VIDEO: “The Haunted Mansion” Now Airing on Disney XD

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What do you get when some of Disney XD’s most popular characters take a trip to The Haunted Mansion? A fun and spooky good time for all as we see Ponyhead and Star kick of a group of stop animated shorts that will appear exclusively on Disney HD this month to celebrate the coming of Halloween.

Ponyhead and Star meet Leota:

Here is a sneak peek at next Monday’s clip that shows Pickle and Peanut bravely venturing into The Haunted Mansion graveyard as they encounter some classic Haunted Mansion ghosts. This will air next Monday, October 10th at 6:30PM on Disney XD:

Pickle and Peanut and Babyboo:

From D23:

For the 999 Happy Haunts of Disneyland Park’s Haunted Mansion, the spooky season is always in high gear. But most of us don’t kick into full ghost-and-goblin mode until October—and Disney XD has given us something to shriek about this morning. They’ve teamed up with Walt Disney Imagineering and the renowned stop-motion studio Stoopid Buddy Studios on a series of four spots that bring favorite characters from Star vs. The Forces of Evil and Pickle and Peanut into the world of the Haunted Mansion attraction.

All of the music and sound effects you’ll hear in the spots come from the original Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park, and the voices of the Haunted Mansion characters are the actual attraction voices, as well. Disney XD worked closely with Walt Disney Imagineering to feature details fans of the attraction will surely appreciate, from the tombstones seen in the graveyard—which are modeled after those seen at Disneyland—to the original character created just for these spots, Baby Boo. This is Baby Boo’s official debut—or should that be “de-boo”?—and you can only catch him in this spot, but the character was inspired by an original drawing for the attraction by legendary animator (and, of course, one of Walt’s Nine Old Men) Marc Davis.

The Grim Grinning Ghosts will be coming out to socialize on Disney XD throughout October. Ezra the Hitchhiking Ghost makes an appearance in the short that premieres during a Halloween-themed episode of Star vs. The Forces of Evil on October 10 (7:30 p.m. ET/PT); while Pickle and Peanut stumble upon Constance the Bride in the short that can be seen in an all-new episode of Milo Murphy’s Law on October 17 (8 p.m. ET/PT).

Source: D23

Live Action “Mulan” Is Coming To Theaters On November 2, 2018

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We knew the live action version of “Mulan” but now we have an official release date and it is November 2, 2018.

According to Variety:

Walt Disney Pictures has dated its live-action “Mulan” retelling for Nov. 2, 2018.

The film has been fast-tracked into production with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (“Jurassic World,” “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” and the upcoming “Avatar” sequel) penning the script. The two came on board in 2015 to rewrite the spec by Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin.

A director has yet to be announced. A global casting search will soon be underway to find a Chinese actress for the role of Mulan.

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I know not everyone is on board with so many live action retelling of Disney animated classics, but I am totally on board with this one…. if they do it right. I have always enjoyed “Mulan” and really appreciated that it introduced such a strong female role model. I feel that Mulan’s relationship with her father would play out very well on screen. Shan Yu was also one of the great Disney villains who was totally brutal and deadly and I am hoping they portray this properly on screen. I have no idea how they are going to handle Mushu and Cri-Kee in this one, but hope they tone down the comic relief aspect a bit. I can just imagine the battle scenes, especially the avalanche scene against Shan Yu and the Hun warriors.

Let’s hope they get this right, and if they do, it could be epic.

Source: Variety

Composer Michael Giacchino Is Now Scoring “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”

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Alexandre Desplat was set to compose the score for “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” but due to the reshoots that occurred earlier this year, he has now been replaced by Michael Giacchino.

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We have heard for months rumors that Disney executives were not happy with the first cut of “Rogue One” and as a result the film had to go through 6 weeks of reshoots. We still dont know how extensive these reshoots were but I have heard rumors that they may have reshot 40-50% of the film.

It does appear that due to the amount of time that the reshoots took, it created a scheduling conflict with original composer, Alexandre Desplat, and he had to move on to other projects.

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I don’t think we could have asked for a better composer than Michael Giacchino, whose list of scores includes Star Trek, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Up, Inside Out and Zootopia.

According to The Hollywood Reporter:

Michael Giacchino, the composer behind such films as the Star Trek reboot and Pixar movies ranging from The Incredibles to Inside Out, will score the upcoming pic, stepping in for Alexandre Desplat, who was originally slated to work on the movie.

The recent reshoots are behind the switch, according to sources.

Rogue One underwent extensive reshoots this summer that saw writer Tony Gilroy take on a filmmaker role during the shoot and the postproduction process as Disney and Lucasfilm sought to clarify story and tonal issues for the pic that is set to open Dec. 16.

But the reshoots also altered the scoring calendar and Desplat, who won an Oscar for The Grand Budapest Hotel, was no longer available. Disney and Lucasfilm then turned to Giacchino, who has a long relationship with the studio and its various divisions.

For Pixar, the maestro created the music for Incredibles, Ratatouille, Up (for which he won an Oscar), Cars 2 and Inside Out. For its live-action film division, he has worked on Sky High, John Carter and Tomorrowland. For Disney Animation this year, Giacchino scored its surprise hit Zootopia. And he’s making his Marvel Studios debut with Doctor Strange, which opens Nov. 4. (With Rogue One, he will end up working for all four of Disney’s film arms.)

Giaachino will now become the first composer to work on a Star Wars movie other than the film series’ iconic mainstay, John Williams, who is slated to return for Star Wars: Episode VIII.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

VIDEO: Incredible First Look at the Death Star DLC for Star Wars Battlefront

It has been a while since we’ve heard anything about the Death Star DLC, but we now have confirmation that season pass holders can jump in starting on September 20.

EA posted a new trailer for the DLC, which you can see below, that showcases the new maps, weapons, and yes, Chewbacca.

https://https://youtu.be/eRtNR_1fMv4

Of course Chewie isn’t the only new hero that will be added in the DLC. Bounty hunter Bossk makes his debut appearance and offers players more variety in their arsenal of heroes. Each character offers a variety of new abilities, including Chewbacca’s roar, Multi-Bolts, and ground slam, as well as Bossk’s health regeneration and Micro-Grenades.

Battle Station is the DLC’s main attraction though, as it will put players in the action of the famous Death Star battle (who knows which one). Battle Station will feature three distinct phases of action. In phase one, players will fly X-Wings and fight off incoming TIE fighters. Phase two takes place inside the space station where an on foot battle will commence. Finally in phase three, players will fly through the trenches of the Death Star to take it down for good, or until the next sequel.

As usual, the DLC will be available for season pass holders first, so players looking to buy the DLC separately will have to wait at least another two weeks.

VIDEO: Part 3 Of The Superfan Created #GOROGUE Video Series

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Time is running out for the heroes of the “Go Rogue” YouTube series, with just two installments left to outwit the Empire in this fan-created, toy-sized adventure. Written, directed and produced by a team of Star Wars superfans, the original four-part stop motion story stars key toys from the new “Rogue One” line before they hit stores Sept. 30. Chapter 3 is live on Star Wars YouTube.

The series follows the imagined adventures (no film spoilers!) of “Rogue One” toys as they try to track down the building instructions to the LEGO Star Wars Death Star set that have been misplaced by the Empire. Chapter 3 features the first look at the Hasbro RAPID FIRE™ IMPERIAL AT-ACT™ in action, which can be controlled remotely by smart device, as well as now familiar characters in new toy forms and scale sizes, such as Hasbro’s 3.75” action figures. Additionally, some special effects in Chapter 3 were created using the Hasbro Star Wars StudioFX™ App that launches for free on Sept. 30*.

Chapter 2 left off with Jyn Erso and an unlikely group of heroes recovering half of the Death Star building instructions. In Chapter 3, the Rebels seek the second instruction book on rain-soaked Eadu, but the Empire has beaten them to the prize. Will they be able to outsmart the scheming Director Krennic to escape with the instructions and their lives?

The four-part “Go Rogue” series has been embraced by fans worldwide, with the first two installments garnering more than 5 million views to date. The series kicks off a global UGC contest beginning Sept. 30 that asks fans to share their own “Rogue Stories.” More information is available at StarWars.com/GoRogue for ages 13+, and for parents of kids ages 8-12, have them visit Disney.com/MyRogueStory.

*About Hasbro Star Wars StudioFX™ App

Create your own Star Wars movie or #GoRogue UGC entry set in a galaxy far, far away with the Hasbro Star Wars StudioFX App! Recreate battle scenes with Hasbro figures and vehicles, and bring the action to life with visual and sound effects from the films. Simply stage the figures, choose which special effects to use, press record, and select when the effects are added to each scene. Unlock additional effects by collecting and scanning compatible Hasbro Star Wars products. With more than 50 unique effects, the Hasbro Star Wars StudioFX App gives fans the force needed to create their own Star Wars movie magic. Available for free on iOS and Android devices beginning Sept. 30.

Nerd Alert Celebrates National Comic Book Day by Assembling “Disney Superhero Dream Team”

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WDWNT was recently inspired by Invaluable, the world’s leading online marketplace for fine art, antiques and comic books, to come up with what we think would be our Disney Superhero Dream Team! With Disney owning both Marvel and Star Wars we felt we would have an almost limitless roster to choose from. If we could take any characters and put them on the same squad, who would make the cut and why?

We didn’t have to look far at WDWNT for the perfect team that specialized in all things Marvel and Star Wars. Ladies and gentleman, we give you our very own Nerd Alert Team consisting of Patrick Hackett, Ron D’Anna and Joe Hogarty as they do what they do best and give us their Superhero Dream Team!

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Patrick: Hey Ron and Joe. Our friends over at Invaluable asked us to contribute what we at Nerd Alert feel our best super hero team would be. I assume since we specialize in all things Marvel, Disney and Lucasfilms, we could draw from those worlds to put together the ultimate team. I’m saying no team would be complete without its leader, it’s moral compass, and who better than Cap.

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Patrick: Captain America is an icon and if someone is going to lead this rag tag group of intellectual properties, I think it should be him.

Ron: Patrick, I’m surprised you didn’t go with a leader who led a team consistently for 50 years, Cyclops. One thing every team needs is the smart guy, the science guy. Marvel gives us plenty to choose from: Dr. Doom, Reed Richards, Peter Parker, Hank Pym, Tony Stark, the list goes on, but I’d choose Beast, Hank McCoy.

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Ron: He’s in the same intellectual class as those guys but adds super strength, agility and honestly a sense of maturity everyone on that list lacks.

Joe: I know this may sound weird guys, but I am going to go to the Star Wars Universe and choosing the poster boy for the franchise, The Dark Lord of The Sith himself…..Darth Vader!

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Joe: Hear me out; he did turn from the Dark Side, he killed The Emperor (I think) and helped put an end to years and years of Imperial rule and tyranny throughout the Galaxy! The dude is all powerful with The Force and I really think he deserves a second chance. Plus someone let him into the Force Ghost Club and I don’t think they let everyone in. Maybe Tony Stark can retrofit his classic Darth Vader armor with a more advanced armored suit to help enhance his Force abilities. And since we are making the rules here, I want him in his prime, The Empire Strikes Back Vader, but no longer a slave to The Emperor or The Dark Side, but maybe with just a hint of Darkness to really put the hurt on all of those baddies. And I want the David Prowse, James Earl Jones, Sebastian Shaw combination, not the Hayden Christensen version who hates sand.

Patrick: Joe I was going Star Wars too! We need a pilot, and who better than the guy who made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs! Give me Han Solo to fly whatever craft we put this team on plus I know he’s a good shot.

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Ron: We’re still missing a couple of key roles for the team. We need our tank. We’ve got a strong team here but we need someone who can take a hit. I’m sticking with the X-Men and choosing Colossus.

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Ron: We’re talking almost Hulk level power here, but without the anger management problem. I know a lot of people think he’s a Superman level boy scout, but he’s had some dark moments including joining Magneto and going into that Hulk like rage after he was revived.

Joe: Guys, I think I am a sucker for the face of the franchise and that is why I am going to choose Marvel’s very own poster boy, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.

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Joe: What team would be complete without Spider-Man? He’s super strong, a genius and has those amazing arachnid abilities. And I am going to be specific again. They have been portraying Spider-Man on the young side lately. I want the original Peter Parker, grown up, an experienced superhero, married to Mary Jane, working for The Daily Bugle and not a young teenager that is still wet behind the ears. Kind of like Todd McFarlane’s Spider-Man. And might as well throw in my favorite Spider-Man costume, the black symbiote one! Give me Spider-Man in his prime. Not a Spider-Boy. This team needs a Spider-Man!

Patrick: Ok ok, we got a lot of heroes with big hearts and moral compasses but we need crazy. Marvel has a lot of off its rocker guys and gals to choose from. Deadpool would be an obvious, fan favorite choice, as would Wolverine. I thought about dipping my toe into the Disney pool and getting The Original Angry Bird, Donald Duck, but I decided to go to one of the biggest events in Marvel history, House of M. If stuff gets bad I want someone who can rip the earth apart at its very fabric give me the Earth-616 version of the Scarlet Witch.

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Ron: Ok, so we need one more to round this out. And I think we’re missing one element: magic. I guess you can sometimes say Scarlet Witch may be magic, depending on which day of the week she’s being written. I’m not going with the obvious choice of Doctor Strange, but I’m drafting the Genie.

 

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Ron: All powerful, and all funny. This team can use some comic relief too.

Joe: This last one was a tough one for me. I was thinking of adding someone really powerful like the X-Men’s Phoenix, Thor or The Silver Surfer. But my last choice has to do with the characters popularity and appeal. I have to throw in Iron Man.

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Joe: You throw Tony Stark on a team and he comes with high intelligence, a lot of money and an arsenal of various Iron Man suits. Give me some pre-Civil War Iron Man, where he isn’t such a jerk, and one where he hasn’t fallen off the wagon. Need to see the that good old classic red and gold Iron Man suit and I will be a happy camper.

Our Disney Superhero Dream Team:

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Well, there you have it. Our Disney Superhero Dream Team! Did any of your favorites make the cut? If not, what heroes would you choose?

Disney Princess: Charmed Adventures Offers New Ways to Explore Classic Disney Stories

Disney has just released a new mobile game called Disney Princess: Charmed Adventures, and it is free to download.

https://https://youtu.be/8BPPBSDwRXk

Featuring Belle, Rapunzel, Tiana, and Ariel, this all-new adventure allows players to explore worlds from each princess’ respective films. Charmed Adventures starts players out as Rapunzel’s playing through the scenes from Tangled, and for an additional few dollars, players can expand their game by adding the adventures from The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Frog, and Beauty and the Beast. The game even features voice work from Mandy Moore (Rapunzel), Jodi Benson (Ariel), and Anika Noni Rose (Tiana), sorry Belle, Paige O’Hara didn’t make a return for this game.

Throughout Disney Princess: Charmed Adventures players explore worlds by interacting in mini-games and activities that will unlock charms for players to customize their digital charm bracelets. Once a bracelet has been customized, you can take photographs of it and save them to your phone’s camera roll. Each world features a unique set of charms, and the better the player preform in tasks, the more charms they will unlock, similar to the three-star rating system that most mobile games utilize.

Disney Princess: Charmed Adventures is out now on the App Store and Google Play Store. Rapunzel’s world is free to play, while the additional adventure packs can be purchased individually for $3.99, or $14.99 for a bundle which includes all the adventure packs and some of the charm packs. Charm packs can also be purchased separately and range from $1.99 to $2.99.

 

“Star Wars: Uprising” Will Shut Down Soon

It looks like another Disney game will be bitting the dust this year, as Star Wars: Uprising was officially announced to be shutting down.

Developer Kabam made the announcement on their website, where the following statement was released,

“While Star Wars: Uprising was enjoyed by a great community of players since its launch, the game is no longer achieving the level of success needed to maintain the game and the decision was made to discontinue support.”

The servers will officially be turned off on November 17 for both iOS and Android versions of the game. Additionally, effective immediately players can no longer make in-game purchases anymore.

If you happen to have any currency for the game lingering in your account, Kabam is offering to provide players with an equal amount of currency in Marvel: Contest of Champions, one of their other mobile games.

Star Wars: Uprising was essentially a Action-RPG, similar to popular dungeon crawler Diablo. The events of the game took place between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.

FIRST LOOK: All Covers and Inside Peek at “Enchanted Tiki Room” Comic Series

Disney posted on the Parks Blog some first look images at the upcoming Enchanted Tiki Room comic book series from Disney Kingdoms.

Here are some of the variant covers:

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The comic series will be presented as five unique stories that take place at the Enchanted Tiki Room which is located on an isolated island. Almost anything can happen and does on the island that is populated by talking (and singing) birds and plants and ancient Tiki gods. Stories will unfold with the arrival of new visitors to the island, and the mysteries revealed may all be connected.

The “Enchanted Tiki Room” series will be written by Jon Adams. Artwork will be penciled by Horacio Domingues with cover artwork by Brian Kesinger.

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Be sure to check out the series this fall at select locations at Disney Parks.

VIDEO: Sneak Peek At The Table Read For Disney’s “Beauty And The Beast”

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Take a look at a new sneak peek of Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast” from the bonus features of the upcoming release of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION.  Relive the magic and the music of Disney’s beloved animated classic with four versions of the film plus all-new bonus features!  Watch the full sneak peek when “Beauty and the Beast Walt Disney Signature Collection Edition” becomes available on Digital HD September 6th and Blu-ray September 20th.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWitrdChM_k&feature=youtu.be

One of the most acclaimed and treasured animated films of all time is about to sweep you off your feet. Follow the adventures of Belle, a bright young woman who finds herself in the castle of a prince who’s been turned into a mysterious beast. With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, Belle soon learns the most important lesson of all, that true beauty comes from within. An all-new digital restoration makes the feature more magical than ever. Be our guest and let the music you’ll never forget and the characters who will fill your heart cast a shimmering spell like never before.

Source: Disney Movies Anywhere