Through some clever looking through the coding on the Disney Parks Blog, it seems as though the name of the Star Wars themed land for Disneyland and Disney World may have slipped out ahead of tomorrow’s announcement.
If the coding is correct, the name of the land will be Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
A formal announcement is expected tomorrow at the D23 Expo one way or the other.
THE STARS OF WALT DISNEY AND PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS
COME TOGETHER AT D23 EXPO 2017 FOR THE BIGGEST
ANIMATION CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR
John Lasseter Joins Filmmakers and Voice Talent to Share Details and Surprises about Upcoming Film Slate
Filmmakers from Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios convened at D23 Expo 2017 today, revealing new details about their upcoming movie slates and introducing key voice talent, including Benjamin Bratt, Anthony Gonzalez, Josh Gad, Kristen Bell, Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Vowell, Samuel L. Jackson, Huck Milner and Sarah Silverman. And in an unforgettable moment, Auli‘i Cravalho, Kristen Bell, Mandy Moore, Kelly MacDonald, Anika Noni Rose, Irene Bedard, Linda Larkin, Paige O’Hara and Jodi Benson came together on stage in a celebration fit for a princess.
John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, teamed up with the stars and filmmakers from both studios to present new details, footage, behind-the-scenes looks and images from a host of upcoming films. “I’m so excited about our upcoming movies; they are all hilarious, emotional, beautiful and make you think,” said Lasseter, who serves as executive producer on all animated titles. “It’s a great mix of incredibly creative and surprising new worlds and characters and stories we love returning to. Our filmmakers are putting so much heart into these films – I can’t wait for people to see them.”
Following, in the order of release, are the films presented on behalf of both studios.
COCO
Guests were treated to the first-ever public performance of “Remember Me” from Pixar Animation Studios’ upcoming feature film “Coco.” Anthony Gonzalez, who provides the voice of Miguel in the film, and Benjamin Bratt, who lends his voice to Ernesto de la Cruz, teamed up to perform the song written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Capping the animation presentation, the grand finale featured more than 160 performers who descended upon Hall D23 at the Anaheim Convention Center, including the Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea and Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles under the direction of Kareli Montoya, and the Grammy®-winning Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band.
“Our film embraces a broad landscape of music,” said director Lee Unkrich. “We were fortunate to have Kristen and Bobby create ‘Remember Me’—it’s the signature song made famous by Ernesto de la Cruz, and it embodies the key theme in our story: the importance of remembering loved ones both in life and beyond.”
Unkrich, co-director and screenwriter Adrian Molina and producer Darla K. Anderson shared details about the original story with the crowd. In theaters Nov. 22, 2017, “Coco” introduces Miguel, an aspiring musician whose family long ago banned music. Desperate to prove his talent and follow in the footsteps of his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz, Miguel makes a fateful decision and finds himself in the Land of the Dead, where he meets his extended family and charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal). Together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
“Coco” features an original score from Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino (“Up,” “Rogue One”) and additional songs co-written by Germaine Franco (“Dope,” “Shovel Buddies”) and Molina. Also part of the team is musical consultant Camilo Lara of the music project Mexican Institute of Sound.
Fans in attendance all received an exclusive “Coco” poster depicting the film’s iconic skull guitar.
OLAF’S FROZEN ADVENTURE
Kristen Bell, the voice of Anna, introduced fans to the new “Frozen” holiday featurette, “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure.” Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, surprised the crowd with a live performance of the all-new original song “That Time of Year,” written by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson. The song is part of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new 21-minute featurette, which hits the big-screen in front of Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” on Nov. 22, 2017.
Joining Bell and Gad in the featurette are Idina Menzel as the voice of Elsa, and Jonathan Groff as the voice of Kristoff.
The featurette is directed by the Emmy®-winning team Kevin Deters and Stevie Wermers-Skelton (“Prep & Landing”) and produced by Oscar® winner Roy Conli (“Big Hero 6”).
INCREDIBLES 2
Lasseter, who’s looked forward to the return of everyone’s favorite family of superheroes since “The Incredibles” was still in production, was excited to share with fans a look at what the fashion world thinks of super-suit stylist Edna Mode—the petite-but-powerful character introduced in Pixar Animation Studio’s 2004 Oscar®-winning feature. Showcasing fashion phenoms from Heidi Klum and Kendall Jenner to Zac Posen and Rachel Zoe, the video can be viewed here.
“Incredibles 2” director Brad Bird—who lends his voice to Edna—joined Lasseter on stage to welcome to the festivities the voices of Mr. and Mrs. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter), Violet (Sarah Vowell), Dash (newcomer Huck Milner) and Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson). Bird revealed details of the upcoming caper, which puts the family into an expanded universe that includes new allies and a brand-new villain. “‘Incredibles 2’ is really a family film, it’s just that the family happens to have super powers,” said Bird. “They may have super speed or super strength, but they experience the same problems as any family.”
“Bob’s actually home with the kids this time and I’m the one out fighting crime,” added Hunter. She joked, “I’ve been working out 13 hours a day!”
“Incredibles 2” hits theaters on June 15, 2018.
RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2
Directors Rich Moore and Phil Johnston hit the stage at D23 Expo 2017, introducing Emmy®-winning actress and comedian Sarah Silverman, who returns as the voice of Vanellope von Schweetz.
Fans were the first to see the global debut of a scene from the film that pays hilarious homage to the Disney Princesses. Lasseter revealed that filmmakers had asked the original voice actresses behind the Princesses featured to reprise their roles for the sequence, and in a moment no Disney fan will forget, Auli‘i Cravalho (“Moana”), Kristen Bell (Anna in “Frozen”), Kelly MacDonald (Merida in “Brave”), Mandy Moore (Rapunzel in “Tangled”), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog”), Irene Bedard (“Pocahontas”), Linda Larkin (Jasmine in “Aladdin”), Paige O’Hara (Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”) and Jodi Benson (Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”) were welcomed on stage for the largest gathering of Disney Princesses in history.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ follow-up to 2012’s “Wreck-It Ralph” leaves the arcade behind, venturing into the expansive universe of the internet—which may or may not survive Ralph’s not-so-light touch. Outcasts-turned-BFFs Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and Vanellope von Schweetz are reuniting with Fix-It Felix (voice of Jack McBrayer) and Sergeant Calhoun (voice of Jane Lynch). Filmmakers revealed a new character, Yesss, an algorithm who plays an important role in Ralph and Vanellope’s journey within the internet. Golden Globe®-winning actress Taraji P. Henson (“Empire”) lends her voice to the character. “Yesss is a new character who owns the website Buzzaholic,” said Henson. “Yesss knows about everything cool and on trend. And she does spell her name with a triple ‘s.’ Yesss is very savvy, smart and sexy.”
Produced by Oscar® winner Clark Spencer, “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2” hits theaters on Nov. 21, 2018.
UNTITLED DISNEYTOON STUDIOS FILM
John Lasseter kicked off the presentation by announcing Disneytoon Studios’ original new animated movie, “Untitled DTS Film.” Directed by Klay Hall and Bobs Gannaway, and produced by Ferrell Barron, the theatrical feature film explores the future of aviation—taking moviegoers to the edge of discovery in the air—and beyond. “Untitled DTS Film” opens in theaters on April 12, 2019.
TOY STORY 4
Lasseter invited Pixar’s Josh Cooley (“Riley’s First Date?” short) to the stage, revealing that Cooley has assumed full director responsibilities for “Toy Story 4.” The pair brought with them a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the director’s life at the Northern California studio. Produced by Jonas Rivera (“Inside Out”), “Toy Story 4” is slated for release on June 21, 2019.
FROZEN 2 (TITLE TBA)
Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, and produced by Peter Del Vecho, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ feature-length follow-up to 2013’s Oscar®-winning film “Frozen” is slated for theaters on November 27, 2019. Bell, Gad, Menzel and Groff are reprising their roles in an all-new story. Lasseter, Bell and Gad shared with “Frozen” fans a behind-the-scenes video showcasing the filmmakers’ recent research trip to Norway, Finland and Iceland.
UNTITLED DAN SCANLON MOVIE
Director Dan Scanlon, who helmed Pixar’s “Monsters University,” joined Lasseter to share a few details about an all-new original feature film currently in production at Pixar Animation Studios. According to Scanlon, who lost his father at a very young age, the film is inspired by the question he’s always asked: who was my father? The story is set in a world with no humans—only elves, trolls and sprites—“anything that would be on the side of a van in the ’70s,” said the director. “In the film, we’re going to tell the story of two teenage elf brothers whose father died when they were too young to remember him. But thanks to the little magic still left in the world, the boys embark on a quest that will allow them a chance to spend one last magical day with their father.”
Kori Rae (“Monsters University”) will produce.
Walt Disney Studios announced today that Disneytoon Studios (“Planes”) next original film will open in theaters on April 12, 2019. Currently the film is untitled but will be directed by Klay Hall (“Planes”) and Bobs Gannaway (“Planes: Fire & Rescue”). It will take place in the same universe as the Cars and Planes movies.
Source: Walt Disney Studios
We are getting our first bit of news coming out of the D23 Expo regarding “The Incredibles 2”. IGN exclusively spoke with John Lasseter at D23 and he revealed that “The Incredibles 2” will begin immediately after the events of the first “Incredibles”.
Concept art for “The Incredibles 2” was released earlier this week and it does indeed show very familiar images from the first movie. We see the Underminer’s drill, which appeared at the very end of “The Incredibles”. We also see Frozone, Edna Mode and Jack Jack is still a baby. Now what’s the deal with that racoon?
From IGN:
“It starts right as the first one finishes, so it just carries on,” Lasseter said during an interview at D23 Expo, quipping that only “a minute” will have passed. He added, “It starts with the Underminer and a big old set piece. You know that at the end of the first movie when he comes up and you see the family dressed as superheroes, well that’s where start this movie.”
Brad Bird will again be directing and writing this Incredibles tale, which Lasseter described as “such a special story.”
“One of the unique things about the Incredibles is it’s really a story of a family set in the world of superheroes. This one carries on that theme,” he said. “It’s awesome, the idea we came up with — simple as that. … We love to really look at our own lives and look at what’s going on, and find themes that we know will resonate with the audience.”
Source: IGN
After 27 years being the voice and puppeteer of Kermit the Frog, Steve Whitmire has been forcibly let go from The Muppets Studio (a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company). From his own blog post on the matter, he said he is “devastated”:
For me the Muppets are not just a job, or a career, or even a passion. They are a calling, an urgent, undeniable, impossible to resist way of life. This is my life’s work since I was 19 years old. I feel that I am at the top of my game, and I want all of you who love the Muppets to know that I would never consider abandoning Kermit or any of the others because to do so would be to forsake the assignment entrusted to me by Jim Henson, my friend and mentor, but even more, my hero.
I have experienced every possible emotion since October 2016, when I received a phone call from The Muppets Studio’s executives to say they were recasting. […]I have remained silent the last nine months in hopes that the Disney company might reverse their course.
The rationale for Mr. Whitmire’s firing isn’t crystal clear. When talking to The Hollywood Reporter, Steve said he was given two reasons for his firing – a union dispute revolving around him being double booked, and Steve providing unwanted feedback on the changes being made to Kermit’s character during the (brief) run of ABC’s The Muppets. “I have been outspoken about what’s best for the Muppets since the Muppets came to Disney,” Steve said,” but the fact is I have respect for everyone who was involved in the creation of that series for their own particular contributions.”
At the same time, a Muppets Studio spokesperson made this statement to THR:
The role of Kermit the Frog is an iconic one that is beloved by fans and we take our responsibility to protect the integrity of that character very seriously. We raised concerns about Steve’s repeated unacceptable business conduct over a period of many years and he consistently failed to address the feedback. The decision to part ways was a difficult one which was made in consultation with the Henson family and has their full support.
WDWNT will continue to keep you updated as more details emerge on this story.
Image credit: Lawrence Lucier / Getty Images
Revealed tonight at the D23 Expo 2017, we received our first look at the 8-person trackless ride vehicle for Star Wars Land’s massive E-Ticket attraction known simply to most as Battle Escape.
The vehicle is referred to as a First Order Fleet Transport and features an astromech droid attached to the front of it. While we don’t know exactly why we will be riding in this vehicle, we hopefully will be getting more information before the end of the D23 Expo this weekend.
For a look at the Star Wars Land model revealed tonight, check out our video.
This is a panoramic shot of the entire model on display at the “A Galaxy of Stories” Pavilion at D23 Expo 2017. Note that this is the Disneyland model, but we expect the Walt Disney World version to be very similar. To give you a general overview, the large mountainous structure on the left side is the show building for the battle escape attraction, while on the far right is the Millennium Falcon attraction. In the center is the village area, which will contain the Cantina, the Dinner Show Restaurant, and mostly as-yet-unannounced Shopping and Entertainment offerings.
Plenty of Star Wars vehicles adorn the area.
A close-up of the left side of the village area.
You can plainly see the Millennium Falcon sitting in the area in the back, right side of the model.
Here’s a wider shot of the right side showing the Millennium Falcon ride’s show building.
Another perspective of the right side of the model.
Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more breaking news about Star Wars Land coming from the D23 Expo 2017!
We’ve just gotten a first look at the A Galaxy of Stories Pavilion at D23 Expo 2017, and it includes a full model of Star Wars Land coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Check out the video below!
Information has started being shared with cast members at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts about the long-rumored “Uber-Style” service Disney World will be launching, and no it is NOT called Duber, rather it will be called Minnie Vans.
Guests at these resorts and the Boardwalk will be a part of the initial test for this service, rolling out slowly over the next few weeks. A team of Chevrolet Traverse vehicles will be utilized, which makes sense considering the corporate sponsor for Test Track is Chevrolet and they have an overall deal with WDW. Given the name Minnie Vans, we expect the truck to be polka-dotted in some way, a play on Minnie Mouse’s classic look, but that’s just a guess.
Guests can expect a flat rate to anywhere on property when utilizing the Minnie Vans service once it launches. While we don’t have an exact number, we expect the rate to be between $15 and $20 a ride. Additional information on the proprietary app or how guests will be able to use the service are scarce right now.
We expect a formal announcement either from the Disney Parks Blog or at the D23 Expo this weekend.
Today we are getting a first look at the new auction scene for Pirates of the Caribbean coming to the U.S. parks thanks to the soft-opening of the Disneyland Paris attraction from its multi-month renovation.
The scene has been changed from the selling of the redhead to the selling of treasures, as expected. I have requested the translation of the scene from a good friend (Hi Steph!) and the main gist of the new scene is that the auctioneer is now ready to start the auction, but remarks that the jewels are a bit garbage. He also remarks about the shyness of the redhead.
The new anamatronics are very convincing, but it seems to have lost the heart of the original scenes. The video below also includes other changes and additions to the attraction.
What do you think of the new scene? Do you think it’s a worthy replacement? Let us know in the comments!
