Star Wars: The Return of the Spin-Off

Today wasn't just about the Frozen 2 announcement for Bob Iger: during the same shareholder meeting, he also brought the Star Wars saga to the table, and a few reveals were made - not about one film, but about two. More after the break.

Winter is Coming Again: 'Frozen 2' Confirmed

You knew it was coming. Even with the recent denial of the original film directors, there was never any doubt that a sequel to the massive success that was Frozen would arrive one day - and it will arrive sooner than you would've thought. It was confirmed today that Frozen 2 is indeed in development at the Walt Disney Animation Studios.

The Incredibles 2 and Cars 3 to Actually Be the Same Film, Says Iger

A couple of weeks ago we got the mammoth news that Disney and Pixar were going ahead with sequels to The Incredibles and Cars. Now we've got news which is even bigger: Disney CEO Bob Iger says that the two films will actually be one; a crossover film which will lay the groundwork for a "Pixar Cinematic Universe."

Breaking: Pixar Announce The Incredibles 2! And Cars 3...

You've been asking for it since 2004; every time somebody makes an "unmade sequels that need to happen" list, it's there; and now, it's actually bloody happening: Pixar have officially announced that they're making The Incredibles 2! Also on the way - although far less surprising and largely less welcome - is a third Cars film. And no, it's not April 1st.

Bob Iger Confirms Frozen Headed to Broadway!

Disney CEO Bob Iger spoke to Fortune yesterday about the immense success of Walt Disney Animation Studios' runaway hit Frozen, and, particularly, about the company's plans of where to take it from here: namely, Broadway!

Diane Disney Miller, Daughter of Walt Disney, Passes Away at 79

Diane Disney Miller, daughter of Walt Disney, has sadly passed away. The last living child of Walt, Diane devoted her life to preserving and sharing personal artefacts from her father's rich history, as well as her philanthropy. She sadly died yesterday, at age 79, following complications from a fall in September.

Disney Apparently Working on Rumpelstiltskin Adaption, The Name Game

Disney's upcoming slate is more heavily shrouded in secrecy than Pixar's at the moment. Frozen, their first fairy tale film since 2010's Tangled, hits cinemas this winter; after that, Disney are set to release Marvel-adaptation Big Hero 6 in 2014. Beyond that, there's the long dormant King of the Elves, and we heard whispers of a possible Mickey Mouse/Roger Rabbit team-up last month (rumours, that have since been seemingly shot down).

Bob Iger, George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy Discuss Disney-Lucasfilm Acquisition

Coming off the most exciting news of the decade, Disney and Lucasfilm's head-honchos have weighed in on the gigantic $4 billion purchase that means we'll be seeing a new Star Wars film by 2015.

Breaking: Disney Buys Lucasfilm, Star Wars, Indiana Jones for $4.05 Billion

The Walt Disney Co. CEO and Chairman Bob Iger with former Lucasfilm owner George Lucas.

Yes, you did read that right: The Walt Disney Company just announced that they've acquired Lucasfilm for $4 billion! Included in that acquisition are the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, special effects house ILM (who debuted their feature animation efforts with last year's Rango) and Skywalker Sound, all for $4.05 billion. Sufficed to say, Twitter practically exploded.

Breaking: Disney Chairman Rich Ross Resigns

We rarely cover corporate news, or details of hiring or firing, here at A113Animation - this blog is primarily focused on the entertainment side of things - however, this is too huge a piece of news in terms of the scope it affects animation: Rich Ross has stepped down as Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.

The former creative head of Disney Channel, responsible in his reign there for Hannah Montana and High School Musical, had been running Disney's film department for the past two and a half years - a tenure recently marred by such box office failures as Mars Needs Moms and John Carter.

Disney CEO Robert Iger said, of Ross's departure:

“I appreciate his countless contributions throughout his entire career at Disney, and expect he will have tremendous success in whatever he chooses to do next”.

No successor has thus far been named and it will likely take some time to fill the position, but, depending on the success of Marvel's The Avengers (which will almost certainly be an enormous hit), Marvel Studios (owned by Disney after all) President, Kevin Feige may be considered a front runner for the job.

Via Reuters.

RIP Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011): Visionary, Genius and The Apple of our i

Today, the tragic news broke that Pixar and Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs passed away at the age of 56.

Steve added so much to the world, in terms of electronics, home computers and, due to his financing of Pixar from 1986 until the Disney merger, animation. But, alas, Steve, who had been ill for a while, after recently stepping down as Apple CEO, passed away late last night.

The world has been abuzz with condolences and well wishes to the family of Steve and messages remembering the visionary. The Apple website features a tribute to the late, great Steve Jobs, as well as a message on the Disney/Pixar Facebook page, from CCO of Disney and Pixar Animation, John Lasseter:

"Steve Jobs was an extraordinary visionary, our very dear friend and the guiding light of the Pixar family. He saw the potential of what Pixar could be before the rest of us, and beyond what anyone ever imagined. Steve took a chance on us and believed in our crazy dream of making computer animated films; the one thing he always said was to simply 'make it great.' He is why Pixar turned out the way we did and his strength, integrity and love of life has made us all better people. He will forever be a part of Pixar’s DNA. Our hearts go out to his wife Laurene and their children during this incredibly difficult time."

In addition, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger, said the following of Jobs:

"Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted advisor. His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built. It will be the millions of people he inspired, the lives he changed, and the culture he defined. 

"Steve was such an 'original,' with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind that defined an era. Despite all he accomplished, it feels like he was just getting started. With his passing the world has lost a rare original."

The world truly has lost a true visionary and our deep condolences and thoughts go out to all of Steve's family and friends and everyone whose lives were enriched by him.