Josh Groban Will Perform A New Original Song, “Evermore” For “Beauty And The Beast”

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ACCLAIMED SINGER/SONGWRITER JOSH GROBAN

TO RELEASE ORIGINAL SONG “EVERMORE”

FROM DISNEY’S “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” SOUNDTRACK

Multi-platinum international recording artist and songwriter Josh Groban has recorded an all-new original song, “Evermore,” for Disney’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast.” The song will appear in the film’s end credits as well as the soundtrack. 

“Evermore,” a soaring ballad performed in the film by the Beast (Dan Stevens) after he releases Belle (Emma Watson) to be with her father, is written by eight-time Oscar®-winning composer Alan Menken (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin”) and veteran lyricist and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice (“The Lion King,” “Evita”). Menken also provides the film score, as well as new recordings of the classic songs from the animated film written by himself and Ashman. The original motion picture soundtrack will be released by Walt Disney Records on March 10, 2017. The pre-order is available now at http://disneymusic.co/BeautySndtrkP. 

Says Groban, “I am honored to sing this beautiful new song by two of my absolute favorites, Alan Menken and Tim Rice. ‘Beauty and the Beast’ has been with me since my childhood and to have a musical connection to this new film makes me so happy.”

Mitchell Leib, president of music for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Production, helped to bring Groban into the musical mix for the film. “Alan Menken, director Bill Condon and I were talking about which contemporary recording artist could even sing such a demanding song, let alone succeed with it. Josh stood alone,” says Leib. “His voice is a natural fit for this showstopper of a composition.” 

Possessing one of the most outstanding and instantly recognizable voices in music, singer, songwriter, and actor Josh Groban has entertained fans across the globe with his multi-platinum albums and DVDs (over 30 million sold worldwide), electrifying live performances, and comedic film and television appearances. The 35-year-old Los Angeles native is the only artist who has had two albums on the Top 20 Best-Selling Albums list of the past decade, according to Billboard. He has appeared in the feature films “Crazy, Stupid, Love,” “The Hollars,” “Coffee Town” and “Muppets Most Wanted,” as well as on NBC’s “The Office,” FX’s “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and CBS’ “The Crazy Ones.”  

Groban has released seven studio albums, his 2001 self-titled 5x-platinum debut, 2003’s 6x-platinum “Closer,” 2006’s double-platinum “Awake,” 2007’s 6x platinum GRAMMY-nominated “Noel,” 2010’s gold-certified “Illuminations” and 2013’s gold-certified “All That Echoes,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, giving Groban his first No. 1 debut and third chart-topper. Groban earned GRAMMY Award® nominations for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for his 2015 album “Stages,” a collection of some of the greatest songs from musical theater and 2016’s “Stages Live,” which featured performances recorded at the historic Los Angeles Theater for his all-new PBS special “Josh Groban: Stages Live.” 

Over the summer, he embarked on an extensive North American tour to support “Stages,” entitled “Josh Groban: On Stage.” Also in 2016, Groban made his Broadway debut starring in the new musical “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812,” which opened to glowing reviews. The production has just announced a six-month extension to its run, carrying the show into summer. An active arts education philanthropist and advocate, Groban is a member of Americans for the Arts Artists Committee and Groban’s Find Your Light Foundation helps enrich the lives of young people through arts, education, and cultural awareness. 

1/29/17 Marvel News Mash-Up (Black Panther, Logan, Ultron, Etc.)

 

Marvel Begins Production Of “Black Panther”

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Marvel has released the following press release announcing the production, synopsis and full cast of “Black Panther”:

Marvel Studios announced today that production has begun on “Black Panther,” starring Chadwick Boseman (“Captain America: Civil War,”  “Get on Up”), Michael B. Jordan (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”), Academy Award® winner Lupita Nyong’o (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “12 Years a Slave”), Danai Gurira (“The Walking Dead,” upcoming “All Eyez on Me”), Martin Freeman (“Hobbit” trilogy, “Sherlock”), Daniel Kaluuya (upcoming “Get Out,” “Sicario”),  with Academy Award® nominee Angela Bassett (“American Horror Story,” “London Has Fallen”), with Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” Lee Daniels’ “The Butler”), and Andy Serkis (“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”). 

Additional cast members include Letitia Wright (“Urban Hymn,” “Glasgow Girls”), Winston Duke (“Person of Interest, “Modern Family”), Florence Kasumba (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Emerald City”), Sterling K. Brown (“Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”) and John Kani (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Coriolanus”). 

Ryan Coogler (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”) directs Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” from a screenplay he co-wrote with Joe Robert Cole (“The People v. O.J. Simpson:  American Crime Story”).  The film, which opens in U.S. theaters on February 16, 2018, will be shot in Atlanta and South Korea.   

“Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the events of “Captain America: Civil War,” returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. However, when an old enemy reappears on the radar, T’Challa’s mettle as King and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk.  

Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” is produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. 

Coogler’s creative brain trust includes his frequent collaborators: director of photography Rachel Morrison, A.S.C. (“Dope,” “Fruitvale Station”), production designer Hannah Beachler (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”), editors Claudia Castello (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”) and Michael P. Shawver (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”); along with costume designer Ruth E. Carter (“Selma,” Lee Daniels’ “The Butler”), visuals effects supervisor Geoffrey Baumann (“Doctor Strange,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron”), Academy Award®- winning makeup designer Joel Harlow (“Star Trek Beyond,” “Black Mass”) and seven-time Academy Award® nominee, special effects supervisor Dan Sudick (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”).  

Based on the Marvel comic character that first appeared in “Fantastic Four Vol. 1” Issue 52, published in 1966, “Black Panther” joins Marvel Studios’ slate of releases  in its Phase 3 commitment to introduce film audiences to new heroes and continue the adventures of fan favorites over the course of four years and nine films.

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A few interesting things here is that Andy Serkis and Martin Freeman are returning to the MCU. Andy Serkis played Ulysses Klaw in “Avengers: Age Of Ultron” who had a history of stealing the valuable vibranium from Wakanda. He provided Ultron with enough vibranium in order to upgrade his armor with hopes of defeating the Avengers. Ultron turned against  Klaw and ripped his arm off. In the Black Panther comic books, Klaw has always been a villain to Wakanda and The Black Panther and more than likely he will be the main antagonist in the movie.

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This was a bit of a surprise that Martin Freeman is returning as Everett Ross. The character was first introduced in “Captain America: Civil War” as part of the Joint Counter Terrorist Centre and was part of the interrogation of both The Winter Soldier and Zemo. In the Black Panther comic books, Ross is an expert on all things Wakanda.

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Although this press release announced the full cast I would not be surprised to see some guest appearances. When we last saw Bucky in Civil War, he was in Wakanda being put into cryosleep until Wakand scientests could find a way to remove his Hydra programing. He was also missing his cybernetic arm that was made of Wakanda’s vibranium. I fully expect that we will see Bucky awaken and emerge as the new Winter Soldier, along with a newly upgraded vibranium based cybernetic arm.

New Poster Released For “Logan”

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Get a closeup of a very intense Hugh Jackman as he pops his claws and gets ready for the theatrical release of “Logan”.

Logan opens on March 3rd.

Beautiful Fan Art Of Brie Larson As “Captain Marvel”

 

 width=I’m a little late to this but found this fan art searching through reddit. Think this looks great and hope we see something like this when Brie Larson makes her debut (possibly?) in “Avengers: Infinity War”. Maybe sooner (“Guardians Of The Galaxy, Volume 2”), maybe later (“Captain Marvel”).

Source: reddit

“Civil War” Comes To “Avengers: Ultron Revolution”

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Some Good news for “Avengers: Ultron Revolution” fans, the series will soon be tackling the “Civil War” theme.

From Syfywire:

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It seems like every Marvel property is getting in on Civil War, and now the epic superhero clash is coming to the small screen.

The Disney XD animated series Avengers: Ultron Revolution will feature a four-part Civil War event this season, drawing inspiration from both Civil War and Civil War II.

The best part? They have the full gamut of Marvel characters thanks to the cartoon element, so even Captain Marvel can get in on the fun (and war!).

The story kicks off when an Inhuman accidentally destroys a small town, after which the U.S. government steps in to pass the Registration Act. It ends up with two Avengers teams facing off, all while Ultron looks to make his final move during the chaos.

If you haven’t been following along, Marvel’s animated line-up is actually a compelling little corner of the superhero universe, featuring everyone from Kamala Khan to Miles Morales kicking around (and kicking butt).

The entire Avengers: Ultron RevolutionCivil War event airs Saturday, January 28 on Disney XD.

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I wasn’t a fan of “Avengers Assemble” when if first premiered on Disney XD. The series it replaced, “Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” was by far the superior show. Where “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” focused on some of the best stories that originally were shown in The Avenger comic books, “Avengers Assemble” changed the theme to be more Marvel Cinematic Universe focused. This season has definitely gotten better and I love some of the voice actors and I think the animation is a step up. That we could see Captain Marvel and Miles Morales Spider-Man and maybe even more popular superheroes get involved in the mix can make for a very different and exciting storyline.

Source: Syfywire

Sideshow Collectible Corner

“Wolverine”

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I am loving Square Enix’s spin on Marvel characters. They are a little more high tech and a little more aggressive than we are used to but to me that is a good thing. I would love to see Hugh Jackman in a costume like this but I doubt we will ever see him in a full Wolverine costume. Plus as amazing as Hugh Jackman’s physique is, he will never have guns like this Wolvie.

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Armed with sharp claws made of adamantium, the hardest metal in the world, and a healing factor that allows for superhuman recovery, X-Men hero Wolverine enters Square Enix’s Marvel Variant Series!

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Painstaking attention to textural detail can be seen in this Wolverine’s costume and burly physique, from the hard surfaces of the armor, to the organic feel of the skin, down to the bulging veins in his arms.

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Shadows are painted in to highlight the molded features, while the paint, chipped here and there off his armor, hints at the many battles in his past. In addition to the interchangeable hands and head, a Japanese katana adds to the variety of poseable actions.

Source: SideShow

That’s it for this time!

VIDEO: Golden Globe “Beauty And The Beast” TV Spot Released

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Hear Emma Watson sing a bit of “Belle” in this new TV spot that aired during the Golden Globes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7ENUYTXlJg

The story and characters audiences know and love come to spectacular life in the live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic “Beauty and the Beast,” a stunning, cinematic event celebrating one of the most beloved tales ever told. “Beauty and the Beast” is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a Beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart of the true Prince within. The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s father; Josh Gad as LeFou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, the candelabra; Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Audra McDonald as Madame de Garderobe, the wardrobe; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; Hattie Morahan as the enchantress; and Nathan Mack as Chip, the teacup; with Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.

Directed by Bill Condon based on the 1991 animated film, “Beauty and the Beast,” the screenplay is written by Stephen Chbosky and Evan Spiliotopoulos and produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman, p.g.a. and Todd Lieberman, p.g.a. with Jeffrey Silver, Thomas Schumacher and Don Hahn serving as executive producers. Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards® (Best Original Score and Best Song) for the animated film, provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as three new songs written by Menken and Tim Rice. “Beauty and the Beast” will be released in U.S. theaters on March 17, 2017.

“Moana” Sing A Long Coming To Theaters On January 27th

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A new sing a long version of “Moana” will be released in select theaters for a limited time beginning January 27th.

The epic journey continues for “Moana” fans as Walt Disney Animation Studios introduces an all-new sing-along version of the hit, critically-lauded comedy-adventure “Moana,” coming to theaters nationwide Jan. 27, 2017. Additionally, the original theatrical version of the film will release digitally Feb. 21 and on Blu-ray March 7. 

Fans are invited to warm up those vocal cords and set sail with an all-new sing-along version of “Moana” launching in more than 2,000 theaters nationwide on Jan. 27 and exclusively at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre on Jan. 20 

“Moana” audiences were swept away by the film’s original songs and score from a dynamic team that includes Tony®-, Emmy®- and Grammy®-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda (Pulitzer Prize- and Tony-winning “Hamilton,” Tony-winning “In the Heights”), Mark Mancina (“Tarzan,” Broadway’s “The Lion King”) and Opetaia Foa‘i (founder and lead singer of the award-winning world music band Te Vaka). 

The sing-along version of “Moana” includes the full feature film with on-screen lyrics, so audiences can belt out the words to their favorite songs, such as the Golden Globe®-nominated “How Far I’ll Go.” Moviegoers can check local listings for showtimes and theaters; the sing-along run will vary by location. 

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 56th animated feature opened domestically on Nov. 23, 2016, becoming the No. 2 Thanksgiving debut ever with $82 million. The film continues to delight audiences around the globe, earning more than $225 million domestically and $450 million worldwide to date. The film has a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A” CinemaScore. 

“Moana” has received, thus far, nominations for BAFTA, PGA, Golden Globe® and a Critics’ Choice Movie Award for best animated feature. The film’s uplifting soundtrack has dominated the music charts for more than six weeks, peaking at No. 1 on the iTunes Albums chart; it is currently No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart and No. 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The soundtrack is available wherever music is sold and at streaming services.  

At Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre, the “Moana” sing-along will begin Jan. 20, one week prior to the nationwide opening. Daily showtimes are at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tickets are available at El Capitan Theatre (6838 Hollywood Blvd.), by calling 1-800-DISNEY6 (347-6396) or online at http://www.elcapitantickets.com. 

Audiences can soon enjoy the original theatrical version of the film at home and packed with a variety of bonus extras when “Moana” arrives on Digital HD/3D and Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) on Feb. 21, and on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, Digital SD, DVD and On-Demand on March 7.

Filming For Disney’s “Magic Camp” Has Begun

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PRODUCTION BEGINS ON

“MAGIC CAMP” STARRING ADAM DEVINE,

GILLIAN JACOBS AND JEFFREY TAMBOR

DIRECTED BY MARK WATERS

 

Production has begun on Disney’s “Magic Camp,” a live-action comedy starring Adam Devine (“Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” “Pitch Perfect”), Gillian Jacobs (“Community,” “Girls”) and Emmy® and Golden Globe® winner Jeffrey Tambor (“Transparent,” “The Larry Sanders Show”) directed by Mark Waters (“Bad Santa 2,” “Mean Girls”). The film is shooting on locations in and around Los Angeles and is scheduled for release in 2017. 

Tambor plays Roy Preston, the owner of a summer camp for aspiring young magicians and Devine is Andy, a former camper whose flailing career as a magician has forced him to return to the camp as a counselor. Also returning to the camp is Andy’s former partner and current nemesis, Darkwood, played by Jacobs, who is now a successful magician. When preparations begin for the end-of-summer magic contest between rival teams of campers, Andy and his team of ragtag misfits must go head to head with Darkwood and her campers. In the process, Andy is inspired by the young campers and rediscovers his passion for magic. 

“Magic Camp” is produced by Suzanne Todd (“Bad Moms,” the “Austin Powers” films) with Mario Iscovich (“McFarland, USA,“ “The Princess Diaries”) and Jessica Tuchinsky (“500 Days of Summer,” “Mr. Popper’s Penguins”) serving as executive producers. The film also stars: Nathaniel McIntyre (“Barry”), Cole Sand (“Austin & Ally”), Isabella Crovetti (“Joy”), J.J. Totah (“Liv & Maddie”), Izabella Alverez (“Westworld”), Hayden Crawford (“Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn”), Bianca Grava (“Game Shakers”) and Lonnie Chavis (“This is Us,” “Bella and the Bulldogs”).

Woody Harrelson Officially Joins The Cast Of “Han Solo”

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Last week there was a rumor going around that Woody Harrelson was joining the cast of the Han Solo stand alone movie as Han’s mentor. StarWars.com has just made it official. Harrelson has indeed signed on but there is still no confirmation as to what role he will be playing in the film.

From StarWars.com

Veteran film and television actor Woody Harrelson is stepping aboard the upcoming Han Solo movie set to arrive in theaters next year.

Harrelson, known for wide-ranging roles in film and TV such as The Hunger Games, No Country For Old MenTrue DetectiveCheers, and Zombieland, will join actors Alden Ehrenreich (Han Solo), Donald Glover (Lando Calrissian), and Emilia Clarke in the adventure. This Star Wars Story is the second in a series of films that live outside the Skywalker family saga, and is set during the early scoundrel days of the iconic characters, prior to A New Hope.

“We couldn’t be more excited to work with an artist with as much depth and range as Woody,” said the film’s directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. “His ability to find both humor and pathos, often in the same role, is truly unique. He is also very good at ping pong.”

The as-yet-untitled movie, which is being produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Allison Shearmur, and Simon Emanuel, is scheduled for release in 2018.

Source: StarWars.com

Ariana Grande And John Legend Will Perform The Title Song For “Beauty And The Beast”

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ARIANA GRANDE AND JOHN LEGEND TO PERFORM

OSCAR® AND GRAMMY®-WINNING SONG “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” AS THE TITLE TRACK FOR DISNEY’S UPCOMING SOUNDTRACK TO THE LIVE-ACTION

ADAPTATION OF THE ANIMATED CLASSIC

GRAMMY nominated and multi-platinum selling artist Ariana Grande and 10-time GRAMMY, Oscar®-winning and multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter/ musician John Legend are set to perform the Oscar and GRAMMY-winning duet “Beauty and the Beast” as the title track for Disney’s upcoming soundtrack to the live-action film adaptation “Beauty and the Beast.” The song will also be featured in the film. 

The enchanting ballad, originally performed by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson featuring eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken’s beautiful melody and two-time Oscar-winner Howard Ashman’s unforgettable lyrics, received an Academy Award®, Golden Globe® and GRAMMY Award, among other accolades, upon its release in 1991.  

The new rendition of the classic song is produced by GRAMMY-winning veteran Ron Fair, whose music career spans 37 years as a major-label record company leader and accomplished producer, arranger, recording engineer and musical director. Fair was brought in to produce by Disney’s president of Music & Soundtracks, Mitchell Leib, who also brought Grande and Legend to the project. The history of collaboration between Leib and Fair in film music goes back to the highly-successful “Pretty Woman” soundtrack. “Ron was the first and only choice to make this particular record,” says Leib. “No one is a better vocal producer and he also has a great understanding of the filmmaking dynamic.” 

Fair’s recordings have won six GRAMMY Awards and have been nominated 18 times. Fair discovered and shepherded Christina Aguilera, selling over 50 million albums and winning numerous GRAMMY Awards. He A&R’d Aguilera’s first five albums and championed the Black Eyed Peas to 27 million albums, 4 number-ones and multiple GRAMMY wins, as well as co-producing and arranging the strings on their global breakthrough # 1 hit “Where is The Love?”  

Says Fair, “Stepping into the shoes of an Oscar and GRAMMY Award-winning classic is not small potatoes. But with today’s two greatest plutonium singers – John Legend and Ariana Grande – we are bringing the song back with a new school-old school fresh treatment that shows the soulfulness and power of what a great melody and lyric can inspire.” 

The music video will be directed by Dave Meyers, the innovative visionary whose long-time collaborations with major artists like P!nk, Janet Jackson, Ice Cube and Britney Spears have resulted in dozens of award nominations and many wins, including a GRAMMY in 2005 for Best Music Video and 11 MTV Video Music Awards, including one for Katy Perry’s smash hit “Firework.”  He recently directed the music video for P!nk’s hit single “Just Like Fire” from the Walt Disney Records soundtrack for “Alice Through The Looking Glass.” 

Menken also provides the film score, with new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Ashman. Also featured are three new songs written by Menken and veteran lyricist and three time Oscar winner Tim Rice. The original motion picture soundtrack will be released by Walt Disney Records on March 10, 2017. The pre-order is available now at http://disneymusic.co/BeautySndtrkP.

Disney Looking At Will Smith To Star In The Live Action Adaption Of “Dumbo”

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According to The Hollywood Reporter, Will Smith is in early talks to star in the live action adaption of the classic Disney animated film, “Dumbo”.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Will Smith is in early talks to star in Disney’s live-action take of Dumbo, being directed by Tim Burton, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

Ehren Kruger penned the script for the project, which is based on Disney’s classic animated 1941 movie about a baby circus elephant who is made fun of for his large ears and is separated from his mother.

Plot details are being kept under wraps, but sources say that one thing the new version does is expand and deepen the circus aspect of the story. The character that Smith would play, if a deal is made, is that of a father who works at the big top and whose children develop a relationship with the pachyderm.

No offer has been made, but conversations have taken place. One challenging point is Sony’s Bad Boys sequel, which could shoot at the same time as Dumbo.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter