Mouse @ Nerdvana...

Looks like the Mouse has released its schedule for Comic-Con 2009 and it's uber-cool/cotton candy delish...

And buried in it is the actual first verification of the plot to "Tron 2.0," which I so wanted to sit in on. Unfortunately, something came up this year and I won't be attending for the first time in a decade. I am so bummed. Here's the press release:

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Animation greats Hayao Miyazaki and John Lasseter and directors Robert Zemeckis and Tim Burton will take part in their first ever Comic-Con at the San Diego Convention Center July 23-24. The filmmakers will be on hand to help Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures showcase a wide-ranging roster of upcoming films, including 3D juggernauts ALICE IN WONDERLAND, TRON and DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and animated gems THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, PONYO and the TOY STORY trilogy.

Zemeckis, Burton, Miyazaki and Lasseter will take part in industry panels.

* COMIC-CON’S FIRST EVER 3D PANEL — Veteran directors Robert Zemeckis and Tim Burton join TRON producers Sean Bailey and Steve Lisberger on Thurs., July 23 at 11 a.m. for an unprecedented presentation featuring behind-the-scenes filmmaker insights about the highly anticipated 3D adventures DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL, ALICE IN WONDERLAND and TRON. In addition to Q&A opportunities with each of the filmmakers, the 90-minute panel will feature never-before-seen concept art, trailers, actual 3D film footage and other Comic-Con-only footage debuts. In a groundbreaking technical feat, this is the first time ever that 3D footage will be shown at Comic-Con. Patton Oswalt will moderate.
* ANIMATION PANEL — Animation legends Hayao Miyazaki and John Lasseter join veteran animation directors Lee Unkrich, Kirk Wise, Ron Clements and John Musker on Fri., July 24 at 12:45 p.m. for an animation panel which will highlight upcoming animated films, including Disney•Pixar’s TOY STORY/TOY STORY 2 double feature, Disney•Pixar’s TOY STORY 3, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ half-hour holiday TV special PREP & LANDING, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG and Miyazaki’s PONYO. John Lasseter will host the panel and Patton Oswalt will moderate a group Q&A following the presentation, which will include filmmaker insights, trailers and select film sequences.

ABOUT THE MOVIES

PONYO

From the Academy Award®-winning director and world-renowned Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki comes PONYO, a story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.” Already a box-office success in Japan, the story of a young and overeager goldfish named Ponyo (voiced by NOAH CYRUS) and her quest to become human features an outstanding roster of voice talent, including CATE BLANCHETT, MATT DAMON, TINA FEY, FRANKIE JONAS, CLORIS LEACHMAN, LIAM NEESON, LILY TOMLIN and BETTY WHITE. PONYO opens in U.S. theaters on Aug. 14, 2009.

TOY STORY & TOY STORY 2 – DOUBLE FEATURE (In Disney Digital 3D™)

Disney?Pixar’s TOY STORY and TOY STORY 2 return to the big screen in an exciting double feature Oct. 2, 2009—this time in Disney Digital 3D™.

TOY STORY

They’re toys, they talk—at least when people aren’t around—and they’re back… celebrating the return of the “Toy Story” franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™! TOY STORY, the film that started it all, takes moviegoers back to that fantastic fun-filled journey, viewed mostly through the eyes of two rival toys— Woody (voice of TOM HANKS), the lanky, likable cowboy, and Buzz Lightyear (voice of TIM ALLEN), the fearless space ranger. The comically-mismatched duo eventually learn to put aside their differences when circumstances separate them from their owner Andy and they find themselves on a hilarious adventure-filled mission where the only way they can survive is to form an uneasy alliance.

TOY STORY 2

Disney•Pixar’s TOY STORY 2 picks up as Andy heads off to Cowboy Camp, leaving his toys to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggin (voice of WAYNE KNIGHT), owner of Al's Toy Barn, kidnaps Woody (voice of TOM HANKS). At Al's apartment, Woody discovers that he is a highly valued collectible from a 1950s TV show called “Woody's Roundup," and he meets the other prized toys from that show - Jessie the cowgirl (voice of JOAN CUSACK), Bullseye the horse and Stinky Pete the Prospector (voice of KELSEY GRAMMER). Back at the scene of the crime, Buzz Lightyear (voice of TIM ALLEN) and the gang from Andy's room – Mr. Potato Head (voice of DON RICKLES), Slinky Dog (voice of JIM VARNEY), Rex (voice of WALLACE SHAWN) and Hamm (voice of JOHN RATZENBERGER) – spring into action to rescue their pal from winding up as a museum piece. The toys get into one predicament after another in their daring race to get Woody home before Andy returns.

DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL (In Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D)

DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL, a multi-sensory thrill ride re-envisioned by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, captures the fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale in a groundbreaking 3D motion picture event. Ebenezer Scrooge (JIM CARREY) begins the Christmas holiday with his usual miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk (GARY OLDMAN) and his cheery nephew (COLIN FIRTH). But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come take him on an eye-opening journey revealing truths Old Scrooge is reluctant to face, he must open his heart to undo years of ill will before it’s too late. Opens in theaters nationwide on Nov. 6, 2009.

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG

Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the musical THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, an animated comedy set in the great city of New Orleans. From the creators of “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin” comes a modern twist on a classic tale, featuring a beautiful girl named Tiana (ANIKA NONI ROSE), a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana. THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG marks the return to hand-drawn animation from the revered team of John Musker and Ron Clements, with music by Oscar®-winning composer Randy Newman. Opens on November 25, 2009 in NY and LA, and on December 11, 2009 nationwide.

PREP & LANDING

PREP & LANDING is ABC’s first television special produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The half-hour holiday special reveals the never-before-told tale of an elite unit of Elves known as Prep & Landing. Every Christmas Eve, this high-tech organization ensures that homes around the world are properly prepared for a visit from the Big Guy (aka Santa Claus). After working tirelessly on Prep & Landing for 227 years, an elf named Wayne (voice of Dave Foley) is upset when he doesn’t receive an expected promotion to be the Director of Naughty List Intelligence. Instead, Magee (voice of Sarah Chalke), the North Pole Christmas Eve Command Center Coordinator (NPCECCC for short), partners Wayne with Lanny (voice of Derek Richardson), an idealistic rookie who has an undying enthusiasm for Christmas. During their Christmas Eve mission, Wayne and Lanny encounter unexpected challenges that push them to their limits.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (In Disney Digital 3D™)

Walt Disney Pictures’ magical animated classic BEAUTY AND THE BEAST returns to the big screen in Disney Digital 3D™, introducing a whole new generation to the Disney classic with stunning new 3D imagery. Opening Feb. 12, 2010, the film captures the fantastic journey of Belle (voice of PAIGE O’HARA), a bright and beautiful young woman who’s taken prisoner by a hideous beast (voice of ROBBY BENSON) in his castle. Despite her precarious situation, Belle befriends the castle’s enchanted staff—a teapot, a candelabra and a mantel clock, among others—and ultimately learns to see beneath the Beast’s exterior to discover the heart and soul of a prince. Featuring unforgettable music by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, and an enormously talented vocal ensemble, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST was the first—and only—animated feature to receive a Best Picture nomination from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND (In Disney Digital 3D™)

From Walt Disney Pictures and visionary director Tim Burton comes an epic 3D fantasy adventure ALICE IN WONDERLAND, a magical and imaginative twist on some of the most beloved stories of all time. JOHNNY DEPP stars as the Mad Hatter and MIA WASIKOWSKA as 19-year-old Alice, who returns to the whimsical world she first encountered as a young girl, reuniting with her childhood friends: the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Dormouse, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, and of course, the Mad Hatter. Alice embarks on a fantastical journey to find her true destiny and end the Red Queen’s reign of terror. The all-star cast also includes ANNE HATHAWAY, HELENA BONHAM CARTER and CRISPIN GLOVER; Linda Woolverton wrote the screenplay. Capturing the wonder of Lewis Carroll’s beloved “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (1865) and “Through the Looking-Glass” (1871) with stunning, avant-garde visuals and the most charismatic characters in literary history, ALICE IN WONDERLAND comes to the big screen in Disney Digital 3D™ on March 5, 2010.

TOY STORY 3 (In Disney Digital 3D™)

The creators of the beloved “Toy Story” films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of Woody, Buzz and our favorite gang of toy characters in TOY STORY 3. Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2” and “Finding Nemo”) directs this highly anticipated film, and Michael Arndt, the Academy Award®-winning screenwriter of “Little Miss Sunshine,” brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings. TOY STORY 3 comes to theaters nationwide in Disney Digital 3D™ on June 18, 2010.

TRON (title not final) (In Disney Digital 3D™)

TRON is a 3D high-tech adventure set in a digital world that’s unlike anything ever captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn (GARRETT HEDLUND), the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn (JEFF BRIDGES), looks into his father’s disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 25 years. Along with Kevin’s loyal confidant (OLIVIA WILDE), father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.

Mea Culpa...

Looks like the critics of Pixar's "Up" have finally started to admit they were wrong...

The New York Times has a nice article by Brooks Barnes that talks to some of the people that originally doubted the Lamp could pull this off and they've finally started say they misjudged the film a bit.

But just a bit...

It Has Begun...

Even though construction had already started on office facilities and a round house for the Red Cars weeks ago, groundbreaking officially began today of "Cars Land" in the Timon parking lot.

Counting the days till Summer 2012...

Separate But Equal...

The announcement of this new plan has gotten strong reaction from Disney Geeks/Fans...

I don't think it'll ever be said the the Disney community is ambivalent on something. Many people are expressing outrage that Disney would dilute the specialness of Club 33 by having another exclusive club over in in the Disneyland Resort's sister gate. Others have felt that there is no way people would be giving up their place in line for a secondary club in a park that doesn't reach the high standards that Walt himself would have imposed.

It's clear to understand the strong feelings that Disney fans are having, but I don't think that it should be looked at as something that takes away from Club 33. I've gotten a few e-mails from people that have said: how dare Disney add another private club." They insist that it'll only hurt the original one. Well, first off, it's in an entirely different park so I won't feel that it is taking away from the one in NOS. And from everything I've heard or seen, it won't be a sub-par club it terms of theming or decorations. It'll be a different period of architecture as it should be, but it that's to be expected regarding where it is being placed.

I believe it's the intention of WDI and the Suits to provide a distinctive experience for these members, but I don't know if the price is going to sway die hards on the 33 waiting list to give up their place in line. That being said, I wish they would wait until the new DCA develops a reputation of its own. Maybe around 2013 or 2014 there will be a much greater desire to have a club there and enough Legend will have developed around the rebranded California Adventure to make it so. I also feel that putting it at the front, directly in public view is tricky. I mean, it's the park weenie, or at least one of two (the other being Grizzly Peak) and guest may not take to walking up to the icon and being told: "Sorry, you're not allowed." How would one feel if this had been the case with Sleeping Beauty Castle? The only way this will work is if the bottom area is easily accessible to the general public that moves around Buena Vista street. If they make the entrance to the CCC somewhat discrete and subtle, while still allowing the normal guest to peruse around the lower sections of the building it could be worked out. But WDI and Burbank need to realize that Club 33 succeeds because of its anonymity as well as it's exclusivity and this project doesn't seem to have any of that. But this is still an evolving concept and the final design and implementation haven't even begun to gel. The final form of this club could be very different than what we're discussing here today.

My own personal preference would be for them to put the club somewhere in Hollywoodland once a Second Phase has begun. Hopefully Imagineers will turn this land into more of something like a bygone era of Tinsel Town, and less a working studio. That way they could create a little back alley or culdesac with a discreet entrance into some form of Art Deco building which could house DCA's exclusive club. But that's my two-cents, it's doubtful that the higher-ups in WDI are listening to me. And truthfully, their plans for the CCC may work out, it won't be until the holiday season of 2010 that the front entrance would be done and that is presuming there won't be any delays. That's a year and a half from now. Nations have been born and disappeared in that amount of time. These plans could change a dozen times between now and the debut of this new entrance.

And they probably will...

20,000 Writers Under The Sea...

Actually, it's only the third writer, but it sure does feel like that many sometimes...

Finally, there is good news regarding the Nemo/20K prequel. Justin Marks, who replaced Bill Marsilii is being replaced by "Braveheart" scribe Randall Wallace. This is indeed very good news. Wallace tends to write the kind of sweeping, macho action-adventure that I can see this becoming. And I could see it being good depending on how much of a rewrite it is. Hopefully there'll be more changes coming as well. First off, please let Will Smith choose to film MIB 3 so that he's not available to play in this. Get someone who could fill the bill better, like Eric Bana, hello? Like I keep mentioning. He'd be perfect. Oh, and one last change please. Someone replace McG with a director that knows story. Michael Bay, you need not apply.

Hey, I can dream...

The Two Towers...

The Bay Lake Tower DVC expansion doesn't open until August, but the website for it is open now...

This is a really nice, well thought out website. Perhaps the Mouse should put these guys in charge of the websites for the parks? I didn't originally like this design, but I've slowly warmed up to it. I do love the interiors of this place, though. It looks spectacular and seems to follow the Contemporary's "Futuristic-Retro" look.

If only the new look of the Disneyland Hotel here at the California Resort winds up looking as grand and spectacular...

More Focus On The Frog...

The folks over at the Animation World Network have posted another featurette on Walt Disney Animation Studios latest effort...

This one entitled "The Princess and the Animator" focuses on Mark Henn, the man in charge of animating Tiana in this film. Like a book, each new bit of info on this film is another page that I delight in learning about. Give it a look.

December...

Hat Tip to Latino Review's El Guapo.