Category: Movies

BREAKING: Disney Raises Bid To $71 Billion For 21st Century Fox

The bidding war for Twenty-First Century Fox’s assets is in full swing and both Disney and Comcast are battling it out in an attempt to gain control of the companies lucrative assets. The Walt Disney Co. isn’t holding any punches either as the company raised its bid for Fox’s assets to $71.3 billion, the companies announced today.

The two media juggernauts are going head to head with a $65 billion offer coming from Comcast just a week ago, nearly six months after Disney initially bid $52.4 billion for Fox in December. The new bid is $38 a share, up from Disney’s $28 a share offer in December and rivaling Comcast’s $35 a share all-cash bid last week.

The bidding war was expected as the two media giants battle over Fox’s movie production business as well as FX, NatGeo, Fox’s 30 percent stake in Hulu and its international assets, including Star India and its 39 percent stake in European pay TV giant Sky. 21st Century Fox is the next big prize as the media industry consolidates to survive against competitors like Netflix.

During a call with investors today, Disney CEO Bob Iger was extremely confident about the potential acquisition. “We believe that we have a much better opportunity — both in terms of approval, and the timing of that approval — than Comcast does in this case,” he said.

Disney again emphasized the business and strategic benefits of the takeover for investors. “The acquisition of 21st Century Fox will bring significant financial value to the shareholders of both companies, and after six months of integration planning we’re even more enthusiastic and confident in the strategic fit of the assets and the talent at Fox,” Iger earlier said in a statement. “At a time of dynamic change in the entertainment industry, the combination of Disney’s and Fox’s unparalleled collection of businesses and franchises will allow us to create more appealing high-quality content, expand our direct-to-consumer offerings and international presence, and deliver more personalized and compelling entertainment experiences to meet growing consumer demand around the world.”

Disney’s new bid allows Fox shareholders to choose cash or stock. Fox called the new Disney offer “superior” to the Comcast proposal.

June 20, 2018
Comcast Tops Disney’s Bid For Fox With $65 Billion All-Cash Offer

The bidding war for 21st Century Fox has started. Today, Comcast made a $65 billion all-cash offer for the bulk of 21st Century Fox’s TV and studio assets, topping a previous $52.4 billion bid made by Walt Disney Company.

If successful, the move would bring together Comcast’s NBC broadcast network and the Universal movie studio with 20th Century Fox, the FX cable network and the regional Fox sports networks. The offer is valued at $35.00 per share in cash, representing a premium of approximately 19% to the value of Disney’s all-stock offer, according to Comcast.

“We have long admired what the Murdoch family has built at Twenty-First Century Fox,” Comcast CEO Brian Roberts wrote in a letter to Fox’s controlling Murdoch family, telling 21st Century Fox Executive Chairman Rupert Murdoch and his sons Lachlan and James that Comcast “would be the right strategic home” for the parts of the company that are for sale.

The financial bidding war comes just a day after a U.S. District Judge gave his blessing for AT&T’s to by Time Warner, without any conditions on the $85.4 billion deal. That approval signaled that Comcast might have less trouble getting the deal approved than previously expected.

If Disney comes out on top of the bidding war, the acquisition could cement Disney CEO Bob Iger’s legacy. Sealing a deal for Fox would cap off a slew of massive acquisitions under his aegis at Disney, which include a $4 billion buy of Marvel Entertainment in 2009; a $4 billion purchase of Lucasfilm in 2009; and $2.58 billion over three years for BAMTech, the streaming-video unit that is meant to power Disney’s various subscription-based video outlets.

But a deal would benefit Comcast similarly, adding new strength to its Universal movie production operations, its NBC Sports unit, and its cable programming operations.

Comcast’s $65 billion all-cash offer for Fox’s entertainment businesses is higher than the $60 billion that pundits had been predicting. Experts are expecting Disney to make a counter offer.

The battle for Twenty-First Century Fox comes as traditional entertainment companies try to amass more properties to compete better with technology companies such as Netflix for viewers’ attention — and dollars.

June 13, 2018
First Teaser Trailer For Tim Burton’s Live Action Dumbo Released

Disney has unveiled the first teaser trailer for Tim Burton’s live-action “Dumbo” remake and it will warm your heart.

The reimagined story expands on the beloved classic story where, as Disney puts it, “differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight.” The trailer, which features Norwegian popstar Aurora singing Baby Mine, features clips of Dreamland as well as Dumbo taking flight for the first time.

Tim Burton helms the live action “Dumbo” which is inspired by the 1941 animated film. It’s written by Ehren Kruger and has an all-star cast including Eva Green, Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Alan Arkin, and Danny Devito.

The story begins when circus owner Max Medici played by Danny DeVito who enlists former star Holt Farrier played Colin Farrell and his children to care for a newborn elephant. “We’re all family here,” they tell a frightened Dumbo. “No matter how small.”

Disney has continued its dominance at the box office in with a slew of live-action remakes of its animated classics, including “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Jungle Book,” and last year’s $1.25 billion worldwide grossing “Beauty and the Beast.”

Tim Burton’s Dumbo flies into theaters March 29, 2019.

June 13, 2018
“Incredibles 2” To Premiere On Disney Cruise Line Ships At The Same Time As On Land

Next weekend, the long-awaited sequel to Disney•Pixar’s animated hit “The Incredibles” blasts into theaters, and guests sailing with Disney Cruise Line won’t have to wait until they get home to find out what our favorite family of supers have been up to since we last saw them. “Incredibles 2” will premiere in Disney cruise ship theaters at the same time as on land!

Incredibly guests can can also relive the excitement of the original film from the comfort of their staterooms! “The Incredibles” is available on-demand aboard all Disney Cruise Line ships, along with a massive line-up of Disney animated and live-action films. For guests sailing over the next week, an in-room viewing party complete with milk and cookies from room service is the perfect way to celebrate the return of Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, Violet, Dash and Jack Jack.

The littlest sailors can even get in on the action during Jack Jack’s Incredible Diaper Dash, a high-speed crawling race named for the youngest Parr family hero. During the dash, babies don their race numbers and crawl to the finish line of a specially themed 20-foot track, fueled by rousing music from the film and the cheers of an atrium full of spectators. This super fun event is offered year-round, and it’s a blast for guests sailing with and without crawling cruisers of their own.

Will you be catching up with the Incredibles on land or at sea next weekend? Either way, it’s sure to be “totally wicked!”

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June 10, 2018
New ‘Wreck-It Ralph 2’ Trailer is Full of Disney Princesses

Disney dropped the newest trailer for “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2″ today and for some it’s a dream come true! This is not your ordinary fairytale, but all the Disney Princesses make an appearance in the trailer.

The highly-anticipated animated sequel picks up six years after the original. This time around, after their old-fashioned arcade is connected to a Wi-Fi router, they find themselves on an adventure that takes them across the world wide web.

Check out the new trailer below!

The trailer is highlighted by Vanellope meeting all the Disney Princesses including Auli‘i Cravalho (“Moana”), Kristen Bell (Anna in “Frozen”), Kelly Macdonald (Merida in “Brave”), Mandy Moore (Rapunzel in “Tangled”), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog”), Irene Bedard (“Pocahontas”), Linda Larkin (Jasmine in “Aladdin”), Paige O’Hara (Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”) and Jodi Benson (Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”).

“Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2” leaves Litwak’s video arcade behind, venturing into the uncharted, expansive and thrilling world of the internet—which may or may not survive Ralph’s wrecking. Video game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) must risk it all by traveling to the world wide web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope’s video game, Sugar Rush. In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet—the netizens—to help navigate their way, including a webite entrepreneur named Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site “BuzzzTube.” Directed by Rich Moore (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph”) and Phil Johnston (co-writer “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Cedar Rapids,” co-writer “Zootopia,”), and produced by Clark Spencer (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Bolt”).

The original film made $471.2 million worldwide. “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2” the follow-up to the 2012 hit, hits theaters on Nov. 21.

June 4, 2018
Celebrate Disney’s ‘Peter Pan’ 65th Anniversary Edition Release

In celebration of the 65th anniversary Walt Disney Signature Collection release of Disney’s “Peter Pan,” Walt Disney World Resort guests will be treated to special entertainment and activities this Saturday, June 2nd.

At 1:30 p.m. at Magic Kingdom Park, Peter Pan, Wendy and the Lost Boys, will “Follow the Leader” along with invited DisneyBounding guests up and down Main Street, U.S.A. in a mini-parade. Be on the lookout for pirates led by the nefarious Captain Hook too!

That evening, Guests of Walt Disney World Resorts can also cozy up under the second star to the right for a showing of “Peter Pan” during Movies Under the Stars and receive a special “Peter Pan” 65th Anniversary Walt Disney Signature Collection poster, while supplies last.

The Walt Disney Signature Collection edition of “Peter Pan” invites adventurers of all ages to believe in magic once again and experience a timeless treasure from Disney’s Golden Age of Animation. “Peter Pan” has stirred the hearts and imaginations of moviegoers worldwide since its original 1953 release. The Signature Collection edition offers over two hours of classic bonus features plus never-before-seen extras, including the latest installment of “Stories from Walt’s Office,” which explores Walt’s love of flying and the company planes; a nostalgic reunion between Kathryn Beaumont (the voice of Wendy) and Paul Collins (the voice of John); and new “Oke” renditions of the classic song “You Can Fly” and deleted song “Never Smile at a Crocodile” accompanied by on-screen lyrics and the film’s unforgettable animated characters.

The Walt Disney Signature Collection edition of “Peter Pan,” is available on Digital and Movies Anywhere now and releases on Blu-ray June 5th.

May 31, 2018
Get a Sneak Peek of ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp’ Starting June 8 at Disneyland Park

“Ant-Man and The Wasp” is the next big Super Hero action-adventure to hit theaters this summer, and Disney is shrinking it down to give you a preview of scenes from the new film in a special sneak peek planned for Disneyland park.

For a limited time from June 8 – July 15, Disneyland guests can get an advance look at scenes from “Ant-Man and The Wasp,” presented at the Tomorrowland Theater.

“Ant-Man and The Wasp” brings 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.

Here’s a look at the latest trailer for the film:

Team up with a partner – or your whole family – and catch this sneak peek, starting June 8 at Disneyland park, and look for “Ant-Man and The Wasp” when it buzzes into theaters nationwide on July 6.

May 28, 2018
Comcast Challenging Disney For Fox Assets With Estimated $60 Billion Bid

You may want to get some pop corn and get ready to watch the show, because the battle for Fox isn’t over. Comcast is jumping back into the race for Fox with Estimated $60 Billion offer.

On Wednesday, Comcast confirmed that it’s in the “advanced stages” of making an offer. The company provided very few details other than it would it be an all-cash offer. Disney offered Fox a $52.4 billion all-stock deal late last year, and shareholders are expected to vote on the offer this summer. Comcast is hoping to sneak in with this all-cash offer ahead of that vote.

Last year, even though it exceeded Disney’s offer, Fox’s board rejected Comcast’s original bid, because they believed it was more risky with regulators to get approval. Now it seems that another major deal — Time Warner and AT&T — might actually go through. If it does, Comcast could potentially acquire parts of Fox without alarming regulators.

The Fox assets — which range from international pay-TV distribution to cable networks and a stake in streaming giant Hulu — are some of the most-prized entertainment properties likely to come on the market for some time, and the Murdoch family’s willingness to sell these assets has come as a surprise to many in the media industry.

The rare acquisition opportunity, combined with the need to significantly expand overseas and acquire new distribution and content, is adding a dimension of urgency for both Comcast and Disney.

May 25, 2018
Hocus Pocus And The All-New Sequel is a Novel Idea and It’s Happening

“Hocus Pocus” fans have been clamoring for a sequel for years and now they are finally getting one… Just not in the way you think! This sequel is coming in the form of a book. It may not be a feature film, but it still has many running amok, amok, amok with anticipation!

The new book is coming out just in time for the 25th anniversary of the iconic film and it’s going to be a two-parter. Part one is a fresh retelling of the original film, and part two is a sequel that continues the story of your favorite characters and the next generation of Salem teens.

In part two you’ll get to hear the story of a grown-up Max Dennison, who ended up marrying Allison, of course! We’ll also get to catch up with Dani Dennison, and meet Max and Allison’s seventeen-year-old daughter, Poppy. The story takes place on a blood moon and the group will face a challenge when they accidentally release a coven of witches from the afterlife and have to save Salem and everyone in it. Sounds very intriguing! Take a look at the cover art for Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel:

It’s already been reported that Disney Channel is in early stages of development on a “Hocus Pocus” TV movie, a reimagining of the 1993 cult classic Walt Disney feature, which starred Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. It’s not exactly clear at this point how these plans will factor into the made for TV movie, if at all.

Disney didn’t say whether or not the sequel will be adapted to film, but where there is a will there is a way, and where there is a book there is a possibility. Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel will be available for purchase on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 and you can pre-order the book here.

May 25, 2018
First Look: First Official ‘Christopher Robin’ Trailer Released Online

The Hundred Acre Wood is opening up to our world and the first official trailer for Disney’s live-action Christopher Robin trailer has finally been released online!

In the heartwarming live action adventure Disney’s “Christopher Robin,” the young boy who embarked on countless adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with his band of spirited and lovable stuffed animals, has grown up and lost his way. Now it is up to his childhood friends to venture into our world and help Christopher Robin — played by Ewan McGregor — remember the loving and playful boy who is still inside.

This means that Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, and many other characters from the animated franchise will be making their way to our world in the film. Instead of bringing the cartoon versions into the real world, these characters will be walking, talking stuffed animals when they appear to Christopher. Take a look at the amazing new trailer below!

The poster released by Disney yesterday features McGregor’s Christopher Robin, surrounded by the real life versions of Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore.

Disney’s “Christopher Robin” is directed by Marc Forster from a screenplay by Alex Ross Perry and Allison Schroeder and a story by Perry based on characters created by A.A. Milne. The film stars Ewan McGregor as Christopher Robin; Hayley Atwell as his wife Evelyn; Bronte Carmichael as his daughter Madeline; and Mark Gatiss as Keith Winslow, Robin’s boss. The film also features the voices of: Jim Cummings as Winnie the Pooh; Chris O’Dowd as Tigger; Brad Garrett as Eeyore; Toby Jones as Owl; Nick Mohammed as Piglet; Peter Capaldi as Rabbit; and Sophie Okonedo as Kanga.

Winnie the Pooh is coming back to the big screen this summer and the film is set to hit theaters on August 3.

May 25, 2018