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  • Disney Channel Star Cameron Boyce Dead at 20

    Disney Channel Star Cameron Boyce Dead at 20

    Actor Cameron Boyce, best known for his role as the teenage son of Cruella de Vil in the Disney Channel franchise “Descendants,” has died at the age of 20.

    Boyce, who played Carlos de Vil in the “Descendants” movies, died Saturday at his home in Los Angeles, according to his spokesperson.

    An official cause of death has not been announced, but his family released a statement Sunday saying Boyce “passed away in his sleep due to a seizure that was a result of an ongoing medical condition for which he was being treated.

    “The world is now undoubtedly without one of its brightest lights, but his spirit will live on through the kindness and compassion of all who knew and loved him. We are utterly heartbroken,” the family statement said.

    According to his bio on the Disney Channel, Boyce was born and raised in Los Angeles. He was a dancer who got his acting start in commercials, then television and film. Boyce starred alongside Adam Sandler in “Grown Ups” and “Grown Ups 2,” and other film credits include “Mirrors,” ”Eagle Eye” and the indie feature “Runt.” He also starred in the upcoming HBO series “Mrs. Fletcher.”

    A Disney Channel spokesperson released a statement Sunday saying that from a young age, Boyce dreamed of sharing his artistic talents with the world and was fueled by a desire to make a difference in peoples’ lives through his humanitarian work.

    “He was an incredibly talented performer, a remarkably caring and thoughtful person and, above all else, he was a loving and dedicated son, brother, grandson and friend,” the statement said. “We offer our deepest condolences to his family, castmates and colleagues and join his many millions of fans in grieving his untimely passing. He will be dearly missed.”

    “Descendants 3” is scheduled for release in August.

  • 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.

  • The Simpsons are Coming to D23 Expo 2019

    The Simpsons are Coming to D23 Expo 2019

    Disney just announced, Springfield’s number one family will be making their way to Anaheim this August when The Simpsons comes to D23 Expo for the first time ever.

    Now that the Disney/Fox merger is complete, the longest-running primetime scripted show in television history, The Simpsons, is now part of the family and will be headed to D23 Expo this year. They’ll be talking all about the upcoming season in a panel on Saturday, August 24, at 10 a.m. in the D23 Expo Arena.

    Creator Matt Groening, Executive Producer Al Jean, Executive Producer Matt Selman, Supervising Director Mike B. Anderson, and stars Nancy Cartwright and Yeardley Smith will all be in attendance, and you can expect lots of surprises, including an exclusive Simpsons collectible item for everyone in attendance.

    If you head over to the convention floor during D23 Expo 2019, you’ll have the opportunity to get close and personal with Bart, Lisa, and the rest of The Simpsons family. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll even get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet Matt Groening and the rest of the panelists during a one-hour autograph signing session of an exclusive The Simpsons mini-poster right after the panel.

    For fans of the long running series this is news that’ll make you say, “Ay caramba!,” and run all the way from Moe’s to D23 Expo 2019!

  • 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.

  • Disney Announces ‘Chip ‘n’ Dale’ Reboot In Works At Disney+

    Disney Announces ‘Chip ‘n’ Dale’ Reboot In Works At Disney+

    Disney+ has announced a reboot of its classic animated series Chip ‘n’ Dale is in production and set for release as a Disney+ original series.

    The 39 seven minute episodes will feature the return of everyone’s favorite chipmunk troublemakers in non-verbal, classic comedy stylings.

    Each of the 39 shorts will follow the ups and downs of the cutest chipmunks around living life in the big city. Combining a traditional style of animation with contemporary, comedic narratives, Chip ‘n’ Dale is directed by Jean Cayrol and produced by Marc du Pontavice.

    The series is developed by Disney’s London-based animation team in collaboration with Xilam Animation in Paris.

    Disney+ launches in the U.S. on November 12, 2019.

  • 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.

  • Ray-Ban Releases Another Pair of Mickey Mouse Sunglasses

    Ray-Ban Releases Another Pair of Mickey Mouse Sunglasses

    Summer is here and as the sun gets brighter each day you may want to sport some Mickey Mouse inspired sunglasses. Luckily you can, Mickey Mouse and Ray-Ban have teamed up once again with an awesome design.

    Back by popular demand, Ray-Ban sunglasses featuring everyone’s favorite Mouse are once again available at Sunglass Hut locations at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. And best of all, Disney Parks guests will not only get a first look at the new design, they can be among the first to purchase.

    These sunglasses will be available exclusively at select Disney Parks retail locations for a limited time, before the launch expands to other Sunglass Hut retail locations and on SunglassHut.com. Be sure to stop by the locations below to be one of the first to get your hands on these stylish frames!

    Disneyland Resort:

    • Disney California Adventure park – Sunglass Icon kiosk
    • Downtown Disney District – Sunglass Icon and kiosk

    Walt Disney World Resort:

    • Blizzard Beach – Beach Haus
    • Disney Springs – Sunglass Icon; West Side
    • Magic Kingdom Park – Island Supply; Adventureland
    • Typhoon Lagoon – Singapore Sal’s

    For this release, the iconic Ray-Ban New Wayfarer design has been updated with a polarized lens and custom Mickey Mouse print on the outside of the temples, featuring the classic Mickey colors of red, yellow and black. The frames have a retail price of $243 for adult and $103 for the non-polarized junior pair.

  • Disney Offers Free Tuition For 35,000 Workers to Attend University of Central Florida

    Disney Offers Free Tuition For 35,000 Workers to Attend University of Central Florida

    Disney announced Thursday that the University of Central Florida is now included in the Disney Aspire education investment program that offers 100 percent tuition for cast members.

    The program, which launched in August 2018 to create educational opportunities for Disney’s hourly workforce, currently counts among its participants approximately 40 percent of the Company’s 85,000 full-time and part-time hourly employees with 90 days of service. The addition of UCF to the Disney Aspire network of schools gives eligible employees even greater choice and flexibility as they pursue their dreams and fulfill their career ambitions.

    Disney Aspire launched with an investment of $150 million and has been designed to enable Disney employees to gain confidence and grow their careers, either in potential new roles at Disney or in new fields outside of the Company. It is the most comprehensive program of its kind, covering 100 percent of tuition at in-network schools, as well as reimbursing application fees and required books and course materials—removing the worry of paying to start or continue school. Through Disney’s partnership with Guild Education, which administers the program, Disney Aspire participants receive individual coaching throughout their educational journey, from application to graduation and every step along the way. The Disney Aspire network of schools enables eligible employees and cast members to pursue undergraduate and master’s degrees, high school completion, English-language and Spanish-language learning, vocational training and more.

    “Since its launch, Disney Aspire has enabled thousands of Cast Members to dream bigger and reach higher,” said George A. Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort and a UCF alumnus. “Adding UCF to this prestigious network of schools will provide our Cast Members with even more options to create the futures they imagine.”

    The UCF offerings are currently available to more than 53,000 eligible Florida-based Disney employees, with the plan to expand to those outside Florida in early 2020. The 34 undergraduate and master’s degree programs include a bachelor’s degree in entertainment management, making UCF the first school within the Disney Aspire network to offer such a program. The university is also among the first to offer a master’s degree in hospitality and tourism management, which is available through the Disney Aspire program as an online course of study.

    The partnership between Disney and UCF, both powerful economic engines in Orlando and across Florida, stands to benefit not just students but the regional and state economy through the continued development of a talented, educated workforce for employers. UCF, recognized as one of the nation’s most affordable and best-value universities, awards more bachelor’s degrees annually—and more degrees overall—than any other public university in the U.S.

    “We could not be more excited to be working with Disney to make a high-quality college degree even more accessible,” UCF Interim President Thad Seymour Jr. said. “Many of our students already are Disney employees who will immediately benefit, and this program has the potential to change lives in our community for generations.”