LIVE STREAM: First Disney on Broadway Concert Series – Epcot International Festival of the Arts

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Take in a delightful smorgasbord of popular songs performed by Broadway stars from Disney’s award-winning musicals!

The America Gardens Theatre offers the hottest ticket in town! Hold onto your seats as the Disney on Broadway Concert Series takes to the stage, with songs from Aladdin, Newsies, The Lion King and more. Guests can sing along to sensational, show-stopping renditions of unforgettable Disney hits… bravo!

This is the first performance of the Disney on Broadway Concert Series featured during the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. Features Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland, January 13, 2017 at 5:30 PM.

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Lucasfilm Will NOT Digitally Recreate Carrie Fisher As Pricess Leia In Future Star Wars Movies

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

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Over the last few days there were rumors that Disney and Lucasfillm were negotiating with the estate of Carrie Fisher with possibly using her likeness in future Star Wars movies through the use of digital special effects.

Yesterday Lucasfilm made the following statement on StarWars.com:

We don’t normally respond to fan or press speculation, but there is a rumor circulating that we would like to address. We want to assure our fans that Lucasfilm has no plans to digitally recreate Carrie Fisher’s performance as Princess or General Leia Organa.

Carrie Fisher was, is, and always will be a part of the Lucasfilm family. She was our princess, our general, and more importantly, our friend. We are still hurting from her loss. We cherish her memory and legacy as Princess Leia, and will always strive to honor everything she gave to Star Wars.

So that should put to rest any rumors as to whether we will see Carrie Fisher recreated digitally in future movies.

As to whether we will see Princess Leia in future Star Wars movie portrayed by another actress is another story.

Source: StarWars.com

Anna Kendrick In Talks To Play Female Santa Claus In Disney’s “Nicole”

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Anna Kendrick is in talks with Disney to play a female Santa Claus in the upcoming movie “Nicole”.

From The Wrap:

Anna Kendrick is in negotiations to star in Disney’s Nicole, a tale of a female Santa Claus.

Marc Lawrence is attached to direct, while Suzanne Todd, who worked with the studio on Alice in Wonderland, is producing.

Lawrence also wrote the script, whose details are being kept on ice. The twist, however, is that it is a holiday family adventure that centers on the coming of a female Santa.

Disney has done well in the past with tales of old St. Nick, having a hit franchise with the Tim Allen–starring Santa Clause trilogy, which launched in 1994.

Sources say Nicole is not a musical, but Kendrick may end up indulging her musical side.

Source: The Wrap

International Poster For “Beauty And The Beast” Shows A Slightly Different Look

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

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This international poster from Portugal is a slightly different version from the official domestic poster for “Beauty And The Beast”. As you can see below, Belle has a different pose and the human characters have been replaced with castle architecture in order to focus on Belle entering the castle for the first time and being greeted by Lumuiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts and Chip (in a small change of positions). The castle has also switched sides to now be on Belle’s side.

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“Beauty And The Beast” opens March 17th.

Disney Could Receive A $50 Million Insurance Payout From The Death Of Carrie Fisher

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

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When Disney and Lucasfilm negotiated to have Carrie Fisher reprise her role as Princess Leia in the newest Star Wars Trilogy, Disney took out an insurance policy with Lloyds Of London in the event that Fisher was not able to fulfill the three picture commitment. With Fisher passing on December 27th, Disney could receive a $50 million or higher payout from insurer Lloyds Of London.

From The Insurance Insider:

Insurers at Lloyd’s of London look set to pay out a significant contingency claim following the tragic death of Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher, The Insurance Insider can reveal.

Sources said that Disney had taken out $50mn of so-called contract protection cover as insurance for the event that Fisher was unable to fulfil her obligations to act in the new Star Wars films, with the policy now likely to trigger.

Fisher died on Tuesday (27 December), four days after she suffered a heart attack on a flight between London and Los Angeles.

Filming for Star Wars Episode VIII, which will be released next year, was completed ahead of Fisher’s death.

Princess Leia was again slated to have a major role in Episode IX and it is not clear how Disney, which owns the Star Wars franchise, will choose to respond.

According to its website, Exceptional Risk Advisors is a specialist in high-limit specialty life, accident, and disability products, with underwriting authorities from Lloyd’s insurers that exceed $50mn per individual risk.

Source: The Insurance Insider

PHOTO: First Look at Canceled Rogue One Figure for Disney Infinity

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

We now have our first look at one of Disney Infinity‘s canceled Rogue One figures.

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This 3D model of a Baze Malbus figure was just posted on artstation.com, by ex-Disney Infinity senior character artist, B Allen. The model looks highly detailed, and was probably in the final stages of development before heading off for production.

Although art designs for other Rogue One characters have yet to surface, we will be sure to keep you posted if they do. Here’s hoping for a look at a Jyn Erso figure.