It looks like Miles Morales, the new Spider-Man following the death of Peter Parker in Ultimate Spider-Man, will finally meet his new destiny in Ultimate Spider-Man #4. This really has been an exciting new take on the character, and I really like Miles as a character, because he’s so different then Peter and brought something new to this series. I’ve been religiously reading this series since it began, and Brian Michael Bendis absolutely understands and loves the Spider-Man, and I’m glad he’s made Miles part of that lore. Hit the jump for Marvel’s full press release. And definitely check out issue #4, in stores soon!
Disneyland sued over alleged lead problem
A nonprofit group that has filed dozens of environmental suits against major companies is now accusing Disneyland of exposing children to lead.
The Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation sued the corporate owner of the Orange County theme park in April. That suit claims that stained glass windows in Cinderella’s Castle, brass door knobs at Minnie’s House and other items contained excessive levels of lead.
The Los Angeles Times says the group is seeking a court injunction Tuesday to require Disneyland to cover the items or post health warnings.
Disney has rejected the allegations and spokeswoman Suzi Brown says the company believes it is in full compliance with state law regarding signage.
Eureka-based Mateel has filed many suits in recent years contending that companies violate California’s Proposition 65 toxics law.
Source
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Disney’s AVATAR: James Cameron Explores Disney’s Animal Kingdom
As work continues to bring the epic fantasy world of AVATAR to life at Disney Parks, filmmaker James Cameron and his Lightstorm Entertainment producing partner Jon Landau explored Disney’s Animal Kingdom yesterday with Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and Imagineer Joe Rohde.
“Getting the chance to roll up my sleeves and explore Disney’s Animal Kingdom from the inside out was a phenomenal experience,” said James Cameron. “As I walked through the park, I kept imagining Pandora coming to life all around me and found my mind racing with all the possibilities of what we will be able to create in the years ahead. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is truly a remarkable place and I can’t think of a better home for our first AVATAR experience.”
Cameron and Landau are touring the Walt Disney World Resort this week as part of the creative partnership announced in September between Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Fox Filmed Entertainment and Lightstorm Entertainment. Construction of the first AVATAR-themed land is expected to begin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom by 2013.
“We do a significant amount of work at the beginning of our projects to ensure that the final experience has the attention to detail, theme and uniqueness for which Disney is known,” said Tom Staggs. “Today’s visit is an important step in the creative process and we are excited about getting started on what will be a spectacular addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.”
Along with their team at Lightstorm Entertainment, Cameron and Landau are serving as creative consultants on the project, working side-by-side with Imagineers to dream up groundbreaking experiences that will take guests deep into the worlds of AVATAR like never imagined.
“AVATAR and Disney’s Animal Kingdom share a common bond in that they both focus on adventures that will radically change your perspective. They call you to take action on behalf of nature wherever it may be found,” said Joe Rohde, who led the creative team that designed the park. “This is a rare opportunity to collaborate with Jim, who has an incredible eye for detail and a passion for doing things that haven’t been done before.”
Source Disney Parks Blog
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Things You Might Not Know About the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is one of my favorite attractions – both at Disney California Adventure park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Especially this time of year, it seems extra spooky. Each time I “check in,” I discover some new cobweb-covered detail. That’s why I wanted to share these little-known facts about the attraction at Disney California Adventure park:
- Reaching 183 feet, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is made of more than 900 tons of steel, 1,600 cubic yards of concrete, 50,000 square feet of exterior plaster and about two miles of HV DC power cable.
- The “service elevators” ridden by guests move faster than the speed of gravity.
- The music heard in the Hollywood Tower Hotel courtyard and lobby features jazz and popular tunes from the 1930′s, such as “I Can’t Get Started With You” by Bunny Berigan, “We’ll Meet Again” by Vera Lynn and “Mood Indigo” by Duke Ellington.
- The “Twilight Zone” episode from which Rod Serling’s appearance in the Library scene was taken is entitled “It’s A Good Life,” written by Rod Serling. The episode tells the story of a little boy who can read minds and control people.
- The two glass display cases just outside the Library contain props that reference two “Twilight Zone” episodes:
- Gold thimble – From “The After Hours,” starring Anne Francis as a woman who has forgotten that she is not actually a human being but a department store mannequin.
- Broken stopwatch – From “A Kind of a Stopwatch,” the story of a watch that could actually stop time.
Can you name some of the other “Twilight Zone”-inspired props throughout the hotel?
Source Disney Parks Blog
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New Marvel Short Film: ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer’
Recently, Marvel has decided to delve into short film territory. Both so far follow the misadventures of SHIELD agent Coulson, once again played by Clark Gregg, who is reprising his roles seen in ‘Iron Man’, ‘Iron Man 2’, and ‘Thor 2’, as well as next years ‘The Avengers’. So far the shorts have been short, and funny little interludes that help show what happens between the breaks in the different movies. The newest short, ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer’, takes place between Agent Coulson leaving Tony Stark in ‘Iron Man 2’ and arriving in New Mexico and finding Thor’s hammer in ‘Thor’. It really is a brilliant piece of marketing. Hit the jump to check out the newest short.
Disney Channel Orders New Musical Pilot Zombies And Cheerleaders
Disney Channel has ordered the music-driven pilot “Zombies and Cheerleaders.” Production on the pilot begins in December in consideration for a Disney Channel series to premiere in 2012.
The story follows Zed Necrodopolis, a typical high school student with one small caveat; he happens to be a zombie. Despite a high-tech wristwatch designed to curb any appetite he may have for his classmates, he and his zombie friends remain unpopular with the school’s most influential group, the pom-pom wielding cheerleaders. Never one to back down from a challenge, Zed sets out to improve zombie student body relations and win the attention of Addison, the cheerleading squad’s newest member.
“Zombies and Cheerleaders” is executive produced by Eric Weinberg (“Scrubs,” “Death Valley”) and was written by Joseph Raso and David Light who also serve as co-executive producers. Todd Strauss Schulson (“A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas”) will direct the pilot.
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Villains #2 Vinylmation Series Releasing October 24!
Vinylmation enthusiasts, get ready for the release of the newest series of Disney’s popular collectible. The newest release is the second in the Vinylmation Villains series. This new series will hit stores on October 24, just a little over a week from now. Hit the jump for a look at the characters in the series, and a list of the of the artists.
Disney.com Exclusive! Watch 5 Minutes of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Get $5 off the 5-Disc Combo Pack
Starting today, Pirates of the Caribbean fans can watch an exciting 5-minute clip from the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides film exclusively on Disney.com. After watching Jack Sparrow narrowly escape the grasps of the king’s Royal Guard yet again, guests can access a swashbuckling deal of $5 off the 5-Disc Combo Pack from Disney Movie Rewards. Both the exclusive clip and deal will be available until Oct. 23 on Disney.com. For more exclusive Pirates fun, visit Disney.com/Pirates.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is now available for purchase in stunning high definition Blu-ray™, eye popping Blu-ray 3D™ (a first for the legendary franchise) and Movie Download.
The Limited Edition 5-Disc Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-ray 3D + 2-Disc Blu-ray + 1-Disc DVD + 1-Disc Digital Copy) is available at retail for the suggested price of $49.99 U.S./ $56.99 Canada and includes hours of bonus materials offering fans a deeper dive inside Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides including immersive Disney Second Screen technology, exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences, Fountain of Youth mythology, an extensive look at mermaids, bloopers, deleted and extended scenes, and much more.
Film Synopsis:
From Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer comes all the fun, epic adventure and humor that ignited the original. Johnny Depp returns as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. A tale of truth, betrayal, youth, demise — and mermaids! When Jack crosses paths with a woman from his past (Penélope Cruz), he’s not sure if it’s love or if she’s a ruthless con artist using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. Forced aboard the ship of the most feared pirate ever, Jack doesn’t know who to fear more —Blackbeard (Ian McShane) or the woman from his past. Directed by Rob Marshall, it’s filled with eye-popping battle scenes, mystery and all-out wit.
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Cinderella’s Holiday Wish beginning November 4th
The spectacular castle lighting show, “Cinderella’s Holiday Wish“, is set to begin this year on November 4th. The show will run nightly at the Magic Kingdom through to the end of 2011.
Here is the schedule and show times for 2011.
- November 4th – December 30, 2011 – 6:15pm
- Nov 4th and 5th – 7:15pm
Sign language interpreted performances on Mondays and Thursdays.
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Disney Interactive Studios Looking for New Game Testers
Do you love to game? Then I have just the site for you. Disney has just opened a site, DisneyPlaytesting.com, with the sole purpose of recruiting eligible gamers to occasionally come to the site and try out some of the games developers are working on at the time. The site mentions most of these trials take place in Glendale, California, but is quick to point out that there are times where they will hold trials in other locations as well.
If you do participate in some of the session, there is a chance you might get some sort of compensation, or reward, such as a complimentary video game, DVD, or any other sort of age appropriate memorabilia for their collection . If you’re an adult, you are able to get gift cards, of course, over any of the rewards above. You must be 18 years of age or older to fill out the application, but they are looking for testers from the ages of 3-17, they just have to be put into the database by an adult. This is pretty cool little system, so it’s definitely worth checking out. What do you guys think? Are you going to try it out? Let me know in the comments below.
Disney Channel Star Mitchel Musso Arrested for DUI
According to TMZ, Mitchel Musso, who starred as Oliver Oken on “Hannah Montana”, was arrested for drunk driving in Burbank, CA, yesterday.
TMZ states that law enforcement pulled over Musso, who is only twenty-years-old, at nearly 4AM. He had failed to slow down for officers that were directing traffic for another, unrelated incident. He was given a sobriety test and performed poorly. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI and was taken to a nearby police station, where his bail was set to $5,000.
Musso also stars on “Pair of Kings” and “PrankStars” on the Disney Channel.
Musso isn’t the first Disney Channel star to land himself in trouble. Not too long ago footage of Miley Cyrus surfaced where she is seen taking hits of salvia from a bong. Demi Lovato checked herself into rehab after having a physical altercation with one of her backup dancers. And, of course, no one can forget Lindsay Lohan and her string of problems.
Musso is Mason Musso’s brother, who was a member of the electro-pop group Metro Station before they announced an indefinite hiatus, headed by Trace Cyrus, Miley Cyrus’ half-brother.
Parents, do you think that Disney Channel stars are a terrible influence on your children? Or do you think that the small number of stars in trouble won’t outweigh the “good” Disney Channel stars? Let me know in the comments below.
Description of New York Comic Con ‘Avengers’ Footage
This weekend at New York Comic Con, Marvel brought some new footage for next year’s highly anticipated film, ‘The Avengers’. The footage was different, at least mostly, from the footage shown at D23, and should be considered spoilers for anyone wanting to go into the film as blind as possible. Hit the jump to read the description of footage.