D23 Expo 2013: Tom Hanks is a Perfect Walt Disney in 'Saving Mr. Banks'

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  12 August 2013.

Saving Mr. Banks is more than a movie about bringing Mary Poppins from the page to the screen. It is a tribute to Walt Disney and his incredible team of filmmakers.

The biographical drama follows the journey of adapting P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins books into the feature film we all know and love. Emma Thompson plays a lovely stoic and proper Mrs. Travers. She is the perfect contrast to Tom Hanks’ enthusiastic Walt Disney.

Exclusive clips shown during D23 presented a film that is both entertaining and poignant. The movie is the first time an actor as portrayed Disney in film but Hanks is more than up to the task. He brings Disney’s signature warmth and excitement to the screen with ease.

D23 Expo 2013: Reviewing New Thor and Captain America Footage

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  12 August 2013.

This could be the end for Jane Foster. Exclusive footage from Thor: The Dark World shown at the D23 Expo revealed Thor’s lady love is infected with a mystical disease that leaves even the Asgardians baffled. In addition to replaying the trailers and first looks from San Diego Comic-Con last month, Marvel unveiled new clips from both the upcoming Thor sequel and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Neither scenes are available online yet so here is what you missed.

Jane Foster’s (Natalie Portman) fate remains uncertain as a team of Asgardian healers examined her. Knowing that Earth’s doctors would be unable to help her, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) brought Jane to his home world. But his father, Odin (Anthony Hopkins), does not like having the human in Asgard so he sends guards to remove her.

Jane’s infection is not going to go lightly though and it pulses out a wave of energy that knocks the guards back. What could the infection be? Thor and Odin are as clueless and we are.

PopWrapped Goes To D23’s Star Studded Marvel Panel

Originally published on PopWrapped.tumblr.com.  11 August 2013.

With never-before-seen clips and a handful of cast members on hand, Marvel opened Saturday morning at D23 with a bang.

First up was Thor: The Dark World. Cast members Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, and Sir Anthony Hopkins stopped by to show footage from the upcoming sequel. In a nod to his legendary appearance in Hall H at Comic-Con last month, Hiddleston apologized for not showing up in his costume. “I’m not gonna get this crowd to kneel,” he joked. “We’re at Disneyland.”

The new clip from The Dark World showed Portman’s Jane Foster being examined by Asgardian healers. Jane apparently has a mysterious mystical infection that cannot be healed on Earth, causing Thor (Chris Hemsworth) to spirit her away to his home world. His father Odin (Hopkins) is not pleased but when he orders guards to send Jane back, her infection protects her - or, more likely, itself.

Fans Got First Taste Of Wonderland At Once Upon A Time’s D23 Panel

Originally published on PopWrapped.tumblr.com.  11 August 2013.

Oncers were out in force for the Once Upon a Time and Once Upon a Time in Wonderland panel at Disney's D23 Expo. Creators Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis teased their fans with new characters, an extended trailer for Wonderland, and a new clip from the season premiere of Once.

In the clip, Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle) meets up with the leader of The Lost Ones, revealed to be named Felix, to discuss the Dark One’s return to Neverland. Rumple, looking as dashing as ever back in his leather fairytale attire, tells Felix to tell Pan that the master of magic is indeed there for “the boy” (presumably Henry). Felix departs but not before returning to Rumple a straw doll that causes the Dark One to break down in tears.

For all the confused fans, Horowitz and Kitsis clarified that the clip comes from the ending of the premiere. Everything will make sense when we see the entire episode live on Sunday, September 29th.

The two creators also revealed that joining the cast of fairytale and literary characters are favorites Tinkerbell and Ariel. Kitsis and Horowitz teased that The Little Mermaid’s Ursula and Eric may also make appearances, “but you never know because on the show you never know who is the real Ursula,” said Kitsis. Regina perhaps?

Disney Teases Upcoming Live Action Projects At D23

Originally published on PopWrapped.tumblr.com.  11 August 2013.

The next few years for Disney seem to be focused on live action and the session at D23 on Saturday proved just how much.Judging by the preview clips of everything from the Muppets sequel to Maleficent and the mysterious Tomorrowland, Disney has something in store for fans of all ages.

Disney will be taking two of their classic animated features and turning them into live action features. Maleficent (due June 2014) re-tells the Sleeping Beauty story from the perspective of its iconic villain. Played by Angelina Jolie, who looks stunning in the costume, Maleficent will transition from a heroic young woman to a cold-hearted sorceress. The storyline will of course intersect with that of Aurora (Elle Fanning) as the little princess grows, and will even feature the climatic dragon fight from Sleeping Beauty.

The second Disney classic to get the live action treatment is Cinderella, opening March 2015. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, Cinderella will retain many of the elements we know and love from the story but will present them in a new and exciting way. Starring in the feature are Lily James as Cinderella, Richard Madden as the Prince, Cate Blanchett as the stepmother, and Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother.