Alan Menken — The Mouse & The Desklamp

Word on Collider Movie Talk from D23 on Sunday is Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton creator & Moana song co-writer, will be joining the great, Alan Menken composing the score for the live-action Little Mermaid. Now the craziest part about this news to me is this movie doesn't have a director, cast, or a release date as of now. Yet we know who's doing the music. I don't think I've ever heard of something like this. I've never heard of a movie announcing it's composer before it's director or cast, but this is a musical. So, I guess it's the perfect move considering that's the most important part. Disney's just locking this guy down though. With Moana, Mary Poppins, & now this. it really is like they're using the "put him on every track, "Drake Approach". After Moana though, could you blame them? Every song in that movie was not only on point, they had purpose & feeling. Passionately moving along the story at the same time. Teaming him with Alan Menkin though? Bravo! I can't wait to hear what this team gives us. What do y'all think about this awesome super power team-up? Let us know in the comments, like, & share.

Do you know who Alan Menken is? If you don't, he's the reason for all the music that was stuck in your head when you left Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted, or Tangled just to name his Disney contributions. He has written and will be performing a one-man show called A Whole New World of Alan Menken for D23 this year on Sunday, July 16th. There will be two performances in Hall D23 at the Anaheim Convention Center at 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.. This guy's amazing he's won eight Oscars with 19 nominations, more Academy Awards than any other living individual. Then on top of that, 11 Grammy Awards, 7 Golden Globes, and a friggin Tony Award. He's also been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. To be directed by Richard Kraft, all I'm hoping right now isif I can't make it to D23, they're at least going to stream it like they streamed Star Wars Celebration. This man's definitely has a track record where I can vouch for this definitely being an unforgettable experience and I don't want to miss it.

Jun 18, 2019

Michelle Rejwan Now Senior VP Live Action Development And Production For Lucasfilm

Hollywood Reporter reports Michelle Rejwan is now the Senior VP of Live Action Development & Production. She will oversee new feature films as well Disney+ series while still producing with president Kathleen Kennedy. That seems like a hefty responsibility to drop on someone who's previous credits at Lucasfilm are producing The Force Awakens & The Rise of Skywalker. Kennedy really sees something in her though, having “seen first-hand her skills collaborating with writers and directors, and I've been incredibly impressed with her creative skills and her ability to manage the complexity surrounding these massive projects.” Can she be the Feige of Star Wars? Time will tell. After the hate Kennedy got from the last installment, which I loved by the way, one could think this is just to give her a scapegoat if things don't go as well over the next few projects. Curious to see how much influence this winds up having as a whole. What do y'all think? Trust in Kennedy? Or do you think maybe a more vetted choice would have been better? Put it in the comments, like, & share.

May 21, 2019

Disney Reveals Name of Tokyo DisneySea's 8th Port

After breaking ground in what is to become Tokyo DisneySea's 8th port, we now have its official name. Fantasy Springs will be the title, but that's not all Dismey released on the subject. They also released some beautiful day & night concept art depicting the look of the new lands. Oriental land is investing 250 Billion Yen on this project that will feature lands themed to Frozen, Tangled, & Peter Pan. Frozen's land of post film Arendelle will feature an attraction that tells the story of Elsa and her beloved sister, Anna. Sounding like the familiar Epcot ride, suests will board boats and experience the sisters’ heartfelt journey, enjoying songs from the film, and encountering surprising thrills. There will also be a restaurant set inside the beautiful Arendelle Castle. Tangled's land will naturally feature Rapunzel’s tower rising above the forest. It will also include an boat attraction where guests will board gondolas for a romantic boat tour of Rapunzel’s “Best Day Ever” as she journeys with Flynn to the lantern festival. Flickering lanterns illuminate the attraction’s climactic scene while Rapunzel and Flynn sing an iconic song from the film. The pand will also feature a restaurant, inspired by the hideout of the band of thugs who appeared in the film in the "I've Got A Dream" sequence. Neverland will also be home to two attractions and a restaurant. Featuring landmarks including verdant mountains, Captain Hook’s pirate ship and Skull Rock. One attraction will fly over the jungles of Neverland into a battle with Captain Hook and his crew of pirates to rescue Wendy’s younger brother, John, who has been kidnapped by Captain Hook and his pirates. You'll board boats and follow the Lost Boys down a river until Tinker Bell sprinkles the boats with pixie dust, & you take off flying through Neverland on an adventure that featuring iconic music and dynamic 3D imagery of the characters from the film. The second attraction immerses us in the oversized world of Pixie Hollow, while the restaurant is inspired by the Lost Boys and their hideout. There will also be a new Disney Hllyel in the park. Themed to Disney fantasy, it will rise above and around the magical springs that serve as the core of the new themed port’s story. Offering 475 deluxe-type and luxury-type guest rooms, this park facing hotel will also feature a merchandise shop that helps share the story of the magical springs. One day I'll make it out here to see all the amazingly beautiful things TokyoSea has to offer. Luckily, I have one more reason to postpone that adventure until this amazing new addition is done.