The Disney Thread: For Everything Concerning the House of Mouse

-It looks like there will be an animated series (most likely for Disney Junior or online) inspired by the ride It's a Small World. Believe it or not, they do not use the ride's song as the show's main theme.

This seems like a complete rehash of Little Einsteins (another Disney property), which I have the displeasure to watch over and over again as I'm a father of 4 year olds. Same concept. Bunch of multi-cultural kids flying around seeing the world.
 
I saw Maleficent today and, while I do have a lot of issues with it over in the movie review thread, I really dig this new cover of "Once Upon a Dream" by Lana Del Rey.

 

Cajungal

Staff member
Don't really care for it. I like that her voice is kind of old school, but I don't like the way they changed the tune on the line "seldom all they seem." Also she sounds a little bored.
 
The lyrics lend themselves to that sort of melancholy. It sounds almost like Elfman could have written it.

--Patrick
Indeed. The lyrics do have a sad quality to them that a more melancholy sound works better for.

In the meantime, I'd like to say something. Although Maleficent may not have been executed well, I still think that there was an intriguing idea at its core. I am not opposed to the idea of giving a glance towards their animated films for potential live-action material. I'm all for their upcoming adaptation of Cinderella, which is being directed by Kenneth Branagh. Even the news of a new adaptation of The Jungle Book doesn't sound terrible, considering they could do more of a "coming-of-age" type story rather than the episodic approach of the animated film.

However, not everything needs to have a live-action update. There is word of a potential Cruella film, exploring her backstory (which I don't think is needed), and a live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast (which is especially not needed, considering how great the animated film is). Seriously, Disney, cool it. If you want to mine your animated work for live-action films, go for the things that could make do with an update or have a worthwhile angle for exploring it in live-action form.
 
I would love to see Cruella as like a horror movie in the vein of Damian... about how she grew up abusing animals and had all the signs of a potential serial killer, but instead just became a fashion designer... who's rivals would always just seem to disappear at the right moment. But I doubt Disney has the balls to do something that dark.
 

Cajungal

Staff member
Man if a Cruella movie was as goofy as the Maleficent movie, her origin story would be "I got slighted and betrayed by the founder of PETA."
 
Wait a minute...their showing two seperate episodes on two seperate channels? Uh...odd.
It's not. I think Disney has finally decided to drop the bomb and is moving all animated stuff (that isn't their young children stuff) to Disney XD because it's on all the same cable packages as Disney now. This makes sense. Alternately, they are axing the show after this season, which should be apparent because they sure as fuck dragged their feet with it so far.
 
Regarding that earlier mention of a live-action Jungle Book film on the way from Disney, I've heard some news about. Firstly, it is being directed by Jon Favreau. As for the cast, Ionly know a few. Still, what I do know is that Idris Elba will voice Shere Khan, Scarlett Johansson will voice Kaa the python, and Sir Ben Kingsley will voice Bagheera the panther.
 
Why would you have Scarlett Johansson voice anything? Her speaking voice is the most monotone, boring thing about her. I don't care if they make Kaa a female, but they could at least get someone good instead of a famous name.
 
Why would you have Scarlett Johansson voice anything? Her speaking voice is the most monotone, boring thing about her. I don't care if they make Kaa a female, but they could at least get someone good instead of a famous name.
Considering the critical acclaim she received last year for her voice work in Her, I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.
 
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