Disney animator John Musker (director of The Little Mermaid) says that Disney needs a “course correction” and needs to stop putting political messaging above characters and story. Musical legend Richard Sherman passes away at age 95, Dug (from Up) gets a voice, a bootleg Bluey experience gets a cease and desist and more Disney and Universal theme park news for this week.
Pirates & Princesses (Pnp) is an independent, opinionated fan-powered news blog that covers Disney and Universal Theme Parks, Themed Entertainment and related Pop Culture from a consumer’s point of view. Opinions expressed by our contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of Pnp, its editors, affiliates, sponsors or advertisers. Pnp is an unofficial news source and has no connection to The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal or any other company that we may cover.
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Pirates & Princesses (Pnp) is an independent, opinionated fan-powered news blog that covers Disney and Universal Theme Parks, Themed Entertainment and related Pop Culture from a consumer’s point of view. Opinions expressed by our contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of Pnp, its editors, affiliates, sponsors or advertisers. Pnp is an unofficial news source and has no connection to The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal or any other company that we may cover.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices)
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- 5/29/2024
- by PNP Newsroom
- Pirates & Princesses
It’s been 8 years since the first Moana movie aired. Following in the footsteps of a long range of Disney flicks, the movie was a critical as well as commercial success. After all, everyone fell in love with the story of a girl who dared to dream, as the movie proved to be one of the best redemption arcs mankind has ever witnessed. The only ones who didn’t enjoy the cinematic masterpiece were the people with a certain (dis)inclination towards the likes of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. But even they will find it difficult to hate the latest official poster of Moana 2.
The hype for Moana 2 is already high
Moana 2 is all set to build on the good work done by the 2016 flick l Author: Walt Disney Animation Studios Credits: YouTube
Director David G. Derrick takes over from the duo of John Musker and Ron Clements...
The hype for Moana 2 is already high
Moana 2 is all set to build on the good work done by the 2016 flick l Author: Walt Disney Animation Studios Credits: YouTube
Director David G. Derrick takes over from the duo of John Musker and Ron Clements...
- 5/28/2024
- by Smriti Sneh
- FandomWire
John Musker has hit out at Disney for prioritising politics over plot in their live-action remakes.The 70-year-old animator has helmed classic movies such as 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Aladdin' for the studio and has urged film chiefs to put "compelling stories and characters" before political agendas in their current work.John told the Spanish publication El Pais: "We weren't trying to be woke, although I understand the criticism."The classic Disney films didn't start out trying to have a message. They wanted you to get involved in the characters and the story and the world, and I think that's still the heart of it."You don't have to exclude agendas, but you have to first create characters who you sympathise with and who are compelling."I think they need to do a course correction a bit in terms of putting the message secondary, behind entertainment and compelling story and engaging characters.
- 5/28/2024
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
While John Musker's name won't necessarily be instantly familiar to a lot of you, he's written and directed iconic Disney movies such as The Great Mouse Detective, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules, Treasure Planet, The Princess and the Frog, and Moana.
However, despite his lengthy working relationship with the House of Mouse, the filmmaker has now lashed out at the studio's recent offerings. Like many fans, Musker believes Disney needs to dial back the political messaging in its movies, something even Disney CEO Bob Iger has strongly hinted will take a backseat moving forward.
"I think they need to do a course correction a bit in terms of putting the message secondary, behind entertainment and compelling story and engaging characters," he told Spanish outlet El País (via Toonado.com). "The classic Disney films didn’t start out trying to have a message."
"They wanted you to get involved in...
However, despite his lengthy working relationship with the House of Mouse, the filmmaker has now lashed out at the studio's recent offerings. Like many fans, Musker believes Disney needs to dial back the political messaging in its movies, something even Disney CEO Bob Iger has strongly hinted will take a backseat moving forward.
"I think they need to do a course correction a bit in terms of putting the message secondary, behind entertainment and compelling story and engaging characters," he told Spanish outlet El País (via Toonado.com). "The classic Disney films didn’t start out trying to have a message."
"They wanted you to get involved in...
- 5/27/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Disney is one of the leading studios in Hollywood, having built its success upon a series of blockbuster animated films back in the day. However, in recent years the studio’s money-spinning and cultural juggernaut IPs have received flack from critics and audiences alike, particularly when it comes to the live-action re-imaginings of its biggest animated hits.
Disney’s Aladdin co-director John Musker talked about the studio’s recent struggles.
John Musker, the animator and director, who has been involved in some of Disney’s biggest animated blockbusters including Aladdin, Moana, and The Little Mermaid. During a recent interview, Musker spoke about Disney’s recent struggles when it comes to connecting with audiences. Musker provided a simple and elegant solution to the problem, one that fans themselves have suggested in the past, and here is what he had to say.
Aladdin Filmmaker John Musker Reveals His Plan to Save Disney...
Disney’s Aladdin co-director John Musker talked about the studio’s recent struggles.
John Musker, the animator and director, who has been involved in some of Disney’s biggest animated blockbusters including Aladdin, Moana, and The Little Mermaid. During a recent interview, Musker spoke about Disney’s recent struggles when it comes to connecting with audiences. Musker provided a simple and elegant solution to the problem, one that fans themselves have suggested in the past, and here is what he had to say.
Aladdin Filmmaker John Musker Reveals His Plan to Save Disney...
- 5/27/2024
- by Pratik Handore
- FandomWire
Animayo Gran Canaria’s top two winners this year, one from Iran, another Central American, touch on the same theme that is encapsulated in what a character says in Guatemalan Pablo León’s 2D animated short, “Remember Us,” winner of the festival’s best short film of Spanish-Speaking Nationality – Animation with Ñ.
“You fight your wars twice, first in the battlefield, then in your memory,” says the journalist in “Remember Us” who chronicles three stories of the civil war that tore El Salvador apart for 12 years.
“In the Shadow of the Cypress,” winner of Animayo’s Best International Short Film prize, centers on a war veteran struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (Ptsd) who takes out his pent-up rage on his daughter until something unexpected washes up on the beach before their house.
With Animayo being the first and only animation festival in Spain designated a qualifying festival by the Academy...
“You fight your wars twice, first in the battlefield, then in your memory,” says the journalist in “Remember Us” who chronicles three stories of the civil war that tore El Salvador apart for 12 years.
“In the Shadow of the Cypress,” winner of Animayo’s Best International Short Film prize, centers on a war veteran struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (Ptsd) who takes out his pent-up rage on his daughter until something unexpected washes up on the beach before their house.
With Animayo being the first and only animation festival in Spain designated a qualifying festival by the Academy...
- 5/27/2024
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Recent Disney Films Criticized for Prioritizing Messages John Musker, a legendary Disney filmmaker known for classics like The Little Mermaid and Moana, has voiced his concerns about the current state of Disney Animation. In a recent interview with Spanish outlet El País, he stated that Disney needs to perform a course correction to refocus on entertainment and compelling story, rather than prioritizing political messages.I think they need to do a course correction a bit in terms of putting the message secondary, behind entertainment and compelling story and engaging characters. Shift in Storytelling Focus Musker’s critique comes in light of recent...
- 5/26/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
Animated filmmaker John Musker — who directed such Disney films as “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “Hercules” — called out the Walt Disney Company for prioritizing political messaging over story in its recent films.
“I think they need to do a course correction a bit in terms of putting the message secondary, behind entertainment and compelling story and engaging characters,” Musker told Spanish outlet El País at this year’s Animayo International Summit in Gran Canaria, Spain.
“The classic Disney films didn’t start out trying to have a message. They wanted you to get involved in the characters and the story and the world, and I think that’s still the heart of it,” Musker added. “You don’t have to exclude agendas, but you have to first create characters who you sympathize with and who are compelling.”
Musker has collaborated with fellow director Ron Clements on several Disney animated features,...
“I think they need to do a course correction a bit in terms of putting the message secondary, behind entertainment and compelling story and engaging characters,” Musker told Spanish outlet El País at this year’s Animayo International Summit in Gran Canaria, Spain.
“The classic Disney films didn’t start out trying to have a message. They wanted you to get involved in the characters and the story and the world, and I think that’s still the heart of it,” Musker added. “You don’t have to exclude agendas, but you have to first create characters who you sympathize with and who are compelling.”
Musker has collaborated with fellow director Ron Clements on several Disney animated features,...
- 5/26/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. To keep up with our latest features, sign up for the Weekly Edit newsletter and follow us @mubinotebook on Twitter and Instagram.NEWSThe Little Mermaid.A generative AI start-up has been accused of stealing the voices of actors for its subscription service.IATSE expects to schedule additional days of bargaining with AMPTP in June, but has vowed not to extend its contract past July 31.With Incaa defunded by Argentine president Javier Milei, Ventana Sur is in talks to relocate from Buenos Aires to Uruguay for its sixteenth edition.As the Italian film industry continues to wait on a divided government to make production tax credits available, anticipating modest cuts, a new law in the Czech Parliament would more than double the existing cap on their incentives. Meanwhile, industry insiders in Poland urge a newly elected government to increase their rebate...
- 5/22/2024
- MUBI
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
Two months after Disney CEO Bob Iger’s surprise announcement that Moana 2 was in the works at the studio and scheduled to hit theaters Nov. 27, the animated sequel took center stage at CinemaCon.
Disney debuted an exclusive sneak peek of footage of the David Derrick Jr.-directed film in front of theater owners with the help of its superstar voice talent, Dwayne Johnson. He arrived to the stage after a mini-performance from Polynesian dancers. Johnson is back for the new installment alongside actors from the original, including Auli’i Cravalho and others.
“As we say on the island, aloha,” Johnson said, dressed for the occasion in trousers and a white tank top. “Playing the character of Maui is one of the most life-changing life experiences for me and life changing roles.”
He added that the character is more meaningful to him than just a gig. “It’s my culture, you...
Disney debuted an exclusive sneak peek of footage of the David Derrick Jr.-directed film in front of theater owners with the help of its superstar voice talent, Dwayne Johnson. He arrived to the stage after a mini-performance from Polynesian dancers. Johnson is back for the new installment alongside actors from the original, including Auli’i Cravalho and others.
“As we say on the island, aloha,” Johnson said, dressed for the occasion in trousers and a white tank top. “Playing the character of Maui is one of the most life-changing life experiences for me and life changing roles.”
He added that the character is more meaningful to him than just a gig. “It’s my culture, you...
- 4/11/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Top 10 animated movies of all time ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
Let’s take a trip down memory lane as we explore a curated selection of the greatest animated films ever crafted. If your favorite isn’t included, don’t worry; there may be a follow-up if this piece strikes a chord with readers. Animated movies, particularly those tailored for young audiences, have traditionally been led by Disney and its offshoot Pixar. Despite their continuous reinvention of beloved tales, both studios have gifted us a wealth of timeless animated treasures. So, without delay, let’s begin our cinematic voyage through the enchanting world of animation.
10. Cars (2006)
Director: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft (co-director) Cast: Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75% IMDb Score: 7./10 Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes Available on: Disney Plus (US & India)
On his journey to the most important race of his career, Lightning McQueen gets separated from his hauler truck,...
Let’s take a trip down memory lane as we explore a curated selection of the greatest animated films ever crafted. If your favorite isn’t included, don’t worry; there may be a follow-up if this piece strikes a chord with readers. Animated movies, particularly those tailored for young audiences, have traditionally been led by Disney and its offshoot Pixar. Despite their continuous reinvention of beloved tales, both studios have gifted us a wealth of timeless animated treasures. So, without delay, let’s begin our cinematic voyage through the enchanting world of animation.
10. Cars (2006)
Director: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft (co-director) Cast: Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75% IMDb Score: 7./10 Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes Available on: Disney Plus (US & India)
On his journey to the most important race of his career, Lightning McQueen gets separated from his hauler truck,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Hari P N
- KoiMoi
The genius behind Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, and the Netflix hit Wednesday, Tim Burton sat for an interview with The Independent. With a discussion ranging from his love for the gothic genre to his upcoming movie Beetlejuice 2, Burton even recalled his time when he attended the California Institute of the Arts animation programme, sponsored by Disney.
Filmmaker Tim Burton | credit: Wikimedia Commons
Taking a trip down memory lane along with various other luminaries like Brad Bird, John Musker, and more, Tim Burton recalled the time when he pretended to be a vampire, roaming through the halls of his university. Putting on quite the stunt, until he passed out, Burton even insisted on having pictures from the moment.
Tim Burton Discussed His Upcoming Movie Beetlejuice 2
From several Johnny Depp-starrer gothic movies like Edward Scissorhands to making dark television dramas like Jenna Ortega‘s Wednesday, Tim Burton has created...
Filmmaker Tim Burton | credit: Wikimedia Commons
Taking a trip down memory lane along with various other luminaries like Brad Bird, John Musker, and more, Tim Burton recalled the time when he pretended to be a vampire, roaming through the halls of his university. Putting on quite the stunt, until he passed out, Burton even insisted on having pictures from the moment.
Tim Burton Discussed His Upcoming Movie Beetlejuice 2
From several Johnny Depp-starrer gothic movies like Edward Scissorhands to making dark television dramas like Jenna Ortega‘s Wednesday, Tim Burton has created...
- 3/22/2024
- by Krittika Mukherjee
- FandomWire
Short subjects willing to tackle tough subjects made the final cut with the Academy this year. That means audiences buying tickets to the “2024 Oscar Nominated Short Films: Animation” program should brace for poetic treatments of uncomfortable topics, ranging from incest to the Holocaust. Since the toon shorts tend to run short (just an hour to get through the noms), ShortsTV’s theatrical roster includes two additional “highly commended” titles, ending on a musical up note with “The Little Mermaid” co-director John Musker’s “I’m Hip.”
Hailing from Iran, Yegane Moghaddam’s “Our Uniform” finds a fitting style for a sartorial commentary: Using clothing as her canvas, the young director recalls how it felt to grow up in a country where girls were required to wear the hijab, or headscarf. She creatively experiments with various techniques, manipulating garments to suggest motion and drawing directly onto different fabrics (as when...
Hailing from Iran, Yegane Moghaddam’s “Our Uniform” finds a fitting style for a sartorial commentary: Using clothing as her canvas, the young director recalls how it felt to grow up in a country where girls were required to wear the hijab, or headscarf. She creatively experiments with various techniques, manipulating garments to suggest motion and drawing directly onto different fabrics (as when...
- 3/4/2024
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
The late '70s were a dark time for Disney. Following the death of Walt Disney, the studio went through much experimentation (not all of which was successful), and the departure of animator Don Bluth and several other animators led to a mini-crisis at the studio. Still, this was a very interesting time for Disney, which released many movies unlike anything they'd made before or since, from the sci-fi adventure "The Black Hole" to the criminally underrated "The Black Cauldron."
Loosely based on the first two books in Lloyd Alexander's "The Chronicles of Prydain" series, the film follows a bard and a princess who try to destroy a powerful and ancient magical cauldron before the wicked Horned King uses it to rule the world. This is by far the darkest animated movie Disney has made, one that starts with an explanation that the Black Cauldron's power comes from an...
Loosely based on the first two books in Lloyd Alexander's "The Chronicles of Prydain" series, the film follows a bard and a princess who try to destroy a powerful and ancient magical cauldron before the wicked Horned King uses it to rule the world. This is by far the darkest animated movie Disney has made, one that starts with an explanation that the Black Cauldron's power comes from an...
- 3/3/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
There exist three Oscar categories where it’s possible to watch all nominated films in one shot – that’s shorts, Animated, Live Action and Documentary. Packaged into three feature length films presented by ShortsTV, the Oscar Nominated Short Films open in theaters today for a four-week run on about 650 screens in the U.S. and Canada.
It’s 19-year tradition popular with audiences and theaters. Each film is also “an event. Then you can go argue about who you think should win,” says ShortsTV founder and CEO Carter Pilcher.
Theater owners can screen any or all of the three compilations however and whenever they want from a traditional run to a one-week marathon before the Academy Awards on March 10.
Pilcher says the animated bundle tends to do the best historically, although the 2023 short called My Year Of Dicks nudged out some of the family audiences that love animation, giving Live Action the win.
It’s 19-year tradition popular with audiences and theaters. Each film is also “an event. Then you can go argue about who you think should win,” says ShortsTV founder and CEO Carter Pilcher.
Theater owners can screen any or all of the three compilations however and whenever they want from a traditional run to a one-week marathon before the Academy Awards on March 10.
Pilcher says the animated bundle tends to do the best historically, although the 2023 short called My Year Of Dicks nudged out some of the family audiences that love animation, giving Live Action the win.
- 2/16/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Moana is returning to the big screen. Disney on February 7 announced the surprise release of “Moana 2,” a sequel to the 2016 Disney animated classic.
The film will open wide in theaters November 27, 2024. It is an animated feature and is separate from the live-action “Moana” film starring original animated star Dwayne Johnson that remains in the works for a summer 2025 release. Disney CEO Bob Iger announced the news on CNBC ahead of the company’s earnings call on Wednesday.
“Moana 2” was previously developed as a Disney+ series, but it will now be made into a feature film with a theatrical release. It’s unclear which (if any) cast from the original animated hit is involved.
Check out the first look and a teaser trailer below:
Per an official Disney release, “Moana 2” is “another animated musical that takes audiences on an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers.
The film will open wide in theaters November 27, 2024. It is an animated feature and is separate from the live-action “Moana” film starring original animated star Dwayne Johnson that remains in the works for a summer 2025 release. Disney CEO Bob Iger announced the news on CNBC ahead of the company’s earnings call on Wednesday.
“Moana 2” was previously developed as a Disney+ series, but it will now be made into a feature film with a theatrical release. It’s unclear which (if any) cast from the original animated hit is involved.
Check out the first look and a teaser trailer below:
Per an official Disney release, “Moana 2” is “another animated musical that takes audiences on an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers.
- 2/7/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Moana and Maui are hitting the ocean once again. In a surprise move, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that the company will release an animated sequel to the 2016 film that will hit theaters Nov. 27. The announcement came during an earnings call in which Iger emphasized that the ship was being righted at Disney’s film and TV divisions several months after he acknowledged the company had done too much too fast in order to feed Disney+, leading to some cases of lower quality projects hitting the marketplace.
“I feel great about where we are with the studio,” Iger said when updating investors on Wednesday.
Dave Derrick Jr., who worked on the original film as a story board artist, will direct the new sequel, which is separate from a live-action remake of Moana starring Dwayne Johnson. Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina are writing the music.
Iger revealed...
“I feel great about where we are with the studio,” Iger said when updating investors on Wednesday.
Dave Derrick Jr., who worked on the original film as a story board artist, will direct the new sequel, which is separate from a live-action remake of Moana starring Dwayne Johnson. Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina are writing the music.
Iger revealed...
- 2/7/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney Boss Bob Iger announced today that Moana 2 is coming out as a feature — this November. Iger exclaimed the news in a CNBC interview before the studio’s Q1 earnings on how the studio was turning a Moana TV series into a feature sequel. This despite the fact that a live-action version with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role of Maui from the original 2016 film is also planned for a theatrical release on June 27, 2025.
Note, Disney books the Thanksgiving five-day Wednesday-Sunday stretch with an animated movie annually. It always had a November 27 release date set for a toon feature.
“Moana remains an incredibly popular franchise,” said Iger, “and we can’t wait to give you more of Moana and Maui when Moana 2 comes to theaters this November.”
Related: ‘Percy Jackson’ Renewed For Season 2 By Disney+
Part 2 will take audiences on an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers.
Note, Disney books the Thanksgiving five-day Wednesday-Sunday stretch with an animated movie annually. It always had a November 27 release date set for a toon feature.
“Moana remains an incredibly popular franchise,” said Iger, “and we can’t wait to give you more of Moana and Maui when Moana 2 comes to theaters this November.”
Related: ‘Percy Jackson’ Renewed For Season 2 By Disney+
Part 2 will take audiences on an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers.
- 2/7/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
by Nathaniel R
"Once Upon a Studio" brings decades of Disney together
We love animation but we know we give it short shrift here at the site. So let’s rectify that, at least in miniature during this final quiet moment before the official Oscar nominations. I've recently seen all but one of the finalists for Animated Shorts (the missing piece: I'm Hip by two-time Oscar nominee John Musker). Though no one asked, I've ranked them in ascending order of preference after the jump. It's worth mentioning that to get to the finals you've already bested nearly 100 other contenders so the overall quality is high. I say that so you aren't offended if #14 is your favourite, which it very well might be! Each person's personal rank would surely vary.
Okay, now on to the nostalgia exercizes, sentimental messages, surreal head trips, disturbing images, and slapstick antics...
"Once Upon a Studio" brings decades of Disney together
We love animation but we know we give it short shrift here at the site. So let’s rectify that, at least in miniature during this final quiet moment before the official Oscar nominations. I've recently seen all but one of the finalists for Animated Shorts (the missing piece: I'm Hip by two-time Oscar nominee John Musker). Though no one asked, I've ranked them in ascending order of preference after the jump. It's worth mentioning that to get to the finals you've already bested nearly 100 other contenders so the overall quality is high. I say that so you aren't offended if #14 is your favourite, which it very well might be! Each person's personal rank would surely vary.
Okay, now on to the nostalgia exercizes, sentimental messages, surreal head trips, disturbing images, and slapstick antics...
- 1/23/2024
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
If you’re a fan of animation, you know the name John Musker, whose four decades at Disney included writing and directing such classics as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Moana. Since retiring from the studio in 2018, he independently pursued an idea for a playful hand-drawn short, which he populated with caricatures of dozens of people from his life, among them fellow animators, CalArts classmates and Disney studios execs.
I’m Hip — shortlisted for an Academy Award — is a charming, music video-like film featuring a cat singing the catchy title song, Dave Frishberg’s 1970s recording of a tune he wrote with Bob Dorough. “[The song’s] very witty, and I always thought that would make for a fun short,” says Musker, 70.
“I have a penchant for teasing people,” he says, and his film “teases people who are so desperate to be on the cutting edge of things. Certainly Los Angeles is full of those people.
I’m Hip — shortlisted for an Academy Award — is a charming, music video-like film featuring a cat singing the catchy title song, Dave Frishberg’s 1970s recording of a tune he wrote with Bob Dorough. “[The song’s] very witty, and I always thought that would make for a fun short,” says Musker, 70.
“I have a penchant for teasing people,” he says, and his film “teases people who are so desperate to be on the cutting edge of things. Certainly Los Angeles is full of those people.
- 1/10/2024
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The three short film categories can be such a pain to try to predict the nominees for. Don’t worry Derbyites, we are here to help you all. With the shortlist for the 96th Oscars having been released, below we have listed all 15 shortlisted films in the Best Animated Short category along with descriptions of each one. We also have information and links listed for where you can currently watch these finalists.
Among the subjects that are covered in this year’s crop are birds protecting eggs during a volcanic eruption, an overly confident singing cat, a woman attending her husband’s funeral, and an old man appreciating all of the body’s senses.
See Dozens of video interviews with 2024 awards contenders
“Boom” – Two birds that aren’t very bright try to protect their eggs in the midst of a volcano’s eruption. This won the Gold Medal for Animation...
Among the subjects that are covered in this year’s crop are birds protecting eggs during a volcanic eruption, an overly confident singing cat, a woman attending her husband’s funeral, and an old man appreciating all of the body’s senses.
See Dozens of video interviews with 2024 awards contenders
“Boom” – Two birds that aren’t very bright try to protect their eggs in the midst of a volcano’s eruption. This won the Gold Medal for Animation...
- 12/25/2023
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
The poster design of John Carpenter's 1978 slasher "Halloween" is scary, subtle, and quite brilliant. The poster was painted by artist Bob Gleason who once said in an interview with Fangoria Magazine that he came up with the design while working for the Santa Monica-based graphic design firm B.D. Fox and Friends. Gleason noticed that the grooves that circumvent a pumpkin could be shadowed in a jagged, knife-like shape, and that he could use that image in conjunction with an actual knife. The poster features the hand of Michael Myers holding a large curved kitchen knife, melting into a repeated pattern that forms the face of a jack o' lantern.
Gleason's managers weren't too fond of his idea, feeling that Michael Myers' white-faced mask should be placed front-and-center, not the knife. A few days later, however, Gleason's managers came around and let him do the poster he wanted. It took him three or four days.
Gleason's managers weren't too fond of his idea, feeling that Michael Myers' white-faced mask should be placed front-and-center, not the knife. A few days later, however, Gleason's managers came around and let him do the poster he wanted. It took him three or four days.
- 10/22/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
From Strikeback Studios and Hideout Pictures comes Pencils vs. Pixels, a new documentary that showcases the animators that bring your most favorite characters to life.
A celebration of 2D hand-drawn animation and the transformative journey from the Disney Renaissance to the computer animation revolution… and the inspiring future yet to come.
Pencils vs. Pixels is directed by Bay Dariz and Phil Earnest and narrated by Ming-Na Wen. Animators featured in the documentary include Seth MacFarlane, Alex Hirsch, Peter Docter, John Musker and many more!
Directed By
Bay Dariz • Phil Earnest
Produced By
Tom Bancroft • Bay Dariz
Written By
Bay Dariz
Editor
Mike Hugo
Cinematography
Dustin Supencheck • Michael Delano
• Chris Haggerty
Executive Producers:
Shannon Houchins, Noor Ahmed, Christopher Joe
Narrated by
Ming-Na Wen
Running time: 72 min
Synopsis: Pencils Vs Pixels is a celebration of the unique magic of 2D hand-drawn animation and an exploration of how the Disney Renaissance of the...
A celebration of 2D hand-drawn animation and the transformative journey from the Disney Renaissance to the computer animation revolution… and the inspiring future yet to come.
Pencils vs. Pixels is directed by Bay Dariz and Phil Earnest and narrated by Ming-Na Wen. Animators featured in the documentary include Seth MacFarlane, Alex Hirsch, Peter Docter, John Musker and many more!
Directed By
Bay Dariz • Phil Earnest
Produced By
Tom Bancroft • Bay Dariz
Written By
Bay Dariz
Editor
Mike Hugo
Cinematography
Dustin Supencheck • Michael Delano
• Chris Haggerty
Executive Producers:
Shannon Houchins, Noor Ahmed, Christopher Joe
Narrated by
Ming-Na Wen
Running time: 72 min
Synopsis: Pencils Vs Pixels is a celebration of the unique magic of 2D hand-drawn animation and an exploration of how the Disney Renaissance of the...
- 10/3/2023
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
“Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme.” The magic of Disney Princess movies is indeed timeless. These films, from “Cinderella” to “Moana,” have captivated audiences worldwide with their enchanting tales, breathtaking animation, and unforgettable characters. But which are truly the best? Which ones stand the test of time, enchanting audiences young and old? In this article, we’ll present the best Disney Princess movies in order, based on viewer ratings and critical acclaim.
Related: 20 Best Disney Movies For Toddlers
Over the years, IMDb ratings, popularity indexes, Metascores, and more have painted a picture of the impact of each film. Whether you’re revisiting these classics or discovering them for the first time, let this guide illuminate the magic and wonder of Disney’s most beloved heroines.
10 ‘The Princess and the Frog’ (2009)
IMDb: 7.1/10 159K | Popularity: 1190 | Metascore: 73
Duration: 1h 37m | Genres: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Directors: John Musker, Ron Clements
Cast: Anika Noni Rose,...
Related: 20 Best Disney Movies For Toddlers
Over the years, IMDb ratings, popularity indexes, Metascores, and more have painted a picture of the impact of each film. Whether you’re revisiting these classics or discovering them for the first time, let this guide illuminate the magic and wonder of Disney’s most beloved heroines.
10 ‘The Princess and the Frog’ (2009)
IMDb: 7.1/10 159K | Popularity: 1190 | Metascore: 73
Duration: 1h 37m | Genres: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Directors: John Musker, Ron Clements
Cast: Anika Noni Rose,...
- 9/5/2023
- by Buddy TV
- buddytv.com
“The Little Mermaid” is back.
And this time the beloved Disney classic, originally released in 1989 and heralding a new golden age of animated features for the company, is being brought to life via a combination of live-action photography and computer-generated imagery. It still loosely conforms to the story laid out by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837 and hews more closely to the animated feature written and directed by Ron Clements and John Musker.
Ariel (now portrayed by Halle Bailey) is still a feisty mermaid living under the thumb of her overbearing father King Triton (Javier Bardem). She still swoons over Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) and makes a Faustian bargain with Ursula the sea witch (Melissa McCarthy). And she still has a trio of animal sidekicks. If you’ve seen the animated original, you’ll be able to predict what is around every crashing wave, which isn’t to say that there...
And this time the beloved Disney classic, originally released in 1989 and heralding a new golden age of animated features for the company, is being brought to life via a combination of live-action photography and computer-generated imagery. It still loosely conforms to the story laid out by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837 and hews more closely to the animated feature written and directed by Ron Clements and John Musker.
Ariel (now portrayed by Halle Bailey) is still a feisty mermaid living under the thumb of her overbearing father King Triton (Javier Bardem). She still swoons over Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) and makes a Faustian bargain with Ursula the sea witch (Melissa McCarthy). And she still has a trio of animal sidekicks. If you’ve seen the animated original, you’ll be able to predict what is around every crashing wave, which isn’t to say that there...
- 6/15/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Ming-Na Wen, who voiced Mulan in Disney’s animated feature of the same name, is set to narrate a new documentary titled “Pencils Vs Pixels.”
Co-directed by Bay Dariz (“Hypochondriac”) and Phil Earnest, “Pencils Vs Pixels” is a celebration of 2D hand-drawn animation.
The documentary, which will have its world premiere at Annecy International Animation Film Festival next week, will explore the Disney-led 2D animation boom of the late 1980s and early 1990s which was soon eclipsed by the dawn of computer animation. But, as the film shows, a resurgence of 2D animation suggests there is still hope for the medium.
The documentary features interviews with the great and good of the animation world including Pete Docter, John Musker (“The Little Mermaid”), Tony Bancroft (“Mulan”), Jorge R. Gutiérrez (“The Book of Life”), Seth MacFarlane (“Family Guy”), Glen Keane (“Beauty and the Beast”), Tina Price (“Hercules”), Lorna Cook (“Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron...
Co-directed by Bay Dariz (“Hypochondriac”) and Phil Earnest, “Pencils Vs Pixels” is a celebration of 2D hand-drawn animation.
The documentary, which will have its world premiere at Annecy International Animation Film Festival next week, will explore the Disney-led 2D animation boom of the late 1980s and early 1990s which was soon eclipsed by the dawn of computer animation. But, as the film shows, a resurgence of 2D animation suggests there is still hope for the medium.
The documentary features interviews with the great and good of the animation world including Pete Docter, John Musker (“The Little Mermaid”), Tony Bancroft (“Mulan”), Jorge R. Gutiérrez (“The Book of Life”), Seth MacFarlane (“Family Guy”), Glen Keane (“Beauty and the Beast”), Tina Price (“Hercules”), Lorna Cook (“Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron...
- 6/9/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
[Editor’s note: The following interview contains some spoilers for “The Little Mermaid.”]
When “The Little Mermaid” filmmaker Rob Marshall thinks about his remake of the beloved 1989 Disney animated original, he’s clear: It is its own thing.
“It’s so funny how people hold onto things,” Marshall said in a recent interview with IndieWire. “They don’t realize that this is a different genre. You have to make it work as a live-action [film] as if there were never an animated film. It’s your chance to do things that work for the story. It’s all about story. It’s like taking a beautiful opera, a beautiful play, and doing it again. You look at it through a new lens. It’s not 1989, it’s 2023, so what can we bring to it and still hold on to the most important things that really still work, but then kind of reimagine it?”
For Marshall’s ambitious live-action take on the story — one that...
When “The Little Mermaid” filmmaker Rob Marshall thinks about his remake of the beloved 1989 Disney animated original, he’s clear: It is its own thing.
“It’s so funny how people hold onto things,” Marshall said in a recent interview with IndieWire. “They don’t realize that this is a different genre. You have to make it work as a live-action [film] as if there were never an animated film. It’s your chance to do things that work for the story. It’s all about story. It’s like taking a beautiful opera, a beautiful play, and doing it again. You look at it through a new lens. It’s not 1989, it’s 2023, so what can we bring to it and still hold on to the most important things that really still work, but then kind of reimagine it?”
For Marshall’s ambitious live-action take on the story — one that...
- 5/24/2023
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
In John Musker's and Ron Clements' 1989 feature film "The Little Mermaid," the title character Ariel (Jodi Benson) has fallen in love with a human, a stringently verboten act in the mer-world. She longs to attract her human paramour's attention, much to the chagrin of the crab Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright), a servant to the king, her father. In order to convince Ariel that life under the sea is better than life on dry land, Sebastian launches into a hummable (and Academy Award-winning) song called "Under the Sea." He sings about how all the nearby ocean creatures are musically gifted, can all dance, and can all play instruments. The entire vicinity breaks into music hoping to convince Ariel of her misplaced desires. While the Academy may have been convinced that "Under the Sea" was a great song, Ariel was not. She swam away to pursue the man of her dreams.
- 5/23/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
For all of the spurious arguments over authenticity or criticisms about Halle Bailey’s casting as Ariel, Rob Marshall’s The Little Mermaid is a remarkably safe—and remarkably bland—live-action adaptation of Ron Clements and John Musker’s 1989 animated original. Beyond Lin-Manuel Miranda’s newly written music, including a cringe-worthy rap song performed by Scuttle (Awkwafina) and Sebastian (Daveed Diggs), this Little Mermaid feels more or less like two-hour-plus cosplay with the texture and gravitas of a Disneyland sideshow.
The story itself largely remains unchanged. Ariel (Halle Bailey) is the youngest of five daughters of the widowed King Triton (Javier Bardem). As the king desperately tries to keep Ariel obedient and away from the humans whom he blames for his beloved wife’s death, the precocious mermaid only grows more enamored and intrigued by human behavior and their affects.
One night, Ariel’s curiosity gets the best of her...
The story itself largely remains unchanged. Ariel (Halle Bailey) is the youngest of five daughters of the widowed King Triton (Javier Bardem). As the king desperately tries to keep Ariel obedient and away from the humans whom he blames for his beloved wife’s death, the precocious mermaid only grows more enamored and intrigued by human behavior and their affects.
One night, Ariel’s curiosity gets the best of her...
- 5/22/2023
- by Greg Nussen
- Slant Magazine
"The Little Mermaid" is a monumental film in the history of Disney and Western animation at large. John Musker and Ron Clements made drastic changes to Hans Christian Andersen's original Danish fairy tale and delivered a Broadway-style musical extravaganza that saved the studio during their worst and darkest time. This movie helped usher the Disney Renaissance, leading the way for some of their best movies. Even today, "The Little Mermaid" remains a film with not just stunning animation and music, but also a radical message.
But, according to Disney, all that is in the past, because live-action is the future. /Film's own Jenna Busch recently attended a press conference with the filmmakers behind the live-action "The Little Mermaid." During the press conference, the cast discussed the making of the movie and the fun that was had on set. For star Halle Bailey, there was no doubt about which scene...
But, according to Disney, all that is in the past, because live-action is the future. /Film's own Jenna Busch recently attended a press conference with the filmmakers behind the live-action "The Little Mermaid." During the press conference, the cast discussed the making of the movie and the fun that was had on set. For star Halle Bailey, there was no doubt about which scene...
- 5/22/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Auliʻi Cravalho won’t play Moana again. The 22-year-old actress took to Instagram on Friday and shared that she will not reprise her role from the 2016 animated film in the upcoming live-action remake.
“When I was cast as Moana at 14, it wonderfully changed my life and started my career,” Cravalho began. “In this live-action retelling, I will not be reprising the role.”
While she won’t star in the role, Cravalho noted that she believes “it is absolutely vital that casting accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell,” something she’ll work to ensure as an executive producer.
“As an executive producer on the film, I cannot wait to help find the next actress to portray Moana’s courageous spirit, undeniable wit, and emotional strength,” she said. “I’m truly honoured to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent, to honour our incredible Pacific peoples,...
“When I was cast as Moana at 14, it wonderfully changed my life and started my career,” Cravalho began. “In this live-action retelling, I will not be reprising the role.”
While she won’t star in the role, Cravalho noted that she believes “it is absolutely vital that casting accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell,” something she’ll work to ensure as an executive producer.
“As an executive producer on the film, I cannot wait to help find the next actress to portray Moana’s courageous spirit, undeniable wit, and emotional strength,” she said. “I’m truly honoured to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent, to honour our incredible Pacific peoples,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
We’ve been here before, haven’t we? A Disney live-action remake igniting a round of existential debate? This time it’s Rob Marshall’s interpretation of The Little Mermaid, based on John Musker and Ron Clement’s 1989 version and starring Halle Bailey as the titular sea creature. It features new music by Lin-Manuel Miranda and wrings as much as possible from the corporation’s CGI budget.
The questions raised by this faithful adaptation are familiar, but answering them only matters to an extent. Nostalgia pays in cash, correctives in publicity. For the global conglomerate’s bottom line, remaking classics is worth it. That these already tempered fairytales are retrofitted for contemporary audiences is merely a bonus.
Marshall’s Ariel (Bailey) is Black — a choice that sent scores of people clutching their pearls and reverting to racist protestations. Their complaints of a nonexistent white erasure are littered across the internet under the hashtag #NotMyAriel.
The questions raised by this faithful adaptation are familiar, but answering them only matters to an extent. Nostalgia pays in cash, correctives in publicity. For the global conglomerate’s bottom line, remaking classics is worth it. That these already tempered fairytales are retrofitted for contemporary audiences is merely a bonus.
Marshall’s Ariel (Bailey) is Black — a choice that sent scores of people clutching their pearls and reverting to racist protestations. Their complaints of a nonexistent white erasure are littered across the internet under the hashtag #NotMyAriel.
- 5/22/2023
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Little Mermaid’s Halle Bailey and Jonah Hauer-King created a special bond while filming Rob Marshall’s live-action reimagining of Disney’s 1989 animated classic, and Hauer-King isn’t afraid to be a fanboy of his mega-talented co-star. The Atlanta and London natives play the roles of mermaid Princess Ariel and Prince Eric, respectively, which Jodi Benson and Christopher Daniel Barnes memorably brought to life 34 years ago in John Musker and Ron Clements’ animated film. Thus, Bailey and Hauer-King always approached the material with reverence and respect for the original film, even if their story took a couple of detours to familiar destinations.
Bailey — who is one half of the sisterly musical duo Chloe x Halle — had to play out an accomplished singer’s worst fear as Ariel, in that she had to imagine a reality where she’s lost her voice. However, she made a point to sing live...
Bailey — who is one half of the sisterly musical duo Chloe x Halle — had to play out an accomplished singer’s worst fear as Ariel, in that she had to imagine a reality where she’s lost her voice. However, she made a point to sing live...
- 5/17/2023
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
By this point, we’ve come to accept live-action remakes of Disney animated classics as part of our world. No matter your feelings about 2017’s Beauty and the Beast or 2019’s The Lion King — that they reimagine beloved stories for a new generation or that they are reheated cash grabs that diminish their better predecessors — there’s no denying their success. In fact, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King are both among the top 20 highest-grossing movies of all time.
So it’s easy to see why fans are interested in the latest movie in the genre, The Little Mermaid. The 1989 adaptation of a story by Hans Christian Andersen from directors John Musker and Ron Clemens kicked off the Disney Renaissance, reversing a trend that included flops The Black Cauldron and Oliver and Company and starting a run of highly-respected and award-winning films, leading to 1991’s Beauty and the Beast,...
So it’s easy to see why fans are interested in the latest movie in the genre, The Little Mermaid. The 1989 adaptation of a story by Hans Christian Andersen from directors John Musker and Ron Clemens kicked off the Disney Renaissance, reversing a trend that included flops The Black Cauldron and Oliver and Company and starting a run of highly-respected and award-winning films, leading to 1991’s Beauty and the Beast,...
- 5/9/2023
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Disney‘s live-action The Little Mermaid is swimming toward Memorial Day Weekend with a song in its heart and dollar signs in its eyes. The latest version of the Disney animated classic is tracking toward a $110M 4-day opening. That number puts The Little Mermaid in the top eight spots for a Memorial Day Weekend release. The upcoming musical won’t touch Top Gun: Maverick’s $160.5M Memorial Day start, but $110M is an outstanding total nonetheless.
Disney has a history of releasing films on Memorial Day Weekend, including Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, which earned $153M, the studio’s highest total for the 4-day holiday debut. Disney’s live-action adaptation of Aladdin earned $116.8M in 2019, placing the Guy Ritchie-directed fantasy film slightly above The Little Mermaid’s expected launch.
Rob Marshall directs this bold vision for the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited...
Disney has a history of releasing films on Memorial Day Weekend, including Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, which earned $153M, the studio’s highest total for the 4-day holiday debut. Disney’s live-action adaptation of Aladdin earned $116.8M in 2019, placing the Guy Ritchie-directed fantasy film slightly above The Little Mermaid’s expected launch.
Rob Marshall directs this bold vision for the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited...
- 5/4/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Disney‘s CinemaCon panel is underway, with new footage from The Little Mermaid dazzling event guests. During The Little Mermaid presentation, Melissa McCarthy, who plays the villain, Ursula, took the stage. She introduced her iconic musical number, “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” from the upcoming film. JoBlo’s Chris Bumbray is our boots on the ground at CinemaCon this week. He says the song gives off a burlesque vibe, with McCarthy having a great time strutting her stuff.
Unfortunately, Chris also says the lighting of the film is poor. It’s worth noting the preview is screening in Dolby Vision, so there’s little excuse for the clip to look as dark as it does. Still, Chris says the cast looks good, and Halle Bailey could win audiences over with her outstanding performance. Overall, the film seems faithful to the animated original, even if aspects of the plot and music will change for the new version.
Unfortunately, Chris also says the lighting of the film is poor. It’s worth noting the preview is screening in Dolby Vision, so there’s little excuse for the clip to look as dark as it does. Still, Chris says the cast looks good, and Halle Bailey could win audiences over with her outstanding performance. Overall, the film seems faithful to the animated original, even if aspects of the plot and music will change for the new version.
- 4/26/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Disney‘s The Little Mermaid swims into theaters on May 26, and today, the studio is proud to present a behind-the-scenes look at the live-action magic that will soon bubble to the surface in cinemas. The Little Mermaid featurette takes audiences into the studio to witness Halle Bailey’s transformation into Ariel, a mermaid with big dreams of living above ocean depths. In the video, Bailey talks about growing up with Ariel and how her story inspired her and millions of other children worldwide. Bailey says Ariel’s journey is deeply personal, and she’s looking forward to putting a new spin on the classic fairy tale.
The Little Mermaid featurette also includes commentary from the film’s director, Rob Marshall, who says he wants fans to have a good experience with the new version. “I think The Little Mermaid is an iconic and powerful story,” Marshall says in the footage.
The Little Mermaid featurette also includes commentary from the film’s director, Rob Marshall, who says he wants fans to have a good experience with the new version. “I think The Little Mermaid is an iconic and powerful story,” Marshall says in the footage.
- 4/13/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
"The Little Mermaid" was a vital turning point for Disney because it sparked The Disney Renaissance, a period of creative and financial prosperity during the late 1980s and 1990s. The films made during this time became instant classics due to their vivid re-imaginations of classic fairy tale stories and Broadway-style songwriting that gave audiences deeper connections to the characters.
Hiring lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken for "The Little Mermaid," who worked on the hit musical "Little Shop of Horrors," shifted the songwriting process for a Disney film. While songs were always in Disney movies, they were never such a prominent part of the story's organization. "The Little Mermaid" set the standard for future Disney films where artists create dynamic animations of the characters and their world to convey the music's mood and emotions.
In a 2006 interview, IGN asked the co-director of "The Little Mermaid" Ron Clements, "s there...
Hiring lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken for "The Little Mermaid," who worked on the hit musical "Little Shop of Horrors," shifted the songwriting process for a Disney film. While songs were always in Disney movies, they were never such a prominent part of the story's organization. "The Little Mermaid" set the standard for future Disney films where artists create dynamic animations of the characters and their world to convey the music's mood and emotions.
In a 2006 interview, IGN asked the co-director of "The Little Mermaid" Ron Clements, "s there...
- 4/10/2023
- by Caroline Madden
- Slash Film
“Moana” will go far once again. On Monday during the Disney shareholder meeting, Dwayne Johnson announced plans for a live-action version of the 2016 animated hit. No screenwriter or director is attached, and Johnson stressed that the concept is in its early days, but the actor will reprise his role as Maui the demigod from the original feature.
Johnson is a producer of the new film with Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia. Original “Moana” star Auli‘i Cravalho is also among the executive producers (although she likely won’t reprise her role as the title character).
“I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of ‘Moana’ to the live-action big screen,” Johnson said in a statement. “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and...
Johnson is a producer of the new film with Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia. Original “Moana” star Auli‘i Cravalho is also among the executive producers (although she likely won’t reprise her role as the title character).
“I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of ‘Moana’ to the live-action big screen,” Johnson said in a statement. “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and...
- 4/3/2023
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
A month out from the release of “The Little Mermaid,” Disney’s other beloved nautical cartoon is prepping its live-action makeover. A remake of “Moana,” the 2016 animated blockbuster, is in early development, Disney announced Monday.
The news was revealed during Disney’s annual meeting of shareholders. During the webcast, a prerecorded message from Dwayne Johnson, who voiced the character of Maui in the original animated film, was played. (You can watch the full video below.)
Speaking from Hawaii, Johnson said, “As many of you may not know, the brilliant team at Disney Animation, my partners, we found so much inspiration for Maui in the mana and presence of my late grandfather, the legendary high-chief Peter Maivia. … In a way, when I bring Maui to life, I’m doing it in the spirit of my grandfather.”
No director, screenwriter, or casting has been announced for the feature. Johnson will produce the...
The news was revealed during Disney’s annual meeting of shareholders. During the webcast, a prerecorded message from Dwayne Johnson, who voiced the character of Maui in the original animated film, was played. (You can watch the full video below.)
Speaking from Hawaii, Johnson said, “As many of you may not know, the brilliant team at Disney Animation, my partners, we found so much inspiration for Maui in the mana and presence of my late grandfather, the legendary high-chief Peter Maivia. … In a way, when I bring Maui to life, I’m doing it in the spirit of my grandfather.”
No director, screenwriter, or casting has been announced for the feature. Johnson will produce the...
- 4/3/2023
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Disney is setting sail with Moana once again, this time in vibrant live action. The studio has teamed with Dwayne Johnson to develop a live-action remake of its 2016 animated musical sensation.
Johnson plans to return to the role of Maui, the grandiose demigod of the wind and sea. He will produce via his Seven Bucks Productions along with Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia. Beau Flynn produces via Flynn Picture Co. Jared Bush, who wrote the screenplay for the original movie, is back to write the remake, along with Dana Ledoux Miller. No director is involved at this stage of development.
Disney CEO Bob Iger and Johnson shared the news during Disney’s annual shareholders meeting Monday.
“This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength,” said Johnson. “I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this...
Johnson plans to return to the role of Maui, the grandiose demigod of the wind and sea. He will produce via his Seven Bucks Productions along with Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia. Beau Flynn produces via Flynn Picture Co. Jared Bush, who wrote the screenplay for the original movie, is back to write the remake, along with Dana Ledoux Miller. No director is involved at this stage of development.
Disney CEO Bob Iger and Johnson shared the news during Disney’s annual shareholders meeting Monday.
“This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength,” said Johnson. “I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this...
- 4/3/2023
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
According to Empire, Rob Marshall's "The Little Mermaid" -- a live-action/CGI remake of John Musker and Ron Clements' 1989 animated film of the same name -- will feature a brand new song called "For the First Time," to be sung by the titular mermaid Ariel (Halle Bailey) as she makes her first sojourn onto dry land after being transformed into a human. It was co-penned by Disney legend and award-winning songwriter Alan Menken, the Egot maestro who co-wrote the songs for the animated "Little Mermaid" movie with Howard Ashman, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Broadway superstar and songwriter behind the Disney-released animated films "Moana" and "Encanto."
Menken's return is a big deal. In 1990, he won two Academy Awards for "The Little Mermaid," taking home trophies for the film's score and for the song "Under the Sea" (for which Ashman was also awarded the Oscar). Menken and Ashman's ballad "Kiss the...
Menken's return is a big deal. In 1990, he won two Academy Awards for "The Little Mermaid," taking home trophies for the film's score and for the song "Under the Sea" (for which Ashman was also awarded the Oscar). Menken and Ashman's ballad "Kiss the...
- 3/13/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Disney is excited to make a new poster for The Little Mermaid part of your world ahead of a full trailer drop during the Oscars this Sunday, March 12, 2023. The Little Mermaid poster depicts Halle Bailey’s Ariel perched on a rock in the middle of the ocean, dreaming of life above sea level. With her eyes closed, Ariel imagines a world where people dance on two feet, breathe the open air, and settle down in villages after falling in love. A sun burns brightly behind a clouded sky, foreshadowing Ursula’s arrival and dishonest dealings. The Little Mermaid poster is beautiful, though it would have been nice for Disney to let some of the light in.
You can check out Disney’s The Little Mermaid poster below:
Rob Marshall directs this bold vision for the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure.
You can check out Disney’s The Little Mermaid poster below:
Rob Marshall directs this bold vision for the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure.
- 3/8/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Burny Mattinson, a Disney Legend who served as an animator, producer, director and story artist in his nearly 70-year career with the studio, died Monday at the age of 87 following a short illness. Disney announced his death on their official website.
The story goes that Mattinson, who was born in San Francisco in 1935, was transformed when his mother took him to see Walt Disney’s “Pinocchio” at the age of 6. He knew what he wanted to do. As Don Hahn, who produced some of Disney’s most beloved movies during the Disney Renaissance, said of Mattinson’s life: “His life could be a Disney movie: teenaged kid shows up at the Disney gate with his portfolio under his arm and stays for 70 years. He was our story sensei, a brilliant draftsman who showed us what it was like to grind on a story until it was right.”
Mattinson’s first...
The story goes that Mattinson, who was born in San Francisco in 1935, was transformed when his mother took him to see Walt Disney’s “Pinocchio” at the age of 6. He knew what he wanted to do. As Don Hahn, who produced some of Disney’s most beloved movies during the Disney Renaissance, said of Mattinson’s life: “His life could be a Disney movie: teenaged kid shows up at the Disney gate with his portfolio under his arm and stays for 70 years. He was our story sensei, a brilliant draftsman who showed us what it was like to grind on a story until it was right.”
Mattinson’s first...
- 2/27/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Disney has a long and illustrious history, spanning 99 years and inspiring people all over the globe with its classic tales, innovative animation, and catchy tunes. Since Walt Disney, talented animators have been creating moving and thought-provoking stories for audiences of all ages, from the big screen to the living room TV.
Unfortunately, the studio abandoned some of these excellent concepts after they were just sketched. Fraidy Cat, a lost Disney Hitchcock-style mystery, was deemed too niche for kids.
What was the inspiration and the plot for ‘Fraidy Cat’?
Details on Disney Animation's Unproduced Alfred Hitchcock-Inspired Film Fraidy Cat
Link: https://t.co/lAabFjryv0 pic.twitter.com/8JlGu6hU2t
— GeekTyrant (@GeekTyrant) December 30, 2022
As animation has evolved, it has branched out into many various types of media. Disney has made everything from a laugh-out-loud comedy (The Emperor’s New Groove) to a Western (Home on the Range) to a superhero...
Unfortunately, the studio abandoned some of these excellent concepts after they were just sketched. Fraidy Cat, a lost Disney Hitchcock-style mystery, was deemed too niche for kids.
What was the inspiration and the plot for ‘Fraidy Cat’?
Details on Disney Animation's Unproduced Alfred Hitchcock-Inspired Film Fraidy Cat
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— GeekTyrant (@GeekTyrant) December 30, 2022
As animation has evolved, it has branched out into many various types of media. Disney has made everything from a laugh-out-loud comedy (The Emperor’s New Groove) to a Western (Home on the Range) to a superhero...
- 2/27/2023
- by Produced by Digital Editors
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Disney is taking Mouseketeers under the sea for The Little Mermaid teaser trailer. The reimagining of the classic fairy tale is already one of the most anticipated films of the year, thanks to a stunning promo released last year featuring Halle Bailey‘s Ariel belting out a stirring rendition of “Part of Your World.”
In The Little Mermaid teaser trailer, Bailey’s Ariel explores an underwater kingdom filled with wonders while dreaming of the surface. After Ariel interacts with a Pufferfish, she floats among a school of jellyfish before kissing Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) in a dimly-lit grotto draped with curtains of seaweed. At the end of the trailer, we get our first look at Melissa McCarthy as the evil sea witch Ursula. In the promo, Ursula belts out an insidious cackle while her tentacles obscure the bottom portion of her face.
Rob Marshall directs this bold vision for the beloved story of Ariel,...
In The Little Mermaid teaser trailer, Bailey’s Ariel explores an underwater kingdom filled with wonders while dreaming of the surface. After Ariel interacts with a Pufferfish, she floats among a school of jellyfish before kissing Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) in a dimly-lit grotto draped with curtains of seaweed. At the end of the trailer, we get our first look at Melissa McCarthy as the evil sea witch Ursula. In the promo, Ursula belts out an insidious cackle while her tentacles obscure the bottom portion of her face.
Rob Marshall directs this bold vision for the beloved story of Ariel,...
- 2/15/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Walt Disney Studios is easily one of the most iconic companies in the world, responsible for many of the most-beloved movies of all time. From animated classics to live-action reboots and original streaming shows, Disney always remains on the cutting edge of filmmaking innovation. While the company has consistently produced films that fans want to see, over the years, a few projects have ended up on the cutting room floor. One of these is Mort, an animated production with an impressive pedigree. While Mort died early on in the production process, fans still wonder what might have happened if the eerie flick would have made it to the big screen.
John Musker and Ron Clements are Disney legends Directors John Musker (L) and Ron Clements (R)attend “The Princess and the Frog” photocall at the Santo Mauro Hotel on January 29, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. | Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
Many filmmakers associated...
John Musker and Ron Clements are Disney legends Directors John Musker (L) and Ron Clements (R)attend “The Princess and the Frog” photocall at the Santo Mauro Hotel on January 29, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. | Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
Many filmmakers associated...
- 2/13/2023
- by Christina Nunn
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
As fans wait for the live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid" to hit theaters later this year, it's worth looking back at the original animated 1989 film, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. It's a movie that, above all else, really took advantage of the strengths of animation. The facial expressions, the colors, and the character designs, are all used to emphasize the emotions of the story in a way that a live-action rarely could. There are some stories that really are best told through animation, and "The Little Mermaid" is clearly one of them.
That's part of why directors Ron Clements and John Musker chose not to change much with the remaster of the film for the 2006 DVD re-release: because the original version was already great at what it was set out to do. Yes, there'd been plenty of technological advancements in animation in the 15+ years that had passed,...
That's part of why directors Ron Clements and John Musker chose not to change much with the remaster of the film for the 2006 DVD re-release: because the original version was already great at what it was set out to do. Yes, there'd been plenty of technological advancements in animation in the 15+ years that had passed,...
- 2/11/2023
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
2002's "Treasure Planet" may've been one of the biggest flops in the history of Disney's animation department, but the swashbuckling sci-fi adventure starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt still has its fair share of fans. The immersive and often beautiful world of space pirates created for the film separates the project from other, more recognizable Disney animated offerings. "Treasure Planet" itself was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, a filmmaking duo that had previously delivered multiple slam-dunks for Disney, including "The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," and "Hercules." Their successful track record allowed the directors to venture into a new reality, one inspired by another filmmaker's mind-bending work.
As we remember it, "Treasure Planet" more than earned its title with a space adventure story for the ages. A sci-fi twist on Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Treasure Island," the film followed Jim Hawkins (Gordon-Levitt), a teenager who comes across a map that leads to the ultimate pirate treasure.
As we remember it, "Treasure Planet" more than earned its title with a space adventure story for the ages. A sci-fi twist on Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Treasure Island," the film followed Jim Hawkins (Gordon-Levitt), a teenager who comes across a map that leads to the ultimate pirate treasure.
- 1/28/2023
- by Marcos Melendez
- Slash Film
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