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There's always something fascinating about the phenomenon of late-stage sequels. Filmmakers will sometimes wait decades after a film is released to make a follow-up, which only proves that the original has either retained its cultural clout or somehow gained more traction in the mass consciousness over time. It's easy to see why, in 1985, Walter Murch decided to make a sequel to 1939's "The Wizard of Oz" called "Return to Oz." It had been about 46 years since the original had been released, but "The Wizard of Oz" had — and has — remained one of the most famous movies of all time. A sequel would merely tap into the perpetual affection American audiences have for the film.

And, of course, some long-in-the-tooth sequels are merely a matter of timing, interest, and commitment. Why were there over ten years between "Toy Story 2" (1999) and "Toy Story 3" (2010)? No other reason than that the studio was working on other things.

Last Updated on April 5, 2025

Disney is having a ball poking fun at themselves using Stitch from the new live-action Lilo & Stitch adaptation. First, they released a teaser that was a parody of their famous Lion King scene with Stitch being held up Simba-style. Now, the House of Mouse is taking the lovable alien creature and flexing on some of their acquired properties in the new poster. This time, Stitch chews on a Pixar ball with some disheveled items from Aladdin, Star Wars, Marvel Studios, The Avengers and even 20th Century Fox in a wink-wink reference. The caption reads, “There’s one in every family.” The new adaptation is set to hit theaters on May 23, 2025.

Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch stars Maia Kealoha as Lilo in reimagining the mouse-eared studio’s 2002 animated classic. Other players include Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Courtney B. Vance, Sydney Agudong, and Chris Sanders...

Tangled is one of the most popular and beloved recent Disney movies. Which naturally led to a need for a live-action version.

Disney is known for its beloved animated Disney Princesses, which include both classic characters like Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, and Ariel, but also newcomers like Merida, Tiana, Moana, Raya, and Rapunzel. The latter got her own movie with the beloved 2010 animation Tangled. Disney was already working on developing a live-action version, but, per The Hollywood Reporter, the plans for the live-action Tangled are now paused amid its Snow White headaches.

There were conversations about the adaptation, but Disney confirmed the Tangled live-action remake in December 2024. Michael Gracey, who helmed critically acclaimed productions like The Greatest Showman and the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man, was in talks to direct. Jennifer Kayton Robinson, who helms the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer legacy sequel, wrote the draft for the script.

After debuting during their CinemaCon presentation last night, Sony Pictures has officially released the brand new trailer for Karate Kid: Legends, offering an action-packed new look at the next chapter in the Karate Kid franchise. 

The new film will see Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) and the original Karate Kid, Daniel Larusso (Ralph Macchio), merge their unique styles to help train a young man named Li Fong (Ben Wang) as he attempts to defend his family and become next ultimate karate champion. 

The synopsis teases, "When kung fu prodigy Li Fong relocates to New York City with his mother to attend a prestigious new school, he finds solace in a new friendship with a classmate and her father. But his newfound peace is short-lived after he attracts unwanted attention from a formidable local karate champion. Driven by a desire to defend himself, Li embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition.

Donnie Yen is returning to the world of “John Wick,” this time with some additional responsibilities.

The martial arts legend will star as Caine, the blind assassin from “John Wick: Chapter 4,” in a new spinoff film for Lionsgate. Yen will also direct the movie, which will begin production in Hong Kong later this year. The announcement was made as part of Lionsgate’s CinemaCon presentation.

Like all other installments in the ever-growing “John Wick” franchise, the Caine movie will be produced by Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee through their Thunder Road banner and by series director Chad Stahelski, who produces through his 87Eleven Entertainment production company. Yen will also serve as an executive producer.

The movie’s logline is being kept under wraps, probably in a locked drawer at the Continental.

Mattson Tomlin has also joined the project to write the film; a previous draft was written by Robert Askins.

The John Wick spinoff starring action legend Donnie Yen has found its director: action legend Donnie Yen.

Yen was already starring in the Lionsgate feature, reprising his role of the formidable blind assassin known as Caine. Now, the action star and filmmaker known for Hong Kong marital arts movies such as the Ip Man series, will step behind the camera to direct the project, the studio announced at its presentation at Cinemacon Tuesday.

The studio also said that Mattson Tomlin, writer of the upcoming The Batman Part II and Netflix’s adaptation of the Keanu Reeves-created comic book Brzrkr, has joined to write the project. The previous draft of the screenplay for the spinoff was written by Robert Askins.

Lionsgate is hoping to begin production later this year.

Producing the feature are Wick franchise producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee of Thunder Road as well as Chad Stahelski, the director of the Wick films,...

Martial arts legend Donnie Yen has been set to direct Lionsgate’s stand-alone film centered on Caine, the blind assassin he played in John Wick: Chapter 4. As previously announced, Yen will also reprise his role as Caine in the English-language project, which is billed as a Hong Kong-style action thriller. Production is due to begin later this year, it was announced this morning at CinemaCon in Las Vegas.

Mattson Tomlin, writer of the upcoming The Batman Part II and the adaptation of the Keanu Reeves-created comic book Brzrkr, has joined to write the film. The previous draft of the screenplay of the new film was written by Robert Askins.

The untitled film’s logline is being kept under wraps but will continue Yen’s story arc following the events of John Wick: Chapter 4, as Caine has been freed from his obligations to the High Table.

The film will...

We anime fans, or simply put, people who adore the Japanese anime industry, are claiming that OpenAI’s Ghibli art generator is breaking plagiarism laws and is morally wrong. This may be true. But we are also at fault for doing the one thing that the industry has long been sick of.

We also often fail to honor the industry we love, and this is really worrying, to say the least.

Chihiro and Haku from Spirited Away | Credits: Studio Ghibli

Perhaps not all of us, but many are just being hypocritical for saying the Ghibli art generator disrespects creators, while some of us unapologetically consume anime from pirated sites. This does an equal disrespect to the creators as using the AI art, does it not?

If AI devalues Art, then pirating that Art does the same

We’re the same people who condemn others for using AI, arguing that art...

Quick Links What's Included In The Illumineer's Trove For Ursula's Return Disney Lorcana: Ursula's Return New Cards Overview Final Thoughts On Disney Lorcana's Latest Set The Ursula's Return set for Disney Lorcana features impressive artwork & darker-themed cards. The Illumineer's Trove includes a storage box, dividers, a Lore counter, and booster packs. New cards showcase Encanto, Hercules, Frozen, & Ursula from The Little Mermaid.

The newest set from Disney Lorcana is Ursula's Return, an aptly named expansion that features characters from The Little Mermaid alongside Disney movies like Encanto and Mulan. The new Illumineer's Trove for Ursula's Return includes just about everything one would expect in a box set of Ravensburger's popular Tcg, and it also features some of the most impressive artwork to date.

Currently available in local hobby stores, this fourth Disney Lorcana set will be available worldwide starting on May 31, 2024. Ursula's Return, combined with the "Deep Trouble" Illumineer's Quest box set,...

The Disney Renaissance films are defined by critical acclaim, original music, and beautiful hand-drawn animation styles. Tarzan stands out in the Renaissance era for blending 2-D animation with 3-D backgrounds and its powerful soundtrack by Phil Collins. While some Disney Renaissance films face criticism for dated themes, all are praised for their impact on animation and storytelling.

The Disney Renaissance is widely accepted as the period between 1989 and 1999 when the studio made some of its greatest animated movies, but there is a ranking of which films are the best. Since the studio's creation by Walt Disney in 1923, the company has taken off and is now synonymous with modern animated movies across the world. Much of this is thanks to the Disney Renaissance and how much it revitalized the animation sector of the studio after several flops, including The Black Cauldron during the Disney Dark Age, 1970 - 19808.

The Disney Renaissance is defined by great critical acclaim,...

The upcoming MCU film Thunderbolts is currently in production, scheduled to be released in May 2025. The Florence Pugh and David Harbour starrer reportedly added another member to its cast. Mulan’s Liu Yifei is reportedly the newest addition to the cast of Thunderbolts. The film is directed by Jake Schreier and also stars Sebastian Stan and Lewis Pullman.

While IMDb shows Liu Yifei as simply an ‘Agent’, fans have been speculating about which role the actress would be playing. While Marvel boasts of many Asian-origin superheroes, only some have had associations with the Thunderbolts. Hence, here are three Marvel heroes that the Chinese superstar could play in the upcoming film.

1. Moonstone – One of the Original Thunderbolts Moonstone a.k.a Karla Sofen, a member of the Thunderbolts | Credits: Marvel

The Thunderbolts were initially formed as a group of villains masquerading as superheroes after the Avengers were declared to be missing.

Ariana DeBose has been cast in 'With Love'.The Oscar-winning actress will feature opposite Ke Huy Quan in the upcoming Universal Pictures movie that will be released in February 2025.Plot details are being kept under wraps on the film, which is being helmed by first-time director Jonathan Eusebio – an acclaimed veteran stunt coordinator.87 North's Kelly McCormick and David Leitch are producing while the flick has been written by Josh Stoddard, Luke Passmore and Matthew Murray.According to Deadline, film bosses were searching for the perfect female lead after casting Quan and met with a number of performers before settling on the 'West Side Story' star.Ariana starred in the Disney animated movie 'Wish' last year and revealed that she "cried like a baby" when she was cast in the film.She told MovieWeb.com: "They came to me shortly after ‘West Side Story’ had premiered, and I hadn't really won anything.

It's a testament to Disney's branding that mainstream audiences don't necessarily know who directed or starred in some of their better-known movies. Although many have seen the studio's 1950 animated feature "Cinderella," most audiences wouldn't be able to tell you that Ilene Woods played the title character, or that Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, and Clyde Geronimi directed the film. Disney's "Aladdin" changed that with the casting of Robin Williams as the Genie. And the trend of hiring known screen celebrities, often not voice actors, to sell an animated feature to a broad audience went to a whole other level in the wake of DreamWorks' "Shrek." The advent of the internet also helped certain actresses become known among Disney fans. Nowadays, many adults know the names of the actresses who played characters like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, or Ariel the Mermaid.

By Disney's own selection, there are thirteen "official" Disney Princesses: Snow White,...

Disney has addressed the criticism of its princess movies seven times by creating films where the focus is not solely on finding romantic love. These movies, such as Pocahontas, Mulan, and Brave, have been successful at the box office and have proven that princess stories do not need to revolve around romantic relationships. The debate over whether Disney has a "princess problem" depends on individual perspectives and what each viewer values in a princess character's story.

While Disney’s Princess movies are some of the studio’s most popular and profitable productions, they have been met with a lot of controversy over the years, but the biggest complaint about them has actually already been fixed seven times. Walt Disney Productions’ very first feature animated movie was also the studio’s first Princess movie: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, released in 1937. Snow White was only the beginning of Disney’s...

Blue Eye Samurai is Netflix's latest phenomenon. The revenge-based series has already made an impactful name for itself with its never-before-seen animation style. Show creators Michael Green and Amber Noizumi, sought out French studio house Blue Spirit, blending 2D and 3D techniques to bring a violently, colorful yet personal epic to life. Audiences were immediately spellbound by the electrifying first trailer, and conversations swirled around how the anticipated storyline could have taken influence from films like Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill and Disney's Mulan. In an interview to promote the series, however, Noizumi revealed that one of the greatest inspirations for the samurai tale was actually Barbra Streisand's musical film Yentl.

The live-action remake of DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon is a major threat to Disney's upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch remake. Dean DeBlois, the original director of both How to Train Your Dragon and Lilo & Stitch, choosing to direct the former is a blow to the latter. The How to Train Your Dragon remake is getting a theatrical release, while the Lilo & Stitch remake may go directly to Disney+, making the former appear more significant in comparison.

A live-action remake of DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon is currently in development, and the film is a massive blow to another upcoming Disney remake. Live-action remakes of classic animated films are all the rage lately, with Disney releasing all kinds of remakes of films like The Lion King, Aladdin, Mulan, and more. Despite their middling critical reception, Disney shows no sign of stopping their remake train, but the...

Throughout her career, actor Ming-Na Wen has been a consistent presence on-screen, not only in a variety of live-action projects, but in animation as well. Beginning in 1998 with Disney's Mulan, Wen has lent her voice to a wide range of animated films and series, making her uniquely qualified to narrate the new documentary film Pencils vs. Pixels, which chronicles the history and evolution of the animation industry. Featuring a who's-who of animation industry heavyweights including Glen Keane, John Musker, Pete Docter, Seth MacFarlane, Kevin Smith, and Jorge R. Gutierrez just to name a few, the film examines the shift from hand-drawn animation to computer-generated images, through the eyes of the animators and creators that lived through the seismic shift.

Disney has produced several sequels that are just as good as, if not better than, the originals, defying the general expectation of a decline in quality. These exceptional sequels captivate audiences with rich storytelling, engaging characters, and memorable music that rival the originals. From long-delayed follow-ups to imaginative continuations of beloved stories, Disney has proven that its sequels to hit movies are worth watching and can become classics in their own right.

When it comes to Disney sequels, the general expectation tends to lean towards a decline in magic the second time around. At the turn of the century, Walt Disney Studios flooded the market with straight-to-video continuations of their '90s classics, and many, such as the sequels to Mulan, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Pocahontas, left audiences unimpressed, made evident in their lackluster scores on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this trend, a handful of sequels managed to defy the odds,...

Netflix has finally dropped the official teaser and first cast information for the upcoming Ultraman: Rising film.

The Ultraman: Rising official teaser trailer was released on Netflix's official YouTube channel. Protagonist Ken Sato features as he again suits up as Ultraman but finds that his next responsibility is a bit more than he signed up for. Christopher Sean (Kazuda Xiono in Star Wars Resistance) will voice Ultraman, and is joined by Gedde Watanabe (Ling in Mulan), Tamlyn Tomita (Kumiko in Cobra Kai), Keone Young (Luong Lao Shi in American Dragon: Jake Long), and Julia Harriman as newly announced cast members. The teaser trailer can be watched below:

Crunchyroll Announces Production I.G/Studio Khara's Kaiju No. 8 Anime to Premiere in Spring 2024

The trailer follows the Ultraman: Rising teaser image that was released on Nov. 8, 2023. The image showcased Ultraman looking through the window of a building with an adult and...

Ultraman: Rising is an upcoming animated film based on the popular Japanese character, set to be released in 2024 on Netflix. The movie follows baseball superstar Ken Sato as he becomes the Earth-defending superhero Ultraman, while also raising a newborn Kaiju. The voice cast for Ultraman: Rising includes actors such as Christopher Sean, Gedde Watanabe, Tamlyn Tomita, Keone Young, and Julia Harriman. Exciting updates are expected.

Ultraman is making its way back to the screen thanks to Netflix. During the latest celebratory edition of Geeked Week, the streaming platform finally released the first trailer for Ultraman: Rising, a new animated film based on the famous Japanese character, which will be released in 2024.

It was 1966 when Eiji Tsuburaya premiered Ultra Q, a Japanese animated series that would mark the beginning of one of the most legendary science fiction franchises in all history, and that forever marked pop culture. Since that moment, all...

Pencils vs. Pixels is a documentary that chronicles the history of 2D hand-drawn animation and the shift to 3D computer animation in the industry. The documentary features iconic artists, including Seth MacFarlane and Alex Hirsch, who played a significant role in creating beloved animated classics. The film explores the influence of the Nine Old Men, mentors to many of the animators featured, and their lasting impact on modern animation. The future of animation is predicted to include new technologies and a surge of creativity.

New documentary Pencils vs. Pixels goes back through the incredible journey of 2D hand-drawn animation, especially the high point of the Disney Renaissance in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Then the story of 3D computer animation follows, and how animation studios have had to change in the wake of such a shift. The documentary is narrated by Ming-Na Wen and incorporates the thoughts of several...

The Blue Eye Samurai co-creators, husband-and-wife duo Michael Green and Amber Noizumi, came up with the idea for this story when they first saw their newborn child's blue eyes. Although there was an actual Blue Eye Samurai who lived in Japan during the 1600s, an English navigator named William Adams, this Netflix show shares only the name. This animated show follows a multi-racial samurai named Mizu, who has mastered the art of swordsmanship and set out on a path of vengeance in disguise. She, similar to the story of Mulan, uses her disguise as a male to enact revenge on the people who excluded her. The ability to manipulate action scenes and persuade the audience to suspend disbelief by using animation enables the show to create stunning imagery and take the brilliant voice actors beyond their physical capabilities. It’s gathered the attention and adoration of critics and fans alike already,...

Pencils vs. Pixels is a new documentary that explores the history and future of 2D animation, featuring commentary from industry professionals. The film highlights the animation boom of Disney's Renaissance era and the impact of computer technology on the 2D animation industry. While 2D animation faced challenges, it never truly disappeared and has experienced a resurgence with recent films incorporating hand-drawn elements. Pencils vs. Pixels showcases this artistic evolution.

Strike Back Studios and Hideout Pictures have debuted the trailer for Pencils vs. Pixels, their new documentary that celebrates 2D animation. The upcoming feature, narrated by Mulan's Ming-Na Wen, explores 2D hand-drawn animation and the transformative journey from the Disney Renaissance to the computer animation revolution... and the inspiring future yet to come. Check out an exclusive new clip below.

Pencils vs. Pixels relies on commentary from renowned industry professionals and famous animators including Seth MacFarlane, Alex Hirsch (Gravity Falls), Peter Docter,...

Aladdin 2's future is uncertain as there has been no official confirmation from Disney, and a tweet by Mena Massoud suggests it may have been scrapped. Disney's CEO Bob Iger's statement about scaling back on new franchise content and big budgets raises concerns about the movie's cancellation. The previously announced live-action Aladdin spinoff, Genies, was also scrapped, but there is still hope for the Prince Anders spinoff to pave the way for Aladdin 2's revival.

2019's live-action Aladdin allowed audiences to be transported to Agrabah in a whole new way and left audiences excited for Aladdin 2, but it hasn't happened yet. Disney has shown that part of their ever-evolving content strategy is to reboot their familiar animated franchises in live-action form. They've given this treatment to movies like Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, and The Little Mermaid, all with varying degrees of success. It is...

If hand-drawn animation ever needed a jump start at Disney, now’s the time. Maybe “Once Upon a Studio,” the hybrid short where 2D takes center stage in a multi-character crossover, will provide the first baby step. But even if it’s only a momentary 100th-anniversary legacy booster, it’s a cause for celebration as 543 newly animated characters (mostly hand-drawn) leap out of their photographs in the live-action Roy E. Disney Animation building to roam the halls and gather outside for a group photo.

The short premieres October 15 during ABC’s “The Wonderful World of Disney: Disney’s 100th Anniversary Celebration.” It will not play in front of “Wish” but will have an Oscar-qualifying run at the El Capitan in Hollywood. One of the great treats is watching Mickey stop and pay tribute to Walt’s portrait underscored by 94-year-old legendary composer Richard Sherman play “Feed the Birds” from “Mary...

conclusion, but a powerful one. Mulan's actions have saved China and its people. Her bravery and selflessness have made a significant impact, and she is rightfully recognized and praised for her heroic efforts.

Before there was the live-action war story of Mulan, there was Disney's animated version of the Chinese folk tale, and Mulan's quotes are some of the most memorable in Disney's animated catalog. The movie boasted an incredible voice cast that includes Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, James Hong, and Pat Morita. They deliver a number of significant quotes that really flesh out the themes of the epic story.

Fans continue to enjoy Mulan on Disney+ and indeed even its animated sequels. As the Walt Disney Company continues to add to its roster of inspirational female heroes, including their princesses, these Mulan quotes should remind audiences why this Chinese warrior is among the boldest and most courageous in their filmography.

DreamWorks' live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon could avoid the issues faced by Disney's live-action adaptations by involving the original film's writer-director, Dean DeBlois. Disney could learn from other studios within its conglomerate, like Lucasfilm, which successfully translated animated properties to live-action through the leadership of experienced animation creators like Dave Filoni. The upcoming How to Train Your Dragon remake may have the same heart and style as the original due to the return of its original creative team, setting it apart from Disney's divisive live-action remakes.

The upcoming live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon can fix one of the long-running problems found in Disney's attempts at live-action adaptations of classic animated films. Beginning in 2010 with Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, a new age of adapting classic Disney animations to live-action began. This spawned remakes of Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin,...

Buried deep within the Disney Vault is a little-known animated feature that tantalized star-gazing children during the early 2000s despite its tumultuous behind-the-scenes struggles. With George Lucas reviving his Star Wars franchise with a prequel trilogy, there was a renewed interest in space, aliens, and the uncharted worlds scattered beyond the Solar System. As Disney and their expansive catalog of subsidiaries confront the flailing reality they face at the box office, maybe now is a good time to revisit one of its forgotten cult classics.

It’s difficult to imagine Disney having any cult classics. A film brand that has seemingly pumped out consistent quality throughout its 100-year existence has also delivered some financial flops. Following a creative lull period during the 70s and 80s, Disney rejuvenated itself back to the days of princesses and musicals (and box office prowess) in what is now known as the Disney Renaissance. The...

Jason Reed has been appointed head of Skydance Sports, the sports-focused studio joint venture formed between David Ellison’s Skydance Media and the NFL.

In the new role, Reed will oversee all Skydance Sports operations and the development and production of the studio’s entire slate of sports-driven storytelling across scripted and unscripted content, documentaries, and events including and not limited to NFL content. He’ll report directly to the Skydance Sports Board of Directors, which includes Skydance Media’s president and COO, Jesse Sisgold, who now serves as Chairman.

“Jason is an outstanding executive with a proven track record of running complex organizations and producing top-quality films and series. His versatility, creative sensibility, and expertise launching some of the world’s most recognizable franchises is a boon to Skydance Sports, as we look to harness our early successes and scale the global footprint of the studio,” said Sisgold.

Reed...

Veteran producer and film executive Jason T. Reed has been named as the head of Skydance Sports, the company announced on Thursday.

Skydance Sports is the sports-focused studio collaboration that was established in 2022, a joint effort between David Ellison’s Skydance Media and the NFL.

With more than 20 years in the media and content industry, Reed’s history includes the creation and production of significant film and TV intellectual properties, such as “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and the live-action version of “Mulan.” Furthermore, he had an 18-year tenure at The Walt Disney Company, where he excelled in international production and franchise management.

In his newly created role, Reed will spearhead Skydance Sports operations and oversee the development and production of the studio’s entire slate of sports-driven storytelling. This will encompass both scripted and unscripted content, documentaries and events, including NFL-related content.

Reed will report directly to...

Film executive Jason T. Reed has been named the head of Skydance Sports, the joint studio venture formed by Skydance Media and the NFL.

Reed most recently ran his own film and television production company and will now lead the development and production of Skydance Sports’ sport-driven scripted and unscripted content, documentaries, and events. He will report to the company board of directors, run by recently appointed chairman, Jesse Sisgold, Skydance Media’s president and chief operating officer.

At his self-titled production company, Reed produced Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and the live-action feature film adaptation of Mulan. Working in international production and franchise management at The Walt Disney Company, Reed also oversaw films such as the National Treasure franchise, Alice in Wonderland, Pearl Harbor, Armageddon and Enchanted. He has worked on sports features such as Prefontaine, The Waterboy and The Greatest Game Ever Played.

After Skydance Media...

Jason T. Reed, a veteran producer who spent 18 years as an exec at Disney overseeing a number of top franchises, has been named Head of Skydance Sports.

The division of David Ellison’s Skydance Media last year formally teamed with the NFL and NFL Films. In his newly created role, Reed will lead overall Skydance Sports operations and the development and production of the studio’s entire slate of sports-driven scripted and unscripted projects, along with documentaries and events.

Jon Weinbach, who has served as President of Skydance Sports since its 2021 formation, will now focus on overseeing the studio’s unscripted and documentary slate. That unit produced NFL Draft: The Pick Is In, a docuseries that became Roku’s most-watched original documentary title ever, earning a renewal for 2024. Another title shepherded by Weinbach was Kelce, a feature documentary on Prime Video about Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.

As Reed takes on the head role,...

"Nimona" debuted on Netflix in 2023 to rave reviews, combining sci-fi and fantasy elements with beautiful animation and high energy. Ted Ty, the Animation Director, discusses the challenges of transitioning from Blue Sky Studios to Netflix and starting from scratch with character animation. Former Blue Sky employees integrated seamlessly into the Nimona team, contributing their artistic talents to the film and embracing the new studio.

Nimona made its long-awaited debut on Netflix in the summer of 2023, and the film was a massive hit, pleasing new viewers and fans of the graphic novels alike. The film follows a young shapeshifter named Nimona and a rogue knight named Ballister Boldheart as they attempt to take down the Director and her authoritarian rule over the kingdom. Nimona features a unique mix of sci-fi and fantasy, with it's beautiful animation style and high energy making it one of the standout animated films of 2023.

Theodore "Ted...

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 7.

Ahsoka introduces Senator Hamato Xiono, a member of the New Republic Defense Council who dismisses the threat of Thrawn and the Imperial Remnant. The New Republic has less control over the galaxy than the Empire, with democratic oversight over the military provided through the Defense Council. Senator Xiono's son, Kaz, appears in Star Wars Resistance and may have political clout due to his father's position, while Senator Xiono himself may have collaborated with the First Order.

Ahsoka has introduced Senator Hamato Xiono, a key member of the New Republic Defense Council who refused to believe in the threat of Grand Admiral Thrawn and the Imperial Remnant. Star Wars' Disney+ TV shows are fleshing out a period of galactic history that has previously been largely unexplored; the time between the original trilogy and the sequels. The Empire is believed defeated after the Battle of Jakku,...

“The Croods” and “How to Train Your Dragon” filmmaker Chris Sanders is returning to DreamWorks Animation with “The Wild Robot,” a new animated feature based on the New York Times best-selling book by Peter Brown. Sanders wrote the script and is directing the project.

Jeff Hermann is producing “The Wild Robot” and Sanders’ longtime creative collaborator Dean DeBlois will executive produce. No release date has been set. But you can still get very excited.

“The Wild Robot” follows Rozzum 7134 (“Roz” for short), a futuristic robot that washes ashore on a deserted island. From there, according to the official synopsis, “a tale of survival and discovery begins when she becomes the unexpected protector to an orphaned gosling, which she names Brightbill. Together they struggle to survive the harsh environment, but only succeed with the help of a close-knit group of misfit animals, who become first friends, then family. Ultimately Roz and...

The perfect voice can enhance the essence of a film. Voice actors can execute believable performances to bring characters of all creeds to life. Some performances can be unsettling and chilling, and others are upbeat and witty. But not every actor's voice is perfectly matched with their character.

Sometimes this is done intentionally for comedic purposes. Larry King's voice for the Ugly Stepsister in Shrek 2 is so ill-fitting that it's pure comedy gold. Moreover, familiar voices like Eddie Murphy as Mushu in Mulan become iconic for how misplaced they are. But other voices, such as Matthew Broderick's in The Tale of Despereaux completely juxtapose their onscreen character's designs. Not all of these pairings are atrocious, but those that stand out the most can completely take audiences out of a movie's fictional universe.

Related: 10 Great Voice Actors & Their Best Role

Eddie Murphy as Mushu Mulan

Eddie Murphy is...

"Pencils Vs Pixels" is a new documentary that celebrates 2D hand-drawn animation and the journey from Disney Renaissance to computer animation revolution. The film features renowned animators and Hollywood names such as Seth MacFarlane, Pete Docter, John Musker, Glen Keane, and Sergio Pablos. "Pencils Vs Pixels" provides insights into the evolving methods of animation and explores the future of this art form.

From Strikeback Studios and Hideout Pictures comes the trailer for Pencils Vs Pixels, a new documentary that showcases the animators that bring your most favorite characters to life. The documentary is a celebration of 2D hand-drawn animation and the transformative journey from the Disney Renaissance to the computer animation revolution... and the inspiring future yet to come. Check out the newly released trailer for Pencils Vs Pixels below:

Alongside the trailer, you can also check out the official synopsis for Pencils Vs Pixels below, which details the scope...

From left: Maleficent, Ursula, Chernabog, Dr. Facilier, Cruella de Vil (All images courtesy of Disney)Graphic: The A.V. Club

With the live-action version of The Little Mermaid now swimming in the calm blue waters of Disney+, audiences can see Melissa McCarthy camp it up as Ursula in all her glory.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.

Disney fans and physical media collectors, rejoice! This November will see the release of a gargantuan 100-film Blu-ray collection called the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection. The catch? It’ll cost you $1,499.96.

The boxed set officially releases on Nov. 14, but preorders are currently available exclusively at Walmart’s website.

Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection $1,499.96 Buy Now

The collection is packaged as a three-volume set, featuring animated films from Disney, Walt Disney Animation and Pixar. But unlike other behemoth boxed sets, this one isn’t filled with lame direct-to video snoozers but beloved titles that includes classics and recent favorites. For example, the long-running list includes all the “Toy Story” movies, both of “The Incredibles,” “The Black Cauldron,” “Frankenweenie” and “Robin Hood.” It even includes films as recent as this...

Major studios and entertainment producers are still struggling to find a productive model for movies in the streaming era, and Disney is not an exception. The Mouse's company has been dealing with the problem for a while now, and with so many blockbusters bombing at the box office but garnering millions of views on Disney+, they are far from resolving the question of how to shoot and distribute films successfully, economically speaking, of course. In particular, with so many live-action remakes of classic animated movies being produced, the conundrum of where to premiere it is affecting the performance of each new film, independently of the critics and audience's perception of them.

Whereas the paradigm was different before the pandemic hit, now, Disney seems to pay closer attention to what is released first in cinemas vs. what goes directly to its streaming service. The result has mostly not been good, partly...

Disney Lorcana is going to be releasing its second set, Rise of the Floodborn in just a couple of months and will include another Illumineer's Trove full of goodies as part of the collection's lineup. The Rise of the Floodborn set will explore the origins of what makes a character's glimmer become a floodborn and how these cards have gained such powerful abilities. This upcoming set will include over 200 new cards featuring some additional characters being pulled in from well-known Disney franchises that were not represented yet in The First Chapter.

The theme for Rise of the Floodborn was revealed on September 12, alongside some of the Disney Lorcana cards that will be part of this second set and other sneak peeks at what is in store for people when it launches in a couple of months. Currently, Rise of the Floodborn is expected to be released on December 1, 2023, with early...

Disney's best animated movies were made in the past, particularly in the '90s, which is widely considered the company's renaissance era. The successes of Frozen in 2013 and Frozen II in 2019 were notable achievements, but Disney still hasn't been able to recreate the magic of its '90s films. Disney's focus on animated sequels, including plans for Frozen 3, may hinder its chances of making a comeback with new and creative ideas.

Looking back at a 15-year-old AFI poll, it seems less likely that Disney will make a 2020s comeback with its animated movies. The Walt Disney Company was founded in 1923, quickly becoming the king of animated cinema, and 100 years later, the studio is still producing tons of films. Unfortunately, it seems Disney's best movies, especially in animation, are in the past.

Animated Disney movies like Pinocchio, Peter Pan, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs are universally beloved. However, the...

Eddie Murphy is not part of the voice cast in Pixar's Elemental, despite the confusion caused by incorrect listings and Google search results. The confusion about Eddie Murphy's involvement in the movie stemmed from an old and incorrect IMDb listing that included his name. Although not involved in Elemental, Eddie Murphy's return to Disney animation would have been significant, as he had previously voiced Mushu in Disney's Mulan and is well-known for his role as Donkey in Shrek.

Elemental features another talented voice cast for Pixar, but there is some confusion about whether Eddie Murphy has a role in the animated movie too. The 2023 Pixar movie became one of the surprise box office stories of the year thanks to how it rebounded from a poor opening weekend to become a financial success. This is only part of Elemental's release strategy, as the movie is also now available on Disney Plus.

The D100 Edition of Disney Lorcana introduces six alt art cards, including Mickey Mouse, Elsa, and Genie, featuring illustrations from talented artists who have worked for Disney. Mickey Mouse: Friendly Face is a powerful questing card with 3 lore generation and ink cost reduction ability, despite its low strength. The artwork is by Mark Henn, a veteran Disney animator. Elsa: Gloves Off is a questing-focused card with decent stats and Challenger ability. The artwork is by Brittney Lee, a visual development artist for Disney who worked on Frozen.

The Disney100, or D100, Edition of Disney Lorcana adds six alt art cards to the game, arriving alongside the newly announced Rise of the Floodborn expansion. As a fresh addition to the collectible trading card game market, Disney Lorcana is moving full steam ahead in spite of some serious supply issues plaguing its recent launch. Following a similar approach to the Gift Set...

If you’re a Disney fan who wants each and every animated movie they’ve ever made in one place, then you’re in luck. The Walt Disney Company announced the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection, which features 100 animated movies from Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Pixar on Blu-ray. Everything from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Elemental is included, encompassing nearly one hundred years of storytelling.

Related Disney and Pixar’s Elemental comes to Disney+ on September 13th

The Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection is a self-standing, three-volume set that will be available for pre-order on September 19th, but only on Walmart.com. There will be a limited amount of sets available, so each will include a numbered certificate of authenticity. The set will also feature digital codes for each title, along with a collectible lithograph from Disney Animation’s all-new musical comedy Wish, and a collectible...

Disney Lorcana Set 2 will reportedly be called "Rise of the Floodborn" according to leaked information from a French retail site. The current set, Disney Lorcana: The First Chapter, includes 12 Floodborn cards featuring characters like Hades, Elsa, and Mickey Mouse. It remains to be seen how many new Floodborn cards will be included in Set 2 and what impact they will have on deck-building mechanics.

Disney Lorcana's Set 2 has been the subject of many rumors lately, and the most recent leaks seemingly confirm what the new expansion will be called - and what kind of cards are to be expected when it arrives. This follows last week's leaks, which have now been confirmed by Ravensburger, that cards for Disney Lorcana Set 2 will feature characters from Winnie the Pooh, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Mulan (among others). Now, it appears that Set 2 has a name - Rise of the Floodborn.

Although it's not officially confirmed yet,...

The Walt Disney Company is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a hefty new Blu-ray box set containing 100 of its best animated films.

Officially titled the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection, the box set comes with three volumes that open up to feature the original theatrical artwork for each film. Additionally, the package offers digital codes to all 100 movies, a certificate of authenticity, a lithograph from the upcoming feature Wish, and a collectible set of crystal Mickey Mouse ears engraved with “Disney 100.”

Drawing films from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, and the now-closed DisneyToon Studios, the collection offers a pretty comprehensive timeline of the company, founded in 1923. The box set features early classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan, 1990s renaissance films like Aladdin, The Lion King, and Toy Story, and more modern offerings — many of which got the direct-to-Disney+ treatment thanks to Covid — including Soul,...

Since the Writers Guild of American and Screen Actors Guild are both still on strike, this year's Destination D23 convention down in Orlando, Florida didn't really have much of anything to showcase. Sure, the studio showed some footage from Disney's upcoming animated movie "Wish," and they announced that "Haunted Mansion" would be hitting Disney+ in October. But there was one other announcement that might be intriguing for anyone who is both a Disney fan and a physical media collector.

This fall, the House of Mouse will be releasing the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection, which collects 100 animated films from both Disney and Pixar, reaching as far back as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and up through this summer's "Elemental" from Pixar. All of the movies come in a big three-volume set that unfolds in collectible storybooks. The Disney100 Blu-ray box set also includes the original theatrical poster art for every movie within the storybook,...

Disney is releasing a limited edition box set of 100 animated movies to celebrate their 100th anniversary, priced at $1,500. The box set includes classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, as well as newer films like Encanto and Turning Red. While the price may seem steep, the box set comes with bonus collectibles and is a comprehensive collection that would be difficult and costly to build on one's own.

The price tag for Disney's new DVD collection set that contains 100 animated movies has been set at a hefty $1,500. With Disney's 100th anniversary set on October 16, the renowned company has been celebrating the milestone all through the year. The Disney theme parks began the official celebration by kicking off Disney 100 in January, a series of special events taking place in parks across the globe all year long. However, Disney will soon offer a way to bring part of the celebration into audiences' own homes.

Underrated Disney Lorcana cards are low-cost, effective options that can support a well-engineered deck and potentially gain traction in the meta. There are a variety of underrated cards with unique abilities that can be powerful additions to a deck. These underrated cards have the potential to create strong combos, generate lore, and disrupt opponents' strategies in Disney Lorcana.

Disney Lorcana has a wide variety of cards that are generally agreed to be powerful, but it also has some heavy hitters that have mostly flown under the radar. The new trading card game can still be a little hard to get in hand, and its strategic component is still in its infancy despite a strong start. For every obvious winner like Belle: Strange but Special, there's a uniquely effective card that isn't getting a comparable amount of buzz.

The majority of the most underrated Disney Lorcana cards come in at fairly low ink costs,...