Entertainment Weekly — The Mouse & The Desklamp

In addition to an exclusive first look at Mary Poppins Returns, EW also has this detailed exclusive on Disney XD's Ducktales reboot coming in August. Now I LOVE me some Ducktales so this one is right up my alley. The new one, described as Indiana Jones mixed with Arrested Development, will stick to it's original adventure formula each week with hints of a bigger picture. This time around though Scrooge & Donald have a past treasure hunting. Through the course we'll find out why that past ended. Also new, Donald's nephews have more character this time around. With Huey (Danny Pudi) being the oldest, more responsible, brains, Dewey (Ben Schwartz) wanting to stand out from the three, & Louie (Bobby Moynihan) just hoping to be the youngest forever. Webby (Kate Miccuci) is also looking to get more screen time this time around with a stronger voice this time around. After this they get into some exclusive character bios. Donald Duck (Tony Anselmo) is an overprotective single parent, that as we mentioned earlier used to go on adventures with Scrooge McDuck (David Tennant). However, that relationship has been severed to the point that the boys don't even know their relation to the famous Scrooge McDuck. By the end of episode 1 though, Donald reluctantly moves in. I love this development, as one of my favorite characters is the angry, unlucky duck that no one can understand. Then there's Gladstone Gander, the "yin" to Donald's "yang". He has the reverse luck of Donald & becomes his & Scrooge's shared nemesis. Gyro Gearloose (Jim Rash) will return with a hipster makeover. Yet, will retain his in-house mad scientist status. We already mentioned in another article his intern Fenton (Lin-Manuel Miranda) who doubles as Gizmoduck. Scrooge will get a equal to himself in the form of Goldie O'Glit (Allison Janney). She share's a contentious relationship with Scrooge that goes back to the Gold Rush. That'll add some really interesting dynamic. Of course, there's the best jailbreakers/ worst criminals Ma Beagle (Margo Martindale) & the Beagle Boys (Eric Bauza). I love all their creative "Get Out Of Jail Free Cards". While we're dealing with "can't do without" characters, there's Flintheart Glomgold (Keith Ferguson) Scrooge's biggest nemesis, described as a go-go 80's billionaire that's bigger, faster, & cheaper, wanting to outdo Scrooge in every way. Their last character bio went to newcomer Mark Beaks (Josh Brenner). He's "new money" representing today's tech industry billionaires, caring more for trending & followers than accumulating wealth. So there it is in a nutshell. I'm really looking forward to this reimagined Ducktales, & from what I'm reading we've got the foundation for a really good new remake that while new will stick to the original formula. What do you think? Will you be traveling to Duckburg in August? Let us know in the comments, like, & share.

Friday's 6/9 issue of Entertainment Weekly has an exclusive first look at Mary Poppins Returns. I've collaged some of the released pics below, but I'd be pretty sure this won't be it for the issue. It's cool to get a visual of our new Poppins, new companion Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda) a lamp lighter that was a former apprentice of original's Bert (Dick Van Dyke), & the family they're out to help. You've got some concept art that looks pretty familiar of Cherry Tree Lane, as well as Jack lighting some lamps & his favorite abandoned park. There's an actual shot of some lamp-lighters looking like they're in or just finished a song & dance number. Then speaking of song we've got the cast together around the piano with Marc Shaiman. He wrote the new score with Scott Whittman. Director Rob Marshall & John Deluca are seen on the London set with Big Ben in the background. There's also a shot of the family, the kids with Jack & Poppins, & of course the beautiful cover featuring Mary Poppins ever so perfectly. They shed some details on top of these awesome behind the scenes pics too. This will take place 25 years after the first film into London's mid-1930's economic slump. When loving banker & artist Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw) loses his wife, he & his three kids are lost. Aunt Jane (Emily Mortimer) & housemaid Ellen (Julie Walters) can't even bring things back together. What do they need in their lives? Emily Blunt's Mary Poppins. She leads the family on adventures on the top of Big Ben, the bottom of the ocean, & encounters with some animated dancing penguins, as well as an upside-down cousin (Meryl Streep). If they pull this off, it is going to be amazing. According to the article the "filmmakers have dedicated themselves to being as faithful & respectful to the iconic original as possible while still crafting a fresh new family musical." I know I'm going to hold them to that. This synopsis sounds really good to me so far, & these pics look awesome. I can't wait to see a trailer for this, but it's gonna fell like forever as this one's not due till Christmas 2018. Until then, check out this issue. Most importantly though, I want to know what y'all think of all this? Let us know in the comments, like, & share.

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.