Disney

Lilo and Stitch: Niu FM host goes viral calling on Disney to cast that ‘brown skin magic’

The decision has also sparked conversations regarding the film industry’s ongoing history of colourism, whitewashing and erasure of indigenous and darker skinned communities. 

Niu FM Nights host Soana Aleva's Tiktok video last Friday, in response to the casting announcement, highlighted the question on many minds ‘why does this actress look nothing like Nani?’

Aleva says her viral video was motivated by wanting to see the popular cartoon role being portrayed by an actor who embodied what the character represents to so many in the Pacific. 

Disney overtakes Netflix in race for subscribers

The firm reported 221.1 million subscribers across its three streaming platforms at the start of July.

That put it just ahead of Netflix, which has been losing customers.

But Disney warned that its loss of streaming rights for cricket in India would reduce its subscriber growth compared to previous forecasts.

The firm, which also owns general audience television platform Hulu and the sports-focused ESPN+, said demand for its Disney+ product remained strong.

Florida lawmakers strip Disney of special tax status

The status gave Disney powers to levy tax, build roads and control utilities on the lands of its theme park.

The entertainment conglomerate did not respond when asked for comment.

The move is widely seen as retribution for Disney's opposition to a bill that bars primary school classrooms from discussing sexual orientation.

On Thursday, at the urging of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, the state House passed a bill that would rid the company of its near-total power over the special district where its theme park is based. It had already passed the Senate.

Scarlett Johansson sues Disney over streaming of Black Widow

The superhero film set a box office record for the COVID-19 pandemic when it came out this month, grossing $218m (£157m) on its first weekend.

But box office receipts then fell sharply and Ms Johansson argues she was deprived of potential earnings.

Disney did not comment immediately on the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles.

Ms Johansson says she was promised by Marvel Studios, which is owned by Disney, that Black Widow would be a "theatrical release", and that she had understood this to mean a traditional "window" of time would pass before it would be streamed.

Cruella: Disney's live-action origin story gets mixed reviews

The film is a prequel to 101 Dalmatians and follows Cruella de Vil from her roots as an orphaned urchin to an aspiring fashion designer determined to avenge her mother's death.

The Guardian said the film was "extremely entertaining".

But The Times called it "messy, flabby and confused".

The evil, dognapping character was a terrifying Disney icon when 1961's original animation 101 Dalmatians was released,

This latest film follows 1996's live-action version starring Glenn Close, and its sequel in 2000.

Yara Shahidi is Disney's new Tinkerbell

The forthcoming movie, called Peter Pan and Wendy, will also star Jude Law as villain Captain Hook.

It is the latest in Disney's live-action remakes of animated classics, following on from Aladdin, The Lion King and Mulan.

Shahidi's casting marks the latest move in Disney's ongoing efforts to improve diversity.

She may only be 20 years old, but Yara Shahidi has been acting for more than a decade.

Disney ends the historic 20th Century Fox brand

It comes as the legendary House of Mouse has rebranded one of its TV studios as 20th Television.

It follows January's rebranding of the 85-year-old film company 20th Century Fox as 20th Century Studios.

Last year Disney completed a $71.3bn (£54.7bn) deal to buy the bulk of Rupert Murdoch's Fox media assets.

Disney has also renamed its other television studios, including changing ABC Studios and ABC Signature Studios to ABC Signature while Fox 21 Television Studios will become Touchstone Television.

Mulan: UK cinemas hit out at 'disappointing' Disney+ release

The live-action reboot had been due in cinemas, but the company has now said it will be put on Disney+ in the US.

The UK Cinema Association said it understands the same will happen in the UK, which is "hugely disappointing".

Chief executive Phil Clapp said: "For many this will seem a step backwards rather than forward."

Cinemas have been reopening in the UK since July, but face a battle to tempt fans back. Most new releases have been delayed or released online.

Disney stops paying 100,000 workers during downturn

The world's biggest entertainment group operates theme parks and hotels in the US, Europe and Asia.

Stopping pay for almost half of its workforce will save Disney up to $500m (£400m) a month, according to the Financial Times.

Disney made operating income of $1.4bn for its parks, experiences and products in the last three months of 2019.

The company said it will provide full healthcare benefits for staff placed on unpaid leave and urged its US employees to apply for government benefits through the $2tn coronavirus stimulus package. 

Disney drop Mulan character following #MeToo movement

The film tells of a woman who disguises herself as a man to fight in place of her father in China's imperial army.

In the 1998 animated original, based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, General Li Shang developed a bond with Mulan's male warrior alter-ego Ping.

After her true identity was revealed, she and Li Shang have dinner together.

Given recent revelations in Hollywood, however, producer Jason Reed confirmed they were uncomfortable with the power dynamics in their relationship.