A Look Into the Future of Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear”

April 21, 2022

On June 17, 2022, theater-going audiences will get to experience the origins of everyone’s favorite toy spaceman in Disney and Pixar’s 26th feature film Lightyear.

Lightyear shows us the origin story of Buzz Lightyear (the toy) in the form of the science-fiction adventure film featuring Buzz Lightyear (the human character) that captured Andy’s imagination and spawned a huge toy franchise.

For an early look at the making and development of Lightyear, Socalthrills.com was given the chance to hear from several of the creative forces behind the film including Angus MacLane (Director/Screenwriter,) Galyn Susman (Producer,) Greg Peltz (Sets Art Director,) Fran Kalal (Tailoring and Simulation Supervisor,) Jane Yen (Visual Effects Supervisor,) and Jeremy Lasky (Director of Photography.) In this first half, MacLane and Susman give some insight into the story development of Lightyear, as well as introduce us to the voice cast and music.

Disney and Pixar “Lightyear” The Story

The Inception:

MacLane: “…One day, after I was eating corn on the cob with my father, we went and saw the movie that changed my life, Star Wars. After I saw Star Wars in the theater in the Westgate 5, all I wanted to do was play Star Wars. All I wanted to draw was Star Wars. Star Wars was my religion. So Star Wars was just the beginning of a whole string of science fiction classics that defined my childhood.

“And then in 1995, I saw another film that changed my life. Toy Story. Of course in Toy Story, Andy had a birthday party and his favorite gift was a character that he loved: Buzz Lightyear, the space ranger. It was a toy that would redefine playtime for Andy. I’ve always wondered, what was the movie that Buzz was from? Why couldn’t we just make that movie? So, that’s what we did. Presenting Lightyear: The movie that Andy saw that changed his life. Andy’s Star Wars. A sci-fi epic designed to inspire a new generation.”

“Now, in this film, Buzz Lightyear is not a toy, he’s a human. This is the Buzz Lightyear character–the real Buzz Lightyear–and he’s starring in Pixar’s first sci-fi action-adventure movie.

Constructing the plot:

“I wanted to tell something personal, something true, and at the same time, I wanted to get to the heart of the Buzz Lightyear character. Now although I’d been working with Buzz Lightyear for the better part of two decades, it wasn’t until the development of this project that I was able to finally isolate what the unifying character trait was for everyone’s favorite space ranger. You see, Buzz Lightyear, as I discovered, is a character who is at odds with his surroundings. Or to put it another way, Buzz always has a disagreement over the nature of reality. In Toy Story, Buzz thinks he’s a space ranger. Woody disagrees. Toy Story 2, Buzz thinks he’s the Buzz Lightyear–the other Buzz Lightyear disagrees. In Toy Story 3, you had Spanish mode. In the shorts, he had some other problems, like in Small Fry he was tiny. Buzz is a character who is always at odds with his surroundings.

“So we’ve defined Buzz’s core trait, but we need to ground the story. We need a universal truth. What universal truth can I draw from? You know, Pixar directors often draw from their own lives in a way to find a kernel of truth to build around. For Lightyear, I chose time.

“When I started the company, I was in my 20s and now I’m in my 40s and time is moving on. That’s universal for all of us, and never more acute than in the production of animated features. Now I’ve been working in this particular building since the November of 2000. It’s kind of strange to work in the same physical space for that long. The building pretty much stays the same, but the details change and people…they come and go. These halls, to me, are filled with ghosts. Memories of successes and triumphs, of joys and setbacks. The studio is a bit of a time machine.

“You see, our films, as I said, are very time-consuming to produce: Lightyear took five and a half years. When you finish one of these movies and you come up for air…the world outside these walls of Pixar is a little different than you remember. You feel the same internally, but the world has moved on in subtle ways. For example, after every film, I would go home to my hometown of Portland, Oregon. Over the years, I saw my hometown steadily change from a…city with a small-town feel and a vibrant, artistic community, into an overcrowded tourist destination. Traffic became a real problem, and the artists in lower-income communities were pushed out. Now, I still love Portland…but it’s just not the same. I wish I could go back. I wish I could visit the people and the places that are gone, but I know I can never go back. And I suspect I’m glorying the good aspects of the area while ignoring the bad, but the pull of this nostalgia is strong. They say you can’t live in the past, but what if you could? We all wonder what it would be like to go back in time, but instead, we’re jumping forward in time. All of us.

“So that’s the truth I wanted to build for Lightyear: Nostalgia for the past while rapidly jumping into the future. So, we pictured a story where Buzz Lightyear would be traveling rapidly through time, and all because of a job. And because of that, as a result, he’s separating himself from society and all of his loved ones. Just like the film industry.

“This idea felt like fertile ground for both our own personal experiences and the core defining trait of Buzz Lightyear. See, Lightyear is a fish-out-of-water story. A Rip Van Winkle trapped in a future he doesn’t recognize, trying desperately to get back to the past, to correct a mistake of his youth. A hero out of his own time. Lightyear is a celebration of the movies and sci-fi epics in general, but it’s also inspired by the dark side of nostalgia and the dangers of living in the past. As a director, Lightyear is the movie I’ve always wanted to make, and as a filmgoer, it’s the movie I’ve always wanted to see.”

The Voice Cast:

Susman: “As just about everyone on the planet knows, Chris Evans is our Buzz Lightyear. When casting Buzz, it was important to differentiate our hero Buzz from the toy that is made based on his character and represented in the Toy Story movies…so then we needed a new voice for Buzz. He needed to have a nice, rich sound, able to be both dramatic and comedic, and most importantly, he needed to be heroic without coming off as arrogant or dense. That’s a tall order, and we immediately knew we had to ask Chris.

“The emotional anchor for act one is Buzz’s best friend, and the commander of the mission, Alicia Hawthorne. Both commanding and compassionate–a straight-shooter who cares about living a good life. Watch two minutes of Uzo Aduba do that as Shirley Chisholm in Mrs. America and you see all of that. She is really an amazing talent, and we are so fortunate to have her on the team.”

“Izzy Hawthorne, Alicia’s granddaughter, has a striking resemblance to her grandmother until she’s put into a tough spot. She has spunk. She definitely has the courage, but she’s untrained and unproven, and not sure that she can live up to the family name. Keke Palmer brought just the energy and the heart that we were looking for for this role.

“Mo is a feather in the wind, never quite able to commit to one direction. Taika Waititi is able to bring a likeability to that kind of character when they can often be annoying. His improvisational skills really brought a depth and warmth to Mo.

“Darby is the classic tough curmudgeon with a record. She’s handy, inventive, and extremely salty. Voiced by Dale Soules, she is a great addition to the team.

“I’m not gonna say anything about Zurg, other than he’s voiced by James Brolin and he is full of surprises.”

MacLane: “For Lightyear, the cute thing is, of course, Sox the cat. He’s Buzz’s robotic companion animal designed to be a constant during Buzz’s journey through time…There’s a whole bunch that we can’t tell you about, but…what we can tell you is that he is a scene-stealer, and he is performed by Pixar’s own Peter Sohn. Peter of course directed The Good Dinosaur, and you may remember him as the voice of Emile in Ratatouille and Squish from Monsters University. Pete’s natural warmth, charm, and humor make him the first and best choice for this character.”

Susman on other featured voice cast:

General Cal Burnside: “Isiah Whitlock Jr., who is the master of playing the tough guy–the one that’s not clearly on the side of the protagonist, but not clearly on the side of the bad guys either. He’s really perfect for this role.”
The voice of the spaceship’s onboard computer, IVAN, which means Internal Voice Activated Navigator: “Mary McDonald-Lewis has done a lot in her career, but if you think you recognize that voice, it may be because she is the voice of OnStar, your car’s onboard computer. We just kinda get a kick out of that.”

The Music

Susman: “Lightyear is a sci-fi action-adventure movie and it needs to have a bombastic sci-fi score. Michael Giacchino has been a friend and colleague for many years now. That’s not the only reason he was our first and only choice for Lightyear. Between Star Trek and Rogue One, he has clearly proven his sci-fi chops. And honestly, he is so much fun to work with that you can hear that fun in his music. After all, isn’t that really why people go to see the movies, especially the sci-fi action epics? Go and have fun.”

To give you a hint of the science-fiction goodness of Lightyear, here’s the new official trailer:

Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear will open in theaters on June 17, 2022.

Summertime at Knott’s Berry Farm brings back exciting entertainment

Socalthrills Staff

April 19, 2022

There’s something fun for everyone at Knott’s Berry Farm this summer, with original adventures that can’t be found anywhere else. Starting with the exciting return of Ghost Town Alive! with an all-new storyline, the nighttime block party liveliness of Knott’s Summer Nights and Knott’s Soak City Waterpark reopening its gates for another wet and wild summer. There’s only one place to experience fun all day and night and that place is Knott’s Berry Farm.

Ghost Town Alive!

Your favorite town of Calico comes to life once again with the return of the award-winning, interactive Ghost Town Alive! Two years have passed without a celebration and the citizens are determined to make this year’s return a great one. Guests are invited to become the star of this summer’s new action-packed storyline in the streets of Ghost Town. Each guest has the power to unlock secret missions with characters, influence the day’s events, and take on mind-challenging puzzles in this immersive version of the Old West. Ghost Town Alive! will offer new adventures, roles and characters this summer on select days starting May 20.

Summertime Entertainment

Venture into Fiesta Village to be charmed by the colorful and light-hearted showing of Alegre! by the Bob Baker Marionettes, a Southern California treasure since 1963. The entertainment continues with sounds from South of the Border as the Mariachi Angelitas present a lively show filled with rich history and tradition. While in Boardwalk, tune into the coolest station on the dial as our resident K-NOT Radio DJs are back to keep you up to date on all the happenings!

A trip to Knott’s isn’t complete without checking out the shenanigans of Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies in the Wagon Camp. Grab a seat for the most toe tappin’ and downright funniest band of musicians this side of the Calico Mine. Also in Ghost Town is Miss Cameo Kate’s Western Burle-Q Revue at the legendary Bird Cage Theatre. Miss Cameo Kate returns to the World-Famous Birdcage Saloon, bringing with her a vibrant travelin’ troupe of singers, dancers and tuneful musicians who perform a daily rip-roarin’ western musical can-can revue.

Knott’s Summer Nights

The summer adventure continues long after the sun goes down, with a nighttime summer party that will liven up the evening. Knott’s Summer Nights offers a variety of live music, classic summer eats and games for the whole family to enjoy. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of top 40’s bands that rotate throughout the event at the Calico Mine Stage.

Those in attendance can also choose between bopping to the beats of the Boardwalk DJs around Charleston Circle Fountain or jamming out to an array of bands, including the genres of Latin, Reggae and Zydeco all performing at Calico Park Stage. Classic backyard games and festoon lighting will set the stage for guests to enjoy their summer nights at Knott’s. The Party Planning Crew of Summer Nights encourages good ol’ fashion fun and games that keep the party going all night.

A summer night party is not complete without an abundance of food and drinks, and no theme park does food quite like Knott’s. The Knott’s culinary team creates tasty twists to classic summer dishes, from Crab Cake Sliders and Korean BBQ Burgers to Vegan Lettuce Wraps– not to mention Peach and Pineapple Shaved Ice. Guests can experience their favorite summer food in a whole new way at Knott’s Summer Nights.

A great way to indulge in all the new food items is by purchasing a tasting card priced at $50 (or $45 for season pass holders). The tasting card will offer six tastings from a selection of over two dozen seasonal-inspired dishes and drinks. With a hub of live music, unique summer food offerings, Instagram-able photo opportunities, interactive experiences and family-friendly games, Knott’s Summer Nights will be an event to remember.

Knott’s Soak City Waterpark

Summertime at Knott’s calls for a visit to Knott’s Soak City Waterpark. With its longest season yet, the waterpark opens starting May 21 through September 18. Guests can catch a ride down 23 different speed, tube, and body slides or take a relaxing trip down one of the longest lazy rivers in the country. The 15-acre water park has something for each member of the family, an interactive kid’s area, and for those more adventurous, The Wedge, a rip-roaring raft ride.

Ghost Town Alive! and Knott’s Summer Nights is included with admission to Knott’s Berry Farm or with a special Knott’s Hotel Summer Package. Plan a stay at Knott’s Hotel with packages that include overnight accommodations steps from the park, a tasting card, parking and more. Additional costs apply for food tasting experiences within the event.

Knott’s Berry Farm Info:

The best way to enjoy all the fun offered day and night throughout Knott’s summertime and the other Seasons of Fun is with a 2022 Season Pass. Get unlimited visits, food and merchandise discounts, plus so much more! For more information about summertime at Knott’s and Knott’s Season Passes, please visit knotts.com.

A Merry-Go-Round and a Miniature Train Ride at Griffith Park

Greg Aragon, Writer Greg's Getaway

April 18, 2022

I’ve been going to Griffith Park in Los Angeles my whole life. From its world famous Zoo and Observatory, to hiking trails, parks and picnic areas, and the legendary Greek Theater, the place is a wonderland of outdoor activities. The family and I recently visited Griffith Park to experience a couple more of its attractions: the historic Merry-Go-Round and the miniature train ride.

Our getaway began when we exited the 5 Freeway near Glendale and entered the 4,200-acre park. Once inside we meandered through winding, hilly roads looking for our destination. A couple miles in, we found our parking lot and followed the sounds of old waltz music to the captivating carousel, spinning beneath a large blue and white roof reminiscent of an old circus tent.

Built in 1926 by the Spillman Engineering Company and brought to Griffith Park in 1937, the merry-go-round boasts 68 horses. Each horse is finely carved with jewel-encrusted bridles, detailed draped blankets and decorated with sunflowers and lion heads. A Stinson 165 Military Band Organ, reputed to be the largest band organ accompanying a carousel on the West Coast, plays over 1500 selections of marches and waltz music.

The roughly 4-minute merry-go-round ride is a fun and memorable ride back in time to the days before modern theme parks and roller coasters. Rumor has it that the carousel gave Walt Disney inspiration to create Disneyland, after frequenting it with his kids in the early 1950s.

To ride, we bought a couple of $2 tickets at the old ticket booth and then stepped onto the historic platform to search for a horse to saddle-up. We quickly found one – a beautiful brown, wooden stallion, with intricate carvings and blue, yellow and red jewels inlaid. Like all 68 of the spinning horses, ours bobbed up and down while the carousel spun around and blasted carnival music.

Besides the horses, the merry-go-round also offers bench seats for people who want to sit and watch their kids ride. But for smaller kids it is better for parents to stand next to them and help them hold on because the ride does spin fast and things could get scary.

After riding wooden horses we drove to the Griffith Park & Southern Railroad, a miniature train that has served the public in Griffith Park since 1948. Youngsters of all ages enjoy the experience of riding the Freedom Train or the Colonel Griffith. The railroad was also featured in the classic Steve Martin movie, “The Jerk,” where Martin briefly worked as the train conductor.

The Griffith Park Southern Railroad meanders more than a mile, taking riders past pony rides, a lush green meadow, an old Western town, and a Native American village. The choo choo also goes under several bridges, including a 60-ft-long wood and steel box girder bridge through thick vegetation, through an 80-foot-long tunnel, and past several attractions, and at times offers views of the 5 Freeway and other sections of Griffith Park. On our ride we even saw a large coyote walking through the brush.

The miniature railroad trains are 1/4th and 1/3rd scale models of actual locomotives and the passenger cars carry nearly 500,000 passengers each year. Weather permitting, it operates 364 days a year, closing on Christmas Day only. The Griffith Park & Southern track is about one mile long.

During the Christmas season, the track is lined with snow-covered decorations featuring Santa Claus and his village, Christmas trees, elves, reindeers and more. The ride starts and begins next to the Griffith Park Pony rides, which I plan to experience on my next visit. After riding the train, we bought snow cones at a concession stand next to the railroad.

After riding the rails, we explored some more of Griffith Park. With over 4,210 acres of both natural chaparral-covered terrain and landscaped parkland and picnic areas, Griffith Park is one of the largest municipal parks with urban wilderness areas in the United States. Situated in the eastern Santa Monica Mountain range, the Park’s elevations range from 384 to 1,625 feet above sea level.

With an arid climate, the park’s plant communities vary from coastal sage scrub, oak and walnut woodlands to riparian vegetation with trees in the Park’s deep canyons. The California native plants represented in Griffith Park include California species of oak, walnut, lilac, mountain mahogany, sages, toyon, and sumac. There are also small quantities of threatened species of manzanita and berberis.

Griffith Park Info:

The Griffith Park & Southern Railroad is located at 4400 Crystal Springs Drive (Near Los Feliz & Riverside) Los Angeles, CA 90027. For more information on current hours and prices, call 323 664-6903. The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round is located at 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027. For more information on the Carousel, the railroad and Griffith Park in general, visit: www.laparks.org/griffithpark/

Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Love and Thunder” Debuts Teaser Trailer

Robbie Bulus

April 18, 2022

A new trailer and poster are now available for Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Love and Thunder,” offering long-awaited clues to what’s in store for the God of Thunder.

The film finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced – a quest for inner peace. But his retirement is interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who seeks the extinction of the gods.

To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi) and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who – to Thor’s surprise – inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor.

Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.

About Marvel:

Directed by Waititi (“Thor: Ragnarok,” “Jojo Rabbit”) and produced by Kevin Feige and Brad Winderbaum, “Thor: Love and Thunder” opens in theaters July 8, 2022.

California Wine Festival Returns to Carlsbad May 20-21

Socalthrills Staff

April 13, 2022

California Wine Festival, Southern California’s premier wine festival event producer, announces its return to the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort for two days of seaside tasting events on Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21. Guests will be able to sample pours from winemaking regions across California, paired with gourmet appetizers from many of North San Diego County’s top restaurants while experiencing lifestyle exhibitors, live entertainment and expansive ocean vistas.

Overlooking the glittering Pacific Ocean at the newly-renovated Park Hyatt Aviara Resort’s The Gardens, Friday evening kicks off with a Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting, an intimate experience for wine connoisseurs. A sparkling wine reception begins the evening of sampling hard-to-find reserve wines and offers tasting room exclusives and limited-production wines hailing from vineyards based in California’s most distinguished wine producing regions. Park Hyatt Aviara Resort’s Ponto Lago restaurant will serve delicious hot and cold appetizers to pair with the world-class wines.

Throughout Friday evening, guests will have the ability to participate in a silent auction, bidding on coveted items such as exotic wines, tasting tours and dining certificates. Proceeds from this auction will benefit Golden Rule Charity, an organization dedicated to helping people in the hospitality industry during unexpected hardships.

“It’s exciting to be back at Park Hyatt Aviara after their stunning makeover! The resort provides the perfect setting for enjoying world-renowned wines and small bites underneath the California sunshine,” says Emily Kaufmann, Executive Director, California Wine Festival.

The quintessential wine tasting experience continues with a Beachside Wine Festival taking place at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort’s Heron Lawn on Saturday, May 21st. The sun-drenched afternoon event will advance culinary education and exploration through intimate conversations and tastings with culinary and wine talent hailing from California’s world-famous wineries and local restaurants.

Attendees will have access to hundreds of premium California wines and regional craft brews. Delectable wines can be paired with artisanal cheeses, breads, olive oil, fresh-cut fruit, shellfish, salads, decadent chocolate, cakes and more. The Pavilion will feature a selection of reserve-level wines as well as craft brews along with special seating just a stone’s throw away from the resort’s award-winning golf course overlooking the Batiquitos Lagoon nature preserve.

The sumptuous festival shines a light on rare and reserve vintages, as well as popular samples from California’s best vineyards based in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Temecula and beyond. Notable wineries attending include: Adobe Road Winery, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Austin Hope Winery, Bernardus Winery, Carol Shelton Wines, Coursey Graves, Cuvaison Estate Wines, Doffo Winery, Dry Creek Vineyard, Family Wineries District, Goldschmidt Vineyards, HALL Napa Valley, Just Enough Wines, Lloyd Cellars, Navarro Vineyards, New Zealand Wine Navigator, Pasmosa, Rescue Dog Wines, Russian River Vineyards, Safu Sake Company, Sojourn Cellars and Wilson Creek Winery.

Elite restaurants from North San Diego County and beyond will serve exquisite appetizers to accompany the festival’s world-class wine selections and include: Butterfly Brittles, Goufrais Southern California, Mahogany Smoked Meats, SB Craft Jerky, Seven Barrels Olive Oils and Aged Italian Balsamic, Ponto Lago, Señor Grubby’s, and The Miller’s Table.

Icelandic Glacial returns as “Official Water Sponsor” and Lloyd Cellars is the “Official Stage Sponsor.” Further sponsors will include Andy Gump, Bright Cellars, Ketel One Botanicals, Leaf Filter and Ruff n Tuff Turf.

Select sponsors will be hosting interactive activations which guests will be able to partake in during the Beachside Wine Festival. Guests will be able to become acquainted with the new 2022 Toyota Mirai while creating their very own fully-customizable insulated wine tumbler. They can also stop by the Celebrity Cruises booth to sample Jackson Family Wines and discover new destinations and itineraries that they can explore, as well as enter to win an Alaska cruise for two. Alternatively, in gratitude for the winemakers and winery owners working at the event, “Gold” sponsor, Shopify will be hosting a “Winemaker Oasis” where they can find respite throughout the day to grab food and water.

Live entertainment will provide the perfect ambiance to a relaxing weekend enjoying coastal California views. Friday’s Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting will feature live entertainment from Kalina & Kiana, a songwriting pop duo that has opened for Justin Bieber and The Bangles. Saturday’s Beachside Wine Festival will feature Upstream, SoCal’s premier live reggae, calypso, soca and steel drum band.

California Wine Festival is a 21+ event

Tickets are available for pre-sale here. For more information, please visit CalifoniaWineFestival.com.

Dancing with the Stars is moving to a new home on Disney+

Socalthrills Staff

April 10, 2022

After an impressive 30 seasons on ABC, “Dancing with the Stars” is moving to a new home on Disney+. The hit series received a two-season pickup and will premiere exclusively in the U.S. and Canada this Fall, making “Dancing with the Stars” the first live series to debut on the streaming service.

“’Dancing with the Stars’ has entertained fans for 16 years on ABC, and we are excited to bring this beloved show exclusively to Disney+ as the platform’s first-ever live series,” said Kareem Daniel, chairman, Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution. “The show’s broad appeal, as well as the overwhelming popularity of its Disney-themed competition nights, make Disney+ the perfect home for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ while continuing to expand our demographic reach.”

“’Dancing with the Stars’ has been a beloved staple on ABC for 30 seasons and brought so much joy to millions of viewers,” said Dana Walden, Chairman of Entertainment, Walt Disney Television. “As we’re significantly expanding our unscripted slate at ABC, this is a great opportunity to introduce this show to a whole new generation of fans on Disney+. We’re so grateful to our incredible partners at BBC Studios and look forward to continuing our relationship with them on this spectacular series, which will continue to be overseen by Rob Mills and the talented Walt Disney Television Alternative team.”

“The fact that our iconic global format ‘Dancing with the Stars’ will now set the record as the first live series on Disney+ represents a major growth opportunity and a bold next step forward in the evolution of the franchise. This unprecedented move, combined with our two-season pick-up, is a testament to the proven power of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and a resounding vote of confidence from our great, supportive partners at Disney, showing how much they value and believe in the brand,” said Valerie Bruce, General Manager, BBC Studios, Los Angeles Productions.

Produced in front of a live audience by BBC Studios’ Los Angeles production arm, the show pairs celebrities with trained ballroom dancers to compete in themed choreographed dance routines. “Dancing with the Stars” first premiered on ABC in 2005 and has grown into an international phenomena and source of constant watercooler conversation. During its Fall 2021 run, ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” ranked among the Top 5 unscripted series with Adults 18-49.

“Dancing with the Stars”

The series joins the vast collection of diverse content and rich storytelling across The Disney Bundle, including Disney+ Originals (“Turning Red,” “The Mandalorian,” Marvel Studios’ “Loki” and “Olivia Rodrigo: driving home 2 u” (a SOUR film), Hulu Originals (“The Kardashians,” “The Girl from Plainville,” FX’s “Under the Banner of Heaven,” “Candy,” “Conversations with Friends,” as well as the highly anticipated return of last summer’s breakout hit “Only Murders in the Building”); and live sports events including NHL, UFC and The Masters, daily studio shows like “Stephen A’s World” and “SportsNation” and can’t-miss originals such as “Man in the Arena: Tom Brady.”

The Disney Bundle is the best streaming option for the whole family that offers the highest quality movies, television shows and sports for a competitive cost.

Kingdom Hearts IV Development Announced from Square Enix and Disney

Socalthrills Staff

April 10, 2022

As part of the 20^th anniversary celebration of the KINGDOM HEARTS franchise, SQUARE ENIX® and Disney announced that KINGDOM HEARTS IV, the newest installment in the beloved RPG series, is in early development, and also revealed a brand-new mobile game, KINGDOM HEARTS Missing-Link.

In the announcement trailer, Sora makes a triumphant return with an updated look at the beginning of an epic new storyline titled the “Lost Master Arc.” Beginning with Sora facing off in a boss battle against a giant enemy, players are introduced to the Quadratum, a large, expansive city set in a gorgeous, realistic world unlike anything ever seen before in the KINGDOM HEARTS series. Fans will be excited to see the return of Sora’s well-known companions Donald and Goofy, in addition to the first appearance of Strelitzia, a mysterious new character who appears before Sora in this strange new setting.

Fans can also look forward to KINGDOM HEARTS Missing-Link, an all-new game for iOS and Android devices, which allows players to embark on adventures from the realm of Scala ad Caelum into the real world. Players will be able to engage in exhilarating battles against the Heartless and discover a new, original story. A closed beta test is planned for 2022.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the series’ 20^th anniversary with the announcement of two new KINGDOM HEARTS titles,” said KINGDOM HEARTS series Brand Manager, Ichiro Hazama. “We’d like to thank the fans for all of their support over the years, and we can’t wait for them to experience all that’s to come for Sora.”

“Sora is an original Disney video game hero like no other, beloved by our team, and fans across the world. We’ve been honored to work with Tetsuya Nomura and his team for two decades to introduce these original stories of discovery, courage, and friendship,” said Nana Gadd, Director, Walt Disney Games. “This glimpse into Sora’s next adventure is just the beginning – we can’t wait to show more when the time is right.”

Additionally, the KINGDOM HEARTS team announced that the highly anticipated final chapter of KINGDOM HEARTS DARK ROAD will be released in August 2022 as a free update to the KINGDOM HEARTS Union χ Dark Road app.

KINGDOM HEARTS 20^th Anniversary Event

The event was held in Tokyo, Japan where together with fans, celebrated the past 20 years of the beloved franchise and provided a first look at what’s to come next. The event also featured a live music performance, a showcase of stained-glass artworks and on-stage appearances from Series Director, Tetsuya Nomura, series’ composer, Yoko Shimomura, and other development members. Fans can enjoy photos from the event on the official social channels and look forward to a recording of the event which will be shared at a later date.

Also, there is a variety of anniversary themed merchandise available for Pre-Order through the official SQUARE ENIX Store. For more information, visit: https://sqex.link/5n9x

Disney+ Releases New Trailer for “Sneakerella”

Robbie Bulus

April 9, 2022

Disney+ has released a new trailer for the upcoming original movie “Sneakerella,” premiering May 13 on the streaming service. From the studio behind the mega-hit “Descendants,” “High School Musical,” and “ZOMBIES” franchises, this pop/hip-hop musical is set in the vibrant street-sneaker subculture of New York City and puts a contemporary twist on the “Cinderella” fairy tale.

El, an aspiring sneaker designer from Queens, works as a stock boy in a shoe store and hides his artistic talent. Sparks fly after a chance encounter with Kira King, the daughter of sneaker royalty and a Manhattan Princess Charming of sorts. With a nudge from his best friend and a touch of magic, El finds the courage to lace up and dream big.

Triple threats Chosen Jacobs and Lexi Underwood respectively star as El and Kira alongside a multi-talented, diverse ensemble cast including John Salley, Devyn Nekoda, Juan Chioran, Bryan Terrell Clark, Kolton Stewart, Robyn Alomar, Yvonne Senat Jones and Hayward Leach.

“Sneakerella” is a Disney+ original movie from Disney Branded Television, directed and co-executive produced by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum. Jane Startz and Rachel Watanabe-Batton serve as executive producers. The teleplay was written by David Light & Joseph Raso, Tamara Chestna and Mindy Stern & George Gore II and is based on a story by Stern & Gore and Light & Raso. Chestna also serves as co-executive producer.

Disney Info:

“Sneakerella” begins streaming May 13, 2022, exclusively on Disney+.

WonderCon 2022 Cosplay Roundup

Socalthrills Staff

April 8, 2022

WonderCon 2022 made its triumphant return this past weekend, bringing exciting updates, fun surprises, and most importantly, a chance for fans of all ages to return to an in person experience.

That experience, as many convention-goers and hardcore cosplayers know, is second to none and brings a thrill that has been sorely missed over the past couple of years and before you ask, no that thrill doesn’t come from the overpriced coffee or slice of pizza you’ll get from the food court, but instead, comes from getting a chance to suit up once again in your favorite cosplay whip.

In perfect WonderCon fashion, the cosplay scene in Anaheim this past weekend was full of fantastic builds, classic character designs, and some more unique takes on your favorite comic characters.

For those who want to relive the excitement of being back on the convention floor, or for those who want to vicariously live through those who had a chance to celebrate WonderCon’s return, we got you covered!

Here’s a quick look at some of the truly spectacular cosplays we came across while wandering the halll of WonderCon 2022!

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WonderCon 2022 Masquerade!

The Mandalorian was the dominant series on display at the 2022 WonderCon Masquerade. Multiple costumes took the stage, with over 20 talented cosplayers vying for a series of prizes, including Best in Show, and fun categories such as “Most Round”.

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With so much variety, judges had their work cutout for them to select the night’s winners. From Deadpool, to Wicked, to Beauty and the Beast, and Westworld, every avenue of cosplay creation was on full display. Now that in person events are back, who knows what we will see next!

You can check out our full overview of WonderCon weekend by clicking here!

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” at El Capitan!

Socalthrills Staff

April 7, 2022

Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre will offer three separate opening day fan event screenings hosted by pop culture outlet Nerdist for Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” on May 5. All tickets for “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” are on sale now.

Opening day fan event screenings will take place at 3:00pm, 7:00pm and 10:30pm, each with their own exclusive items included with a ticket. Each fan event screening costs $50. Guests are also encouraged to cosplay as their favorite Marvel characters.

“3pm Fan Madness” attendees will receive a Doctor Strange souvenir, event credential and 64oz popcorn with their ticket.
“7pm Fan Madness” attendees will receive a themed journal, collectible popcorn tin with popcorn, themed lanyard and event credential with their ticket.
“10:30pm Fan Madness” attendees will receive a limited edition pin, collectible cup with character topper, event credential and 64oz popcorn with their ticket. All attendees attending an opening day fan event screening will receive an El Capitan Theatre exclusive “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” mini poster.

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”

Daily showtimes starting May 6 are 12:30pm, 3:45pm, 7:00pm and 10:30pm. Showtimes are subject to change. Every ticket includes an El Capitan Theatre exclusive “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” mini poster while supplies last.

Guests are invited to arrive early to view a display of costumes from “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.”

Tickets are on sale now at www.elcapitantickets.com and https://www.fandango.com/el-capitan-theatre-aacon/theater-page. All seats are reserved. Friday through Sunday tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for children and seniors. Monday through Thursday tickets are $17 for adults and $13 for children and seniors. Open caption screenings are also available on May 11 at 7pm and May 14 at 3:45pm.

All seats are reserved. Friday through Sunday tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for children and seniors. Monday through Thursday tickets are $17 for adults and $13 for children and seniors. Open caption screenings are also available on May 11 at 7pm and May 14 at 3:45pm.

The El Capitan Theatre has taken enhanced health and safety measures for its guests and cast members. All guests must follow posted instructions while visiting. For health and safety information including theatre policies and procedures visit https://elcapitantheatre.com/safetyinformation/

The Biggest News from WonderCon 2022 and Beyond!

Socalthrills Staff

April 6, 2022

Somehow, WonderCon has returned…and brought with it plenty of news, first looks, and milestone reunions! Let’s dive right in and share some of what this year’s festivities had to offer, bringing you some of the best highlights from this weekend as well as some exciting news that will keep us looking ever forward to Comic Con and beyond!

Mutants Unite! X-Men takes center stage in an epic anniversary panel!

The X-Men fandom had a lot to celebrate this WonderCon, with two exclusive panels commemorating the original animated series, as well as the evolution of the original animated show and how it connects to their hardcore fan base. On Saturday, the convention hall was rocked by an epic reunion for the 30th anniversary of the original X-Men animated series. The panel included some of the creative minds responsible for the fan favorite series, as well as a look back at some of its most memorable moments.

Shortly after, WonderCon was host to a legendary assemblage of some of X-Men’s biggest fans, leading the discussion on the legacy of X-Men and how the fandom connected to the beloved Marvel franchise. From cosplayers, to key animators and players involved in the various series over the years, there was a lot of love for X-Men and a lot more to appreciate with the new animated series in the horizon. We are very excited to see what comes in this next thrilling chapter!

Her Universe Fashion Show preview and first looks!

Ashley Eckstein, along with her epic Her Universe team and winners from last year’s 2021 Her Universe Fashion show took to the stage at WonderCon to preview the return of the in person show this year, along with a few new surprises. Details were also teased for the Her Universe winner’s design line, which will be inspired by the upcoming release of Jurassic World: Dominion.

This unique line will carry one-of-a-kind inspired looks, all tied into the Jurassic franchise. Though it was only a sneak peek, fans did get a chance to hear the new line will debut early this summer. You can also catch our exclusive interview with Her Universe 2021 Fashion Show winner and designer, Teighlor Johnson, by clicking here!

Spider-Man web slings into the Comic Con Museum in Summer 2022

An exclusive installation is coming to the San Diego Comic Con museum this summer, commemorating none other than the one, the only, the amazing Spider-man! Celebrating his 60th anniversary, the exhibit will feature interactive installations, expansive set pieces, and key knowledge from the countless creators who have helped bring the fan favorite hero to life over the past six decades.

Beyond Amazing- Spider-Man: The Exhibition, will include original comic art, animation materials, and film production elements that fill the rich legacy of the Spider-Man story. Fans will even get a chance to catch a glimpse into the future of what’s to come next, which is bound to be exciting. The new exhibit will debut on July 1st, 2022.

The Bob’s Burgers Movie

The cast and creative minds from the hit Fox animated series Bob’s Burgers stole the show on Sunday, sharing a sneak peek at the upcoming and highly anticipated The Bob’s Burgers Movie. Fans had a chance to watch the first six minutes of the film, learn about the creative process behind being the Belchers to the big screen, and the challenges that came from the isolation and restrictions brought on by the pandemic. You can catch the new trailer below!

The panel also dived deep into the Bob’s Burgers timeline, sharing that the plot of the film will carry some big character driven moments, each tied into the Belcher’s experiences going through the last week of school leading into summer. Though, the cast did provide assurance that the show will carry on and keep the clock still, providing more stories to come in the series. Keep an eye out for the musical event of the summer! Yes, you heard it right. This film is going to be a full blown musical experience!

Funko celebrates Freddy’s Beach Bash!

Funko returned to WonderCon and made waves with their epic Beach Bash layout and special limited release figures that included icons from DC, Hanna-Barbera, Marvel, and Masters of the Universe. The installation featured an impressive, 20″ inflatable Tiki, as well as some rad photo ops, and chances to snag a limited edition set of pop figures and other one-of-a-kind merchandise. For fans who did not get a chance to visit WonderCon, retailers will carry their own WonderCon exclusives, such as Hot Topic!

LatinX Representation in film and television discusses inclusion and representation in modern media!

Fans had a chance to catch up with some of the industry’s well renowned creators in the LatinX community, including writer/director Christopher Oroza-Nostas, George Salinas (Executive Producer/ CEO of Bridge Works Entertainment, Julie and the Phantoms), Laura Cristina Ortiz (Costume Designer, Synchronic), Sandro Morales-Santoro (Composer, Marvel: The Secret History of VENOM, Plástico), Alicia Zaragoza (Directors Guild Assistant Director Member, Instructions Not Included), Francisco Cabrera-Feo (Writer, Gentefied), and Moisés Zamora (Writer/ Creator/ Co-Showrunner, Selena: The Series).

“As a Latinx queer costume designer, I feel a responsibility to fill that hole that’s missing,” continued costume designer Laura Cristina Ortiz. “Costume design is like live action character design. When you’re creating them, there’s a responsibility to both the fun fashion impact and the social impact.

It’s very exciting to be a part of the generation that’s making content and trying to find our comfort and solace in the media. There are now a plethora of stories we can relate to.” According to the panel, Latinx creatives make up only 7.1% of film leads, 7.7% of all film roles, 7.1% of film directors, and 5.6% of writers.

New Series from Disney+ bring mystery and intrigue

Disney+ shared some exciting new details behind some brand new series, including the mysterious new reality competition, The Quest. The show is being brought to life by high profile producers ranging from all areas of the entertainment world including The Lord of the Rings, The Amazing Race, and Queer Eye.

This highly immersive hybrid competition will drop eight real teens into the mystical world of Everealm, a land of unriviled beauty and powerful magic. Each teen will compete in challenges to save the world from an evil sorceress and ward off the forces of evil. Fans can catch this exciting new series beginning May 11th on Disney+

All in all, it was great to be back at WonderCon this year, and with plenty of excitement yet to come, we can’t wait to kick off the rest of 2022’s convention season. With so much fun to come, there are bound to be surprises hiding around every corner of the multiverse. We can’t wait to share it all with you.

WonderCon gallery below!

WonderCon 2022

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An Exclusive Chat with Her Universe Designer, Teighlor Johnson

Maverick Bohn

April 4, 2022

When one thinks of San Diego Comic Con, it’s hard not to think about the Her Universe Fashion Show. With its humble beginnings in 2014, the premiere fashion show has transformed into a convention staple, bringing geek couture front and center in a way that has forever made an impact within the fashion community with plenty of glitz, glam, and creativity to spare.

Each year, the show features incredibly unique and truly impressive designs, all focused around a central empowering theme that connects to all avenues of the geek couture community. Each design connecting to fans in a one-of-a-kind way, while still remaining just as relatable as ever as they make their way across the runway.

Last year, Her Universe took to the stage in a virtual way, bringing the fashion show home through a special stream as a part of the Comic Con at Home campaign for San Diego Comic Con. One of the judges’ choice winners was Teighlor Johnson, a long time designer and geek crafter extraordinaire. Teighlor had a chance to sit down with SoCalThrills at WonderCon to tell us about her personal journey into the world of geek fashion and design. Let’s see what she had to say about her journey and where the road leads from here!

Interview with Her Universe Designer

What inspired you to work in clothing and costume design? Where did it all begin?

Oh gosh, that’s a hard one! I’ve been sewing since I was 5 or 6. My grandma taught me how to sew in hopes of trying to get me to sit still (which did not work haha but here we are!). I didn’t really do much with it until after high school where I was like, “I want to be a nerd to everybody now”. Starting with sewing again, I decided I wanted to put my own twist into things. Then, when I first started cosplaying, the Her Universe Fashion show started. This whole concept of “Fashion, but make it nerdy!” completely blew my mind. Since then, I have been trying to make different pieces and designs that match up with that.

What were some of your early designs? How do they shape what you do now?

I’m not going to lie, I feel super cringe when I think of some of my very first designs. They were these straight fashion pieces that had these really cringey themes, one being a symphony collection that was all music notes and things like that. But when I started doing nerdy and geeky designs, I began to expand everything from wanting to hand paint pants to a Princess Monoke theme to designs based on Cora when that came out. I would shift based on whatever my ADHD would hone in on that day, that month, or even that year. Looking back, the biggest thing I think I have progressed in my design work is thinking about what will expand beyond those 15 feet that you take on a runway. If it’s on the runway, that’s great, being a wonderful and over the top piece, but I don’t want it to just end right here. I want it to be something that can be worn over and over again for different situations. I started leaning my design sense to that and it’s worked really well as a result.

How did you discover Her Universe?

I first heard about Her Universe when I was working at Disneyland. That was around the time the collection was starting to release in the parks and I really liked that. I could wear something beyond a fan shirt and a pair of jeans. I thought to myself, “This is so cool!”. I think one of the earliest things I saw was this vintage style Disney dress. I fell in love with it and started looking into the company. Then in 2013, I went to my very first WonderCon and I saw they had the panel set for The Her Universe Fashion Show. I was like, “What is that? It sounds super cool!” I didn’t make it for the full panel, but did manage to catch the tail end of it. I entered for the very first time and though I didn’t get in, it started this road of wanting to make nerdy themed fashion designs.

What are your thoughts on cosplay, and how do you think it has helped shaped the design community?

Cosplay has become a lot more prevalent than in the past. Something that a lot of people in the film and television industry have started paying closer attention to are cosplayers and their skill work. There are a lot of times where you will see something in a television show and two months later, a cosplayer will put out that costume and even do it better. They will develop the materials and find a new way to do something that will leave people in awe. Companies are starting to bring in those people as experts because they have done the footwork in their research to figure out how to create these items. When Star Trek Discovery came out, it took less than a month for someone I know to figure out how to 3D print a flexible fabric for their cosplay for the uniform design that had special Starfleet emblems on the side of the costume rather than hand sew each individual emblem onto the outfit. It’s amazing to see where cosplay has gone and I am honestly excited to see where it’s going.

When did you get the news you were accepted as a finalist for the Her Universe Fashion Show? What was your first reaction?

I was at home and not gonna lie, after seven attempts to apply, I was just happy to get a submission in. I said to myself, “You know what? I did that. Good for me!” I got the email and expected it to be another rejection email, but when I read the subject line and it said CONGRATULATIONS, I screamed. I was super excited and had submitted two designs that year. Truth be told, my Pokemon design had literally been designed the day before submissions were due. I finished it an hour before submissions closed. It just randomly came to me, and it ended up winning.

Describe meeting and working with Ashley Eckstein. What is it like getting to know her?

Oh gosh! Ashley is so cool! She is super sweet in person and very genuine. She lives in Orlando and I live in Orlando, so as a result, we have been having a lot of crossover. She’s even come to my job and I’ve done a couple of pieces for her and her friends. What stands out though is that she has created this big platform to promote mental health in the community, which I think is very important. As nerds and fandom, we face everything from feeling isolated from people because of what we like to burnout from creative endeavors to be a part of this community. She is always pushing to try and let people not only be the best fan that they can be, but be the very best person they can be. I really admire that in her.

What was the most rewarding part of being a part of the Her Universe Fashion Show?

The opportunity to design a collection has been absolutely incredible. I’ve wanted to go into apparel design for the longest time. The amount of education I’ve gotten from winning this contest, developing the right mindset, learning about creative design, to working within deadlines. It’s amazing to see how many different cogs have to move in the right way in order to get the fashion machine going. You also aren’t a solo person in any of this. There’s a whole Facebook group that helped me figure out my designs. The group has past winners that have been extremely helpful. You make friendships and I highly recommend it to anyone that wants to find another way to gain experience within the fandom and community.

As a Her Universe Fashion Show winner, you get the opportunity to help with a future Her Universe design collection. Can you share any details on the project and what you brought to the line?

I am working on a Jurassic World collection and I am super excited about it. When you think of Jurassic Park, it’s classic, it’s iconic! I’ve ridden the rides in California and in Florida so many times. I’ve watched the movies. It’s multi-generational now that you have Jurassic Park and Jurassic World. If even just a little part, I get to be a part of it. It’s so crazy. We tried to design these pieces based on big moments that you see from all the movies. One of those pieces is a jacket that is inspired by the Jurassic Park Jeep. I really wanted to have something with those bright colors and have you look at it and know exactly what it is. It’s super comfy and it’s unisex too. I am super excited because everyone can wear it!

What are you most excited for going into the fashion show this year?

It’s the first time that the fashion show is going to be back in person and it will be my first time actually attending the show! I wasn’t ever able to make it to Comic Con to go do it. I get to see all these friends that I’ve made online and in person. We get to experience that feeling of coming together and meeting for the first time, saying “I know you. I’ve seen your work. It’s great to finally meet you!” It’s absolutely fantastic and I am super excited about that.

What advice can you give to any aspiring designers that are just starting out or looking to take their craft to the next level?

The biggest advice I can give is don’t get in your own way. Don’t give up. I tried seven years to get into this contest and then I ended up being a finalist! Even when my name was announced, my brain was already still trying to figure out designs for the next year because I was not sure I was going to win. Believe in yourself. Don’t give up. Don’t see it as you didn’t win. See it as something you learn each time…If you learned a new skill that you are able to display in your design, that’s a win in of itself. You should be really proud of yourself and your ability of what you can create.

What comes next for Teighlor Johnson? Are there any exciting projects we can look forward to in the future?

To me, the Her Universe Fashion Show is just a taste of what I can do. I want to keep designing, keep creating. I do my chain stitch work for my own business and also do enamel pin work. Truth be told, I really want to start my own fashion brand. I kind of base it off the concept that Her Universe started. I love books. Lord of the Rings and things like that. Reading is where I started to become a fan. I loved the idea of creating a fashion brand themed around different collections of stories and books. Whether that be a Victorian collection based on Sherlock Holmes, or a Gothic Horror collection based on Edgar Allen Poe’s work. It’s still early and in the works.

You can revisit Teighlor’s journey and winning design from the 2021 Her Universe Fashion show by visiting the official Her Universe Fashion Show page. You can also catch Teighlor at the 2022 Her Universe Fashion Show at San Diego Comic Con on Thursday, July 21st. We look forward to sharing more as the event comes closer. Make sure to check out our other WonderCon coverage as we get closer to the return of San Diego Comic Con!

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Socalthrills.com

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