Real-Life Steers High-Action Story of “PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE”

John Lasseter, executive producer of Disneytoon Studios' “Planes: Fire & Rescue,” is a spirited advocate of extensive research—not only to ensure authenticity to the story, but also to help drive it. And he’s instilled that belief in every Disneytoo filmmaker, including “Planes: Fire & Rescue” director Bobs Gannaway.

In the film, when world-famous air racer Dusty Crophopper learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting.

“We took a closer look at Dusty and the background of crop dusters,” says Gannaway. “We discovered that crop dusting planes like Dusty are also used for wildfire air attack. Known as a SEAT—a Single Engine Air Tanker—it’s the smallest plane in the wildfire air attack fleet. In addition, the first operational air tanker was a repurposed crop duster, which made the first air drop on the Mendocino National Forest in 1955. Fighting fires is in Dusty’s heritage.”

“TARZAN” Swings Into Action as Filming Begins on New 3D Adventure

Principal photography is underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ new Tarzan 3D action adventure, starring Alexander Skarsgård (HBO’s “True Blood”) as the legendary character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

 

David Yates, who helmed the last four “Harry Potter” blockbusters, including “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Parts 1 & 2,” is directing. Jerry Weintraub (“Behind the Candelabra,” the “Ocean’s” trilogy) is producing the film, together with David Barron (the “Harry Potter” films, upcoming “Cinderella”). Susan Ekins, Nikolas Korda, David Yates, Mike Richardson and Bruce Berman are serving as executive producers.

High-Flying Heroes Save the Day in “PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE”

Disneytoon Studios' “Planes: Fire & Rescue” is a new adventure-comedy about a dynamic crew of elite firefighting aircraft devoted to protecting America's historic Piston Peak National Park from raging wildfire.

When world-famous air racer Dusty Crophopper learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting. “It’s a movie about second chances,” says director Bobs Gannaway (“Secret of the Wings”). “Each character was something else before finding their current roles, and Dusty is a crop duster-turned-racer who can’t race any more. When we learned that historically, the very first air attack teams were crop dusters, it was clear that the plane was telling us where the story was going.”

Dusty joins forces with veteran fire-and-rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his courageous team, including spirited air tanker Dipper, heavy-lift helicopter Windlifter, ex-military transport Cabbie and a lively bunch of brave all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero.

“It’s a classic injured-athlete story,” says producer Ferrell Barron (“Piglet’s Big Movie,” “The Fox and the Hound 2”). “I think we’ve all experienced some kind of loss at some point in our lives—an end of an era, a lost love, a failed career. We’ve all had to recalibrate. Dusty can’t go back to being a crop duster, he left that behind. He has to move forward.”

“Planes: Fire & Rescue” features the voices of Dane Cook (“Disney’s Planes,” “Louie,” “Dan in Real Life”) as Dusty, Ed Harris (“Apollo 13”) as Blade Ranger, Julie Bowen (“Modern Family,” “Horrible Bosses”) as Dipper, Curtis Armstrong (“Supernatural”) as Maru, John Michael Higgins (“Pitch Perfect”) as Cad Spinner, Hal Holbrook (“Lincoln”) as Mayday, Wes Studi (“Avatar”) as Windlifter, Brad Garrett (“Disney’s Planes”) as Chug, Teri Hatcher (“Desperate Housewives”) as Dottie, Stacy Keach (“Nebraska”) as Skipper, Cedric the Entertainer (“Barbershop”) as Leadbottom and Danny Mann (“Up”) returns as Sparky.

The voice talent also includes Barry Corbin (“Northern Exposure”) as ‘Ol Jammer, Regina King as Dynamite, Anne Meara as Winnie, Jerry Stiller as Harvey, Fred Willard as Secretary of the Interior, Captain Dale Dye as Cabbie, Kevin Michael Richardson as Ryker, and Patrick Warburton (“The Emperor’s New Groove”) as Pulaski.

The score is by Mark Mancina (“Disney’s Planes,” “Training Day”), with songs by country star Brad Paisley and newcomer Spencer Lee, and additional acoustic piano by Bruce Hornsby.

Opening across the Philippines on August 20 in 3D and 2D cinemas, “Planes: Fire & Rescue” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

Disney's “PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE” New Posters

The teaser posters for Disney's 3D animated comedy-adventure “Planes: Fires & Rescue” have just been launched online. Both one-sheets carry the tagline, “When Others Fly Out, Heroes Fly In.”

The sequel to last year's box-office hit “Planes” (grossing more than $200 million worldwide), “Planes: Fire & Rescue” is a new comedy-adventure about second chances, featuring a dynamic crew of elite firefighting aircraft devoted to protecting historic Piston Peak National Park from raging wildfire.

When world famous air racer Dusty (voice of Dane Cook) learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his courageous team, including spirited super scooper Dipper (voice of Julie Bowen), heavy-lift helicopter Windlifter, ex-military transport Cabbie and a lively bunch of brave all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero.

Opening across the Philippines on August 20, 2014, “Planes: Fire & Rescue” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

PARTY IN THE JUNGLE: “RIO 2”

 The merriest of characters in the worldwide hit animation “Rio” reunite in “Rio 2” where they now head to the Amazon from the vibrant city of Rio De Janeiro as seen in this latest poster from 20th Century Fox.

                  The film’s macaw lovebirds Blu and Jewel (voiced by Jesse Eisenberg and Anne Hathaway) are now facing parenting issues whether to stay in the city or make a new nest in the jungle to raise their children.  Along with their friends,  “Rio 2” continues the grandeur of adventure as we see Blu and Jewel raise their children while unexpectedly meeting relatives in the wild and dodging dangers brought about by familiar and new set of villains.

                “Rio 2” opens April 9 in 3D nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

                Visit 20thCenturyFox/Philippines Facebook page, 20thCenturyFoxPh YouTube channel and Twitter handle @20centuryfoxph for more breaking news on your most anticipated movies.

All Systems Go For "TURBO" 3D

Audiences love to root for courageous dreamers who pursue their goals when the odds are stacked firmly against them.   It’s a tradition that has stood the test of time and one that has a powerful appeal for filmmaker David Soren, who tells the story of an unusual underdog – or under snail –in the animated 3Dfilm, “Turbo.”

Voiced by Ryan Reynolds, Turbo dreams of being fast, fast enough to compete against champions in one of the world’s toughest car races.  Defying logic, physics, nature and critics (including his own brother) the small snail sets out on a thrilling adventure.

Director David Soren describes Turbo in the new movie from DreamWorks Animation, as the ultimate underdog’, for obvious reasons. “ Turbo is a snail and snails are constantly faced with challenges. They are smushed, salted and stepped on; they're eaten in some parts of the world,” says Soren who set his story in Southern California where he lives with his family. The filmmaker became fascinated with the snails he observed in his own front yard.  “Mother Nature has dealt them a bad hand,” he says. “When it seems impossible for a character to have any chance of success, that's exactly what makes a great underdog story. And that’s what it is like for Turbo.”

From ‘Bridesmaids’ to ‘Despicable Me 2’ Kristen Wiig shows her thousand faces and voices

The comedienne who brings life to Lucy is the same actor who played a pivotal role in Despicable Me.  The producers and directors were so delighted by Kristen Wiig’s work as Southern belle Miss Hattie, the acerbic orphanage matron in the first film, that they asked her back to play the female lead in this chapter.  Wiig explains how her participation in the project came about: “I was so happy that I was able to be in both films, and when I heard that they wanted me to play a different character in the second one, I was beyond thrilled that they would give me the opportunity.” 

MEET TURBO’S CREW: ZOOMS NATIONWIDE ON JULY 19

“Turbo” (in 3D and 2D) is a heart-stopping action adventure with lively characters starring the voices of Ryan Reynolds as Theo/Turbo, Paul Giamatti as Chet, Samuel L. Jackson as Whiplash, Snoop Dogg as Smoove Move, Maya Rudolph as Burn, Ben Schwartz as Skidmark, Mike Bell as White Shadow, Michael Peña as Tito, Luis Guzman as Angelo, Bill Hader as Guy Gagne, Ken Jeong as Kim Ly and Michelle Rodriguez as Paz.

The family film from DreamWorks Animation centers on the engaging crew of snails starting with a garden snail named Turbo who leaves his snail community behind to begin his journey to fulfill his dream of becoming a racer in the Indy 500. Swept from a freeway overpass onto the hood of a sports car, and is then propelled into the muscle car’s air intake valve, Turbo is then charged with explosive nitrous oxide, altering his molecular structure. The freak accident infuses Turbo with incredible speed – he can reach 200 miles per hour – and he now blazes across the streets of Los Angeles like a neon bullet.

Check out “Turbo’s Snail Crew” clip here.

Dreamworks' TURBO Zooming In

Dreamworks is set to change the pace in racing when it finally releases “Turbo” in theaters worldwide on July 19 starring the voices of Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Snoop Dogg, Maya Rudolph, Ben Schwartz and Samuel L. Jackson.

In “Turbo,” a snail named Theo (voiced by Reynolds) dreams of being the greatest racer in the world making him an oddity in the slow and cautious community he belongs. An impossible dream of an ordinary snail comes true when luck struck him with an incredible speed one fateful day.

With his dream suddenly within reach, Theo aka Turbo embarks on a journey after being transported to a rundown strip mall where visitors bet on races featuring snails and meets a ragtag of street-smart snails headed by Whiplash (Samuel L. Jackson), Smoove Move (Snoop Dogg), Burn (Maya Rudolph) and Skidmark (Ben Schwartz).

Based on his own original concept, filmmaker David Soren mentioned in an interview with Susan Wloszczyna of USATODAY.Com that “Turbo” was hatched by combining the fascination of his son with race cars and an ongoing infestation of snails on their suburban lawn.“It came purely out of wanting to do an underdog story and combining elements in my life, taking one of the slowest creatures on earth and having him dream of mind-melting speed.”

"Ryan Reynolds' infectious enthusiasm and humor will bring life to the lead role of Turbo and set the tone for this amazing roster of all-star voice talent," said DreamWorks Animation Chief Creative Officer Bill Damaschke. "This high-octane journey will take audiences on the race of their lives and completely re-define the traditional notion of moving at a snail's pace!"

Disney's PLANES Trailer

From above the world of “Cars” comes Disney’s “Planes,” an action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure opening in cinemas this coming August.

Catch the film's first trailer here.



Directed by Klay Hall, “Planes” features Dusty, a small-town plane with dreams of competing as a high-flying air racer.

But Dusty’s not exactly built for racing—and he happens to be afraid of heights. So he turns to naval aviator Skipper, who helps Dusty qualify to take on Ripslinger, the defending champ of the race circuit. Dusty’s courage is put to the ultimate test as he aims to reach heights he never dreamed possible, giving a spellbound world the inspiration to soar.

Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International, “Planes” takes off in Philippine theaters in 3D on Aug. 21, 2013, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select cinemas.

EPIC International Trailer

20TH Century Fox releases the latest international trailer of “EPIC” from Chris Wedge based on the book by William Joyce “The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs.”

From Blue Sky Studios, the studio that continues to raise the bar in 3D animation and makers of the phenomenal “Ice Age” and “Rio” films, Chris Wedge directs and creates another world in “EPIC” unlike any other that we’ve seen before. Watch the trailer here.



The action, adventure-filled animation tells of funny fantastical characters who come together to become heroes to protect a hidden lush forest. Using the latest in photo real animation, “EPIC” tells the story of an ongoing battle deep in the forest between the forces of good and the forces of evil. When a teenage girl named Mary Katherine played by Amanda Seyfried finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she must band together with a rag-tag team of fun and whimsical characters in order to save their world (and ours) from the evil spider Queen Tara played by Beyonce Knowles.

 “EPIC” opens May 24 in theaters across the Philippines from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. Like us on Facebook 20th Century Fox (Philippines) and 20thCenturyFoxPh at YouTube for more trailers, photos and announcements.

"Finding Nemo 3D" One-Sheet

The teaser poster for the upcoming 3D theatrical release of the Academy Award®-winning film “Finding Nemo” has just been shared by Disney/Pixar.

“Finding Nemo” returns to the big screen in thrilling Disney Digital 3D™ for the first time ever. Teeming with memorable comedic characters and heartfelt emotion, this stunning underwater adventure follows the momentous journey of an overprotective clownfish named Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) and his young son Nemo (voiced by Alexander Gould)––who become separated in the Great Barrier Reef when Nemo is unexpectedly taken far from his ocean home to a fish tank in a dentist’s office.

Buoyed by the companionship of Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres), a friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish, Marlin embarks on a dangerous trek and finds himself the unlikely hero of an epic effort to rescue his son––who hatches a few daring plans of his own to return safely home.

Directed by two-time Oscar® winner Andrew Stanton and produced by Graham Walters, with an Oscar-nominated screenplay by Stanton, Bob Peterson and David Reynolds, “Finding Nemo” also features the voices of Willem Dafoe, Brad Garrett, Allison Janney, Austin Pendleton, Stephen Root, Vicki Lewis, Joe Ranft, Geoffrey Rush and Elizabeth Perkins. Stanton serves as the unflappable sea turtle, Crush, and Peterson as the musical manta ray teacher, Mr. Ray.

Opening across the Philippines in December 2012 in Disney Digital 3D, “Finding Nemo” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

The Guys of “ParaNorman” Scare Up the Screen

Leading the talented voice cast of Focus Features' new 3D animated comedy “ParaNorman” are Kodi Smit-McPhee (“Let Me In”), Casey Affleck (“Ocean's Thirteen”) and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (“Superbad”). The acclaimed family film will be shown exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas starting Sept. 5.

The voice of the film’s 11-year-old hero, Norman Babcock, is provided by Kodi Smit-McPhee, a young Australian actor who in a brief few years has made a big name for himself. While Norman talks to ghosts in order to rid his town of zombies and stop a witch's curse, the film is really a comedy, which was perfect for Smit-McPhee, whose work in recent years has been in fairly dark films. As he told Entertainment Weekly, “my favorite genre is comedy…It’s pretty ironic and funny that I always get these kind of dramatic…movies.”

First Look: “MONSTERS UNIVERSITY” Trailer

Disney/Pixar has just released the teaser trailer of “Monsters University,” the highly anticipated prequel to the 2011 blockbuster, “Monsters, Inc.”

You may view the trailer here.

Pixar's 13th Full Length Feature BRAVE has many Firsts!

Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. From Disney and Pixar, a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition and challenges destiny to change her fate.

“Brave” follows the heroic journey of Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to harness all of her skills and resources—including her clever and mischievous triplet brothers—to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late, and discover the meaning of true bravery.

3D Animation EPIC

From the most creative and groundbreaking filmmakers and writers who gave the world wonderful unparalleled hits such as the “Ice Age” series and “Rio” comes “Epic” – the latest animation that will sweep the world off its feet anew based on William Joyce’s “The Leafmen and the Brave Good Bugs.”

Directed by Chris Wedge who serves as the voice of Scrat in the “Ice Age” series, “Epic” follows a teenager who has been magically transported into an unknown deep forest revealing a hidden world unlike any other in an all new 3D CG action-adventure comedy. “Epic” tells the story of a battle raging all around us between the forces of good, who protect nature, and the forces of evil, who wish to see it destroyed. When a teen age girl finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she must band together with a rag-tag team of fun and unique characters to save their world…and ours.

Joining in “Epic” is an all-stellar voice cast including Steven Tyler, Beyonce Knowles, Colin Farell, Amanda Seyfried, Josh Hutcherson, Pitbull, Johnny Knoxville, Jason Sudeckis and Blake Anderson.
Magical action and adventure for all ages opens when “Epic” (in 3D) unfolds in cinemas on May 29, 2013 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. (in Phils.)


Check 20thcenturyfoxph Youtube and 20th Century Fox Phils. (Facebook) for the trailer.

“WRECK-IT RALPH” Movie images from Disney

Walt Disney Animation Studios has just released the first-look images of its upcoming 3D adventure comedy “Wreck-It Ralph.”

Emmy-winning director Rich Moore (TV's "The Simpsons," "Futurama") takes moviegoers on a hilarious, arcade-game-hopping journey in "Wreck-It Ralph." Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix (voice of Jack McBrayer), the "good guy" star of their game who always gets to save the day.

FRANKENWEENIE Main Poster Launched!

Take your first look at the pay-off poster of Walt Disney Pictures’ upcoming animated feature, “Frankenweenie” which has just been launched by the studio.

From creative genius Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” The Nightmare Before Christmas”) comes “Frankenweenie,” a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new “leash on life” can be monstrous.

A stop-motion animated film, “Frankenweenie” was filmed in black and white and rendered in 3D, which will elevate the classic style to a whole new experience.


With a screenplay by Burton and John August, the film's voice cast is lead by Winona Ryder, Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan and Atticus Shaffer.


Opening in the Philippines this October, “Frankenweenie” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

Lion King 3D a New Dimension

“The Lion King” is one of Walt Disney Animation Studios' first hand-drawn 2D animated classic to be revamped with the latest 3D technology. Filmmakers decided to bring the classic back to the big screen and into fans’ homes in a whole new way, immersing audiences into the world of the Pride Lands. 

 

“The 3D aspect of a film can help to better tell a story,” says 3D stereographer Robert Neuman. “We used it in the way a composer uses music to score a film, having it echo the emotional content of the story. Getting the chance to add 3D to ‘The Lion King’ and to work with the original filmmakers to ensure the use of depth reflected their vision and enhanced their story was an incredible opportunity.”