Toy Story 4 has surpassed this significant hurdle in less than two months…
This, the fifth film already surpassing the billion dollar mark for Disney, with The Lion King, Aladdin, Avengers: Endgame and Captain Marvel all also passing that level earlier in 2019…
Toy Story 4 is now the 8th highest grossing animated film in history. Earning $421.8 million at the domestic box office, in addition to $579.9 million raked in overseas.
With a nine year gap since Toy Story 3, due to various production delays and release date conflicts, the delay appears not to have dampened the spirits of fans of Woody and the gang all across the globe.
Disney’s 1992 animated musical fantasy about a young man trying to win the love of a princess with the help of a genie is back again. The story originated in the 17th century as a collection of Middle-Eastern folktales called “One Thousand And One Nights” also known in English as the “Arabian Nights”. Disney’s latest live action reimagining will make its debut later this month.
Disney’s recent live action reboots have resulted in some fresh and unique films. Disney is using an inventive approach by taking on directors who aren’t previously known for being associated with animation (or even children’s movies). Director/Actor Jon Favreau (Iron Man, Elf, Swingers) re-imagined The Jungle Book to mesmerizing results. Favreau has also been tasked with reworking the soon to be released Lion King, 2019 version.
Aladdin’s director Guy Ritchie is best known for his cockney-accented crime comedies Lock Stock And 2 Smoking Barrels, and Snatch. Ritchie was also at the helm for the successful Sherlock Holmes franchise. Ritchie is also known for his sense of character development and narrative.
However, Aladdin is a visual effects driven film, with special effects delivered by the VFX giant Industrial Light And Magic. ILM was founded by George Lucas, and has been responsible for everything from Jurassic Park to Star Wars. This time they were tasked with turning Will Smith into a genie, as well as conjuring his Arabic Golden Age backdrop.
Aladdin initially made its debut at the Grand Rex in Paris on May 8th. Today (May 13th) the film enjoys its first regional premier in Jordan, in the presence of Prince Ali bin Hussein and Princess Rym Ali.
Stars, including Will Smith, Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott will all be in appearance along with, as mentioned above, Guy Ritchie helming.
Walt Disney studios are scheduled to release Aladdin in 3D, Dolby Cinema, and IMAX on May 24th, 2019*
(*corresponds to the original date of the new Star Wars film “Star Wars IX: The Rise Of Skywalker”)