Pirates Picture Book & CD Debuts at Disney Parks; See Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow at Disneyland

Pirates of the Caribbean Picture Book & CD Debuts at Disney Parks:

Last year, a series of picture books with CD's and original artwork called "Disney Parks Presents" debuted with its first book based off of the Haunted Mansion. The second book of the series has officially debuted and its based on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, which recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary. 

The book shows off artist Mike Wall’s original illustrations accompany the lyrics of the beloved song, “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life For Me).” Together, they navigate readers through the firelit waters of the pirates-infested Caribbean. The CD included with the book contains a specially designed music track by composer George Bruns and lyricist Xavier Atencio.

The book will be available this month at select merchandise locations in Disneyland and at Walt Disney World, as well as other favorite retailers nationwide.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

See Johnny Depp's View as Jack Sparrow on his Visit to Disneyland:

Last week, the internet went wild as Johnny Depp appeared as Captain Jack Sparrow on the Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland. Today, we got video from Johnny's point of view as he surprised guests on the classic attraction. Check it out below:

Captain Jack Sparrow returns to theaters in "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" when it sails into theaters May 26, 2017.

Star Wars Launch Bay at Hollywood Studios Rumored Opening Date; Alice Through the Looking Glass Teaser

Star Wars Launch Bay Rumored Opening Date at Hollywood Studios:

Since it was announced during August's D23 EXPO along with Star Wars Land, Star Wars Launch Bay has had a December opening date on the map for Disney's Hollywood Studios. Now we can say, that Disney Cast Members have been telling insiders to expect an November 27 soft opening and a December 6 official opening.

What does a soft opening mean? It means it will be a test and open at certain times and then be closed  at certain times as well. We will get a look at Disneyland's Star Wars Launch Bay in just 10 days when it opens along with Seasons of the Force that begins on November 16.

Star Wars Launch Bay will feature interactive exhibits, live video games, and opportunities to meet and greet with your favorite Star Wars characters. Launch Bay is just the stepping stool as we all await the opening of Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land in the near future.

"Alice Through the Looking Glass" Teaser Released:

Disney's "Alice Through the Looking Glass", a sequel to its live-action remake of "Alice in Wonderland", is due out May 27, 2016. Today the teaser was released for the film. The film's plot is Alice returns to the whimsical world of Underland and travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter. The film is directed by James Bobin and written by Linda Woolverton.

The film returns its all-star cast in Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, and Helena Bonham Carter. The voice cast also returns with the likes of Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, and Timothy Spall. The movie also introduces some new characters include Zanik Hightopp played by Rhys Ifans and the Mad Hatter's father and Time himself, a peculiar creature that is half human and half clock played by Sacha Baron Cohen.

Here is the teaser for "Alice Through the Looking Glass":

Just in time. Here's your first peek at Alice Through the Looking Glass. 🕛 https://t.co/7kKl9CC4aL

— Disney (@Disney) November 5, 2015

D23 Disney Legends Ceremony Honors 8 Plus a Surprise Honoree in Johnny Depp

The D23 EXPO 2015 is off and running and just an hour ago the Disney Legends ceremony ended and it honored its 8 honorees plus a surprise honoree in a definite Disney Legend, Johnny Depp. The ceremony kicked off with a video montage to kickoff the D23 Expo. Inducted in this years class included: George Bodenheimer, Andreas Deja, Eyvind Earle, Danny Elfman, George Lucas, Susan Lucci, Julie Reihm Casaletto, and Carson Van Osten.

Bob Iger kicked the ceremony off as the master of ceremonies. He noted previous history on announcements at the expo and how he expects this year's expo to be the biggest and best yet. Iger teased what's coming to this year's expo previews of the Beauty and the Beast, The Jungle Book, and Star Wars. Iger promised a lot of Star Wars news this weekend. He also promised George Lucas that Disney will carry on the legacy the Lucas created with Star Wars. Iger stated he already saw Star Wars and reminded fans only 126 days until Episode VII.

The Legends Ceremony was then officially kicked off with another montage honoring past and the current class. The montage ended with a nice touch of honoring legend Robin Williams who had passed away last year. The first inductee was first Disney Ambassador, Julie Reihm Casaletto.

Casseletto shared stories of working with Walt in her thank you speech. She remembered the day when Walt asked her to become Disney's first ambassador it was a tall order but it was like an 'E-ticket ride' and she was off. Caseletto said her life has been filled with "pixie dust and magic" ever since the day Walt called her on to the position. She also said Walt would be proud and pleased with what the Walt Disney Company is today. 

Next on stage was a surprise performance from Disney Legend and musical genius, Richard Sherman. He began solo with a performance of "Kiss Goodnight," the song he wrote for the Disneyland Forever fireworks. He was later joined by Broadway's original "Mary Poppins" Ashley Brown in a duet of the song. George Bodenheimer was next to be honored.

Bodenheimer is a former ESPN president who began with the company as a mailroom clerk. He said that Disney acquiring ESPN changed the game and that Disney's support is what has made ESPN today. He also said sports is what built ESPN as a company. New to be honored was Eyvind Earl where his daughter accepted the award on his behalf. She said, "Creating art was his passion." Actress Susan Lucci was the next to be honored as a Disney Legend.

Iger said Lucci was a valued member of the Disney community that he has known and worked with throughout his entire career at Disney. Lucci thanked Disney as she believes that because of it, she was able to be an actress. She said, "It's all prime time to me as far as I'm concerned because it's so much fun to do what I do." In her speech if she could design a theme park ride about her career she said, "it would be a lot of husbands, and definitely a rollercoaster." Carson Van Osten was next. 

Carson Van Osten noted that he had his mother to thank for his love of art. He also took a look back on the story of the day he was offered a full-time position to draw Mickey Mouse comic-strips. After Van Osten's speech a In Memorium montage played with Frank Gifford who just passed last week and once again ending in a wonderful tribute to the late Robin Williams. Singer Ne-Yo sang "Friend Like Me" as a tribute to Williams. Animator Andreas Deja was the next to be honored. 

Deja was most known for his drawings of famous Disney villains Gaston, Jafar, and Scar. His work at Disney Animation was noted as he worked on films "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," "Aladdin," "The Lion King," and many more Disney films. Deja mentioned to the crowd how "The Jungle Book" and how much of an impact it had on him and his home country of Germany. He even asked Iger for a Jungle Book attraction in Disneyland Paris. Composer Danny Elfman was the next to be honored as a Disney Legend.

Elfman scored "The Nightmare Before Christmas,""Alice in Wonderland," "The Avengers," "Dick Tracy," and much more. In honor of Elfman, Broadway star James Monroe Inglehart performed Elfman's famous "Oogie Boogie" from "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Elfman said that working with Disney today must feel like how it felt to work during the Golden Age in Hollywood. The crowd then erupted as what was thought to be the final presentation for Star Wars filmmaker George Lucas was honored. 

Iger reiterated that Disney will strive to continue George Lucas' legacy of Star Wars. Lucas was welcomed to the stage by C-3PO and R2-D2. "Disney has always given me a great deal of inspiration," Lucas said on the impact Disney has had on him. He also revealed that Jar Jar Binks was based off of Goofy. He professed his love of Disney and how it inspired him on his career path to making Star Wars. He ended with saying it took years to get more Star Wars and Indiana Jones into the theme parks and it finally took Iger and Disney to buying his company for it to happen. 

Then the surprise came as Johnny Depp famous for his roles as Jack Sparrow in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films and the Mad Hatter in "Alice in Wonderland." 

Johnny Depp was surprised and started off with saying, "Hi, I don't know why I'm here." He thanked his fans in saying, "Thanks for this great opportunity to basically do stupid stuff for a living." He said he was honored just to be in the same room with likes of George Lucas and Dick Van Dyke. Depp ended with saying he hopes he could meet Mickey Mouse. Iger said he wished he could dress like Johnny Depp. Iger ended the ceremony by thanking the new inductees and the fans. 

Disney Movies Update Wednesday

Ewan McGregor and Stanley Tucci Join Star-Studded Cast of Beauty and the Beast:

The star-studded cast of Disney's live-action remake of "Beauty and the Beast" just got bigger as Ewan McGregor and Stanley Tucci have joined the cast. McGregor will take on the role of Lumiere while Tucci has been casted as a new character for the film named Cadenza. Both join a cast that already consists of Emma Watson, Luka Evans, Dan Stevens, Emma Thompson, Josh Gad, Kevin Kline, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Audra McDonald, and Ian McKellen.

Ewan McGregor most known for his role as a voice actor in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" as the voice of Jed Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. McGregor will take on the role of Lumiere, the talking candlestick who helps Belle as a guest in the Beast's manor. McGregor will take on "Be Our Guest" singing one of the major songs of the film. 

Stanley Tucci will be playing a new role created specifically for the remake live-action of the film. He will take on the role of Cadenza, which is the castle's grand piano who is somewhat of a neurotic maestro. 

Disney's live-action remake of "Beauty and the Beast hits theaters March 17, 2017.

Tomorrowland Trailer 3 Amazes at Cinemacon:

Disney's "Tomorrowland" is coming out in exactly a month on May 22. Disney released the third trailer for the film at the annual CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas. The trailer certainly looks amazing and more action-packed then the previous trailers. It also puts stars George Clooney and Brit Robertson front and center. The trailer definitely makes "Tomorrowland" inviting to see, here is the new trailer:

Who can't wait to see Disney's "Tomorrowland" which hits theaters, May 22.

First Photo of Pirates of the Caribbean 5 Revealed by Jerry Bruckheimer:

Pirates of the Caribbean fifth film won't hit theaters for another two years but the films first photo has been revealed by executive producer, Jerry Bruckheimer in a tweet. Fans got a first look of Johnny Depp as the famous Jack Sparrow in the fifth film that will be called "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales." The photo features Jack Sparrow tied to a mast by some impressively thick rope and looks to be in quite the predicament between two other pirates. 

The film is being directed by Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg. Not only is Depp returning as Jack Sparrow but Orlando Bloom returns to the franchise after missing the fourth film as Will Turner. Javier Bardem joins the franchise of films as Captain Salazar. "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" won't hit theaters until July 7, 2017.

Small "Inside Out" Note:

In a screening at the CinemaCon convention, it was noticed that a famous Disney World character has made his way into Disney/Pixar's new film, "Inside Out." Figment from Epcot's Journey into Imagination will be making his debut in the new film due out in June.