Thursday, December 26, 2013

Hello, Goodbye, How Are Things...








Well Guys the holidays are upon us...

Such a time is busy for anyone and everyone, but for me it has been hard to keep track of the daily duties family life imposes on you.  I was hoping to put a few more posts out before the end, but have only managed one.  I'll hopefully have more time in the new year, but I don't plan any more posting in the new year here.  At least for a while.

That's the bad news.

Now, here's the (somewhat) good news.

I've had an overwhelming outpouring of love from readers and friends alike.  I've even had offers from other sites to write for them.  Surprising messages of support and proposals have been sent that are truly touching.  I wanted to let you know that I have actually accepted an offer to periodically contribute columns from another website that has graciously allowed me to do so at my convenience.

Starting sometime in January I will have columns/articles start appearing on Tor.com which you will be able to read.  Tor.com is the internet site for Tor Books which focuses in science fiction, fantasy, pop-culture and the site focuses on these and other genres (although I was told that a certain Disney perspective was missing.).  I know many people replied to me that they will miss my opinion/stories/rumors/news and here is your chance to still see them/me again (kinda).  I don't know how often I will post, but I have the freedom to post at my discretion.  And if you like what I post and want more then let the folks over at Tor.com know.

Hopefully this will be good news to some on you.  It will be a way for you to keep up and in contact with me over the upcoming months.  We may be displaced, but we won't permanently be disbanded as a community of Disney/pop-culture lovers.

With that I will temporarily say goodbye and thank you for all your support...

Friday, December 6, 2013

Free Of The Mountain...









Famed Archaeologist freed from unknown red tape...

Been keeping an eye on things even though I haven't posted lately.  I said I'd try to do a few posts before Blue Sky goes quite for a while.  This story is enough to make my fingers reach for the keyboard.  I'm sure you've heard the news, and if you haven't why are you reading this?

When The Walt Disney Company bought Lucasfilm last year, it was primarily for the Star Wars franchise. But George Lucas' company has many other valuable properties, but none more valuable besides Luke Skywalker than the Man in the Hat.  Many people thought that the Mouse would not do anything with the iconic character because of entanglement of distribution rights that belong, not to it but to Paramount Pictures.

Sure, Disney owned the character, but to distribute it they had to go through the original studio that Lucas and Spielberg partnered with back in 1979.  This all comes from a deal that then Paramount executive Michael Eisner made with the two wunderkind storytellers.  Many people thought that Iger and the Mouse Suits around him wouldn't want to deal with the hassle of the previous contracts and hoops the studio would have to jump through.

It appears now that they/we were wrong.

According to Variety today, the Walt Disney Studios has negotiated an agreement with Paramount Pictures where the new owner has distribution rights to all new films related to the classic adventure. Paramount does retain distribution rights to the original four films, and will receive a percentage of the profits from any new films of this valuable franchise.

Although this doesn't mean that Walt Disney Pictures has a Indiana Jones film in the pipeline, it does clear the way for one. And with Harrison Ford's interest in playing the character again it looks like the green light could soon be given, if it hasn't already been.  Hopefully they will play this smart and hire the right people for it. No more space aliens even if it fits the 1950s Red Scare time period.  I would immediately get Lawrence Kasdan to brainstorm ideas with Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas over the coming months.

Once a great idea is approved, hire someone who is capable of creating great screenplays like Mark Protosevich or the hot flavor-of-the-month Simon Kinberg.  Any film that they make would likely be Ford's last adventure as the character since he is 72 years old and I can't imagine him in a sixth film because it would probably involve a wheelchair.  Let's face it, if there's an Indy VI then the MacGuffin will have to search for him instead of the other way around.

I'm sure after that Disney will want to continue such a valuable creation, but it leaves me fearful of the character's future. Sure, I would love to see an Indiana Jones Animated Series, or maybe an Indiana Jones animated film. But Harrison Ford IS Indiana Jones. Just like he IS Han Solo.  It's hard to imagine anyone with his form of masculinity playing those characters. Then again, I guess it would be hard for some to have pictured anyone taking over James Bond from Sean Connery, but someone did. Many, many times.

It might just be my soft spot for the portrayal he created in the character that sprang forth from his performance, but I have trouble imagining a future reboot/reinterpretation of the whip carrying, pistol packing, hat wearing archaeologist from America.  It could happen, and it likely will. But it won't be the hero from the past, his, yours or mine.  Sometimes it's hard to let go of things, even when you know it's right.  People, characters, and events seem to attach themselves to your heart and create a bond that is hard to separate.


Like the red tape Doctor Jones just was set free from...

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Six Years Of Dreaming Beyond Imagination...






Six years of posts...

It's hard to believe that it's been that many years.  Over 3200 posts.  Wow.  When I started this website, this blog, it was just with the intention of filling time with one of my many loves.

Disney.

It has blossomed and become far more than I could've ever imagined. I have met many people because of it. I have experienced the joy of readers literally across the world from it. And I must thank all of you for the enrichment that you have given me.  Over the years I've become friends with many of you, and friendly with most of you, and I wish to thank all of you for your patronage, for your comments, and for your compliments.

Unfortunately, as I've mentioned before sometimes the real world takes precedence. And this is one of those cases. Over the past couple of months it has been very difficult to publish post on a normal basis.  Sadly, I don't see that improving anytime in the near future with personal life tending to take more more of my time.  So it is with that in mind that I have come to a difficult position. One that I don't like, but have chosen nonetheless.

In a few weeks I will be taking a break from Blue Sky Disney for the foreseeable future.   I don't know exactly when it will be that I would return and start posting again; it might be a while.  The website should still be up and you have a vast trove of articles that you can choose to look through for a rumor, history and love of all things Disney, entertainment, and beyond.  If you do have trouble accessing the site simply go to the original site where it all began six years ago: www.blueskydisney.blogspot.com and everything should be fine there.

Hopefully, there are still a few more post to come, but much of what I wanted to write and many rumors and secrets I wanted to reveal will unfortunately have to wait.  I leave you with a collection of work that I've loved, and I hope that you will always love it as well.  I simply want you to know that all of you have my deepest appreciation for every click you have made to create what Blue Sky Disney has become.  I hope to return to writing in the future, but I don't know when that will be and I don't want to make any promises I can't keep.  When will this happen?  I'll give my standard answer.

Time will tell...

Friday, November 15, 2013

Telling & Teasing A Tale Of The Dark Fairy...





So we've now got a idea of what the world of "Maleficent" reveal to us...

And it looks a lot like the animated film. "Sleeping Beauty".  Only in live-action.  The one sheet we got yesterday was just a head shot of Jolie with horned headgear on full display.  The trailer was much more expansive, revealing a detail and quality that hopefully will be backed up by an equally impressive script.  And as that script was worked on by Paul Dini I have hope that it will be great considering Dini's strong stories involving female characters.

Time will tell...

Friday, November 8, 2013

The Real Star Wars Holiday Special...






It looks like the Mouse is going to be giving us presents for years to come...

Maybe that post should say specials, as in plural.  Between the three episode films, which will now obviously be out in December and the two spinoff films which will most likely come out during the holidays as well, we will have at least five years of joyous Christmas gifts to open.  Essentially, five holiday specials over five years.  And thankfully, no sign of Bea Arthur anywhere.

Those of you hiding in a hole probably don't know about the recent announcement of the release date of "Episode VII" being December 18, 2015.  Now the three people that didn't know actually do.  I know that some of the hard-core purist will be upset that a May release date is not in the cards, but I prefer the film to be good and later, then bad and a slave to tradition.

The Lucasfilm Suits know that we don't want another disappointment like we got when the Prequels debuted.  J.J. Abrams and his crew are working hard to make sure we get the film we deserve, not the one some fans fear.  Being as Abrams is a fan, we shouldn't have to worry as much. The absence of the Jedi Master will make sure the minds are not clouded in the creation of this new chapter in the galaxy.  No more Jar Jars, no Midi-chlorians, please.

Starting next year we'll be getting new content for the next six years. Star Wars Rebels will bridge us between this year and the 2015 debut of the Sequel Trilogy.  I have a feeling after "Episode IX", they might take a breather, but there should be periodic films every two or three years from then on. Star Wars, specifically new Star Wars theatrical adventures should be a part of our future for decades to come. For fans of the series, and science fiction/science fantasy fans and geeks the world over it's great news.  Now if we can just get the Prequels released in a special edition that takes out all the bad parts.

Sadly, that would mean that "Episode I" wouldn't be very long...

Thursday, November 7, 2013

The Dark World Of Television...







There seems to be a lot of collusion in the Marvel Cinematic Universe...

While DC Entertainment seems to be still struggling to make their plans solidify, Mighty Marvel marches on.  The newly started DC Cinematic Universe will extend only to films, while their television shows both animated and live-action are two other separate worlds. Marvel Studios on the other hand, seems to be including most of their live-action as one whole universe. While letting the animation department be its own world, it too though has influences with the MCU.

Many of you saw the announcement that an upcoming episode of "Agents of Shield" will tie in directly to the latest Marvel Studios film, "Thor: The Dark World".  This also stands to reason that the upcoming Marvel Studios film, "Captain America: Winter Soldier" will also play an important role in the series should AOS get a green light for a season two.  Even more so when "Avengers: Age of Ultron" rages across the screen.  It turns out it was a good thing making Marvel's first series a part of the MCU. Or maybe it was just unbelievable luck? Either way, there appears to be a lot more of it coming down the line.

With the monstrous deal signed with Netflix, Disney has placed on Marvel into an even broader playing field with even more platforms to distribute their brand.  And the shows appear to be connected to the main universe as well. Which means, we might see crossovers with other shows and possibly even additional movies.  It appears they've adapted a strategy for television similar to their successful film plan.  While Marvel Studios started out with Ironman and built up various characters until they had a group that could form the Avengers, these television heroes are each building until they become a group of their own, "The Defenders".  Television-sized of course.

Starting off first with Daredevil, then Luke Cage, Iron Fist and ultimately Jessica Jones, these grittier heroes will embark upon an area of the Marvel Universe not seen so far.  It will also be the introduction of Marvel's first superhero characters with secret identities. Something that the films avoided so far.  Unlike DC with their "Arrow" series, their "Flash" spin-off series, or their upcoming Hour Man show, these characters will be in the same universe as The Mighty Thor and The First Avenger.  There might even be a tie-in/crossover with Agents of Shield.  Although that could prove difficult since the AOS series is designed as a family show, and these four series (+miniseries) will be of at least a slightly more mature content than offerings on networks.  It's an exciting time right now for Marvel fans, comic book fans, and geeks in general.

It's hard for a DC Guy like myself to say, but Marvel really is doing a pounding on the former National Periodicals right now...


Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Wayne Enterprises Leaves Gotham, Relocates To Burbank...




Looks like Batman will be looking for a new Batcave...

It isn't too surprising with almost every other part of DC Entertainment in California along with Suit/Creatives Geoff Johns and Jim Lee already West Coast planted.  For those that haven't heard or didn't care, DC Comics has announced it is moving out of New York City.  Burbank, California will be the new home of the famed comic company.  This also happens to be the home of the company's owner, Warner Bros.

The plan is a gradual one which won't be completed until 2015.  We don't know how creative decisions will be affected by hue change.  Will Superman tanning himself in Malibu make him less likely to travel around saving lives?  Inquiring minds want to know!

Here's the internal e-mail that DC Comics suits sent out to their employees explaining the decision:

Dear DCE Team,

As I hope you know, I and the entire DCE exec team work hard to offer transparency about as much of our business plans and results as we possibly and responsibly can.  In an effort to continue to do that where possible and to ensure you are hearing news from us, rather than a third party, I am proactively reaching out to you this afternoon to share news about our business.


I can confirm that plans are in the works to centralize DCE’s operations in 2015.  Next week, the Exec Team will be in New York for a series of meetings to walk everyone through the plans to relocate the New York operations to Burbank.  The move is not imminent and we will have more than a year to work with the entire company on a smooth transition for all of us, personally and professionally. 

Everyone on the New York staff will be offered an opportunity to join their Burbank colleagues and those details will be shared with you individually, comprehensively and thoughtfully next week.  Meeting notifications will be sent tomorrow to ensure the roll out of this information and how it affects the company and you personally.

We know this will be a big change for people and we will work diligently to make this as smooth and seamless a transition as possible. 

Best,
Diane

I'm wondering where Bruce Wayne's new West Coast digs are...