The Disney Showman - The Legacy of Walt Disney is a quite sympathetic short music video produced by PattyCake Productions which tell musically the story of the Dreamer himself, Walt Disney:
"Set to the music of "THE GREATEST SHOWMAN" we move through the accomplishments of Walt from SNOW WHITE to CINDERELLA. From the MICKEY MOUSE CLUB to MARY POPPINS then back to DISNEYLAND. Join us as we celebrate the Legacy of this great man!"
In the video, not less than three different actors play Walt Disney at different ages of his life, and here is the full cast:
WALT DISNEY (1900’S) -D.J. MUTO
WALT DISNEY (1920-1949) -PAUL KALEKA
WALT DISNEY (1950-1966) - JAMES KEATON
ROY DISNEY - ELI JACOBSON
ROBERT SHERMAN - JONATHAN TIMPANELLI
RICHARD SHERMAN - JOEY D'angelo-Lajoie
SNOW WHITE - OLIVIA ADKINS
JULiE ANDREWS - AMY GARTON
SHIRLEY TEMPLE - ISABELLA MUTO
Finally! The super-hero movie that i'm awaiting the most since years and years is now in development as The Hollywood Reporter announced yesterday that Fox Execs are "going 100 miles per hour" on the development of a stand-alone movie of the Silver Surfer! The legendary christlike character will have at last dos own movie which is being written by award-winning writer Brian K. Vaughan. Little else is known about the project at this point.
Although introduced by Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four issue 48 in 1966, it's with John Buscema - one of the most important artists at Marvel Comics for decades who produced gorgeous pencils for some of the most iconic Marvel characters including The Avengers, Thor, The Fantastic Four, The Amazing Spider-Man, and many more - that the Silver Surfer became legendary and Buscema acclaimed for his stunning rendition of the noble and tormented Silver Surfer. He is definitely my favorite super-hero and it's also the favorite one of Stan Lee!
Above, a self-portrait of John Buscema with the Silver Surfer and some of his ennemies.
The Silver Surfer is a humanoid with metallic skin who can travel space with the aid of his surfboard-like craft. Originally a young astronomer named Norrin Radd on the planet Zenn-La, he saved his homeworld from the planet devourer, Galactus, by serving as his herald. Imbued in return with a tiny portion of Galactus's Power Cosmic, Radd acquired vast power, a new body and a surfboard-like craft on which he could travel faster than light.
Now known as the Silver Surfer, Radd roamed the cosmos searching for planets for Galactus to consume. When his travels took him to Earth, he met the Fantastic Four, a team of powerful superheroes who helped him rediscover his humanity and nobility of spirit. Betraying Galactus, the Surfer saved Earth but was exiled there as punishment without the possibility to come back to see his beloved Shalla Bal.
The Silver Surfer previously made his big screen debut in the Fantastic Four sequel released in 2007, and although he was totally digitally created he was the ost interesting moments in the movie (and when the character that you remember from a movie is a digital one and not the others played by humans it says a lot about how mediocre the movie was ).
There is more movies coming from Fox which is also developing a Doctor Doom movie as well as more new X-Men film properties than ever. Fox will release two X-Men movies this year: Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool sequel on May 18 and X-Men: Dark Phoenix on Nov. 2. The studio also is planning three X-Men movies for 2019, with another three expected the following year.
Those of you who've never read the Silver Surfer issues with art by the great John Buscema can read HERE the FULL issue no1 "The Origin of the Silver Surfer" by Stan Lee and John Buscema and HERE the full Silver Surfer #3: "The Power and the Prize!" in which the Surfer meet for the first time his nemesis Mephisto.
All issues of the original Silver Surfer comic books with artwork by John Buscema published between 1968 and 1970 are available for download on Amazon Kindle for $2.25 only HERE. There was 18 issues with art by John Buscema - and Stan Lee for the story - and i HIGHLY recommend the whole series. If you can't buy them all, then buy the 8 first issues ( No 1 to 8 ). You won't regret it, the art of John Buscema is gorgeous!
Truly bad news coming from Stan Lee who reveal in the TMZ video below that he's fighting a pneumonia, something that can be deadly for everyone, but especially when you're 95 years old. In the video, Stan is saying:
“Hiya heroes, this is Stan Lee. I haven’t been in touch with you lately. Had a little bout of pneumonia I’ve been fighting, but it seems to be getting better. But I want you all to know I’m thinking of you. Of course, I always think of the fans, and I hope you’re all doing well and I miss you all. I miss your enthusiasm. I miss all the notes and the photos and the emails I used to get, and I still get a lot of them, and I want you to know that I still love you all and I think that Marvel and Spidey and I have the best group of fans that any group in the world ever had and I sure appreciate it. So let me know how you’re doing. I hope everything is going well for you, and I hope next time we talk I’ll be in even better shape. Maybe I’ll have some of this pneumonia knocked down and we can have some real fun over the Internet. Until then, Excelsior.”
Unfortunately this isn't the only problem that Stan had recently as he is also having some legal issues as $1.4 million were stolen from his bank account. Someone has stolen $850,000 to buy a condo and $300,000 was used with a forged check.
From TMZ: "Sources connected to Lee tell us ... detectives working in a specialized unit that deals with elder financial abuse showed up at Stan's Hollywood Hills pad Friday to look into the latest theft. We're told detectives met with Lee for more than 2 hours.
Detectives peppered Stan with a bunch of questions ... including exactly who had access to any of his accounts and a timeline of when the cash went missing. Stan turned over financial records to help them find the culprit."
On top of his trips to the hospital, there is sexual harassment allegations made against him, and his former bodyguard causing a scene that ended up with the cops showing up at Lee's home.
Here is Stan, not in good shape, talking to his beloved fans.
I explained recently on the D&M Facebook page why the year is going to be hard for Stan as he is a Capricorn native and has currently the transit of Saturn on his Sun degree in Capricorn sign, and it last one year ( actually Saturn will stay in Capricorn three years but exactly on his Sun only this year ). The transit of Saturn on the Sun is always very hard times for everyone, but at 95 it can be truly deadly. Let's hope that Stan will succeed to go through it.
Today Disney announced the launch of a world-wide celebrations honoring 90 years of Mickey Mouse. Since his big-screen debut in Steamboat Willie on November 18, 1928, Mickey has been the global ambassador for The Walt Disney Company. From the beloved Mickey Mouse Club to today’s Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts, Mickey’s optimistic outlook and endearing personality continue to delight fans around the world every day. The cross-company festivities will continue through 2018 and beyond and will include an exclusive fashion show, a new television special, a celebration at Disney parks and resorts and much more.
The party kicks off on March 7 with “The Happiest Show on Earth”—a runway fashion event featuring a Mickey-inspired collection designed by couture brand Opening Ceremony founders Carol Lim and Humberto Leon. The show will also serve as Opening Ceremony’s Spring 2018 runway show and close out fashion week celebrations around the world. Select items from the Mickey collaboration will be immediately available for sale following the runway show at shopDisney.com, OpeningCeremony.com and Opening Ceremony stores, while the remaining ready-to-wear looks will hit stores in November. The iconic story of Minnie Mouse, who shares this milestone anniversary with Mickey and recently received her official star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, will also be celebrated at the fashion show.
Disney’s collaboration with Opening Ceremony will serve as the launch of “Mickey the True Original”—a global celebration of Mickey’s heritage, personality and status as a pop-culture icon. The campaign will come to life through fashion collaborations with other true original brands, as well as engaging content and events that embrace Mickey’s impact on the past, present and future.
The celebration continues throughout 2018 and beyond:
This fall, ABC will air a star-studded celebration of Mickey in honor of his birthday, with special guests, musical performances and more.
Disney Channel will debut season five of the Mickey Mouse animated shorts, taking the series total to more than 90 shorts, including a special seven-minute extended-length birthday episode that will air later this year.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts around the world will celebrate Mickey’s 90th on November 18, marking the day with commemorative merchandise, photo locations and more.
Beginning in late 2018 and into 2019 the World’s Biggest Mouse Party, saluting Mickey and Minnie, will take place at Disney Parks worldwide.
Disney On Ice will salute Mickey as the “True Original” host of Disney On Ice since its inception in 1981 by creating Mickey’s 90th pre-shows for productions touring the United States, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Special Celebration, a new production showcasing Mickey Mouse’s memories throughout the years, will launch in Japan in July 2018 and continue touring throughout the Asia-Pacific region until August 2019.
In France, 38 design and art schools will take part in “Mickey Is Art,” a unique contest in which students will craft works of Mickey, inspired by their favorite artistic movement. The winning designs will be displayed this summer in 12 major train stations in France and for sale this September at Galerie Glénat in Paris.
Disney store will continue to celebrate milestone moments for Mickey Mouse with the Mickey Mouse Memories Collection (launched Jan. 2018), a monthly, limited-release series of 12 collectible plush, mugs and cloisonné pins inspired by Mickey’s most memorable movie roles.
Disney Publishing Worldwide will introduce more than 30 titles globally as part of Mickey’s 90th, including books, arts & crafts and comics.
In addition, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will be celebrating Mickey’s 90th throughout 2018:
D23 and the Walt Disney Archives, in partnership with Walt Disney Animation Studios, have commissioned legendary Disney animator Mark Henn to paint Mickey’s official 90th birthday portrait. Henn follows in the footsteps of artists such as Disney Legend John Hench, who crafted five of Mickey’s official portraits. Henn animated Mickey for Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983) and is currently at work on Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 (2018). The new portrait will debut on the cover of the fall issue of Disney twenty-three, a quarterly publication from D23.
This November, D23 will present Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse, a two-day event at Walt Disney World Resort featuring panels, presentations and fun-filled entertainment.
This year’s annual D23 Gold Member gift is an exclusive box set of 23 special Mickey Mouse mementos—authentic reproductions of such treasured keepsakes as pages from the script of Steamboat Willie and a miniature animation cel from Parade of the Award Nominees (1932).
To join the conversation on social, fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #Mickey90.
Mickey’s birthday is celebrated in honor of the release of his first theatrical film, Steamboat Willie, on November 18, 1928, at the Colony Theatre in New York City. Since then, he has starred in more than 100 cartoons and can currently be seen on Disney Channel in the Mickey Mouse cartoon series and on Disney Junior in Mickey and the Roadster Racers.
Yesterday the first trailer for Ralph Break the Internet was released and you can watch it in the article below but there is more animated movies coming in 2018 and Film Select Trailer has posted on Youtube this video with the trailers of the top upcoming animated Movies for the first half of 2018
It includes trailers for:
Hotel Transylvania 3
The Incredibles 2
Peter Rabbit
Isle Of Dogs
Early Man
Sherlock Gnomes
Duck Duck Goose
Hey, there is even more trailers of upcoming animated films in the other best-of below!
The first trailer for Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 is here, and so far it looks great! And there is a reason for that, as the movie is directed by Rich Moore and Phil Johnston who both worked on the excellent Zootopia, so this new Wreck-It Ralph movie looks promising!
“Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2” leaves Litwak’s video arcade behind, venturing into the uncharted, expansive and thrilling world of the internet—which may or may not survive Ralph’s wrecking. Video game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) must risk it all by traveling to the world wide web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope’s video game, Sugar Rush. In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet—the netizens—to help navigate their way, including a webite entrepreneur named Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site “BuzzzTube.”
Directed by Rich Moore (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph”) and Phil Johnston (co-writer “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Cedar Rapids,” co-writer “Zootopia,”), and produced by Clark Spencer (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Bolt”), “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-Ralph 2” hits theaters on Nov. 21, 2018 in the U.S.
Today IS the BIG day that all Disneyland Paris fans were awaiting for since years and years as Bob Iger and Disneyland Paris officially announced that Disney will invest TWO BILLION EUROS - 2.5 Billion Dollars! - in new attractions and lands at Disneyland Paris Resort in the coming years.
And not only this phenomenal amount was announced - $2.5 Billion is probably more or less what DLP entire first park had cost 25 years ago - but also was revealed the name of the coming lands and attractions and a Marvel land, a Star Wars land, AND a Frozen land are coming at DLP Walt Disney Studios, with lands opening in phases, starting 2021!
Here is the official press releases in English, and in French after it with the above concept-art animated:
Disney Announces Transformative Multi-Year Expansion for Disneyland Paris
Walt Disney Studios Park to get new areas based on Marvel, Frozen and Star Wars
PARIS, February 27, 2018 – Today, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company Robert A. Iger announced plans for a 2 billion euro, multi-year expansion for Disneyland Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palais de l’Elysée in Paris. The new development will include a transformation of the Walt Disney Studios Park, adding three new areas that are based on Marvel, Frozen and Star Wars, along with multiple new attractions and live entertainment experiences.
The expansion plan is one of the most ambitious development projects at Disneyland Paris since its opening in 1992 and underscores the Company’s commitment to the long-term success of the resort as Disney’s brand beacon in Europe.
“We’re very excited about the future of Disneyland Paris and continue to invest in its long-term success,” said Robert A. Iger, chairman and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company. “The resort is already the leading tourist destination in Europe, and the transformative expansion we announced today will add even more of our beloved characters and unparalleled storytelling to create new lands, attractions and entertainment that further elevate the guest experience and drive new opportunities for tourism in this dynamic region.”
The new areas will infuse some of Disney’s most popular stories and characters into this unique destination, building upon the success of the resort’s 25th Anniversary celebration and continuing to enhance the guest experience for millions of Europeans.
With over 320 million visits since 1992 and representing 6.2 percent of France’s tourism income, Disneyland Paris has played a key leadership role in tourism for the region. The resort continues to be a powerful driver of economic and social development with over 16,000 employees representing 100 nationalities. This investment will help make the region even more dynamic and appealing and open up more opportunities for French and European citizens in the tourism industry.
The multi-year development will roll out in phases beginning in 2021, significantly expanding the Walt Disney Studios Park. In addition to the three new areas, the creative vision includes a new lake, which will be the focal point for entertainment experiences and will also connect each of the new park areas.
In the spring of 2017, Disneyland Paris kicked off its 25th Anniversary celebration including new entertainment and experiences for guests. The resort also completed a two-year refurbishment program, updating and renovating many of the classic attractions in the parks, as well as opening multiple new entertainment shows such as Mickey and the Magician, which won a 2017 International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions theme park industry award for “Best Theatrical Production.” Additionally, several major renovations took place at the resort’s hotels including Disney’s Newport Bay Club, which is now a four-star hotel.
Just this month, Disneyland Paris announced plans for a new Marvel-themed attraction that will be coming to the Walt Disney Studios, part of the new Marvel area development. In 2020, the resort will open Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel, a reimagining of Disney’s Hotel New York that will showcase the inspiring worlds of Iron Man, The Avengers, and Spider-Man, among others. And this summer, the Marvel Summer of Super Heroes seasonal event will take place at Disneyland Paris, where guests can meet their favourite heroes and experience new live entertainment.
Below, a zoom in the new concept-art on the Marvel land for the WDS.
Note the Avengers plane at the entrance of the stunt show which will soon become a Marvel stunt show.
We all knew already about the Marvel Land coming where WDS Backlot land currently is and a first Marvel attraction was even announced at D23 Japan this month with an Iron Man ride instead of the Rock and Roller Coaster. And a Star Wars land is not really a surprise too as it was long rumored and the Star Wars license is so popular in Europe since nearly 40 years. Chances are that the rides will be similar to the ones that will open at DL and WDW Disney's Hollywood Studios Star Wars lands next year.
Below, a zoom in the new concept-art on the Star Wars land for the WDS. On the artwork - which is in fact not one artwork but a mix of several so not necessarily the final one - it seems that the Star Wars land might be smaller than the ones in the U.S, and no Millenium Falcon can be seen on it but just a X-Wing fighter. Again, don't take it as the final real thing. Also interesting the path on the right of SWL which seems to go behind it ...to another future land?
The real surprise is the Frozen land which was not expected, at least in the Walt Disney Studios. The fact that Marvel and Star Wars universe are mostly "boys" universe ( even if a lot of girls are Star Wars fans ) may be the reason why a Frozen land has been chosen as DLP needed to have at the WDS a land for young girls, and obviously a Frozen land will do it. It don't look to be a land similar to the one they will build soon at Hong Kong Disneyland or to the Frozen land announced previously and designed for Tokyo DisneySea, but taking elements from each. Anyway there won't be probably any costs for "research and development" as they will have been paid by the others parks and that may have had an influence too in the decision to build a Frozen land at the WDS. Or may be it is the recent snowy weather and "frozen" temperatures - along with the stunning pictures of the parks covered by snow - which helped to finally made the final choice for the Frozen land. Just imagine this big mountain covered by real snow!
Below, a zoom in the new concept-art on the Frozen land for the WDS. I bet that the show building for the attraction - because of course there will be one - will be inside the mountain. Note also on the full artwork at the top that the land on the right of Frozen land and over Toy Story Playland is quite empty, leaving room eventually for a future land there, too.
As you can see on the concept-art at the top, the good news is that the Tower of Terror is safe - no transformation in a Guardians of Galaxy with the terrible facade. Also, a huge lake will be created at the center behind and i think we can safely bet on a fountain evening show. But a closer look to Toy Story Playland seems to also reveal something looking like a green alien attraction being added to WDS TSL - if it's the case, will it be the same than the one coming to TSL at Disney's Hollywood Studios? It looks like...
That said, 2 Billion Euros is a huge amount and if we add the cost of these three lands - Marvel, Star Wars and Frozen - it will probably be around one or 1.2 billion euros, meaning that the question now is: what are they going to do at DLP with the other one billion?
Voici le press release en français:
Disney annonce un plan de développement pluriannuel d’envergure pour Disneyland Paris. Le Parc Walt Disney Studios accueillera bientôt de nouvelles zones thématiques dédiées à Marvel, La Reine des Neiges et Star Wars.
PARIS, 27 février 2018 – Aujourd’hui, lors d’une rencontre avec le Président de la République Emmanuel Macron au Palais de l’Elysée, Robert A. Iger, Président Directeur Général de The Walt Disney Company, a annoncé un plan de développement sur plusieurs années de 2 milliards d’euros pour Disneyland Paris. Ce nouveau plan d’expansion comprend une transformation du Parc Walt Disney Studios, incluant trois nouvelles zones thématiques dédiées à Marvel, La Reine des Neiges et Star Wars, ainsi que plusieurs nouvelles attractions et spectacles.
Ce plan d’expansion représente l’un des développements les plus ambitieux de toute l’histoire de Disneyland Paris depuis son ouverture en 1992. Il traduit l'engagement sur
le long terme de The Walt Disney Company à faire de la destination la vitrine de la marque Disney en Europe.
« Nous sommes très enthousiastes quant à l'avenir de Disneyland Paris et continuons à investir dans sa réussite à long terme », a expliqué Robert A. Iger, PDG de The Walt Disney Company. « Disneyland Paris est déjà la première destination touristique en Europe. Avec ce nouveau plan de développement et de transformation, nous continuerons de mettre en avant notre savoir-faire unique du storytelling et nos personnages iconiques dans la création de nouvelles zones thématiques, attractions et spectacles, venant ainsi renforcer la qualité d’expérience de nos visiteurs et créer de nouvelles opportunités dans cette région dynamique. »
Les nouvelles zones thématiques intégreront les histoires et les personnages les plus populaires de Disney dans cette destination unique, poursuivant la dynamique générée par le succès du 25e Anniversaire pour continuer d’améliorer l’expérience de millions de visiteurs européens.
Avec plus de 320 millions de visites depuis 1992 et représentant 6.2% des recettes touristiques en France, Disneyland Paris est un moteur du tourisme pour la région. La destination continue d’être une véritable locomotive économique et sociale pour le territoire avec plus de 16 000 employés et plus de 100 nationalités représentées. Cet investissement renforcera le dynamisme de la région et son attrait, offrant encore plus d’opportunités pour l’industrie du tourisme en France et en Europe.
Ce développement pluriannuel sera déployé par phases à partir de 2021 et agrandira significativement le Parc Walt Disney Studios. La vision créative du projet comprend un nouveau lac qui sera le théâtre de nouveaux spectacles et reliera les trois nouvelles zones thématiques du Parc.
Au printemps 2017, Disneyland Paris a lancé les célébrations de son 25e Anniversaire, avec de nouveaux spectacles et expériences inédites pour ses visiteurs. La destination vient également d’achever un programme de rénovation étalé sur deux ans, permettant ainsi la ré-imagination et la modernisation d’attractions phares des Parcs. Ce fut également l’occasion de lancer de nouveaux spectacles, comme Mickey et le Magicien, qui a reçu en 2017 le prix de la « Meilleure Production Théâtrale » de l’Association Internationale des Parcs de loisirs et des Attractions. De plus, la zone hôtelière de la destination a également été rénovée à l’image du Disney’s Newport Bay Club qui a reçu sa quatrième étoile à l’issue de ce projet.
Ce mois-ci, Disneyland Paris a dévoilé sa future attraction sur le thème de Marvel, qui fera partie de la nouvelle zone Marvel du Parc Walt Disney Studios. En 2020, le Disney’s Hotel New York deviendra le Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel, après une ré-imagination qui plongera ses visiteurs dans les univers palpitants d’Iron Man, des Avengers ou encore de Spider-Man. Et dès cet été, les visiteurs de Disneyland Paris pourront déjà rencontrer leurs Super Héros favoris et découvrir de nouveaux spectacles immersifs durant la saison L’été des Super Héros Marvel.
Thanks to Rowland Scherman and Dave Scherman - Tom's brothers - you will discover a very rare document, Tom's scrap book that he did when he created a Nautilus decor in his Los Angeles apartment in 1966. Only one copy of this book exists, the one that Tom did to keep pictures of the whole transformation from the renderings to the final result.
From the cover to the last page of this fantastic document, each page of Tom's book is here. And I also did scans of each page most interesting pictures. You must click on each picture to see them in big size as Tom himself details each step of this amazing creation.
Pictures: copyright Tom Scherman & Rowland Scherman. No reproduction of these pictures is allowed and they can't be posted on other web sites without prior authorization.
