‘Muppet Babies’ Return to Disney TV in 2018

Muppet Babies will fulfill its old theme song promise and make your dreams come true in 2018, when Disney Junior premieres a brand-new, reimagined series chronicling the playroom antics of Kermit the Frog, Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Animal and Miss Nanny. Production has just kicked off on the CG-animated series, a co-production of Disney Junior, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media’s Content & Media Group, and The Muppets Studio.

“We are proud, and a little bit giddy, to begin production on our new version of the much-loved Muppet Babies,” said Nancy Kanter, EVP of Original Programming and General Manager for Disney Junior Worldwide. “Parents will delight in seeing their favorite Muppets in the mixed animation style they remember from the original series, and kids will be introduced to this warm and zany world made just right for the Disney Junior audience.”

Aimed at kids 4-7, each episode will feature two 11-minute romps designed to impart creative and critical thinking skills by harnessing the power of imaginative play, as the Muppet Babies let their imaginations take them to the farthest corners of the universe. Tom Warburton (The 7D) will executive produce, with Emmy-winner Eric Shaw (SpongeBob SquarePants) on board as story editor.

The return of Muppet Babies was in part sparked by The Muppets Studio’s recognition of nostalgia and fan demand for the Jim Henson cartoon (which ran from 1984-1991) evidenced on digital and social media channels run by DCPI’s Content & Media group.

“Bringing Muppet Babies to Disney Junior is a wonderful opportunity to reach a new generation of viewers and to creatively build on the innovative original series,” said Debbie McClellan, VP of The Muppets Studio. “We hope to engage and delight the nostalgic fans while also entertaining new kids, parents and diverse audiences through heart and humor as only the Muppets can deliver.”

Muppet Babies COPYRIGHT ©2016 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Celebrate ‘Disney Junior at the Movies’ and be Among First to See the New Series Mickey and the Roadster Racers, in Cinemas for One Day

Interactive Event Includes Episodes of Disney Junior’s Upcoming Series on Big Screens Nationwide November 12 Only

“Oh Boy!” Mickey Mouse is having a big celebration – on the big screen. Kids and parents will celebrate Mickey's birthday during this one-day interactive cinema event, where they will be invited to jump up and sing, dance and play along with some of Disney Junior’s most-loved shows and characters, including Elena of Avalor, Miles from Tomorrowland, Doc McStuffins, The Lion Guard, Sofia the First and more.

 In addition, fans young and old are invited to be among the first to see the upcoming series Mickey and the Roadster Racers on the big screen before its television debut in January 2017. Attendees will also receive a $5 offer to the Disney Stores and a free e-book download, as well as other giveaways.

This special one-day event, “Disney Junior at the Movies – Mickey’s BIG Celebration,” will screen in cinemas nationwide on Saturday, November 12 at 10:00a.m. local time, from Fathom Events and Disney Junior.

Tickets for “Disney Junior at the Movies – Mickey’s BIG Celebration” can be purchased beginning Friday, October 14, 2016 online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in more than 450 select movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

“We’re thrilled to be working with Disney Junior to celebrate Mickey Mouse in movie theaters across the country,” said Fathom Events CEO John Rubey. “This is a great opportunity for young kids to experience the magic of going to the movies with all of their favorite Disney Junior characters.”

"We are excited to work with Fathom Events to bring Disney Junior to preschoolers and their families through this unique in-theater experience designed just for them," said Jennifer Rogers-Doyle is Vice President, Franchise Management, Disney Channels Worldwide.

For artwork/photos related to “Disney Junior at the Movies – Mickey’s BIG Celebration,” visit the Fathom Events press site.

About Fathom Events
Fathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema, and ranks as one of the largest overall distributors of content to movie theaters. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) (known collectively as AC JV, LLC), Fathom Events offers a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events that include live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, dance and theatre productions such as the Bolshoi Ballet and National Theatre Live’s Hamlet, sporting events like FS1 Presents USA v Mexico, concerts with Roger Waters and One Direction, the TCM Presents classic film series and faith-based events such as The Drop Box and Four Blood Moons. Fathom Events takes audiences behind the scenes and offers unique extras including audience Q&As, backstage footage and interviews with cast and crew, creating the ultimate VIP experience. Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 887 locations and 1,354 screens in 181 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

About Disney Junior
Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior's series blend Disney's unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. In the U.S., Disney Junior is a daily programming block on Disney Channel and a 24-hour channel reaching over 73 million U.S. homes. In total, there are 35 Disney Junior channels in 27 languages around the world.

Jane Fonda Casts Spell on ‘Elena and the Secret of Avalor’ TV Movie

Iconic actress Jane Fonda will be voicing an evil sorceress in the new TV movie Elena and the Secret of Avalor, which will premiere as a special simulcast on Sunday, November 20 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. The movie will also launch on the channels’ respective apps and Disney Channel VOD the same day.


Secret of Avalor tells the exciting backstory of how Elena was imprisoned in her magical amulet by the evil sorceress, Shuriki (Fonda), and eventually set free by Princess Sofia of Enchancia. An anthemic original song, “My Time,” performed by Aimee Carrero (voice of Princess Elena) will debut in the special.

In addition to Carrero and Fonda, the movie’s voice cast includes Ariel Winter as Sofia; Sara Ramirez as Queen Miranda; Chris Parnell, Yvette Nicole Brown and Carlos Alazraqui as the jaquins Migs, Luna and Skylar, respectively; Jenna Ortega as Princess Isabel; Ana Ortiz as Rafa; Darcy Rose Byrnes as Princess Amber; Tyler Merna as Prince James; Travis Willingham as King Roland; Barbara Dirickson as Flora; Emiliano Díez as Francisco; Julia Vera as Luisa; Christian Lanz as Chancellor Esteban; Jillian Rose Reed as Naomi; Joseph Haro as Mateo; Jorge Diaz as Gabe; Keith Ferguson as Zuzo; and Joe Nunez as Armando.

The creative teams of both Sofia the First and Elena of Avalor combined forces for the TV movie, which is written by Craig Gerber and directed by Jamie Mitchell, both of whom serve as executive producers. John Kavanaugh serves as songwriter/music director, and Kevin Kliesch is the composer. Elena and the Secret of Avalor is a production of Disney Television Animation.

Fans can get a taste of the new adventure on October 18, when Disney Publishing will release a hardcover picture book titled Elena of Avalor: Elena and the Secret of Avalor.

Elena of Avalor

Blondes Have More Fun in Disney Channel ‘Tangled’ Teaser

Oct 7th, 2016

Disney Channel has unveiled the first teaser trailer for the upcoming 2D animated adventure Tangled: The Series, premiering on air in 2017. The spot launched online Friday morning, ahead of its broadcast during the premiere of live-action Disney Channel Original Movie The Swap at 8 p.m.

The teaser shows Rapunzel, Eugene (a.k.a. Flynn Rider), Pascal the expressive chameleon and Maximus the no-nonsense horse reuniting for the TV show. Tangled: The Series is set between the events of the 2010 feature film and the 2012 theatrical short Tangled Ever After, and follows as Rapunzel gets acquainted with her royal parents, her kingdom, and the people of Corona.

So, the first big mystery raised by the trailer is: How did Rapunzel get her luxurious (and magical) blonde locks back?

Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi are both reprising their roles as Rapunzel and Eugene for the show. Disney Channel sent out this very sweet photo taken of the stars during a recent voice recording session in Burbank, posing with an Audio-Animatronics Pascal created by Walt Disney Imagineering.

Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi were greeted by a special visitor, Pascal (an Audio-Animatronics character created by Walt Disney Imagineering), at a recent voice recording session for Disney’s upcoming “Tangled: The Series” in Burbank. (Disney Channel/Matt Petit)