Disney World

Wall Street, meet Wall-E. Thanks in part to the success of Pixar Animation Studio’s Wall-E, a robot love story, Walt Disney should beat Wall Street estimates when it releases third-quarter earnings on Wednesday. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters forecast earnings of 61 cents per share on revenue of $9.1 billion for the period through June.

Last quarter, Walt Disney (nyse: DIS – news – people ) reported better-than-expected results due to strong performances in its film, broadcasting, and theme-park units, including strong international sales of shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost,” and “Dirty Sexy Money.” (See “Disney’s Magic Kingdom Of Profit”) While analysts expect growth to continue in film and broadcasting, theme park revenue should be down due to the calendar shift of the Easter holiday from the third quarter of 2007 to second quarter of this year.

Disney’s Media Networks division had a mixed third quarter. Its cable division should show growth, thanks to high NBA playoff ratings that led to a strong performance at ESPN. Viewership of ABC Family, Disney’s third-largest ad revenue generator, increased by 18 percent. The company’s broadcasting unit stumbled, however, in the third quarter. The writers’ strike led to a 15 percent drop in average primetime ratings among adults 18-49. Because of the strike, the network has fewer episodes of Lost, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, and Brothers and Sisters to put into syndication, and ABC Studios should show modest decline due to lower international syndication revenues.

Despite the success of Pixar’s Wall-E, which was the ninth straight number one launch for a Pixar Studio film, Oppenheimer analyst Jason Helfstein expects the company’s film division to report its weakest quarter of the year. High prints and advertising costs for Wall-E and another third quarter release, “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” should lower margins. Third-quarter film revenue will pale in comparison to last year’s results, which were buoyed by the blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.” Even so, Helfstein expects the film division to beat Wall Street estimates.

Helfstein predicts that Disney’s theme parks and resorts division will have a weak third-quarter performance on early signs of recession, with the worst still to come as higher airfare costs have a greater negative impact later in calendar 2008. Disney execs have reported strong summer bookings, thanks to international visitors taking advantage of the weak dollar.

It’s been a week now since that “TR2N” teaser trailer ran at Comic-Con. And Disneyana & sci-fi fans are desperate for additional information about this Summer 2010 release.

Well, let me share some info that I’m sure will send all of you “TRON” fanboys out there straight off the Game Grid. Guess who’s the real power-behind-the-throne (The Master Control Program, if you will) on this particular Walt Disney Pictures production? Would you believe John Lasseter?

Yep, the Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios has quite the soft spot when it comes to the original “TRON.” Lasseter still remembers when he first saw this Steve Lisberger film. Which was back in 1981 when John was just a lowly animator toiling away on “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.”

One lunch hour while wandering around the Disney lot, Lasseter came upon the trailers where all of the 16 X 20 Kodalith cels that were used in this 1982 production were stored. And it was here that John first saw “TRON” ’s lightcycle sequence. And as Lasseter looked at this CG sequence …

“It absolutely blew me away! A little door in my mind opened up. I looked at it and said, `This is it! This is the future!’”

Mind you, John was quite taken with the look of “TRON” (as well as — of course — that film’s use of computer animation). But as for that movie’s storyline … Lasseter wasn’t really a fan. He felt that Lisberger had missed some obvious opportunities to create a truly compelling piece of entertainment. Something that would have touched an audience’s emotions as it dazzled their eyes.

Which is why — even though Steve (i.e. “TRON” ’s original director & co-writer) has spent the past five years developing a script for a sequel — none of that material will now be used in the production of “TR2N.”

Don’t get me wrong, folks. Lasseter is still extremely respectful of all the groundbreaking work that Lisberger & his production team did on the first “TRON.” Which is why Steve will receive a co-producer credit on this 2010 Walt Disney Pictures release. But as for Lisberger having any real creative input on the sequel … “GAME OVER !,” man.

“So — if Steve isn’t working on the ‘TR2N’ screenplay anymore — who is then?,” you ask. Well … Allegedly at John’s insistence, Disney hired Eddie Kitsis & Adam Horowitz to create a script for this sequel. Given their long association with “Lost,” Kitsis & Horowitz have lots of experience when it comes to guiding colorful characters through surreal settings. Which made Eddie & Adam an obvious choice for the “TR2N” assignment.

And if Lisberger’s no longer slated to helm the “TRON” sequel, who’s Disney now going to get to direct this movie? Joseph Kosinski. Who has yet to actually direct a full-length feature film but has created some award-winning commercials for Saab, Nike and X-Box.

In fact, if you want to get some sense of the visual look that Joseph wants to bring to “TR2N,” click on the above links. Or — better yet — check out Kosinski’s animated architectural renderings. These will give you a better sense of Joseph’s eye. The way this guy moves a camera. Which offers a hint of how truly dazzling a Kosinski-directed version of “TRON” could be.

Speaking of which … To convince Disney executives that his vision for “TR2N” was commercially viable, Joseph spent six months working in secret with the folks at Digital Domain. Laboring to create a vivid, updated version of “TRON” ’s famous lightcycles. With the hope that this three-minute-long sequence would then prove to the suits that a sequel to this 26-year-old film would actually appeal to today’s gamers.

Which brings us to Disney Interactive Studios’ involvement in the “TR2N” project … To help prime the pump for this potentially-hugely-profitable profect, Disney’s gaming division actually released an Xbox 360 version of those classic arcade games, “TRON” and “Discs of TRON,” last summer. Given the huge number of units that were then sold to video game players as well as “TRON” fans … It was clear that there are a lot of people out there who — just like John Lasseter — have a very soft spot in their hearts when it comes to this particular Walt Disney Productions release.

But that said … There are still those at the Studio who are saying that it may be a mistake to release a “TRON” sequel 28 years after the fact.

What film am I talking about? “Toy Story 3.” Which rolls into theaters nearly 15 years after the first “Toy Story” film debuted.

So what do you folks think? Do you think that “TR2N” has a better chance of becoming a truly entertaining motion picture now that you’ve learned that John Lasseter is shepherding this project? Or is it just too late for a “TRON” sequel to connect with today’s audiences?

Disney bosses have denied reports the forthcoming Hannah Montana series will be singer/actress Miley Cyrus’ last despite the teen sensation admitting it was time the show ended.

Cyrus shot to fame in the Disney favorite at age 11, and is currently preparing to shoot the third season of the hit show.

The young star, now 15, told E! News that she thought it may be time to hang up the Montana mantle, as she had been working so hard on the show for nearly five years.

She said, “We’re thinking this is our last season.

“I just think we did a lot of episodes. We basically did two seasons in one last year. Usually people would do one season that would be, like, 16 episodes, and we did almost 30 episodes!”

But the show’s representatives have denied the show will finish after its third season, and insist they are glad to still have Cyrus as part of the “Disney family.”

The spokesperson tells E! Online, “Miley said it best when she said she’s delighted to be part of the Disney family. We start production on the third season of Hannah Montana on August 4 and have an option for a fourth season beyond that.

“We look forward to the Hannah Montana feature film coming to a theater near you in Spring 2009.”

Creators/Executive Producers: Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, Dan Povenmire .Writers: John Barry, Sherm Cohen, Bobby Gaylor, Antoine Guilbaud, Chris Headrick, Martin Olson, Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, Dave Pomenmire / Directors: Zac Moncrief, Dan Povenmire

Voice Cast: Vincent Martella (Phineas), Ashley Tisdale (Candace), Thomas Sangster (Ferb), Caroline Rhea (Mom), Alyson Stoner (Isabella), Mitchell Musso (Jeremy), Dan Povenmire (Dr. Doofenshmirtz), Jeff “Swampy” Marsh (Major Monogram), Richard O’Brien (Dad), Bobby Gaylor (Buford), Dee Bradley Baker (Perry the Platypus) / Notable Guest Voices: Kelly Hu (Stacy), Evander Holyfield (Himself), Maulik Pancholy (Bajeet), Carlos Alazraqui (Dr. Feelbetter)

Running Time: 115 Minutes (8 episodes) / Rating: TV-G
1.33:1 Full Screen (Original Broadcast Ratio), Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 (English)
Subtitles: English; Closed Captioned; Extras Subtitled
Suggested Retail Price: $19.99; DVD Release Date: July 29, 2008
7 Episodes aired between September 28, 2007 – March 1, 2008; One Unaired
Single-sided, dual-layered disc (DVD-9); White Keepcase

What’s it like to suddenly discover that you have the most awesome magical powers ever? Three siblings find out in Wizards of Waverly Place: Wizard School, coming to Disney DVD from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment on July 29, 2008. For the very first time, four episodes of this spellbinding Disney Channel Original Series come together in one bewitching DVD with an amazing and exclusive bonus feature. Alex Russo and her brothers Justin and Max suddenly go from being your average, ordinary kids to discovering their family’s astonishing secret—they are wizards in training! Navigating the unpredictable politics of Wizards’ School, trying to control amazing new powers and fixing magic spells gone awry are just part of everyday life for these teenagers. With a red-hot young cast that includes Selena Gomez (guest appearances on Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody), David Henrie (guest appearances on That’s So Raven and How I Met Your Mother) and Jake T. Austin (Johnny Kapahala), as well as Maria Canals-Barrera and David DeLuise, Wizards of Waverly Place conjures up nonstop laughs as these three siblings find themselves up to their necks in the art of wizardry.

Walt Disney World is planning to add actresses playing Tinker Bell and her friends from an upcoming series of “Disney Fairies” movies — and might be creating a new attraction based on them.

Disney held auditions last week for actresses to play the Disney Fairies characters in the parks, including Tinker Bell, Silvermist, Rosetta, Iridessa and Fawn.

In a prepared statement, a Disney spokeswoman explained: “Disney Imagineers are currently creating a special new home for Tink and her friends which promises to immerse guests in the world of Pixie Dust at Walt Disney World.”

Spokeswoman Andrea Finger would not elaborate about whether this meant the fairy characters will have their own attraction, nor did she specify which park they might appear in.

Except for Tinker Bell, the characters are based on a new “Disney Fairies” entertainment franchise that the Walt Disney Co. has been developing in recent years through children’s books, Internet Web pages, games, toys and a series of straight-to-DVD movies that will begin emerging this fall.

GTOs scheduling a visit to Disneyland Resort Paris over the coming autumn and winter months will find plenty of events to keep your group entertained.

Between 4th October and 2nd November, Disney’s Halloween Festival will be staged at the Resort featuring special shows and plenty of character meet and greets. Also, for one night only, groups will be able to attend Disney’s Halloween Party, to be held on 31st October, where you can attend a DJ party, parade and fireworks display. Tickets for Disney’s Halloween Party are an additional cost; however, group discounts are available.

Shortly after will be Disneys Bonfire Spectacular, set for 3rd, 5th and 7th November, which will feature a dramatic fireworks show and a floating bonfire on Lake Disney.

Christmas, meanwhile, will be celebrated in usual Disney style with artificial snowflakes settling on Main Street USA and a colourful night time parade. Taking place from 8th November until 6th January 2009, the event will also see Sleeping Beauty Castle transformed into an ice palace and group members may even be lucky enough to meet Father Christmas and his reindeer.

Entry to these events, excluding Disney’s Halloween Party, is included in the park’s admission charge.

It’s nowhere near ready, but fan reaction was intense for the fourth instalment in the Terminator franchise at Comic-Con. The cast and director talked to AP Entertainment about why they bought Terminator: Salvation to the San Diego convention.

“I think our mission to come to Comic-Con was to let the fans know that we’re staying true to the mythology, that what we’re setting out to do isn’t to take it a million miles away from the Terminator family,” star Sam Worthington said. “You know, we’re here to reboot it and give them what they want, give them this gritty judgment day war.”

Fan reaction to footage screened during a panel was loud and intense. “It felt good to put that footage in front of everybody here,” director McG said. “Seeing 7,000 tough critics jump up on their feet, nearly the house down, and start clammering about Terminator all over the Comic-Con convention. That’s a very special feeling, because that’s a tough audience and an audience you want to be respectful of, always.

The movie stars Christian Bale, Worthington, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood and rapper Common. All were warmly received by fans at the San Diego show.

“I’ve been coming to Comic-Con for years,” McG said. “I’ve been here many, many times. I always like to put it in front of the people who care the most. I want to share the film with the passionate and we can do that down here.And we’re only halfway through principal photography. So I wanted to make sure we were on  the right track. And to get that response really galvanised our efforts, made us feel like we were doing the right thing. I already reached out to Christian who was in Japan talking about The Dark Knight. And Sam was here. We just feel very energised to go out and finish the film properly and hopefully make an extraordinary picture that’ll come out next summer.”Rapper Common – who plays Barnes – was enjoying the energy of the geek convention.

“I walked the floor a little bit,” he said. “I didn’t get to walk alone because we started signing autographs. But I feel the energy. I like the passion that people got for Comic-Con.”And Moon Goodblood compared costumes on the show floor to Halloween: “I love Vegas, I love Disneyland. I love people who get excited about things, you know? It’s like Halloween here.”

Two organizations at the University of Arkansas have joined together to bring the Disney Institute’s renowned professional development program to Northwest Arkansas.

The Center for Management and Executive Education in the Sam M. Walton College of Business and the Office of Human Resources are sponsoring “The Disney Institute Keys to Excellence. “The full-day program will be held from 8 a.m. to 4: 30 p. m., Thursday, Sept. 18, in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development on the University of Arkansas campus. For more information and to register, call (888 ) 824-3933 or 575-2856 or go to http: // execed. uark. edu / disney.

“The Keys to Excellence “program showcases philosophies and strategies that have made the Walt Disney World Resort a success – ideas that are easily adaptable to other organizations. The sessions take people inside the Disney operation, showcasing on-stage and behind-the-scenes locations so attendees see firsthand how it all happens.

The program comprises four 90-minute sessions, covering leadership, management, service and loyalty – all presented through the Disney style. Participants will discover how leadership has been the catalyst at Disney to drive employee / customer satisfaction and bottom-line results; understand the importance of integrating corporate culture into the selection, training and care of employees; explore world-renowned Disney principles of service excellence; and learn the key practices and principles in building and sustaining loyalty that have made Disney a trusted and revered brand around the world for more than 75 years.

Registration and tuition fees for the program are $ 399 per person for the day and include materials, lunch and the experience.

Stan Lee, the creator of Spider-Man, X-Men and Iron Man, is revered as a superhero in his own right by comic book fans. Now he’s rapidly becoming one of Hollywood’s most wanted. Lee’s comic book creations have been box-office gold this summer, with “Iron Man” and “The Incredible Hulk” grossing $313 million and $139 million, respectively.

So, the Walt Disney Co. used the forum of Comic-Con, the annual comic book convention in San Diego, to announce that it was deepening its partnership with Stan Lee’s POW Entertainment.

The home entertainment group will work with Lee on a new digital comic book, “Time Jumper.” Readers can follow the exploits of a new crew of superheroes, however they choose: online, via mobile phone or old-fashioned comic book format.  Time Jumper” blends old-fashioned storytelling with technology that extends well beyond dialog and thought bubbles. In its digital form, it’ll include music, voices and fast-paced story-boards.

Now for the geeky narrative details: “Time Jumper” follows the exploits of our hero, Terry Dixon, who is an agent of a secret government organization known as HUNT (short for Heroes United, Noble and True). He has a cellphone called The Articulus that has the one feature you can’t get — yet — from Apple’s iPhone: a time machine. We wonder if it’s possible to travel to a time where there are no dropped calls!