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Tag: Walt Disney Studios

  • IBC2025 conference lines up global media heavyweights and bold ideas

    IBC2025 conference lines up global media heavyweights and bold ideas

    LONDON: IBC 2025 has pulled back the curtain on a turbocharged conference programme packed with power players from across the global media, entertainment and tech ecosystem. From 12 to 14 September at RAI Amsterdam, the three-day summit promises to tackle media’s defining challenges—AI disruption, fragmentation, collapsing business models, and the war for attention.

    Top brass from Netflix, Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Global, Snap, TikTok, YouTube, Roku, TelevisaUnivision, PGA Tour, kweliTV and India’s JioStar are among the featured speakers. Industry provocateur Evan Shapiro will headline with a data-fuelled keynote, while seasoned commentator Mike Darcey closes the show with a sharp take on rights, economics and the shape of future broadcasting.

    “This year’s agenda is urgent, imaginative and provocative,” said IBC head of content Sally Watts. “We’re bringing together disruptors and legacy leaders to map the media universe as it shifts beneath our feet.”

    The conference kicks off with a heavyweight CTO roundtable featuring Avi Saxena (Warner Bros. Discovery), Simon Farnsworth (ITV) and Phil Wiser (Paramount). Big tech meets broadcast in sessions like YouTube’s Pedro Pina in conversation with Channel 4’s Grace Boswood, and Snap’s Jorrit Eringa alongside execs from Yahoo, Sky, Sling TV and A1 Group dissecting the future of content collaboration.

    TikTok’s Rollo Goldstaub will explore how short-form video is rewriting the rules of sports engagement, while Netflix’s Victor Marti and Vancouver Media’s Migue Amoedo offer a behind-the-scenes look at storytelling innovation.

    In a major AI-focused session, ABC’s Damian Cronin unpacks how the broadcaster is embedding machine learning into its core workflows. Meanwhile, DeShuna Spencer (kweliTV), Brad Danks (OUTtv), Rajat Nigam (JioStar India) and others weigh in on what’s next for the streaming wars.

    ‘MovieLabs – Leading the Vision’ sees Disney, Sony, Warner Bros. and Paramount map the road to 2030 for content creation, moderated by MovieLabs president Richard Berger. Sunday’s schedule spotlights Fremantle’s Jens Richter on global distribution in a post-peak TV world, while PGA Tour execs reveal how they deployed live AR shot-tracking across all 18 holes — winning a Sports Emmy in the process.

    In the closing session, Mike Darcey, now managing director at Tide End Consulting and former News UK boss, breaks down how rights, economics and regulation must evolve to fit the new media order.

    Beyond the main stage, the IBC Technical Papers Programme offers 10 peer-reviewed sessions delving deep into bleeding-edge R&D across 5G, 6G, AI, immersive formats and content authentication. Topics include:
    * AI in speech, postproduction and curation
    * Provenance, privacy and content trust
    * Wireless tech advances from 5G to 6G
    * IP Studio 2.0 and live production
    * Sport tech, AR, avatars and AI-enhanced streaming

    Registration is now open at show.ibc.org.

  • Disney Sets New Box Office Records With Debut of ‘Captain America: Civil War’

    Disney Sets New Box Office Records With Debut of ‘Captain America: Civil War’

    The Walt Disney Studios set new industry records this weekend as Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War made its domestic debut with a huge $179.1 million, making it the fifth biggest opening of all time and giving Marvel Studios four out of the top six opening weekends ever. The superhero smash-up has brought in $494 million internationally for an incredible $673.1 million globally after just 12 days. A major new market this weekend was China, where Captain America: Civil War earned $95.8 million. Across the Asia-Pacific market, it has already entered the top 10 films of all time in many countries. Captain America: Civil War is the third Disney movie to land in the top five of 2016 domestically and globally. Disney’s The Jungle Book has taken in $287.9 million in the U.S. and Canada so far during a three-week run at #1 and stands at #3 globally with $779.5 million and major territories Korea and Japan still to open. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia is the #1 release of the year globally with $958.1 million, including $328.1 million domestically and $630 million internationally. These major successes, along with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, have pushed The Walt Disney Studios’ overall 2016 box office past $1 billion domestically, $2 billion internationally, and $3 billion globally, breaking industry records set last year by more than a month. Still ahead this year for Disney are Alice Through the Looking Glass (May 27), Disney•Pixar’s Finding Dory (June 17), The BFG (July 1), Pete’s Dragon (Aug. 12), Queen of Katwe (Sept. 23), Marvel’s Doctor Strange (Nov. 4), Disney Animation’s Moana (Nov. 23), and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Dec. 16).

  • Disney Sets New Box Office Records With Debut of ‘Captain America: Civil War’

    Disney Sets New Box Office Records With Debut of ‘Captain America: Civil War’

    The Walt Disney Studios set new industry records this weekend as Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War made its domestic debut with a huge $179.1 million, making it the fifth biggest opening of all time and giving Marvel Studios four out of the top six opening weekends ever. The superhero smash-up has brought in $494 million internationally for an incredible $673.1 million globally after just 12 days. A major new market this weekend was China, where Captain America: Civil War earned $95.8 million. Across the Asia-Pacific market, it has already entered the top 10 films of all time in many countries. Captain America: Civil War is the third Disney movie to land in the top five of 2016 domestically and globally. Disney’s The Jungle Book has taken in $287.9 million in the U.S. and Canada so far during a three-week run at #1 and stands at #3 globally with $779.5 million and major territories Korea and Japan still to open. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia is the #1 release of the year globally with $958.1 million, including $328.1 million domestically and $630 million internationally. These major successes, along with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, have pushed The Walt Disney Studios’ overall 2016 box office past $1 billion domestically, $2 billion internationally, and $3 billion globally, breaking industry records set last year by more than a month. Still ahead this year for Disney are Alice Through the Looking Glass (May 27), Disney•Pixar’s Finding Dory (June 17), The BFG (July 1), Pete’s Dragon (Aug. 12), Queen of Katwe (Sept. 23), Marvel’s Doctor Strange (Nov. 4), Disney Animation’s Moana (Nov. 23), and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Dec. 16).

  • Disney hits $4 billion at global box office in record time; lines up 22 films till 2020

    Disney hits $4 billion at global box office in record time; lines up 22 films till 2020

    MUMBAI: Walt Disney Studios has crossed the $4 billion mark at the global box office, beating its previous studio record by nearly six weeks.

     

    As of 7 October, 2015, Disney collected $1.4 billion in the US and Canada and $2.575 billion at in international markets. This is the third consecutive year the studio has breached the $4-billion box office milestone. 

     

    The studio’s revenues in 2015 were driven by the worldwide success of Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out, Disney’s Cinderella and Marvel’s Ant-Man.

     

    In addition, Inside Out has crossed the $800 million mark at the global box office. It’s the third highest grossing Pixar film of all time and made its debut in China this week.

     

    Additionally, Walt Disney Studios has also unveiled new and updated release dates for several upcoming projects.

     

    Marvel unveiled Ant-Man and the Wasp, a sequel to this summer’s Ant-Man, which is set for release on 6 July, 2018. Black Panther will now open 16 February, 2018, and Captain Marvel is set for 8 March, 2019. 

     

    Three new films are set for 2020, the titles of which will be revealed at a later date.

     

    Pixar will release Cars 3 on 16 June, 2017, Coco on 22 November, 2017, and The Incredibles 2 on 21 June, 2019. Toy Story 4 will now debut 15 June, 2018. Two new (as-yet-untitled) Pixar films are set for 2020.

     

    Building upon the success of films such as Cinderella and Maleficent, Disney Live Action selected release dates for four fairy tale films in the coming years: one in 2017, one in 2018, and two in 2019.

     

    Next up is The Jungle Book in April 2016, followed by Alice Through the Looking Glass in May and Pete’s Dragon in August.

     

    Finally, Gigantic, a unique take on Jack and the Beanstalk from Walt Disney Animation Studios featuring music from Oscar-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, will be released on 9 March, 2018. A new Walt Disney Animation Studios film is set for November 2020 and a new Disneytoon Studios film is due out in April 2019.

     

    Walt Disney Studios head of distribution said, “2015 has been a record-setting year both domestically and internationally thanks to a strong slate of films from all of our brands. With an incredible pipeline of both original stories and anticipated sequels featuring our most beloved characters, we are set to deliver some fantastic movies well into the future.” 

  • MPAA extends CEO Chris Dodd’s contract to 2018

    MPAA extends CEO Chris Dodd’s contract to 2018

    MUMBAI: The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) has extended chairman CEO Chris Dodd’s contract to 2018.

     

    In a joint statement, MPAA member companies’ representatives namely – Twentieth Century Fox chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos, Paramount Pictures chairman and CEO Brad Grey, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn, Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Michael Lynton, NBC Universal vice chairman Ron Meyer, Universal Filmed Entertainment chairman Jeff Shell, Warner Bros. Entertainment chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara said, “We are pleased to announce that Chris has agreed to extend his contract into 2018. He has been an impactful leader and a vigorous champion for the industry. We are confident he will continue to effectively help steer our interests through a challenging media and policy landscape and represent our member companies around the globe.”

     

    Dodd added, “I am grateful to our member companies for their continued support. This is an exciting time of almost unparalleled creativity and innovation in film and television and I look forward to continuing to promote and protect that creativity, and the jobs of the men and women who go to work in this industry every day.”

  • Steven Spielberg to direct first film for Disney

    Steven Spielberg to direct first film for Disney

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Studios has joined the production of Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of Roald Dahl‘s The BFG (Big Friendly Giant). 

     

    While the filmmaker has produced movies for the studio in the past, this will mark the first time that Spielberg will direct a Disney-branded movie.

     

    “In more than 40 years of making movies, I have been on the producing end of a number of films for The Walt Disney Company, but never as a director. It is a special joy to be in the director’s chair as we start The BFG, alongside my long-time friends and film collaborators Kathy Kennedy, who introduced me to this project, Frank Marshall and Melissa Mathison. Together with them and Disney, there are many reasons why I am so excited about this joint venture,” said Spielberg.

     

    Previously announced cast of the movie include three-time Tony Award winner Mark Rylance, who will play the titular “Big Friendly Giant” and newcomer Ruby Barnhill as Sophie. They are now joined by Bill Hader, Jemaine Clement, Michael David Adamthwaite, Daniel Bacon, Chris Gibbs, Adam Godley, Jonathan Holmes, Paul Moniz de Sa and Olafur Olaffson, all cast as giants. Buckingham Palace has also found its residents with Penelope Wilton being cast as The Queen and Rebecca Hall as Mary, the Queen’s maid.

     

    Production for The BFG is currently underway in Vancouver. 

     

    “With Steven Spielberg at the helm, The BFG will undoubtedly capture the minds of children and adults alike – as Roald Dahl’s original stories and many of Steven’s own films have done for decades. The team at Disney has tremendous respect for the filmmakers, and we’re thrilled to join with them to make what will be a spectacular picture,” said The Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn.

     

    “This partnership speaks to the spirit of storytelling and the kinds of movies that we make here. Over the years, we have enjoyed a fruitful collaboration, and we couldn’t be more excited to be working with Disney in this expanded capacity on The BFG,” added DreamWorks Studios CEO Michael Wright. 

     

    The BFG is the exciting tale of a young London girl and the mysterious Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. Based on the novel by Dahl, The BFG was published in 1982 and has been enchanting readers of all ages ever since. Dahl’s books, which also include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,James and the Giant Peach, Matilda and Fantastic Mr. Fox, are currently available in 58 languages and have sold over 200 million copies worldwide.

     

    Spielberg will direct the film adaptation based on a script by Melissa Mathison, who last teamed with Spielberg on E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.

     

    Spielberg, Frank Marshall and Sam Mercer will produce while Kathleen Kennedy, John Madden, Michael Siegel and Kristie Macosko Krieger are on board as executive producers. Adam Somner is a co-producer.

     

    The Disney/Amblin/Reliance production in association with Walden Media will open in US theaters on 1 July, 2016, the year that coincides with the 100th anniversary of Dahl’s birth.

     

    The Walt Disney Studios will distribute the film in the US and several international territories while Mister Smith Entertainment will oversee distribution in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Reliance will distribute the film in India.

  • Disney launches an interactive Frozen app for kids

    Disney launches an interactive Frozen app for kids

    MUMBAI: Walt Disney Studios’ animated movie Frozen has found a new way to attract kids. The movie which is set to release on 27 November has released an app on Apple’s iTunes. The app is set to enable young readers to explore the story told in the upcoming movie even before it releases.

     

    As with the other apps, the interactive Frozen storybook is designed for young readers, who have just started reading on their own. The app allows kids to record their voices or listen to narrated text. The app also features original music composed for the project. That apart, it also has drawing tools and other games like creating snow globes and puzzles.

     

    The app is Disney’s third interactive storybook, developed with Disney Publishing, after producing ones for Pixar’s Monsters University and Disney’s Planes. In both instances, the apps gave audiences a detailed look at the films before their release.

     

    Disney Publishing calls the release of the apps a “new normal” for thecompany, especially as it looks to introduce new characters and potential franchises to audiences before the films’ opening. Frozen will introduce Disney’s 12th princess, Anna which will be integrated in its popular ‘Disney Princesses’ brand of consumer products and theme park attractions.

  • Disney to release 4 films in 3D version

    Disney to release 4 films in 3D version

    MUMBAI: Enthused by the runaway success of the 3D version of The Lion King, Disney has announced that it will re-release four of its classic animated films in 3D that will include two Pixar titles like Beauty and the Beast, Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc. and The Little Mermaid.

    “Great stories and great characters are timeless, and at Disney we‘re fortunate to have a treasure trove of both,” Walt Disney Studios president Alan Bergman has been quoted to have said.

    The first film to released in the context will be Beauty and the Beast which will release on 13 January next year. It will be followed by Beauty and the Beast that releases on 14 September.

    Whilr Pixar‘s Monsters, Inc will debut on 18 January 2013, six months before prequel Monsters University releases on 21 June. The Little Mermaid in 3D goes will release on 13 September the same year.

  • Disney red signals The Lone Ranger

    Disney red signals The Lone Ranger

    MUMBAI: Walt Disney Studios has stopped the pre-production work on The Lone Ranger that was to star Johnny Depp as Tonto.

    While some in the industry say that everyone involved with the film is talking about next steps, while others thing that the move could be the studios ploy to reduce the film’s budget.

    All kinds of reasons that Disney would tread is also being attached like the Depp heft, Jerry Bruckheimer‘s producer heft and Gore Verbinski‘s director heft. Verbinski, who is attached to direct The Lone Ranger, directed Depp in Rango and al;o in three Pirates films.

    The studio had already announced that The Lone Ranger would release on 21 December next year.

  • Walt Disney Studios to increase branded output strategy

    Walt Disney Studios to increase branded output strategy

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Studios will be making a strategic shift toward more Disney branded movies. The studio will produce and distribute approximately 10 Disney live-action and animated films a year and 2-3 Touchstone films a year. The announcement was made by The Walt Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook.

    Cook said, “Disney is the number one name in filmed entertainment around the world. It’s the name on the door, it’s what we do best, and when we do it right, not only do moviegoers of all ages benefit from the finest in quality entertainment, but it lifts the entire company as well. The depth and breath of great Disney movies range from Pirates of the Caribbean to Cars to The Chronicles of Narnia, and we look to expand our global reach even more.”

    To accomplish this objective, Cook has tapped Oren Aviv as president of production, Walt Disney Pictures. Aviv will oversee the live-action development and film production for the Studios.

    “Oren is an amazing talent and has been a key player in reshaping our Disney films with many successes. In fact, National Treasure was a winning, original idea which he conceived and realised on film. In his new role, we look forward to capitalising on his great taste as well as his creative vision,” continued Cook.

    “Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group president Nina Jacobson, will be leaving the company, and while she will certainly be missed, we greatly appreciate her many contributions,” said Cook.

    In another strategic move, The Walt Disney Studios has restructured several of its business units under two global organisations – Buena Vista Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, and Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment. Mark Zoradi has been appointed president of Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group and will oversee the distribution and marketing of all Disney and Touchstone Pictures films worldwide. Robert Chapek has been named president, Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment, and will oversee the worldwide distribution and marketing of all the Studio’s films on Home Entertainment platforms.

    “The consolidation of global marketing and distribution is extremely important as we continue to adapt to the vastly changing world. To lead this charge we have the best team in place with Mark and Bob. Mark is a consummate professional who along with his team has had unprecedented success in the international marketplace with 12 consecutive years surpassing the $1 billion dollar mark. No other distributor has crossed this performance threshold. Bob is an innovator in every sense of the word and has helped our studio achieve countless DVD successes, and that leadership will translate well into his new global responsibilities,” said Cook.

    Another executive appointment will include Jim Gallagher as president of marketing for Buena Vista Pictures Marketing.

    Cook added, “Jim is as smart as they come and has great taste and creative instincts, not to mention an incredible sense of humor. I’m thrilled he has taken on this very important role.”

    With this new global infrastructure in place the Studio is expected to reduce its work force by approximately 650 positions worldwide. “Cutbacks such as these are difficult on so many levels, and we will do everything in our power to make the transition as smooth as possible,” said Cook.

    Walt Disney Feature Animation, Pixar Studios, Miramax Films (led by Daniel Battsek), Buena Vista Music Group and Buena Vista Theatrical Productions will not be affected by this reorganisation.