Disney News

Category: Television

  • FIRST LOOK: New Star Wars TV Series Name Revealed As Production Begins

    FIRST LOOK: New Star Wars TV Series Name Revealed As Production Begins

    Production on the first Star Wars live-action series has begun as you can see in this recently released set photo! Iron Man director Jon Favreau took to social media last week to announce that the title of the live-action scripted Star Wars TV series for Disney’s new streaming service will be: The Mandalorian!

    As we previously reported, the live action series was confirmed by Walt Disney Company chairman and CEO Bob Iger on a quarterly earnings call with investors last November and will debut on Disney’s digital streaming service.

    “The Mandalorian”, focuses on a “lone gunfighter” in the era after the events of “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.” After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe.”The Mandalorian” is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. We follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic.

    The series will be written and executive produced by Emmy-nominated producer and actor Jon Favreau, as previously announced, with Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels) directing the first episode. Additional episodic directors include Deborah Chow (Jessica Jones), Rick Famuyiwa (Dope), Bryce Dallas Howard (Solemates), and Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok). It will be executive produced by Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy, and Colin Wilson. Karen Gilchrist will serve as co-executive producer.

    In early March, Lucasfilm announced that Emmy-nominated producer and actor Jon Favreau has signed on to executive produce and write a live-action Star Wars series for Disney’s new direct-to-consumer platform. Favreau is no stranger to the Star Wars galaxy having played roles in both the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series and in the upcoming Solo: A Star Wars Story.

    “I couldn’t be more excited about Jon coming on board to produce and write for the new direct-to-consumer platform,” says Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. “Jon brings the perfect mix of producing and writing talent, combined with a fluency in the Star Wars universe. This series will allow Jon the chance to work with a diverse group of writers and directors and give Lucasfilm the opportunity to build a robust talent base.”

    Favreau is thrilled to be returning to the Star Wars galaxy: “If you told me at 11 years old that I would be getting to tell stories in the Star Wars universe, I wouldn’t have believed you. I can’t wait to embark upon this exciting adventure.”

  • ‘Sofia The First’ Show Ending Its Run In September with Special Extended Series Finale

    ‘Sofia The First’ Show Ending Its Run In September with Special Extended Series Finale

    Some sad news for fans of Disney Junior’s “Sofia the First”. Disney announced this week that the Emmy Award winning show will be ending after nearly six years, four season and two record-breaking specials.

    Sofia the First is an animated television series that premiered on November 18, 2012. The show follows the adventures of Sofia, played by Ariel Winter. Sofia becomes a princess when her mother, Miranda, marries King Roland II of Enchancia. The show features songs by John Kavanaugh and Erica Rothschild and a musical score by Kevin Kliesch.

    In the finale episode, as Sofia, and siblings Amber and James, prepare for their graduation from Royal Prep Academy, Sofia is called back to the Mystic Isles to face an evil witch named Vor, who is trying to take over the kingdom of Enchancia. Presented with her biggest challenge yet, Sofia must figure out a way to defeat Vor and save her family and the people of Enchancia. Sofia the First: Forever Royal features recurring guest stars Eric Stonestreet as Minimus, Bonnie Hunt as Aunt Tilly, Andrew Rannells as Skye, Megan Hilty as Prisma, Ellie Kemper as Crackle, Ming-Na Wen as Vega, Colin Salmon as Orion, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Chrysta, Paty Lombard as Vor and Hugh Bonneville as the Voice of the Secret Library.

    “Sofia the First” has more that 100 episodes and continue to air on Disney Junior and Disney Channel platforms around the world. The special extended finale of “Sofia the First”, titled “Sofia the First: Forever Royal,” debuts on Disney Junior on September 8th at 11 a.m. EST.

  • Disney Drops Trailer for ‘The Force Awakens’ Prequel Series ‘Star Wars Resistance’

    Disney Drops Trailer for ‘The Force Awakens’ Prequel Series ‘Star Wars Resistance’

    Friday, we got our first look at Star Wars Resistance, the new anime-inspired animated series, and a promise of more to come when the series debuts on Sunday, October 7th at 10 p.m. EST on Disney Channel, DisneyNOW, and Disney Channel VOD, with subsequent airings on Disney XD.

    The trailer comes complete with familiar faces like Poe Dameron and everyone’s happily-beeping buddy, BB-8; a glimpse at the new cast of characters including Kazuda Xiono, the young pilot recruited by the Resistance; and an introduction to the Colossus, a massive refueling platform on an outer rim ocean planet. The series, set prior to the events in The Force Awakens, also welcomes Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie to the voice cast, reprising their roles as Poe and Captain Phasma, respectively.

    See the trailer for yourself below:

    We’re also thrilled to bring you intel on the first episode! In the one-hour premiere “The Recruit,” Poe and BB-8 assign Kaz to the Colossus, where he meets a cast of colorful new aliens, droids and creatures. While undercover to spy on the growing threat of the First Order, Kaz works as a mechanic and lives with Poe’s old friend Yeager — a veteran pilot who operates a starship repair shop run by his crew: Tam, Neeku and a battered old astromech called Bucket.

    “Can you imagine what it’s like to be an ace pilot?” Kaz asks.

    This fall, imagine no more. Welcome to the Resistance!

  • Mickey Mouse Is Getting His Own Prime-Time Special On ABC Celebrating 90 Years

    Mickey Mouse Is Getting His Own Prime-Time Special On ABC Celebrating 90 Years

    Mickey Mouse is turning 90 this year and Tuesday, ABC announced the iconic character will be getting his own prime-time TV special.

    “Mickey’s 90th Spectacular,” is a two-hour prime-time special that will air Sunday, November 4 at 8:00p.m. EST! The program will feature tributes and never-before-seen short films of The Walt Disney Company’s global ambassador.

    The list of performers participating in the celebration will be released at a later date.

    Mickey’s birthday is celebrated in honor of the release of his first theatrical film, Steamboat Willie, on November 18, 1928, at the Colony Theatre in New York City. Since then, he has starred in more than 100 cartoons and can currently be seen on Disney Channel in the Mickey Mouse cartoon series and on Disney Junior in Mickey and the Roadster Racers.

  • Disney Junior Star Vampirina Is Coming to Disney Parks for Halloween Time

    Disney Junior Star Vampirina Is Coming to Disney Parks for Halloween Time

    If you have little ones who love Disney Junior then you know who Vampirina is and now she is making her way to Disney Parks, just in time for Halloween!

    After debuting last fall on Disney Channel and Disney Junior, “Vampirina” has become one of the newest hit series for kids and families, ranking among the top five series on TV among girls ages 2 – 5.

    Starting September 30, Vampirina will begin making visits to Walt Disney World Resort, where she’ll join her pals for breakfast at Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine. Later this fall at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll have a chance to meet her in the Animation Courtyard, and of course, she’ll be part of the fun at the all-new “Disney Junior Dance Party!”

    Vampirina will be arriving at Disneyland Resort this fall for Halloween Time as well. You’ll get to meet her at Disney California Adventure park starting September 7, and Vee will also be making special appearances during the Frightfully Fun Parade at Mickey’s Halloween Party, offered select nights September 19 through October 31. Later this year, she will also join the high-energy cast of “Disney Junior Dance Party!”

    “Vampirina” blends spooky fun, heartfelt storytelling and Broadway-caliber music in stories that follow Vampirina (aka “Vee”) as she faces the joys and trials of being the new kid in town, including making friends and attending a new school in the human world. Along the way, Vee learns that it may be easier to blend in with her peers, but it’s more valuable to celebrate the qualities that make each individual unique.

  • ABC’s ‘American Idol’ Nationwide Bus Tour Auditions Kickoff at Walt Disney World

    ABC’s ‘American Idol’ Nationwide Bus Tour Auditions Kickoff at Walt Disney World

    The groundbreaking series, “American Idol,” debuted on its new home at ABC in last year. The show is coming back once again and for the second year in a row, the ‘Idol’ bus will kick off open auditions at the Walt Disney World Resort.

    On Saturday, August 25, ABC’s “American Idol” will begin its 20-plus city search for the next singing sensation when the Idol bus arrives at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. And during auditions at the complex, ABC’s “American Idol” Season 1 winner Maddie Poppe, runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson and finalist Catie Turner will make special appearances.

    ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is located at: 700 S. Victory Way Kissimmee, FL 34747

    Early arrival is encouraged. Parking will be available as early as 4 a.m., but not before. Registration will begin at 7 a.m. with auditions starting at 9 a.m. Overnight camping will not be allowed. Celebrity judges will not be on site. Make sure to bring water, sunscreen and a hat to stay in top shape for your audition.

    All singers must be at least 15 years old to audition. Pre-registration is encouraged. To Pre-register and for additional details, full eligibility requirements, submission forms, and terms and conditions, visit www.americanidol.com/auditions. If you’re auditioning, you can bring one guest to accompany you, and the guest must be over 5 years old.

    “American Idol” bus tour auditions will begin on the same day in San Diego, California, as a second Idol Bus joins the nationwide quest for talent.

    In addition to appearing in person, hopefuls can submit audition videos online via www.americanidol.com/auditions or by showing off their talents via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or Musical.ly using the hashtag #TheNextIdol.

    American Idol” returns for its second season on ABC for the 2018-2019 season with all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Emmy®-winning producer Ryan Seacrest will also return as host.

    Can’t make it to the auditions at Walt Disney World Resort? Check out www.americanidol.com/auditions for other cities around the United States.

  • No, Disney Is NOT Making Fortnite TV Show for Disney XD

    No, Disney Is NOT Making Fortnite TV Show for Disney XD

    Recently, rumors of a Fortnite TV show in the works for Disney have gained a lot of attention, but the hopes of Fortnite fans have been “knocked” as they find out the announcement made by a fake Twitter account isn’t real.

    If you’ve never heard of Fortnite, it’s a co-op fantasy ‘Battle Royale’-style survival game that was first released in July 2017. Earlier this year, it became the most-viewed game in YouTube history and the free-to-play game has attracted more than 125 million players globally. The games massive success made it easy for some to believe that a TV show was a real possibility.

    The rumors started after a Disney XD parody account tweeted the fake announcement of a Fortnite TV show leading many to believe a show was in the works as you can see in the post below.

    The fake announcement stated the show would premiere on August 12, 2019 and teased upcoming sneak peeks throughout the week and has been retweeted more than three thousand times.

    The parody account goes by the Twitter handle @DisnayXD and even uses a globe icon at the end of the username to convince users that it’s a verified account.

    The tweet gained enough attention to get addressed by an employee of Epic.

    Nick Chester tweeted condemned the tweet and anyone reporting it as fact, eliminating any question that a TV show is being made.

     

  • Disney Made A ‘Three Caballeros’ TV Series, But It’s Not Available in the US

    Disney Made A ‘Three Caballeros’ TV Series, But It’s Not Available in the US

    So the good news is that Disney has produced a new animated series inspired by “The Three Caballeros” starring Donald Duck. The bad news is that it’s not available in the United States.

    The new animated series entitled “Legend of the Three Caballeros” reunites Donald with Panchito Pistoles and José Carioca, his co-stars from the 1944 animated film.

    The new show has thirteen episodes, but it is currently available only on the Disneylife app. The app is a streaming on demand service that Disney is trying out in the Philippines. Clips of the show have made their way online and it looks amazing.  Take a look at the shows intro below.

    The production wasn’t exactly a secret, but Disney has yet to officially announced the show, and buzz on the internet has brought it to people’s attention.

    Matt Chapman, who worked on the show took to Twitter clarify that it was developed through Disney Interactive, not Disney Television Animation, which handles most of the studio’s animated series.

    “The Three Caballeros” premiered in Mexico City on December 21, 1944 and was produced as part of the studio’s good will message for South America. It was released in the United States on February 3, 1945 and was the seventh Disney animated feature film. The film plots an adventure through parts of Latin America, combining live-action and animation.

    While it’s still unclear if “Legend of The Three Caballeros” will be released in the US, the chances seem pretty high. Next year will be the 75th anniversary of The Three Caballeros and with Disney’s streaming service debuting in 2019 as well, the show may already have a perfect home.

  • Nintendo And Disney Team Up For Switch Family Showdown Competition TV Show

    Nintendo And Disney Team Up For Switch Family Showdown Competition TV Show

    Nintendo and Disney have announced that the two companies will be teaming up together to create a Switch-focused competitive game show, titled Nintendo Switch Family Showdown.

    Nintendo Switch Family Showdown, hosted by the Disney Channel, will pit families against each other in a fun and friendly competition, according to a release. On a colorful Nintendo-themed set, families will compete in a series of challenges in Nintendo Switch games, like searching for collectibles in Super Mario Odyssey, competing in head-to-head matchups in Mario Tennis Aces and participating in dance-offs in Just Dance 2018.

    Families can apply for the contest by submitting an original video, up to one minute in length, explaining why they are the ultimate Nintendo fans. Selected families will win a trip to Los Angeles to meet their favorite Disney Channel stars and compete in the Nintendo Switch Family Showdown for a chance to win even more prizes.

    Nintendo_Disney

    Entries are open until July 1, and the competition will be held in August. The competition will be aired on the Disney Channel, Disney XD, and streamed on the DisneyNOW app.

    For more information about and to enter for a chance to be a part of the Nintendo Switch Family Showdown, visit http://nintendoswitchshowdown.com/.

  • 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.