“Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular”: The Inside Scoop

By Courtney Potter

Catch Hocus Pocus on Freeform during their “31 Nights of Halloween,” October 1-31.

“Come little children, the time’s come to play!” Disney’s Hocus Pocus, starring Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker, has attained near-mythic pop culture status since its big screen debut in July 1993. Directed by Kenny Ortega (High School Musical), the film introduced the world to the spooky, kooky Sanderson Sisters—three resurrected witches who wreak hilarious havoc on present-day Salem, Massachusetts. Four years ago, Walt Disney World Resort joined the frightful fun by making Winifred, Mary, and Sarah Sanderson the stars of the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular”—a spine-tingling, funny-bone-tickling, live musical show presented during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park!

The “Spelltacular” not only brought the sisters to a Disney park for the very first time, but it also gives them a chance to interact with some classic Disney characters. And this year is especially memorable, considering the film is celebrating its 25th anniversary—a fact Winifred herself mentions during this year’s installment of the show! There’s more Hocus Pocus merchandise available (at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts) than ever before, and even D23 is getting into the action with our upcoming Spooktacular Fanniversary events!

D23: Were you familiar with Hocus Pocus before taking on this (very cool) job?

Denise Case: Oh, yes! I have two daughters, one is a teenager, one is a young adult now, and she’s in college. My kids grew up watching Hocus Pocus every Halloween. That was always on Freeform or Disney Channel—it was Hocus Pocus, Halloween Town; that whole generation grew up with those movies. It was a holiday classic so I was well aware of the witches.

D23: How does it feel now that the show has become a “staple” for the Halloween season at the Magic Kingdom?

Denise: Four years in, “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” is still wildly popular. Our fans really love it and are so happy we call forth our favorite sisters every year. We’re so proud it’s become one of the true highlights of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!

D23: Did you have a hand in writing the script for the show, or choosing which other villains would be appearing alongside the Sandersons?

Denise: Yes, yes. Actually, Reed Jones—who is our creative director—and Allison Hirsch, our show writer, the three of us brainstormed together and came up with what you now see as the current stage show. We knew that we wanted to incorporate the villains, and we knew we wanted to do a new “castle” show. We loved the Sanderson Sisters. The movie came out when Allison, our writer was a child, so she became a huge fan of the film—and she bought in right away to using the Sanderson Sisters. She loved the idea.

We also love the fact that the sisters are so funny and they play nicely against this sometimes serious, dark side of the classic villains. We thought, “How great, these are our own witches!” These are Disney witches, because of course it’s a Disney film. We have our Disney witches, it’s Halloween—we need to get them in this event! By pairing them with the villains, we just thought, “How fun!” We definitely wanted them to be in a new story; we didn’t want to try and retell the movie at all. We wanted them in a new way, telling a new story, out there with a new mission. No eating children; no sucking the life-force out of children like they do in the film. [laughs] We decided to throw a party instead! That’s “not so scary!”

D23: From the clips we’ve seen online, it looks like a lot of amazing costumes were created for this show. Can you speak a little bit about that?

Denise: Well, the witches had to be perfect, so we were able to procure the original costumes from the Walt Disney Archives [for inspiration]. I know they’ve been on display at the D23 EXPO before… We were able to get the clothes, and our costuming partners did an amazing job recreating the sisters’ dresses. They had to be perfect, and they are! I always tell everyone I talk to, “If I could give an award to our costuming department, I think I would,” because their attention to detail and how they created the sisters’ clothes has just been remarkable. They’re really beautiful. Even down to Winifred’s shoes, which are all hand-embroidered. There’s a tremendous amount of detail that was given to the sisters, as well as the other costumes. The dancers’ costumes, and the villains…

I’ve wanted to bring the Sanderson Sisters to the event for quite some time and it just so happened that we finally had the perfect opportunity.

D23: What about the projections and other special effects?

Denise: I love projection; I’m a huge advocate of projection. It really changes the environment that you’re in. Luckily at Walt Disney World Resort, we already have projections that appear on Cinderella’s Castle, so the technology was already in place. What I love about it is, it really creates a new environment. With the scenic elements that we’ve put in the show—between that and using projection on the castle—you really feel like you’re in Doctor Facilier’s lair from The Princess and the Frog. You know? And with Oogie Boogie from The Nightmare Before Christmas, we’re able to really use the castle as a set piece, if you will, and help it tell our story. And of course, it’s at night. That’s the great thing. Especially here in Florida, because it’s so hot, it’s great that the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is at night, so we’re able to capitalize on some of the technology—lighting and projection—that works so well in the dark.

D23: Are there any fun stories you recall from putting this whole show together, and getting it ready for the public to see?

Denise: I always tell everybody, the greatest challenge was [initially] keeping the whole thing under wraps! Keeping a big secret, that really wasn’t a secret, has always got its challenges. Also, the day the Sanderson Sisters’ dresses arrived. Everybody was just in awe. “Ahh! Bette Midler wore that, that’s so incredibly cool!”

We were also able to connect with Jason Marsden, the voice of Binx the cat [in the film]. We utilize his talents to do some show voiceovers, which was great fun. That’s one of those little hidden “easter eggs”; if you’re a Hocus Pocus fan, you’ll hear his voice and you may recognize that it’s him.

D23: We saw that Hocus Pocus director Kenny Ortega himself posted a picture from the first year of the “Spelltacular” on his Instagram account!

Denise: He did, he “Instagrammed” about it! Kathy Najimy (Mary Sanderson) also commented because he tagged her… It was really crazy. The [very] first show happened and social media just blew up. It was really quite phenomenal!

D23: Ultimately, what do you hope audiences take away from the show?

Denise: Obviously, we want guests to have fun—and we want them to take away the feeling that they have truly experienced the Sanderson Sisters live. I think the cast [does] a great job of capturing the relationship the Sandersons have with each other. They’re an incredibly funny dysfunctional family. I think our writer Allison did a great job capturing the comedy. I hope guests just really feel like they’ve had their Sanderson fix!

The “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” appears exclusively during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party inside Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort—now through October 31! Don’t miss all the “tricks and treats” they have in store…

Viola Davis Makes History—And More in News Briefs

Primetime Emmy^® Awards: ABC’s Big Wins!

History was made at the 67th Primetime Emmy^® Awards, held on Sunday, September 20, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles: Viola Davis was named Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work on ABC’s hit series How to Get Away with Murder—making her the first African American actress ever to take home this award! As if that weren’t cool enough, Regina King was honored in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie for her role on ABC’s American Crime. Viola and Regina’s wins, coupled with Uzo Aduba’s award for HBO’s Orange is the New Black, ties a record set in 1991 for most acting Emmys awarded to black women in a single year. Kudos!

Other Disney and ABC Emmy wins (by category) included:

Outstanding Structured Reality Program
Shark Tank

Outstanding Choreography
Dancing With the Stars: Derek Hough, Julianne Hough,Tessandra Chavez

Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (half-hour) and Animation
Modern Family

Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Limited Series, Movie or a Special
The Oscars

Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation
Gravity Falls, Alonso Ramirez Ramos, Storyboard Artist, “Not What He Seems” (Disney XD)

Huge congratulations to all!

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
Fall 2015
D23 Member VIP Nights at The Lion King
September 26
The Art of Disney—Featuring 75 Years of Pinocchio
October 3
D23’s Sip & Stroll
October 9
Lunch with a Disney Legend: Kathryn Beaumont
October 25
Haunted Gingerbread House Building Workshop
November 6
VIP Studio Experience with Disney Legend Andreas Deja
November 7
D23 Day at the Walt Disney Studios and Archives
November 14
Pinocchio: 75 Years of a Disney Classic
November 14
Mickey’s of Glendale Orlando Shopping Event
December 13
Holiday Gingerbread House Building Workshop
Studios
November 25
The Good Dinosaur opens in theaters.
December 18
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters.
January 29
The Finest Hours opens in theaters.
March 4
Zootopia opens in theaters.
April 15
The Jungle Book opens in theaters.

Parks
September 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27; October 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31; and November 1
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park
September 25, 28, 30; October 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
Mickey’s Halloween Party 2015 at Disneyland
September 25-November 16
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
November 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29; and December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park
Television
September 26
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy premieres at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD.
November 30
It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Fan Girl Rocks Its Way Onto ABC Family

We’re big Meg Ryan fans (can you say Sleepless in Seattle?!), so we were thrilled to hear she’s costarring in ABC Family’s newest TV movie event! The Golden Globe^®-nominated actress plays Mary Farrow, whose sarcastic teenage daughter Telulah (Mad Men’s Kiernan Shipka) is obsessed with only two things in life: the pop-punk band All Time Low, and filmmaking. Unfortunately, Mary’s newfound (and, according to her daughter, irrational) love of social media initially distracts Telulah from coming up with an amazing final-film project for school.

But as it turns out, Mary’s new social media savvy has an unexpected perk—she reconnects with an old acquaintance that happens to have a big connection to All Time Low! Telulah’s whole life changes in just one night, as she goes after exactly what she wants… and learns a little about life, family, and herself in the process.

Also starring Kara Hayward (Moonrise Kingdom), Scott Adsit (Big Hero 6), and newcomer Joshua Boone—and featuring appearances (and music) by All Time Low—Fan Girl premieres on ABC Family on Saturday, October 3, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Disney Publishing Worldwide Introduces “Star Darlings”

As Cinderella once sang, “If you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.” Well, Disney Publishing Worldwide aims to bring that message to tween girls like never before with the debut of their newest “multiplatform” property—“Star Darlings.” Initially conceived by designer Shana Muldoon Zappa, along with her husband, New York Times bestselling author Ahmet Zappa (Because I’m Your Dad), “Star Darlings” features 12 unique girls who encourage tweens to celebrate their individuality, make positive choices, and show that they can make any wish a reality!

The story begins on Starland, the brightest star in the sky. Twelve girls from the prestigious Starling Academy are chosen to be the first student Starlings to venture to Earth; determined to succeed, the girls show courage and ingenuity—and have a ton of fun—as they guide others on Earth to discover happiness and fulfillment…

“Star Darlings” recently launched with two novels, available everywhere books and eBooks are sold, and all-new content and products will be released through November—including an accompanying storytelling and lifestyle app; music from Walt Disney Records; the first shorts in an animated series on YouTube; and even a fashion dolls line created in collaboration with JAKKS Pacific and available at Justice stores nationwide.

“Frozen Free Fall” Freezes Over Big Milestone!

“Frozen Free Fall,” Disney’s frosty-cool puzzle game for all manner of platforms, just celebrated its whopping 100 millionth download! Since its release, fans have spent over 62 billion minutes (yes, billion with a “b”) playing the game… that’s more time than people have watched the movie in theatres. Amazing, right?

On average, about 4.2 billion ice crystals are cleared per minute—and 25 billion levels have been played around the world. The special Elsa “Power Up” has been used more than 162 million times, and Olaf has spent 1.6 billion minutes in the game’s “summer” levels. It would take over 26,000 actual Nordic summers to catch up to him!

Don’t know what on snowy Earth we’re talking about? Then download “Frozen Free Fall” post haste! See all the ways the app can be downloaded, and played, here.

Phone Cases Get Personal with D-Tech on Demand at Disneyland Resort

Up until recently, you could only get your Disney smartphone accessory case personalized at Walt Disney World—but West Coast fans, your time has come! D-Tech on Demand just debuted at D Street in Disneyland Resort’s Downtown Disney District.

The location will introduce over 10 new designs, including art inspired by the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration and selections from WonderGround Gallery artists including Jasmine Becket-Griffith and Jerrod Maruyama. D Street at Downtown Disney District offers cases compatible with iPhones 4 through 6+, as well as a host of Samsung (Android) phones. From start to finish, the whole personalization process only takes around 10-15 minutes… so the next time you’re down at the Disneyland Resort, check ’em out! Your phone will thank you.

First Look at Marvel’s Jessica Jones

By now, we hope you’ve marked your calendar for the hotly anticipated new Netflix series Marvel’s Jessica Jones. (We certainly have!) Fans clamoring for a sneak peek, ahead of the show’s November debut, will be thrilled to know that our friends at Marvel.com have the first five images from the series.

See Krysten Ritter (Breaking Bad) in action! Marvel (get it?) at David Tennant’s decidedly non-Doctor Who fashion sense! Speculate on just what Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix) has to do Jessica’s detective career! We’ll find out more when all 13 episodes of Season 1 come to Netflix on November 20.

Once Upon a Time Season Five Preview

From “Dark Swan” and the Wicked Witch to Camelot and the arrival of Merida, catch what the cast and creators had to reveal about the upcoming season of Once Upon a Time, premiering on ABC Sunday, September 27.

The Muppets Arrives on ABC: Let’s Get Things Started!

It’s time to play the music, it’s time to light the lights… After a legitimately-too-long absence from our collective television set, the Muppets are back in primetime! Their new ABC series, The Muppets, premieres tonight—and D23’s got a big “Muppet News Flash” from the show’s producers on what hilarious hijinks lie in store, and what makes their return so special.

Created by Bill Prady (The Big Bang Theory) and Bob Kushell (3rd Rock From the Sun), The Muppets is a documentary-style series that follows the gang as they take on present-day Hollywood. Our amphibian pal Kermit the Frog is now the executive producer of a late night TV talk show—and the rest of the Muppet gang fills in as his staff. The Great Gonzo is Kermit’s head writer, ably assisted by Pepé the King Prawn and Rizzo the Rat; Fozzie Bear is, naturally, the show’s warm-up comedian (and Ed McMahon-style sidekick). Scooter, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker, and the rest of the Muppets all have roles on the show too. The only hitch? We’ll give you a hint: The talk show’s title is Up Late with Miss Piggy! Yes, Kermit’s now-former paramour is the show’s prima donna host. A star in “moi’s” own right, Piggy spends more time canoodling with Hollywood’s elite (including guest stars like Castle’s Nathan Fillion and singer Josh Groban) than actually working—much to her executive producer’s chagrin. After work, the crew usually heads over to Rowlf the Dog’s Tavern to unwind… but mega Muppet mayhem follows wherever they go.

“Miss Piggy and Kermit—they’re in a very interesting place right now,” Bob Kushell says. “They’re obviously broken up, and they are seeing other people. Kermit has found Denise, who is head of marketing for the network… And Miss Piggy is off dating celebrities, and having a grand ol’ time with her life. The fun of it, though, is watching them having to work together, knowing that there is so much history there… It’s a difficult situation for them—but as much as they’ve gone through, they love each other. They will always love each other.” The “show within a show” concept of The Muppets also opens the door for plentiful star cameos—a nod to the gang’s TV (and film) history. As Bill Prady explains, “The Muppets have always existed in a world of show business and entertainment. And because Piggy has a late night talk show, there are guests on that talk show—like actresses Elizabeth Banks and Reese Witherspoon, and musical guests like Imagine Dragons. But they also have the ability to run into people in professional situations. For example, Fozzie is invited to a party at Jay Leno’s house, and we get to have the fun of Fozzie and Jay together… I think one of the real joys of this show has been bringing celebrities in, bringing actors and musicians in—and letting them play with these characters, and letting them exist in a world where these characters are real. And that’s an absolute joy to watch.”

These characters touch us because they touch on aspects of who we are. These characters, who aren’t human, are incredibly human.

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Prady, who actually got his TV-writing start with Jim Henson back in 1983; he not only wrote for the animated Fraggle Rock series and the Disney Parks attraction MuppetVision 3-D, but he also contributed to The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson, a posthumous tribute to the late puppeteer (for which he received one of his four Emmy^® nominations). “Jim was my first teacher when it came to writing [TV] and writing characters,” recalls Prady, “and to be able to come back to this family years later is just an indescribably wonderful experience.”

“What captivates us about the Muppets is, it’s a combination of nostalgia—everybody grew up with them,” Kushell explains. “No matter how old you are, you grew up with the Muppets. It’s also the fact that they are tangible—they exist. They’re not created in a computer; they’re not animated; they’re not special effects. They’re real, and you feel that reality,” Prady agrees, adding, “I think that the thing that makes these characters special is, there is heartbreaking honesty to them. They are our aspirations, and our dreams, and our foibles. These characters touch us because they touch on aspects of who we are. These characters, who aren’t human, are incredibly human.”

“There’s a real hunger to see them back where, I think, the Muppets belong,” says Kushell, “which is on television. That’s where they started, and that’s where they’re returning to… That’s their home.” You can catch Kermit, Piggy, and all The Muppets right at home on ABC starting tonight—Tuesday, September 22—at 8 p.m. PT/ET.

Talk Like a Pirate Day with Pirates of the Caribbean

September 17, 2015August 23, 2016

“Avast there! It be too late to alter course, mateys!” International Talk Like a Pirate Day is upon us once again—which feels like the perfect time to reflect on one of Disney’s legendary movie franchises, Pirates of the Caribbean! The fifth installment, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, is already in production; helmed by Kon-Tiki’s Espen Sandberg and Joachim Ronning, the film will set sail into theaters in 2017. At the recent D23 EXPO 2015, Johnny Depp himself—resplendent in full Captain Jack Sparrow regalia—surprised the audience during the “Worlds, Galaxies, and Universes: Live Action at the Walt Disney Studios” panel. Johnny helped Walt Disney Pictures president of production Sean Bailey announce more casting for the film, including Orlando Bloom (returning as Will Turner), Geoffrey Rush (back as Captain Barbossa), and new-to-the-franchise Oscar^® winner Javier Bardem.

As for the film’s plot: Thrust into an all-new adventure, a down-on-his-luck Captain Jack finds the winds of ill-fortune blowing even more strongly when deadly ghost pirates led by his old nemesis, the terrifying Captain Salazar (Bardem), escape from the Devil’s Triangle, determined to kill every pirate at sea… including him. Captain Jack’s only hope of survival lies in seeking out the legendary Trident of Poseidon, a powerful artifact that bestows upon its possessor total control over the seas. The film also stars Kaya Scodelario (The Maze Runner), Brenton Thwaites (Maleficent), and Golshifteh Farahani (The Patience Stone).

Get ye in a plunderin’ Talk Like a Pirate Day mood by taking a gander at 23 notable Pirates of the Caribbean quotes. “Aye, tales… there be a-plenty in this cursed place.“

Captain Jack: “This is the day you will always remember as the day you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow!”

Norrington: “You are, without doubt, the worst pirate I’ve ever heard of.”
Captain Jack: “But you have heard of me.”

Will Turner: “This is either madness… or brilliance.”
Captain Jack: “It’s remarkable how often those two traits coincide.”

Captain Barbossa: “You best start believing in ghost stories, Miss Turner… you’re in one!”

Captain Jack: “Why is the rum gone?”
Elizabeth Swann: “One: because it is a vile drink that turns even the most respectable men into complete scoundrels. Two: that signal is over a thousand feet high. The entire Royal Navy is out looking for me. Do you really think there is even the slightest chance they won’t see it?”
Captain Jack: “But why is the rum gone?”

Captain Jack: “Well! I’m actually feeling rather good about this. I think we all arrived at a very special place eh? Spiritually. Ecumenically. Grammatically.”

Elizabeth: “Bloody pirates!”

Elizabeth: “Parlay. I invoke the right of parlay. According to the Code of the brethren, set down by the pirates Morgan and Bartholomew, you have to take me to your Captain…”

Captain Barbossa: “Strike your colors, ya bloomin’ cockroaches!”

Elizabeth: “There will come a time when you have a chance to do the right thing.”
Captain Jack: “I love those moments. I like to wave at them as they pass by.”

Captain Jack: “No. You want you to find this, because the finding of this finds you incapacitorially finding and or locating in your discovering the detecting of a way to save your dolly belle, ol’ what’s-her-face. Savvy?”

Captain Jack: “My tremendous intuitive sense of the female creature informs me that you are troubled.”

Davey Jones: “Let no joyful voice be heard! Let no man look up at the sky with hope! And let this day be cursed by we who ready to wake… the Krakken!”

Captain Barbossa: “The world used to be a bigger place.”
Captain Jack: “World’s still the same. There’s just less in it.”

Captain Jack: “Drink up, me hearties, yo ho!”

Captain Jack: “If we don’t have the key, we can’t open whatever we don’t have that it unlocks. So what purpose would be served in finding whatever need be unlocked, which we don’t have, without first having found the key what unlocks it?”

Will Turner: “Keep a weather eye on the horizon.”

Captain Jack: “Captain, I wish to report a mutiny. I can name fingers and point names.”

Captain Jack: “NOBODY MOVE! I’ve dropped me brain.”

Blackbeard: “If I don’t kill a man every now and then, they forget who I am.”

Captain Jack: “You know the feeling you get when standing in a high place, the sudden urge to jump… I don’t have it.”

Angelica: “The lies I told you were not lies.”
Captain Jack: “You lied to me by telling the truth?”
Angelica: “Yes.”
Captain Jack: “That’s very good. May I use that?”

Captain Jack: “Clergyman, on the off chance that this does not go well for me, I would like it noted here and now that I am fully prepared to believe in whatever I must, so that I may be welcomed into that place where all the ‘goody-goodies’ get to go.”

Where We Left Off on Your Favorite ABC Shows

Our apologies to summer, but we’re pretty excited to be this close to fall. We love warm weather… We love the longer days… We love vacation… Who doesn’t? But frankly, we miss our favorite series! ABC’s fall season is gearing up, so we thought we’d give you the opportunity to read up on how some of your must-watch shows left off at the end of last season.

Castle—Returns Monday, September 21, 10 p.m. ET/PT

In the show’s seventh season finale, we learned precisely why Castle became a writer: As a teenager, he’d witnessed a murder—but no body was ever found and no one was ever reported as missing, so the authorities scoffed at his story. However, a similar case in the present day reminded Castle of this unsolved mystery. The gang eventually identified the girl Castle saw murdered, and they found the man they believe committed the crime. But while visiting the man’s psychiatrist, Castle recognized the voice. With Beckett’s help, Castle searched the psychiatrist’s barn and discovered a book full of his victims! A fight ensued, and Castle wound up held hostage—but he used Beckett’s gun to take the psychiatrist down for good. In the meantime, Beckett was offered the chance to run for state Senate—as well as the chance to become captain of her own precinct. As we catch back up with our favorite crime-fighting couple, they’re just starting to adjust to Beckett’s career change when a call from a mysterious stranger sets off a perilous chain of events. (It’s a two-part cliffhanger, so don’t say we didn’t warn you!)

Modern Family—Returns Wednesday, September 23, 9 p.m. ET/PT

Modern Family’s sixth season ended with some new beginnings… and some mixed signals. At the start of the season finale, Mitch and Cam were about to buy the apartment upstairs—but Mitch revealed that he’d been laid off a month earlier and hadn’t yet broken that news to Cam. Cam couldn’t help but suspect something was up, though he feared it was an affair. Mitch finally opened up, and the couple decided to move ahead with their plans for the new apartment. Meanwhile, Alex graduated from high school, leaving Claire trying to figure out a spectacular gift to give her daughter… who ultimately gave Claire a dream gift by asking her to accompany her on a post-graduation trip to Europe, for supporting her so much while she was in school. And in a true cliffhanger, Andy was feeling pressured to propose to Beth, despite his feelings for Haley; while Haley refrained from sharing her true feelings for Andy out of respect for his longtime relationship with Beth—a twist known only to Phil, who found out by way of face timing with both of them. When technical difficulties stopped Phil from speaking up, Andy and Haley bid a melancholy goodbye and parted ways. Did they find out before Andy popped the question? Tune in on Wednesday, September 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT to find out!

Nashville—Returns Wednesday, September 23, 10 p.m. ET/PT

The third season of Nashville truly left us hanging on the edge between life and death, as Deacon and his loved ones prepared for his risky liver transplant surgery. Deacon tried (unsuccessfully) to shake his premonition that something would go wrong during the operation, while Rayna did her best to get along with Deacon’s sister, Beverly, who is donating part of her liver to save him. Juliette and Avery’s relationship hit a seriously low note when Juliette—frustrated by issues with her career and new album—threw a snowglobe at Avery and their baby, Cadence, and then took on a new business manager, Jeff Fordham. A contrite Juliette later tried to persuade Avery that she could keep things professional with her ex, but Avery sadly realized that Juliette will always put her career ahead of her family and he asked her to leave them. After a tabloid revealed Will and Kevin’s relationship, Will’s first instinct was to cover it up… but after watching Kevin lie for him, Will realized he had to be true to himself and announced in front of a press conference—and his close-minded father—that he is gay. At the hospital, a frightened Deacon proposed to Rayna before his surgery. She refused to marry him in a hospital bed—officially, that is—but the two exchanged vows nonetheless. But as the episode ended, someone flatlined on the operating table—was it Deacon? Or was it Beverly? Rayna will come to terms with the aftermath of the surgery in the Nashville season premiere, which features special guest Steven Tyler, who duets with Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere).

Grey’s Anatomy—Returns Thursday, September 24, 8 p.m. ET/PT

Grey Sloan Memorial proved once again to be the site for so many big life moments on the season finale of Grey’s Anatomy. Meredith, still mourning the death of her husband, Derek, talked some sense into Richard and Catherine. After Richard promised to be Catherine’s “safe harbor,” the two were married in the hospital chapel. Meanwhile, April and Jackson’s marriage falls apart when she confesses that she feels like she’s “been called” to return to army surgery, and Jackson—who never felt like he had the opportunity to grieve for their late son—tells her he can’t be there for her when she comes back. Jo took the big step of buying a loft to share with Alex—all that she wants is for them to have a place of their own, and to give Meredith’s house back to her. Meredith gave Amelia some closure by sharing with her a voicemail message she’d gotten from Derek shortly before he died, describing the beauty of his last ferry ride. Later, at Richard and Catherine’s reception, Meredith, Amelia, and Maggie—who just learned that her parents are divorcing—shared a moment of sadness and friendship, and Meredith announced they had to “dance it out,” which they did. In the closing narration, Meredith stated, “…No matter how dark it gets, the sun’s gonna rise again.” And things seem to be looking sunnier in the season premiere, which has Meredith adjusting to new roommates at home, Bailey still gunning for the Chief of Surgery position at the hospital, and Jackson getting ready for April’s return to Seattle.

Scandal—Returns Thursday, September 24, 9 p.m. ET/PT

When last we ventured into D.C., Damascus Bainbridge—aka Command, aka Rowan, aka Papa Pope himself—threatened Mellie with blackmail if she didn’t get him a certain list of names. Meanwhile, Jake (and several others) confessed about their roles in B613 and Operation Remington to a grand jury. But after the initial hearing, every single juror was murdered—because of Mellie’s list! Olivia, hoping to take her father down, asked crazy Mama Pope for advice—which led Olivia to reveal B613 to the CIA. The plan, unfortunately, backfired; both Olivia and Jake were arrested, only to be released after signing a document denying B613’s existence. Quinn confronted poor guilt-ridden Huck about his role in the grand jury murders, and he, in turn, asked her to take Rowan down. Ultimately, Olivia had her father arrested for embezzlement from the Smithsonian, and she and Fitz passionately reunited on the White House balcony. So what’s in store this season? Well, we’ve only been given a glimpse into Episode 1, but from what we can gather: Olivia and Fitz are still in full-on “scandal” mode, and Cyrus, Mellie, and Huck are all dealing with the aftermath of helping Command. Serious #TGIT!

How to Get Away with Murder—Returns Thursday, September 24, 10 p.m. ET/PT

The first season of How to Get Away with Murder was a nail-biting doozy, and the season finale did not disappoint. Annalise forced the Keating Four to put Rebecca through a “show trial,” presenting evidence to convince her that Rebecca killed Lila. Uncooperative at first, Rebecca ultimately managed to convince Wes she wasn’t responsible, though she did find Lila’s body and hid with it in the water tank. Annalise found every statement unbelievable, and went into the basement to release Rebecca—but she’d already been set free. Later, Annalise reassured Wes that the “Sam-killed-Lila” theory is the only one that makes sense. Once Wes left, Annalise met Frank in the basement… and it’s revealed that Rebecca is dead! But that wasn’t the only shocking moment: In a flashback, we learned that Sam used blackmail to get Frank to murder Lila. Season 2 promises even more drama: The students are still reeling over Rebecca’s “disappearance,” with Annalise and Frank determined to find out who killed her.

Once Upon a Time—Returns Sunday, September 27, 8 p.m. ET/PT

The season finale of Once Upon a Time was totally backwards—literally, as The Author rewrote our characters’ stories for his own benefit, turning the villains into heroes and heroes into sadistic monsters (well, at least Snow White… It wasn’t pretty). Luckily Henry saved the day (and Emma and… pretty much everyone else). But when the gang returned to Storybrooke, joy was short-lasted. While Emma, Regina, James/Charming, Mary Margaret/Snow, and the core team tried to remove and isolate the “evil” that turns people into The Dark One, things, naturally, got a little out of control. The season’s final moments saw Emma saving Regina’s life by absorbing the bad juju and becoming The Dark One—and then totally vanishing from sight. Now it’s up to our heroes and villains to team up once again to find Emma and ensure she doesn’t go totally “Dark Swan.” They will also try to find a way to vanquish the darkness, created by a sorcerer named Merlin, once and for all by venturing to Camelot. We also have a pregnant Wicked Witch of the West to deal with. Oh, and some chick with red hair named Merida shows up. We can’t wait.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.—Returns Tuesday, September 29, 9 p.m. ET/PT

Where to begin?! The second season finale of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. packed a two-parter wallop. S.H.I.E.L.D. realized Jiaying’s ruse—but the people of Afterlife (including daughter Skye) fell for it, and fought alongside her. Ward tortured Bobbi for information about her undercover time at Hydra, and he set a trap to end with a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent (likely Hunter) being killed in front of her. Instead, Bobbi took the bullet for Hunter, barely surviving—while Ward accidentally killed Palamas as she was disguised as May. After seeing Jiayang murder Raina, Skye finally turned her back on her mother. But the Inhumans took her prisoner and attacked the S.H.I.E.L.D. ship, planning to use artificial Terrigen crystals to reveal all Inhumans… and kill all humans. Skye warned Coulson of Jiaying’s plan, and Fitz killed Gordon, preventing him from unleashing Terrigen mist through the ship’s ventilation—though Coulson lost an arm in the process. Skye confronted dear ol’ Mom on a Quinjet, and an epic fight began—until Cal saved Skye’s life by killing Jiaying. Ultimately, S.H.I.E.L.D. wiped Cal’s memories; Skye joined a new S.H.I.E.L.D. team; May felt a break from S.H.I.E.L.D. was in order; and Ward planned to lead the remains of Hydra. But traces of the crystals still made their way around the world, and the Kree weapon absorbed Simmons! What’s next? Our intel points to Coulson and team discovering a new Inhuman, and Fitz going to extreme lengths to try and bring Simmons back.

New The Jungle Book Trailer—And More in News Briefs

Live-Action The Jungle Book Roars to Life with New Trailer

Reacquaint yourselves with Mowgli and his animal friends (and foes) in this brand-new teaser trailer (above) for Disney’s The Jungle Book—an epic live-action retelling of Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories, inspired by Disney’s classic animated film. Directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man), The Jungle Book follows man-cub Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi) as he realizes he’s no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba) promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Abandoning the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a journey of self-discovery, guided by panther Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley) and free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Scarlett Johansson, Christoper Walken, Lupita Nyong’o, and Giancarlo Esposito also lend their dulcet tones to the film.

The Jungle Book—which seamlessly blends live-action with photorealistic CGI animals and environments to immerse audiences in a breathtakingly lush world—swings into theaters in 3-D on April 15, 2016!

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
Fall 2015
D23 Member VIP Nights at The Lion King
September 19-20
Never Had a Friend Like D23
September 26
The Art of Disney—Featuring 75 Years of Pinocchio
October 3
D23’s Sip & Stroll
November 6
VIP Studio Experience with Disney Legend Andreas Deja
November 7
D23 Day at the Walt Disney Studios and Archives
Studios
November 25
The Good Dinosaur opens in theaters.
December 18
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters.
January 29
The Finest Hours opens in theaters.
March 4
Zootopia opens in theaters.
April 15
The Jungle Book opens in theaters.

Parks
September 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27; October 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31; and November 1
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park
September 25, 28, 30; October 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
Mickey’s Halloween Party 2015 at Disneyland
September 25-November 16
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
November 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29; and December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park
Television
September 22
The Muppets premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
September 26
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy premieres at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD.
November 30
It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

@MinnieStyle Takes to the Instagram Runway

She’s a true style icon, and still turns heads in the worlds of beauty, fashion, and pop culture even after 70-plus years… Minnie Mouse has a signature style all her own, and Disney’s recently brought all things Minnie to Instagram with the launch of @MinnieStyle—a new account showcasing her ongoing fashion influence. @MinnieStyle will feature Minnie-inspired looks from the global fashion community; everyday fashion inspiration; couture and ready-to-wear designer collaborations; and celebrities, bloggers, and so much more!

Minnie’s iconic style—including polka dots, bows, and that legendary color palette—are also being celebrated this month with events at both New York and London fashion weeks. In NYC, Disney collaborated with Refinery29 and CONFETTISYSTEM to create a Minnie Mouse-inspired room for Refinery29’s interactive Fashion Week funhouse “29Rooms.” Later this month, Disney and the British Fashion Council will host the “Minnie: Style Icon” exhibition for London’s Fashion Week, curated with help from model and photographer Georgia May Jagger.

Keep an eye on the new @MinnieStyle Instgram account for fun news and images from these ever-so-fashionable events, and be sure to follow @DisneyD23 for even more Disney magic!

Frozen Front to Sweep into Disney California Adventure Park in 2016

Soon, you’ll have a whole new way to “Let It Go” at the Disneyland Resort! The story of Disney’s hugely popular animated film Frozen will come to life in an all-new theatrical production at the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure Park in Summer 2016. The new musical show will immerse guests in the world of Frozen like never before, with all-new costumes and sets; amazing special effects; and eye-catching scenic transformations.

With Elsa, Anna, and Olaf set to frost over the Hyperion Theater stage, our favorite scoundrel-with-a-heart-of-gold, Aladdin, will make a final wish and set his beloved Genie free. The cast of the award-winning Disney’s Aladdin—A Musical Spectacular will take its final bow on January 10, 2016, after nearly 14,000 shows! So don’t worry: That means there’s still time to enjoy some Agrabah magic before we set sail for Arendelle…

Join the Republic with Star Wars “Smuggler’s Bounty” Subscription Box

Our pals over at StarWars.com have combined forces with Funko (makers of totally awesome collectible goodies) to create “Smuggler’s Bounty,” the only official Star Wars subscription box in the entire galaxy! For just $25 every other month, members will receive a box full of Star Wars-themed Funko items that focus on a different part of the Star Wars universe. The premiere box—themed, naturally, “The Force Awakens”—will ship this November and contain two exclusive Pop! vinyl bobbleheads from the upcoming film Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Plus, it’ll feature a host of other surprises that’ll excite fans on both sides of the Force.

Boxes will ship every two months, and there are two member levels available: a monthly plan, and an annual plan that includes a mystery reward. Let the Dark Side win (just for a little while!) and sign up today at smugglersbounty.com for the debut box.

The World Will Know Her Name: Marvel’s Jessica Jones on Netflix

After a doomed ending to a short stint as a superhero, Jessica Jones is rebuilding her life—and her career as a New York City detective who gets pulled into cases involving people with extraordinary abilities. You’ll meet Jessica, and learn all about Alias Investigations, when Season One of Marvel’s Jessica Jones (rated TV-MA) premieres on Netflix this fall! All 13 one-hour episodes will hit the streaming service (in territories where it’s available) on November 20, when the clock strikes 12:01 a.m. PT.

To celebrate the new show—which stars Krysten Ritter (Breaking Bad), David Tennant (Doctor Who), and Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix trilogy)—Marvel’s released a special teaser trailer, above. Check it out, and stay tuned for more info about Jessica and her exploits as it becomes available…

Disney XD and Maker Studios Launch New Initiative

Ever wanted a chance to become Disney’s “next big thing”? You’re in luck: Disney XD and Maker Studios just joined forces on Disney XD by Maker, a new initiative to search for and develop the next generation of creators for DisneyXD.com, the WATCH Disney XD app, and original TV series pilots for Disney XD cable and satellite channels around the world.

Disney XD by Maker will not only “incubate” cool content with Maker’s leading creators, but it’ll also use the Maker Offers platform to allow up-and-coming creators around the world to participate. Videos created through the initiative will be distributed through various YouTube channels, with the potential for Disney XD to distribute ’em across its own digital and traditional platforms—and the best of the best may even be developed further into actual television pilots for Disney XD!

Sound amazing? Are you over 18 years old? Perfect—then apply to be part of the initiative at makerstudios.com/DisneyXD. Good luck, creators!

Hong Kong Disneyland Celebrates 10 Years

Hard to believe it’s been a full decade since Hong Kong Disneyland first threw open its doors to guests of all ages. Just last week, the resort celebrated this fabulous milestone by kicking off a gigantic “Happily Ever After” celebration. The year-long event is filled with exciting new entertainment and a brand-new Fantasyland experience.

A special ceremony (complete with spectacular fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle) recently heralded the Resort’s anniversary, and details of the “Happily Ever After” celebration were revealed: An all-new stage show, Mickey and the Wondrous Book, opens on November 17 at Disney’s Storybook Theater and includes some of Disney’s most beloved characters and stories. At night, guests will be dazzled by an enhanced Disney in the Stars Fireworks show featuring cutting-edge technology, lighting effects, and video projection. Plus, Fairy Tale Forest comes to Fantasyland in December, in which guests can walk through a winding, living storybook realm based on Disney fairy tales.

Happy anniversary, Hong Kong Disneyland! Here’s to many more!

Get Your Groove On with Guardians of the Galaxy Animated Series Soundtrack

We don’t know about you, but we’re ready to shake our collective groove thing to another Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack (Those first two compilations, released last year, were fantastic!). Thankfully, Marvel Music is readying the soundtrack to the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy animated series, and it’ll hit store shelves on October 16! “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Mix Vol. 1 (Music from the Animated Television Series)” is a collection of 12 songs featured in the show’s upcoming first season.

Tracks include hits such as Blue Swede’s “Hooked on a Feeling,” Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” Thin Lizzy’s “Boys Are Back in Town,” and Peaches and Herb’s “Shake Your Groove Thing.” Might just be the perfect playlist for your upcoming Halloween party…

Marvel’s animated Guardians of the Galaxy series debuts with a special one-hour premiere featuring back-to-back episodes on Saturday, September 26 at 9:30 p.m. ET on Disney XD.

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Bonham Carter

She’s played such iconic roles as the wicked Bellatrix Lestrange in the last four Harry Potter films and the delightful but demented Red Queen in Disney’s live-action version of Alice in Wonderland; yet Helena Bonham Carter proved this spring that she has the wherewithal to wield her wand and cast spells for the greater good, too, as the Fairy Godmother in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Cinderella.

Bonham Carter, who wowed critics and delighted fans in her small, but pivotal role as Cinderella’s (Lily James) mystical guide in the worldwide blockbuster hit, gave only one U.S. interview for the film, which just debuted on Disney Blu-ray and DVD, and journalist Tim Lammers conducted it on behalf of D23.

Tim Lammers: Given your past playing evil characters, were you surprised to be asked to play a character with such goodness as the Fairy Godmother?

Helena Bonham Carter: I was surprised not to be asked to be Cinderella, because I’m in some time-warp denial [laughs].

TL: Apart from the iconic title character, the Fairy Godmother is probably the most-talked about character from the classic animated version of Cinderella. Did you feel a bit of pressure to deliver something special?

HBC: It was really flattering and nice to be asked to play the role, but having said that, it was a quite a responsibility, and I was apprehensive about it. My first reaction was, ‘What great fun! This can’t be a losing situation,’ but on close inspection, I got somewhat freaked out. The Fairy Godmother is iconic as an idea—there’s no real image of her apart from the character in the animated version—there isn’t really an obvious image, and I didn’t want to replicate what’s in the film.

TL: And you’re actually playing two versions of the Fairy Godmother—first as the Beggar Lady and then the white-gowned fairy. I still can’t believe it was you masked under that Beggar Lady makeup.

HBC: That was hilarious. I loved doing that, as usual. I just love prosthetics. Sadly, it took me less long to become the character described in the script as ‘1,000 years old’ than it took to become the Fairy Godmother. It took me only four hours to age 1,000 years [laughs]. When the designers approached me and asked me, ‘What do you think you’re going to look like when you’re 80?’ I said, ‘Well, my mom’s around, so they took a face mask of her face. Having said that, mom doesn’t look 80, so they had to add wrinkles on top of the mask. It did look a bit bizarre, and God knows what some psychotherapist would say about me wearing my own mother’s face.

Read more of Helena Bonham Carter’s interview as well as quotes from Director Kenneth Branagh in the gallery below:

Cinderella and Prince in a ballroom scene

Our Dream Disney “Grandparents”

It’s been said that grandparents are “the best kind of grown-ups”—and we agree! They shower you with love, and they often offer pearls of wisdom gleaned from their years of life experience. (And if you’re really lucky, they also spoil you rotten with delicious baked goods and other fun treats.) They don’t have to be biologically related, either; some of the greatest mentors in life are older friends you can lean on in times of need. And that got us to thinking… What if grandma or grandpa was an actual Disney character? It might just be the best thing ever! So we’ve compiled a rundown of some of our dream Disney “grandparents,” both animated and live-action, including ones that are a little off the beaten track. See if your fantasy “Grams” and “Pawpaw” made the cut!

Click on the images below to see our thoughts:

After Happily Ever After with Goldie & Bear

It’s (another) tale as old as time: Goldilocks innocently wanders into the Three Bears’ cottage… eats their porridge… breaks Baby Bear’s chair(!)… She drifts off for a nap in Baby Bear’s bed, only to be awakened by the three ursine homeowners themselves—and runs into the forest, seemingly never to darken that doorstep again. But Goldie & Bear—and its executive producer/director Chris Gilligan—asks the question, “What happened after the fairy tale?” And the short answer is that they become the best of friends and go on to have adventures with other fairy-tale characters, some of whom we’ve seen before in Disney shorts or features and some that we’re seeing come to life for the first time in Disney animation.

Goldie & Bear debuts September 12 on WATCH Disney Junior, and each episode features two 11-minute stories that showcase this unlikely friendship via situations that kids ages 2–7 will be able to relate to, using humor and story beats that parents will find entertaining, too. “There’s definitely a wink in there,” Gilligan explains, adding that the series is intended to serve both kids and parents as a first exposure to—or a reminder of—these iconic tales. “This might kickstart them pulling the book of fairy tales off the shelf and rereading some of these, or perhaps even reading them for the first time.”

Gilligan was just 4 years old when he first felt compelled to become an animator, creating a first two-panel flip book. He later expanded to something a little more complex and longer-form: “My sister had these paperback novels and the paper was super thin,” he remembers. “I used to take them and I could draw on the back page and then flip the next page up. I ruined many of her books doing these flipbooks!”

It’s no surprise that Gilligan’s first series for Disney Junior would be based upon a fairy tale. “Pinocchio was the definitive film for me,” he says. “It’s that notion of bringing something inanimate to life that hooked me right there [on animation].” Christopher Finch’s book, The Art of Walt Disney, was another touchstone when he was 9 or 10. “This book came out and it was, like, $100—and that felt like $1 million to me. But the local library actually got it, and they had it on this central table on this lazy Susan—they moved the giant dictionary and put this thing there!—and forget it, they couldn’t get rid of me. I used to walk to the library and pore over this thing.”

Goldie & Bear’s CG animation is a mash-up of 2-D and 3-D that’s intended to evoke a storybook quality that’s immersive and makes a viewer feel like they’ve entered an illustration. For the series’ look, Gilligan was inspired by another childhood memory, of a View-Master toy. For Disney’s View-Master reels, Gilligan recalls, “They did these 3-D dioramas—they actually built little puppets and scenes from the movie, but in 3-D. They were beautifully lit and beautifully crafted. That’s the kind of aesthetic we were going for—mixed with 3-D technology and what’s working now.”

This is the first time that we’ve seen a Disney take on “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” But Gilligan is proud to point out that the story has a Disney pedigree that even predates The Walt Disney Company, going back to Walt’s earlier endeavor—Laugh-O-gram Studio. “Walt’s first animations were based on fairy tales. And among the first ones that he did was ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears,’ back in 1922.”

Disney’s fairy-tale legacy goes back farther than even its own “once upon a time…” And now, with Goldie & Bear, that legacy endures happily ever after.

Primetime Emmy® Awards: ABC’s Big Wins!

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

Fan Girl Rocks Its Way Onto ABC Family

Disney Publishing Worldwide Introduces “Star Darlings”

“Frozen Free Fall” Freezes Over Big Milestone!

Phone Cases Get Personal with D-Tech on Demand at Disneyland Resort

First Look at Marvel’s Jessica Jones

Live-Action The Jungle Book Roars to Life with New Trailer

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

@MinnieStyle Takes to the Instagram Runway

Frozen Front to Sweep into Disney California Adventure Park in 2016

Join the Republic with Star Wars “Smuggler’s Bounty” Subscription Box

The World Will Know Her Name: Marvel’s Jessica Jones on Netflix

Disney XD and Maker Studios Launch New Initiative

Hong Kong Disneyland Celebrates 10 Years

Get Your Groove On with Guardians of the Galaxy Animated Series Soundtrack

Primetime Emmy^® Awards: ABC’s Big Wins!

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

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