Disney Is Working On A “Hocus Pocus” Remake For The Disney Channel

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

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Disney is bringing back a Halloween favorite, “Hocus Pocus”, for a whole new generation. A “Hocus Pocus” remake is currently in development that will introduce a brand new cast and will appear exclusively on The Disney Channel.

From Deadline:

Disney Channel is in early stages of development on a Hocus Pocus TV movie, a reimagining of the 1993 cult classic Walt Disney feature, which starred Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy.

The new take is being written by Scarlett Lacey (The Royals), with David Kirschner, producer on the original movie, on board to executive produce.

The 1993 film was written by Neil Cuthbert and Mick Garris, based on a story by Garris and Kirschner, and directed by zKenny Ortega. Garris hinted at a possible Hocus Pocus TV project in a recent interview.

The new Hocus Pocus iteration will have a new cast and a new director. Ortega, who has directed Disney Channel’s two biggest TV movie franchises, High School Musical and Descendants, is not involved.

Hocus Pocus chronicles what happens when three villainous witches, played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker, are inadvertently resurrected in Salem, Massachusetts. The film has become a cult hit and a staple on Disney Channel and Freeform with annual airings.

Kirschner’s producing credits also include Curious George, An American Tail and The Addams Family TV series.

Source: Deadline

New Trailer Released For Star Wars Rebels: The Movie

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

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It’s hard to believe but the premier of Star Wars Rebels is less than 2 weeks away. The Official Star Wars YouTube Channel has just released a brand new trailer for Star Wars Rebels: The Movie.  The movie is officially the first two episodes of the series called Spark Of Rebellion.  Star Wars Rebels: The Movie will debut on Friday, October 3rd at 9 PM on the Disney Channel.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVR9jpzABWo]

Star Wars Rebels is an animated TV series set between the events of Episode III and IV. The series will begin five years before Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, fourteen years into the reign of the Galactic Empire. The general premise is described as follows: “It is a dark time in the galaxy, as the evil Galactic Empire tightens its grip of power from world to world. As the series begins, Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet, ruling with an iron fist and ruining the lives of its people. But there are a select few who are brave enough to stand up against the endless Stormtroopers and TIE fighters of the Empire: the clever and motley crew of the starship Ghost. Together, this ragtag group will face threatening new villains, have thrilling adventures, and become heroes.”

Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion Premieres Friday, October 3 on Disney Channel

WDWNT on September 5, 2014

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Starwars.com has announced that the upcoming animated series, Star Wars Rebels, will premier October 3rd on the Disney Channel at 9PM. The one hour episode is called Spark Of Rebellion and was shown to some attendees at Comic Con in San Diego and received high praise for the story, the characters and the direction that the animated series is heading to. The site has also announced other alternate dates for various viewing services.

Check out the announcement below from StarWars.com:

Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion Premieres Friday, October 3 on Disney Channel

Continuing the epic tradition of the legendary Star Wars saga, an exciting animated one-hour movie Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion is set to premiere Friday, October 3 (9:00 p.m. ET/PT in the US) on Disney Channels around the world, ushering in the highly anticipated series Star Wars Rebels on Disney XD.  In the US, Star Wars Rebels episodes will debut Monday nights beginning Monday, October 13 (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on Disney XD.  Worldwide, the series will air in 33 languages across 163 countries in over 400 million households.

Leading up to its global television debut, Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion will be available on Disney Channel SVOD and to verified users beginning Monday, September 29, on WATCHDisneyXD.com and the WATCH Disney XD app.

Set between the events of Star Wars: Episodes III and IV, the story unfolds during a dark time when the evil Galactic Empire is tightening its grip of power on the galaxy. Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet and are ruining the lives of its people. The motley but clever crew of the starship Ghost — cowboy Jedi Kanan, ace pilot Hera, street-smart teenager Ezra, the “muscle” Zeb, warrior firebrand Sabine, and cantankerous old astromech droid Chopper — is among a select few who are brave enough to stand against the Empire. Together, they will face threatening new villains, encounter colorful adversaries, embark on thrilling adventures, and become heroes with the power to ignite a rebellion.

At the Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion Fan Event at San Diego Comic-Con this year, the movie garnered rave reviews from fans who found the story and look akin to the classic trilogy of films.  The series’ designs are influenced by the work of original Star Wars concept artist Ralph McQuarrie.

Star Wars Rebels is created by Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Sherlock Holmes), and Carrie Beck. The Lucasfilm Animation production is also executive-produced by Filoni and Kinberg as well as Greg Weisman (Gargoyles).

The talented voice cast includes Freddie Prinze Jr. as Kanan, Vanessa Marshall as Hera, Steve Blum as Zeb, Tiya Sircar as Sabine, Taylor Gray as Ezra, David Oyelowo as Agent Kallus, and Jason Isaacs as the Inquisitor.

The multi-platform schedule in the US is:

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

  • Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion one-hour movie will be available on Disney Channel SVOD and to verified users on WATCHDisneyXD.com and the WATCH Disney XD app for smartphones and tablets.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3

  • Television premiere of one-hour movie Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on Disney Channel.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4

  • Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion will be available for purchase through Apple iTunes, Amazon Prime, Google Play, and Disney XD VOD.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6

  • Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion (8:00 p.m. ET/PT) premieres on Disney XD.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13

  • Star Wars Rebels (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) series premieres on Disney XD.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14

  • Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion will be available on DVD in retailers nationwide.

 

Phineas and Ferb Star Wars Crossover Coming this Summer!

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

135885_kaPhineas and Ferb will return this summer for a new special featuring a Star Wars Crossover. The special episode will take our favorite characters into the familiar Episode IV: A New Hope. Enjoy the following synopsis (spoilers):

In the special, Phineas and Ferb are hanging out during a lazy summer on Tatooine. They live on the farm next to the Skywalkers’ and are pulled into the global rebellion when plans for blowing up the Death Star accidentally fall into their hands. As the duo try to get the information to the right people, they are pursued by their sister Candace, who as usual is intent on busting them.

Also on tap for the episode? Darthenshmirtz creates a Sith-inator; Agent P is frozen in carbonite; and Ferb becomes a Sith.

The crossover episode will air this summer on Disney Channel and Disney XD. The official announcement for this will be tomorrow (May 17th) at the launch of Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Note: Take a look at that new Disney Channel logo, I’ve never seen it before today.

Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights Dances with “Phineas and Ferb” in 2010

WDWNT on November 10, 2010

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is back at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year with a few new additions and some changes:

-In between some of the dance sequences, a staged radio interview with the creator of the spectacle, Jennings Osborne, takes place
-One building has a falling snow effect in the windows, you’ll see this in our video during one of the dance sequences
-Two new sequences starring characters from the Disney Channel original series “Phineas and Ferb” have been added. In the first, Phineas and Ferb fix some technical problems with the lights and then have them dance to “Christmas is Starting Now” from the Phineas and Ferb Christmas Special. The second skit has Dr. Doofenshmirtz attempting to take over the display before being foiled by Perry the Platapus.

WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee brings us a video of the Spectacle with all of these new additions, courtesy of the WDWNTube:

Disney Channel Rocks! at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on October 22, 2010

WDWNT Reporter and Videographer Banks Lee was on hand for the October 22 premiere performance of the newest show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Channel Rocks! This live, rock-concert style show blasts popular music from a variety of Disney Channel hits, including the “High School Musical” series, “Camp Rock” and “StarStruck.”

School’s Finally Out, But Disney Channel Is In

WDWNT on July 30, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Earlier today we announced the extension of Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade at Walt Disney World, and if that’s not enough good news for a Thursday, there’s also a fresh, new show coming to the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort this Fall.

A live, rock-concert style show will blast popular music from a variety of Disney Channel hits, including the “High School Musical” series, “Camp Rock” and “StarStruck.” The show, which has yet to be officially named, will follow a format that is similar to “High School Musical 3: Senior Year – Right Here! Right Now!” The new show is scheduled to debut at Disney California Adventure park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on October 22.

In order to make way for this exciting addition, the Wildcats from High School Musical will cheer in their last performance of “High School Musical 3: Senior Year – Right Here! Right Now!” at Disney California Adventure park on October 17 and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on October 2. Don’t miss your last chance to sing, dance and cheer with the Wildcats before school’s back in session, but rest assured the Wildcats will be back in a new way on October 22.