For the first time, Disney+ subscribers can save up to 25% on rooms at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels! Bookings are now available for visits between July 8 through September 30, 2022.
Via InsideTheMagic.net
When The Falcon and the Winter Soldier premiered on Disney+ last year, it was notably grittier than its predecessor, WandaVision, which served as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first foray into television.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier — which saw the MCU returns Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) and Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie) take on Karli Morgenthau (Erin Kellyman) and the Flag Smashers in a post-Avengers: Endgame (2019) world.
The limited-run show also saw Mackie’s Sam Wilson officially take up the mantle of Captain America from Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), following the brief, but disastrous, tenure of John Walker/U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell).
Now, the powers-that-be at Disney+ have made some changes to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, scrubbing certain violent scenes and replacing them with more family-friendly versions.
Reddit user u/MooninMoulin first noticed the change, writing:
Hi everyone! Was just re-watching Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and something caught my attention. Episode 3, around 37:45, Bucky throws a metal bar at a woman. Back when it aired, the bar went through her shoulder, pinning it to the container; now it just bounces off.
Has this scene also been changed on your side? Does anyone know if there’s a way to switch back to the original scenes? I’m now thinking it’s probable more scenes from this show or others were altered. I hope this is not a case of non-negotiable retroactive censorship on Disney’s part.
Another user, u/Arkham4321 noticed that another scene has also been recently censored:
Just went to that episode and checked. They also edited the scene where Zemo kills the guy who made the serum. https://imgur.com/a/RyG7Ltc
Currently, no other edited scenes have been noted, but fans on Reddit are frustrated and confused by the changes.
This seems like odd timing to censor a Marvel series, with Marvel Studios’ most violent series to date, Moon Knight, due to release tomorrow, March 30, 2022.
Furthermore, Disney+ just added forced parental controls to all accounts due to the collective debut of Netflix’s darker Marvel series — Daredevil, Luke Cage, The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and The Defenders.
Neither Disney nor Marvel Studios has issued a statement regarding the alterations to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
PIXAR fans finally have confirmation of a theatrical release for the studio’s upcoming film directed by Angus MacLane and produced by Galyn Susman. Lightyear, starring Chris Evans as the legendary space ranger who inspired the Buzz Lightyear toy franchise seen in Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, and Toy Story 4, will debut at the box office, and fans have PIXAR’s word on that.
PIXAR Animation Studios‘ upcoming action-adventure film, Lightyear, has long been scheduled for a box office release on June 17th, 2022, but because of recent news concerning PIXAR’s new films which continue to be released directly on the Disney+ platform and rumors about dissension among the ranks at PIXAR and Disney related to new film releases, fans have wondered whether the box office and Space Ranger Lightyear would ever meet.
But on Sunday evening during the 94th Academy Awards, PIXAR dropped a new TV ad that got fans really excited about the studio’s newest piece of genius animation.
The TV spot lasted 90 seconds, and though it wasn’t a new trailer, it did give fans some insight into the brand-new animated film, which claims to be the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear. The ad promised fans of the Lightyear movie not only a theatrical release, but also an IMAX release.
Beginning with the release of Soul in December 2020, every film from PIXAR Animation Studios has completely bypassed the theater, being released directly to the Disney+ platform instead. Luca followed suit in the summer of 2021, and most recently, PIXAR’s controversial Turning Red, which had been promised a first stop at the box office, was instead released onto Disney’s streaming platform on March 11.
According to Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter, PIXAR’s Lightyear movie is a project that had its beginnings before the first Toy Story film was released. The idea of a definitive origin story for Buzz Lightyear was on the creative minds at PIXAR, but in the beginning, there was no specific timeline for that film‘s debut.
Lightyear is a space adventure set in the 1950s and 1960s. Fans will get to learn about the man behind the toy–the space ranger behind the action figure.
According to Disney, “Lightyear is a sci-fi action-adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, Lightyear follows the legendary Space Ranger on an intergalactic adventure alongside a group of ambitious recruits and his robot companion Sox.”
The film stars the vocal talents of Chris Evans, Keke Palmer, Dale Soules, Taika Waititi, Peter Sohn, James Brolin, Efren Ramirez, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and Uzo Aduba.
Lightyear from PIXAR Animation Studios hits theaters on June 17th, 2022.
In recent weeks, Disney has been struggling when it comes to its image with both Guests and Cast Members. Many are upset with the company and its handling of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill. Many felt that Disney’s condemnation of the legislation came too late and didn’t say anything of substance. Cast Members were so disappointed in Disney that they planned a number of walkouts in protest. Disney, and CEO Bob Chapek, have tried to make things right in the eyes of those Cast Members, but nothing seems to be working.
However, there is another group of Cast Members who have different feelings on the matter. Those Cast Members believe that Disney should not say anything more on the bill. More than that, they feel that Disney should remain politically neutral. They have remained relatively quiet about their feelings for fear of reprisals and being considered “villains” to those who do not support the bill.
Those Cast Members have created a public petition, asking Disney to stay neutral when it comes to political matters. They noted that, several months ago, Disney sent a survey to Cast Members, asking if they felt accepted. The petition states that a number of more conservative Cast Members did not feel comfortable answering the questions. They believe that Disney leans more progressive and, if they answered the questions, they would be targeted and potentially lose their jobs.
The petition asks that Disney should not “be a vehicle for one demographic’s activism.” They feel that the current environment within the company is one of fear for those that do not lean along more progressive lines.
Bob Chapek has not commented on the current petition. He has, however, been repeatedly letting LGBTQ+ Cast Members know that he stands with them as an ally and will ensure that the company fights harder to protect them. He also announced that Disney has paused all political donations in Florida. Unfortunately for Chapek, Cast Members and Guests do not seem to be the only ones upset with him. The Florida Democratic Party has announced that a gala they had planned to hold at the Walt Disney World Resort has been canceled and will be held elsewhere.
You can read the entire petition below:
As employees of the Walt Disney Company, we believe in the dignity of all people. This is why we do what we do. We write stories. We make costumes. We act in parades. We run cruises. We stream movies. We make magic. We do this because our work contributes to a fountain of wonder that inspires joy, awe, and delight in guests and audiences of all ages. We are proud employees of the Walt Disney Company. We love our jobs because we get to share the wonder of life and human experience with millions of people worldwide.
However, over the last few years, one group of cast members has become invisible within the company. The Walt Disney Company has come to be an increasingly uncomfortable place to work for those of us whose political and religious views are not explicitly progressive. We watch quietly as our beliefs come under attack from our own employer, and we frequently see those who share our opinions condemned as villains by our own leadership.
The company’s evolving response to the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” legislation in Florida has left many of us wondering what place we have in a company actively promoting a political agenda so far removed from our own. TWDC leadership frequently communicates its commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where cast members feel comfortable sharing their perspectives and being their authentic selves at work. That is not our workplace experience.
Over the last few weeks, we have watched as our leadership has expressed their condemnation for laws and policies we support. We have watched as our colleagues, convinced that no one in the company could possibly disagree with them, grow increasingly aggressive in their demands. They insist that TWDC take a strong stance on not only this issue but other legislation and openly advocate for the punishment of employees who disagree with them.
An internal poll within the company went out a few months ago asking us if we felt accepted in the company. Many of us didn’t complete it because the nature of the questions made us worry that the results of the poll could be used to target us for quietly holding a position that runs against the progressive orthodoxy that Disney seems to promote. TWDC has fostered an environment of fear that any employee who does not toe the line will be exposed and dismissed.
Much has been made of our internal efforts to Reimagine Tomorrow, but as much as diversity and inclusion are promoted, the tomorrow being reimagined doesn’t seem to have much room for religious or political conservatives within the company. Left-leaning cast members are free to promote their agenda and organize on company time using company resources. They call their fellow employees “bigots” and pressure TWDC to use corporate influence to further their left-wing legislative goals.
Meanwhile, those of us who don’t align with this vision keep our heads down and do our work without bringing our personal beliefs into the workplace. We’ve done this without complaint because we don’t want to rock the boat, but the boat is being rocked, and our leadership seems compelled to reward those who are rocking it.
Employees who want TWDC to make left-wing political statements are encouraged, while those of us who want the company to remain neutral can say so only in a whisper out of fear of professional retaliation. The company we love seems to think we don’t exist or don’t belong here. This politicization of our corporate culture is damaging morale and causing many of us to feel our days with TWDC might be numbered.
Furthermore, as this politicization makes its way into our content and public messaging, our more conservative customers will feel similarly unwanted. You can only preach at or vilify your audience for so long before they decide to spend their money elsewhere.
Working for The Walt Disney Company is a dream come true. We love being part of creating the magic that so many people around the world enjoy. Our storytelling is second to none. It resonates with people from all walks of life across the political spectrum. Our parks are the source of joy and inspiration that Walt hoped they would become. Every year, millions of guests escape an increasingly divided world to a place where they can relive fond memories of the past and savor the challenge and promise of the future. They do this alongside thousands of other guests that might not have anything in common with them other than a shared love of Disney.
The unique brand of family entertainment that Disney is known for is an objective good in this dark world. It brings people together and provides cultural touchpoints that even the worst enemies can unite over. At the height of COVID lockdowns in the Summer of 2020 when the country was fiercely divided over a range of issues, Hamilton provided us something to collectively celebrate. At the end of an incredibly contentious election year, The Mandalorian was there to soothe a weary nation with non-political entertainment we could all enjoy no matter who you voted for. When Disney takes sides in political debates, they deprive the world of a shared love we all have in common. TWDC is uniquely situated to provide experiences and entertainment that can bridge our national divide and bring us all together.
CEO, Bob Chapek had the right idea in his original statement that he has since walked back. In Chapek’s own words, “As we have seen time and again, corporate statements do very little to change outcomes or minds. … Instead, they are often weaponized by one side or the other to further divide and inflame.” Disney is far more important and impactful to the world by avoiding politics than it will ever be by embracing a political agenda. By focusing on entertainment that inspires us with stories of universal appeal, we are doing good in the world.
Disney shouldn’t be a vehicle for one demographic’s political activism. It’s so much bigger and more important than that. More than ever, the world needs things that we can unite around. That’s the most valuable role The Walt Disney Company could play in the world at this time. It’s a role we’ve played for nearly a century, and it would be a shame to throw all of that away in the face of left-wing political pressure. Please don’t let Disney become just another thing we divide over.
Via WashingtonPost
The Academy Awards briefly came to a stunning halt Sunday night when Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, after which Will Smith went to the stage and hit him in the face.
The moment was not planned, said a person close to the Oscars production who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to comment publicly. Smith, who played Richard Williams (the father of tennis prodigies Venus and Serena) in the biopic “King Richard,” appeared onstage about 40 minutes later to accept his prize for best actor.
Smith cried throughout his speech, in which he didn’t reference Rock directly but apologized to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and his fellow nominees for the disruption. “I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams,” Smith said, possibly trying to lighten the mood of the still shocked audience. “But love will make you do crazy things.”
The moment stunned audience members — both at home and in attendance at Los Angeles’s Dolby Theatre — and went on to dominate online discourse after the ceremony’s end. Reactions were split among those supporting Smith’s extreme defense of his wife (to varying extents), those condemning his behavior and the rest not knowing how to respond to it at all.
After the show, the academy released a statement saying it “does not condone violence of any form. Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.”
The incident started as Rock arrived to present the award for best documentary and began riffing about celebrity attendees. “Jada, I love you: ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it,” Rock said, an apparent reference to Pinkett Smith’s bald head. She has spoken publicly about her alopecia diagnosis several times.
The camera cut to the star couple and showed Smith laughing. Pinkett Smith rolled her eyes and did not look pleased.
Rock then held up his arms in a “who, me?” gesture as some of the audience groaned. “That was a nice one,” Rock said with a grin and then looked as if he was ready to continue. But the tone changed as Smith jumped out of his seat and made his way to the stage.
“Uh oh!” Rock said jovially. He started laughing as Smith kept walking. Then Smith slapped him in the face.
The audience was still cracking up, perhaps thinking this was all a bit — and then abruptly stopped. ABC cut the sound on the broadcast, so there was about 20 seconds of silence. However, clips from international TV making the rounds on Twitter showed the dialogue between the two actors.
“Oh, wow!” Rock said as Smith walked back to his seat. “Wow. Will Smith just smacked the s— out of me.”
“Keep my wife’s name out your f—ing mouth,” Smith yelled after he sat back down.
“Wow, dude,” Rock said. “It was a ‘G.I. Jane’ joke.”
“Keep my wife’s name out your f—ing mouth!” Smith shouted louder.
“I’m going to. Okay?” Rock said, shaking his head. “Okay.”
At this point, the audio kicked back in on the ABC feed.
“That was, uh,” Rock said, trailing off. “Greatest night in the history of television?”
The audience laughed uncomfortably as Rock, who seemed shaken, moved on to award the prize for best documentary.
The slap was the topic du jour (at least among celebrities being interviewed) at the Vanity Fair after-party. According to E!, John Legend declared it “a no-comment type of night.” Two-time Oscar nominee Leslie Odom Jr. pointed out that Smith was in a vulnerable position.
“This business can sometimes feel like walking around with your skin ripped off,” Odom told Vanity Fair. “ … I think we saw two artists, you know, with their hearts open. It’s a vulnerable moment — sometimes it’s messy, but it’s always beautiful when it’s the truth.”
“I’m from Philly. It felt very Philly to me,” Quinta Brunson, star of “Abbott Elementary,” told Variety. “That’s all I have to say.” (Smith is famously a Philadelphia native.)
Later, the Los Angeles Police Department released a statement to media outlets: “LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another,” it read. “The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”
Several moments after the onstage incident, reporters in attendance at the show started tweeting about Denzel Washington (as well as Tyler Perry) seen talking to the flustered couple. Variety reported that Smith’s publicist, Meredith O’Sullivan, also spoke to the actor during the commercial break.
The moment went mostly unmentioned for the next few awards, though presenter Diddy said, “Will and Chris, we’re going to solve that like family … but right now, we’re moving on with love.” (The camera showed Smith and Pinkett Smith in their seats laughing and applauding.)
But when Smith arrived to accept the best actor trophy, he started with a nod to what had just occurred.
“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” he said, drawing a few knowing chuckles from the audience, who also seemed to not know how to react. “In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world.”
He spoke through tears about protecting his co-stars during the film and about the pressure of being in the entertainment industry when people can “talk crazy” about you, “disrespecting you.”
“I know to do what we do, you gotta be able to take abuse,” Smith said. “And you gotta smile, and you gotta pretend like that’s okay.”
Smith said that a few moments before his speech, Washington told him, “At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.” Smith added he wasn’t crying because of the award: “It’s not about winning an award for me. It’s about being able to shine a light on all of the people.”
At the end, he said, “I’m hoping the academy invites me back.”
For the rest of the show, everyone essentially treated the shocking moment like a joke. “Did I miss anything? There’s like, a different vibe in here,” co-host Amy Schumer commented.
“What an evening,” presenter Anthony Hopkins noted. “Will Smith said it all. What more can be said? Let’s have peace and love and quiet.”
The camera panned to Smith both times, who was laughing in the crowd. Shortly following the ceremony, Smith’s son, actor Jaden Smith, tweeted, “And That’s How We Do It.”
This was not the first time Rock made fun of Pinkett Smith at the Oscars. In 2016, Rock hosted the show and mocked the actress for saying she was boycotting the ceremony because of the lack of diversity among the nominees.
“Jada got mad and said she’s not coming. Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties: I wasn’t invited,” Rock said at the time. “But I understand, I’m not hating, I understand you’re mad. Jada’s mad her man, Will, was not nominated for ‘Concussion.’ It’s also not fair that Will was paid $20 million for ‘Wild Wild West.’ ”
Discussion of Smith and Rock took over TV and social media after the show came to a close. During E!’s “Oscars After Party” special, the hosts spent several minutes defending Smith and said that while the actor got caught up in the moment wanting to protect his family, it was disappointing that the ugly incident would take away from the rest of the ceremony.
Actress Sophia Bush tweeted, “Violence isn’t ok. Assault is never the answer. Also? This is the 2nd time that Chris has made fun of Jada on the #Oscars stage, & tonight he went after her alopecia. Punching down at someone’s auto-immune disease is wrong. Doing so on purpose is cruel. They both need a breather.”
Others were unwilling to excuse — or attempt to understand — Smith’s actions.
“He could have killed him,” director Judd Apatow said in a since-deleted tweet. “That’s pure out of control rage and violence. They’ve heard a million jokes about them in the last three decades.”
“I just want to tell everyone, because I know people are confused — that was a real moment. I heard every word of that from Will Smith’s chest,” said Rotten Tomatoes awards editor Jacqueline Coley, who added that she was in the room at the time and saw Smith crying during the commercial break. “In that moment, he didn’t even think about that best actor win. He thought about his wife. And I just feel sad. I feel sad for everyone involved, because it robbed that moment of what it could have been.”