Charles Kimbrough who voiced Victor in the Disney Animated Hunchback version passed away. He was 86 years old.
It seems that he passed on January 11th.
Follow thehunchblogHere is my super off the cuff Tepid Reactions or Tepid Takes to the some new stuff from Disney
Let’s start with the newest remake on the block, Pinocchio. Groans Apparently there is also new Pinocchio this year including a Paul Shore movie, a dark looking video and the upcoming stop motion Del Toro version. I half think Disney rushed this to get ahead of Del Toro’s
Now personally I only ever saw the 1940 Pinocchio once in school when I was a kid. I never liked it. I like Figaro and Monstro end of list. So this was always going to be super pass for me. I’ve seen reviews on this and they do not recommend it. So yeah skip it do anything else with your time, you can never get your time back. (The video is from a reviewer who saw the movie I just didn’t want to post the trailer or get picture)
Did Once upon a time do the live action thing better? Remember Pinocchio was a big part of the first season. In fact he is the reason why the story happens the way it does…..
The Little mermaid teaser trailer. The ONLY issue I have is the lighting. It’s dark. Why? Because it’s a teaser trailer and the effects are not done. It could why her tail is super da glow but everything is not because Ariel tail color is like a point pride. I think I read that somewhere.
Ultimately I do not care who Disney casts, I really do not. No one cared with Once upon time when they did the same thing. The trouble is did Once do these live action remakes better??? I think they did……
I will save judgment for a full trailer.
The Enchanted sequel trailer….. sort of liked it no lies. Probably will watch when it comes out. Do I think it will be the best movie of 2022? No probably not but I doubt it will be the worst and that is at least something.
I’m most liking missing stuff. I know there was Star wars news. I know there was a news piece that the Hunchback version is still in the works. Which good or terrible is fine for me. THOUGH it would be interesting how the studio could make it worse. Can one make the gargoyles worse? Yes. Or could they create something far worse than the gargoyles? Yes.
I do think that since Hunchback is a lesser movie in the studio’s option because of money that they will just leave the production to it own thing which could result in a better end production. OR the executives could meddle as means of over correcting giving us something very bad. We shall see when ever this movie comes out with some pictures or a rushed teaser trailer to show investors or the D23 crowd.
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To be honest there is a not lot of Hunchback theming or references across the Disney parks but there isn’t exactly nothing either. Call-backs to Disney’s Hunchback are there if you’re in the right place at the right time. I’m not saying this is good or bad, it’s just how it is currently.
So this is a list of Hunchback references across multiple Disney Theme parks that are currently there (to my knowledge as of this post) and Hunchback stuff that was there in the past.
Please Note, this list maybe not be complete. I have no clue about merch or pins or any expert information. (Though there has been Hunchback pins)
Starting with what you can still see at present;
In Disneyland, there is Clopin’s Music Box in Fantasy Faire. It’s plays Topsy Turvy.
In Hong Kong Disney there is a Clopin themed restaurant called Clopin’s Festival of Food. This restaurant serves Chinese food that includes Guangdong BBQ, noodles and wok-fried dishes. This is located in Fantasyland.
At Walt Disney World, the Magic Kingdom’s Nighttime Firework show called Happily Ever which includes projections on Cinderella Castle along with music features Out There with Hunchback Clips. And the video I saw of it, the crowd loved seeing Hunchback in it. They cheered loudly for Quasimodo.
At Walt Disney World, Frollo appears in Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios. I should point out that this version of Fantasmic has not been updated in a while so while Frollo is featured with the villains here he is not at Disneyland’s version of Fantasmic.
At Disneysea, which is part of Tokyo Disneyland, Hellfire can be heard a little during their version of Fantasmic. It’s during a part with fire so it makes sense.
Past Hunchback Stuff
There was the Hollywood Studios Hunchback show at Walt Disney World. This show ran from 1996 to 2002.
There was the Hunchback of Notre dame Topsy Turvy Cavalcade at Disneyland. This was a mini Hunchback parade that had two floats.
At DisneyLand Paris there was the Carnival of Fools Parade.
At DisneyLand Paris for their 5th anniversary in 1997, Sleeping Beauty Castle was decorated in a Hunchback Theme or Festival of Fools style.
At the Full of Villains Unleashed Hades Hangout show, which was halloween event, Frollo appears. he’s number 22 in the line up.
The themes Disney seem to go with for Hunchback is either Topsy Turvy or Frollo. Curious.
Though it make sense. Topsy Turvy was used heavily in the marketing of the film and Frollo/Hellfire stole the show a bit.
This is the exact reason I still have Google Alerts.
Disney announced today that Hunchback is the next film in their roaster to get a live-action remake. I have been waiting for this day for a long time.
Here is what is know so far. Josh Gad is produce the film. Just a quick note back in late 2015 I did a post which discussed a fan casting that appeared in my google alerts and Josh Gad was their pick for Quasimodo
you can read it here
Now I couldn’t see this casting pick at the time but Gad is an actor so if he DOES follow suit like so many men who have played or have aspired to play Quasimodo to showcase their acting prowess and have a hand in the production, he might be fine in the role.
Just a note, he may not play Quasimodo but there is a trend that men spearheading Hunchback versions do so to play the role, Gad may just want to produce, we will have to wait and see.
Another piece of information we have is they Tony- winning Playwright David Henry Hwang is writing the screenplay and the film will simply be called Hunchback. Like the 1997 version.
Hwang’s work include Chinglish, Yellow Face, Kung Fu, Golden Child, The Dance of the Railroad. He also has worked on Aida, Flower Drum Song, Disney’s Tarzan and M. Butterfly.
It would seem that the remake will take its cue from the 1996 movie and the book and not the stage production.
Also this version will be a musical with Menken and Schwartz heading the music. So that is good.
What do you think? Are you over the Disney live-action remake trend? Are you excited? Are you afraid Disney is going to ruin it?
Thoughts and feelings welcome.
Source – https://www.cnet.com/news/hunchback-of-notre-dame-next-to-get-disney-remake-treatment/
Source – https://deadline.com/2019/01/hunchback-movie-disney-live-action-david-henry-hwang-josh-gad-alan-menken-stephen-schwartz-1202536031/
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Which Song from Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame are you?
Which one of the Laverne’s birds are you? Bet you didn’t know they had names!
Which one of the Gargoyles’ Drawings are you?
Which Bell of Notre Dame are you?
Are you Team Achilles or Team Snowball?
Are you a Quasimodo super fan?
Which creepy Hellfire judge are you?
Are you obsessed with Esmeralda as much as Frollo? The results are always No but there is a spectrum
Which one of Djali’s expressions are you?
Are you a bum, thief or strumpet?
Does anyone wish these quizzes were real?
(disclaimer – this is a joke and Laverne’s birds do not have names nor do the creepy specter judges but the Bells do)Follow thehunchblog
Simba 2019 The Lion King Remake
Instead of being mad that this remake seems content to enjoy its false advertising or some how trying to redefine ‘what is live action’ let’s just considered how this movie might incorporate the “live” aspect without anyone knowing so Disney can continues to capitalize on this trend.
Disclaimer – This post is meant as joke.
So stupid idea number, this movie DOES have “live action humans” in it. Like the story is actually a nature documentary and there are humans off in the background or foreground trying to get those iconic cinematic shots and making commentary, like the narration in the Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty remakes .
Also these humans can harp on those plot-holes that were in the original that people on the internet like to point out all the time. Like the logic of King’s impact on the weather and ecology, Nala’s dad and the incest that it implies, though watch this remake address that Nala’s mother was taken in from some other pride so there is no incest. Don’t worry about it because Disney fixed it. Other plot-holes may include the elephant graveyard, Simba surviving on bugs (though Film Theory covered that ) and so on and so on. Disney will fix it, it will fix them all and create new ones but that will be the remake of the remake’s problem.
Or perhaps maybe one of the animals is a real Animal hidden amongst the CG animation. You will have to watch the movie 100 times to spot it. And it will be in the background and it will like a tiny lizard or something. Maybe one of the bugs Simba eats. Likes it’s a Metaphor for how CG is taking over. But only TRUE DIE HARD DISNEY fans will spot the “live” animal in this remake.
The reasons for these remakes existing, besides more money, does seem to be pushing the computer animation tech (which people are bored with at this point) AND to correct plot-holes from the originals because imagination is hard and people need things explained more. Like with Beauty and the Beast and logic of a curse and a magical castle. So now they need it with CG Lions meet Hamlet.
I hope this movie does actually shoe-horn in humans or one real animal just for the word usage of “Disney Live Remakes” but I also can’t WAIT for how people in interviews will BS some reason for how it’s “Live” or why it doesn’t matter. Then again does Disney actually use the term “Live Action remakes?” Is this even a problem?
Ultimately I do not care, Disney needs its money and repackage nostalgia is a safe bet to get that money. Though if people really wanted Disney to stop with these movies collectively we need to stop paying attention and sending money on them but we won’t so here we are with four “live action remakes” coming out in 2019.
WHERE IS THE LIVE ACTION HUNCHBACK DISNEY??????
Alas there are no Hunchback of Notre Dame ugly Christmas sweater just yet but since this blog has a Disney leaning here are some Disney Ugly Christmas Sweaters that you can get right now via amazon.
Also I had wanted to showcase a Notre Dame Fighting Irish sweater just to be funny but I couldn’t find one. But there are a TON of Disney Ugly Christmas Sweaters, because of course there is, it’s Disney and Christmas.
Disney Villains Good Bad Ugly Christmas Sweater
Disney Villains Good Bad Ugly Christmas Sweater
Disney Snow White All Dwarfs Ugly Christmas Sweater Fleece
Disney Snow White Dwarfs Ugly Christmas Sweater
Disney Men’s Mickey Mouse Ugly Christmas Sweater
Disney Men’s Mickey Mouse Ugly Christmas Sweater
Disney Frozen Olaf Sven Ugly Christmas Sweater Sweatshirt
Disney Frozen Olaf & Sven Ugly Christmas Sweater
Because I love Star Wars there are two but there are many, many…many more.
Star Wars Official X-Wing Vs. Tie Fighter Christmas Jumper/Ugly Sweater
Star Wars Official X-Wing Vs. Tie Fighter Christmas Sweater
Star Wars Men’s Darth Vader Holiday Sweater
Star Wars Men’s Darth Vader Holiday Sweater
If I ever do make a Quasimodo/Hunchback Ugly Christmas sweater I will post here because where else would I put it? And it will be very ugly because I suck at art. Of course you can always get my Quasimodo Ornament at Zazzle for your Christmas tress.
Happy Holidays!!!!!!Follow thehunchblog
I have been wanting to these type of posts for a while. Basically it’s just fashions, mostly gowns, that look similar to an Esmeralda costume in someway.
Renato Balestra, Spring 2014
This gown by Renato Balestra from spring 2014, is akin to Disney Esmeralda’s costume in terms of its color story and verticality. I also like that it has a sari-like way about kind adding to appeal.Follow thehunchblog
Naomi Scott
Let’s just unpack this bit of casting news. Recently Naomi Scott was cast as Princess Jasmine in the upcoming Live-Action Remake of Aladdin and some people are upset. Scott is half Indian and half British and Jasmine is Middle-Eastren which means for a lot of people that she isn’t White or Indian. The reason for her casting is that she can sing and dance. At least that is excuse given.
Karen David as Princess Jasmine in Once Upon A Time
It’s a hard one. Personally I think Scott would have been better suited for Esmeralda, though I would rather see Gigi Radics in the role but this isn’t the first time Jasmine has played by a women of Indian Descent. In Once Upon a Time she was played by Karen David who can also sing and dance, watch Galavant, that show is awesome. One point people are making against Scott playing the role is that is was great chance by Disney to have a Middle Eastern woman in a prominent positive role. Another issue is that casting Scott looks like Disney doesn’t understand that Middle Eastern culture and Indian culture are different, even though some have defended Scott by saying there is overlap in the styling of Aladdin like the palace look like the Taj Mahal and Raja’s name. Also at Disney World Aladdin character frequent the Moroccan pavilion at Epcot. Disney has aways mixed vaguely similar cultures. I mean Agrabah is a combination of Arga and Baghdad, which is where Aladdin was originally supposed to be sets. Agra is an Indian city in Uttar Pradesh where the Taj Mahal is located.
Princess Jasmine
Oh, boy am I generalizing today but a lot people feel that everyone should play any role and some feel that if you whitewash you have to cast everything like in voice acting in accordance with a character’s race and background and it just a can worms. First off Whitewashing is a BIG issue. If a character is a specific race and if it’s important to their character and setting than YES cast someone who fits the mold. I had no idea that years ago bitch about Chinese women playing Japanese women in Memoirs of a Geisha that should have been grateful they were at least East Asians. I did here people complaining about black people in the new Beauty and the Beast movie as historical inaccurate. Forget about the implications of a forgoten Prince hanging out after I guess the Revolution, it’s the race of few minor characters that irked some people.
Mena Massoud
Disney is in a unique position with its remake movies, they don’t need bankable actors. Sure, they help but people are going to see these movies more for nostalgia than the actors. So far with Aladdin, Aladdin is being played by Egyptian- Canadian actor Mena Massoud and Will Smith playing the Genie. If there reason for casting Scott was predicated on Singing and Dancing made they either rethink making these remake musicals or they could considering dubbing.
Naomi Scott
I think if Disney had expanded their search or at least rethought the singing necessity there might have been a better Jasmine. Scott might do fine in the role but I can understand both side of the argument of her casting. It seemed like filmmakers gave up trying to cast the role and settled for some who nearly had the right ethnic background.
Or maybe the film will make Agrabah a reverse Mughal-equse regime where the ruling and noble class are of Indian descent and the lower class are Arabic to justify this casting choice. (This will more than likely not happen.)
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/07/17/disney-aladdin-jasmine-naomi-scott_a_23034316/
http://fortune.com/2017/07/21/disney-aladdin-cast-naomi-scott/Follow thehunchblog
Quaismodo Bells of Notre dame reprise Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
I get a Google-Alert for Hunchback of Notre Dame. However it sucks. Mostly it just tells me about another regional production of Hunchback, which is great or something on Criaglist. To be honest I mostly ignore the alerts. Last Saturday though I got it in my head to just look on Google News for Hunchback when I saw this;
OR a similar news outlet making this report. Also I think my Google Alert alerted me to this on Monday.
So about the news. It’s not yet happening so to speak but Alan Meken said
“I can’t say anything yet,” Menken said, “but I think Hunchback would make an amazing live action musical.”
Quasimodo during Out There Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
So it MIGHT happen. After watching the Beauty and the Beast remake, I think Hunchback is the way for Disney. It really did seemed with the new Beauty and beast movie they were trying to captizle on a movie that studios already thought was near flawless which is why they only changed minor things and did a fairly straight shot for shot remake. What was the point of remaking it other than making money? They could have just re-released the 1991 movie to theater if there weren’t going to adapt the story for the medium more. Say what you want about the 2015 Cinderella movie, at least it was different from the cartoon. Which bring us back to Hunchback.
Disney never liked Hunchback that much. It didn’t make much money ergo it wasn’t successful for Disney. Also the darker tone was turn off for a lot of people. A live-action version could fix a lot of issues and people might be more forgiving of a dark tone. It would be interesting to see what is done with the story. Do they make it more of blend of the musical and the cartoon. Or do they follow the book more? Do we get a more innocent Esmeralda and angry Quasimodo? Do we get a priest/alchemist Frollo? Do we get a Gringoire?
If this movie does get made it brings the total number of Hunchback movie adaptions in production up. Very technically speaking there are three in the works. There is the Max Ryan version (could be in filming hell), there was the version from Esmeralda’s perspective (haven’t heard any new on that one in a long time) and the Universal Monster version (hope The Mummy didn’t kill this being made.) Pretty sure the jazzy Brolin version is dead.
Anyway well we’ll just have to wait and see but I’m up for a new Hunchback version good to bad.