Inside The Mouse Castle 09-21-2015 - Halloween and Christmas at Disneyland, 'Star Wars' on Netflix and a New 'Mary Poppins'

By Tim Callaway

GOAT TRICK!

Anthony is back from a week at Disneyland, where he checked out all the Halloween Time activities. There was fall finery everywhere and pumpkin spice-flavored everything, but, we're mostly excited by this perfect pic Anthony took of the goat on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. 

Of course, Halloween festivities are barely underway and we're already talking about Christmas. We've got a preview of all the stuff to expect--and what will be missing--from this year's holiday events at Disneyland. 

Here's what else we have slated for this episode of Inside The Mouse Castle. It's enough to make your head spin. 

• Rob Marshall (Into the Woods, POTC 4) will direct a new Mary Poppins movie for Disney. Before you lose your minds for them daring to touch this untouchable classic, keep in mind this will not be a remake of the original. It won't exactly be a sequel either. P.L. Travers wrote eight Mary Poppins books. The new movie will likely be adapted from stories we haven't seen on the screen before. If you really want something to be excited about, Emily Blunt (Into the Woods) is the rumored front-runner for the role of the practically perfect nanny. We can't think of a better choice.
• Bryan Singer (X-Men, The Usual Suspects) has confirmed he'll direct a remake of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. We aren't certain if it's going to be for Disney or not, but we're intrigued nevertheless.
• There's a new trailer for next year's live-action remake of The Jungle Book. Despite some interesting casting choices (Bill Murray as Baloo, Christopher Walken as King Louie), we're not terribly excited yet for this CG-heavy adventure.

• Star Wars is coming to Netflix. Maybe. Kind of. Probably not where you are. Whatever.
• Here's some travel advice for your next Walt Disney World visit: don't joke about building a meth lab in your hotel room. Kthanksbye.

Enjoy!

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The Mouse Castle Lounge 09-19-2015 - 'The Muppets' on ABC and 'The Emperor's New Groove'

By Tim Callaway

Miss Piggy and Kermit in The Muppets.

Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo the Great, the whole gang is back for a new show on ABC. The Muppets premieres this Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. And the thing that has me really excited about the show is it’s taking the behind-the-scenes antics that were part of the original Muppet Show and bringing them up to date. So, instead of seeing what goes on backstage while the Muppets desperately attempt to put on a theatrical review, we get to see what goes on behind the scenes as the Muppets attempt to produce a night-time TV talk show, Up Late With Miss Piggy.

The Muppets is a reality show—well, as much of a reality show as a show about the Muppets can be. It comes complete with handheld camerawork, celebrity guest stars, and intimate one-on-one conversations with the cast. In fact, we’re going to get a little taste of that in today's show. Joining me today are some of the cast of The Muppets, starting with the green guy himself, Kermit the Frog.

On Monday, September 21st, one of my favorite modern-era Disney animated films is going to be celebrating its 15th anniversary with a special screening at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. The Emperor’s New Groove will be shown at 7:00 p.m. and will be introduced by an esteemed panel of artists: the film’s executive producer Don Hahn, director Mark Dindal, producer Randy Fullmer and screenwriter David Reynolds. In May of last year, Don Hahn was my guest in The Mouse Castle Lounge and among the many things we talked about was The Emperor’s New Groove. Return with me, if you will, to that show and hear what Don had to say about this extremely funny, irreverent and unlikely fan favorite.

For our friends in the Los Angeles area, tickets are still available to see The Emperor’s New Groove on the big screen (and Don Hahn and Mark Dindal and Randy Fullmer and Mark Reynolds). Just call 1-800-Disney6 or visit www.ElCapitanTickets.com. The doors open at 6:00 Monday night and the screening starts at 7:00. I highly recommend you get there early for trivia, a costume contest and a whole lot more. 

Enjoy!

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Inside The Mouse Castle 09-14-2015 - 'Walt Disney' on PBS, 'Frozen' Replaces 'Aladdin,' and What's New with 'Incredibles 2'

By Tim Callaway

Puppet Master Walt.

After technical difficulties and busy travel schedules squashed last week's show, Anthony and I are back for another go-round Inside The Mouse Castle. 

We start off with my review of Walt Disney, the new American Experience documentary airing this week on PBS. It's an earnest, if somewhat biased, depiction of Walt's life that plays up the darker elements of his personality and career. Fans will appreciate the rare photographs and archival footage, while Disney history buffs will question how the film presents Walt's relationship with his father, his actions during the 1941 studio strike and the assorted psychobabble spouted by some of the "experts" who try to crawl inside Walt's head.

Here's what else we have in this week's episode:

• A live action Frozen stage show will replace the long-running Disney's Aladdin--A Musical Spectacular production in the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure...and the Internet loses its mind.
• Meanwhile, Anthony was totally amused by this video of Kelsey Grammer falling off the Hyperion Theater stage in 2005.

• We now know for certain that Disneyland and Walt Disney World will break ground on their Star Wars-Land expansions next year. That means the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, the popular holiday light show at Disney's Hollywood Studios will blink out after this year.
• Director Brad Bird has let it be known that work on Incredibles 2 is moving along briskly, so well that it will likely be released before the other Pixar sequel, Cars 3. That still means it probably won't be out until 2018, but any news about The Incredibles is good news.
• Disney Infinity 3.0 will be available on Apple TV after the streaming service undergoes an extensive update in October.
• Some participants in this month's Disneyland Half-Marathon complained of incorrect corral assignments, suggesting there are proof-of-time security issues with RunDisney and TrackShack.
• There will no longer be chanting allowed at Walt Disney World. Unofficially, of course.

Enjoy!

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