John Carter, Frankenweenie Exclusive Clips and More Disney Films Preview
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- Last Updated: Tuesday, 12 November 2013 06:42
- Written by Lupe Haas
Disney's President of Production Sean Bailey introduced Walt Disney's slate for 2012 and 2013. The young exec said the Walt Disney live action productions make movies for all ages, from "6 to 60," and stressed the films must have a "core issue" of the human experience. And because everyone fantasizes about being transported to another world - John Carter was the first presentation.
John Carter - March 2012
An adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' series, civil war veteran John Carter mysteriously wakes up on Mars, where 12-foot tall green warriors enslave him. John Carter stars Taylor Kitsch ("Friday Night Lights"), Lynn Collins (Wolverine) and Willem Dafoe came on stage to support the fantasy sci-flick along with John Carter director Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL-E) where they unveiled four scenes from John Carter. Taylor said he had a great time working on the film and hoped to be able to return as John Carter in a sequel. Lynn Collins, his on-screen love interest who also happened to star with him in Wolverine, expressed her excitment in playing a Martian princess warrior. She said the character's "masculine drive" is not something you are used to seeing in female roles. Willem Dafoe had more to endure wearing stilts and a pajama-like CGI outfit with cameras strapped to his head to become the 12-foot tall alien Tars Tarkas. Director Stanton said Dafoe never once protested being in the uncomfortable gear in 100 degree weather.
After showing the trailer, the cast and director introduced the first clip where John Carter awakens on Mars. John Carter is sure he is not on Earth when he sees alien beings hatching in an underground cavern. He is then met with gunfire as 12-foot tall Nefarks come to retreive the intruder. He jumps out of the way of bullets when he realizes he can leap far off the ground. Tars Tarkas a member of the alien group calls off the attack and approaches John in a friendly encounter, but John isn't trusting the strange creature. Tars communicates with John in his alien language in a funny exchange. Tars gestures to John to leap again and he does, grabbing Tars weapon. In a second clip, John is chained to a wall when a strange looking animal follows him around after freeing himself. The tongue-wagging creature is the harmless Martian pet.
In a third scene, John Carter and an injured Tars are thrown in a gladiator-style arena complete with monsters. John Carter and Tars must find a way out. The scene was reminiscent of Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones when our heroes are bait for the monster.
In the third scene, John Carter tries to talk Dejah Thoris (Collins) out of arranged marriage, but his love for her is torn by his desire to return to Earth and the wedding ring on his finger. She sees his conflict and encourages him to return by giving him a pendant that will help him transport back.
Frankenweenie - October 5, 2012
Tim Burton returns to stop-motion animation with Frankenweenie, a black and white 3D rendering about a boy and his beloved dog wo meets with an unfortunate accident, but his master brings him back to life a la Frankenstein. Frankenweenie is based on Tim Burton's 1984 short of the same name. Tim Burton did not make an appearance at the D23 Expo as he is hard at work in a London studio with a few months of production to go. Frankenweenie producers Allison Abbate and executive producer Don Hahn came on his behalf to reveal some behind the scenes footage of the silicon puppets in various states.
The Frankenweenie producers also screened early footage of the black and white stop-motion animated movie which is definitely a throw back to the Monster Mash style animation of the 70s with some clear homage to old monsters including a gamora looking monstrous turtle. The voices behind the film's characters include Burton's favorites Martin Landau, Winona Ryder (Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice), Catherine O'Hare (Beetlejuice), Martin Short and Danny Elfman composing the film. Miraculously his frequent collaborator Johnny Depp is not in the movie, but his Charlie character bears a striking resemblance to Edward Scissorhands and Corpse Bride's leading men.
The Odd Life of Timothy Green - August 15, 2012
Jennifer Garner came out to support her next film The Odd Life of Timothy Green. Jennifer promised the D23 crowd they will fall in love with Cameron 'CJ' Adams, the young actor playing Timothy Green. One clip featuring Garner and her co-star Joel Edgerton was shown from the movie and then trailer.
OZ: The Great & Powerful - March 2013
Sam Raimi's prequel to The Wizard of Oz just began shooting in Detroit last month (July 21), but the Disney folks came prepared to show early footage from Oz: The Great & Powerful including some great behind the scenes look at the high-scaled production. After presenting the concept art and the never-before-seen clips, Oz: The Great & Powerful follows in the footstep of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland with its colorful imagery and landscapes. The film's stars James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, and Michelle Williams also spoke from the set about the fantastical elements to the story. In the prequel, James Franco plays the wizard who somehow ends up in the land of Oz and the three actress play the three witches. This one is certainly one to look forward to, but it will be a long wait until 2013.
The Muppets - November 23, 2011
Kermit and Jason Segal greeted D23 fans, but Miss Piggy was a no show. The stars of The Muppets wondered where their porkly friend could be, but as expected, the diva made a grand appearance in a side car of a motorcycle, upstaging her co-stars. However, the two clips from The Muppets did not feature Miss Piggy so she left in a hissy fit.
Chimpanzee - April 20, 2012
Disney Nature also jumped in on the action with clips from their new nature documentary on an orphaned chimpanzee. This one will definitely be another tear jerker for animal lovers.
The Avengers - March 2012
Walt Disney left the most highly-anticipated superhero movie for last. That one deserved it's own preview. See our full report on The Avengers at D23 Expo.
