Scrooge McDuck Returns in the Remastered Version of the Classic Platformer Game
Disney Interactive brings back one of the most popular 8-bit games of all time with the mobile release of DuckTales: Remastered. Available for iOS, Android and Windows devices, DuckTales: Remastered lets players join Scrooge McDuck in an epic adventure across the world to discover the five Legendary Treasures.
In DuckTales: Remastered, players will embark on a journey to the Himalayas, Amazon, Transylvania, African mines and Moon using Scrooge’s secret map. The evil sorceress Magica De Spell and notorious Beagle Boys are on a quest to steal Scrooge’s fortune, which he may have to risk along the way to save his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie.
DuckTales: Remastered retains the authenticity of its 8-bit predecessor and features an expanded storyline with all new, improved graphics. Additionally, the game features a digitally-enhanced soundtrack with modern amplified iterations of the classic melodies. DuckTales fans can relive the classic TV series through the game with the original voice-actors and over 90 pieces of production art from the original TV series’ archives.
DuckTales: Remastered is now available for $9.99 USD on the App Store here, Google Play here, Windows Phone at here and Windows Store at here.
To build interest and intrigue in the 16th annual Newport Beach Film Festival, taking place April 23–30, 2015, an integrated ad campaign, “Know New Art,” is designed to captivate and garner attention for the talented artists among us who have yet to be discovered. RPA Advertising, now in its sixth year partnering with the Festival, is building on the strategy of creating campaigns for the Newport Beach Film Festival that are as artful as the films that are showcased from more than 40 countries.
In-theater, TV, print, out-of-home and festival programs illustrate the distinctive personality of the Festival and the creativity it inspires by screening more than 350 films to an audience of 60,000 that highlight the best in contemporary and independent film.
“‘Know New Art’ articulates the Festival’s commitment to find unknown artists, provide them a stage and create a big, emotional impact—sometimes on a global scale,” said Co-Founder and Director of Marketing Todd Quartararo. “The Festival serves as a place of cultivating profound awareness and exposure both for the artist and the audience.”
“Skeet Art,” the in-theater promo from Biscuit Filmworks’ identical twin directing duo, the Freise Brothers, reveals a new form of nontraditional art that serves as a metaphor for the Festival. In a high-contrast black-and-white world, the story follows an eccentric, rifle-toting new-age punk and her butler through a field of high grass, where they pause to shoot a round of skeet. Clay pigeons have been replaced with homemade color bombs filled with brilliant powder, with which the sharp-shooting artist magnificently paints the sky.
“We found ourselves at a shooting range in the desert for a friend’s wedding and began to talk about our strange small-town childhood experience with guns, art and punk rock music. Seemingly unrelated things, we had this idea to re-imagine them inspired by the Festival’s theme of ‘Know New Art’ and meld these elements into a short narrative—what kind of art would a skeet-shooting, punk rock, fine artist make,” said the Freise Brothers. “This was our first time working with RPA, which was a fantastic experience. They gave us all the freedom in the world and brought so many creative ideas to the table. We developed storyboards early on, so the whole production team and crew really saw the vision from the beginning. It was great to all be on the same page.”
“Everyone who worked on the project did so with the utmost passion,” comments Editor Lucas Eskin of Cut + Run. “Directing duo the Freise Brothers’ commitment to artistic vision is unbending and inspiring. They suggested that we make the piece black-and-white—and fortuitously I had already edited my rough cut that way. Then the RPA creatives said they had thought that too, so the idea was universal. That’s the kind of collaboration this was. During the edit, I had to envision what the explosions would look like and make time for the movie magic that was being created by the VFX team at Jogger. I love being a part of this piece, and it is so inspiring to know that it will be projected on the largest screen this side of the Mississippi.”
In a similar high-contrast style, the print, digital and out-of-home feature edgy, in-your-face portraits of people breaking out in a wide range of facial expressions. These are the exaggerated emotions usually expressed in the safety of a dark theater, but here the joy, sadness, ecstasy and surprise are in full, raw display.
“The great thing about creating for the Newport Beach Film Festival is that the brand is smart, eccentric and artful and allows RPA to do work in another realm. Everyone who joins the team, from colorist and photographer to editor and director, creates a collective voice which takes the work to an unexpected place that helps the festival stand apart from the pack,” said Scott McDonald, VP, creative director at RPA
The Festival will run throughout Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, beginning April 23 and concluding April 30.
Apple has updated its dedicated Apple Watch website with a brand new “Guided Tours” section that includes several Apple Watch walk-through videos. The introductory video on the site, entitled “Welcome to Apple Watch,” walks users through all of the things the Apple Watch can do. Apple Watch Guided Tours are also being featured on the main Apple site.
(click to play the first video)
The walk-through videos from Apple come a week ahead of Apple Watch pre-orders, which are set to begin on Friday, April 10 at 12:01 AM PT. April 10 will also mark the date when Apple begins offering in-store try-on sessions, giving customers the opportunity to test the Apple Watch out before its April 24 launch.
“Apple Watch begins a new chapter in the way we relate to technology and we think our customers are going to love it,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We can’t wait for people to start wearing Apple Watch to easily access information that matters, to interact with the world, and to live a better day by being more aware of their daily activity than ever before.”
Apple Watch introduces revolutionary technologies including the Digital Crown™, an innovative way to scroll, zoom and navigate fluidly without obstructing the display. The Retina® display with Force Touch on Apple Watch senses the difference between a tap and a press, providing a new way to quickly and easily access relevant controls. The all-new Taptic Engine™ discreetly delivers a gentle tap on your wrist whenever you receive a notification or message.
April 1st was an exciting day and no it was not because we got to pull off pranks on one another. Many thought that the latest Nintendo Direct was an elaborate prank, but we were all pleased to hear the plethora of announcements. It range from announcing new Amiibo, to new Smash Bros characters and even a new game! Below is a detailed list of all of the upcoming releases:
Amiibo Cards
So you know those figurines you can use to play in Super Smash bros and other specific games? Well there will soon be Amiibo cards! These cards will be based on the characters from Animal Crossing
Speaking of which, Animal Crossing is coming to the Nintendo 3DS, which will focus on decorating houses.
Smash Bros
Amiibo
There are three different waves this year for the Smash Bros character amiibo: The first is May 29th when Greninja, Jigglypuff, Charizard, Robin, Lucina, Ness, Pac-Man and Wario. In July the next wave will include Palutena and Dark Pit. As for September, the wave will include Dr. Mario, Bowser Jr, Zero Suit Samus and Ganondorf.
Metwo is coming to Smash Bros! If you’ve registered both the 3DS and Wii U games then you’ll receive this character for free otherwise it’ll be $4.99. Aside from Mewtwo, Lucas will be returning the fray!
If you visit http://www.smashbros.com you can submit a ballot suggesting who you want to see join the game. All you have to do is write the character name, where they are from and why they would be a great addition to the character roster.
Yoshi’s Woolly World Amiibo
Along with the release of Yoshi’s Woolly World there will be three different Yoshi amiibo in pink, light blue and green. How will these be different from the other Yoshi amiibo? These will be made of actual yarn! Players will be able to use them in the game for assistance.
Splatoon amiibo
Alonside the release of the new game, there will be 3 specific amiibo to be released based on the characters. Using these amiibo will unlock new missions for the players. Splatoon will be released on May 29
Mario Maker
The game where you are allowed to design your own Mario game will be released in September!!
Yoshi’s Woolly World
This game is set to also release in September! Remember you can use those yarn Yoshi amiibo.
Mario Kart 8
There will be more amiibo racer skins to be released
On April 23rd there will be a free DLC that will include a 200 cc race class, 3 new characters and 8 new tracks
Nintendo 64 and Nintendo DS games will be available on the Virtual Console
Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emlblem Crossover
This will be an RPG crossover game
The new Fatal Frame game will be coming to the Wii U later this year
Fire Emblem
There’s a new Fire Emblem game, but this one is not set to be released until 2016. This is also going to be the first time where your character will be the main hero or heroine of the game,
So there you have it, most of the exciting news from Nintendo! For the complete list of what was announced head over to http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct and for any other announcements make sure to stay tuned to socalthrills.
The cast of Disney’s Newsies musical just released a standout music video covering Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up And Dance” via Playlist, Disney.com’s music blog that spotlights the songs and artists fans love with interviews, news, quizzes, special performances and more.
Disney Playlist spent some time with the touring cast of Newsies, and they performed a few of their songs from the show, along with this incredible cover of Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up And Dance.” The video was created as a part of the blog’s Playlist Sessions series, which delivers intimate acoustic performances from leading artists and groups. From the backup singers to the tap-dancing percussionists, this Playlist Session is full of musical magic.
Additional Playlist Sessions performances from the Newsies cast will be coming to Disney Playlist through April – check back every Thursday for new videos.
And those looking to see the cast live are in luck! The Broadway sensation is now on tour, and fans can catch the show at Hollywood Pantages in Los Angeles now through April 19. For more information about tickets and future tour stops, visit www.newsiesthemusical.com
Ever had this problem? You’re getting ready to leave the house for work or a fun night out. In one jean pocket, you stash your ever expanding key ring, and in the other, you manage to slide in your bulky wallet full of cards, receipts, lose change and whatever else – only to realize that you now need to be related to MacGyver to somehow fit in that last remaining, and arguably most important, item – your phone. It’s a problem that those with wallets have faced for decades. Our wallets carry some of the most necessary and vital information, so it any wonder we’ve been slow to embrace a more convenient and tech savvy solution? So, you’re faced with a decision: Do you unload your wallet, or do you keep the gargantuan money holder in your jeans and stuff your phone in your back pocket, only to sit on it later? The struggle, folks, is real.
So, how does one navigate such a precarious issue? One option is to clean out your wallet and reduce it’s XL size-frame to something more manageable. The other? Solve the issue with contemporary approach – lose the wallet altogether – with the help of the Incipio Stowaway case for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
The Stowawy case available now provides an efficient way to simplify your wallet game by including a custom space to store your cash, or up to 4 cards discreetly & securely in the case itself. The outer case is constructed using Incipio’s proprietary blend of high grade impact resistant polycarbonate known as Plextonium™, while the inner case consists of the Flex2O™ polymer core. Together, these technologies give the case the durability and flexibility needed for day-to-day use.
The back cover (used to close the credit card holding space) also doubles as a kickstand for your phone, which is great for those times when your Netflix cravings are too much to resist. See photo.
Now, I’m a guy who’s used to carrying a wallet on a daily basis, so the notion of ditching it for an all-in-one case/wallet combo – while intriguing – was scary. I had to take my wallet and choose which four cards I would absolutely need and those I could live without. I had the usual worries: “What if I go somewhere and they don’t accept my AmEx?” or “What if I need my Costco card but it’s still at home?” I also came up with some more comical concerns, like: “What if there’s an accident and I don’t have my RedCross blood donor card. How will anyone know my blood type!?” and “What if I’m at Subway and I don’t have my rewards card – I would lose the points – oh, the horror!
What I’m trying to say, folks, is that it’s perfectly normal to have these types of concerns, but I took comfort in knowing that alongside the Stowaway case, I had Pay on my iPhone to back me up in a bind, and that most established business have already created apps that allow users to pay for goods digitally – (e.g. I can now pay for my sandwiches via the Subway app).
So, with all that said, I decided I would try to simplify my life. I started by removing everything from my current wallet and arranging it on my desk. From there, it was time to make some tough decisions regarding which cards would make the final cut and earn a spot in my new wallet case.
Starting out, I knew I would need my state ID card to do just about anything; and since I was planning on doing some traveling soon, ID was definitely in. Then, I asked myself where I would be spending most of my time each day, and as a student, the answer was simple: school; and since school necessitated a daily commute, the inclusion of my school ID was imperative- so it was in. Alright, two out of four cards selected and ready to go. Then t it came down to the last two. Here, my thinking focused on payments and money. As I said above, I knew that a number of my cards were compatible with Pay, but considering how NFC is still an emerging technology in the retail sector, I knew that I couldn’t ditch my physical payment cards quite yet. So, I looked at my debit and credit cards and chose my AMEX (my major credit card of choice), and finally, I selected a VISA card to cover purchases at any locations where my AMEX wasn’t accepted. Done and done.
So, if you’re still with me, here are my closing thoughts:
Over the past few weeks, I used the case as my daily driver and experienced the convenience of having my wallet miniaturized. I found it to be especially useful when making on-the-go purchases at school or while on the road. In combination with Pay, the Stowaway case made sure that I had all of the cards I needed while still keeping a very minimal form factor. Now, I never forget my “wallet” because I never forget my phone, and that alone was a great benefit.
Removing cards that I needed to swipe or tap was easy, but I would recommend that you keep the card(s) you use most often near the front, as reaching the cards towards the rear was a bit more difficult. I received many compliments from people who thought that having wallet in my case was such an ingenious idea. I couldn’t agree more.
The Incipio Stowaway case delivers on its promise and is truly an elegant and effective solution for managing and simplifying your wallet.
Falcon and Loki make their way into Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes (2.0 Edition). Fans will be able to purchase the two figures starting today for $13.99 each. These characters will be joining a variety of Marvel Super Heroes, Disney fan favorites, and hundreds of themed items, locations, props, vehicles and more to create all-new adventures.
Character highlights for Loki and Falcon include:
– Loki: The God of Mischief is at your command when you play as Loki, one of the most anticipated characters in Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes. From defeating his opponents with a powerful scepter to projecting decoy versions that bewilder even the cleverest of heroes, Loki is the villain you’ll love to hate. Creating mischief in Marvel’s Avengers Play Set and Toy Box 2.0 has never been so fun!
– Falcon: Pararescue veteran Sam Wilson, codename Falcon, soars into Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes. As Captain America’s closest ally, Falcon’s an indispensible addition to the Marvel’s Avengers Play Set and Toy Box 2.0.
The final two Power Discs – Marvel Team-Up: Captain Marvel and Ultimate Falcon – will also be available today as a Rare Power Disc Pack for a suggested retail price of $4.99 at select retailers in North America.
Highlights include:
– Marvel Team-Up: Captain Marvel: Team up with Captain Marvel and activate her energy blasts and super strength in any battle.
– Ultimate Falcon: Gain the ability to collect sparks from far away and unlock the Ultimate costume for Falcon.
About Disney Infinity
Disney Infinity is an interactive gaming platform where players have unprecedented freedom and endless opportunity to create stories and play experiences starring the beloved characters from across the worlds of Disney. Building on the success of last year’s launch, Disney Interactive introduced a new entry in the franchise called Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes in September. In the all-new game, players use real-world interactive figures to activate original storylines (Play Sets) in the virtual game worlds of popular Marvel franchises and create their own adventures using any combination of characters from the Disney Infinity universe in the Toy Box mode.
Universal CityWalk revs up for a turbo-charged takeover with Universal Pictures’ Furious 7, featuring a flurry of activity in support of the film’s April 3 release, including a Fast & Furious movie marathon at the AMC Theatres, an exclusive first-look at Furious 7’s 1967 Camaro and an original costume display, including attire worn by Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson in the new action thriller.
As the choice L.A. destination to see the latest installment in the Fast & Furious film series, Universal CityWalk’s AMC Theatres will jump-start the excitement with advance screenings of Furious 7 starting at select times every seven minutes after the hour beginning on Thursday, April 2. The AMC Theatres will also bridge the gap to this latest film with an exciting two-day movie marathon at CityWalk, featuring all previous six Fast & Furious films on Tuesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 2.
For more information and to purchase tickets to the advance screening of Furious 7 and the Fast & Furious movie marathon at the AMC Universal CityWalk Theatres and IMAX, visit www.CityWalkHollywood.com.
The exciting Furious 7 takeover also provides guests with an exclusive opportunity to get up close and personal with genuine artifacts from the new movie, including the 1967 Camaro that character Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson) drives. Located on CityWalk, outside the AMC Theatre, the grey muscle car—with its 500 horsepower and 4×4 tires—offers fans a picture perfect photo opp through Sunday, April 5.
Authentic wardrobe worn by Dominic “Dom” Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) will also be on display exclusively at the AMC Theatres from Friday, March 20 through Friday, April 10.
The non-stop action and charged atmosphere shift into high gear as CityWalk’s state of the art outdoor concert venue, “5 Towers,” celebrates the Furious 7 takeover with a D.J. party spinning songs from the film series’ entire music library, including new sounds from the latest movie soundtrack as part of the opening weekend festivities from Thursday, April 2 through Saturday, April 4.
Universal Studios Hollywood will join in on the takeover as the theme park prepares to introduce its all-original thrill ride “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” on Thursday, June 25.
“Fast & Furious—Supercharged” is a technologically advanced, epic ride that reunites stars from the Fast & Furious series in a groundbreaking mega-attraction, conceived as a new installment to the dynamic Fast & Furious films that can only be experienced at The Entertainment Capital of L.A. Featuring characters made famous by Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson and Luke Evans, “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” will catapult guests into the high-stakes underground world of fast cars in a harrowing escapade—at perceived speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour—to save one of their own from an international crime cartel.
Located within Universal Plaza, a convergence of original Fast & Furious prop cars will be on display for guests and fans of the film series, including Dom’s 1970 Dodger Charger R/T. The black, V8-powered car first appeared in The Fast and the Furious and has been a mainstay in every action-packed film since. The grey 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner that Dom first drove in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift will also be on display, along with the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda that belonged to Letty in Fast & Furious 6. The car display will be available throughout the summer.
For a behind-the-scenes look at “Fast & Furious—Supercharged,” please click here. The 90-second footage offers insightful perspective on the making of this adrenaline-charged attraction along with interviews with Fast & Furious franchise cast members and stars of the ride, including Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez and Tyrese Gibson.
From Oscar, Sita, Scout, and the countless wild creatures we share this planet with, thank you! Disneynature is making a difference. With every ticket purchased for Disneynature’s Monkey Kingdom opening week (4/17 – 4/23), Disney will donate to benefit Conservation International to help benefit monkeys and other endangered species in their natural habitat.
Life is an adventure for Maya, the clever and resourceful blonde-bobbed monkey in “Monkey Kingdom,” Disneynature’s new feature film set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia. Maya’s world is forever changed when she welcomes her son, Kip, into her complicated extended family. Like all families, Maya’s has more than its share of colorful personalities—and she’s determined to give her son a leg up in the world. When their longtime home at Castle Rock is taken over by powerful neighboring monkeys, Maya’s whole family retreats, and she uses her street smarts and ingenuity to uncover untapped resources amidst strange new creatures and unsettling surroundings. Ultimately, they will all have to work together to reclaim Castle Rock, where Maya can hopefully realize her dreams for her son’s future.
Featuring a rich variety of characters, including a mischievous mongoose, simple-minded langur monkeys, predatory leopards and monitor lizards, “Monkey Kingdom” is narrated by Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), directed by Mark Linfield (“Chimpanzee,” “Earth”) and co-directed by Alastair Fothergill (“Chimpanzee,” “Bears”). With music from award-winning composer Harry Gregson-Williams (“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” “Shrek” movies), Disneynature’s eighth True Life Adventure—the follow-up to 2014’s “Bears”—swings into theaters April 17, 2015.
Universal Studios HollywoodSM showcases exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of its upcoming “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” thrill ride and reveals its eagerly-awaited opening date as Thursday, June 25, 2015.
The captivating 90-second behind-the-scenes footage offers insightful perspective on the making of this adrenaline-charged attraction along with interviews with several of the Fast & Furious franchise cast members and stars of the ride, including Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez and Tyrese Gibson.
“Fast & Furious—Supercharged” is a technologically advanced, epic ride that reunites stars from the Fast & Furious series in a groundbreaking mega-attraction, conceived as a new installment to the Fast & Furious films that can only be experienced at The Entertainment Capital of L.A. Featuring Vin Diesel (Dominic “Dom” Toretto), Dwayne Johnson (Luke Hobbs), Michelle Rodriguez (Letty Ortiz), Tyrese Gibson (Roman Pearce) and Luke Evans (Owen Shaw), “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” will catapult guests into the high-stakes underground world of fast cars in a harrowing escapade – at perceived speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour – to save one of their own from an international crime cartel.
Sharing their enthusiasm for “Fast & Furious—Supercharged,” cast members had this to say during their on-set interviews for the behind-the-scenes shoot:
“I get a chance to become Luke Hobbs and kick-ass…all in 3D,” said Dwayne Johnson.
“It’s really a sensory driven experience, and I can’t wait to see what happens,” commented Michelle Rodriguez.
Tyrese Gibson added, “Everything about Universal Studios puts you in the driver’s seat to really experience Hollywood.”
“Fast & Furious—Supercharged” is a high-octane, adrenaline-fueled thrill ride and new grand finale to the world-famous Studio Tour. The dynamic hydraulic motion-based ride will tell an original Fast & Furious story that fuses sophisticated hyper-realistic special effects with a state-of-the-art 3D audio system and 3D-HD imagery, projected onto the world’s longest and most expansive 360-degree screen. Spanning nearly 400 feet in length to encircle Studio Tour guests within a newly constructed 65,000-square-foot structure on the legendary backlot, the sprawling custom-built screen will employ 34, 4K projectors and a sophisticated projection configuration system to envelop guests in unprecedented realism.
Coupled with an intense blend of thrilling visceral effects, “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” will take guests on a wild ride that begins the moment they board the Studio Tour. Exclusive interstitial content – that was filmed with the cast members – will be featured on the tram monitors, highlighting interactions as they engage guests en route to the ride’s climatic scenes. Along the tram route and featured on the ride, sightings of numerous prop cars from the Fast & Furious series, including Dom’s iconic Dodge Charger, will enhance the story.
Cinderella Free Fall is the Third Game to Launch in the Successful Disney ‘Free Fall’ Series
Disney Interactive has launched Cinderella Free Fall, an enchanting free-to-play puzzle adventure game for mobile devices inspired by Disney’s upcoming live-action film Cinderella. In Cinderella Free Fall, players will transform into the most iconic princess of all time, connecting and matching butterfly jewels on an epic journey through the kingdom.
Players will begin as young Ella, following her story and progressing through 100 levels to see her stunning transformation. To make matches, players will connect strings of same-colored jewels. They can create longer lines to unleash ‘Wish Magic’ for powerful effects, and can connect jewels in a circle to release even more exciting combos. Cinderella’s lovable animal friends Gus and Jacqueline will join the adventure along the way, lending a helping hand in the more challenging levels.
Cinderella Free Fall is the third game to launch in the successful Disney ‘Free Fall’ series, following Maleficent Free Fall and Frozen Free Fall. Together, the apps have been downloaded more than 105 million times and played for more than 51 billion minutes.
For years, Walt Disney Studios has been interested in bringing “Cinderella” back to the big screen, to reintroduce the Timeless tale to a 21st-century audience and build on the nostalgia and memories cherished by millions around the world. Of utmost importance, the film needed to be entertaining and bring as much fun and humanity to the fairy-tale characters as possible, while preserving the unforgettable elements from the animated classic.
Director Kenneth Branagh had never toyed with the idea of directng a fairy tale before, but ater reading the script by screenwriter Chris Weitz, found that the story spoke to him in ways he never imagined.
“I was captivated by the power of the story and felt I was in sync with the visual artistry that was being developed,” Branagh says. “It’s a classic piece of storytelling where the central character goes on a journey that we can really identify with, so the texture and landscape of a great story was wonderful to play with as a director.”
Branagh’s long-term producing partner, David Barron, knew Branagh was the right director for the job. “I’ve worked with Ken for over 20 years, and he is the perfect choice to direct ‘Cinderella,’” Barron says. “He has a passion for storytelling and a rare gift for finding the humanity of every situation, even fairy tales.”
Meet the Characters:
Ella (Lily James) is a beautiful young woman whose idyllic life comes crashing down when her merchant Father (Ben Chaplin) remarries following the tragic death of her Mother (Golden Globe® nominee Hayley Atwell). Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new Stepmother (two-time Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchet) and her daughters, Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera), into the family home. But when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family.
Soon, she is forced to become their servant, disrespected, covered in ashes and spitefully renamed Cinderella. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her, and she continues to remain positive, determined to honor her mother’s dying words to “have courage and be kind.”
When Ella meets a dashing stranger in the woods, unaware that he is really the Prince (Richard Madden) and not merely Kit, an apprentice at the palace, she believes she has finally found a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the King (BAFTA® and Emmy® Award winner Derek Jacobi) summons all maidens in the kingdom to attend a royal ball at the palace, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit. Alas, her Stepmother forbids her to attend and callously destroys her dress.
For the role of the Prince, Richard Madden responded enthusiastically to the material. He was eager to take on the dashing and thoughtful Kit, the bright young man who initially conceals his true identity from Ella. The actor, who starred as Robb Stark, King of the North, on HBO’s hugely- popular “Game of Thrones,” was thrilled to find that the Prince was not the shallow, one-dimensional character people remember from the animated film, but someone who audiences could actually believe Ella would fall in love with.
In a recent press conference we had the opportunity to chat with Lily James and Richard Madden to talk about their character and what it took to bring them to life on the big screen.
Our first Interview starts with Lilly James:
Q. How was it for you to play such an iconic Character such as Cinderella?
Terrifying. When I got the part I was completely overwhelmed and couldn’t be more excited. There was a lot of fear and pressure because she’s so iconic. Luckily we had Ken to direct us, which had a very clear vision of the film.
Q. At What point did it hit you that you were playing Cinderella?
Putting the dress on for the first time, doing the dance, seeing the slippers. The sets were all built and real. It’s like diving into the story. The costumes were beautiful.
Q. What was it like working with Cate Blanchet?
She is amazing. It was surreal. She excelled every expectation. She’s really funny and encouraging to me on set. Also what she did to the character was so real. Cate brought life and history to the character.
To prepare for the film, James tried to live healthily, implementing a daily yoga routine to get the kind of posture and grace and elegance that Ella would have had. She also took horseback riding lessons for six weeks, and did a great deal of research on spirituality, reading up on great leaders and pacifists like Gandhi.
“I wanted to make Ella seem as real as possible, but didn’t want her to appear as if she had no faults because I was afraid the audience wouldn’t relate to her if she was too perfect,” James says.
She continues, “The heart of the story is Ella’s strength and how, even under the cruelest of circumstances, she manages to maintain goodness, purity and positivity.”
Our next Interview was with Richard Madden who plays the prince.
Q. What was it like playing the Prince in Cinderella?
It was a joy. We are in these amazing costumes, it was magical.
Madden says, “Ken and I had numerous discussions about young rulers and how they would relate to more traditional views of their elders. The Prince wants to do what is best for the kingdom, but he has his own fresh ideas and philosophies as to how things should work.”
Q. Did you have any dance background before you did the ballroom scene?
No, I didn’t have any dance training. I’m not an actually gifted dancer, but I would think the Prince would be. I had to train 4-5 days a week for months before they let me near the dress.
“The Prince actually learns a lot from Cinderella, in fact. And the character has been written very cleverly in the sense that you see that she’s challenged the way he thinks so that he is willing to question the King.”
Q. What was it like to make this film with Disney and did you have any special connections to Disney that you remember as a child?
As a child I remember all the films. I have two sisters and we watched the movies on repeat. It’s still kinda surreal to be the Prince in Cinderella. It feels really special. When I was a kid, the first time you learn about love, death and grief it was the Disney films that I was introduced to these.
In order to make the film relevant to modern audiences, it was this core of kindness and compassion that would be fundamentally important. And the filmmakers were convinced that the powerful story, combined with an exceptionally-talented cast and a strong script with more complex and realistic characters, would make for a truly entertaining cinematic experience.
Disney’s animated fairy tale “Cinderella,” the magical love story of an ill-treated heroine whose dreams come true, was a colossal moment in Disney’s rich cinematic history. With a production budget of close to $3 million, “Cinderella” was a huge financial risk for the studio at the time, but the film opened on February 15, 1950 to universal acclaim and was a big hit commercially, grossing more than $34 million and firmly solidifying the studio as a major force in the industry.
Today, 65 years later, “Cinderella” has become one of the studio’s most treasured titles. The film is included on the American Film Institute’s list of the “10 Greatest Animated Films of All Time” and is an enduring fixture on America’s pop cultural landscape.
“Cinderella” is released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and is now playing in theaters.
The trailer for “Avatar: Fire and Ash” from Oscar®-winning filmmaker James Cameron is here! The third film in the phenomenally successful “Avatar” franchise opens exclusively...
