Walt Disney Studios Debuts Trailer And Poster For Live-Action “Cinderella”

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

Today Walt Disney Studios released the new trailer for their upcoming film, “Cinderella”.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2HRymTnmcw]

The poster featuring Lily James as Cinderella, was photographed by Annie Leibovitz exclusively for the film’s campaign. Additional photos by Annie Leibovitz featuring the cast from the film can be seen in the costume feature of Vogue magazine’s December issue, on stands now.

Capturecind

Official synopsis from Walt Disney Studios:

The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.” She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit (Richard Madden). Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham Carter) steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin and a few mice, changes Cinderella’s life forever.

“Cinderella” will be released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on March 13th, 2015.

“Frozen Fun” Event Confirmed for Disney California Adventure, Details Revealed

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

MFF807742-613x408-600x399

Probably the worst-kept Disney secret, “Frozen Fun” is confirmed as coming to Disney California Adventure this holiday season. The event will be very similar in style to Frozen Summer Fun, which was held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. No start date has been released for the event, but Disney documents did leak what will be offered:

  • For the First time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at the “Crown Jewel Theater” (Possibly Muppetvision 3-D)
  • Olaf’s Snow Fest in Stage 17
  • Anna and Elsa’s Royal Welcome at Disney Animation attraction
  • Disney Freeze the Night Party on Hollywood Boulevard (replacing Mad T Party)

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

Africa Expansion Announced for Animal Kingdom, New “Harambe Marketplace” Counter Service Restaurant Coming in 2015

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

In the midst of all of the work happening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, we finally know what’s happening behind those constructions walls in Africa:

tes

As you have probably seen if you’ve been by Mombasa Marketplace and the entrance to the Wildlife Express Train, construction work is taking place and even more new structures are under way. The Africa Marketplace, as the new area will be known, will open next Spring and expanded merchandise offerings, offer an alternate pathway to travel to Asia and a new quick service restaurant. The quick-service restaurant, the Harambe Marketplace, will feature a number of different food offerings at walk-up windows. This themed colonial-era marketplace will offer produce and raw goods that come straight from Harambe by train. Based on Guest feedback, you’ll see plenty of shade to enjoy while guests relax and eat during their visit.

D23 Announces Gold Family Membership and Phases Out Silver Membership

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

D23_Logo_Stack-Lg

On the eve of Destination D: Attraction Rewind, D23 has announced that it will be making a few changes to its membership lineup for 2015. To begin, D23 will be introducing a new “D23 Gold Family Membership” which will allow you to bring up to three additional guests to D23 events. Additionally in 2015, D23 will be bringing new special pricing for Gold level memberships though as of this writing those prices have not been announced. In order to make way for all these special Gold privileges, D23 will be phasing out the D23 Silver Membership and during renewal those members will have the opportunity to upgrade to D23 Gold, D23 Gold Family, or to become General Members.

First Trailer For George Lucas’ Animated Feature “Strange Magic”

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iMK5cch4SY]

 

“Strange Magic,” a new animated film from George Lucas and Lucasfilm Ltd., is a madcap fairy tale musical inspired by “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Popular songs from the past six decades help tell the tale of a colorful cast of goblins, elves, fairies and imps, and their hilarious misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion. Some of the new versions of hit pop songs sung by the cast includes Heart’s “Straight On”; Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger”; Deep Purple’s “Mistreated”; the ’50s classic “Love is Strange”;  “Say Hey,” a Michael Franti song chosen by George Lucas for the film; and a so-far undisclosed castmember singing Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

Lucasfilm Animation Singapore and Industrial Light & Magic bring to life the fanciful forest turned upside down with world-class animation and visual effects. Directed by Gary Rydstrom (“Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation,” “Lifted”) from a story by George Lucas, “Strange Magic” will be released by Touchstone Pictures on Jan. 23, 2015.

The Trailer For “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Will Debut This Friday

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

StarWarsTrailerDebut.ashx

Update: Star Wars.com is reporting that the teaser trailer is not exclusive to Regal Cinemas and will be seen in 30 select theaters. See an updated list of participating theaters below.

Regal Theaters just announced that they will premier the first trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens at “select” Regal Theaters this Friday, November 28th. It appears that this will be the only way to see the trailer, for now. From their statement, it sounds like this will be exclusive to Regal Cinemas until November 30th, so expect to see an official trailer online shortly after that date or hopefully sooner if possible.

Official statement from Regal Entertainment Group:

This Friday, the world premiere of Star Wars Episode VII trailer will be revealed at select North America theaters.

Be one of the first to experience the trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens at the Regal locations. The trailer will debut before all movies starting November 28 – November 30.

From Starwars.com:

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Tease Theater List

An early 88-second tease of Star Wars: The Force Awakens can be seen in 30 theaters across North America beginning Friday morning, November 28. Following this weekend, the tease can be seen in theaters around the world this December.

Captureswa

Rumor: Possible Storyline For “Star Wars” Spin-off Movie Between Episodes 7 & 8

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

empire-strikes-back-darth-vader-bounty-hunters-poster

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (aka Episode VII) will be released on December 18th, 2015. Unfortunately, Star Wars fans will have to wait another two years until the sequel, Episode VIII, is released in 2017. The good news for Star Wars fans is that there will be another Star Wars movie released in between Episode VII and VIII in 2016. The only facts that we currently know is that it is a Star Wars spin-off movie and that it will be directed by Gareth Edwards (Godzilla). Today /Film.com heard from their sources what the possible plot of the spin-off may be and it sounds a lot more intriguing then I could have ever imagined.

starwarsep4unfixed20dea

According to the /Film, the Star Wars spin-off movie is about a group of people out to pull off the ultimate heist, the theft of the first Death Star plans. That really sounds like a great idea because most fans would like to know exactly how did those plans make it’s way to Princess Leia before she downloaded it into R2-D2. The story gets even better: instead of the Rebel Alliance, it could be a group of Bounty Hunters that is hired to pull of the heist.

BountyHunters

This could bring in all of the Bounty Hunters that we first saw on Darth Vader’s Star Destroyer in The Empire Strikes Back, including Boba Fett. The style of the movie is said to be similar to The Magnificent Seven or maybe The Ocean’s Eleven movies, but taking place in the Star Wars universe.

The opening crawl of A New Hope says the following:

crawl-04-anh

Bounty Hunters go where the money is and I can see the Rebel Alliance hiring a bunch of Bounty Hunters to steal the Death Star plans from the Empire. That sounds more interesting than to have some heroes go in and take them.

It is also mentioned that the Millennium Falcon is in the movie and that the main character of this movie will be introduced in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. With the Millennium Falcon being in the movie it makes you wonder, how did they get it? Han Solo will not be in this movie but Han was not the original owner of the Falcon, Lando was. And the mission can include a good guy or two. Maybe Lando? As for the character that first appears in The Force Awakens, they imply it may be Max Von Sydow’s character. At first I though Max Von Sydow’s character was a Commander for the Empire or maybe even a Sith. He did play Ming The Merciless in Flash Gordon, but then again, he also played Jesus in The Greatest Story Ever Told, but lately there has been a lot of talk that his character is working with Daisy Ridley’s character and may be some kind of cyborg.

Leaked concept art shows us a character that kind of looks like Van Sydow:

efeda68b30dcc47aad1f863f4385aa27

This plot has not been confirmed but multiple reliable sources have stated that this is possible and may have some truth to it. I guess only time will tell but I would love to see something like this come to fruition.

Source: /Film

Guardians Of The Galaxy Blu-ray And DVD Gets An Official UK Release Date

WDWNT on October 24, 2014

guardians_poster_via_marvel

Today Marvel UK announced that Guardians Of The Galaxy will be coming to Blu-ray and DVD on November 24th. We still have not heard from Disney or Marvel regarding the official US release date but recently the director, James Gunn, tweeted that the Blu-ray and DVD will arrive on December 9th. That tweet, as seen below, was immediately taken down. I’m not sure if that means that Disney and Marvel were not ready to announce the US release date or maybe it will come a little earlier to coincide with the UK release.

Yep. #GuardiansoftheGalaxy Blu-Ray out Dec 9. Huge amount of extras & commentary. Order it now.

James Gunn (@JamesGunn) September 25th, 2014

The UK versions will be available in a 3D/2D combo pack, single Blu-ray, single DVD or a Limited Edition Steel Book (3D/2D Blu-ray), which can be purchased at Zavi.com.

Here is the official announcement from Marvel UK’s Twitter Page:GuardiansMarvel UK also released some box art for these two editions.

UK 3D/2D Blu-ray Combo:

Tgx65B7

UK Limited Edition Steel Book (also 3D/2D Blu-ray):

GGGGG

Here is the cover art for the upcoming US releases. Both versions are available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

US 3D/2D Blu-ray, Digital HD Combo Pack:

GGBBB

US Blu-ray:

GGB

From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team–the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits–Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon; Groot, a tree-like humanoid; the deadly and enigmatic Gamora; and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand–with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.

Tom Corless’ 9/30/14 WDW Photo Report (Big Hero 6 Art, Backlot Tour, Rivers of Light, New Frozen Merchandise, ETC.)

WDWNT on October 24, 2014

It was quite the busy weekend at Walt Disney World, so I managed to visit all 4 parks to see what was new and have a ton of newsworthy photos to share with you in today’s report:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

The Studio Backlot Tour closed forever on Saturday

A Big Hero 6 exhibit can now be found at the Magic of Disney Animation

Moving over to Epcot, menu changes have been made a the Electric Umbrella

I decided to try the French Dip burger

It was surprisingly good!

I also tried the Pumpkin Macaroon from the France ice cream parlor and it was amazing.

Over at the Magic Kingdom, this low clearance was added in the bus stop to ensure busses go the right way through the loop

The awning on the boat dock at the entrance was replaced, it’s now red instead of green

The latest progress on the hub at the Magic Kingdom

The Astro Orbiter reopened this weekend, but you can read more about that here

The leave-your-phone charging stations in Tomorrowland have all been closed, the test period came to an end and we’ll now have to wait to see if it was a success and is brought back

New Space Mountain ladies’ shirt

New men’s “I conquered Space Mountain” shirt

This artwork was previously on a black t-shirt and slightly different

Dumbo character sketches are now being sold at Big Top Souvenirs

New Beast plush for sale at Bonjour Village Gifts

Instead of selling generic items, there is a now a Beauty and the Beast shield toy

If you don’t have a FastPass for it, prepare to arrive at Be Our Guest at park opening to get a return time to eat lunch there or you’ll be turned away

Even more of Sir Mickey’s has been taken over by Frozen merchandise, even Ariel merchandise got pushed out

Some new Frozen artwork for sale

A two-sided Olaf ceramic ornament was just released

Queue work continues at Peter Pan’s Flight

We thought it would only be at Disneyland, but the Zero popcorn bucket was released at the Magic Kingdom! It costs over $13 but has a light-up nose feature

Strange new t-shirts…

LOVE this new sweatshirt!

Odd new Magic Kingdom shirt

Simple, but nice

Halloween 2014 Duffy

Some of the Haunted Mansion 45th anniversary lithographs have made it to Florida

An awesome new print by Alex Maher

In preparation for “Move It! Shake It! Dance and Play It!”, video screens are being installed on the floats

Moving over to animal Kingdom, it’s still a mess

At least all of the construction walls are decorated now

The UP meet and greet has seen better days

“it’s tough to be a bug” re-opened this weekend

Most of the nets installed to protect guests from falling particles have finally been removed from the queue

There are still nets by the base of the tree, not sure if these will stay here

work is picking up on the new nighttime show, Rivers of Light

The Everest shrine is behind walls and probably will be until the construction is done in late 2015/early 2016

Since one of the Wilderness Explorers’ answers is behind walls, they made a copy and placed it on the walls

The walls wrap around most of the river

We can peek through and see that the construction vehicles are already in place, ready to start working on the show and viewing area

Some sort of new structure is going up by Flame Tree Barbecue

An Oswald Christmas ornament was released

Hollywood Studios To Offer “Frozen Holiday Premium Package” Starting in November

WDWNT on October 24, 2014

frfrfr446111-613x408

With Frozen Summer Fun now over, Disney has decided to continue to fight for your money with a different premium package at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: the Frozen Holiday Premium Package.

Offered November 7 – 19, November 21 – December 9 and December 11 – January 4, 2015, this package includes reserved seating for a performance of “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” at the Premiere Theatre, and reserved Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights viewing and Frozen-themed dessert party (which will feature mini Anna cupcakes and mini Elsa cupcake, among other treats) in the evening, and a holiday themed lithograph and “Frozen” pin for each guest.

The package costs $89 per adult and $59 per child (ages 3 – 9), plus tax (gratuity is included). Valid theme park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is required and is not included in this package price.

For more details, or to book, you can call 407-939-1854.

Another premium package? Have at it in the comments…