Tag: Walt Disney Animation

‘Zootopia’ Could Score $75M Weekend After Mammoth $19.5M Friday

With all of the talk about prime release dates and would-be blockbuster seasons, there is a long and healthy history of animated features kicking proverbial box office butt in the first few months of the year. We’ve got The LEGO Movie, the first two Ice Age movies, Rio and Rio 2, Rango, and a bunch of DreamWorks Animation movies scattered around this general area (Monsters v Aliens, The Croods, How to Train Your Dragon) over the years. Due to happenstance or circumstance, Walt Disney hasn’t released an in-house major-league toon in this spot since Meet the Robinsons way back in 2007. And now, with basically every other animation distribution channel having its way with the pre-summer season, it’s time for the Mouse House to kick a little butt here too. Enter Zootopia, which may well be the fairest of them all.

Bolstered by clever marketing campaign (including viral posters that spoofed popular and Oscar-nominated 2015 releases), near-perfect reviews, and the good fortune of having an uncommonly crowd-pleasing trailer play on nearly every single theatrical print of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Zootopia kicked off the month with a terrific $19.469 million Friday. The Friday figure includes $1.7m worth of Thursday previews, which is a record for a non-Pixar  Walt Disney animated feature. The hard Friday number is merely the second best in this relative calendar point for an animated film. It trails only Ice Age 2 ($21m back in 2006) and is ahead of Monsters v Aliens ($16.7m in 2009), The Lorax ($17.5m in 2012), and The Lego Movie ($17m in 2014) regarding animated openings for this period.

Now, where Zootopia ends up over the weekend is merely a point of math. Ice Age: The Meltdown and Rio 2 were a bit frontloaded, earning 3.1x their Friday figures while The Lorax  snagged just over 4x its Friday figuresas kid-driven matinee business exploded over Saturday and Sunday. So expect a weekend between $60 million and $78m, with the happy medium being $67.5m. Disney would love to best the $67.5m Fri-Sun opening weekend of Frozen (biggest Fri-Sun for a Disney toon), to say nothing of the $69m debut haul of The LEGO Movie or the $70m opening of The Lorax. Inflation notwithstanding, if they can hit $70.5m, they will have topped all but Monsters University ($82m), Inside Out ($90m), and Toy Story 3 ($110m) among Pixar openings.

If the Ginnifer Goodwin/Jason Bateman/Idris Elba animated film noir/race relations parable tops the $62.7 million debut of Inception, it’ll be among the ten biggest debuts for an original movie of all time. If it tops $70.5m, it’ll be the third largest behind Avatar ($77m) and Inside Out ($90m). Concerning animation, a $68m debut puts it 16th on the list of all-time animated debuts while a $70.5m debut puts it ninth and a $75m debut edges The Simpsons ($74m) for eighth place. So there’s a lot of wiggle room depending on that multiplier.

Either way, this is a fantastic opening for a terrific movie and a huge win for art and commerce. I wish the picture weren’t as painfully timely as it happens to be, but that won’t hurt its reception or its bottom line. Oh, and it crossed $100 million worldwide on Friday (including $12.3m in its first two days in China), so it’s got that going for it too.

From Forbes

 

Brian Bedford, Voice of Disney’s Robin Hood, Dies at 80

Robin Hood

Tony Award-winning classical actor Brian Bedford, whose stage work included roles by Shakespeare and Chekhov, a long relationship with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, and a memorable cross-dressing turn as a dowager on Broadway, has died. He was 80.

Bedford died Wednesday of cancer in Santa Barbara, California, said his agent at Paradigm Talent Agency, Richard Schmenner.

Bedford earned his seventh Tony nomination in 2011 for his drag performance as Lady Bracknell, Oscar Wilde’s fearsome social arbiter, in “The Importance of Being Earnest,” which he also directed. “I approached Lady Bracknell just as seriously as I approached King Lear,” he told The Associated Press in 2010.

He said he chose to go drag as a way to add a farcical element to the production and as a professional challenge, although he admitted he had played a woman once before.

“When I was 14, I did play the Virgin Mary,” he said. But that early role turned out to be less about choice than necessity: Bedford was at an all-boys Roman Catholic boarding school at the time. “I was thrilled doing any kind of acting at that point,” he said.

Bedford, born in the north of England in Yorkshire, attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts with such stars as Peter O’Toole, Albert Finney and Alan Bates.

He won a Tony Award in 1971 for a spectacular performance in Moliere’s “The School for Wives.” At 36, he played a man twice his age, a cuckolded husband hilariously consumed by jealousy.

Bedford first came to the United States in 1959 to appear in “Five Finger Exercise” by Peter Shaffer. He later appeared on Broadway in “The Private Ear,” ”Tartuffe,” ”The Public Eye” and Richard Nelson’s “Two Shakespearean Actors,” among others.

His film roles included “The Knack,” directed by Mike Nichols; “Grand Prix” with James Garner, playing the associate director of the F.B.I.; in “Nixon” in 1995; and voicing a fox in the Disney animated feature “Robin Hood” in 1973.

He made his Stratford debut in 1975, playing Malvolio in “Twelfth Night” and Angelo in “Measure for Measure.” Over 29 seasons, Bedford performed in more than 50 Stratford productions and directed another 20.

“Brian Bedford was the prime reason I went into the theatre,” said Stratford artistic director Antoni Cimolino. “Here was an actor who knew who he was and we loved him for it. He was brilliantly witty, completely relaxed, and made us all adore him.”

Bedford was a classical actor, rather than an actor who occasionally did the classics. He was unconcerned that his name wasn’t well known, choosing to instead inhabit characters onstage, whether in comedies like “Noises Off” to classics like “Waiting for Godot.”

“It’s one of the consolations of getting older,” the actor told the AP in 1992. “If you have the luck, as I have had, to get these opportunities, your technique actually improves. And you are able to play these marvelous parts. When you are young, you have all these fabulous ideas, but you haven’t got the technique to realize them.”

Bedford is survived by his husband, Tim MacDonald, an actor.

It is the second blow in 24 hours for the Stratford Festival, still mourning the death on Tuesday of actor William Needles, a fixture of its stages for almost 50 years.

Long-Lost Oswald Film ‘Sleigh Bells’ Recovered

Oswald - Sleigh Bells

The British Film Institute and Walt Disney animation studios have recovered a rare and long-lost animated film entitled Sleigh Bells.

The black and white silent film features Disney’s first cartoon character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, ice skating across a frozen pond along with other cartoon animals. Oswald, who bears a resemblance to Mickey Mouse, is seen as a precursor to Disney’s most famous creation.

According to the BFI, “Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was invented by Walt Disney in 1927 and was loved for his mischievous and rebellious personality. A number of other films do survive but Sleigh Bells has been, until now, a lost film, unseen since its original release. The animation in the film was accomplished by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, both of whom went on to create the character of Mickey Mouse.”

The BFI and Disney have now taken the necessary steps to preserve and restore the rediscovered footage that gives insight into Disney’s storied history.

“What a joyful treat to discover a long-lost Walt Disney film in the BFI National Archive and to be able to show Sleigh Bells to a whole new audience 87 years after it was made,” said Robin Baker, Head Curator, BFI National Archive. “The restoration of this film will introduce many audiences to Disney’s work in the silent period–it clearly demonstrates the vitality and imagination of his animation at a key point in his early career.”

Andrew Millstein, President of Walt Disney Animation Studios, which oversaw the restoration, agreed, adding, “The Oswald shorts are an important part of our Studios’ history, and we have been working with film archives and private collectors all around the world to research the missing titles.”

Disney Announces Upcoming Animated Movies at D23 Expo 2015

d23expo_2015
Think about it—how many of your most cherished Disney memories can be traced to films from Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios? This afternoon, at D23 EXPO 2015, Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter led us on amazing journey through the films you’ll be seeing in the coming months and years. We were overjoyed to see some old animated friends—we’re talking to you, Dory!—and happy to meet some exciting new ones. We were left with a true memory of a lifetime for having witnessed one of those special events that only happen at D23 EXPO.

Alan Horn, chairman, The Walt Disney Studios, told the audience, “This is D23. This is your get-together,” before turning things over to John Lasseter, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ chief creative officer. Lasseter showed off one of his signature Hawaiian shirts—one of more than 500, according to Horn—and even fired a few off into the audience.

Before presenting the Studios’ slates to a thrilled audience of Disney fans, Lasseter heralded both studios for their incredible stories: Walt Disney Animation Studios, “a studio that Walt Disney himself started 92 years ago,” and Pixar, “the studio of pioneers who invented much of computer animation.” The two came together for a spectacular afternoon.

First up was Zootopia, which opens March 4, 2016. Lasseter revealed, “One of the things I’ve always loved about Disney animation is talking animal movies. Especially the ones where they walk upright and wear clothes.” Directors Byron Howard (Tangled) and Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph), and producer Clark Spencer (Wreck-It Ralph) welcomed Ginnifer Goodwin to Hall D23. Goodwin, who plays Zootopia’s “bunny cop” Judy Hopps is a self-described “Disneyholic” who was thrilled to learn that the house she now lives in was once owned by the voice of Winnie the Pooh, Disney Legend Sterling Holloway. The filmmakers gave all in Hall D23 a sneak peek of Zootopia, and revealed one special surprise—international superstar Shakira is lending her Grammy®-winning voice to Gazelle, the biggest pop star in Zootopia. Via taped message, Shakira played “a snippet” of an original song from the film, “Try Everything.”

When Lasseter returned to the stage, he referenced the lasting legacy of Disney animated films and said, “If we’ve done our job right, these stories can live forever in people’s homes.” So many of these eternal stories come from fairy tales, and Lasseter thrilled the 7,500-member audience by announcing that Walt Disney Animation Studios is in production on their version of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” a film that is called Gigantic. Set in Spain during the Age of Exploration, Gigantic follows adventure-seeker Jack as he discovers a world of giants hidden within the clouds. He hatches a grand plan with Inma, a 60-foot-tall, 11-year-old girl, and agrees to help her find her way home.

And as director Nathan Greno (Tangled) and producer Dorothy McKim (Get A Horse!) said, if you make a movie that has gigantic comedy and gigantic emotion, you’re going to need music. And music in the film—and today at D23 EXPO—is provided by the award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, the team behind Frozen. They previewed a demo of a song from Gigantic, which is slated to hit theaters in 2018.

Beloved animators Ron Clements and John Musker (Aladdin, The Little Mermaid) along with producer Osnat Shurer (Boundin’), unveiled Moana, the tale of a spirited teenager who sets out to prove herself a master wayfinder. Moana is inspired by stories of a legendary demigod, Maui. In casting Maui, Musker said, “We wanted to find someone who was mighty. We needed someone strong. And, of course, we needed someone extremely… “

“Handsome!” a bold offstage voice boomed. And on to the stage walked the actor lending his voice to Moana—the mighty, strong, and yes, handsome, Dwayne Johnson. Johnson was clearly thrilled to be at D23 EXPO, and moved to be part of a Walt Disney Animation Studios film. “I had a goal, and the goal was to be in the Disney family. The goal was to be part of a Disney animated movie. For me to be standing here today with these brilliant filmmakers and storytellers… Thank you so much!” he said.

The filmmakers from Pixar’s current blockbuster Inside Out, Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera, begged John Lasseter to allow them to screen Riley’s First Date?, the short that will be included on the Blu-ray, DVD, and digital release of Inside Out in the fall. We’re so glad that they were so persuasive—the short is awesome!

In previewing The Good Dinosaur, the film’s director, Peter Sohn, explained that his love of movies came from his mother, who would take him to see American movies—even though she didn’t understand English. He would translate as best he could. But there were movies he didn’t have to explain, and those were Disney animated movies. The iconic scene between Dumbo and his mother just “got her,” Sohn said. “She didn’t need to understand English. We just felt everything.” That experience made him want to learn animation. Sohn and and producer Denise Ream also showed off never-before-seen footage of a trio of T-Rexes, voiced by AJ Buckley, Anna Paquin, and Sam Elliott.

There was a veritable school of surprise guests for the Finding Dory portion of the presentation! After Lasseter revealed that no one lobbied harder than Ellen DeGeneres for a sequel to Finding Nemo, DeGeneres herself appeared on the Hall D23 stage. She was joined onstage by her co-stars Ed O’Neill (Modern Family), who lends his voice to Hank, a cantankerous octopus; Ty Burrell (Modern Family), the voice of Bailey, a misguided beluga whale; and Kaitlin Olson (Always Sunny in Philadelphia), who voices Destiny, a kind-hearted whale shark. The filmmakers also revealed that we’ll meet Dory’s parents in the film, whose voices will be provided by Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy. Finding Nemo’s director Andrew Stanton has returned for the sequel (co-directed by Angus MacLane and produced by Lindsey Collins, the co-producer of WALL•E), and he admits that he never planned on revisiting the story. But over time Andrew realized, “One issue remained unaddressed—Dory’s family.” “I wanted to know that if this charming, forgetful fish ever got lost again, that she could find her way home.” Finding Dory swims into theaters June 17, 2016.

There were more old friends to visit—but first we were introduced to new ones. Director Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3) and producer Darla K. Anderson (Toy Story 3) revealed the title of their upcoming film today at D23 Expo 2015. Disney·Pixar’s Coco is the celebration of a lifetime, where the discovery of a generations-old mystery leads to a most extraordinary and surprising family reunion. The film was inspired by Lee Unkrich’s thoughts about his ancestors. “What if I could meet them? What would I ask them?” he wondered. Unkrich and Anderson visited Mexico to research the film and Dia de los Muertos, which, Anderson explains, “is like a big family reunion that spans the divide between the living and the dead.”

And then it was time to go back to the film that started it all—Toy Story—by looking forward to the next adventure for the toy box gang. “Each of the stories [in the trilogy] is a different genre. Toy Story 4 is a genre we’ve never done in the Toy Story world, and it is a love story. We’re proud to announce that it’s a love story between Woody and Bo Peep.” Lasseter stressed how thrilled he is to be directing the film—along with co-director Josh Cooley—and the story is very personal to him, inspired by his wife, Nancy.

When Lasseter introduced Toy Story 4, he acknowledged disbelief that the first film is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. “I’m sorry to make a lot of you feel old all of a sudden,” Lasseter apologized. But there was no better way to celebrate that milestone than with a live performance of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Disney Legend Randy Newman, evoking that same feeling we had upon watching Toy Story in 1995.

Get a Sneak Peek at The Walt Disney Studios’ Upcoming Film Slate at D23 Expo 2015

Disney Movies

For more than 90 years, Disney films have been exciting, enthralling, and entertaining moviegoers… And The Walt Disney Studios are gearing up to do exactly that for Disney fans at D23 EXPO 2015. The Studio has just announced its lineup for D23 EXPO 2015, taking place August 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, and it’s packed with sneak peeks and exclusive presentations and experiences you won’t see anywhere else.

The Studio will unveil its animation and live-action film slates via two huge Hall D23 presentations featuring surprise guests and many unforgettable moments. Other not-to-be-missed events include a Frozen FANdemonium musical celebration with Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and the 20th anniversary celebration of Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story with John Lasseter and the original Pixar crew.

HALL D23 PRESENTATIONS:

Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films, Hosted by John Lasseter
Friday, August 14, 3 p.m.—Hall D23

After meeting the Emotions inside the mind of an 11-year-old, taking a trip to San Fransokyo, where a boy genius and his robot save the world, and falling in love with a queen with icy powers who wants to “let it go,” come see where Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios plan to take you next. In what has become a D23 EXPO must-see, host John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, presents this in-depth look at the animation studios’ slate. Filmmakers will unveil never-before-seen footage from Pixar’s upcoming The Good Dinosaur and Finding Doryand Disney Animation’s Zootopia and Moana. The event will include surprise announcements, musical performances, and appearances by the films’ star voice talent.

Worlds, Galaxies, and Universes: Live Action at The Walt Disney Studios
Saturday, August 15, 10:30 a.m.—Hall D23

Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm are home to some of the planet’s best storytellers, immersing audiences fully in the world of each film from beginning to end and beyond. In this exclusive Hall D23 presentation, join Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn for a tour of upcoming live-action projects from these legendary film studios. A bevy of special guests will be on hand to offer a look at an unparalleled slate that includes Alice Through the Looking Glass, The Jungle Book, Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, Star Wars: The Force Awakens—and much, much more.

Frozen FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration!
Sunday, August 16, 3 p.m.—Hall D23

Join host Chris Montan, president, Walt Disney Music, and the Oscar®-winning songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez as they take you on a once-in-a-lifetime musical journey through the world of Frozen. This one-day-only performance features your favorite friends from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film—including Anna and Elsa––with sing-along experiences and fascinating stories behind some of your favorite Frozen songs.

CALENDAR OF KEY EVENTS:

In Conversation with the Filmmakers and the Emotions Behind Inside Out
Friday, August 14, 11:30 a.m.—Stage 28

Get the inside story on the making of Pixar’s latest summer release, Inside Out. Hear from Academy Award®-winning director Pete Docter (Up, Monsters, Inc.) and producer Jonas Rivera (Up) as they reminisce and share their personal stories of creating a world that everyone knows, but no one has ever seen.

Welcome to Zootopia!
Saturday, August 15, 1:30 p.m.—Stage 28

Welcome to Zootopia, a magnificent mammal metropolis, and home to Walt Disney Animation Studios’ next feature, the comedy-adventure Zootopia. Join directors Byron Howard (Tangled, Bolt) and Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph), producer Clark Spencer (Wreck-It Ralph, Bolt), and artists from the incredible production team as they introduce rookie rabbit-officer Judy Hopps, con-artist fox Nick Wilde and a host of dynamic animal characters, sharing footage and behind-the-scenes stories with D23 EXPO-goers.

Pixar Secrets Revealed! Hear the Stories They Didn’t Want You to Know!
Saturday, August 15, 3 p.m.—Stage 28

Ever wonder where your favorite Pixar stories began? Hear the stories you don’t know about the classic films that you love. Pixar senior development executive Mary Coleman hosts this experience, welcoming the storytellers behind some of Pixar’s most successful films, including Darla K. Anderson (A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story 3), Mark Andrews (The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Brave), Ronnie del Carmen (Up, Inside Out), and Dan Scanlon (Cars, Toy Story 3, Monsters University), as they talk about the twists and turns of crafting a narrative and share some of the crazy story ideas that didn’t make the final cut.

Toy Story: 20 Years Later, the Original Crew Looks Back
Saturday, August 15, 4:30 p.m.—Stage 23

From flipbooks to feature films, animation has taken audiences to fantastical new worlds, far beyond the limits of any real-world setting. Pixar Animation Studios has been at the forefront of this evolution, blurring the line between art and technology and bringing beloved characters to life with heart and humor. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of 1995’s Toy Story, the first computer-animated feature film, join members of the original crew, including filmmakers John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, Galyn Susman, Ralph Eggleston, Sharon Calahan, Eben Ostby, Bob Pauley, and Bill Reeves as they share their stories and the challenges they faced along the way.

Aladdin—The Making of a Classic
Saturday, August 15, 6 p.m.—Stage 28

Join Walt Disney Animation Studios filmmakers, including legendary directors John Musker and Ron Clements, animators Eric Goldberg (Genie), and Mark Henn (Jasmine), as well as Jasmine herself, Linda Larkin, and the two actors who gave life to the character Aladdin: Scott Weinger and Brad Kane, as they unveil the stories behind one of the great Disney classics, Aladdin, a film that led to a “whole new world” for animation.

The Shorts of Walt Disney Animation Studios: from Paperman to Prep & Landing, Feast to Frozen Fever
Sunday, August 16, 11:30 a.m.—Stage 28

When Walt Disney and his brother Roy founded the Disney Brothers Studio in 1923, their first medium for storytelling was the animated short. More than 90 years later, Walt Disney Animation Studios continues this tradition, making groundbreaking and award-winning shorts including Feast, Paperman and this year’s hit Frozen Fever. Join the filmmakers behind these shorts and so many others, including Get A Horse!, John Henry, Lorenzo, and The Ballad of Nessie for a conversation about this truly animated art form.

The Tunes Behind the Toons: Screening/Q&A
Sunday, August 16, 6 p.m.—Stage 28

D23 EXPO invites you to a special screening and Q&A panel for The Tunes Behind the Toons, a short form documentary that celebrates the power of music in animation. From the silent film days when organists played live accompaniments, to the music within today’s animated features, this documentary traces the origins of cartoon music and its pioneers. Featuring interviews with Alan Menken, Randy Newman, Patrick Doyle, Mark Watters, Bruce Broughton, Richard Sherman, and many others. Producer/director Dave Bossert will lead a star-studded Q&A following the presentation.

ON THE EXPO SHOW FLOOR:

The Walt Disney Studios—Show Floor Exhibition

Step into the worlds of The Walt Disney Studios in this wide-ranging showcase of exciting projects from Disney Live Action, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Marvel Studios, and Lucasfilm. Among the many highlights:

  • For the first time at D23 EXPO, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios have created a joint experience no Disney fan should miss. With live demonstrations, presentations, and autograph signings with top filmmakers from each studio, plus free giveaways and interactive displays featuring the films Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur, Zootopia, Finding Dory, and Moana, this is a can’t-miss attraction for animation fans.
  • Explore costumes, props and photo ops from the Studios’ live-action films, including Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm.

Disney Movies Anywhere Tweet Suite

Take pics and share them in the Disney Movies Anywhere Tweet Suite. It’s also the perfect opportunity to learn more about Disney Movies Anywhere, Disney’s digital movie app that lets you watch your Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars movie collection across your favorite devices, anywhere you go.

Say Aloha to John Lasseter’s Film-Themed Hawaiian Shirts

Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter takes Disney and Pixar animation to heart—literally. For nearly every film—from Finding Nemo and Wreck-It Ralph to Frozen and Inside Out, Lasseter has commissioned an exclusive movie-themed Hawaiian shirt. And those who know the Oscar®-winning storyteller know that he loves his Hawaiian shirts—and dons one for almost every occasion. Animation fans will see their favorite film characters “materialize” before their eyes in this colorful collection, which will be exhibited on the show floor.

An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg

D23 hosts the first public exhibition anywhere of “An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg.” Celebrate Goldberg, whose artistry at Walt Disney Animation Studios began with his groundbreaking work on Genie in Aladdin, and continues to this day on projects such as the upcoming Moana and the 2014 Oscar®-nominated Mickey Mouse short Get A Horse! The exhibition features a collection of more than 100 of Goldberg’s caricatured creations of Disney characters, drawn in a style reminiscent of art seen on the famed walls of Sardi’s Restaurant and The Brown Derby. This incredible collection of art is from the newly released book An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg Draws the Disney Characters, and will be available for purchase in the Walt Disney Publishing pop-up shop on the EXPO show floor.

Frozen Album Signing

With the purchase of Frozen: The Songs or Frozen Picture Disc at the Disney Music Emporium, guests will be issued a wristband to secure a space for an album signing with Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, and Tom MacDougall (Co-Producer, Frozen Soundtrack) on Saturday, August 15 at 10:30 a.m.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are $74 for a one-day adult admission and $54 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $65 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $112 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

Wait, What?! Did They Just Announced A New Frozen Film?

Frozen - Anna:Elsa Hug

From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes the new animated short “Frozen Fever,” welcoming back to the big screen Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and, of course, the one-and-only Olaf.

Directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, and produced by Peter Del Vecho, with an all-new original song by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, “Frozen Fever” marks the first project reuniting the Oscar®-winning original team from Disney’s “Frozen.”

The announcement was first made within the ABC Television Network special “The Story of Frozen: Making an Animated Classic,” which aired September 2. The special also featured the world television debut of a scene from the new action comedy adventure from Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Big Hero 6,” as well as a sneak peek at the upcoming season of the ABC series “Once Upon A Time.”

In “Frozen Fever,” it’s Anna’s birthday and Elsa and Kristoff are determined to give her the best celebration ever, but Elsa’s icy powers may put more than just the party at risk.

The short debuts Spring 2015.

The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic to Air This Fall

Elsa-Frozen

If the air feels crisp this September, it’s not just the cool fall breeze. Walt Disney Animation Studios and ABC are giving viewers unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the making of Frozen. The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic premieres Tuesday, September 2 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. The special will also offer a glimpse toward the next chapter for Anna, Elsa, and friends, as well as an exclusive sneak peek at Big Hero 6 which hits theaters this November.

The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic offers a look at the origins and evolution of the Academy Award®-winning blockbuster—now the biggest animated feature of all time. The special tells the real story of making a modern movie based on a timeless tale that nearly overnight became a cultural touchstone for legions of fans.

Viewers will get a rare look inside Walt Disney Animation Studios and unprecedented access to the creative team that brought Frozen to life. Throughout the one-hour special, the audience will hear from Frozen stars Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, the directors, songwriters, producer, and artists, as well as Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter—the team who dreamed of making a cherished Hans Christian Andersen story into a spectacular big-screen animated musical.

Viewers will journey to the breathtaking Norwegian villages and landscapes that inspired the look of Arendelle, Frozen‘s fictional kingdom, and see images and footage from the research trips to Norway, Quebec, and points beyond that helped create the film’s unforgettable look and feel.

This special will also include some exciting announcements about the next chapter of Frozen and a never-before-seen preview of the Frozen characters, who are set to appear on the ABC hit seriesOnce Upon a Time when the show returns Sunday, September 28. Members of D23 will get a special peek at what’s to come on Once Upon a Time in the Fall 2014 issue of Disney twenty-three.

The program will culminate with an exclusive sneak peek at the action-packed comedy-adventureBig Hero 6, currently in production at Walt Disney Animation Studios—under wraps until now—as the team prepares for their next big-screen epic. Sounds like September 2 will be the perfect night to “chill out” at home.

Disney Announces Voice Cast for ‘Big Hero 6’

Big-Hero-6

Walt Disney Animation Studios has assembled its voice cast for the studio’s fall feature Big Hero 6, about a young robotics prodigy named Hiro Hamada and his robot companion Baymax, who pull together a team of crime fighters to save the city of San Fransokyo. Maya Rudolph, James Cromwell, Damon Wayans Jr., T.J. Miller, Alan Tudyk,Jamie Chung, Genesis Rodriguez and Daniel Henney will voice the cast, with Oregon born, Tokyo raised actor Ryan Potter (Nickelodeon’s Supah Ninjas) starring as as Hiro Hamada and Scott Adsit voicing Baymax.

Big Hero 6 is the first Disney pic to feature Marvel universe characters and is adapted by Don Hall and Jordan Roberts from the Marvel comic mini-series of the same name, whose team and characters were created by Man of Action’s Duncan Rouleau and Steven T. Seagle. They’ve tweaked a few details: The original Big Hero 6 story took place in Japan and featured a post-nuclear villain created from the souls of atomic bombing victims; Disney’s version is being promoted heavily on the cute factor of robot sidekick Baymax. Hall and Bolt‘s Chris Williams co-directed the pic, which hits theaters in 3D on November 7. Here’s Disney’s breakdown of the film’s cast of characters:

Voiced by RYAN POTTER (“Supah Ninjas,” “Senior Project”), robotics prodigy HIRO HAMADA has the mind of a genius—and the heart of a 14-year-old: his state-of-the-art battle-bots dominate the underground bot fights held in the dark corners of San Fransokyo. Fortunately, big brother Tadashi redirects Hiro’s brilliance, inspiring him to put his brain to the test in a quest to gain admission to the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. When a tragic event changes everything, Hiro turns to a robot named Baymax, and they form an unbreakable bond—and two-sixths of a band of high-tech heroes on a very important mission.

SCOTT ADSIT (“30 Rock,” “St. Vincent”) provides the voice of the world’s most compassionate robot. BAYMAX cares. That’s what he was designed to do. The plus-sized inflatable robot’s job title is technically Healthcare Companion: With a simple scan, Baymax can detect vital stats, and given a patient’s level of pain, can treat nearly any ailment. Conceived and built by Tadashi Hamada, Baymax just might revolutionize the healthcare industry. But to the inventor’s kid brother Hiro, the nurturing, guileless bot turns out to be more than what he was built for—he’s a hero, and quite possibly Hiro’s closest friend. And after some deft reprogramming that includes a rocket fist, super strength and rocket thrusters that allow him to fly, Baymax becomes one of the “Big Hero 6.”

Voiced by T.J. MILLER (HBO’s “Silicon Valley,” “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “How to Train Your Dragon 2”), fanboy FRED comes off like a laid-back dude with no direction. But this sign-twirling, monster-loving, comic-book aficionado is sure to go places—when he’s good and ready. For example, Fred doesn’t hesitate to join “Big Hero 6,” and he has a lot of ideas for his super-hero skillset, too. His ferocious, fire-breathing alter ego comes complete with claws, integrated communications and a super bounce. But his sign-spinning may still come in handy.

JAMIE CHUNG (“Sin City: A Dame to Kill For,” “Once Upon A Time,” “The Hangover Part II & Part III”) steps up as the voice of the aptly named GO GO TOMAGO, who knows what it takes to be fast. She’s tough, athletic and loyal to the bone, but not much of a conversationalist. Popping bubble gum and delivering well-placed sarcasm are totally her speed. The daredevil adrenaline junkie is at her best on wheels, and when Go Go joins forces with “Big Hero 6,” she rolls like never before, using maglev discs as wheels, shields and throwing weapons.

DAMON WAYANS JR. (“Let’s Be Cops,” “Happy Endings”) provides the voice of WASABI, who’s committed to precision. He’s super smart and just a touch neurotic, but the big and burly neatnik can’t help but join the cause when Hiro needs him most. As part of “Big Hero 6,” Wasabi amplifies his martial arts skills with jaw-dropping plasma blade weaponry. Sharp doesn’t even begin to describe this guy.

GENESIS RODRIGUEZ (“Tusk” and “Run All Night”) was called on to help bring Honey Lemon to life. It’s elemental when it comes to chemistry whiz HONEY LEMON. Don’t let her glasses and funky fashion fool you: Honey may be as sweet as her namesake, but she has a fire in her belly and a can-do attitude that make her pretty much unstoppable. Her knowledge of alchemy proves powerful, too, when the effusive brainiac becomes part of the “Big Hero 6” and creates clever concoctions that when thrown, can get her team out of nearly any jam.

DANIEL HENNEY (“X-Men Origins: Wolverine”) was called on to give voice to TADASHI HAMADA. Tadashi is a good guy. He just is. He actually developed, built and programmed a state-of-the-art nursebot—a Healthcare Companion named Baymax that will likely help millions worldwide. But it’s his role as big brother that makes Tadashi truly special. Every kid needs a guy like Tadashi looking out for him, and Hiro knows just how lucky he is to have him in his life.

MAYA RUDOLPH (TV’s “Saturday Night Live,” “Maya Rudolph Variety Show,” Bridesmaids”) provides the voice of AUNT CASS, who’s the overworked but always-supportive guardian of brothers Hiro and Tadashi. The owner of a popular San Fransokyo bakery and coffee shop, Aunt Cass is proud, ebullient and thinks the world of her two genius nephews. She’s always good for a laugh and ready with a hug, tirelessly there for support and a great home-cooked meal.

Voiced by JAMES CROMWELL (“Murder in the First,” “L.A. Confidential”), PROFESSOR ROBERT CALLAGHAN heads up the robotics program at the prestigious San Fransokyo Institute of Technology and is Tadashi’s professor and mentor. When Hiro visits the university for the first time, he is star-struck by the world-renowned roboticist—while Callaghan immediately sees the potential in the 14-year-old prodigy, encouraging him to put his brain to better use.

Pioneer entrepreneur and tech guru ALISTAIR KREI is voiced by ALAN TUDYK (“Tell,” “Welcome to Me,” “42”). San Fransokyo Institute of Technology’s most illustrious alum and owner of the biggest technology company in the world, Krei Tech, is always on the hunt for the next big thing. Krei attends the showcase at San Fransokyo Tech and is overwhelmingly impressed by Hiro’s ingenuity.

YOKAI is the silent masked man behind the terrible tragedy that strikes San Fransokyo, turning Hiro’s world upside down. As a result, Hiro transforms a group of nerds into a team of high-tech crime fighters—“Big Hero 6”—with one mission: Track down Yokai and bring him to justice.

Walt Disney Animation Studios Introduces Feast

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Making its world premiere at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival June 10, 2014, is Feast, a new short from first-time director Patrick Osborne (head of animation, Paperman) and Walt Disney Animation Studios. The story of one man’s love life is seen through the eyes of his best friend and dog, Winston, and revealed bite by bite through the meals they share. The short will open in theaters in front of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new action-packed, big-screen adventure Big Hero 6 on November 7, 2014.

Wreck It Ralph 2 Currently in the Works

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Wreck-It Ralph composer Henry Jackman says that Disney is currently working on the story for a planned sequel.

In an interview with Collider, Jackman was hesitant to say more because he considers Wreck-It Ralph 2 to be a project already in development.

“I can’t tell you more, not because I’m being coy, but I believe that it is officially on the cards,” he said. “I don’t know any more other than a story is indeed being written. I’d be very surprised not to. I’m not blowing my own trumpet. Forget about the music. Just the movie itself I thought was a fantastically imaginative and creative piece of work. Rich [Moore], the director, actually got involved in the writing. There was another writer and I can’t remember his name (Editor’s note: it’s Phil Johnston). Just as a concept, it would be almost remiss of them not to write another one. It’s a great idea and it’s a great character.”

In February 2013 director Rich Moore said that the idea for the sequel that he and Reilly intrigued them.

“Are there other Ralphs [in this world we were introduced to in the original]? What would happen if another Fix It Felix, Jr. game was plugged in?” he asked. “Are there other Ralphs that are more contemporary? Is there another version of the game that was made for mobile? Are there those kind of Super Smash Bros types games where all the characters are gathered in a fighting game? What would that be like for Ralph to come face to face with those different iterations of himself?”

 

 

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