Apple May Be Looking to Buy the Walt Disney Company

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

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According to Yahoo Finance, many industry insiders are speculating that Apple could be looking to buy the Walt Disney Company…

Apple’s cash pile of more than $200 billion is a favorite topic of investors, bloggers, and traders. It might be the largest cash reserve for any private company in history. So what is Apple going to do with all that dough?

One theory is that Apple will use its stockpile to buy Disney, according to RBC analyst Steven Cahall:

“Bulls think it portends well for a swan song exit via a sale to a giant like AAPL,” Cahall wrote in a note sent out to clients on Friday.

After all, we are living in a world where “content is king.” Currently, there is a battle raging among content providers for your eyeballs. Content providers, want you hooked and ready to consume more of your favorite content and all of the other licensed products that go along with it.

When analysts and investors think of content, Disney is the first name that comes to mind.

Disney’s “Frozen” is the highest-grossing animated film of all time. Additionally, five of the 10 highest grossing films of 2016 were Disney movies: “Captain America: Civil War” was the highest grossing film of 2016 with 1.153 billion in revenue, also included were, “Finding Dory”, “Zootopia”, “The Jungle Book”, and “Star Wars: Rogue One.”

RBC is not the only one speculating an Apple takeout of Disney is a possibility.

In her fourth-quarter investor letter for 2016, Samantha Greenberg, founder of hedge fund Margate Capital, raised the same possibility, describing the company as a “logical acquisition target” for Apple:

Apple has talked about the benefit Apple sees when it owns exclusive content, and owning Disney would reduce Apple’s exposure to product cycles, expanding AAPL’s valuation multiple…It would also be an accretive use of Apple’s cash and even more so if Apple’s $200Bn of offshore cash can be repatriated favorably.
Additionally, in November 2016, Liberty Media Chairman John Malone predicted that if Disney were to spin-off ESPN, Apple could buy it.

“Fundamentally, Tim Cook is a global player, and fundamentally, ESPN is a domestic service,” Malone said, that Apple and Disney would be a better fit without ESPN because then they would both be global players without domestic ESPN holding them back.

While the likelihood of such a deal might be a long shot, it is interesting to ponder what such a deal could mean for both companies.

Stay tuned for more information on this story as it becomes available.

3/27/17 Marvel News Mash-Up (Spider-Man Homecoming, Guardians Vol. 2, Venom Movie, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

“Spider-Man: Homecoming” Gets Three New Theatrical Posters!

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With “Spider-Man: Homecoming” opening this July, Marvel and Sony have been working together to start up the marketing push for the picture. It seems like both sides are very happy that Spider-Man is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) by showcasing not only Spidey but Avengers Tower in all of these posters.

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“Spider-Man: Homecoming: opens on July 7th!

Is It The End For Chris Evans As “Captain America”? width=

Say it aint so….but it might be so. Chris Evans, who has played Captain America with his first appearance of the character in 2011’s “Captain America: The First Avenger”, will fulfill his contractual obligation with Marvel after the filming of “Avengers 4”, which will be filmed back to back with “Avengers: Infinity War”. Evans would like to go on playing the iconic character but in the end, it is all up to Marvel, and so far they havent reached out to him.

The following is from an interview with Chris Evans and Collider:

Are you really going to be done playing Captain America, after the next two Avengers movies?

“It’s really not up to me. My contract is up. I’m not going to sit here and say, “No more.” I think Hugh Jackman has made 47 Wolverine movies, and they somehow keep getting better. It’s a character I love, and it’s a factory that really knows what they’re doing. The system is sound, over there. They make great movies. If they weren’t kicking out quality, I’d have a different opinion. But, everything Marvel does seems to be cinema gold. And like I said, I love the character. The only reason it would end is ‘cause my contract is up. After Avengers 4, my contract is done. Talk to Marvel. If we engage further, I’d be open to it. I love the character. It’s almost like high school. You certainly always look to senior year, and then, all of a sudden, senior year happens and you’re like, “I don’t know if I’m ready to go.” It’s tough thinking about not playing the guy.”

I can never understand why Disney and Marvel had such love for Robert Downey Jr but kind of seems to be leaving Chris Evans out in the cold. Part of it has to do with that Marvel learned from Downey and that after the success of “Iron Man”, they leanred to sign their future actors, like Evans, to long term contracts. But I do believe that Evans deserves his fair share for his contributions to the MCU. It all depends on what happens at the end of “Avengers 4”, which still not official, has to be a continuation to “Avengers: Infinity War”. It is possible that they may finally kill off Captain America and have another character take on the mantle, like Sebastian Stan, who’s character of Bucky in the comics eventually went on to be the new Captain America. Only time will tell.

Source: Collider

“Venom” Is The “Spider-Man” Spinoff Movie That Just Wont Die; Official Release Date Is Now October 5th 2018

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Back when Sony was making a mess with the Spider-Man franchise, they wanted to create an MCU style universe all of it’s own based on characters from the “Spider-Man” franchise that would include spinoffs such as “The Sinister Six”, “Venom” and even an “Aunt May” solo film. Luckily, the reboot of Spider-Man into the MCU put a stop to it, but looks like our luck couldn’t hold out forever.

According to The Hollywood Reporter:

Venom, Columbia’s long-in-the-works Spider-Man spinoff, now has a opening date.

The studio on Thursday announced it has set Oct. 5, 2018, as the release date of that comic book movie. It had previously announced its Girl With the Dragon Tattoo sequel, The Girl in the Spider’s Web, as bowing on that date, but then bumped it to Oct. 19, 2018.

Venom has no director yet, but it does have a script; Scott Rosenberg and Jeff Pinkner, the latter of whom worked on 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2, recently turned in a draft. (Dante Harper wrote a previous draft.)

Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach, among the stewards of the Spider-Man properties, are producing and overseeing the project. Amy Pascal is also producing.

Venom has been one of Marvel’s top villains and a Spider-Man fixture since he was introduced in 1988, created by writer David Michelinie and artists Todd McFarlane and Mike Zeck. The character is an alien symbiote that needs a human host to survive. In return, the alien vests its victim with incredible powers. He made his first big-screen appearance in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 and was portrayed by Topher Grace.

The studio hopes to launch a franchise with Venom.

Now I was a huge fan of Venom when he was introduced in the Amazing Spider-Man comic books but you don’t want to make the mistake of introducing the character in a spinoff movie. Learn from DC’s mistake with their movies. Don’t play catchup with the MCU. Build your franchise slowly. Have Venom be introduced as a villain in a “Spider-Man” movie. Completely forget the mess that was done by casting Topher Grace as Eddie Brock and Venom in “Spider-Man 3”. I don’t have high hopes for this “franchise”…oh boy.

Source: THR

Sony Looking At Bringing “Black Cat” And “Silver Sable” Together For Another “Spider-Man” Spinoff Movie width=

Here comes more bad news courtesy of Sony. Looks like Sony is venturing into another spinoff movie using characters from the “Spider-Man” franchise. This time it is Black Cat and Silver Sable in what smells like an answer to DC’s “Gotham City Sirens” movie that has Harley Quinn, Catwoman and Poison Ivy,

According to The Hollywood Reporter:

Sony’s Spider-Man universe is getting a little bigger.

The studio, already in deep development on villain offshoot Venom, is now developing a feature project centered on the female characters Silver Sable and the Black Cat.

Chris Yost, who worked on the upcoming Marvel movie Thor: Ragnarok, is writing the script, building on a previous version written by Lisa Joy, the co-creator of HBO’s Westworld.

The studio is hoping to go to directors soon with an eye toward a fall start date. Matt Tolmach and Amy Pascal are producing the project, which was previously known as the “secret female spinoff project.”

Silver Sable, created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz in 1985, is a mercenary who runs a company that hunts war criminals. The character has been both antagonist and ally to Spider-Man.

Black Cat, an acrobatic cat burglar whose real name is Felicia Hardy, has a long and tangled romantic history with Spider-Man in the comics. The character was cut from scripts for the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy, and a “Felicia Hardy” (played by Felicity Jones) briefly appeared in Amazing Spider-Man 2, though no Black Cat connection was ever made explicit.

Source: THR

I’m waiting for an announcement for the “Aunt May” solo movie to hit any day now.

IMAX Releases A Black Light Poster For “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2”

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Pretty trippy….dude. With “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2” just a little more than a month away. IMAX is bringing out it’s big guns and wants you to not only see the movie on the big screen, but on the “really” big screen that only IMAX can provide. Fans will want to see all the action that was specially formatted for IMAX screens.

“Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2” opens May 5th!

Sideshow Collectible Corner

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“Jane Foster Thor”

Odin said it himself, and it says it right on Mjolinir itself, “Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.” Looks like times have changed, and so has the inscription, because for a while now, Jane Foster has been wielding the might Mjolinir.

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From SideShow:

This new Thor: Jane Foster Premium Format™ Figure is an excellent representation of everything our fans have come to expect from our Premium Format™ sculptures. Combining highly detailed sculpts, dynamic composition, beautiful painting, and expertly tailored fabric elements to make museum-quality collectibles that are sure to be the proud centerpiece of any collection.

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Standing over 20” high, the Goddess of Thunder stands on a mountaintop, resplendent in a winged helm, highly detailed and layered mail armor and lustrous red cape.

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She proudly holds the fabled hammer Mjolnir (with its newly altered inscription) as the clouds swirl around her feet.

Every minuscule detail – from the contrasting layers of her fabric belts and skirts to the tiny runes on her hammer – has been rendered in astonishing detail.

The Sideshow Exclusive variant features an alternative swap-out left arm and hand holding Jarnbjorn, the Dwarven forged Battle Axe of Thor.

Source: SideShow

That’s it for this time!

Entertainment Weekly Gives Us Our First Look At “Thor: Ragnarok”

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

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This week’s Entertainment Weekly will take you behind the scenes of the third movie in the “Thor” franchise, “Thor: Ragnarok”.

Cate Blanchet (Hela), Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie)

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Chris Hemsworth returns as Thor with a new look and new weapons. Gone is Thor’s trusty hammer, Mjölnir, and now he carries two swords and a shield into battle. Also a pretty short hair cut for Thor this time around.

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Tessa Thompson (“Creed”) will portray a fan favorite from the comics, Valkyrie.

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Tim Hiddleston returns as Loki. But is he Thor’s ally or enemy?

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Mark Ruffalo returns as Bruce Banner but this time he must battle Thor in a grueling gladiator battle on the planet Sakaar. Chris Hemsworth seems to be laughing at the idea.

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Cate Blanchet (“Cinderella”) plays Hela, The Goddess Of Death!

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Another shot of Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie with some very colorful warriors.

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Our first look at Jeff Goldblum (“Jurassic Park”) as The Grandmaster.

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Tessa Thompson with director Taika Waititi and Chris Hemsworth.

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Tessa Thomspon and director Taika Waititi take a break on the set of “Thor: Ragnarok”.

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Source: Entertainment Weekly

4 Different ABC Shows to Preview Pandora: World of AVATAR on March 9th

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

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Disney is giving TV viewers a chance to get a major sneak peek at Pandora the Wold of AVATAR tomorrow, March 9th, 2017. 4 different ABC shows will be getting in on the fun: Good Morning America, The View, The Chew, and then Nightline. Below is an official schedule of when to watch, and what to expect on these previews.

Good Morning America- 7 AM Eastern, they GMA team will explore a look into the main attraction of the land; Avatar: Flight of Passage.

The View- 11 AM Eastern, Whoopi Goldberg will be exploring the land with director James Cameron, as well as go into details of the other attraction, Navi River Journey.

The Chew- 1 PM Eastern, The cast of the Chew will be exploring the unique food of the new land including the Lumpia snack found at Pongu Pongu.

Nightline- 12 AM, Eastern, The cast of Nightline will explore the land in whole, and most likely explore the land at night.

Pandora: The World of AVATAR will open officially to the public on May 27th, 2017.

 

Circle With Disney Now Supports Amazon’s Alexa and More

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

Circle With Disney is rolling out a handful of new features, including Amazon’s voice assistant Alexa, making it a more powerful parental control device for families.

Known simply as Circle Connections, these updates and features will begin to come out over the course of the year. With this new system, parents will be able to connect with new partner apps that support the Circle With Disney application for iOS and Android.

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Here is a list of the new features that will be coming to Circle With Disney:

  • Chores: This feature will allow parents to partition kid’s time with internet connected devices using apps MotherShp and ChoreMonster, making devices inaccessible until certain “chores” have been completed.
  • Assistant: This will allow parents to connect their Amazon Alexa voice assistant to be able to ask questions regarding their kids devices and internet usage.
  • Activity: Connecting with Misfit’s activity tracker, parents can set goals for their kids to accomplish in order to earn more time with their devices.
  • Driving: Using the app Automatic, parents will be able to deactivate teen’s smartphones while driving in order to prevent their teens from using their phone behind the wheel.
  • Social: Using RAKKOON, parents can monitor what their kids do on social media apps like Instagram, Twitter, and iMessage, and even notify parents if their child comes across any inappropriate content.
  • Automation: With IFTTT, Circle With Disney can be used to adjust and control tons of smart home apps throughout the house. This will be useful for those that use smart home appliances that allow them to change light colors or adjust the thermostat.

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Circles With Disney is a parental control device that allows parents to set restrictions and standards for their kids using an app on their phone. Parents can restrict access based on age range, as well as other factors, and can even completely shut a device down all through the app when connected to home Wi-Fi.

PHOTOS: First Look at Telltale’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Video Game

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

Telltale Games has unveiled the cast and a first look for the upcoming episodic adventure game, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series.

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The game will follow the Guardians on an adventure after the discovery of a powerful artifact. In Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series, players will take control as Star-Lord and travel to a variety of locations, including Earth, Milano, and Knowhere.

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The cast of the game includes Friday Night Lights‘ Scott Porter as Star-Lord, as well as Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor‘s Emily O’Brien as Gamora, the Uncharted series’ Nolan North as Rocket, Brandon Paul Eells from Watch Dogs as Drax, and Adam Harrington from The Wolf Among Us as Groot

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The team from Telltale Games will be joined by Marvel Games creative director, Bill Rosemann, at PAX East in Boston, MA on March 10th to talk all about the series and the creative process behind it. Then on March 17, in Austin, TX at SXSW, an early version of episode one will be played live. The audience will be able to participate by making in-game decisions on mobile devices during the event. The whole thing will likely be streamed or later posted on the internet, so keep an eye out.

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Specific platforms are still yet to be announced, but expect to see Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series release sometime this year.

Kerry Washington, Nathan Fillion, Lea DeLaria Join The Cast Of “Cars 3”; New Poster Revealed

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

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DISNEY·PIXAR’S “CARS 3” ROLLS OUT KEY CAST & CHARACTERS 

Kerry Washington, Nathan Fillion, Lea DeLaria and Lewis Hamilton

Join Franchise Favorites on the Big Screen

Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 3” reveals key voice cast and characters, featuring award-winning stars. According to director Brian Fee, the roster includes both new and returning characters. “We’re introducing some fun and really appealing characters in ‘Cars 3,’” said Fee, “so we really wanted to find the right voices to help us breathe life into them. We hit a homerun with this group; I couldn’t be happier.”

Following are the newcomers and “Cars” franchise veterans who join the previously announced voice talent and characters: Owen Wilson as world champion racer Lightning McQueen, Cristela Alonzo as unconventional trainer Cruz Ramirez, and Armie Hammer as sleek next-gen racer Jackson Storm.

NEWCOMERS

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  • Kerry Washington (ABC’s “Scandal,” HBO’s “Confirmation”) lends her voice to Natalie Certain, a highly respected statistical analyst who knows her numbers. Book-smart and mathematically gifted, Certain may earn top marks in her ability to evaluate a racer’s stats, but she could be underestimating the importance of determination.

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  • Nathan Fillion (ABC’s “Castle,” ABC’s “Modern Family”) voices Sterling, a brilliant businesscar who runs Rust-eze Racing Center—one of the most successful elite training facilities in the country. The always dapper Sterling comes across as unassuming and laid back, but business is business, and Sterling is driven to ensure all of his investments pay off.

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  • Lea DeLaria (Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black”) provides the voice of Miss Fritter, a local legend at the Thunder Hollow Speedway demolition derby. Fritter’s formidable school-bus size is intimidating, but it’s her smoke stacks of doom, razor-sharp stop sign and crazy collection of her victims’ license plates that usually steers her opponents in the other direction.

LANE CHANGE

Three-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was called on to voice Hamilton, a fully loaded, built-in voice command assistant to high-tech trainer Cruz Ramirez. When Lightning McQueen takes his training off road, Cruz enlists Hamilton’s help to keep the struggling racer on track.

RETURNING FAVORITES

“Cars 3” also welcomes the gang from Radiator Springs back to the big screen, including Lightning McQueen’s best buddy Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy), and #95’s No. 1 fan Sally (voice of Bonnie Hunt). Friends supporting their hometown hero include Fillmore (voice of Lloyd Sherr), Sarge (voice of Paul Dooley), Lizzie (voice of Katherine Helmond), Ramon (voice of Cheech Marin), Sheriff (voice of Michael Wallis) and Flo (voice of Jenifer Lewis).

Loyal transporter Mack (voice of John Ratzenberger), big-hearted Italian Fiat 500 Luigi (voice of Tony Shalhoub) and charming little Italian forklift Guido (voice of Guido Quaroni) continue to support Lightning McQueen’s racing endeavors. World-renowned sports announcer Bob Cutlass (voice of Bob Costas) is still calling the races, and Chick Hicks (voice of Bob Peterson) is back—this time as a commentator on the Racing Sports Network. The lovable duo Dusty (voice of Ray Magliozzi) and Rusty (voice of Tom Magliozzi) return as Rust-eze’s chief proprietors—though they have big things in store for Lightning McQueen.

ABOUT THE MOVIE

Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage! Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2”), produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short) and co-produced by Andrea Warren (“LAVA” short),

“Cars 3” cruises into theaters on June 16, 2017.

Disney Mobile Apps Get ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Makeover

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

To celebrate the upcoming release of the live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, Disney is updating some of their most popular mobile apps with new content.

The updates have already begun to roll out with Disney Crossy Road and Disney Story Central. In Disney Crossy Road choose a character from the movie such as Belle or Beast and play through levels themed to the new movie. Disney Story Central has added a handful of new Beauty and the Beast themed stories like The Enchantment, World of Reading: Beauty and the Beast, and more.

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From March 17-24 Disney Emoji Blitz will offer new Beauty and the Beast Item Cards like The Beast’s Magic Mirror, Belle’s Fountain, Belle’s Cottage, and more. Beauty and the Beast inspired emojis will also be added to the game including Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Mrs. Potts.

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Then on March 17 Disney Jigsaw will release new Beauty and the Beast puzzles featuring stunning pictures from the upcoming movie.

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iOS users can now download a new Beauty and the Beast Disney Sticker pack for iMessage. The pack is available on the App Store for $1.99

Disney is also working on a brand new Beauty and the Beast mobile game that is expected to release this Summer. While nothing else is known at this time, we will be sure to keep you posted as soon as we find out more.