Exclusive: Primetime Emmy nominee Alan Tudyk has signed with Artists First.
The multi-hyphenate continues to be repped by Gersh Agency and UTA for voice over.
Tudyk recently reprised his Rogue One: A Star Wars Story role of K2SO in the second season of Disney+’s Andor.
The Juilliard School alum is also voicing Doctor Phosphorus in Max’s upcoming DC animated series, Creature Commandos. Tudyk also plays Hei Hei in Disney Animation’s upcoming Moana 2.
Most recently he starred as the lead title role on the Amblin/SyFy series Resident Alien from David Dobkin and Chris Sheridan, which was Syfy’s highest-rated new drama in more than eight years with the premiere pulling in nearly 10 million viewers.
Tudyk starred in the role of Mr. Darling in David Lowery’s Peter Pan for Disney opposite Jude Law, Jim Gaffigan, and Yara Shahidi.
When it comes to Disney, Tudyk’s...
The multi-hyphenate continues to be repped by Gersh Agency and UTA for voice over.
Tudyk recently reprised his Rogue One: A Star Wars Story role of K2SO in the second season of Disney+’s Andor.
The Juilliard School alum is also voicing Doctor Phosphorus in Max’s upcoming DC animated series, Creature Commandos. Tudyk also plays Hei Hei in Disney Animation’s upcoming Moana 2.
Most recently he starred as the lead title role on the Amblin/SyFy series Resident Alien from David Dobkin and Chris Sheridan, which was Syfy’s highest-rated new drama in more than eight years with the premiere pulling in nearly 10 million viewers.
Tudyk starred in the role of Mr. Darling in David Lowery’s Peter Pan for Disney opposite Jude Law, Jim Gaffigan, and Yara Shahidi.
When it comes to Disney, Tudyk’s...
- 9/25/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney Animation Studios is undergoing a huge shift. Will a change in leadership be able to restore the brand?
As many know, Disney has had a rough go at the box office for the last couple of years. 2023 was marked with several box office disappointments like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and even the once unstoppable MCU faltered. They have done better in 2024 with Inside Out 2 and Deadpool and Wolverine and hope for Moana 2 to be a big smash.
There have already been shifts for the live-action portion of the studio, and now the animation department is following suit. This past week, we saw the announcement that Jennifer Lee will be stepping down after six years as Chief Creative Officer, with Jared Bush (who co-directed Zootopia) taking over.
Lee issued a statement of her gratitude for the job.
I am so grateful to Bob and Alan...
As many know, Disney has had a rough go at the box office for the last couple of years. 2023 was marked with several box office disappointments like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and even the once unstoppable MCU faltered. They have done better in 2024 with Inside Out 2 and Deadpool and Wolverine and hope for Moana 2 to be a big smash.
There have already been shifts for the live-action portion of the studio, and now the animation department is following suit. This past week, we saw the announcement that Jennifer Lee will be stepping down after six years as Chief Creative Officer, with Jared Bush (who co-directed Zootopia) taking over.
Lee issued a statement of her gratitude for the job.
I am so grateful to Bob and Alan...
- 9/23/2024
- by Michael Weyer
- Along Main Street
Jennifer Lee verlässt ihren Posten als Kreativchefin bei Disney Animation und kehrt zum Filmemachen zurück. Beerbt wird sie von Jared Bush, Oscargewinner mit „Encanto“, der an Disney-Entertainment-Co-Chairman Alan Bergman berichten wird.
Oscargewinner Jared Bush übernimmt die Kreativführung bei Disney Animation (Credit: Imago / Picturelux)
Nachdem John Lasseter 2018 im Zuge anhaltender Vorwürfe von übergriffigem Verhalten seinen Posten als Chef von Pixar und Disney Animation hatte räumen müssen, hatte man Pete Docter zum Cco von Pixar gemacht und Jennifer Lee, die treibende kreative Kraft hinter den „Die Eiskönigin“-Filmen, zur Cco von Disney Animation, während Clark Spencer auf den Posten des Präsidenten des Studios rückte, den er auch weiter bekleiden wird. In dieser Eigenschaft verantwortete Lee Titel wie „Encanto“, „Raya und der letzte Drache“, „Wish“ und „Vaiana 2“, der in diesem Jahr in der Weihnachtssaison an den Start geht. Nun wird sie sich wieder ausschließlich dem Filmemachen widmen und sich um die beiden nächsten „Die Eiskönigin“-Filme kümmern.
Oscargewinner Jared Bush übernimmt die Kreativführung bei Disney Animation (Credit: Imago / Picturelux)
Nachdem John Lasseter 2018 im Zuge anhaltender Vorwürfe von übergriffigem Verhalten seinen Posten als Chef von Pixar und Disney Animation hatte räumen müssen, hatte man Pete Docter zum Cco von Pixar gemacht und Jennifer Lee, die treibende kreative Kraft hinter den „Die Eiskönigin“-Filmen, zur Cco von Disney Animation, während Clark Spencer auf den Posten des Präsidenten des Studios rückte, den er auch weiter bekleiden wird. In dieser Eigenschaft verantwortete Lee Titel wie „Encanto“, „Raya und der letzte Drache“, „Wish“ und „Vaiana 2“, der in diesem Jahr in der Weihnachtssaison an den Start geht. Nun wird sie sich wieder ausschließlich dem Filmemachen widmen und sich um die beiden nächsten „Die Eiskönigin“-Filme kümmern.
- 9/19/2024
- by Thomas Schultze
- Spot - Media & Film
Jennifer Lee, the co-director of the original “Frozen,” has stepped down as Disney Animation’s chief creative officer after six years and will exclusively return to filmmaking to direct the next two “Frozen” sequels. Lee will be succeeded in the role by filmmaker Jared Bush, co-writer and co-director of “Encanto” and the Oscar-winning “Zootopia,” and co-writer of “Moana,” Disney announced on Thursday.
Lee is currently writing and directing “Frozen 3,” which is set for release on November 24, 2027, and is also writing “Frozen 4” with Marc Smith (“Frozen 2” animator). He currently serves as co-writer of “Moana 2” (November 27) and writer and director of “Zootopia 2”. He’s also writing the live-action “Moana” movie.
Bush will report to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, while Oscar-winning producer Clark Spencer continues as president, Walt Disney Animation Studios.
“Jared Bush is an incredible filmmaker and a talented executive who’s been a prominent creative force...
Lee is currently writing and directing “Frozen 3,” which is set for release on November 24, 2027, and is also writing “Frozen 4” with Marc Smith (“Frozen 2” animator). He currently serves as co-writer of “Moana 2” (November 27) and writer and director of “Zootopia 2”. He’s also writing the live-action “Moana” movie.
Bush will report to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, while Oscar-winning producer Clark Spencer continues as president, Walt Disney Animation Studios.
“Jared Bush is an incredible filmmaker and a talented executive who’s been a prominent creative force...
- 9/19/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Director-writer Jared Bush is replacing Jennifer Lee as chief creative officer of the Walt Disney Animation Studios as Lee returns to filmmaking full time at the company and stewards the Frozen franchise, Disney announced Thursday. Bush will report to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman, effective immediately.
Lee, who had been in the top gig for six years, will direct and write Frozen 3. She’s also set to write and executive produce Frozen 4.
Her departure as Cco isn’t a complete surprise. During her tenure, the storied animation studio suffered major misses, including 2022’s Strange World and last year’s Wish. But she wasn’t without her wins: Encanto won an Oscar and was a major commercial success after finding its groove. And the company’s upcoming slate includes the highly anticipated sequel Moana 2, out in theaters Nov. 27.
Both Bush and Lee are responsible for billion-dollar films for the studio (Bush with Zootopia,...
Lee, who had been in the top gig for six years, will direct and write Frozen 3. She’s also set to write and executive produce Frozen 4.
Her departure as Cco isn’t a complete surprise. During her tenure, the storied animation studio suffered major misses, including 2022’s Strange World and last year’s Wish. But she wasn’t without her wins: Encanto won an Oscar and was a major commercial success after finding its groove. And the company’s upcoming slate includes the highly anticipated sequel Moana 2, out in theaters Nov. 27.
Both Bush and Lee are responsible for billion-dollar films for the studio (Bush with Zootopia,...
- 9/19/2024
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As Disney readies the sequels to its uber-grossing $1.75 billion Frozen franchise, Walt Disney Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee is segueing from her position to direct and write Frozen 3 and executive produce Frozen 4 with Marc Smith. Effective immediately, Oscar-winning Encanto filmmaker Jared Bush has been named Cco of Walt Disney Animation Studios, reporting to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman.
Lee has served as Cco for the division since 2018. Thirty-year Disney veteran and Oscar-winning producer Clark Spencer continues as President, Walt Disney Animation Studios.
“Jared Bush is an incredible filmmaker and a talented executive who’s been a prominent creative force at Disney Animation for the past decade, and I am thrilled that he’ll be taking the reins of this storied studio,” Bergman said. “I also want to thank Jennifer Lee for her passionate leadership of the studio over the past several years – she’s made an indelible...
Lee has served as Cco for the division since 2018. Thirty-year Disney veteran and Oscar-winning producer Clark Spencer continues as President, Walt Disney Animation Studios.
“Jared Bush is an incredible filmmaker and a talented executive who’s been a prominent creative force at Disney Animation for the past decade, and I am thrilled that he’ll be taking the reins of this storied studio,” Bergman said. “I also want to thank Jennifer Lee for her passionate leadership of the studio over the past several years – she’s made an indelible...
- 9/19/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney Animation chief creative officer and Oscar winner Jennifer Lee is reshifting her focus back to filmmaking, stepping out of her role as the studio’s Cco to focus fully on writing and directing “Frozen 3” and “Frozen 4.” Jared Bush, who won an Academy Award for “Encanto” and is one of the writers and executive producers for “Moana 2,” has been named the studio’s Cco.
Lee is writing and directing “Frozen 3” and writing (and exec producing) “Frozen 4” with Marc Smith — the sequels to Disney Animation’s 2013 “Snow Queen”-inspired cultural hit “Frozen,” for which she served as writer/director. The movie made $1.3 billion worldwide and earned two Oscars, for best animated feature and for earworm song “Let It Go.”
Longtime Disney creative Bush won an Oscar for 2021’s “Encanto,” for which he was a writer and director. Earlier, Bush was an executive producer of “Raya and the Last Dragon,...
Lee is writing and directing “Frozen 3” and writing (and exec producing) “Frozen 4” with Marc Smith — the sequels to Disney Animation’s 2013 “Snow Queen”-inspired cultural hit “Frozen,” for which she served as writer/director. The movie made $1.3 billion worldwide and earned two Oscars, for best animated feature and for earworm song “Let It Go.”
Longtime Disney creative Bush won an Oscar for 2021’s “Encanto,” for which he was a writer and director. Earlier, Bush was an executive producer of “Raya and the Last Dragon,...
- 9/19/2024
- by Carolyn Giardina
- Variety Film + TV
Walt Disney Animation Studios leadership is getting redrawn.
Jennifer Lee, the company’s chief creative officer and the director of “Frozen” and “Frozen II,” is stepping down and returning to filmmaking full time. Taking her place effectively immediately is Jared Bush, who is currently writing and directing “Zootopia 2” for the studio. He is reporting to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman
As Cco, Bush will oversee the creative output of the animation studio, including its films, series and associated projects. On “Zootopia 2,” TheWrap can exclusively reveal that Byron Howard is also directing the sequel alongside Bush — they both serve as full directors on the film.
Lee will be directing and writing on “Frozen 3” and writing “Frozen 4” with Marc Smith. She will also serve as executive producer on “Frozen 4.”
Clark Spencer continues as President, Walt Disney Animation Studios.
“I am so grateful to Bob and Alan for supporting my...
Jennifer Lee, the company’s chief creative officer and the director of “Frozen” and “Frozen II,” is stepping down and returning to filmmaking full time. Taking her place effectively immediately is Jared Bush, who is currently writing and directing “Zootopia 2” for the studio. He is reporting to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman
As Cco, Bush will oversee the creative output of the animation studio, including its films, series and associated projects. On “Zootopia 2,” TheWrap can exclusively reveal that Byron Howard is also directing the sequel alongside Bush — they both serve as full directors on the film.
Lee will be directing and writing on “Frozen 3” and writing “Frozen 4” with Marc Smith. She will also serve as executive producer on “Frozen 4.”
Clark Spencer continues as President, Walt Disney Animation Studios.
“I am so grateful to Bob and Alan for supporting my...
- 9/19/2024
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
On Sept. 14, the $2.3 billion Sphere in Las Vegas will see its 160,000-square-foot curved LED screen teleport the 20,000 or so guests to different “worlds,” with the mixed martial arts giant UFC set to take over the venue for what will be the Sphere’s first ever live sporting event.
According to UFC CEO Dana White, the idea sprang from the Sphere’s opening act a year ago: The U2 residency.
“I went to U2 at the Sphere, and halfway through the show, I started to realize the Sphere was the star of the show, not U2. I was blown away by the technology, and I started thinking about the possibilities of what we could do,” White recalls. “I guess I looked at this thing and said, ‘Eventually, somebody is going to come in here and pull off a sporting event. I want to do it, I want to be first.’
“If...
According to UFC CEO Dana White, the idea sprang from the Sphere’s opening act a year ago: The U2 residency.
“I went to U2 at the Sphere, and halfway through the show, I started to realize the Sphere was the star of the show, not U2. I was blown away by the technology, and I started thinking about the possibilities of what we could do,” White recalls. “I guess I looked at this thing and said, ‘Eventually, somebody is going to come in here and pull off a sporting event. I want to do it, I want to be first.’
“If...
- 9/4/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Watch the Trailer for Smile 2: "About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control."
Produced By
Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Isaac Klausner, Parker Finn, Robert Salerno
Written & Directed By
Parker Finn
Cast
Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Ray Nicholson, Dylan Gelula, Raúl Castillo and Kyle Gallner
Smile 2 Is Only In Theatres, Dolby Cinema, 4Dx And Premium Large Formats On October 18, 2024
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Curse Of Crom 2: "Writer-director Rob York is taking us back to the haunted world of Mary Eldritch and the terrifying Irish entity Crom Cruach with his gateway horror sequel Curse of Crom 2: Crom's Fury that's now funding on Kickstarter.
Produced By
Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Isaac Klausner, Parker Finn, Robert Salerno
Written & Directed By
Parker Finn
Cast
Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Ray Nicholson, Dylan Gelula, Raúl Castillo and Kyle Gallner
Smile 2 Is Only In Theatres, Dolby Cinema, 4Dx And Premium Large Formats On October 18, 2024
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Curse Of Crom 2: "Writer-director Rob York is taking us back to the haunted world of Mary Eldritch and the terrifying Irish entity Crom Cruach with his gateway horror sequel Curse of Crom 2: Crom's Fury that's now funding on Kickstarter.
- 9/3/2024
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Adele Lim & Eugene Lee Yang To Co-Chair 22nd Unforgettable Gala & Asian Pacific Entertainment Awards
Exclusive: Filmmaker Adele Lim and Nimona actor Eugene Lee Yang are co-chairing the 22nd Annual Unforgettable Gala at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday, Dec. 14.
The two-decades strong Api awards gala also known as Unfo will be produced for the first time by GoldenTV and Character Media, as part of the Golden Media family of companies.
As gala co-chairs, Lim and Yang will lead this year’s awards selection committee of actors, recording artists, filmmakers, studio executives, and community leaders. Both are previous Unfo award recipients, with Lim most recently recognized with the 2023 Director Award for Joy Ride, and in 2015, Yang received the Male Breakout Award. Lim directed, produced and has a story by with Joy Ride. She also adapted Crazy Rich Asians and wrote Raya and the Last Dragon. She also served as a Co-ep on the TV Series Lethal Weapon.
The Unforgettable Gala was founded in 2002 by Asian-centered media company Character Media,...
The two-decades strong Api awards gala also known as Unfo will be produced for the first time by GoldenTV and Character Media, as part of the Golden Media family of companies.
As gala co-chairs, Lim and Yang will lead this year’s awards selection committee of actors, recording artists, filmmakers, studio executives, and community leaders. Both are previous Unfo award recipients, with Lim most recently recognized with the 2023 Director Award for Joy Ride, and in 2015, Yang received the Male Breakout Award. Lim directed, produced and has a story by with Joy Ride. She also adapted Crazy Rich Asians and wrote Raya and the Last Dragon. She also served as a Co-ep on the TV Series Lethal Weapon.
The Unforgettable Gala was founded in 2002 by Asian-centered media company Character Media,...
- 8/23/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Walt Disney Animation Studios has teased the first footage for “Zootopia 2,” the long-awaited sequel to its 2016 billion-dollar box office darling. Ginnifer Goodwin welcomed the fans at D23, proclaiming from the stage that “the bunny is back!”
Switching gears the “Zootopia” original police bunny got sentimental, “‘Zootopia’ is my happy place,” she said, “And I am so ready for the world to see this crazy new adventure.” After promising to revisit your favorite animals from the first film, Disney also teased an arks-load of new animals. First up is Disney alum Ke Huy Quan who is playing a reptile named Gary, the snake who was described as a “creepy, slithery, highly venomous viper.” Welcome Gary! Apparently, Gary is a big part of Nick and Judy’s hot new case. Plus this will be the first reptiles we shall see in the Zootopia world.
The D23 exclusive clip showed Nick and...
Switching gears the “Zootopia” original police bunny got sentimental, “‘Zootopia’ is my happy place,” she said, “And I am so ready for the world to see this crazy new adventure.” After promising to revisit your favorite animals from the first film, Disney also teased an arks-load of new animals. First up is Disney alum Ke Huy Quan who is playing a reptile named Gary, the snake who was described as a “creepy, slithery, highly venomous viper.” Welcome Gary! Apparently, Gary is a big part of Nick and Judy’s hot new case. Plus this will be the first reptiles we shall see in the Zootopia world.
The D23 exclusive clip showed Nick and...
- 8/10/2024
- by Jack Dunn and Meredith Woerner
- Variety Film + TV
Curious how far Disney will go to expand on the popularity of a relatively new character in their arsenal? Consider the fact that this sequel was initially set to be a musical series on Disney+, but Bob Iger had so much faith in it, he decided to shift it into a theatrical sequel at the same time as they were prepping a live action remake of the first film. While the original “Moana” was helmed by Disney mainstays Ron Clements and John Musker, the sequel will be guided by first-time director David Derrick Jr., who was a storyboard artist on the first film as well as “The Lion King” (2019), “Raya and the Last Dragon,” and “Encanto.”
In addition to Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reprising their roles as Moana and Maui, respectively, new cast members include Rose Matafeo of “Starstruck” fame and David Fain of “Our Flag Means Death,” both...
In addition to Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reprising their roles as Moana and Maui, respectively, new cast members include Rose Matafeo of “Starstruck” fame and David Fain of “Our Flag Means Death,” both...
- 8/10/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Netflix dropped the teaser trailer July 30 for “Spellbound” (streaming November 22), the second animated feature from John Lasseter-led Skydance Animation (which is part of the impending Paramount-Skydance Media merger). The musical fantasy from director Vicky Jenson (“Shrek”) is a modern fairy tale that takes place in the mythical kingdom of Lumbria, where teenage princess Ellian (Rachel Zegler from “West Side Story”) must break the spell that transformed her parents (Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem) into monsters.
Boasting bright, eye-catching animation from Skydance Animation Madrid, the look of Lumbria (production designed by Brett Nystul) was influenced by the iconic architecture of ancient Spain, which was known for its domed rooftops and Moorish arches.
The rest of the voice cast includes John Lithgow (Minister Bolinar), Jenifer Lewis (Minister Nazara Prone), Nathan Lane (Sun Oracle), André De Shields (Moon Oracle), Jordan Fisher, and Tituss Burgess.
“Spellbound” is produced by Lasseter, Skydance CEO David Ellison,...
Boasting bright, eye-catching animation from Skydance Animation Madrid, the look of Lumbria (production designed by Brett Nystul) was influenced by the iconic architecture of ancient Spain, which was known for its domed rooftops and Moorish arches.
The rest of the voice cast includes John Lithgow (Minister Bolinar), Jenifer Lewis (Minister Nazara Prone), Nathan Lane (Sun Oracle), André De Shields (Moon Oracle), Jordan Fisher, and Tituss Burgess.
“Spellbound” is produced by Lasseter, Skydance CEO David Ellison,...
- 7/30/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Sometimes I think the best “coming of age” stories are the ones that open old wounds. The older we get, the harder it is to remember exactly what it was like to be young and inexperienced, stepping out into the world for the very first time. But an expertly crafted tale of adolescence reminds us just how painful life was when we knew nothing about it. We thought we were making it all up as we went along, that nobody ever felt the way we felt before and that nobody ever would again. Films like Sean Wang’s “Dìdi” remind us — to our relief and, often, embarrassment — that everyone else pretty much felt the same way.
“Dìdi” is Wang’s feature film debut, after his 2023 Oscar-nominated documentary short “Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó,” about the day-to-day life of his two grandmothers. Do yourself a favor and watch “Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó,...
“Dìdi” is Wang’s feature film debut, after his 2023 Oscar-nominated documentary short “Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó,” about the day-to-day life of his two grandmothers. Do yourself a favor and watch “Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó,...
- 7/26/2024
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
Stars: Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan, Ronny Chieng, Lori Tan Chinn, Dustin Hoffman | Written by Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, Darren Lemke | Directed by Mike Mitchell, Stephanie Ma Stine
Cuddly Kung Fu master Po the Panda returns to the big screen for a fourth instalment of the animated action comedy franchise, eight years after Kung Fu Panda 3. Unfortunately, it’s fair to say that the law of diminishing returns has very much kicked in, because while the film is entirely amiable, it doesn’t quite deliver the same punch, and frequently feels like it’s going through the motions.
The film begins in the Valley of Peace, where Po (Jack Black) is content with his life as the legendary Dragon Warrior, occasionally defeating the odd villain with his sweet kung-fu skills and using his standing in the community to open a tofu-and-noodle shop.
Cuddly Kung Fu master Po the Panda returns to the big screen for a fourth instalment of the animated action comedy franchise, eight years after Kung Fu Panda 3. Unfortunately, it’s fair to say that the law of diminishing returns has very much kicked in, because while the film is entirely amiable, it doesn’t quite deliver the same punch, and frequently feels like it’s going through the motions.
The film begins in the Valley of Peace, where Po (Jack Black) is content with his life as the legendary Dragon Warrior, occasionally defeating the odd villain with his sweet kung-fu skills and using his standing in the community to open a tofu-and-noodle shop.
- 7/2/2024
- by Matthew Turner
- Nerdly
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Choosing what to watch — and where to stream it — has never been tougher. Along with Max, Hulu, and Netflix, Disney+ has become another major streaming service with a slew of exclusive new releases to stream, from Star Wars universe entries like The Acolyte and The Mandalorian to Marvel movies to Pixar releases like Turning Red.
get disney plus $7.99
But if you’re trying to choose a new plan,...
Choosing what to watch — and where to stream it — has never been tougher. Along with Max, Hulu, and Netflix, Disney+ has become another major streaming service with a slew of exclusive new releases to stream, from Star Wars universe entries like The Acolyte and The Mandalorian to Marvel movies to Pixar releases like Turning Red.
get disney plus $7.99
But if you’re trying to choose a new plan,...
- 6/18/2024
- by John Lonsdale and Oscar Hartzog
- Rollingstone.com
Another day, another former Disney creative leaves the studio to join another. This time, it is Don Hall, perhaps best known for his directorial work on films such as Big Hero 6, Moana, and Raya and the Last Dragon.
When he joined the studio his first major project was 1999’s Tarzan. He would go on to work on films such as The Emperor’s New Groove, Brother Bear, and Chicken Little.
He eventually climbed the ladder and wrote the screenplay for 2007’s Meet the Robinsons. His directorial debut finally came with 2011’s Winnie the Pooh. He would make back-to-back hits with Big Hero 6 in 2014 and Moana in 2016. His later films, such as Raya and the Last Dragon and Strange World, however, left much to be desired.
In addition to writing and directing, Hall would also be part of the creative leadership team on films such as Zootipia, Ralph Breaks the Internet,...
When he joined the studio his first major project was 1999’s Tarzan. He would go on to work on films such as The Emperor’s New Groove, Brother Bear, and Chicken Little.
He eventually climbed the ladder and wrote the screenplay for 2007’s Meet the Robinsons. His directorial debut finally came with 2011’s Winnie the Pooh. He would make back-to-back hits with Big Hero 6 in 2014 and Moana in 2016. His later films, such as Raya and the Last Dragon and Strange World, however, left much to be desired.
In addition to writing and directing, Hall would also be part of the creative leadership team on films such as Zootipia, Ralph Breaks the Internet,...
- 6/6/2024
- by Mr. Milo
- Pirates & Princesses
Skydance Animation is getting into business with Oscar-winning filmmaker Don Hall.
Hall, known for such Disney movies as Big Hero 6 and the original Moana, has closed a deal with the company. The pact will see him create, develop and produce an original animated feature for Skydance, although project details are not currently available.
The filmmaker launched his career with Walt Disney Animation Studios, where he worked on such features as Tarzan (1999), The Emperor’s New Groove (2000) and Chicken Little (2005). Later, he was credited as head of story on Meet the Robinsons (2007) and The Princess and the Frog (2009) before directing the animated musical movie Winnie the Pooh (2011).
Hall directed the 2014 Disney film Big Hero 6, in addition to serving as executive producer for its Disney+ spinoff series Baymax! He earned an Oscar alongside fellow director Chris Williams and producer Roy Conli when the title prevailed for best animated feature at the 2015 Academy Awards ceremony.
Hall, known for such Disney movies as Big Hero 6 and the original Moana, has closed a deal with the company. The pact will see him create, develop and produce an original animated feature for Skydance, although project details are not currently available.
The filmmaker launched his career with Walt Disney Animation Studios, where he worked on such features as Tarzan (1999), The Emperor’s New Groove (2000) and Chicken Little (2005). Later, he was credited as head of story on Meet the Robinsons (2007) and The Princess and the Frog (2009) before directing the animated musical movie Winnie the Pooh (2011).
Hall directed the 2014 Disney film Big Hero 6, in addition to serving as executive producer for its Disney+ spinoff series Baymax! He earned an Oscar alongside fellow director Chris Williams and producer Roy Conli when the title prevailed for best animated feature at the 2015 Academy Awards ceremony.
- 6/4/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sandra Oh's character in Grey's Anatomy, heart surgeon Cristina Yang, has a difficult personality and the ability to accept the blows of fate with dignity: she experienced the death of her father, a runaway bridegroom, unsuccessful pregnancies, and a plane crash.
Why Did Sandra Oh Leave Grey's Anatomy?
Sandra Oh began her career as a ballerina, but later decided to connect her life to the film industry. Unlike Ellen Pompeo, Sandra already had experience playing leading roles before filming Grey's Anatomy.
She starred in The Diary of Evelyn Lau and Bean, Last Night, The Red Violin and Waking the Dead. But her biggest work was of course Grey's Anatomy. Sandra was a member of the medical procedural cast for almost ten years: from 2005 to 2014.
However, in 2014, after ten seasons, the actress announced her departure from the television project. She felt that she had given her character everything she could...
Why Did Sandra Oh Leave Grey's Anatomy?
Sandra Oh began her career as a ballerina, but later decided to connect her life to the film industry. Unlike Ellen Pompeo, Sandra already had experience playing leading roles before filming Grey's Anatomy.
She starred in The Diary of Evelyn Lau and Bean, Last Night, The Red Violin and Waking the Dead. But her biggest work was of course Grey's Anatomy. Sandra was a member of the medical procedural cast for almost ten years: from 2005 to 2014.
However, in 2014, after ten seasons, the actress announced her departure from the television project. She felt that she had given her character everything she could...
- 5/16/2024
- by zoe-wallace@startefacts.com (Zoe Wallace)
- STartefacts.com
Exclusive: Kelly Marie Tran (Raya and the Last Dragon), Andie Ju (Beef) and Brandon Soo Hoo (The Tiger’s Apprentice) have entered production in Miami this week on Forge, an indie marking the feature directorial debut of Malaysian-born filmmaker Jing Ai Ng.
Tackling the myth of the model minority, the film is set in the underbelly of the Miami art world, where siblings Raymond (Soo Hoo) and Coco Zhang (Ju) run a profitable forgery ring. When the Zhang siblings cross paths with a disgraced millionaire, they are coerced into creating counterfeit masterpieces as a front for his old American family’s art collection. Meanwhile, FBI Art Crimes agent Emily Lee ( Tran) moves to South Florida and attempts to find the culprits behind a new string of forgeries.
Liz Daering-Glass and Gabrielle Cordero are producing alongside Damian Bao (Port Authority) via his Qilinverse production banner. Dave A. Liu (Dìdi) is executive producing.
Tackling the myth of the model minority, the film is set in the underbelly of the Miami art world, where siblings Raymond (Soo Hoo) and Coco Zhang (Ju) run a profitable forgery ring. When the Zhang siblings cross paths with a disgraced millionaire, they are coerced into creating counterfeit masterpieces as a front for his old American family’s art collection. Meanwhile, FBI Art Crimes agent Emily Lee ( Tran) moves to South Florida and attempts to find the culprits behind a new string of forgeries.
Liz Daering-Glass and Gabrielle Cordero are producing alongside Damian Bao (Port Authority) via his Qilinverse production banner. Dave A. Liu (Dìdi) is executive producing.
- 5/9/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Amazon MGM Studios has optioned the film rights to Elizabeth Rose Quinn’s unpublished novel Follow Me, with Adele Lim in negotiations to write and direct. Megha Parekh at Amazon Publishing has also acquired novel rights in a preempt for publication in 2025.
Sue Kroll’s Kroll & Co. are attached to produce the film via the banner’s first-look deal with the studio, along with Lim and Naia Cucukov also negotiating to produce.
Follow Me is a dark thriller described as Heathers meets The Stepford Wives at a mommy influencer retreat in Northern California. It’s a propulsive and witty novel, mixed with the scary social-commentary edge of Black Mirror.
Chelsea Bradshaw and Jessica Pugh are overseeing the project for Kroll & Co.
Deal marks the start of 100 Tigers, a new production company formed by Lim and producer Naia Cucukov. Lim’s work includes Joyride, Crazy Rich Asians, Raya and the Last Dragon,...
Sue Kroll’s Kroll & Co. are attached to produce the film via the banner’s first-look deal with the studio, along with Lim and Naia Cucukov also negotiating to produce.
Follow Me is a dark thriller described as Heathers meets The Stepford Wives at a mommy influencer retreat in Northern California. It’s a propulsive and witty novel, mixed with the scary social-commentary edge of Black Mirror.
Chelsea Bradshaw and Jessica Pugh are overseeing the project for Kroll & Co.
Deal marks the start of 100 Tigers, a new production company formed by Lim and producer Naia Cucukov. Lim’s work includes Joyride, Crazy Rich Asians, Raya and the Last Dragon,...
- 5/8/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Summertime is the best time to transport yourself into a nostalgic world, as Freeform celebrates 30 Days of Disney with legendary Disney films starting June 1. Viewers can relive their childhood with films from the full Disney catalog, including Disney-Pixar’s Inside Out, National Treasure, Avatar, Spider-Man (2002), and many more.
The programming event will also feature the world television premiere of Disney-Pixar’s animated film Lightyear. Other Freeform premieres include Disney-Pixar’s Soul and Disney Animation’s Fantasia (1940 and 2000).
Throughout each week in June, fans can reminisce with special summer marathons that will stir up fond memories and reconnect them with the films they cherish.
During the first weekend of June, you can check out your Disney “faves” with classic films like Disney Animation’s Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid (1989). During the second weekend, check out your Pixar faves with movies like Inside Out, Coco, and Cars.
Celebrate...
The programming event will also feature the world television premiere of Disney-Pixar’s animated film Lightyear. Other Freeform premieres include Disney-Pixar’s Soul and Disney Animation’s Fantasia (1940 and 2000).
Throughout each week in June, fans can reminisce with special summer marathons that will stir up fond memories and reconnect them with the films they cherish.
During the first weekend of June, you can check out your Disney “faves” with classic films like Disney Animation’s Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid (1989). During the second weekend, check out your Pixar faves with movies like Inside Out, Coco, and Cars.
Celebrate...
- 5/1/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Mexican-us filmmaker Carlos López Estrada will deliver Sundance Film Festival: London’s keynote address at the festival’s third annual industry programme, with further speakers confirmed from Studiocanal, BFI, BBC Film, Film4, Bafta and Sky.
The festival runs at London’s Picturehouse Central from June 6-9.
López Estrada’s director credits include his feature debut Blindpostting which opened Sundance in 2018, and animation Raya And The Last Dragon, which he co-directed with Don Hall.
As a producer, he is founder of Antigravity Academy, a production company specialising in creating opportunities for emerging talent. Antigravity’s first produced project, Dìdi (弟弟), written and directed by Sean Wang,...
The festival runs at London’s Picturehouse Central from June 6-9.
López Estrada’s director credits include his feature debut Blindpostting which opened Sundance in 2018, and animation Raya And The Last Dragon, which he co-directed with Don Hall.
As a producer, he is founder of Antigravity Academy, a production company specialising in creating opportunities for emerging talent. Antigravity’s first produced project, Dìdi (弟弟), written and directed by Sean Wang,...
- 5/1/2024
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Kelly Marie Tran and Miles Robbins will star in Shal Ngo’s Control Freak, a psychological thriller from WorthenBrooks for Hulu Originals. The feature film has wrapped production and will premiere in early 2025.
Control Freak follows a motivational speaker plagued by an uncontrollable itch on her head, who becomes infected with a parasitic demon from her homeland. Tran stars as “Valerie,” alongside Robbins who plays her husband, “Robbie.”
Additional cast includes Toan Le (The Sympathizer) as Valerie’s father, “Sang” and Kieu Chinh (The Joy Luck Club) as her “Aunt Thuy.”
Toan Le and Kieu Chinh
Ngo was tapped to direct Control Freak based on the short film Control. He also wrote and directed for Season 2 of Hulu’s Bite Size Halloween. WorthenBrooks developed Control Freak for Hulu Originals with David Brooks,...
Control Freak follows a motivational speaker plagued by an uncontrollable itch on her head, who becomes infected with a parasitic demon from her homeland. Tran stars as “Valerie,” alongside Robbins who plays her husband, “Robbie.”
Additional cast includes Toan Le (The Sympathizer) as Valerie’s father, “Sang” and Kieu Chinh (The Joy Luck Club) as her “Aunt Thuy.”
Toan Le and Kieu Chinh
Ngo was tapped to direct Control Freak based on the short film Control. He also wrote and directed for Season 2 of Hulu’s Bite Size Halloween. WorthenBrooks developed Control Freak for Hulu Originals with David Brooks,...
- 4/19/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
What can Disney say to cinema owners except “you’re welcome“? After all, the studio is revisiting the island of Montunui, where “Moana” takes place, a lot sooner than movie theaters were expecting.
Earlier this year, the studio announced a surprise sequel to the 2016 animated feature for release on Nov. 27. The follow-up was initially commissioned as a television series for Disney+ but it was retooled into a feature film after executives were reportedly impressed by the footage.
Disney shared the first look at the scenes that wowed those Magic Kingdom creatives during its CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas on Thursday. In the music-heavy clip, Moana returns to her home island of Montunui and is greeted with a hero’s welcome. The clip offered a taste of one new song, which appears to be about the wayfinding natives eager to be “back to who we’re meant to be.” Although the...
Earlier this year, the studio announced a surprise sequel to the 2016 animated feature for release on Nov. 27. The follow-up was initially commissioned as a television series for Disney+ but it was retooled into a feature film after executives were reportedly impressed by the footage.
Disney shared the first look at the scenes that wowed those Magic Kingdom creatives during its CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas on Thursday. In the music-heavy clip, Moana returns to her home island of Montunui and is greeted with a hero’s welcome. The clip offered a taste of one new song, which appears to be about the wayfinding natives eager to be “back to who we’re meant to be.” Although the...
- 4/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
The U.K. premieres of Rich Peppiatt’s “Kneecap” and Sean Wang’s “Dìdi” will open and close the 11th edition of Sundance Film Festival: London. Both films won awards at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah in January.
Rambunctious Irish-language film “Kneecap” is the real-life story of how an anarchic Belfast rap trio became the unlikely figureheads of a civil rights movement to save and reinvigorate their mother tongue. “Bursting with unruly energy that practically escapes the confines of the screen, ‘Kneecap’ is a riotous, drug-laced triumph in the name of freedom that bridges political substance and crowd-pleasing entertainment,” reads Variety‘s review of the film. “Kneecap” won the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award: Next in January.
“Kneecap” was produced by Mother Tongues Films and Fine Point Films. The U.K.-Ireland co-production is financed by BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, TG4 and Northern Ireland Screen,...
Rambunctious Irish-language film “Kneecap” is the real-life story of how an anarchic Belfast rap trio became the unlikely figureheads of a civil rights movement to save and reinvigorate their mother tongue. “Bursting with unruly energy that practically escapes the confines of the screen, ‘Kneecap’ is a riotous, drug-laced triumph in the name of freedom that bridges political substance and crowd-pleasing entertainment,” reads Variety‘s review of the film. “Kneecap” won the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award: Next in January.
“Kneecap” was produced by Mother Tongues Films and Fine Point Films. The U.K.-Ireland co-production is financed by BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, TG4 and Northern Ireland Screen,...
- 4/4/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Sierra Katow (The Sex Lives of College Girls) is partnering with Comedy Dynamics on the release of her debut comedy special, Funt, which will become available on platforms worldwide on April 2nd, rolling out in album form on April 5th.
Best known for her recurring role as Evangeline on the Max series The Sex Lives of College Girls, which has been renewed for a third season, Katow uses her special to ponder her dumb career choice, online haters, and why anyone still has kids.
Filmed live from the inaugural Comedy Dynamics Festival, which was held at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood from April 5 – 9, 2023, the special was directed by Matt Kubas. Brian Volk-Weiss, Cisco Henson, Anna Roberts and Katow served as executive producers.
“I am beyond excited to share my first comedy special, Funt!” said Katow. “I hope that it makes people laugh or even lightly chuckle. I am not picky.
Best known for her recurring role as Evangeline on the Max series The Sex Lives of College Girls, which has been renewed for a third season, Katow uses her special to ponder her dumb career choice, online haters, and why anyone still has kids.
Filmed live from the inaugural Comedy Dynamics Festival, which was held at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood from April 5 – 9, 2023, the special was directed by Matt Kubas. Brian Volk-Weiss, Cisco Henson, Anna Roberts and Katow served as executive producers.
“I am beyond excited to share my first comedy special, Funt!” said Katow. “I hope that it makes people laugh or even lightly chuckle. I am not picky.
- 3/28/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Stars: Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan, Ronny Chieng, Lori Tan Chinn, Dustin Hoffman | Written by Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, Darren Lemke | Directed by Mike Mitchell, Stephanie Ma Stine
Cuddly Kung Fu master Po the Panda returns to the big screen for a fourth instalment of the animated action comedy franchise, eight years after Kung Fu Panda 3. Unfortunately, it’s fair to say that the law of diminishing returns has very much kicked in, because while the film is entirely amiable, it doesn’t quite deliver the same punch, and frequently feels like it’s going through the motions.
The film begins in the Valley of Peace, where Po (Jack Black) is content with his life as the legendary Dragon Warrior, occasionally defeating the odd villain with his sweet kung-fu skills and using his standing in the community to open a tofu-and-noodle shop.
Cuddly Kung Fu master Po the Panda returns to the big screen for a fourth instalment of the animated action comedy franchise, eight years after Kung Fu Panda 3. Unfortunately, it’s fair to say that the law of diminishing returns has very much kicked in, because while the film is entirely amiable, it doesn’t quite deliver the same punch, and frequently feels like it’s going through the motions.
The film begins in the Valley of Peace, where Po (Jack Black) is content with his life as the legendary Dragon Warrior, occasionally defeating the odd villain with his sweet kung-fu skills and using his standing in the community to open a tofu-and-noodle shop.
- 3/27/2024
- by Matthew Turner
- Nerdly
“Iwájú,” Disney Animation’s sci-fi long-form series about a futuristic Lagos (currently streaming on Disney+ and coming to The Disney Channel April 22), is a far cry from such culturally diverse features as “Moana,” “Raya and the Last Dragon,” and “Encanto.” This is a Nigerian series — Disney’s first-ever outside collaboration of this kind — told from the Black team at Kugali Media, the U.K.-based Pan-African media company, voiced by Nigerian actors, and with a score from Nigerian composer Ré Olunuga.
“Iwájú” (which loosely means “the future” in Yoruba) began as a Kugali comic book anthology. Kugali co-founders Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, Hamid Ibrahim, and Tolu Olowofoyeku let it be known in an interview they had their sights set on animation and were determined to “kick Disney’s arse in Africa.” This came to the attention of Disney Animation’s chief creative officer, Jennifer Lee, who was so impressed with the...
“Iwájú” (which loosely means “the future” in Yoruba) began as a Kugali comic book anthology. Kugali co-founders Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, Hamid Ibrahim, and Tolu Olowofoyeku let it be known in an interview they had their sights set on animation and were determined to “kick Disney’s arse in Africa.” This came to the attention of Disney Animation’s chief creative officer, Jennifer Lee, who was so impressed with the...
- 3/4/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Cape (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) and Janet Yang Productions announced the completed films of the four winners of the Julia S. Gouw Short Film Challenge for Asian and Pacific Islander Women and Non-Binary Filmmakers.
The four short films will premiere February 25th at AMC Theater in Santa Monica. Additionally, the four filmmakers were recognized earlier this week during the Asian Women Empowered luncheon as part of the Asia Society’s 2024 U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit.
The four filmmaker grantees and their funded short films are:
Only In This World by Dorothy Xiao | When an empty nester loses her ability to summon her daughter back from the afterlife, she is forced to find help from the person she resents the most: her ex-husband’s mistress.
You Left Me A Ghost by Kristy Choi | A strange spirit reunites Bennie Kim with her brother in a heaven for those who have died by suicide.
The four short films will premiere February 25th at AMC Theater in Santa Monica. Additionally, the four filmmakers were recognized earlier this week during the Asian Women Empowered luncheon as part of the Asia Society’s 2024 U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit.
The four filmmaker grantees and their funded short films are:
Only In This World by Dorothy Xiao | When an empty nester loses her ability to summon her daughter back from the afterlife, she is forced to find help from the person she resents the most: her ex-husband’s mistress.
You Left Me A Ghost by Kristy Choi | A strange spirit reunites Bennie Kim with her brother in a heaven for those who have died by suicide.
- 2/23/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
The Exchange has acquired the worldwide sales rights of romantic comedy feature “Worth the Wait,” which stars Lana Condor and Andrew Koji.
The Exchange will introduce the title to buyers at the European Film Market in Berlin, which runs Feb. 15-21.
Set in Seattle and Kuala Lumpur, “Worth the Wait” is a story about the intertwining lives of Asian-American strangers over the course of a year as they find new loves, mend their relationships, and create new connections.
The film, which is in post-production, is directed by Tom Shu-Yu Lin, whose credits include “The Garden of Evening Mists” and “Winds of September.”
“A modern approach to ‘Love Actually’ with a star-studded Asian American cast, Tom made a heartwarming rom-com that is truly worth the wait,” said Nat McCormick, The Exchange’s worldwide sales and distribution president.
Other members of the cast include Ross Butler, Sung Kang, Elodie Yung, Karena Lam...
The Exchange will introduce the title to buyers at the European Film Market in Berlin, which runs Feb. 15-21.
Set in Seattle and Kuala Lumpur, “Worth the Wait” is a story about the intertwining lives of Asian-American strangers over the course of a year as they find new loves, mend their relationships, and create new connections.
The film, which is in post-production, is directed by Tom Shu-Yu Lin, whose credits include “The Garden of Evening Mists” and “Winds of September.”
“A modern approach to ‘Love Actually’ with a star-studded Asian American cast, Tom made a heartwarming rom-com that is truly worth the wait,” said Nat McCormick, The Exchange’s worldwide sales and distribution president.
Other members of the cast include Ross Butler, Sung Kang, Elodie Yung, Karena Lam...
- 2/5/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Focus Features has acquired worldwide rights to Sean Wang’s popular Sundance coming-of-age tale Didi, winner of the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award and the U.S. Dramatic special jury award for best ensemble cast.
Didi is set in California’s Bay Area in 2008 and follows a group of first-generation teens seen through the eyes of a 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy.
Izaac Wang stars alongside Joan Chen, Shirley Chen, and Chang Li Hua.
Carlos López Estrada, Josh Peters, Valerie Bush, and Wang served as producers on the Antigravity Academy and Spark Features production, with Chris Quintos Cathcart, Tyler Boehm, Robina Riccitiello,...
Didi is set in California’s Bay Area in 2008 and follows a group of first-generation teens seen through the eyes of a 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy.
Izaac Wang stars alongside Joan Chen, Shirley Chen, and Chang Li Hua.
Carlos López Estrada, Josh Peters, Valerie Bush, and Wang served as producers on the Antigravity Academy and Spark Features production, with Chris Quintos Cathcart, Tyler Boehm, Robina Riccitiello,...
- 1/31/2024
- ScreenDaily
On Twitter, we see Lil Nas X the troll. In his music, we hear Lil Nas X the musician. And in his new documentary, the “J Christ” singer hopes to give viewers a glimpse of Lil Nas X the human.
“Some people think my music is dope. Some people see me as this satanic devil. But me?” he reflects while laying down.
The trailer shows clips of his upbringing as he was grappling with deep anxiety attacks, and videos from his performances as he talks about the struggles of coming out to his family.
“Some people think my music is dope. Some people see me as this satanic devil. But me?” he reflects while laying down.
The trailer shows clips of his upbringing as he was grappling with deep anxiety attacks, and videos from his performances as he talks about the struggles of coming out to his family.
- 1/18/2024
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com
If you wish upon a star, Disney’s latest animated film, Wish, will come to Digital, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD platforms sooner than you think. A heartfelt celebration of the magic of Disney and a joyful new entry to the studio’s animated film legacy, Walt Disney Animation Studios‘ Wish becomes available to view at home through digital retailers on January 23. Participating platforms include Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, with 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD versions landing on shelves on March 12.
Here’s the official synopsis for Wish:
In this animated musical-comedy, Asha (Ariana DeBose), a sharp-witted idealist in the kingdom of Rosas, makes a powerful wish that’s answered by Star, a ball of boundless energy. Soon, Asha and Star must face a formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas—to save her community and prove that when one brave human connects with the magic of the stars,...
Here’s the official synopsis for Wish:
In this animated musical-comedy, Asha (Ariana DeBose), a sharp-witted idealist in the kingdom of Rosas, makes a powerful wish that’s answered by Star, a ball of boundless energy. Soon, Asha and Star must face a formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas—to save her community and prove that when one brave human connects with the magic of the stars,...
- 1/12/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Let’s be honest, what’s your all-time favorite dragon movie? Is it Dragonslayer? Dragonheart? Q: The Winged Serpent? Maybe it’s an animated feature like How to Train Your Dragon or Raya and the Last Dragon? No matter what your answer is, the unpopular opinion remains, Rob Bowman’s 2002 popcorn flick Reign of Fire is one of the most underrated movies featuring the mythic fire-breathing beasts. Never mind the fact that the flick boasts a lowly 39 Metascore and 42% Rotten Tomatoes score, the grim dystopian world-building, excellent visual effects, and big-d*ck swinging performances from Matthew McConaughey and Christian Bale remain a ton of fun to behold. Of course, Reign of Fire had the misfortune of running into the far more potent cinematic behemoth, Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, which largely overshadowed the movie’s mild commercial success and eventually relegated the film into obscurity at worst,...
- 1/11/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
If you missed Lil Nas X’s Long Live Montero tour in 2022 or 2023, or if you just want to relive it, you’ll get a chance to see it on HBO later this month. The concert documentary Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero — which previously premiered at last year’s Toronto Film Festival — will get a wide premiere at 8 p.m. Et on Jan. 27 on the network, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and it will also be available to stream on Max.
Filmmakers Carlos López Estrada, who received an Oscar...
Filmmakers Carlos López Estrada, who received an Oscar...
- 1/4/2024
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Lil Nas X’s concert documentary that captured his first global tour is coming to HBO.
Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero will debut on the network on Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. Et; it will also stream on Max. The film had its world premiere at last year’s Toronto Film Festival.
The documentary follows the Grammy-winning rapper, born Montero Hill, over 60 days as he performs on his Long Live Montero tour, which supported Montero, his full-length 2021 debut album. In the diary film, Lil Nas X discusses his career and his place in the pop world as a Black and queer performer.
Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero is directed by Zac Manuel and Carlos López Estrada, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker whose credits include Blindspotting, Summertime and Raya and the Last Dragon; he has also directed music videos for Billie Eilish, Katy Perry and Carly Rae Jepsen. Manuel’s cinematography and directing credits include Alone,...
Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero will debut on the network on Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. Et; it will also stream on Max. The film had its world premiere at last year’s Toronto Film Festival.
The documentary follows the Grammy-winning rapper, born Montero Hill, over 60 days as he performs on his Long Live Montero tour, which supported Montero, his full-length 2021 debut album. In the diary film, Lil Nas X discusses his career and his place in the pop world as a Black and queer performer.
Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero is directed by Zac Manuel and Carlos López Estrada, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker whose credits include Blindspotting, Summertime and Raya and the Last Dragon; he has also directed music videos for Billie Eilish, Katy Perry and Carly Rae Jepsen. Manuel’s cinematography and directing credits include Alone,...
- 1/4/2024
- by Mesfin Fekadu
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Carlos López Estrada is launching the Antigravity Academy Screenwriters Camp, a program designed to develop and package five features from first-time emerging filmmakers.
The program will be run by Abiram Brizuela, Antigravity’s head of incubator, and backed by independent film financier and Unapologetic Projects co-ceo Chris Quintos Cathcart. Brizuela is the executive director of The Unusual Suspects Theater Company and previously served as director of artist community at the Sundance Institute.
“This is a program built out of necessity. We’ve met hundreds of incredible filmmakers waiting to be seen. Filmmakers who anchor their stories on their own identity and explore the nuances of life from unprecedented perspectives,” stated Brizuela and López Estrada. “We’re proud to provide a platform where these storytellers can exchange ideas, engage in artistic practice, explore the power of their creative voice, and ultimately find a path forward for their films.
The program will be run by Abiram Brizuela, Antigravity’s head of incubator, and backed by independent film financier and Unapologetic Projects co-ceo Chris Quintos Cathcart. Brizuela is the executive director of The Unusual Suspects Theater Company and previously served as director of artist community at the Sundance Institute.
“This is a program built out of necessity. We’ve met hundreds of incredible filmmakers waiting to be seen. Filmmakers who anchor their stories on their own identity and explore the nuances of life from unprecedented perspectives,” stated Brizuela and López Estrada. “We’re proud to provide a platform where these storytellers can exchange ideas, engage in artistic practice, explore the power of their creative voice, and ultimately find a path forward for their films.
- 12/12/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Walt Disney Animation Studios released its latest original film during the Thanksgiving holiday in the form of "Wish." In the lead-up to the release, it was presumed that Disney's latest was going to top the box office ahead of "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" and Ridley Scott's "Napoleon." That's not how things panned out. Instead, the animated musical had to settle for third place, coming in far below industry expectations. No two ways about it: in the early going, this is a rough start for a massive $200 million animated film. Be that as it may, it wouldn't be fair to count the movie out just yet.
"Wish" earned $19.5 million over the weekend and an estimated $31.7 million across the full, five-day holiday frame, per The Numbers. Disney opted to release the film mid-week on Wednesday to get in on the holiday bounty and, typically, that works out well.
"Wish" earned $19.5 million over the weekend and an estimated $31.7 million across the full, five-day holiday frame, per The Numbers. Disney opted to release the film mid-week on Wednesday to get in on the holiday bounty and, typically, that works out well.
- 11/27/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
With this year being the 100 year anniversary of The Walt Disney Company and the release of their latest animated title, Wish, we wanted to know what animated Disney film has been your favorite over the years? We stuck to films specifically released by Disney, so no Pixar titles are included. What struck me while compiling the list is the progression of their films. From the innocence of their early work to what many consider their heyday in the early 90’s to the emergence of the CGI era. For many of us, Disney films defined our youth, but which is the one that has remained with you all these years? As always, if you don’t see your favorite listed, please click “Other” and let us know what it is in the comments section as well as any fond memories you have of these timeless classics.
What is your favorite Disney Animated Film?...
What is your favorite Disney Animated Film?...
- 11/26/2023
- by Brad Hamerly
- JoBlo.com
Disney opens animation ‘Wish’; indie titles include ‘The Eternal Daughter’, ‘Girl’.
Ridley Scott’s historical epic Napoleon becomes the widest release ever in the UK and Ireland for Sony, starting in 716 cinemas this weekend.
The film, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the early 19th century French leader, tops the 690-location opening of Whitney Houston biopic Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody from December 2022.
Written by David Scarpa – who previously collaborated with Scott on All The Money In The World – Napoleon tells the story of Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise to power, and his relationship with Empress Josephine, played in the film...
Ridley Scott’s historical epic Napoleon becomes the widest release ever in the UK and Ireland for Sony, starting in 716 cinemas this weekend.
The film, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the early 19th century French leader, tops the 690-location opening of Whitney Houston biopic Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody from December 2022.
Written by David Scarpa – who previously collaborated with Scott on All The Money In The World – Napoleon tells the story of Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise to power, and his relationship with Empress Josephine, played in the film...
- 11/24/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Spoilers for "Wish" follow.
The villains from Walt Disney Animation's feature films have traditionally been so striking and scary that the company has thought to separate them into their own brand. The brand tends to focus on Maleficent (Eleanor Audley) from 1959's "Sleeping Beauty," Cruella de Vil (Betty Lou Gerson) from 1961's "One Hundred and One Dalmatians," Ursula the Sea Witch (Pat Caroll) from 1989's "The Little Mermaid," the Evil Queen (Lucille La Verne) from 1937's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," Captain Hook (Hans Conreid) from 1953's "Peter Pan," Hades (James Woods) from 1997's "Hercules," and Dr. Facilier (Keith David) from 2009's "The Princess and the Frog."
Occasionally, one might find Gaston (Richard White) from 1991's "Beauty and the Beast" in the mix or Chernabog from 1940's "Fantasia." These characters are all memorable for their scary designs, their misguided lust for power or destruction, their resentment, their hatred of the world,...
The villains from Walt Disney Animation's feature films have traditionally been so striking and scary that the company has thought to separate them into their own brand. The brand tends to focus on Maleficent (Eleanor Audley) from 1959's "Sleeping Beauty," Cruella de Vil (Betty Lou Gerson) from 1961's "One Hundred and One Dalmatians," Ursula the Sea Witch (Pat Caroll) from 1989's "The Little Mermaid," the Evil Queen (Lucille La Verne) from 1937's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," Captain Hook (Hans Conreid) from 1953's "Peter Pan," Hades (James Woods) from 1997's "Hercules," and Dr. Facilier (Keith David) from 2009's "The Princess and the Frog."
Occasionally, one might find Gaston (Richard White) from 1991's "Beauty and the Beast" in the mix or Chernabog from 1940's "Fantasia." These characters are all memorable for their scary designs, their misguided lust for power or destruction, their resentment, their hatred of the world,...
- 11/22/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Wish: Julia Michaels, Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck & more on the magic, music & celebration of Disney100
To celebrate the release of Disney’s Wish, their new animated feature that helps celebrate the studio’s 100th birthday, we had the pleasure of chatting with some of the creatives who helped make it all possible.
The film is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Featuring the voices of Academy Award®-winning actor Ariana DeBose as Asha and Chris Pine as Magnifico.
Related: Our red carpet interviews with Ariana DeBose & more at the Wish UK premiere
Chatting to...
The film is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Featuring the voices of Academy Award®-winning actor Ariana DeBose as Asha and Chris Pine as Magnifico.
Related: Our red carpet interviews with Ariana DeBose & more at the Wish UK premiere
Chatting to...
- 11/22/2023
- by Scott Davis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
We present our interviews from the red carpet premiere of Disney’s Wish in London. The film features the voices of Ariana DeBose as Asha, Chris Pine as Magnifico, and Alan Tudyk as Asha’s favourite goat, Valentino, the film is helmed by Oscar®-winning director Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn (“Raya and the Last Dragon”).
The all-new musical-comedy welcomes audiences to Rosas, a fantastical land located off the Iberian Peninsula. “Our heroine, Asha, lives in Rosas, known as the kingdom of wishes,” said director Chris Buck, who helms the film with Fawn Veerasunthorn. “People come from everywhere to give their wishes to a magical king who promises to grant their deepest desires—someday. Only he can decide which wishes will come true and when.”
The film opens only in cinemas on November 24, 2023. Colin Hart, Scott Davis and Ethan Hart were on the red carpet, here are their interviews.
Wish...
The all-new musical-comedy welcomes audiences to Rosas, a fantastical land located off the Iberian Peninsula. “Our heroine, Asha, lives in Rosas, known as the kingdom of wishes,” said director Chris Buck, who helms the film with Fawn Veerasunthorn. “People come from everywhere to give their wishes to a magical king who promises to grant their deepest desires—someday. Only he can decide which wishes will come true and when.”
The film opens only in cinemas on November 24, 2023. Colin Hart, Scott Davis and Ethan Hart were on the red carpet, here are their interviews.
Wish...
- 11/20/2023
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
This article appears in the new issue of Den Of Geek magazine. Get your copy here.
When it came to creating the animated film that would be released on the 100th anniversary of Disney Studios, Disney Animation’s Chief Creative Officer and co-creator of Frozen, Jennifer Lee, was deeply aware of the massive task that she and everyone at the storied animation studio would be taking on. “I started talking with my fellow Frozen director, Chris Buck, about how Disney would be turning 100 this year,” Lee shared at a press event celebrating their newest animated feature. “We acknowledged what a privilege and responsibility it is at this significant time. And we thought what a wonderful way to celebrate a century of storytelling, to tell a joyful, original story with original characters and songs inspired by our legacy of films.” That film is Wish, the 62nd animated Disney film that follows a young woman,...
When it came to creating the animated film that would be released on the 100th anniversary of Disney Studios, Disney Animation’s Chief Creative Officer and co-creator of Frozen, Jennifer Lee, was deeply aware of the massive task that she and everyone at the storied animation studio would be taking on. “I started talking with my fellow Frozen director, Chris Buck, about how Disney would be turning 100 this year,” Lee shared at a press event celebrating their newest animated feature. “We acknowledged what a privilege and responsibility it is at this significant time. And we thought what a wonderful way to celebrate a century of storytelling, to tell a joyful, original story with original characters and songs inspired by our legacy of films.” That film is Wish, the 62nd animated Disney film that follows a young woman,...
- 11/20/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
Walt Disney Animation Studios is one of the most storied studios in the history of Hollywood. From "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" to "Frozen" and everything in between, we're talking about the studio behind some of the biggest, greatest movies ever made, and not just limited to animation. But the pandemic hit the studio pretty hard, with last year's "Strange World" serving as one of its biggest bombs in recent memory. Now, this year's Thanksgiving frame will see the studio get back in the ring with a brand new original animated film in the form of "Wish." The question is, can this movie get Disney's storied animation shingle back on track at the box office?
Things are currently looking promising for "Wish." Per box office tracking provided by Deadline, it is currently expected to bring in around $50 million across the five-day Wednesday to Sunday stretch, as it will be...
Things are currently looking promising for "Wish." Per box office tracking provided by Deadline, it is currently expected to bring in around $50 million across the five-day Wednesday to Sunday stretch, as it will be...
- 11/18/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
The all-new musical-comedy welcomes audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Featuring the voices of Academy Award®-winning actor Ariana DeBose as Asha, Chris Pine as Magnifico, and Alan Tudykas Asha’s favorite goat, Valentino, the film is helmed by Oscar®-winning director Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn (“Raya and the Last Dragon”), and produced by Peter Del Vecho and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster Jones (“Encanto”). Jennifer Lee executive produces—Lee and Allison Moore are writers on the project. With original songs by Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
A brave young woman who comes into her own via mild danger and zippy musical numbers: check. Talking animals: check. An adorable sidekick of indeterminate origin: check. A menacing evildoer who traffics mostly in scary green magic: check. A world populated almost exclusively by sweet citizens who continuously break into song: check. Dead parent: check check check! For its latest original animated outing, Disney sticks to the usual trappings with a few twists here and there, most of them appealing to moviegoing families desperate for a new film to entertain kiddos to over the holidays.
Co-directed by veteran Chris Buck (“Frozen”) and first-time director Fawn Veerasunthorn, “Wish” feels superficially familiar but contains some canny contemporary trappings that hint at a new direction for Disney. Co-written by Buck, Jennifer Lee (Disney Animation’s chief creative officer and “Frozen” maestro), and Allison Moore, “Wish” bumps up some classic elements (self-determination! caring for others!
Co-directed by veteran Chris Buck (“Frozen”) and first-time director Fawn Veerasunthorn, “Wish” feels superficially familiar but contains some canny contemporary trappings that hint at a new direction for Disney. Co-written by Buck, Jennifer Lee (Disney Animation’s chief creative officer and “Frozen” maestro), and Allison Moore, “Wish” bumps up some classic elements (self-determination! caring for others!
- 11/17/2023
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
There’s a character in Disney’s self-mythologizing movie Wish whose life dream is to inspire the next generation. He lives in Rosas, the fictional kingdom ruled by the self-taught sorcerer Magnifico (voiced by Chris Pine). For reasons that remain murky, the wizard hoards his constituents’ wishes in his castle tower. When residents of Rosas turn 18, they relinquish their greatest dream in hopes that one day their benevolent dictator will fulfill it. Magnifico, like all authoritarian leaders, insists that it’s a small price to pay for their safety and eternal peace of mind.
The whole premise is very Disney, and Wish plays out as one would expect. Magnifico meets his match in Asha (Ariana DeBose), a 17-year-old girl who dares to question the order of things. Their encounter represents the generational crossroads that Disney finds itself at during its centennial. In him, a symbol of authority and empire. In her,...
The whole premise is very Disney, and Wish plays out as one would expect. Magnifico meets his match in Asha (Ariana DeBose), a 17-year-old girl who dares to question the order of things. Their encounter represents the generational crossroads that Disney finds itself at during its centennial. In him, a symbol of authority and empire. In her,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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