Tag: The Little Mermaid

After ‘Frozen’ Walt Disney announces ‘Moana’

MUMBAI: Following the recent success of Frozen and Maleficent, Walt Disney Animation Studios has announced a new animated movie, Moana. Set to be female-led once again, the movie is about a spirited teenager on an impossible mission to fulfill her ancestors’ quest.

In theaters in late 2016, the film will be directed by The Little Mermaid’s Ron Clements and Jon Musker.

“John and I have partnered on so many films—from The Little Mermaid to Aladdin to The Princess and the Frog,” said Clements. “Creating Moana is one of the great thrills of our career. It’s a big adventure set in this beautiful world of Oceania.”

“Moana is indomitable, passionate and a dreamer with a unique connection to the ocean itself. She’s the kind of character we all root for, and we can’t wait to introduce her to audiences,” Musker added.

The official plot synopsis reads: In the ancient South Pacific world of Oceania, Moana, a born navigator, sets sail in search of a fabled island.

During her incredible journey, she teams up with her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui, to traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds and ancient folklore.

Last year’s Frozen was praised for its two lead female characters and female director, Jennifer Lee. It was named the highest-grossing animated Disney film of all-time in January after earning a massive $1.28 billion worldwide.

October 21, 2014
‘Lost in Translation’ director to helm ‘The Little Mermaid’

MUMBAI: Sofia Coppola, daughter of legendary film director, Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather trilogy) is in negotiations to direct the live action adaptation of the classic fairytale – The Little Mermaid – by Hans Christian Anderson, reported The Hollywood Reporter (THR).

Coppola will, for the first time, direct a supernatural live-action fairytale. Coppola is best known for helming critically acclaimed films like Lost in Translation and The Bling Ring starring Emma Watson.

The Little Mermaid revolves around the finned beauty willing to make a Faustian bargain to live on land after she falls in love. Previously, Atonement and Pride & Prejudice writer Joe Wright was attached to direct the project; however, Wright has found his own fairy tale adaptation in Pan – based on the popular character Peter Pan.

According to Deadline, Tim Burton’s long time collaborator Caroline Thompson, who is well known for her screenplays including Edward Scissorhands, The Addams Family and The Nightmare Before Christmas, will be working on the draft for The Little Mermaid.

March 19, 2014
‘Sofia The First: The Floating Palace’ premiers on Disney Channel and Disney Junior

MUMBAI: Sofia and her family take to the high seas for a royal vacation in the first-ever “Sofia the First” primetime special, “Sofia the First: The Floating Palace,” premiering Sunday, on Disney Channel and Disney Junior on Saturday, 18 January. The undersea adventure, in which Sofia is magically transformed into a mermaid, features a special appearance by Princess Ariel from “The Little Mermaid,” and also introduces a new character named Oona, a young mermaid.

“Sofia the First: The Floating Palace” takes Sofia and her family on an extraordinary journey to Merriway Cove, where Sofia meets a young mermaid named Oona. After helping Oona untangle her fin from a net, Sofia’s magical amulet transforms her into a mermaid too, allowing her to explore the underwater world with her new friend. During their adventure, Sofia learns that mermaids mistrust humans and are angry that her family’s floating palace is in their cove. When Oona is captured by a horrible sea monster, Sofia – with a little help from Princess Ariel – must find a way to save her and create harmony between their two worlds

The simulcast of the premiere of the made-for-television movie “Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess” on Disney Channel and Disney Junior reached out to more than 4 million audiences (CS 4+) of which 2.3 million were kids (CS 4-14) across All India. Disney Channel ranked #1 across all TV during its time slot garnering a 26% share of viewing within the kids genre among all kids (CS 4-14 ABC) and 36% share of viewing among younger girls (CS ABC F 4-9). The series – Sofia the First launched on 24th August 2013 and has reached out to almost 25 million audiences during Sept-Dec 2013 (Source: TAM; TG: CS 4+; Period: wk 36-52, all days, 0700-2300 hrs; Market: All India)

Fuelled by the popularity of Sofia, Disney Consumer Products currently has a line of Sofia branded products such as puzzles, scooters and will soon be launching an interesting range of ‘back to school’ merchandise such as school bags, colouring equipments, stationery sets and will launch Sofia bicycles, rainwear and footwear as well.

Come, be a part of Sofia’s aquatic quest on Saturday, 18 January at 11:00 am on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.

January 17, 2014
Excel videos line up Oscar Film Festival on DVD

MUMBAI: With the 79th Annual Academy Awards around the corner Excel Home Videos in association with Twentieth Century Fox, Walt Disney Home Entertainment and Merchant Ivory Production has launched an Oscar DVD Film Festival.

The fest titled ‘Oscar Fever 2007’ will continue from 22 Feb tol 15 March. It will feature 46 movies including The Sound of Music, Aliens, The French Connection, Gentleman’s Agreement, Titanic, Tora!Tora!Tora!, Braveheart, Sideways, Great Expectations, Miracle On 34th Street, The Abyss, Walk the line, Boys Don’t Cry, The Full Monty, Independence Day, The Longest Day, Moulin Rouge, Mrs DoubtFire, The Omen, Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, Mary Poppins, Cold Mountain, Finding Nemo, The Little Mermaid, The Chronicles of Narnia, Pearl Harbor, Dick Tracy and, Howards End.

Says Excel Home Videos managing director M.N Kapasi, “This is the first time in Indian Home Entertainment that multiple Hollywood Studios have come together for a Movie Extravaganza. This is a great opportunity for cinema buffs to expand their collection and also upgrade their VCDs to high end DVDs.”

The Festival will feature a unique reward point system with movies with more Oscars carrying higher points. There are also opportunities for consumers to win free DVDs.

The other movies in the fray include Master & Commander, My Cousin Vinny, Patton, Wall Street, Speed, All that Jazz, Cocoon, Planet Of The Apes, Road To Perdition, The Fly, Hello Dolly, How Green Was My Valley, The Incredibles, Tarzan, Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Pocahontas, Colour of Money among others

February 24, 2007
Disney’s BV Games adds ‘Disney Princess’ & ‘The Little Mermaid’ titles in the US

MUMBAI: Disney Princesses and Ariel are joining the “Disney on the Go” portfolio of handheld video games. New handheld video game titles based on the Disney Princess and The Little Mermaid franchises will now be available at retail stores throughout North America.

The new line-up from Buena Vista Games (BVG) includes: Disney’s The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure for the Nintendo DS, Disney’s The Little Mermaid: Magic in Two Kingdoms for the Game Boy Advance and Disney Princess: Royal Adventure for the Game Boy Advance, informs an official release.

“Inspired by the award-winning film, ‘The Little Mermaid’ handheld games provide interactive adventures that kids can take with them on-the-go,” said Buena Vista Games vice president of marketing Craig Relyea. “With the release of Disney’s new two-disc ‘The Little Mermaid’ Platinum Edition DVD today, fans of Ariel and her friends will have ample opportunities to share in the fun this holiday season.”

Featuring six of Disney’s beloved princesses, Disney Princess: Royal Adventure on the Game Boy Advance will be released alongside The Little Mermaid titles.

“Since its debut in 2000, the Disney Princess franchise has become a leading girls lifestyle brand. Building on the franchise’s popularity, the new Disney Princess: Royal Adventure game enables young girls to interact with their favorite characters in a new magical adventure,” said Relyea.

October 3, 2006