Every other year in July, there are two big conventions that take place within a short span of time (Disney’s D23 and San Diego Comic-Con), so this week, we’re publishing in two parts, starting off with some of the stories we’ve heard since Friday from D23 (and elsewhere). These stories include news about Disney’s live-action Aladdin, The Incredibles 2, Toy Story 4, and Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2.
(Photo by Walt Disney Studios)
This past weekend at D23, Disney revealed concrete details about Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2. This time around, Ralph will travel into the internet, where his adventures will take him to the websites for popular Disney franchises, including Marvel and Star Wars, but more surprisingly, Ralph will meet up with many of the Disney princesses, who will come together for the first time in a feature film. To make the announcement, Disney trotted out the voice actors behind the characters, including Kristen Bell (Anna from Frozen), Jodi Benson (Ariel in The Little Mermaid), Auli‘i Cravalho (Moana), and Paige O’Hara (Belle from Beauty and the Beast), to name a few. Finally, Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures) has also joined the cast for the sequel as an Internet expert named Yesss.
(Photo by Marvel Studios)
You’ll notice that this first half of our “Convention Week” coverage features a lot of news from Disney, but their complete presentation also deserves some attention. Disney presented their schedule for the rest of 2017, 2018 and 2019 as a complete package, and while most all of the expected Marvel, Pixar, and Disney films are listed, it’s worth noting that the live-action versions of Aladdin and Christopher Robin (AKA the Winnie the Pooh movie) are not on the schedule (and you can browse this piece to see their other live-action projects).
(Photo by Walt Disney Studios courtesy Everett Collection)
After years of 13 years of anticipation, The Incredibles 2 is now less than a year away (6/15/18). We haven’t yet seen a trailer, but Pixar revealed a few new details at D23 this weekend. The most surprising revelation might be that The Incredibles 2 will not be set 14 years later, but will instead begin “right as the first one finishes… only a minute [will have passed].” From there, the sequel will focus on a solo adventure for Holly Hunter’s Elastigirl, while Craig T. Nelson’s Mr. Incredible will be “stuck at home watching Jack Jack.” The Incredibles 2 is scheduled for June 15, 2018.
(Photo by Buena Vista Pictures courtesy Everett Collection)
Pixar also revealed that they are working on an untitled “suburban fantasy,” which will be set in a world filled with fantasy creatures like elves, trolls, and sprites, but no humans. Within that setting, the movie will tell the story of ” two teenage elf brothers whose father died when they were too young to remember him. But thanks to the little magic still left in the world, the boys embark on a quest that will allow them a chance to spend one last magical day with their father.” We don’t yet know when exactly this film will be released, but Pixar does have the following dates each staked out for something: 3/13/20, 6/19/20, and 6/18/21.
(Photo by Warner Bros.)
Our first non-Disney story this week comes to us from the streaming world, as Netflix has secured Sandra Bullock for its post-apocalyptic thriller called Bird Box, by acclaimed Danish director Susanne Bier (In a Better World, Open Hearts). Based on a 2014 novel by Josh Malerman, Bird Box will tell the story of a mother (Bullock) who must embark on a terrifying 20 mile rowboat journey after Earth has been driven to deadly violence by a mysterious alien force. Netflix will start production on Bird Box next month, and it may be available to stream in either 2019 or 2020.
(Photo by George Kraychyk/Universal Pictures courtesy Everett Collection)
Next up, Sony Pictures has been developing an adaptation of the popular 1980s anime TV series Robotech on-and-off for several years now, but it came back to life this week when Andy Muschietti stepped in to develop and direct the film. Muschietti is probably currently best known for his feature film debut, 2013’s Mama, but he also has Stephen King’s IT due to arrive on September 8. Muschietti has proven he can handle horror, so it will be interesting to see what he does with Robotech‘s futuristic sci-fi world.
(Photo by Dee Cercone/Everett Collection)
After reports surfaced claiming Disney was having trouble securing leads for its live-action Aladdin, the studio responded by revealing the stars of the film at D23. Naomi Scott, who recently starred in the Power Rangers reboot, will be Disney’s new Princess Jasmine, while Egyptian-Canadian actor Mena Massoud, who has had a few minor roles on TV and film, will play the titular Aladdin. Disney also confirmed that Will Smith will take over for the late Robin Williams as the Genie. Aladdin will be directed by Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.), and due to the delay caused by the extra casting time, the movie is now expected to be released sometime in 2020.
(Photo by Dee Cercone/Everett Collection)
Part of the assurance that fans took from Pixar returning to the Toy Story universe for Toy Story 4 was that it was going to be directed by one of the studio’s big guns, Chief Creative Officer (CCO) John Lasseter, who also directed the first two Toy Story movies. Unfortunately, Lasseter is now stepping down as co-director of Toy Story 4, and newcomer Josh Cooley (of the short Riley’s First Date) will take over in what will be his feature film debut. Of course, we don’t necessarily know yet that this is a “Rotten Idea,” but we’re certainly disappointed by the departure of one of Pixar’s top talents.
(Photo by Priscilla Grant, Dee Cercone/Everett Collection)
One of the biggest trailers to debut this past week was for Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time, directed by Ava DuVernay and starring relative newcomer Storm Reid. This week, Reid signed on to star in the Blumhouse thriller Only You, along with David Oyelowo (who also collaborated with DuVernay on Selma). Though the exact premise is being kept secret, the film involves time travel, a police officer (Oyelowo) whose family was recently killed, and his niece (Reid). Only You will be directed by Jacob Estes (Mean Creek, The Details), whose track record on the Tomatometer sports four Rotten scores and only one Fresh rating.
(Photo by Walt Disney Studios courtesy Everett Collection)
Lastly, also based on D23 news, Disney’s Disneytoons studio has a film scheduled for April 12, 2019, and though no title was given, footage of the mystery film was shown, depicting a “speed test” between two fighter-type jets and an “evil” space shuttle, as well as a teaser tag suggesting that the movie was heading to outer space. Some interpreted this tease as a preview of a third Planes movie. If that’s the case, the first two Planes movies both received Rotten scores: Planes (23 percent) and Planes: Fire and Rescue (44 percent), so it’s probably best not to get our hopes too high.
