s Blue Genie

    New ‘Aladdin’ Trailer Reveals First Look at Will Smith’s Blue Genie

    We’ve said it before, but this time the genie is definitely out of the bottle. The latest look at Disney’s live-action “Aladdin” is here and it finally reveals Will Smith in his full blue Genie form for the first time.

    Twenty-seven years after the animated “Aladdin” became a classic, Disney dropped the new trailer during the Grammys on Sunday night.

    Take a look below at the trailer to see what you think of Will Smith in the role.

    In addition to Smith’s Genie, who towers over Mena Massoud’s Aladdin in his bulked-up blue form, we get looks at the villainous Jafar (playing by Marwen Kenzari), Naomi Scott’s Princess Jasmine, and the sprawling city of Agrabah.

    Smith takes on Robin Williams’ former role as the Genie, promising in an Entertainment Weekly first look last December to bring a “hip hop flavor” to the part. “Sherlock Holmes” director Guy Ritchie takes the helm.

    The original, animated “Aladdin” premiered in 1992 and famously starred the late Robin Williams in a virtuoso vocal performance as the Genie that earned him a Golden Globe. The movie has grossed $504 million worldwide.  

    “Aladdin” hits theaters May 24, 2019.

  • PETA Wants Pixar to Change Bo Peep in ‘Toy Story 4’

    PETA Wants Pixar to Change Bo Peep in ‘Toy Story 4’

    Bo Peep is set to return in “Toy Story 4“, complete with a new look, but animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is already calling for changes to her character.

    Pixar released a new Bo Peep character poster and trailer earlier this week. Peep hasn’t been seen since “Toy Story 2” and fans were excited to see her return to the franchise with an updated look, but PETA has concerns.

    Her new look comes with a more empowered attitude, but the new promos show she will still be carrying her shepherd’s crook. In a press release, PETA said it sent a letter to director Josh Cooley encouraging him “to complete the character’s transformation by retiring her crook — a tool historically used to hook lambs by the legs and neck in the wool industry.”

    “A ‘badass’ Bo Peep would likely bop the shearers, not the sheep,” writes PETA Manager of Animals in Film and Television Lauren Thomasson. “[A] symbol of domination over any animal is a thing of the past and not something that belongs in Toy Story 4. Won’t you please consider removing Bo Peep’s crook from the final animation?”

    Not much is known about Bo Peep in “Toy Story 4,” considering her long break from the public eye. The first glance simply revealed the character’s new costume, and the return of her teal colored crook. While this will likely be her main weapon and tool for surviving in the world, PETA is hoping that it would be removed, due to the message it sends to audiences.

    Josh Cooley helmed the next installment of the franchise after John Lasseter stepped down from the project and the script was penned by Stephany Folsom after, actress Rashida Jones left due to “creative and philosophical differences” in November 2017.

    Disney-Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” hits theaters June 21, 2019.

  • 2319 Day is Finally Here and ‘Monsters, Inc.’ Fans Are Celebrating

    2319 Day is Finally Here and ‘Monsters, Inc.’ Fans Are Celebrating

    Today may be Super Bowl Sunday, but it’s also a big day for Pixar’s 2001 hit Monsters Inc. Since it’s Feb. 3, 2019, fans of the Pixar’s 2001 hit film have been having fun with the date today and are calling it “2319 Day.”

    A 2319 is a company or factory code in the Monsters Inc. world. When an employee is contaminated with a foreign object of a human child, a 2319 goes into effect and alerts the Child Detection Agency (CDA). The CDA removes and destroys the foreign object and decontaminate the employee.

    The Monsters INC Facebook page even made an announcement to employees as you can see in the post below:

    “Attention all employees: You may notice your calendar is warning of a 231 9 in progress — DO NOT BE ALARMED. The CDA has confirmed that this is just today’s date and not a child loose in the facility,” the post read.

    Enjoy 2319 day! It only comes once every one hundred years.

  • Keanu Reeves’ Mystery role in Toy Story 4 Reportedly Revealed

    Keanu Reeves’ Mystery role in Toy Story 4 Reportedly Revealed

    Late last year it was revealed that a new toy was coming to the toy box and that Keanu Reeves has a mystery role in the upcoming Toy Story 4. Now it appears that mystery role may have been revealed.

    Co-star Tim Allen shared the news on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and though he was cryptic about it, he hinted that it’s a toy with an intense personality. That lead many fans to speculated that it could be a John Wick inspired toy and it turns out that those predictions weren’t far off.

    Reeves is reportedly playing Duke Kaboom, who “hails from a place where discontinued toys are sent,” according to new details published by Observer. Porcelein shepherdess Bo Peep (Annie Potts), the one time girlfriend of sheriff cowboy doll Woody (Tom Hanks) before she fell victim to a yard sale, turns to Duke for help after her sheep have been taken from her.

    “They really will surprise you with the toys they came up with,” Allen said. “Characters came back, new guys in it that are great. Keanu Reeves has got a great part.”

    The role represents a big departure for Reeves. Despite a long and illustrious career — he made his breakthrough performance in River’s Edge in 1986 — Reeves has never had a voice role in an big-studio animated feature film.

    Toy Story 4 hits theaters on June 21, 2019.