Disney This Week: Beauty and the Beast Premiere & More!

Welcome to another edition of our regular weekly feature Disney This Week here at ComingSoon.net, rounding up the latest news on all things Disney, including news on movies, TV, Blu-ray/DVD, Marvel Studios, theme parks, fan art and Disney history. Let us know what excited you most about Disney This Week in the comments below!

RELATED: Star Wars: Han Solo Filming, Rogue One Blu-ray, Celebration & More

Movies

See the Stars at the Beauty and the Beast London Gala Screening

The cast and filmmakers from Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, including Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad, Emma Thompson, Ian McKellen, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, director Bill Condon and composer Alan Menken, continued their way through Europe and attended a gala screening of the film in London this evening. You can view photos from the Beauty and the Beast London event in the gallery below!

New Beauty and the Beast Clip as the Press Tour Begins

The cast and filmmakers from Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, including Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Josh Gad, Luke Evans, director Bill Condon and composer Alan Menken, gathered in the City of Light earlier this week. Paris was the perfect setting for the launch of the worldwide press tour, as it is France where the story originated. In addition, here is a first look at a Beauty and the Beast clip!

A #BTS look at the London launch of #BeautyAndTheBeast. #BeOurGuest pic.twitter.com/Wjy4rIHMFM

— Luke Evans (@TheRealLukevans) February 23, 2017

Donald Glover and James Earl Jones Join Favreau’s Lion King Cast!

Director Jon Favreau took to Twitter to announce two members of The Lion King cast. It’s the latest in a line of live-action versions of Disney animated classics which include the upcoming Beauty and the Beast and Favreau’s recent The Jungle Book. The Lion King cast includes Donald Glover (Community, Atlanta) as the young lion Simba and James Earl Jones (Star Wars) as Mufasa. Jones, of course, did the voice of Mufasa in the 1994 animated film. Matthew Broderick (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) was the voice of the adult Simba, with Joseph Williams (the band Toto) doing the singing. Check out the tweet announcements for The Lion King cast below.

Looking forward to working with this legend. #Mufasa pic.twitter.com/1LszbWrcYT

— Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) February 18, 2017

I just can’t wait to be king. #Simba pic.twitter.com/wUYKixMBJI

— Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) February 18, 2017

New Baby Groot Art for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

New international Baby Groot art for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has surfaced and features the little guy in yet another dangerous situation… Check it out in the gallery at the link above!

Star-Lord and Drax are Locked and Loaded in New Guardians 2 Photo

A new photo for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has arrived, featuring Star-Lord and Drax as they prepare to seemingly blow something up. Check it out in the gallery at the link above!

Thor: Ragnarok: Tom Hiddleston Talks Loki and Thor Reuniting

We know some things are to be expected in the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok, like an appearance of the MCU’s newest hero Doctor Strange and a Thor vs. Hulk gladiator fight, but what about the actual plot? Star Tom Hiddleston shed some light on the beginnings of the film and why Thor and Loki are teaming up once again, despite Loki’s betrayal in Thor: The Dark World.

“At the beginning of Ragnarok, Thor has a lot of questions, and Loki, true to form, is not forthcoming with that many answers. But hammers are involved and the stakes are raised. Cate Blanchett, it’s no secret, is playing the goddess of death, who brings destruction in her wake and it is the kind of destruction that both Thor and Loki have never seen. On a scale of terror that they haven ever, ever seen before. So they fall back on their brotherhood, fractured though it is, to see what they can do to stop her.”

Hiddleston also spoke about Loki’s perceptions of Doctor Strange and Hella, saying:

“I think he probably dismisses Strange. Yes his sorcerer is very impressive, but Loki has been doing that for centuries, so who cares? But Hella is a different beast, and full of surprises, and actually might have been someone with whom at one time he could have gotten along, but the circumstances have changed.”

Brie Larson Shares Her Thoughts About the Captain Marvel Film

We’ve got three Marvel movies coming out in 2017, so the upcoming Captain Marvel film seems a bit far off in the distance. For fans of the character though, this is a big one. It’s the first female-fronted Marvel film, despite the fact that Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) was featured as a co-lead in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. There has been precious little information out there, including a director, however, we know that Academy Award-winner Brie Larson (Room) will play the lead. Larson spoke while on the press tour for Kong: Skull Island about expectations for the character.

Larson told the site of her appearance in the film, “I can’t say anything… I feel like this is a big conversation and every day I have people yelling at me on Twitter like you better have long hair, or you better have a mohawk, or you better wear the helmet, or you better not wear the helmet, so someone’s going to be mad.” Fans are certainly passionate about getting the look of a character right and Captain Marvel has had more than one.

Larson also discussed what the character means to her. She said, “I find it’s really hard for me to condense what she means to me. I was once a young girl and I was confused by what a hero was and what I wanted to be when I grow up and what was important to me. And so, I think it’s so complicated growing up and to attempt to become a symbol of truth and navigating through all the weird questions of growing up feels so, I’m getting emotional just talking about this, it feels so important to me. When it comes to her, I mean just the fact that she can be a bridge between two worlds, that she can go between Earth and space and that her own personal place is in this little area between where Earth ends and space begins and that’s only hers is so moving to me. I’m just inspired. I’ve been so inspired going through the comics and reading them right now. That’s what I’ve been doing on the side.”

Cars 3 NASCAR Cast Announced, Plus New Photos

Disney•Pixar’s Cars 3 is teaming up with NASCAR this year as crowd favorite Lightning McQueen prepares to return to the big screen on June 16. Plans for the joint effort were shared by Cars 3 director Brian Fee, Cristela Alonzo — the voice of the film’s elite trainer Cruz Ramirez — and NASCAR’S vice president of entertainment marketing & content development Zane Stoddard today at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida as fans gear up for the DAYTONA 500 (live Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. ET on FOX). Owen Wilson, the voice of Lightning McQueen, will serve as grand marshal for the 59th annual “Great American Race.” Check out the new Cars 3 NASCAR cast photos plus a new still in the gallery at the link above!

The announcement included the introduction of NASCAR greats—from rookie drivers and legends to the voices behind the sport—tapped by Pixar Animation Studios to voice characters in the film.

· CHASE ELLIOTT, 21, was named 2016’s Sunoco Rookie of the Year after finishing last season tenth in the driver standings. Elliott, who pilots the No. 24 car previously driven by four-time champion Jeff Gordon, lends his voice to second-generation Piston Cup racer CHASE RACELOTT in “Cars 3.” Racelott’s blend of skills, track smarts and top-of-the-line technology make this rookie a real contender.

· RYAN BLANEY, a 23-year-old, third-generation racer, pilots the No. 21 Ford in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series. He voices third-generation racer RYAN “INSIDE” LANEY in Cars 3 Known for his racing passion and ability to have fun on the track, Laney races with talent, speed and precision.

· DANIEL SUÁREZ, who just turned 25, pilots the No. 19 ARRIS Toyota Camry in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion can be heard in the film voicing DANNY SWERVEZ, a next-gen racer who’s ascending the Piston-Cup ladder against all odds. A mid-season replacement, Swervez is a quick learner who pushes himself to the limit.

· BUBBA WALLACE, 23, won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway in 2013, becoming the first African American to win in one of the top three touring divisions since Wendell Scott in 1963. In Cars 3 Wallace voices next-gen stock car racer BUBBA WHEELHOUSE, a fast and tenacious young racer who knows how to win.

· DARRELL WALTRIP, the NASCAR Hall of Fame racer-turned-NASCAR on FOX color analyst lends his voice to DARRELL CARTRIP. Cartrip, a veteran Piston-Cup announcer also heard in Cars and Cars 2, may think he’s seen it all—but this new season might still have a surprise or two in store.

· SHANNON SPAKE, NASCAR on FOX correspondent and college football and basketball reporter for FOX Sports, voices on-the-track reporter SHANNON SPOKES in the film. Spokes weaves her way into the middle of the action for in-the-moment interviews, and she’s not afraid to ask racers the tough questions.

· HOWARD AUGUSTINE “HUMPY” WHEELER JR., the legendary NASCAR promoter and former president and GM of Charlotte Motor Speedway, lends his voice to iconic Dinoco team owner TEX DINOCO in Cars 3. Tex, who met Lightning McQueen in Cars would love nothing more than to see #95 decked out in Dinoco blue.

· JEFF GORDON, four-time NASCAR champion, current NASCAR on FOX analyst, and story consultant for Cars 3, lends his voice to JEFF GORVETTE. Gorvette, whose number of top-ten finishes remains unmatched, may have hung up his racing tires—but his heart remains on the track. His ability to succeed at all levels turned hoods wherever he raced.

· RICHARD “THE KING” PETTY, team owner and champion NASCAR driver with 200 wins, returns to the role of STRIP “THE KING” WEATHERS. From his humble beginnings on the Piston-Cup circuit to the glitzy sponsorship and media attention, the champion racer now serves as crew chief for his nephew, Cal Weathers.

· KYLE PETTY, retired NASCAR driver and current NASCAR commentator on NBC, helps bring CAL WEATHERS to life in Cars 3. Weathers grew up around the track watching his uncle, Strip “The King” Weathers, tear it up. The veteran racer finds himself taking a step back to make room for the next generation on the track.

· MIKE JOY is FOX Sports’ lead NASCAR announcer who will call his 38th DAYTONA 500 this Sunday. He lends his iconic voice to on-the-spot radio talk show host MIKE JOYRIDE in the movie. Joyride stays one step ahead in the racing news game by keeping a keen eye on where the racing season is headed.

· RAY EVERNHAM, winner of three NASCAR championships as crew chief for Jeff Gordon and current consultant to Hendrick Motorsports, lends his voice to RAY REVERHAM, Jackson Storm’s crew chief, and an expert at training in the cutting edge technology and tactics being used by the next-gen racers. Evernham also serves as a story consultant for filmmakers.

For Your Consideration: @OhMyDisney‘s #Zootopia Oscars Parody Posters: https://t.co/ToV8xPd20O pic.twitter.com/5y9C4He55r

— Disney (@Disney) February 18, 2017

#MondayMuse can come in all ages, shapes and sizes…including this lil gem of a lady! Love this gal, @stormreid! #AWrinkleInTime pic.twitter.com/K27NbYTN4Y

— Reese Witherspoon (@RWitherspoon) February 20, 2017

There’s always time for a quick on set selfie with some of the cast and crew! #BTS #OnSet #WrinkleInTime pic.twitter.com/653gBm84ME

— Wrinkle In Time (@WrinkleInTime) February 18, 2017

DVD/Blu-ray

The Star Wars Story Comes Home: Rogue One Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD Details!

Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm have announced that Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the first of the Star Wars standalone films, will come home starting next month. Look for the film to hit Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on March 24. Fans can then catch the Rogue One Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand release on April 4. You can check out a trailer for the Rogue One Blu-ray in the player below!

Put your warrior face on with Maui in this deleted song from #Moana, now available on Digital HD. pic.twitter.com/Gjhhnfju28

— Disney (@Disney) February 24, 2017

You’ll be face to face with greatness in this clip of @TheRock recording “You’re Welcome” for #Moana, available now on Digital HD. pic.twitter.com/mhnmEVtwmu

— Disney (@Disney) February 23, 2017

Experience the multidimensional magic of #DoctorStrange on Digital HD today: https://t.co/j38f40CcTT pic.twitter.com/kaKNfuzBnz

— Disney (@Disney) February 18, 2017

TV

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Season 2 Premiere Announced

Marvel Entertainment has announced that Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, the action-packed, animated space adventure following the ragtag band of disparate misfits, will debut its second season with a one-hour telecast featuring back-to-back episodes on Saturday, March 11 on Disney XD. Disney XD will also release six shorts following the adventures of the five main characters daily beginning February 27 on the Disney XD app, VOD and Disney XD’s YouTube.

The two episodes are described as follows:

“Stayin’ Alive” (9:00 p.m., EST/PST) – While trying to dispose of Thanos’ asteroid, the Guardians discover it has been taken to a secure facility that belongs to the Avengers.

“Evolution Rock” (9:30 p.m., EST/PST) – The Guardians and the Avengers team up to find out what powerful secrets lie inside Thanos’ asteroid.

Star Wars Rebels Clip: The Empire Sets a Trap in Through Imperial Eyes

Lucasfilm and Disney XD have released a clip from the next episode of Star Wars Rebels, “Through Imperial Eyes,” which premieres on Saturday, February 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET on Disney XD.

Fearing that the identity of a rebel spy will soon be discovered by the Empire, the rebels launch a plan to rescue the spy before he is caught.

Having established a secret base on Atollon, the Ghost crew, now led by a more powerful Ezra, have been strengthening the rebel fleet by acquiring new resources and recruits eager to stand against the Empire. However, the Imperial efforts to eliminate the rebellion are now being led by the coldly analytical Grand Admiral Thrawn, whose strategic, tactical and cultural insights make him a threat unlike any they have faced before. In season three, Ezra and Sabine take on new roles and challenges as the rebels prepare for their biggest mission yet – a direct assault on the Empire.

Rapunzel lets her power shine again! Tangled Before Ever After premieres March 10 and #TangledTheSeries debuts March 24 on @DisneyChannel. pic.twitter.com/FybRX4bMS9

— Disney (@Disney) February 22, 2017

A Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings Special Is Coming to @FreeformTV: https://t.co/O0gtVgH8mO pic.twitter.com/hKtMb9REOo

— Disney (@Disney) February 19, 2017

Oscar-winner @DLanceBlack on Disney favorites and his epic new mini-series: https://t.co/vlV858TSJD pic.twitter.com/J7PphJpOMU

— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) February 23, 2017

The truth they don’t want you to see, finally revealed! #YokaiWatch pic.twitter.com/D9s3sxM4Za

— Disney XD (@DisneyXD) February 18, 2017

Not that you need more reason to watch #StarVsTheForcesOfEvil Monday, but @PatrickStump from Fall Out Boy is definitely that more reason! https://t.co/gkWwO4Ipuu

— Disney XD (@DisneyXD) February 22, 2017

Theme Parks

Meet Gaston and try new enchanting eats as @Disneyland celebrates #BeautyandtheBeast: https://t.co/TlIhgiSLn3 pic.twitter.com/NXjYz68hyI

— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) February 19, 2017

See further into Pandora – The World of Avatar in these beautiful new videos: https://t.co/6Jz9KfGdzh pic.twitter.com/M71f7pOL3C

— Oh My Disney (@OhMyDisney) February 21, 2017

A delicious new breakfast menu debuts at Steakhouse 55 at Disneyland Hotel: https://t.co/5SXixyAzz2 pic.twitter.com/ZSo0e0aSvm

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) February 24, 2017

Beginning April 2, you can meet beloved Disney characters at the new Bon Voyage Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno: https://t.co/zkH67myOGT pic.twitter.com/4Vtv4n7K5P

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) February 23, 2017

Find out why Disney Showcase is one of the must-visit shops at Main Street, U.S.A.! https://t.co/41dnISoHRS pic.twitter.com/dvYwzliEdr

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) February 23, 2017

#DowntonAbbey stars Michelle Dockery & Laura Carmichael visit Goofy at @Disneyland Resort! https://t.co/WU1BTblsyP pic.twitter.com/yaPKCN4gQf

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) February 22, 2017

PHOTO: Academy Award winning actress Nicole Kidman recently met Mickey Mouse at @WaltDisneyWorld Resort! https://t.co/CEtrsGfyoS pic.twitter.com/bVDpmXFWvU

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) February 22, 2017

Enter the Disney Junior “My Magical First Sweepstakes” to win a magical family vacation to Walt Disney World: https://t.co/8MUrHg6duf pic.twitter.com/xuBb7RkOJv

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) February 21, 2017

Toys

Hasbro Toy Fair Gallery: Marvel, Star Wars & Transformers

ComingSoon.net & SuperHeroHype attended Hasbro’s 2017 Entertainment Brand Preview at the New York Toy Fair this weekend, and we came away with a gallery of over 85 images of products from the Marvel, Star Wars and Transformers toy lines. Check out the Hasbro Toy Fair gallery at the link above!

Hasbro Toy Fair Photos: Beauty and the Beast, Frozen & More!

This weekend, ComingSoon.net was able to spend time at Hasbro’s 2017 Entertainment Brand Preview at the New York Toy Fair, where we saw a huge array of new products from The Walt Disney Studios productions, including Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, Moana and Descendants 2. Check out the Hasbro Toy Fair photos at the link above!

18 @Disney toys from New York Toy Fair 2017 that you need to have: https://t.co/Cb6xjJWYPC pic.twitter.com/yrG9CzOpxc

— Oh My Disney (@OhMyDisney) February 22, 2017

Rocket Raccoon Hot Toy from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Revealed

Hot Toys has revealed the first complete set of photos for one of their collectible figures for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 with Rocket! Available in standard and a deluxe version, you can check out the Rocket Raccoon Hot Toy in the gallery at the link above!

That’s no moon! It’s the @StarWars Death Star Tsum Tsum collection at @DisneyStore: https://t.co/UObmuRluLY pic.twitter.com/e2bx131cam

— Disney (@Disney) February 22, 2017

Item of the day: Tinker Bell: An Evolution – https://t.co/7bCNoQxLMH pic.twitter.com/5r8U2cxZU1

— Oh My Disney (@OhMyDisney) February 24, 2017

Girl’s best friend! Happy #PlutoDay pic.twitter.com/d4sL6278Hi

— Disney Store (@DisneyStore) February 18, 2017

12 Totally Rad Men’s #Disney Tees to Shop Right Now https://t.co/C6F2lkj42u pic.twitter.com/Mjc28xstaV

— Disney Store (@DisneyStore) February 17, 2017

Fan Art of the Week

Those wondering what The Lion King might look like in realistic CG rendering need look no further than this great Scar digital painting by Mexican artist Edgar Gómez. Check out his great gallery by clicking here!

This Week in Disney History

On February 23, 1940, RKO Radio Pictures releases the film Pinocchio to theaters.

This week Disney released Kidnapped in 1960, Scenes from a Mall in 1991 and Holy Man in 1999.

Clarence Nash, the voice of Donald Duck for over 50 years, died of leukemia on February 20, 1985.

Strike up the band! The Band Concert blew into theatres on this day in 1935. pic.twitter.com/I7DHuSF1Mi

— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) February 23, 2017

Disney Vault

Each week, we highlight an underappreciated Disney classic! This week we’re highlighting the first color Mickey Mouse short, The Band Concert, first released in 1935. It features Mickey conducting an orchestra in the park, which is disrupted quite rudely when Donald Duck shows up. Check it out below!