Studios Arena Presentation at the D23 Expo 2011
Page 7 of 9
Sean Bailey again took the stage,
and at the mention of Tim Burton cheers erupted from the crowd. The film,
described as a "spectacular, stop-motion feature" is Frankenweenie, in 3D and
glorious back and white. Frankenweenie, based on the 1984 featurette, follows
Burton's other Disney films The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, and Alice
in Wonderland. While Burton was not there in person, he did send along a special
video greeting, shot in London where Frankenweenie is currently in production.
A trailer, done in the style of an old time "spook film" was shown. Bailey
chuckled as the lights came back up, describing the style of the film as
"Transylvania meets Burbank." He promised that the film would have new
characters and new creatures, many in homage to classic horror films of the
past. At least one character glimpsed in the trailer resembled Vincent Price.
To present more details about Frankenweenie, producers Allison Abbate and Don
Hahn took the stage. Abbate's past credits include Corpse Bride and The
Fantastic Mr. Fox. Hahn's production credits for Disney include The Lion King
and Beauty and the Beast. They first presented a behind-the-scenes look at the
London studios of Frankenweenie. Tim Burton could be seen engaged in every
aspect of the production. Abbate and Hahn pointed out that the film incorporates
many elements he loved from his childhood. The cast was described as all the
usual "friends of Tim," except Johnny Depp. Even Martin Landau will be heard in
the new Frankenweenie. Also in the cast are Martin Short and Catherine O'Hara.
Danny Elfman returns to provide the score.
To represent the puppet cast of Frankenweenie, Hahn proudly unveiled Sparky, an
actual figure used in the production of the film. Hahn stated that Sparky was,
"four inches tall and made entirely of silicone, kind of like that girl in
Jersey Shore." Frankenweenie is scheduled for release in October 2012.
Bailey took the stage again to
announce The Odd Life of Timothy Green, scheduled for release on August 15,
2012. Director Peter Hedges (What's Eating Gilbert Grape) was present, and
brought along a theatrical trailer. The Odd Life of Timothy Green tells the
story of a childless couple, Jim and Cindy. After writing out their wishes and
dreams for the ideal son, they bury the slips of paper in a box in their garden,
and are surprised the following morning at the appearance of young boy, coated
with mud, who immediately greets them as his mom and dad. Playing the roles of
Jim and Cindy are Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Garner.
Director Hedges brought one of his leads, Jennifer Garner out on the stage, with
a formal introduction: "Jen, D23. D23, Jennifer Garner." After acknowledging the
warm welcome, Garner joked, "You'll all be dressed in mud next year." She went
on to say that she was attracted to the project because of Director Peter
Hedges. The film, she said, was for anyone who has been a parent, has a parent,
or wants to be a parent. The message she wants audiences to take away from The
Odd Life of Timothy Green is that you must love a child for what they are, and
what is special is often what is different