Disney is developing a movie for its Disney+ streaming service about the creation of the original Disneyland.
Deadline is reporting that David Gordon Green [Pineapple Express, 2018's Halloween] is set to direct a script by Evan Spiliotopoulos, who previously co-wrote the screenplay for the 2017 live-action Beauty and the Beast.
Walt Disney himself documented the creation of the Anaheim theme park in the "Disneyland" TV show that aired on ABC leading up to the park's July 1955 opening. But that was Walt's point of view, tailored to promote a new kind of attraction that the public had not seen before. Since then, countless books, articles, and videos have been published about the park's creation, detailing a wider variety of perspectives.
Assuming that Walt will be portrayed as a character in the new film, this as-yet-untitled production would become the second time that Disney has put out a movie portraying the company's founder. Tom Hanks starred as Walt in 2013's Saving Mr. Banks, which detailed the creation of 1964's Mary Poppins, the Disney studio's first film to win an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. (It lost to My Fair Lady, though it should have lost to Dr. Strangelove. Debate that in the comments if you wish.)
No word yet on timing, casting, or anything else, really, regarding this project.
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I say Tom Hanks could still pull off the role of Walt again.
If it follows the pattern for most Disney+ content about the parks, it will be pure hagiography that hits only the wikipedia-level facts we all already knew.
Robert: "Assuming that Walt will be portrayed as a character in the new film, this as-yet-untitled production would become the second time that Disney has put out a movie portraying the company's founder. Tom Hanks starred as Walt in 2013's Saving Mr. Banks ..."
Me: Beyond the Disney lot others have portrayed (or will portray) Mr. D. as well.
Thomas Ian Nicholas - 'Walt Before Mickey'
Levi Cissell, Lincoln Cissell and Olan Rogers - 'As Dreamers Do'
Roger Alam - 'RKO 281'
And rumor has it, Ryan Reynolds is gunning to play Walt in the film version of '7097-050719' ... But at this point that is just a rumor ... That I made up ... Just now.
I would enjoy Ryan Reynolds as Walt so much... This is my new favorite thing that will never happen. Thanks TH!
And Kristin Bell would play Roy and Steve Buscemi would play Ron Miller.
I remember seeing someone suggest Edward Norton as Walt on a different thread a few years back. Ever since then, I just can’t picture anybody else at this point.
"Steve Buscemi would play Ron Miller" is something I did not know that I needed in my life, but do now.
Actually, just make any story with Steve Buscemi playing all the roles and I would be happy.
Especially his portrayal of Lillian
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Prediction: To maximize the "buzz" for this film, Disney will cast Timothée Chalamet as Walt Disney, with Zendaya as Lillian. 😁