New Walt Disney Studios President Rich Ross is already making big waves by canceling production of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea remake. Obviously, this either upsets or excites you depending on your feelings about the film. I definitely thing it had the potential to become a 3 or 4 film franchise like Pirates, but I am also happy that the original will remain as Disney’s classic take on the story.

What Disney attraction would you like to see get the Pirates Of the Caribbean movie treatment next? I still think they could do a better job with Haunted Mansion (perhaps a series of Halloween time PG13 scare flicks) and I’m dying to see a film based on Space Mountain.

Every year at the beginning of the Holiday season my family went to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York City. When I attended in the early and mid-nineties the show included a version of “A Christmas Carol”, which to this day I still remember vividly and brings me back to the wonder of the holiday season in New York. Needless to say I entered with high expectations and hopes that Disney’s A Christmas Carol could return that sense of child-like wonderment.

As always The El Capitan was an assault on the senses. The garlands strung across the red suede draped interior wall between the lobby and the theater are the first evidence of Christmas cheer. As you head to your seats the huge garlands strung across the sides of the theater lovingly usher you into the holidays. Rob Richards’ fabulous renditions of Christmas songs on The “Mighty Wurlitzer” are the final touch completely enveloping you in the holiday spirit.

At the El Capitan, Disney often likes to create pre-shows for their movies which usually involve the featured characters appearing and dancing to a musical number. This is fun and the children love it. While marketed as “Disney’s Holiday Spectacular”, I expected something similar. I was wrong. The Disney Holiday Spectacular is a large production with five characters and 10 singers and dancers, not to mention multiple sets and numbers. I was completely blown away by what Disney put on; all of the classic Christmas carols are included. The show goes out with a bang, which I wouldn’t want to spoil, but let’s just say it involves high-kicks that rival the Rockettes and a little white Christmas. Usually the pre-shows at the El Capitan are mostly for the kids, but by the last number I doubt there was anyone who wasn’t singing along.

Robert Zemeckis has created a movie, which is not only a wonderful and fitting adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel, but one that also manages to do so while appealing to the whole family. Some have questioned whether it is appropriate for children and while there are some frightening scenes all the kids in my screening handled it very well. This latest rendition of A Christmas Carol breathes life into a story so prevalent it has descended into cliché and manages to imbue the Christmas spirit in each viewer.

I’ve often questioned the use of motion capture technology and 3D as they seemed to be a gimmicks not necessary to enhance the plot, A Christmas Carol has given me at least one example where this is not true. These technologies as well as the ability of director Robert Zemeckis help you fly through London and into Ebenezer Scrooge’s past, without even getting dizzy. This film made me glad that Disney had not attempted this earlier, because I can’t imagine a better film. As soon as I left the theater I wanted to see it again, I hoping I can wait to go with my family, on Christmas day.

If you live in the Los Angeles area I highly recommend you check this out at the El Capitan, where it is playing until January 3rd, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Even if you don’t live in Los Angeles it’s worth checking out in the theaters, as Robert Zemeckis’ use of 3D is by far the best I’ve seen.

So, I’m hanging with Bruce Smith at the Magic Kingdom the other day (how many times will I ever be able to open a story with that line?) and I totally wanted to ask him about a “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” sequel, since he worked on the original. But when time came for the official interview, I forgot. Figures.

Turns out that’s okay because Honor Hunter sent his minions out to collect the latest details on the Roger Rabbit sequel and found a scoop. Roger Zemeckis mentioned that a new screenplay was in progress during this interview with MTV.

There are still a lot of hoops to climb through for the sequel. For instance, Bob Hoskins who played Eddie Valiant has essentially declared himself unfit for that style of acting. But every step forward is a good one.

Disney’s ‘art house’ studio Miramax will be a small shell of it’s former self by January. Its president will be gone and just 20 employees will be left to shepherd any future projects. They’ll also move the studio from New York to Los Angeles.

Much of this reduction began even while the studio’s founders, the Weinstein brothers, were in charge. After their ouster, the studio continued to struggle to produce hits. And now, with Dick Cook gone, the comes another hit. Some of this has to be chalked up to the much more complex market for art house films than when Miramax was at it’s peak.

While I may not have loved all of the films that Miramax produced for Disney, I liked enough of them to see the value for Disney Studios. I hope they’re able to find a niche for these sort of specialty films in the Disney stable.

Via the NY Times.

Well, the name change may not yet be official, but that hasn’t stopped the Disneyana Fan Club, aka NFFC, from moving forward. A new award honoring individuals outside the Walt Disney Company who have made significant contributions to promoting awareness of, as well as the preservation of, Disney history, will be awarded from the first time in January.

The first recipient of the NFFC—Disneyana Fan Club Heritage Award is Leonard Maltin. In addition to his internationally best selling series of books, Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide, Mr. Maltin’s other works include, Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons and The Disney Films. Additionally, he wrote the television special, Fantasia: The Creation of a Disney Classic.

Mr. Maltin is also active in the home entertainment field hosting and producing, among other titles, the popular series of Walt Disney Treasures DVDs.

More about the luncheon and Maltin’s contributions below the jump. But don’t forget the December 10-13 Holiday Show and Sale in Orlando in the meantime. Learn more at NFFC.org.

[Read more →]

Walt Disney Studios chair Richard (Dick) Cook has announced that he will be resigning his post. As chair of the studios cook over saw all live action and animated films released by the Walt Disney Company. Unfortunately there has been a fair amount of pressure for the studios to improve their offerings the last few years and many felt that Cook would eventually resign or be fired if things did not improve.

Cook was liked by most Disney fans, not just because he rose through the company from the bottom ranks of a front line attractions cast member at Disneyland, but also for his involvement in the fan community, such as his participation in the Carolwood Society. I’m sad to see him go and hope he stays involved in the Disney community.

Nikki Finke is reporting that Dick Cook was actually fired. But I guess in the higher levels of Hollywood, they call that a resignation.

(via the LA Times)

Follow below the jump for his official bio:

[Read more →]

It was a big day at the D23 Expo in Anaheim for fans of Disney movies. Key talent and filmmakers from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures’ upcoming slate of movies were on hand at the D23 Expo, made some surprise appearances. Alas photography and video devices of any kind were banned from the presentation, so we have to really on Disney PR to provide the shots.

Mickey Mouse, Anika Noni Rose, and CEO Bob Iger get chummy.

The biggest news was that Johnny Depp will be back in a fourth edition of the popular movie based on the Disneyland pirates attraction. “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” will come out in 2011. Depp appeared on stage in full Captain Jack Sparrow regalia acting with the drunken swagger we’ve come to expect from the Pirate rogue. (Note: sadly there is no PR photo of this yet. One is promised. When I find it I’ll put it up.)

Depp is also appearing in Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Lone Ranger”. None of this was really news, the only question was when. Tim Burton also announced he is making a feature length version of his “Frankenweenie” cult short film.

Bruckheimer, Cyrus, and Cage post for the camera.

Nicolas Cage, star of upcoming film “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” (July 2010) wants to do another “National Treasure” film. Someone is probably making that happen as we speak. (updated)

That’s a handsome looking family.

The Travolta family, John, wife Kelly Preston, and their daughter Ella Bleu previewed some scenes from “Old Dogs,” which also stars Robin Williams. It’s 9-year-old Ella Bleu’s debut. It will hit theaters November 25th 2009.

Miley Cyrus, star of upcoming film “The Last Song” sang her hit song “The Climb.”

Jerry Bruckheimer, producer of upcoming films “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” (May 2010) and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” (July 2010) was there to preview those two films to the audience.

It’s not a show without an appearance by the Muppets. Hey is that Mark Twain for sale?.

Also Kermit the Frog, and the game from the Muppets put in an appearance. Disney has plans for these Muppets, but I don’t think it’s a new finale for Fantasmic!

This wasn’t even all the news. Tomorrow Pixar studios and John Lasseter gets their chance.

(all photos courtesy Disney PR / Eric Charbonneau Photographer)

Remember that recent acquisition made by the Walt Disney Company, no not Spider Man, but Buzz Lightyear. Pixar has turned out pretty good for Disney and the rest of the world knows it. Now John Lasseter and the team from Emeryville has been honored at the Venice Film Festival with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

“We really set out to deeply entertain an audience, not just children but adults as well,” Lasseter told reporters Sunday.

Lasseter said he was “tremendously honored” that the festival chose to give the award to the team of five Pixar directors, including Brad Bird (Ratatouille and The Incredibles), Pete Docter (Up and Monsters Inc.), Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo and Wall-E), and Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3). Lasseter directed the first two Toy Story movies and Cars.

“Filmmaking and animation is one of the most collaborative art forms there is in the world, and it is never more collaborative than it is at Pixar,” Lasseter said.

I guess they can all retire to their vineyards now. (Please don’t do that!)

(via the Orlando Sentinel)