By Courtney Potter
“Becoming Cruella”: New Featurette Goes Behind the Story
One of film’s most notorious—and notoriously fashionable—villains is ready to make trouble in a new featurette for Disney’s all-new, live-action feature Cruella. Earlier this week, “Becoming Cruella” was unleashed upon the world, along with several cool new character posters. Audiences can experience Cruella—starring Academy Award® winners Emma Stone and Emma Thompson, and directed by Craig Gillespie—in theaters, or on Disney+ (with Premier Access for a one-time additional fee), beginning later this month.
Set in 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, Disney’s Cruella introduces Estella (Stone), a clever and creative young grifter determined to make a name for herself with her fashion designs. After befriending a pair of young thieves and building a life on the gritty London streets, Estella’s flair for couture catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman (Thompson), a devastatingly chic fashion legend who’s as terrifying as she is “haute.” Their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, revenge-bent Cruella we know and love today…
Meet Cruella beginning Friday, May 28!
5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend
Second weekend of May, ahoy! Can you believe we’re headed squarely towards summer already? Celebrate the sunshine and fun times to come with some choice viewing from around the worlds of Disney… including Disney Channel’s special one-night-only High School Musical: The Musical: The Series marathon; Global Citizen’s incredible VAX Live: The Concert to Reunite the World special on ABC and ABC News Live (among other networks); and so much more.
Tom Hiddleston Announces New Loki Premiere Date on Disney+
Earlier this week, the God of Mischief popped up on screens across the world to make a big announcement: “Wednesdays are the new Fridays!”
Tom Hiddleston’s video message, seen above, announces Wednesday, June 9, as the new debut date (and Wednesday as the weekly release day) for Marvel Studios’ Loki, a brand-new, original series exclusively on Disney+. The show finds our mischievous ol’ pal stepping out of his brother’s shadow in a story that takes place after the events of Avengers: Endgame. Hiddleston returns as the title character, joined by Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Sophia Di Martino, Wunmi Mosaku, and Richard E. Grant. Kate Herron directs Loki, and Michael Waldron serves as head writer.
We cannot wait to see what kind of mayhem Loki has in store…
Marvel Studios Celebrates the Movies
The big Loki announcement wasn’t the only Marvel-related fun to appear this week: Our friends at Marvel Studios offered up a sneak peek at Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with an incredible new montage featuring a voiceover from late Disney Legend Stan Lee. In the off chance you haven’t yet reveled in the clip’s magical Marvel bounties, or you require a second (or 84th) viewing, click here.
ABC’s The Ultimate Surfer Announces Premiere Date and Cast
This summer, all we need is some tasty waves and this killer new show from ABC… The two-night premiere of ABC’s new series The Ultimate Surfer will air Monday, August 23, and Tuesday, August 24 at 10 p.m. EDT, following all-new episodes of Bachelor in Paradise.
Former NFL quarterback Jesse Palmer is set to host the surf competition series—with sports anchor Erin Coscarelli and the iconic voice of professional surfing, Joe Turpel, to serve as commentators. Plus, 11-time surfing world champion Kelly Slater will serve as a special correspondent, and act as lead consultant for the series itself.
Alliances and rivalries will be front and center in The Ultimate Surfer as some of the greatest up-and-coming surfers from around the world gather together at World Surf League’s (WSL) state-of-the-art Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California, to compete in individual and team challenges focused on specific surfing disciplines. Weekly eliminations will leave two men and two women as finalists who will vie for the male and female titles of The Ultimate Surfer and the opportunity to compete on the elite WSL Championship Tour, the pinnacle of professional surfing. Slater’s remarkable, one-of-a-kind, human-made wave—the most even playing field for measuring surf mastery—is at the heart of the show.
Wax up your proverbial board and mark those calendars!
Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts Coming Soon to Disney+
Disney+ just announced that Good Morning America and ABC News co-anchor (not to mention Disney Legend!) Robin Roberts will host and executive produce Turning the Tables With Robin Roberts, a new four-episode series featuring intimate round table conversations with female celebrities from all walks of life. LeBron James will serve as an executive producer on the series with his media conglomerate, The SpringHill Company; in addition to Roberts and James, the assembled team of executive producers is made up of women, BIPOC, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
In each episode, Roberts sits down with three famous women who share experiences that are both personal and moving. As the show’s title suggests, the guests occasionally “turn the tables” and interview Roberts—and each other—in heartfelt, humorous, and often vulnerable conversations. Guests include Debbie Allen, Sofia Carson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jenna Dewan, Sheila E., Melissa Etheridge, Mickey Guyton, Betsey Johnson, Billie Jean King, Tig Notaro, Raven-Symoné, and Josie Totah.
Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts will debut Friday, July 30, on Disney+.
“Designing the Disney Wish”: More About Disney Cruise Line’s Newest Ship
Our good pals at the Disney Parks Blog just debuted the latest video in Disney Cruise Line’s “Designing the Disney Wish” series, offering up amazing details about what guests can expect when the ship sets sail in Summer 2022.
Hear from DCL’s creative masterminds, in the clip above, about the all-new spaces and experiences aboard the Disney Wish that continue their tradition of delivering the most magical and relaxing vacations at sea… now with more Disney stories and characters than ever before!
ICYMI: D23 recently attended the Disney Wish’s grand reveal, learning firsthand about the ship’s incredible design; the first-ever attraction at sea, featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse; amazing new food and beverage offerings; and much, much more.
Stay tuned for more info about the Disney Wish at it becomes available!
