Hayao Miyazaki is considered one of the best animators of all time, and his work with Studio Ghibli includes some of the most beloved and acclaimed animated films in the history of the medium. The animator has helped change anime and animation so much that he refuses to permanently retire, choosing instead to deliver masterpiece after masterpiece and exploring different genres and tones, all while remaining true to his trademark themes and characters — determined heroines, magical realism, and anti-war messages. Miyazaki seems determined to continue working even if it means threatening the future of his studio after he's gone because he's yet to pick a successor.
While many people are familiar with Miyazaki's output with Studio Ghibli, not many know about his work prior to co-founding the studio with Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki. And yet, it is in that pre-Ghibli era that we find hints of the maestro that Miyazaki would become,...
While many people are familiar with Miyazaki's output with Studio Ghibli, not many know about his work prior to co-founding the studio with Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki. And yet, it is in that pre-Ghibli era that we find hints of the maestro that Miyazaki would become,...
- 5/31/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
The long-running Escape to Witch Mountain saga from Disney is coming back to life with a Disney+ pilot titled “Witch Mountain,” Variety has reported this afternoon.
Bryce Dallas Howard (“Jurassic World” franchise, “Rocketman”) will lead the cast of the pilot, with Isabel Gravitt (“The Watcher”), Levi Miller (“Streamline”), Bianca “b” Norwood (“WeCrashed”) and Jackson Kelly (“Straight Man”) also set as series regulars.
The “modern take” on the franchise is set to follow “two teens that develop strange abilities and discover their sleepy suburb may not be as idyllic as it seems.”
Travis Fickett and Terry Matalas co-wrote the pilot and are executive producers. Augustine Frizzell will direct and executive produce the pilot.
John Fox and John Davis of Davis Entertainment are executive producing along with Gary Marsh. The Disney Branded Television series is produced by ABC Signature.
Based on the 1968 book written by Alexander Key, the first Escape to Witch...
Bryce Dallas Howard (“Jurassic World” franchise, “Rocketman”) will lead the cast of the pilot, with Isabel Gravitt (“The Watcher”), Levi Miller (“Streamline”), Bianca “b” Norwood (“WeCrashed”) and Jackson Kelly (“Straight Man”) also set as series regulars.
The “modern take” on the franchise is set to follow “two teens that develop strange abilities and discover their sleepy suburb may not be as idyllic as it seems.”
Travis Fickett and Terry Matalas co-wrote the pilot and are executive producers. Augustine Frizzell will direct and executive produce the pilot.
John Fox and John Davis of Davis Entertainment are executive producing along with Gary Marsh. The Disney Branded Television series is produced by ABC Signature.
Based on the 1968 book written by Alexander Key, the first Escape to Witch...
- 12/12/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Disney+ has given a formal pilot order to Witch Mountain, a reimagining of the popular Disney film franchise, with Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World: Dominion), Isabel Gravitt (The Watcher) and Levi Miller (Streamline) set to star. The project hails from 12 Monkeys duo Travis Fickett and Terry Matalas, Davis Entertainment (The Blacklist) and ABC Signature.
Related: 2022 Disney+ Pilots & Series Orders
(L to R): Isabel Gravitt, Levi Miller, Bianca “b” Norwood and Jackson Kelly
Also cast as series regulars in the pilot are Bianca “b” Norwood (We Crashed) and Jackson Kelly (Straight Man). Witch Mountain has Gravitt in first position. She also was a series regular on The Watcher, which originated as a limited series before being renewed for a second season by Netflix.
Witch Mountain has had a blinking pilot green light since March when Disney+ also commissioned the opening of a writers room for additional scripts.
Co-written by Fickett and Matalas,...
Related: 2022 Disney+ Pilots & Series Orders
(L to R): Isabel Gravitt, Levi Miller, Bianca “b” Norwood and Jackson Kelly
Also cast as series regulars in the pilot are Bianca “b” Norwood (We Crashed) and Jackson Kelly (Straight Man). Witch Mountain has Gravitt in first position. She also was a series regular on The Watcher, which originated as a limited series before being renewed for a second season by Netflix.
Witch Mountain has had a blinking pilot green light since March when Disney+ also commissioned the opening of a writers room for additional scripts.
Co-written by Fickett and Matalas,...
- 12/12/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Hello again Boxwishers, or should we say “Hallo und guten tag”, as we’ve all gone Inglourious Basterds crazy here at Boxwish HQ. Yes, we’re head over heels for the new Quentin Tarantino film starring Brad Pitt and we’re not the only ones as Pitt and his rag-tag bunch of Nazi-scalpers have shot to the top of the Us box office. So if you haven’t yet seen it, we heartily recommend, and if you have, maybe check out these other film fancies heading to DVD from today. There’s bromance giggles in I Love You, Man, political comedy with In The Loop and clean cut Disney fun in Race to Witch Mountain. Now who can say no to that?
If you see… Groom-to-be Peter (Paul Rudd) search for a male buddy to be his best man and stumbles upon Jason Segel’s free-wheeling slob Sydney in lads comedy I Love You,...
If you see… Groom-to-be Peter (Paul Rudd) search for a male buddy to be his best man and stumbles upon Jason Segel’s free-wheeling slob Sydney in lads comedy I Love You,...
- 8/24/2009
- Boxwish.com
Jamie Foxx’s Oscar-baiting performance as a homeless, schizophrenic musical virtuoso earned a lot of praise and some boos for The Soloist (DreamWorks), but the problem with the film is its violently confused tone, which veers from scrappy, naturalistic indie to glossy, shallow middlebrow heartwarmer. The essential emptiness of Robert Downey Jr.’s character, an underdeveloped, cipher-like reporter who makes Foxx into a local hero, further unbalances an already unbalanced story… Should action movies be fun for the whole family? The Disney remake Race To Witch Mountain (the second very loose adaptation of a classic Alexander Key children’s book ...
- 7/22/2009
- avclub.com
Race to Witch Mountain Directed by: Andy Fickman Written by: Matt Lopez and Mark Bomback (screenplay), Matt Lopez (screen story), Alexander Key (book) Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig This race runs on two tracks – one wins, one doesn’t. You really have to watch Race to Witch Mountain with both eyes. One to see the movie that was made for an audience of tweenies. The other to judge the movie against an average director’s competency scale. Somewhat schizophrenic I admit but you know Film Junk always takes the big risks for its readers. Let me say right up front that I enjoyed both movies but one more than the other. With my one eye, I saw a film that could be enjoyed by anyone from 8 -14. It portrays two ingratiating teens that are both heroes and aliens. (Perhaps someone like that lives with you). A...
- 3/20/2009
- by Curt
- FilmJunk
Weekend of March 13 - 15, 2009
"Race to Witch Mountain" defeated its competition at the North American box office this weekend with $24.4 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Directed by Andy Fickman, Walt Disney's latest family adventure stars Dwayne Johnson as a Las Vegas taxi driver helping two alien kids return to their spaceship. The film is based on the book by Alexander Key.
Last week's winner "Watchmen" dropped to No. 2, earning $17.8 million for a domestic total of $85.7 million. Based on the celebrated graphic novel by Alan Moore, the film tells the story of a group of superheroes investigating one of their colleagues' murder.
Debuting in third place this weekend with $14.1 million was "The Last House on the Left," a remake of Wes Craven's 1972 horror flick of the same title. The plot follows two parents seeking revenge against a group of sociopaths who raped their daughter.
"Race to Witch Mountain" defeated its competition at the North American box office this weekend with $24.4 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Directed by Andy Fickman, Walt Disney's latest family adventure stars Dwayne Johnson as a Las Vegas taxi driver helping two alien kids return to their spaceship. The film is based on the book by Alexander Key.
Last week's winner "Watchmen" dropped to No. 2, earning $17.8 million for a domestic total of $85.7 million. Based on the celebrated graphic novel by Alan Moore, the film tells the story of a group of superheroes investigating one of their colleagues' murder.
Debuting in third place this weekend with $14.1 million was "The Last House on the Left," a remake of Wes Craven's 1972 horror flick of the same title. The plot follows two parents seeking revenge against a group of sociopaths who raped their daughter.
- 3/17/2009
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
Seen on: March 13, 2009
The players: Director: Andy Fickman, Writers: Mark Bomback, Matt Lopez, Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Ciaran Hinds, Anna-Sophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig, Carla Gugino
Facts of interest: Based on the book "Escape to Witch Mountain" by Alexander Key.
The plot: A Las Vegas taxi driver's life abruptly changes when he picks up two alien kids who crash-landed on Earth and need to get back to their ship.
Our thoughts: Disney’s remake “Race to Witch Mountain” is a lot of things, but it certainly isn’t as dreadful as I originally thought. The film is by no means a masterpiece or even a must-see, but it’s got a bunch of qualities I admit I enjoyed experiencing.
The players: Director: Andy Fickman, Writers: Mark Bomback, Matt Lopez, Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Ciaran Hinds, Anna-Sophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig, Carla Gugino
Facts of interest: Based on the book "Escape to Witch Mountain" by Alexander Key.
The plot: A Las Vegas taxi driver's life abruptly changes when he picks up two alien kids who crash-landed on Earth and need to get back to their ship.
Our thoughts: Disney’s remake “Race to Witch Mountain” is a lot of things, but it certainly isn’t as dreadful as I originally thought. The film is by no means a masterpiece or even a must-see, but it’s got a bunch of qualities I admit I enjoyed experiencing.
- 3/14/2009
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
I always have supported the remake or the re-imaging of an old film. Even more knowing that it was a good film. It is always exciting to see how a classic film will look in contemporary times. That is why I was excited to watch “Race to Witch Mountain”, a re-imaging of the 1975’s film “Escape to Witch Mountain” which was based in the science fiction novel written by Alexander Key. “Race to Witch Mountain” reunites director Andy Fickman and Dwayne Johnson, who previous worked in Disney’s film “The Game Plan”. Going into this film the only thing that [...]...
- 3/13/2009
- by The Critic
- SmartCine.com
The 1975 Walt Disney classic .Escape to Witch Mountain. is the touchstone of my youth. The film made me want to have the super powers of the two alien children, Tia (Kim Richards) and Tony (Iake Eisenmann) for the good of humanity, of course.
Now, Walt Disney Pictures is releasing a reboot of the film bearing a more fast-paced title .Race to Witch Mountain.. The plot and the children.s names may have been changed, but the magic is still intact.
Both .Escape. and .Race. films credit the 1968 science fiction book by Alexander Key as their source of inspiration. The novel.s dark tone is highlighted by the belief that most humans are untrustworthy, greedy, and hateful. While the 2009 film version touches upon the evils of humanity, it also showcases the good of mankind.
The heart of .Race to Witch Mountain. belongs to Dwayne Johnson...
Now, Walt Disney Pictures is releasing a reboot of the film bearing a more fast-paced title .Race to Witch Mountain.. The plot and the children.s names may have been changed, but the magic is still intact.
Both .Escape. and .Race. films credit the 1968 science fiction book by Alexander Key as their source of inspiration. The novel.s dark tone is highlighted by the belief that most humans are untrustworthy, greedy, and hateful. While the 2009 film version touches upon the evils of humanity, it also showcases the good of mankind.
The heart of .Race to Witch Mountain. belongs to Dwayne Johnson...
- 3/11/2009
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Chicago – This 18-image slideshow contains the available press images for Walt Disney Pictures’ “Race to Witch Mountain,” starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Carla Gugino, Anna SophiaRobb, Alexander Ludwig, Carla Gugino, Ciaran Hinds, Tom Everett Scott, Chris Marquette, and Billy Brown. The film, directed by Andy Fickman, opens on Friday, March 13th, 2009.
Synopsis: “For years, stories have circulated about a secret place in the middle of the Nevada desert known for unexplained phenomena and strange sightings. It is called Witch Mountain, and when Las Vegas cab driver Jack Bruno (Dwayne Johnson) encounters two teens with supernatural powers in his cab, he suddenly finds himself in the middle of an adventure he can’t explain. Working together, Jack and his young passengers discover that the only chance to save the world lies in unraveling the secrets of Witch Mountain, and the race begins.
Walt Disney Pictures’ “Race to Witch Mountain” marks the...
Synopsis: “For years, stories have circulated about a secret place in the middle of the Nevada desert known for unexplained phenomena and strange sightings. It is called Witch Mountain, and when Las Vegas cab driver Jack Bruno (Dwayne Johnson) encounters two teens with supernatural powers in his cab, he suddenly finds himself in the middle of an adventure he can’t explain. Working together, Jack and his young passengers discover that the only chance to save the world lies in unraveling the secrets of Witch Mountain, and the race begins.
Walt Disney Pictures’ “Race to Witch Mountain” marks the...
- 2/27/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – This 11-image slideshow contains official press images and schedule information for the recently announced slate of films to be released by Walt Disney Pictures in 2009 including new films starring Isla Fisher, Bruce Willis, Robin Williams, John Travolta, Ryan Reynolds, Josh Duhamel, and the newest Pixar film.
These 2009 Walt Disney Pictures include “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience,” “Race to Witch Mountain,” “Hannah Montana The Movie,” “earth,” “Up,” “The Proposal,” “G-Force,” “When in Rome,” “Surrogates,” “Toy Story in Disney Digital 3-D,” “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” “Old Dogs,” and “The Princess and the Frog”. Not all films have images released, but release details and dates were announced for the entire 2009 slate.
The release dates, cast lists, and filmmaker information for these Walt Disney Pictures films can be found below in chronological order, followed by a slideshow of available images.
“Confessions of a Shopaholic”
Cast: Isla Fisher,...
These 2009 Walt Disney Pictures include “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience,” “Race to Witch Mountain,” “Hannah Montana The Movie,” “earth,” “Up,” “The Proposal,” “G-Force,” “When in Rome,” “Surrogates,” “Toy Story in Disney Digital 3-D,” “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” “Old Dogs,” and “The Princess and the Frog”. Not all films have images released, but release details and dates were announced for the entire 2009 slate.
The release dates, cast lists, and filmmaker information for these Walt Disney Pictures films can be found below in chronological order, followed by a slideshow of available images.
“Confessions of a Shopaholic”
Cast: Isla Fisher,...
- 12/22/2008
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Trevor Rabin has been hired to score Walt Disney Pictures' Race to Witch Mountain, the studio confirmed to Upcoming Film Scores today. The sci-fi adventure, which is directed by Andy Fickman (The Game Plan), stars Carla Gugino, Dwayne Johnson and AnnaSophia Robb and is based on the novel by Alexander Key. The film is a remake of the 1975 Disney film which was scored by Johnny Mandel. Race to Witch Mountain, which will be released in March next year, is Trevor Rabin's second Disney assignment within the past few weeks - he has also taken over scoring duties on the Disney/Bruckheimer action project G-Force.
- 7/28/2008
- by noreply@blogger.com (Mikael Carlsson)
- MovieScore Magazine
Fickman on way to 'Witch' redo
Andy Fickman is coming on board to direct Witch Mountain, Walt Disney Pictures' modern re-imagining of its classic 1975 adventure movie Escape to Witch Mountain. Disney-based Andrew Gunn is producing via his Gunn Films banner.
The 1975 film was based on a science fiction novel by Alexander Key and followed a pair of siblings, endowed with paranormal powers, who go on the run from a diabolical group of men who wish to exploit their abilities. The brother and sister turn out to be extraterrestrials.
The movie hatched a sequel, Return to Witch Mountain, best remembered for having Bette Davis and Christopher Lee in the cast, as well as a made-for-TV movie Beyond to Witch Mountain that was to have been a pilot for a TV series.
Matt Lopez wrote the current draft. Lopez also penned the studio's Bedtime Stories, which is due to go before cameras in January with Adam Shankman directing Adam Sandler.
Gunn Films' Ann Marie Sanderlin is exec producing. Brigham Taylor and Casey Wolfe are overseeing for Disney.
The 1975 film was based on a science fiction novel by Alexander Key and followed a pair of siblings, endowed with paranormal powers, who go on the run from a diabolical group of men who wish to exploit their abilities. The brother and sister turn out to be extraterrestrials.
The movie hatched a sequel, Return to Witch Mountain, best remembered for having Bette Davis and Christopher Lee in the cast, as well as a made-for-TV movie Beyond to Witch Mountain that was to have been a pilot for a TV series.
Matt Lopez wrote the current draft. Lopez also penned the studio's Bedtime Stories, which is due to go before cameras in January with Adam Shankman directing Adam Sandler.
Gunn Films' Ann Marie Sanderlin is exec producing. Brigham Taylor and Casey Wolfe are overseeing for Disney.
- 7/23/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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