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Do you know what you’re doing one year from today, March 4, 2016?
We do—we’ll be at the nearest movie theater, watching Zootopia on its opening day.
Zootopia marks Walt Disney Animation Studio’s (WDAS) 55th feature-length film. And in anticipation of the film’s release just a mere 365 days from now, our friends at WDAS unveiled an image from the film, and this synopsis:
The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde, to solve the mystery. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia, a comedy-adventure directed by Byron Howard (Tangled, Bolt) and Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph, The Simpsons) and co-directed by Jared Bush (Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero), opens in theaters on March 4, 2016.
. . . it was “inconceivable” to create such an experience
March 3, 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland Resort! To celebrate, we talked to Disney Legend Tony Baxter about what it was like to bring this hugely popular attraction to life, and why many people thought it was “inconceivable” to create such an experience.
In Disneytoon Studios’ latest release, Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast, Pixie Hollow’s most famous fairy, Tinker Bell, is back, lending support to her good friend Fawn, an animal fairy always willing to break the rules to help an animal in need. But when that animal turns out to be massive and strange with glowing green eyes, “Gruff” is deemed unwelcome in Pixie Hollow; and a band of skilled scout fairies become determined to capture him out of fear he’ll destroy their beloved home.
. . . that animal turns out to be massive and strange with glowing green eyes
Actress Ginnifer Goodwin voices Fawn, and director Steve Loter is quick to point out, “You can feel the smile behind her voice.” But the film’s true scene-stealer is Gruff, the NeverBeast himself—a brand-new creature that might remind you of a rhino . . . or he might remind you of a hippo. But, as the filmmakers explained to D23, he probably reminds you most of your own pet dog or cat; and it’s this adherence to reality that explains how Gruff manages to overcome his inherently beastly qualities and endear himself to Fawn—and the audience.
Gruff cuts an imposing figure when he and Fawn meet. But Gruff quickly puts Fawn—and the audience—at ease with the subtlest of gestures. The film’s producer, Michael “Makul” Wigert, observes, “I think there’s one moment where Fawn sees him for the first time in the cave and you see his ear twitch; and that just reminds you, ‘Oh, I’ve seen my dog do that. I can relax a little bit.’ So we wanted to use something like that sparingly, to remind audiences that it’s going to be okay.” The filmmakers provided this video of an animation test. Check it out and see if you recognize any of your own beloved pets’ characteristics:
According to Animation Supervisor Mike Greenholt—who has worked on all of the films in the Tinker Bell series—told D23, “One of the challenges that Steve gave us was that he wanted this animal to feel like an animal and not a person in an animal costume.” And for help facing that challenge, Greenholt found inspiration in the Disney classic Dumbo (which features a now-iconic character that doesn’t speak), as well as another unlikely source: his wife’s dog.
“You can see thought happening behind the eyes, and it’s not the way a human would react.”
And while we’re on the subject of eyes, Gruff’s are unusual, even for a NeverBeast. They’re a deep green and have the distinction of having no pupils. Story Artist Ryan Green—whose prior background in biology was an invaluable resource for the NeverBeast team—explains that Loter wanted a “glass ball feeling,” like two mirrors in which Fawn sees herself. The lack of pupils, Green says, means “Gruff doesn’t emote as much as an animal would that would have an iris and would look around, so his tail became a good way to show emotions,” in much the way that a housecat’s tail emotes for the animal.
This early sketch illustrates Gruff’s prehensile—and emotive—tail, as well as his orb-like eyes.
Greenholt adds, “The moment you get a smaller pupil with white around it, it feels more cartoon-y or more human. We did tests where we had a smaller pupil and he suddenly looked like a man in a mask and it lost the animal quality to it.” The filmmakers had to rely on body language and story beats to get Gruff’s emotions and intent across, in much the same way that a certain other legendary animator did, Greenholt suggests. “When you look at the first Mickey Mouse cartoons, his eyes were black dots as well, and again, it relies all on the staging. You pose the character so it’s very clear where they’re looking.” The Muppets were also a great influence with respect to body language, Greenholt admits. “In some cases you’ll have puppets that just have button eyes and it all comes down to, how do they move? Can you move sad? Can you move excited? Can you move nervous? It’s just using all of that in your toolbox.”
But the animators were a little nervous their toolboxes weren’t equipped to tackle their biggest challenge: fur. “Fur is hard to do, even on a good day,” Greenholt confesses. And Green adds, “It’s amazing how much it could distract from the animal’s performance sometimes, where you just see nothing but hair moving everywhere. We had to be delicate with how much the audience notices it.”
This life-size Gruff has taken up residence at Disneytoon Studios in advance of the film’s release on video in March.
Though modern technology and animation techniques allowed the filmmakers to give their CG NeverBeast hair that quite realistically evokes that of a yak, Greenholt is quick to tip his cap to animators of the past. “I think for me, my big influences are the “Nine Old Men,” the old animators: Marc Davis, Milt Kahl, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston. Every time I read about them or hear an interview with them, I’m always inspired because they really get into the mind of their characters and they think about what they’re doing.” He adds, “It shows, even after years have gone by, their stuff still looks good.”
And of course, the filmmakers all acknowledge there would be no Pixie Hollow had there not first been a Peter Pan. “One of the reasons I took this job was because growing up, I loved Peter Pan,” Greenholt states, adding, “Every time we do a new project—and even in the midst of it—I’m constantly watching Peter Pan, over and over again, trying to stay in that world, to try and keep the animation and the acting as close to those sensibilities as I can.” Wigert also stresses, “Peter Pan was such a fun character in that film. We absolutely respect that and want to live up to that legacy.”
New Avengers: Age of Ultron Character Posters Revealed
This week, Marvel—with a little help from Robert Downey Jr. and Samuel L. Jackson, via Twitter—unveiled character posters for Marvel’s upcoming Avengers: Age of Ultron. In addition to Iron Man and Nick Fury (Downey Jr. and Jackson, respectively), we were treated to hero posters of Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, and Hawkeye—along with an official poster that features all of the familiar old faces… and maybe one or two new ones! Have fun examining the image above, like we’ve been doing, and enjoy this gallery of all of the posters you’ll be seeing leading up to the film’s May 1 opening date.
Update: Captain America has joined his fellow Avengers in our gallery. D23 will continue to “assemble” all of the exciting news coming from the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the May 1 Avengers: Age of Ultron release date grows closer.
Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:
D23 and Walt Disney Archives Fall 2014-2015 D23 Member Nights at Newsies—On Tour March 12 Cinderella Lights Up the Palace of Fine Arts March 13
A Taste of Disney at Silverado Vineyards March 15 The Hunchback of Notre Dame VIP Experience March 27 Lunch with a Disney Legend: Orlando Ferrante April 25
D23 Day at Walt Disney Studios and Archives August 14-16 D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California Television March 3 Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT
Parks March 4–May 17 22nd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. May 15–June 14 Star Wars Weekends Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Studios March 13 Cinderella opens in theaters. April 17 Disneynature’s Monkey Kingdom opens in theaters. May 1 Avengers: Age of Ultron opens in theaters. May 22 Tomorrowland opens in theaters. June 19 Inside Out opens in theaters (along with the short Lava). July 17 Ant Man opens in theaters.
Woo-Hoo! A New DuckTales is Coming!
We were so happy to share the news last week that Disney Television Animation has announced that a brand-new DuckTales is coming to Disney XD in 2017. The new series’ adventures will once again take viewers along as Scrooge McDuck, his curious and mischief-making grandnephews—Huey, Dewey, and Louie—and the optimistic-yet-temperamental Donald Duck embark on high-flying adventures worldwide. Other beloved characters slated to be in the new stories are: Duckworth, Gyro Gearloose, Launchpad McQuack, Flintheart Glomgold, Magica DeSpell & Poe, Ma Beagle and the Beagle Boys (Burger Beagle, Bouncer Beagle), Mrs. Beakley, and Webbigail Vanderquack. We’re going to have a hard time waiting!
Have You Caught Frozen Fever Yet?
This trailer may only be about a half a minute long, but it’s packed with things we love: Olaf “not eating cake.” Elsa waking Anna (who looks like she still loves sleeping in as much as she did in Frozen). And, best of all, Anna and Elsa riding bikes around the halls (maybe next they’ll start talking to the pictures on the walls?). There are less than two weeks until Frozen Fever opens with Cinderella, on March 13; but this trailer, which features appearances by Sven, Okun, Marshmallow, and of course, Kristoff, gives us something to watch until then, while we’re watching the hours tick by. Tic-Tock, Tic-Tock, Tic-Tock . . .
Limited-Edition Cinderella Dolls Available at Disney Store Beginning March 13…
Disney fans likely already have March 13 circled on their calendar in red because it marks the day that Disney’s live-action feature Cinderella opens in theaters. But fans of the movie (and doll collectors) will now have an additional stop to make that day—at Disney Store or DisneyStore.com—to pick up an exquisite limited-edition Cinderella doll, inspired by the film. The doll is modeled after the likeness of the character as played by actress Lily James in the film and is available in two different versions. You can purchase Cinderella in her beautiful blue ball gown in select stores and online, while the Limited-Edition Cinderella Wedding Doll will only be available online—and both will be offered in extremely limited quantities. Find out more at the official Disney Store blog.
And Cinderella Soundtrack Available Beginning March 10—with a Frozen Fever Bonus!
While we’re speaking of bringing elements of Cinderella home with you, you also might want to check out the film’s soundtrack, which will be released Tuesday, March 10. The album features original music by Patrick Doyle (Brave, Thor) marking the 11th time Doyle has teamed with director Kenneth Branagh. In addition to the score, the soundtrack also includes end credit tracks by Lily James (Cinderella) and Helena Bonham Carter (Fairy Godmother), plus the end credit original theme song “Strong” (written by Patrick Doyle, Kenneth Branagh, and Tommy Danvers) performed by Compound/Motown recording artist Sonna Rele and produced by TommyD (Kylie, Kanye West, Corinne Bailey Rae, FUN). The Cinderella original motion picture soundtrack will be available wherever music is sold; and the physical CD will include an insert to download a new original song performed by Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, and the cast from the short Frozen Fever. The new song is written by Oscar® and Grammy®-winning composers Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.
Mark Your Calendars for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park
It might not even be spring yet, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to be thinking about how you’re going to celebrate Halloween and Christmas, Disney-style. This week, dates were announced for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park. Disney fans will have 25 nights to be not-so-scared by Mickey and his friends: 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 Very Merry Christmas Party will offer 20 nights of holiday cheer: November 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29; and December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18
Both are specially ticketed events and tickets will go on sale in April. Stay tuned to D23.com and to the Disney Parks Blog for updates as we get closer.
Disney Egg-stravaganza Coming to Disney Parks March 27–April 5
Both the young and the young-at-heart can have fun searching for Disney Easter Eggs this spring at Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure, and at Epcot. Guests can purchase a map and corresponding stickers at select locations in the parks for $4.95, then hunt for the eggs throughout their day at the park. When the map is returned to a redemption location—Elias & Co. at Disney California Adventure, Disney Showcase at Disneyland, or Port of Entry in Epcot—guests can take part in an “egg-scramble” to pick up a surprise. For all of the details, visit the Disney Parks Blog.
Check Out the New Disney Parks Collection by Vera Bradley
Whether you’re looking for an elegant Disney-themed purse or bag to carry your personal items around at a Disney park or you’re looking to show your Disney Side while you’re going about your non-Disney business, it’s likely that there’s a bag in the new Disney Parks Collection by Vera Bradley that’s just for you. Our friends at the Disney Parks Blog shared a preview of the collection earlier this week. Our dilemma isn’t which one to choose—it’s how to choose just one!
Anyone who’s been to a Disney Park on a rainy day knows that a little drizzle doesn’t have to spoil a magical Disney day,
. . . and the world premiere of Cinderella in Hollywood last night was no exception!
A beautiful transparent tent was set up right in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard, and decked out with chandeliers, opulent decorations, and, of course, a red carpet!
D23 was there to capture it all.
Revelers on stilts entertained the crowd as the ball began, and trumpeters even heralded the arrival of the film’s stars!
Not everyone was a happy party guest… even Cinderella can’t make Grumpy Cat believe in happy endings!
Peter Del Vecho, Jennifer Lee, and Chris Buck, the producer and directors of Frozen Fever, promised surprises, cameos, and, of course, new dresses in the upcoming short, which you can see exclusively before Cinderella on March 13.
Composer Patrick Doyle, who also wrote the score for Brave, told us his favorite Disney score (that he didn’t compose) is Fantasia! It was the first movie he saw as a child growing up in Scotland.
These stepsisters are anything but ugly! Sophie McShera (Drizella) and Holliday Grainger (Anastasia) share a laugh on the red carpet.
Cate Blanchett (Lady Tremaine) looked wickedly stylish as she arrived at the premiere.
Richard Madden (The Prince) and Lily James (Cinderella) reunited on the red carpet.
Under her beautiful ball gown, Lily revealed her real-life glass slippers (made by Christian Louboutin).
As we left, we got a glimpse of all the cameras, people, and excitement around Lily. She really is finding out what it’s like to be a Disney Princess!
For even more photos and videos, check out our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages! And see Cinderella in theaters beginning March 13, 2015.
Ming-Na Wen, better known as Agent Melinda May on Marvel’s Agent’s of S.H.I.E.L.D., sat down to talk to D23 about what it’s like to play not one, but two characters on the hit TV show, and why voicing Disney’s Mulan was “a dream come true.” Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns with new episodes Tuesday, March 3 at 9|8c on ABC!
This Sunday, March 8 marks the beginning of Daylight Saving Time for many people around the world, and we all know how much confusion can happen if you forget to change your clock. You wouldn’t want to be late for a very important date! Make sure you “spring forward” an hour when you wake up Sunday morning if your area observes Daylight Saving Time.
Luckily Goofy is here to help in this Daylight Saving Time video from the Walt Disney Archives! Watch Goofy set the clocks back in 1973.
Since the first announcement that Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be home to a land based on innovative filmmaker James Cameron’s hit feature film AVATAR, we’ve eagerly reported every update—and today our friends at the Disney Parks Blog have shared an exciting one: a video of a recent walkthrough James Cameron and Chief Operating Officer (and former Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts) Tom Staggs took of the developing experience.
The teams have really created something special, and it’s not going to be like anything else
Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, reported on the Parks Blog that Cameron said, “I think one of the things that people loved about the movie is that they felt as if they had visited Pandora . . . now, thanks to Disney’s amazing Imagineers, people are going to truly experience Pandora firsthand. From the details in the plants to the production and design, extraordinary thought and care has gone into this entire world. The teams have really created something special, and it’s not going to be like anything else.”
Watch this video and visit the Disney Parks Blog for more information.
To help celebrate the eagerly anticipated release of Cinderella, the spring issue of Disney twenty-three showcases visual-development images, courtesy of the Disney Animation Research Library, that inspired the making of Disney’s 1950 animated classic. We found the artwork so lavish and gorgeous that we wanted to share some more of this art with you. We hope you marvel at these images as much as we do—which we feel provide the perfect mood setting for the live-action Cinderella, which arrives in theaters on March 13, 2015.
Visual development; graphite and gouache Disney Legend Mary Blair.
Visual development; graphite, ink, and gouache Disney Legend Marc Davis.
Visual development; graphite, ink, and gouache Disney Legend Marc Davis.
Visual development; graphite and ink Disney Legend Marc Davis.
Visual development; graphite, ink, and gouache Disney Legend Marc Davis.Visual development; graphite, ink, and gouache Disney Legend Marc Davis.
By early 1940, Walt Disney and his staff moved from the tight quarters of their studio on Hyperion Avenue to a brand-new, masterfully planned campus in Burbank. It was in this special place that some of Disney’s most legendary and beloved productions were made—from Pinocchio and Pirates of the Caribbean to favorite television shows and attractions for Disneyland.
Commemorating 75 years of Walt’s “dream factory,” the Walt Disney Archives has unveiled an all-new display exploring the Disney Studio’s rich legacy.
In one display, historic materials and equipment used in soundstages, offices, and other facilities tell the behind-the-scenes story of the Studio’s operations and the people who worked there. Another case showcases an array of props and costume pieces from some of the most beloved films and shows produced on the 51-acre lot.
The display—which features more than 25 items, including many never-before showcased by the Archives—are available to employees and Cast Members at the Disney Studio, as well as D23 Members and their guests attending D23 Day at the Walt Disney Studios and Archives (April 25, June 20, and November 7) and VIP Studio Tours (May 29 and November 6).
Here is a preview of just some of the items on display:
The 75th anniversary of The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank is celebrated in two all-new displays at the Disney Studio lot.
Rings worn by Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), which was partially filmed in Stage 2.
Andre Johnson’s (Anthony Anderson) nameplate from ABC’s Black-ish (2014).
A chimney sweep’s broom head used in Mary Poppins (1964), which was filmed entirely in the Studio’s soundstages.
Tool belt worn by Tim Taylor (Tim Allen) in Home Improvement. Eight seasons of the hit television series were filmed on Stage 4 from 1991–1999.
A model of Cruella De Vil’s car, created for animators during the production of One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961).
Hat worn by Don Diego de la Vega (Guy Williams) in Zorro (1957), which filmed on the Studio backlot.
An early animator’s model of Captain Hook for Peter Pan, which would eventually be released in 1953. A very careful eye can spot the model in a sequence of The Reluctant Dragon (1941), a feature film which showcased the new Burbank Studio.
Organ bench used by Captain Nemo (James Mason) in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954).
Commissary menus, an employee handbook, equipment, and signage all help tell the story of day-to-day life at the Disney Studio.
Pen and holder from Walt Disney’s formal office, which was located in the 3-H wing of the Animation building.
Pencils and pencil holder from Walt Disney’s formal office, which was located in the 3-H wing of the Animation Building.
Briefcase from the office of company co-founder Roy O. Disney.
All events, dates, and displayed materials are subject to change.
Commissary menus, an employee handbook, equipment, and signage all help tell the story of day-to-day life at the Disney Studio.
