Linda Woolverton Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem are teaming up for another movie together.

Ron Logan, a Disney Legend who as EVP and executive producer for Walt Disney Entertainment transformed live entertainment in its parks and helped bring Beauty and the Beast to Broadway, died August 30. He was 84.

Apple and Skydance have unveiled the voice cast for their upcoming animated musical film “Spellbound,” adding Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem to lead the cast alongside the previously announced Rachel Zegler (“West Side Story”). Vicky Jenson (“Shrek”) is directing “Spellbound.” Additional cast includes John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane, André De Shields and Jordan Fisher. Kidman will voice the role of Ellsmere, Lumbria’s kind and just queen; Bardem will voice Solon, the boastful and big-hearted king.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterNicole Kidman and Javier Bardem will lend their voices to “Spellbound,” an animated fantasy musical from Apple Studios and Skydance Animation. The project reunites the pair, who just scored Oscar nominations for playing Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in Aaron Sorkin’s 2021 biographical drama “Being the Ricardos.”John Lithgow, Nathan Lane, Jenifer Lewis, André De Shields and Jordan Fisher have also joined the call sheet.As previously announced, “West Side Story” star Rachel Zegler is leading the cast as Princess Ellian, a young royal who embarks on a daring journey to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms them into monsters and threatens to cover Lumbria in darkness forever.

The animated film Spellbound led by West Side Story‘s Rachel Zegler has expanded its voice cast, with the Being the Ricardos duo of Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem signing on for roles, along with John Lithgow (Killers of the Flower Moon), Nathan Lane (Only Murders in the Building), Jenifer Lewis (I Love That for You), André De Shields (tick, tick… BOOM!) and Jordan Fisher (The Flash).

This spring, experience the most enchanted musical of all time right here in Manchester.

Wilson Chapman editorSkydance Animation announced Tuesday that it has finalized a multi-year partnership with children’s entertainment company Spin Master to develop toys and merchandise based on their properties.“We are thrilled to be partnering with a company like Spin Master that is as committed to quality and attention to detail as we are,” Luis Fernández, head of consumer products at Skydance, said in a statement. “As we ramp up production on our slate of animated features, we could not imagine a better partner to bring our visually stunning and epic animated worlds to life.”The first Skydance Animation film included in the deal will be the upcoming Apple TV Plus original film “Spellbound,” which will receive a product line from Spin Master encompassing fashion dolls, mini-dolls and vehicles.

Skydance Animation has set a multi-year licensing deal with Spin Master, the children’s entertainment company known for creating popular properties like PAW Patrol.

Linda Woolverton— the veteran writer behind Maleficent,Alice in Wonderland and classic Disney animations— is set to pen a live-action feature adaptation of classic children's novel Eloise. First published in 1955, theEloisebooks follow a rambunctious girl with a big imagination who lives in the "room on the tippy-top floor" of New York's Plaza Hotel.The books, written byauthor Kay Thompson, have sold more than 15 million English-language copies to date.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter“Eloise,” the beloved children’s book about a mischievous young girl who lives on the “tippy-top floor” of New York City’s famed Plaza Hotel, is being adapted into a live-action movie.Linda Woolverton is writing the movie for MRC Films, the independent studio behind “Knives Out” and “Mortal Engines.” MRC recently acquired film, television and stage rights for the series of leisurely reads written by Kay Thompson and illustrated by Hilary Knight.

Dino-Ray Ramos Associate Editor/ReporterEXCLUSIVE: UTA has signed award-winning writer and producer Linda Woolverton for worldwide representation in all areas. She was previously with WME.Woolverton made her animated feature writing debut with Disney’s critically acclaimed and celebrated 1991 animated feature Beauty and the Beast.

By Anthony D'Alessandro