Strange World

Strange World

By Erin

Strange World

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ original action-packed adventure “Strange World” introduces us to a magical new world, with a legendary family of explorers, the Clades, as they attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob, a three-legged dog and a slew of ravenous creatures. The voice cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade, a family man who finds himself out of his element on an unpredictable mission; Dennis Quaid as Searcher’s larger-than-life explorer father, Jaeger; Jaboukie Young-White as Searcher’s 16-year-old son, Ethan, who longs for adventure; Gabrielle Union as Meridian Clade, an accomplished pilot and Searcher’s partner in all things; and Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal, Avalonia’s fearless leader who spearheads the exploration into the strange world. Helmed by Don Hall (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Raya and the Last Dragon”) and co-director/writer Qui Nguyen (co-writer “Raya and the Last Dragon”), and produced by Roy Conli (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Tangled”), “Strange World” releases November 23, 2022.

The other month we got to learn a little bit about the movie and have some fun in the studio, saying a line or two from the film. This was my little part.

The settings in Strange World are utterly breathtaking, fantastical and awe-inspiring, inviting us to places only seen in our imagination. No world has ever been so wonderfully strange as the studio’s latest adventure. Journey deep into “Strange World,” set in a vast, hidden, subterranean world where bizarre creatures, looming danger and points unknown await.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ original action-adventure “Strange World” © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

At its core, “Strange World” is a story about family, specifically three generations who each are seeking their place in the world. Searcher Clade is a brilliant family man—who, as a teenager, discovered a plant-based power source that changed the world of Avalonia. Even with a statue in town in his honor, Searcher is at his core a humble farmer, growing, harvesting and distributing the crop alongside his wife and son. Searcher’s dad, Jaeger, set out at a young age to be the kind of explorer legends are made of. A statue in town (right next to Searcher’s) memorialized the great explorer, who has not been seen in 25 years, presumed lost during an expedition. Searcher’s son, Ethan, is a happy 16-year-old with a great sense of humor and a decent work ethic (for a teenager). Ethan helps on the farm, but he’s not sure he wants to follow in his father’s footsteps. The three Clades have huge differences that can prove divisive—and at the same time, they have more in common than any of them is willing to admit.

UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE STORY – Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Strange World” © 2022 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Hall leaned into the idea of fathers and sons—how they don’t always see the world the same way. “My dad and I have a great relationship,” he says. “He is a farmer and I grew up helping out. But when I was 14 years old, it all changed. Suddenly, I was planting and doing more high-level stuff that I just didn’t want to do. It wasn’t me. It all turned out fine, but I always remembered that and thought it would be interesting to explore father/son relationships and the kind of expectations we put on our kids—intentionally or unintentionally.”

CAN I CALL YOU SPLAT?— © 2022 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

The biggest discovery that awaits the Clades is the key to their relationships with each other, what the future holds for them if they find it and what their journey means in the bigger picture.

Strange World is perfect for the whole family, it does NOT disappoint! Be sure to go see it this weekend!

Diving into the 30th Anniversary Edition of “The Little Mermaid” at Walt Disney Animation Studios

Diving into the 30th Anniversary Edition of “The Little Mermaid” 

By Melanie Gable

*I was invited as media to visit Walt Disney Animation Studios to learn more about the Walt Disney Signature Collection edition of “The Little Mermaid.” All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly 30 years since Ariel first swam into theaters, but the fandom for Disney’s lovable mermaid princess has continued grow as each new generation experiences the magic of “The Little Mermaid.” This month the classic film will be joining the Walt Disney Signature Collection with both digital (available Feb. 12) and Blu-ray (Feb. 26) editions packed with all-new bonus features.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of “The Little Mermaid” and take a look back at the film’s legacy, Walt Disney Animation Studios hosted a media event featuring Director Ron Clements, Animation Supervisor Mark Henn, and The Little Mermaid herself, Jodi Benson! Erin invited me to cover the event for her, and I jumped at the chance to learn more about one of my favorite movies from the talented people who brought it to life.

We first met with Co-head of Animation Kira Lehtomaki, who gave us background on the revitalizing impact that “The Little Mermaid” had on the studio. “At the time that ‘The Little Mermaid’ was being made, we weren’t sure if the animation studio was going to close or not,” said Lehtomaki. “It wasn’t quite at the pinnacle of what animation had been, and it wasn’t until The Little Mermaid came along that she really revitalized the studio and launched a whole new renaissance for Disney animation.”

Hans Christian Andersen’s fish-out-of-water story had been on the studio’s list of potential fairy tale adaptations since the 1930s, but it wasn’t until 1989 that Disney was finally able to bring “The Little Mermaid” to theaters. The studio had been in a creative and box office slump, at least compared to its early films, but “The Little Mermaid” was a hit with critics and audiences alike, receiving a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, and winning Oscars for both Best Original Song (“Under the Sea”) and Best Original Score.

It's been 30 years since Ariel first swam into theaters, but the fandom for Disney’s lovable mermaid princess has continued grow as each new generation experiences the magic of “The Little Mermaid.” This month the classic film will be joining the Walt Disney Signature Collection with both digital (available Feb. 12) and Blu-ray (Feb. 26) editions packed with all-new bonus features. 

Ariel inspired legions of kids to long for mermaid tails and scarlet hair, and I was one of them. (I pity my poor mom, who had to endure me begging her to dye my hair red like The Little Mermaid on a nearly-daily basis after we saw the movie. Sorry, Mom!) The film also sparked the ambitions of a new generation of artists, many of whom dreamed of becoming Disney animators. “I knew at a very early age that I wanted to be part of this world,” confessed the charming Lehtomaki, who wanted to be a Disney “drawer” starting at age five, and even shared one of her childhood drawings of Ariel.

Lehtomaki led the team that brought all of the Disney princesses together, and designed their iconic loungewear, in “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” and she is particularly drawn to Ariel. “One of the reasons why I deeply connect to Ariel is because she’s a collector. She has ‘gadgets and gizmos a plenty,’ and I, too, am a collector. I’m kind of known around here as the resident Disney hoarder,” she joked. Lehtomaki used her personal collection of Disney princess figurines to remember the placement of each princess when she was animating their scene with Vanellope in “Ralph Breaks the Internet.”

She also formed a friendship with Ariel herself, actress Jodi Benson, who voiced the headstrong mermaid in the original film and subsequent Disney projects, including “Ralph Breaks the Internet.” Lehtomaki gushed about Benson, saying, “Jodi was so valuable in the information she gave us, but the other part was we got to watch her in the recording studio, and if you watch her you will see she IS Ariel. She embodies her.” Benson was kind enough to talk with us over video web chat about what “The Little Mermaid” has meant to her over the years and her memorable experiences during production.

The Little Mermaid Dinglehopper

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Meet the Cast of the Black Panther!

Meet the Cast of the Black Panther!

By Erin

Marvel Studios is coming out with one of the most anticipated super-hero films ever; Black Panther, the story of T’Challa, a young African prince who takes on the mantle of King and Super Hero, and the centuries-old legacy that comes with it. T’Challa returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to become king, but when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Long known for its revolutionary creative vision, Marvel Comics has introduced its audiences to a diverse roster of Super Heroes since 1939, most notably with the groundbreaking Black Panther character that made its first appearance in “Fantastic Four Vol. 1” Issue 52, published in 1966. Arriving in theatres everywhere on February 16, 2018, you won’t want to miss this one!

Before going out to see it, check out what the cast had to share with us at the press conference about this amazing film!

In attendance was:

  •         Chadwick Boseman (“T’Challa / Black Panther”) 
  •          Lupita Nyong’o (“Nakia”)
  •          Michael B. Jordan (“Erik Killmonger”)
  •          Danai Gurira (“Okoye”)
  •          Angela Bassett (“Ramonda”) 
  •          Forest Whitaker (“Zuri”)
  •          Andy Serkis (“Ulysses Klaue”)
  •          Martin Freeman (“Everett K Ross”)
  •          Daniel Kaluuya (“W’Kabi”)
  •          Winston Duke (“M’Baku”)
  •          Letitia Wright (“Shuri”)
  •          Director Ryan Coogler
  •          Producer Kevin Feige

Chadwick Boseman. Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

The first topic that was discussed was about when Chadwick Boseman got the call to play Black Panther in Civil War, and if he knew that role would end up having a movie based solely around him later on?  

Chadwick: The initial phone call from Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Nate Moore and the Russo Brothers was one where they essentially said, ‘We want to bring your character into the Marvel Comic Universe – as a stand-alone, but this is the best way to introduce him in Civil War.’  So I was aware of it.  And I think when I was shooting Civil War, I was not aware that other people weren’t aware that this was going to happen, because it was such at the forefront of my mind and when we did the introduction at El Capitan.  So – I’m sorry that you didn’t know that. But at the same time, I love the fact that it’s a surprise to people.

Many props were given to the ladies of Wakanda. All the ladies are so powerful, so beautiful, and so regal on that screen.  This film is Black Panther, but could also have been called The Bad-Ass Women of Wakanda.  For real. “The bad ass women of Wakanda” term came from the moderator of the press Junket, Nischelle Turner from E.T. (Entertainment Tonight). Beautiful Angela Bassett plays the queen and she shared how proud she was of the film.

Angela:  I was so pleased that this story, written by Ryan, and Joe Robert Cole, and Marvel, that it supported that. In African culture, they feel as if there is no king without a queen. I think in this story, it highlights the queen, the warrior, the general – the young sister.  I was so proud to have my daughter, and my son there last night, because in their faces, and in their spirit –and they were feeling themselves. And they stood taller after last night.

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