From Snow White and her seven dwarfs to the comic hero Spider-Man, Disney Channels’ new series and original movie line up takes inspiration from the full gamut of Disney’s wide and wonderful world.
The doctor is in… and she will launch the 24-hour Disney Junior channel in 2012 with Doc McStuffins.
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At New York’s Gotham Hall, Carolina Lightcap, president, Disney Channels Worldwide, highlighted the expanded programming slates, which includes Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior and Radio Disney on March 16. Hosted by Radio Disney’s Ernie D., the event included a performance by teen superstar Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place), the performance debut of actress and newly signed Hollywood Records recording artist China Anne McClain (ANT Farm), a martial arts performance by actor Leo Howard (Kickin’ It), a boisterous song by Bones and Sharky of The Never Land Pirate Band (Jake and the Never Land Pirates), an appearance by actress Debby Ryan (The Suite Life on Deck) and a high-energy dance number by the cast of Shake It Up — Bella Thorne, Zendaya, Adam Irigoyen, Davis Cleveland, Kenton Duty, Roshon Fegan, and Caroline Sunshine.
Of the all-new series and movies are Gravity Falls (new animated series on Disney Channel), ANT Farm (series on Disney Channel), Jessie (series on Disney Channel), Madison High (series pilot on Disney Channel), Frenemies (movie on Disney Channel), Geek Charming (movie on Disney Channel), Kickin’ It (series on Disney XD), Ultimate Spider-Man (animated series on Disney XD), Motorcity (animated series on Disney XD), Tron: Uprising (new animated series on Disney XD), Doc McStuffins (animated series on Disney Junior), Oki’s Oasis (animated series on Disney Junior), Sofia the First (animated special and series pilot on Disney Junior), 7D (animated series pilot on Disney Junior), and Minnie Bow-Toons (animated short form series on Disney Junior).
Returning to the line up are Shake it Up (series on Disney Channel), Phineas and Ferb (series and movie on Disney Channel), Good Luck Charlie (series and movie on Disney Channel), Pair of Kings (series on Disney XD), Kick Buttowski — Suburban Daredevil (series on Disney XD), and Jake and the Never Land Pirates (animated series on Disney Junior).
Here’s a bit more info on some of the new shows that will no doubt have Disney fans young and young at heart channel surfing between Disney Channel, Disney XD, and the yet-to-be-launched Disney Junior channel:
Gravity Falls (animated series on Disney Channel)
This animated comedy tells the story of twins Dipper and Mabel — two city kids sent to spend the summer with their crusty old great uncle Stan (aka Grunkle Stan) in Gravity Falls, Oregon. Turns out, Gravity Falls is not a run of the mill vacation spot, but is a strange and wondrous place — home to every weird creature and phenomenon imaginable, from gnomes to time portals to quantum waffles. Created and executive-produced by Alex Hirsch (Fish Hooks), the series is a production of Disney Television Animation.
Gravity Falls, created and executive-produced by Alex Hirsch (Fish Hooks), will tell the story of twins Dipper and Mabel when it premieres on Disney Channel.
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ANT Farm (series on Disney Channel)
Set in San Francisco, this comedy revolves around China Parks, an 11-year-old musical prodigy who attends a high school as part of the prestigious ANT (Advanced Natural Talents) program. She, along with her fellow ANTs, Olive and Fletcher, must find her place and make the most of her high school experience despite the decidedly lukewarm welcome from some high school students, including China’s older brother, Cameron, who overcompensates to avoid his sister’s shadow, and overachieving Lexi Reed, who doesn’t appreciate the competition China represents.
Jessie (series on Disney Channel)
The sitcom Jessie, starring 17-year-old actress and fan-favorite Debby Ryan (The Suite Life on Deck, 16 Wishes), follows a starry-eyed teen from rural Texas who moves to New York City to explore life outside her small town. She soon finds herself living in a multi-million dollar penthouse as nanny to a high-profile couple’s four children, one of their imaginary friends and a pet capybara. As she navigates life in the big city, Jessie finds allies in the frosty butler, Bertram, and the 20-year-old doorman, Tony.
Madison High (series pilot on Disney Channel)
Multi-talented teens Mark Indelicato (Ugly Betty), Nolan Sotillo (Disney’s feature film Prom) and Katherine McNamara (Broadway’s A Little Night Music) join the previously announced cast, Alyson Reed (High School Musical), Luke Benward (Disney Channel’s Minutemen), Leah Lewis and G Hannelius (Disney Channel’s Den Brother), in the music and dance-driven comedy pilot Madison High (working title) under consideration for Disney Channel’s schedule.
Disney Channel’s ANT Farm stars Stefanie Scott as Lexi, Jake Short as Fletcher, China McClain as Chyna, Sierra McCormick as Olive, and Carlon Jeffery as Cameron.
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Frenemies (movie on Disney Channel)
This Disney Channel Original Movie is an anthology that follows three pairs of friends as they navigate the delicate balance when “besties” go to “worsties,” and back again. It is slated for a 2012 premiere.
Geek Charming (movie on Disney Channel)
Sarah Hyland (Modern Family) and Matt Prokop (High School Musical 3: Senior Year) star in this Disney Channel Original Movie, a coming-of-age tale that explores the dynamics of high school popularity and its social hierarchy. Based on the popular young adult novel by Robin Palmer, the movie was written by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy and will be directed by Jeffrey Hornaday (choreographer of A Chorus Line, Flashdance).
Kickin’ It (series on Disney XD)
In this live action comedy, the owner of the struggling Bobby Wasabi Martial Arts Academy, the worst dojo in the nationwide chain of underperforming dojos, recruits a hotshot skateboarder to teach his students, a ragtag group of neighborhood kids, about life, karate and how to just plain kick it. Starring are Jason Earles (Hannah Montana), Leo Howard (Leo Little’s Big Show), Mateo Arias, Dylan Riley Snyder (Disney’s Tarzan on Broadway), Alex Jones and Olivia Holt.
Ultimate Spider-Man (animated series on Disney XD)
The centerpiece of an upcoming Marvel programming block on Disney XD, this animated series from Marvel follows Peter Parker who, as the storyline begins, has been Spider-Man for just one year. He’s fought villains, saved lives, but still has much to learn about being a super-hero. Now, Nick Fury gives Peter the chance to go to the next level — to train to be a real super-hero and become The Ultimate Spider-Man. But before he can do that, Peter will have to learn how to work with a team of fellow teenage super-heroes.
Motorcity (animated series on Disney XD)
This animated series is set in a futuristic Detroit owned by evil billionaire Abraham Kane. Having banned personal freedoms including automobile transportation, Kane now faces one last obstacle, a group of hot-rod wielding rebels who call themselves The Burners. Led by Mike Chilton, The Burners rise to stop Kane from conquering Detroit’s last oasis of freedom — an underground refuge dubbed Motorcity. The series, created by Chris Prynoski and produced by Disney Television Animation and Titmouse, Inc., is slated to premiere in winter 2012 on Disney XD. The voice cast is Reid Scott, Nate Torrence, Kate Micucci, Kel Mitchell, Jess Harnell, Brian Doyle Murray, Jim Breuer and Mark Hamill.
Turns out Gravity Falls, Oregon is not a run of the mill vacation spot, but is a strange and wondrous place — home to every weird creature and phenomenon imaginable, from gnomes to time portals to quantum waffles.
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Tron: Uprising (animated series on Disney XD)
This visually stunning series, scheduled to premiere in fall 2012 on Disney XD, focuses on an era of the TRON storyline that transpires after the 1982 feature film and before the story in TRON: Legacy. Its impressive list of artists, animators, directors, producers and digital technicians includes executive producer/director Charlie Bean (Robotboy, Samurai Jack, and Powerpuff Girls), and consulting producers Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz (both screenwriters of TRON: Legacy/executive producers of Lost) and Justin Springer (co-producer of TRON: Legacy). The series will be preceded by a 10-part TRON micro-series launching in winter 2012 on Disney XD. The voice cast includes Elijah Wood, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Mandy Moore, Nate Corddry, Lance Henriksen, Paul Reubens, Reginald VelJohnson and Bruce Boxleitner.
Doc McStuffins (animated series on Disney Junior)
The doctor is in… and she will launch the 24-hour Disney Junior channel in 2012. “Doc McStuffins” is an imaginative animated series about six-year-old Dottie “Doc” McStuffins, who communicates with and heals stuffed animals and toys out of her backyard clinic. The series will highlight the importance of taking care of oneself and others, while showcasing the hallmarks of great Disney storytelling — fantasy and wish fulfillment.
Oki’s Oasis (animated series on Disney Junior)
The first animated western for preschoolers, Oki’s Oasis stars Mandy Moore (Disney’s Tangled) as the voice of Oki, a kitty cat sheriff in the town of Nice and Friendly Corners, the friendliest town in the West. With the help of her deputy woodpecker, Peck, Oki makes sure the town stays “nice and friendly” and when trouble comes a-calling, she makes sure it doesn’t stay long. The series imparts social skills and lessons on the value of being a “good neighbor.”
Sofia the First (animated special and series pilot on Disney Junior)
Sofia the First, a full length animated special and series pilot, set in the storybook world of the classic Disney Princesses, introduces Sofia, a little girl with a commoner’s background until her mom marries the King and suddenly she is royalty. Sofia is whisked off to the castle, where she learns what it means to be a real princess, discovering empowering lessons about kindness, forgiveness, generosity, courage and self-respect. With the help of the three familiar fairies in charge of the Royal Training Academy — Flora, Fauna and Merryweather of Disney’s classic Sleeping Beauty — Sofia learns that looking like a princess isn’t all that hard, but behaving like one must come from the heart.
7D (animated series pilot on Disney Junior)
Creators, including Walt Disney himself, have long been inspired to access classic folk and fairy tales… reimagining, reinterpreting and reinventing them for new generations. The animated series pilot 7D takes a new creative approach to the beloved Brothers Grimm tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, reimagining it in a comic and contemporary storybook world. The new music-filled stories introduce the whimsical world of Jollywood, where the kind-hearted Queen Delightful calls upon the 7D — Happy, Bashful, Sleepy, Sneezy, Dopey, Grumpy and Doc — for assistance.
Minnie Bow-Toons (animated short form series on Disney Junior)
This new short form series was inspired by a popular episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse that focuses on Mickey’s No. 1 gal, Minnie Mouse, and her friend Daisy Duck and is set in Minnie’s Bow-Tique (which stocks only bows and bow-ties). Scheduled for a 2011 premiere, it will be followed soon thereafter by a full-length series that takes place at Minnie’s Bow-tique Hotel and follows the comedic happenings as some familiar guests, including the Hippo from Fantasia, check in. On any given day, Minnie acts as hostess, party planner, chef, fashion consultant, riding instructor or tour guide, with Daisy taking on the role of a very chatty front desk clerk. Clarabelle is a cow of all trades, taking on a number of jobs — bellhop, maintenance worker, pool attendant, juice bar attendant and room service waitress — all for which she is completely ill-suited.