Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume – MoPop

Across countless tales of enchantment, The Walt Disney Company has always been at the forefront of creative storytelling. Shared with audiences around the globe, the worlds these stories have created for us have become significant, iconic, and, in many ways, immortal. Across nearly every medium Disney has touched—from the earliest days of animation, through innovations in live-action filmmaking, pioneering efforts in television, location-based entertainment, retail, and even gaming—one creative aspect has been seldom-documented, though is ever-present: costume design.

Much has been said and written about the significant work of the artists, animators, performers, composters, designers, and Imagineers who have brought forth the sorcery of Disney to generations around the world, but Disney costume designers have not had their work examined—or appraised and appreciated—with the same focus, nor has their art been as celebrated as their creative contemporaries. And yet, in all the varied narrative media from Disney, costumes and clothing are  as significant and memorable an element of building a character and telling a story as any other aspect, from script to sound, or from performance to production design.

This exhibition explores the craftsmanship and artistry required to produce costuming elements that represent nearly six decades of film and television production at The Walt Disney Company. Incorporating more than 60 costumes worn by the likes of Disney Legend Julie Andrews, Bette Davis, Glenn Close, and Angelina Jolie, and representing over 20 different designers, the exhibit aims to showcase for visitors a never before seen, up-close look at some of Disney’s most memorable costumes, shining a spotlight on not only the incredible garments, but the artisans that brought them to life. Guests are able to hear from the designers themselves, getting added insight into how costumes go from concept to reality.

The 6,000-square-foot traveling exhibit will be on display at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington, from June 4, 2021 through April 17, 2022.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Zach Johnson

FX on Hulu will kick off the week with the series premiere of Y: The Last Man. Intended for mature audiences, the first three episodes will be available to stream on Monday, with new episodes released every week. On Wednesday, ABC will broadcast the season finale of The $100,000 Pyramid, followed by a special edition of 20/20 that profiles a promising young voice. Last but not least, Disney+ on Friday will add Confessions of a Shopaholic to its library and premiere Nona, another entry from the acclaimed Pixar SparkShorts Program.

Y: The Last Man

Y: The Last Man—Monday, September 13, on FX on Hulu
Stream the first three episodes of this highly anticipated drama series, based on DC Comics’ acclaimed series of the same name by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. Intended for mature audiences, Y: The Last Man traverses a post-apocalyptic world in which a cataclysmic event kills every mammal with a Y chromosome… except for one man, Yorick (Ben Schnetzer), and his pet monkey. In the pilot, “Would the World Be Kind,” U.S. President Jennifer Brown (Diane Lane) responds to the crisis. As Yorick fears he may be the only survivor, his sister, Hero (Olivia Thirlby), attempts to right a wrong. In the next episode, “Neil,” Jennifer and Yorick are reunited, while Agent 355 (Ashley Romans) pitches a plan for what comes next—all while the late president’s daughter, Kimberly (Amber Tamblyn), circles Jennifer’s secret. In the third episode, “Karen and Benji,” Jennifer orders Yorick and Agent 355 to search for a geneticist who can hopefully explain how he survived.

The $100,000 Pyramid

The $100,000 Pyramid—Wednesday, September 15, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC
Michael Strahan hosts the timeless word-association game in which two stars and their partners face off in a timed race to make it to the winner’s circle and take home $100,000. The celebrity guests are Laura Benanti, Mario Cantone, Bridget Everett, and Joe Tessitore.

Amanda Gorman: Brave Enough with Robin Roberts

Amanda Gorman: Brave Enough with Robin Roberts—Wednesday, September 15, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC
ABC News presents a one-hour special that reveals the personal side of Amanda Gorman, the writer and activist who captivated millions when she read an original poem during the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Disney Legend Robin Roberts sits down with Gorman, the first National Youth Poet Laureate, for an in-depth interview that covers her views on fame; her writing and success as a best-selling author; the role of activism in her work; her political aspirations; and more. Gorman also grants unprecedented access to her day-to-day life, including a glimpse at her writing process; her role co-chairing the 2021 Met Gala; and her work with a speech pathologist.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Confessions of a Shopaholic—Friday, September 17, on Disney+
Living in New York City, Becky Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) desperately wants a job writing for a high-fashion magazine. She gets her stilettos in the door with a job writing a personal finance column at a sister publication. Not only does it become a runaway hit, but Becky falls head over heels for her charming but overworked boss (Hugh Dancy). But Becky is also keeping a major secret that threatens to unravel the “perfect” life she’s built.

Nona

Nona—Friday, September 17, on Disney+
Pixar Animation Studios, director Louis Gonzales, and producer Courtney Casper Kent introduce Nona, a grandmother who plans to spend her day off by shutting out the world to watch her favorite TV show: E.W.W. Smashdown Wrestling. When her 5-year-old granddaughter Renee is unexpectedly dropped off, Nona finds herself caught between her two favorite things. Renee wants to play, while the normally doting Nona wants to watch her show, leading to a decisive showdown between the two—followed by a loving compromise.

Disney+ Orders Season Three of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

By Zach Johnson

Disney+ has ordered a third season of its acclaimed original series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, from Disney Branded Television. Created and executive produced by Tim Federle, season three will follow the Wildcats as they leave the hallways of East High for the ultimate summer at sleepaway camp, complete with campfires, summer romances, and curfew-less nights. Production for the third season will relocate from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles and begin later this year.

Said Federle, “We are overjoyed to be heading to the great outdoors for season three, and grateful to our partners and friends at Disney+ for their continued support of our next-generation Wildcats.”

hsmtmts

Inspired by the immensely successful, two-time Emmy® Award-winning High School Musical franchise that catapulted the likes of Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens into stardom and dominated the Billboard charts, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is again taking over the airwaves and helping launch the careers of some of Hollywood’s next big stars. A few of the breakout original songs from the series include “Just for a Moment,” the season one ballad Joshua Bassett and Olivia Rodrigo wrote for their characters Ricky and Nini; “All I Want,” the platinum-certified, Billboard Hot 100-reaching hit song that Rodrigo wrote and performed as Nini in season one; and “The Rose Song,” an empowering number that Rodrigo wrote for Nini in season two. The soundtracks for both seasons of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, combined with High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special, have amassed an astounding 1,438,000,000 combined streams to date.

Seasons one and two of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series are set at East High School, the setting and filming location of the original movies. In season one, the series follows members of the drama club and their faculty advisors as they work their way to opening night of their school’s first-ever production of High School Musical: The Musical.  Season two culminates in a performance of Beauty and the Beast. Show-mances blossom, old friendships are tested while new ones are made, rivalries flare, and lives are changed forever as students discover the transformative power only found in a high school theater.

Both seasons of the GLAAD Media Award-winning series are now streaming on Disney+.

This New Pin Set Celebrates the Characters of “The Vacation Kingdom of the World”

By the D23 Team

D23-Exclusive Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Pin Set – ”The Vacation Kingdom of the World” – Limited Edition

We’re excited to reveal the next exclusive pin set celebrating a half century of the Most Magical Place on Earth! This incredible pin set was created just for D23 by artists Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily. The set, a tribute to the boundless activities offered by “The Vacation Kingdom of the World,” features five fan-favorite characters from across the park! These D23 Gold Member-exclusive pins, created in vintage-inspired soft enamel, are the perfect way to celebrate this magical milestone!

To compliment the “Florida’s Fab Five” exclusive pin set included in the D23 Gold Member Collector Set—part of the 2021 D23 Gold Membership—D23 is proud to offer four additional pin sets celebrating 50 years of the Walt Disney World Resort. Read the fall issue of Disney twenty-three for a sneak peek at all four. Want to make your collection complete? Make sure to get the previous set in the series, “A Most Magical Kingdom.”

wdw pin set #2

wdw pin set #2

“The Vacation Kingdom of the World” set includes:

  • Rizzo the Rat from Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3-D
  • a Triceratops from TriceraTop Spin
  • Dreamfinder from Journey Into Imagination
  • Poly Tiki from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Goofy from River Country Water Park

Our “The Vacation Kingdom of the World” pin set, offered in a limited edition of 2,500, will be available exclusively to D23 Gold Members on shopDisney at 7 a.m. PT on September 13, 2021.

*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. Pin sets are sold for $49.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of two (2) pin sets of this style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices.

It’s a Family Thang! Celebrate 20 Years of The Proud Family with a D23-Exclusive Pin

By the D23 Team

D23-Exclusive The Proud Family 20th Anniversary Pin – Limited Edition

Celebrate 20 years of The Proud Family with this stylish pin created just for D23. The pin features a fan-favorite lyric, along with family members Penny, Oscar, Trudy, Suga Mama, and BeBe and CeCe! This D23 Gold Member-exclusive pin, created in hard enamel, is the perfect way to celebrate this magical Disney Channel milestone!

proud family pin

Our The Proud Family pin, offered in a limited edition of 1,500, will be available exclusively to D23 Gold Members on shopDisney at 7 a.m. PT on September 13, 2021.

*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. Pins are sold for $12.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of two (2) pins of this style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices.

The Lion King and TikTok to Make Broadway History with Live Streaming Event

By Zach Johnson

There’s more to see than can ever be seen… on Broadway and on TikTok!

In a Broadway first, The Lion King will exclusively partner with TikTok to stream the production’s iconic opening number, “Circle of Life,” on September 14 in celebration of the hit show’s return to the stage, 18 months after the Broadway shutdown. The live stream event will start at 7 p.m. ET and can be viewed on the Disney on Broadway TikTok account.

Disney on Broadway needs your help! Follow the Disney on Broadway TikTok account today to be part of history and join the cast on September 14 to watch this memorable live stream performance of “Circle of Life.” The live stream will include a pre-show hosted by Broadway cast member Adrienne Walker (Nala) that will bring viewers behind the scenes to meet the people who bring The Lion King to life on a daily basis. The event will culminate with a live feed of “Circle of Life” from the Minskoff Theatre, giving fans across the globe the chance to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience that would otherwise be limited to the 1,700 guests inside the theater that night. Click here to watch a video of Walker announcing the partnership.

The live stream event is in support of The Actors Fund, which has provided more than $22.7 million in direct financial assistance to more than 16,700 people since the beginning of the Broadway shutdown. Earlier this year, TikTok firmly established itself as the leading platform for all things musical theatre, as creators and The Actors Fund came together to build out a crowd-sourced version of Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical. Since then, TikTok has remained the hub for fans and creators of theatre, dance, music, and all things Broadway.

The Lion King TikTok

“We are thrilled to welcome audiences back to Broadway. But realizing that only 1,700 guests would get to experience our first performance in the theatre, we wanted to find a way for everyone to be part of this historic Broadway moment,” said Angelo Desimini, Disney Theatrical Productions VP, Marketing, Publicity, Sales & Education. “Partnering with TikTok allows us to literally bring The Lion King into the hands of theatre lovers wherever they are to share in this once-in-a-lifetime evening.”

“TikTok has become a home for Broadway and musical theatre lovers around the world, so we are excited to celebrate this milestone for the industry as the lights go back up on stages,” said Catherine Halaby, Entertainment Content Partnerships Lead, TikTok. “With our partners, we are bringing the most innovative, entertaining and creative content to the thriving musical theatre community on platform. By partnering with major productions like The Lion King, along with our community of creators and top Broadway stars, we want to bring Broadway entertainment to everyone and provide an inside look into the talent and magic of musical theatre.”

“We’re honored to celebrate the return of Broadway with our good friends at Disney Theatrical, The Lion King, and TikTok,” said Joe Benincasa, President & CEO of The Actors Fund. “We can’t wait for the very first ‘Circle of Life’ live performance back at the Minskoff Theatre—which, thanks to the live stream, will also be available to TikTok fans around the world who can experience the magic of Broadway and share their support for the performing arts community.”

Disneyland Paris Announces 30th Anniversary Celebrations—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Disneyland Paris 30th Anniversary

Disneyland Paris to Celebrate 30 Incredible Years Next Spring

The year was 1992. Some fantastic, fan-fave Disney movies were released across those 12 months: Aladdin, Newsies, The Mighty Ducks… but that’s not all: On April 12, our pals at Disneyland Paris officially welcomed guests for the very first time, after years of planning and imagination to bring Walt Disney’s magical dream to life in Europe. Three full decades later, the resort has continued to delight guests while expanding with new stories, characters, and adventures—including franchises such as Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel—becoming the No. 1 tourist destination in Europe.

With such a major milestone approaching in just six months, guests can anticipate more magic on the horizon as Disneyland Paris kicks off its 30th Anniversary on March 6, 2022. This once-in-a-lifetime celebration of the resort’s enchanting past and exciting future will invite guests to enter a shining new era—one where they will dream bigger, laugh louder, and smile wider! (Check out the anniversary’s gleaming new logo, above.)

Disneyland Paris’ 30th Anniversary will feature a host of unique and festive experiences across Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, and the entire resort. Stay tuned as more details of the celebration are released in the coming months.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

It may not be a three-day weekend this time ‘round, but there’s still plenty of chances to catch some choice viewing from around the worlds of Disney. Look for all-new episode of Disney’s Magic Bake-Off themed to The Lion King on Disney Channel; meanwhile, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides joins the Disney+ library, and ABC premieres all-new eps of Celebrity Family Feud and To Tell the Truth. And trust us, there’s more where that came from…

Grogu

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® to Debut a Funko Pop!-Inspired Grogu Balloon

We know summertime’s a favorite for many—but your proprietors here at News Briefs are big, big fans of fall… and this just-released news from the good folks over at StarWars.com has us counting down the days like never before.

Funko and Macy’s, in collaboration with Lucasfilm, have announced that Grogu—the beloved Force-sensitive being from the Emmy® Award-winning series The Mandalorian—will debut as a huge Funko Pop!-inspired balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 25! Taking flight in the annual spectacle, the Grogu-inspired balloon will emulate the Funko Pop! version of the character—and it’s set to measure 41 feet high, 29 feet long, and 37 feet wide. Travelling through Manhattan on Thanksgiving Day, it’s sure to be an adorably memorable tribute to a modern Star Wars fan favorite.

But that’s not all: A limited-edition Macy’s Parade balloon-inspired product line will be available for sale on Funko.com, and Macy’s will have select items from Funko available for purchase at Macy’s Herald Square this fall. For a sneak peek, head over to StarWars.com—and be sure to watch Grogu soar through New York City when NBC broadcasts the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 25, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. in all time zones.

Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread House: 20 Spooktacular Seasons

Now that Halloween Time has begun at the Disneyland Resort (huzzah!), it means another truly breathtaking new gingerbread house inside Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland park! But this year, to celebrate the 20th season of this most merriest of mansion makeovers (inspired, of course, by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas), the cast members from Disneyland Resort Central Bakery and Entertainment Technical Services have truly outdone themselves—paying homage to all previous houses in celebration of this beloved tradition’s milestone anniversary.

In the video above, courtesy our pals at the Disney Parks Blog, viewers can get a taste of how pastry chefs spend hundreds of hours baking and decorating the nearly 13-foot-tall house from scratch, and how the technicians move and assemble the five main pieces in the “St. Nick” of time for all foolish mortals to enjoy.

See (and smell) the gingerbread house in person, now through January 9, 2022, at Haunted Mansion Holiday!

Disney+’s Hallowstream Starts September 24

For the second year in a row, Disney+ is offering up thrilling new originals and beloved Halloween classics as part of their Hallowstream programming event! Mark your calendars for the debut of LEGO® Star Wars Terrifying Tales, Just Beyond, and Muppets Haunted Mansion, plus a slew of Halloween-themed episodes and fave films including Hocus Pocus. Check out D23’s Hallowstream rundown for more.

New Trailer for LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales

Speaking of new (trick-or-)treats coming to Disney+ in time for All Hallows’ Eve, the streaming service just premiered a new trailer for LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales, the all-new scary special from Lucasfilm and the LEGO Group that will have fans ready for a frighteningly fun Halloween season.

The trailer features a look at the three tales that Darth Vader’s loyal servant Vaneé will spin during the special: “The Lost Boy,” the story of how a young Ben Solo first meets Ren; “The Dueling Monstrosities,” which imagines how Darth Maul and General Grievous were reborn; and “The Wookiee’s Paw,” which gives a look at what might have happened if all of Luke Skywalker’s greatest wishes were immediately granted. The special will leave fans with spine-tingling chills and goose-bricks! (Get it? Bricks?)

After the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Poe and BB-8 are forced make an emergency landing on the volcanic planet Mustafar, where they meet the greedy and conniving Graballa the Hutt—who’s purchased Darth Vader’s castle and is renovating it into the galaxy’s first all-inclusive Sith-inspired luxury hotel. While waiting for his X-wing to be repaired, Poe, BB-8, Graballa and Dean—a plucky kid who works as Graballa’s mechanic—venture deep into the mysterious castle with Vader’s loyal servant, Vaneé. Along the way, Vaneé shares these creepy stories linked to ancient artifacts and iconic villains from across all eras of Star Wars. But as Vaneé spins his tales and lures our heroes deeper into the shadowy underbelly of the castle, a sinister plan emerges. With the help of Dean, Poe and BB-8 will have to face their fears, stop an ancient evil from rising, and escape to make it back to their friends.

Look for LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales to debut October 1, exclusively on the streaming service.

Sneak Peek at New Song for Disney Enchanted at Magic Kingdom Park

As part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” honoring five extraordinary decades of Walt Disney World Resort, Magic Kingdom park will be premiering an all-new nighttime spectacular called Disney Enchantment this October 1. The show will take guests on a journey filled with adventure, wonder, and empowerment, inspiring guests to believe in magic.

Disney Enchantment will feature music, enhanced lighting, stunning fireworks, and—for the first time—immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A. But wait, there’s more: Grammy®-winning songwriter and producer Philip Lawrence (Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk”) has written an original song for the nighttime spectacular, entitled “You Are the Magic.” Lawrence has certainly pursued his dreams and made them come true; he got his start in show biz as a cast member at Walt Disney World Resort, performing in shows like Festival of the Lion King and Tarzan Rocks! Lawrence sings on “You Are the Magic,” as does another former Walt Disney World cast member, actor and singer Kayla Alvarez.

Check out the creation of the tune in the video, above… and get ready to hear the complete version of the song when Disney Enchantment Presented by Pandora Jewelry makes its big debut next month!

ICYMI: ABC’s Dancing with the Stars Announces Season 30 Cast

It’s time for another cache of celebrities to start their quest for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy! Earlier this week, ABC’s Dancing with the Stars announced the cast of their upcoming 30th season—and it boasts everyone from a recent Olympic gold medalist and a former Radio City Rockette to a Spice Girl and a graduate of West Beverly High. See who to expect on the dancefloor in a few weeks’ time by clicking here.

Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. Honors Doogie Howser, M.D.

By Zach Johnson

The coming-of-age dramedy Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., which premiered on Disney+ September 8, is, of course, inspired by the hit medical series Doogie Howser, M.D.—something that will no doubt be immediately obvious to fans who watched the original drama, which aired on ABC for four seasons from 1989-1993. For starters, the theme song—a fresh take on the original—is performed on ukulele by Hawaiian artist Jake Shimabukuro.

“There were a few key things I remember from growing up watching the show, and one of them was definitely the theme song,” Kourtney Kang, creator and executive producer of Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., recalled last month during the TCA Summer Press Tour. The reimagined theme song was always part of her vision, which is why Kang feels “lucky” that Shimabukuro helped make her dream a reality: “He is the best ukulele player in the world!”

Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. follows the adventures of Lahela “Doogie” Kamealoha (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) as she juggles a nascent medical career with the everyday trials and tribulations that come with being a teenager. With the support of her caring and comical family and friends, she is determined to make the most of this time and forge her own path.

In addition to referencing the original theme song, another element Kang was keen to borrow from Doogie Howser, M.D. was creating a BFF like Vinnie Delpino (Max Casella), who famously felt so at home with Doogie Howser (Neil Patrick Harris) that he would climb through the young doctor’s window rather than use the front door. It’s a quirky tradition that Steph Denisco (Emma Meisel) continues in Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. “As we were looking for the perfect house for the Kamealoha family to live in, in Hawai‘i, I kept saying, ‘It has to be two stories,’” Kang said. “Steph loves her so much that she’s climbing up two stories to crawl through this window. It’s just not the same if it’s a one-story house.” Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. also updates the journaling scene from the end of each episode of Doogie Howser, M.D., with Lahela recording video diary messages about her day.

Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.

As for how Lahela gets the “Doogie” nickname? Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. is set in a world in which Harris was an actor who played a character named Doogie Howser on television. “Apparently, this is a thing that happens sometimes to young doctors,” Kang explained. “They get nicknamed ‘Doogie,’ so we thought it was fun that she gets nicknamed ‘Doogie.’”

Lee said she had “not personally spoken” to Harris, but she “would love to” do so one day. “We need to connect Peyton and Neil!” said Kang. “And yes, we have been in touch with Neil. I worked with him for nine years on How I Met Your Mother. He is so wonderful. As soon as this all started coming together, we reached out. He has been so supportive of this project and so lovely. We were trying to get him to come out in season one and do something with us.” For a number of reasons, it didn’t work out. But hope is not lost, said Kang: “He was like, ‘In season two’—if there’s a season two—‘I would love to come out.’”

Although Doogie Howser, M.D. creator Steven Bochco passed away in 2018, his widow, Dayna Bochco, and his son, Jesse Bochco, continue his legacy by serving as executive producers of Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. Jesse said he was “blown away” by Lee, and Dayna praised the creative team behind the new series, saying, “Steven would love these people.”

“We felt very confident going forward because they were always respectful of what Steven had done and were also respectful of the ideas behind the concept: a child prodigy who doesn’t fit in either world,” Dayna said. “He would have loved the show. I know he would.”

New episodes of Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. stream Wednesdays on Disney+.

The Ron’s Gone Wrong Creators Discuss Technology, Relationships, and the Heart of Friendship

By Jim Frye

Ron may be wrong. But in the end, it’s all right.

Ron’s Gone Wrong, a new animated feature coming out this October from 20th Century Studios and Locksmith Animation, explores what happens when every kid in the country gets a B-Bot—a walking, talking, digitally connected device that is supposed to be their “Best Friend Out of the Box.” But when awkward middle-schooler Barney gets a broken B-Bot named Ron, he has to move past his own insecurities and try to teach it what true friendship is… before it ruins his social life forever.

The specter of over-reaching technology and what it means to our culture is central to the story of Ron’s Gone Wrong. People are connected to their phones, their social media, and their technology in ways we never dreamed a generation ago. It’s into this setting that the creators of Ron’s Gone Wrong have cast their net, telling the story of Barney and Ron, two very different “people” (Ron’s a B-Bot) who crush through their barriers to explore true friendship. Who are our true friends? Can technology substitute for actual relationships? And what does it all mean in today’s society?

The creative team behind Ron’s Gone Wrong recently gathered to talk about their film and how its themes of relationships, technology, and the intersection of the two are so timely with what’s going on in our world today. We heard from writer/director of Ron’s Gone Wong and co-founder of Locksmith Animation, Sarah Smith; director Jean-Philippe Vine; producer and co-founder of Locksmith Animation Julie Lockhart; co-director Octavio Rodriguez; and scriptwriter Peter Baynhamn.

ron's gone wrong

PETER BAYNHAM: “The frustration with technology is that on an hourly basis I want to smash something up! You just get things that make your life better and I become instantly dependent on them and then I’m furious when they won’t work. So, it’ll be terrifying to depend on a device for friendship, because I know, just at the moment it doesn’t work, I would be melting down in a small corner somewhere.”

JEAN-PHILIPPE VINE: “Our movie really talks about friendship and what is a good healthy friendship and how messy that can be. I really connected to it, especially as a parent because my oldest son was really struggling with friendships in his pre-teen period and kind of really struggling with which group he belonged to. And it helped me as we worked with Barney, the main character, and just thematically—this idea that a good friendship has conflict and that’s okay. And that’s a good thing; that’s a healthy friendship. I think that’s a beautiful idea, so I connect with that.”

SARAH SMITH: “My passion as a movie-maker is wanting to do movies that actually talk to stuff that really matters to kids. And I was very aware of my own daughter, as every parent is. At some point your kid comes home and says, ‘They all had someone to play with at recess except me.’ You feel like ‘Oh my God,’ and then you remember having that experience yourself. It’s like the universal problem we all have of feeling like everyone else has it down except us, and at the same time being super aware of how technology made all that really even more complicated for kids. I literally remember sitting on a sofa with a glass of wine watching her, thinking, ‘We have to make that movie for kids, because kids don’t understand that maybe what their experience is online, maybe there’s different.’ Then it became a kind of journey to try and find how could you put the idea of our online relationships into a fun, animated format. And the answer is, the idea that there’s a device out there that replaces your phone and your iPad, but it runs around and talks to you.”

SARAH SMITH: “We watched all of the robot movies. And all of those movies have one thing in common—they’re either the evil baddy or they’re the goodie. And in a way this movie’s not really so much about the robot A.I. idea, it’s not about that kind of Artificial Intelligence. It’s actually about something which kids have in their homes. It’s about the way their iPad talks to them. It’s really about social media and the online experience.”

PETER BAYNHAM: “Ron just wants to help you and wants to learn. And that, therefore, then teaches Barney about friendship. So, Barney sets out to teach Ron friendship, and in the end Barney’s the one who gets the real lesson, and Ron’s the one who teaches him.”

SARAH SMITH: “The movie is the not saying that technology’s bad or even good. The thing is, it’s here to stay, and there was a time at the beginning when I thought I wanted the end of the movie to be that all the B-Bots were gone, and the kids were back in the playground looking at each other and relating again. And then eventually someone said to me, ‘You know that’s not going to happen, right?’ And we realized we needed to make a more challenging movie, which is about how do we—as parents, as children, as kids growing up in a world in which this is all they’ve ever known—how do we learn to live with the tech?”

Ron’s Gone Wrong opens October 22.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

By Zach Johnson

We’re not saying we make our plans around what to watch… but we’re not not saying that! This Friday, Disney Channel will present an all-new episode of Disney’s Magic Bake-Off that’s themed to one of our favorite films: The Lion King! That same day, the sensational, swashbuckling film Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will join the Disney+ library. On Sunday, ABC will broadcast all-new episodes of Celebrity Family Feud and To Tell the Truth, while Freeform’s movie marathon will include another fan-favorite: The Game Plan.

5 fantastic things

Disney’s Magic Bake-Off—Friday, September 10, at 8 p.m. ET on Disney Channel
Be prepared! In this episode, co-hosts Issac Ryan Brown and Dara Reneé help guide the contestants as they bake spectacular cakes inspired by The Lion King. Baking influencer Jocelyn Adams joins Disneyland Resort pastry chef Gracie Gomez as the kid bakers showcase the majestic animal kingdom and the beauty of Africa in their delicious creations.

5 fantastic things

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides—Friday, September 10, on Disney+
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, director Rob Marshall’s 2011 action-adventure introduces Angelica (Penélope Cruz), a ravishing pirate who shares a dubious past with Captain Jack Sparrow (Disney Legend Johnny Depp) and forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge—aka the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane)! Jack soon finds himself on an unexpected journey to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. Along the way, he must use all his wiles to deal with Blackbeard and his crew of zombies, not to mention Angelica, some enchanting mermaids, and crews of Spaniards also looking for the fountain.

5 fantastic things

Celebrity Family Feud—Sunday, September 12, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
The Nanny co-stars Fran Drescher and Charles Shaughnessy will reunite and battle it out for their chosen charity: Cancer Schmancer, which Drescher founded. In the next game, country music star Jessie James Decker, former NFL player Eric Decker, and their family take on NBA star Chris Bosh and his family and friends. The Decker family will play for Graham’s Foundation, while “Team Bosh” will play for the Boys and Girls Club of America.

5 fantastic things

The Game Plan—Sunday, September 12, at 8:30 p.m. ET on Freeform
Famous quarterback Joe Kingman (Dwayne Johnson) is shocked when Peyton (Madison Pettis), the 8-year-old daughter he never knew existed, shows up on the doorstep of his not-so-kid-friendly bachelor pad. But as an all-important game nears, Joe starts to realize the most meaningful win he can achieve is the heart of the little fan who counts the most.

5 fantastic things

To Tell the Truth—Sunday, September 12, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC
D’Arcy Carden, Brad Garrett, and J.B. Smoove make up the celebrity panel. Join the party this week with an explosive group that features the Hollywood Sign caretaker, a NASCAR tire changer, the prettiest pie winner, a manure specialist, and a master piñata maker!