Disney Entertainment
D23 Announces Summer 2009 Events Calendar
Disney’s D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans today announced its Summer 2009 Special Events Calendar. From very special screenings and stepping behind-the-scenes with Mary Poppins to visiting the legendary Walt Disney Studios and Archives to being among the first to experience the new Walt Disney Family Museum, D23’s inaugural slate of Members-only events promises outstanding, unforgettable opportunities that are exclusive to the fan community’s Charter Membership.
Disneynature’s “Earth” Opens; Studio Vowes To Plant Over 500,000 Trees
In honor of Disneynature’s first film, “EARTH,” the studio has pledged to plant a tree for every ticket sold for the film’s opening week. Numbers are on the rise. In fact, 500,000 people have already purchased advance tickets to the film, which opens today (April 22) on Earth Day.
Disneynature’s Earth “Heritage” Video Featurette
I have always loved watching films about nature, a passion that dates back to the classroom as a small child watching National Geographic films in place of regular school work. That is why I am especially excited for Disneynature’s “Earth” which is to be released in theaters on Earth Day. Disneynature has released a new featurette entitled “Heritage” that provides a glimpse into what moviegoers might expect once the film is released to theaters in April.
Disney To Feature First Black Princess In New Film
For the first time in its history, Disney is creating a film with an African-American princess. Princess Tiana’s story will come to the big screen later this year in the animated musical “The Princess and The Frog.” She is the first princess introduced by Disney since Mulan in 1998. A doll representing the new princess will make its debut Monday at the American International Toy Fair in New York.
Disney XD Aims To Attract Young Male Audience
As Disney seeks to transform their Toon Disney channel to Disney XD, they have cast a teenage action hero who will lead the way in the channel’s new focus: young, male viewers. “Aaron Stone” is the first original series in which title character is an avatar created by 16-year-old Charlie Landers, played by Kelly Blatz, for the online game “Hero Rising.”
Fox Picks Up “Chronicles of Narnia” Movie Series
Although not really “Disney” news any longer, I thought I post the announcement here that Twentieth Century Fox has agreed to co-finance the third movie in the “Chronicles of Narnia” series. Just before Christmas, Disney had decided to no longer partner with Walden Media in the making of the next film in the series – “Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” as well as any future films.
Disney/ABC Gains Rights To Broadcast Obama Inaugural Events
Both ABC and the Disney Channel have landed exclusive rights to televise two of President-elect Barack Obama’s inaugural events, including the Obama’s first appearance at one of an array of inaugural balls on the nights of January 19th and 20th.
‘Voyage of the Dawn Treader’ Will Have To Sail Without Disney
Disney has pulled out of the third installment in the Chronicles of Narnia series “Voyage of the Dawn Treader.” No further details were provided with the exception that Disney had decided for budgetary and logistic reasons not to renew their option to co-produce and co-finance the movie with Walden Media.
Walt Disney Christmas Parade Celebrates 25 Years
Disney Parks will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade this December 25 which will air on ABC-TV. Hollywood’s biggest names and Disney’s most beloved characters will bring the holiday magic home in song and style as they light up the holiday from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.
Kaptain Knievel Gets Animated Disney Style
Daredevil “Kaptain” Robbie Knievel is partnering with Disney XD in February for a 2-D animated comedy series about a 12-year-old boy who wants to become the world’s greatest daredevil. “Kid Knievel” marks the first animated show for Disney XD, a station that is a re-branding of Toon Disney and targeted at boys ages 6-14 and their families.
BOLT – Walt Disney’s Latest Animated Film Opening Soon
Excitement is beginning to build for the premiere of Walt Disney’s latest animated film BOLT – an animated comedy adventure that features a super-dog named BOLT (voice of John Travolta), whose days are filled with danger and intrigue—at least until the cameras stop rolling.