Inside The Mouse Castle 03-23-2015 - A Monorail on eBay, 'Captain America: Civil War' and a Mo'Ne Movie

By Tim Callaway

Anthony and I don't have enough money to buy a Walt Disney World Monorail train or a Tron light cycle replica, so instead we're arguing about Into the Woods and pineapple pizza on today's Inside The Mouse Castle.

• The front portion of a Mark IV Monorail from Walt Disney World showed up on eBay last week...then disappeared before the auction closed. Bidding was to start at $169,000 (or you could have bought the thing outright for $260,000), but the item was pulled Sunday night with no explanation. 

Tron: Legacy

• An auction that is expected to go through will be held on May 2nd and it's super cool. Get on the grid with a full-size, fully-functional replica of a Tron: Legacy light cycle. It'll only cost you $25,000-$40,000. You know you want to.
• We officially know more plot details about Captain America: Civil War and they're pretty much the plot details we knew already...but now they're official. Actually, Disney didn't make them official until the synopsis leaked to multiple news outlets. Here it is:

Following the events of Age of Ultron, the collective governments of the world pass an act designed to regulate all superhuman activity. This polarizes opinion amongst the Avengers, causing two factions to side with Iron Man or Captain America, which causes an epic battle between former allies.

• A new book about Apple and Pixar visionary Steve Jobs, Becoming Steve Jobs, is out this week and includes a fascinating and touching story involving Disney chief Bob Iger. In January 2006, just a half hour before Disney would announce its acquisition of Pixar, Jobs shared some troubling news with Iger that threatened to cancel the deal. Jobs even gave Iger an out if he wanted it. 
• Disney's CFO and senior executive VP Jay Rasulo sold $12 million in Disney stock last week. Was it just normal profit-taking or is Rasulo cashing out before leaving the Mouse? He's been working without a contract since January 31st and was recently passed over for the chief operating officer position that went to Tom Staggs.

Mo'ne Davis talks with Good Morning, America host Robin Roberts

• Mo'ne Davis made history last year by becoming the first girl ever to pitch a winning game (a shutout, no less) in the Little League World Series. Now, the Disney Channel is making a movie about her life. Throw Like Mo will be executive-produced by Debra Martin Chase and written by Sheldon Candis and Justin Wilson. Davis will act as a consultant on the film.
• Muppet Moments is a new short-form video series featuring Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie and other Muppet favorites in casual conversations with young children. It premieres on Disney Junior April 3rd and yes, it's cute.

• On Blu-ray, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere this week, Into the Woods. <Hooray!>
  Coming out on May 19th, Strange Magic. <crickets>

Enjoy!

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Inside The Mouse Castle 01-12-2015 - The Golden Globe Awards, the Walt Disney World Marathon and Disneyland Measles

By Tim Callaway

Anthony and I took a little post New Year break (Anthony even squeezed in a day trip to Disneyland) and now we're back Inside The MC with a full slate of hugely fascinating stories that will inform, amuse and astound you. We hope you've all been vaccinated.

• The Golden Globe Awards were handed out Sunday night in Beverly Hills and Disney came up a goose egg as neither Into the Woods nor Big Hero 6 took home any awards. Not that the Mouse was favored in any category, but I digress. The biggest surprise for me was How to Train Your Dragon 2 beat out a strong Animated Feature category that included BH6, The Boxtrolls, The Book of Life and The Lego Movie. 

Into the Woods

• Nominations for the 87th Academy Awards will be announced early Thursday morning. The Mouse Castle will be streaming the announcements live at www.TheMouseCastle.com. Watch for the link later this week. In a rare move, the Academy will announce live the nominees in all 24 categories--in past years they've limited it to the major categories only. Actor Chris Pine (Into the Woods), Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs, and directors Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity)  and J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) will make the announcements beginning at 5:30 a.m. Pacific. Which films are you rooting for this year? Boyhood? Birdman? Big Hero 6? Into the Woods? 
• The Walt Disney World Marathon had a distinctly Brazilian flavor Sunday as the top four finishers in the men's division hailed from that country and the women's division winner did as well. As for me, I have no aspirations to run a marathon (yet), but I am set to run the Star Wars 5K and 10K races this weekend at Disneyland. 
• In breaking news, thousands of people did not contract measles at Disneyland at the end of December BECAUSE THEY WERE VACCINATED. In other news, at least 20 people caught the virus because most of them were not. Vaccinate your kids.

Fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle

• At the parks, Disneyland is offering special discounts in the off-season for Southern California residents; Fantasy in the Sky fireworks have returned to the Happiest Place on Earth; and you can win a trip to Walt Disney World by visiting www.disneyflipside.com. Also, Disney Vacation Club is selling new timeshares at the Polynesian Village Resort, but what we're most excited about at the Poly is you can now get a Dole Whip at the new Pineapple Lanai quick-serve restaurant. Oh, and a Trader Sam's is opening there soon (we hope it's bigger than the one at the Disneyland Hotel--love the drinks and atmosphere, hate the small size). At Disney's Hollywood Studios, you can catch a sneak preview of Disney's new live-action Cinderella as well as get a gander at the little cinder girl's golden coach used in the film. It opens in U.S. theaters on March 13th.
• It disturbs us greatly that Michael C. Hall is joining the cast of Pete's Dragon, Disney's reboot of the 1977 film. It's nothing against Hall. We loved him in Dexter and Six Feet Under. What's disturbing is that a Pete's Dragon reboot even exists. 
• We feel much better that this movie exists:

• Even better about this one:

Enjoy!

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Inside The Mouse Castle 01-01-2015 - Tim and Anthony's Surprise New Year Party

Happy New Year from Tim and Anthony!

So, this happened: Anthony made a surprise trip to Las Vegas to hang out with me and the result was this episode of Inside The Mouse Castle. It's an unplanned, unscripted look back at last year with some of our favorite Disney moments and stories from 2014: Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Disney Infinity 2.0, The Avengers: Age of Ultron. Maelstrom, Into the Woods, Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America: The Winter Soldier the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and a whole lot more. So, mix a martini, pour some wine, down a shot or two and join the party. Happy New Year!

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Inside The Mouse Castle 12-29-2014 - Happy New Year at Disney Parks, 'Into The Woods' and Pirating 'Frozen'

Happy New Year!

Break out the party hats and the noisemakers! It's time to ring in 2015! Anthony and I have all the info for making the best of your New Year's Eve visit to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. Just don't mind the crowds, because it's going to be packed. Both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World reached capacity on Christmas Day and the gates closed to new guests for several hours. You know that's going to happen again on December 31st. So, arrive early, take a chill pill and pace yourself. And along the way, enjoy the special entertainment, music performances and fireworks extravaganzas that await you heading into the Disney new year.

Here's what else we have in store in the latest edition of Inside The Mouse Castle:

Anna Kendrick stuck on the steps of the palace in Into the Woods.

• Into the Woods is a dark and delightful adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim Broadway musical. I caught it over the weekend and highly recommend it whether you're a fan of movie musicals or just appreciate great cinematic storytelling. I've also fallen in love with Anna Kendrick, who plays the tormented and torn Cinderella, but I digress.
• Apple Pay technology is now live at Walt Disney World. Got that new iPhone 6 or iPhone 6+ for Christmas? You can now use it for purchases in and around the Florida resort.
• We were excited about the Marvel Experience making it's debut in Phoenix, but less-than-stellar reviews on Yelp have us second-guessing our enthusiasm. Anthony and I might wait until the superhero circus hits San Francisco before we check it out. We hope the bugs are worked out by then.
• Bob Iger blah blah blah Fortune interview blah blah blah technology blah Pixar blah Marvel blah Lucasfilm blah blah OH MY GOD DID YOU SEE THE PICTURE OF HIM WITH THE MILLENNIUM FALCON?!?! blah blah blah blah blah MagicBands.

Bob Iger with the Millennium Falcon. NBD.

• Disney's Frozen was the second most pirated film of 2014 (The Wolf of Wall Street was number one). Guardians of the Galaxy didn't make the top 20, proving that even thieves will pay for quality.

Happy New Year!

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Inside The Mouse Castle 11-24-2014 - 'Into the Woods,' 'Cinderella' and 'Strange Magic'

So, yeah, there was a lot of news today about the first trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens coming out this Friday. Perhaps you heard about it.

We know it's going to be 88 seconds long because the film's director, J.J. Abrams, told us so.

We also know in which theaters and what cities the trailer will first appear because StarWars.com made it all official.

Nope, it's not in my hometown. How about yours?

Question: How soon after it hits theaters will the Episode VII trailer surface online? And I'm not talking shaky footage from some guy's iPhone. I'm talking an official release from Disney/Lucasfilm to avoid another Avengers: Age of Ultron embarrassment. Methinks not long. Those living in the correct select cities may get an early first look, but they won't beat the rest of us on the Interwebs by much.

Anyway, just so you know, Anthony and I aren't talking about any of that Star Wars stuff in today's episode of Inside the Mouse Castle because we recorded the show before all the trailer news came out.

Sometimes our timing really sucks.

The Baker (James Corden) and the Witch (Meryl Streep) go Into the Woods.

But, have no fear, we've got plenty of other movie news for you. The cast of Disney's Into the Woods made an appearance in New York Saturday night to talk about the film and we've got soundbites from director Rob Marshall as well as stars Meryl Streep, Chris Pine and James Corden. Of course, if you'd like to see the whole presentation, we've got that right here.

Also, Anthony and I break down the new trailers for Disney's Cinderella and Lucasfilm's Strange Magic along with the video clips introducing the emotional characters from Pixar's Inside Out.

Sorry about not catching the Star Wars news fast enough. We'll try to do better next time.

Enjoy!

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Live 'Into the Woods' Q&A in The Mouse Castle

Want to take an early trip Into the Woods? Yahoo! Movies is hosting an exclusive Q&A with the film's stars and you can watch it live right here in The Mouse Castle. Scheduled to appear are Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski, director Rob Marshall, and screenwriter James Lapine. The event starts today at 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time and will include a first-look at a new Into the Woods featurette. So, why don't you stay with me and find out more about Disney's upcoming film based on the award-winning Stephen Sondheim musical? It opens in U.S. theaters on Christmas Day.

Inside The Mouse Castle 11-07-2014 - 'Toy Story 4,' 'Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens' and 'Big Hero 6'

Anthony and I have beer and movies on our minds as we recap a busy week for Disney, Pixar and Lucasfilm in the latest Inside The Mouse Castle. We brought beer because, well, it's the weekend, so why not?

• Like it or not, there will be a Toy Story 4, directed by John Lasseter and released on June 16, 2017. Anthony's really looking forward to it. I'm cautiously optimistic but concerned that Pixar is going to the well one too many times in the name of Woody and Buzz. 
• Star Wars: Episode VII is now officially known as The Force Awakens, but you knew that already, didn't you? We'll talk about it anyway.

Baymax in Big Hero 6.

• Big Hero 6 has opened this weekend to enthusiastic reviews and rightfully so. This superhero origin story is pretty basic by comic book standards, but it's buoyed by a high-energy sense of fun and wonder, plus exquisitely detailed, jaw-dropping animation. Go see it...and whatever you do, stay until the end of the credits.
• The new trailer and character images for Into the Woods starring Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp have significantly raised my enthusiasm for the Rob Marshall-directed film, but Anthony isn't sold on it yet. We'll pass final judgment on the movie musical when it comes out on Christmas Day.

The Avengers

• Disney and Marvel aren't pulling any punches when it comes finding the person who leaked the Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer before it's scheduled release. They have traced the leak to a Google Drive account and have subpoenaed Google to provide more details before November 18th. Grab your popcorn. This is going to be good.
• Fijian boat makers are in a tizzy over a single piece of concept art Disney has released for the upcoming animated film Moana. Apparently, the image depicts a small, crudely-made boat similar in style to a type the islanders have been building for centuries. They are requesting compensation from Disney for borrowing the design that has no apparent origin or trademark owner. No, really.
• Fantasmic! is going Fastpass at Disneyland beginning December 12th. Find out why we think it's about time.

Enjoy!

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Into the Woods: New Trailer and Character Images

The message may be, "Be careful what you wish for," but the new trailer for Into the Woods now has us wishing for more and expecting a lot from director Rob Marshall's film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine Broadway musical. This is not going to be your typical Disney fairy tale. The woods are dark and forbidding and the characters in it conflicted and a bit selfish. Bad choices and dire consequences are at hand.

In addition to the new trailer, Disney has released some pretty cool character images. They're compelling and just a little eerie.

James Corden as the Baker

Emily Blunt as the Baker's Wife

Meryl Streep as the Witch

Anna Kendrick as Cinderella

Chris Pine as the Prince

Billy Magnussen as the Other Prince

Mackenzie Mauzy as Rapunzel

Daniel Huttlestone as Jack

Lilla Crawford as Little Red

Johnny Depp as the Wolf

Into the Woods opens in U.S. theaters on December 25, 2014.

Inside The Mouse Castle 09-23-2014 - 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,' 'Disney Infinity 2.0' and 'Star Wars Rebels'

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

It's a glorious day to be a nerd with the premiere of season two of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the launch of version two of Disney Infinity. Anthony and I riff on binge watching season one of AoS and where we think season two is headed, and then I gush over how gaming with Marvel super heroes is the BEST THING EVER!

We also cover a few other things in this edition of Inside The Mouse Castle:

• Guardians of the Galaxy has finally lost steam at the box office, but it still keeps rolling along in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, becoming the fourth highest-grossing Marvel film ever.
• Walt Disney Studios' holiday release Into the Woods caused a stir when it (supposedly) started giving the characters from the Broadway musical Disney names like Prince Charming, Flynn Ryder and Lady Tremaine. And then suddenly the names changed back again. Was it a mistake or just a trial balloon gone bad?
• On Saturday, the Backlot Tour at Disney's Hollywood Studios will close forever. That same day, the Finding Nemo Subs will return to Disneyland, but for how long? Anthony and I speculate on the future of both these areas.
  

Inside The Mouse Castle 08-01-2014 - 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Review and 'Into the Woods'

Tim and Anthony trip all over themselves praising Guardians of the Galaxy in the latest edition of Inside the Mouse Castle. Is Guardians, starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista, the best Marvel movie ever? Will it crack $100 million dollars at the box office this weekend? Listen and find out.

Also, in this episode:

• The first images and trailer from Disney's Into the Woods are out. Is this adaptation of the award-winning Broadway musical something to look forward to or will it be just another effects-heavy retelling of traditional fairy tales?
• Anthony muses on the potential of Lego Chris Pratt, but gets really excited about the possibility of Lego Wall-E which could find itself in stores in 2015.
• Registration for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon weekend at Disneyland begins on August 12th. Annual pass holders can take advantage of early registration beginning on August 6th. More details are at www.rundisney.com.
• Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie, makes its debut on Disney Blu-ray Combo Pack, Digital HD, Disney Movies Anywhere, DVD and On-Demand on November 4th. Upcoming August home video releases include Disneynature's Bears and Muppets Most Wanted (8/12) and Captain America: The Winter Soldier (8/19).

Enjoy!

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First Look at 'Into the Woods'

We've got a first look at Disney's Into the Woods, the film adaptation of the award-winning Broadway musical. The film is directed by Rob Marshall and stars Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski and Johnny Depp.

The Baker (James Corden) and the Baker's Wife (Emily Blunt)
exchange words with the Witch (Meryl Streep).

Cinderella (Anna Kendrick) polishes the silver.

One cannot have Cinderella without the appropriate Evil Stepmother (Christine Baranski)
and Evil Stepsisters (Lucy Punch and Tammy Blanchard).

Mackenzie Mauzy is an ethereal (at least in this picture) Rapunzel.

Chris Pine as Cinderella's Prince on his trusty steed

Somewhere in there is Johnny Depp as the Wolf.

In the woods with Corden and Streep.

Still in the woods with Blunt and Corden.

Jack (Daniel Huttlestone) and his mum (Tracey Ullman) take their
Milky White cow for a stroll.

Excuse me, miss. Would you happen to have a red cape I could borrow?
The Baker (Corden) with Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford).

Red (Crawford) traipses into the woods.

Meryl Streep as the Witch.

A new trailer was also released today:

This re-imagining of Grimm's Fairy Tales was originally written for the stage by James Lapine with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Lapine penned the screenplay as well.

Into the Woods opens in U.S. theaters on December 25, 2014.

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