Disney This Week: Colin Farrell in Dumbo, Guardians 2 & More!

By Max Evry

We’re back with another edition of our regular weekly feature Disney This Week here at ComingSoon.net, rounding up the latest news on all things Disney, including news on movies, TV, Blu-ray/DVD, Marvel Studios, theme parks and more. Let us know what excited you most about Disney This Week in the comments below!

RELATED: Star Wars News: The Last Jedi, Han Solo, Rogue One & More

Movies

Colin Farrell in Negotiations to Join Disney’s Live-Action Dumbo!

Deadline is reporting that actor Colin Farrell (Saving Mr. Banks, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) is in talks to join director Tim Burton’s live-action remake of Dumbo for Disney! Farrell will play the role of “Holt,” a widowed father of two kids from Kentucky. He would join the already-cast Burton regulars Danny DeVito and Eva Green in the film.

Dumbo, released in 1941, marked Disney’s fourth full-length animated feature and told the story of a young circus elephant who, mocked for his enormous ears, discovers that he can actually use them to fly. The new film, which is planned to blend CGI and live action, will feature a screenplay by Transformers scribe Ehren Kruger.

Beauty and the Beast to Cross $500 Million Mark Today

Domestically, Thursday saw Beauty and the Beast take in another $10.9 million, down just -5% from Wednesday, to take the seven-day total to $228.6 million. Beauty and the Beast will hold its position among the top seven opening weeks of all-time, with the weekdays rivaling those typically reserved for summer and holiday playtime. The film is expected to remain in first place this weekend, topping newcomers Power Rangers, Life and CHIPS. Internationally, Beauty and the Beast added $17.8 million on Thursday to take its overseas total to $262 million and worldwide sum to $490.6 million. The film will easily clear the $500 million mark worldwide today.

No Beauty and the Beast Sequel Plans, Spin-Off or Prequel a Possibility

Walt Disney Pictures‘ Beauty and the Beast just broke the March box office record with a $174.8 million dollar opening, and is on its way to undoubtedly join the billion dollar club. With these kinds of numbers, you would think the folks at Disney would already be talking about a Beast sequel, but according to president of production Sean Bailey, that’s not in the cards.

However, he does state that they are willing to explore “possible spinoff and prequel scenarios,” according to Bailey. He also mentions that the current strategy is nostalgia-centric, meaning they are not looking to exploit any previous Disney property past the turn of the millennium in 2000 or from Pixar.

An Extended Spot Reminds You That Guardians 2 Tickets are Now on Sale

Marvel Studios has just released a new extended spot for the film that reminds you that Guardians 2 tickets are now on sale!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 TV Spot: Meet Star-Munch

A new Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 TV spot has arrived, introducing us to none other than Star-Munch! Check out the video in the player below!

Interview: Kurt Russell Joins the Guardians of the Galaxy

When we visited the set in Atlanta last year, we were told that Kurt Russell played Peter Quill’s father… and not much more. As we looked around, we saw the name “J’Sonn” was all over concept art and a chair on set, but Marvel has since revealed that Russell’s character is Ego the Living Planet as well as Peter’s Dad. How that will play out remains to be seen, but one thing was quite clear – Kurt Russell was having fun in the role. Encouraged to improvise and simply follow his instincts with the character, Russell seemed to be enjoying the experience immensely.

Check out our Kurt Russell interview below, and be sure to grab your advance tickets for Marvel‘s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 now, as they just went on sale!

Q: What’s it like joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Kurt Russell: Well, you know, generally, when you’re in this business for a long time, you get the opportunity to do a number of things. And then, they sort of always, at the end of the day, acting is acting and stories are storytelling. And you’re going to work with people that you hope are really kind of creative and fun, and directors that are on top of their game and know what they want to do. And then, sometimes that happens and sometimes it doesn’t. So the great fun is, for me, I didn’t know anything about this world, the Guardians world, you know? I was doing publicity for “Hateful Eight.” And suddenly, people started saying, “Is it true? Are you going to play Peter Quill’s father?” And I’m like, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I just wasn’t aware of it. And then, all of a sudden, for the first time, this was a character obviously that people really wanted to, they were interested, they were all very positive, though. It was nothing like, “Seriously? You’re not going to do that, are you?” It was like, “Whoa, are you going to do that? That’s perfect. You should do that.” And I didn’t know what they were talking about. So when I had the opportunity to see “Guardians of the Galaxy,” I got it. I understood what it was, and I could see the reasons why people were interested in that. And the fun part has been tapping into all of that, bringing the right baggage, and having the opportunity, still, to explore with James Gunn and Chris and the whole gang. And then, the fun is that you find that Chris is just a sweet guy and is just a great, great sweet guy, and James is just a load of fun and really, really knows what he wants to do. And then you’re back to the opportunity to play a character that you hopefully can find things to make it fun and entertaining and interesting and memorable.

READ MORE AT THE LINK ABOVE!

Michael Rosenbaum and Sylvester Stallone Play ‘Very Important’ Guardians 2 Roles

We’re just about a month and a half away from the release of James Gunn‘s hugely-anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and it turns out that there’s at least one cast member that was never announced! Gunn revealed on The Adam Corolla Show that Michael Rosenbaum has a mystery role in the sequel and that his character is in some way connected to the mystery role that Sylvester Stallone has long said to be playing.

“We do have a couple of characters who are very important to the Marvel Universe who are going to make their debut in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ which people don’t know about,” Gunn said. “Sylvester Stallone plays one of these characters…my friend Michael Rosenbaum also has a pretty decent role in the movie as well and it sort of works in tandem with Sly’s character.”

Guardians 2 Character Posters Flood Social Media

Marvel has released a series of Guardians 2 character posters, each debuting through social media accounts tied to the film’s stars.

CHECK THEM OUT AT THE LINK ABOVE!

Time for the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 IMAX Poster, Obviously

Marvel Studios has released the official Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 IMAX poster! For the release of the poster, director James Gunn took to Facebook to talk about the film’s use of 3D and IMAX, saying:

“Those who have followed me awhile know that IMAX is the optimal way to view a Guardians movie. I personally oversee the 3D, crafting every shot, and only in IMAX do we shift aspect ratios during big scenes so that you get nearly 30% more screen size than anywhere else. Unlike many other films today where screen size shifts and 3D are afterthoughts, we plan our aspect ratios during the script stage, and every single shot is tailored for 3D as we shoot it. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 is designed to be a fully immersive experience to be seen IN theaters. I’m glad that we’ve been able to partner up with IMAX from the moment of its conception.”

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Lands on the Cover of Empire

Empire Magazine has released the cover for their Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 centric issue.

CHECK IT OUT AT THE LINK ABOVE!

Get Up Close and Personal with New Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Photos

Walt Disney Pictures and Marvel Studios have released three new photos for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

CHECK THEM OUT AT THE LINK ABOVE!

And Now, a Special Message from Starlord

If you needed any help whatsoever getting excited for Marvel‘s Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, fear not because Star-Lord is here to help. Chris Pratt just took to his official Facebook page with the following message:

On May 5th the greatest movie in the history of movies is coming. There has never been and will never again be a movie like this. Seriously. Ever heard of Citizen Kane? We’re much better. Seriously. Our movie just tested at over one million points. Rotten tomatoes already has it at 234% fresh. #GotGVol2 will win every movie award AND about 39 Olympic gold medals in swimming, gymnastics, the skiiing event with the gun, x games, snowmobiling and everything. It will win the World Cup and about 7 super bowl rings, sorry TOM Brady. This movie will fry your brains and lift your spirits. James Gunn will be elected president of the world. They will add the faces of the guardians to Mount Rushmore for sure. We’re gonna get a planet. May 5th will become a national holiday. Everyone will get pregnant. Candy will fall from the sky. Global warming will stop. Dinosaurs will come back to life. Which unlike some movies might tell you, is actually a really good thing. Because they won’t flip out and kill people instead they’ll be your awesome pets. So basically get your tickets as soon as you can. Don’t be the only person on the planet who doesn’t see this movie.

Humbly,

Starlord

Spider-Man: Homecoming Posters Tease Tom Holland’s Return

Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios have released the first two Spider-Man: Homecoming posters, which you can check out in the film’s gallery below!

Black Panther Set Photos and Video from South Korea Chase

Since production began on the upcoming Black Panther, we’ve heard reports on the film’s expansive chase scene that would be shot in South Korea. Now, the film has officially moved to the location and begun filming the stunt as photos and videos have begun to hit the web. Check them out below!

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Avengers: Infinity War Set Video Shows Vision in a Fight

A photo from the set of Avengers: Infinity War made its way online confirming that Paul Bettany’s Vision would return for the upcoming film. Now a new video from the set has arrived and before you proceed, we’re going to issue a potential spoiler warning.

Disney Extends Bob Iger’s Contract Until 2019

The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors announced today that it has extended Bob Iger’s contract as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to July 2, 2019. “Given Bob Iger’s outstanding leadership, his record of success in a changing media landscape, and his clear strategic vision for Disney’s future, it is obvious that the Company and its shareholders will be best served by his continued leadership as the Board conducts the robust process of identifying a successor and ensuring a smooth transition,” said Orin C. Smith, Independent Lead Director of the Disney Board.

Is Mulan a Musical? Director Niki Caro Weighs in on Recent Comments

Is Mulan a musical? Disney fans had strong reactions to the possibility that the upcoming live-action version of the 1998 animated film might not be. Director Niki Caro (Whale Rider) recently did an interview where she said, “From what I understand, [there are] no songs right now, much to the horror of my children.”

However, Caro later spoke about whether or not this will be a musical, saying, “I don’t know where that’s come from. We’ve never talked about songs, and no decision has been made.” She also said, “I haven’t even started working on it yet.” Then Sean Bailey, the president of Motion Picture Production at Walt Disney Studios, said that Mulan is “not currently intended to be [a musical].” However, he added that “nothing is off the table.”

New Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Photos

Walt Disney Pictures has released new Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales photos.

CHECK THEM OUT AT THE LINK ABOVE!

Meet Tao Tao in an Exclusive Born in China Clip

Disneynature has provided ComingSoon.net with an exclusive clip from Born in China which introduces you to Tao Tao, a golden snub-nosed monkey. Monkeys have long been seen as figures of rebellion and mischief in Chinese folk tales. And one of the most mischievous monkeys on this mountain is TaoTao.

Princesses Movie Being Shopped as Avengers for Fairy Tales

Paradigm’s David Boxerbaum and literary manager Jake Wagner are currently out to several major studios (including Disney) with a hot Princesses movie spec script, described as “a female-driven ‘Avengers’ featuring classic fairy tale princesses.”

Nir Paniry, who previously wrote and directed the low-budget sci-fi flick Extracted, wrote the spec that is garnering so much attention. There is no current knowledge of which specific princesses are included in the team-up, but expect them to all be iconic, in the public domain, and having previously been utilized by Disney.

Should Walt Disney Pictures bid on it, with their back catalogue of classic Disney princesses at the ready, they have attached director Joachim Ronning of their upcoming summer blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. His filmmaking partner Espen Sandberg is attached to next helm a Norwegian film titled Roald Amundsen, which indicates a split between the two.

TV

Star Wars Rebels Season 3 Finale Promo

Lucasfilm and Disney XD have released a teaser for the Star Wars Rebels Season 3 finale! “Zero Hour: Parts 1 and 2” airs on Saturday, March 25 at 11:00 a.m. ET/PT on Disney XD. In final preparations for their attack on Lothal, Phoenix Squadron’s plans are disrupted when Grand Admiral Thrawn discovers their location. Watch the Star Wars Rebels Season 3 teaser in the player below!

Theme Parks

Toys

1/6th Scale Hot Toys Spider-Man Homemade Suit for Homecoming

Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is officially home in the Marvel Cinematic Universe! The young Peter Parker was introduced in Captain America: Civil War last year and his surprising appearance has made fans hungry for more. This summer, the webslinger will swing back into action, juggling his budding superhero career with frantic high school life in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Today, the 1/6th scale Hot Toys Spider-Man homemade suit collectible figure was revealed.

CHECK IT OUT AT THE LINK ABOVE!

Hot Toys Reveals Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Cosbaby Figures

While you can certainly expect more of their highly-detailed premium figures at a later date, Hot Toys has released a first look at their Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Cosbaby figures.

CHECK THEM OUT AT THE LINK ABOVE!

Max Evry
Max Evry

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