Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Valentina ‘Taking the Reins From Nick Fury’ as a Leader in Marvel Cinematic Universe

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+, Uncategorized

In a new art book for “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” Valentina Allegra de Fontaine played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus is described as “taking the reins from Nick Fury.”

Executive producer Nate Moore wrote in “Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: The Art of the Series” about casting Louis-Dreyfus and developing the character:

“The Countess Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is a character that has a rich publication history… and to some degree, figuring out who can fill those shoes, which in our mind is in a way taking the reins from Nick Fury, was tough. But when we thought of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, there was a fun energy to her that immediately you realize this person has a weight and a gravity, but they’re not the same as Nick Fury. It’s a completely different energy.”

“There’s a snark to the character that I think sets her apart from what’s come before,” Moore continued. “And yet you still feel like she commands the room. So if you’re talking about a new leader, to some degree, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we were very lucky to find Julia Louis-Dreyfus.”

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige previously said Valentina is currently in “recruitment mode.” She has, so far, recruited John Walker a.k.a. U.S. Agent. She also tried to recruit Yelena Belova at the end of “Black Widow,” but Yelena ultimately didn’t kill Clint Barton as Valentina wanted. It’s possible Val — who is also known as Madame Hydra in the comics — could play a role in the villains-centric “Thunderbolts” series currently in development.

Of course, Marvel isn’t done with Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury. In the next few years, the character will appear in the live-action series “Secret Invasion” and in the “Captain Marvel” sequel, “The Marvels.”

Disney Drops ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Teaser Trailer!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+

It’s hard to believe, but 29 years have passed since the Sanderson sisters descended on Salem, Massachusetts on All Hallows Eve to suck the lives out of the children, so they could live forever. Time sure does fly (maybe on a broomstick?) when you are having fun. But now we are so excited to see that the Sanderson sisters are set to return to our screens in Hocus Pocus 2 on September 30! Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker are all coming back as well, reprising their roles as Winifred Sanderson, Mary Sanderson, and Sarah Sanderson, respectively.

So, we know that a lot of the stars of the original film — including Doug Jones, AKA Billy Butcherson — will be returning to the new film. We also know that viewers will learn about the lives of the Sanderson sisters as children, and we know that September 30 will be the premiere date. What we were missing? A trailer. Now that has changed and Disney has released an official trailer for Hocus Pocus 2!

Disney Gives Official First Look at New ‘Santa Clause’ Series!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+

Back in January, Disney announced that it would be creating a new Disney+ series based on its hit Christmas trilogy, The Santa Clause. The news itself was exciting, but then Disney shared that Tim Allen would be returning to reprise his role as Scott Calvin, AKA Santa Claus. Disney didn’t share a lot of details at first, but we later learned that Elizabeth Mitchell had also signed onto the series. Mitchell played Carol, the woman who would marry Scott in The Santa Clause 2 and become Mrs. Claus.

Disney has since revealed that the story will take place years after the original trilogy, with Santa looking to find someone to take his place, so he can retire and spend more time with his family. Now, as part of Disney’s Halfway to the Holidays celebration, Disney is releasing more details about the series and revealing the show’s official name — The Santa Clauses.

Disney Parks Blog shared more information on the series and a first-look photo:

In addition to the Calvin family, Kal Penn joins the cast of “The Santa Clauses” playing Simon Choski, a single father, ambitious game inventor and product developer whose visit to the North Pole makes a big impact on the direction of his life. He’s joined by Rupali Redd playing the role of Grace, his angelic daughter with a love for Santa and all things Christmas.

And where would Santa be without his elves? Devin Bright joins the cast as Noel, Santa’s trusted right-hand elf, along with Matilda Lawler as Betty, Santa’s demanding Chief of Staff and job-oriented Elf.

“The Santa Clauses” is set some time after the events of “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause” and picks up with Scott Calvin on the brink of his 65th birthday. Realizing he can’t be Santa forever as he suddenly starts to lose his Santa magic, he sets out to find a suitable replacement Santa while preparing his family for a new adventure in a life south of the North Pole.

One really fun fact about this show is that Elizabeth Allen Dick will be playing Scott and Carol’s daughter, Grace. Allen Dick is actually Tim Allen’s real-life daughter! Disney has not told us an official Disney+ release date for the new series, but we expect it to be sometime this holiday season. Disney Dining will let readers know when the show has an air date.

Tim Allen Shares Update on ‘Santa Clause’ Series

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+

In January, Disney made

90s hearts do a happy dance when it announced that a series based on the hit Christmas trilogy, The Santa Clause, was coming to Disney+. The series would see the return of Tim Allen — who played Scott Calvin AKA Santa Claus in the original films — and Elizabeth Mitchell, who played Scott’s wife Carol AKA Mrs. Claus in both The Santa Clause 2 and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. 

Since the series announcement was made, we have also learned that Tim Allen’s real-life daughter — Eliabeth Allen-Dick — will be playing his daughter in the series. Kal Penn will also play a major role, toy maker Simon Choksi.

While we don’t know when the series will be released on Disney+ — but we are hoping for some time this coming holiday season — we have received a big update from Tim Allen. Allen took to Twitter to share that the series was finished filming and will now be making its way to the editing room.

The Santa Clause was originally released in 1994 and was an immediate hit. It starred Tim Allen as Scott Calvin, who reluctantly became the man in the red suit when Santa fell off Calvin’s roof after being startled. Eight years later, the sequel came out and focused on Scott needing to find a wife, or he would no longer be able to be Santa. Two years after that, The Escape Clause premiered and viewers saw Jack Frost — played by Martin Short — steal the Santa role from Scott, and Scott fighting to get it back.

Here is what we know about the new series, via Variety:

In the series, Scott Calvin is on the brink of his 65th birthday and realizing that he can’t be Santa forever. He’s starting to lose a step in his Santa duties, and more importantly, he’s got a family who could benefit from a life in the normal world, especially his two kids who have grown up at the Pole. With a lot of elves, children and family to please, Scott sets out to find a suitable replacement Santa while preparing his family for a new adventure in a life south of the pole.

The Santa Clause

Again, we do not know when the new Santa Clause series will premiere on Disney+, but hopefully, it will be this holiday season. The Santa Clause, The Santa Clause 2, and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause are all available to watch on Disney+.