Disney preps Magic Kingdom universe
Disney preps Magic Kingdom universe
And a Latino superhero is finally coming to the big screen
What to know
Disney’s next universe will be based on the Magic Kingdom | Variety
Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar, Outlander) has been hired by Disney+ to create a Magic Kingdom TV universe. He’ll start with The Society of Explorers and Adventurers, which in Disney parks canon is a centuries-old organization of scientists, explorers, and adventurers with ties to rides like Tower of Terror and Big Thunder Mountain. Uniting the rides into one interconnected universe a la Marvel seems like a fun idea that could make park-going even richer.
DC is bringing Latino superhero Blue Beetle to the big screen | Collider
Warner Bros and DC are taking a big step for representation by making the first ever Latin-led superhero movie. Angel Manuel Soto will direct a Blue Beetle movie focused on the 2006 comics version of the character Jaime Reyes, with a predominantly Latinx crew. It’s about time we go some Latinx representation in our comic book movies.
Disney keeps 80% of its streaming revenue by calling it “home video” | Variety
Does this seem fair to you? Disney takes in 80% of the revenue it makes off streaming deals for older shows, while only doling out 20% to talent and other profit participants. It can do this by labelling streaming as “home video,” a holdover from when the company handled high cost distribution in-house. Those costs are gone now, but Disney is still taking most of the money. Bill Nye, of all people, tried to challenge Disney on this, but a judge ruled against him. Yikes.
Marvel is in “disbelief” over Chloé Zhao’s Eternals | The Direct
Chloé Zhao is about to hit us with back-to-back marvels. Industry insider Erik Weber tweeted, “Just got a text from a high-level source who tells me Chloé Zhao ‘crushed’ #TheEternals & Marvel is ‘almost in disbelief’ about what they have on their hands.” Could just be empty hype but if you’ve seen Zhao’s movies, you know what she’s capable of. Marvel has had a lot of great movies over the years, I’m desperate to know what would put them in such a state!
Also...
Gillian Anderson will play Eleanor Roosevelt in The First Lady series … can’t wait to see what accent she’ll do this time 🇺🇸
The Simpsons’ Dr. Hibbert will finally be voiced by a Black actor … and Dr. Nick will be voiced by a stack of raccoons in a lab coat 👨🏾⚕️
James Gunn and Margot Robbie have discussed a future Harley Quinn project … if it’s anything like the animated series, I’m sold 🤡
Frogger is becoming a Peacock gameshow … nobody unplug it! 🐸
HBO Max will still stream Woody Allen movies after airing damning documentary … go to the dentist HBO, you’re toothless 🦷
Jon Hamm and Tina Fey will star in John Slattery’s new dark comedy … how delightful! ⭐️
The makers of Wolfwalkers are prepping an ‘epic’ Apple series … let this be your reminder to watch Wolfwalkers 🐺
Zoe Saldana will fight pirates in action movie on Netflix … this ain’t your father’s pirates of the Caribbean 🏴☠️
What to watch
Anna Kendrick was all over the streaming map in late 2019/early 2020. She had Noelle on Disney+, Dummy on Quibi (lol), and Love Life on HBO Max. The last of which is most worth your time. Told over 10 super charming half-hour episodes, Love Life explores one young woman’s—ahem—love life across her 20s in NYC. But what starts out as an exploration of modern dating and romance (like a modern version of How I Met Your Mother) evolves into a coming-of-age story that goes deeper into all types of love. Anna Kendrick’s likability comes as no surprise, but Love Life’s depth will catch you off guard by the end.
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!
New notables this week:
Superman & Lois s1 premiere (Feb 23) — CW superhero drama, starring Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch, Jordan Elsass | 85% RT
Punky Brewster (Feb 25) — Peacock sitcom reboot, starring Soleil Moon Frye, Lauren Lindsey Donzis, Quinn Copeland | No RT yet
The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Feb 26) — Hulu drama feature, starring Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, Garrett Hedlund, Natasha Lyonne | 63% RT
Tom & Jerry (Feb 26) — HBO Max family movie, starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, Rob Delaney, Colin Jost | No RT yet
The Golden Globes (Feb 28) — NBC award show, starring Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, celebs in remote locations
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About the author: Alex Rabinowitz has led the way on social media and story packaging at media outlets big and small. With his acclaimed Tumblr site PopCultureBrain.com, Alex became a leading figure in emerging social networks and entertainment news. Sourced by many top destinations, including New York Magazine, BuzzFeed, and Videogum, Pop Culture Brain was featured by BuzzFeed and TIME as the best pop culture blog on Tumblr. Alex's writing has appeared on The Huffington Post, GQ.com, Mic, and Time Warner Cable.