Do You Remember All the Times Classic Disney Characters Appeared on Disney Junior?

February 12, 2021February 11, 2021

By Beth Deitchman

Think about the first time you watched Ariel flip her fins or saw Peter Pan take flight. For Disney fans who are at least old enough to drive, chances are that introduction to favorite Disney characters happened in a theme park, a movie theater, or during a family movie night that followed a visit to the neighborhood video store. And for the youngest of Disney aficionados, that first connection to beloved Disney characters—from Mickey Mouse to Olaf—may have come thanks to Disney Junior, which celebrates its 10th anniversary on Sunday, February 14.

When Disney Junior launched in 2011 it was part of a dedicated programming block on Disney Channel, anchored by Jake and the Never Land Pirates. One year later, the 24-hour Disney Junior channel debuted, creating a home for popular new characters, among them Doc McStuffins, a young girl who aspires to be a doctor like her mom and communicates with and heals broken toys and stuffed animals; Princess Sofia, Disney’s first little girl princess; Puppy Dog Pals’ Bingo and Rolly; and Mira, a brave and resourceful young girl who has been appointed by the queen to her role as royal detective.

And throughout Disney Junior’s first incredible decade, parents have seen more than a few familiar friends make appearances—sometimes unexpected ones—on shows as they’re watching alongside their young children. Mickey and his best pals have been part of Disney Junior since the very beginning via Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and they’ll remain part of Disney Junior as the brand embarks on its next 10+ years, with Mickey Mouse Funhouse premiering later in 2021. This year will also bring to Disney Junior the first-ever full-length Marvel series for preschoolers, Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends, which tells the story of Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Gwen Stacy, who together form Team Spidey and embark on heroic adventures to protect their community.

To celebrate Disney Junior’s milestone anniversary, we’ve taken a look back at all the times classic characters have made special guest appearances on Disney Junior series. Many of these titles are available on Disney+ for you to watch with the preschoolers in your life, or even on your own. After all, you never outgrow Disney magic!

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Of course, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto were always up for all manner of adventure on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, from flying in a balloon race, to building a toy robot, to hosting a surprise party. But sometimes favorite friends stopped by the Clubhouse to join the Sensational Six’s shenanigans.

Professor Ludwig Von Drake and his inventions often figured into the fun, whether he was testing out a time machine that turned Goofy into a baby; helping to retrieve Pluto’s bouncy ball from the moon; or taking a picture of Mickey and the gang.

Clarabelle Cow was a veritable celebrity in the Clubhouse as the host of her very own TV show, but always made time for her BFFs.

Pete was still up to mischief in his Mickey Mouse Clubhouse appearances, but it was always in good fun. Plus, he was revealed to be the loving owner of a bulldog, proving that the cat was always a softie at heart.

Chip ’n’ Dale’s many adventures on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse even took them to outer space, where they joined Mickey and friends for an out-of-this-galaxy treasure hunt.

Mickey and the Roadster Racers

The Three Caballeros were reunited when José Carioca and Panchito appeared in an episode of Mickey and the Roadster Racers. Hear the trio sing about being “Amigos Forever” in the video above.

Mickey and the Roadster Racers also included a special appearance from Morty McCool (as Mickey’s rival was known when he appeared in the animated series), which found him facing off against Goofy in an exciting race.

Jake and the Never Land Pirates

The animated series that helped launch Disney Junior followed a crew of kid pirates, led by Jake, working together to outwit the infamous Captain Hook and his loyal first mate, Smee, from the classic Disney film Peter Pan.

Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy, John, and Michael Darling—and even Nana the dog—were featured in the primetime special “Battle for the Book!” during the series’ third season. In this two-part episode, available now on Disney+, Captain Hook steals Wendy’s book about Never Land and Wendy summons Peter to help her get it back from him. Wendy was voiced in the special by Maia Mitchell, who performed a new original song, “Once Upon a Time.”

Doc McStuffins

After spotting Winnie the Pooh floating through McStuffinsville, Doc and the toys follow the silly old bear back to the Hundred Acre Wood to lend a helping hand. When Pooh is blown away with a bunch of balloons, he uses music to try and sing himself back down to solid ground.

Sofia the First
Sofia the First tells the story of Princess Sofia, an adventurous little girl who becomes a princess when her mom marries the king of Enchancia. And over the course of her journey, she realizes that it’s easy to look like a princess, but it’s much harder to embody the characteristics that make someone truly royal. Lucky for Sofia, she enjoys visits from a number of classic Disney princesses, who help her learn to possess honesty, loyalty, compassion, and grace

Flora, Fauna and Merryweather, the fairies from Sleeping Beauty, are devoted to helping ease Sofia’s transition to royal life as the headmistresses of Royal Prep Academy.

When a princess is in trouble, Sofia’s magic amulet summons another princess to come and help. Princess Jasmine not only encourages Sofia and her friends to be open to a whole new world of experiences, rather than let fear get the better of them, but she even helps them tame their wild flying carpet.

After she helps a mermaid during a family vacation, Sofia’s amulet allows her to transform into a mermaid as a reward for helping her new friend. When Sofia learns that her parents and their ship are in danger, the amulet summons Ariel, who offers Sofia guidance that helps mend a long-standing rift between humans and merfolk.

Princess Aurora teaches Princess Sofia to remember that she can always look to her animal friends for comfort and support when the humans in her life aren’t available to help her.

When Snow White is summoned by Sofia’s amulet, it’s to remind the young princess that people aren’t always who they seem to be and to trust her instincts.

Cinderella, Belle, Mulan, Rapunzel, Tiana, Merida, and Princess Elena of Avalor also make their way to the kingdom of Enchancia. Our friends at Disney Junior have gathered up all of the times when Sofia meets a Disney Princess for the first time on Sofia the First in the enchanting video below.

The Lion Guard
The series continues the epic storytelling found in Disney’s The Lion King as it follows the adventures of Simba and Nala’s second-born son, Kion, as he and his animal friends protect the Pride Lands.

Simba and Nala reign over the Pride Lands as king and queen, and Rafiki is still quite happy to share his wisdom with the entire royal family.

Timon and Pumbaa are now adoptive uncles to Kion’s best friend Bunga, a brave honey badger who cherishes the family he’s found with the beloved meerkat-warthog duo.

Muppet Babies
Disney fans were thrilled to return to the playroom in 2018, when a brand-new Muppet Babies made its debut, featuring new antics and even a brand-new Muppet Baby, Summer Penguin.

Miss Nanny keeps a watchful eye on Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Piggy, Gonzo, Animal, and Summer; and we here at D23 keep a watchful eye on the roster of guest Muppets who have appeared on the show over the course of its first two seasons. Statler and Waldorf, Bunsen and Beaker, Rowlf the Dog, Rizzo, Dr. Teeth, and the Swedish Chef are among the fan favorites who have appeared to date.

It’s no surprise that Disney Junior remains the top-ranked preschool-dedicated TV network, a title that it’s held since 2012. In addition to DisneyNOW and Disney Junior YouTube, the brand has also expanded to Disney+. As the brand embarks on a second decade of bringing beloved characters and stories, both classic and contemporary, to the youngest of Disney fans, we can’t wait to see where Disney Junior takes us next.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

February 11, 2021February 10, 2021

By Zach Johnson

This weekend is a full of premieres! The documentary series Inside Pixar: Portraits and the documentary special Marvel’s Behind the Mask will both begin streaming Friday on Disney+. That same day, the documentary series Hip Hop Uncovered will debut with two back-to-back episodes on FX, which will be available to stream Saturday on FX on Hulu. Freeform’s “Love Week” will continue all weekend long, featuring some of our favorite movies. And on Sunday, you don’t want to miss an all-new season of American Idol on ABC.

Inside Pixar: Portraits—Friday, February 12, on Disney+
What makes Pixar… Pixar? This documentary series tells personal and cinematic stories, offering an inside look at the artistry, culture, and people of Pixar Animation Studios. In the all-new episodes, directors Tony Kaplan and Erica Milsom profile the director of facility operations, Patty Bonfilio; production assistant Rachelle Federico; pastry chef Marylou Jaso; music editor Barney Jones; and the director of international production, Cynthia Lusk.

Marvel’s Behind the Mask—Friday, February 12, on Disney+
Directed by Michael Jacobs, this brand-new documentary special explores the power of identity behind the world’s most iconic characters. From the inception of comic books, secret identities have been an integral part of both superheroes and supervillains leading “normal” lives. But it’s the characters beneath the masks who resonate with generations of fans. Since the advent of the Marvel Age of Comics in the early 1960s, Marvel’s artists and writers have used the notion of identities to examine the evolving concept of equal rights. These legendary Marvel creations and stories have not only reflected the world outside our window; they have become a reflection of our own identities and who we truly are. Marvel’s Behind the Mask will feature guests from across Marvel’s 80-year legacy, including the artists and writers behind the rise of characters like Black Panther, Miles Morales, Ms. Marvel, Luke Cage, Captain Marvel, and others, highlighting their impact on pop culture.

Hip Hop Uncovered—Friday, February 12, at 10 p.m. ET on FX
From executive producer Malcolm Spellman comes Hip Hop Uncovered, an examination of a dying breed of power brokers who operate from the shadows of hip hop. Set against 40 years of music history, this six-part documentary series explores the paradox of America’s criminalization of the genre and its fascination with the street culture that created it (and still exists within it). Instead of telling the story from the top down, the series tells it from the streets up, revealing the untold story of how America’s streets helped shape hip hop culture from an expression of survival and defiance into music’s most dominant genre.

The Little Mermaid—Sunday, February 14, at 7:20 p.m. ET on Freeform
For the second year in a row, the network is celebrating Valentine’s Day with “Love Week,” a week-long programming event celebrating all things love. What better way to celebrate the holiday than with this fin-tastic love story? It follows the curious and fun-loving mermaid Ariel (voice of Disney Legend Jodi Benson), a princess who is obsessed with all things human. Ignoring her father’s command to avoid the human world, she swims to the surface and, in a raging storm, rescues the handsome Prince Eric (voice of Christopher Daniel Barnes). Determined to experience life as a human, Ariel makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula (voice of Pat Carroll), trading her fins and voice for legs. Joined by her friend Flounder (voice of Jason Marin) and her escort Sebastian (voice of Samuel E. Wright), Ariel must earn the “kiss of true love” within three days and save her father’s kingdom… or else!

American Idol—Sunday, February 14, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
The season premiere hits all the right notes! Helping determine who America will ultimately vote for to become the next singing sensation are superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie. Ryan Seacrest returns to the beloved competition series as host and producer, and radio and TV personality Bobby Bones is back as in-house mentor. In this episode, talent from three cities in California—Los Angeles, Ojai, and San Diego—audition for the judges, surprising viewers and hopefuls alike with unprecedented twists.

Celebrate 30 Years of Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons

February 10, 2021

Creating a Disney-themed wedding can be a literal dream come true… and for the last three decades, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons has been helping the betrothed do just that, at Disney destinations all around the world! Just this week, in honor of their big 30th anniversary, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons unveiled some new products—including dazzling gowns from Allure Bridal—to help couples add even more magical touches to their special day. In fact, all the Allure Bridal gowns debuting for 2021 will be showcased this Friday, February 12, during a very special virtual fashion show and anniversary celebration at www.DisneyWeddings.com/fashion-show—beginning at 10 a.m. ET and running through Valentine’s Day Weekend.

“For the past 30 years, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons has helped create once-in-a-lifetime memories for couples around the globe,” says Korri McFann, marketing director for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons. “As we celebrate this milestone year, we are delighted to offer even more products and experiences to help turn fantasy into reality.” There are endless possible locations around the globe to celebrate nuptials with Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons, from sandy beaches and chic resort restaurants to its veritable crown jewel: the recently redesigned Disney’s Wedding Pavilion. Couples can even say “I do” in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort! There’s truly something for everyone.

Back in 2020, Disney and Allure Bridals launched a bridal line offering modern brides sophisticated, on-trend gowns that capture all the memorable style and spirit of favorite Disney Princesses—and to kick off this yearlong anniversary celebration, Allure Bridals is releasing its all-new 2021 Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection. But wait, there’s more: Three dresses from this new collection are elegant Belle-inspired gowns that pay homage to another huge Disney anniversary—the iconic, beloved Disney animated hit Beauty and the Beast was released the same year (1991) as Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons began!

Each of the Belle looks, like the one seen above, was inspired by her iconic ball gown and includes custom embellishments that cater to a wide range of brides. Gowns feature all manner of beading and beautiful appliques; for the Platinum Belle design, more than 30,000 beads and crystals were carefully placed on 132 yards of fabric (that includes a cathedral train!).

The 2021 Allure Bridal line will also include dresses inspired by Ariel, Cinderella, Jasmine, Snow White (seen above, left), Aurora, Rapunzel, Pocahontas, and Tiana (seen above, right). All gowns are available in sizes 0 to 30 for both collections and will start at $1,200. And here’s some great news for 2021: The Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Platinum Collection will be available exclusively at Kleinfeld in New York and Toronto and the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection will be available at select bridal boutiques across the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland!

In addition to the brand-new collection of gowns, couples can now say “I do” with magical, Disney-style symbols of love. Refined engagement rings, wedding rings, and bands with distinctly Disney designs are available on shopDisney in a variety of designs. Plus, a new design is being introduced in honor of Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons’ 30-year milestone! All rings are customizable, with the option to choose carat style and preferred metal (white gold, platinum, gold, or silver). Engagement rings start at $3,000 and groom bands start at $900.

That’s not all: Brides-to-be can also celebrate in style with a redesigned Minnie Mouse bridal headband! This glittery satin band with a tulle veil features pearl accents in tribute to the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons. And couples can both join in on the fun with additional themed bride and groom Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse bridal ears.

For more information on all things Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons—including how they’re working with Disney safety professionals, and following guidance from government agencies and health authorities, so couples and wedding guests can celebrate in a truly magical way—visit DisneyWeddings.com.

Wanna see some recent weddings (and other romantic milestones) come to life at all manner of Disney destinations? Check out Disney Fairy Tale Weddings, streaming now on Disney+! And make sure to tune in this Friday, February 12, for the big reveal of Allure Bridal’s 2021 Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection—only at www.DisneyWeddings.com/fashion-show, starting at 10 a.m. ET.

Black History Month Spotlight: Legendary Handprints—Floyd Norman

February 10, 2021February 11, 2021

From the 1950s to today, Floyd Norman’s diverse career, insightful viewpoint, and unflinching honesty have truly made him a Disney Legend.

Floyd worked as an inbetweener and animator on Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone, and as a story artist on The Jungle Book, along with various animated short projects at the Disney studio in the late 1950s and early 1960s. After Walt Disney’s death in 1966, Floyd left Disney to co-found the AfroKids animation studio with animator and director Leo Sullivan. Floyd and Sullivan worked together on various projects, including the original Hey! Hey! Hey! It’s Fat Albert television special, which aired in 1969 on NBC.

After returning to Disney in the early 1970s to work on Robin Hood, Floyd eventually transferred to the comic strip department in the 1980s, where he worked as a writer on the Mickey Mouse strip. He later worked on modern classics such as Disney·Pixar’s Toy Story 2 (1999) and Monsters, Inc. (2001) and Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) and Mulan (1998), among others. He has continued to work for The Walt Disney Company as a consultant on various projects, and was named a Disney Legend in 2007.

Disney Channel Reveals the Cast of Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

February 10, 2021February 10, 2021

By The D23 Team

Today we’ve learned a bit more about the unique pair of heroes at the center of the highly anticipated animated series Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. Our friends at Disney Channel have shared a first look at new concept art and a logo for Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur and they’ve revealed the series’ talented voice cast.

Actress and singer Diamond White, whose credits include The Bold and the Beautiful and Disney’s The Lion Guard, will star in Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur as the brilliant Lunella Lafayette (aka Moon Girl). She’ll be joined by Alfre Woodard (Marvel’s Luke Cage) as Lunella’s grandmother, Mimi; Libe Barer (Sneaky Pete) as Lunella’s best friend and manager, Casey; Sasheer Zamata (Saturday Night Live) as Lunella’s mom, Adria; Jermaine Fowler (Superior Donuts) as Lunella’s dad, James Jr.; Fred Tatasciore (Marvel’s Avengers Assemble) as the one-and-only Devil Dinosaur; and Gary Anthony Williams (Disney Junior’s Doc McStuffins) as Lunella’s grandfather, Pops. In addition, Laurence Fishburne—who is also series executive producer—will voice the recurring role of The Beyonder, a curious and mischievous trickster.

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, which is based on Marvel’s hit comic books, is slated to premiere in 2022. The series follows the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur. After Lunella accidentally brings Devil Dinosaur into present-day New York City via a time vortex, the duo works together to protect the city’s Lower East Side from danger.

From Disney Television Animation, the series is executive produced by Fishburne and Helen Sugland’s Cinema Gypsy Productions (ABC’s black-ish and mixed-ish, Freeform’s grown-ish) and Emmy® Award winner Steve Loter (Disney’s Kim Possible). Emmy Award winner Rodney Clouden (Futurama) is supervising producer, Jeffrey M. Howard (Planes) and Emmy Award-winner Kate Kondell (The Pirate Fairy) are co-producers and story editors, and Pilar Flynn (Elena of Avalor) is producer.

Match with Your Valentine Using These Phone Wallpapers Inspired by Iconic Disney Couples

February 9, 2021

By the D23 Team

Combine the magic of Valentine’s Day with the magic of Disney by downloading these matching wallpapers for your phone. You and your sweetheart can always be connected thanks to these coordinating wallpapers—plus, they feature adorable art of Disney couples who are just as classic as you and your love.

Want to match with your best bud instead? Be sure to check out our matching Best Friend wallpapers celebrating some of our favorite pairs of Disney pals!

Download the images below:

Where to Find the Iconic Pizza Planet Trucks in Pixar Films

February 9, 2021February 9, 2021

By Savannah Salazar

No matter how you slice it, the Pizza Planet truck has become an iconic Easter egg for Pixar fans to find. It’s found in just about every Pixar film, either tucked away in a scene or sneakily right in front of your nose. In honor of National Pizza Day, we decided to dough our best to find the Pizza Planet truck wherever we could. Check them out below!

Toy Story
After an argument gone wrong, Buzz and Woody find themselves stranded at a gas station. Luckily, the Pizza Planet truck (in its first appearance!) is there to give them a ride.

A Bug’s Life
Early in the film, Flik journeys to “bug city:” home to a colony of circus insects located in a trash heap under a trailer home. While “bug city” may be underneath the trailer, to the left is the truck!

Toy Story 2
Quickly becoming the toys’ favorite mode of transportation, the iconic vehicle makes its return in Toy Story 2, but this time, Buzz Lightyear, Rex, Slinky, Mr. Potato Head and Hamm drive the truck as they chase after Al.

Monsters, Inc.
Similar to A Bug’s Life, the Pizza Planet truck is found right next to a trailer home. You can spot it after Randall is kicked out of Monstropolis.

Finding Nemo
In a blink-or-you’ll-miss it moment, you can see the truck whiz by the dentist’s office (aka 42 Wallaby Way). It’s seen as Gill is breaking down his escape plan to his gang of aquarium pals, Nemo included.

Cars
With Pixar creating a movie about cars, it would only make sense to include the fan-favorite pizza truck as well! Stylized to fit into the world of Cars, the truck can be seen during the Piston Cup, along with a bunch of other fantastic cars.

Ratatouille
The pizza truck can even be seen cruising through the streets of Paris, France. In Ratatouille, the truck is at the far back left crossing the bridge as Skinner chases Remy through the streets.

WALL-E
We’re starting to think the Pizza Planet truck will outlast us all; and Wall-E shows that even in a post-apocalyptic world, the truck continues to make an appearance. The truck is seen as EVE scans Earth for any sign of plant life.

Up
We spotted three moments where the pizza truck is seen. For two, keep your eyes peeled as Carl first flies his house across the city. As he flies over the streets, you can see the yellow truck parked on the curb. A little later on, as Russell is being lowered down from the house to scan the city, you can catch the truck pulling out of a parking lot toward the lower right of the screen. The final appearance comes at the end of the film, when Carl and Russell are eating ice cream outside of Fentons Ice Cream. Look in the parking lot for the iconic red rocket.

Toy Story 3
Continuing the trend of being the toys’ favorite mode of transportation, the truck returns as Lotso, Chuckles, and Big Baby hitch a ride on the bumper after being left by their previous owner Daisy.

Cars 2
In Cars 2, we found the pizza truck two times! While the cars are lounging in Wheel Well Motor Court, you can see the truck on the television screen above the bar. Toward the end of the film, the good ol’ pizza truck is seated as a spectator during the Grand Prix at Radiator Springs.

Brave
While there’s no automobiles in Brave’s timeline, Pixar animators still found a clever way to include the beloved Pizza Planet Truck for fans. If you look closely at the table in the Witch’s workshop, you can see a wooden carving of the truck.

Monsters University
What’s a party without some delicious pizza? Even Monstropolis knows that, which is why you can spot the pizza truck in Monsters University parked to the left of the JΘΧ (Jaws Theta Chi) house party.

Inside Out
Finding the pizza truck in Inside Out can be as hard as trying to get the “Triple Dent Gum” jingle out of your head—you’re welcome. But, we found two! Both are located in memory orbs. The first can be seen as Joy is chasing after Bing Bong while the second is when Joy, Bing Bong and Sadness finally make it on the train of thought.

The Good Dinosaur
Like Brave, animators had to get awfully creative when it came to inserting the truck in a pre-automobile and pre-pizza (gasp!) world. What they did have were some rocks and that’s exactly where you can spot a sneaky, sort-of avant garde pizza truck in the rock structure.

Finding Dory
Now, into the depths of the ocean. You can find the sunken, moss-covered Pizza Planet truck when Nemo, Dory and Marlin swim past some wreckage right before they encounter a giant squid.

Cars 3
The Pizza Planet truck makes another appearance in Cars 3. This time, during a demolition derby race with Lightning McQueen and Cruz. You can see the yellow truck get hit by a blue-green car, knocking the pizza truck’s red rocket into the audience.

Coco
In a fleeting moment, you can spot the truck drive by as soon as Miguel looks out the window toward the very beginning of the film.

Incredibles 2
During Elastigirl’s first encounter with the Screenslaver, the two fight, causing them to crash out of a window and fall down into an empty alleyway, where the truck is parked. Afterwards, we quickly learn that the Screenslaver was a decoy, a pizza deliveryman. Coincidence? We think not!

Toy Story 4
While there’s no runaway toys aboard a Pizza Planet truck in the latest Toy Story film, the truck still makes a sneaky appearance: as a tattoo on Axel the Carnie’s leg!

Onward
As Ian and Barley embark on their epic quest, you can see the truck to the right of the toll booth. Who says magical creatures can’t crave some pizza?

Soul
The Hall of Everything is where unborn souls travel to find their “spark”—the thing that they will be passionate about in their life on Earth. Inside the hall are items to help souls discover what they love—a basketball court for the athletically inclined, cameras for those who love photography, and so on. If you have a passion for, say, locating hidden vehicles in your favorite films, your soul may be drawn to the Pizza Planet truck sitting to the left in the hall when Joe and 22 first enter.

7 Terrific Tales from the Flora & Ulysses Cast and Filmmakers

February 9, 2021February 16, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Based on the Newbery Award-winning book by Kate DiCamillo, Flora & Ulysses will bring its hilarious heart to Disney+ beginning this Friday, February 19. The film follows 10-year-old Flora Buckman (Matilda Lawler), an avid comic book fan and a self-avowed cynic whose parents George (DuckTales’ Ben Schwartz) and Phyllis (Alyson Hannigan) have recently separated. After rescuing a squirrel she names Ulysses, Flora is amazed to discover he possesses unique superhero powers—which wind up taking them on an adventure of epic (and side-splitting) proportions… one that ultimately changes Flora’s life, and her outlook, forever.

Directed by Lena Khan, with a screenplay by Brad Copeland (Arrested Development), Flora & Ulysses also costars Danny Pudi (Schwartz’s DuckTales cohort) as Miller, an über-zealous animal control officer. Pudi recently joined Khan, author DiCamillo, Schwartz, Hannigan, and Lawler for a boisterous, laugh-a-minute virtual press conference celebrating the film’s upcoming release on the streaming service. Read on for some of the fabulous behind-the-scenes facts the cast and filmmakers offered up…

DiCamillo reveals the unique inspiration behind the story of Flora & Ulysses:
“So my mom had a vacuum cleaner that she loved,” the author explains. “She passed away in 2009, and in the last year of her life, she kept saying, ‘What’s gonna happen to the vacuum cleaner when I’m gone?’ And I thought, why are we worried about a vacuum cleaner? There are bigger things to worry about! But when she died, as I’d promised her I would do, I took the vacuum cleaner so that it would have a good home. Except that my mom had the world’s most evil cat, named Mildew—and I couldn’t bring the vacuum into the house because of all the Mildew hair in it; I had to leave it out in the garage. [But] every time I pulled into the garage and saw the vacuum cleaner, it would make my heart hurt. It would make me miss my mother. Then, the spring after my mother died, there was a squirrel on the front steps of my house, draped dramatically across the steps—clearly in distress. And he wouldn’t move when I got close to him, and I didn’t know what to do or who to call… I thought about ways to save the squirrel’s life and combined that with the vacuum cleaner in the garage, and that’s the story.”

(Don’t worry, friends—while the vacuum’s fate remains unknown, the squirrel wound up being a-okay!)

Khan discusses bringing Flora & Ulysses to life:
“The blueprint for most of the stuff that happens [in the film] is in the book, so we were kind of lucky there,” she says. “Apparently, crazy things like vacuum cleaners and everything ended up in Kate’s home! We got to play with all kinds of things, like stunts off of buildings and car crashes. It’s just kind of written in Kate’s brain—and then our screenwriter Brad Copeland, who wrote for Arrested Development, put all that kind of weirdness and fun into the movie. And then it was just kind of making it all real, which our lovely cast did.”

Lawler on how she found out she’d been cast as Flora:
“It was insane,” says the actress. “I was in this Broadway show [The Ferryman], and I was actually in the middle of the city—huge crowds everywhere. And I got a phone call from Lena and I hold the phone up to my ear and like, I can barely hear her. [But] I hear her say, ‘You want to be in this movie?’ And I’m like, ‘Yes!!’ It was amazing.”

Pudi on what a memorable time he had filming Flora & Ulysses—especially when it came to his character’s dealings with several energetic animals:
“This is my second time working with Lena,” Pudi explains. “I got to work with her on a film called The Tiger Hunter… [And] she told me that this would be a complete departure; there would be a lot of physical comedy involved. I love physical comedy, [and] I thought that was gonna be really exciting and just kind of fun to dive into this world. And in terms of the physicality, they would give me pillows to put under my shirt, [or] sometimes this weird squishy squirrel doll, to simulate what the real squirrel would look like. And then it was just a lot of [being] told, ‘Okay, just kind of run—dance, jerk your head around, and move your body.’ And it was like dance, it was just letting go! It looked like I was getting electrocuted a lot.” He laughs, adding, “I’ve been attacked by a few animals in my life, so I used that as my acting prep work.”

Schwartz and Hannigan recall some notable improvisational moments from the film’s shoot:
“The script that Brad wrote was so good,” says Schwartz, “and Lena gives us room to play—but with the knowledge [that] we’re not going to be like, ‘What’s going on? What’s that dinosaur over there?’ Y’know what I mean? It’s always within the boundaries of what that scene is, and only if it heightens either the emotion or the comedy of the scene without bringing it somewhere else.” Hannigan continues, “I remember having a lot of fun trying to work out the awkward entrance with Ben—do we hug? Do we shake hands? That was really fun to do… I love anything where I get to be awkward. That was a standout moment.” “It’s very fun to act with someone like Alyson, who’s been in so much comedy and she’s been doing such great stuff for so long,” Schwartz adds. “It was so fun to try to [work out that scene] with her, and with Lena. We literally tried 1,000 ways—there could be a weird ‘super-cut’ of us trying to say hello to each other!” (“It’s on our editor’s computer,” adds Khan.)

Khan gives a few hints on what kind of Easter eggs viewers can expect, including a mini DuckTales reunion:
“We realized that the best goldmine in all of television was DuckTales,” says the director, chuckling. “And we must bring everyone from that show [to our film]!” Besides Schwartz and Pudi, Flora & Ulysses also boasts a turn from DuckTales’ Kate Micucci as a nonplused waitress at the town’s diner, and a cameo appearance by Bobby Moynihan as a clerk at the local comic book store. “We threw in [things like] Bobby reading a DuckTales comic… You’ll see some ducks with different colors on their collars, matching the DuckTales characters, in Danny’s office.” But wait, there’s more: “There’s a whole world for comic [lovers] in that comic book store,” continues Khan. “There’s a giant penny, which would’ve been in the Bat Cave originally. You’ll see Mysterio, with the goldfish thing over his head. Some people will know who the ventriloquist ‘mobster’ dummy is, next to the TV… There’s a lot of Alyson Hannigan love; a lot of stuff from [her past TV and film work] hidden in the background [of the Buckman home]. Different books of Kate DiCamillo’s are hidden throughout. There’s just a lot of treats everywhere!”

Hannigan recalls the fun of showing the film to her two children:
“Well, they’ve been asking since the day we wrapped [filming], ‘When will we get to see it?’… They were so excited, [while] I was apprehensive [as someone who doesn’t like to watch themselves on screen]. But from the moment it started, I sort of forgot that I was even a part of it—because they were so engaged. Watching them, they were just so happy. They were laughing out loud—like, beyond belly laughs; I’d have to pause because I thought well, they’re gonna miss the next scene, cuz they were just in tears! And my husband and I kept looking at each other and saying, ‘This is so good!’ We were so happy… ”

Get ready for some hilarious, high-flying adventure when Flora & Ulysses debuts Friday, February 19—only on Disney+!

Watch the Epic Big Game Trailers for Raya and the Last Dragon and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier

February 8, 2021February 8, 2021

By the D23 Team

As Disney fans, there’s a reason to tune in to the Big Game that goes beyond the love of football. Yesterday we gathered around our televisions and were wowed by incredible looks at a highly anticipated Disney movie and television series—plus, a special look at the Disney Bundle.

Raya and the Last Dragon

Raya and the Last Dragon is an exciting, epic journey in the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together long ago in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya (Kelly Marie Tran), to track down the legendary last dragon (Awkwafina) to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world—it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well.

Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon will be in theaters or available for order on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5. Learn more here.

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier

Following the events of Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame, The Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) team up on a global adventure that put them to the test. Stream the original series beginning March 19, exclusively on Disney+. The action-packed trailer above complements a new TV spot that aired during yesterday’s big game.

Disney Bundle

If you’re counting down the days till you can stream Raya and the Last Dragon and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, you might be in need of some more Disney magic to watch while you wait. From incredible stories to unforgettable characters, the Disney Bundle has tons of content for every kind of Disney fan! Get more details here.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

February 8, 2021February 5, 2021

By Zach Johnson

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’re in the mood for love! For the second year in a row, Freeform is celebrating the holiday with “Love Week,” a special weeklong programming event. The marathon will begin Monday with the 2009 comedy Bride Wars. Later that night, Matt James will continue his journey to find love on ABC’s The Bachelor. On Wednesday, Freeform will air the Hollywood Pictures classic While You Were Sleeping. Two days later, Disney+ will add Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella to its library; the musical film originally aired in 1997 during The Wonderful World of Disney on ABC. That same day, Freeform will broadcast Touchstone’s 1999 rom-com 10 Things I Hate About You.

Bride Wars—Monday, February 8, at 11 a.m. ET on Freeform
Lifelong best friends Emma Allan (Anne Hathaway) and Liv Lerner (Kate Hudson) have been planning every detail of their weddings since first witnessing a ceremony decades ago at New York City’s famed Plaza Hotel. Now that they’re both engaged—Emma to Fletcher Flemson (Chris Pratt) and Liv to Daniel Williams (Steve Howey)—their dreams are about to become a reality. But due to a clerical error, their weddings are scheduled for the same day. With neither willing to reschedule, the next few months are a battle of the bridezillas!

The Bachelor—Monday, February 8, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Midway through Matt James’ journey to find love, time is running out for the remaining women to bolster their connection with him. Emotions continue to run high as rivals come face-to-face, cocktail parties are called off, and a group date gets unexpectedly competitive. Luckily, James and one of the women take a break from the drama with a romantic carnival date that includes a performance by Temecula Road. And tensions are briefly lifted when James’ best friend, The Bachelorette alum Tyler Cameron, stops by. But everything could change when former The Bachelor cast member Heather Martin (Season 23) makes a surprise visit, adding to this season’s unprecedented twists and turns.

While You Were Sleeping—Wednesday, February 10, at 1 p.m. ET on Freeform
Lonely transit worker Lucy Moderatz (Sandra Bullock) saves her secret crush, Peter Callaghan (Peter Gallagher), from being hit by a train after a mugging on Christmas Day. As he is hospitalized in a coma, Lucy is mistaken for his fiancée. Welcomed into the close-knit Callaghan family through the holidays, she brings new life to the household. But Lucy has misgivings about taking advantage of the mix-up. As she learns more about Peter, she starts to question her infatuation—all while falling for his little brother, Jack (Bill Pulman).

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella—Friday, February 12, on Disney+
At the stroke of midnight, the beloved movie musical will begin streaming exclusively on Disney+ as part of the “Celebrate Black Stories” collection. In spite of her wicked stepmother (Bernadette Peters) and evil stepsisters (Veanne Cox and Natalie Desselle), Cinderella (Brandy) remains hopeful and kind. One fateful day, Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother (Whitney Houston) steps in to change her life for one unforgettable night. At the royal ball, Cinderella falls for the handsome Prince Christopher (Paolo Montalban), whose parents, King Maximillian (Victor Garber) and Queen Constantina (Disney Legend Whoopi Goldberg), are eager for him to find a suitable wife. Celebrated for its diverse representation, sweeping musical acts, and unforgettable song book, the film features an array of beloved and original songs, including “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?” “Impossible,” “In My Own Little Corner,” “A Lovely Night,” “Ten Minutes Ago,” and more.

10 Things I Hate About You—Friday, February 12, at 6:30 p.m. ET on Freeform
Based on William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, the comedy film stars Larisa Oleynik and Julia Stiles as sisters Bianca and Kat Stratford, respectively. On paper, they couldn’t be more different. Bianca, a popular high school sophomore, is unable to date until her older sister does… but Kat is so irascible she alienates anyone who might be remotely interested in her. So, Bianca and Cameron James (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) decide to play matchmaker for Kat by setting her up with the mysterious Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger). Will Kat let her guard down enough to fall for the effortlessly charming bad boy?