WATCH: ‘TRON: Uprising, Beck’s Beginning’ Online
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Although it’s meant to make its online debut tomorrow, on the official Disney XD Facebook page, the 30+ minute prelude to the new ‘TRON: Uprising’ series, ‘Beck’s Beginning’ is now online for viewing on its YouTube channel. Having already seen the prelude twice, once as a screener a couple of days ago and once again today on Disney Channel on Demand, I don’t mind highly recommending viewing of the prelude by every one, even if they’ve never seen either film. It’s absolutely visually stunning and a great use of the medium for the series’ lore. I cannot wait for the series premiere on June 7.
Beck is a young mechanic living in Argon City, a growing metropolis in a far off corner of the grid that has just been occupied by General Tesler, a henchman of the notorious Clu. After his best friend Bodhi is ruthlessly derezzed by Clu’s army, Beck seeks justice for his lost friend and launches a crusade against the regime. His rebellion captures the attention of Tron, the greatest warrior The Grid has ever known, who sees the potential in Beck and trains him to be his successor. Labeled with the moniker of The Renegade, Beck sparks a revolution to fight for the freedom of The Grid.
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Note that the prelude is actually a string of all ten ‘microsodes’ that were meant to air individually, this is why it seems to go to a ‘commercial break’ every few minutes or so.
For those that don’t wish to watch it online, it is also available on iTunes (TRON: Uprising, Vol. 1 – TRON: Uprising) as a free download on Monday, May 14th and will premiere on television on Disney Channel on May 18 (with a re-air on Disney XD on May 21).
Categories: Television Tags: Disney XD, DXD, Tron, TRON: Uprising, TU
Recap: ‘TRON: Uprising’ Facebook Chat with Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz
Earlier this afternoon, Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, the screenwriters of TRON: Legacy sat down for a live Facebook interview moderated by IGN’s Eric Goldman, to talk about the upcoming animated series ‘TRON: Uprising,’ for which they serve as consulting producers. Throughout the half-hour talk, which featured a look at one of the ‘microsodes’ that compose the ‘Beck’s Beginning’ prelude, the team fielded questions from fans on Facebook. What follows is a bit of a recap from the event.
In terms of timeline, the series takes place between Clu’s overthrowing of Kevin Flynn and the appearance of Sam Flynn onto the Grid. It is essentially the story of how programs are coping with the transition between the freedom they had enjoyed under Kevin Flynn’s guidance and the oppression brought on by Clu. Although the Isomorphic Algorithms’ (ISOs) race has been effectively destroyed by the time the series starts, their story will be visited throughout the season.
The inspiration for the series came from the pair’s work on TRON: Legacy in which they felt the two hour or so limit of film wasn’t enough and they were curious about exploring other sectors on the Grid and to bring new worlds to life. When asked how the animation process varied from live-action in representing the TRON Universe, Kitsis explained that animation left them free to do things that they wouldn’t be able to do in the real world because they wouldn’t be financially or technologically possible.
The series focuses on the protagonist Beck (voiced by Elijah Wood), who is described as a mechanic program living in a coastal city on the Grid. Beck soon realizes that he’s outgrowing his programming and that there’s something special about him and is taken under the wing of Tron (voiced by Bruce Boxleitner) to train to fight Clu’s regime. Although Clu will be in the prelude and occasionally show up throughout the series, he will be taking a backseat to the series’ other villains such as General Tesler (voiced by Lance Henriksen) and his henchman Pavel (voiced by Paul Reuvens). In addition to the general cast, there will also be guest appearances such as by ‘Breaking Bad”s Aaron Paul.
The series will also have its share of new games, new vehicles and new worlds to show off, all carefully plotted along the TRON Universe timeline to fit in seamlessly. Vehicles mentioned include the Light Train — described as a subway train that can travel upside-down, the Light Snowmobile and others based on vehicles such as helicopters and ships.
‘TRON: Uprising, Beck’s Beginning’ will premiere on Disney Channel on May 18, followed by a rebroadcast on Disney XD on May 21. It will be available to Disney Channel On Demand subscribers beginning May 11. For more information, see our in-depth articles and sneak peeks here.
Categories: Television Tags: Disney XD, DXD, Tron, TRON: Uprising, TU
‘Once Upon a Time,’ TRON: Uprising’ Q&A/Sneak Preview on Facebook
In anticipation of the exciting Season Finale of ABC’s ‘Once Upon a Time’ and the series premiere of Disney XD’s upcoming animated series, ‘TRON: Uprising,’ master storytellers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, the series creators/executive producers of ‘Once Upon a Time’ and the consulting producers of ‘TRON: Uprising,’ will answer fan questions about the shows, LIVE and on-camera on Facebook, Wednesday, May 9 from 3:00-4:00 p.m., ET/12 noon-1:00 p.m., PT. A pre-show featuring behind-the-scenes video from ‘Once Upon a Time’ will begin 30 minutes earlier, at 2:30 p.m., ET/11:30 a.m., PT.
The chat will be moderated by Eric Goldman, Executive Editor, IGN TV at IGN.com, who will cull questions from Facebook to pose to Eddy and Adam. To view and join in the conversation, simply sign in at facebook.com/OnceABC, facebook.com/Tron or facebook.com/DisneyXD.
The first half of the chat (3:00-3:30 p.m., ET/12 noon-12:30 p.m., PT) will be devoted to ‘Once Upon a Time’ questions. Then, at 3:30 p.m., ET/12:30 p.m., PT, Kitsis and Horowitz will present an exclusive, three-minute sneak peek to the prelude, ‘TRON: Uprising, Beck’s Beginning,’ followed by a half-hour ‘TRON: Uprising’ Q&A.
‘Once Upon a Time,” a modern fairytale with thrilling twists and hints of darkness, presents its season finale on Sunday, May 13 at 8:00 pm ET/PT on the ABC Television Network. “Once Upon a Time” stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold, Lana Parrilla as Evil Queen/Regina, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/David, Eion Bailey as August, Jared Gilmore as Henry Mills and Raphael Sbarge as Jiminy Cricket/Archie Hopper.
‘TRON: Uprising’ follows the heroic journey of a new character, a young program named Beck, who becomes the unlikely leader of a revolution inside the computer world of The Grid. The series, produced in CG animation with a 2D aesthetic, is set in the era of TRON between the stories in the 1982 feature film and Walt Disney Studios’ TRON: Legacy. Disney Channel will present ‘TRON: Uprising, Beck’s Beginning,’ a 30-minute uninterrupted prelude to the series on Friday, May 18 at 9:30 pm ET/PT. The special will encore uninterrupted on Disney XD on Monday, May 21 at 9 pm ET/PT, followed by the series launch on Thursday, June 7 at 9 pm ET/PT on Disney XD.
‘TRON: Uprising’ stars Elijah Wood as Beck, Bruce Boxleitner as Tron, Mandy Moore as Mara, Emmanuelle Chriqui as Paige, Nate Corddry as Zed, Lance Henriksen as General Tesler, Reginald VelJohnson as Able, Paul Reubens as Pavel and Tricia Helfer as the voice of The Grid.
To View and Post Questions, Sign in at Any One of These Facebook Pages:
‘Once Upon a Time’ facebook.com/OnceABC
‘TRON: Uprising’ facebook.com/Tron
‘Disney XD’ facebook.com/DisneyXD
Categories: Internet, Television Tags: ABC, Disney XD, DXD, Events, Once Upon A Time, OUAT, Tron, TRON: Uprising, TU
‘TRON: Uprising’ Concept Art Released
Disney XD has released concept art for its upcoming series ‘TRON: Uprising’ via the official Tron Facebookpage. The artwork provides us with ‘attitude sheets’ of a few of the primary characters including Beck (voiced by Elijah Wood), Zed (voiced by Nate Corddry) and General Tesler (voiced by Lance Henriksen).
The images, available in the gallery below, complement the dozens of stills from the series’ debut special ‘Beck’s Beginning’ which we previously shared.
In the special, premiering May 18 on Disney Channel, Beck is a young mechanic living in Argon City, a growing metropolis in a far off corner of The Grid that has just been occupied by General Tesler, a henchman of the notorious Clu. After his best friend Bodhi is ruthlessly derezzed by Clu’s army, Beck seeks justice for his lost friend and launches a crusade against the regime. His rebellion captures the attention of Tron, the greatest warrior The Grid has ever known, who sees the potential in Beck and trains him to be his successor. Labeled with the moniker of The Renegade, Beck sparks a revolution to fight for the freedom of The Grid.
Categories: Television Tags: Disney XD, DXD, Tron, TRON: Uprising
Disney XD Teases Footage of New Series for 2012
Via its official YouTube channel, Disney XD has released the following promo which highlights new and returning series in 2012. The new series being teased amongst the clips include ‘TRON Uprising,’ ‘Motorcity,’ ‘Lab Rats’ and ‘Ultimate Spider-Man.’
In ‘TRON Uprising’ — which takes place between both of the films, one young man named Beck (Elijah Wood) must join forces with the legendary hero Tron to free his home city when the computer world of The Grid is taken over by an evil tyrant. Under Tron’s tutelage, Beck will take on a secret identity to fight back, bringing a superhero sensibility to the world of Tron. Also starring in ‘TRON Uprising’ are the vocal talents of Mandy Moore, Paul Reubens and Bruce Boxleitner as Tron. According to the junior novelization description on Amazon.com
In ‘Motorcity,’ teenager Mike Chilton leads a group of rebels called The Burners in a futuristic Detroit in which personal freedoms including cars have been banned by billionaire and city-owner Abraham Kane. The Burners have retreated to an underground city where they maintain and customize their fleet of hotrods and pursue their quest to stop Kane from taking over the world. The series features the voice talent of Reid Scott as Mike Chilton, Nate Torrence as Chuck, Katie Micucci as Julie, Kel Mitchell as Luv, Jess Harnell as Texas, Brian Doyle Murray as Jacob, Jim Breuer as Tooley and Mark Hamill as Abraham Kane.
‘Lab Rats’ will be the first of the new series to premiere, on February 27, while ‘Ultimate Spider-Man’ will make its Disney XD debut on April 1, 2012.
Categories: Television Tags: Disney XD, DXD, Lab Rats, Motorcity, Tron, TRON: Uprising, Ultimate Spider-Man
‘Lab Rats’ to Premiere on Disney XD on February 27
Powered by its biggest yearly ratings ever, Disney XD will premiere more original content with “Lab Rats,” a comedy series about a teenager and his newfound “siblings,” a trio of super-human teens, who together must navigate typical high school and — not so typical — bionic glitches. The series will join Disney XD’s popular “Monday Mayhem” comedy block — led by the channel’s #1 series “Kickin’ It” — with a special one-hour episode on Monday, February 27 at 8:30 pm ET/PT hosted by the cast.
Created by Chris Peterson and Bryan Moore (“That ’70s Show”) who, with Mark Brazill (“That ’70s Show,” “3rd Rock from the Sun”) serve as executive producers, “Lab Rats” introduces Leo just as he settles into the high-tech home he shares with his inventor stepdad, Donald Davenport, his mom, Tasha, and Eddy, the “smart house” computer. There he discovers a secret underground lab with three experiments, super-human teens: Adam the strong one, Bree the fast one and Chase the smart one. The trio, eager to leave their confines, convinces Leo and his parents to let them join him at school where they try to fit in while trying to manage their unpredictable bionic strengths. Along the way, they help Leo build self confidence while he figures out a way to keep their bionic abilities a secret from the world.
Starring are Billy Unger (“You Again”) as Chase, Spencer Boldman (“I’m in the Band”) as Adam, Kelli Berglund (“Hip Hop Harry”) as Bree, with Tyrel Jackson Williams (“Failure to Launch,” “Pair of Kings”) as Leo and Hal Sparks (E!’s “Talk Soup”) as Davenport. Recurring are Angel Parker (“Hannah Montana”) as Tasha and Will Forte (“Saturday Night Live”) as the voice of Eddy.
The multiplatform roll-out is:
Friday, January 20
DisneyXD.com launches a “Lab Rats” page featuring a new game “Bionic Heroics.”
Friday, February 17
Preview episode of “Lab Rats” available on Disney XD on Demand available via AT&T, Charter, Cox, Time Warner and Verizon; Disney XD Mobile VOD available via AT&T U-Verse, MobiTV, Sprint and Verizon; along with free download on iTunes and Sony Playstation.
Friday, February 24–Sunday, February 26
Tyrel Jackson Williams, Billy Unger, Spencer Boldman and Kelli Berglund host the nightly programming lineup on Disney Channel and give viewers a “Lab Rats VIP Preview” featuring sneak peeks and highlights of the new series.
Monday, February 27
Another game will launch on DisneyXD.com.
“Lab Rats” Series Premiere
In “Crush, Chop, and Burn,” Leo discovers three teen super-humans — Adam, Bree and Chase — living in a secret underground lab in his new home. Leo takes them to school, but when their bionic abilities suddenly discharge on campus, Leo’s stepdad, Davenport, sends them away to a remote secret lab, and now Leo must find a way to save his new friends.
Directly following the premiere on air, the series premiere episode will be available on DisneyXD.com.
Tuesday, February 28
“Lab Rats” series premiere available on Disney XD Mobile VOD available via AT&T U-Verse, MobiTV, Sprint and Verizon; along with iTunes, Xbox Live and Sony Playstation.
“Lab Rats” is a production of It’s A Laugh Productions, Inc. It carries a TV-G parental guideline.
Categories: Television Tags: Disney XD, DXD, Lab Rats
‘Ultimate Spider-Man’ to Debut on Disney XD in April
We have learned that the widely anticipated animated series Ultimate Spider-Man, based on the Marvel comic title of the same name, will debut on Disney XD on April 1, 2012. The show will be the centerpiece of a programming block dedicated to Marvel properties.
The series follows Peter Parker (Drake Bell) one year after he became Spider-Man. Still learning how to make the most of his powers, he is approached by Nick Fury (Chi McBride) of S.H.I.E.L.D. who promises to help Peter, but first Peter must learn to work as a team with his fellow teenaged superheroes. Expected to appear in the series are Tony Stark/Iron Man (Adrian Pasdar), Norman Osborn (Steven Weber), J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons), Agent/Principal Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg), Wasp, Captain America, Hulk and Thor.
The series is being produced by Marvel Animation and Film Roman.
Categories: Television Tags: Disney XD, DXD, Marvel, Spider-Man, Ultimate Spider-Man
Disney Channel Announces Holiday Line-up with Guest Appearances by Justin Bieber, Kelly Clarkson
Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior unwrap a joyful slate of new holiday specials for kids and families beginning Friday, December 2. The festive fare includes the premiere of Disney Channel Original Movie “Good Luck Charlie, It’s Christmas!,” worldwide music sensation Justin Bieber performing his new holiday hit “Mistletoe” on “So Random!,” Grammy-Award winner Kelly Clarkson guest starring in a seasonal special of “Phineas and Ferb” and more.
To get in the spirit, viewers are invited to visit DisneyChannel.com, DisneyXD.com and DisneyJunior.com for holiday activities and games. Among them are a new “Pair of Kings” game, “Super Sled Scramble,” launching Friday, November 18, and “Snoco Launcho,” a winter version of the popular “Loco Launcho” game, debuting Thursday, December 1 at DisneyXD.com/Holidays. Beginning Friday, December 2 at DisneyChannel.com/Holiday, users are invited to build a personalized snowman greeting for family and friends, and at DisneyJunior.com/Holiday, a new “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” interactive game will debut – “Hook’s Merry Winter Treasure Hunt,” where kids and parents can help Captain Hook and Mr. Smee search for Jake and the crew’s missing presents. On Saturday, December 17, the site will debut the “Imagination Movers” holiday episode “A Little Elf Esteem” prior to its premiere on Disney Junior.
Following are the highlights for Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD’s Holiday Line-up (all times ET/PT):
DISNEY CHANNEL:
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2
7:30 p.m. – “Fish Hooks,” “Merry Fishmas, Milo”
Milo and Oscar throw a Christmas party, but when they need help with the party prep, they send a special holiday request to their favorite magical dude, Fish Santa. Meanwhile, Bea tries out for the role of Fish Mall Santa.
7:45 p.m. – “Phineas and Ferb,” “Phineas and Ferb’s Family Christmas Special”
The boys decide to put on a traditional family Christmas special featuring their family, friends and a few very special guests, including Kelly Clarkson (playing herself). The episode features three new holiday songs – Isabella’s “Let it Snow,” a Buford and Baljeet rendition of “Good King Wenscelas,” and the whole gang singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
8:00 p.m. – “Good Luck Charlie, It’s Christmas!”
In the Disney Channel Original Movie, the Duncan’s scramble to reunite in time for Christmas… and along the way they get more than one unexpected gift.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4:
7:30 p.m. – “So Random!”
Worldwide music sensation Justin Bieber performs “Mistletoe” from his holiday album. Also in the episode, MC Grammar raps about Christmas and introduces Dr. Dreidel; Coolest Kid enjoys holiday treats and advises kids to stay in school; Becky Beaver learns she has a wonderful life; Platowski Bros. sing about one another to the tune of holiday jingles; and Harry Potter shops at Voldemarts for the holidays.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9:
8:30 p.m. – “A.N.T. Farm,” “sANTa’s Little Helpers”
Everyone is in the Christmas spirit at Webster High School, including principal Skidmore, who asks Chyna, Olive and Fletcher to build toys for needy kids. But when they discover that Skidmore is actually selling the toys for profit, they devise a scheme to booby trap the gifts.
9:00 p.m. – “Jessie,” “Christmas Story”
When Christina and Morgan Ross get caught in a snowstorm, the family fears they won’t make it home in time for Christmas and Jessie is left with shopping for the kid’s Christmas presents and getting the house decorated for the holiday. When Jessie takes the kids to the mall to see Santa, they have a run-in with his mischievous elves.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11:
8:30 p.m. – “Shake It Up,” “Jingle It Up”
CeCe does some last minute Christmas shopping for her mom, but buys herself a purse instead. With no money left for her mom’s scarf, CeCe gets herself a couple of jobs at the mall to make some extra cash. Meanwhile, Rocky tries to make a young boys Christmas wish come true and Deuce reluctantly invites Dina to join his family for some Christmas caroling.
DISNEY JUNIOR PROGRAMMING BLOCK ON DISNEY CHANNEL:
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2:
8:30 a.m. – “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” “It’s a Winter Never Land!/Hook On Ice”
Jake, Izzy and Cubby awake to find that Peter Pan has left the crew presents and a tree to celebrate Winter Treasure Day/Captain Hook invites Jake and the crew on a winter treasure hunt.
8:55 a.m. – “Minnie’s Bow-Toons,” “Dance Lessons”
Minnie and Daisy help Clarabelle get ready for the Snowball Dance by teaching her the Snowflake Shuffle and altering her droopy dress into a dazzling new Winter Wonder.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
7:00 a.m. – “Handy Manny,” “Snow Problem”
In the new half-hour special, Manny and the tools get separated from each other on the way to fix a broken ski lift, so Manny must set out to rescue the tools and save their winter ski vacation.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23
7:30 a.m. – “Imagination Movers,” “A Little Elf Esteem”
The Movers help Carol, a young elf-in-training, learn everything she needs to know to earn her elf bells in time to help Santa deliver presents on Christmas Eve.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30
7:00 a.m. – “Handy Manny,” “Snow Day”
Manny and the tools help Kelly get to her store during a big snow storm and build sleds to play in the snow.
DISNEY XD:
MONDAY, DECEMBER 5
8:00 p.m. – “Pair of Kings,” “Pair of Santas”
In an effort to bring their holiday traditions to Kinkow, the kings promise the islanders a Super Christmas and enlist the island elves to make presents for the kingdom.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6
8:00 p.m. “Kick Buttowski – Suburban Daredevil,” “Cousin Kyle Christmas/Snow Problem”
Kick battles an ice storm and bizarre obstacles in order to find a last minute Christmas gift for Cousin Kyle. When Kick’s family gets snowed in from an avalanche, Kick goes to the extreme to rescue them before cabin fever sets in.
Categories: Television Tags: Christmas, DC, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, DJR, DXD, Holidays
Disney Channel and Disney XD Announce New and Returning Series at 2011 Upfronts
After delivering a year of best-ever ratings across each of its kid-driven, family inclusive platforms, and deepening its strong connection with kids and parents, especially moms, Disney showcased an unprecedented amount of new programming that’s to come — an expanded slate of 13 new original series (part of 435 total original episodes in 2011, a 30% increase from last year, not including acquisitions) and additional new titles in the blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movie franchise at its annual presentation to advertisers today at New York’s Gotham Hall.
At the event, themed “Time to Shine,” Carolina Lightcap, President, Disney Channels Worldwide, highlighted the expanded programming slates, ratings momentum and unique emotional connection to kids and families that’s delivered by each brand in Disney’s portfolio – which includes Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior and Radio Disney.
Disney’s new and returning programming was showcased by Gary Marsh, President, Entertainment and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide; and Nancy Kanter, Senior Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide.
Rita Ferro, Executive Vice President, Disney Media Sales and Marketing, presented Disney’s powerful media sales enterprise, through which marketers can reach kids, tweens and moms across every engagement point where they are spending their time: TV, online, mobile and radio. Ferro also highlighted the strength of the flagship Disney Channel in bringing kids and families together — 2011 to date, it reaches more kids, tweens and Moms in primetime than any other cable network.
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 (“Jessie,” “The Suite Life on Deck”) and a high energy dance number by the cast of “Shake It Up” — TV’s #1 series among Kids 6-14: Bella Thorne, Zendaya, Adam Irigoyen, Davis Cleveland, Kenton Duty, Roshon Fegan and Caroline Sunshine.
Highlights of new and returning programming are:
Categories: Television Tags: DC, Disney Channel, Disney Channel XD, DXD
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