Disney

Disney Hires Dave Green to Direct Untitled Wolf Adventure

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: May 22nd, 2012 at 7:28 pm

Dave Green just made a deal with Disney for his feature directorial debut.  The studio declined to release a logline, but Variety describes it as a “wolf adventure.”  Do you need to know any more?  They ought to title it Wolf Adventure and call it a day.  Andrew Panay (When in Rome) will produce; the plan is to start production this fall.  Given the fresh director and the original property status, Variety speculates this will be a low-budget affair, perhaps in response to the money Disney poured into developing their Snow White remake before halting production earlier this evening.

Green comes from the world of commercials and music videos.  He made a minor splash in industry circles with his comedic shorts Pinkberry: The Movie and WME Staff Meeting, which stylishly mock Hollywood agencies.  Both are embedded after the jump.

Two New TV Spots for Pixar’s BRAVE; Plus Compilation CD Parody Video for “Freedom Broch!”

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 22nd, 2012 at 2:23 pm

With exactly one month to go before the film’s release, the marketing campaign for Disney-Pixar’s Brave is ramping up.  Two new TV spots have been unveiled, and they show off a few looks at some new footage.  Both spots play up the comedy aspect of the film, with the 60-second spot throwing in a bit more action to attract male viewers.  My ticket is already automatically sold for any Pixar movie that doesn’t have “Cars” in the title, but I wonder how many undecideds will be won over by these goofy spots.  They appeal more to kids than grown-ups, but the brief dramatic aspects we’ve seen in the theatrical trailers look truly promising.  I hope a great deal of the heart that we’ve come to expect from Pixar is included in the finished film.

Additionally, Pixar has also released a tie-in video done in the style of those ads for compilation CDs that play late at night on TV.  This one touts the release of “Freedom Broch!” which includes all your favorite rockin’ bagpipe hits.  Watch the TV spots and “Freedom Broch!” video after the jump.

New Trailer for FINDING NEMO 3D

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 21st, 2012 at 5:31 pm

3D has become almost a dirty word in the current moviegoing environment, but it’s a useful tool when done with purpose and precision (see: Hugo).  One of the genres in which 3D really shines is animation, and with Disney’s announcement that they’ll be releasing a number of classics back into theaters we’ll get the chance to see some excellent 3D put to good use.  First up on Disney-Pixar’s theatrical re-release slate is Finding Nemo, and a full trailer for the 3D release is now online.  The trailer plays up the 3D aspect, and I’m assuming it’s more effective when seen in three dimensions.  While 3D seems like a perfect fit for Pixar’s gorgeous ocean-set pic, I’m also just eager to see Andrew Stanton’s incredibly sweet, funny, and heartfelt film on the big screen once again.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer for Finding Nemo 3D, and brace for the 3D re-releases of Monster’s Inc. and The Little Mermaid which will follow.  Finding Nemo returns to theaters on September 14th.

Imelda Staunton, Miranda Richardson and More Join Angelina Jolie in MALEFICENT

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 7th, 2012 at 1:30 pm

Director Robert Stromberg just took a major step forward in assembling his cast for Disney’s live-action fantasy Maleficent.  Angelina Jolie is already set as the titular lead in this retelling of the Sleeping Beauty tale from the villain’s point of view, and we recently learned that District 9 star Sharlto Copley had joined the cast as the male lead.  Now it appears that Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), Miranda Richardson (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), Kenneth Cranham (Hot Fuzz), Sam Riley (On the Road), and Lesley Manville (Another Year) have been added to the roster.  Hit the jump for more.

[Update: Variety adds that India Eisley (The Secret Life of the American Teenager) will play a younger version of Jolie's character in the opening sequence of the film.]

THE AVENGERS Earns $18.7 Million in Midnight Showings; Breaks Superhero Movie Record

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 4th, 2012 at 11:09 am

Hulk smash records, indeed.  After a long, long, long wait for many fans, The Avengers has finally been unleashed on screens across the world.  As with most highly anticipated properties, a considerable number of fans took the opportunity to catch the film at midnight last night—some brave souls even sat through the 13-hour Marvel Movie Marathon leading up to the midnight screening.  I don’t think my body could withstand the latter, but I did catch a midnight showing and I wholeheartedly loved nearly every second of writer/director Joss Whedon‘s “mother of all superhero movies.”  The film raked in an impressive $18.7 million in midnight tickets, making it the highest grossing midnight showing for a superhero title thus far, besting The Dark Knight’s $18.5 million take in 2008 (your move, The Dark Knight Rises).  Hit the jump for more.

Sharlto Copley in Talks to Join Angelina Jolie in MALEFICENT

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 3rd, 2012 at 3:03 pm

It’s turning out to be a very exciting month for District 9 star Sharlto Copley.  He recently landed the villain role in Spike Lee’s Oldboy remake, he’s poised to star in the thriller Open Grave, and now he’s set in a starring role opposite Angelina Jolie in a tentpole Disney release.  Deadline reports that Copley is in talks to play the male lead in the Mouse House’s Maleficent.  He’ll play the character of King Stefan in the pic, which tells the Sleeping Beauty story from the villain’s point of view.

We heard in March that the very talented Elle Fanning was in talks to star as the do-gooder princess, but this latest report makes no mention of the actress.  It’s possible that she’s still in negotiations, or things might have gone south and she’s now out of the project completely.  Nevertheless, production is set to begin next month in London under the direction of Robert Stromberg, the production designer of Avatar and Alice in Wonderland who is making his feature directorial debut with the fantasy pic.  Maleficent is slated for March 14th, 2014.

Brad Bird to Direct Disney’s Large-Scale Mystery Film 1952, Written by Damon Lindelof

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 3rd, 2012 at 11:09 am

Well this is news that’s sure to please the cinephile/nerd/geek community.  Last year, Lost co-creator and Prometheus scribe Damon Lindelof was tapped by Disney to pen a large-scale mystery film for Disney.  The project was shrouded in secrecy, and we still know nothing about the plot other than the fact that it may or may not be in the sci-fi genre and it’s called 1952.  Now it appears that The Incredibles and The Iron Giant director Brad Bird, who made an extremely successful live-action debut with last year’s Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, is coming onboard to direct.  Hit the jump for more.

THE AVENGERS Breaks Records with $178.4 Million International Debut

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 29th, 2012 at 10:21 am

Director Joss Whedon‘s The Avengers doesn’t open stateside until next weekend, but the film debuted this past week in a number of international markets and it’s already taken in nearly $200 million.  In other words, Disney and Marvel are in for a very good May.  The pic totaled $178.4 million as it opened in 39 territories, breaking records for the largest opening weekend in Mexico, Brazil, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.  In the UK it took the title of the biggest opening for a superhero film with a $24.7 million debut, and earned $19.7 million in Australia for the country’s second highest opening ever.  Hit the jump for more.

New BRAVE TV Spot Capitalizes on NFL Draft

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 26th, 2012 at 12:14 pm

The first round of the NFL Draft kicks off tonight, and while fans across the country are busy prognosticating/praying, Disney is capitalizing on the excitement with an NFL Draft-inspired TV spot for the upcoming Pixar flick Brave.  It’s actually a pretty smart product integration, as it’s been obvious from the previous trailers that the Mouse House has been trying hard to lure the male crowd to the female-centered movie.  It’s a bit ridiculous to think that young males won’t go to a movie just because a female is the main character, and we’ve learned from The Hunger Games that strong, independent female protagonists are an enormous draw when done well.

Nevertheless, this spot does have some fun jokes and is packed with NFL-related references.  Also, somewhat surprisingly, there’s a pretty racy gag involving a certain female body part.  I guess we can expect a scandalous PG rating for the latest Pixar pic.  Hit the jump to watch the spot.  The film features the voices of Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson, Robbie Coltrane, and Julie Walters.  Brave opens in 3D on June 22nd.

Disney to Release Over 30 Iconic Movies on Blu-ray, Including: NEWSIES, COCKTAIL, EVITA, HOCUS POCUS, SISTER ACT, THE RESCUERS and More

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: April 17th, 2012 at 6:12 pm

Blu-rays! Get your Blu-rays here! Disney has just announced that they will be releasing more than 30 iconic films from their archives in crisp, clean and clear Blu-ray format.  High-definition home media has been a focus of Disney’s sales strategy over the last few years, with new releases and re-releases of classics climbing to the tops of the Blu-ray sales charts.  Soon, you’ll be able to own copies of such iconic films as Cocktail, Evita, The Horse Whisperer, High Fidelity, Pocahontas and more.  Hit the jump for the full list and press release.

Disney Planning Film Based on MR. TOAD’S WILD RIDE, Obviously

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 17th, 2012 at 1:37 pm

The “let’s turn theme park rides into movies” trend continues.  Following four Pirates of the Caribbean films and a planned Yeti-infused feature adaptation of the Matterhorn ride, Disney is prepping yet another theme park ride for a big screen iteration.  Deadline reports that Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is in development as a feature film that will blend live-action and CGI elements.  The ride itself, which opened at Disneyland in 1955, is based on the classic Kenneth Grahame collection of children’s stories called The Wind in the Willows.  The titular Mr. Toad is portrayed as a spoiled and impulsive amphibian with a penchant for dangerous driving (you know, for the kids).

Commercials director Pete Candeland is set to take the helm, which is actually an exciting choice.  Candeland has helmed a number of videos for the animated band Gorillaz including “Melancholoy Hill”, and he co-directed the video for “Stylo” starring Bruce Willis.  Additionally, he directed the opening for The Beatles Rock Band.  Disney is currently looking for writers to develop Mr. Toad, but if Candeland is intricately involved we may be in for a visual treat.  Hit the jump to sample some of his work.

New BRAVE Featurette Focuses on the Heroine, Merida

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 10th, 2012 at 11:17 am

A French featurette for Brave has gone online.  The featurette focuses on Princess Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald), the film’s heroine and protagonist, who accidentally sets loose an evil curse when she wishes for the freedom to escape her restrictive life.  Once again, we see how Disney is trying to show off the film’s humorous side while still showing the daring adventure, but not quite bringing the two into a cohesive picture.  However, getting a better sense of the lead character does make some headway into easing the schizophrenic tone of the advertising.

Hit the jump to check out the featurette.  The movie also features the voices of Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson, Robbie Coltrane, and Julie Walters.  Brave opens in 3D on June 22nd.

Disney and Marvel Announce Release Date for CAPTAIN AMERICA 2; Will Start Where the THE AVENGERS Leaves Off

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 5th, 2012 at 9:28 am

Disney and Marvel Studios have scheduled Captain America 2 (tentative title) for April 4, 2014.  As you may recall, the studios had previously scheduled the April 4th date for “Untitled Marvel 1″.  Now that date belongs to Steve Rogers’ (Chris Evans) post-Avengers adventure.  The movie is still looking for a director, and the current frontrunners are F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job), George Nolfi (The Adjustment Bureau), and television directors Anthony and Joseph Russo (Community).  It’s worth noting that with a 2014 release date, Captain America 2 probably won’t start shooting until late 2012 at the earliest.

Hit the jump for more including the sequel’s logline and a new image of Captain America in The Avengers. Captain America 2 currently has no competition on April 4, 2012.

Disney Taps Max Borenstein to Pen Original Sci-Fi Space Adventure PALADIN

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: March 9th, 2012 at 6:12 pm

With Disney’s intergalactic epic John Carter opening this weekend, you would think the studio would have had their fill of sci-fi fare for the time being. Apparently that’s not the case as we’re getting reports that they’ve just tapped The Seventh Son scribe, Max Borenstein to pen their sci-fi space adventure, Paladin. Details are short on the project at the moment and the logline is being kept under wraps, but THR reports that the studio did stress that it is in the realm of a big, epic adventure. Disney also recently picked up an untitled original sci-fi story from Chronicle scribe, Max Landis that involves a brother and sister venturing out into space. Both of these projects are in addition to the planned Dan Harris (Superman Returns) adaptation of Hover Car Racer. It seems that, regardless of John Carter’s performance at the box office this weekend, Disney is in the space race for the foreseeable future.

Disney to Release Tim Burton’s FRANKENWEENIE in IMAX 3D

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 6th, 2012 at 9:08 am

Disney will release Tim Burton‘s stop-motion animated film Frankenweenie in IMAX 3D.  The movie is an adaptation of Burton’s 1984 short film of the same name, which centered on a boy who takes a page from Frankenstein and brings his dead dog back to life.  The feature-length adaptation will expand the story to have the eponymous canine wreak havoc on the town.  Disney released a new trailer for the movie last week, and the flick looks charming.  However, IMAX is usually reserved for massive blockbuster movies.  Frankenweenie will be the first black and white film and first stop-motion animated film ever released in IMAX, but from what we’ve seen so far, the story seems too small for IMAX’s gigantic canvas.

Hit the jump for the press release.  The film features the voices of Winona Ryder, Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, and Martin Landau.  Frankenweenie opens October 5th.

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