7 Things that Have Us Paws-itively Pumped for Marvel Studios’ Black Panther

February 12, 2018February 12, 2018

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Last week, journalists were given the royal treatment at a press event that featured the cast of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, along with director Ryan Coogler and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. The star-studded panel was chock-full of exciting behind-the-scenes stories to tide us over until February 16, when we finally get to sink our claws into the exciting new film.

1. Forest Whitaker knew the director was special from the start.
Forest Whitaker (Zuri) has worked with director Ryan Coogler on previous films, and said that there has always been something special about the talented filmmaker. “I knew it from the moment that I met him,” Whitaker recalls. “I’m just blown away watching his growth, every time, to see how he’s able to manifest so much importance in socially relevant moments, inside of things that we want to sit and watch. It’s been quite a powerful experience for me to watch that.”

2. Danai Gurira was the first to shave her head.
Black Panther’s team of female bodyguards, called the Dora Milaje, have already become iconic for their cool sense of style—including their shaved heads. But it took Danai Gurira (Okoye) a little time to warm up to the style. She recalls, “I was the first one to get my head shaved, and in theory, it sounded amazing. And then the day came and I was like, ‘Is it today?’”

But despite her hesitation, Gurira ended up loving the new look once her fellow actresses joined her. “The pride started to grow,” she explains, “this pride around it, and this sort of embracing of this symbol of power in these women. It was so subversive, and it’s so subversive in the right way. You don’t have to have hair to be beautiful.”

3. Letitia Wright couldn’t pick a favorite gadget.
Letitia Wright plays Shuri, T’Challa’s super-smart younger sister who’s enough of a tech whiz to give Tony Stark some competition! When Wright was asked to name her favorite gadget invented by Shuri, she couldn’t decide! “I created all of them, right?” she asked, hoping to be able to say that they were all her favorite. But in the end, she settled on two personal picks: “I think T’Challa’s suit is quite beautiful. But I think the gauntlets are pretty dope, because they’re her personal little thing.”

4. T’Challa doesn’t mind his younger sister being cooler than he is.
Other people may find the idea of a genius younger sis to be a little intimidating, but Chadwick Boseman insists that T’Challa takes it all in stride. “The idea of the next generation being smarter, being better than you, is a concept that [the Wakandans] would have evolved to, so even though she’s my younger sister, she benefits from whatever I’ve achieved.” He reflects that T’Challa’s achievements are meant to benefit the younger generation—whether they are younger siblings, children, or friends. “You want your sons and daughters to be better than you were,” he adds.

5. Black Panther comes from a tradition of challenging norms.
Many fans have expressed their excitement at seeing a Super Hero movie of Black Panther’s scale featuring an African-based story for the first time. Michael B. Jordan (Killmonger) thinks that this evolution in the Super Hero narrative is a natural part of both Black Panther and Marvel’s history. He explains, “The truth of the matter is Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and the whole Marvel bullpen created Wakanda and created T’Challa and made him a smarter, more accomplished character than any of the other white characters in the mid 1960s. They had the guts to do that in the mid 1960s. The least we can do is live up to that and allow this story to be told the way it needed to be told and not shy away from things that the Marvel founders didn’t shy away from at the height of the civil rights era.”

6. Wakanda hits home for some of the cast.
For Gurira, the movie’s African setting hit especially close to home. She explains, “I think what was really fascinating and almost very emotional for me, being that I’m Zimbabwean, is seeing the power and the potential of where you’re from, but also seeing how skewed it’s viewed by the world and how misrepresented it is. So, it’s kind of a salve to those wounds to see this world brought to life this way, and to see all the potential and power of all of the different African cultures and aspects of our being that was celebrated. We see beauty, we see power, we see potential, we see ability, we see resources, but they are never exhibited—and then to put it on a Marvel/epic scale of exhibition, it really salves wounds in a very deep way.”

7. The girl power is both on-screen and off-screen.
Not every important woman involved with Marvel Studios’ Black Panther is a brave warrior or gadget inventor. Some of them actually helped make the film! Coogler was quick to credit the amazing team of women involved with the film—both on and off the screen—explaining, “This film has involvement from brilliant women all over, from start to finish. We hired women who were the best people for the job. They weren’t hired because they were women, they were hired because they were the best.” He cites crew members such as director of photography Rachel Morrison, costume designer Ruth Carter, assistant director Lisa Satriano, production designer Hannah Beachler, and executive producer Victoria Alonso. He adds, “When you saw all those frames, you saw that presence.”

Breaking News About Disney Parks and Resorts from D23 Expo Japan 2018

February 11, 2018February 13, 2018

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Super (Hero) surprises, sneak peeks from a far-off galaxy, and a “Year of Pixar.” Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek just shared with guests at D23 Expo Japan 2018 exciting updates and new details about these and more experiences coming to every Disney theme park all around the globe. Fans can look forward to reimagined favorites, as well as entirely new ways for guests to encounter Super Heroes, Jedi, classic characters, and life-long Pixar pals.

“We are hard at work creating even more ways to experience Disney magic at our parks and resorts around the world,” said Chapek. “And with our incredible library of beloved stories and characters, we know exciting adventures and magical memories are in store for all our guests.”

Here are some of the amazing announcements and thrilling details from the presentation:

1. The Marvel Super Hero universe is coming to Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris.
As Walt Disney Parks and Resorts prepares to incorporate popular stories and characters into the resort, they are reimagining Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster as a high-speed, hyper-kinetic adventure where guests can team up with Iron Man and the Avengers. Chapek also gave D23 Expo Japan guests a sneak peek at one of the rooms from the upcoming Disney’s Hotel New York—The Art of Marvel, which opens in 2020. But guests won’t have to wait that long to come face-to-face with Captain America, Spider-Man, Star-Lord, and Black Widow: Marvel Summer of Super Heroes kicks off at Disneyland Paris this June!

2. A second Marvel attraction for Hong Kong Disneyland.
Since its January 2017 opening, Iron Man Experience has become the most popular attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland, and an entire Marvel-themed area is underway at the resort. But that’s not all that’s planned for Marvel fans: Chapek shared details about a second Marvel attraction that is set for Hong Kong Disneyland, where you’ll be able to team up with Ant-Man and The Wasp to fight Arnim Zola and his army of Hydra swarm bots.

3. New details about the Guardians of the Galaxy attraction at Epcot.
When the family attraction themed to Guardians of the Galaxy opens at Epcot, it will feature a brand-new innovative ride system—and will be one of the longest enclosed roller coasters in the world!

4. The Star Wars-themed hotel at Walt Disney World Resort will be seamlessly connected to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The luxury resort, announced at D23 Expo 2017, will completely immerse guests into an authentic Star Wars story at Walt Disney Resort—and that immersion will start the moment guests arrive! The journey through space will begin as you board a star ship and depart with your fellow guests on a multi-day Star Wars adventure that will be connected to the new land being built at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

5. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is going to be incredible.
Excited fans were thrilled to learn new details on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. When the new lands open next year at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, they will feature the Millennium Falcon and an impressive fleet of life-size X-wing fighters. Imagineers are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible as they bring to life these jaw-dropping lands where guests will find themselves in the middle of the action as they live their own Star Wars stories.

6. So many ways to celebrate Pixar’s iconic storytelling at Disney parks around the world.
While we eagerly await the opening of Disney•Pixar Toy Story Land at Shanghai Disney Resort in April and at Walt Disney World this summer, we now have a new date to mark on our calendars: The highly anticipated Pixar Pier opens at Disney California Adventure on June 23 and will include the Incredicoaster and a future attraction themed to Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out. Additionally, a new Incredibles float is joining the Paint the Night parade this June (but you can see the popular parade in Disney California Adventure when Pixar Fest launches on April 13). And at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a new, family-friendly show featuring Russell and Dug from Disney•Pixar’s Up debuts on April 22.

7. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway celebrates classic Disney stories in a brand-new way.
The first-ever ride-through attraction themed to Mickey Mouse is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2019. When it opens, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will feature a new original story and lovable theme song as it takes guests on a journey inside the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel’s Emmy® Award-winning Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts. The attraction will use new technologies that transform the two-dimensional cartoon world into an incredible multi-dimensional experience.

8. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is bringing even more Disney Magic to Japan.
Beginning next year, Adventures by Disney will take guests to the beautiful and storied country of Japan. D23 Expo Japan guests also heard from Chapek about the new experiences coming to Tokyo Disney Resort as part of the biggest expansion since the opening of Tokyo DisneySea. In Tomorrowland at Tokyo Disneyland, the first-ever attraction inspired by Big Hero 6 invites guests to ride around with Baymax. The Fantasyland expansion at the park includes an entirely new area themed to Beauty and the Beast, with an attraction set to the award-winning music guests know and love; and the expansion will also include a full-scale, live entertainment theatre—the first at Tokyo Disneyland. Over in Toontown, guests will meet Minnie Mouse in a new design studio. And at Tokyo DisneySea, guests will soon take flight on a version of the popular Soarin’ attraction.

Stay tuned to D23 for more news about these eagerly awaited parks offerings, and click here to learn more about the exciting events from the three-day D23 Expo Japan 2018.

Kingdom Hearts III Opens the Door to the World of Monsters, Inc.

February 11, 2018

By Jocelyn Buhlman

If you’ve been keeping up with all the magic from D23 Expo Japan 2018, you know that there was a much-anticipated announcement that is very dear to many fans’ hearts. Fans were thrilled when SQUARE ENIX® and Disney announced a new Disney•Pixar world inspired by Monsters, Inc. in Kingdom Hearts III.

Two new trailers were unveiled during the Expo and took viewers deep into the frights and delights of the animated classic as Sora, Donald, and Goofy transform into monsters to blend into the Monstropolis cityscape.

As part of a continued first-time partnership with Disney•Pixar for for the Kingdom Hearts games, Sora and his companions join forces with Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan, with a special appearance by Boo. Fright team all-stars Mike and Sulley lend their scaring talents and special combination attacks against their enemies.

But we’re not just visiting Monstropolis! SQUARE ENIX also revealed new cutscenes and gameplay from the Toy Story world, which was originally announced at D23 Expo 2017, along with the brand-new reveal that Disney princess Rapunzel (Tangled) will be a playable team member. Fans also witnessed new towering Keyblade transformations, a new Magic Link System featuring Ariel (The Little Mermaid), the return of Dream Eater, “Meow Wow,” and KINGDOM HEARTS villains Marluxia and Vanities.

Fans were also treated to a second trailer teasing a mysterious meeting between Riku and King Mickey, and the announcement of a new theme song by series veteran singer Hikaru Utada, titled “DON’T THINK TWICE.”

All weekend at D23 Expo Japan 2018, fans have shared their love for the Kingdom Hearts games. The statue of Sora at Ikspiari has been a popular photo location, giving fans a chance to pose with one of their favorite characters. The excitement levels will continue to rise until the game’s release later this year.

FULL RECAP: D23 Expo Japan 2018 Delights Fans with Disney Magic

February 10, 2018February 13, 2018

By Jeffrey Epstein

Day Three Brings D23 Expo Japan to an Unforgettable Finish

Day three of D23 Expo Japan continued the cascade of the pixie dust that fell upon Tokyo Disney Resort over the long weekend in Japan.

The day opened with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek taking to the Maihama Amphitheater stage to outline some of the thrilling new experiences coming to Disney Parks around the globe. The show opened with an all-new video that looked at a child’s room (or perhaps that of a child-at-heart D23 Member)—each with areas dedicated to the beloved characters and stories of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars.

“Whether it’s nearly doubling the capacity of our cruise line with three new ships, creating a groundbreaking new hotel concept, building ambitious lands themed to one of our most popular stories, or giving some of our most classic characters their first ride-through attraction,” noted Bob, “we are working hard to give guests even more when they visit us.”

Bob went on to break exciting news about the new Star Wars-themed hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the first Adventures by Disney trip to Japan, new Marvel attractions coming to Walt Disney Studios Parks at Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland, and much, much more. Check out our recap of the breaking news here.

In addition to the exciting Parks news, Bob brought out a cavalcade of characters including Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, Dale, Woody, Jessie, Bullseye, Captain America, Black Widow, Star-Lord, Gamora, R2-D2, C-3P0, and, of course, Mickey and Minnie—who had a fabulous all-new costume change for every segment. We were partial to their Star Wars outfits, with Minnie rocking a BB-8 look!

The presentation closed out with a musical number set to “Happily Ever After,” and the entire audience got into the act. Donning “Mickey gloves,” 2,200 fans moved in perfect choreography as Mickey and friends took to the stage.

The final panels of the day were a celebration of Disney character voices. Hosted by Rick Dempsey (a D23 Expo Japan favorite), the theme of this Expo’s presentations (so popular, it was held twice the same day!) was “Buddies.” The panel served as a character exploration and a concert, as Rick wonderfully navigated the talent and the stories, guiding the audience on an auditory adventure.

Natsumi Kon, who was the Japanese voice of Belle in last year’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, showed the audience how she captured the voice of Belle and performed a part of the song “Belle,” as well. A highlight for fans was the “meeting of the Moanas.” Auli‘i Cravalho (the U.S. voice for Moana) was joined on stage by Tomona Yabiku, who voiced the character for Japan. The two talked about creating the role of Moana before performing a dazzling rendition together of “How Far I’ll Go.” There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

As the session came to an end, the audience enjoyed a version of The Lion King‘s “Hakuna Matata” sung by various artists around the world, before Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto made one final appearance on the stage to close D23 Expo Japan 2018.

It was a fantastic weekend, full of music, laughter, and stories; breaking news and beloved classics; favorite and new characters; and a lot of love for all things Disney. In other words, it was a D23 Expo.

On behalf of all of D23, we say “arigato” to our wonderful fans in Japan who made the third D23 Expo Japan another unforgettable event.

Day Two of D23 Expo Japan Brings Studio Sneak Peeks and Tokyo Disney Resort Extravaganzas

Spectacular dancing, beloved characters, exclusive movie sneak peeks, and incredible performances highlighted the second day of D23 Expo Japan. Building on the momentum of day one, Disney fans were on the edge of their seats for the amazing presentations in the Maihama Amphitheater on Sunday, February 11.

In preparation for Tokyo Disney Resort’s 35th anniversary, Oriental Land Company (which operates the resort) staged a presentation so jaw-dropping, they needed to hold it twice on Sunday to accommodate the crowds.

Disney Legend Toshio Kagami, Representative Director, Chairman and CEO of Oriental Land Company (OLC), kicked off the festivities highlighting the beginnings of Tokyo Disneyland, which opened in 1983, to the phenomenal growth the resort has experienced over the past 35 years—including the addition of a second theme park, three magnificent hotels, a “resort line” (what we know as a monorail), and a vast entertainment and shopping district.

And the resort continues to grow and evolve; Toshio spoke of the incredible enhancements coming (including a Beauty and the Beast-inspired area and attraction and the family fun Big Hero 6-themed attraction with Baymax at Tokyo Disneyland, as well as the addition of Soarin’ to Tokyo DisneySea).

OLC’s president and COO Kyoichiro Uenishi followed Toshio to give additional details about the festivities for the resort’s 35th anniversary, which include a new parade, nighttime spectacular, and much more.

Always a highlight of the OLC presentation at D23 Expo Japan is the spectacle of music and dance, and this year’s event set the bar higher than ever. Dozens of singers, dancers, and beloved Disney characters took to the stage to perform fan-favorite musical numbers from the past 35 years of Tokyo Disney Resort. The audience clapped along to the pulsating beats and familiar melodies, which ended with close to 70 performers and characters on stage as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Chip, and Dale revealed their new 35th anniversary celebration outfits to enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.

That evening, Walt Disney Studios President of Marketing Ricky Strauss once again took to the stage to take the audience on a journey through the upcoming films of Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, and the Walt Disney Studios. Strauss charmed the audience with his enthusiasm for upcoming animated films such as Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2, Incredibles 2, and Coco—titled Remember Me in Japan—which opens this March in the region.

As a special treat, Naohito Fujiki and Hiiro Ishibashi (the Japanese voice actors portraying Hector and Miguel, respectively, in Remember Me) came to the stage to talk about making the movie. “I’m glad we recorded our parts in November, before all of the awards and nominations were announced,” joked Naohito. “It would have been a lot more pressure after!”

And Hiiro confessed he was thrilled to be given such a major role for his first big job. But the young talent showed he was indeed the right choice when he blew the roof off the amphitheater with a stunning rendition of the song “Remember Me” from the film.

As he ventured into the Studios’ slate of live-action films, Ricky treated the crowd to peeks of A Wrinkle in Time, Christopher Robin, and Mary Poppins Returns, as well as 2019’s Dumbo, and revealed new footage for the first time. Ricky told the crowd that what Dumbo director Tim Burton has done is truly convey that “what makes you different is what makes you special.” The crowd saw that, next year, Dumbo will truly soar.

To cap off the night, Ricky introduced a clip from next year’s The Lion King, a re-envisioning of the 1994 animated classic, which Jon Favreau is currently filming using state-of-the-art virtual reality cameras. Fans roared—pun intended—upon seeing “The Circle of Life” in a heart-pounding new way.

Day One: Setting the Scene and a Fantastic Opening

On Saturday, February 10, the third D23 Expo Japan began with typical D23 flair, as D23 Vice President Michael Vargo marched out with none other than Mickey Mouse to welcome guests to the Ultimate Disney Fan Event—Japan-style!

“Konnichiwa!” Michael exclaimed to the packed house at the Maihama Amphitheater, part of the Tokyo Disney Resort. “We are so thrilled to be here for the third D23 Expo Japan.”

D23 Expo Japan is a unique D23 Expo experience created just for Disney’s fans in Japan. Over the course of three days, nine panels take place in the 2,170-seat amphitheater, including presentations from the Studios, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and Oriental Land Company (which operates Tokyo Disney Resort), as well as a concert from Disney Legend Alan Menken and much more. In addition to the main venue, in an adjacent theater space located in Ikspiari (a shopping complex, similar to Downtown Disney or Disney Springs), there will be screenings of popular TV shows, a sneak peek of Disney•Pixar’s Coco (which opens in Japan in March), and a big announcement from Kingdom Hearts.

The Expo also boasts two robust exhibits, including Inside the Walt Disney Archives: From Mickey Mouse to Forever After, an all-new exhibit created just for the event by the Walt Disney Archives team, which will tour Japan for the next two years. Oriental Land Company also put together a fantastic exhibit to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland.

Following Michael’s welcome, the Opening Ceremony continued as Walt Disney International Chairman Andy Bird took to the stage to give the audience a number of incredible surprises. Naoto Kaiho, who recently played Quasimodo in the Disney stage musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame, performed a soaring rendition of the show-stopping number “Out There.” He was followed by Megumi Hamada and Kaho Shimada, who star as Mary Poppins and the Bird Woman, respectively, in the upcoming production of Mary Poppins in Tokyo. The pair sang a heartwarming rendition of “Feed the Birds” to thunderous applause.

But the surprises didn’t end there. Andy then treated fans to an advance look at the rousing “Un Poco Loco” number from Coco, which had never before been screened for a Japanese audience. And to cap things off, he brought out Disney Legend Alan Menken for a preview of his sold-out concert, taking place later that night. Alan performed a moving rendition of “Evermore,” which he wrote for the live-action hit Beauty and the Beast, and rounded out his performance with the film’s title song.

Alan and Andy then welcomed Mickey (now in his sorcerer attire) back to the stage. The crowd clapped along as Mickey “conducted” the beloved finale from Fantasmic!, followed by not one, but two confetti bursts.

One of the most highly anticipated experiences of the day was the Kingdom Hearts Fan Event. Fans of this beloved video game—which brings together the different worlds of Disney—gathered in hopes of more news about Kingdom Hearts III, which was announced for a 2018 release during D23 Expo 2017 in Anaheim. Well, the fans were not disappointed! A new trailer revealed a brand-new Monsters, Inc.-themed world, along with new monster designs for Sora, Goofy, and Donald. Fans also got to hear the new theme song for Kingdom Hearts III , “Don’t Think Twice,” by Utada Hikaru.

Next up, The Walt Disney Studios presented a special panel dedicated to Marvel and Star Wars. Marketing President Ricky Strauss was brought to the stage by none other than R2-D2 and C-3PO to talk about the massive success of the Star Wars saga… and give a peek at what’s to come. J.J. Abrams, hard at work co-writing Episode IX before directing it this summer, filmed a special greeting for the audience. And then Ricky unveiled never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes footage from the upcoming Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Ricky then welcomed none other than Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige to the stage. Kevin, fresh back from a visit to the Tokyo DisneySea theme park, noted how 2009 was an important year for him on a couple fronts… “2009 was the year Marvel became part of The Walt Disney Company and, coincidentally, it was the same year D23: The Official Disney Fan Club was founded,” he noted. “I’m proud to say that I was one of the very first D23 members.” (Needless to say, so are we!) Kevin treated the audience to sneak peeks of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, Ant-Man and the Wasp, and Avengers: Infinity War. Plus, Kevin also shared a Marvel-ous video greeting to the audience from some of our favorite Super Heroes—including Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Elizabeth Olsen, Don Cheadle, and more.

That evening, Alan Menken performed his spectacular one-man-show A Whole New World of Alan Menken to an enthusiastic audience. Alan performed this show at D23 Expo in Anaheim last year, so anyone who was lucky enough to see the show there knows how charming Alan is. He regaled the audience with stories, in-between renditions of some of his most beloved songs. A fitting finale for an amazing opening day.

12 Inventors to Inspire an Up-and-Coming Scientist

February 9, 2018

By Megan Deppe

“There’s really no secret about our approach. We keep moving forward—opening up new doors and doing new things—because we’re curious. And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. We’re always exploring and experimenting.” This was Walt Disney’s approach to making a difference in the world, so it only makes sense that many Disney characters have embodied that vision. In honor of National Inventor’s Day on Sunday, February 11, we’re spotlighting some of the greatest scientists and inventors who have inspired us to keep moving forward ourselves!

1. Shuri (Marvel Studios’ Black Panther)
T’Challa may be the Black Panther, but his technology has to come from somewhere. It’s a good thing he has his younger sister, Shuri, and her prowess as an innovator and scientist to rely upon as he protects his nation. For Shuri, a project is never finished—she continually looks for more ways to improve her creations, and outdated tech is never allowed in her lab!

2. Gadget Hackwrench (Chip ’n’ Dale Rescue Rangers)
Gadget truly loves what she creates and doesn’t try to hide that. Her inventions made her invaluable to the Rescue Rangers team, along with her belief that “nothing is impossible.”

3. Lewis Robinson (Meet the Robinsons)
As a teen, Lewis Robinson is discouraged when his inventions don’t work the way he wants them to, but he ultimately realizes that he can’t dwell on the past. Lewis lives by Walt’s motto and keeps moving forward, and when he grows up, he is hailed as the “Father of the Future.”

4. Doofenshmirtz (Phineas and Ferb)
Phineas and Ferb have built plenty of their own creations, but we can’t deny that the greatest inventor in the Tri-State Area is Doofenshmirtz. Though all of his “inators” are designed to help him rule the world—or at least the Tri-State area—Doofenshmirtz puts a great deal of time and effort into them, and some are actually useful! After all, who wouldn’t want a copy of oneself to wait in long lines (“Run Away Runaway”) or a hat that makes your singing voice better (“Bubble Boys”)?

5. Tony Stark (Iron Man)
We can’t talk about great inventors without including the man who made us all wish for our very own Iron Man suit! Although Tony can get caught up in his scientific achievements and forget about the rest of the world, he proves that great things come from pushing boundaries and creating new inventions. Not only did his arc reactor save Tony’s life, but it create clean energy to power entire cities.

6. Syndrome (The Incredibles)
“Not every superhero has powers, you know. You can be super without them!” And Buddy Pine/Syndrome’s creations are, indeed, pretty impressive. He’s able to catch an entire super family with his zero-point energy ray, and he created rocket boots when he was still a kid, in order to keep up with his hero!

7. The Big Hero 6 (Big Hero 6)
It’s impossible to call out just one inventor from the Big Hero 6 team, since they’re all behind some pretty great inventions! Hiro, of course, outfitted his entire team with their supersuits and created the micro-bots. Go Go’s need for speed brought to life the motorcycle we’ve always secretly wanted, Wasabi’s quest for exact precision led to the creation of the amazing laser-hand, and Honey Lemon’s innate chemistry knowledge inspired her to design a purse that allows her to create chemical concoctions on the fly. We definitely feel safer with these inventors on the streets of San Fransokyo!

8. Tinker Bell (Tinker Bell)
Tinker Bell originally tried to deny her talent for “tinkering,” but she is definitely an inventor at heart! She creates several different machines to help other fairies, including a device that keeps Periwinkle cold when she visits Pixie Hollow. Tink’s love for a challenge and her inventive spirit combine to make her own unique form of fairy magic.

9. Varian (Tangled: The Series)
What the people of Corona call “magic,” Varian calls alchemy and his creations are always made with the good of his village in mind. He’s focused on making his father proud and helping others, whether he’s bringing hot water to his fellow villagers, or working hard to help Rapunzel solve the mystery of her hair

10. Flik (a bug’s life)
In a community that prioritizes doing everything the same way it’s always been done, Flik and his ideas were a little too much for his colony to take. But that didn’t stop him from crafting new devices to make his fellow bugs’ lives easier: Flik created an automatic harvester to help collect food, and a bird-shaped aircraft to scare away the grasshoppers. Even when he was told to stop “helping,” Flik believed in his ingenuity and kept creating new ideas.

11. Professor Ludwig VonDrake
Donald Duck’s Uncle is among the most accomplished inventors on our list, what with his many degrees (98!) and his long Disney history that has taken him from Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color all the way to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Mickey and the Roadster Racers. Over the years, Professor VonDrake has created teleportation bathtubs, a hat that will turn its wearer in to a genius, and a machine that gives Huey, Dewey, and Louie superpowers.

12. Galen Erso (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story)
Galen Erso’s invention may have brought the Death Star to the galaxy far, far away, but we have to give him credit for also creating its fatal flaw. When he realized that his invention would cause harm to the galaxy, Galen—a man with great integrity and bravery—took it upon himself to make sure that it could ultimately be destroyed.

Everything You Need to Know About the Walt Disney Archives Exhibit at D23 Expo Japan 2018

February 9, 2018February 10, 2018

By Jocelyn Buhlman

The Walt Disney Archives is a treasure trove of dreams and creativity that brings together items from all the worlds of Disney, while preserving the passion and story behind the pieces. But not everyone can have access to this storehouse of priceless works. The exhibit Inside the Walt Disney Archives: From Mickey Mouse to Forever After grants D23 Expo Japan guests an experience so immersive, they may feel like they are in the actual archives.

Featuring more than 770 pieces from the Walt Disney Archives, including items never before seen in Japan, this exhibit showcases unique pieces of Disney history such as:

Exclusive Mickey Mouse-related artwork and products
A reproduction of Walt Disney’s office, as seen in Saving Mr. Banks
A collection of Disney costumes from films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Tron: Legacy, and more
Unique items that illustrate Disney and Japan’s deep history and relationship

The exhibit is showcased in the Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta Ballrooom “Paradiso,” and will be available for guests to view from 8:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. This exhibit is the second-largest Walt Disney Archives-produced exhibition in the last six years, and the largest Walt Disney Archives exhibit ever displayed in Japan.

Share Your Love—and Some Disney Magic—with These Valentine’s Day E-Cards

February 8, 2018

By Jocelyn Buhlman

This Valentine’s Day, spread your love with an extra pinch of Disney magic, thanks to these e-cards that are perfect for the fan in all of us! You can download each card and send them to your friends via social media or email, or—if you’re a little more traditional—you can print these cards out and hand them out to all the special people in your life.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Click here to download.

Did You Know? 8 Spirited Facts About Walt Disney’s Blackbeard’s Ghost

February 8, 2018

By Jim Fanning

What do you get a pirate, or rather, the ghost of a pirate for his 50th anniversary? Forget gold doubloons—this spirited swashbuckler is only after your laughter! Walt Disney’s Blackbeard’s Ghost, which first materialized 50 years ago on February 8, 1968, is a zany fantasy-comedy that tells the supernatural tale of a track coach who accidently summons the cursed spirit of the infamous Edward Teach, aka Captain Blackbeard. The rascally ghost must perform a good deed in order to gain eternal rest—but such a selfless mission proves challenging for the merry marauder. So with a “Yo ho ho” and a “kree kruh vergo gebba kalto kree,” here are eight high-spirited facts about this supernatural funfest as it celebrates its golden anniversary.

1. Walt Selects a Spooky Story
It was Walt himself who unburied this treasure for Disney. In 1965, author-illustrator Ben Stahl shared his uncompleted novel, entitled Blackbeard’s Ghost, with Walt. He liked what he saw and requested that the author show him the book once it was finished. Honoring Disney’s request, Stahl gave the completed book and its accompanying illustrations to Walt—and the great showman promptly informed Ben that he wanted to purchase the film rights. Soon development began on a Disney version of Blackbeard’s Ghost.

2. Working with Walt to Conjure up the Spirited Scalawag
As always, Walt worked closely in story conferences with co-producer/co-writer Bill Walsh and co-writer Don DaGradi, as well as director Robert Stevenson (all three Disney Legends were Academy Award^® nominees for Mary Poppins, 1964). “He seemed to have an enormous amount of energy when he worked on [the script],” said Stevenson. Walt had come up with idea of combining with sports in such films as The Absent-Minded Professor (1961), so he replaced the two boys who conjure up Blackbeard in the book with an adult coach, allowing the invisible pirate to help his track team in sight gags that were DaGradi’s specialty. The script was written and storyboarded, and the movie was cast under Walt’s supervision. Filming began in 1966. In fact, Walt visited the Blackbeard set on his last visit to the Disney Studio just two weeks before his untimely passing on December 15, 1966.

3. Peter Ustinov Embodies Blackbeard
Walt selected acclaimed two-time Academy Award-winning actor Peter Ustinov to portray the piratical poltergeist. The rotund Renaissance man authored 16 plays, seven movie scripts, and six books, and starred in 14 plays, directed six films, and appeared in more than 100 others, among many other accomplishments. “I really wasn’t sure what to expect from Peter,” admitted Stevenson. “I didn’t know how he would like taking orders rather than giving them. On the first day of shooting… not a word from him all day about how we should do a scene. My curiosity gnawed at me until I had to ask him if he had a suggestion about a particular shot. ‘It’s kind of you to ask. I do have one little idea,’ he said. But he wasn’t pushy. He earnestly wanted to help.” In describing his own approach to playing a pirate’s ghost—certainly an eccentric role even for the eclectic Ustinov—the legendary actor said, “Nothing to it if you get the right camera angles. Everyone has a certain amount of spirit. It’s simply a matter, then, of getting it on film. Right?”

4. A Classy Disney Couple
First paired in Walt Disney’s The Ugly Dachshund (1966), Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette were reunited by Walt for Blackbeard’s Ghost based on their palpable chemistry. Jones brought his usual comical yet sincere believability as coach Steve Walker. As child psychology professor Jo Ann Baker, Pleshette balanced straight-arrow Jones with the same sparkle she would later bring to deadpan Bob Newhart in his classic 1970s sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show. This classy Disney couple would again partner in The Shaggy D.A. (1976).

5. A Field Day for Disney’s Special Effects Artists
Variety pronounced Blackbeard’s Ghost as “highlighted by several very amusing chase and special effects sequences”—and with good reason, for the special effects rank among Disney’s best. Robert A. Mattey and Eustace Lycett made possible such visual wonders as a seemingly driverless motorcycle manned by the invisible pirate, a wild ride in a car that Blackbeard steers as if it were a ship, and a slapstick battle with gangsters at a crooked casino. But the true special-effects showcase is the wacky track meet, where the unseen specter gives a boost to the Godolphin College pole vaulter and picks up and runs with relay runner Gudger Larkin, played by Disney regular Hank Jones.

6. Dressing for Skullduggery
One of the most-seen yet still overlooked “stars” of Blackbeard’s Ghost is the elaborate pirate captain’s costume worn by the blustering buccaneer. In explaining how the 18th-century era seagoing garb was created, Disney Costume Department Head Chuck Keane said that Ustinov was fitted “with off-white canvas pants, a beige raw silk shirt, brown velveteen vest, navy blue wool full-length coat, and auburn velour hat. His boots were specially designed cavalier boots, coming knee high with an extra-wide cuff. To age these boots two centuries, we sandpapered the leather and bruised it without breaking the support features down. In addition to sanding the [costume] material, we sometimes sandblast it, and that ages it in a hurry. His blue coat became an antique in a matter of seconds, buttons and all.” As for the actor who was thusly costumed, Ustinov revealed, “I felt like a walking antique wearing these relics from the costume department where they became museum collector’s items overnight.”

7. Haunted by the Harpsichord
Composer Robert F. Brunner joined Disney while still in his 20s, scoring such films as Monkeys, Go Home! (1967). For Blackbeard’s Ghost, Brunner composed and conducted a series of 16 individual pieces. In addition to the haunting “Blackbeard’s Theme,” the music varied from traditional pirate folk songs played by the Daughters of the Buccaneers to contemporary jazz for the scenes set at Silky’s Casino. Brunner’s stylish score is amply embellished with the harpsichord, a mostly ignored instrument until it was utilized in many 1960s film and TV scores. The movie’s music also features Peter Ustinov and Dean Jones’ hearty duet of “Hearts of Oak,” the official march of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom.

8. A Most Piratical Portrait
One of the most mesmerizing props ever created for a Disney film, the haunting portrait of Blackbeard has an overpowering effect on all who gaze upon it. The imposing portrait was painted by illustrator David Jonas, who also contributed to such Disney films as Lt. Robin Crusoe, USN (1966) and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971). “I did a lot of research on what the actual Blackbeard looked like and portraits of that period so that I could give the figure an authentic pose and background,” Jonas reported. “I took the 6½-by-4-foot canvas home with me and tinkered with it for about three weeks, and using some old pictures of Ustinov in magazines I’d found, I more or less sketched in the face and added a goodly roguish beard.” For a time beginning in 1997, the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland Park included a scene prominently featuring the Blackbeard’s Ghost portrait amidst the pirate’s plunder.

Fly Around Disney Parks with Peter Pan

February 8, 2018

By Megan Deppe

Faith, trust, and a little bit of pixie dust was all it took for audiences to fall in love with the boy from Never Land who didn’t want to grow up. Peter Pan has been one of Disney’s most beloved characters for years, both on screen and in Disney parks. Here are some of the many ways that Peter and his faithful companion, Tinker Bell, spread Disney magic throughout Disney Parks.

Peter Pan’s Flight
One of Disneyland’s most iconic attractions is Peter Pan’s Flight—an original attraction that debuted on Disneyland’s opening day. The dark ride takes guests into the story of Peter Pan via flying pirate ship, as they soar out of the nursery, above the darkened streets of London, and over Never Land. Peter Pan’s Flight was so popular that it was re-created at Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland, though each put their own touch on the magical story.

Other Attractions
You can find Peter Pan in other attractions at Disney parks, as well. The Storybook Land Canal Boats at Disneyland journey past the London Park that Peter and the Darling children fly over on their way to Never Land, and you can spot both Peter Pan and Tinker Bell in it’s a small world at Disneyland and at Hong Kong Disneyland. For a musical adventure, join Peter as he takes Donald Duck on a flight through London during the “You Can Fly, You Can Fly, You Can Fly” segment of Mickey’s PhilharMagic in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Park at Tokyo Disney Resort, and Hong Kong Disneyland.

Meet Peter Pan
It’s possible to meet Peter Pan face-to-face, if you know where to look! The leader of the Lost Boys greets guests in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park, near Pirates’ Beach in Adventureland at Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris, at the main entrance of Tokyo Disneyland Park, and in Fantasyland at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Pixie Hollow
Tinker Bell brings plenty of pixie dust to Disney parks, too. Tink and her fairy friends meet guests at Pixie Hollow in Disneyland Park, and you can find her at Town Square Theater on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom Park. At Hong Kong Disneyland, you can come face-to-face with your favorite fairy at Fairy Tale Forest in Fantasyland.

A Pirate’s Life for You
If you’re feeling really brave, you can encounter Captain Hook in Disneyland Paris’ Adventureland, at the main entrance of Tokyo Disneyland Park, and in Fantasyland at both Magic Kingdom and Shanghai Disneyland. Captain Hook greets guests at Walt Disney World’s Beach Club Resort, and at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you can meet Hook and Smee as you set sail on a cruise of Seven Seas Lagoon during the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Dessert Voyage. Live the life of a pirate as you sing sea chanteys and take in the salty air before watching the fireworks and, upon your return, look for a special guest waiting to welcome you back to dry land!

Peter Puts on a Show
No matter what Disney park you visit, there’s always an amazing parade or nighttime spectacular to take your breath away—and Peter and his friends are right there to be part of the magic. You can count on Peter and pals sprinkling pixie dust on the Magic Kingdom’s Festival of Fantasy parade, Tokyo Disneyland’s glowing nighttime wonder Dreamlights, Hong Kong Disneyland’s Flights of Fantasy Parade, Disneyland Paris’ Disney Magic on Parade, or Shanghai Disneyland’s Storybook Express Parade. Tinker Bell flies over Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After castle projection show to share her magic with everyone!

On the High Seas…
Guests sailing on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder can enjoy a truly magical experience featuring Peter Pan: the musical Disney Dreams—An Enchanted Classic. Through stunning special effects and a collection of some of your favorite classic Disney songs, Peter and a host of Disney characters spotlight the power of dreams and family in the dazzling stage show (which also features a very special cameo appearance by Tinker Bell!). All of Disney’s cruise ships also feature unique character experiences with Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, and Mr. Smee, from a special send-off by Captain Hook, “Remember the Magic: A Final Farewell” on the Disney Magic; a Pirate Night with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee on the Disney Wonder; and an amusing apprenticeship, “So You Want to Be a Pirate” on the Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy.

Celebrate 10 Years of the MCU with This “Class Photo” of More Than 80 Marvel Actors and Filmmakers

February 8, 2018February 8, 2018

By D23 Team

It’s time for a super celebration! Today Marvel Studios is kicking off the yearlong Marvel Cinematic Universe 10-Year anniversary celebration with an iconic class photo featuring cast and filmmakers from over the last 10 years.

This super-secret mission happened on October 7, 2017, when a group of more than 80 actors and filmmakers all came together on the Atlanta, Georgia, set of Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War.

Click here to see the full picture.

A mission of that scale would require a lot of very special people, but luckily for Marvel, they have a whole team of Super Heroes with them. Those who assembled included Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Paul Rudd, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Pratt, Chadwick Boseman, Brie Larson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Holland, Sean Gunn, Hannah John-Kamen, Zoe Saldana, Angela Bassett, Jon Favreau, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kurt Russell, Danai Gurira, William Hurt, Karen Gillan, Emily VanCamp, Tessa Thompson, Don Cheadle, Dave Bautista, Michael Peña, Anthony Mackie, Evangeline Lilly, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Frank Grillo, Letitia Wright, Laurence Fishburne, Linda Cardellini, Sebastian Stan, Ty Simpkins, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Benedict Wong, Michael Rooker, Vin Diesel, Cobie Smulders, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jeff Goldblum. Whew! If any super villain had decided to cause trouble right then in Atlanta, they would have been in big trouble.

Joining the super team of Marvel actors were filmmakers from the past 10 years of the MCU, including Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Stan Lee, Scott Derrickson, Trinh Tran, Alan Taylor, Brad Winderbaum, Louis Letterier, Jon Watts, Sarah Finn, James Gunn, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Joss Whedon, David Grant, Mitchell Bell, Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, Jeffrey Ford, Peyton Reed, Jonathan Schwartz, Stephen Broussard, Ryan Coogler, Jeremy Latcham, Nate Moore, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, Taika Waititi, Erik Carroll, Ryan Meinerding, and Craig Kyle.

As part of this celebration that is as almost as big as the group in the photo, the Marvel 10-Year Sweepstakes is a special event that will take place across social media and last for five weeks, from February 8 to March 15. Each week of the sweepstakes features a different Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Fans can post a photo of themselves on Twitter or Instagram and/or tweet their favorite personal memory from the film of the week using the film hashtag and #Marvel10YearSweepstakes to be entered for a chance to win.

Each week, a drawing will take place, and a winner will be selected. The weekly winner will receive the Ultimate Marvel Fan prize package, including Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel set visit; Marvel Studios visit and tour; tickets to Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War premiere; all transportation and lodging; and more. Full prize details, information on how to enter, and official sweepstakes rules can be found at: www.marvel.com/10YearSweepstakes

Marvel Studios’ 10th anniversary begins with a movie appropriate of the cosmic scale of the MCU— Avengers: Infinity War—and the celebration will continue to cover an impressive decade of Marvel Studios’ blockbusters released from 2008 through the Avengers untitled film in 2019. It’s a good time to be a Super Hero fan: In celebration of the anniversary, expect exclusive consumer products and collectibles, along with in-theater events and so much more in the coming months!

Marvel Studios’ unprecedented success over the last 10 years is reflected in its cumulative box-office receipts of more than $13.5 billion worldwide. It’s a super-big number for a super-big fan base. The story of the Super Hero is timeless, and across Marvel’s impressive film history, we can all find a character who brings out the hero inside of each and every one of us.