Disney Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney Developing 'Alien Legion'
Filed under: Action », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Deals », Disney », Scripts », DIY/Filmmaking », Newsstand », Comic/Superhero/Geek »
Comics never really die. They become cult classics, cherished until they're revived, republished, and optioned by Disney. Such is the tale of Alien Legion, which is soon to enjoy a revival that'll have many a comic fan claiming they were there from the beginning. (I won't be one of them -- I'll openly confess that it passed me right by.)Creator Carl Potts described Alien Legion as "the Foreign Legion in space," and it's probably best described as melting pot of military and sci-fi, as Star Trek, Star Wars and The Dirty Dozen all influenced its vision of intergalactic soldiers banding together for honor, fortune, and adventure. It was one of Marvel's longest running series under their Epic Comics' banner, and it's been one that fans have continued to champion. Now it's being republished in a beautiful Dark Horse omnibus (which means out-of-the-loop losers like myself can finally read it), and getting four brand new issues from Dark Horse starting in 2010.
It's also on its way to the big screen. USA Today sat down all its creators, and Potts revealed that Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney were currently developing a feature film out of the series. Derek Haas and Michael Brandt are currently working on the third draft of the script, and Disney is undoubtedly hoping it could become another blockbuster franchise. I'd love to see the Mouse House actually develop a viable sci-fi franchise of their own, and Alien Legion is certainly a very promising series. Let's hope its cult of fans are rewarded with a good adaptation after all their years of devotion, and they don't resent the rest of us for coming to the party so late.
'Captain Nemo' Is Dead in the Water at Disney
Filed under: Action », Classics », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Executive shifts », Disney », Scripts », DIY/Filmmaking », Newsstand », Remakes and Sequels »
The klaxons are sounding for the Nautilus and Captain Nemo's origin story. Variety reports that Disney has quietly shelved the project, and McG has been released from duty in order to seek better fortune ashore. The project was scheduled to begin production this February, and was on a fast track under Dick Cook. But as you probably remember, Cook was shown the door a few months ago. Many of Disney's big projects seem to be left dangling as stars like Johnny Depp decide whether they're sailing or staying ashore. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo is just the latest, though Disney insists big popcorn flicks will still be a focus for them.
Leagues had already been a revolving door of rumors, with Will Smith said to be in the running to play Nemo. Justin Marks was originally penning the script, but was replaced by Randall Wallace this past July. Variety reports that the project was being penned by Bill Marsilli, so presumably Wallace was off as well. While it's not unusual to have three screenwriters on a project, it doesn't sound like this submarine had a reliable captain. Perhaps the Nautilus will sail again as a proper steampunk picture that explores his romantic Indian past, and not a slapdash summerfest.
Guttenberg, Danson and Selleck = 'Three Men and a Bride'
Filed under: Comedy », Romance », Disney », RumorMonger », DIY/Filmmaking », Newsstand », Remakes and Sequels »
We are now in the age of the 20-year-old sequel. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Wall Street 2, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Beverly Hills Hop 4, The Untouchables: Capone Rising. It hasn't been "too long," it isn't awkward to go back. It'll make you feel young again! Now we've reached the pinnacle of past grabs, as WENN is reporting that Steve Guttenberg, Tom Selleck, and Ted Danson are reuniting for Three Men and a Bride. "Disney's developing Three Men and a Bride. That's going to be a smash. A smash hit. They're bringing everybody back for that," says Guttenberg. "Nobody knows about it. I'm the first to talk about it."
Guttenberg might just become king of the It's Never To Late To Return! movement, as he dreams of reviving all of his past franchises. "It's definitely time for another Police Academy. And I think they could make another Cocoon. They're surefire hits and I think they're good for the world. They make the world a better place and that's what it's all about." Hopefully, he's not setting his hopes on reviving Short Circuit, as that has become someone else's dream to live. But I think there were a lot of unanswered questions about The Day After, and nothing's trendier than the apocalypse. It's only been twenty-five years ....
Bah, Humbug. It's Too Early For 'A Christmas Carol'!
Filed under: Animation », New Releases », Disney », Fan Rant »
We've all lamented the way that Christmas decorations, candies, and wrapping paper start appearing on store shelves between fake pumpkins and cheesecloth ghosts. In some stores, the Christmas stuff appears as early as July or August. But when it comes to our local multiplex, we're generally safe from holly and plum pudding until it's actually cold outside. Not this year.Being entertainment fiends, I'm sure that the last week found most of you were tuning into AMC, IFC, and other assorted channels to check out their horror selections. You were also undoubtedly watching your favorite television shows, football teams, and following the World Series. I'll bet that you saw the tv spots for A Christmas Carol around ten times a day. Possibly more than that given all the games. Did you feel a cold chill run down your spine?
I did, and it wasn't caused by a pocky Jim Carrey or the possibility of Robert Zemeckis' mo-cap dead eyes. It was the fact that my jack o'lantern was flickering on my kitchen counter, bell jars of bones were decorating the top of my television, and Shadow of the Vampire was beckoning from my DVR. It was Halloween weekend. Even after October ticked down to its last gasp and we fell back, it was still autumn. It's harvest time. It's heartwrenching drama time, the real start of the Oscar race. It's time for The Road, The Men Who Stare At Goats and the Coens. It is not Christmastime. I don't care what the Three Spirits try to tell me, or whether Tiny Tim wants God to bless us, every one. I'm not going to listen until December 1. Perhaps I'll miss a great 3D thrill ride and the velvet voice of Colin Firth, but I'm not ready for snow and Dickensian morality just yet. Are you?
Cinematical Uncovers the Secret Side of Disneyland
Filed under: Animation », New Releases », Disney », Fandom »
In spite of what some internet pundits and self-righteous types would have you believe, being a film critic and entertainment journalist does not mean you're handed the keys to Hollywood along with your W-9. Attending screenings and junkets, transcribing interviews, and spending the vast majority of every single day (all day) sitting in front of a computer is far more exhausting than one might expect. In which case, the rare and unique opportunity to have fun and see some truly exclusive stuff is always welcome.
About two weeks ago Disney invited Cinematical to join a small group of print and online journalists for a press day in conjunction with their upcoming return to hand-drawn animation, The Princess and the Frog. In addition to conducting interviews with Ron Clements and John Musker, the guys not only responsible for Princess, but The Little Mermaid as well, our group took a tour of Disney's storied Animation Research Library, and even spent a little time at Disneyland itself on an exclusive behind the scenes tour.
A Different Way to Look at Disney Princesses
Filed under: Fandom », Images »
I find it amazing that there was never a Disney revolution. Just this week I wrote about how horror was reinvigorated when women were allowed to fight back. Thinking of the two together, it's a bit embarrassing that horror fiends could buy into strong women, but familial units could not. On one side, there's Laurie Strode and Sydney Prescott. On the other...
There's an image swirling around Digg, which you can see above (click on the image to get it full-sized). It's the classic Disney princesses roster -- Snow White*, Aurora, Jasmine, Ariel, Belle, and Cinderella. Above their smiling faces, however, are their basic characteristics and plot lines. When you boil it down to the basics, the story is enough to make anyone queasy. Snow White's hormones almost kill her, Aurora is married off in the crib for politics and saved years later with a kiss (or sex and slavery when Anne Rice has her say), Jasmine is a pretty girl saved by a street rat, Ariel gets to look pretty and say nothing, Belle works her sexuality, and Cinderella is saved because of her beauty.
The fact that Sleeping Beauty was lucky enough to fall for her prince, like the others, doesn't change much. It's just a necessary plot twist to make all the rest palatable. How is it that we've yet to get a super-smart, super-funny, super-likable Disney princess to add to the pack -- maybe one who Nancy Drews her way to saving the prince. Sure, it'd probably make all the other princesses pale in comparison, but you know young girls would love it.
[via Slashfilm]
*Typo corrected.
Villains We Love: The Headless Horseman
Filed under: Horror », Johnny Depp », Scenes We Love »
While other countries have headless riders roaming their empty places, I believe America can lay claim to The Headless Horseman. Born out of the mists of early America, the Horseman is a vengeful, anonymous Hessian who lost his head to a cannonball during the American Revolution. While it's popularly assumed he rides around looking for his head (and claiming any he comes across along the way), he actually has it resting on the pommel of his saddle. He doesn't need a new head. He's just sadistic.
As a kid, I firmly believed the Hessian was a real Sleepy Hollow legend, and finding out that he was just an invention by Washington Irving was a bitter disappointment. But now I find it impressive that a mere short story has worked itself so deeply into American folklore to become one of our most iconic horror characters. He's enigmatic and elegant in his hunting, traits that have survived Disney and Scooby-Doo without losing a shred of scariness. He really should be allowed to ride across movie screens more often. The wonderful thing about legend (even if it's not a real one that owes its existence purely to Irving) is that not one version is definitive, and any good writer or filmmaker can explore its murkier corners.
Though I love the Disney version with all my heart (like many kids, it's how I first encountered the story) I'm including a scene from Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow below the jump. I was disappointed by it when I first saw it in theaters (I still question the production designer's decision to just plunk the bridge in the middle of town), but its chilly atmosphere and Hammer stylings have grown on me. 18th Century America is one of my favorite topics for horror and history, and Burton painted a delicious nightmare version of it. If only he hadn't chosen to give the Hessian such a familiar face ....
Willem Dafoe Talks 'John Carter of Mars'
Filed under: Action », Classics », Romance », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Disney », Fandom », DIY/Filmmaking »
Having put the final touches on a brilliant cast, John Carter of Mars is getting underway at Disney. Edgar Rice Burroughs' epic series has seen a lot of stops and starts over the years, and it's still unbelievable that it's actually happening. But at this point, it's still shrouded in pre-production mystery, but Ain't It Cool News wheeled a little information out of Willem Dafoe about his role as Tars Tarkas, a great Martian warrior and eventual ally of Carter. (Do AICN's Capone a favor and read the whole interview when you're done here. It's excellent.) Dafoe revealed to Capone that he doesn't know much more than you or I might, but his enthusiasm for Tarkas and for Andrew Stanton is contagious. "I've seen a lot of the designs and things, and I've just started to do prep work now. I'm doing a play in New York, so I'm kind of preoccupied by that, but I'm starting doing scans and things like that, but it's going to be a real full-on ... Well, I'm nine feet tall with four arms, but, just from the scheduling, I'm going to do the stuff ... They'll use my face, but they'll enhance it in a way --both after and before-- in a way that I may not be recognizable. But, I'm good with that. It's particularly cool, because he's a creature, but he's got this huge range of character. And, he does cool things in the movies." As John Carter will be coming on the heels of all James Cameron, Robert Zemeckis, and Disney's Davy Jones' "game changing" technology, the possibilities of what this could look like are pretty enticing.
Pop below the jump for more
The Snow White Ad Disney Doesn't Want You to See
Filed under: Animation », Classics », Disney »
Advertising company The Foundry is in hot water with Disney over a risque booze ad using Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs that shows the princess in bed with her little friends as the obviously nude and rumple-haired "Ho White" blows an after-sex smoke ring. According to the British publication Telegraph, "the loveable dwarfs Sleepy, Happy and Doc are rebranded Filthy, Smarmy and Randy - supposedly to represent different types of drinkers." (I'm wondering why Grumpy is still grumpy, but perhaps it's because he's off at the other end of the bed? I digress.)
Disney was rather displeased with this ad for Australia's Jamieson's Raspberry Ale, which uses an "anything but sweet" tagline. (The official website is down.) The agency claims that it's had "a little bit of contact" with Snow White license-holder Disney, but I have a feeling it's been more than a little. I mean, Disney releases those classic DVDs every, what, five years and then closes the vaults once again?
Generally North American advertisements are more prudish when it comes to sex, so while the general US consumer (like, say, me) might find this ad stupid and sexist, it seems the greater concern is the copyright issue. However, It's highly unlikely that Disney would have licensed the image of Snow White to be used for this ad campaign, anyway.
However, slutty Snow White costumes for Halloween? I guess Disney licensed those! (Ahem, see below ...)
'Toy Story 3' Trailer Reminds You to Play With Old Friends
Filed under: Animation », Disney », Family Films », Trailers and Clips »
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I think it's safe to say that Toy Story holds a special place in the heart of most, if not all, modern film geeks. First and foremost it was a great film that, regardless of the technology behind it, tapped into everyone's inner child by wondering what the secret life of toys would be like. But not only did it usher in a new age of computer generated imagery that would prove, for the most part, the downfall in popularity of hand-drawn animation, it also introduced the world at large to a little studio called Pixar, a word that didn't make much sense back when Toy Story was released in 1995, but is now synonymous with the being the gold standard in animated filmmaking. Now that Toy Story 1 and 2 are currently enjoying a reborn run at the American box-office (this time re-tooled for 3D exhibition), Pixar and Walt Disney have unveiled the trailer for Toy Story 3 (watch it after the jump), their long awaited trip back to the toy box. The newest in the franchise will be the first made specifically for 3D, and judging by the trailer embedded below, it looks like the film's sensibilities have matured along with the technology powering the animation. Andy, the owner of all the toys, is all grown up now and ready to head off to college. His box of toys, a box so many of us have grown to love, has gone neglected for too long and now his mother is ready to put the dust-collecting bits of nostalgia out to pasture.
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Robert Downey Jr. Wants to Retire?
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