Tag: Disney

Why Is Star Wars: 1313 Not Moving Forward?

Photo courtesy attackofthefanboy.com

Way back when at E3 2012, Lucasarts showed off amazing looking footage for a brand new Star Wars game titled Star Wars: 1313. It was dark and gritty and it was beautiful. So much so that when the show was over debate began on whether this was actually our first look at a true next-gen game. Then….nothing. No developers talking up how hard they were working on it, no hints on what systems or possible releases dates. It went off the radar.

So what gives?

Seems Kotaku may have turned over the right rock and figured out where the game has been hiding. It appears that the game has been put on hold since the Disney acquisition of Lucasfilm last year to focus completely on getting J.J. Abrams’ Episode VII going into production. There is no word on if the game will be moving forward after a certain amount of time or if it will simply fall onto Disney/Lucas’ immense back burner.

I do hope that the higher ups at Disney do not just think of one avenue of media to make money off of Star Wars. The Lucasarts game history is a checkered one, yes, but also one that is filled with classic games and I hope that Star Wars 1313 is given a chance to be fully realized and see the light of day.

March 1, 2013
When Comic Books Meet Pixar

All photos courtesy Phil Postman’s Minion Factory

When Marvel was bought up by Disney (in what used to be a big deal until the Star Wars sale took over) you knew that this would happen eventually. Blogger Phil Postma has taken scenes from various Pixar movies and created shots of the characters not just of Marvel heroes and villains but from the DC universe as well. They range from Magneto, Batman & Robin, Spider-Man and even Phoenix. There are at least four or five that I would not mind having framed up and adorning some wall space.

And before you ask, yes it is kind of weird seeing Merida from Brave as Poison Ivy. Very…very….weird.

February 14, 2013
Star Wars Spinoff Movies Confirmed, Will Center On Young Han And Boba Fett

Photo courtesy iruntheinternet.com

In news that really didn’t surprise anyone, Disney is damn sure going to get their $4 billion worth out of the Star Wars license.

In other news that may surprise, the rumored standalone Star Wars films that will center on stories outside the new trilogy are officially happening with Empire scribe Lawrence Kasdan and Sherlock Holmes writer Simon Kinberg working on the scripts.

But we already heard about that. I hear you exclaiming.

I know that. The surprising part is that it has been found out that one movie will focus on a young Han Solo and his origin story and the second will center on everyone’s favorite Sarlacc dinner (yes, I know he didn’t die technically) and bounty hunter Boba Fett.

The Boba Fett movie would either take place between A New Hope and Empire or between Empire and Return of the Jedi. Either way, as long as they get as far away from the horrible orphan boy clone in Episode 2, then we will be good to go.

On the Han side of things, we don’t know if this will be how he met Chewbacca or if the Wookie will even be involved. The most fun aspect of this new Han-centric movie has got to be the casting. Let’s take for granted that a script by Kasdan or Kinberg is going to be pretty good. Now who do you find to take over an iconic role this large? And do you try to get Harrison Ford to come back? Maybe have Han reflecting back on days gone by as he sits on his intergalactic rocking chair.

February 6, 2013
Iron Man 3 Extended Super Bowl Trailer

Photo courtesy of flicksandpicks

If you were like me then you spent a good part of last night’s Super Bowl waiting for the Iron Man 3 trailer. And also, if you were like me, then you were a little disappointed when it was a snippet of an airplane rescue.

Fear not true believers!!

The extended trailer (which the Super Bowl ad shared the link to) completely makes up for it. For all you ladies, you get thirty straight seconds of Robert Downey Jr. then we get to see more footage including Happy not looking so happy, Rhodey in full Iron Patriot armor and more Ben Kingsley as The Mandarin. I really don’t see why Disney didn’t foot the bill and put the full trailer up last night.

February 4, 2013
J.J. Abrams Gets The Trek, Now The Wars

We tweeted this out yesterday (follow us @NerdRating) but here is the lowdown on what may be the biggest news of the movie year.

J.J. Abrams is officially the director of Star Wars Episode VII. The news broke early yesterday afternoon when The Wrap reported that the director had been given the job after a lengthy courtship by the head of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy. Reports are that Steven Spielberg had a hand in getting Abrams to say yes after the legendary director declined the job.

Let’s face it, Disney needed someone that knows how to handle a franchise as large as Star Wars. Abrams is a huge Star Wars fan and that is one of the reasons he said he did not want to direct the movie last December.

“There were the very early conversations and I quickly said that because of my loyalty to ‘Star Trek,’ and also just being a fan, I wouldn’t even want to be involved in the next version of those things. I declined any involvement very early on. I’d rather be in the audience not knowing what was coming, rather than being involved in the minutiae of making them.”

I could make a really corny “force was too strong” joke but you are already thinking that right now, so I won’t.

Abrams is putting the final touches on Star Trek Into Darkness and then, one would assume, he will begin early work on the galaxy far, far away.

The future of the Star Trek franchise is certainly in question after this announcement also. If there is to be a third movie (which you would think) will Abrams’ Star Wars involvement mean that another director must be found or does Paramount wait on Abrams to get done with Episode VII before getting back on a third Trek adventure? I am interested to see how this decision affects the Paramount executives feelings towards Abrams. They could go ahead and prep a third Star Trek and leave him out of the equation completely.

So now we have Michael Arndt writing the screenplay and Captain Reboot in as director. This Star Wars thing might just become a movie yet.

January 25, 2013
Disney Wants A Piece Of The Skylanders Pie, Introduces Infinity

With Activision making money hand over fist ($500 million and counting) with their Skylanders game and figure series, it was only a matter of time before the copycats began. Maybe unlucky for Skylanders is that the first such game happens to be Disney Infinity, a game that will involve Disney characters and see them let loose in a huge sandbox game that includes environments from movies like Monsters University, [amazon_link id=”B0071JADFU” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Pirates of the Caribbean[/amazon_link] and [amazon_link id=”B004I654UI” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Incredibles[/amazon_link].

The game will launch with three characters: Sully, Capt. Jack Sparrow and Mr. Incredible. Each character has access to open up their own world called “Playsets”. They can be combined together as more figures are bought from different franchises to create a huge open-world where characters can cross over between franchises. The Playset Reader is the pad that will read the figures and place them in the game. There will be three spots on each reader.

The video below shows off a number of franchises that will make it into the game including the beloved The Nightmare Before Christmas and last year’s hit Wreck It Ralph. Disney Infinity will take on [amazon_link id=”B004VQENY8″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Skylanders[/amazon_link] this June on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Wii and 3DS.

January 15, 2013
Zack Snyder Is Developing A New Star Wars Movie (UPDATED: Maybe Not)

So I will just let that title soak in for a second……………………………………………….

Yes, you read that correct. Vulture is reporting that the director of 300, Watchmen and this summer’s Superman reboot, Man of Steel, is indeed hard at work developing a Star Wars movie that will not be a part of the planned trilogy from Disney. The report claims that it will be a stand alone film and may run parallel to the new trilogy. The report goes on to describe the movie:

“It will be an as-yet-untitled Jedi epic loosely based on Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 classic Seven Samurai, with the ronin and katana being replaced by the Force-wielding knights and their iconic lightsabers.”

Disney has already stated that there would be more Star Wars films past the new trilogy, but it is a little weird that we seem to know a bit more about this stand alone Star Wars movie than the new trilogy which is set for release in the summer of 2015.

Many fans may gripe at this with their deep hatred of Zack Snyder, but I will remain optimistic in this early going. It is more Star Wars so that’s a good thing and nothing could possibly be worse than Episode 1…..right? And at least it will look pretty.

UPDATE:

Zack Snyder’s spokesman has gone on record saying that the director is not involved with any Star Wars film.

“While he is super flattered because he is a huge fan, Zack is not involved in any way with the new Star Wars. He is currently in post on his two films, Man of Steel and 300: Battle of Artemisia.”

Of course, denials in Hollywood are nothing new so take this statement with a grain of salt. If Disney has locked up Snyder for a stand-alone Star Wars film and Man of Steel hits it big this summer that will leave Warner Bros. in a bit of a bind if they wanted Snyder to return foe a sequel.

January 14, 2013
2012 Box Office Rundown

Mayan Apocalypse Doesn’t Scare Off Moviegoers.

Now that it is officially 2013 we can look back on the year that was at the box office. 2012 set a new record with almost 10.8 billion dollars which overtakes 2009’s total of 10.6 billion. No doubt having so many choices at the theater feature wise helped out receipt totals with many films being in IMAX, 3D, IMAX 3D and theaters that have D-BOX motion chairs.

The big winner of 2012, by far, was The Avengers which took in $623.3 million domestically and over 1.5 billion dollars worldwide as well as setting the single weekend record with $207.4 million in just three days. The Dark Knight Rises did not make as much as it predecessor, The Dark Knight, domestically but made more in worldwide totals.

A few of the surprises of the year were the comedy Ted which was Seth MacFarlane’s first feature film and grossed $218.6 million off of a 50 million dollar budget. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum’s 21 Jump Street came in with little expectations and pulled in over 138 million dollars.

2013 is loaded with releases including the second Hunger Games film, Catching Fire, and the return of The Man of Steel but may have a hard time keeping pace with 2012’s record pace.

Here are the Top 20 releases for 2012 domestically followed by their worldwide totals:

1. [amazon_link id=”B0083SBJXS” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Avengers[/amazon_link]- $623.3 million/ $1.51 billion

2. [amazon_link id=”B004LWZWGK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Dark Knight Rises[/amazon_link]- $448.1 million/ $1.08 billion

3. [amazon_link id=”B0084IG7KC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Hunger Games[/amazon_link]- $408 million/ $686 million

4. [amazon_link id=”B007REV4YI” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Skyfall[/amazon_link]- $289.6 million/ $1 billion

5. [amazon_link id=”B007857FOO” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2[/amazon_link]- $286.4 million/ $799.6 million

6. [amazon_link id=”B008QZ5PY2″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Amazing Spider-Man[/amazon_link]- $262 million/ $752.2 million

7. [amazon_link id=”B005LAIHZY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Brave[/amazon_link]- $237.2 million/ $535.3 million

8. [amazon_link id=”B007ZQAKHU” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey[/amazon_link]- $228.6 million/ $702.1 million

9. [amazon_link id=”B005LAII1C” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Ted[/amazon_link]- $218.6 million/ $501.7 million

10. [amazon_link id=”B0091JK1B4″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Madagascar 3[/amazon_link]- $216.3 million/ $742.1 million

11. [amazon_link id=”B0085Z3B2Q” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax[/amazon_link]- $214 million/ $348.8 million

12. [amazon_link id=”B008518MOW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Men in Black 3[/amazon_link]- $179 million/ $624 million

13. [amazon_link id=”B00A7OJ0DC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Wreck-It Ralph[/amazon_link]- $175.5 million/ $275.7 million

14. [amazon_link id=”B005LAIISU” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Ice Age: Continental Drift[/amazon_link]- $161.1 million/ $875.1 million

15. [amazon_link id=”B005LAIHSQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Snow White and the Huntsmen[/amazon_link]- $155.1 million/ $396.3 million

16. [amazon_link id=”B009UWYFFK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Hotel Transylvania[/amazon_link]- $143.9 million/ $311 million

17. [amazon_link id=”B0067EKYDG” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Taken 2[/amazon_link]- $138.8 million/ $365.5 million

18. [amazon_link id=”B003Y5H5BA” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]21 Jump Street[/amazon_link]- $138.4 million/ $201.5 million

19. [amazon_link id=”080507970X” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Lincoln[/amazon_link]- $131.8 million/ No Worldwide Release Yet

20. [amazon_link id=”B0085Z8F4A” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Prometheus[/amazon_link]- $126.4 million/ $402.4 million

January 2, 2013
New Trailer For The Lone Ranger Is Here

Disney has just released the second trailer for their big summer revival of The Lone Ranger. If you were hoping for a whole lot of Johnny Depp playing an Indian then you are in for a treat. Check out the trailer below and let us know if you are looking forward to this or, like me, are getting a Jonah Hex vibe off of it with all the resurrection stuff.

The Lone Ranger releases on July 3, 2013.

http://youtu.be/Liic7Ieh47E

December 11, 2012
Review: Brave

A “Brave” New World For Pixar?

Pixar and Disney are the modern masters of animated films. There is no denying the impact they have made on cinema since the first Toy Story hit in 1995. You can begin to name off hit after hit and will no doubt have fond memories of most. Can Brave make a spot for itself among Pixar’s impressive library?

[amazon_link id=”B005LAIHZY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Brave[/amazon_link] is your basic tale of a princess who longs for more than the life that is set before her. Merida’s family rules over other allied clans in Scotland and when it is announced that she will be betrothed to one of the heirs from the other clans she refuses to let her life be determined for her. She finds a witch in the woods and has her concoct a spell that will change her mother’s mind about having her married off but as with most deals made with witches there are certain unknown circumstances.

Like I said it is not the most original of plots. Even when the curse takes effect it never really goes down the darker path you think it is going to turn. It takes a lighter approach which honestly for this movie was a good plan. Maybe it is just how our society has become trained to expect worse things so I applaud Pixar for keeping it more light hearted.

The script is not as sharp and snappy as most of Pixar’s efforts like The Incredibles or Finding Nemo but it is quite funny and a lot of that is due to the casting. Veteran actor Billy Connolly should be given every voice role for “Scottish father” from here on out. His role as King Fergus is the highlight of the fun parts of the movie. Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane and even Pixar alum John Ratzenberger are spot on.

Visually I wouldn’t say that Brave is the best Pixar has ever done (Up) but it is really, really close. Everytime they release a new feature it is simply amazing how much emotion these wizards are able to convey through computer generated characters. If there is an MVP of the group it would have to be whoever had the task of animating Merida’s crazy red locks of hair. It is crazy just how realistic it looks and they should be proud of that amount of work.

Brave was a hit like many expected and even though the film is very entertaining it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Toy Story 3, Up or The Incredibles.

The story doesn’t really tread any new ground when it comes right down to it. But it really doesn’t have to. Let’s not forget that this is a children’s film and should be viewed through more innocent eyes. And while it may not be in the upper echelon of Pixar’s releases just remember that a middle of the road movie from these guys is still better than most films out there. [amazon_link id=”B005LAIHZY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Brave[/amazon_link] should have a spot in your Pixar collection. Don’t look past it.

NERD RATING- 8/10

November 30, 2012