Christine Service, country manager Africa at The Walt Disney Company announced the six-month film and DVD / Blu-Ray release slate for spring / summer 2013 at a media event in Johannesburg on Monday 8 July.
First up is the theatrical release from Disney / Jerry Bruckheimer Films of The Lone Ranger on 12 July. The movie stars Armie Hammer as the Lone Ranger and Johnny Depp as his faithful sidekick Tonto. In the film, Native American warrior Tonto recounts the tales that transformed John Reid, a man of law, into a legend of justice. The movie also stars Tom Wilkinson, William Fichtner, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale, Ruth Wilson and Helena Bonham Carter.
Monsters University releases from Disney / Pixar on 18 June on DVD, Blu-Ray and 3D Blu-Ray. The movie is directed by Dan Scanlon (Cars, Mater and the Ghostlight, Tracy) and produced by Kori Rae (Up, The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc.) and stars the voice talents of Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Dave Foley, Julia Sweeney, Joel Murray and Peter Sohn.
The Jungle Book releases on Blu-Ray on 12 August for a short period and the film is brilliantly restored with enhanced picture and sound. With the voice talents of Sebastian Cabot, Phil Harris, Sterling Holloway and Bruce Reitherman.
On 16 August from above the world of Cars comes Disney’s Planes, an action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure flying on to the big screen and featuring Dusty (Dane Cook), a plane with dreams of competing as a high-flying air racer. The only snag is that Dusty is afraid of heights… With the voice talents of John Cleese, Brad Garrett, Teri Hatcher, Val Kilmer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cedric the Entertainer. Available in Disney Digital 3D.
Iron Man 3 releases on 26 August in DVD, Blu-Ray and 3D Blu-Ray so viewers can experience the adrenaline-pumping, heart-stopping action and adventure of Marvel’s box-office hit. With Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man / Tony Stark, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale with Jon Favreau and Ben Kingsley.
Coming out the Disney Vault for a short period in DVD and Blu-Ray is The Little Mermaid, which releases on 9 September. This is one of the most celebrated animated film of all time and winner of two Academy Awards for Best Music, Original Score; Best Music, Original Song, Under the Sea (1989).
On 2 October the latest seasons from ABC Studios’ drama-fuelled titles are available to own: Body of Proof Season 3, Castle Season 5, Criminal Minds Season 8, Grey’s Anatomy Season 9, Once Upon a Time Season 2, Private Practice Season 6 and Revenge Season 2.
Marvel’s mighty avenger is back on 8 November in Thor: The Dark World as the blonde warrior returns to the big screen to save Earth and restore order to the cosmos. Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsard, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuouye-Agbaje ) with Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins as Odin.
On 29 November Leon Schuster (Schuks) returns to prank South Africans in Schuks! Your Country Needs You. Transformed by elaborate costumes and special effects make-up, Schuks and the team also tackle some of the country’s most famous faces. This theatrical release from Touchstone Pictures also stars Alfred Ntombela, Rob van Vuuren and Lare Brink.
Walt Disney Animation Studios presents Frozen, a big-screen comedy adventure, on 27 December. Optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) teams up with a rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven to find her sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel) whose powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. With the help of a hilarious snowman named Olaf (Josh Gad), Anna and Kristoff try to save the kingdom. The film is directed by Chris Buck (Tarzan, Surf’s Up) and Jennifer Lee (screenwriter Wreck-It Ralph) and produced by Peter Del Vecho (Winnie the Pooh, The Princess and The Frog). The movie is also available in Disney Digital 3D.
Movies from The Walt Disney Company Africa coming up in 2014
Saving Mr Banks on 21 February; The Muppets… Again on 28 March; Captain America: The Winter Soldier on 4 April; Tinker Bell and the Pirate Fairy on 2 May; The Good Dinosaur on 4 July, Guardians of the Galaxy on 1 August and Maleficent on 29 August.
