VIDEO, PHOTOS: In-Depth Looks at the New Characters and Story for Cars 3

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

From Entertainment Weekly:

width=

It’s mobile millennials vs. mid-size cars with midlife crises in Disney-Pixar’s next movie, Cars 3, the second sequel in the billion-dollar franchise, skidding into theaters this June.

If you caught that cryptically combustible teaser trailer back in November, you’ll know that a major shake-up is in store for pro racer Lightning McQueen (voiced once more by Owen Wilson). In round three, a disastrous brush with mortality spurs the once-great athlete to reexamine his tenure on the track.

“McQueen is not the young hotshot anymore, the kid he was back then in Cars 1,” says first-time Pixar director Brian Fee, a storyboard artist on the first two Cars films and the man entrusted by story guru/Cars whisperer John Lasseter to take the wheel. “He’s in the middle of his life, and as an athlete, that’s getting up there. You have your whole life ahead of you, yet your career is starting to show its age. He’s looking in the mirror and realizing, ‘I’m 40 years old,’ and dealing with the fact that the thing that you love more than anything else, you might not be able to do forever.”

It doesn’t help that a new, faster generation of racers is eager to leave the rehabilitating Lightning in the dusty past. Armie Hammer joins the Cars voice family as the most vocal head of this new wave of tech-savvy drivers — meet the villainous Jackson Storm:

Fee explains, “Jackson was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Everything comes easy to him, and everything about him says he’s faster, so much so that we’ve designed him so that even when he’s standing next to McQueen, McQueen looks old.” Technologically, he’s lightyears ahead of Lightning, a legitimate reflection of the actual years that have passed in the real world since our introduction to the first Cars in 2006. After more than a decade, shiny new rival roadster Jackson represents the peak of real-time innovation. (P.S. No, there’s technically no Uber in Cars 3, because, as Fee says with a chuckle, “I would like to see a car drive inside another car and have them take them somewhere.”)

width=

From an ideological standpoint, Jackson embodies the extreme entitlement that has come to plague millennial descriptions. “He thinks the world is his. He’s taking over. He’s owed it,” says Fee. “In a very broad term, I think of old football players with those little leather skull caps, and you think of football players now with all their armor, hitting so hard. It’s not the same game. What they did was not anything like what we do now. And that’s Jackson: He thinks the future of racing and the high-tech ways they train and what they can do means they’re taking the sport to a new level, and the older guys had their day, and it’s done, and they have no place in the future of racing.”

Yet there is a glimmer of hope for both the redemption of twentysomething honor and Lighting himself: New trainer Cruz Ramirez, voiced by Cristela Alonzo.

Cruz may be on Jackson’s side of the age gap, but she’s on Lightning’s side of the conflict. As a lifelong fan of McQueen, she’s optimistic, sunny, fierce, and friendly — and now, she’s his new, younger coach, coming to Lightning’s aid with stars in her eyes when he shows up at the Rust-eze Racing Center. “Whereas others like Jackson would look at McQueen and dump him, Cruz isn’t like that at all. She’s the most optimistic person in the world and wants to do anything to help,” says Fee, who was sold on Alonzo’s voice partly from her short-lived ABC series but primarily from her stand-up comedy specials. (For that matter, Hammer landed the role thanks to his pompous turn in The Social Network.)

width=

Lasseter calls Cars 3 “very emotional,” and Fee says it’s “the most human” film of the franchise, considering the inherent maturity of Lightning’s reconciliation with age in a changing world. If it sounds as if this tale of mortality also has a sense of franchise finality to it (akin to Toy Story 3, though it’s no longer the finale), that’s still being kept under the hood; Fee is coy about whether Cars 3 marks the end of Lightning’s personal trilogy onscreen. “Where the franchise goes from here, I have no idea what may be down the road, but I can tell you that for Lightning McQueen, as a character, I think by the end of the movie it’s safe to say that this is only the beginning for him.”

Here’s your first look at the new, souped-up, ready-to-rev Lightning:

width=

Cars 3 hits theaters June 16. Vroom vroom.

PHOTO REPORT: Epcot 8/31/16 (Haunted Mansion, Mosquito Prevention, New Stairs, ETC.)

WDWNT on September 2, 2016

Today, we take a short trip to a rainy Epcot to see what’s new and exciting in our latest photo report (and no, Haunted Mansion in the title is not a mistake):

Steps Toward Security

Emergency monorail stairs at Epcot

Emergency monorail stairs at Epcot

Work was finally completed on the new emergency stairs at the Epcot Monorail station. New safety protocols have required these additions at many of the monorail stations around Walt Disney World property.

IMG_1701

My attempt at being artsy. This is as far as I can go.

New Merchandise

IMG_2189

Some new Haunted Mansion art found in the Art of Disney, including these tiny stretching room portraits.

IMG_2190

IMG_2191

All four of the stretching room statues are now available.

IMG_2192

IMG_2193

Select items from the PIXAR Party are still lingering, available at Epcot’s Pin Central.

IMG_2195

IMG_1704

In France, a selection of Disney Princess shirts exclusive to the parks are available.

IMG_1705

IMG_1707

IMG_1724

Tower of Terror as a park icon isn’t going anywhere anytime soon apparently…

IMG_1725

Disney Parks Toy Story Merchandise

Disney Parks Toy Story Merchandise

This light up Little Green Men lanyard is fairly new, available in quite a few places.

Disney Parks Toy Story Merchandise

Disney Parks Toy Story Merchandise

More new Toy Story-themed park apparel has been released recently.

Disney Parks Toy Story Merchandise

Disney Parks Toy Story Merchandise

IMG_1730

Some new children’s clothing featuring the Fab 5 is available at MouseGear.

IMG_1731

IMG_1732

ZIKA/Mosquito Prevention

Mosquito prevention kiosk with complimentary repellent

Mosquito prevention kiosk with complimentary repellent

I found two of the complimentary bug repellent locations during my rainy night visit to Epcot. This first one is on the bridge from China to the Refreshment Outpost.

Mosquito prevention kiosk with complimentary repellent

Mosquito prevention kiosk with complimentary repellent

Another was spotted near the Agent P sign-up kiosk between Future World and World Showcase.

Photos: Pixar And Walt Disney Animation Studios Presentation np

WDWNT on August 3, 2015

 

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 14: Composer Randy Newman of TOY STORY 1, 2 and 3 and director John Lasseter of TOY STORY 4 (C) took part today in "Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films" presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Randy Newman; John Lasseter; Will McCormack; Rashida Jones; Galyn Susman; Josh Cooley

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 14: Composer Randy Newman of TOY STORY 1, 2 and 3 and director John Lasseter of TOY STORY 4 (C) took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Randy Newman; John Lasseter; Will McCormack; Rashida Jones; Galyn Susman; Josh Cooley

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 14: Composer Randy Newman of TOY STORY 1, 2 and 3 and director John Lasseter of TOY STORY 4 (C) took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Randy Newman; John Lasseter; Will McCormack; Rashida Jones; Galyn Susman; Josh Cooley

JOHN LASSETER WELCOMES FILMMAKERS, VOICE TALENT TO D23 EXPO 2015 STAGE TO REVEAL EXCITING NEW DETAILS ABOUT UPCOMING SLATE FROM WALT DISNEY AND PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS

Filmmakers from Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios introduced D23 EXPO 2015 fans to an array of new stories and characters—from a lost dinosaur to a master wayfinder, a scheming fox to a forgetful fish. The audience of 7,500 was treated to sneak peeks, musical performances and appearances from stars like Ellen DeGeneres, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Ginnifer Goodwin, Dwayne Johnson, Randy Newman and Ty Burrell, among others.

John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, led the presentations, calling on a host of filmmakers from both studios to introduce the upcoming slate of films. “We really have an unbelievable range of movies in production at our studios right now,” said Lasseter. “The stories are dynamic, fresh and so much fun; the characters new and old are so appealing. I’m excited to share some of our long-held secrets for the first time at the D23 EXPO.”

Following are the films presented on behalf of both studios.

RILEY’S FIRST DATE?

Pixar Animation Studios heads back inside the mind with an all-new short. “Riley’s First Date?” made its world premiere this afternoon at D23 EXPO. Director Josh Cooley, along with “Inside Out” filmmakers Pete Docter (“Up,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and Jonas Rivera (“Up”), introduced the short, which revisits Riley, now 12. “‘Riley’s First Date?’ ventures into the minds of Riley’s parents when a mysterious boy shows up at the front door,” said Cooley. “Having a daughter myself, it was a lot of fun to mine my own feelings to show this emotional time in a parent’s life.”

The short will be included as a bonus feature in the digital HD & Blu-ray releases of Disney·Pixar’s “Inside Out,” which will be available digitally Oct. 13 and on Blu-ray Nov. 3, 2015.

THE GOOD DINOSAUR

Anticipation for Disney·Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur” was amplified when director Peter Sohn and producer Denise Ream shared breathtaking sequences with fans, including never-before-seen footage of a trio of T-Rexes in action.

In theaters on Nov. 25, 2015, the film introduces audiences to Arlo, a sheltered Apatosaurus who finds himself far from home, and Spot, Arlo’s unlikely human friend. “Arlo and Spot journey through a world that has been greatly inspired by the American Northwest,” said Sohn. “It is epic in scope, soul-enriching and simultaneously beautiful and treacherous. In this world, we meet up with a very special family of T-Rexes, who help Arlo find a way through his personal fears and ultimately teach Arlo what he’s truly made of.”

ZOOTOPIA

International superstar Shakira is lending her Grammy®-winning voice to Gazelle, the biggest pop star in Zootopia, D23 EXPO fans learned via a taped message from Shakira today. Ginnifer Goodwin (ABC’s “Once Upon a Time,” “Something Borrowed,” “Walk the Line”), the voice of the film’s rookie rabbit officer Judy Hopps, saluted fans alongside directors Byron Howard (“Tangled”) and Rich Moore (“Wreck-It Ralph”),  and producer Clark Spencer (“Wreck-It Ralph”). Hilarious new scenes from the film were unveiled, plus a tease of the all-new original song, “Try Everything,” written by singer-songwriter Sia and songwriting duo Stargate, and performed by Shakira.

Said Howard, “For the role of Gazelle, Zootopia’s most beloved superstar, there was only one person on our wish list: Shakira. Luckily for us, she said yes. Her immense talent and charm bring Gazelle and her song, ‘Try Everything,’ to life.”

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia” opens nationwide March 4, 2016.

FINDING DORY

Ellen DeGeneres (“The Ellen DeGeneres Show”), the voice of everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, took a dip with D23 EXPO attendees this afternoon, celebrating Disney·Pixar’s upcoming film “Finding Dory.” Joining DeGeneres on stage this afternoon were Ed O’Neill (“Modern Family”), who lends his voice to Hank, a cantankerous octopus; Ty Burrell (“Modern Family”), the voice of Bailey, a misguided beluga whale; and Kaitlin Olson (“Always Sunny in Philadelphia”), who voices Destiny, a kind-hearted whale shark. Oscar®-winning director Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”), co-director Angus MacLane and producer Lindsey Collins (co-producer “WALL•E”) offered details about the all-new story, which reunites Dory with friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale?

Said Stanton, “In ‘Finding Dory,’ we can expect to address the one emotionally open-ended issue that remained from the first movie: Where is Dory’s family, and will this overly-optimistic fish with short-term memory loss ever be able to find them again? Her issue has also given us the opportunity to travel to very different locations, on land and sea, and meet a variety of new sea creatures that expand the world of Nemo, Marlin and Dory.”

Also featuring the voices of Albert Brooks, Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton, Disney·Pixar’s “Finding Dory” swims into theaters June 17, 2016.

MOANA

Dwayne Johnson (“San Andreas,” “Furious 7,” HBO’s “Ballers”), who lends his voice to the mighty demi-god Maui in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana,” hit the stage at D23 EXPO this afternoon. Renowned directors John Musker and Ron Clements (“The Little Mermaid,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Aladdin”), and producer Osnat Shurer (Oscar®-nominated Pixar shorts “One Man Band,” “Boundin’”) shared dazzling early test footage and revealed plans for the film’s inspired music and the extraordinary team behind it. Tony®-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (Broadway’s hottest new hit “Hamilton,” Tony-winning “In the Heights”), Grammy®-winning composer Mark Mancina (“Speed”, “Tarzan” “The Lion King”) and Opetaia Foa’i (founder and lead singer of the world music award-winning band Te Vaka) blend their diverse and dynamic talents to help tell the tale of a spirited teenager who sets out to prove herself a master wayfinder.

“Our research took us deep into the South Pacific,” said Clements. “The wonderful people we met there, their rich history and traditions, and their fantastic music changed us forever.”

“We can’t wait to bring those experiences to ‘Moana,’” added Musker. “We are incredibly lucky to be able to work with three amazing artists who are the absolute best at what they do. The sounds they create will be something we’ve never heard before—but it’ll feel like it’s been part of this world forever.”

Foa’i and his band Te Vaka capped the presentation with a show-stopping performance illustrating the magic of the movie’s music. “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.

TOY STORY 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Pixar Animation Studios marks the 20th Anniversary of “Toy Story” this year. Said Lasseter, “All the characters from ‘Toy Story’—especially Woody and Buzz—are so close to us. They seem more like family members than just creations. Not only do we dearly love the characters, but we also love the world of ‘Toy Story’—the world where toys come to life when people are not in the room has always been rich with many story possibilities.”

Lasseter, who’s one of Pixar’s three founders, celebrated 20 years since “Toy Story” transformed the animation industry and the art of storytelling. He welcomed to the stage iconic two-time Oscar®-winning songwriter and longtime Pixar collaborator Randy Newman, whose Pixar credits include “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Cars.”

Also joining in the celebration were “Toy Story 4” co-director Josh Cooley (“Cars 2,” “Ratatouille”) and producer Galyn Susman  (“Toy Story OF TERROR!”). Screenwriters Rashida Jones and Will McCormack (“Celeste & Jesse Forever”) joined Buzz, Woody and Bo Peep for the celebration. “I’m very proud of our films,” said Lasseter. “When we made the first three ‘Toy Story’ films, we didn’t realize what we had done was to change the genre of each of the films’ story. For ‘Toy Story 4,’ we are doing a type of story we have not done before: a love story. It’s a story about a relationship between Woody and Bo Peep. ”

“Toy Story 4,” which will be directed by Lasseter and produced by Susman, is slated for release on June 16, 2017.

GIGANTIC

Things are looking up at Walt Disney Animation Studios – way up. “Gigantic,” Disney’s unique take on “Jack and the Beanstalk,” will feature music from Oscar®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who greeted D23 EXPO fans in signature style—in song—alongside director Nathan Greno (“Tangled”) and producer Dorothy McKim (“Get A Horse!”).

“I always wanted to be part of the Disney legacy,” said Greno. “I loved those classic stories brought to life—‘Snow White’ or ‘Cinderella’—in a way that made those films the definitive version for generations. I want to carry on that tradition by bringing ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ to modern audiences. We’re taking parts of the story we all remember and adding twists and turns, emotion and humor.”

Set in Spain during the Age of Exploration, Disney’s “Gigantic” follows adventure-seeker Jack as he discovers a world of giants hidden within the clouds. He hatches a grand plan with Inma, a 60-foot-tall, 11-year-old girl, and agrees to help her find her way home. But he doesn’t account for her super-sized personality—and who knew giants were so down to earth? “Gigantic” hits theaters in 2018.

COCO

Director Lee Unkrich (“Toy Story 3”) and producer Darla K. Anderson (“Toy Story 3”) revealed the title of their upcoming film: Disney·Pixar’s “Coco” is the celebration of a lifetime, where the discovery of a generations-old mystery leads to a most extraordinary and surprising family reunion.

“As artists and filmmakers, we couldn’t help but be drawn to the striking visuals of Dia de los Muertos,” said Unkrich and Anderson. “But it was the celebration’s core themes of family, remembrance and connection across generations that resonated within and truly inspired us. Dia de los Muertos is as singular as the Mexican culture, while at the same time completely universal in its message.

“In our story,” they continued, “the celebration of Dia de los Muertos serves as the perfect backdrop for our main character to ask where he comes from, what his place is within his family, and how families stay woven together across time through the simple act of remembrance.”

EXPO SHOW FLOOR/PANELS/PRESENTATIONS:

Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios teamed up to create a show-floor experience at D23 EXPO. Fans are enjoying live demonstrations, presentations and autograph signings with top filmmakers. They can also check out John Lasseter’s film-themed Hawaiian shirts in a special exhibit, plus Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Eric Goldberg, who first worked on “Aladdin,” is sharing his collection of more than 100 caricatured creations.

Following are the event panels.

  • In Conversation with the Filmmakers and the Emotions Behind “Inside Out” (Pixar Animation Studios) – Academy Award®-winning director Pete Docter, producer Jonas Rivera and the voice of Sadness, Phyllis Smith, shared the inside story of the making of Disney•Pixar’s “Inside Out” this morning.
  • Welcome to “Zootopia”(Walt Disney Animation Studios) – Directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore, producer Clark Spencer and artists from the studio will introduce rookie rabbit-officer Judy Hopps, con-artist fox Nick Wilde and a host of dynamic animal characters to D23 EXPO-goers tomorrow afternoon.
  • Pixar Secrets Revealed!Hear the Stories They Didn’t Want You to Know! (Pixar Animation Studios) – Pixar senior development executive Mary Coleman will welcome storytellers behind some of Pixar’s most successful films tomorrow afternoon to talk about the twists and turns of crafting a narrative.
  • “Toy Story”:20 Years Later, the Original Crew Looks Back (Pixar Animation Studios) – Members of the original crew from 1995’s “Toy Story” will celebrate the 20thanniversary of the film tomorrow afternoon, sharing stories of the challenges they faced along the way.
  • “Aladdin” – The Making of a Classic(Walt Disney Animation Studios) – Tomorrow evening, directors John Musker and Ron Clements, animators Eric Goldberg and Mark Henn, the speaking voice of Jasmine, Linda Larkin, and the two actors who voiced Aladdin, Scott Weinger and Brad Kane, will share stories behind the Disney classic.
  • The Shorts of Walt Disney Animation Studios: from “Paperman” to “Prep & Landing,” “Feast” to “Frozen Fever” (Walt Disney Animation Studios) – Filmmakers behind the studio’s recent shorts come together Sunday morning to discuss Disney’s first medium for storytelling: the animated short.
  • “Frozen” FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration! (Walt Disney Animation Studios) – Sunday afternoon, Chris Montan, president, Walt Disney Music, and the Oscar®-winning songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez will take fans on a once-in-a-lifetime musical journey through the world of “Frozen.”
  • The Tunes Behind the Toons: Screening/Q&A – Fans can check out this short-form documentary Sunday evening, celebrating the power of music in animation. A star-studded Q&A will follow the screening.

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 14: The Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Robert Iger (L) and Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter took part today in "Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films" presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** John Lasseter; Robert Iger

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 14: The Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Robert Iger (L) and Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** John Lasseter; Robert Iger

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 14: Directors John Musker (L) and Ron Clements of MOANA took part today in "Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films" presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** John Musker; Ron Clements

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 14: Directors John Musker (L) and Ron Clements of MOANA took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** John Musker; Ron Clements

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 14: (L-R) Producer Osnat Shurer, actor Dwayne Johnson, singer/songwriter Opetaia Foa'i, Directors John Musker and Ron Clements of MOANA took part today in "Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films" presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Osnat Shurer; Dwayne Johnson; Opetaia Foa'i; John Musker; Ron Clements

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 14: (L-R) Producer Osnat Shurer, actor Dwayne Johnson, singer/songwriter Opetaia Foa’i, Directors John Musker and Ron Clements of MOANA took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Osnat Shurer; Dwayne Johnson; Opetaia Foa’i; John Musker; Ron Clements

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 14: Actor Dwayne Johnson of MOANA took part today in "Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films" presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Dwayne Johnson

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 14: Actor Dwayne Johnson of MOANA took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Dwayne Johnson

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 14: Actor Dwayne Johnson (L) and Producer Osnat Shurer of MOANA took part today in "Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films" presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Dwayne Johnson; Osnat Shurer

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 14: Actor Dwayne Johnson (L) and Producer Osnat Shurer of MOANA took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Dwayne Johnson; Osnat Shurer

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 14: (L-R) Director Byron Howard, actress Ginnifer Goodwin and director Rich Moore of ZOOTOPIA took part today in "Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films" presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Ginnifer Goodwin; Byron Howard; Rich Moore

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 14: (L-R) Director Byron Howard, actress Ginnifer Goodwin and director Rich Moore of ZOOTOPIA took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Ginnifer Goodwin; Byron Howard; Rich Moore

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 14: (L-R) Director of INSIDE OUT Pete Docter, Producer of INSIDE OUT Jonas Rivera and Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter took part today in "Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films" presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Pete Docter; Jonas Rivera; John Lasseter

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 14: (L-R) Director of INSIDE OUT Pete Docter, Producer of INSIDE OUT Jonas Rivera and Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Pete Docter; Jonas Rivera; John Lasseter

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 14: Director Peter Sohn of THE GOOD DINOSAUR took part today in "Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films" presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Peter Sohn

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 14: Director Peter Sohn of THE GOOD DINOSAUR took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Peter Sohn

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 14: Director Peter Sohn (L) and producer Denise Ream (R) of THE GOOD DINOSAUR with Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter (C) took part today in "Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films" presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** John Lasseter; Peter Sohn; Denise Ream

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 14: Director Peter Sohn (L) and producer Denise Ream (R) of THE GOOD DINOSAUR with Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter (C) took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** John Lasseter; Peter Sohn; Denise Ream

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 14: (L-R) Actors Ed O'Neill, Ty Burrell, Kaitlin Olson and Ellen DeGeneres of FINDING DORY took part today in "Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films" presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Ellen DeGeneres; Ed O'Neill; Ty Burrell; Kaitlin Olson

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 14: (L-R) Actors Ed O’Neill, Ty Burrell, Kaitlin Olson and Ellen DeGeneres of FINDING DORY took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Ellen DeGeneres; Ed O’Neill; Ty Burrell; Kaitlin Olson

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 14: (L-R) Director Nathan Greno, producer Dorothy McKim and songwriters Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez of GIGANTIC took part today in "Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films" presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Kristen Anderson-Lopez; Bobby Lopez; Nathan Greno; Dorothy McKim

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 14: (L-R) Director Nathan Greno, producer Dorothy McKim and songwriters Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez of GIGANTIC took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Kristen Anderson-Lopez; Bobby Lopez; Nathan Greno; Dorothy McKim

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 14: Actress Ellen DeGeneres of FINDING DORY (L) and The Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Robert Iger took part today in "Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films" presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Ellen DeGeneres; Robert Iger

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 14: Actress Ellen DeGeneres of FINDING DORY (L) and The Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Robert Iger took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Ellen DeGeneres; Robert Iger

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 14: Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios Alan Horn took part today in "Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films" presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Alan Horn

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 14: Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios Alan Horn took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Alan Horn

Disney Extends Ban On Smoking In Films to Include Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars

WDWNT on April 13, 2015

JabbaHookah-ROTJ1-680x390

During Disney’s annual shareholder meeting, Bob Iger announced that Disney will absolutely prohibit the use of a character smoking in all of its films rated PG-13 and below. The only exception will be the portrayal of a historical character who smoked. This rule will apply to all Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars films.

Bob Iger:

“We are extending our policy to prohibit smoking in movies across the board. In terms of any new characters that are created for any of those films, under any of those labels, we will absolutely prohibit smoking in any of those films. Except when we are depicting a historical figure who may have smoked at the time. For instance, we’ve been doing a movie on Abraham Lincoln, he was a smoker, and we would consider that acceptable.”“I thought it was the right thing for us to do,” he said about the decision — which he says he made over the last 48 hours prior to the shareholders meeting.
Source: The Telegraph

VIDEO: Trailer for PIXAR “Inside Out” Available

WDWNT on December 30, 2014

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures has released a new trailer for the upcoming Disney/Pixar animated feature Inside Out. Academy Award®-winning director Pete Docter has taken audiences to unique and imaginative places. In Inside Out,  he will take us to the most extraordinary location of all—inside the mind.

INSIDE OUT

Have a look at the new trailer:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRUAzGQ3nSY]

Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions:

INSIDE OUT

Joy (Amy Poehler)

INSIDE OUT

Fear (Bill Hader)

INSIDE OUT

Anger (Lewis Black)

INSIDE OUT

Disgust (Mindy Kaling)

INSIDE OUT

and Sadness (Phyllis Smith).

The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.

Inside Out debuts in theaters June 19, 2015.

Character Posters Released For Disney/Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

Inside-Out-poster

Today Disney released brand new character posters for Disney/Pixar’s upcoming animated film Inside Out.

varwwwclientsclient1web2tmpphph9SXNJ

varwwwclientsclient1web2tmpphplw6YQz

varwwwclientsclient1web2tmpphpmHetEZ

varwwwclientsclient1web2tmpphpHb42ke

Inside-Out-Sadness-550x900

Disney/Pixar also released a short video of the character Sadness:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHD0NzvtJaY]

Synopsis: Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.

Inside Out comes to US theatres in 3D on June 19th, 2015.

VIDEO: Teaser Trailer For PIXAR’s “Inside Out” Released

WDWNT on October 24, 2014

The Walt Disney Studios released a new teaser trailer for the upcoming Pixar film Inside Out.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t0A_tZGrYw]

From an adventurous balloon ride above the clouds to a monster-filled metropolis, Academy Award®-winning director Pete Docter has taken audiences to unique and imaginative places. In Disney•Pixar’s original movie Inside Out, he will take us to the most extraordinary location of all—inside the mind.

Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.

Inside Out will release on June 19, 2015.

VIDEO: First-Look Clip of “Lava” Available

WDWNT on September 5, 2014

Disney/Pixar has released a first-look clip of the upcoming short Lava.

Disney-Pixar-LAVA-poster

Inspired by the isolated beauty of tropical islands and the explosive allure of ocean volcanoes, Lava is a musical love story that takes place over millions of years.

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

From Pixar Animation Studios, director James Ford Murphy and producer Andrea Warren, Lava opens in theaters on June 19, 2015, in front of Inside Out.

RUMORS: 5 Walt Disney World Rumors and the Likelihood of Each

WDWNT on September 5, 2014

Many of the most exciting rumors are associated with Hollywood Studios.

Many of the most exciting rumors are associated with Hollywood Studios.

With fall finally here and Labor Day behind us it’s always a good time to check in and report on the rumors that might be circulating about future changes at the World. Below is a partial list reporting what I’m picking up from behind the berm and a little bit about the likelihood of each.

Star Wars
So this is surprise to exactly … no one. When it comes to a possible Star Wars expansion the only real questions are “when?” and “what?” Possibilities include an additional attraction in Hollywood Studios, a new Land, or an entire Star Wars park. We can rule the park out right away. That’s not going to happen. What is more likely is a new Star Wars Land that would be along the lines of Cars Land in California. Initially I heard that the plan was for one E Ticket attraction but that has broadened to include multiple attractions since the original pitch. My gut tells me that the delay in any kind of formal announcement means that the expansion will be bigger than originally conceived. This means more than one E Ticket and a more immersive environment. I expect an announcement either in the spring or fall 2015.

Pixar Place
In the near-term the Disney Company won’t launch multiple large-scale enterprises like Star Wars  and Pixar expansion simultaneously at Hollywood Studios. Cost is an issue, but that’s not the most pressing factor to a cash-rich company like Disney. Simultaneous expansions are not likely more because of the impact to Hollywood Studios guests. But this doesn’t mean that a Pixar Place build-out isn’t going to happen. The sense I’m getting is that it will. The bad news is that Hollywood Studios will not receive anything on the level of Cars Land in this regard. Additions are likely to be more modest and come in the form of attractions like Radiator Springs Racers based on Pixar properties one at a time instead of a single yet significant splash. While a Pixar Place expansion will continue to be an exciting story that we will follow it can only mean …

Lights, Motor, Action! Extreme Stunt Show and the Studio Backlot Tour
Yes, that would be correct. Pixar expansion would translate into major changes to the surrounding area that includes the Studio Backlot Tour and the Lights, Motor, Action! show. On a personal level I would hate to lose the Backlot Tour. I know it’s a mere shadow of its former self, but seeing the “Jacqueline” from Wes Anderson’s Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and rumbling through Catastrophe Canyon have become very near to “rites” of our annual WDW visits. The stunt show I won’t miss as much. (Have you ever sat in the Lights, Motor, Action! stands in the afternoon? That might be the hottest spot south of the sun.) Perhaps the most traumatic loss associated with Pixar additions will be the Earfel Tower. I know it’s somewhat trivial, but I love the tower’s connection to the Disney Studios in Burbank. That being said, it’s the price of progress and change and a trade I’m willing to make as a fan and customer for these additions.

Sorcerer’s Hat
Sticking with Hollywood Studios, this is one of the more interesting and under-the-radar changes in the conversation. Apparently the story is not “if” the Sorcerer’s Hat is removed, but “when.” Admittedly, the first time this was mentioned to me I was stunned. For me, Mickey’s sorcerer’s hat holds the same relative place as Cinderella’s Castle, the Tree of Life, and Spaceship Earth. While waiting for the rope to drop during one of our last visits, however, it became fairly obvious that the hat actually doesn’t work. In fact, it feels contrary to the original vision of Hollywood Studios. Clearly the Grumman’s Theater facade of the Great Movie Ride was designed to be the feature image at one end of Hollywood Boulevard “bookending” the “Hollywood that never was” with the Pan Pacific Auditorium-inspired entrance at the other end.  Moreover, if you take the time to really study the layout it’s antithetical to Disney imagineering. It’s my understanding that the biggest problem facing removal is the depth of the attraction’s anchor points. If it happens it will happen when the Great Movie Ride gets a long-overdue makeover, but it’s not a current priority. I’ll believe it when I see it.

Marvel Land
This has to be mentioned. But there just doesn’t seem to be any way for this to become a reality. In a recent conversation it was again mentioned that Universal owns the Marvel “park rights” east of the Mississippi. I’m currently reading Marvel Comics: The Untold Story and trust me when I say that the Marvel Universe in the hands of Disney imagineers would be one of the greatest things that could ever happen. It’s because of this that I won’t give up on a possible Marvel Land and I wouldn’t put it past Disney to broker a deal in this regard, but it won’t happen anytime soon.

Backburner
Star Wars, Pixar, and potential effects on Hollywood Studios is clearly the most interesting conversation but they’re not the only rumors circulating. Avatar Land at Animal Kingdom, the Fantasyland Expansion, and the work at Hollywood Studios most likely means that Epcot will be receiving attention in the not-too-distant future. Updates in Future World are in the mix—maybe Soarin’ and for sure Captain EO—but the most interesting discussion is associated with the possibility of adding pavilion(s) to the World Showcase. Not since the Norway pavilion was added in 1988 have we seen an addition there. Before that it was Morocco in 1984. There is apparently room for new pavilions and it’s interesting to consider the countries that would be candidates. I would put the odds on a South American representative, specifically one of the countries Walt visited during his WWII goodwill tour chronicled in the Walt & El Grupo documentary: Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.

That’s the current state of the rumor mill at least in terms of my discussions. This fan is excited about whatever Disney does with Star Wars in the parks. I’ll also be holding out for significant Marvel additions in the future, but only because it’s just more fun that way. Feel free to post what you’ve heard or even what you’re hoping for.