D23 Convention News and Rumors thread (Post #24 - Johnny Depp and Guillermo Del Toro)

[skier_pete]

More from good ole ComingSoon

A great gallery of images from D23:
http://www.comingsoon.net/imageGallery/D23_Expo_2009

D23 Expo: 30 Minutes of The Princess and the Frog
Source:Heather Newgen
Read entire article here:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=58995

The packed room of Disney enthusiasts were then treated to a 30-minute look at The Princess and the Frog, the studio's upcoming animated musical set in New Orleans.

The film isn't scheduled to hit theatres for another three months and while it's nearly completed, there were scenes in the movie that did not have animation yet, but that didn't seem to bother the fans who enjoyed the sneak peek and laughed throughout.

The story revolves around Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) and her childhood friend Charlotte (Jennifer Cody). Tiana didn't grow up as privileged as her friend, but always dreams of opening a French Cuisine restaurant in memory of her father.

She waits tables and saves up every dime to make it happen.

Her friend, meanwhile, only dreams of being a princess and wants to marry someone of her social and financial status.

When Prince Naveen comes into town, Charlotte thinks she's going to be with him and does everything she can to get his attention, but little does she know the Prince isn't really who she thinks he is. Naveen is now really a frog thanks to a spell an evil magician cast on him.

After the presentation, Mr. Iger came out on stage again and announced he had a surprise for the audience. Anika Noni Rose walked out on stage rocking a pale pink sequenced short dress and sang "Dreams Come True in New Orleans."

Her appearance brought an overwhelming response from the crowd as she belted out the song.

She waved to everyone as she exited the stage and Mr. Iger told us she had been "suffering from bronchitis," and called her "heroic" for still performing. She sounded amazing, so it's hard to believe she was ill, but it was definitely a pleasure to see her in action

 

[DisneyChristian]

The WDWmagic boards has a thread about rumors for expected Disney Park announcements. It is an interesting read. Here is the link:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=488255

They are saying that a Star Tours 2.0 will be announced.
Some are saying that the Fantasyland redo will be announced.
There are a number of other interesting rumors on that thread and a very interesting arguement over what qualifies as an E-ticket attraction.

 

[doconeill]

Haven't seen any updates...what's happening?!?

From second hand sources:

- Remakes of Yellow Submarine (3D, motion capture) and Tim Burton's Frankenweenie

- Pirates Of The Caribbean - On Stranger Tides (Depp was in full costume apparently)

- The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made

- National Treasure 3 - (Cage was asked to do it on stage, and he agreed)

- A new family-oriented Horror film label(?!?) called "Disney Double Dare You"

 

[skier_pete]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2009/09/johnny-depp-jack-sparrow-disney-costume-.html

Johnny Depp (in Jack Sparrow costume) surprises Disney D23 Expo audience
September 11, 2009 | 1:59 pm
Johnny Depp, arguably the biggest movie star in the world, surprised the audience of Walt Disney Co.'s D23 Expo in Anaheim by sailing on stage in his famous pirate regalia.

As 5,000 fans jumped to their feet, the star emerged in full character, with his bleary ballet of the forever besotted Jack Sparrow.

Cracking wise about rum he also said he'd like a little snack -- that nice frog named Kermit who had been on stage earlier and "probably tastes like chicken."

Disney executive Dick Cook played the straight man for the short presentation and it was the least he could do: The "Pirates" franchise has pulled in more than $1 billion in domestic box-office alone and Depp is also on tap for a fourth, "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" in 2011. (An earlier version of this post had the wrong title and date -- blame the blackberry!) Depp is also starring "Alice in Wonderland" and "The Lone Ranger" for the Mouse House.

Depp arrived on stage in gliding replica of the Black Pearl pirate ship and, before they saw his famous face, the crowd was cheering at the sight of his silhouette behind a billowing back-lit sail and pumping stage smoke. Depp was the big finale in a program that featured appearances by John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Tim Burton and a performance by Miley Cyrus. Check back here more details on the program, as well as info on Guillermo del Toro's newly announced venture with Disney and Pixar.

-- Geoff Boucher

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/her...el-toro-will-take-disney-on-a-scary-ride.html

Guillermo del Toro will take Disney on a scary ride
September 11, 2009 | 2:41 pm
Walt Disney Studios and filmmaker Guillermo del Toro are forming a production company, Disney Double Dare You, to create animated films with a spooky edge.
Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook announced the partnership today in a star-studded presentation to the D23 Expo fan convention that brought actors Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage and John Travolta, and directors Tim Burton and Robert Zemeckis, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and singer-actress Miley Cyrus onstage in a packed auditorium at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Del Toro, who is in New Zealand doing pre-production on the film "The Hobbit," delivered a recorded presentation in which he said he hopes to create animated films in the chilling but family-friendly spirit of one of his favorite Disney theme park attractions, the Haunted Mansion. The filmmaker waxed on about the "immersive" journey to another world that he experienced when four decades ago he stepped into the mansion, which to his young mind was "the most demanded real estate in the whole world."

The first project is called "The Troll Hunters." The filmmaker also said there will be a shared trait among all the Double Dare projects, which will include books, merchandise and films, but he kept that secret to himself on this day.

"I love to take audiences into fantastic new world and provide them with some anxious moments in the process," Del Toro said. "It is part of the Disney canon to create thrilling, unforgettable moments in the process. It is part of the Disney canon to create thrilling, unforgettable moments and villains in all their classic films. It is my privilege for Double Dare You to continue in this tradition."

It is unclear how many films the acclaimed director of "Pan's Labyrinth" and the comic-book-inspired "Hellboy" is committing to make under the partnership with Disney -- or when he'll find the time. He is directing two "Hobbit" films for Warner Bros./New Line Cinema and MGM, which are scheduled for release in 2011 and 2012, and has been linked to half a dozen other projects, including "Drood" and a "Frankenstein" remake.

-- Dawn C. Chmielewski and Geoff Boucher

 

[skier_pete]

All these articles (and more) available at Comingsoon.net

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=59039

Fourth Pirates Based on Powers' On Stranger Tides? Source:ComingSoon.net September 11, 2009


This afternoon, Walt Disney Pictures made the big announcement at the D23 Expo that the fourth "Pirates" film will hit theaters in Summer 2011 and be titled Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

Speculation has already begun that the subtitle "On Stranger Tides" refers to author Tim Powers' novel with the same name. The following is the official description of the book:

Puppeteer John Chandagnac, who was sailing to Jamaica to get revenge on the uncle who had stolen his father's inheritance, has no choice but to join the buccaneers who have taken him prisoner--and soon, known now as the pirate Jack Shandy, he finds himself learning to survive in a treacherous new world of cutlass-fights, sea-battles, and voodoo magic on sun-blinded tropical islands. The legendary Blackbeard is assembling a ruthless navy of pirates living and undead to voyage to the fabled Fountain of Youth, and Jack Shandy must use magic, swordsmanship, and even his puppeteer skills to free himself and the girl he has fallen in love with from Blackbeard's deadly supernatural domination.

At the end of the third "Pirates" movie, it is shown that both Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) are next eyeing the Fountain of Youth. Barbossa has "stolen" the Black Pearl back from Sparrow, but Sparrow has cut out the most important part of Barbossa's map to the Fountain of Youth.

If they will be adapting the book, will Sparrow and Barbossa have to team up again against Blackbeard? We'll have to wait and see how it will turn out.

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/d23exponews.php?id=59036

D23 Expo: Bruckheimer Previews Prince of Persia and Sorcerer's Apprentice! Source:Silas Lesnick September 11, 2009

Surprise guests Jerry Bruckheimer and Nicolas Cage showed off two of next year's big summer films, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and The Sorcerer's Apprentice.

"Prince of Persia" debuted the first trailer (which, though Bruckheimer claimed wasn't complete, seemed ready to go effects-wise). The trailer featured quite a bit of Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince Dastan and explained the basic plot: there is a magical dagger that offers the bearer the power to travel through time. Ben Kingsley (as the evil Nizam) wants to steal it and use it it to destroy the world, so Dastan and Tamina (Gemma Arterton) have to take it to "the secret guardian temple" where it can be safe. There's quite a bit of fast cutting and flirting between Dastan and Tamina. At one point, they appear to be in disguise as servants and she asks if he's carrying the dagger. He tells her that she'll have to do a pretty thorough search to find it.

Cage told the audience that Fantasia was "the most beautiful film of all time" and explained that The Sorcerer's Apprentice was the kind of movie he felt was important to make in the world today. The footage shown mixed behind-the-scenes shots with actual segments from film. In it, Cage plays Balthazar Blake, an ancient sorcerer who has been searching for an apprentice "since the time of Merlin". He finds it in young Jay Baruchel, who seems completely taken aback at the prospect of becoming a sorcerer himself.

Among the scenes showcased were glimpses of the famous broom sequence, originally from Fantasia and a quick shot of a live-action hat matching the conical blue one that Mickey Mouse wears in the feature.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is slated for May 28, 2010, while The Sorcerer's Apprentice is scheduled to hit theaters July 16, 2010

 

[skier_pete]

This is my favorite announcement to date, I love the idea of Jason Segel doing a muppet movie!

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/d23exponews.php?id=59031

D23 Expo: Disney Announces The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made! Source:Silas Lesnick September 11, 2009

Roaring applause from Disney fans filled the Anaheim Convention Center Arena as the Muppets took the stage, performing a song and dance number live on-stage. At the conclusion of the performance, Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook officially announced that the upcoming Muppet film (written by Jason Segel) will be titled The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made.

This title references an old title, developed Jim Henson in 1985 but never produced that would have featured Gonzo directing a Hollywood film and quickly blowing the project's budget. Though unconfirmed, it is likely that this new film will mirror the same storyline.

 

[skier_pete]

A couple more announcements were made regarding Christmas Carol and Yellow Submarine, both filmed in mo-cap...head over to comingsoon.net to see the details.

I just wanted to say we can complain and crack wise about what Disney is doing with the parks...but I am really looking forward to the next few years of Disney live action and animated films. Love the talent they are getting involved with!

Let's hear as good news about the parks!

SkierPete

 

[islandsnoopy]

I would love if someone would also post if they announce when NEXT years Expo is. I couldn't go this year and already want to plan for next!

Me too! Please post any D23 Expo trip reports. TIA!

 

[doconeill]

WDW Magic is reporting:

Star Tours II 3D confirmed for DHS (includes a segment of the video, showing a Pod Racer scene), to open in 2011

Fantasyland expansion is confirmed (press release) to be completed in 2013

 

[Disco]

"For Walt Disney World in Florida, Rasulo outlined plans for the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom, vastly increasing the size of Fantasyland by 2013."

I don't see how they can call it an expansion if it all fits inside the profile of a ride they shut down years ago (and a soon to be torn down TT).
I've been under the opinion that MK has been operating at a reduced capacity since the submarine ride was closed down. This just gets them back to status quo in my opinion. While it looks like the redone FL will give some much needed shoulder room in the area, I'd rather be on rides than have more walking room and hanging out with fairies and princesses.
I doubt the new LM ride and expanded Dumbo give any more rider capacity than what the submarine ride did.

Kinda disappointed with the news. I guess Star Tours 2 will be nice but that is more of a necessity upgrade than a wower.

 

[doconeill]

Expansion doesn't necessarily mean in area - they might be able to fit in a lot of new attractions in that space. But they COULD be expanding it further back, if they reroute the access road. The is more than twice the space available back there if they did going all the way back to the RR tracks.

 

[Disco]

Expansion doesn't necessarily mean in area - they might be able to fit in a lot of new attractions in that space. But they COULD be expanding it further back, if they reroute the access road. The is more than twice the space available back there if they did going all the way back to the RR tracks.

No, no... they're not expanding outward. Today's FL descriptions all match the leaked blue prints to a T. This confirms they are legitimate or very close to the final thing.
They are putting all the new stuff basically in the old submarine ride and will be putting the new Dumbo stuff on top of Toon Town.
So basically, by 2013, MK will be about equal to when it was over (?) 10 years ago. If you like Princess stuff I guess you could call it slightly better but, again, I'm about the rides.

 

[doconeill]

No, no... they're not expanding outward. Today's FL descriptions all match the leaked blue prints to a T. This confirms they are legitimate or very close to the final thing.

It's difficult to tell. The actual concept art they used does not match exactly. In fact, it shows the Dueling Dumbos between Mad Tea Party and Barnstormer - but I also admit that it is an unlikely location and possibly an error on the artists part. The painting also doesn't give a good sense of scale. It looks like that at least some facades will be further out, but there could be forced perspective in play.

But it also doesn't mean those are the final plans either.

I'm NOT saying they will build further back, only that it is feasible.

 

[skier_pete]

I missed the boat on this one a bit, I was at a golf tournament today. This is awesome news...I KNEW it was going to come out during D23!

Disco - you have got to be kidding! 20K Leagues was great, but it's been GONE for 15 years now. There was nothing there in it's spot! This is most definitely an expansion. And not everything has to be a RIDE. A new TS restaurant in MK is much needed...and themed like Beauty and the Beast seems pretty awesome.

And, yes, Star Tours needed an update, but if they do it right, it could be really spectacular. (The fact that it is taking 2 more years tells me it is more than plopping a new movie in the old ride vehicle.) I can't stand it when people whine about then not making improvements, and then whine when they DO saying it is not good enough.

I only wish we had gotten a little more...I was really hoping the Monster's Inc. coaster was coming for real.

Now I gotta go and try and find that concept art.

SkierPete

 

[skier_pete]

Here's more description on the Star Tours update:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/her...ade-d23-expo-for-star-tours-announcement.html

Darth Vader, Stormtroopers invade D23 Expo for Star Tours announcement
September 12, 2009 | 2:37 pm


Johnny Depp is a tough act to follow, so Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo brought in the heavy artillery today to announce plans to update the Star Tours attraction at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim and Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Fla.

Rasulo deadpanned that he had some "bad news" for the Disneyphiles attending the D23 Expo -- Star Tours would close in Oct 2010. On cue, Stormtroopers marched on stage as the martial sound of John Williams' "Imperial March" played. Darth Vader appeared on the giant screen overhead, and intoned, "The Emperor is most displeased with plans to close Star Tours."

Rasulo said Star Tours would reopen on 2011 as a 3-D simulation that, among other facets of the ride, recreates the pod-racing scene from "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace." The audience donned 3D glasses to watch a sequence, in which the space-age vehicles veer through canyons, across the flats and speed into the arena on Tatooine.

"If that doesn't fire you up," Rasulo said. "You're in the wrong meeting."

At a news conference after the presentation, Rasulo said there would be physical changes to the ride -- although he offered few additional details. He said "Star Wars" creator George Lucas has been involved in every aspect of the attraction and the storytelling.

"Ever since we did our original Star Tours attraction with George, the relationship with Imagineering has been very, very close," Rasulo said. "We strive for authenticity in everything we do. This is a Lucas idea, this is Lucas storytelling, interpreted by Imagineering."

The first Star Tours attraction opened at Disneyland in January 1987, and is believed to have been the first to adapt flight-simulator technologies for a theme park show. In it, visitors board a Starspeeder 3000 piloted by an android, careen through a giant frozen comet and join an intergalactic dogfight between the Rebel Alliance and the evil Empire. Yoda was not in the sequence shown, but last year Frank Oz, the voice of the diminutive green Jedi, told the Hero Complex that he had recorded new dialogue for the ride upgrade.

 

[skier_pete]

Anyone that wants to see a drawing of the concept art, go here:

http://thedisneyblog.com/2009/09/12/d23-confirms-fantasyland-expansion-rumors/

SkierPete

 

[Disco]

Disco - you have got to be kidding! 20K Leagues was great, but it's been GONE for 15 years now. There was nothing there in it's spot! This is most definitely an expansion. And not everything has to be a RIDE. A new TS restaurant in MK is much needed...and themed like Beauty and the Beast seems pretty awesome.

SkierPete

I'll say it again, MK has been running at a diminished capacity since they closed 20KL. I don't care if it's been 15 years. Disney needed to do something with the space and now we are back at a similar level that the park was at over a decade ago. Renovation not expansion.
Yes the restaurant was needed and the extra elbow room was most definitely needed. That is why they should have had a plan when they closed the submarines way back when.
What concerns me is that the LM ride fits in about 1/4 of the space of the 20KL. While I love the immersive themeing of the rest of the FL renovation I fear it is a cop out by Disney to save money.
All the princess stuff and "activities” just seem to be filler to me. Meet and greets are not attractions that should be taking up floor space. And basically I'm assuming these new glorified meet and greet areas are much cheaper to operate and maintain than an actual ride. When I first went to WDW there were NO permanent meet and greet areas. In the future it looks like they will take up 20-25% of the park. This alarms me.
One of the main reasons WDW is such a great love of mine is the grander nous of the attractions and rides. 20K leagues was a huge and immersive attraction. Now its replacement is supposed to fit in a corner of it?!
Add to the fact that I'm not a LM fan and compare that to a literary great as 20k Leagues Under the Sea and you can see why I might be a little bit prejudice on this subject.
Well, when it comes down to it, it is better than nothing so I guess I shouldn’t be griping. I think I’m just really pissed off that Disney is dumping a billion on that poorly conceived POS brand new park in CA when the money could be used to do something great in a park in WDW that actually deserves it.

 

[cmash95]

I'll say it again, MK has been running at a diminished capacity since they closed 20KL. I don't care if it's been 15 years. Disney needed to do something with the space and now we are back at a similar level that the park was at over a decade ago. Renovation not expansion.
Yes the restaurant was needed and the extra elbow room was most definitely needed. That is why they should have had a plan when they closed the submarines way back when.
What concerns me is that the LM ride fits in about 1/4 of the space of the 20KL. While I love the immersive themeing of the rest of the FL renovation I fear it is a cop out by Disney to save money.
All the princess stuff and "activities” just seem to be filler to me. Meet and greets are not attractions that should be taking up floor space. And basically I'm assuming these new glorified meet and greet areas are much cheaper to operate and maintain than an actual ride. When I first went to WDW there were NO permanent meet and greet areas. In the future it looks like they will take up 20-25% of the park. This alarms me.
One of the main reasons WDW is such a great love of mine is the grander nous of the attractions and rides. 20K leagues was a huge and immersive attraction. Now its replacement is supposed to fit in a corner of it?!
Add to the fact that I'm not a LM fan and compare that to a literary great as 20k Leagues Under the Sea and you can see why I might be a little bit prejudice on this subject.
Well, when it comes down to it, it is better than nothing so I guess I shouldn’t be griping. I think I’m just really pissed off that Disney is dumping a billion on that poorly conceived POS brand new park in CA when the money could be used to do something great in a park in WDW that actually deserves it.

I totally agree. While it's nice to have character meets, I would rather have shows and rides. In the old days at DL and WDW the characters roamed the parks. snow white, cinderella, and sleeping beautly could be found near the castle areas and in the rose gardens and it added to the fun of just coming across. these permanent meet and greets just take up space Personally If they didn't want to do aride, they could have built a theater and done princess themed shows. i know that costs more because dancers have to actually be able to dance and this way as long as you fit a costume you really don't have to have talent to be a princess.

 

[CoolTrainerTerry]

World of Color Storyboards:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnHuGBdu7xc

Radiator Springs Racers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZYUPsTRiyQ

Walt Disney Studios, Dick Cook, Johnny Depp, Miley Cyrus and MORE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoyvxDhX4q4

Parks and Resorts Booth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyHhsGVGPak



Tons of Pictures:
http://www.cinematical.com/photos/d23-disneys-fan-expo/

 

[TheWeasel]

Princess meet and greet.....my boys can't wait to go to Universal! I know they just purchased Marvel, but I hate that they can't use their own brand to expand my boy's interest. Especially as they start to get older it would be nice to see something new at MK help capture the "Magic".