By Courtney Potter
First Look at Disney’s Queen of Katwe
This fall, learn the inspiring true story of young Ugandan chess luminary Phiona Mutesi when Disney’s Queen of Katwe premieres in theaters nationwide! To whet your whistle, check out the brand-new trailer for the film—directed by Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding)—above.
Ten-year-old Phiona (newcomer Madina Nalwanga) is selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda when she’s introduced to the game of chess, and her life changes in an instant. As a result of the support she receives from her coach (David Oyelowo, Selma) and her community—and despite the initial reluctance of her mother Harriet (Oscar® winner Lupita Nyong’o)—Phiona is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion.
Based on the book by Tim Crothers, Queen of Katwe hits the big screen on September 23.
Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:
| D23 and Walt Disney Archives May 20 Mickey’s of Glendale • Orlando Shopping Event May 21 Finding Nemo: D23 in the Big Blue World (Florida) June 4 D23’s Afternoon in the Sea: Finding Nemo June 8 D23 Member Night at Newsies—On Tour in Salt Lake City, Utah August 22-26 D23 Presents Aloha Aulani! November 19-20 D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures Studios May 27 Alice Through the Looking Glass opens in theaters. June 17 Finding Dory opens in theaters. July 1 The BFG opens in theaters. August 12 Pete’s Dragon opens in theaters. November 23 Moana opens in theaters. December 16 Rogue One opens in theaters. |
Parks March 2—May 30 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival June 16 Shanghai Disney Resort to open June 17 Soarin’ Around the World Debuts at Disney California Adventure and at Epcot September 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29, 30 and October 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World Resort November 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29 and December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World Resort Television May 27 100th DCOM Celebration Kicks Off on Disney Channel at 10 a.m. June 24 Adventures in Babysitting Premieres on Disney Channel at 8 p.m. EDT |
Holiday Hoopla A-Plenty at Walt Disney World in 2016!
It’s not quite summer yet—we’ll officially enter the season of pool parties and BBQs on June 20—but we’re already looking forward to the holiday fun that’s coming to Walt Disney World later this year. There’s so much to see and do… including a brand-new Christmas show!
This year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park is returning for 29 nights of spine-tingling delight! And fans of the Sanderson Sisters should take note: Last year’s hit new show, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, is indeed returning to the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage. The fun starts on September 2!
Later this year, look for Magic Kingdom Park to get merrier than ever! The same team that brought the Sandersons back for All Hallows Eve is now hard at work on another new show, this time for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The all-new production, “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration,” finds Mickey and his pals inviting some of their friends over for an unforgettable Christmas party! Look for Woody and Jessie from Toy Story, and Fantasyland friends such as Peter Pan and Snow White, in a spectacle filled with both classic and contemporary holiday music. The show will be presented on nights when Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is offered, November 7 through December 22.
Tickets for both nighttime events are on sale now, so get ‘em while the gettin’ is good! For more info, head over to Disneyworld.com.
Celebrate Alice Through the Looking Glass with New Pink Music Video
We’re tantalizingly close to the premiere of Alice Through the Looking Glass, the further adventures of our golden-haired heroine (Mia Wasikowska), her mad-as-a-Hatter friend (Johnny Depp), and a deliciously evil queen (Helena Bonham Carter). But before the film, directed by James Bobin (Muppets Most Wanted) and written by Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast) falls through the looking glass of your local movie house, take a gander at the brand-new music video for “Just Like Fire,” written and performed by Grammy® winner Pink! It’s a family affair; the clip also stars Pink’s husband, motocross champion Carey Hart, and their daughter Willow.
Like what you see (and hear)? The single is available at iTunes and Amazon Music now. And follow along with Alice’s exploits when Alice Through the Looking Glass debuts on May 27!
