At this past weekend’s D23 Expo attendees were treated to a number of panels and presentations showcasing Disney’s most anticipated new projects. A handful were magical, some were mystical, and one was macabre. Hmmm… I wonder whose project that could be?
Yup! You guessed it, Tim Burton (or at least the footage screened from his new film Frankenweenie) swept the expo by storm showing audiences an in depth look at the forthcoming stop-motion 3D film.
The film, an animated / extended version of Burton’s 1984 live action film of the same name, tells the tale of a monster obsessed little boy named Victor who channels his inner Dr. Frankenstein to bring his beloved dog back from the dead.
Clips and stills from the strictly black and white flick all featured Burton’s whimsical signature with ComingSoon.net reporting:
Characters looked like wide-eyed, raven-haired, ashen figures, and don’t be surprised to see plenty of black-striped shirts… As for the town Victor lives in, it was described as “Transylvania meets Burbank.”
Oh yeah! Backstreet’s Burton’s back, alright!
Even though Pixar’s Brave is still a year away, this weekend’s D23 Expo gave all us eager film fans an appetizer sized sneak peek at what to expect from their June 22, 2012 release beyond last month’s teaser trailer.
Touted as the studio’s first foray into the fairy tale genre, buzz surrounding the project is exceptionally high. Despite the hungry public, Pixar has withheld from joining the let’s-reveal-every-plot-point-prior-to-opening club and kept most of the story under wraps… until now!
According to expo attendees and multiple media outlets the film’s plot will revolve heavily around a mystical phenomena known as will-‘o-the-wisp (a.k.a. those illuminating blue lights seen through much of the teaser trailer and poster) which have the power to change one’s fate.
As fate would have it, Merida (Kelly Macdonald) is being forced into an arranged marriage by her overbearing parents, King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson), and would love nothing more than to change her own destiny. Help, as we have come to expect from most Mouse House narratives, comes in the form of a mysterious witch (Julie Walters) who casts a destructive spell across the kingdom.
Some expo attendees even got a preview of the film courtesy of a newly released rough clip showcasing Merida’s impressive archery skills. According Pixar Times:
The clip showed Merida with her parents – King Fergus and Queen Elinor . Suitors have been brought forth to compete for Merida’s hand in marriage. The less than thrilled princess watches, unimpressed, as her unsuitable suitors display their (lack of) talent for archery. After the comedic show of skill, Merida surprises everyone by taking to the field herself and displaying some impressive and superior archery skills. The Queen is not amused and charges onto the field, forbidding Merida to release her final bow.
Sounds like we got ourselves one feisty little princess on our hands. I like it! As for those newly released plot details? Leave it to Pixar to take a little bit of folklore and build a magical and atmospheric fairy tale from the ground up.
Bottom Line: Brothers Grimm watch your back!
Remember that BIG ANNOUNCEMENT regarding a certain Disney couple having a SPECIAL SPRING 2012 EVENT?! Well, here is our first official sneak peek at what’s to come from Rapunzel and Flynn Eugene Fitzherbert’s big spring wedding in Tangled Ever After!
Eugene’s eyebrows… I die! Pascal’s teeny tiny bow tie… J’ adore! Now, please excuse me while I go wipe the tears from my eyes.
UPDATE: For some of the rebloggers who might be confused as to what Tangled Ever After is… The film will not be a full length sequel to Tangled but instead a made-for-television short airing sometime in the Spring 2012 on Disney Channel that will mark the marriage of Rapunzel and Eugene. Hope this helps clear things up.
Yesterday Anika Noni Rose (the voice behind Princess Tiana) was honored as a Disney Legend at the D23 Expo. After her induction I took to Twitter to congratulate her and look who tweeted me back! None other than Anika herself!
Thank you so much Anika, as I said in my tweet, “you & Tiana are revolutionary and inspiring” and your status as a Disney Legend is very much deserved!
Disney Princess voice and singing actresses Paige O’Hara (Belle), Lea Salonga (Jasmine/Mulan), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana) and Jodi Benson (Ariel) join hands and sing in celebration at the Disney D23 Expo (August 19, 2011) moments after being honored as Disney Legends.
It’s here! The official Disney D23 Expo starts today. I cannot wait for all the exciting news to come pouring out of the Anaheim Convention Center!
If you can’t be there — like me and hundreds and hundreds of others — do the next best thing… check out the jam packed expo itinerary here!
