The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start things off by talking about Robert Downey Jr.’ s very impressive payday for “Avengers: Infinity War.” Then Jim digs into the troubled production history of Marvel’s very first Broadway musical. Which – when it finally closed in January of 2014 – posted a record-breaking $60 million loss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Valladolid & Jim Hill talk about how Disney has made Jasmine the main focus of its merchandise push for the Studio’s new live-action version of “Aladdin.” Jim then shares the history of “Tin Toy” and how this Academy Award-winning short led to the creation of Pixar’s “Toy Story.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the latest addition to “Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure” at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. They then discuss how the Universal Creative seems to be stepping away from producing rides, shows & attractions for the parks that make use of 3D glasses Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing their concerns about the December 2019 release date that Disney selected for Blue Sky Studios’ “Spies in Disguise.” They also use the upcoming 10th anniversary of the release of Pixar’s “Up” as an excuse to look back at this Pete Docter movie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the mysterious construction that’s going on at Disney’s Animal Kingdom out behind Pandora – The World of Avatar. Jim then talks about “The Ride of a Lifetime,” Bob Iger’s soon-to-be-released memoir (which will hit store shelves on September 10th) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about why Disney is taking a low-key approach to celebrating the fact that “Avengers: Endgame” has just overtaken “Titanic” (at least when it comes to all-time box office champs). Aaron also points out some of the more intriguing ripple effects that this Russo Brothers movie is causing within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how the Imagineers have handed the Anaheim version of “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” off to Disneyland Ops teams. They then talk about how the negative reaction that “Temple of Doom” received back in 1984 led to “Indy III” deliberately revisiting the style & tone of “Raiders” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how fan reaction to the “Sonic the Hedgehog” teaser trailer forced Paramount Animation to rework the look of that film’s title character. Then Drew shares an interview that he did with “Toy Story 4” director Josh Cooley, who reveals why Pixar decided to go big with the fourth film in this acclaimed series Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by going over the menu at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Marvel Mania restaurant. They then discuss what they enjoyed about the Russo Brothers’ final film for Marvel Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by discussing how Universal Creative is now in the process of buttoning up “Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.” They then talk at length about Dueling Dragons, the thrill ride that previously occupied this corner of the Lost Continent at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor starts off this week’s episode by sharing his thoughts on Warner Bros. “Pokémon Detective Pikachu.” Jim Hill then does a deep dive on “Gemini Man,” the long-in-development production that originally started off life as a project at Disney’s Secret Lab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off of this week’s episode by discussing why WDW management opted to push off the opening of “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios ‘til the Spring of 2020. Jim then continues his Chronological Disneyland series by pointing out how Bob Iger’s approach to that Anaheim Resort differed from Michael Eisner’s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how “Spider-Man: Far From Home” is now supposed to be the final film in the Infinity Saga. They then share audio that Drew Taylor gathered at the global media junket that Marvel Studios held earlier this month for “Avengers: Endgame” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the parallels between “Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin” opening at Disneyland Park in January of 1994 and “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios getting its opening pushed back ‘til the Spring of next year. They also discuss what’s going on with “Frozen II” just seven months out from the theatrical release of this eagerly anticipated Walt Disney Animation Studios production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the parallels between “Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin” opening at Disneyland Park in January of 1994 and “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios getting its opening pushed back ‘til the Spring of next year. They also discuss what’s going on with “Frozen II” just seven months out from the theatrical release of this eagerly anticipated Walt Disney Animation Studios production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by discussing what’s significant about that new Disney Cruise Line survey which is currently making the rounds. Jim then talks about how the Imagineers keep trying to get the theme park-going public to embrace an attraction that features binaural sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special Easter-themed episode, Michelle Valladolid & Jim Hill discussed how the Tokyo Disney Resort has turned this holiday into a two park, multi-week event. Jim then reviews the history of the Disney Bunnies, which is when DCP tried to build a brand around Thumper the Rabbit from “Bambi” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about how the limited series that Marvel Studios is producing for Disney’s soon-to-launch subscription streaming service will be different from “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” & “Agent Carter.” Jim then does a deep dive on Disney’s August 2009 acquisition of Marvel Entertainment and reveals that – given the weird way that Hollywood does its books – it’s entirely possible that the Mouse has yet to recover the full $4.2 billion that it spent to buy that comic book company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the operational & safety challenges that Universal Studios Hollywood is now facing, thanks to all of those show drones this theme park is using to create that patronus effect in its new “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” projection show. Jim also reveals the “Treehouse of Horror” -inspired storyline that “The Simpsons Ride” almost had Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing Rich Moore’s decision to leave Walt Disney Animation Studios for Sony Pictures Animation. Drew also shares what he learned about “Toy Story 4” while taking part in the press day for this upcoming Pixar Animation Studios’ release Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off by talking about how “Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy” will use promotion to try & overcome its unfortunate, out-of-the-way positioning at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They also talk about a patent that The Walt Disney Company has recently filed which Mouse House managers hope will get Guests to look up from the screens on their iPhones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how “Avengers: Endgame” ‘s three-hour-plus run-time may prevent this Russo Bros. movie from topping “Infinity Wars” record-breaking opening weekend box office take. They also talk about how the positive reaction that “Dark Phoenix” got at WonderCon last month really helped turn the toxic reputation that this X-Men movie had acquired around. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill look back at when Don Bluth resigned from Walt Disney Animation Studios in September of 1979 and then took 15% of that studio’s artists & animators with him. Drew then shares the interview that he did with Chris Butler, the director of “Missing Link” (i.e., Laika’s latest stop motion movie) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about Disney Villains After Hours, that new hard ticket for WDW’s Magic Kingdom which will be offered on select nights in June, July & August. They also do a deeper dive on that Universal Parks & Resorts survey which offers some clues about what sorts of rides, shows & attractions are possibly in the mix for Universal Orlando’s Fantastic Worlds theme park Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr reports back on his recent trip to Chicago, where he scoped out McCormick Place (i.e., the massive convention center where Star Wars Celebration is being held this year). Jim Hill then shares some behind-the-scene stories about George Lucas’ involvement in the production of “Captain EO” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill kick off this week’s show by talking about “Steven Universe” ‘s win at the GLAAD Media Awards. Drew then shares an interview he did with Danny Devito at the press junket for Disney’s live-action “Dumbo” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how The Walt Disney Company is still struggling with “Song of the South.” Jim then continues his Chronological Disneyland series by revealing why the Rockets Rods went down for rehab in September of 2000 and never re-opened Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill talk about how James Gunn’s offensive Tweets problem forced Kevin Feige to change up Marvel Studios’ batting order. They also wonder whether – after “The Infinity Saga” wraps – moviegoers will continue to turn out in record number for new Marvel Cinematic Universe releases or whether Marvel film fatigue will set in Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill share what they’ve learned about the work that’s been going on down on the Lower Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood. They also talk about why – when it came time to turn “Jurassic Park” into the jumping-up off point for a theme park attraction – Universal Creative opted to build a boat ride rather than a jeep-based experience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Valladolid & Jim Hill discuss how Disney hopes lightning will strike twice in 2019. First by following up 2017’s Rose Gold craze with its new Briar Rose Gold line. And then by sequelizing 2018’s wildly successful Mickey Memories merch with its Disney Wisdom collection Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by trying to sort out where exactly Disney & ABC now stand in regards to all those animated “Peanuts” specials. Then Drew shares the interviews that he did with Danny Elfman & Rick Heinrichs at the “Dumbo” media event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa starts off this episode with an enthusiastic review of Disney Spring’s latest addition, Jaleo by José Andrés. Len & Jim then share a survey that Universal Parks & Resorts is using to zero in on just the right mix of rides, shows & attractions for Theme Park No. 4 (i.e., Universal’s Fantastic Worlds) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episodes by talking about how Disney & Universal actually came together to plus Stan Lee’s cameo appearance in “Captain Marvel.” They then discuss the role that Disney’s acquisition of Fox & ABC’s firing of Roseanne played in the “Guardians” director debacle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the factors involved with The Walt Disney Company’s decision to move up the opening of Disneyland Park’s Black Spire Outpost to May 31st. They then take an in-depth look at “Star Wars Resistance” and offer conjecture on where this Lucasfilm Animation production might be headed when Season 2 starts up on the Disney Channel later this Fall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by revealing which character Walt Disney Animation Studios favorite Alan Tudyk will be voicing in the live-action version of “Aladdin.” They then get into the convoluted history of Mammy Two Shoes, the seldom-seen-from-the-knees-up supporting character in the “Tom & Jerry” series that underwent an intriguing makeover in the 1960s & 1980s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa starts off this week’s show by dissecting Disney World’s latest round of ticket price increases and what that will mean for Resort Guests in the coming months. Jim Hill then talks about the behind-the-scenes decisions that led to the Company recently revealing that “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” would open in Anaheim on May 31st and in Orlando on August 29th a_edr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill discuss “Captain Marvel” and how this Anna Boden / Ryan Fleck film often defied audience expectations (but in a good way). They then go on debate when exactly Kevin Feige decided to make Carol Danvers an Avengers / fold this character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the history of projection mapping at Universal Parks & Resorts. They then pay tribute to the longtime president & CEO of MCA who hung tough when The Walt Disney Company tried to stop Universal from entering the Central Florida tourism market in the mid-1980s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill talks about which films from the Disney Vault will actually be streamable when Disney+ goes live later this year. Drew also shares audio from the interview that he did just last week with the director of “Mary Poppins Returns” about the challenges Rob Marshall is now facing as he preps his next project for Walt Disney Pictures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how the Imagineers plan on reconfiguring the front half of WDW’s science & discovery park. They also continue their Chronological Disneyland series by discussing how Michael Eisner’s Montana-inspired visions of the future eventually translated into Tomorrowland having decorative displays of kumquats & kale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Out ahead of “Captain Marvel” ‘s opening weekend, Jim Hill & Aaron Adams talk about how Rotten Tomatoes dealt with the online trolls who were trying to artificially drive down the audience score for this Marvel Cinematic Universe film. They then take about how Disney’s attempt to take advantage of certain tax laws is impacting what’s been going on down on the construction site for Disney California Adventure’s new Spider-Man ride. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr and Jim Hill wade through the tidal wave of news that just broke about “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.” Some of the factoids that they unearth in the process include that the color palette used for Florida’s version of this new “land” will be different than the one out in Southern California. Also the blue milk will be berry-melon flavored while the green milk will have more of a citrus taste Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this episode by wondering if John Lasseter’s luck is starting to run out at Skydance Animation. Largely because of that open letter Emma Thompson sent to the Los Angeles Times last week (in which Emma explained why exactly she was exiting Alessandro Carloni’s “Luck”). Drew & Jim then go on talk about how animated series like Netflix’s “Race to the Edge” & the Disney Channel’s “Hotel Transylvania: The Series” now factor into studios’ decisions to greenlight sequels like “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” and “Hotel Transylvania 4.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the progress that’s been made to date with WDW’s Skyliner system. They also point out that Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is obviously supposed to serve as a rebuttal to any theme park fan who claims that “Universal Creative only builds screen-based attractions.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill talk with Carlye Wisel of “Travel & Leisure” magazine. Ms. Wisel shares what she learned about “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” while participating in that three day-long media event that Disney Parks & Resorts held this past weekend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how “Black Panther” & “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” did at the 91st Academy Awards. They then explain why – thanks to international waters -- the Disney Cruise Line is able to do things with the Marvel characters that the stateside Disney Parks & Resorts can only dream about. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shelley Valladolid & Jim Hill start off this episode by talking about Disney D-Lish and the food-themed merch that this short-lived pop-up store sold at WDW’s Disney Springs this past weekend. They then talk about Disney Comics artist Amy Mebberson and the fun new Disney Princess items that Amy & the team at Hasbros are now collaborating on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing everything that they’ve heard about Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. They also talk about “Dragon Gliders,” the “How to Train Your Dragons” -based storytelling coaster that DreamWorks Animation licensed to be built at Motiongate Dubai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor and Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about things they probably shouldn’t (EX: The name of that motorcycle-riding character from “Toy Story 4”). They then sequin into sharing some audio from the recent media event that was held for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” out ahead of this Oscar-winning animated feature’s release on Blu-ray & 4K HD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa starts off this week’s show by sharing some of the promotional slogans that the WDW Resort are reportedly considering adopting in the near future. He & Jim then talk about The Walt Disney Company’s forward-thinking approach when it comes to mitigating the impact that climate change will potentially have on Florida tourism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices