Showbiz Sandbox 290: Disney Plans A Trip To Star Wars Land

August 17, 2015

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Last week the Walt Disney Company held its annual fan club convention, the D23 Expo, which gave the company a chance not only to promote some of its highly anticipated movie releases, such as a live-action “Jungle Book”, but also announce some new additions to their popular theme parks.

Disney plans to leverage its acquisition of Lucasfilm by creating an immersive Star Wars Land at both of its theme parks in North America. The company is also working on a “Toy Story” themed land for both parks as well. This is all on top of the “Avatar” attraction Disney is building in its Animal Kingdom park in Florida.

Meanwhile, the dog days of summer are usually a slow time for live theater productions, especially on Broadway. However this year multiple shows are bringing in million dollar grosses each week, including “Hamilton” a new musical that had the courage to premiere during August.

Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including Sesame Street’s move to HBO, the end of Columbia House and how the late talk show legend Johnny Carson is returning to late night.

‘Compton’ Another Universal Smash
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4096&p=.htm

LA Police Beef Up Patrols Around Theaters Ahead of ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Debut
http://www.thewrap.com/la-police-beef-up-patrols-around-theaters-ahead-of-straight-outta-compton-debut-exclusive/

Universal Hits New North American Box Office Record
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/universal-hits-new-north-american-815617

‘Captain America: Civil War’ Footage Sends D23 Into Frenzy
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/captain-america-civil-war-footage-815495

‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ Lands ‘Jurassic World’ Director Colin Trevorrow
http://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-episode-ix-lands-jurassic-world-director-colin-trevorrow/

‘Star Wars’ Themed Lands Coming to Disney Parks; Harrison Ford Visits D23 Expo
https://variety.com/2015/film/news/d23-star-wars-land-disneyland-1201571059/

Disney Reveals Plans for ‘Toy Story Land’ and ‘Avatar’ and More ‘Star Wars’
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-disney-parks-to-receive-an-injection-of-star-wars-toy-story-and-avatar-20150815-story.html

‘Hamilton’ Musical Making a Mint On Broadway
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-hamilton-broadway-box-office-20150812-story.html

Does “Hamilton” Hit “The Heights?” Not Yet, But It’s Close!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/theater-does-hamilton-hit_b_6702806.html

Hamiltons Miranda Is the New Biggie Smalls? No, He’s the New Sondheim!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/theater-hamiltons-miranda_b_7985782.html

‘Waitress’ Musical Sets the Table for Broadway
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/13/waitress-musical-sets-the-table-for-broadway/

‘King Lear With Sheep.’ Yes, Sheep.
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/11/king-lear-with-sheep-yes-sheep/

Sesame Street Heading To HBO In Fall
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/14/business/media/sesame-street-heading-to-hbo-in-fall.html

HBO Picks Up ‘Sesame Street’ As Kids’ Viewing Habits Change
https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/hbo-picks-up-sesame-street-in-five-year-pact-with-sesame-workshop-1201569335/

HBO, ‘Sesame Street’ Enter Five-Year Deal
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hbo-sesame-street-enter-five-815157

Columbia House Files for Bankruptcy, Blames Streaming
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/columbia-house-files-for-bankruptcy-blames-streaming-20150811

HBO in Preliminary Talks for ‘Deadwood’ Movie
http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/hbo-in-preliminary-talks-for-deadwood-movie-20150813

Amazon’s Jeff Bezos Fires Back at New York Times Expose of Extreme Office Culture
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jeff-bezos-responds-new-york-815769

Johnny Carson Returns: Antenna TV to Air Full ‘Tonight Show’ Episodes
https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/johnny-carson-tonight-show-full-episodes-antenna-tv-1201568250/

‘Lord of the Rings’ Inspires $3 Billion Crowdfunding Campaign to Build Fictional City
http://www.thewrap.com/lord-of-the-rings-inspires-3-billion-crowdfunding-campaign-to-build-fictional-city/

SFX Entertainment Is Back on the Block
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/15/business/media/sfx-entertainment-is-back-on-the-block.html

SFX Lost $48 Million Last Quarter Despite 48% Revenue Growth
http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2015/08/sfx-lost-48-million-last-quarter-despite-48-revenue-growth-.html

Uggie, Co-Star of ‘The Artist,’ Dies at 13
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/12/uggie-co-star-of-the-artist-dies-at-13/

Billy Sherrill, Producer, Dies at 78; Promoted a ‘Countrypolitan’ Sound
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/11/arts/music/billy-sherrill-producer-who-brought-new-sound-to-country-music-dies-at-78.html

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