Can you believe that it’s almost 2013. Well, that is if we get passed 12-21-12 when the Mayans predicted the world would end. Should that not happen 🙂 there are plenty of great movies on the horizon from Walt Disney Pictures.
So many great movies came out of Walt Disney Pictures this year including Wreck-It Ralph, Frankenweenie, Lincoln, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, Brave, Avengers and The Secret World of Arrietty. If you missed any of these films most of them are currently available on Blu-ray/DVD except Wreck-It Ralph and Frankenweenie (available January 8, 2013).
You can see a run down of 2012’s films here, https://www.shescribes.com/2011/12/2012-walt-disney-studios-motion-pictures-movies-at-a-glance.html.
I don’t have all the details for every movie coming to theaters in 2013. I do have little bits and pieces to share with you. I’ll provide more information as it’s made available to me.
I’ve also included Facebook links whenever possible so you can keep up to date with the films you are most anxious to see.
March 8: Oz The Great and Powerful
Genre:Â Fantasy Adventure
Rating:Â TBD
Cast:Â James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Zach Braff
Director:Â Sam Raimi
Producer:Â Joe Roth
Disney’s fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful,” directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.
Facebook:Â www.Facebook.com/OzTheGreatAndPowerful
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DisneyPictures
May 3: Iron Man 3 (Marvel Studios)
Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series, first published in 1963, “Iron Man 3” returns Robert Downey Jr. (“Iron Man,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”) as the iconic Super Hero character Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Gwyneth Paltrow (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2,”) as Pepper Potts, Don Cheadle (“Iron Man 2”) as James “Rhodey” Rhodes and Jon Favreau (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) as Happy Hogan. Set for release in the U.S. on May 3, 2013, Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” marks the second feature to be fully owned, marketed and distributed by Disney, which acquired Marvel in 2009.
“Iron Man 3” continues the epic, big-screen adventures of the world’s favorite billionaire inventor/Super Hero, Tony Stark aka “Iron Man.” Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige is producing the film. Executive producers on the project include Jon Favreau, Louis D’Esposito, Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Charles Newirth, Victoria Alonso, Stephen Broussard and Dan Mintz.
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/IronMan
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/Iron_ManÂ
June 21: Monsters University (Disney/Pixar)
Genre: Comedy/Animation
Rating: TBD
Voice Talent: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Dave Foley, Julia Sweeney, Joel Murray, Peter Sohn
Director: Dan Scanlon
Producer: Kori Rae
Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn’t stand each other. “Monsters University” unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends.
Screaming with laughter and fun, “Monsters University” is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Tracy”) and produced by Kori Rae (“Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”). The film opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013, and will be shown in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/PixarMonstersUniversity
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DisneyPixar
July 3: The Lone RangerÂ
Genre: Action-Adventure
Rating: TBD
Cast: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Tom Wilkinson, William Fichtner, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale, Ruth
Wilson and Helena Bonham Carter
Director: Gore Verbinski
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer, Gore Verbinski
From producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski, the filmmaking team behind the blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, comes Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ “The Lone Ranger,” a thrilling adventure infused with action and humor, in which the famed masked hero is brought to life through new eyes. Native American spirit warrior Tonto (Johnny Depp) recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid (Armie Hammer), a man of the law, into a legend of justice—taking the audience on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption.
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/TheLoneRanger
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DisneyPictures
September 13: The Little Mermaid 3D (Walt Disney Animation Studios)
Genre: Animation/Musical
Rating: G
Voice Cast: Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Buddy Hackett, Pat Carroll, Jason Marin
Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker
Swimming into the hearts of a new generation—beautifully restored and this time in 3D—“The Little Mermaid” features the beloved Ariel (voice of Jodi Benson), a fun-loving and mischievous mermaid, who is enchanted with all things human. Disregarding her father’s order to stay away from the world above the sea, she swims to the surface and, in a raging storm, rescues the prince of her dreams. Determined to be human, Ariel strikes a bargain with the devious seawitch Ursula (voice of Pat Carroll), trading her fins and beautiful voice for legs. With her best friend Flounder (voice of Jason Marin), misguided seagull Scuttle (voice of Buddy Hackett) and the calypso-singing Caribbean crab chaperone Sebastian (voice of Samuel E. Wright) at her side, Ariel must win the prince’s love and save her father’s kingdom – all in a heart-pounding race against time. Originally released in 1989, “The Little Mermaid” garnered two Academy Awards®, including Best Original Score (Alan Menken) and Best Original Song (Menken/Howard Ashman, “Under the Sea”). Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, who went on to direct “Aladdin” and “The Princess and the Frog,” “The Little Mermaid” will return to the big screen on September 13, 2013, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DisneyTheLittleMermaid
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DisneyAnimation
October 4: Delivery Man (DreamWorks Pictures)
I will be posting more about this film in the upcoming months. I visited the set of the film and had the opportunity to talk with Vince Vaughn and Cobie Smulders who both star in the movie.
November 8: Thor: The Dark World (Marvel Studios)
Genre:Â Â Action-adventure
Rating:Â TBD
Running time:Â TBD
Cast:Â Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan SkarsgĂĄrd, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano, Jaimie Alexander with Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins as Odin
Director:Â Alan Taylor
Producer:Â Kevin Feige
Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World” continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself.  In the aftermath of Marvel’s “Thor” and “Marvel’s The Avengers,” Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano, and Jaimie Alexander with Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, “Thor: The Dark World” is directed by Alan Taylor, produced by Kevin Feige, from a story by Don Payne (credit not final) and screenplay by Christopher Yost and Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely (credit not final) and is based on Marvel’s classic Super Hero Thor, who first appeared in the comic book “Journey into Mystery “ #83 in August, 1962.
November 27: Frozen (Walt Disney Animation Studios)
Genre: Animation/Adventure
Rating: TBD
Voice Cast: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel
Directors: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Producer: Peter Del Vecho
From the studio behind 2010’s “Tangled” and this year’s “Wreck-It Ralph,” Walt Disney Animation Studios presents “Frozen,” the coolest comedy-adventure ever to hit the big screen. When a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, Anna (voice of Kristen Bell), a fearless optimist, teams up with extreme mountain man Kristoff and his sidekick reindeer Sven on an epic journey to find Anna’s sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), the Snow Queen, and put an end to her icy spell. Encountering mystical trolls, a funny snowman named Olaf, Everest-like extremes and magic at every turn, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom from destruction.
The film is directed by Chris Buck (“Tarzan,” “Surf’s Up”) and Jennifer Lee (screenwriter, “Wreck-It Ralph”), and produced by Peter Del Vecho (“Winnie the Pooh,” “The Princess and the Frog”). Featuring music from Tony®-winner Robert Lopez (“The Book of Mormon,” “Avenue Q”) and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (“In Transit”), “Frozen” journeys into theaters November 27, 2013, in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DisneyFrozen
December 20: Saving Mr. Banks
Genre:Â Drama
Rating:Â TBD
Running Time:Â TBD
Cast:Â Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, Annie Rose Buckley, Ruth Wilson, B.J. Novak, Rachel Griffiths, Kathy Baker
Director:Â John Lee Hancock
Producers:Â Alison Owen, Ian Collie, Philip Steuer
Two-time Academy Award®–winner Emma Thompson and fellow double Oscar®-winner Tom Hanks topline Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks,” inspired by the extraordinary, untold backstory of how Disney’s classic “Mary Poppins” made it to the screen.
When Walt Disney’s daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers’ “Mary Poppins,” he made them a promise—one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the adaptation.
For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp.
It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.
All the movies sound really good. Which movie (or movies) are you most excited about? Feel free to leave a comment and let me know. I always love to hear from my readers. 🙂
Personally I can’t wait for Oz The Great and Powerful, Monsters Universary, Delivery Man and Frozen.
Kimberly
*I was not compensated for this post. I posted this for the enjoyment of my site readers. Any opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.