New Tinkerbell attraction coming to WDW Magic Kingdom ?

The Orlando Sentinel reveal that Disney is planning a new attraction based on the upcoming Tinkerbell/Fairies series.

Here is some excerpts of the " Tinker Bell may get a new home " article:

Walt Disney World is planning to add actresses playing Tinker Bell and her friends from an upcoming series of "Disney Fairies" movies -- and might be creating a new attraction based on them.

Disney held auditions last week for actresses to play the Disney Fairies characters in the parks, including Tinker Bell, Silvermist, Rosetta, Iridessa and Fawn.

In a prepared statement, a Disney spokeswoman explained: "Disney Imagineers are currently creating a special new home for Tink and her friends which promises to immerse guests in the world of Pixie Dust at Walt Disney World."

Spokeswoman Andrea Finger would not elaborate about whether this meant the fairy characters will have their own attraction, nor did she specify which park they might appear in.

Except for Tinker Bell, the characters are based on a new "Disney Fairies" entertainment franchise that the Walt Disney Co. has been developing in recent years through children's books, Internet Web pages, games, toys and a series of straight-to-DVD movies that will begin emerging this fall.

From and copyright The Orlando Sentinel

Artwork: copyright Disney

New Twilight Zone movie , thanks to Leonardo Di Caprio ?

Those of you who love the Twilight zone series - and, honestly, who don't like these magical Rod Serling TV series ? - will be happy to know that a new movie is probably on its way. And thanks to who? To Leonardo DiCaprio who is not only the gifted actor that we know, but also have very good taste as the "Twilight Zone" is his favorite show.

Will Leo play in this new movie? I hope so, but we don't know yet.

More details about this new Twilight Zone production in this Hollywood Reporter article excerpts:

Leonardo DiCaprio eyes the 'Zone'
Warners, Appian Way in early stages of 'Twilight' feature

By Steven Zeitchik

Could the eerie music of "The Twilight Zone" soon be playing again at the movies?

Warner Bros. and Leonardo DiCaprio's production company Appian Way are in the early stages of seeking material for a feature take on one or more episodes from the classic TV series.

The studio and production company are quietly putting out word to creators that they are looking for pitches and script ideas based on the show for feature development.

The companies are not seeking to remake an episodic movie, as the only big-screen version of the show did 25 years ago, but rather hope to build one continuing story line based on one or more episodes.

Warners is negotiating for rights to the Rod Serling-penned episodes, which is owned by the Serling estate. The episodes comprise the bulk of its 1959-64 run. The Serling shows include famous episodes such as "To Serve Man," about giant aliens who land on Earth to serve humans as food, and "Eye of the Beholder," about an inverted society where the attractive are considered ugly. About 155 episodes of the original series exist.

A feature adaptation could be a passion project of sorts for DiCaprio, who in interviews has cited "Twilight Zone" as his favorite show.

From and copyright The Hollywood Reporter

First Pixar " UP " teaser released !

Not only Pixar released the first teaser of UP, but the official website is also coming soon.

You can watch the trailer below or in high-def HERE

Let me remember you the synopsis: Carl Fredricksen spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate ( and a persistent 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell ) gives him a new lease on life. “Up” takes audiences on a thrilling journey where the unlikely pair encounter wild terrain, unexpected villains and jungle creatures.

But if you really want to know more about it, don't mis the Comic Con Pete Docter interview on Ain't it cool web site.

The first WATCHMEN Trailer is released - and it's a WOW ! - High-res pictures and trailer

If you've read Alan moore and Dave gibbons WATCHMEN, you're probably among the millions of super fans around the world awaiting Zach Snyder's movie adaptation of this fantastic graphic novel - listed by Time magazine as one of " 20th century 100 best novels ".

All others Alan Moore movies adaptations were mostly disapointed - remember The League of extraordinary gentlemen ? - but this time, it seems that we're going to get the real thing. The first trailer is released, and all i can say is: oh...my...god...!!!

Have a look below at the high-res screen capture photos and the trailer, or, much better, watch it in high definition HERE and you'll understand what i mean. I just can't wait for June 2009, it looks so perfect...



















And here is a video showing the Night Owl ship exhibit at the Comic Con



Photos and trailer: copyright Warner

Week-end update : Tron 2 , Stan Lee " Time Jumper " project with Disney , Imagineers Harriet Burns and Randy Pausch died...

Some interesting news for the week-end, beginning of course by the presentation at San Diego's Comic Con of three minutes of Tron 2. More about it in the Jim Hill article and a full description of what the lucky guys at the Comic Con have seen on Ain't it cool.com. You can also see these three minutes of Tron 2 on a youtube video HERE. You better hurry to watch it on youtube before the WDC asked it to be removed!

Also, legendary comic-book creator Stan Lee and Disney may have a deal on a new project announced Variety :

The Walt Disney Co. has reupped its first look pact with POW Entertainment, the production shingle run by comicbook vet Stan Lee.
Two-year deal covers movies, TV, publishing, games, online and mobile entertainment.

Lee co-created the Spider-Man, X-Men, Iron Man, Hulk, Daredevil and Fantastic Four characters while at Marvel Comics.

As part of the pact, Mouse has greenlit "Time Jumper," a digital comicbook series that Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment will produce and distribute across multiple platforms.

Project revolves around the character of Terry Dixon, an agent of the secret government org HUNT (Heroes United, Noble and True), who has a cell phone called the Articulus that's also a time machine. When his brother is lost in time, Terry must try to find him before an a criminal cartel does.

Disney Interactive Media Group's Disney Online and Disney Publishing Worldwide will also develop their own content based on the property that consumers will be able to download as single or multiple episodes. A comicbook will also be published.

"Time Jumpers" is the latest project for Lee at Disney, who has also set up three other pics, including "Nick Ratchet," to be helmed by Richard LaGravenese; "Blaze" and "Tigress."



Sad news from WDI as two Imagineers have died : Disney Legend Harriet Burns was 79. During her WDI career she worked on the design of Sleeping Beauty Castle, New Orleans Square, the Haunted Mansion, and also all the singing birds of the Enchanted Tiki Room. In 2000 she became a Disney Legend.

Randy Pausch, also a Disney Imagineer, died of cancer at 47. Don't miss his “Last Lecture” video entitled "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" , you can watch it on the Disney Blog.

Stan Lee news: copyright: Variety.com

Photos: copyright Disney

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge pictorial tribute - Part one

The recent article about the beautiful tokyo Disneyland Hotel gave me the idea to do a series of pictorial articles about Disney theme park most beautiful hotels. So, after the TDL Hotel, here is the second article, and this one is all about the stunning Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Designed by WDI Imagineers, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, as we know, is located inside Animal Kingdom and facing Animal Kingdom African savannah.



If you've never stayed at the hotel or never saw a picture of the lobby in good resolution you are going to understand why this lobby is a "wow!".



Hand-carved furnishings, rich wood and vibrant colors at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge offer Walt Disney World Resort guests the finest in authentic African architecture and design.




The centerpiece of the art collection at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is the Igbo Ijele (pronounced e-bo e-gelay) mask, featured in the lobby. The Ijele, created by the Igbo people of Africa, is a massive creation that towers more than 16 feet tall and is eight feet in width. In Africa, the mask signifies an important event or celebration and makes rare appearances. No other Ijele, which is the largest mask in tropical Africa, is known to exist outside of Igbo land.



Imagine walking out onto your guest-room balcony for a view of animals and tropical birds roaming through a savannah and working wildlife reserve. Altogether, more than 200 mammals and birds populate the 33-acre savannah at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Many guestroom balconies overlook the savannah, putting guests within 30 feet of the animals.




Can you spot Mickey? Walt Disney World Resort is filled with "hidden" Mickeys -- silhouettes and abstract images of Mickey Mouse cleverly hidden by Walt Disney Imagineers across the Vacation Kingdom -- including a Mickey-shaped pattern on a giraffe carved into Arusha Rock at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.



Landscaping creates the beautiful and diverse look of an African landscape at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge



With décor inspired by the opening scenes of Disney's The Lion King, the Jiko restaurant offers sophisticated, African-inspired cuisine and a stellar South African wine list.




Here is a picture of a room.



The Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge captures the yuletide spirit of the holiday season with cultural decor and warm traditions, even at Christmas.



A new Disney Vacation Club Resort, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas, will include a village of vacation homes. To be located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, the new accommodations are scheduled for development in phases with an anticipated opening beginning fall 2007, with completion scheduled for spring 2009.



A distinctively themed lobby, pictured in this artist rendering, and a new village of Vacation Homes will be part of Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas.



In the part two of this pictorial article, we will have a look at the incredible - i should stay stunning - Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Presidential suite. Don't miss it !

Artwork and Photos: copyright Disney

First look at the Walt Disney Family Museum

Thanks to laughing place.com and the photographer Doug Marsh you can have a preview of the awaited Walt Disney Family Museum schedule to open in summer 2009 at san Francisco.

The article is full of pictures of the renderings that were shown at the NFFC Convention, with a presentation by Jeff Kurti.

Two of the renderings are reproduced here, but you have dozens more , and a video interview of Jeff Kurti on Laughing Place, and you should really have a look!



Rendering photo by Doug Marsh