Amazon to Adapt "Consider Phlebas" Novel for Television

Amazon Studios to Adapt Consider Phlebas, First Novel of the Culture Series, for Television

Dennis Kelly set to write the series, Plan B to produce

The Culture, a fictional interstellar utopian society from author Iain M. Banks is being adapted for television for the first time, to come to life exclusively on Prime Video

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon Studios announced it has acquired the global television rights to the Culture’s first novel Consider Phlebas. The famed space opera by Scottish writer Iain M. Banks features Banks’ fictional interstellar utopian society, the Culture. The series will be adapted by Dennis Kelly (Utopia, Matilda) with Plan B Entertainment (World War Z, 12 Years a Slave, The Big Short, Moonlight, Feud) slated to produce and the Estate of Iain Banks attached as Executive Producer.

    “We revere the work of Iain Banks and continue to be moved by his inimitable spirit and his commitment to imagining a better future even in the darkest of times”

A kinetic, action-packed adventure on a huge canvas, Consider Phlebas draws upon the extraordinary world and mythology Banks created in the Culture, in which a highly advanced and progressive society ends up at war with the Idirans, a deeply religious, warlike race intent on dominating the entire galaxy.

The story centers on Horza, a rogue agent tasked by the Idirans with the impossible mission of recovering a missing Culture ‘Mind,’ an artificial intelligence many thousands of times smarter than any human—something that could hold the key to wiping out the Culture altogether. What unfolds, with Banks’ trademark irreverent humor, ultimately asks the poignant question of how we can use technology to preserve our humanity, not surrender it.

“The story of the Culture is so rich and captivating that for years Hollywood has been trying to bring this utopian society to life on the screen,” said Sharon Tal Yguado, Head of Scripted Series at Amazon Studios. “We are honored that we have been chosen, along with Dennis Kelly and Plan B Entertainment, to make Consider Phlebas into a television series we think will be loved by fans for years to come.”

“Iain Banks has long been a hero of mine, and his innate warmth, humor and humanism shines through these novels,” said Dennis Kelly. “Far from being the dystopian nightmares that we are used to, Banks creates a kind of flawed paradise, a society truly worth fighting for—rather than a warning from the future, his books are a beckoning.”

“We revere the work of Iain Banks and continue to be moved by his inimitable spirit and his commitment to imagining a better future even in the darkest of times,” said Plan B. “Consider Phlebas, simultaneously explores the deepest questions concerning humanity and our future. We are so grateful to the Estate of Iain Banks for the opportunity to bring his work to life, and to Amazon for the scope of their ambition to building Iain’s prescient world.”

Prime Originals are available for Prime members to stream and enjoy using the Prime Video app for TVs, connected devices including Amazon Fire TV, and mobile devices, or online with other Prime Originals online at Amazon.com/originals, at no additional cost to their membership. Eligible customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a free trial at www.amazon.com/prime. For a list of all Prime Video compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream. Content is available through the Prime Video app and PrimeVideo.com in more than 200 countries and territories.

Customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a free trial at www.amazon.com/prime. For a list of all Amazon Video compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream.

About Prime Video
Prime Video is a premium on-demand entertainment service that offers customers the greatest choice in what to watch, and how to watch it. Prime Video is the only service that provides all of the following:

•     Prime Video: Thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular licensed and self-published content plus critically-acclaimed and award-winning Prime Originals like The Grand Tour, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Sneaky Pete, Amazon Original Movies such as Academy Award-winning Manchester by the Sea and The Salesman, and Academy Award-nominated The Big Sick and kids series, Tumble Leaf, available for unlimited streaming as part of an Amazon Prime membership. Prime Video is also now available to customers in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe at www.primevideo.com.
•     Live Sports: Sporting events, including AVP volleyball and ATP tennis, are available to watch live on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe.
•     Amazon Channels: Over 140 channel subscriptions that Prime members can add to their membership, including HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax, PBS KIDS, Acorn TV and more. To view the full list of channels available, visit www.amazon.com/channels
•     Rent or Own: Hundreds of thousands of titles, including new-release movies and current TV shows available for on-demand rental or purchase for all Amazon customers
•     Instant Access: Instantly watch anytime, anywhere through the Amazon Video app on TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets, or online. For a list of all compatible devices visit www.amazon.com/howtostream
•     Premium Features: Top features like 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR), X-Ray and mobile downloads for offline viewing of select content

In addition to Prime Video, the Prime membership includes unlimited fast free shipping options across all categories available on Amazon, more than two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations with Prime Music, secure photo storage with Prime Photos, unlimited reading with Prime Reading, unlimited access to a digital audiobook catalogue with Audible Channels for Prime, a rotating selection of free digital games and in-game loot with Twitch Prime, early access to select Lightning Deals, exclusive access and discounts to select items, and more. To sign-up for Prime or to find out more visit: www.amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

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About Marvel's Black Panther - Update #58

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From Patreon:  Leroy's review of "Black Panther"

From Wikipedia:  Black Panther Wikipedia page.

From YouTube:  "Black Panther" International trailer #4

From YouTube:  'Black Panther' stars on the power of telling a story from a black perspective - "This is the best movie we ever made." - Kevin Feige

BET's "Black Panther" Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6.

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From Deadline:  "Black Panther" tops $500 million overseas.

From ShadowandAct:  "Black Panther" officially reaches $1 billion in global box office.

From YahooMoviefone:  Marvel is planning a sequel to "Black Panther" and is considering possible spinoffs.

From ShadowandAct:  In A History-Making Feat, 'Black Panther' Is Set to Make $1B Worldwide Before It Even Opens In China

From YahooEntertainment:  Chadwick Boseman tells "NBC Today Show" that  ‘There’s a thirst’ for black superheroes

From YahooNews:  'Black Panther' continues stunning romp in movie theaters

From ShadowandAct:  All six episodes of BET's short-lived "Black Panther" animated series is available on BET's Facebook page.

From Deadline:  ‘Black Panther’ Crushes $763M WW Box Office; $1B Coming Closer Into Its Grasp

From TheWrap:  The line to meet the Black Panther character at Disneyland in Anaheim, California is an hour long.

From BleedingCool:  Watch: Chadwick Boseman Surprises ‘Black Panther’ Fans On Jimmy Fallon

From Truthout:  Afrofuturism, Liberation and Representation in "Black Panther": A Roundtable Discussion

From Vox:  With great power comes great uncertainty: Marvel’s slowly evolving politics

From IGNAfrica:  10 Best Black Panther Comic Books

From Truthout:   Believe the Hype About "Black Panther"

From USAToday:  Terry Crews: From racist black characters to ‘Black Panther,’ we’ve come so far

From Variety:  Black Panther dominates box office in its second weekend of release.

From ScreenRant:  Black Panther: Marvel Artist Reveals Unused Killmonger Costume Design

From ComicBook:  'Black Panther' Breaks MCU Record for Highest-Grossing First Week

From CinemaBlend:  10 Black Panther Comics To Read After Seeing The Movie

From Junkee:  If You Thought ‘Black Panther’ Was Radical, Wait Until You See The Comics

From TheVillageVoice:  Conservatives Attack “Black Panther” — But, When It Hits, Declare It Conservative

From YahooEntertainment:  Marvel Comics will relaunch its current "Black Panther" comic book and send the King of Wakanda to space.

From YahooEntertainment:  Killmonger's look could become a thing.

From Deadline:  ‘Black Panther’ Goes Wild: At $241.96M Superhero Owns 2nd Best 4-Day Opening & Defeats "Last Jedi"

From Deadline:  ‘Black Panther’: Hollywood Cannot Stop Praising The Groundbreaking Marvel Blockbuster

REVIEW - From Truthout: "Black Panther": Rip off the Racial Mask.

From GlobalCitizen:  Kendrick Lamar bought 1000 tickets for impoverished children to see "Black Panther."

From YahooEntertainment:  Michelle Obama praises 'Black Panther,' celebrity Twitter agrees

From Variety:  Wesley Snipes talks about his failed "Black Panther" project from the 1990s.

From EntertainmentWeekly:  Black Panther shreds box office records with $218 million 4-day opening

REVIEW - From EW:  Oprah offers her review of "Black Panther."

From Variety:  Box Office: ‘Black Panther’ to Snare More Than $200 Million Over President’s Day Weekend

From TheNewYorker:  The Passionate Politics of “Black Panther”

From Wired:  Want More Black Panther? Here Are 5 Comics to Read

From THR:  The family of Jack Kirby, the co-creator of Black Panther, says that his late father would have adored the film phenomenon.

REVIEW - From TheNewYorker: The author, Anthony Lane, reviews both "Black Panther" and Nick Park's new film, "Early Man."

REVIEW - From THR:  The Ascent of 'Black Panther' Director Ryan Coogler

From THR:  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on 'Black Panther': All This Fuss Over a Superhero Movie? - Abdul-Jabbar speaks with director Ryan Coogler.

From TheWrap:  "Black Panther" has a record Thursday night opening, $25.2 million.

From YahooMovies:  In the 1990s Wesley Snipes tried in vain to get a "Black Panther" movie made.  Here is five ways it would have been different from the new "Black Panther" film.

From Variety:  "Black Panther" opens with $23.2 million in overseas box office.

From ScreenRant:  15 Superpowers You Didn’t Know Black Panther Had

From CinemaBlend:  Why Black Panther Was A Different Experience For Marvel Veterans Andy Serkis And Martin Freeman

From YahooEntertaiment:   Why 'Black Panther' is Marvel's most political movie yet: Chadwick Boseman and cast explain

From YahooGMA:  "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman talks importance of black superhero for younger generations

From YahooEntertainment:  In a video interview, "Black Panther" star, Chadwick Boseman, says the film will inspire kids of all races.

From MetroUK:  British talk show host Jeremy Vine described Black Panther as "overwhelming black" during an interview with two of the film's stars, and people aren’t happy about it

From BleedingCool:  The Politics of Black Panther’s First Appearance and Superhero Comics as a Whole

From BleedingCool:  5 Days of Black Panther, Day 1: Looking Back at T’Challa’s First Appearance
From BleedingCool:  5 Days of Black Panther, Day 1: Volume 1 of the Jack Kirby Series
From BleedingCool:  5 Days of Black Panther, Day 2:   Christopher Priest’s Black Panther #1-12
From BleedingCool:  5 Days of Black Panther, Day 3: Christopher Priest’s Black Panther Part 2
From BleedingCool:  5 Days of Black Panther, Day 4: Black Panther Fights Civil War
From BleedingCool:  5 Days of Black Panther, Day 4: Black Panther Fends Off the Secret Invasion

From IGN:   Between the Panels: How Black Panther Redeemed Marvel Comics

From CBSBaltimore:  Md. Author Provides Backstory On Highly-Anticipated Film ‘Black Panther’

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VIZ Media to Publish Japanese Sci-Fi Novel, "Sisyphean"

VIZ MEDIA’S HAIKASORU SCIENCE FICTION IMPRINT ANNOUNCES THE AWARD-WINNING NOVEL SISYPHEAN

Famed Author Dempow Torishima Depicts A Stark Future Vision Of Humanity In SISYPHEAN

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media’s Haikasoru literary science fiction imprint takes readers on a fantastic journey into the surreal with the release of SISYPHEAN on March 20th, 2018.

The novel was written by the award-winning Dempow Torishima, who previously thrilled North American readers with a short story that appeared in the critically acclaimed Haikasoru anthology, PHANTASM JAPAN. SISYPHEAN will be released in print with an MSRP of $16.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN. An eBook edition will also debut on March 20th on Amazon’s Kindle, Apple’s iBooks Store, Barnes & Noble’s Nook Book Store, the Kobo eBooks Store, and the Google Play Store.

A strange journey into the far future of genetic engineering, and working life. After centuries of tinkering, many human bodies only have a casual similarity to what we now know, but both work and school continue apace. Will the enigmatic sad sack known only as “the worker” survive the day? Will the young student Hanishibe get his questions about the biological future of humanity answered, or will he have to transfer to the department of theology? Will Umari and her master ever comprehend the secrets of nanodust?

“SISYPHEAN delivers a stark vision of bizarre surreality that will enthrall all lovers of science fiction,” says Nick Mamatas, Editor. “Widely renowned in Japanese literary circles, and championed by American writers such as Michael Cisco, Torishima’s English-language book-length debut is sure to increase his notoriety and acclaim amongst SF readers and fans.”

Author Dempow Torishima was born in Osaka and has been a freelance designer and illustrator in addition to his work as an author. He won the Sogen SF Short Story Award with his debut fiction work, “Sisyphean” (Kaikin no to) in 2011. Since then, he has written a series of stories set in the same far-future world of Sisyphean, which was published as Sisyphean and Other Stories in 2013. The book was chosen as the best SF of 2013 in SF Magazine, won the Japan SF Award, and was nominated for the Seiun Award in 2014.

For more information on SISYPHEAN and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit Haikasoru.com.

For more information on other titles available from VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at viz.com.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from March 1st to 10th, 2018 - Update #30

Support Leroy on Patreon:

COMICS-FILM - From JoBlo:  "New Mutants" actress Anya Taylor-Joy confirms that the reshoots for the film "The New Mutants" are being done to add a new character and to reportedly make the film scarier.

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COMICS-FILM - From Movies.com:  Vin Diesel confirmed for R-rated comic book movie, "Bloodshot."

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MOVIES - From SlashFilm:  The Oscar-winning film, "Call Me By Your Name," will have a sequel, according to the director.

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MOVIES - From BET:  Ava DuVernay & Oprah On How “Wrinkle In Time” Amplifies The Voices of Today’s Young “Warriors”

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SCANDAL - From TheDailyBeast:  The NYPD claims that it is ready to arrest film mogul, Harvey Weinstein, for felony sexual assault...

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Michael B. Jordan to adopt an inclusion rider on all future projects.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Michael Bay has set his next two films, "6 Underground" and "Robopocalypse."

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POLITICS - From TheDailyBeast:  Ron Reagan says, "The Problem Isn’t Just Trump. It’s Our Ignorant Electorate."

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MOVIES - From Collider:  Martin Scorsese has announced that he has finished filming his next film, "The Irishman."  Now, begins the post-production for the film which may appear in the second half of 2019.

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MOVIES - From Reuters:  Lawsuit seeks White House, Justice Department records on Fox-Disney deal.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Hot comedienne and actress Tiffany Haddish joins Tyler Perry's "The List."

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 3/2 to 3/4/2018 weekend box office is Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" with an estimated total $65.7 million.

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OSCARS - From Variety:  "The Shape of Water" wins the Academy Award (Oscar) as "Best Picture of 2017."  Guillermo del Toro wins "Best Director" for directing "The Shape of Water."

From DeadlineTV:  The viewership for the Oscar telecast was down an all-time low for the 2018 Oscars, $26.5 million.

From ETCanada:  Despite the "Time's Up" and #MeToo movements, the 2018 Academy Awards saw the fewest women winners since the 2012 Oscars.  This year, 6 women claiming Oscars compared to 33 men.  Only four women won Oscars in 2012.

From YahooEntertainment:  5 things you didn't see at the 2018 Oscars

From Deadline:  Frances McDormand And #InclusionRider Go Viral After Oscar Speech – Reactions

From ShadowandAct:  For Jordan Peele, This Is Bigger Than An Oscar

From Variety:  Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway are going to present the "Best Picture" Oscar again this year.  The pair presented last year's "Best Picture" Oscar mistakenly to "La La Land," after they received the wrong envelope.  "Moonlight" was the winner.

From GoldDerby:  ‘Moonlight’ team turns down invitation for an Oscars do-over

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SCANDAL - From Variety:  A statue of Harvey Weinstein entitled "Casting Couch" has appeared on Hollywood Boulevard.  It was created by two artists Plastic Jesus and Joshua “Ginger” Monroe.  Monroe is responsible for the nude Donald Trump statue that appeared in numerous cities.

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COMICS-FILM - From Variety:  Sony's remake of "The Crow," starring Jason Momoa and directed by Corin Hardy will arrive in theaters October 11, 2019.

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COMICS-FILM - From BleedingCool:  The tone of Marvel Studio's upcoming film, "Captain Marvel" (2019), might be action-comedy.

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STREAMING - From Variety:  Anna Kendrick's Santa Claus movie, the fantasy comedy "Noelle," has been pulled from Disney's theatrical release and will appear on Disney's still-unnamed streaming service.

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MOVIES - From ShadowsandAct:  Oscar winners Viola David and Lupita N'yongo will play mother and daughter in the film "The Woman King," based on the real-life "Dahomey Amazon Warriors."

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COMICS-FILM - From Deadline:  Disney/Marvel moves up the release date for "Avengers: Infinity War" from May 4th to April 27, 2018.

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CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment:  Jennifer Lawrence reveals movie roles she coveted by did not get.

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DISNEY - From BleedingCool:  Walt Disney is doing a live-action remake of its classic animated film, "Peter Pan" [My all time favorite animated film. - Editor].  Here is an update on its progress.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Brad Pitt will join Leonardo DiCaprio in Quentin Tarantino's ninth film, the so-called "Manson murders film."  It now has a title, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," and is scheduled for release August 9, 2019.

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From CinemaBlend:   One Way The New Halloween Movie Is Like The Original, According To Nick Castle

OBITS:

From Billboard:  Businessman Russ Solomon has died at the age of 92, Sunday, March 4, 2018.  Solomon founded Tower Records.  He began selling records in his father's drug store, calling his business "Tower Record Mart."  He opened his first stand alone store in 1960.

From Variety:   The actor David Ogden Stiers has died at the age of 75, Saturday, March 3, 2018.  He was best known for his role in the venerable TV series, "M.A.S.H.," as the character Major Charles Emerson Winchester III, for which he received two Emmy nominations.  He was also noted for doing voice performances for numerous animated films, including Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," "Pocahontas," and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

#Mickey90 - The Celebration of 90 Years of Mickey Mouse Begins

Disney Celebrates 90 Years of Mickey Mouse with Worldwide Festivities

The Party Begins Next Week with a Fashion Show Inside Disneyland, Inspired by Mickey’s “True Original” Personality, Featuring the Spring 2018 Collection from the Fashion Brand Opening Ceremony®

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Disney (NYSE: DIS) announced the launch of a world-wide celebration honoring 90 years of Mickey Mouse. Since his big-screen debut in Steamboat Willie on November 18, 1928, Mickey has been the global ambassador for The Walt Disney Company. From the beloved Mickey Mouse Club to today’s Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts, Mickey’s optimistic outlook and endearing personality continue to delight fans around the world every day. The cross-company festivities will continue through 2018 and beyond and will include an exclusive fashion show, a new television special, a celebration at Disney parks and resorts and much more.

The party kicks off on March 7 with “The Happiest Show on Earth”—a runway fashion event featuring a Mickey-inspired collection designed by couture brand Opening Ceremony founders Carol Lim and Humberto Leon. The show will also serve as Opening Ceremony’s Spring 2018 runway show and close out fashion week celebrations around the world. Select items from the Mickey collaboration will be immediately available for sale following the runway show at shopDisney.com, OpeningCeremony.com and Opening Ceremony stores, while the remaining ready-to-wear looks will hit stores in November. The iconic story of Minnie Mouse, who shares this milestone anniversary with Mickey and recently received her official star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, will also be celebrated at the fashion show.

Disney’s collaboration with Opening Ceremony will serve as the launch of “Mickey the True Original”—a global celebration of Mickey’s heritage, personality and status as a pop-culture icon. The campaign will come to life through fashion collaborations with other true original brands, as well as engaging content and events that embrace Mickey’s impact on the past, present and future.

The celebration continues throughout 2018 and beyond:

•     This fall, ABC will air a star-studded celebration of Mickey in honor of his birthday, with special guests, musical performances and more.
•     Disney Channel will debut season five of the Mickey Mouse animated shorts, taking the series total to more than 90 shorts, including a special seven-minute extended-length birthday episode that will air later this year.
•     Walt Disney Parks and Resorts around the world will celebrate Mickey’s 90th on November 18, marking the day with commemorative merchandise, photo locations and more.
•     Beginning in late 2018 and into 2019 the World’s Biggest Mouse Party, saluting Mickey and Minnie, will take place at Disney Parks worldwide.
•     Disney On Ice will salute Mickey as the “True Original” host of Disney On Ice since its inception in 1981 by creating Mickey’s 90th pre-shows for productions touring the United States, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
•     Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Special Celebration, a new production showcasing Mickey Mouse’s memories throughout the years, will launch in Japan in July 2018 and continue touring throughout the Asia-Pacific region until August 2019.
•     In France, 38 design and art schools will take part in “Mickey Is Art,” a unique contest in which students will craft works of Mickey, inspired by their favorite artistic movement. The winning designs will be displayed this summer in 12 major train stations in France and for sale this September at Galerie Glénat in Paris.
•     Disney store will continue to celebrate milestone moments for Mickey Mouse with the Mickey Mouse Memories Collection (launched Jan. 2018), a monthly, limited-release series of 12 collectible plush, mugs and cloisonné pins inspired by Mickey’s most memorable movie roles.
•     Disney Publishing Worldwide will introduce more than 30 titles globally as part of Mickey’s 90th, including books, arts & crafts and comics.

In addition, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will be celebrating Mickey’s 90th throughout 2018:

•     D23 and the Walt Disney Archives, in partnership with Walt Disney Animation Studios, have commissioned legendary Disney animator Mark Henn to paint Mickey’s official 90th birthday portrait. Henn follows in the footsteps of artists such as Disney Legend John Hench, who crafted five of Mickey’s official portraits. Henn animated Mickey for Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983) and is currently at work on Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 (2018). The new portrait will debut on the cover of the fall issue of Disney twenty-three, a quarterly publication from D23.
•     This November, D23 will present Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse, a two-day event at Walt Disney World Resort featuring panels, presentations and fun-filled entertainment.
•     This year’s annual D23 Gold Member gift is an exclusive box set of 23 special Mickey Mouse mementos—authentic reproductions of such treasured keepsakes as pages from the script of Steamboat Willie and a miniature animation cel from Parade of the Award Nominees (1932).

To join the conversation on social, fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #Mickey90.

Mickey’s birthday is celebrated in honor of the release of his first theatrical film, Steamboat Willie, on November 18, 1928, at the Colony Theatre in New York City. Since then, he has starred in more than 100 cartoons and can currently be seen on Disney Channel in the Mickey Mouse cartoon series and on Disney Junior in Mickey and the Roadster Racers.

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Nickelodeon Revives "Blue's Clues"

Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Clues is Back, Remade for a New Generation of Preschoolers

New Blue’s Clues Series, Picked Up for 20 Episodes, will Feature All-New Production and Animation

Casting for New Host Begins this Month

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nickelodeon will have a new generation of preschoolers searching for clues, as it brings back the beloved puppy Blue in a remake of its groundbreaking series, Blue’s Clues. Picked up for 20 episodes, the new Blue’s Clues will have a refreshed signature look and casting for the new host will begin this month, including an open call in Southern California on April 14. For more info, visit http://blues-clues-host-casting.nick.com. Production on Blue’s Clues will commence this summer.

    “The new, modern version of Blue’s Clues will capture all the original’s creativity and visual identity for a whole new audience ready for its fun adventures and expertly designed problem-solving curriculum.”

“With Blue’s Clues, Nickelodeon launched what became TV’s first generation of interactivity for preschoolers and set the bar for quality, curriculum-driven shows we have made since,” said Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon Group. “The new, modern version of Blue’s Clues will capture all the original’s creativity and visual identity for a whole new audience ready for its fun adventures and expertly designed problem-solving curriculum.”

The new Blue’s Clues series centers on the energetic girl puppy Blue who invites viewers into her animated world to help solve the day’s puzzles with the help of a live-action host. Preschoolers are encouraged to interact with the action on-screen by answering questions, pointing out clues, jumping on their feet and playing along.

The original Blue’s Clues series launched in September 1996 to critical praise from educators, parents and preschoolers and ran for six groundbreaking seasons. Created by Traci Paige Johnson, Todd Kessler and Angela C. Santomero, Blue’s Clues drew acclaim and high ratings for its unique interactivity that helped change the way kids watch television and has remained one of the most popular preschool shows of all time. The landmark series also raised the bar in preschool television by exploring advanced subject matter such as sign language, geography, physics, emotions and anatomy.

The classic Blue’s Clues library is currently available on NOGGIN, Nickelodeon’s video subscription service for preschoolers, and short-form content can be found on the Nick Jr. App and NickJr.com.

Nickelodeon, now in its 38th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated kids’ basic cable network for 22 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).

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2018 Kids' Choice Awards Nominations Announced - Complete Nominee List

Nickelodeon Announces 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards Nominations

DWAYNE JOHNSON, GAL GADOT, BEYONCÉ, KEVIN HART, TAYLOR SWIFT, CAMILA CABELLO, LUIS FONSI, JACE NORMAN, SHAWN MENDES, ZENDAYA, CHRIS PRATT, KHALID, COCO, JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE AND MORE RECEIVE NODS

NICKELODEON STAR AND SOCIAL MEDIA SENSATION JOJO SIWA SET TO PERFORM

Brand-New, Four-Week Voting Wave Kicks Off Today, Monday, Feb. 26;
WWE Superstar John Cena to Host Live Show on Saturday, March 24, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nickelodeon announced the superstar nominees and a one-of-a-kind performance for the highly-anticipated 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards. Celebrating kids’ favorites across movies, television, music and digital, this year’s nominees include: Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, Beyoncé, Kevin Hart, Taylor Swift, Camila Cabello, Luis Fonsi, Shawn Mendes, Zendaya, Chris Pratt, Khalid, Cardi B, Selena Gomez, Millie Bobby Brown, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Bieber, Harry Styles, Chris Hemsworth, Ed Sheeran, Coco, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Wonder Woman, among others. WWE Superstar John Cena returns as host of Nickelodeon’s 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), live from the Forum in Inglewood, California.

    “I am so excited about this year’s Kids’ Choice Awards. Not only will I be performing for the first time at the KCA’s, but I am also super excited about my nomination for Favorite Musical YouTube Creator. Bring on the slime, I am soooooo ready!!”

Nickelodeon star and social media sensation JoJo Siwa will perform a medley of hits, including her triple-platinum smash “Boomerang,” with has garnered over 500 million views on YouTube.

Said JoJo Siwa, “I am so excited about this year’s Kids’ Choice Awards. Not only will I be performing for the first time at the KCA’s, but I am also super excited about my nomination for Favorite Musical YouTube Creator. Bring on the slime, I am soooooo ready!!”

Nickelodeon is rolling out a brand-new, four-week voting wave, where new categories will be revealed each week leading up to the show. Kids can cast their votes on Nickelodeon’s digital site kidschoiceawards.com, using special KCA hashtags and the hashtag of their favorite nominee. In addition, kids will have the chance to influence the show in real time with all-new live votes.

Fans can go to kidschoiceawards.com, the official destination for everything Kids’ Choice Awards, for hilarious videos, trivia, polls, word scrambles, and photos, and to get the latest KCA news on this year’s show, nominees and attendees.

Sponsors of Nickelodeon’s 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards include Barbie®, Cinnamon Toast Crunch ™, Lysol®, Swiffer®, Toyota and Walmart. The presenting international sponsor for the 2018 Nickelodeon’s Kids' Choice Awards is Heelys.

Stay up to date on all Kids’ Choice Awards news by liking Nickelodeon on Facebook and following @Nickelodeon on Twitter and Instagram.

The nominees and categories for Nickelodeon’s 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards are (*new categories):

FILM: (Voting for the film categories began, Feb. 26)

Favorite Movie
Beauty and the Beast
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Pitch Perfect 3
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
The Greatest Showman
Wonder Woman

Favorite Movie Actor
Ben Affleck (Batman, Justice League)
Chris Hemsworth (Thor, Thor: Ragnarok)
Chris Pratt (Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2)
Dwayne Johnson (Dr. Smolder Bravestone, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle)
Kevin Hart (Moose Finbar, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle)
Will Ferrell (Brad, Daddy’s Home 2)

Favorite Movie Actress
Anna Kendrick (Beca, Pitch Perfect 3)
Daisy Ridley (Rey, Star Wars: The Last Jedi)
Emma Watson (Belle, Beauty and the Beast)
Gal Gadot (Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman & Justice League)
Zendaya (Anne Wheeler, The Greatest Showman & Michelle, Spider-Man: Homecoming)
Zoe Saldana (Gamora, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2)

Favorite Animated Movie
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
Cars 3
Coco
Despicable Me 3
Ferdinand
Smurfs: The Lost Village
The Emoji Movie
The Lego Batman Movie

MUSIC: (Voting for the music categories began Monday, March 5)

Favorite Music Group
Coldplay
Fifth Harmony
Imagine Dragons
Maroon 5
The Chainsmokers
Twenty One Pilots

Favorite Male Artist
Bruno Mars
DJ Khaled
Ed Sheeran
Luis Fonsi
Kendrick Lamar
Shawn Mendes

Favorite Female Artist
Beyoncé
Demi Lovato
Katy Perry
P!NK
Selena Gomez
Taylor Swift

Favorite Song

• Despacito (Remix) – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee, featuring Justin Bieber
• HUMBLE. – Kendrick Lamar
• I’m The One – DJ Khaled, featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne
• It Ain’t Me – Selena Gomez & Kygo
• Look What You Made Me Do – Taylor Swift
• Shape Of You – Ed Sheeran
• That’s What I Like – Bruno Mars
• Thunder – Imagine Dragons

Favorite Breakout Artist
Alessia Cara
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Harry Styles
Khalid
Noah Cyrus

Favorite Global Music Star
Black Coffee (Africa)
BTS (Asia)
Lorde (Australia/New Zealand)
Maluma (South America)
Taylor Swift (North America)
The Vamps (UK)
Zara Larsson (Europe)

TELEVISION: (Voting for the television categories begins Monday, March 12)

Favorite TV Show
Fuller House
Henry Danger
K.C. Undercover
Saban’s Power Rangers Ninja Steel
Stranger Things
The Big Bang Theory
The Flash
The Thundermans

Favorite Cartoon
ALVINNN!!! and The Chipmunks
SpongeBob SquarePants
Teen Titans Go!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Loud House
The Simpsons

Favorite TV Actor
Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes, The Walking Dead)
Grant Gustin (Barry Allen/The Flash, The Flash)
Jace Norman (Henry Hart, Henry Danger)
Jack Griffo (Max Thunderman, The Thundermans)
Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory)
William Shewfelt (Brody Romero/Red Ninja Steel Ranger, Power Rangers Ninja Steel)

Favorite TV Actress
Candace Cameron Bure (D.J. Tanner-Fuller, Fuller House)
Kaley Cuoco (Penny, The Big Bang Theory)
Kira Kosarin (Phoebe Thunderman, The Thundermans)
Lizzy Greene (Dawn Harper, Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn)
Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven, Stranger Things)
Zendaya (K.C. Cooper, K.C. Undercover)

OTHER CATEGORIES: (Voting begins Monday, March 19)

Favorite Video Game
Just Dance 2018
Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Minecraft: Java Edition
Star Wars Battlefront II
Super Mario Odyssey

Favorite Funny YouTube Creator
Alex Wassabi
DanTDM
Dude Perfect
Liza Koshy
Markiplier
Miranda Sings

Favorite Musical YouTube Creator
Ayo & Teo
Jack & Jack
Jacob Sartorius
Johnny Orlando
JoJo Siwa
Why Don’t We

Nickelodeon’s 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards is produced by Nickelodeon Productions. Elizabeth Kelly, Michael Dempsey, Shelly Sumpter Gillyard and Jay Schmalholz are executive producers.

Media outlets can access photos and video for Nickelodeon’s 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards by logging onto Nickpress.com.

In addition to his hosting duties, Cena is also breaking new ground at Nickelodeon with two firsts: he will get into character by lending his voice to an original villain named Baron Draxum in the brand-new 2D animated series Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, premiering late 2018; and he is executive producing the brand-new competition series, Keep It Spotless, where teams of kids go head-to-head in a battle to stay clean.

Nickelodeon, now in its 38th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated kids’ basic cable network for 22 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).

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