Sleeping Beauty — The Mouse & The Desklamp

Production has begun at Pinewood Studios and locations around the U.K. on Maleficent II, the sequel to 2014’s Maleficent. I've kept no secret my thoughts on the brilliantly casted abomination that was delivered to us in the first film. Totally stripping away any villainy from what was Disney's greatest villain. Possibly one of the greatest villains of all time. So there's no need to say I'm not excited at all to see this continuation. Nonetheless I will still give it the chance to change my mind as there must be someone out there who wants this thing. Angelina Jolie returns to reprise the title role, along with Elle Fanning reprising her role as the lovely Princess Aurora. Joining the two are Michelle Pfeiffer as Queen Ingrith along Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ed Skrein, and Robert Lindsay. With Harris Dickinson joining the fray as the charming Prince Phillip. Directed by Joachim Rønning and written by Linda Woolverton, Micah Fitzerman-Blue, & Noah Harpster, the film will be produced by Joe Roth and Angelina Jolie. With the production announcement came this brief synopsis: "This new fantasy-adventure continues to explore the complex relationship between the horned fairy and the soon-to-be Queen as they form new alliances and face new adversaries in their struggle to protect the moors and the magical creatures that reside within." Look, this movie has so much going for it. Things that would normally entice me. Michelle Pfeiffer, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Disney, the perfect casting of Angelina Jolie. All these things can't make me look past how burned i'l felt by the first film. They had a chance to do something extraordinary, & give us a villain film. Instead we got the easy way out of misunderstood, & really a "good guy" villain. Does anyone even want this? Let me know in the comments, like & share.

Michelle Pfeiffer has been one of my favorite actresses from the time I was able to recognize a favorite actress. So you know it's gotta be bad if THR announcing her her addition to Maleficent 2 still doesn't even have me the slightest bit interested. I loathed the first installment of this film. The perfect casting of Angelina Jolie in the title role had me so excited. Only to be crushed as they completely bastardized the story. Turning one of history's greatest film villains into another tired anti-hero. I still think they could've had a masterpiece on their hands if they would've just stuck to their own material. Anyway what's done has been done, & a sequel is coming whether I want it or not. Pfeiffer will play a queen, joining franchise newbie Ed Skrein, & returning Elle Fanning. Nothing's known of the plot, but I'm honestly expecting this one to go the route of Through the Looking Glass . Joachim Ronning will direct, which is a plus, with Joe Roth producing & Jez Butterworth & Linda Woolverton working the screenplay. So, yeah, I could totally do without this, how bout y'all? Put it 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.