Catherine Laga‘aia will be voyaging to Motunui and beyond as the adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people in Disney’s upcoming live-action “Moana.” “I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” said the 17-year-old Sydney, Australia, native. “My grandfather comes from Fa‘aala, Palauli, in Savai‘i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”
The cast also includes Auckland, New Zealander John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams portrays Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, who hails from Bay of Islands, NZ, was cast as the revered Gramma Tala. Previously announced, Dwayne Johnson, who voiced larger-than-life demigod Maui in the 2016 animated version of the film, will reprise his role.
(Pictured) Rena Owen. Photo by Manfred Baumann.(Pictured) John Tui.(Pictured) Frankie Adams.
Releasing in theaters on July 10, 2026, “Moana” is directed by Thomas Kail, who helmed “Hamilton” on Broadway and Disney+, “Grease Live” and the first and last episodes of Hulu’s lauded limited series “We Were the Lucky Ones.” Said Kail, “I am thrilled to have met Catherine, Rena, Frankie and John through this casting process. I am humbled by this opportunity, and I cannot wait to all be on set together. And there’s no better pair to be in a canoe with than Catherine and Dwayne—actually, trio: Heihei is ready, too.”
“Moana” will bring to life in a whole new way the story of a young woman eager to pave her own path. Celebrating the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders in a spectacular adventure, the production begins filming this summer. The new feature film is produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions and Beau Flynn via FlynnPictureCo. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the original songs, will also serve as producer. Executive producers include Scott Sheldon of FlynnPictureCo., Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 film, and Charles Newirth. Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller have been tapped for the project. Bush, a veteran of Disney Animation, wrote the screenplay for 2016’s “Moana,” and Miller is a Samoan writer who created Netflix’s “Thai Cave Rescue” and co-founded the non-profit Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti (PEAK).
“If you wear a dress and have an animal sidekick, you’re a princess.”
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana,” the sweeping story of a spirited teenager who sets sail on a daring adventure to save her people, starring newcomer Auli‘i Cravalho as the voice of brave and tenacious Moana and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (HBO’s “Ballers,” “Central Intelligence”) as the larger-than-life demigod Maui, has dazzled both critics and audiences. The film earned a 95% critics’ consensus on Rotten Tomatoes and the No. 1 spot at the domestic box office opening weekend. Now, “Moana” set a new course and arrived to homes on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on March 7*.
Continuing the fun-filled adventure, families can continue their journey filled with hours of extensive and entertaining bonus offerings including: a new, hilarious mini-movie featuring Moana and Maui; an in-depth look at how the people, cultures and heritage of the Pacific Islands shaped the story of “Moana;” revealing Q&A with co-stars Auli‘i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, and famed animation directors Ron Clements and John Musker; insider access to Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foaʻi, the trio behind the film’s moving music; four mini-documentaries highlighting the movie’s groundbreaking effects; deleted scenes; a deleted song; hidden Easter Eggs; music video; “Inner Workings,” the theatrical short film directed by Leo Matsuda that spotlights the internal struggle between a man’s Brain and Heart; and much, much more.
Toy Fair is an annual trade show where hundreds of toy companies get together to showcase their latest innovations for buyers and press. The following is a photo recap from the Funko booth. To see the rest of our coverage, click HERE.
As someone who gave custom Batman Funko Pops to the groomsmen at my wedding, I had to stop by their booth during my Toy Fair trip. Unfortunately their area was forever crowded so I had to settle for a quick walkthrough on my own. This does not come as much of a shock though. To say that Funko has transformed into a phenomenon these last few years is a bit of an understatement.
Funko’s Pop line of collectible vinyl figures started with Batman and now features thousands of characters from Film, TV, comics, and pop culture. There are also seemingly as many variations of Batman as there are total number of properties they license. The Pop brand has expanded to include t-shirts, household items, and several monthly subscriptions based on properties like Marvel, DC Comics, Star Wars and now Disney. Funko also sells Dorbz, Mystery Minis, Rock Candy, Vinyl Vixens, Super Deluxe, Hikari, and several different lines of action figures.
Comparing the first wave of Funko’s to the latest generation reveals stunning progress on these figures. They have an uncanny ability of capturing an actor’s appearance into a perfectly realized 3D vinyl caricature. Just look at the JOHN WICK, GODFATHER, TWIN PEAKS, WESTWORLD, and STRANGER THINGS figures. You do not need any packaging to tell you the identity of each figure.
While there were hundreds of Funko items on display, I tried to focus my photos just on the ones that are relatively new or have not yet been released. Below are some of my favorites, including a peak at some new lines…
“La La Land,” an original musical about pursuing one’s dreams, garnered 13 nominations, while the science-fiction close encounter “Arrival” earned eight nominations from the St. Louis Film Critics Association Sunday.
The organization will announce their annual awards on Sunday, Dec. 18. Awards are given out in 23 categories.
Best Film nominees also included two haunting, powerful dramas, “Manchester by the Sea” and “Moonlight,” with six nominations apiece. The neo-western thriller “Hell or High Water” earned four, as did the First Lady biopic “Jackie” and the Coen Brothers comedy “Hail, Caesar!.”
Other multiple nominees included the action-comedy “Deadpool,” the sci-fi adventure “Doctor Strange,” the landmark Supreme Court case on interracial marriage “Loving,” the animated musical “Moana,” and the thriller “Nocturnal Animals,” all with three.
SLFCA members work for recognized outlets in print, broadcast and online publications.
For more information about the awards or our group, visit www.stlfilmcritics.org or contact board secretary Lynn Venhaus, 618-917-8175.
Here is a complete list of nominations:
BEST FILM
Arrival
Hell or High Water
La La Land
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight
BEST DIRECTOR
Denis Villeneuve, “Arrival”
David Mackenzie, “Hell or High Water”
Damien Chazelle, “La La Land”
Kenneth Lonergan, “Manchester by the Sea”
Barry Jenkins, “Moonlight”
BEST ACTOR
Viggo Mortensen, “Captain Fantastic”
Ryan Gosling, “La La Land”
Joel Edgerton, “Loving”
Casey Affleck, “Manchester by the Sea”
Tom Hanks, “Sully”
BEST ACTRESS
Amy Adams, “Arrival”
Isabelle Huppert, “Elle”
Natalie Portman, “Jackie”
Emma Stone, “La La Land”
Ruth Negga, “Loving”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jeff Bridges, “Hell or High Water”
Dev Patel, “Lion”
Lucas Hedges, “Manchester by the Sea”
Mahershala Ali, “Moonlight”
Michael Shannon, “Nocturnal Animals”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Greta Gerwig, “20th Century Women”
Lily Gladstone, “Certain Women”
Viola Davis, “Fences”
Michelle Williams, “Manchester by the Sea”
Naomie Harris, “Moonlight” BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Taylor Sheridan, “Hell or High Water”
Damien Chazelle, “La La Land”
Jeff Nichols, “Loving”
Kenneth Lonergan, “Manchester by the Sea”
Barry Jenkins, “Moonlight” BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Eric Heisserer, “Arrival”
August Wilson, “Fences”
Luke Davies, “Lion”
Whit Stillman, “Love and Friendship”
Tom Ford, “Nocturnal Animals”
BEST EDITING
Hacksaw Ridge
Jackie
La La Land
Moonlight
Nocturnal Animals
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Bradford Young, “Arrival”
Vittorio Storaro, “Café Society”
Roger Deakins, “Hail, Caesar!”
Linus Sandgren, “La La Land”
James Laxton, “Moonlight”
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Hail, Caesar!
The Handmaiden
Jackie
La La Land BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Arrival
Doctor Strange
The Jungle Book
La La Land
A Monster Calls BEST MUSIC SCORE
Johann Johannsson, “Arrival”
Mica Levi, “Jackie”
Justin Herwitz, “La La Land”
Nicholas Brittle, “Moonlight”
Cliff Martinez, “The Neon Demon”
BEST SOUNDTRACK
Everybody Wants Some!!
La La Land
Moana
Sing Street
Trolls
BEST SONG
“Audition (The Fools Who Dream),” ” “La La Land”
“City of Stars,” “La La Land”
“How Far I’ll Go,” “Moana”
“You’re Welcome,” “Moana
“Drive It Like You Stole It,” “Sing Street”
BEST ACTION FILM
Captain America: Civil War
Deadpool
Doctor Strange
Hacksaw Ridge
Jason Bourne
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
April and the Extraordinary World
Finding Dory
Kubo and the Two Strings
Moana
Zootopia
BEST COMEDY
Deadpool
Don’t Think Twice
Florence Foster Jenkins
Hail, Caesar!
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
De Palma
The Eagle Huntress
Gleason
I Am Not Your Negro
Weiner
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Elle
The Handmaiden
A Man Called Ove
Our Little Sister
Toni Erdmann
BEST HORROR/SCI-FI
10 Cloverfield Lane
Arrival
Doctor Strange
Don’t Breathe
The Witch BEST SCENE
Berlin Airport fight, “Captain America: Civil War”
Opening credits, “Deadpool”
“Would that it were so simple” with Ralph Fiennes and Alden Ehrenreich, “Hail, Caesar!”
Opening traffic jam number, “La La Land”
Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams encounter on street, “Manchester by the Sea”
WORST
The Angry Birds Movie
Masterminds
The Ninth Life of Louis Drax
Warcraft
Zoolander 2
This week’s episode of our podcast WE ARE MOVIE GEEKS The Show is up! Hear WAMG’s Cate Marquis, Jim Batts and Tom Stockman talk movies. We’ll discuss the weekend box office and review RULES DON’T APPLY, THE EAGLE HUNTRESS, BAD SANTA 2, MOANA, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, ALLIED, and NOCTURNAL ANIMALS. We’ll also tale a look at upcoming movie events in St. Louis, pay our respects to the late Florence Henderson, and talk about how the Oscar race is shaping up.
Win passes to the advance screening of Disney’s MOANA starring Dwayne The Rock Johnson & Auli’i Cravalho, in theatres in 3D this Thanksgiving!
Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one knows exactly why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) meets the mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and 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”), produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), and featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa‘i, “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.
WAMG invites you to enter for the chance to win FOUR (4) seats to the advance 3D screening of MOANA onTues., November 22, 7pm in the St. Louis area.
Answer the following:
Directors Ron Clements and John Musker made their writing-directing debut on which 1986 feature film?
TO ENTER, ADD YOUR NAME, ANSWER AND EMAIL IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.
OFFICIAL RULES:
1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.
2. No purchase necessary. A pass does not guarantee a seat at a screening. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. The theater is overbooked to assure a full house. The theater is not responsible for overbooking.
Disney’s MOANA is coming to theatres in 3D this Thanksgiving. This morning Dwayne Johnson (voice of Maui) revealed it exclusively on Instagram and announced that the brand new trailer will debut this Thursday.
Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one knows exactly why.
From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes MOANA, a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) meets the mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and 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”), produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), and featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa‘i, MOANA sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ MOANA, which opens in theaters nationwide on Nov. 23, 2016, features a dynamic roster of characters brought to life by a talented group of actors. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, who were behind “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin,” “Moana” showcases the life-changing journey of a tenacious 16-year-old who teams up with the mighty demigod Maui to fulfill an ancient quest.
The newly revealed characters and voice talent join the already announced duo that includes newcomer Auli‘i Cravalho, who lends her voice to the title character, Moana, a teenager who dreams of becoming a master wayfinder, and Dwayne Johnson (HBO’s “Ballers,” “Central Intelligence”), who voices Maui—half god, half mortal, all awesome.
“Our assembled voice cast for this film is beyond our wildest dreams,” said Musker. “We are so fortunate to have this group of talented actors, many from Oceania, breathing life into their characters.”
Added Clements, “We are so thankful to have found such extraordinary people who not only capture the voices of these characters, they elevate them in every way.”
Joining Cravalho and Johnson are the following performers.
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. The conceited crustacean wants to be more than a “bottom feeder” and overcompensates for this perceived shortcoming by covering himself in all things shiny.
RACHEL HOUSE (“Whale Rider,” “Hunt for the Wilderpeople”) lends her voice to GRAMMA TALA, Moana’s confidante and best friend, who shares her granddaughter’s special connection to the ocean. Although her son Tui, the chief of Motunui, is a no-nonsense leader, Gramma Tala most definitely dances to the beat of her own drum.
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. Chief Tui wants Moana to follow in his footsteps as leader of their people, but fears his daughter’s draw to the ocean and the world that lies beyond their reef.
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.
ALAN TUDYK, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ lucky charm (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Big Hero 6”), is behind the voice of HEIHEI. Heihei is one dumb rooster—the village idiot, in fact. When the clueless chicken accidently stows away on Moana’s canoe, he lands a front-row seat for her epic journey.
The roster of characters also includes the KAKAMORA, an intense team of crazy, coconut-armored pirates who will stop at nothing to get what they want, and PUA, Moana’s loyal pet pig with puppy energy and an innocent puppy brain.
Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one knows why.
From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes MOANA, a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auliʻi Cravalho) meets the mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder.
Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and 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 produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), MOANA sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.
Comments Off on Jemaine Clement, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison And Nicole Scherzinger Join Auli‘i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson in Epic Big-Screen Adventure MOANA
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ MOANA has found her voice following a worldwide search to cast the film’s title character. Native Hawaiian newcomer Auli’i Cravalho, 14, joins Dwayne Johnson in the big-screen adventure about a spirited and fearless teenager named Moana (voice of Cravalho) who, with help from demi-god Maui (voice of Johnson), sets out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder.
While hundreds of talented people from across the Pacific Islands were eager to try out for the role, Cravalho set her sights firmly on her sophomore year of high school. “I didn’t think I would have a chance,” she said. “When I was little, I used to dance around the house singing at the top of my lungs. In my mind, that was performing and I loved the feeling of it. But I never imagined being in a Disney movie, being Moana—representing my culture in that way.”
Fortunately, the film’s Hawai’i casting director remembered an unrelated audition Cravalho did as part of an a cappella group, which had been submitted for a talent showcase for a charity. Feeling the local teen would be perfect for the Disney role, she tracked her and her mother down and invited Cravalho to audition. “Her audition was fantastic – she was such a raw talent,” said producer Osnat Shurer. “Auli’i was among a small number of girls we brought back for a second round of auditions. Then we flew her and her mom over to audition at our studios in Burbank.”
“Auli’i demonstrated a certain fearlessness in her auditions and call-backs,” said director John Musker. “She has a playful, mischievous wit. She can project vulnerability, she doesn’t seem intimidated at all by the challenges ahead, and her Polynesian background has helped shape her connection to family, hard work and music. These are all qualities she shares with Moana.”
“Moana is a vibrant, tenacious 16-year-old growing up on an island where voyaging is forbidden,” added director Ron Clements. “But Moana has been drawn to the ocean since she can remember and is desperate to find out what’s beyond the confines of her island.”
Cravalho has already started recording for the role.
Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast South Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one today knows why.
From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes MOANA, a sweeping, CG-animated adventure about a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds.
Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”), and produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), MOANA sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.
Filmmakers from Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios introduced D23 EXPO 2015 fans to an array of new stories and characters—from a lost dinosaur to a master wayfinder, a scheming fox to a forgetful fish.
The audience of 7,500 was treated to sneak peeks, musical performances and appearances from stars like Ellen DeGeneres, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Ginnifer Goodwin, Dwayne Johnson, Randy Newman and Ty Burrell, among others.
John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, led the presentations, calling on a host of filmmakers from both studios to introduce the upcoming slate of films. “We really have an unbelievable range of movies in production at our studios right now,” said Lasseter. “The stories are dynamic, fresh and so much fun; the characters new and old are so appealing. I’m excited to share some of our long-held secrets for the first time at the D23 EXPO.”
Following are the films presented on behalf of both studios.
Pixar Animation Studios heads back inside the mind with an all-new short. “Riley’s First Date?” made its world premiere this afternoon at D23 EXPO. Director Josh Cooley, along with “Inside Out” filmmakers Pete Docter (“Up,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and Jonas Rivera (“Up”), introduced the short, which revisits Riley, now 12. “‘Riley’s First Date?’ ventures into the minds of Riley’s parents when a mysterious boy shows up at the front door,” said Cooley. “Having a daughter myself, it was a lot of fun to mine my own feelings to show this emotional time in a parent’s life.”
The short will be included as a bonus feature in the digital HD & Blu-ray releases of Disney·Pixar’s “Inside Out,” which will be available digitally Oct. 13 and on Blu-ray Nov. 3, 2015.
Anticipation for Disney·Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur” was amplified when directorPeter Sohn and producer Denise Ream shared breathtaking sequences with fans, including never-before-seen footage of a trio of T-Rexes in action.
In theaters on Nov. 25, 2015, the film introduces audiences to Arlo, a sheltered Apatosaurus who finds himself far from home, and Spot, Arlo’s unlikely human friend.
“Arlo and Spot journey through a world that has been greatly inspired by the American Northwest,” said Sohn. “It is epic in scope, soul-enriching and simultaneously beautiful and treacherous. In this world, we meet up with a very special family of T-Rexes, who help Arlo find a way through his personal fears and ultimately teach Arlo what he’s truly made of.”
ZOOTOPIA
International superstar Shakira is lending her Grammy-winning voice to Gazelle, the biggest pop star in Zootopia, D23 EXPO fans learned via a taped message from Shakira today.
Ginnifer Goodwin (ABC’s “Once Upon a Time,” “Something Borrowed,” “Walk the Line”), the voice of the film’s rookie rabbit officer Judy Hopps, saluted fans alongside directors Byron Howard (“Tangled”) and Rich Moore (“Wreck-It Ralph”), and producer Clark Spencer (“Wreck-It Ralph”).
Hilarious new scenes from the film were unveiled, plus a tease of the all-new original song, “Try Everything,” written by singer-songwriter Sia and songwriting duo Stargate, and performed by Shakira.
Said Howard, “For the role of Gazelle, Zootopia’s most beloved superstar, there was only one person on our wish list: Shakira. Luckily for us, she said yes. Her immense talent and charm bring Gazelle and her song, ‘Try Everything,’ to life.”
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia” opens nationwideMarch 4, 2016.
FINDING DORY
Ellen DeGeneres (“The Ellen DeGeneres Show”), the voice of everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, took a dip with D23 EXPO attendees this afternoon, celebrating Disney·Pixar’s upcoming film “Finding Dory.”
Joining DeGeneres on stage this afternoon were Ed O’Neill (“Modern Family”), who lends his voice to Hank, a cantankerous octopus; Ty Burrell (“Modern Family”), the voice of Bailey, a misguided beluga whale; and Kaitlin Olson (“Always Sunny in Philadelphia”), who voices Destiny, a kind-hearted whale shark.
Oscar-winning director Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”), co-director Angus MacLane and producer Lindsey Collins (co-producer “WALL•E”) offered details about the all-new story, which reunites Dory with friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale?
Said Stanton, “In ‘Finding Dory,’ we can expect to address the one emotionally open-ended issue that remained from the first movie: Where is Dory’s family, and will this overly-optimistic fish with short-term memory loss ever be able to find them again? Her issue has also given us the opportunity to travel to very different locations, on land and sea, and meet a variety of new sea creatures that expand the world of Nemo, Marlin and Dory.”
Also featuring the voices of Albert Brooks, Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton, Disney·Pixar’s “Finding Dory” swims into theaters June 17, 2016.
Producer Osnat Shurer, director John Musker and actor Dwayne Johnson of MOANA (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
MOANA
Dwayne Johnson (“San Andreas,” “Furious 7,” HBO’s “Ballers”), who lends his voice to the mighty demi-god Maui in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana,” hit the stage at D23 EXPO this afternoon.
Renowned directors John Musker and Ron Clements (“The Little Mermaid,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Aladdin”), and producer Osnat Shurer (Oscar®-nominated Pixar shorts “One Man Band,” “Boundin’”) shared dazzling early test footage and revealed plans for the film’s inspired music and the extraordinary team behind it.
Tony®-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (Broadway’s hottest new hit “Hamilton,” Tony-winning “In the Heights”), Grammy®-winning composer Mark Mancina (“Speed”, “Tarzan” “The Lion King”) and Opetaia Foa’i (founder and lead singer of the world music award-winning band Te Vaka) blend their diverse and dynamic talents to help tell the tale of a spirited teenager who sets out to prove herself a master wayfinder.
“Our research took us deep into the South Pacific,” said Clements. “The wonderful people we met there, their rich history and traditions, and their fantastic music changed us forever.”
“We can’t wait to bring those experiences to ‘Moana,’” added Musker. “We are incredibly lucky to be able to work with three amazing artists who are the absolute best at what they do. The sounds they create will be something we’ve never heard before—but it’ll feel like it’s been part of this world forever.”
Foa’i and his band Te Vaka capped the presentation with a show-stopping performance illustrating the magic of the movie’s music. “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.
(Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
TOY STORY 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Pixar Animation Studios marks the 20th Anniversary of “Toy Story” this year. Said Lasseter, “All the characters from ‘Toy Story’—especially Woody and Buzz—are so close to us. They seem more like family members than just creations. Not only do we dearly love the characters, but we also love the world of ‘Toy Story’—the world where toys come to life when people are not in the room has always been rich with many story possibilities.”
Lasseter, who’s one of Pixar’s three founders, celebrated 20 years since “Toy Story” transformed the animation industry and the art of storytelling. He welcomed to the stage iconic two-time Oscar®-winning songwriter and longtime Pixar collaborator Randy Newman, whose Pixar credits include “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Cars.”
Also joining in the celebration were “Toy Story 4” co-director Josh Cooley (“Cars 2,” “Ratatouille”) and producer Galyn Susman (“Toy Story OF TERROR!”). Screenwriters Rashida Jones and Will McCormack (“Celeste & Jesse Forever”) joined Buzz, Woody and Bo Peep for the celebration.
“I’m very proud of our films,” said Lasseter. “When we made the first three ‘Toy Story’ films, we didn’t realize what we had done was to change the genre of each of the films’ story. For ‘Toy Story 4,’ we are doing a type of story we have not done before: a love story. It’s a story about a relationship between Woody and Bo Peep. ”
“Toy Story 4,” which will be directed by Lasseter and produced by Susman, is slated for release on June 16, 2017.
Things are looking up at Walt Disney Animation Studios – way up. “Gigantic,” Disney’s unique take on “Jack and the Beanstalk,” will feature music from Oscar®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who greeted D23 EXPO fans in signature style—in song—alongside director Nathan Greno (“Tangled”) and producer Dorothy McKim (“Get A Horse!”).
“I always wanted to be part of the Disney legacy,” said Greno. “I loved those classic stories brought to life—‘Snow White’ or ‘Cinderella’—in a way that made those films the definitive version for generations. I want to carry on that tradition by bringing ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ to modern audiences. We’re taking parts of the story we all remember and adding twists and turns, emotion and humor.”
Set in Spain during the Age of Exploration, Disney’s “Gigantic” follows adventure-seeker Jack as he discovers a world of giants hidden within the clouds. He hatches a grand plan with Inma, a 60-foot-tall, 11-year-old girl, and agrees to help her find her way home. But he doesn’t account for her super-sized personality—and who knew giants were so down to earth? “Gigantic” hits theaters in 2018.
COCO
Director Lee Unkrich (“Toy Story 3”) and producer Darla K. Anderson (“Toy Story 3”) revealed the title of their upcoming film: Disney·Pixar’s “Coco” is the celebration of a lifetime, where the discovery of a generations-old mystery leads to a most extraordinary and surprising family reunion.
“As artists and filmmakers, we couldn’t help but be drawn to the striking visuals of Dia de los Muertos,” said Unkrich and Anderson. “But it was the celebration’s core themes of family, remembrance and connection across generations that resonated within and truly inspired us. Dia de los Muertos is as singular as the Mexican culture, while at the same time completely universal in its message.
“In our story,” they continued, “the celebration of Dia de los Muertos serves as the perfect backdrop for our main character to ask where he comes from, what his place is within his family, and how families stay woven together across time through the simple act of remembrance.”
EXPO SHOW FLOOR/PANELS/PRESENTATIONS:
Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios teamed up to create a show-floor experience at D23 EXPO. Fans are enjoying live demonstrations, presentations and autograph signings with top filmmakers. They can also check out John Lasseter’s film-themed Hawaiian shirts in a special exhibit, plus Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Eric Goldberg, who first worked on “Aladdin,” is sharing his collection of more than 100 caricatured creations.
Following are the event panels.
In Conversation with the Filmmakers and the Emotions Behind “Inside Out” (Pixar Animation Studios) – Academy Award®-winning director Pete Docter, producer Jonas Rivera and the voice of Sadness, Phyllis Smith, shared the inside story of the making of Disney•Pixar’s “Inside Out” this morning.
Welcome to “Zootopia”(Walt Disney Animation Studios) – Directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore, producer Clark Spencer and artists from the studio will introduce rookie rabbit-officer Judy Hopps, con-artist fox Nick Wilde and a host of dynamic animal characters to D23 EXPO-goers tomorrow afternoon.
Pixar Secrets Revealed!Hear the Stories They Didn’t Want You to Know! (Pixar Animation Studios) – Pixar senior development executive Mary Coleman will welcome storytellers behind some of Pixar’s most successful films tomorrow afternoon to talk about the twists and turns of crafting a narrative.
“Toy Story”:20 Years Later, the Original Crew Looks Back (Pixar Animation Studios) – Members of the original crew from 1995’s “Toy Story” will celebrate the 20thanniversary of the film tomorrow afternoon, sharing stories of the challenges they faced along the way.
“Aladdin” – The Making of a Classic(Walt Disney Animation Studios) – Tomorrow evening, directors John Musker and Ron Clements, animators Eric Goldberg and Mark Henn, the speaking voice of Jasmine, Linda Larkin, and the two actors who voiced Aladdin, Scott Weinger and Brad Kane, will share stories behind the Disney classic.
The Shorts of Walt Disney Animation Studios: from “Paperman” to “Prep & Landing,” “Feast” to “Frozen Fever” (Walt Disney Animation Studios) – Filmmakers behind the studio’s recent shorts come together Sunday morning to discuss Disney’s first medium for storytelling: the animated short.
“Frozen” FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration! (Walt Disney Animation Studios) – Sunday afternoon, Chris Montan, president, Walt Disney Music, and the Oscar®-winning songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez will take fans on a once-in-a-lifetime musical journey through the world of “Frozen.”
The Tunes Behind the Toons: Screening/Q&A – Fans can check out this short-form documentary Sundayevening, celebrating the power of music in animation. A star-studded Q&A will follow the screening.
Composer Randy Newman of TOY STORY 1, 2 and 3 took part today in “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” presentation (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
D23 EXPO—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks and celebrities. For the latest D23 EXPO 2015 news, visit D23EXPO.com. To join the D23 EXPO conversation, make sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23EXPO.
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.
Fans can join D23 at Gold and General Membership levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.
