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Disney Announces “Heroes Work Here” Veteran Jobs Program

Touting the motto “Heroes Work Here. Employ excellence. Hire veterans” President and Chief Executive Officer Robert A. Iger announced a new company-wide initiative to hire, train and support returning veterans yesterday at The Walt Disney Company’s (NYSE: DIS) Annual Shareholder meeting in Kansas City. The Heroes Work Here program continues Disney’s long history of respect and appreciation for the U.S. Armed Forces by expanding the company’s commitment to recognize and honor the sacrifice and service of these men and women.

As part of the initiative, Disney will provide at least 1,000 jobs and career opportunities for returning U.S. veterans over the next three years, support military families and veterans during their transition into civilian life, and launch a national public awareness campaign to encourage all employers across the U.S. to hire veterans.

In addition to providing career opportunities for veterans, Disney will also invest in select non-profit organizations that provide training and other support services. Through the Disney VoluntEARS program, employees will also engage in service projects with veterans’ organizations in communities around the country. The public awareness campaign, featuring veterans currently employed in various businesses across The Walt Disney Company, will highlight their value, encourage companies to hire these highly skilled men and women, and direct them to the Joining Forces initiative for more information.

Mr. Iger debuted the first spot at the conference, which can be viewed below the jump:

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Newsies Moves Into New Home on Broadway – Excitement Abounds

Every wonder about the glamorous life of a Broadway star when they’re backstage behind the curtains? Looks like it’s full of surprises for everyone. The cast of Disney’s Newsies The Musical just got an introduction to their new theater, The Nederlander, where they’ll be performing… Read More »Newsies Moves Into New Home on Broadway – Excitement Abounds

See Chimpanzee, Save Chimpanzees – DisneyNature to Donate for Every Ticket Bought

The latest True-Life Adventure film from the DisneyNature label is “Chimpanzee”. It will open in theaters on April 20 and Disney has committed to make a donation to the Jane Goodall Institute for every ticket sold during the films opening week. Chimpanzee introduces Oscar, a… Read More »See Chimpanzee, Save Chimpanzees – DisneyNature to Donate for Every Ticket Bought

Hungry for More Muppets – Get Ready for the Muppets Hunger Games Spoof

The Muppets is heading to DVD in just a few days domestically, plus it’s still in theaters around the word. You know that that means… more Muppets Spoof Trailers from Disney. This time they’re skewering “The Hunger Games” The Muppets is available for pre-order now… Read More »Hungry for More Muppets – Get Ready for the Muppets Hunger Games Spoof

Grand Opening of Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle Theatre on June 15th at California Adventure

Hang on Disneyland fans, the much anticipated grand opening of Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and the Carthay Circle Theatre at Disney California Adventure has been announced for June 15th with the park being closed on the 14th “to prepare” (aka to hold a media event). The new additions will serve as a capstone in the five year plan to revive the Disneyland resort and recover from some of the bad choices made when DCA originally opened. It’s still less than a perfect park, but these changes should go along way to closing the distance. I mean just look at that mountain range in Cars Land.

The great folks at Disney have shared this video with some behind the scenes glimpses of final details being added to DCA.

I know I’m ready, how about you? Okay then… more details below the jump:

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John Carter Film Review

There appears to be a disinformation campaign coming out of Hollywood. The visceral dislike of Disney Studios head Rich Ross, former marketing head MT Carney, and the envy of untouchable Pixar have combined to make Disney’s latest film a target of attacks. Opportunists who hadn’t even seen the film saw an opening to attack the Mouse House and have been making some wild accusations about “John Carter.” It’s way over budget (not true), the marketing was awful (definitely true), and it will be the next Ishtar (or perhaps Prince of Persia). The later is only true if one thing happens, we fans don’t get the word out about how great a film John Carter actually is.

Andrew Stanton and crew are in top form in John Carter, and aside from a few small technical snafus, have created a movie that fits in near the top of the action-adventure genre (think Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Avatar, and Superman). But it is also a typical Andrew Stanton film, in that the movie manages to transcend its genre.

Stanton combined elements from the first two books in Edgar Rice Burroughs “Princess of Mars” series and weaved together a story that will please fans of the series while also updating the story just a bit for modern audiences. Earthling John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) stumbles upon a portal to Mars (known as Barsoom to its occupants) while searching for gold and trying to forget a personal tragedy. On Mars, Carter finds himself in the middle of an epic battle for the fate of a planet, falling in love with the most beautiful woman on Barsoom, and gifted with unique powers that makes him a uniquely effective fighter. By making unusual allies, Carter is able to overcome impossible odds and become John Carter of Mars.

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Ten Minute Clip from John Carter

One of the loudest complaints about Walt Disney Pictures marketing of John Carter to date was that it fails to give the backstory of the movie. Without it, there’s no context to explain the story and therefore no emotional tie to motivate the audience to buy tickets. You can see where that would be problem.

Now, with just a few days left until the March 9th wide open, Disney’s movie marketing team has released a 10 minute clip from early in the film that encompasses almost all of the movie’s action on earth. This definitely helps fill in the missing backstory.

Having seen the movie myself, one thing is for sure, if the movie fails to score at the box office, it won’t be the movie’s fault. Director Andrew Stanton and crew have produced a terrific film with heart, emotion, and great story. But somehow, Disney’s marketing team continues to misfire. It has kneecapped any number of good animated features and now is doing a number on John Carter.

Below the cut is one final trailer for John Carter:

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Production Finally Begins on The Lone Ranger starring Johnny Depp

Walt Disney Picture’s modus operandi of late is to try and schedule one tent-pole movie every summer. One film ‘guaranteed’ to rake in close to a billion dollars (if not more) at the box office that will make up for some of the weaker performances in the studios limited slate of releases. Admittedly they’d have mixed results with this strategy (Prince of Persia anyone), but results have always been great when you put Johnny Depp and Gore Verbinski together. And that’s why Disney is now moving post-haste to get The Lone Ranger ready for it’s 2013 Memorial Day weekend date with the box office.

As you read through the press release below, you can’t help but think this group of all-stars will hit it out of the park… right?

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