Disney News

Tag: movies

  • Disney Blocked Johnny Depp’s Pirates of the Caribbean Return

    Disney Blocked Johnny Depp’s Pirates of the Caribbean Return

    Disney blocked Johnny Depp from making a returning cameo appearance to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise according to a recent report.

    The studio had distanced itself from the 57-year-old actor even before his ‘wife beater’ libel trial in the UK, despite never formally severing ties according to The Hollywood Reporter.

    THR reveals Disney blocked Depp’s return. Citing producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s desire to include Depp in the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie, even if just in a cameo role to hand over the reins of the franchise to Robbie, the report says “Disney balked,” refusing to entertain the idea due to the reputation risk it would pose for the family-friendly media giant. Take a look at the relevant paragraph below:

    The paragraph in question reads:

    Disney had already backed away from a Pirates future with Depp well before the U.K. trial, even if it never formally severed ties. Bruckheimer, who has been one of Depp’s biggest champions and once suggested the finger injury happened because “he got it caught in a car door,” was hoping to at least bring the Captain Jack Sparrow character back briefly in the next outing — said to be a female-centric incarnation fronted by Margot Robbie. Disney balked.

    There have already been multiple petitions signed by more than a million fans online, that have demanded Depp be reinstated in his role as Sparrow. 

    Meanwhile, in the same article it was reported that Depp had tried to keep his wife Heard from starring in the 2018 action film Aquaman, with the actor allegedly attempting to have her replaced from the movie. 

  • Disney Confirms Moana Sequel Series Coming to Disney+ in 2023

    Disney Confirms Moana Sequel Series Coming to Disney+ in 2023

    During Disney’s Investor Day event, the studio confirmed that the 2016 animated hit film Moana is getting a sequel series on Disney+.

    Moana brought to the screen the story of a 16-year-old strong-willed daughter of Polynesian village chief, who is chosen by the ocean itself to reunite a mystical relic with the goddess Te Fiti. When a blight strikes her island, Moana sets sail in search of Maui, a legendary demigod, in the hope of returning the relic to Te Fiti and saving her people.

    The Moana series was announced with a number of other animated series in development for the streaming platform, including the Big Hero 6 spinoff Baymax!, Tiana, and Zootopia+ as you can see in the post below:

    The Moana animated series will reportedly follow the titular spirited voyagers as she once again ventures beyond the safety of her Polynesian island home of Motunui, and will see Walt Disney Animation bringing in storytellers from Moana’s home region of the Pacific Islands in order to faithfully continue to tell authentic stories of wayfinding and other traditions brought to life for generations through oral storytelling.

    The movie was a huge success for Disney, receiving two nominations at the 89th Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature, and Best Original Song for the inspirational “How Far I’ll Go”. Moana went on to gross $690 million at the box office on its estimated $175 million budget.

    The Moana sequel is set to come to Disney+ sometime in 2023.

  • ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Offcially Confirmed for Disney+

    ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Offcially Confirmed for Disney+

    During Disney’s Investor Day event, the studio confirmed that a new sequel to the 1993 Disney classic “Hocus Pocus” will be running amok amok amok on Disney+

    Earlier this year in October, Bette Midler — who starred alongside Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as a trio of witches who are accidentally resurrected on Halloween in the film — revealed in an interview with that she, Parker, 55, and Najimy, 63, have all agreed to star in the highly anticipated sequel.

    Disney also shared the news on their twitter account as you can see below:

    “They want to make a movie, they’ve asked us if we were interested and of course all of us said yes,” Midler, 75, said at the time. “I’m game, I’m totally game.”

    In the original film, “After moving to Salem, Mass., teenager Max Dennison (Omri Katz) explores an abandoned house with his sister Dani (Thora Birch) and their new friend, Allison (Vinessa Shaw). After dismissing a story Allison tells as superstitious, Max accidentally frees a coven of evil witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) who used to live in the house. Now, with the help of a magical cat, the kids must steal the witches’ book of spells to stop them from becoming immortal.”

    Although casting has not yet been confirmed for the sequel, Midler previously said the original cast was interested in returning to their iconic roles. They recently brought their characters back to life for a virtual fundraising event in October – yes, it even included a performance of I Put A Spell On You.

  • Harrison Ford to Return to Indiana Jones for Fifth and Final Movie

    Harrison Ford to Return to Indiana Jones for Fifth and Final Movie

    Harrison Ford will be putting on his fedora and cracking his whip once again as Disney has announced that Ford will be reprising his iconic role in a fifth “Indiana Jones” movie.

    Disney said on Friday that the movie would be produced by its production arm Lucasfilm and released in July 2022, and that “Indy himself, Harrison Ford, will be back to continue his iconic character’s journey.”

    The entertainment giant also confirmed the news in an investor presentation, tweeting the movie was currently in “pre-production,” as you can see below:

    In a 2013 interview, Harrison Ford said it was “perfectly appropriate” for him to return as the adventurer .

    “We’ve seen the character develop and grow over a period of time and it’s perfectly appropriate and OK for him to come back again with a great movie around him,” he said at the time, stressing that Indiana Jones did not have to be so action-orientated.

    Directed by James Mangold, the latest installment, slated for July 2022, will be released on Disney+.

  • Disney Confirms Live-Action ‘Beauty & the Beast’ Prequel Series in the Works

    Disney Confirms Live-Action ‘Beauty & the Beast’ Prequel Series in the Works

    During Thursday’s Disney Investor Day, the studio confirmed plans for a Beauty and the Beast prequel series on Disney+.

    The six-part musical live-action series will see Luke Evans and Josh Gad reprise their roles from Disney’s 2017 live-action big screen adaption of Beauty and the Beast.

    Gad took to Twitter shortly after the news was announced, and promised fans something fun as you can see below:

    The show will expand the world of the film, and give fans a look at the backstory behind the two antagonists before the events of the movie.

    The streaming service Disney+ is teaming with Once Upon a Time creators Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz as well as composer Alan Menken.

    The 2017 Beauty and the Beast film, directed by Bill Condon, grossed more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office. Emma Watson, Dan Stevens and Kevin Kline also starred.

  • Hayden Christensen Confirmed To Return As Darth Vader In Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ Series

    Hayden Christensen Confirmed To Return As Darth Vader In Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ Series

    Darth Vader is returning to a galaxy far far away and Hayden Christensen is back! LucasFilm has announced that Christensen will be returning as Dark Lord of the Sith in the upcoming Kenobi series on Disney+

    The Obi-Wan series, starring Ewan McGregor begins 10 years after the dramatic events of “Revenge of the Sith” and in what Kathleen Kennedy has dubbed, “the rematch of the century,” Kenobi and Vader will finally share the screen together again.

    Disney announced the news on Thursday during its Investor Day, and Star Wars’ official Twitter account tweeted out the casting as you can see below:

    “It was such an incredible journey playing Anakin Skywalker,” said Christensen. “Of course, Anakin and Obi-Wan weren’t on the greatest of terms when we last saw them… It will be interesting to see what an amazing director like Deborah Chow has in store for us all. I’m excited to work with Ewan again. It feels good to be back.”

    Also at the investor conference presentation they revealed the title and teaser video of the Cassian Andor series starring Diego Luna, Andor; the development of a series centered around Lando Calrissian; two Mandalorian spin-off series (including one centered on Rosario Dawson’s fan-favorite character Ahsoka Tano); and that Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins will helm a new Star Wars feature film titled Star Wars: Rogue Squadron.

    The project has been described as a six-episode limited series that will begin filming in spring 2021.

  • Darth Vader actor David Prowse Dies at 85

    Darth Vader actor David Prowse Dies at 85

    British actor David Prowse, who played Darth Vader in the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy, has died at the age of 85.

    Prowse wore the Darth Vader costume in the original Star Warstrilogy, while James Earl Jones provided the villain’s iconic voice. At a towering 6 feet, 7 inches tall, the actor was originally offered a choice between the role of Vader or Chewbacca.

    On Sunday morning, the actor’s management company shared on social media the news of his death as you can see below:

    “with great regret and heart-wrenching sadness for us and million of fans around the world,” the post read.

    Prowse’s official website added, “It has been an absolute pleasure working with this wonderful man over the years. He truly was a gentle giant, and one of the kindest celebrities you could ever meet.”

    “So sad to hear David Prowse has passed,” Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker in the films, tweeted.

    George Lucas had seen him in Clockwork Orange and offered him a part in the first Star Wars (1977).

  • Disney’s Live-Action ‘Lilo & Stitch’ May Have Found It’s Star

    Disney’s Live-Action ‘Lilo & Stitch’ May Have Found It’s Star

    Disney may have found a lead for its live-action Lilo & Stitch. Sixteen year-old actress Siena Agudong is said to be set to star in Disney’s live-action adaptation of the 2002 animated classic, according to a report.

    Siena Agudong is already known to Disney audiences as her latest project had her playing Reina Carvajal in the new Disney Channel original movie Upside Down Magic.

    The news comes acter Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu was reported last week to be in talks to direct Disney’s Live-action adaptation.

    “I have heard the studio has tapped 16-year-old Hawaiian actress Siena Agudong to play Lilo in the updated film, which is said to follow the same concept as the animated film,” The DisInsider said in a report.

    The story of “Lilo and Stitch” is set in Hawaii and tells the story of a lonely young girl and her close encounter with the galaxy’s most wanted extraterrestrial who she mistakes for a dog. Through her love, faith and unwavering belief in ohana, the Hawaiian concept of family, Lilo helps unlock Stitch’s heart and gives him the ability to care for someone else.

    “Lilo & Stitch” has inspired multiple spinoffs, including the direct-to-video sequels “Stitch: The Movie,” “Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch” and “Leroy and Stitch.” A TV show called “Lilo & Stitch: The Series” ran on Disney Channel and ABC Kids from 2003 to 2006.

    Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich, who workied on the live-action remake of “Aladdin,” will be producing and the studio has hired Mike Van Waes to write the script. The production will be a hybrid of live-action and CG.

  • Petition Demanding Johnny Depp’s Return as Jack Sparrow Nears 300,000

    Petition Demanding Johnny Depp’s Return as Jack Sparrow Nears 300,000

    After Johnny Depp lost his libel court case against a British newspaper that called him a “wife beater,” reports surfaced claiming that Disney was backing away from the actor, but now fans have started a petition calling for his return to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.

    A petition posted on change.org titled “We want JOHNNY DEPP back as CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW has been signed by over 250,000 as it heads towards its goal of at least 300,000.

    “Johnny Depp has been out recently as Captain Jack Sparrow. One of the reasons is his personal issues as well,” the petition reads.

    It continues: “He has been playing this role since 2003 when we first saw him arriving at the Port Royal in his boat with that epic background music playing.

    “But can you imagine someone else portraying this instead of him? Or no Jack Sparrow at all?”

    The petition goes on to say that without Depp’s Sparrow the Pirates franchise is a sunken ship.

  • Disney Releases First Trailer for ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’

    Disney Releases First Trailer for ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’

    Disney has released the first trailer for its action-packed animated film Raya and the Last Dragon and it is action packed.

    Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Raya and the Last Dragon features Kelly Marie Tran as the voice of Raya, a lone warrior whose mission is to track down the legendary last dragon in a bid to save Kumandra and unite its lands.

    “However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than dragon magic to save the world — it’s going to take trust as well,” the film’s description reads. Take a look at the trailer below:

    Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world—it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well.

    The film is directed by Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, and it was written by Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim. The film will release in theaters on March 12, 2021.