By Courtney Potter
See (and hear) Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda in action, and check out Freeform’s new Party of Five siblings… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!
The Impossible’s Possible in a New Look at Mary Poppins Returns
If you were taking in the Disney Night delights of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars on Monday evening, you probably noticed a very special debut… a brand-new look at Mary Poppins Returns! In case you missed its tuneful goodness the first time ‘round—or just want to enjoy it again—do check out the clip, above.
Featuring all-new songs with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman (Hairspray), and directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago), Mary Poppins Returns finds everyone’s favorite nanny (Emily Blunt) returning to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder that’s missing from their lives following a personal loss. Also starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, and Colin Firth, the film will fly its proverbial kite into a movie theater near you on December 19.
Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:
| D23 and Walt Disney Archives October 28, 2018 D23 Celebrates 25 Spooktacular Years of Hocus Pocus October 30, 2018 Be Among the First to See Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms! November 6, 2018 Behind the Scenes at Walt Disney Animation Studios November 10, 2018 The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23 November 16-18, 2018 Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse December 8, 2018 Mickey’s of Glendale – Holiday Shopping 2018 December 9, 2018 D23’s Light Up the Season – 2018 December 15, 2018 D23’s Grand Gingerbread Workshop August 23-25, 2019 D23 Expo 2019 Parks August 17, 24, 28, 31 September 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30 October 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park September 19, 21, 24, 26, 28 October 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 29, 31 Mickey’s Halloween Party at the Disneyland Resort August 30-November 12, 2018 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival September 7-October 31, 2018 Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort Summer 2019 Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening at Disneyland Resort Fall 2019 Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening at and Walt Disney World Resort |
Studios November 2, 2018 The Nutcracker and the Four Realms opens in U.S. theaters November 21, 2018 Ralph Breaks the Internet opens in U.S. theaters December 19, 2018 Mary Poppins Returns opens in U.S. theaters March 8, 2019 Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel opens in U.S. theaters March 29, 2019 Dumbo opens in U.S. theaters April 19, 2019 Penguins opens in U.S. theaters June 21, 2019 Toy Story 4 opens in U.S. theaters Television November 4, 2018 Mickey’s 90th Spectacular airs on ABC (8–10 p.m. EST) |
Freeform’s Party of Five Finds Its Cast
Freeform is looking to bring an updated version Party of Five, the beloved series that aired from 1994 to 2000, back to TV—and just this week, they announced casting for the highly anticipated reboot.
The series will follow the Buendía siblings, who struggle to survive together as a family after their parents are deported to Mexico. Brandon Larracuente (13 Reasons Why) will portray Emilio, the oldest (and least responsible) of the siblings; Emily Tosta (Mayans M.C.) will play Lucia, a straight-A student who becomes politically radicalized and defiant to her older-sister duties; Niko Guardado (ABC’s The Goldbergs) portrays Beto, the second oldest brother who steps up in the midst of the family’s turmoil; and newcomer Elle Paris Legaspi rounds out the cast as 10-year-old Valentina, the precocious (but resourceful) youngest sister.
Look for more information on Freeform’s Party of Five in the coming months…
New Imagine Dragons Music Video from Ralph Breaks the Internet
As if reuniting with Wreck-It Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) in Disney’s upcoming animated adventure Ralph Breaks the Internet isn’t exciting enough, we were just this week gifted with the music video (seen above) for the movie’s end credits—featuring a brand-new song by Grammy® winners Imagine Dragons!
The song, “Zero,” reflects the emotional themes in the movie, says Imagine Dragons lead singer Dan Reynolds. “They are compelling because they are real to each of us, personally. That journey of feeling like nothing and trying to realize and recognize your worth as a human is an important part of life,” Reynolds recently said. “And given the distorted version of reality kids face online and the expectations that come with it, this struggle is real for so many people right now.”
“Zero” will be featured on Walt Disney Records’ Ralph Breaks the Internet original motion picture soundtrack—available digitally on November 16. Look for Ralph and Vanellope as they surf the information superhighway to a theater near you beginning November 21.
ICYMI: World of Disney Re-Opens at Downtown Disney District
Visiting Disneyland or Walt Disney World Resort in the near future? Do make sure you check out the reimagined World of Disney stores, which have just reopened at Downtown Disney District in California and Disney Springs in Florida. For a glimpse into the West Coast’s incredibly cool outpost, check out this first-look video (above) from our friends at the Disney Parks Blog.
These reimagined World of Disney stores are being transformed into fresh, distinctly Disney retail settings—inspiring guests young and young-at-heart with an amazing selection of merchandise; improved store layouts; and super fun new design elements that’ll make guests feel like they’ve stepped inside an animator’s studio!
But that’s not all: Both World of Disney stores will feature awesome new reusable merchandise bags, made from 80 percent recycled materials and featuring classic Disney characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Donald Duck. And keep your eyes peeled for exclusive new collections—our current favorite is the one themed to Disney’s classic 1950s TV series The Mickey Mouse Club!
Make sure to visit World of Disney on your next Disney Park sojourn…
Andrea and Matteo Bocelli Sing for The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
It’s almost time to venture with Clara (Mackenzie Foy) into the Land of Sweets, Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers, and the mysterious fourth realm in Disney’s upcoming holiday film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms—and in advance of that debut, Grammy®-nominated singer Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo have released their song from the film’s soundtrack, “Fall on Me.” Have a listen to this poignant new ballad by watching the colorful clip, above.
Also starring Keira Knightley, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, and prima ballerina Misty Copeland, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms will jeté and pirouette into theaters on November 2.
Adorable Baby Animal Alert: Okapi Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Who doesn’t love cute babies? Or cute animals? When it’s a combo of both, we’ve really hit the jackpot… So when we saw that a baby was born in early October at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, we just had to celebrate.
A rare okapi—an endangered mammal also known as a “forest giraffe”—was born to mom Zelda on October 1. Weighing in at 54 pounds (!), the calf was already up and walking around within an hour of his birth. The pair will remain in a behind-the-scenes habitat for the next few months, before joining the other animals on the Animal Kingdom Lodge savanna. See the cutie patootie for yourself in the above video!
The calf’s parents, mom Zelda and dad Mandazi, were chosen to breed through the Species Survival Plan (SSP)—which is overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and ensures responsible breeding of threatened and endangered species.
Congratulations to one and all!
