Disney This Week: The Lion King, Incredibles 2 & More!

By Max Evry

Disney This Week: December 9 – 16, 2016

Hello and welcome to the first edition of a new regular weekly feature Disney This Week here at ComingSoon.net, where we roundup the latest news on all things Disney! Hopefully that will include movies, TV, Blu-ray/DVD, theme parks, games and even toys, along with exclusive interviews, fan art and Disney history. Let us know what you like or want to see more out of in Disney This Week in the comments below!

RELATED: The Star Wars News Roundup for December 16, 2016

Movies

Jon Favreau Talks Live-Action Lion King Remake

“It’s a very powerful, simple, well-told, mythic story with emotional components that deal with subject matter that movies that are geared toward kids don’t often deal with,” Jon Favreau told Variety of the 1994 original. “You’re dealing with death, with exile, very deep, strong — family, a sense of revenge and of injustice. I think they really hit it just right. Now we’ll see if we can do something that gives it a live action feel. I think with ‘Lion King’ you have a much tighter story (than ‘The Jungle Book’) and a much more emotional story. And the story feels more modern. And it’s not as distant a memory. So you have to see what the tools have to offer and make sure you’re connecting with the audience.”

National Film Registry 2016 Titles Include Lion King, Roger Rabbit & Rushmore

Disney features added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress because of their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance include The Lion King (1994), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and Rushmore (1998), the latter two released through their Touchstone Pictures division.

Samuel L. Jackson Reveals First Recording Session for The Incredibles 2

Samuel L. Jackson took to Instagram last night to reveal a special event, his very first recording session for the upcoming The Incredibles 2. This marks Jackson’s return to the character of Frozone after over 12 years since the first film’s release.

It’s about to go down… First recording session for…. INCREDIBLES 2!!!!

A photo posted by Samuel L Jackson (@samuelljackson) on

Cruella de Vil Movie Sets Alex Timbers to Direct

Walt Disney Pictures‘ upcoming Cruella de Vil movie appears to have found a director in Alex Timbers, co-creator of Amazon‘s acclaimed Mozart in the Jungle, who is now in talks to helm. La La Land‘s Emma Stone is attached to play the title role.

Moana’s How Far I’ll Go Song: Watch the Full Sequence!

On the heels of the song’s Golden Globe nomination, Walt Disney Animation Studios has just released the full How Far I’ll Go song sequence from Moana. Featuring the vocal talents of star Auli‘i Cravalho, the How Far I’ll Go song scene can be viewed in the player below!

Moana Wins Domestic a Third Time, Fantastic Beasts Tops Overseas

For December 9th through the 11th, Walt Disney Animation Studios‘ Moana won the domestic box office for the third straight weekend with $18.8 million for a total of $145 million. Internationally, the animated film earned $23.5 million this weekend and has grossed $93.8 million. Worldwide, Moana is up to $238.8 million. Moana was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements. The film features the voices of Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Jemaine Clement, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk.

Blu-ray/DVD

The Light Between Oceans

Disney/Dreamworks Pictures’ The Light Between Oceans, which arrives on Digital HD, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on January 24, released box art as well as a featurette which you can watch below! The drama stars Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Rachel Weisz.

Mickey and the Roadster Racers

Disney Junior released the box art for Mickey and the Roadster Racers, which will be making its Disney DVD debut on March 7, 2017.

TV

DuckTales Cast Revealed by Disney XD

Among those set to voice the fan-favorite characters in the revival are Danny Pudi, Ben Schwartz, and Bobby Moynihan as Huey, Dewey, and Louie, with David Tennant as Scrooge McDuck, Beck Bennett as Launchpad McQuack, Toks Olagundoye as Mrs. Beakley, and Kate Micucci as Webby Vanderquack. Other characters will appear in the series as well, including Donald Duck, Flintheart Glomgold, Gyro Gearloose, Duckworth, Gizmoduck, Magica DeSpell, Gladstone Gander, and Ma Beagle and the Beagle Boys.

Theme Parks

Toys

Exclusive Interviews

The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack for director Steven Spielberg’s The BFG was released on November 29, and Disney This Week had the chance to have an exclusive chat with Lucy Dahl, the daughter of original author Roald Dahl, who told us about growing up with The BFG… literally!

“I was a little possessive because ‘The BFG’ was my childhood story growing up,” Lucy Dahl told us. “The BFG lived under our garden, basically. And he used to come up into our bedroom at night. So when dad made a story out of the BFG, I was mildly annoyed that I had to share the BFG with the rest of the world. But I got written out, and I’m so delighted about the film, at that very happy ending.”

Lucy Dahl also appreciated the sweet, gentle performance of Academy Award-winner Mark Rylance as the title character.

“Mark Rylance did an absolutely extraordinary job,” Dahl said. “He studied the accent of the countryside. England, as you know, has many different accents in many different areas. And my father based ‘The BFG’ on one of our great family friends called Wally Saunders, who was from, I believe Wiltshire, but he had a wonderful accent and a way of talking. Mark studied videos of Wally, our friend, and studied him and just got it all perfectly, perfectly right. He did an incredibly beautiful job. I mean, even the fact that he had makeup on the whole time and he was usually in front of a blue screen or a green screen, he really got it beautifully right. The first time I saw it, watching him really made me feel like I had spent two hours with both my father and our dear friend Wally, neither of whom are still with us. So it was extraordinary.”

You can purchase a copy of The BFG on Disney Blu-ray by clicking here!

Fan Art of the Week

This week’s fan art for Moana comes from artist Ellie Yong, a.k.a. SillyJellie, whose portfolio you can see here!

This Week in Disney History

Walter Elias Disney was born on December 5, 1901, and this week marks the 50th anniversary of his death on December 15, 1966 at the age of 65. His nephew, former Vice Chairman of The Walt Disney Company Roy E. Disney, also died this week on December 16, 2009 at age 79.

The Muppet Christmas Carol was released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1992, the original Pete’s Dragon and Candleshoe were both released in 1977, Bedknobs and Broomsticks in 1971, and True-Life Adventure film Jungle Cat was released in 1959.

On December 16, 1952 Walt Disney incorporated the WED Enterprises company in order to develop ideas for a “family park” to be called “Disneyland.”

Disney Vault

Each week we highlight an underappreciated Disney classic! This week it’s 1971’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks, a live-action/animated hybrid in the Mary Poppins tradition, but with a supernatural twist. Angela Lansbury plays a witch-in-training in the English countryside during World War II. Together with three crafty orphans and an older warlock (David Tomlinson) they fight Nazis and travel to the animated fantasy world of Naboombu. Directed by Disney vet Robert Stevenson and released on December 13, 1971, this is a terrific film with songs by the Sherman Brothers.

Check out the trailer below, and purchase a copy of Bedknobs and Broomsticks on Disney Blu-ray by clicking here!

Moana

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    Moana

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    Moana

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    Moana

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    Moana

    MOANA visual development. Artist: Bill Schwab, MOANA Art Director, Characters.

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    Moana

    MAUI visual development. Artist: Bill Schwab, MOANA Art Director, Characters.

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    Moana

    MOANA village costume designs. Artist: Neysa Bové, Visual Development Artist.

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    Moana

    MAUI Hawk visual development. Artist: Bill Schwab, MOANA Art Director, Characters

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    Moana

    MOANA village costume design. Artist: Neysa Bové, Visual Development Artist.

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    Moana

    MOANA effects progression image, featuring Animation (top), Simulation (middle), and Render (bottom) passes.

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    Moana

    Visual development for the island of Motunui. Artist: Ian Gooding, MOANA Production Designer.

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    Moana

    Visual development for the island of Motunui, and the layout of the village. Artist: Andy Harkness, MOANA Art Director, Environments and Color.

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    Moana

    MOANA visual development. Artist: Bill Schwab, MOANA Art Director, Characters.

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    Moana

    MOANA visual development. Artist: Jin Kim, Visual Development Artist.

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    Moana

    "MINI MAUI" animation test still frame. Artist: Eric Goldberg, Animation Supervisor.

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    Moana

    "MINI MAUI" expression sheet. Artist: Eric Goldberg, Animation Supervisor.

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    Moana

    The MOANA story team was charged with saving the character "Heihei" from being cut from the film. These story boards illustrate an action sequence from the film in which the Kakamora are trying to steal the Heart of Te Fiti from Moana and Maui. In the initial version (top row), the Kakamora steal the heart and are pursued by Moana who captures it back. In the new versoin (bottom row), rooster Heihei first swallows the Heart of Te Fiti, and the chase ensues between the Kakamora and Moana, only this time they're fighting to maintain posession of Heihei. Artist: Sunmee Joh, Story Artist.

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    Moana

    MOANA story boards inspired by research trip to Samoa. Features Story Artist David Derrick's family tapa print. Artist: David Derrick, Story Artist.

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    Moana

    MOANA story boards inspired by research trip to Samoa. Artist: David Derrick, Story Artist.

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    Moana

    MOANA story artist, David Derrick, learns tapa painting during a research trip.

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    Moana

    The MOANA filmmakers embarked upon research trips to the Pacific Islands to learn about the cultures that inspired the film. They were given the opportunity to assemble the "Oceanic Story Trust," a group of anthropologists, archeologists, fishermen, liguists, tatto masters, dancers and elders who help keep the film's story grounded in respect for the cultures that inspired it.

  • Auli‘i Cravalho is Moana

    Auli‘i Cravalho is Moana

    AULI‘I CRAVALHO lends her voice to the title character, MOANA, a teenager who dreams of becoming a master wayfinder. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

  • Dwayne Johnson is Maui

    Dwayne Johnson is Maui

    DWAYNE JOHNSON (HBO’s “Ballers,” “Central Intelligence”) voices MAUI—half god, half mortal, all awesome. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

  • Pua

    Pua

    PUA is Moana’s loyal pet pig with puppy energy and an innocent puppy brain. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

  • Alan Tudyk is Heihei

    Alan Tudyk is Heihei

    ALAN TUDYK, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ lucky charm (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Big Hero 6”), is behind the voice of HEIHEI, a dumb rooster who accidently stows away on Moana’s canoe. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

  • Temuera Morrison is Chief Tui & Nicole Scherzinger is Sina

    Temuera Morrison is Chief Tui & Nicole Scherzinger is Sina

    TEMUERA MORRISON (“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” “Once Were Warriors,” “Six Days, Seven Nights”) voices Moana’s father, CHIEF TUI, the gregarious and well-respected leader of the people of Motunui Island. NICOLE SCHERZINGER (Grammy®-nominated singer, West End's "Cats") voices Moana’s mother, SINA, who always has her daughter’s back. Playful, sharp and strong-willed, Sina appreciates Moana’s longing to be on the water, but also wants to protect her daughter from the fabled dangers beyond the reef. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

  • Rachel House is Gramma Tala

    Rachel House is Gramma Tala

    RACHEL HOUSE (“Whale Rider,” “Hunt for the Wilderpeople”) voices GRAMMA TALA, Moana’s confidante and best friend, who shares her granddaughter’s special connection to the ocean. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

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    The Kakamora

    The KAKAMORA, an intense team of crazy, coconut-armored pirates who will stop at nothing to get what they want. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

  • Jemaine Clement is Tamatoa

    Jemaine Clement is Tamatoa

    JEMAINE CLEMENT (“The BFG,” “Despicable Me,” “Rio,” “Rio 2,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” Flight of the Conchords) provides the voice of TAMATOA, a self-absorbed, 50-foot crab who lives in Lalotai, the realm of monsters. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

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    Moana

    Young Moana interacting with the Ocean.

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    Moana

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    Moana

    MOANA is an adventurous, tenacious and compassionate 16-year-old who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. Along the way, she discovers the one thing she's always sought: her own identity. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”) and featuring newcomer Auli'I Cravalho as the voice of Moana, Walt Disney Animation Studios' “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

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    Moana

    MAUI is a demigod—half god, half mortal, all awesome. Charismatic and funny, he wields a magical fishhook that allows him to shapeshift into all kinds of animals and pull up islands from the sea. Featuring Dwayne Johnson as the voice of Maui, Walt Disney Animation Studios' “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

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    Moana

    In "Moana," Walt Disney Animation Studios' upcoming big-screen adventure, a spirited teenager named Moana (left) sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder. Along the way, she meets once-mighty demi-god Maui (right). Featuring Native Hawaiian newcomer Auli'i Cravalho as the voice of Moana, and Dwayne Johnson as the voice of Maui, "Moana" sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016. ©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

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    Moana

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    Moana

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    Moana

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    Moana

  • Inner Workings

    Inner Workings

    INNER WORKINGS - PAUL layered visual development by Production Designer Paul Felix. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

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    Inner Workings

    INNER WORKINGS - PAUL visual development by Director Leo Matsuda. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

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    Inner Workings
Max Evry
Max Evry

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