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  • Annette Bening Joining Cast Of ‘Captain Marvel’

    Annette Bening Joining Cast Of ‘Captain Marvel’

    Four-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening is appearing in her first superhero movie. The famed actress is joining Brie Larson in Captain Marvel, Marvel Studios’ first female-led feature film.

    Some reports have her playing the role of Captain Marvel’s mother, Marie Danvers while other reports have her playing the role of an as yet unknown scientist, but at this point Marvel isn’t giving out any details.

    The Marvel film is being helmed by Mississippi Grind directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck while Kevin Feige is producing. Geneva Robertson-Dworet wrote the most recent script, with “Inside Out” scribe Meg LeFauve and Nicole Perlman penning previous drafts.

    The film stars Larson as the titular character Carol Danvers, an Air Force pilot who is thrust into an intergalactic adventure after her DNA is fused with that of an alien. Although the solo movie is set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel got a major tease for those who stayed for the after credits scene in Avengers: Infinity War.

    The cast already includes Jude Law, Ben Mendelsohn and Gemma Chan, as well as Djimon Hounsou and Lee Pace, with the latter pair reprising their characters from 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

    The film hits theaters on March 8, 2019.

     

  • Disney Launching New Digital Food Network Called Disney Eats

    Disney Launching New Digital Food Network Called Disney Eats

    Disney is cooking up some new digital entertainment for the foodies out there.

    At its annual Newfront presentation this morning, Disney Digital Network executives announced the launch of a new digital brand called Disney Eats. The online channel and editorial site features culinary shows and products aimed at families.

    The company has partnered with online food network Tastemade to develop original content that will take viewers on a culinary adventure inspired by Disney’s characters and its theme parks around the world.

    The company is making an effort to attract young families and reach a generation of viewers who grew up watching videos on platforms like YouTube, and now are looking for content for their children on online mediums.

    Upcoming Disney Eats shows include seasons of “Kitchen Little,” which will showcase kids working with celebrity chefs, and “Tiny Kitchen,” with chefs creating small replicas of Disney food. Both were co-created with global entertainment company Tastemade.

    In 2012, Disney made efforts to ensure that food products advertised on its television networks fit specific nutritional standards and Disney’s new the food channel will also uphold the same health standards that the company has already imposed on advertisers.

    Disney Eats will be part of the Disney Digital Network, which was previously known as Maker Studios and was acquired by Disney in 2014 for $500 million.

     

  • Top 10 Highlights of Hollywood Studios Park History

    Top 10 Highlights of Hollywood Studios Park History

    Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the third theme park built at the Walt Disney World Resort, officially opened 29 years ago today – on May 1, 1989.

    In honor of today’s anniversary, take a fun-filled walk through the park with the top 10 highlights of the park’s history:

    1. The Chinese Theater – Modeled after the Hollywood landmark, this near replica is a 9/10 scale of the original building. In 2019, the theater will be home to the first attraction dedicated to the mouse himself: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

    Gertie the Dinosaur

    2. Gertie the Dinosaur – Created by Winsor McCay in 1914, Gertie sprang to life on the vaudeville screen as who many believe was the first animated character to show a distinct personality, paving the way for our own cast of characters – including Mickey Mouse himself.

    The Brown Derby

    3. The Hollywood Brown Derby – Inspired by the historic Hollywood locale, this signature dining location features three items from the original menu: the famous cobb salad, grapefruit cake and the Shirley Temple cocktail.

    4. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith – A 40-foot-tall guitar greets you at the entrance to the first Disney attraction to take guests upside down. Take off from 0 to 60 to the sound of over 900 speakers blasting the music of Aerosmith throughout the attraction.

    5. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – Join the 2nd Unit of the “Raiders of the Lost Ark” film crew and experience the thrills of a live set.

    6. BaseLine Tap House – Baseline Tap House, which offers “small bites and dreamy flights” was once the Figueroa Printing Company, a mom-and-pop print house that enjoyed great success through the mid- and late-20th century. Look around and you may see some of their work.

    Star Tours

    7. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue – Climb aboard a starspeeder and travel the galaxy! Did you know that in the latest version of this fan-favorite attraction you can find yourself landing on a planet in the outer rim of the galaxy known as Batuu? It’s the planet from the upcoming Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!

    8. Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage – This Broadway-style show enchants audiences with a tale as old as time. The show premiered the same day as the animated feature on Nov. 22, 1991 and is the longest-running stage show at a Walt Disney World theme park.

    Tower of Terror

    9. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – Hold on tight as you’re transported to the 5th dimension via a most uncommon elevator. Imagineers watched 156 episodes of “The Twilight Zone” in preparation for this iconic attraction.

    Fantasmic

    10. Fantasmic! – With over 50 performers, pyrotechnics, laser lights, one million gallons of dancing water, a 40-foot-tall dragon and five costume changes for Mickey Mouse himself, Fantasmic! is the perfect way to end your day celebrating Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Some imagination, huh?

     

  • ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ Smashes ‘Star Wars: Force Awakens’ Opening Weekend Record

    ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ Smashes ‘Star Wars: Force Awakens’ Opening Weekend Record

    Superheros win battles and the battle for box office records has just begun for “Avengers: Infinity War”.  Since its release on Friday, the film soared passed predictions and expectations as “Infinity War” broke both the domestic opening-weekend box office record and the worldwide opening record.

    Marvel’s newest superhero flick raked in an estimated total of $258.2 million at the US box office over the weekend, blasting past “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” by almost $11 million with the snap of a finger.

    Hulk smash! And even though the green guy barely made an appearance in the movie, “Infinity War” smashes too! More records that is… The newest addition to the MCU franchise brought in $640.9 million worldwide over the weekend making it the highest grossing global opening of all time, beating out “Fate of the Furious” by almost $90 million.

    The film was perfectly positioned to have an opening weekend of galactic proportions when you factor in the fact that the movie is 10 years in the making and the culmination of 18 films previously released by Marvel Studios, all tied together for this latest film against the galaxy’s biggest threat yet, the mad titan, Thanos.

    “Marvel spent 10 years methodically and carefully creating a universe of characters, worlds and stories that all led to this and, in doing so, created an event unlike anything the business has ever seen,” said Dave Hollis, Disney’s distribution chief.

    The tentpole cost close to $300 million to produce and the money has already been well worth it. Infinity War’s box-office box office win was helped by the biggest Saturday of all time in North America ($83m), as well as the biggest Sunday ($69m).

    In 2009, Walt Disney Co. chief Bob Iger paid $4 billion to acquire Marvel Entertainment, even though many of the superhero characters in Marvel’s stable were unproven. Debuting with $207.4 million in 2012, the original “Avengers”, had the highest opening to date for a Marvel film.

    “Avengers: Infinity War” will next set its sights on records like the fastest film to reach $1 billion and the highest gross ever. With opening box office numbers like this, it’s not hard to imagine this film sitting at number one as the highest grossing of all time, taking yet another record from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”.

    The film stars Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chadwick Boseman, and Zoe Saldana just to name a few. They reunite two years after the events of “Captain America: Civil War” for “Infinity War,” which also stars Josh Brolin as Thanos, the intergalactic force bent on destruction. Joe and Anthony Russo directed the film which was written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

     

  • First Ever Disney·Pixar Toy Story Land Themed Plane Takes Flight

    First Ever Disney·Pixar Toy Story Land Themed Plane Takes Flight

    Over the weekend, a ‘Toy Story’ themed aircraft launched in Shanghai, as a joined venture between China Eastern Airlines and the Shanghai Disney Resort. The new airplane features a large, flying Buzz Lightyear painted on one side of the exterior, and Woody on the other.

    Toy Story Plane

    The first Disney·Pixar Toy Story Land themed plane took flight from Shanghai over the weekend, featuring in-flight entertainment and colorful décor that illustrates the new attractions now open at Shanghai Disney Resort. Even the ceiling is decorated for this special flight experience!

    Travelers at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport will spot favorite Toy Story characters in the departure terminal before take-off and receive a commemorative boarding pass as part of the new flight experience.

    Starting at check-in, the entire experience is fused with the popular Disney franchise. The check-in machines are Toy Story themed, and the desks feature images of the characters. Within the aircraft itself, the top of the cabin features artwork of Woody and Lotso, among others. The luggage compartments above the seats are sky blue, with cartoon clouds and a variety of other characters drawn on. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head are, of course, on display. The seats and trays again feature colorful depictions of the characters, and the headphones and other accessories are all themed to further enhance the experience. The menus also revolve around Toy Story characters, with themed cutlery and food and drink options.

    The plane will fly between Beijing and Shanghai, with service to and from other Chinese cities in the future.

  • Disney Reveals A First Look at Tim Burton’s Live-Action ‘Dumbo’

    Disney Reveals A First Look at Tim Burton’s Live-Action ‘Dumbo’

    At Tuesday’s live presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, NV there was no ignoring the elephant in the room as Disney revealed the footage from their upcoming live-action Dumbo movie.

    Mixed in with footage that was mostly actors from the film talking about the making of the movie and behind the scenes footage was a first glimpse of a young Dumbo in all his CGI glory.

    Disney hasn’t officially released any of the footage, but multiple attendees at the event were able to snap some pictures of everyone’s favorite pachyderm. You can see the photo below along with a shot of the film’s official logo.

    As the Dumbo presentation started, Disney Executive VP Cathleen Tiff introduced the clip and said, “We’ve expanded the story, taking that as a jumping off point for Dumbo’s newest story”. She explained the film will be different from the classic story we know.

    Tim Burton helms the live action Dumbo which is loosely 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 period movie includes DeVito as the circus ringmaster and Keaton as the owner.

    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.”

    Dumbo is scheduled to hit theaters on March 29, 2019.
  • Disney Filing Discloses Fox’s Reasons For Rejecting Comcast Bid

    Disney Filing Discloses Fox’s Reasons For Rejecting Comcast Bid

    In a filing made by Walt Disney Co with the Securities and Exchange Commission today, in their efforts to acquire Fox’s film and TV assets, we now know Fox’s reasons for rejecting Comcast’s offer.

    Walt Disney Co announced the purchased most of 21st Century Fox’s assets back in December in a deal worth $52.4 billion. At the time it was well-known that Comcast Corp had also been bidding on the assets, but they eventually bowed out.

    In documents filed with the SEC today, Disney disclosed Fox’s reasons for rejecting the rival offer without disclosing the bidder.

    The documents state that Fox rejected a deal with another entity — that multiple sources have identified as Comcast Corp — due to higher regulatory risks.

  • The Walt Disney Company Makes $1.5 Million Investment to ‘Meet Me at the Park’ Program

    The Walt Disney Company Makes $1.5 Million Investment to ‘Meet Me at the Park’ Program

    This April, NRPA, in collaboration with Disney, ESPN and ABC, will provide 16 communities with resources to improve local parks through projects that connect kids to nature, inspire kids and families to live healthier lifestyles, and increase access to sports for youth through the Meet Me at the Park Earth Month campaign. The Walt Disney Company will make a $1.5 million contribution to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) to support the Meet Me at the Park program.

    As part of the program, NRPA and Disney will provide local park and recreation agencies in all 50 states, U.S. territories and Washington, D.C. with the opportunity to apply for a grant that will help increase the amount of time children and families spend at their local parks and improve access to safe, fun and unique play spaces.

    Additionally, this is the fourth year Meet Me at the Park has come to life to celebrate Earth Month when Disney and NRPA team up to help fund local park improvement projects in 16 U.S. cities.

    That’s where you come in. YOU and your friends can get involved in the Meet Me at the Park Earth Month campaign by voting for projects in 15 select cities, including Los Angeles, Orlando and New York, to receive $20,000 in grant funding. You also can nominate any city or town for the chance to receive a separate $20,000 grant to support a local park within that community.

    Voting is taking place now and will continue through April 30. You can vote daily online at www.nrpa.org/DisneyMeetMeAtThePark. The park project with the most votes in each city at the end of the month will receive $20,000 in grant funding. Similarly, the write-in-city with the most nominations at the end of the month will also receive $20,000.

    Parks benefit everyone in the community. They benefit the economy. They provide important habitats for many animals. As more people move to urban areas, it’s more important than ever to have green spaces where kids, families, and friends can enjoy time with each other and connect with nature.

  • Disney Launches Its Sports Streaming Service ESPN+ Today

    Disney Launches Its Sports Streaming Service ESPN+ Today

    Disney has taken its first step into the world of video streaming today with the launching of its new streaming video product ESPN+.

    The new ESPN App has been completely re-imagined experience and includes the seamless integration of ESPN+, the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer premium subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International group, in partnership with ESPN.

    ESPN+ is available for a seven-day free trial, followed by a subscription fee of just $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, with the ability to cancel at any time. During the first week of launch (April 12–18), fans are being offered a special extended 30-day free trial subscription backed by American Express.

    The innovative new app elevates the digital sports experience and becomes the premier, all-in-one digital sports platform for fans, giving them easy access to all of ESPN’s news, scores, analysis, video and audio content. With enhanced design and mobility in mind, the new ESPN app and ESPN+ are available across mobile and connected living room devices—with an optimized experience for each platform.

    “This next-generation app is ESPN’s most sophisticated and elegant digital product experience, and a central piece of our next era of innovation,” said James Pitaro, ESPN President and Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks. “No one is in a better position than ESPN to serve sports fans. With this launch, fans will find a re-imagined, easy to use and increasingly personalized experience that puts all of ESPN’s incredible content at their fingertips like never before. With the exciting introduction of ESPN+, they’ll also get more sports content than ever, with direct access to thousands of live games, incredible original programs and an unmatched on-demand library, all at a great price.”

    On mobile devices, sports fans will enjoy a highly personalized content experience that begins on the home screen, which features a dynamic feed of relevant ESPN content and coverage—including scores, news, video clips, live events, statistics and more—that balances what is important to each individual fan and the most compelling content that ESPN knows sports fans need. The mobile app also offers three tiers of video access, all powered by BAMTECH Media’s best-in-class video platform: video clips and highlights for all users; “TV Everywhere Streaming” of live and on-demand content from ESPN’s U.S. linear and digital networks for pay TV subscribers; and ESPN+, for the direct-to-consumer streaming service’s subscribers.

    Kevin Mayer, Chairman, Direct-to-Consumer and International, The Walt Disney Company, added, “The launch of ESPN+ marks a new era of innovation for The Walt Disney Company, defined by a direct and personal relationship with our consumers. This product reflects our new direct-to-consumer strategy focused on combining our incomparable brands and unmatched content with industry-leading technology to give users an unparalleled digital experience. With BAMTECH Media’s state-of-the-art video platform, ESPN+ delivers an incredible experience for fans with a rich slate of content only ESPN can deliver.”

    ESPN+, which is backed by American Express at launch, leverages BAMTECH Media’s video and commerce platform to offer fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. ESPN+ delivers an unparalleled programming lineup powered by four key pillars of content that includes live sports events from MLB, NHL, MLS, college sports, Top Rank Boxing, PGA Tour golf and more; high-quality original shows and films, including the 30 for 30 documentary “The Last Knight,” the first in the award-winning series to appear exclusively on ESPN+; exclusive studio programs, such as Detail, written, produced and hosted by NBA legend Kobe Bryant; and an unmatched on-demand library that includes the entire 30 for 30 archive, the best of ESPN’s award-winning newsmagazine program, E:60, and storytelling brand, SC Featured, and The Masters films, annual recaps of 57 years of The Masters, beginning with Arnold Palmer’s 1960 victory, and going right up until 2017.

    “For the launch of ESPN+, our focus has been on applying the innovations in direct-to-consumer technology we’ve built at BAMTECH over the years to create an all-new best-in-class consumer experience that brings sports fans more of the content they love, wherever, whenever they want,” added Michael Paull, President, BAMTECH Media. “ESPN+ launches with several exciting product features, including an upgraded HD stream quality to make the action crisper and cleaner, and decreased video load time, getting fans into the live action faster.”

    ESPN+ subscribers will receive app and streaming experience enhancements such as HD streaming; functionality that allows users to pause, rewind, restart and even multitask while streaming; limited advertising throughout the entire ESPN App or website; as well as the ability to also subscribe to additional premium streaming services like MLB.TV (and NHL.TV, beginning in 2018–19), all within the ESPN app environment.

    The new ESPN App delivers a unique experience to every fan, while also enabling meaningful curation and presentation from ESPN’s unmatched storytellers, journalists and content creators. The app’s new design delivers a rich, easy-to-use interface that enhances personalization and discoverability—presenting content in a myriad of ways to customize it to each individual fan. The powerful technological platform surfaces ESPN content based on favorite teams, sports and leagues, as well as ESPN’s award-winning journalism and personalities.

    The new ESPN App, which is presented at launch by Audi, delivers a dynamic and comprehensive sports streaming experience on digital living room devices, as well—including a dedicated ESPN+ section surfacing the best live, upcoming, on-demand and library content available to subscribers; as well as access to ESPN’s entire library of available on-demand content.

    The ESPN App with ESPN+ launches today on the following devices and platforms, with more to follow:

    • Amazon: Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Fire TV smart TVs and Fire Tablets (4th generation and newer)
    • Apple: iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. The ESPN App with ESPN+ will also be supported in the Apple TV App on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV.
    • Google: Android phones, Android TV and Chromecast
  • Internet Reacts After Disney Gets Dark In Recent Meme Tweet

    Internet Reacts After Disney Gets Dark In Recent Meme Tweet

    ***Update***
    It seems that after some reflection Disney decided to take down the the dark yet relatable tweet.

    Disney Tweet Deleted
    Take a look below to see a pic of what it looked like.

    —Begin Origional Story—
    When Disney takes to twitter, we are used to getting pics of the new hottest merch at the parks, recipes for those cute little Diney-fied snacks or maybe even a quiz or two about which Disney Princess you are.The internet has reacted in every way possible after Disney sent tweeted out a meme featuring a lifeless Pinocchio with a caption that was a tad morbid yet still rather relatable.

    The internet has reacted in every way possible, but in this macabre post from the ever magical and happy company, it seems Disney may have finally found their meme game. The gravity of the tweet was further intensified as Disney captioned the post: “Makes no difference who you are.”

    Here is a look at the deleted tweet:

    Dark Disney Tweet

    After the post went live, comments started pouring in and the video already has nearly 2.1 million views and over 27 thousand retweets. Reactions varied widely to the post. While many were just confused some were actually upset by it.

    Some just wanted to comfort and console the company.

    A lot of the comments discussed how so many of Disney’s movies from classic to modern are already dark and is this is nothing new for disney

    Many found it relatable and funny and took it in good humor.