Disney News

Category: News

  • OFFICIAL: ABC Announces ‘Roseanne’ Spinoff ‘The Conners’ Without Roseanne Barr

    OFFICIAL: ABC Announces ‘Roseanne’ Spinoff ‘The Conners’ Without Roseanne Barr

    ABC has greenlit a spinoff series of the now-canceled “Roseanne.” The new show currently has the working title “The Connors” and will air without the show’s embattled star.

    Today, the network announced that much of the cast of “Roseanne,” including John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson and Michael Fishman, are set to reprise their iconic roles in the new show.

    Roseanne,” ABC’s hit revival sitcom, was canceled back in May, just hours after the show’s star Roseanne Barr’s posted a racist tweet about former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett — who is African-America — and compared her to an ape.

    According to the network, Roseanne Barr will have no financial or creative involvement in the new series

    “The Conners’ stories demonstrate that families can always find common ground through conversation, laughter and love. The spinoff will continue to portray contemporary issues that are as relevant today as they were 30 years ago,” ABC shared in a statement.

    In a joint statement, the announced cast members of the spinoff said they have received a “tremendous amount of support” from fans.

    “We have received a tremendous amount of support from fans of our show, and it’s clear that these characters not only have a place in our hearts, but in the hearts and homes of our audience,” the statement read. “We all came back last season because we wanted to tell stories about the challenges facing a working-class family today. We are so happy to have the opportunity to return with the cast and crew to continue to share those stories through love and laughter.”

    ABC has given a 10-episode series order with Tom Werner as executive produce on the show. “The Conners” will air on Tuesdays at 8 p.m.

     

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

    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.

  • Rose Gold Wall At Disney World is The Hottest New Instagram Worthy Selfie Spot

    Rose Gold Wall At Disney World is The Hottest New Instagram Worthy Selfie Spot

    Disney has been releasing merchandise with all the new trendy colors, like ‘Rose Gold Spirit jerseys‘ or ‘Millennial Pink Ears‘ and guests have been setting their own trends with popular selfie walls, like the ‘Purple Wall’ in the Magic Kingdom, that make great backdrops for photos.  Now Disney is bringing together the best of both trends with a new Rose Gold Wall that makes the perfect insta-worthy selfie location.

    The new wall is located near Mission Space in Epcot and features various “rose gold” shades. The new wall is already trending on Instagram.

    Rose Gold fans and Wall Pic fans have both been painting the internet Rose Gold with their best wall selfies.

    you can be sure that more merch with hot new trendy colors will continue to be released and you can bet they will continue to add more walls for guest who love hunting for those perfect selfie spots.

  • Disney Announces $2.3 Billion Expansion For DisneySea

    Disney Announces $2.3 Billion Expansion For DisneySea

    Tokyo Disney Resort announced major details Thursday in the planned expansion of Tokyo DisneySea. The theme park is getting a $2.3 billion overhaul and adding a port for Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan.

    The new port will be the park’s eighth and is scheduled to open in 2022 as well as new 475-room deluxe hotel that will be connected to the area.

    Tokyo DisneySea is the only Disney theme park inspired by the myths and legends of the sea and is known to guests for its seven themed ports: Mediterranean Harbor, American Waterfront, Port Discovery, Lost River Delta, Arabian Coast, Mermaid Lagoon and Mysterious Island. This newest port will be themed to magical springs that lead to a world of Disney fantasy and will include four new attractions.

    Tokyo disneysea

    Guests will discover the kingdom of Arendelle after the events in “Frozen,” once the kingdom has opened its gates to visitors. A heartwarming new attraction will take guests by boat to experience the story of Elsa and Anna while enjoying iconic songs from the hit film, and a new restaurant will be located inside Arendelle Castle.

     

    Tokyo disneysea

    Another new area will invite guests into the charming forest where Rapunzel’s tower awaits. Guests can board gondolas for a romantic tour of Rapunzel’s “best day ever” as she journeys with Flynn to the lantern festival for an unforgettable finale. Also on the menu is a restaurant inspired by the hideout of the humorous band of thugs in the movie.

    Tokyo disneysea

    A new deluxe resort hotel will also open inside Tokyo DisneySea as part of this latest expansion plan. Themed to Disney fantasy, the hotel will rise above and around the magical springs of the new themed port, featuring 475 deluxe and luxury guest rooms, two restaurants and a merchandise shop.

    This new project marks another major step in the evolution of Tokyo Disney Resort, on the heels of the 35th Anniversary “Happiest Celebration!” and the ongoing Tokyo Disneyland development. Stay tuned for more details on these worlds of fantasy coming soon to Tokyo DisneySea!

  • Comcast Tops Disney’s Bid For Fox With $65 Billion All-Cash Offer

    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.

  • First Teaser Trailer For Tim Burton’s Live Action Dumbo Released

    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.

  • VIDEO: New Kingdom Hearts 3 Release Will Feature Frozen World & Characters

    VIDEO: New Kingdom Hearts 3 Release Will Feature Frozen World & Characters

    Fans of the Kingdom Hearts series have been anxiously awaiting the next instalment in the franchise and after Microsoft’s E3 press conference yesterday we have some chilling new details. It was revealed that Kingdom Hearts 3 will feature a world based on Disney’s Frozen.

    Kingdom Hearts III is an upcoming action role-playing game, developed by Square Enix and published by Disney Interactive Studios for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It is the ninth installment in the Kingdom Hearts series. The beloved game is a crossover of various Disney settings based in a universe made specifically for the series. The series’ plot centers on the main character Sora’s search for his friends and his encounters with Disney characters (and a few others) on their worlds.

    A new trailer, featuring the theme song “Don’t Think Twice” by Utada Hikaru, was released during the conference that showcased the new world. Watch it below:

    In addition to Frozen, the confirmed Disney worlds in the game are Tangled, Big Hero Six, Hercules, Toy Story, and Monsters Inc. Some other characters you will get a chance to meet also include Wreck-it Ralph and Ratatouille.

    The game was confirmed to be in development during E3 2013 and it is set to be released on January 29, 2019.

  • Pirates of the Caribbean Returns to Disneyland with New Magic

    Pirates of the Caribbean Returns to Disneyland with New Magic

    Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland has been under refurbishment since mid April and the newly revamped ride will finally be back up and running beginning Friday June 8.

    As we previously shared, guests now sailing will be introduced to a new scene, that’s familiar to those who have visited Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris, which features a pirate auctioneer overseeing a sale of the townspeople’s most prized possessions and goods. The familiar redhead figure, known as Redd, has also switched sides to become a pirate who’s just pillaged the town’s rum supply.

    Red Head Pirates of the Caribbean

    The redhead has been part of the auction scene in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction since it first opened, but last year Disney announced that it would be reimagining that section of the ride. The attraction has already opened in Disney World with its new scene, but Disneyland guests are anxiously awaiting the reopening of the classic attraction.

    Timed to coincide with the re-opening of the attraction, now you will actually be able to meet the redhead who has now turned pirate. Beginning Friday, June 8, the brassy buccaneer known as Redd will be arriving at Disneyland and you can meet her in person in New Orleans Square.

    Redd_Pirates_of_the_caribbean

    In the video below you can see another new bit of magic developed by Disney’s team of Imagineers. Kim Irvine, Art Director for Walt Disney Imagineering, gives a peek at what’s new inside Pirates of the Caribbean!

    As Kim mentions, another fun element has been added, which fans from the attraction’s early days may recognize—but you’ll have to experience it for yourself and listen closely to find out!

  • BREAKING: John Lasseter Out at Disney at the End of This Year

    BREAKING: John Lasseter Out at Disney at the End of This Year

    John Lasseter, the chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studio and co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, will exit the company at year’s end, the Walt Disney Corporation announced Friday, after accusations of repeated misconduct that led to a six-month leave of absence last fall.

    Disney CEO Bob Iger gave Lasseter a glowing review in a statement released today and announced that he will assume a consulting role at Disney until December 31, 2018, at which time he will depart.

    “John had a remarkable tenure at Pixar and Disney Animation, reinventing the animation business, taking breathtaking risks, and telling original, high quality stories that will last forever,” Iger said in the statement. “We are profoundly grateful for his contributions, which included a masterful and remarkable turnaround of The Walt Disney Animation Studios. One of John’s greatest achievements is assembling a team of great storytellers and innovators with the vision and talent to set the standard in animation for generations to come.”

    Lasseter also released a statement with some parting thoughts as he looks toward the future. “The last six months have provided an opportunity to reflect on my life, career and personal priorities,” said John Lasseter. “While I remain dedicated to the art of animation and inspired by the creative talent at Pixar and Disney, I have decided the end of this year is the right time to begin focusing on new creative challenges. I am extremely proud of what two of the most important and prolific animation studios have achieved under my leadership and I’m grateful for all of the opportunities to follow my creative passion at Disney.”

    Disney did not announce a replacement for Lasseter at either studio. Jennifer Lee, the writer-director of “Frozen,” is rumored to be the frontrunner at Walt Disney Animation Studios, while Pete Docter, the director of “Inside Out” and “Up,” is the top contender at Pixar.

  • Disney World Passholders Get Exclusive Access To Toy Story Land This September

    Disney World Passholders Get Exclusive Access To Toy Story Land This September

    Walt Disney World has some exciting news for Florida annual passholders. They announced in an email to passholders that select gold, platinum, platinum plus and premier passholders will receive exclusive access to Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in September.

    Attendees will get exclusive access to 2 new attractions and one favorite at Toy Story Land—including Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers and Toy Story Mania! Plus, hungry Passholders can chow down on tasty vittles available for purchase at Woody’s Lunch Box.

    Advance registration is required—so be on the lookout for an event invitation with registration details in your email. If an eligible Passholder would like to register a Guest to accompany them, that Guest must also have a valid Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus or Premier annual pass, be listed on your Family & Friends list and have opted to share “All My Plans” with you.

    Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus and Premier Passholders must pre-register by making an online reservation for ONE event. There is no additional charge for this event. Valid annual pass and photo ID required at check-in. Activities and attractions are subject to change without notice.

    Event capacity is limited and is subject to availability. Toy Story Land opens to the public on June 30.