Who’s That Good Luck Charm-ing Voice in Moana?

November 14, 2016

By Jim Frye

In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ (WDAS) upcoming Moana, the super-charming actor Alan Tudyk plays the scene-stealing rooster Heihei. And although many people will recognize him as the star of such high-profile TV projects as Firefly, iRobot, the film Serenity, or the new series Con Man, Tudyk is no stranger to expressing himself creatively behind the scenes as evidenced by his “appearance” in a long string of hits from WDAS: he voices King Candy in Wreck-It Ralph, Alistair Krei in Big Hero 6, Duke Weaselton in Zootopia, the Duke of Weselton in Frozen, and Moana’s crazy sidekick, Heihei. I guess you could call him Disney’s good luck charm. (It’s also interesting to note, he plays the droid K-2S0 in December’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.) Here, D23 speaks exclusively with Tudyk about the many roles he’s had with Disney.

D23: In Moana you play the rooster Heihei. How fun was that?
Alan Tudyk: I love this character very much. You know, in a Disney animated movie, a rooster can be anything. You know, they don’t necessarily just make rooster sounds as we know them. They can be soliloquies if that’s what the character is about. It was a blast. A blast.

D23: Can you tell us about Heihei?
Tudyk: Heihei is a rooster and he’s stupid—in the nicest way. He’s the dumbest, dumbest rooster on the planet and he only speaks in rooster sounds. He does a lot in the movie and it was such a fun, fun, fun exercise to express with just those sounds.

D23: How does Disney keep creating such great films?
Tudyk: The team they have working together in concert is amazing to me. The process from taking it from the script in the beginning to what you get in the end—making such an affecting story every step of the way. And they don’t miss a beat, and it’s very thorough, and they share creative ideas with actors. They hire people and they want to imbue their characters with the actors’ ideas, their personalities.

D23: You’ve been in a quite a few Disney animated films lately. What’s that been like?
Tudyk: I think anybody would want to be a part of something like that. I’ve yet to meet an actor, especially a voiceover actor or otherwise, who wouldn’t love to be part of Disney’s animated movies. Because it’s just such high quality. Everybody looks forward to it. They’re a step above. It’s not even bragging, it just kind of is. And it has been for a long time. They’ve set the standard. And certain days you feel like you’re just playing around with friends, and that’s how it should be, you know? That’s why you started in this business.

D23: So, are you the good luck charm for Walt Disney Animation Studios?
Tudyk: I mean I’ve tried to convince them that the reason they’re on such a streak is me. So I don’t want to say another reason right now, so I’m going to go with that one. Because they may read this and find out that it’s actually something about John Lasseter. Actually, it’s brilliance and the process with which they make these movies.

D23: What makes you such a good fit for these films?
Tudyk: I think because I started in the theater and there’s a certain commitment to character in that type of acting that lends itself to this type of work. I would just go from thing to thing and they were always different with a lot of different accents, a lot of different types of people I got to portray, and it continued in movies. In animation, you can go as far as your imagination goes, and so if you go off-roading for a little while—if your character takes over, if you can find a character that’s really strong—they’ll go along with you on the ride, and that’s what people will see pieces of in Moana.

Oh Boy! Mickey’s Coming to Good Morning America

November 14, 2016November 1, 2017

By Nicole Nalty

We’ve already shared some of the fun celebrations taking place for Mickey Mouse’s birthday—save the date: Friday, November 18!—and we’ve been following his journey around the world (check out Mickey’s new Instagram), but we’ve just heard some more exciting news about the big cheese’s big day––he’s going to be on GMA!

That’s right, Mickey Mouse will visit with the anchors of Good Morning America (GMA) on November 18 to chat about his international adventure. Mickey’s stop in New York City will mark the end of his journey around the world, where he surprised fans in Los Angeles, Kyoto, Shanghai, Rome, Paris, Cusco, and Rio de Janeiro. What a jetsetter!

Mickey will also debut his brand-new music video, “What We Got,” during his appearance on GMA. If you miss Mickey’s moment, you can find the music video on his Facebook page, and on other Disney platforms (including D23!). Don’t forget to share your favorite Mickey moments using #HappyBirthdayMickey.

We can’t wait for Mickey to show us “what he’s got!” Stay tuned to D23 for more Disney news.

Creating a Mouse-terpiece: Mickey Mouse’s Design Through the Years

November 10, 2016April 12, 2023

By Jocelyn Buhlman

D23 takes you on a journey through the style of Mickey Mouse, from his early moments as a daydream on a train to his transformation into a video game hero, to his debut in his recent series of shorts. His design is timeless, but the process to become the icon he is today involved a lot of silly antics and quirky costume changes. Which style of Mickey is your favorite?

1. Plane Crazy, 1928
In terms of production, this high-flying animated adventure was Mickey Mouse’s first film created, although it was not theatrically released until after Steamboat Willie. Mickey hasn’t quite found his iconic look yet, keeping both his hands and feet bare as he soars through the sky.

2. Steamboat Willie, 1928
Mickey finally gets some footwear, and a chance to show off one of his most iconic outfits. Steamboat Willie is considered Mickey’s debut cartoon, and because of that, his happy little boat deckhand ensemble has become beloved by Disney fans everywhere and a symbol of Walt Disney Animation Studios.

3. When The Cat’s Away, 1929
Have you ever wondered what Mickey’s life would be like if he was the size of a normal mouse? Only one animated short ever explores Mickey’s life as an actual, mouse-sized mouse. When The Cat’s Away imagines Mickey and Minnie as part of a group of rowdy rodents living in the house of a cat. This short also features the premiere of Mickey and Minnie’s now iconic white gloves, a fashion choice that has become standard for a wide variety of well-known animated characters.

4. The Jazz Fool, 1929
Often when someone thinks of classic cartoons, there’s a specific design that comes to mind: black and white, rubbery limbs, and eyes with a slice cut out of them like a piece of pie. This style of eye, fondly nicked named “pie eyes,” first appeared on Mickey in this short and is frequently associated with Mickey’s early cartoons.

5. The Karnival Kid, 1929
“Hot dog!” Did you just read that in Mickey Mouse’s voice? That has become one of his catchphrases, so it is only fitting that his first spoken words would be so similar in nature. The Karnival Kid has Mickey cast as a vendor, selling hot dogs to his sweetie, Minnie Mouse. This short is not just notable for Mickey speaking his first words, but also for a visual gag that may have inspired one of the most famous pieces of Mickey Mouse merchandise ever: Mickey tips his ears like a hat to Minnie Mouse, and the imagery of his ears being used as a hat foreshadows the classic Mouse Ear hats used by the Mickey Mouse Club and sold as a must-have souvenir at Disney theme parks all over the world!

6. The Band Concert, 1935
Not only does Mickey debut some dapper new duds in The Band Concert, but he does it all in bold, bright colors! The Band Concert establishes Mickey’s red and yellow clothing color scheme for good in his first full-color animated experience to be released in theaters. Walt Disney knew the importance of looking forward to the future, and with this development of color cartoons, he knew he was never going back to black and white.

7. Brave Little Tailor, 1938
Another one of Mickey’s most well-known outfits premiered with the advent of color animated shorts. In this fairy tale, Mickey is cast as the tailor who accidentally becomes the “Royal High Killer of the Giant” and wins the love of Princess Minnie. Mickey’s peasant outfit instantly became an iconic costume remembered for years to come.

8. The Pointer, 1939
This short, where Mickey tries to train Pluto to become a hunting dog, establishes the most classic version of Mickey Mouse. His now flesh-toned face and pupilled eyes—a new style supervised by artist Fred Moore—have become standard for Mickey Mouse’s modern design.

9. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, 1940
Although The Pointer established Mickey’s new look, another on-screen appearance would truly popularize it. Included as part of the epic feature film Fantasia, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice also features one of Mickey’s most classic outfits: His red robe and Yen Sid’s blue-and-white-starred hat have come to symbolize Disney everywhere, from the Disney theme parks show Fantasmic! to the Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank.

10. Pluto’s Party, 1952
Mickey becomes more stylized in this short about a party for a certain playful pup. Mickey’s face becomes more pear-shaped, and he gains more expression with the addition of eyebrows to his design. This look also is used for the Mickey Mouse Club logo, a symbol beloved in the hearts of Disney fans everywhere.

11. Mickey Mouse Works, 2000
This TV show from the early 2000s established the modern look of Mickey Mouse, throwing back to the old-school Mickey design established in The Pointer and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, while also introducing Mickey Mouse to the modern era. This design was the standard for Mickey Mouse cartoons of the 2000s, such as The Prince and the Pauper (1990, pictured above), House of Mouse (2001), and The Three Musketeers (2004).

12. Kingdom Hearts, 2002 and Epic Mickey, 2010
All of Mickey’s prior redesigns were made for hand-drawn animation on the movie and television screens, but Mickey also had several redesigns for a new medium: video games. Two of his most famous appearances are his role as King Mickey from the series Kingdom Hearts and as the protagonist and namesake of Epic Mickey. In Kingdom Hearts, Mickey’s design is similar to his usual early 2000s design, but he is dressed to match the design aesthetic of the human characters of the game. Epic Mickey, on the other hand, revives Mickey’s style from his The Band Concert days, to better match his design with that of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, his co-star. Both video games are notable for casting Mickey as an epic hero while exploring different parts of popular Disney stories.

13. Mickey Mouse, 2013
The recent entry in animated adaptations of Mickey and friends’ cartoon capers features a stylized design harkening back to Mickey’s days of rubber limbs and pie-eyes but with an emphasis on the potential for silliness and mischief. The cartoon makes the best of both worlds with a modern sensibility inspired by the classic look of Mickey Mouse that we have all come to associate with the best of Disney.

14. Mickey Mouse “Leader of the Club” Milestone Statue, 2023
Considering the rich past century of stories from The Walt Disney Company and what they mean to fans around the world, Grammy®-winning music producer James Fauntleroy designed this statue with a platinum panache so D23 Gold Members can bring the Disney100 Celebration home with them.

This “platinum pop star” tribute features a stylish varsity jacket with the Disney100 Celebration logo as well as some additional flair that pays tribute to Mickey’s own fandom as a reflection of Disney’s past, present, and future. These attributes embody what it means to be a fan and ground us to where it all began…because as Walt Disney once reflected: “I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse.”

The Mickey Mouse “Leader of the Club” Milestone Statue is available to all new and renewing D23 Gold Members in 2023!

This Minnie Mouse Art is as Adorable as Minnie Herself

November 10, 2016November 11, 2016

By Nicole Nalty

Is there anyone cuter than Minnie Mouse? She’s been America’s sweetheart since her debut in 1928, and although her look has changed over the years (as every fashion icon’s does!), Minnie is fabulous in any style.

With Minnie as a muse, nearly 100 artists from The Walt Disney Company shared their varied interpretations of the iconic mouse for The Art of Minnie Mouse, a collector’s volume full of polka dots, pinks (and reds!), and perfect ensembles. While thumbing through this original artwork, you’ll also find a never-before-published complete filmography of Minnie’s animated appearances and a timeline of Minnie’s milestones.

The book’s cover showcases a stellar piece by Eric Tan. Of the many fabulous submissions that the Disney Editions team received for the book, Eric’s piece immediately jumped out as one of the best of the best and became a clear winner for the front cover.

Eric’s rough pencil sketch of Minnie Mouse

Eric’s final art, as shown on page 53 of the book’s interior

Read on to see stunning spreads and images from The Art of Minnie Mouse, available now.

Make Merry at Disney Parks Around the World

November 10, 2016November 29, 2016

By Jocelyn Buhlman

It’s the most magical time of the year, as we put away our goblins and ghoulies from Halloween and start wrapping the streets of Disney Parks with tinsel and snow! Nothing warms our hearts like a little Christmas cheer, and you can stay cozy all winter with the holiday offerings you’ll find at the Disney theme parks. No matter where you’ll be in our wonderful worlds this holiday season, you can have yourself a merry Disney holiday season at one of our theme parks’ very special celebrations.

Disneyland Resort

Disney California Adventure Park gets into the spirit with the brand new Festival of Holidays, which celebrates holiday festivities of diverse cultures with food, music, dance, and craft-making and includes celebrations of Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas/Navidad, and Three Kings Day. Princess Elena, from the Disney Channel series Elena of Avalor, will make her Disneyland Resort debut as part of the Festival of Holidays, performing music and posing for a special character meet and greet. Also be sure to catch Disney ¡Viva Navidad!, returning as part of the fun at Festival of Holidays.

If you’re looking for some of the park’s classic holiday traditions, never fear! World of Color – Season of Light returns, bringing the warmth and heartfelt spirit of the holidays to this stunning, nighttime water spectacular, with its 1,200 powerful fountains shooting water as high as 200 feet to help tell the story. And jolly old St. Nick arrives at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail for Santa’s Holiday Visit. His joyful elves have transformed the trail into a magical playground of holiday fun and games, including opportunities for guests to join the ranks of Santa’s elves.

Disneyland Park turns into a winter wonderland with Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, covering the castle in magical snow and icicles for the holiday season. The Believe… in Holiday Magic fireworks keep the snowflakes in the air with a special snowfall finale you’ll always remember! Returning once again to spread Christmas cheer is A Christmas Fantasy parade, a daily procession with floats, music, marching “tin soldiers,” and more. Santa appears in the parade and will also be found welcoming guests in Critter Country. And special for November 18, guests and cast members in Disneyland will celebrate Mickey Mouse’s birthday with a special cavalcade that precedes A Christmas Fantasy Parade. Other holiday classics returning to the park include it’s a small world Holiday, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and Jingle Cruise.

The park itself becomes a jewel of holiday spirit with twinkling lights, festive holiday garland and nearly 1,800 ornaments decorate the soaring Christmas tree in Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A., an ideal place for guests to begin their holiday traditions.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom Park provides Christmas classics such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, and the Holiday Wishes fireworks show. New offerings include Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, a show starring Mickey and friends in front of Cinderella’s Castle, featuring medleys of delightful classic and contemporary holiday songs, and magical holiday projections on Cinderella Castle building to a sensational, snowy finale. Queen Elsa will also be spreading the holiday spirit to Cinderella’s Castle with A Frozen Holiday Wish (Castle Dream Lights), transforming Cinderella Castle into a glimmering, shimmering ice palace for the holidays.

Epcot spreads cheer across the globe with the Holidays Around the World Marketplaces and entertainment, letting guests experience and taste what the holidays are like all over the world. If you’re looking for some classic holiday traditions, be sure to experience Epcot’s Candlelight Processional, which captures the spirit of the season in the retelling of the Christmas story by celebrity narrators, accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and choir. Additionally, Epcot’s nightly IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth fireworks show adds a special seasonal finale, featuring holiday greetings in native languages from the countries of World Showcase, along with the classic song “Let There Be Peace on Earth” to add a heartwarming finish.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios enters a world of “Lights! Cameras! Holidays!” with their all-new nighttime spectacular, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, which sends beloved Disney animated characters on a spirited yuletide adventure to get Santa back to the North Pole in time for Christmas Eve. Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! combines state-of-the-art projections, fireworks, special effects, and Christmas music to create a dazzling, one-of-a-kind holiday experience for guests—ending with a special message from Santa himself. And if you want more than just a message from Santa, be sure to check out the new opportunity to meet Santa Claus at the Once Upon a Time shop starting November 14. The beautiful, vintage setting reflects the bygone days of Santa’s visits to the great department stores across the country.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom greets guests with a dramatic, animal-themed holiday tree at the park entrance, along with a variety of characters in their holiday best, such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Baloo, King Louie, and more! If you want holiday cheer that lasts all day, enjoy holiday daytime-into-nighttime experiences, such as Tree of Life transformations, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Kali River Rapids and Expedition Everest.

Tokyo Disney Resort

Tokyo Disneyland will be creating a Christmas fantasy with holiday trees and holiday photo locations all throughout the themed lands, including a special photo location in Fantasyland where the finished photo will look like a pop-up storybook! The celebration continues with the Disney Christmas Stories Parade, which is themed to seven stories of Disney Christmas, including Frozen, Mickey and friends, and Toy Story. Classic holiday attractions such as Haunted Mansion Holiday Nightmare and the Country Bear Theater Jingle Bell Jamboree will be returning to keep the holiday spirit strong all season long.

Tokyo DisneySea celebrates not only the holidays, but the 15th anniversary of the park with a nighttime entertainment fantasy on the waters of Mediterranean Harbor called Colors of Christmas: Nighttime Wishes. Once the show is over, enjoy Colors of Christmas: Afterglow, where the Christmas tree and the floating illuminations in Mediterranean Harbor will sparkle and change colors in time to holiday music, allowing Guests to continue to enjoy the atmosphere. If you want A Perfect Christmas, try viewing the show by the same name, starring Mickey and Friends in a celebration of the joys of Christmas. The park’s festive décor includes a 15-meter-tall Christmas tree, Fiesta de la Luz lights along the Lost River Delta, and more!

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Park is decked in its festive best, including a giant Christmas tree that is lit in a caroling sing-along by Mickey and friends! If you want more holiday happiness from Mickey, Minnie, and the gang, be sure to catch Disney’s Christmas Parade on Main Street, U.S.A., with yuletide performers and two new festive floats. And the Disney Dreams! Of Christmas nighttime spectacular returns, now with your favorite characters from Frozen. Still have that Frozen fever? Sisters Elsa and Anna celebrate the holidays with a special Frozen Sing-Along and A Royal Welcome of a carriage ride down the streets of Disneyland! Have you been naughty or nice this year? If you’ve been extra good, make sure to visit with Father Christmas in Fantasyland.

Walt Disney Studios Park is the home of a very merry meet ‘n’ greet with Santa and Disney Characters, featuring Thumper, Miss Bunny, and Santa himself! And to make your holidays extra special, stop by after November 20 to meet Moana, the newest heroine to star in a Disney Animated film!

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

Hong Kong Disneyland is enchanting guests with A Sparkling Christmas, starting with Santa Goofy. You can send special holiday letters to your loved ones at the Santa Goofy Holiday Mailbox in the Christmas Post Office on Main Street, U.S.A. and receive a special Santa Goofy commemorative postmark on each letter you send. Enjoy the special seasonal entertainment, Holiday Wish Moments, on Main Street, U.S.A. with Minnie, Donald, Pluto, and Chip ‘n’ Dale. In the evening, join them all in a special show, A Magical Twilight Snowfall, for a holiday wish. If you want even more festivity, every night you can watch the 18-meter Christmas tree turn aglow for the season with the A Holiday Wish-Come-True Tree Lighting Ceremony. If you need even more Christmas cheer this holiday season, be sure to sample the more-than-50 Christmas treats available in the park and 100-plus options for Christmas-themed gifts!

Shanghai Disney Resort

Shanghai Disneyland celebrates its first-ever Christmas, decking out the park in dazzling decor, with a special overlay for Mickey Avenue, where Mickey and friends greet park guests in festive holiday attire. The highlight of the holiday celebration is the 20-meter-tall Christmas tree, which is lit in a special ceremony every evening while the Enchanted Storybook Castle gleams in the background. If you want to share the seasonal spirit with others, there are 30 limited-release merchandise items, including Mickey and Minnie plushes dressed in their holiday best, along with special Christmas ornaments, holiday clothing, and more available to purchase. Special holiday food will be offered at the Royal Banquet Hall to complete your experience with authentic holiday feasts.

How 2D Animation Brings Moana’s Mini Maui to Life

November 10, 2016November 10, 2016

By Courtney Potter

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ latest film, Moana, sails into a cinema near you this month, and with it comes the story of a fierce young woman on a journey of self-discovery, a mighty demigod looking to regain his hero status, and some truly epic adventure! Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, the film introduces some major CG animation advancements—including new techniques to animate hair (check out both Moana and Maui’s luscious locks, created with a fast new computer system called Tonic) and to bring life to the ocean water itself.

But there’s one aspect of the film that harkens back to the days of Walt Disney and his legendary original animators: Maui’s tattoos. Early on in the process, filmmakers decided to bring the demigod’s tattoos—representative of longstanding tradition in Samoa—to life in a time-honored, two-dimensional way. Says director John Musker, “As Maui’s personality began to take shape, we thought, ‘What if a particular tattoo was like his alter ego?’… Eric Goldberg, who’s one of the world’s greatest hand-drawn animators, served as animation supervisor—helping to create these vignettes that play out like billboards on Maui’s chest… It’s a wonderful marriage of hand-drawn and CG animation.”

Recently, D23 was lucky enough to speak with Goldberg about the unique challenges of bringing a hand-drawn, 2-D character to a 3-D, CG-animation world.

On the idea behind making Mini-Maui a full-fledged Moana character…
Eric Goldberg: “Big Maui’s body is covered in tattoos, and most of these tattoos represent his past accomplishments—his deeds of daring-do. Within these visualizations, there’s a small figure representing Maui himself—and over the course of creating the story, we started to refer to him as Mini-Maui, because he became a character of his own right. He actually has personality and a relationship with big Maui. First of all, he’s Maui’s biggest cheerleader and supporter. He’s Maui’s alter ego; he can be ‘swagger-y’ and confident, too, but more than anything else he’s his conscience. One thing John Lasseter [chief creative officer, Pixar and Disney] wanted us to put into the character was that he should be able to kind of ‘give it back’ to big Maui once in a while, so that he’s not just namby-pamby, but you know he can do it with his tongue in his cheek… ”

On the ever-evolving process of combining hand-drawn and CG-animation…
“The way this worked—which was very uniquely collaborative—is, both the CG animators and the hand-drawn animators were issued the scene together. For one particular scene, I was working with an animator named Justin Webber… he says, ‘We thought it’d be really funny to have Maui poke Mini-Maui in the belly,’ and I said, great. I made him this drawing where ‘X’ marked the spot, [saying] that’s where the finger has to go when you animate big Maui. We decided to go ahead and map it onto CG Maui’s body. It didn’t work the first time because of the distortion that you get on his musculature—and so Carlos [Cabral, head of characters and technical animation] and his team of wizards figured out how to get him in the right proportions… [then] I thought well, since he’s getting poked in the belly, he should react to being poked in the belly. Justin and I actually had to agree on the frame number where the poke was going to occur so that we could both animate accurately and have it look like they’re reacting to each other.”

On the interesting challenges Mini-Maui presented…
“This stuff is done traditionally, which also means it’s cleaned up traditionally. So our cleanup lead, Rachel Bibb, did some drawings—and if you look closely, you can see that the white of his eye is actually black and his pupil is actually white. The reason is, they have to draw it this way—even the teeth are blacked in—because it eventually all needs to reversed out to look [correct]. Our cleanup artists have to think in negative… We wanted the tattoos to appear like [real] tattoos, which is dark out of light. If somebody draws in ink on a person’s body it’ll be dark—so since Mini-Maui and the other tattoos were all going to be dark, we have to draw it with a line around it first. But instead we don’t have to fill it all in beforehand. We can reverse it out and get the effect. It’s much easier… ”

On what makes Mini-Maui so special…
“All the animation of the tattoos is done traditionally; it’s all drawn on paper. I went ahead and made model sheets where I’m pushing some his expressions in order to make them readable and get more of an emotional range on him. One reason that’s important is because he is a pantomime character; he has to express everything with his facial expressions and his body… A lot came out from [the story room] and a lot came out just from us batting it back and forth as animators and with John and Ron—and saying ‘Wouldn’t it be fun if Mini-Maui did this?’… We were constantly trying to think of ways that would make things work and be funny.”

Meet Maui—and Mini-Maui—when Moana premieres around the country on November 23!

Robots, Monsters and… Friendship! MECH-X4 Brings Thrills and Heart to Disney Channel

November 10, 2016

By Jocelyn Buhlman

MECH-X4, Disney’s new, live-action series premiering this Friday, November 11 (8:30 p.m. EDT), follows the adventures of Ryan Walker, a “technopath” who controls a 150-foot-tall robot along with his friends, Harris and Spyder, and his brother, Mark. Together, they must protect the city from the threat of giant monsters and uncover the mystery behind the robot.

It’s a story that strikes a familiar chord: a group of kids just trying to get through the perils of high school, only to face a challenge of the supernatural, science-fiction monster variety. The story’s been told everywhere from movies to our daydreams, and there’s a reason it resonates with us so strongly. “It’s energized nostalgia,” Executive Producer Steve Marmel describes. It’s a story in which not only kids can see themselves, but their parents can relate to it, too.

Executive Producer Anupam Nigam emphasizes, “Disney really pushed us to make it serialized and make a show that families would want to watch together.” He adds, “Our running joke is that we hope that parents are the ones saying, ‘Hey, MECH X-4 is on! You can finish your homework later! You don’t have to eat those Brussels sprouts—come on, let’s go watch the show!’”

Things are looking promising for all those families seeking something to watch together: MECH-X4 has already been picked up for a second season. What made Disney so enthusiastic about the show? Anupam describes it as, “a little bit like catching lightning in a bottle.” He explains, “This is the first time in my career that a show was picked up before a season even aired. The confidence Disney has in it is amazing.” Both producers credit Disney for pushing the show to be the best it can be. Steve explains they were encouraged to, “make sure every episode ends with an ‘Oh my gosh!’ moment that propels you into the next episode.”

Anupam adds, “We’re hoping that the cliffhangers and the serialized aspect of it will make kids want to talk about it on the playground or in the cafeteria. Two questions we always ask ourselves when we are talking about episodes are ‘What makes the episode unmissable?’ and ‘What makes this someone’s favorite episode?’”

Really, though, the heart of the show is what draws the most appeal. Steve describes MECH-X4 as, “a show about two brothers and four kids who just happen to work inside a giant, monster-fighting robot.” It’s not just about saving the city from snake-octopus monster combinations and piloting a mysterious and cool giant robot (although we’re already excited just by that!). The relationships between the characters, and how they grow to understand and support each other, is just as important as science fiction thrills. Anupam summarizes it best: “We realized that the show is greatest when they are all together as a team.”

Are you ready to watch this team, and discover the mystery of MECH X-4 yourself? Pop some popcorn, grab your family and tune in to Disney Channel this Friday, November 11, at 8:30 p.m. ET to catch the start of an expanded premiere weekend that will debut 4 new episodes back-to-back through Sunday, November 13!

Get Ready to Play! Toy Story Land is Coming to Shanghai Disneyland

November 9, 2016November 9, 2016

By Nicole Nalty

The world we know and love from Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story will come to life like never before in a new land at Shanghai Disneyland. Bob Iger, chairman and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, along with Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and Fan Xiping, chairman of Shanghai Shendi Group, recently celebrated breaking ground on this new expansion.

Just like here in the United States, Toy Story is immensely popular in Mainland China, which makes the new land the perfect first expansion for Shanghai Disneyland. In fact, it’s SO popular, that the expansion began before Shanghai Disneyland opened (Shanghai Disney Resort also features an unbelievable hotel inspired by the series––click here for photos).

Like everything at Shanghai Disneyland, Toy Story Land will be an authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese experience; a truly one-of-a-kind land featuring three attractions and a themed character greeting area. Based on the amazing, innovative attractions we’ve already seen at Disney’s newest theme park, we’re sure Toy Story Land will be an absolutely immersive experience that all Disney fans will love.

Stay tuned to D23 for more Disney news and updates.

Gorgeous New Beauty and the Beast Photos—Plus More in News Briefs

November 9, 2016

By Courtney Potter

Be Our Guest to These Exquisite New Beauty and the Beast Images

Beauty and the Beast—and just last week, our “sneak peek” prayers were answered! The Walt Disney Studios released several new images from the film, featuring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as Beast.

Directed by Bill Condon, the film will bring the story—and its beloved characters—to life in a stunning cinematic event. With an ensemble cast including the likes of Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Audra McDonald, Ian McKellen, and Emma Thompson, Beauty and the Beast will waltz into cinemas on March 17, 2017.

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Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
November 19–20, 2016
D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures
December 4, 2016
Light Up the Season with D23
December 11, 2016
Holiday Gingerbread House Workshop at Downtown Disney
December 13, 2016
D23’s Disney Springs Holiday Celebration
December 13, 2016
D23’s Moonlight and Mistletoe Dinner
July 14-16, 2017
D23 Expo 2017
Studios
November 23, 2016
Moana opens in theaters
December 16, 2016
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story opens in theaters
March 17, 2017
Beauty and the Beast opens in theaters

Parks
September 14–November 14, 2016
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
November 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29; December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World Resort
November 11–January 8, 2017
Holidays at Disney Springs
November 14, 2016
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Television
November 11, 2016
Frozen makes its broadcast debut on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/PT
November 20, 2016
Elena and the Secret of Avalor is simulcast on Disney Junior and Disney Channel at 7 p.m. ET
November 24, 2016
The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration, 8–10 p.m. ET on ABC
November 24, 2016
Freeform’s Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas begins
November 25, 2016
Disney Parks Presents: A Descendants Magical Holiday Celebration, 8–9 p.m. ET on Disney Channel
December 1-25, 2016
Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas
December 25, 2016
The Disney Parks’ Magical Christmas Celebration, 9–11 a.m. on ABC

Countdown to Moana—New Featurette and Song Snippet

In just a few short weeks, we’ll meet the newest members of the Disney animation family—a smart, strong, fearless teenager; her demi-god mentor; and their family, their friends, and even their foes. Just this week, we’re getting a glimpse into the amazing work that went on behind the scenes of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana via their new featurette, above. Meet some of the film’s “Oceanic Story Trust”—a group of cultural advisors who collaborated extensively with the film’s creative team—and hear from directors Ron Clements and John Musker, as well as Lin-Manuel Miranda (one of the film’s composers).

Speaking of Lin, we’ve got another Moana treat! Check out this clip from “We Know the Way,” a song from the film co-written and performed by Lin and fellow Moana composer Opetaia Foa’i.

Look for Moana to navigate into a theater near you on November 23.

Original Cast Members Join Disney XD’s Big Hero 6 TV Series

On a scale from 1 to 10, we’d rate our excitement at an 11! Disney XD’s upcoming animated series Big Hero 6—based on Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Oscar®-winning film inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name—will reunite a slew of its original cast members for its debut next year. Reprising their roles are Ryan Potter as tech genius Hiro; Maya Rudolph as Aunt Cass; Scott Adsit as huggable robot Baymax; Jamie Chung as no-nonsense, speed genius Go Go; Alan Tudyk as tech guru Alistair Krei; Genesis Rodriguez as quirky scientist Honey Lemon; David Shaughnessy as butler Heathcliff; and Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee as Fred’s dad. Joining the main voice cast are Khary Payton (The Lion Guard) as control freak Wasabi and Brooks Wheelan (Saturday Night Live) as fanboy Fred.

The series picks up immediately following the events of the film and continues the adventures (and friendship) of 14-year-old tech genius Hiro and his amazing, adorable robot Baymax. Along with their friends Wasabi, Honey Lemon, Go Go, and Fred, they form the legendary superhero team Big Hero 6—and embark on high-tech adventures as they protect their city from an array of scientifically enhanced villains. And in the meantime, Hiro faces all manner of trials and tribulations as the newest prodigy at San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. Look for Disney XD’s Big Hero 6 in 2017!

Narrators Set for 2016 Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World

First presented to Disneyland visitors during the 1958 holiday season, the Candlelight Processional—the telling of the Christmas story through spoken word and song—made its way down to Walt Disney World in 1971. Since then, countless celebrity narrators have joined the annual event; now a part of Epcot’s Holiday Around the World celebration, the show includes an amazing 50-piece orchestra and mass choir.

Two new narrators will be joining Epcot’s 2016 Candlelight Processional: Baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr. (December 28–30, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. star Ming-Na Wen (December 22–24). This year’s star-studded line-up also includes Neil Patrick Harris (November 28–December 1), The View host Whoopi Goldberg (December 2–3), Edward James Olmos (December 4–6), and Jodi Benson (December 25–27). Visitors can catch the performances at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. each night at the American Gardens Theatre.

Heading to Walt Disney World for a holiday vacay? Don’t miss your chance to be a part of a longstanding Disney tradition! For more information—including how you can make reservations for a new Candlelight Processional dining package—check out their event page at DisneyWorld.com.

Exclusive Moana Clip in Disney Crossy Road Mobile Game

Mobile game players, take heed! There’s a wayfinder sailing over the horizon, and she’s headed straight for your favorite Disney game! An exclusive clip from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana—featuring Moana, Maui, and the crazy Kakamora (for the uninitiated, those are the film’s coconut-armored pirates!)—can only be viewed by Disney Crossy Road players in the mobile game. Look for it until November 12.

The integration continues on Thursday, November 17, when Moana-inspired content will be added to Disney Crossy Road, letting players hop into the 8-bit version of Lalotai and explore the Realm of Monsters with new figurines, such as Moana, Maui, Pua, Heihei, Tamatoa, and more. Players can collect shiny treasures along the road as they dodge giant frogs, mutant plants, and massive monsters!

But that’s not all: Disney Crossy Road players will have access to a special in-game promotion with Regal Cinemas that allows them to purchase online pre-sale tickets for Moana through November 22. The perfect way to kick off your Thanksgiving holiday weekend…

Fans Choose: Where Should Freeform Host Special Sneak Peeks?

Freeform is offering its fans a very unique opportunity—the chance to choose where the network will host some spectacular sneak-peek screenings for two of its most talked-about shows. As of November 4, fans can vote to bring a screening of the Season 2 premiere of Shadowhunters—as well as the first episode of the new original series Beyond—to their hometown, this December! Let your voice be heard, either at ShadowhuntersTV.com, BeyondTVSeries.com, or on Twitter (by tweeting #ShadowhuntersAndBeyond and the city and state of your choice.

Voting concludes on Tuesday, November 15, at 11:59 a.m. PT—and the winning city will be announced the next day. Once a location has been determined, fans can sign up to attend the screening on a first-come, first-served basis; they must be 18 or older, or attend the screening with a parent/guardian.

If it turns out you don’t live in the city where Freeform ultimately hosts their shindig, fret not: The second season of Shadowhunters debuts on January 2 at 8 p.m. PT, followed immediately after by the premiere of Beyond. (And for those of you who are super curious, the entire first season of Beyond will be available for immediate “binge watching” on digital platforms also on January 2.) Mark those new calendars now!

Bob Mattey: Master of Mechanical Magic

November 8, 2016

By Becky Cline

Legendary mechanical effects man Robert A. Mattey Jr. began his Hollywood career in the late 1920s, while visiting his father, a costume jeweler who created the faux coins used in the 1927 epic film The King of Kings. The 16-year-old Bob was fascinated by the production process, and was hooked for life.

Shortly after, Bob began working in motion pictures himself, most notably for RKO and Universal Studios in films such as King Kong (1933) and Tarzan and His Mate (1934). Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Bob did uncredited work for some of the best special effects supervisors in the industry, building werewolves, carnivorous plants, and much more.

In the early 1950s, Disney art director Harper Goff saw the giant mechanized octopus that Bob had created for the John Wayne film Wake of the Red Witch (1948) and knew that he had found just the man to help him through production troubles in Disney’s new epic adventure 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Harper was having a difficult time with the film’s giant “puppet” squid, which had been fabricated but was not working properly, so he hired Bob to mechanize a new more robust squid, sculpted by Disney artist Chris Mueller.

The film and its monster squid was such a hit that Walt Disney quickly offered Bob a permanent position at the studio as head of the Mechanical Effects Department, and Bob was soon hard at work building a host of mechanical figures for the soon-to-open Disneyland. Bob animated hippos, elephants, and other exotic animals for Jungle Cruise; populated the Rivers of America with lifelike deer, elk, and bears; balanced rocks and made mud baths bubble for the Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland; and even worked mechanized magic in Fantasyland where he animated the charming figure of Timothy Mouse high atop the Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction and gave guests severe sensory overload in the finale of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Bob continued to work his magic on attractions at Disneyland, including the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea walk-through attraction, the earliest mock-ups of Haunted Mansion, and he provided special mechanical effects for multiple Disney feature films including The Absent-Minded Professor (1961), Mary Poppins (1964), The Happiest Millionaire (1967), Blackbeard’s Ghost (1968), and The Love Bug (1969). But it was in a non-Disney film of the 1970s that Bob’s greatest mechanical “monsterpiece” appeared to terrify audiences around the world—Bruce the Shark in Steven Spielberg’s megahit Jaws (1975).

When Disneyland opened in 1955, Bob was one of the pioneering artists who was given “screen credit” by Walt on the windows of Main Street, U.S.A. The firmly tongue-in-cheek tribute credited him with the title “Taxidermist,” a nod to his ability to create such lifelike dimensional creatures. In the 1970s, the window was moved and altered, but today it has been returned to its original state, to pay homage to Walt’s wonderful wizard of mechanical effects, Bob Mattey.

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Be Our Guest to These Exquisite New Beauty and the Beast Images

Save the Date! Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:

Countdown to Moana—New Featurette and Song Snippet

Original Cast Members Join Disney XD’s Big Hero 6 TV Series

Narrators Set for 2016 Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World

Exclusive Moana Clip in Disney Crossy Road Mobile Game

Fans Choose: Where Should Freeform Host Special Sneak Peeks?

Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar: