Tag: Walt Disney Animation

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Disney’s ‘Songs in Sign Language’ Reimagines Familiar Songs Through a Deaf Lens

Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Songs in Sign Language, debuting April 27 on Disney+, is an opportunity to bring songs to the Deaf community in ways that feel fully expressive, intentional, and culturally authentic, rather than simply translated and confined to a small box in the corner. In our interview with Disney animator and director Hyrum Osmond (Olaf Presents), Deaf West Theatre artistic director DJ Kurs, and sign language reference choreographer Catalene Sacchetti, we explore why reimagining songs from Frozen II, Moana 2, and Encanto matters.

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Animation, Movies

‘Zootopia 2’ Expands Disney’s Animal Metropolis with New Characters and Timely Themes

Michael Lee

As Walt Disney Animation enters its second century, Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush says the studio is guided by three principles: joy, collaboration, and the courage to “swing for the fences.” That ethos is alive in Zootopia 2, which reunites Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) on a case involving a slithering new suspect, Gary DeSnake (Ke Huy Quan), challenging both their partnership and their cross-species friendship.

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Animation, Movies

‘Zootopia 2’ Trailer Teases Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde in Therapy

Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios has released the newest trailer for Zootopia 2. In it, Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) find themselves in “partners in crisis” therapy. Just as they are navigating their predator and prey partnership, they are put on a make-or-break case that has them pursuing Gary (Ke Huy Quan) venomous new threat that slithers into town.

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Animation, Movies

Walt Disney Animation Studios Announces ‘Moana 2’ for a November 2024 Release

Michael Lee

When Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana first hit the shores in 2016, it was critical and commercial smash that brought Polynesian culture and a contemporary sound from singer and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda onto the big screen in a way that could only be described as magical. Now, the studio hopes to replicate that once more with Moana 2, a newly announced sequel that is set to arrive in theaters November 2024.

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