Tag: Pixar

2319 Day is Finally Here and ‘Monsters, Inc.’ Fans Are Celebrating

Today may be Super Bowl Sunday, but it’s also a big day for Pixar’s 2001 hit Monsters Inc. Since it’s Feb. 3, 2019, fans of the Pixar’s 2001 hit film have been having fun with the date today and are calling it “2319 Day.”

A 2319 is a company or factory code in the Monsters Inc. world. When an employee is contaminated with a foreign object of a human child, a 2319 goes into effect and alerts the Child Detection Agency (CDA). The CDA removes and destroys the foreign object and decontaminate the employee.

The Monsters INC Facebook page even made an announcement to employees as you can see in the post below:

“Attention all employees: You may notice your calendar is warning of a 231 9 in progress — DO NOT BE ALARMED. The CDA has confirmed that this is just today’s date and not a child loose in the facility,” the post read.

Enjoy 2319 day! It only comes once every one hundred years.

February 3, 2019
Keanu Reeves’ Mystery role in Toy Story 4 Reportedly Revealed

Late last year it was revealed that a new toy was coming to the toy box and that Keanu Reeves has a mystery role in the upcoming Toy Story 4. Now it appears that mystery role may have been revealed.

Co-star Tim Allen shared the news on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and though he was cryptic about it, he hinted that it’s a toy with an intense personality. That lead many fans to speculated that it could be a John Wick inspired toy and it turns out that those predictions weren’t far off.

Reeves is reportedly playing Duke Kaboom, who “hails from a place where discontinued toys are sent,” according to new details published by Observer. Porcelein shepherdess Bo Peep (Annie Potts), the one time girlfriend of sheriff cowboy doll Woody (Tom Hanks) before she fell victim to a yard sale, turns to Duke for help after her sheep have been taken from her.

“They really will surprise you with the toys they came up with,” Allen said. “Characters came back, new guys in it that are great. Keanu Reeves has got a great part.”

The role represents a big departure for Reeves. Despite a long and illustrious career — he made his breakthrough performance in River’s Edge in 1986 — Reeves has never had a voice role in an big-studio animated feature film.

Toy Story 4 hits theaters on June 21, 2019.

January 28, 2019
Disney Drops First ‘Toy Story 4’ Teaser Trailer

The very first teaser trailer for ‘Toy Story 4’ dropped Monday along with details about the much-anticipated sequel that will emotionally take audiences to “infinity and beyond.”

The Disney Pixar film is the third sequel to Toy Story starring Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, but Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the gang are joined by newcomer “Forky” in the teaser trailer.

Forky, voiced by Tony Hale, was a spork until Bonnie made him into a craft project. Since he was not originally a toy, Forky faces something of an existential crisis. Take a look below:

The story centers around Woody who has always been confident about his place in the world and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. But when Bonnie adds a reluctant new toy called “Forky” to her room, a road trip adventure alongside old and new friends will show Woody how big the world can be for a toy.

With the release of Toy Story 4, the beloved franchise now spans more than two decades. The original film was released in 1995, with Toy Story 2 close behind in 1999. The third film, released in 2010, featured the protagonist, Andy, all grown up and going off to college as the toys find a new home with Bonnie.

“Like most people, I assumed that Toy Story 3 was the end of the story,” director Josh Cooley said in a press release. “And it was the end of Woody’s story with Andy. But just like in life, every ending is a new beginning.”

Josh Cooley is now helming the film after John Lasseter stepped down from the project and Stephany Folsom has penned the next installment of the franchise after, actress Rashida Jones left due to “creative and philosophical differences” in November 2017.

Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” ventures to U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019.

November 12, 2018
Tim Allen Says Toy Story 4 Is ‘So Emotional’ He ‘Couldn’t Even Get Through the Last Scene’

Tim Allen, who has voiced Buzz Lightyear in every Toy Story film, recently appeared on The Talk on Wednesday, where he discussed the upcoming fourth installment of the franchise. Tim Allen wouldn’t reveal any plot details for the film, but he did tell them how emotional this story is.

Pixar is keeping details pertaining to the plot and characters under wraps, but it should be a good sign that 65-year-old actor, who has portrayed Buzz Lightyear throughout the films, seems genuinely touched by the story.

He was asked if he was hard at work on the beloved film by co-host Sara Gilbert and Allen replied, “Yes, I gotta resist getting emotional. I don’t want to give it away, but this is an incredibly great story. It is so emotional, it’s so funny, it’s so big, the idea they’ve come up with, I’m startled. I couldn’t even get through the last scene.” Take a look at the interview below.

He said he wished he could be a “Washington leaker,” but he stopped himself, explaining, “I just can’t do it. I can’t give any more away. They’ve got great characters but a couple of scenes toward the end were really hard to get through.”

Many of the iconic characters that first captured audiences in 1995 return to the screen in Toy Story 4.

Tom Hanks returns as the voice of Woody, while Joan Cusack, Bonnie Hunt and Laurie Metcalf reprise their roles of Jessie, Dolly and Mrs. Davis, respectively. Randy Newman also returns as the composer of the film. He was nominated for Best Original Song in 1996 for the film’s theme song “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”

Josh Cooley is now helming the film after John Lasseter stepped down from the project and Stephany Folsom has been tapped to pen the next installment of the franchise after, actress Rashida Jones left due to “creative and philosophical differences” in November 2017.

Disney-Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” hits theaters June 21, 2019.

September 27, 2018
‘Incredibles 2’ Crosses $1 Billion Worldwide

Incredibles 2 hit the $1 billion mark globally on Monday, making it the seventh animated film to cross this threshold at the global box office.

It is Disney’s fifth animated and 18th-ever billion-dollar release and joins Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War as Disney’s third release to reach the $1 billion milestone this year.

The film, which holds an A+ CinemaScore and a 93% Certified Fresh on RottenTomatoes, has earned $574.0M domestically and $430.9M internationally for a global total of $1.005 billion through July 30.

After setting a domestic box office record for biggest animated debut ever with $182.7 million (June 15–17), Incredibles 2 became the first animated film ever to surpass the $500 million mark in North America and now stands as the ninth biggest overall release in U.S. history. With Toy Story 3, Finding Dory and Incredibles 2, Pixar is the first and only animated studio to have released three billion-dollar films.

Incredibles 2 continues its global rollout this week, opening in Japan tomorrow and in Spain on Friday, followed by Italy and Germany in September.

July 31, 2018
Pixar Shorts Film Festival Now Playing At Disney California Adventure

The second program of the Pixar Shorts Film Festival has resumed in Disney California Adventure park!

Head to the Sunset Showcase Theater in Hollywood Land for an entertaining treat. Three heartwarming Pixar Shorts are featured in 3D on the silver screen—“Bao,” “La Luna” and “Sanjay’s Super Team.”

Known for innovative storytelling, Pixar’s animated short films will tug at your heartstrings and make you laugh. Don’t miss these Pixar Shorts, part of the limited time Pixar Fest at the Disneyland Resort!

July 22, 2018
New Show Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2019

Calling aspiring racers of all ages! There’s a big ol’ Ka-Chow coming on, because beginning in early 2019, there’s going to be another exciting reason to get revved up about a visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, a high-octane first-of-its-kind new show that’ll put you right in the middle of the world of Disney•Pixar’s “Cars.”

At Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, located near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, you’ll come face-to-face with racing legend Lightning McQueen, who is excited to showcase what he’s learned over the years with you – the next generation of rookie racers. Of course, as Lightning McQueen has discovered throughout his career, things don’t always go according to plan, and he has to think fast to get back on course. With friends Tow Mater, Cruz Ramirez and the gang from Radiator Springs on his side, Lightning gears up for the challenge.

What will happen? You’ll have to speed on over to find out when Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy opens early next year!

July 1, 2018
Disney and Pixar Sued For Plagiarizing Inside Out… Again

Disney and Pixar are being sued for allegedly plagiarizing the idea for 2015’s hit “Inside Out”.

A lawsuit filed in a California federal court, by Damon Pourshian, states that Pixar’s film infringes on a script the Canadian man wrote in 1999 also titled Inside Out, which eventually got turned into a short film a year later in 2000.

Pourshian claims the film has more in common than just the name and his work has many similarities to Inside Out, as his script and short movie tell the story of a young boy named Lewis reacting to everyday life “through anthropomorphized representations of his bodily organs,” which are seen inside Lewis’ body.

The short film also shows these organs reacting to the real world and features a personification of Lewis’ brain which operates a command center. The short movie includes Brain, Heart, Colon, Stomach, and Bladder as the main organ characters, and they communicate and argue with each other.

In Pixar’s Inside Out, the main character is a girl named Riley and the core characters are her emotions: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger and Disgust.

The 20-page lawsuit details more than two-dozen substantial similarities in content, theme and characters between the two films, many illustrated with comparative images. The complaint notes that, “The obvious and striking similarities between Mr. Pourshian’s and Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out extend from overarching themes to specific details, and they are far too numerous to be attributable to chance.”

The suit goes on to say Pourshian created the script and film at Sheridan College, which “has sent large numbers of its graduates to work at Disney and Pixar and is considered a ‘feeder’ school for Disney and Pixar.”

Pourshian’s classmates also reportedly noticed the similarities between the two projects upon viewing Pixar’s Inside Out. Purshian is seeking unspecified damages and for his name to be added to the Inside Out credits.

This isn’t the first time Disney and Pixar have been sued for Inside Out, A 2017 copyright infringement lawsuit brought against Inside Out last year by child development expert Denise Daniels was dismissed last month by U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez. In her suit, Daniels claimed the film bore a striking resemblance to a TV project, The Moodsters, she’d developed and pitched numerous times to Disney executives between 2006 and 2009.

Also back in June, author Carla Jo Masterson filed suit in a Nevada federal court, claiming the film was based on her book, What’s On The Other Side Of The Rainbow? (The Secret Of The Golden Mirror), as well as her screenplay, “The Secret of the Golden Mirror.”

Both works “are original, creative, and artistic stories about how children identify, understand the reasons for, and manage the effects of their emotions,” the suit reads.

“The specific original, artistic, and creative expression and device used by Carla J. Masterson in ‘What’s On the Other Side of the Rainbow?’ and ‘The Secret of the Golden Mirror’ is to depict the childhood emotions of Joy, Fear, Sad, Anger, Laughter, Friendship, Love, and Shy as characters that appear throughout the book in consistent and continuing configurations and colors.”

While there maybe some similarities with the concepts of these projects that still doesn’t mean that Disney plagiarized anything as there are clear differences as well. The courts will decide in the end, but if anyone has a real claim, just think “Herman’s Head”.

The director of Inside Out, Pete Docter, has recently been named Pixar’s new chief creative officer.

June 28, 2018
Seven Insider Facts About Pixar that Guests Will Discover at the New Lamplight Lounge
Lamplight Lounge, a new restaurant opening June 23 at Pixar Pier, offers table-service dining, gastro-pub cuisine, panoramic views of Paradise Bay – plus “insider” stories all along the walls. The décor of Lamplight Lounge serves as a tribute to the storytellers who create the beloved Pixar feature films and shorts.

The stylish eatery at Disney California Adventure Park celebrates the creativity, inspiration and personalities of the artists and storytellers who bring Pixar stories to life. Guests will discover many unique artistic details that Pixar “regulars” have left throughout the lounge. From sketches on coasters to concept art and memorabilia on the walls, the décor at Lamplight Lounge reveals seven insider facts about Pixar.
1. Pixar celebrates the early sketch artwork from beloved Pixar films, and fans will find some of that work in the décor throughout Lamplight Lounge. Guests who look “Up” will see a beautiful chandelier hanging from the ceiling at Lamplight Lounge. The chandelier features sketch artwork and film quotes from Pixar animated films including “Coco,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles” and more. The design features blank pages at the top, to represent one of the most difficult stages in the design process – starting with a blank slate – along with character artwork from artists in several Pixar departments.
2. When a film is in production at Pixar, departments create and wear special t-shirts to celebrate the film. Guests will get a close-up look at a little-known Pixar tradition on the t-shirt wall at Lamplight Lounge. The t-shirts on display are examples of a celebrated accomplishment, humorous reference, inside joke, or even a department’s experience or influence on the film. The many t-shirts also show how many different departments come together to create a Pixar film.
3. A conference room table at Pixar Animation Studios features die-cast toys created for the Disney•Pixar film “Cars,” an example of the artists’ playfulness. Many décor items at Lamplight Lounge are inspired by the creative interior design of Pixar Animation Studios’ campus. One is a dining table inside the restaurant that closely replicates the “Cars” table located in one of Pixar’s conference rooms.
4. At Pixar, every toy has a story. Above the “Cars” dining table, guests will notice shelves of toys that have been pulled from the Pixar archives. Below the toy shelves are examples of design comments and notes exchanged between Pixar and its toy manufacturing partners to ensure that the final product is as accurate as possible. Each toy goes through many rounds of notes in various forms, including drawings, creative reviews and even video conferences.
5. Like “Easter eggs” hidden in Pixar films, many nods to Pixar films and the studios’ culture can be found at Lamplight Lounge, including beverage names. When perusing the menu, guests will notice references to Pixar Animation Studios, its films and the filmmaking process. For example, guests may order the Park Ave. (alcoholic beverage), referencing the street name of the Pixar Animation Studios address in Emeryville, California, or the Goofball Island (non-alcoholic), named after one of Riley’s personality islands from the film, “Inside Out.”
6. Each Pixar film requires a large amount of artwork, promotional materials and artifacts that are essential to the film’s research and development. Guests will discover some of this film-related memorabilia along the Lamplight Lounge art wall, including concept art, reference materials, props and physical renditions of artifacts from the films including “WALL•E,” “Toy Story,” and “Ratatouille.” For instance, guests may see the adorable crayon drawing of Bing Bong in the “Inside Out” area. When the Bing Bong drawings began looking too much like the work of adults trying to draw like kids, Pixar artists solicited the help of a Pixar employee’s 7-year-old daughter.
7. The talented teams at Pixar often share handwritten notes during the creation of a film, and some of those quotes are showcased at Lamplight Lounge. These notes appear in Lamplight Lounge as part of the tribute to Pixar storytellers. For example, in the sketch art chandelier and in the hallway leading to the restrooms, guests will find some iconic Pixar film quotes that were handwritten by Pixar employees. One that movie fans will find familiar: “WHERE. IS. MY. SUPER. SUIT?!” from “The Incredibles.”
June 25, 2018
Disney Names New Animation and Pixar Chiefs After John Lasseter’s Announced Exit

Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn announced last Tuesday that Jennifer Lee and Pete Docter will be succeeding Disney animation and Pixar chief John Lasseter, who is leaving the company at the end of the year amid allegations of misconduct.

Both Oscar-winners and veterans of the Walt Disney Company, Lee, who co-directed “Frozen,” has been named chief creative officer for the Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Docter, who is best known for “Up” and “Inside Out,” is now the chief creative officer for Pixar Animation.

Despite being credited with reviving Disney’s animation offerings and helping create film classics such as “Up” and “The Incredibles,” Lasseter is leaving the company under a cloud. Last fall, he took an extended sabbatical after allegations broke that he engaged in inappropriate workplace behavior. Earlier this month, Disney announced that Lasseter would leave the studio at the end of the year. He is consulting for Disney, but will not have an office at the animation headquarters.

In announcing their appointments, Horn said, “Jennifer Lee and Pete Docter are two of the most gifted filmmakers and storytellers I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. Pete, the genius creative force behind Up, Inside Out and Monsters, Inc., has been an integral part of Pixar almost since the beginning and is a huge part of its industry-leading success. Jenn, in bringing her bold vision to the boundary-breaking Frozen, has helped infuse Disney Animation with a new and exciting perspective. Each of them embodies the unique spirit, culture and values of these renowned animation studios, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have them to lead us into the future.”

Lee won an Oscar for co-directing Frozen with Chris Buck, and since joining the company in 2011 as the co-writer of Wreck-It Ralph, she’s worked on Disney projects like Zootopia and A Wrinkle in Time. She’s currently in production on Frozen 2, which is scheduled to hit theaters Nov. 27, 2019.

“I am deeply grateful to everyone at Walt Disney Animation Studios and The Walt Disney Company for this opportunity,” Lee said in a statement. “Animation is the most collaborative art form in the world, and it is with the partnership of my fellow filmmakers, artists and innovators that we look ahead to the future. My hope is to support the incredible talent we have, find new voices and work together to tell original stories. The great films of Disney Animation — the films I loved as a kid and my daughter has grown up loving — are magical, timeless and full of heart, and it is our goal to create films that carry on and grow this 95-year legacy for future generations.”

Docter is also an Oscar winner, for Up and Inside Out, and he’s a longtime Pixar employee who joined the studio in 1990 and has contributed to hits like Toy Story, Monsters Inc., and WALL-E.

Docter said in a statement of his own, “I am excited and humbled to be asked to take on this role. It is not something I take lightly; making films at Pixar has been my chronic obsession since I started here 28 years ago. I am fortunate to work alongside some of the most talented people on the planet, and together we will keep pushing animation in new directions, using the latest technology to tell stories we hope will surprise and delight audiences around the world.”

Despite the bad headlines involving Lasseter, Disney’s animation team continues to deliver hits. Last weekend, “The Incredibles 2” opened to rave reviews and scored the biggest animated debut in history, earning a massive $182.7 million.

June 24, 2018