Alessia Cara, Jordan Fisher and Lin-Manuel Miranda Perform End Credit Song for “Moana”

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

ALESSIA CARA AND JORDAN FISHER FEATURING LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA PERFORM END-CREDIT SONGS ON THE FORTHCOMING DISNEY’S “MOANA” ANIMATED FILM AND SOUNDTRACK

WALT DISNEY RECORDS SOUNDTRACK SET FOR RELEASE ON NOVEMBER 18

BURBANK, CA – October 24, 2016 — Set for release on November 18, the Moana original motion picture soundtrack features seven original songs and a full original score, plus two reprises as well as two end-credit versions of songs from the film. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.

The diverse and dynamic team behind the film’s inspired music includes Tony®- and Grammy®-winning songwriter/composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, who counts among his credits Broadway’s Pulitzer Prize-winning and multiple Tony-winning “Hamilton” and the Tony-winning “In the Heights.” The creative team also includes three-time Grammy®-winning composer Mark Mancina (“Speed,” “Tarzan” and the Oscar®-winning “Training Day”) and Opetaia Foa‘i, the founder and lead singer of Te Vaka, a winner of numerous world music awards.

“How Far I’ll Go” is Moana’s song written by Miranda and is performed in the film by newcomer Auli‘i Cravalho. The end-credit version of the song is performed by Canadian singer/songwriter and Def Jam recording artist Alessia Cara. Her gold-certified album Know-It-All includes the multi-platinum singles “Here” and “Wild Things,” plus the critically-acclaimed single “Scars to Your Beautiful.” Cara is a Juno Award winner for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and is a 2016 America Music Award nominee for New Artist of the Year. She recently completed a tour with Coldplay.

Written by Miranda and performed by Dwayne Johnson in the film, “You’re Welcome” showcases the colorful personality of Maui. Hollywood Records artist Jordan Fisher teams up with Miranda for the end-credit version of “You’re Welcome.” After a breakout performance in the Emmy® Award-winning production of Grease: Live, Jordan Fisher released his debut single, “All About Us,” which soared to the top of the Billboard Pop charts. Fisher, who recently opened for Alicia Keys at this year’s Apple Music Festival, has joined the Broadway cast of “Hamilton,” and is set to release his full-length album in 2017.

For centuries, the greatest sailors in the world masterfully navigated the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, 3,000 years ago, their voyages stopped for a millennium – and no one knows exactly why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who is inspired to leave the safety and security of her island on a daring journey to save her people. Inexplicably drawn to the ocean, Moana (voice of Auliʻi Cravalho) convinces the mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) to join her mission, and he reluctantly helps her become a wayfinder like her ancestors who sailed before her. Together, they voyage across the open ocean on an action-packed adventure, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills her quest and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity.

The Moana soundtrack can be pre-ordered today HERE and a digital pre-order will be available Friday, Oct. 28th. The Moana original motion picture soundtrack features 14 tracks and will be available wherever music is sold and streamed on Nov. 18, 2016. The Moana two-disc deluxe edition and the digital deluxe edition soundtrack, which are also available Nov. 18, feature additional tracks including demos, outtakes and instrumental karaoke tracks.

 

“Muppet Babies” Are Back!; New Series Coming To Disney Junior in 2018

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

igaly

Variety has announced that the classic Muppet series “Muppet Babies” is returning with a reboot to Disney Junior. This reboot will stay faithful to the series with CGI animation reminiscent of the hand drawn animation that we were all familiar with from the original series.

According to Variety:

muppet-babies-image-1

Disney Junior is rebooting the 1980s children’s cartoon series “Muppet Babies.” Production on the new show, slated to premiere on the cable channel in 2018, has already begun.

The original “Muppet Babies” was a hand-drawn animated series featuring pint-size versions of Jim Henson’s classic characters. The series ran on Saturday mornings on CBS from 1984 until 1991.

“We are proud, and a little bit giddy, to begin production on our new version of the much-loved ‘Muppet Babies,’” said Nancy Kanter, executive vice president, original programming and general manager, Disney Junior Worldwide. “Parents will delight in seeing their favorite Muppets in the mixed animation style they remember from the original series, and kids will be introduced to this warm and zany world made just right for the Disney Junior audience.”

The new, CG-animated revival will, like the original, be geared toward children ages 4-7 and feature two 11-minute adventures per episode. The show will be a co-production between Disney Junior, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media’s Content & Media group, and The Muppets Studio.

Tom Warburton (“The 7D”) will executive produce the series with Eric Shaw (“SpongeBob SquarePants”) serving as story editor.

“Bringing ‘Muppet Babies’ to Disney Junior is a wonderful opportunity to reach a new generation of viewers and to creatively build on the innovative original series,” said Debbie McClellan, vice president, the Muppets Studio. “We hope to engage and delight the nostalgic fans while also entertaining new kids, parents and diverse audiences through heart and humor as only the Muppets can deliver.”

Source: Variety

Disney & Ice Cube Are Making A New Musical Version Of “Oliver Twist”

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

collagesddsssd

The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Disney has joined forces with Ice Cube to bring “Oliver Twist” to the big screen yet again.

This time around, Ice Cube will star as the criminal mastermind, Fagin. Thomas Kail, who was the director of “Hamilton”, is set to direct the film.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Disney Studios is teaming with Ice Cube and Thomas Kail, the Tony-winning director of Hamilton, for a modern and musical take on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist.

Marc Platt, the veteran movie producer who also was behind Broadway’s hit musical Wicked, and Jeff Kwatinetz of The Firm are producing. Cube also will produce via his Cube Vision banner.

Oliver Twist is one of Dickens’ most famous works and tells of an orphan boy who moves from a life as an exploited child laborer to being under the wings of Fagin, a leader of a gang of London pickpockets. Hardship, murders and secrets waiting to be revealed follow the boy.

The popular story was already adapted by Disney as an animated movie, 1988’s Oliver and Company. But perhaps the biggest impact on popular culture has been through the never-ending iterations of the stage musical Oliver!

The new Oliver Twist will be a modern musical with sources describing it as crossing many genres, including hip-hop. Cube and Kwatinetz are writing the treatment, with Cube attached to play Fagin.

The project is in able hands with Cube, the former co-founder of seminal rap group N.W.A turned actor and producer, most recently producing Straight Outta Compton and Ride Along 2. Cube next stars in Fist Fight, the New Line comedy which he also executive produced that is set to open Feb. 17.

Kail is known for collaborating with Lin-Manuel Miranda on the rapper-composer’s musicals In the Heights and Hamilton. He also directed Grease Live!, Fox’s live TV take on the classic movie musical that starred Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens and that was produced by Platt (whose next film outing is the upcoming Ryan Gosling-Emma Stone musical La La Land).

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

“The Incredibles 2” Coming Sooner And “Toy Story 4” Coming Later; Two Highly Anticipated Pixar Sequels Switch Release Dates

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

collagedfffddfdf

There is good news if you are an “Incredibles” fan and not so good news if you are a “Toy Story” fan. Both of these highly anticipated sequels to two of Pixar’s most popular franchise are doing the old switcharoo with “The Incredibles 2” now opening on June 15, 2018 and “Toy Story 4” will now open on June 21, 2019.

According to Variety:

“The Incredibles 2” will hit theaters a year before it was originally slated, while “Toy Story 4” will move from 2018 to 2019, Pixar said Wednesday.

The two animated releases will switch release dates. “The Incredibles 2” will debut on June 15, 2018 — the same day that “Toy Story 4” was originally slated to bow in theaters. “Toy Story 4” will then move to June 21, 2019, filling a slot that “The Incredibles” follow-up was supposed to occupy. Both films will have their dates entirely to themselves. The new “Incredibles” will premiere between the releases of “Transformers 6” and the sequel to “Jurassic World.” “Toy Story 4” will bow between an untitled DC Comics film and “Transformers 7.”

Source: Variety

Disney Magical World 2 Gets Free Halloween Items

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

It looks like even more Halloween content is coming to Disney Magical World 2.

If you own the game, you can go to the official website and download five free Halloween-themed items that are available as of now.

screenshot-2016-10-26-23-51-30

Items include a bat tiara, a jack-o’-lantern shirt, and more. To access the free content, go to the start menu, select “Search for Gifts” and then “Read QR Code.” Just take a picture of the code found on the game’s website and the items will automatically download to your game.

Disney Magical World 2 uses the Nintendo 3DS’ calendar to determine what time of year it is in the game. Throughout the year, players can experience special decorative elements that are specific to the appropriate holiday or season. Right now, the world of Castleton is perfectly themed to Halloween, with Mickey jack-o’-lanterns placed throughout the town.

wvw69ju2yfi1vrx6lt

Disney Magical World 2 was released in the United States and Europe last week after being available in Japan for almost a year. In our review, we said the game was a fun way to connect with beloved Disney properties, despite the game’s excessive tutorials.

Kevin Hart To Play Santa Claus In Disney’s “Dashing Through The Snow”

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

kevin-hart-in-talks-to-play-santa-claus

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Kevin Hart is in final negotiations to play Santa Claus in Disney’s “Dashing Through The Snow”.

Kevin Hart is in negotiations to star in Dashing Through the Snow, a family Christmas comedy being developed by Disney.

Will Packer, who worked with Hart on the Ride Along movies and was an executive producer on Roots, is producing with John Jacobs (Ted).

The story tells of a New York City detective who is a workaholic and has a strained relationship with his son. The only thing that may be able to repair the father-son relationship is the one true Santa Claus who has to make the man believe in Christmas magic.

Hart would play Santa.

The project is based on an original idea by Scott Rosenberg (Con Air), and Rob Burnett is writing the current draft. Liar Liar and Elf have been said to be the tonal analogues.

A search for a director is about to get underway. Kristin Burr is overseeing for Disney.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

That’s So Raven Spin-Off Coming to Disney Channel

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

Today on ABC’s The View, Raven-Symoné announced that she is working with Disney Channel to create a new That’s So Raven spin-off series.

https://https://youtu.be/gt46lfffXrg

Symoné will be producing the show, as well as staring in it. She will reprise her role as Raven Baxter, who is now a divorced mother with two children, one of which has just discovered her psychic abilities akin to those of her mom’s.

Scott Thomas and Jed Elinoff (Best Friends Whenever) are also set to produce, and casting is taking place now. As of right now, Raven is the only confirmed return character, though the show is in the earlier stages of planning, so we will see more announcements over time.

That’s So Raven was one of Disney Channel’s most successful sitcoms and ran from 2003-2007. After the show ended, a less successful spin-off titled Cory in the House aired, which focused on Raven Baxter’s younger brother living in the White House.

The official name for the new show is still pending, and Symoné has confirmed that she will be leaving The View by the end of the year to work on the new show.

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix Coming to PS4 in March

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

Bear with us on this one, Square Enix has announced yet ANOTHER Kingdom Hearts rerelease, though in all fairness, this is the one people have really been waiting for all along.

On March 28, 2017, exactly 15 years from the release of the first game on PlayStation 2, Square Enix will release Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix for PlayStation 4.

https://https://youtu.be/Wv0zANnJiVk

Disney and Square Enix made the announcement today during Paris Games Week. The collection will include every game that was in the 1.5 ReMIX, as well as the 2.5 ReMIX. The full list can be seen below.

  • Kingdom Hearts Final Mix
  • Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories
  • Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
  • Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix
  • Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix
  • Kingdom Hearts Re:coded

The collection leaves a couple of games off the list, like Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, though it does include all of the series most important entries like 1, 2, and Chain of Memories.

Interestingly enough, Square Enix still plans on releasing Kingdom Hearts HD II.8 — Final Prologue on January 28, 2017, despite the fact that this newly announced collection will include most of the games in Final Prologue and more.

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix will be the first time the series staples will be available all together for current generation hardware. If you haven’t played an entry in the series before, this would be the perfect place to pick up. The game is available for pre-order now on Amazon for $50.

All remakes aside, Square Enix is still developing the highly anticipated Kingdom Hearts 3, which will release on PS4 and Xbox One sometime in the future.

Seriously though, no more remakes after this one.