Disney Headlines for June 11th, 2024
Bob Iger had quite an eventful week.
In Disney Headlines, we’ll talk about the newest knight and his Tokyo Disney comments.
Sir Bob Iger and the Tokyo Trip
![Bob Iger](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/240403-Bob-Iger-ew-412p-5d1ef7.webp)
![Bob Iger](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/240403-Bob-Iger-ew-412p-5d1ef7.webp)
NBC News
The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger is currently on a world tour, and he spent part of it on one knee.
During a visit to Windsor Castle, Iger accepted an honorary title as a Knight of the Order of the British Empire.
![Bob Iger Knight](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Bob-Iger-KNight.png)
![Bob Iger Knight](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Bob-Iger-KNight.png)
Photo: Willow Bay on Instagram
Don’t get me wrong. If there’s a medieval sword duel that breaks out, Iger probably won’t help much in a fight.
Still, William, the Prince of Wales, performed the ceremony for Iger and others, including Star Wars composer John Williams.
![Bob Iger Knight](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-04-at-18-41-45-Disney-CEO-Bob-Iger-Becomes-Honorary-Knight-in-Ceremony-Led-by-Prince-William-e1717546482853.png)
![Bob Iger Knight](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-04-at-18-41-45-Disney-CEO-Bob-Iger-Becomes-Honorary-Knight-in-Ceremony-Led-by-Prince-William-e1717546482853.png)
Photo: Willow Bay on Instagram (via PEOPLE)
As far as honorifics go, this one’s pretty good. And it’s better if you hear The Imperial March as the soundtrack.
Iger actually didn’t technically receive the commendation from Prince William.
![Bob Iger Shareholder Meeting 2024](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bob-iger-2024-shareholder-e1712696089719.jpeg)
![Bob Iger Shareholder Meeting 2024](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bob-iger-2024-shareholder-e1712696089719.jpeg)
Bob Iger – 2024 Annual Shareholder Meeting
Instead, Queen Elizabeth II had chosen Disney’s CEO just before her death. So, his knighthood is technically one of her final requests.
View this post on Instagram
Anyway, Iger stopped here on his way to his appearance at the official opening of Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea.
![Bob Iger 2024 Shareholder Meeting](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bob-iger-2024-shareholder-meeting-e1712695725310.jpeg)
![Bob Iger 2024 Shareholder Meeting](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bob-iger-2024-shareholder-meeting-e1712695725310.jpeg)
Bob Iger – 2024 Annual Shareholder Meeting
Iger understandably wanted to visit the new place himself, as it hints at future American Disney theme park expansion.
The upcoming expansions at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World will likely replicate some of the attractions at Fantasy Springs.
![Bob Iger](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/iger-view-01-abc-jt-190923_hpMain_4x3t_992.jpg)
![Bob Iger](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/iger-view-01-abc-jt-190923_hpMain_4x3t_992.jpg)
Heidi Gutman/Walt Disney Television
At a minimum, Disney is repurposing the technology, as we’ve already witnessed with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Some of the same digital wall projection techniques from Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure are present on the Tiana ride.
Why Iger Went to Tokyo
![Fantasy Springs](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-06-at-18-02-53-Celebrating-the-Opening-of-Fantasy-Springs-at-Tokyo-DisneySea-Disney-Parks-Blog.png)
![Fantasy Springs](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-06-at-18-02-53-Celebrating-the-Opening-of-Fantasy-Springs-at-Tokyo-DisneySea-Disney-Parks-Blog.png)
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
The Fantasy Springs expansion is technically the largest one in the history of Tokyo Disney Resort, and the early reviews are glowing.
Iger appeared in more of an ambassador role, as the Oriental Land Company (OLC) owns this park, not Disney.
![Never Land Wallpaper](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fantasy-Springs-Peter-Pans-Never-Land-Wallpaper-Desktop-767x431-1.jpg)
![Never Land Wallpaper](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fantasy-Springs-Peter-Pans-Never-Land-Wallpaper-Desktop-767x431-1.jpg)
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
Still, his ribbon-cutting ceremony reflects more than just a polite appearance for a high-paying ally in the OLC.
Iger is there to listen to the guest feedback about Fantasy Springs, as it’s that important to what comes next.
![Fantasy Springs](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fantasy-Springs-Frozen-Kingdom-Wallpaper-Desktop-767x431-1.jpg)
![Fantasy Springs](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fantasy-Springs-Frozen-Kingdom-Wallpaper-Desktop-767x431-1.jpg)
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
Disney officials have indicated that it’s “one of the most ambitious projects we’ve ever undertaken in the world.”
That’s a unique assertion for something that Disney technically doesn’t even own, but it’s also understandable.
![Fantasy Springs Tokyo DisneySea](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Fantasy-Springs-Tokyo-DisneySea-12.jpg)
![Fantasy Springs Tokyo DisneySea](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Fantasy-Springs-Tokyo-DisneySea-12.jpg)
Photo: Disney
As discussed, Disney prefers to mitigate the cost of theme park attractions by duplicating them at various theme parks.
That way, Disney only pays once for research and development, but it splits that cost across the parks.
![Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-06-at-10-09-13-Anna-and-Elsas-Frozen-Journey19-768x512.jpg-JPEG-Image-768-×-512-pixels.png)
![Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-06-at-10-09-13-Anna-and-Elsas-Frozen-Journey19-768x512.jpg-JPEG-Image-768-×-512-pixels.png)
Photo: Tokyo DisneySea
Yes, each Disney park’s version will appear slightly different, but the inner workings are similar, reducing the total cost.
Disney has strongly hinted that the DisneylandForward expansion will include Tokyo’s version of Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey.
![Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-06-at-10-09-23-Royal-Banquet-of-Arendelle3-768x512.jpg-JPEG-Image-768-×-512-pixels.png)
![Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-06-at-10-09-23-Royal-Banquet-of-Arendelle3-768x512.jpg-JPEG-Image-768-×-512-pixels.png)
Photo: Tokyo DisneySea
EPCOT already hosts Frozen Ever After, but Frozen Journey works differently and has some stunning special effects.
Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure is similarly creative, and Disneyland may add that attraction as well.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-wall-street-journal-bob-iger-photo-by-stephanie-aaronson.jpeg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-wall-street-journal-bob-iger-photo-by-stephanie-aaronson.jpeg)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by JUSTIN LANE/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
If not, as mentioned, Imagineers will strip the technology for reusable parts for other upcoming attractions.
Ergo, Iger took Josh D’Amaro on a fact-finding mission in Tokyo, where they learned that audiences are in love with Fantasy Springs.
![Tokyo DisneySea](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Tokyo-DisneySea-1.jpg)
![Tokyo DisneySea](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Tokyo-DisneySea-1.jpg)
Photo: Disney
Nobody should seem surprised by this, as OLC is really good at theme park creations, but it’s a positive sign.
Disney has grand ambitions for its future growth, and Fantasy Springs hints at that better tomorrow.
The Club Penguin Warning
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Club-Penguin1NRqIWBBnL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Club-Penguin1NRqIWBBnL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg)
Club Penguin
Here’s a strange Headline I wanted to bring to your attention.
As parents, you haven’t thought about Club Penguin in a minute, have you?
![Club Penguin](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Club-Penguin.png)
![Club Penguin](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Club-Penguin.png)
Club Penguin
In the early 2000s, kids loved Club Penguin so much that Disney bought it for $350 million.
Alas, the move proved a bit ill-considered for Disney, which was already juggling three other massively multiplayer online games.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Club-Penguin1FYsFRPwvL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Club-Penguin1FYsFRPwvL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg)
Club Penguin
A few years later, Disney suddenly closed Club Penguin, asking the remaining gamers to switch to Club Penguin Island.
That strategy barely lasted a year, and all subsequent attempts to reinvigorate the faded franchise failed.
![Club Penhin](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Cluib-Penguin-2.png)
![Club Penhin](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Cluib-Penguin-2.png)
Photo: Club Penguin
Since then, nobody at Disney had thought much about the Club Penguin brand…until this week.
An anonymous hacker randomly confessed that they had hacked Club Penguin and proved it with some “Internal Club Penguin PDFs.”
![internet](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/shutterstock-world-laptop-internet.jpg.webp)
![internet](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/shutterstock-world-laptop-internet.jpg.webp)
Photo: Rappler
BleedingComputer reported that the individual “hacked a Disney Confluence server to steal information.”
According to the report, the hacker gained “2.5 GB of internal corporate data.”
![data](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/binary.jpg)
![data](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/binary.jpg)
Photo: Computer Hope
In short, this person pants-ed Disney, revealing all sorts of previously undisclosed information about internal infrastructure.
Disney’s internet security teams have likely worked overtime this week to plug any potential holes in its system.
![computer](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screen-Shot-2022-05-30-at-9.54.07-PM-e1709300354564.png)
![computer](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screen-Shot-2022-05-30-at-9.54.07-PM-e1709300354564.png)
Photo:seoclerk.com
When something like this occurs, other hackers come out of the woodwork to see if they can find some unlocked doors as well.
Most of the sensitive information directly impacts Disney, not you as a customer.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/flat750x075f-pad750x1000f8f8f8.u1-1.jpg.webp)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/flat750x075f-pad750x1000f8f8f8.u1-1.jpg.webp)
Club Penguin
Still, those of you who had children using Club Penguin back in the day should make sure that you’ve changed your passwords since then.
I’d like to think you’d done that anyway for something at least seven years old, but just in case, here’s your warning.
Hackers may have your personal information.
Disney Movie Headlines
![Shawn Levy](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gettyimages-1441330020-612x612-1.jpg)
![Shawn Levy](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gettyimages-1441330020-612x612-1.jpg)
Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Netflix)
Finally, I want to discuss two recent Disney movie Headlines that share DNA.
The first is that Marvel is circling around a director for Avengers 5.
![Shawn Levy](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gettyimages-1447056894-612x612-1.jpg)
![Shawn Levy](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gettyimages-1447056894-612x612-1.jpg)
(Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images)
In a perfect world, the studio would prefer for Shawn Levy to take this job, something he’s apparently considering.
Levy previously impressed Disney with his deft handling of Free Guy during the pandemic.
![Shawn Levy](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gettyimages-621556622-612x612-1.jpg)
![Shawn Levy](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gettyimages-621556622-612x612-1.jpg)
(Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
Disney inherited that movie through its Fox acquisition, and Levy found a way to make it successful in the face of impossible obstacles.
Soon afterward, Levy agreed to direct a film that hasn’t come out yet, but it’s one we all expect to do well.
![Sabretooth Wolverine X-Men Deadpool 3](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-07-at-16-33-13-Liev-Schreiber-Has-Talked-to-Hugh-Jackman-About-Returning-as-Sabretooth-for-Wolverine-3.png)
![Sabretooth Wolverine X-Men Deadpool 3](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-07-at-16-33-13-Liev-Schreiber-Has-Talked-to-Hugh-Jackman-About-Returning-as-Sabretooth-for-Wolverine-3.png)
Photo: Marvel
I’m referring to Deadpool & Wolverine, which Levy directed with co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.
Levy had previously worked with both Reynolds in Free Guy and Jackman in Real Steel.
![Ryan Reynolds Hugh Jackman](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-29-at-13-46-43-A-full-timeline-of-Ryan-Reynolds-and-Hugh-Jackmans-12-year-feud-e1717017171336.png)
![Ryan Reynolds Hugh Jackman](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-29-at-13-46-43-A-full-timeline-of-Ryan-Reynolds-and-Hugh-Jackmans-12-year-feud-e1717017171336.png)
Photo: People
So, he’s a proven Hollywood director who can work with high-profile celebrities. That makes him an ideal choice for Avengers 5.
Similarly, Pixar has reportedly chosen the director for Toy Story 5, and it’s the safest person the studio could pick.
![Andrew Stanton](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gettyimages-543305284-612x612-1.jpg)
![Andrew Stanton](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gettyimages-543305284-612x612-1.jpg)
(Photo by Jay L. Clendenin/Contour by Getty Images)
Andrew Stanton, the director of Finding Nemo and WALL-E, is apparently the choice.
Stanton possesses familiarity with Toy Story from his…having co-written the first four films in the franchise.
![Andrew Stanton](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gettyimages-103673457-612x612-1.jpg)
![Andrew Stanton](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gettyimages-103673457-612x612-1.jpg)
(Photo by Jason Kempin/WireImage)
Like I said, Stanton’s safe, and that’s what ties the two stories together.
Disney Proceeds with Caution
![Box Office](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gettyimages-160510203-640x640-1.jpg)
![Box Office](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gettyimages-160510203-640x640-1.jpg)
Getty
As Disney contemplates its film divisions, the buzzword right now is caution.
After the film studios, especially Marvel, took huge risks on unproven directors, many titles struggled.
![Box Office](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gettyimages-1545551667-612x612-1.jpg)
![Box Office](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gettyimages-1545551667-612x612-1.jpg)
(Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
Now, Disney has circled back to reliable filmmakers with a proven track record of financially successful projects.
That’s a smart approach, although it won’t quiet the critics claiming that Disney films aren’t taking enough chances these days.
![Avengers](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/hero-image.fill_.size_1248x702.v1623370357-1024x576.jpg)
![Avengers](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/hero-image.fill_.size_1248x702.v1623370357-1024x576.jpg)
Photo: Marvel
Well, Disney just tried that from 2020-2023, and the results were a decidedly mixed bag.
So, now we get directors like Levy and Stanton creating films like Avengers 5 and Toy Story 5.
![Marvel Studios logo](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-08-29-at-17-25-51-Marvel-Studios-Exec-Reveals-Biggest-Restrictions-of-MCU-Live-Action-Projects.png)
![Marvel Studios logo](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-08-29-at-17-25-51-Marvel-Studios-Exec-Reveals-Biggest-Restrictions-of-MCU-Live-Action-Projects.png)
Photo; The Direct
Disney’s far from alone with this strategy, either.
You’d be hard-pressed to get a film greenlit in Hollywood right now if it’s not connected to an existing franchise.
For its part, Pixar is promising three films every two years, with them alternating between original stories and sequels/prequels.
Folks, this is how it’s gonna be in Hollywood for a while, but at least Disney can rely on proven commodities like Levy and Stanton.
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