The Walt Disney Studios News

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! We'd like to wish a happy first performance to Encores!' High Button Shoes, starring Betsy Wolfe, Michael Urie, and more!

 The toys are back on the big screen with an all-new adventure in Disney and Pixar's “Toy Story 4,” inviting 14 brands to join the fun, including Alaska Airlines, Babybel® and The Laughing Cow®, Best Western®, Blue Diamond Almond Breeze®, Bounty®, Chrysler, Clorox, Dannon Danimals®, Go RVing, JOANN, Juicy Juice®, Kellogg's®, McDonalds and Ziploc®. Directed by Josh Cooley (“Riley's First Date?”), and produced by Jonas Rivera (“Inside Out,” “Up”) and Mark Nielsen (associate producer “Inside Out”), “Toy Story 4” ventures to U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019.

Marvel Studios' “Avengers: Endgame” made history this weekend with a record-shattering estimated global debut of $1,209.0 million, becoming the first film in history to surpass $1 billion in its opening weekend. It reached the billion-dollar threshold in just five days, more than twice as fast as its predecessor “Avengers: Infinity War,” which held the record at 11 days. The film also set domestic and international records.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney+ has decided to move forward with a TV series based on the hit film LOVE, SIMON. The show got a straight to series order, and is based on the Fox 2000 film from Greg Berlanti. Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker are announced as showrunners. 

In honor of Disney celebrating 25 years on Broadway, company members from Frozen, Aladdin, The Lion King, and more performed a medley of Disney songs!

For 10 years, Disneynature has transported moviegoers around the world and under the sea, showcasing an array of animals that have touched the hearts of millions. A mama bear treks through snowy Alaskan terrain on a mission to feed her new spring cubs. A tiny orphaned chimpanzee is adopted by the most unlikely member of his extended family. A panda bear cub tests her boundaries—and her watchful mother. And a clueless-but-captivating first-time father penguin finds his way among millions of fellow penguins. Indeed, as Disneynature marks a decade since its first feature-film debut, its newest film, “Penguins,” begins its 10-day countdown till opening day—just in time for Earth Day.

 Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: DLB) showcases global growth for Dolby Cinema as well as a full spectrum of innovative, industry-leading solutions for cinema exhibition, including the new Dolby Cinema Processor CP950 at CinemaCon 2019.

Academy Award® Winner Nicole Kidman* gives a Golden Globe®-nominated performance in this gritty, suspenseful crime drama. In the years since she engaged in an undercover drug ring assignment that ended tragically, L.A.P.D. detective Erin Bell (Kidman) has stumbled along a path of self-destruction. But now that the ring's boss has resurfaced, Bell is drawn back into action to try to stop a violent new crime wave. Forced to face the demons of her past, she begins an odyssey that's as deeply personal as it is dangerous.

Nominated for 8 ACADEMY AWARDS®*, including Best Picture, VICEstars Christian Bale in his Oscar-nominated role as Dick Cheney in this epic tale of how a bureaucratic Washington insider quietly became the most powerful man in the world. Co-starring Amy Adams, Steve Carell, and Sam Rockwell, VICE is a darkly comic look behind the scenes of American politics.

In early 18th-century England, a frail Queen Anne (Golden Globe® Winner Oliva Colman) occupies the throne, and her closest Friend, Lady Sarah (Academy Award® Winner Rachel Weisz), governs the country while tending to Anne's ill health and volatile temper. When new servant Abigail (Academy Award® Winner Emma Stone) arrives, Sarah takes Abigail under her wing as she cunningly schemes to return to her aristocratic roots, setting off an outrageous rivalry to become the Queen's favourite.

 The International Cinematographers Guild (ICG, IATSE Local 600) Publicists announced winners of its 56th Annual ICG Publicists Awards on Friday, February 22, 2019, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, hosted by Dennis Dugan. CRAZY RICH ASIANS (Warner Bros. Pictures) won the top honors for Best Publicity Campaign for Motion Pictures and THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT - Ryan Aguirre (CBS Television Studios) won the Best Publicity Campaign in Television, both presented by Anna Paquin (Flack). This year's luncheon, which traditionally occurs the week leading up to the Academy Awards®, was chaired by Tim Menkeand co-chaired by Sheryl Main. More than 900 industry leaders attended, including guild members, Hollywood public relations and marketing executives, producers, studio and network executives, celebrities and press.

Nominated for 8 ACADEMY AWARDS®*, including Best Picture, VICEstars Christian Bale in his Oscar-nominated role as Dick Cheney in this epic tale of how a bureaucratic Washington insider quietly became the most powerful man in the world. Co-starring Amy Adams, Steve Carell, and Sam Rockwell, VICE is a darkly comic look behind the scenes of American politics.

Production is underway in Salt Lake City, Utah, on the highly anticipated, innovative and re-invented 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' for Disney+, The Walt Disney Company's upcoming streaming service. The series is developed and executive produced by Tim Federle ('Ferdinand'), alongside showrunner and executive producer Oliver Goldstick ('Pretty Little Liars,' 'Ugly Betty'). Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush (the original 'High School Musical' trilogy) are also executive producers. Sundance Film Festival-nominated film, television and music video director Tamra Davis ('Empire,' 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend') is directing the first three episodes. The choreographer is Zach Woodlee ('Glee,' 'Dumplin'').

From Academy Award® Winner Barry Jenkins,* adapted from James Baldwin's acclaimed novel, comes this timeless love story set in early 1970s Harlem. Newly engaged 19-year-old Tish (KiKi Layne) and her fiancé Fonny (Stephan James) have a beautiful future ahead. But their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit. Now the pair and their families must fight for justice in the name of love and the promise of the American dream in this lush, moving, dramatic film, also starring Academy Award®Nominee Regina King**.

Amber Heard and Billy Bob Thornton star in London Fields, arriving on Digital and Movies Anywhere February 12 and DVD March 12.

In early 18th-century England, a frail Queen Anne (Golden Globe® Winner Oliva Colman) occupies the throne, and her closest Friend, Lady Sarah (Academy Award® Winner Rachel Weisz), governs the country while tending to Anne's ill health and volatile temper. When new servant Abigail (Academy Award® Winner Emma Stone) arrives, Sarah takes Abigail under her wing as she cunningly schemes to return to her aristocratic roots, setting off an outrageous rivalry to become the Queen's favourite.

Amber Heard and Billy Bob Thornton star in London Fields, arriving on Digital and Movies Anywhere February 12 and DVD March 12.

In early 18th-century England, a frail Queen Anne (Golden Globe® Winner Oliva Colman) occupies the throne, and her closest Friend, Lady Sarah (Academy Award® Winner Rachel Weisz), governs the country while tending to Anne's ill health and volatile temper. When new servant Abigail (Academy Award® Winner Emma Stone) arrives, Sarah takes Abigail under her wing as she cunningly schemes to return to her aristocratic roots, setting off an outrageous rivalry to become the Queen's favourite.

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) is proud to announce the BANFF Summit Series, a premium keynote speaker lineup featuring the boldest voices and the world's most influential media leaders. Jeffrey Katzenberg, Co-founder of Dreamworks, and currently Managing Partner of WndrCo and Chairman and Founder of Quibi is the first speaker to be announced as part of this special series.  Katzenberg will speak on Sunday June 9th, in an exclusive fireside conversation, kicking off the 40th edition of the Festival which will take place June 9-12, 2019 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada.  

From the studio that brought you Anastasia and Ever After comes a fairy tale that doesn't go by the book. Everyone's favorite disreputable Super Hero returns with a twist on Deadpool 2 that the whole gang can enjoy.  Watch Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) as he teams up with Domino (Zazie Beet), Cable (Josh Brolin) and the rest of the X-Force to prove that family is not an F-word. With over 20 minutes of new footage and jam-packed with surprises, you'll wonder why the fudge they even bothered with the original version.