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The tween girl with cerebral palsy at the heart of “Out of My Mind” would certainly dislike being called inspiring. She makes it crystal clear she hates pity, or anything resembling empty expressions of sympathy. Yet the filmmakers behind the Disney Original, based on Sharon M. Draper’s novel, cast her as the quintessential inspirational movie heroine, there to teach the able-bodied how to treat her disability with respect and empathy. While overall this might serve as a good teaching tool to impact the way disabilities are approached by the medical and educational community, the protagonist’s construction begs for an arc that’s strangely missing from this otherwise sharp feature.

Even before the opening credits, the film provides an introspective look at the frenzied chaos 12-year-old Melody Brooks (Phoebe-Rae Taylor) deals with on an average school day in 2002. We also hear her humorous charm by way of Jennifer Aniston,...

Out of My Mind is a touching story about a young woman's struggle to be heard due to people's frequent dismissal of her abilities and intellect. Throughout the film, Melody Brooks proves her incredible and indomitable will, despite setbacks and challenges. In addition, the movie forces us to consider our own preconceptions, as it highlights that differences do not equal a lack of ability, but rather a disconnection in understanding.

Out of My Mind, directed by Amber Sealey, follows Melody Brooks, a non-verbal sixth grader with cerebral palsy, as she navigates mainstream education. With the support of a young educator, Melody demonstrates her intellectual capabilities despite societal limitations, revealing her powerful inner voice and challenging stereotypes.

Director Amber SealeyRelease Date January 19, 2024Writers Sharon M. Draper, Daniel StieplemanCast Phoebe-Rae Taylor, Luke Kirby, Emily Mitchell, Courtney Taylor, Michael Chernus, Judith Light, Jennifer Aniston, Rosemarie DeWittCharacter(s) Dr. Katherine Post, Mr. Dimming, Penny Brooks,...

Sharon M. Draper's bestselling novel Out of My Mind has found a place around the world, in the classroom, and in the hearts of readers, and now, it's heading to streaming. This week, Disney+ will debut the star-studded film adaptation headlined by newcomer Phoebe-Rae Taylor as Melody, a non-verbal 12-year-old girl with cerebral palsy navigating the challenges of sixth grade. Made with help from members of the cerebral palsy and Aac (augmentative and alternative communication device) community, the movie strives to bring the book to life as accurately as possible and spread its positive message about making your voice heard. Ahead of its release, Collider can exclusively share a sneak peek showing how and why the team came together to do Draper's novel justice.

Out of My Mind is a powerful film exploration of disability, tenacity, and human potential. Set in the early 2000s, the film follows Melody Brooks, a 12-year-old with cerebral palsy who defies expectations and battles to be heard in a world that frequently ignores her. The Disney+ original, directed by Amber Sealey, is based on Sharon M. Draper’s novel and introduces spectators to a fascinating protagonist who experiences the world with extraordinary depth and intelligence despite her physical communication limitations.

The story focuses on Melody’s transformation. It begins when a forward-thinking PhD student, Dr. Katherine Post, lobbies for her inclusion in a mainstream sixth-grade classroom. Melody, who had previously been confined to a special education trailer, now finds herself navigating the complex social environment of regular school, full of problems, friendships, and opportunities for growth.

The casting of Phoebe-Rae Taylor, an actress with cerebral palsy, in the starring...

This Monday, Good Morning America is serving up a veritable Thanksgiving buffet of content: inspiration, holiday tips, and the ever-present siren song of retail therapy. First, the movie segment: Phoebe-Rae Taylor and Rosemarie DeWitt will discuss Out of My Mind, the adaptation of Sharon M. Draper’s bestselling novel. The film centers on Melody Brooks, a […]

Good Morning America: Dylan Horton, Phoebe-Rae Taylor...

“Out of My Mind” is a Disney Plus original film that will premiere November 22, 2024. The film is based on the bestselling novel by Sharon M. Draper of the same name which was published in 2010. Phoebe-Rae Taylor makes her debut as Melody Brooks. A young girl in the 6th grade named Melody Brooks navigates through her world in a wheelchair. She suffers from cerebral palsy which makes it difficult for her to communicate. But she has been blessed with a photographic memory. Against the advice of the doctors, her mother enrolls her in school. School officials placed her in a special education class since they believe she has a learning disability. Melody is frustrated because the teachers are not really educating her. But how can she tell them or her parents that a lot is going on in her mind. Much more than they realize or even imagine. Melody is one...

Two New Girl roomies are reuniting.

Lamorne Morris will guest-star on Damon Wayans Jr.’s upcoming CBS sitcom Poppa’s House, our sister site Deadline reports. Morris and Wayans Jr., of course, played Winston and Coach on the aforementioned Fox comedy.

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Lamorne will appear in a February episode as a film school classmate of Wayans Jr.’s character, whom he tries to convince to return to filmmaking.

"Sometimes I need a push, but I won't be pushed around." Disney+ has revealed the official trailer for Out of My Mind, an indie comedy by filmmaker Amber Sealey based on the novel of the same name by Sharon M. Draper. This first premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and it will be streaming on Disney+ in November this fall. Melody Brooks is navigating sixth grade as a nonverbal wheelchair user who has cerebral palsy and a photographic memory. With the help of some new assistive voice technology and her devoted allies, Melody shows everyone that what she has to say is more important than how she says it. Huzzah! Starring Phoebe-Rae Taylor as Melody, and Jennifer Aniston as Melody's Inner Voice, along with Rosemarie DeWitt, Luke Kirby, Judith Light, Michael Chernus, Courtney Taylor, and Emily Mitchell. This looks super sweet and uplifting and wholesome. Exactly the...

Disney’s Out of My Mind, based on Sharon M. Draper’s bestselling novel, released a touching trailer ahead of World Cerebral Palsy Day (October 6th). The two-minute trailer introduces newcomer Phoebe-Rae Taylor as Melody, a teen with cerebral palsy who just wants to be heard.

The cast also includes Rosemarie DeWitt, Luke Kirby, Michael Chernus, Courtney Taylor, and Judith Light. Jennifer Aniston is Melody’s inner voice.

“Melody Brooks, a sixth grader with cerebral palsy, has a quick wit and a sharp mind, but because she is non-verbal and uses a wheelchair, she is not given the same opportunities as her classmates,” reads Disney’s synopsis. “When a young educator notices her student’s untapped potential and Melody starts to participate in mainstream education, Melody shows that what she has to say is more important than how she says it.”

No Man of God‘s Amber Sealey directs and...

Today, Disney+ revealed the trailer and key art for Out of My Mind in partnership with World Cerebral Palsy Day, a global movement celebrated on Oct. 6. Out of My Mind, a Disney Original movie based on the bestselling novel by Sharon M. Draper, premiered earlier this year at Sundance Film Festival and arrives Nov. 22 on Disney+.

Melody Brooks, a sixth grader with cerebral palsy, has a quick wit and a sharp mind, but because she is non-verbal and uses a wheelchair, she is not given the same opportunities as her classmates.

When a young educator notices her student’s untapped potential and Melody starts to participate in mainstream education, Melody shows that what she has to say is more important than how she says it.

The film stars newcomer Phoebe-Rae Taylor as Melody, alongside acclaimed actors Rosemarie DeWitt, Luke Kirby, Michael Chernus, Courtney Taylor, and Judith Light. Jennifer Aniston portrays Melody’s inner voice.

Amber Sealey’s Out of My Mind had a Sundance Film Festival audience feeling all the feels Friday as the Disney+ title had its world premiere at the Library Center Theatre.

The film casts first-time performer Phoebe-Ray Taylor as Melody Brooks, a sixth grader navigating school as a nonverbal wheelchair user with cerebral palsy. With the help of assistive technology and her devoted allies, Melody shows that what she has to say is more important than how she says it in a fight to be put in a mainstream classroom.

Taylor stars alongside Luke Kirby, Rosemarie DeWitt, Judith Light, Michael Chernus, Courtney Taylor and others. Jennifer Aniston, who offers her voiceover talents through narration, took to Instagram Stories to praise the film on the occasion of its world premiere. (Aniston was not present in Park City but her history with Sundance dates back to The Good Girl and Friends with Money.

“The Boys” is beefing up its squad with the addition of cast members Rosemarie DeWitt, Rob Benedict and Elliot Knight in Season 4. The Prime Video superhero spoof series will also see the return of Simon Pegg, who portrayed Hughie’s father in earlier seasons and who will be joined by DeWitt, taking on the role of the Jack Quaid character’s mom.

No character details were revealed for Benedict and Knight. Previously announced additions to the upcoming fourth season are Susan Heyward (playing “Sister Sage”), Valorie Curry (portraying “Firecracker”) and Jeffrey Dean Morgan as recurring guest star. Cameron Crovetti, who plays Homelander’s easily influenced son, has also been upped to series regular.

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Based on the New York Times bestselling comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, “The Boys” presents a fun, irreverent and excoriating look at what happens when superheroes — who,...

Disney Branded Television has promoted four key execs on its Original Movies team. Amee Dolleman and Charles Pugliese have been elevated to vice president, Original Movies, Disney Branded Television

and Mahita Penke and Jennifer Dubin have been upped to executive director, Original Movies, Disney Branded Television.

The Disney Branded Television team, led by Lauren Kisilevsky, SVP, Original Movies, has broadened its movie production slate over the past two years to reach kids, families, young adults and the young at heart.

The team just launched the third installment of the Zombies franchise, starring Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly, on Disney+, along with other projects, including Out of My Mind, based on the best-selling novel by Sharon M. Draper from Big Beach, Participant and EveryWhere Studios LLC for Disney+; Descendants sequel The Pocketwach movie; and Prom Pact and Sneakerella, Spin and Secret Society of Second Born Royals. She reports to Kisilevsky.

Pugliese oversaw several movies for kids, teens and families, including Under Wraps, and is overseeing the upcoming titles Under Wraps 2, The Pocketwatch and Out of My Mind. He reports to Kisilevsky.

Dubin, who reports to Kisilevsky, most recently oversaw the Disney+ musical title Sneakerella and the upcoming Disney+ original movie The Naughty Nine.

Penke reports to Dolleman and Pugliese. She oversees several titles, including the Zombies and Descendants franchises, The Pocketwatch, Spin and the upcoming From the Desk of Zoe Washington.