When George Lucas sold Lucasfilm to Disney, he gave them outlines for three new Star Wars sequels — but his ideas apparently ended up in the trash compactor. Vanity Fair’s new cover story on Star Wars: The Force Awakens notes that Star Wars creator Lucas had his own vision for episodes VII, VIII, and IX, which take place decades after the original Star Wars trilogy.
The Walt Disney Co. is pleased that half of its Walt Disney World visitors enter with MyMagic+ wristbands, even as the company hesitates to say how much MyMagic+ factors into its fiscal second quarter domestic growth announced this week.
Well, that didn’t take long. Less than a week after Marvel Studios’ superhero showdown “Avengers: Age of Ultron” hit U.S. theaters, principal photography has begun on “Captain America: Civil War.”
Well, if you’ve seen Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron then you know who we’re talking about here. If you haven’t … why did you click on this?!
Leslie Ferraro has been named President, Disney Consumer Products, effective immediately, it was announced today by Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Thomas O. Staggs, Chief Operating Officer, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS).
A 16-year Disney veteran, Ms. Ferraro most recently served as Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ Executive Vice President, Global Marketing, Sales and Travel Operations, where she was responsible for leading the marketing and sales teams in developing numerous highly successful consumer campaigns worldwide.
As President of Disney Consumer Products, Ms. Ferraro will oversee a global operation that delivers innovative and engaging products, from toys and apparel to books and fine art, through its Licensing, Publishing and Disney Store businesses. Ms. Ferraro assumes the role formerly held by Bob Chapek, who became Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in February. She will report directly to both Mr. Iger and Mr. Staggs.
“Leslie is a highly talented, proven executive with a strong track record of creativity and innovation,” Mr. Iger said. “Having managed worldwide marketing and sales for one of our largest businesses, she brings a global perspective and deep knowledge of the company and its brands to her new position.”
“During her tenure at Parks and Resorts, Leslie was known for driving results and inspiring her teams to even greater achievements,” Mr. Staggs said. “She has a deep understanding of our brands and franchises, as well as a solid vision for how they fit into the global consumer marketplace, both of which will serve her extremely well as she leads the Disney Consumer Products team into the future.”
“This is an exciting time at Disney Consumer Products, given the company’s unprecedented array of brands and franchises,” Ms. Ferraro said. “I look forward to leading this dynamic business and our incredibly talented team as we continue to launch new products and retail experiences that combine technological innovation and creativity.”
Leslie joined Disney in 1999 as Director of Marketing for Theme Parks and Resorts and went on to hold a variety of marketing leadership positions including Senior Vice President of Global Marketing Strategy and New Business Initiatives, and Vice President of Marketing for Disney Regional Entertainment. She has also served on the Hong Kong Disneyland Board of Directors.
Prior to joining Disney, Leslie held various senior-level marketing positions at McCann-Erickson, Johnson & Johnson and SmithKline Beecham.
Leslie holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and marketing from George Washington University, a master’s degree in economics from the London School of Economics, and an MBA in finance from New York University.
As any Magic Kingdom park goer knows if you want that special souvenir, a stop at the Main Street Emporium is a must on your trip to the park.
One of our suggestions is to walk through the shops just as the park opens and it will provide you with a hassle free shopping experience.
Take a look at some of these photos of an empty Main Street Emporium at park opening.
The finale of Disney’s beloved Phineas and Ferb is on the horizon as production for the animated series has officially wrapped. But fans have something to celebrate ahead of that June 12 farewell….
It had been a rumor in all the normal places but Marvel has made it official: Paul Rudd is a part of the cast of Captain America: Civil War, which is starting principal photography today in Atlanta. Rudd of course plays Scott Lang/Ant-Man in Marvel’s Ant-Man, which comes out July 17. That will set him up for Civil War, which has a May 6, 2016 release date.
D23: The Official Disney Fan Club announces the lineup of the most highly anticipated presentations at D23 EXPO 2015, August 14–16. The Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, will kick off the Expo on Friday, August 14. Later that same day, The Walt Disney Studios will give fans a sneak peek at all the latest from Disney Animation and Pixar. On Saturday morning, The Walt Disney Studios will preview the coming slate of live-action films from Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. Then on Saturday afternoon, fans will get a preview of what’s in store at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts during a presentation hosted by Parks Chairman Bob Chapek.
To showcase these Expo favorites, Disney is creating “Hall D23,” a new 7,500-seat venue located in Hall D of the Anaheim Convention Center, so that more guests than ever can see the presentations live and in person.
The Schedule of Hall D23 Events and Presentations includes the following (times and additional announcements forthcoming; all events subject to change):
The Disney Legends Awards Ceremony will take place Friday, August 14. The ceremony, hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, will once again honor those who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. The creativity and innovation of these visionaries and artists have earned them a place among such names as Dame Julie Andrews, Howard Ashman, Annette Funicello, Sir Elton John, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Walters, and Robin Williams. At the D23 EXPO in 2013, Tony Baxter, Collin Campbell, Dick Clark, Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Jobs, Glen Keane, and Ed Wynn were inducted.
In two separate Hall D23 sessions, The Walt Disney Studios will unveil an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at its upcoming film slate. At Friday’s session, fans will go in-depth with the talented filmmakers at Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios to get a sneak peek at films such as Zootopia and Finding Dory. On Saturday, live-action titles such as Alice Through the Looking Glass and The Jungle Book and films from Marvel and Lucasfilm, along with some very special guests, take center stage.
On the afternoon of Saturday, August 15, join Bob Chapek, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, for a behind-the-scenes peek at the magical experiences and entertainment coming to Disney’s parks and resorts around the world.
Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Until June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.
On the heels of the colossal domestic opening of Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, Marvel, the Russo brothers and IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) today announced that Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War – Parts 1 & 2, the two-part installment to the global blockbuster franchise, will be shot in their entirety using IMAX® and ARRI’s next generation revolutionary 2D digital camera – a joint customized digital version of ARRI’s new large format camera, the Alexa 65. The two-part Avengers saga marks the first time a Hollywood feature film will have been shot completely using IMAX® cameras and will feature IMAX’s exclusive aspect ratio, providing moviegoers a uniquely immersive experience.
Prior to filming Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War – Parts 1 & 2, Joe and Anthony Russo, who also directed Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, will use the IMAX/ARRI 2D digital camera for select action sequences on the forthcoming Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, which will release in IMAX® theatres in May of 2016.
Joe and Anthony Russo stated, “The intent with the Infinity War films is to bring ten years of accumulative storytelling to an incredible climax. We felt that the best way to exploit the scale and scope required to close out the final chapter of these three phases, was to be the first films shot entirely on the IMAX/ARRI Digital camera.”
“Over the years, IMAX has had the incredible good fortune to work with some of the world’s finest, most talented filmmakers, who continue to push the envelope both technically and creatively,” said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. “We could not be more excited to deepen our partnership with Joe and Anthony Russo, a pair of filmmakers we believe are next-generation trailblazers. Marvel’s Avengers franchise has become a global phenomenon and to have it pay off in this epic way using the IMAX/ARRI digital camera is the very definition of event movie-going.”
The next-generation 2D digital camera – co-developed by IMAX and ARRI – is meant for use by today’s leading filmmakers working in the IMAX® format. The joint solution is designed as a complementary tool to IMAX’s high-resolution capture technologies – including its 3D digital and 15perf / 65mm film cameras. Moreover, IMAX worked with ARRI to achieve the highest level of digital image capture for playback on IMAX’s xenon and new laser projection systems.
IMAX recently began rolling out its next-generation laser projection system, with more than 71 laser system deals signed globally to date. Such iconic venues to feature the new system include the newly retro-fitted Airbus IMAX Smithsonian Theatre at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA., and Seattle’s Boeing IMAX Theatre at Pacific Science Center, both of which re-opened in time for the release of Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron – the first film to be re-mixed for IMAX’s new 12 channel sound system at these IMAX with laser locations.
Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1 is slated for release in IMAX theatres on May 4, 2018; Part 2 will open on May 3, 2019.
The IMAX® 3D release of Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War – Parts 1 & 2 will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.
