5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

August 6, 2020

By Zach Johnson

Thanks to Disney+ and Freeform, movie buffs have plenty of options to choose from this weekend—because from X-Men to Holes to Alice Through the Looking Glass, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! For those wishing to travel at lightspeed to explore Batuu, Disney+ will stream the special Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Adventure Awaits. And on Sunday, basketball fans won’t want to miss NBA on ABC, which should be a real nail-biter!

X-Men—Friday, August 7, on Disney+
As part of Disney+’s weekly “Summer Movie Nights,” the 2000 blockbuster—the first live-action X-Men film ever—is joining the streaming service’s library! The X-Men, a group of mutants with extraordinary powers led by Professor X (Patrick Stewart), are feared by those who cannot accept their differences. Together, they wage a fight against both intolerance and a band of radical mutants, led by Magneto (Ian McKellen), who plan to eliminate the human race. In addition to Stewart and McKellen, the cast also includes Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Halle Berry as Storm, Famke Janssen as Jean Grey, James Marsden as Cyclops, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, Ray Park as Toad, Tyler Mane as Sabretooth, and Anna Paquin as Rogue. Keep your eyes peeled for a cameo from late Disney Legend Stan Lee!

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Adventure Awaits—Friday, August 7, on Disney+
We’ve got a good feeling about the Freeform special joining the streaming service’s extensive Star Wars catalog! Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, the immersive two-hour event invites viewers to explore the epic new lands and learn more about the planet Batuu’s origins. With celebrity guests Kaley Cuoco, Keegan-Michael Key, Jay Leno, Sarah Hyland, Miles Brown, and more, Walt Disney Imagineers and Disney cast members share how they helped bring Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to life. Join Harris as he meets up with Key for some laughs in Oga’s Cantina and takes a tour of Batuu; Hyland as she learns about the tensions between the First Order and the Resistance and builds her own droid at the Droid Depot; Leno as he explores Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, inside and out; and Cuoco as she previews Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, a massive attraction with multiple ride systems!

Holes—Saturday, August 8, at 9:40 a.m. ET on Freeform
The bestselling novel by Louis Sachar comes to life in the 2003 film when Stanley “Caveman” Yelnats IV (Shia LaBeouf), cursed with bad luck stemming from an ancient family curse, is sent to Camp Green Lake, a very weird place that’s not green and doesn’t have a lake. He and his campmates Armpit (Byron Cotton), Magnet (Miguel Castro), Squid (Jake M. Smith), X-Ray (Brenden Jefferson), Zero (Khleo Thomas), and Zigzag (Max Kasch) must dig a hole a day to keep the warden at bay. But why? Through it all, they forge fast friendships as they unearth the mystery of what’s really going on in the middle of nowhere. Directed by Andrew Davis, Holes also stars Patricia Arquette, Rick Fox, Dulé Hill, Eartha Kitt, Roma Maffia, Tim Blake Nelson, Jon Voight, Sigourney Weaver, and Henry Winkler.

NBA on ABC—Sunday, August 9, at 3 p.m. ET on ABC
Live basketball is back, and the HP Field House will host the San Antonio Spurs vs. New Orleans Pelicans at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida. When the teams last faced off in January, the Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge scored 32 points, leading his team to a 121–117 victory over the Pelicans. Will Brandon Ingram lead the Pelicans to victory this time? Fans can also watch using the ABC app on their smartphone or tablet (iOS and Android), using connected devices (Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV), or via ABC.com.

Alice Through the Looking Glass—Sunday, August 9, at 8:45 p.m. ET on Freeform
The network premiere of the 2016 fantasy film reintroduces us to Alice (Mia Wasikowska), who has spent the past few years following in her father’s footsteps and sailing the high seas. Upon her return to London, she discovers a magical looking glass that takes her back to the fantastical realm of Underland. There, she learns the Mad Hatter (Disney Legend Johnny Depp) has lost his Muchness, so the White Queen (Anne Hathaway) sends her on a quest to borrow the Chronosphere, a metallic globe inside the chamber of the Grand Clock that powers all time. Time (Sacha Baron Cohen) refuses to give it up, telling Alice that altering the past is impossible. Alice steals it and returns to the past, embarking on a race to save the Mad Hatter before time runs out—all while trying to remember the White Queen’s warning that history will be destroyed if a person’s past and present selves meet.

Get Early Access to the August Limited-Edition Mickey

August 6, 2020October 19, 2020

The August Limited-Edition Disney Captain Mickey Mouse Plush is SOLD OUT! Check back next month for the announcement of September’s plush theme and the date and time for the sale launch on Amazon.

NOTE: Due to the strong response to these incredible plush, D23 and Amazon are making the following adjustments to the on-sale announcement for the upcoming months.

D23 Members will continue to be among the first to be notified about each month’s theme and have an opportunity to order the month’s design.
Each month D23 will provide Members with advance notice of the date the plush will be available for purchase on Amazon.com.
On Monday, August 10, at 9 a.m. PST,visit this page on D23.com for the link to purchase the Captain Mickey Mouse plush.
Please Note: You must be signed in as a D23 Member to access the link to purchase. Click “Sign In” at the top of the page.
Extremely limited quantities of the plush will be available on Amazon.com.

Captain Mickey Mouse
Commemorate the Year of the Mouse with this Limited-Edition Disney Captain Mickey Mouse Plush. The eighth of twelve collectible large plush in the series, this exclusive Mickey Mouse celebrates the month of August. Mickey Mouse stands 16 inches tall and is made of linen fabric with nautical icons and a colorful swimsuit with gold embroidered buttons, and embroidered eyes. Mickey Mouse features a commemorative gold and satin foot patch and includes a Certificate of Authenticity. He even comes in a window box featuring special Year of the Mouse packaging; ideal for collectors. The Year of the Mouse Captain Mickey Mouse plush makes the perfect gift for Disney fans of all ages. Collect all twelve of these commemorative Mickey Mouse plush. Ages 3+

Mickey Mouse has had many adventures on the high seas, from assembling his own boat, the Queen Minnie, with the help of Donald Duck and Goofy in “Boat Builders” (1938) to being the captain of his own ship, answering an SOS call in “Tugboat Mickey” (1940). You can bet with shipmates like Donald Duck and Goofy, things aren’t always even keeled. And you can’t forget Mickey’s film debut behind the ship’s wheel in the iconic short “Steamboat Willie” (1928).

Limited-Edition Captain Mickey Mouse Plush celebrates the month of August.
Includes Certificate of Authenticity.
Comes in a window box featuring special Year of the Mouse packaging.
Amazon exclusive.
Mickey Mouse stands 16 inches tall.
Made of linen fabric with nautical icons and a colorful swimsuit with gold embroidered buttons, and embroidered eyes.
Collect all twelve.
Ages 3+

Continue to watch every month for a brand-new Mickey plush design announcement! For more Disney favorites, visit amazon.com/Disney for a full assortment of products.

JUST ANNOUNCED: D23 Celebrates 65 Years of The Disney Theme Park

August 6, 2020August 10, 2020

By the D23 Team

It was 65 years ago that Disneyland first welcomed guests to enjoy a new kind of experience: the theme park. And to mark the occasion, Disney twenty-three has created a one-of-a-kind, stand-alone issue, filled with rich stories and stunning photography that look at the development and evolution of the Disney theme park. Disney artist Ricky De Los Angeles created an exclusive wrap-around cover for the issue featuring colorful illustrations of iconic attractions (and snacks!) from Disney parks around the world. Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro penned a special “Editor’s Letter” for readers, highlighting his deep connection with the theme parks, and stories include exclusive interviews with Disney Legends Tony Baxter and Wing T. Chao; Imagineers Tom Fitzgerald and Bhavna Mistry; original Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess; and Walt Disney Imagineering President Bob Weis.

The Disney twenty-three team pulled together a robust selection of stories written by subject matter experts including:

Walt’s Map to the Magic: A deep dive into the inspiration, planning, and creation of Disneyland penned by Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline and publication editor Max Lark
Dateline Disneyland: July 17, 1955: A guided tour of Disneyland on opening day by D23’s Manager of Content Curation (and former Disneyland Park tour guide) Justin Arthur
Picturing the Parks: A curated look at some of the most beloved attraction posters from Disney’s parks around the world written by Disney Publishing’s Editorial Director Wendy Lefkon
National Treasures: Stunning images from several of National Geographic’s many trips to the parks from National Geographic’s Caitlin Holbrook
Rooms with a View: The evolution of Disney’s immersive resorts and vacation experiences from the Disneyland Hotel to a galaxy far, far away by Disney Vacation Club’s Ryan March
Character Analysis: Park Stars: Beloved characters created just for Disney parks, from the Orange Bird and Figment to the Country Bears and Chandu, written by Disney Parks’ Charles Stovall
And much, much more including a roundup of every glorious Disney castle, a look at our remarkable cast members around the world, the Disney spectacular examined, and an advance peek at the new book Holiday Magic in the Disney Parks

Plus, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is extending the celebration for fans and members including:

Expanded Digital Storytelling: More than a dozen original features on D23.com looking at the Disney theme park, from a look at movies filmed at Disney parks (Saving Mr. Banks and Tomorrowland) to delicious vintage parks recipes.
An Exclusive Pin Set: Available only to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members, this 6-pin set features some of the colorful artwork from Ricky De Los Angeles’ cover of Disney twenty-three, including Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort, Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland Resort, Ratatouille: The Adventure at Disneyland Paris, Spaceship Earth at Walt Disney World Resort, Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and one inspired by Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. The limited-edition set will be available for $49.99 on August 31 at shopDisney.com.*
Disney Imagineers Celebrate 65 Years of Disneyland Park: From August 21 through August 23, D23 Gold and Gold Family Members will have the chance to watch an exclusive virtual panel created by Walt Disney Imagineering celebrating the 65th anniversary of Disneyland with Imagineering leaders Jeanette Lomboy, Kim Irvine, and Scott Trowbridge, along with Disney Legend Tony Baxter, and moderated by Leslie Iwerks, director and executive producer of The Imagineering Story on Disney+.
D23 Trivia Night: 65 Years of the Disney Theme Park: Disney parks trivia aficionados are invited to join a fun evening of trivia spanning every Disney park around the globe. On August 28, D23 Gold and Gold Family Members can join the fun to celebrate 65 years of favorite places and attractions—classic and new.
D23 Magical Summer Sweepstakes: Starting August 10, all D23 Members will be able to enter to win exciting prizes, including a new D23 Gold Membership and the exclusive 6-pin set.**
Special Gold Member Gift: Just for D23 Gold and Gold Family Members, this issue of Disney twenty-three will include a set of six postcards—each representing a different Disney resort around the world.

Additional details will be available at D23.com. Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving before the end of August.

*Available while supplies last. To purchase, must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. Pin sets are $49.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum one (1) pin set for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping & handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including but not limited to artwork, release dates, editions sizes and retail prices.

**No purchase is necessary to enter the weekly sweepstakes. Open to all D23 Members who are residents of the 50 United States or D.C., 18 or older. For details, visit https://d23.com/entry/magical-summer-sweepstakes.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Reveals a New Character

August 6, 2020August 6, 2020

By Zach Johnson

Disney+ announced via social media today that Keke Palmer will be joining the cast of the upcoming original series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder as Maya Leibowitz-Jenkins, a 14-year-old activist who relentlessly marches to the beat of her own drum. She is extremely mature for her age and will not hesitate to shut anyone down with her blunt honesty and wisdom. The adopted daughter of mixed race parents, Maya is new to town, and initially disassociates herself from Penny Proud (voice of Kyla Pratt) and her crew because she is skeptical about what she perceives to be the superficiality of social cliques. However, Penny eventually gains her hard-earned respect, and they become good friends.

Today at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT, the cast and creative team of the groundbreaking animated series The Proud Family will participate in a 30-minute virtual reunion during the NAACP’s Arts, Culture & Entertainment Festival. Moderated by Palmer, the panel will feature stars Pratt, Tommy Davidson (voice of Oscar Proud), Paula Jai Parker (voice of Trudy Proud), Jo Marie Payton (voice of Suga Mama) and Cedric the Entertainer (voice of Uncle Bobby); creator and executive producer Bruce W. Smith; and executive producer Ralph Farquhar.

Explore the World of Tomorrow with These Disney Parks Attraction Posters

August 6, 2020August 10, 2020

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Disney theme parks around the world challenge guests to imagine a great, big, beautiful tomorrow through attractions themed to grand ideas of the future. In honor of our celebration of 65 years of the Disney Theme Park, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite attraction posters from Disney parks around the world that celebrate visions of the future in all their fantastic forms.

Want to keep celebrating 65 years of the Disney Theme Park? Make sure to check out all the ways we’re celebrating, including more digital content right here on D23.com, all month long!

EXCLUSIVE: Cover Reveal and Q&A for a New Book Reimagining Beauty and the Beast

August 5, 2020August 5, 2020

By Jocelyn Buhlman

We all know the tale as old as time, but what happens after “happily ever after”? The new book, Queen’s Council: Rebel Rose aims to answer just that. The first book in The Queen’s Council series, an empowering fairy tale reimagining of the Disney Princesses—and the real history behind their stories, Rebel Rose tells the story of what happens when Belle becomes the queen while France is on the brink of revolution. Torn between her roots as a commoner, and her future as a royal, Belle questions her newfound power and what it means to be a queen. You can preorder The Queen’s Council: Rebel Rose here.

Check out the just-revealed cover and then read on for an exclusive Q&A with the author, Emma Theriault.

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club: This story finds Belle shortly after having broken the curse, and places her right into pre-revolutionary France. What was it like getting to reimagine Belle during the start of the French Revolution? What were some of the challenges?

Emma Theriault (ET): It was a time of great change. In France, Enlightenment philosophers had been espousing the ideas of equality, liberty, constitutional government, and religious tolerance for decades, so it was very easy to imagine Belle, a radical thinker in her own right, in the midst of it all. But it was a time when women were largely excluded from institutions and public spheres, so Belle’s biggest dream is to visit Paris and attend salons frequented by the likes of Olympe de Gouges and Madame de Montesson. Little does she know; she is about to be embroiled in the biggest political and social upheaval of her time.

D23: What kind of research did you do to prepare for writing a period piece like this?

ET: The very first thing I did was watch both the animated and live-action films closely, taking notes on setting, background characters, mannerisms, etc. Then I did historical research by reading books about the French Revolution, accessing online databases of political pamphlets, scouring the writings of the Enlightenment thinkers that Belle would have admired, studying the Palace of Versailles website (they have excellent information on design, architecture, furniture, decorations, etc.), and jotting down anything and everything I thought might be relevant. And finally, the best thing I did was go on an extremely well-timed and entirely coincidental trip to Europe in April 2019. We visited my boyfriend’s family in Austria (where I got a private tour of a castle!) and spent some time in Paris. Rebel Rose opens with Belle in a carriage rumbling over the cobbles of Pont Neuf, so it was really amazing to trace her path through the city that would have captured her heart and mind, at least in my imagination.

D23: Belle totally seems like she’d be a part of the revolution, but now she’s royalty. What kind of challenges does she face?

ET: At one point in the book, Belle realizes that she now occupies a strange position: she is not a commoner anymore, but she likewise isn’t noble. She is torn between two worlds, belonging to neither. In another life, Belle would have been debating in the gardens of the Palais-Royal, calling for change and demanding action. Now she feels an immense responsibility for her people in the principality of the kingdom of Aveyon. She wants to both protect them from the violence that comes with revolution (she witnesses the storming of the Bastille and the beheading of the marquis de Launay, after all), and enact sweeping changes in Aveyon to make the lives of commoners better. The challenge for Belle is that hers is not the only voice in Aveyon, and there are competing ideas about what way forward is best. Her journey through the book is one of discovery—discovering her voice, her power, her privilege, and how she can and must use all three to make her world a better place.

D23: In your opinion, what do you think fans of Beauty and the Beast can look forward to when reading this novel?

ET: I think the combination of Disney magic and real, gritty, bloody history is a unique one, and I hope readers enjoy the chance to revisit beloved characters as they grow into their new roles in an utterly changed world. Being chosen to expand and extend Belle’s story like this was an unimaginable privilege for me, a girl who once performed ‘Belle (Reprise)’ so vigorously she sent her framed Beauty and the Beast poster crashing to the ground (shattering it), and getting to expand her story against the backdrop of the French Revolution was such a gift for this former history major.

Alice Through the Looking Glass Wind-Up Toy

August 4, 2020July 10, 2020

By Nikki Nguyen, Walt Disney Archives

In Alice Through the Looking Glass, Time presents this wind-up toy to Iracebeth as a gift “made entirely out of love… and also a little bit of metal and wood.” The complex machinery of this prop is functional and in working order. As the crank is turned, the executioner lowers the hatchet and the unfortunate king kneeling at the chopping block loses a bit more than just his crown… which brings some momentary delight to the Red Queen.

In addition to this version of the wind-up toy prop, there is a nearly identical rubber version, painted to mimic the look of the wood and metal of the original. It is not uncommon for two versions of a prop to be made for production—one made of heavier materials or more intricate parts that is often used for close-up shots, and one that is lighter and less fragile so it can be more easily handled by actors.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

August 3, 2020August 6, 2020

By Zach Johnson

ABC is delivering the drama this week with a new episode of The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons – Ever, which follows one woman’s journey to finding true love after making the shocking decision to eliminate herself on The Bachelor. Then, on Wednesday, the network is broadcasting a brand-new episode of the top-rated freshman comedy United We Fall. And on Friday, Disney+ will add new titles to its library, including the documentary film Howard, as well as The Peanuts Movie, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and many more.

The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons – Ever!—Monday, August 3, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Ali Fedotowsky’s search for love on The Bachelorette in 2010 took her to some of the most exotic locations around the world, including Iceland, Portugal, Tahiti, and Turkey. She fell hard for Kasey Kahl, Roberto Martinez, and Justin Rego—and now, Fedotowsky is sharing the behind-the-scenes stories from those emotional days as she visits with Chris Harrison from her home. What shocking secret has Fedotowsky been holding onto for the last decade?

United We Fall—Wednesday, August 5, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
In “My Favorite Marta,” Jo Rodriguez (Christina Vidal Mitchell) steps in as a role model for her teenage niece, Marta Rodirugez (Olivia Taylor Cohen)… much to the dismay of Jo’s brother, Chuy Rodriguez (Guillermo Rodriguez). Meanwhile, Bill Ryan (Will Sasso) plays matchmaker for his mom, Sandy Ryan (Jane Curtin), who, under the influence of post-colonoscopy drugs, unintentionally professes her love for her ex-husband (Sam McMurray).

Howard—Friday, August 7, on Disney+
Directed by Don Hahn, Howard is the untold story of Disney Legend Howard Ashman, the lyricist behind Disney classics like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage, personal films, and photographs, the documentary film is an intimate look at his life, his creative drive, and the process behind the music. Spanning his childhood in Baltimore, to his formative years in New York and his untimely death from AIDS, Howard goes in-depth to explore Ashman’s journey to become the lyricist behind some of the most beloved and well-known classic family films in the world. The film features an interview with Ashman’s musical collaborator, Disney Legend Alan Menken, who also scored the film. Others interviewed include his partner, Bill Lauch; his sister, Sarah Gillespie; and his friends, Disney Legends Jodi Benson and Paige O’Hara.

The Peanuts Movie—Friday, August 7, on Disney+
Based on Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip Peanuts, the 2015 animated comedy from Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox Animation makes its debut on the streaming service. Life seems complicated for Charlie Brown (voice of Noah Schnapp), who always tries his best against seemingly impossible odds. But when the Little Red-Haired Girl (voice of Francesca Angelucci Capaldi) moves into his neighborhood, he develops a crush on her. Meanwhile, his best friend Snoopy (voice of Bill Melendez) embarks on an epic adventure in a fantasy world. As a World War I flying ace, the beagle pursues his nemesis, the Red Baron, while also trying to win the affection of a pretty poodle named Fifi (voice of Kristin Chenoweth).

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time—Friday, August 7, on Disney+
The 2010 action-adventure film, directed by Mike Newell and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, makes its debut on the streaming service. Set in medieval Persia, the adventurous Prince Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) teams up with a rival princess, Tamina (Gemma Arterton), to stop an angry ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world. After being tricked by a dying vizier to unleash the Sands of Time, which gives mortals the power to turn back time, Dastan and Tamina must find the Dagger of Time, return the sands to the hourglass, and unmask who killed King Sharaman (Ronald Pickup).

Every Wicked Way to Celebrate Descendants’ Fifth Anniversary

July 31, 2020

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Today we’re celebrating a half-decade of deviousness from our favorite VKs (that’s short for “Villain Kids,” aka the children of some of Disney’s most feared villains). On this day in 2015, Disney’s Descendants debuted on Disney Channel—and three movies and a whole lot of mischief later, we’re still obsessed with Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos and their adventures at Auradon Prep. If you’re like us, you’ll be looking for all the ways to be wicked—and all the ways to be celebrating this anniversary! Check out our suggestions below for a Descendants celebration so good, it has to be evil.

A Mischievous Marathon
Of course, the best way to celebrate this wickedly wonderful milestone anniversary is to watch all the movies! Whether you’re streaming them on Disney+ or marathoning through your Blu-ray collection, you need to block out some time this weekend to watch all three iconic films and celebrate along with Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay.

Make a Midnight Snack
As Lonnie says, “chocolate chips are the most important food group”—so why not make some chocolate chip cookies like the VKs do (although yours don’t need to include a secret love spell). Our friends at Disney Family have a recipe inspired by the movie. Plus, you can check out two different recipes from our friends at Ghirardelli—traditional chocolate chip and double chocolate.

You Have to Look Good to Be Bad
Even if you don’t consider yourself a fashion expert like Evie, there are still plenty of ways to show off your VK style. Head over to shopDisney to grab a kit to make your own Descendants-themed friendship bracelet or grab some shirts with villainously awesome style. (Don’t forget, D23 Gold Members get an exclusive discount on purchases!). Finish off your outfit with a hairstyle inspired by Evie herself, like the one featured in this tutorial from our friends at Disney Style.

Learn All the Wicked Words
You look good, you’ve got your snacks—but before you hit “play,” on your Descendants marathon, you need to prepare to belt along to all the songs. Need some practice? Check out these sing-along videos for “Rotten to the Core,” “If Only,” “Did I Mention,” and “Set It Off” below.

Of course, learning the words in only half of the fun…

And then learn how to Descen-DANCE!
…The other half is learning the dances! Make some room on the floor and put on your dancing shoes, because the Disney Descendants YouTube channel has a whole playlist of dance tutorials for songs from all three Descendants films! Start practicing your moves, and soon you’ll be chillin’ like a villain!

Discover Your Own Villainous Family
If you’re a Descendants fan, you’ve probably put a lot of thought into which Disney villain could be your parent. But do you really know who your Disney villain parent is? Luckily for you, we have a handy quiz that will answer your question in no time. Grab a pen and paper and get ready to discover who you’re descended from.

Pixar Announces Its Next Animated Feature: Luca—Plus More in News Briefs

July 31, 2020July 30, 2020

By Courtney Potter

Pixar Reveals Next Big-Screen Adventure: Luca

Fabulous news this week from our pals over at Pixar Animation Studios: Their next feature film is entitled Luca, and will be directed by Academy Award® nominee Enrico Casarosa (La Luna) and produced by Andrea Warren (Lava and Cars 3). Along with the announcement, Pixar shared concept art for the movie—seen above.

Set in an idyllic seaside town on the Italian Riviera, this brand-new animated feature is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an incredible summer filled with gelato, pasta, and endless scooter rides. Luca shares these exploits with his newfound best friend—but all the fun is threatened by a secret: he’s a sea monster from another world just below the water’s surface.

“This is a deeply personal story for me, not only because it’s set on the Italian Riviera where I grew up, but because at the core of this film is a celebration of friendship,” Casarosa recently said. “Childhood friendships often set the course of who we want to become and it is those bonds that are at the heart of our story in Luca. So, in addition to the beauty and charm of the Italian seaside, our film will feature an unforgettable summer adventure that will fundamentally change Luca.”

The film is set to open in U.S. theaters on June 18, 2021… keep your eyes peeled for more information as it becomes available!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

Can you believe it? August starts in earnest this weekend—and to kick off the eighth month of the year, there’s all manner of fabulous options for your viewing pleasure from around the worlds of Disney. Incredibles 2 makes its way to Disney+; National Geographic Documentary Films presents virtual screenings of director Ron Howard’s look at the 2018 Northern California fires, Rebuilding Paradise; and so much more. Read up on what you can expect by clicking here.

Sneak Peek at Freeform’s Love in the Time of Corona

Love in the Time of Corona, a new limited series from Freeform, will debut as a special four-part, two-night event beginning Saturday, August 22, at 8 p.m. ET/PT and continuing Sunday, August 23, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. And just this week, the network shared a sneak peek at the series; take a look, above.

Filmed using remote technologies and shot in the actual homes of the cast, Love in the Time of Corona will follow four interwoven stories about the hopeful search for love and connection while in quarantine, from the early days of the stay-at-home order through the events that ignited the worldwide Black Lives Matter protests. James (Leslie Odom Jr.) and Sade (Odom’s real-life wife Nicolette Robinson), a married couple who have been living somewhat separate lives, are forced back under the same roof after the pandemic halts his work travel; roommates Oscar (Tommy Dorfman) and Elle (Rainey Qualley) find their mostly platonic relationship becoming complicated; Paul (Gil Bellows) and Sarah (Rya Kihlstedt) pretend to be a happy couple for the sake of their daughter Sophie (Ava Bellows), recently returned from college; and Nanda (L. Scott Caldwell)—a headstrong woman whose husband is unable to return home from his rehab facility—tries to find a way celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary.

Following their debut on Freeform, the episodes of Love in the Time of Corona will be available on Hulu the next day.

ICYMI: Disney Earns 145 2020 Primetime Emmy® Award Nominations

Perhaps the biggest news of the week came courtesy the just-announced nominations for the 2020 Emmy Awards… Series from around the worlds of Disney earned a whopping 145 nominations total, in all manner of categories. For a complete rundown—and for info on how you can watch the ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, in September—click here.

Disney+ to Debut Black Beauty Later This Year

Anna Sewell’s classic 19th century novel Black Beauty will be getting a contemporary adaptation on Disney+, premiering soon on the streaming service. Black Beauty (voice of Oscar® winner Kate Winslet) is a wild mustang born free in the American west. When she is captured and taken away from family, her story intertwines with that of 17-year-old Jo Green (Mackenzie Foy), similarly grieving over the loss of her parents. The two slowly develop a bond that is built on love, respect, and mutual healing.

Directed and written by Ashley Avis, Black Beauty also stars Iain Glen as John Manly and Claire Forlani as Mrs. Winthorp. Watch for the film to debut on Disney+ later this year.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Welcomes Adorable Baby Mandrill

Looking for something cute and cuddly to warm the cockles of your heart? We’ve got just the thing: Recently, the animal care team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom welcomed a new addition to their animal family—namely, an adorable baby mandrill monkey born on Saturday, July 25! Check out the infant, born to mother Scarlett and father Linus, in the clip above.

According to Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment, Disney Parks, mom and baby are doing well and spending lots of time bonding. In fact, their bond is so close that at the baby’s neonatal exam, the Animal Kingdom veterinary team wasn’t able to determine if the baby is a boy or a girl just yet, because Scarlett is keeping the infant so close to her belly. Scarlett and her lil’ one have already begun making short appearances in their habitat on the Kilimanjaro Safari, joining other members of their mandrill troop.

Mandrills are the largest species of monkey in the world, found in African rainforests along the equator. Unfortunately, they’re also a vulnerable species—faced with a disappearing habitat due to deforestation and poaching. Thankfully, this mandrill birth is an example of how the dedicated and highly trained team of Disney animal care experts works with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) on Species Survival Plans (SSPs), assuring responsible breeding for endangered animals.

Congrats to the happy mandrill family, and to all our pals over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!