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… Read More »Disney shrinking Miramax even further, dismisses President
Tron Legacy (aka Tron 2.0) is still more than a year away from it’s theatrical release. Primary shooting just wrapped and now the intensive post-production process begins. Olvia Wilde (whom you may know from her role on “House”) sat down with ComingSoon.net for an interview… Read More »Tron Legacy is Wilde
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 »Shakeup at Walt Disney Studios, Dick Cook Resigns
Based On Popular Demand: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Extends Worldwide Blu-ray Combo Pack Efforts through December 2010 Exceptional Value, Quality & Versatility Included In The Purchase of Any Disney-Branded Blu-ray Disc BURBANK, Calif.— August 11, 2009 – In a time when price, quality and value… Read More »Disney Extends Blu-ray Combo Pack Efforts through December 2010
Attention all Johnny Depp, Tim Burton, Alice in Wonderland, and general fans of the Disney order; now is your chance to be the first to see the debut of the Alice in Wonderland Teaser Trailer. The Loyal Subjects of the Red Queen, the Loyal Subjects… Read More »Be The First To See The ALICE IN WONDERLAND Teaser Trailer!
The first time I saw Wayne Allwine and Russi Taylor was at Disneyland in the early 90s. They were set up outside of the Plaza Inn doing radio interviews. Although later in life they were much skinnier, at this point they were ‘larger’ than the average person. Wayne had this amazing full beard (which was very out of place in the park). It was a little chilly out and they were dressed in matching plaid outfits. Thinking this was some form of celebrity appearance I hadn’t seen before, I stuck around to see what was going on. A few minutes later I was surprised to hear two very familiar mousey voices coming out of these two large people, it was Mickey Mouse and Minnie.
It was almost a decade before I really got to talk with Wayne and Russi and hear them speak at length. In the meantime they had gotten married (in 1997 to each other in Hawaii) and continued to do amazing work both for the Disney company and other projects. Turns out, you would be hard pressed to find a nicer couple of people then Wayne and Russi. They were always happen to meet with fellow Disney fans and spin a tale or two of their experiences as Mickey and Minnie.
Wayne was trained as a sound effects guy and foley artist by one of the best in the business, Jimmy MacDonald. Along the way he learned to do Mickey’s Voice from Jimmy, who himself took over from Walt. Wayne first did Mickey’s voice in 1977 as a lead in voice over for the New Mickey Mouse Club and had his first feature animated voice work for 1983’s “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.”
I recall one anecdote Wayne told at an NFFC event, he had asked Jimmy MacDonald for some advice about doing Mickey’s voice and Jimmy said “remember, you’re just filling in for the boss.”
In 2008 Wayne and Russi were named Disney Legends in a ceremony at the studios. Recently Wayne had been combating complications related to diabetes and was said to be in need of a kidney transplant. Sadly he passed away May 18th as a result of his illness. Official confirmation was made on his Disney Legend bio.
I like to think that now all three voices of Mickey Mouse are reunited somewhere discussing the affect that one little character had on their lives and on the world. Our lives are all richer for their efforts.
Everyone here at The Disney Blog wishes peace and condolences to Russi and the rest of Wayne’s family.
(below the cut is a video of Wayne and Russi talking about their roles and Mickey and Minnie)
Read More »Wayne Allwine, Voice of Mickey Mouse & Disney Legend, 1947-2009
The New York Times profiles former wrestler “The Rock” turned movie star Dwayne Johnson. With “Race to Witch Mountain” hitting theaters this Friday, the box office results may be the final test for Johnson’s ability to draw large enough audiences to catapult him into the… Read More »Dwayne Johnson profiled before Race to Witch Mountain
Ain’t It Cool News has some new details outlining the plot of the Tron sequel. It goes without saying there are spoilers aplenty, so don’t click through unless you want to be spoiled. It sounds like they are still trying to decide on the title… Read More »Tron 2.0 – New Details Revealed