Meet the Killer Cast of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building

August 27, 2021August 24, 2021

By Zach Johnson

How well do you know your neighbors?

From the brilliant minds of Disney Legend Steve Martin, John Hoffman, and Dan Fogelman comes a new comedic murder-mystery series, Only Murders in the Building. The Hulu Original follows three strangers, played by Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, who share an obsession with true crime and quickly find themselves caught in one of their own. When a grisly death occurs inside their fancy Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and uses their precise knowledge of true crime to investigate the mystery. As they record a true crime podcast of their own to document the case, they unravel the complex secrets of the building, which stretch back years. Perhaps even more revelatory are the lies they tell one another. Eventually, the trio realizes a killer might be living among them, and they must race to decipher the accumulating clues… before it’s too late!

“This is one of the most unusual things I’ve ever done, because it actually has a plot,” jokes Martin, a self-admitted true crime junkie. “I usually don’t do things with plots.” In truth, he says, “I decided, with the director, that it was very important to play it straight. Otherwise, it wouldn’t look real. But the strange thing is I played it straight—and it looks like a spoof!”

Short says each actor brings “a different energy” to the series. “I tend to play it very real, Steve goes way over the top and Selena grounds everything in this kind of dry, hilarious delivery. The combination, I think, is perfect.” Gomez says she was initially “very nervous” to share the screen with comedy legends Martin and Short, whom she now calls her “two crazy uncles.” What she learned from them, she adds, was invaluable. “How they lead a set is so commendable. They are so humble, they are kind, and they are there till the very end. They’ve set such an example for me,” she says. “They’ve been doing this longer than I’ve been alive. I would be so lucky to have a career that lasted that long. Overall, I just love the way they talk to people. I love the way they come to set and make everybody feel good. That makes me want to do that more. Plus, I’m so lucky. I just sit down and laugh all day.”

Only Murders in the Building is another winning collaboration between Martin and Short, who won over audiences through films such as Father of the Bride and various comedy tours. “Steve’s agenda is to make the set loose and happy, because that’s the playground,” Short says. “He is never temperamental. He always knows his lines—and if he doesn’t, he makes a joke about it that gets everyone laughing, and then it becomes a better take. And that’s the way it’s been since Three Amigos.” Echoing Short, Martin adds, “We just get along on a humorous level. We always have. We don’t get too neurotic with each other.”

Only Murders in the Building also marks Gomez’s return to television after starring in Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place from 2007-2012. “The sophistication level of the material is the reason why I wanted to do this,” she says. “Back then, I was just a kid, and I didn’t know what I was doing. I was just running around the set. Now, I’m just like a sponge and I soak up all the wisdom that I can. It’s really nice to be back on TV, and it’s nice to be cast as someone my own age—which never happens. I’m just very happy to be doing this.”

Stream Only Murders in the Building on Hulu starting Tuesday, August 31.

6 Fur-bulous Facts from the Dug Days Filmmakers

August 26, 2021

By Courtney Potter

There’s a new series of shorts coming to Disney+, and—squirrel!

Sorry ’bout that. We might just be a tad excited…

As we were saying, Disney+ will soon debut a brand-new series of shorts from Pixar Animation Studios. Dug Days follows the adorably humorous misadventures of Dug, the lovable dog whose high-tech collar translates his thoughts into speech. A sweet and loyal pupster, fan-favorite Dug won the hearts of audiences around the world when Disney and Pixar’s Up premiered in 2009—so obviously, a series starring this memorable mutt is a paw-fect addition to the Disney+ lineup!

The five short episodes (each with a different theme, including “Puppies,” “Smell,” and “Science”) take place just after the events of Up; curmudgeonly yet endearing Carl Fredricksen has accepted Dug as his own, and they’ve now traded their 1920s airship for a new house… complete with a doggy door and a big backyard. Fans of the ’09 film, never fear: Ed Asner, who lent his voice to Carl more than a decade ago, returned to the recording studio to deliver new dialogue. And Dug Days also features a few appearances from snipe-hunting wilderness explorer Russell.

Bob Peterson, the voice of Dug then and now, wrote and directed the new shorts—and it’s very familiar territory, considering Peterson was also a screenwriter and co-director on the Oscar^®-winning Up. This time ’round, Peterson is joined by Pixar Animation Studios veteran Kim Collins (production management for The Incredibles and Toy Story 4, among others) as producer… and the two filmmakers recently shared some insight into what makes Dug Days so doggone special.

Peterson on the origins of Dug Days:
“We were so excited when we created Dug [for Up] because using his collar would allow us to hear what a dog might actually think and say,” the director explains, “and we could explore ‘canine truth.’ Dug was based on our own dogs… We used experiences living with many dogs to write Dug’s character and dialogue. In fact, Dug’s voice is based on how I talk to my dogs: ‘You’re a good dog! I love you, my dog!’… For Dug Days, we pitched to Pixar a series of shorts that showed the facets of a dog’s life: territoriality, nurturing, protection, fears, and especially a dog’s super senses—like smell. This then gave focus to a dog’s feelings, which can be intense. We wanted to keep the setting simple to emphasize character.”

You might be wondering, where did the idea for Dug come from initially? “It goes back to a movie that Pete Docter and I were developing before Up,” Peterson says. “And it was more of a science fiction story, where a dog ate something that it shouldn’t have and all of a sudden started talking. It was just so fun to hear what a dog had to say that when that project got shelved, and we moved on to Up, we wondered, ‘Well, how can we bring that back?’ Ellie, Carl’s wife, always wanted to go on this adventure as a kid. And we thought, ‘What would she want to see?’ And a talking dog would certainly be part of a kid’s dream experience. So Dug was actually born from a different film… Some of these things happen, y’know, by chance—or they’re just sort of delivered to us and we don’t really think them through. We embrace them and see what they can bring.”

The filmmakers on what the production process was like—especially in the face of 2020’s life-altering peculiarities:
“Dug Days was just gearing up when we had to shift to work from home,” Collins admits. “We ended up recording in a lot of unusual places,” adds Peterson. “Mostly closets… [My own recording studio was] a spider-infested, dusty, and cramped closet below the stairs. I recorded a large chunk of Dug’s lines in there. One good thing, though, is that it was hot in there and I lost a lot of water weight,” he says, laughing.

“I mean, it was a lot of worry at the beginning—‘Can we do this?’”—Peterson continues. “Just technically, [can we] get people equipment in their home so that they can do it? And then can that equipment be fast enough so that we can have meaningful reviews, which don’t just sort of crawl along? And so that meant updating people’s Ethernet and all that sort of thing—along with the challenge of kids and dogs running around. But we embraced that! If a kid came in the room, and Mom or Dad or whoever was giving a presentation, the kid sat up on their lap and looked in, and it was wonderful. We enjoyed it—it’s actually nice to see parents and family members and dogs and cats going in front of the screen because it gives a sense of connection to home life.”

“As we moved into the pandemic, the entire crew realized that the shorts could bring a little bit of sweetness and happiness to people,” Collins adds. “So that motivation kept us wanting to bring our best, creatively, even though we could only be together as a team to these little tiny boxes on a [Zoom] screen instead of—as we’re used to working together [for] a lot of things—in the studio. But we did go into the studio, just a few of us, just a few times and very safely to check the final rendered images for the shorts.”

On reuniting with grumpy yet loveable Carl Fredricksen:
“We here at Pixar have much love for Ed Asner, when he’s not telling us to go soak our heads,” Peterson jokingly admits. “We always manage to have a great recording session [with him]; Carl really is a role he was born to play. [We had a] recording session with Ed in February 2020… it was just before we were asked to stay home during the pandemic. It was our only [in-person] recording session, which took place in a beautiful Toluca Lake, California, recording studio—only the best for Ed Asner!”

On some of the series’ technical challenges:
“There were some technical challenges with what we call the ‘smell-o-vision’,” explains Collins. “That one took a lot of iteration and collaboration to land on what that look would be, from its initial design… [and] that one went across several episodes. And then for the ‘Flowers’ episode, it has a lot going on. It has a big lighting change; it has crowds and crowds of flowers that are now coming to life… And then [this one] wasn’t a ‘challenge,’ per se, but our lighting director of photography, her name is Josée Lajoie—she had, in the ‘Puppies’ episode, a big lighting change. It’s supposed to go through the course of the day—it starts really sunny and beautiful, and then as [the story continues], it gets very dark and gloomy and gray. And then it ultimately turns into this beautiful glowy dusk. I really like how the lighting tells the story in that episode.”

On Easter eggs we can expect to see throughout the shorts:
“They’re sprinkled all throughout these shorts,” admits Peterson. “Some you [might] know, and some are sort of inside jokes… My grandmother’s house back in Ohio was No. 333—and the house that Carl and Dug move into is also No. 333. And actually, my other grandparents have a house [at] No. 18, and the house in Up is No. 18; [Up co-director Pete Docter] put a lot of our family Easter eggs in there.”

Collins adds, “In the ‘Flowers’ episode, you’ll see a Ferris wheel—it’s the [one] from Toy Story 4, which was the project I’d just worked on prior to joining Dug Days. So that’s one of the ones I liked the best.”

“There are a lot in Carl’s front room,” continues Peterson. “There’s a little frog that’s based on the ‘nature’s alarm clock’ that wakes up Carl in Up. And there’s a camera [on one of the shelves] named after Mark Nielsen, who was our Dug Days production designer.” “Oh, and there’s a baseball hat that has the initials ‘J.R.’—they’re the initials for producer of Up and well-known baseball fan Jonas Rivera,” says Collins. “And of course, Pete Docter… he’s a sweets fanatic,” Peterson adds, chuckling. “He loves macarons, which are like little sweet hamburgers. He can eat them morning, noon, and night. So we put a little box of ‘Pete’s Macarons’ in one of the shots.”

On their personal favorite episodes:
“I mean I love them all,” admits Collins. “They’re all very different in tone, so they all have different charm. Going into it, when we first started, the ‘Science’ episode was my favorite… but the ‘Flowers’ episode quickly became my favorite as it went through production, because people brought so many amazing ideas to it, which we call ‘plussing’ at Pixar. They just kept ‘plussing’ what Bob had originally written and conceived. So I think those two are really special.”

“The ‘Flowers’ episode is madcap—it starts out so gentle, and we lull people into this false sense [of security],” Peterson adds. “And then all heck breaks loose, with this Fantasia-like dream. You just don’t expect that coming… But my favorite moment of these shorts is when at the very end of the ‘Science’ episode—the last one, where Carl and Dug are in his front room. And Carl is just describing what it’s like to have love for your pet, for your dog. That your dog protects you and gets you through your day and is your best friend. We think of our dogs as friends. That’s my favorite moment, in all of these.”

Look for all five episodes of Pixar Animation Studios’ Dug Days to debut on Wednesday, September 1—only on Disney+!

Suni Lee and JoJo Siwa to Compete on Dancing with the Stars Season 30

August 26, 2021August 26, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Who will win the coveted Mirrorball Trophy?

At today’s TCA panel for Dancing with the Stars, ABC announced the first two celebrity cast members of its upcoming 30th season: Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee and pop star JoJo Siwa! Lee and Siwa will appear on ABC’s Good Morning America for their first sit-down interview on Friday, August 27, and return when the remaining cast is revealed on Wednesday, September 8.

Season 30 of Dancing with the Stars will feature its first same-sex couple, executive producer Andrew Llinares revealed during the TCA presentation. “I’m excited that I get to do it,” Siwa said. “I think it breaks a wall that’s never been broken down before.” Siwa also acknowledged there will be “a lot” of mechanics to work out. “Who leads? How do you dress? What shoes do you wear? But I think it’s all something that I’m looking forward to.”

“You’re making history, JoJo,” Banks told Siwa. “This is history.”

Siwa added that when she received the email asking her to compete in the series’ 30th season, producers asked if she wanted to be partnered with a man or a woman. It was Siwa’s choice to partner with a woman. “I want to make it OK for the people who come after me,” Siwa said.

Lee, meanwhile, revealed she previously discussed the opportunity to compete on Dancing with the Stars with fellow gymnasts Simon Biles, Laurie Hernandez, and Nastia Liukin, all of whom competed in previous seasons of the hit competition series. “They basically told me anything I do on this show is not going to be as difficult as what I did at the Olympics or while preparing for the Olympics,” Lee said. “I’m really excited for that, because they said it’s a lot more fun and I can express myself… I’m excited to just let loose and just have fun.”

The milestone season premiere of Dancing with the Stars will air live on ABC on Monday, September 20, at 8 p.m. ET/PT—the same night each celebrity will learn which professional dancer is their partner. This landmark season of Dancing with the Stars will see the return of judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough, as well as host and executive producer Tyra Banks. Episodes can be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu.

Lee is a three-time Olympic medalist, taking home the esteemed gold medal as the all-around champion in women’s gymnastics at the 2020 Olympic Games. As the first Hmong-American Olympian, her story is more than just triumph—it’s one of representation. Born and raised in Minnesota, Lee’s journey now takes her to Alabama, where she will compete as a college freshman this fall at Auburn University. At just 18 years old, Lee hopes to inspire and empower her peers and the next generation to work hard toward their passions and achieve their dreams.

Siwa is a global superstar, singer, television and film star, bestselling author, and social media sensation. She has over 60.5 million followers on social media and over 3.6 billion views on YouTube. In 2020, she was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People. A consumer products powerhouse, her JoJo Siwa bow has sold more than 80 million bows globally to date.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

August 26, 2021

By Zach Johnson

The World Princess Week celebrations continue this Friday when Disney Princess Remixed – An Ultimate Princess Celebration premieres on Disney Channel, followed by a princess-themed episode of Disney’s Magic Bake-Off. Plus, that same day, all Disney+ subscribers will be able to enjoy the movie event that kicked off the summer: Cruella! Vacation Friends, an adult comedy from 20th Century Studios, will also debut on Hulu Friday. Finally, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11, National Geographic on Sunday will broadcast the first episode of 9/11: One Day in America, its new landmark six-part documentary series.

Disney Princess Remixed – An Ultimate Princess Celebration—Friday, August 27, at 7:30 p.m. ET on Disney Channel
Narrated by 12-year-old social media star Txunamy Ortiz, this half-hour special celebrates the empowering attributes of Disney princesses and queens through reimagined performances of their iconic songs. Dara Reneé, Frankie Rodriguez, Julia Lester, Izabela Rose, Ruth Righi, and Sophia Hammons will perform pop, rock, and R&B remixes of songs from Frozen 2, Beauty and the Beast, The Princess and the Frog, and The Little Mermaid. Grammy® winner Brandy will also debut her music video for “Starting Now,” the anthem for The Walt Disney Company’s year-long event, Ultimate Princess Celebration. The special will also be available to stream on Disney+ same day in select markets, including the U.S.

Disney’s Magic Bake-Off—Friday, August 27, at 8 p.m. ET on Disney Channel
Imagination rules and teamwork triumphs as three teams of two race against the clock to design a Disney Princess-inspired cake. Co-hosts Dara Reneé and Issac Ryan Brown, along with Disneyland resort pastry chef Graciela Gomez, guide the kid bakers through fun challenges and unexpected twists until a winning team is named Disney Baking Champion.

Cruella—Friday, August 27, on Disney+
Set in 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, a young grifter named Estella (Emma Stone) befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her penchant for mischief, and together they build new lives for themselves. One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of design legend Baroness von Hellman (Emma Thompson). But their prickly dynamic sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, stylish, and revenge-bent woman known as… Cruella!

Vacation Friends—Friday, August 27, on Hulu
Intended for mature audiences, this comedy film follows strait-laced Marcus (Lil Rel Howery) and Emily (Yvonne Orji) who are befriended by wild, thrill-seeking partiers Ron (John Cena) and Kyla (Meredith Hagner) at a resort in Mexico. Living in the moment, the usually level-headed couple lets loose to enjoy a week of uninhibited fun and debauchery with their new “vacation friends.” Months after their walk on the wild side, however, Marcus and Emily are horrified when Ron and Kyla show up uninvited at their wedding, creating chaos and proving that what happens on vacation doesn’t always stay on vacation.

9/11: One Day in America—Sunday, August 29, at 9 p.m. ET on National Geographic
Made in official collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the six-part series offers an in-depth and visceral account of September 11 using archive and first-person testimony from first responders and survivors who have had almost 20 years to reflect on the events they endured. The result is one of the most powerful, immersive, and emotionally charged accounts ever produced about that fateful day. The two-hour premiere, “First Response,” introduces the first firefighters on the scene as they race against time to rescue civilians trapped above and witness a businessman trying to save the life of a badly injured stranger. As a second plane hits the south tower, it becomes clear: the United States is under attack.

Catching up with Mickey and Minnie: A D23 Interview with Bret Iwan and Kaitlyn Robrock

August 26, 2021

By Justin Arthur

Just in time for the Disney Channel debut of Mickey Mouse Funhouse, D23 catches up with Bret Iwan, the voice of Mickey Mouse, and Kaitlyn Robrock, the new voice of Minnie Mouse, to learn about this dynamic Disney duo; some Disney Parks memories; and an exciting new show!

D23: Were you a Disney Fan growing up?
Bret Iwan (BI): Yeah, I was that kid who listened to all the Disney soundtracks and set up Disneyland attractions in my bedroom. I’ve been a Disney fan as long as I can remember.

Growing up in Southern California, Disneyland was practically in my backyard, and I had the chance to go just about once every year. It was always a really special day. My dad would wake us up on a Saturday morning and say, “Guys, you wanna go to Disneyland?”

I grew up being immersed in that Disney world, as it were, and I associated Disney with the art and animation magic, and the quality and artistic integrity was always really appealing to me. I learned to draw by sketching Mickey. We would watch classic shorts and pause the videos, sitting on the couch learning to draw the characters, and I was hooked. My desire to be an artist, which was my first career path, began and has continued thanks to Disney.

Kaitlyn Robrock (KR): Yes! The very first movie that I remember seeing in theaters was The Rescuers Down Under, and it was in tandem with The Prince and the Pauper! Those were my first introductions to Disney, and I remember religiously watching every movie each year.

I knew I wanted to do voiceover when I saw Aladdin and [heard] Robin Williams doing his thing, because that’s the most free expression you could possibly have in voiceover up that time, so I wanted to do that too.

We grew up going to Disneyland a couple times a year. And whenever I was in college, I decided to go audition to work at Disneyland, and I thought, “Hey, I’ll go, why not?”

D23: Kaitlyn, can you tell us how that time working at Disneyland help set you up for your eventual Minnie gig?
KR: I started at Disneyland on November 15, 2003, three days before Mickey’s 75th birthday celebrations. I would often work in Town Square with our character friends, and as the parades would come in, I began to memorize the spoken track of each float as it came in the gate.

I had come out for lunch one day and the ice-skating Mickey and Minnie float came in for the holiday parade, and I just kind of mimicked what Minnie said. My co-worker responded, “You sound just like her!”

About 10 years later, I met the voiceover director who works on theme park audio, and got to work with him on some background work in the parks. You might hear me in the talking windows on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure; the female Na’vi at Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom; safety spiels for Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea; and even the little Swiss yodeling doll at Disneyland Paris’ it’s a small world!

D23: What is your favorite classic Mickey or Minnie cartoon?
BI: Mine have been—for the longest time—a tough tie between The Brave Little Tailor and The Pointer. For me, The Brave Little Tailor is a perfect example of Mickey’s character, playing a role so fitting for his persona. He starts out as a humble little common guy (or mouse), who is mistakenly labeled a giant slayer. Over the course of the short, he has to rise to the occasion and defy the expectations of the townspeople. It’s great fun, and excellent acting on Mickey’s part.

I love The Pointer so much because it is the first short where we see Mickey with pupils. I remember at a very young age recognizing that he looked much different. The power of a character starts with eyes, just like we as people connect with our eyes, and that left a lasting impression with me. That Freddy Moore redesign is the most successful character design of Mickey to date—loveable, appealing, and connected. When we were on a D23 panel at San Diego Comic-Con celebrating Mickey’s 90th a few years ago, I learned from Mark Henn that Walt acting this short out was a direct source for the animation, and I think that’s where those great self-aware moments came from. I love the character presence in it, but the Walt connection most of all.

KR: The first one I remember, which was so influential for me, was Totally Minnie back in the ‘80s. I would re-create the duet Minnie would sing with Elton John. For a classic short, it’s a tie between Mickey’s Trailer and Lonesome Ghosts. Lonesome Ghosts—it’s got so many good slapstick moments, and the characters’ reactions to the ghosts always made me laugh. Mickey’s Trailer is so unique because the tiny trailer magically unfolds these compartments and extended ways of living. I want my own trailer to do that, with a tub that pops out of the floor!

D23: What’s your favorite Disneyland Attraction?
BI: Haunted Mansion

KR: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

D23: You both have followed in the footsteps of literal legends, like Walt Disney, and more recently, Russi Taylor and Wayne Allwine. What have you learned from their historic careers?
BI: I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how these characters (Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse) are praised for being so loveable, humble, and having so many amazing qualities. Wayne and Russi truly did embody those character traits. Despite the fact that they voiced these characters during a time when so much content was created, they really established who those characters are maybe in some ways more than ever before.

Getting to know Russi, and getting to know Wayne through her, was learning how to respect the role appropriately, and how to make it always about protecting the character and continuing the legacy above all else. Because they truly had a passion for that.

KR: It was definitely a point of reference for me that when it was time to continue on the role, I wanted to make sure I focused on the little nuances that Russi brought to the role, and I could name dozens of them! Little minute details that really made Minnie pop, and how soft and sweet she was for all ears that were listening. Not just for kids, but for teenagers and adults.

Working at the park was a big influence, because [while] there, I was seeing the manifestation of how people reacted to these characters in our parks—how kids react to them, how adults react, and across the board, it’s the pure delight. It allows us to see that these characters truly mean so much to the people who are watching, and we want to maintain that character integrity, that passion for entertainment, and that love of connecting with your audience.

For Minnie, you have to keep her sweet, keep her kind, and keep her a little sassy. She’s the eye of the hurricane—whatever is going on around her, you can always count on her to be a solid rock to depend on.

BI: Thankfully, Kaitlyn has done such an amazing job since she stepped into the role, and she’s really taken a page from Russi’s book in terms of how she approaches the character, so I feel confident knowing how Minnie’s going to say a line. She’s done such a remarkable job of paying attention to how Russi did it and her techniques.

D23: Kaitlyn, what was the first project you worked on for Minnie Mouse?
KR: My first project was two little stop-motion animated promo shorts for Disney Junior for upcoming holiday season. Not long after, I was able to work on Minnie’s Captain Academy for Disney Cruise Line!

D23: And you’ve been able to continue on to even more projects! Tell us about Mickey Mouse Funhouse, and how it’s different from the previous Disney Channel shows starring Mickey and the gang.
BI: Mickey Mouse Funhouse is great because, as the title implies, it’s intended to be a ball of fun. It’s a vehicle for these characters to go on adventures of all kinds, and it’s classic imaginative storytelling. I love that Mickey’s modeled off Freddy Moore’s proportions. I’m having a blast with it!

KR: In this animation, they stay true to old adage of no matter how the character turns, their ears are always a circle. I never noticed it before, but not I can’t not see it! Each episode features a lesson to learn, or an aspect of growing up, for the audience. It’s a perfect mix of Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse—the best of both worlds.

BI: I love that Mickey is able to stretch his personality a little bit in Mickey Mouse Funhouse. He’s not just the leader of the club, but he gets lost in the adventures as well. Mickey gets to go hunt down a dragon, or be scared, or have even more emotions.

D23: What are you most excited about for Mickey Mouse Funhouse?
BI: I’m most excited for a couple things—different environments for great storytelling, music, and songwriting as well. This show has catchy tunes that I’m still singing, as a nearly 40-year-old adult.

KR: One thing I really love is not just performing for Minnie, but doing voices for other characters that pop in every so often. It’s fun to stretch, and I’ve got a couple of roles coming up that I’m very excited about. We’ve also got two Disney Junior holiday movies coming up soon, and Minnie has a very special song she sings that’s very emotional from our fantastic songwriter Beau Black. I’m such an emotional blanket, and it was tough to record that song without crying in the middle of it.

D23: Bret, tell us about your new designer collection at the Disney Parks!
BI: I’m really excited about the Artist Series Designer Collection being designed for Disney Parks and shopdisney.com. I finally saw the collection for the first time yesterday in-person.

This opportunity was intimidating but super exciting. They were looking for artists to put their own unique spin on Mickey, which is a challenge, because I considered myself a purist on his design. Being asked to stretch and stylize Mickey was a little bit out of my comfort zone, but inspiration struck when I realized that in recording sessions, I doodle, and the pages of my script get covered in Mickey sketches. As I’m recording, I’m drawing Mickey—the expressions that the line calls upon, or just getting lost in the world of Mickey.

It all came together when I realized that my take on Mickey was doodles on scripts, hence the collection name, MM Script. It’s my handwriting with little phrases that Mickey would say, and line gestures that I would make while editing the script. The color palate is a bit more utilitarian than what you might expect for Mickey, and that’s because I love outdoors and industrial things, and the really collection reflects that aesthetic as well. I am beyond excited for it.

D23: What other upcoming projects are you most excited about?
KR: So many are under wraps, so I don’t want to spoil the surprise! I’d have to say something we’ve been working on that’s exciting and interactive for the parks. It’s going to be so much fun.

BI: To Kaitlyn’s point, interactive projects deliver on best character experience. Any chance I get to work on projects for the parks, or Disney Cruise Line, or entertainment, I’m always so excited to see how fans receive it!

Be sure to catch all-new adventures with Mickey, Minnie and the whole gang on Mickey Mouse Funhouse, now on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. And don’t miss an exclusive Mickey Mouse pennant designed by Bret Iwan himself—exclusively available to D23 Gold Members as part of the 2021 D23 Gold Member Collector Set, celebrating 50 years of Walt Disney World!

Enjoy an Exclusive First Look at Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation

August 26, 2021August 25, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation is opening soon in “Pooh” York City!

Performances begin at Theatre Row on October 21—but before the curtain rises, D23 is giving fans an exclusive first look at whimsical production photos taken by Matthew Murphy! Featuring songs by the Sherman Brothers’ and by A.A. Milne, this beautifully crafted musical stage adaptation is set deep in the Hundred Acre Wood and told with stunning life-size puppetry through the eyes of Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin, and their very best friends: Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, and Owl… and Tigger, too!

Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation was developed and is presented by renowned family entertainment creator Jonathan Rockefeller, whose mind-blowing puppetry is omnipresent in Paddington Gets in a Jam and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show. Due to an overwhelming response, Rockefeller Productions recently opened a new block of weekend tickets for the highly anticipated production at Times Square’s Theatre Row, located at 410 West 42nd Street. Tickets are now available at WinnieThePoohShow.com.

“I am thrilled to be entrusted to create a new classic for the stage, for new audiences as they join our adventure into the Hundred Acre Wood,” Rockefeller said when Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation was announced in May. “And what a grand adventure!”

“Disney’s Winnie the Pooh material is so incredibly rich, that after more than half a century, I doubt there is anyone who hasn’t been profoundly moved or feels a personal connection with the wonderful characters of Pooh,” Rockefeller continued. “The question we posed ourselves when creating this intimate musical adaptation was, ‘How do we bring Pooh from the screen and onto the stage in an entirely fresh and new way, yet one that still pays homage to the deep canon of Winnie the Pooh iconography?’ The answer was easy… well, conceptually easy, in theory. We needed to create incredible, brilliant, and amazing puppetry that makes it impossible to believe the characters aren’t real. Audiences can expect their hearts will be captivated by the characters, and their imaginations will soar with these life-size puppets.”

Winnie the Pooh has been enjoyed by millions of fans ever since 1926 when author A.A. Milne first chronicled the adventures of Christopher Robin’s friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. The books, featuring illustrations by English illustrator E.H. Shephard, have sold over 50 million copies worldwide. The theatrical rights to the stories were acquired by Disney in 1961, with an original intent to produce a feature film. But, after production began, Walt Disney decided to make featurettes instead. The three featurettes were subsequently incorporated into the feature The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977). It was the last film in the Disney canon in which Walt had personal involvement. The first featurette, Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966), was released during his lifetime; Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (1968) was still in development. Disney’s Winnie the Pooh has since become one of the best-loved and most successful franchises in history.

The Sherman Brothers are the multi-talented Academy Award^®– and Grammy^® Award-winning American songwriting duo of Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman. Inducted as Disney Legends in 1990, the Sherman Brothers wrote more motion-picture musical scores than any other songwriting team in film history, including for the Disney classics Mary Poppins (1964), The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971). The Sherman Brothers worked directly with Walt on two of the first Winnie the Pooh featurettes: Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree, which garnered a Grammy Award nomination, and Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day. They won a Grammy Award for the third featurette, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too (1977). All three featurettes were incorporated into the 1977 musical film The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. The brothers also wrote songs for Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore (1983) and The Tigger Movie (2000), with their music also featured in Christopher Robin (2018).

Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation is produced in association with Disney Theatrical Productions. Rockefeller Productions embraced the challenge of re-imagining Disney’s Winnie the Pooh for a new audience by bringing it to life on stage in puppet form.

Host Jon Burlingame Scores Big Interview with Alan Menken for Disney’s For Scores Podcast

August 25, 2021

By Jim Frye

“There’s something magical about the marriage of music and image.”

So says Jon Burlingame, a longtime music journalist and the host of Disney’s For Scores, a podcast series that shines the spotlight on television and film composers—taking listeners behind the curtain of some of today’s most iconic scores from Marvel Studios, Star Wars, Pixar, and Disney. Recent episodes have featured Lorne Balfe, who composed the score for Marvel Studios’ Black Widow; Ludwig Göransson, describing his trip to Senegal to work with local musicians for the music of Black Panther, as well the challenges of scoring the first two seasons of The Mandalorian; and Nicholas Britell, who combined orchestra and rock in the score for Disney’s summer hit Cruella.

“The obsession with music—why it has such an impact on us, and why it has such an effect on us, particularly emotionally—has always fascinated me,” says Burlingame. “I’ve never let go of it. It’s one thing to write a piece of music. It’s another thing to write a compelling series of images. But the two of them together—it’s a kind of alchemy in a way.”

The newest episode of For Scores, released this week, features the first of a two-part interview with Disney Legend Alan Menken, discussing everything from The Little Mermaid, the upcoming Disenchanted (sequel to 2007’s Enchanted), and working with Lin-Manuel Miranda, to his longtime collaboration with Howard Ashman… and more.

“We spend a little time talking about the songs of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast and Pocahontas and Aladdin,” says Burlingame. “But what we talk about a lot more is his background and how he got into this unique realm. My favorite part about the two broadcasts with Alan is when he talks about his long partnership with Howard Ashman. And about how Howard Ashman’s musical theatre sensibilities really created the Disney renaissance in the early ‘90s. Whereby The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin in particular benefitted from the Menken and Ashman magic.”

Burlingame continues: “He talks not just about their relationship and how they worked together, but about the impact of Howard’s death on him in 1991, and his career, and how he needed to move on with new partners, but how the relationship with Howard has impacted his whole life. It’s that kind of thing—it’s human—it’s more than putting dots on a piece of paper that will eventually translate into music. There’s a humanity involved in all of this, and we do try to get to that I think.”

Earning his chops in newspaper reporting in the early 1970s, Burlingame eventually gravitated toward entertainment writing in the mid-‘80s. “Being a former musician myself, what I found was that very few film or entertainment reporters ever talked about the music,” he says. “And music in films and television had always made a big impact on me.” Eventually, some publications took note, and for many years Burlingame was the only professional journalist who specialized in film and TV music. This afforded him many impressive interviews, including John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, John Barry, Lalo Schifrin, and more. Then, three years ago, the Disney Music Group approached him about a podcast focusing on this particular topic—and, as they say, magic happened.

“I think the average listener may not be interested in the mechanics of what composers do,” says Burlingame, “but the personalities of the people who make the music can often be as interesting as the music itself.”

Take his upcoming interview in October, for example: Listeners will hear a new chat with the “Pumpkin King” himself, Danny Elfman. “I’ve known Danny for about 30 years, and I’ve done quite a few interviews with him, but this time I’m hoping we’ll get a substantial look back at the history of [Tim Burton’s] A Nightmare Before Christmas and that music, and how it’s gone on to become so much a part of the season.” After that, Burlingame will be talking with Ramin Djawadi, the composer for Marvel Studios’ The Eternals, coming out in November. (He’s also the composer for Game of Thrones).

Regarding his new interview with Menken, Burlingame says: “This is my favorite thing I’ve ever done, because Alan himself is so—forgive me—animated. And he’s so much fun to talk to about this stuff.” Burlingame is sure listeners will agree.

To find out more about For Scores, and to listen to episodes—including this week’s Alan Menken interview—go to https://disneymusic.co/ForScoresPodcast, or subscribe anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Your Favorite Disney Stars Take Us Behind the Scenes of Disney Princess Remixed – An Ultimate Princess Celebration

August 25, 2021August 23, 2021

By Zach Johnson

This Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT, Disney Channel will unveil an all-new, half-hour music special, Disney Princess Remixed – An Ultimate Princess Celebration, coinciding with World Princess Week. Narrated by social media sensation Txunamy Ortiz, it will celebrate the empowering attributes of Disney princesses and queens through pop, rock and R&B performances of their iconic songs. Tune into see Dara Renée and Frankie Rodriguez perform “Into the Unknown” from Frozen 2; Julia Lester perform “Home” from Beauty and the Beast; Reneé, Ruth Righi, and Izabela Rose perform “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog; and Sophia Hammons perform “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid.

Grammy^® Award winner Brandy will also debut her music video for “Starting Now,” the anthem for The Walt Disney Company’s year-long event, Ultimate Princess Celebration, which spotlights the courage and kindness that Disney heroines inspire in fans all over the world. Plus, Walt Disney Records has already released a single from the special, “Into the Unknown (Disney Princess Remixed),” with two more songs available on Friday, August 27.

Disney Channel’s Princess Night will kick off with a special presentation of the Disney films Tangled at 4:05 p.m. ET/PT and Frozen at 5:45 p.m. ET/PT. Immediately following the special, a new princess-themed episode of Disney’s Magic Bake-Off will air at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The special will also be available on Disney+ same day in select markets, including the U.S.

Before the premiere of Disney Princess Remixed – An Ultimate Princess Celebration, four stars—Hammons, Reneé, Righi, and Rose—are taking us behind the scenes of the special.

D23: The Ultimate Princess Celebration celebrates the courage and kindness Disney heroines inspire in fans around the world. Which Disney Princess inspires you most?
Sophia Hammons (SH): It’s hard to choose which Disney Princess inspires me most because they’re all so great, and each Disney Princess shares the same admirable trait: They all have a dream and the courage to pursue it. If I had to choose one, I would say that the Disney Princess that inspires me most is Raya. Raya is a brave and determined young woman who knows what she wants, and when faced with an obstacle, she does her absolute best to overcome it. She’s an amazing leader, and something I really admire about her is that she’s willing to work with a team. Throughout the movie Raya and the Last Dragon, she makes new friends and learns to trust others in order to bring back Kumandra. Raya is a very special Princess to me, not only because of her amazing qualities, but also because she’s Southeast Asian, and it’s always awesome to feel represented by a Disney Princess.
Izabela Rose (IR): I would vote for Princess Tiana because she is hardworking, optimistic, and never gave up on her dreams. This inspires me to reach for all of mine, as well.
Ruth Righi (RR): One of the most inspiring Disney Princesses to me is the one and only Mulan. She represents the classically kind, giving, curious, powerful, and passionate traits of a princess while also representing her own unmatched courage and style.

D23: Dara, how do you relate to Princess Tiana?
Dara Reneé (DR): Princess Tiana has been such a role model for me—not only for her representation, but also for her determination, wisdom, and power. She knows what she wants in this world, and she goes after it! I’m so glad that I had someone that exudes greatness to look up to.

D23: How did each you approach your performance?
SH: I approached this performance with the inspiring curiosity that Ariel has in the song “Part of Your World.” The song is all about dreaming of a different and better world and then going after that dream. I want other boys and girls when watching my performance to understand that it’s OK to be adventurous and explore the world in search of something more. At times change can be scary, but this performance shows that it’s worth the risk.
RR: I tried to approach the performance with the same love, excitement, and dedication that I know Tiana would have had. Now, I am just waiting at the edge of my seat to see the finished performance.

D23: Sophia, how does it feel to make your Disney Channel debut in this special?
SH: Even though I filmed Under Wraps before filming Disney Princess Remixed – An Ultimate Princess Celebration, it’s amazing that this can be my Disney debut. I love the Disney Princesses, and this special is really going to encourage young kids to overcome some of the challenges we’ve faced in recent times, but also give them something to sing and dance along to! (Editor’s note: Under Wraps will debut October 1 on Disney Channel.)

D23: Dara, can you share any behind-the-scenes moments from filming “Into the Unknown” with your High School Musical: The Musical: The Series co-star Frankie Rodriguez?
DR: Rehearsals were so fun with Frankie! We couldn’t stop laughing and cracking jokes 24/7! Also, we FaceTimed each other while we were recording our vocals and competed over who was Anna and Elsa! Working with Frankie was like a dream, and I can’t wait for y’all to see what magic we created!

D23: Izabela and Ruth, what makes your version of “Almost There” with Dara different from the original?
IR: There is a mixture of current and poppy kind of beats, along with that New Orleans swag sound, and a twist of gospel, as well.
RR: The new remixed and modernized version of “Almost There” takes an iconic Disney classic and reimagines it to add a layer of magic to an already beautifully empowering song. Everything from the horns to the dancing is perfectly presented in Tiana’s trademark yellow theme.

D23: What makes “Almost There” such a fan-favorite Disney song?
IR: We all need some inspiration to keep moving forward, especially with everything going on in the world today—and the verses in “Almost There” encourage us to never give up. Every second, every minute, and every day you are one step closer to reaching your goals.
RR: “Almost There” is an inspiring and empowering song that I am beyond lucky to perform alongside Dara and Izabela. I think it is so loved because it represents what it means to have a dream, be passionate, and have hope.

D23: Sophia, why do you think “Part of Your World” has been a fan-favorite since 1989?
SH: I think “Part of Your World” is so beloved more than 30 years later because of its message about facing your fears and believing in yourself, which anybody at any age can relate to. Curiosity and adventure are inspiring!

D23: What do you hope Disney fans take away from this special?
RR: I really hope that you all love the show as much as we do and, after watching, feel capable of achieving anything. I hope you all feel strong, courageous, and inspired, because each and every one of you has the ability to do amazing things.

D23: Izabela, what is your favorite memory from your performance?
IR: I will never forget the feeling of just stepping on the set for the first time to shoot the music video. Even though we had recorded our vocals separately, when we came together in person there was this kinetic energy between us all. It was so big, and so beautiful. I think we did a really good job of bringing Princess Tiana’s spirit to life in 2021.

6 Ways to Celebrate World Princess Week on Disney+

August 24, 2021August 23, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Courage and kindness. The world could always use more of both, and who better to inspire us to live up to those ideals than the incredible Disney Princesses?

Now that this year’s Disney’s Ultimate Princess Celebration is officially underway, we’re more than ready to celebrate all things princess during World Princess Week, happening right now through August 29! It’s a first-of-its-kind, totally fun-filled global celebration of the Disney Princess Characters and the courage and kindness they encourage in fans across the globe. Which got us to thinking—what better way to honor some of our fave princesses than by watching the films that introduced them (or continued their amazing stories) on Disney+? (Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list; there is oodles of princess fun available on the streaming service.)

Read on for what we’re planning to add to our viewing calendar over the next few days… and don’t forget to visit Disney.com/UltimatePrincessCelebration for the latest on Disney Princess news—both for World Princess Week, and throughout the year-long event!

Raya and the Last Dragon
One of the newest Disney Princesses on the horizon, the heroine at the center of the 2021 animated feature is a proud Guardian of the Dragon Gem who finds herself on a life-or-death mission to save the world from the Druun—destructive spirits born out of human conflict who can turn people to stone with a single touch. She proves herself an utterly resilient warrior, with razor-sharp wit and courage to spare.

Frozen and Frozen 2
Disney+ is, of course, the home to both 2013’s Frozen and its 2019 sequel, which chronicle the adventures of two totally tenacious princess sisters, Anna and Elsa. Anna, the forever optimist, is unflappable, especially when it comes to protecting her sister. And Elsa? She’s magical and larger than life, and she comes into her courageous own despite any lingering fears.

Moana
A strong-willed, sea-loving wayfarer, Moana might have moments of self-doubt—but she’s got incredible pride in who she is and doesn’t back away from new challenges. She takes on new challenges with plenty of moxie, and always courageously stands her ground. If it’s been a hot minute since you’ve seen the Oscar^®-nominated 2016 animated film, do yourself a favor and give it a(nother) look.

Tangled
If there was one princess to highlight who isn’t afraid—by any stretch of the word!—to step outside her comfort zone, it’s Rapunzel from 2010’s Tangled. That strong sense of curiosity and determination affords her the fortitude to push herself, pursue her dreams, and discover her truest self in the process.

The Princess and the Frog
Fans of this 2009 feature know Tiana to be a big dreamer who isn’t afraid of a little hard work. No obstacle is impossible to overcome—even when she’s turned into an amphibian! Add this film to your watch list, and make it a party by enjoying some pumpkin beignets during your viewing. (It is almost fall, after all.)

5 Things You Need to Know About Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings

August 24, 2021August 23, 2021

By Zach Johnson

On September 3, Marvel Studios will present Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings, an epic adventure that introduces the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s newest Super Hero: Shang-Chi. In celebration of the character’s big screen debut, the team behind the highly anticipated adventure reunited for a virtual press conference. Hosted by one of the film’s stars, Ronny Chieng, the discussion included actors Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, and Ben Kingsley; director/screenwriter Destin Daniel Cretton; and producer Kevin Feige.

Before the film opens in theaters, here are five things you need to know:

1. Contrary to popular belief, Simu Liu’s tweets did not get him the lead role.
Before he was cast as Shang-Chi, Liu would tweet from time to time about his desire to bring the character from the comic books to the silver screen. Although his tweets got a lot of likes, they weren’t what got him the job. “When you tweet at Marvel, you think it’s going to some 19-year-old intern,” he explained. “‘No one’s going to read that. No one cares.’” Feige admitted he “did not see” Liu’s tweets: “Simu, it was not your tweeting; it was your acting ability, your constant professionalism, and the multiple reads and meetings that you did that got you the job. Now, did our casting director, Sarah Finn, see that? I don’t know.”

2. Destin Daniel Cretton consulted the director of Black Panther in pre-production.
Like Ryan Coogler, Cretton got his start in the industry by making intimate films on a smaller scale. So, when Cretton was approached about joining the MCU, he naturally asked his longtime friend for some advice. “I was scared of stepping into a big studio movie like this and scared of what it might do to me: ‘Will I cave?’ I had a lot of fears,” Cretton said. “The thing that Ryan said to me, which really eased my mind, was, ‘The pressure is hard. It’ll be the hardest thing potentially that you have done up to this point. But none of that pressure and none of those complications come from the people that you’re working with or for.’ And that’s what I found. This is a very special place to work. There is an environment [that promotes] curiosity of exploration, and it comes from the top down. There is no fear-based mentality in the studio, which allowed us to take risks and chances.”

3. Awkwafina learned new skills to prepare for her role as Katy.
When the audience first meets Shang-Chi, he is living in San Francisco as Shaun, working as a valet alongside his best friend, Katy (Awkwafina). He hasn’t disclosed his true identity, which is revealed when a team of assassins attack them on a bus. As Shang-Chi fights them off, he instructs Katy to take the wheel. “I actually went to a race track and learned how to drift,” Awkwafina said, “which is really fun but probably not practical in a scenario like traffic.” The friends travel to Macau, to warn Shang-Chi’s sister, Xialing (Zhang), that danger is coming. As the legend of The Ten Rings is revealed, Katy takes a more active role in fighting against Shang-Chi and Xialing’s father, Wenwu (Tony Leung), and his cabal. Patting herself on the back, Awkwafina shared, “I learned how to shoot a bow and arrow!”

4. This is Meng’er Zhang’s feature film debut.
Trained in theater, Zhang was eager to learn the ins and outs of movie making. “I asked Sir Ben a lot of questions. He said, ‘When we’re on stage, we’re landscape artists. When we’re in front of a camera, we’re portrait artists,’” Zhang said. “That gave me a very clear image.” This is also Liu’s biggest role to date, and he admitted to suffering from “imposter syndrome” working with the likes of Awkwafina, Leung, and Michelle Yeoh. “It was all I could do just not to mess it up. Before I was cast, I did my final screen test with Awkwafina, and she did such a wonderful job of putting me at ease; my nerves were sky high. I was an actor from Toronto who had never allowed myself to imagine being a part of the MCU. It was the craziest dream that anyone could possibly dream. And she did such a great job of putting me at ease and being in the moment with me. We had such a beautiful chemistry.”

5. Ben Kingsley was surprised to see the return of Trevor Slattery.
Kingsley said Feige personally visited him at his home in Oxfordshire to discuss the “under wraps” return of his character, an actor-for-hire was last seen onscreen in 2013’s Iron Man 3. (Fun fact: Kingsley’s casting in Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings wasn’t public knowledge until he attended the world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre on August 16!) According to the Academy Award®-winning actor, Trevor has grown a bit since he last tangled with Iron Man (Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr.). “I did get very fond of Trevor,” Kingsley shared. “He has his vulnerabilities. He has his history, and he has his issues. He found in himself, perhaps, moments of empathy and kindness. I think there’s a wisdom that he doesn’t believe he has, but he does have. And, with his work in Shakespeare, he’s beginning to perhaps grow into a silhouette that’s larger than the one he thought he had.”