Obi-Wan Kenobi Film Finally in Development; Muppets Courtyard to Become Grand Park

Obi-Wan Kenobi Film Finally in Development:

It appears that Lucasfilm has finally let the cat out of the bag well at least unofficially. The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Lucasfilm has begun talks with director Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours) to direct a standalone Obi-Wan Kenobi film (FINALLY!). 

Contract talks with the Oscar and Emmy-nominated director are in the early stages. A script has not been written for the film and with an impending deal with Daldry it appears he will be overseeing the development of the film along with Lucasfilm. No word on if Ewan McGregor, who played the young Jedi Master in Episodes I through III of the trilogy, will return for the film.

Sources stress however that no actor is attached the film since there is no script. Stay tuned as we finally may have the film we have all been waiting for.

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Muppets Courtyard Will be No More as its Set to Become Grand Park:

Muppets Courtyard didn't last very long at Disney's Hollywood Studios. After the area where Muppet-Vision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose's was renamed last year it will get a new name when the Studios' new Grand Avenue area opens this Fall. The new area will be called Grand Park. Here is the details that was announced yesterday on the Disney Parks Blog:

Muppets Courtyard, along with a portion of the former Streets of America, is being re-imagined by Walt Disney Imagineering to become a new area called Grand Avenue. Inspired by the revitalization and the vibrant culture of present-day downtown Los Angeles, Grand Avenue is where vintage office buildings and warehouses are being converted to exciting new uses. Guests will soon see facades for “merchants” appearing in this area for a music shop, loft apartments, a tailor and more, with each window on the street featuring charming displays.
A highlight of Grand Avenue is sure to be BaseLine Tap House, which takes over a former F&B location. This new corner pub will feature California beers and wines along with a selection of small bites. (Read more on BaseLine Tap House in this post by Pam Brandon).
The current Muppets Courtyard will become Grand Park, an urban square off Grand Avenue surrounded by shops and restaurants like PizzeRizzo and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano. Guests can already see changes in the area, with the Muppets theater being renamed “Grand Arts Theatre” and boasting a brand-new marquee. But, not to worry – Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang continue to star in their hilarious and irreverent “Muppet*Vision 3D” show.

As always stay tuned for future updates on Grand Avenue and Grand Park as we await for the area to be reimagined. It does seem upsetting that Imagineers are pulling away from the theming of the Muppets but we will see just how this new area looks like when it opens this Fall.

Source: Disney Parks Blog