The beloved gang is back! Simba, Nala, Rafiki, Zazu, Timon, Pumbaa and yes, even Mufasa are back for Disney's new Lion King sequel, although the cast has had a bit of a shakeup. The movie The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar, the follow-up to the straight-to-video films The Lion King II: Simba's Pride and The Lion King 1½, will air on Nov. 22 on Disney Junior. The new flick will be followed by a series, The Lion Guard, which will air on the channel in 2016. The film and show focus on Simba and Nala's son Kion, who leads a team of animals to protect the Pride Lands. "It's kind of like The Lion King meets The Avengers," Nancy Kanter,...
- 11/16/2015
- E! Online
Disney has announced a new sequel to The Lion King which will see the return of James Earl Jones as Mufasa.
The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar will premiere on the Disney Channel in November and act as a precursor to the previously-announced Lion Guard series.
The Lion King 3D - movie review
"The movie follows Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, as he assumes the role of leader of the Lion Guard, a team of animals tasked with preserving the Pride Lands," said Disney.
Ernie Sabella will also return as Pumbaa, while Rob Lowe replaces Matthew Broderick as Simba and Gabrielle Union replaces Moira Kelly as Nala.
Max Charles plays Kion and Joshua Rush plays Kion's best friend - a honey badger called Bunga.
Walt Disney Company is 90: The best movies
Atticus Shaffer plays intellectual egret Ono, Dimaond White plays confident ceetah Fuli and...
The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar will premiere on the Disney Channel in November and act as a precursor to the previously-announced Lion Guard series.
The Lion King 3D - movie review
"The movie follows Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, as he assumes the role of leader of the Lion Guard, a team of animals tasked with preserving the Pride Lands," said Disney.
Ernie Sabella will also return as Pumbaa, while Rob Lowe replaces Matthew Broderick as Simba and Gabrielle Union replaces Moira Kelly as Nala.
Max Charles plays Kion and Joshua Rush plays Kion's best friend - a honey badger called Bunga.
Walt Disney Company is 90: The best movies
Atticus Shaffer plays intellectual egret Ono, Dimaond White plays confident ceetah Fuli and...
- 8/12/2015
- Digital Spy
From the now-iconic opening note of that incredible beginning sequence, viewers of The Lion King knew they were in for a very special treat: A Disney animated movie that — thanks to its compelling story about the circle of life, an all-star voice cast that included Jeremy Irons, Matthew Broderick, and James Earl Jones, and that music — would appeal to adults just as much as the kids that begged their parents to take them to theaters.
The Lion King followed Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Aladdin in an era that came to be known as the Disney Renaissance.
The Lion King followed Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Aladdin in an era that came to be known as the Disney Renaissance.
- 4/11/2014
- by Erin Strecker
- EW.com - PopWatch
Animator and filmmaker Alexs Stadermann will direct 3D Australian-German film Maya the Bee.
He will work with producer Barbara Stephen and line producer Alexia Gates-Foale, reforming the core team which worked on The Woodlies television series and The Woodlies Movie special feature-length episode.
.Alexs Stadermann, Barbara Stephen and Alexia Gates-Foale have an enviable work chemistry and energy," Flying Bark Productions managing director Jim Ballantine said in a statement announcing the appointments. "Their collaboration on The Woodlies is testament to their creativity. In addition to their powerhouse dynamic, they will bring their own individual career experience and passion to Maya the Bee ensuring this movie will be a local and global success..
Stadermann has previously worked as unit director on Disney's Bambi II and Tarzan II and supervising animator on Lion King 1½ (also known as The Lion King 3: Hakuna Matata). He also directed two seasons of Aardman Animation's Planet Sketch,...
He will work with producer Barbara Stephen and line producer Alexia Gates-Foale, reforming the core team which worked on The Woodlies television series and The Woodlies Movie special feature-length episode.
.Alexs Stadermann, Barbara Stephen and Alexia Gates-Foale have an enviable work chemistry and energy," Flying Bark Productions managing director Jim Ballantine said in a statement announcing the appointments. "Their collaboration on The Woodlies is testament to their creativity. In addition to their powerhouse dynamic, they will bring their own individual career experience and passion to Maya the Bee ensuring this movie will be a local and global success..
Stadermann has previously worked as unit director on Disney's Bambi II and Tarzan II and supervising animator on Lion King 1½ (also known as The Lion King 3: Hakuna Matata). He also directed two seasons of Aardman Animation's Planet Sketch,...
- 2/19/2013
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
There’s nothing new under the sun — which is just the way Millennials like it.
We’re a generation obsessed with our own recent past, as befits the children of Boomers. Our influence on the entertainment industry is also increasing as we grow older. That’s probably why 2012 was the year that a collective nostalgia for pop culture from the ’90s and even the early ’00s hit in full force. Sure, the year also featured its share of projects inspired by/cribbing from the ’80s or even earlier — we learned it by watching you, Generation X! — but generally speaking, a...
We’re a generation obsessed with our own recent past, as befits the children of Boomers. Our influence on the entertainment industry is also increasing as we grow older. That’s probably why 2012 was the year that a collective nostalgia for pop culture from the ’90s and even the early ’00s hit in full force. Sure, the year also featured its share of projects inspired by/cribbing from the ’80s or even earlier — we learned it by watching you, Generation X! — but generally speaking, a...
- 12/27/2012
- by Hillary Busis
- EW.com - PopWatch
After last week’s brilliant new releases in the home entertainment market, headed up by Steve McQueen’s Shame and Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (I bought them both on Blu-ray, the latter in HMV’s exclusive steelbook special edition), this week sees another great slew of titles for us to add to our collections.
As ever, we have not just the brand new films and TV shows making their way to shelves for the first time, but also single-disc Blu-ray editions (which we’re increasingly seeing within a few months of the Double / Triple Play versions), and a host of films getting the HD treatment, released on Blu-ray for the first time, with Disney releasing a handful of old titles in the visually beautiful format.
Stay tuned for next week (and be sure to get your pre-orders in early), which will see Chornicle, Coriolanus, Martha Marcy May Marlene,...
As ever, we have not just the brand new films and TV shows making their way to shelves for the first time, but also single-disc Blu-ray editions (which we’re increasingly seeing within a few months of the Double / Triple Play versions), and a host of films getting the HD treatment, released on Blu-ray for the first time, with Disney releasing a handful of old titles in the visually beautiful format.
Stay tuned for next week (and be sure to get your pre-orders in early), which will see Chornicle, Coriolanus, Martha Marcy May Marlene,...
- 5/21/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The Lion King 1½ ranks as the best sequel to any Disney animated film not created by Pixar. It came about at the tail-end of Disney’s direct-to-video sequel frenzy, and though written and directed by many of the people who took part in that abuse of Disney’s classics, The Lion King 1½ somehow managed to exhibit a spark of creativity. Instead of just turning the concept of the original The Lion King on its head or making up a small mini-story that supposedly happened somewhere in the middle of the original, this clever take retold the story completely from the perspectives of Timon and Pumbaa. For a Disney sequel, that’s an unfortunately innovative (in that it doesn't happen more often) approach but it’s pulled off with remarkable style here as the meerkat and warthog duo chronicle how they met and how their tale intersected with that...
- 3/31/2012
- by Lex Walker
- JustPressPlay.net
Last fall, The Lion King 3-D rerelease ate up the newbie box-office competition. This weekend, the Beauty and the Beast 3-D rerelease was expected to do the same. But Mark Wahlberg's Contraband wasn't taking second to no old cartoon. The R-rated heist flick, Wahlberg's biggest action opener since Four Brothers, was the surprise No. 1 with a $24.5 million Friday-Sunday gross. Add in today's projected Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday take of about $4 million, and the $25 million movie is already in the black. Beauty and the Beast. meanwhile, settled for second place, and came in under Sunday's estimates. On the upside, Disney has picked up a tidy $23.5...
- 1/16/2012
- E! Online
2012 will bring a diverse, exciting line-up of films to be released under the Disney banner, if the plots behind these movies are any indication. Over the next two editions of the Mouse House, plan to preview the company’s film offerings for the coming year.
Beauty and the Beast 3-D (Jan 13)
Yes, Gaston, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts and the rest of the Beast bunch will return to the big-screen for the third time – but with the addition of the trendy 3-D format. Originally released in 1991, this classic, which landed the first nomination for Best Picture for an animated film, has endured the test of time and continues to serve as one of the company’s most popular and acclaimed productions. Not bad for a story that was first in development during Walt’s time. Although almost any Disney fan knows that the main reason this is heading back to theatres because...
Beauty and the Beast 3-D (Jan 13)
Yes, Gaston, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts and the rest of the Beast bunch will return to the big-screen for the third time – but with the addition of the trendy 3-D format. Originally released in 1991, this classic, which landed the first nomination for Best Picture for an animated film, has endured the test of time and continues to serve as one of the company’s most popular and acclaimed productions. Not bad for a story that was first in development during Walt’s time. Although almost any Disney fan knows that the main reason this is heading back to theatres because...
- 12/12/2011
- by Brett Nachman
- FusedFilm
The big casting of director Quentin Tarantino's racially charged 'Django Unchained' seems to be over and done with. Jamie Foxx stars as Django, a freed slave who teams up with a bounty hunter (Christoph Waltz) in hopes of freeing his wife (Kerry Washington) from the grasp of a none-too-kindly plantation owner. (Leonardo DiCaprio) Other big names include Samuel L. Jackson and Kurt Russell. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is also said to be negotiating to take on a role. Every film needs its side characters who are often filled up with lesser-known actors. It's no disrespect to them. Sometimes they're scene stealers. The point is: a lot of obscure casting has been flooding out over the past little while. Yesterday, word came that Todd Allen had joined the cast. Today's news comes in a chunk. Variety reports that James Remar, Tom Wopat, and James Russo have all come aboard the project.
- 11/11/2011
- LRMonline.com
Bring on the re-releases! The Lion King 3-D‘s recent success in the theatres, grossing a whopping $80 million, has led studios to capitalize on this. Disney observed how one of their most popular classic films could still bring in droves of audiences, even weeks before its Blu-ray debut. The combination of the strategic marketing campaign and almost unanimous love of this film have contributed to an overwhelming strength in the box office. Although I assumed they would have likely extended the run beyond the promoted “two-week limited engagement,” the fact that it could still garner so much interest after the initial two weeks speaks for itself. In light of The Lion King 3-D making September brighter in the movie business, Disney has announced news of re-releasing more masterpieces in this revolutionary format.
Beauty and the Beast - January 13, 2012
The tale as old as time is finally returning to theatres.
Beauty and the Beast - January 13, 2012
The tale as old as time is finally returning to theatres.
- 10/10/2011
- by Brett Nachman
- FusedFilm
Guess a bunch of you out there were suckers for Hugh Jackman and robots (who Isn't?) because Real Steel totally beat the competition in its fist weekend. The Rock-em, Sock-em Robots adaptation (not really, but kind of) beat out the hottie patrol (Ryan Gosling and George Clooney) in the political thriller The Ides of March. But enough chit-chat, let's look at the numbers.
1. Real Steel- 1st Week- $27,300,000
2. Ides of March- 1st Week- $10,400,000
3. Dolphin Tale- 3rd Week- $9,160,000- Total Gross $49,070,000
4. Moneyball- 3rd Week- $7,500,000- Total Gross $49,253,000
5. 50/50- 2nd Week- $5,500,000-Total Gross $17,300,000
6. Courageous- 2nd Week- $4,600,000- Total Gross $15,892,000
7. The Lion King 3-D- 4th Week-$4,552,000- Total Gross $85,962,000
8. Dream House- 2nd 2nd Week- $4,500,000- Total Gross $14,500,000
9. What's Your Number?- 2nd Week- $3,050,000- Total Gross $10,306,000
10. Abduction- 3rd Week- $2,900,000- Total Gross $23,369,000
--
Follow me on twitter @emilyfcheever
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1. Real Steel- 1st Week- $27,300,000
2. Ides of March- 1st Week- $10,400,000
3. Dolphin Tale- 3rd Week- $9,160,000- Total Gross $49,070,000
4. Moneyball- 3rd Week- $7,500,000- Total Gross $49,253,000
5. 50/50- 2nd Week- $5,500,000-Total Gross $17,300,000
6. Courageous- 2nd Week- $4,600,000- Total Gross $15,892,000
7. The Lion King 3-D- 4th Week-$4,552,000- Total Gross $85,962,000
8. Dream House- 2nd 2nd Week- $4,500,000- Total Gross $14,500,000
9. What's Your Number?- 2nd Week- $3,050,000- Total Gross $10,306,000
10. Abduction- 3rd Week- $2,900,000- Total Gross $23,369,000
--
Follow me on twitter @emilyfcheever
Want to connect with other Film Ologists? Join the conversation at My.
- 10/10/2011
- by Emily Cheever
- Filmology
Beauty and the Beast. Finding Nemo. Little Mermaid. Monsters, Inc. All awesome movies, all coming (again) to a theater near you. "So what?" You say, "I've already got those on DVD." To which I would say "Shut Your Mouth I Wasn't Finished Talking You Interuppting Cow!" These rereleases will be in 3-D! Three F*Cking D.
This is mostly because The Lion King 3-D has made a crazy amount of cash in the past few weeks (check out the box office numbers from the last two weeks here and here). The first movie to be rereleased in 3-D will be Beauty and the Beast (which is the first movie I remember seeing as a child) which comes out in January 2012, about 11 years after the movie first premiered in theaters. Next to be rereleased in Finding Nemo (Great. Freaking. Movie.) in September of 2012, followed by Monsters, Inc in January 2013 (this...
This is mostly because The Lion King 3-D has made a crazy amount of cash in the past few weeks (check out the box office numbers from the last two weeks here and here). The first movie to be rereleased in 3-D will be Beauty and the Beast (which is the first movie I remember seeing as a child) which comes out in January 2012, about 11 years after the movie first premiered in theaters. Next to be rereleased in Finding Nemo (Great. Freaking. Movie.) in September of 2012, followed by Monsters, Inc in January 2013 (this...
- 10/4/2011
- by Emily Cheever
- Filmology
The race for No. 1 at the box office this weekend might be tight, but the numbers aren't going to be that big judging by Friday's returns.
The top three movies on Friday (Sept. 30) were all holdovers from last week. "Moneyball" led the way with an estimated $3.9 million in earnings, raising its total so far to just under $30 million. "Dolphin Tale," which like "Moneyball" is in its second weekend, was not far behind at $3.5 million, and some forecasters are predicting it will end up No. 1 for the weekend.
"The Lion King 3-D" gave up its two-week hold on the top spot and slipped to third, earning an estimated $3.3 million for the day. "Courageous," a faith-based drama that benefited from heavy group sales, opened in fourth with $3.1 million.
None of the weekend's three wider releases really made any noise. The Daniel Craig-Rachel Weisz thriller "Dream House" and the cancer comedy "50/50" each made about $2.9 million,...
The top three movies on Friday (Sept. 30) were all holdovers from last week. "Moneyball" led the way with an estimated $3.9 million in earnings, raising its total so far to just under $30 million. "Dolphin Tale," which like "Moneyball" is in its second weekend, was not far behind at $3.5 million, and some forecasters are predicting it will end up No. 1 for the weekend.
"The Lion King 3-D" gave up its two-week hold on the top spot and slipped to third, earning an estimated $3.3 million for the day. "Courageous," a faith-based drama that benefited from heavy group sales, opened in fourth with $3.1 million.
None of the weekend's three wider releases really made any noise. The Daniel Craig-Rachel Weisz thriller "Dream House" and the cancer comedy "50/50" each made about $2.9 million,...
- 10/1/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
In case you were away from your computer this weekend, we've compiled 10 of the top stories published this weekend on indieWIRE and our blog network. Among them: Indie and mainstream box office reports, an interview with director Billy Corben and reviews from Fantastic Fest. Box Office: Gay Romance “Weekend” Scores Big Numbers in Limited Debut While “The Lion King 3-D” fended off the likes of Brad Pitt and a ...
- 9/26/2011
- Indiewire
The “king” of hit animated films finally returns to the big screen – in a new format. The Lion King 3-D proves that some movies, years after their initial releases – hold up over time, feel as entertaining as before, and can bring joy to new generations.
Although I am guessing most individuals have seen the Disney classic, here’s a quick recap, in case you have forgotten the plot. Set in the beautiful savannas of Africa, this 1994 epic follows the life journey of a young cub named Simba, who learns about the “circle of life” from his father, Mufasa, king of the Pride Lands. When Simba’s evil uncle Scar murders Mufasa in an effort to assume the “throne,” the little lion runs away – thinking he is responsible for his dad’s death. Not until some familiar faces enter Simba’s life does he return to the Pride Lands to...
Although I am guessing most individuals have seen the Disney classic, here’s a quick recap, in case you have forgotten the plot. Set in the beautiful savannas of Africa, this 1994 epic follows the life journey of a young cub named Simba, who learns about the “circle of life” from his father, Mufasa, king of the Pride Lands. When Simba’s evil uncle Scar murders Mufasa in an effort to assume the “throne,” the little lion runs away – thinking he is responsible for his dad’s death. Not until some familiar faces enter Simba’s life does he return to the Pride Lands to...
- 9/19/2011
- by Brett Nachman
- FusedFilm
Remember that incredibly groundbreaking, culturally defining post I wrote earlier this week about moviegoers not liking crocodiles? Well, that same mentality doesn’t apply to lions — especially not cute, animated Disney lions. Those are box-office gold.
The Lion King 3D trounced all expectations and debuted to a stunning $8.8 million on Friday. If the re-released picture performs similarly to Disney’s 2009 Toy Story/Toy Story 2 3-D re-release (which started with $3.3 million on Friday but earned $12.5 million over the full Friday-to-Sunday period), it will easily break the $30 million plateau by the frame’s end, becoming just the fifth September release in box-office history to do so.
The Lion King 3D trounced all expectations and debuted to a stunning $8.8 million on Friday. If the re-released picture performs similarly to Disney’s 2009 Toy Story/Toy Story 2 3-D re-release (which started with $3.3 million on Friday but earned $12.5 million over the full Friday-to-Sunday period), it will easily break the $30 million plateau by the frame’s end, becoming just the fifth September release in box-office history to do so.
- 9/17/2011
- by Grady Smith
- EW - Inside Movies
Moira Kelly has a warm, distinctive voice that "The Lion King" fans will instantly recognize as the voice of adult Nala. Kelly returned to voice Nala in two straight-to-video sequels and is excited to experience "The Lion King" in 3D with her own children in theaters before the highest-grossing hand-drawn animated film in history makes its Blu-ray debut.
Over the years, Kelly has made an impression in various TV and movie roles, such as figure skater Kate Moseley in the fan-favorite romantic comedy "The Cutting Edge." We sat down with Simba's main lioness and had a candid, "hakuna matata" chat with her about her own lion-like qualities, "The Lion King"'s enduring impact on her family, her prowess on ice skates and why David Lynch showed her dead things in his refrigerator.
After three films, what special connection do you have with Nala?
For me, it's just being able to...
Over the years, Kelly has made an impression in various TV and movie roles, such as figure skater Kate Moseley in the fan-favorite romantic comedy "The Cutting Edge." We sat down with Simba's main lioness and had a candid, "hakuna matata" chat with her about her own lion-like qualities, "The Lion King"'s enduring impact on her family, her prowess on ice skates and why David Lynch showed her dead things in his refrigerator.
After three films, what special connection do you have with Nala?
For me, it's just being able to...
- 9/13/2011
- by Robert DeSalvo
- NextMovie
Certainly the 2011 D23 Expo was monumential in scale and fun, but with the positives, a bunch of pitfalls existed too. While I do not see any need to rant about what did not work – how productive would that be? – I want to highlight what deserves some “improvement” in order for the next Expo to be even more of a success. Take this as positive feedback. Here are my suggestions:
- Showcase the big names (for more than a couple of minutes)
The stars of The Avengers concluded the heavy-loaded Studios presentation, but were on the stage for a mere couple of minutes. Basically, each star was announced, came on stage, and watched a “trailer” of the film on the big screen overhead. I believe the only two who spoke were Tom Hiddleston and Robert Downey, Jr., with the latter celebrity speaking for maybe a minute, if that. I understand that prior to the presentation,...
- Showcase the big names (for more than a couple of minutes)
The stars of The Avengers concluded the heavy-loaded Studios presentation, but were on the stage for a mere couple of minutes. Basically, each star was announced, came on stage, and watched a “trailer” of the film on the big screen overhead. I believe the only two who spoke were Tom Hiddleston and Robert Downey, Jr., with the latter celebrity speaking for maybe a minute, if that. I understand that prior to the presentation,...
- 9/5/2011
- by Brett Nachman
- FusedFilm
Can you guess whose birthdays are today based on the following clues? He was an important character in the Harry Potter world but did not live past TOotP. Although he has many interesting credits to his name, he is best known for portraying Lieutenant Groves in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. She plays the role of Blair Cramer in One Life to Live - in over 300 episodes! He's done everything in his power to control the life of his ex-wife, Britney Spears! One of his very first movies was WarGames, a cult classic now. He's famous for many reasons, but perhaps you'll remember him best as Inspector Gadget? We're not quite sure what originally made her famous, but she's a household name, sort of like Madonna, but we call her Rosie. First up, Sirius Black of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Gary Oldman, 51, has quite a long and distinguished career.
- 3/21/2009
- by rsw@corp.popstar.com (Robert Samuel White)
- PopStar
Can you guess whose birthdays are today based on the following clues? He was an important character in the Harry Potter world but did not live past TOotP. Although he has many interesting credits to his name, he is best known for portraying Lieutenant Groves in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. She plays the role of Blair Cramer in One Life to Live - in over 300 episodes! He's done everything in his power to control the life of his ex-wife, Britney Spears! One of his very first movies was WarGames, a cult classic now. He's famous for many reasons, but perhaps you'll remember him best as Inspector Gadget? We're not quite sure what originally made her famous, but she's a household name, sort of like Madonna, but we call her Rosie. First up, Sirius Black of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Gary Oldman, 51, has quite a long and distinguished career.
- 3/21/2009
- by rsw@corp.popstar.com (Robert Samuel White)
- PopStar
One of the biggest releases this week comes in the form of Disney's "Tinker Bell" on Blu-ray as well as the standard widescreen version. Naturally, the Blu-ray would be the one to go for in terms of visual quality. Bradley Raymond, helmer of "The Lion King 1½" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame II," directs from the writing by Jeffrey M. Howard based on the much-belobed characters created by J.M. Barrie. Enter the magical world of fairies and meet the enchanting creatures of Pixie Hollow, who "nurture nature" and bring about the change of the seasons. Changing the colors of the leaves, moving a sunbeam to melt snow, waking animals from their winter slumber, or giving a patch of sproutlings a sprinkle of water are all within the realm of these...
- 10/30/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Disney Toon Studios, behind such straight-to-DVD hits as The Lion King 1 1/2, Bambi II and Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure, will cease making sequels in order to focus on original stories.
Friday's decision coincided with the announcement that DisneyToon now will operate as a separate unit of Walt Disney Animation Studios under the supervision of Pixar impresarios Ed Catmull and John Lasseter.
Sharon Morrill, who helped found DisneyToon 13 years ago and has been its president since 2004, now will be charged with "special projects" at Walt Disney Studios, including animation and live-action, a spokeswoman said.
Pixar executives have made no secret of their disdain for most Disney-animated sequels; four years ago -- long before Disney's purchase of Pixar -- Steve Jobs called them "pretty embarrassing."
Pixar and Disney, though, will continue to work on Toy Story 3 for theatrical release in 2009. And DisneyToon will finish The Little Mermaid III for a straight-to-DVD release, making that the final sequel planned from DisneyToon, a spokeswoman said.
The first "original" nonsequel movie to come from the restructured DisneyToon is Tinker Bell. Although the character appeared in the 1953 Disney film Peter Pan, executives don't consider it a sequel or prequel to that film because it's about Tinker Bell in the fairy world independent of Peter Pan.
Friday's decision coincided with the announcement that DisneyToon now will operate as a separate unit of Walt Disney Animation Studios under the supervision of Pixar impresarios Ed Catmull and John Lasseter.
Sharon Morrill, who helped found DisneyToon 13 years ago and has been its president since 2004, now will be charged with "special projects" at Walt Disney Studios, including animation and live-action, a spokeswoman said.
Pixar executives have made no secret of their disdain for most Disney-animated sequels; four years ago -- long before Disney's purchase of Pixar -- Steve Jobs called them "pretty embarrassing."
Pixar and Disney, though, will continue to work on Toy Story 3 for theatrical release in 2009. And DisneyToon will finish The Little Mermaid III for a straight-to-DVD release, making that the final sequel planned from DisneyToon, a spokeswoman said.
The first "original" nonsequel movie to come from the restructured DisneyToon is Tinker Bell. Although the character appeared in the 1953 Disney film Peter Pan, executives don't consider it a sequel or prequel to that film because it's about Tinker Bell in the fairy world independent of Peter Pan.
- 6/25/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Veteran director Wolfgang Petersen will make a rare foray into comedy as one of the producers of Schooled, which Colin Goldman has written from a story by himself and Jeff Ahlholm. David Friendly and Marc Turtletaub's Deep River Prods. has optioned the comedy, which Friendly and Turtletaub will produce. Petersen will join them as producer through his Radiant Prods. Deep River executive Michael McGahey will oversee for his company. In the vein of School of Rock, Schooled centers on a lifelong underachiever who is forced into the role of truant officer at a troubled junior high school and rises to the challenge of saving both school and students. Goldman has previously worked on projects for Disney Animation that include The Lion King 1 1/2. Goldman and Ahlholm were repped in the deal by Darby Parker and JC Spink of Benderspink. Petersen is repped by CAA. Wendy Heller of Ziffren, Brittenham, Fischer, Gilbert-Lurie & Stiffleman negotiated on behalf of Deep River.
- 10/8/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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