Earlier today, at Disney’s D23 Expo, the studio revealed two new Pixar films, the logo for Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie and footage from the upcoming superhero team-up, Marvel’s The Avengers.
When it comes to new information, let’s begin with the two new Pixar features. We knew at least one was on the way back in early August when a May 30, 2014 release date was set for an untitled Pixar feature as well as an untitled 3D film from Henry Selick (A Nightmare Before Christmas) for October 4, 2013. The Selick film appears not to have been part of the presentation, but the two Pixar films were a highlight.
First for the Untitled Pixar Film From Director Bob Peterson. Peterson co-directed Up with Pete Docter and this time will be going solo on a prehistoric feature. The film is set for a November 27, 2013 release and is going with the following logline: “What if the cataclysmic asteroid that forever changed life on Earth actually missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct?”
So obviously the second film will be taking that May 30, 2014 release and it will be directed by Pete Docter (Up, Monsters, Inc.) and comes with the following description:
Pixar takes audiences on incredible journeys into extraordinary worlds: from the darkest depths of the ocean to the top of the tepui mountains in South America; from the fictional metropolis of Monstropolis to a futuristic fantasy of outer space. From director Pete Docter (Up, Monsters, Inc.) and producer Jonas Rivera (Up), the inventive new film will take you to a place that everyone knows, but no one has ever seen: the world inside the human mind.
These two films will follow Disney and Pixar’s two previously announced films, Brave, which is set for release on June 22, 2012 and Monsters University, which arrives June 21, 2013.
In other Pixar-related news, if you read Kevin’s round-up feature this morning you saw the news of a new Toy Story short, titled “Small Fry” and will be attached to The Muppets in November. Well, we have a plot for that short now and it goes like this:
In the latest Toy Story Toon, Buzz Lightyear is left behind at a fast food restaurant when a kids’ meal toy version of Buzz takes his place. While Bonnie’s toys are stuck with the annoying 3-inch-tall Buzz impersonator, the real Buzz is trapped in the restaurant at a support group for discarded toys. As Woody and the gang devise a way to rescue their friend, Buzz tries to escape the toy psychotherapy meeting.
Next we come to the reveal of the logo for Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie, due to hit theaters on October 5, 2012. The film will be stop-motion and was adapted from Burton’s 1984 short about a man who reanimates his dog after it gets hit by a car. If you haven’t seen it you can watch it on YouTube. I’ve included part one to the right and you can watch parts two and three here and here.
For a larger look at the logo and a complete synopsis click here.
Next we come to Disney’s big investment, their first Marvel feature, The Avengers, hits theaters on May 4, 2012 and many from the film were on hand to help present some new footage including Robert Downey Jr., Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Cobie Smulders. I wasn’t there, but here is a recap of the footage presented as described by SlashFilm:
It begins with Loki being locked in a large, circular glass room that’s very technologically advanced. Nick Fury walks in, presses some buttons on a touch screen and warns him: “In case it’s unclear, if you try to escape, you even scratch on the glass, it’s 30,000 feet straight down.” We see the floor open up revealing we’re on the Helicarrier. Loki says it’s an impressive cage, but not for him, and challenges Fury by asking how desperate is he to do what he has done. Fury retorts by saying that Loki has brought his world to the brink of war and “you kill because it’s fun, so you made me very desperate.” Loki taunts him by saying Fury was so close to true power. He had the tesseract (aka the Cosmic Cube) and but now he, Loki, will remind you what real power is. Fury responds by saying, “Tell me if real power wants a magazine.”
Meanwhile, as Loki is delivering that speech, we see The Avengers all sitting around a table with Thor standing in the middle (this is the footage from the brief teaser trailer) watching Loki on a monitor. It ends with Bruce Banner, wearing purple, (Mark Ruffalo) saying “He really grows on you doesn’t he?”
Cut to Nick Fury explaining that S.H.I.E.L.D. had an idea to bring together a group of extraordinary people who could fight the battles we never could. As he’s saying this, we cut around what the Helicarrier, seeing various S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and such.
Next we see Tony Stark behind a bar and he says, “Let’s do a head count.” This is all intercut with footage. “We’ve got two deadly assassins,” Black Widow and Hawkeye on a bridge next to a crashed car. “A demi god,” Thor looks up menacingly, then we see him jumping in slow motion swinging his hammer at Captain America. “A legend that actually lives up to the legend,” this is Captain America, who we see looking at his new suit and jumping away from an explosions. And Stark ends with “and somehow you managed to piss them all off.” The reveal is he’s talking to Loki. Loki says, “I have an army.” Stark says “We have a Hulk.” We then see a transforming leg and the new Hulk screaming into camera. Title card.
For those not in the know, The Avengers takes the heroes from Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger and brings them together to battle an unexpected enemy who emerges and threatens global safety and security. Pictures and video from the set have been showing up online recently, including a fight involving Thor (Hemsworth) and Captain America (Chris Evans), which I cut into the video you see to the right.
As for the other upcoming films in Disney’s stable, here’s how the goings on were detailed in a press release issued today. For more information on each, just click on the titles.
Brave
Filmmakers Mark Andrews and Katherine Sarafian were joined by actors Kelly Macdonald and Kevin McKidd to present footage from the film.
John Carter
Producer Jim Morris and director Andrew Stanton were accompanied by the film’s stars Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, and Willem Dafoe to present never-before-seen footage, introducing fans to the film’s epic characters.
The Odd Life of Timothy Green
The film’s star Jennifer Garner was on hand to talk about the inspiring, magical film and her experience making the movie.
Oz The Great and Powerful
Unable to join in person as they’re currently filming in Detroit, the film’s director Sam Raimi and stars James Franco, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis and Zach Braff provided fans with a first look at the making of Oz The Great and Powerful via a taped piece from the set of the film.
The Muppets
Stars Jason Segel, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy gave fans an exclusive look at never-before-seen footage from their upcoming film.
The news from Disney, however, doesn’t end there as Animatie brings us the poster you see here for a new Tangled-inspired short called Tangled Ever After. There aren’t any plot details as of yet or any information as to when it will show up, but it is expected to be featured on the Disney Channel next year and comes from Tangled co-directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard.
And finally, as if that wasn’t enough, here is a nearly four-minute video news release provided by Disney showing some of what went on at D23, a few interviews from the talent in attendance and a general overall look at the vibe going on in and around the convention center. Just watching the video gives you a good idea of just what a busy day it was. I wasn’t even in attendance and I am exhausted just from writing this article.
So with that said, watch the video below and share your thoughts in the comments below.
