Disney Headlines for March 10th, 2026
This week in Disney Headlines, Ryan Murphy unintentionally makes a splash.
Also, two unpopular reality show contestants sue Disney for a less than amazing race.
We’ll discuss these stories, plus the Florida Project in this week’s Disney Headlines.
A Bridge Too Far
Photo: FX
Due to the publication timing, this article will go live before one I wrote yesterday.
In that piece, I discuss Disney’s blockbuster success with Love Story.
Photo: FX
This 2026 Hulu limited series tells the story of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.
There’s probably some alternate reality where JFK Jr. has become President by now.
Photo: FX
Alas, the loving couple tragically died in a plane crash in 1999, barely three years past their wedding day.
Before then, JFK Jr. engaged in a highly publicized romance with Disney star Darryl Hannah.
Photo: FX
During the 1980s, Hannah’s performances in Splash and Roxanne made her a superstar.
Splash became Disney’s first live-action blockbuster, and it even spawned a fun bit of trivia.
Photo: Buena Vista
You may not realize this, but Disney named the ride Splash Mountain after the movie Splash.
This past week, we experienced some harsh Disney-on-Disney action due to Love Story.
Photo: FX
Hannah’s character appears in the film as the romantic rival of Bessette.
The actress is also someone who may wish they had never become famous.
Photo: FX
I don’t want to sadden you with details, but you can read specifics on her Wikipedia entry.
Yeah, it’s a lot. On top of that, Hannah now claims that Love Story misrepresents her.
Darryl Hannah Tells Her Side
The actress wrote a guest essay for The New York Times, and its title tells the story.
The article is called “How Can ‘Love Story’ Get Away With This?” And it’s pretty much what you think.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Hannah recounts the many ways that the story fictionalizes her in a way that demonizes her.
Specifically, she states, “I have never used cocaine in my life or hosted cocaine-fueled parties.”
(Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Friends of hers have come to her defense on this point, which makes the whole thing sound inaccurate.
To her credit, the actress readily admits that she understands the why of it.
Photo: Hollywood Reporter
To tell a great love story, producers Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk needed a villain.
The problem is that they chose Hannah, who is very much alive and must deal with the ramifications.
Photo: IndieWire
I won’t pretend like I know how accurate Hannah’s portrayal is, but this is an incendiary reply.
The actress claims that people are accosting her due to fictionalized events from 30+ years ago.
(Photo by Stephen Rose/Getty Images)
Love Story is Hulu’s biggest limited-series hit ever, which means tons of people have watched it.
Disney may need to intercede here and offer some sort of apology, retraction, or, at a minimum, walk back parts of it.
The whole situation is complicated by the fact that new President Dana Walden is personally involved.
She’s the godmother of Ryan Murphy’s children and the person he claims gave him a career.
(Photo by Phil Faraone/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)
So, his creating problems for a Disney icon on a Hulu program is Walden’s problem for several years.
A lot of people are watching her closely right now, which makes this a fascinating story to watch. For Disney fans, the whole thing is regrettable, as most of us like all three of them.
Remembering The Florida Project
Okay, let’s discuss something much happier instead.
The city of Orlando just did something wonderful and long overdue. In November 1965, Walt Disney changed everything in Central Florida.
That was when Uncle Walt confirmed that the rumors were true and the “Girl Reporter” had it right.
Photo: Disney
His mysterious Project X was, in fact, a stealthy real estate purchase in Orlando, Florida, aka the Florida Project.
The world-renowned entertainer confirmed that he intended to build in Central Florida.
Opening day in 1982
At the time, he was referencing the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.
What happened instead was that Disney died 13 months later, with his Imagineers creating a new legacy.
Photo: D23
That November 1965 press conference led to the creation of Walt Disney World.
Had that not happened, other theme parks never would have come to the area.
Photo: Disney Parks
To a larger point, Central Florida’s tourism would be just a fraction of what it is now.
Local officials are acutely aware of that fact, which led to this honor.
Photo:visitorlando.com
When you visit the spot where Disney announced Project X in 1965, you’ll now find a commemorative plaque.
Disney posted the details here, and you’ll want to read the entire article.
Photo: Disneyplanning.com
The gist is that the plaque commemorates the moment when everything changed in Orlando.
Walt Disney famously considered several other locations before settling on this part of Florida.
So, many of our lives would be VERY different if he’d picked a different place.
From now on, the plaque marks the spot where Central Florida became a major tourist destination.
You Signed Waivers
Disney+
I was one of the first people to recap reality television series, starting with Survivor.
My wife and I spent countless Thursday evenings analyzing various play mechanics. After a while, we grew to realize just how rigged the entire setups are and stopped watching.
However, our favorite two reality competitions were always Top Chef and The Amazing Race.
Both of them rewarded skill rather than luck and/or shameless producer interference.
I’m stating that pointedly while leading up to this particular Headline.
Photo: cba.cj
A married couple is suing Disney through 20th Century Television and Paramount for their portrayal.
The couple finished third during season 37 but gained more notoriety for a different reason.
Photo: Miriam-Webster
Viewers believed that the husband demonstrated toxic, possibly even abusive behavior toward the wife.
Now, the couple is representing itself (!) in an $8 million lawsuit, and that’s not the wild part.
They’re not just seeking a big settlement. The couple wants a public apology and a re-edit to make them look better.
That would have been a laughable request 25 years ago, much less today.
Photo: Getty
Everyone knows the deal about appearing on a reality show competition.
You’re setting yourself up for public judgment, and if you behave deplorably, you WILL get called on it.
amazing race
More importantly, every program in this field requires competitors to sign ironclad waivers.
So, this particular legal ploy achieves the opposite of the couple’s hopes.
People
They wanted to reboot their public persona. Instead, they’ve just drawn even more scrutiny.
I’m starting to understand why they lost.
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Feature Photo:FX
