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Tag: Disney Movies

  • Taylor Swift Announces New Country Single ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’ for Pixar’s ‘Toy Story 5’

    Taylor Swift Announces New Country Single ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’ for Pixar’s ‘Toy Story 5’

    Following the massive, history-making success of her latest album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl’, 14-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Taylor Swift has officially announced a brand-new original song for Disney and Pixar’s highly anticipated feature, Toy Story 5. The new track, titled ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’, is set to release this Friday, June 5.

    The single will be featured on the official Toy Story 5 soundtrack, which drops on the same day as the film’s theatrical debut, June 19, 2026.

    Co-written and produced by Swift and her frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff, the song marks a significant creative step, signaling a return to Taylor Swift‘s country roots. The track is directly inspired by the ongoing journey of the spirited cowgirl, Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack), whose story arc first began in Toy Story 2. The song is described as blending the different styles that have defined Swift’s record-breaking career as both a songwriter and artist.

    Andrew Stanton, who serves as director and screenwriter for Toy Story 5, praised Swift’s involvement, calling it “incredible”. Stanton highlighted her deep connection to the character: “Her connection to Jessie and the immediate way she understood what the character was going through was undeniable”. He added that the song instantly felt like it “had always belonged there, like a long-lost family member. It was kismet.”

    The announcement comes after a weekend of heavy speculation fueled by “TS” billboards—a clever dual reference to the film’s title, Toy Story, and Taylor Swift‘s shared initials. These advertisements appeared across major cities including LA, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Toronto, Mexico City, and London. Today’s news was also preceded by a Toy Story 5-themed countdown that ran on Swift’s official website and on billboards in New York and Los Angeles.

    Fans eager to own the new single have multiple options starting today, as pre-sales have begun on Taylor Swift’s website for three exclusive CD editions. These editions feature the film version of ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’, along with a special acoustic version and a special piano version, all boasting unique vocals and production.

    About Toy Story 5

    Toy Story 5 is set to explore a new theme: Toy meets Tech. Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), and the rest of Bonnie’s toys find their purpose challenged by the arrival of a new, disruptive tablet device named Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee).

    The film is directed by Academy Award® winner Andrew Stanton and co-directed by Kenna Harris. It is produced by Lindsey Collins, pga, and written by Stanton and Harris from a story by Stanton. The score will feature a return by Oscar® winner Randy Newman, who is composing his fifth Toy Story feature. The film is rated PG and releases exclusively in theaters on June 19, 2026.

  • Disney Sets 2028 Release Dates for ‘Incredibles 3’ and ‘Lilo & Stitch 2’

    Disney Sets 2028 Release Dates for ‘Incredibles 3’ and ‘Lilo & Stitch 2’

    Disney is officially staking its claim on 2028. The House of Mouse has locked in two massive sequels for the same summer window, ensuring that the sequel-heavy strategy is here to stay.

    While we’ve known these projects were in the pipeline since the D23 announcements last year, we now have a much clearer picture of when the Parr family and Experiment 626 will be returning to theaters just three weeks apart.

    The live-action side of the studio is moving fast on a follow-up to last year’s massive hit. Lilo & Stitch 2 May 26, 2028.

    The studio’s live-action Lilo & Stitch became the highest-grossing live-action/animated hybrid in history last summer, crossing the $1 billion mark. Rumors suggest the film will move away from the  Stitch Has a Glitch plot to introduce a wider array of Jumba’s experiments—including fan-favorites like Angel (624) and Reuben (625).

    Pixar’s Incredibles 3 has officially landed a prime summer slot: June 18, 2028.

    Peter Sohn (Elemental) is taking over the director’s chair, while original mastermind Brad Bird remains involved as an executive producer and writer to keep the DNA of the first two films intact.

  • Disney Pumps the Brakes on Its Next Live-Action Reimagining

    Disney Pumps the Brakes on Its Next Live-Action Reimagining

    In 1937, Walt Disney Productions ushered in an all-new age of film with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The studio’s first full-length animated film which introduced the first Disney Princess, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs featured groundbreaking animation and opened the door to a golden age for the genre. By almost every standard, it is considered one of the greatest films of all time.

    The same cannon he said for Disney’s recent live-action reimagination, Snow White. Mired in controversy before its release, the new film foundered at the box office amid harsh critical reception. And while its animated predecessor launched Disney into a new age, the 2025 versionay we’ll have been the final straw for the studio’s plans to remake its animated classics.

    According to THR, as the studio navigates the fallout of its failure with Snow White, it has paused development on its planned live-action reimagining of 2010’s Tangled.

    In December 2024, trade reports revealed that Disney has hired The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey to take the helm of the Rapunzel retelling, working from a script by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. Rumors quickly followed that stars such as Kathryn Hahn, Florence Pugh and Sabrina Carpenter were being considered for roles in the film.

    According to THR, it’s unclear if Disney will decide to move forward with Tangled down the road. For now, the studio looks to be waiting to process the critical and audience response to two already-completed live-action remake projects, Lilo & Stitch and Moana, before making a decision.

    Source: THR

  • A Second MCU Star Rumored for a Major Role in Disney’s Live-Action ‘Tangled’

    A Second MCU Star Rumored for a Major Role in Disney’s Live-Action ‘Tangled’

    With The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey in like to direct, Disney looks to be moving full speed ahead in preparation for the studio’s next live-action reimagining, Tangled. With a script in place from Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who worked with Disney-owned Marvel Studios on Thor: Love and Thunder, the studio has already reportedly begun seeking out stars to fill out the cast of the film, with Kathryn Hahn and Jennifer Lopez already having been rumored as potential candidates to fill the role of Mother Gothel.

    Hahn’s portrayal as the MCU’s wicked witch, Agatha Harkness, has fans believing she’d be the perfect fit for the role of Tangled‘s own power-hungry crone. Now, a second Marvel Cinematic Universe star has had her name thrown in the ring to potentially join Hahn in the upcoming project.

    According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, Florence Pugh, who is set to lead this summer’s Thunderbolts* for Marvel Studios, is considered a “front-runner” to land the lead role of Rapunzel in Disney’s currently undated Tangled reimagining.

    Of course, being the front-runner and landing the role are two very different things; however, Pugh‘s working relationship with Disney has been very beneficial for both parties. As the lead in this July ‘s Thunderbolts*, Pugh, who joined the MCU in 2021’s Black Widow, will continue her rise as one of Hollywood’s brightest young stars.

  • ‘The Peanut Butter Falcon’ Directing Duo Resurrecting a 1950s Pirate Classic at Disney

    ‘The Peanut Butter Falcon’ Directing Duo Resurrecting a 1950s Pirate Classic at Disney

    Five years after their indie film, The Peanut Butter Falcon, garnered wide-ranging acclaim as a charming, character-driven adventure, director Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz are back on the scene with their follow-up film, Los Frikis. Described by Schwartz as “Spanish-language Cuban movie about HIV and punk rockers,” Los Frikis was a passion project for the pair who turned down major studio offers following their successful debut. However, as they look ahead to what’s next, Nilson and Schwartz may move away from their indie roots.

    In an interview with THR, Nilson and Schwartz revealed that one possibility for their next project is a 70s, “Australian surfer” version of the 1950 Disney film, Treasure Island.

    After nearly 20 years in development as an animated film, Disney pivoted and produced Treasure Island, adapted Robert Louis Stevenson‘s 1883 novel of the same name, as its first live-action film. A pirate adventure through and through, the film features Long John Silver, played by Robert Newton, whose over-the-top accent and antics have become ingrained in pirate pop culture. Over fifty years later, the studio finally delivered its animated adaptation, the sci-fi space adventure, Treasure Planet.

    While Nilson and Schwartz’s new take on Treasure Island is still in development, it sounds as though it will be anything but another beat-for-beat Disney remake. “It has the patina of the 1970s surf world. It’s all there,” explained Nilson of the duo’s vision for the project. “It’s an Australian surfer version of Treasure Island,” said Schwartz, “and if they ever make it, it would be so fun. It has the vibes that we do, and there’s found family, brotherhood, drama and outsider energy.“

    Source: THR

  • BTS Pics Reveal the First Look at the Rock as Maui in Disney’s Live-Action ‘Moana’

    BTS Pics Reveal the First Look at the Rock as Maui in Disney’s Live-Action ‘Moana’

    What can he say except “you’re welcome”? As production on Disney’s live-action reimagining of Moana prepares to wrap ahead of Thanksgiving, the first looks at Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Maui and Catherine Laga-aia as Moana have appeared online.

    Captured by Reel News Hawaii, the set photos show Johnson fully decked out as the Polynesian Demigod Maui alongside Laga-aia on the beach at Pokai Bay in Waianae, Hawaii. Despite principal photography being scheduled to end on November 25th, the new photos represent the first time the stars have been captured on set and provide a great look at Maui’s costume, which looks to be straight out of the animated classic.

    With Moana 2 out in theaters on November 27th, there’s a good chance that Disney makes the most of the leak and generates some official buzz about the live-action film which is due in theaters on July 10, 2026.

    Disney revealed plans for the live-action reimagining in April 2023 and, just a month later, hired Tony Award Winner Thomas Kail as the director.

  • Disney’s Live-Action ‘Moana’ Reimagining Finds Director in Tony Award Winner Thomas Kail

    Disney’s Live-Action ‘Moana’ Reimagining Finds Director in Tony Award Winner Thomas Kail

    On the heels of their live-action reimagining of The Little Mermaid garnering an A Cinemascore and opening to largely positive critical reviews, the studio has found a director for one of its next big remakes. According to THR, Thomas Kail, who directed 2020’s filmed stage production of Hamilton as well as Broadway and Off-Broadway of Hamilton and In the Heights, has signed on to helm the Dwayne Johnson-led live-action Moana.

    Earlier this year during a conference call with investors and Bob Iger, it was revealed that Johnson and his Seven Bucks Production Company were leading the charge in developing a live-action reimagining of Moana, one of Disney’s modern classics.

    I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen. This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me. I want to thank my partners at Disney for their strong commitment to this special endeavor, because there is no better world for us to honor the story of our people, our passion and our purpose than through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as Polynesian people.

    Dwayne Johnson on the Moana reimagining

    While Johnson shared that he would be reprising the role of the demigod Maui, the studio made it clear that there was no timetable for when production might begin as they were searching for a director. Now, it seems they’ve found their guy in the Tony Award-winning Kail. After winning the 2016 Tony for Best Direction of a Musical for his Broadway production of Hamilton, Kail found himself on familiar ground when he led the Disney Plus production of the show which streamed to rave reviews in the COVID-ravaged entertainment landscape of 2020. Kail is currently in the midst of a Broadway run on Sweeney Todd and is also tapped to direct a feature film adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof.

    According to Disney, the live-action reimagining of Moana “will celebrate the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders as seen through the eyes of a young woman eager to pave her own path. Moana’s journey of self-discovery and reflection on the lives of her ancestors won hearts worldwide, as did her newfound friendship with an exiled demigod named Maui.”

    Source: THR

  • A Live-Action Reimagining of ‘Moana’ Starring Dwayne Johnson is in the Works at Disney

    A Live-Action Reimagining of ‘Moana’ Starring Dwayne Johnson is in the Works at Disney

    As it continues to reimagine its vast catalog of animated classics into live-action spectacles, Disney has teamed with Dwayne Johnson to add Moana to the list. As announced by Johnson via Twitter, Disney is teaming with Seven Bucks Productions and Flynn Picture Co. to bring the 2016 hit to life. News of the product was also given to Disney Shareholders today by Bob Iger during a webcast. Johnson also announced that he would reprise the role of Maui.

    According to a statement from Disney, “Like its animated predecessor, the film will celebrate the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders as seen through the eyes of a young woman eager to pave her own path. Moana’s journey of self-discovery and reflection on the lives of her ancestors won hearts worldwide, as did her newfound friendship with an exiled demigod named Maui.”

    I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen. This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me. I want to thank my partners at Disney for their strong commitment to this special endeavor, because there is no better world for us to honor the story of our people, our passion and our purpose than through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as Polynesian people.

    Dwayne Johnson on the Moana reimagining

    Auli’i Cravalho, who served as the voice of Moana in the 2016 animated film will serve as an executive producer on the film along with Scott Sheldon, Jared Bush, who wrote the screenplay for the original film, and Dana Ledoux Miller. “She has had such a profound impact on how we think of Disney princesses,” Cravalho said of the titular character. “Moana’s strength and perseverance are inspiring—to audiences around the world, to me and to everyone who helped bring her to life. I’m looking forward to sharing her story in a whole new way.“

    At this time, no timetable has been laid out for the film as it searches for a director.

  • ‘Zootopia,’ ‘Toy Story,’ ‘Frozen’ Sequels Ordered by Disney

    ‘Zootopia,’ ‘Toy Story,’ ‘Frozen’ Sequels Ordered by Disney

    On Wednesday, Disney held its first quarter earnings call. While most of the news centered on Bob Iger‘s plans for Disney, both regarding staff cuts and its streaming goals for Disney+, Iger also teased some big films for the studio. During the call, Iger announced that Disney will be revising some of its biggest animated titles, including Toy Story.

    “Today I’m so pleased to announce that we have sequels in the works from our animation studios to some of our most popular franchises: Toy Story, Frozen and Zootopia,” he said during the call. “We’ll have more to share about these productions soon, but this is a great example of how we’re leaning into our unrivaled brands and franchises.”

    Disney’s decision to revisit these properties shouldn’t be all that surprising. Together, all four Toy Story films have earned over $2 billion at the worldwide box office. The franchise has even spawned multiple animated shorts including Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation and Toy Story Toons: Partysaurus Rex, as well as two television shorts Toy Story of Terror and Toy Story That Time Forgot.

    Reports of a third Frozen film have been circulating for some time now, however, this marks the first time Disney has confirmed it is in the works. The move comes after Disney launched Olaf’s Presents on Disney+ last year. To date, both Frozen films have amassed over $2 billion at the box office. The most surprising film noted here is Zootopia, a project that was said to be getting a sequel a while ago after earning $1.023 billion at the worldwide box office. That film, like the others, also spawned a Disney+ series with Zootopia+, which expanded upon scenes from the film.

    As of now, none of the projects have release dates.

    Source: Deadline.

  • Disney Set to Make a Splash at Super Bowl LVII

    Disney Set to Make a Splash at Super Bowl LVII

    Disney has several major tentpole films slated for release in 2023 and according to a new report, marketing for them is going into high gear. Deadline reports that Disney will be very active at this year’s Super Bowl, promoting as many as six of their upcoming films.

    Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, which will release just a few days after the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles square off in Super Bowl LVII, will certainly be on display during the big game. It is expected to be joined by spots for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Little Mermaid and Pixar’s Elemental with spots for Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny and The Marvels possible as well. In the case of The Marvels, Disney has yet to show off any footage of the new film other than to the audience in attendance at last year’s D23 Expo, meaning this would be the first look at the project for general audiences. In the past, it has often been the practice to release a full trailer online following a 30-second TV spot during the game.

    While Disney does have a multitude of streaming projects rolling out on Disney Plus this year, including Season 3 of The Mandalorian on March 1st, the report makes no mention of their plans for marketing those other than to add that Disney is not expected to showcase the upcoming Marvel Studios streamer Secret Invasion during the game.

    Other studios will be in on the fun as well, with spots for The Flash, Fast X, Scream VI, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts all set to debut.

    Super Bowl LVII will be played on February 12th and will be broadcast on Fox beginning at 6:30 PM ET.

    Source: Deadline