"The Magic of Disney Animation" in Hollywood Studios looks amazing. I'm so glad they brought back the theme of a working animation studio, but with an all-new look. Disney has released two walk through videos of this reimagined space. The first shows every room that makes up the building.
The second features Imagineers pointing out Easter Eggs and talking about the inspiration for each space.
"The Magic of Disney Animation" opens on September 14th.
The latest episode of We Call It Imagineeringfocuses on how Imagineers create the architecture of the Disney Parks. From 3-D models to giant balloons to virtual reality, Imagineers use many different methods to create immersive spaces. This episode also gives us a sneak peek behind the scenes of three new lands coming to Disney World: Tropical Americas in Animal Kingdom, Piston Peak National Park in Magic Kingdom, and Monstropolis in Hollywood Studios.
The Owens sisters are returning for more magic and mischief. There are three generations of Owens sisters: the Aunts, Frances and Jet, Sally and Gillian, and Sally's daughters, Kylie and Antonia. All of the Owens women have been impacted by the family curse that dooms any man who dares to love an Owens woman. It seemed the curse had been broken at the end of the first film, but had it? I can't wait to find out!
"Practical Magic 2" returns to a world steeped in moonlit mischief and powerful ancestral magic, as the Owens sisters must confront the dark curse that threatens to unravel their family once and for all in a must-see cinematic event of fun, magic and mayhem.
Starring along with Bullock and Kidman in "Practical Magic 2" are Joey King, Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña, Solly McLeod, with Dianne Wiest, and Stockard Channing.
Practical Magic 2 arrives in theaters on September 10th.
One of my favorite performances at EPCOT is the Voices of Liberty in the American Adventure. The sound of this a capella choir singing under the rotunda is incredible. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the choir, its beginnings, and the performance they planned for the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Have you ever wondered how your favorite movie becomes a land in a Disney Park? In this documentary, Leslie Iwerks takes us behind-the-scenes with the filmmakers who created the stories that have become part of our world.
In Disney Worldbuilders, a new feature-length documentary from filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, some of Disney’s most influential storytellers reflect on the memories, moments and creative breakthroughs that shaped their work, tracing how those stories come to life at Disney’s theme parks around the globe.
Their conversations reveal a creative practice that moves in every direction — where a story can inspire a place, and a place can then inspire the next story. It's a way of creating that dates back to Walt himself— a creative tradition that continues to shape every new story Disney tells.
Audiences have always experienced Disney as one connected universe. Disney Worldbuilders pulls back the curtain on the creative minds behind it, with candid conversations featuring Bob Iger, James Cameron, Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, Jennifer Lee, Pete Docter, Dave Filoni, Jared Bush and Josh D’Amaro. Together they reveal how stories like "Avatar", "Star Wars", the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pixar, and the worlds of "Frozen" and "Zootopia", become real places you never want to leave.
Disney Worldbuilders arrives on DisneyPlus on August 20th.
Have you ever wondered how your favorite Disneymovie comes to life in a Disney Park? Leslie Iwerks' latest documentary, Disney Worldbuilders, goes behind-the-scenes with filmmakers to show how their worlds become real.
Disney Worldbuilders is set to debut at D23 on August 16th.
One of the most amazing animatronic shows at Disney World is "The American Adventure" in EPCOT. It tells the story of America with multiple scenes and figures from history. This video gives a behind-the-scenes look at the Imagineering that goes into such an incredible show.
"The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" will revisit the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping arrives in theaters on November 20th.
LAIKA's next animated movie, Wildwood, is looking incredible. The craftspeople of LAIKA have been working for more than a decade to create this fantastic world from wood, wire, fabric, and paint. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Wildwood.
In this behind-the-scenes featurette for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, we get a quick glimpse of the practical stunts in the film. The opening action sequence looks pretty incredible.
Four years have passed since the events of "No Way Home", and Peter is now an adult living entirely alone, having voluntarily erased himself from the lives and memories of those he loves.
Crime-fighting in a New York that no longer knows his name, he's devoted himself entirely to protecting his city — a full-time Spider-Man — but as the demands on him intensify, the pressure sparks a surprising physical evolution that threatens his existence, even as a strange new pattern of crimes gives rise to one of the most powerful threats he has ever faced.
The cast includes: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando, and Mark Ruffalo.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives in theaters on July 31st.
LAIKA's next animatedmovie is a magical adventure called Wildwood. In this behind-the-scenes featurette, we get a closer look at some of the incredible birds of the Avian Principality.
Here's the official synopsis from LAIKA:
Based on the novel by The Decemberists' Colin Meloy, Wildwood is a tale of love, loss, sacrifice, and secrets, and of the magic you can find on your doorstep, if you’re willing to look for it.
Beyond Portland’s city limits lies Wildwood. You’re not supposed to go there. You’re not even supposed to know it exists. But Prue McKeel is about to enter this enchanted wonderland. Her baby brother Mac has been taken by a murder of crows into the forest’s depths, and she – along with her hapless classmate Curtis – is going to get him back. Prue might think she’s too old for fairytales, but she’s just found herself at the center of one. One filled with strange talking animals, roguish bandits, and powerful figures with the darkest intentions.
The Avian Principality rises above the forest as a kingdom of wings and wind, where the rulers of the skies watch over the hidden world below.
Marvel'sWonder Manlooks hilarious. Poor Simon desperately wants the role of Wonder Man, but will he be able to hide his secret? Perhaps, with a little help from Trevor Slattery. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the series.
Here's the official synopsis from Marvel:
Aspiring Hollywood actor Simon Williams is struggling to get his career off the ground. During a chance meeting with Trevor Slattery, an actor whose biggest roles may be well behind him, Simon learns legendary director Von Kovak is remaking the superhero film “Wonder Man”. These two actors at opposite ends of their careers doggedly pursue life-changing roles in this film as audiences get a peek behind the curtain of the entertainment industry.
Marvel Television's Wonder Man stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams and Ben Kingsley, who reprises his role as Trevor Slattery.
All 8 episodes of Wonder Man arrive on DisneyPlus on January 27th.
LAIKA's latest film, Wildwood, if full of magic and mystery. In this behind-the-scenes look, you'll get a glimpse of how LAIKA's artists created their version of the historic Pittock Mansion in Portland, Oregon for the film.
Here's the official synopsis from LAIKA:
Based on the novel by The Decemberists' Colin Meloy, Wildwood is a tale of love, loss, sacrifice, and secrets, and of the magic you can find on your doorstep, if you’re willing to look for it.
Beyond Portland’s city limits lies Wildwood. You’re not supposed to go there. You’re not even supposed to know it exists. But Prue McKeel is about to enter this enchanted wonderland. Her baby brother Mac has been taken by a murder of crows into the forest’s depths, and she – along with her hapless classmate Curtis – is going to get him back. Prue might think she’s too old for fairytales, but she’s just found herself at the center of one. One filled with strange talking animals, roguish bandits, and powerful figures with the darkest intentions.
Have you ever wondered about all that went into the building of Disneyland? Most fans have likely watched the special Walt had made back in 1955 about the park, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. It turns out, they had filmed a lot of the work that went into creating the Happiest Place on Earth. And now, Leslie Iwerks (who has quite the family history with Disney) has brought it all together for a new special: Disneyland Handcrafted. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Disneyland Handcrafted.
The magic of Walt Disney’s dream unfolds when Disneyland Handcrafted, a feature documentary from Leslie Iwerks, takes viewers on an unforgettable journey through the exhilarating year that gave rise to The Happiest Place on Earth.
Disneyland Handcrafted reveals the extraordinary artistry and grit it took hundreds of craftspeople to bring Walt Disney’s impossible dream project of Disneyland to fruition – from groundbreaking to Opening Day on July 17, 1955.
The documentary captures both the legacy and nostalgia of the year leading up to the creation of the Disneyland Resort. Through newly unearthed materials from the Walt Disney Archives, Iwerks and her team uncovered long-forgotten 16mm film reels and audio recordings. The result is an unpolished, fly-on-the-wall perspective that captures what was truly happening behind the scenes, told through the firsthand accounts of the artists, craftsmen, and Imagineers who were there.
Since opening over 70 years ago, Disneyland laid the groundwork for a massive global industry that is currently in the biggest era of growth, making this film a truly special treat for Disney fans.
Disneyland Handcrafted arrives on DisneyPlus and YouTube on January 22nd.
The next chapter in the saga of the Sully family is nearly here. Once again, they must fight to protect all they love from forces that seek to destroy them. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Avatar: Fire and Ash arrives in theaters on December 19th.
With just two days to go until the premiere of Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Disney has released a special behind-the-scenes look at the latest adventures of the kids from Camp Half-Blood. It looks rather epic!
In case you need a reminder of everything that happened in Season 1, here's a quick recap by Phineas and Ferb. It's hilarious!
The first two episodes of Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians arrive on DisneyPlus and Hulu on December 10th. New episodes will debut each Wednesday.
The We Call It Imagineeringseries is an amazing glimpse behind the magic with Disney Imagineers. The latest episode focuses on the various robotic creations Imagineers have developed for the Parks. Each one is incredible, but that giggly walking Olaf is absolutely amazing!
All 7 episodes of We Call It Imagineering are available on YouTube.
The next chapter in the saga of the Sully family is just a month away. The Avatarmovies are visually stunning with fantastic stories about the importance of family and community. The latest clip is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Here's the official synopsis from 20th Century Studios:
With “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” James Cameron takes audiences back to Pandora in an immersive new adventure with Marine turned Na’vi leader Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), Na’vi warrior Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), and the Sully family. “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” also stars Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, David Thewlis, Jemaine Clement, Giovanni Ribisi, Britain Dalton, Jamie Flatters, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jack Champion, Brendan Cowell, Bailey Bass, Filip Geljo, Duane Evans, Jr., and Kate Winslet.
Avatar: Fire and Ash arrives in theaters on December 19th.
