#pixar

Virgin Australia Unveils Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5-Themed Aircraft Virgin Australia has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Disney and Pixar, introducing a specially designed aircraft themed around the upcoming “Toy Story 5” movie. The aircraft, featuring iconic characters like Woody, Jessie, and Buzz Lightyear, marks the airline’s first co-branded livery in nearly a decade. The initiative coincides with the film’s release in cinemas on 18 June 2026, aiming to create a magical travel experience for passengers. The custom-designed Boeing 737-800 aircraft reimagines the signature livery as a nostalgic tribute to the Toy Story franchise, which has captivated generations since its debut over 30 years ago. The themed aircraft will operate across Virgin Australia’s domestic network, offering passengers a visual celebration of the beloved characters. The campaign extends beyond the aircraft, integrating Toy Story 5 elements into the entire customer journey, including airports, lounges, and inflight entertainment. From 1 June 2026, travelers will enjoy exclusive Toy Story 5 experiences. These include complimentary themed colouring packs for children, access to the Toy Story series, and over 60 Disney movie classics through Virgin Australia’s inflight entertainment. A new Toy Story 5 game will be available on all domestic flights from 15 June to 19 July 2026. Participants can enter a competition to win a Pixar-themed experience in Tokyo for themselves and up to three friends or family members, subject to terms and conditions. The airline has also introduced “Toy Tickets,” a first for Australian airlines, allowing children to request personalized boarding passes for their favorite teddy bears or cuddly companions.#disney #pixar #toy_story_5 #virgin_australia #libby_minogue

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Launch Toy Story 5-Inspired Livery for 45th Anniversary Horizon Air, the regional carrier of Alaska Airlines, has unveiled a new livery inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5, marking the airline’s 45th anniversary of providing safe and caring service. The special design, named “To 45 and Beyond,” celebrates the milestone while bringing the latest chapter of the iconic franchise to the skies. The livery features beloved characters like Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie, alongside new tech toy characters from Toy Story 5, including Lilypad, Snappy, Atlas, and Smarty Pants. Floating clouds and playful callouts such as “Saddle Up, It’s Takeoff Time!” and “Ready for Takeoff, Partner” adorn the aircraft, while Forky and Karen Beverly make surprise appearances on the winglets. The Embraer 175 aircraft (N659QX) showcases the design at Portland International Airport, where Alaska Airlines unveiled the livery to guests and employees. The project, which aligns with Horizon’s 45th anniversary, emphasizes the airline’s commitment to adventure, imagination, and the joy of travel. President and CEO of Horizon Air expressed pride in the collaboration, stating, “I couldn’t think of a more special way to celebrate Horizon’s history with our guests than to bring out the kid in all of us. Forty-five years of service is a meaningful milestone, and I couldn’t be prouder of our people who, each and every day, put their best foot forward to deliver the industry’s best and most caring travel experience.#disney #pixar #alaska_airlines #horizon_air #toy_story_5

PROJECT HAIL MARY Maintains #1 Position Amid Strong Box Office Performance Project Hail Mary, the Amazon/MGM sci-fi film starring Ryan Gosling, continues to dominate the domestic box office, securing its second weekend at the top of the charts. The movie, which earned $80.5 million in its opening frame, has proven to be a rare success for a non-IP big-budget sci-fi film, resonating with critics, audiences, and box office results. Its strong word of mouth and lack of major competition in the upcoming weeks are expected to sustain its momentum, particularly in the first quarter of the year. Despite its overall success, Project Hail Mary faces challenges in attracting younger audiences, particularly teenagers and children. The film’s science-heavy narrative and PG-13 rating have limited its appeal to the 13-17 age group, with only 6% of that demographic attending screenings. Under-12 viewers were so sparse that their attendance wasn’t reported. However, the film’s family-friendly positioning is bolstered by the release of other family-oriented movies like Hoppers and Super Mario Galaxy, which provide opportunities for parents and children to attend separate films. The absence of crossover appeal from the two other major films in the market further supports Project Hail Mary’s position. Hoppers, the Pixar family comedy, is currently in second place, with a projected weekend range of $9 million to $12 million. The film is expected to maintain steady performance until the release of Super Mario Galaxy next week. While it hasn’t broken any major Pixar records, its domestic and international grosses are closely matched, with a combined total of $122 million domestically and $243.8 million worldwide. In China, Hoppers opened with $9.3 million, outperforming Project Hail Mary’s $6.9 million and Pegasus 3’s $5.7 million.#amazon #ryan_gosling #project_hail_mary #mgm #pixar

SZA Covers Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” Amid Notable Career Milestones SZA has continued to make waves in the music industry with a recent cover of the Goo Goo Dolls’ classic “Iris,” which has drawn attention from fans and critics alike. The artist, known for her introspective lyrics and genre-blending style, has been in high demand in 2026, marking a year of significant achievements. Her collaboration with Kendrick Lamar on the track “Luther” earned her a Grammy for Record of the Year, a testament to her growing influence in the industry. Beyond her Grammy win, SZA has remained active in the entertainment world. Last month, she contributed an original song titled “Save the Day” to the soundtrack of Pixar’s animated film Hoppers, further expanding her reach beyond music. This marks another milestone in her career, as she continues to diversify her creative output. SZA’s discography has also seen notable developments. Her 2023 album SOS was followed by a deluxe edition titled SOS Deluxe: Lana in 2025, which included four new tracks. These additions featured collaborations with artists like Don Toliver and showcased her evolving sound. The deluxe version’s release highlighted her ability to maintain relevance and push creative boundaries. The cover of “Iris” adds another layer to her artistic exploration. While the original song is a staple of 90s rock, SZA’s interpretation likely reflects her signature blend of pop, R&B, and soul. The track’s inclusion in Pitchfork’s coverage suggests it resonates with contemporary audiences, bridging generational gaps. Fans and critics have taken notice of SZA’s consistent output and versatility. Her ability to balance commercial success with artistic integrity has solidified her position as a key figure in modern music.#pixar #goo_goo_dolls #sza #kendrick_lamar #hoppers

Lilo & Stitch 2, Incredibles 3 Set for Summer 2028 Disney has announced the release dates for the next chapters of two major franchises, with both films set to debut in the summer of 2028. The sequel to the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, titled Lilo & Stitch 2, will premiere on May 26, 2028. This follows the success of the 2025 remake, which became a surprise box office hit with a reported $1 billion gross. Pixar’s Incredibles 3 will follow shortly after, scheduled for June 16, 2028. The announcements were made by incoming Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro during a recent press event. The Lilo & Stitch 2 project will be directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, who helmed the 2025 remake. Chris Sanders, the original co-creator, co-writer, and co-director of the 2002 animated film, will serve as the writer for the sequel. Sanders also voices Stitch in the franchise, a role he has held since the original release. For Incredibles 3, Peter Sohn, the director of Elemental, will take over the helm from Brad Bird, who directed the first two installments of the superhero series. Bird’s departure marks a significant shift for the franchise, as Sohn brings a fresh creative vision to the project. The release dates for both films align with Disney’s strategy to capitalize on the summer movie season, a period traditionally known for high box office earnings. The Incredibles series has been a staple of Pixar’s output, with its blend of action, humor, and family-friendly storytelling resonating with audiences since its debut in 2004. Similarly, Lilo & Stitch has maintained a strong fan base, particularly with its live-action remake rekindling interest in the original animated classic. Disney’s decision to schedule these films back-to-back in 2028 suggests a calculated approach to maintaining momentum in its animated and live-action divisions.#disney #pixar #lilo_stitch #incredibles #josh_damaro

Disney Sets 'Lilo & Stitch,' 'Incredibles' Sequels for Summer 2028 Release Disney has announced two new sequels for its summer 2028 film lineup, with a direct follow-up to the 2024 live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch set for release in May and Pixar’s Incredibles 3 scheduled for June. The Lilo & Stitch 2 film will open on Memorial Day weekend in 2028, aiming to replicate the $1.03 billion global box office success of its predecessor. The sequel will be directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp, who also helmed the 2024 remake, and is expected to maintain the franchise’s commercial momentum. Incredibles 3 will mark a shift in creative leadership, with Peter Sohn, director of Elemental, taking the helm after Brad Bird, who directed the first two films in the series, steps down as director. Bird will remain as a screenwriter and executive producer. The film is set for a June 16, 2028, release, nearly a decade after The Incredibles 2 debuted in 2018. The 2018 film grossed $1.24 billion worldwide, establishing a benchmark for the franchise’s financial performance. The announcement was made during Disney’s annual shareholder meeting by new CEO Josh D’Amaro, who succeeded Bob Iger after 15 years at the helm. D’Amaro, who has spent 27 years with the company, previously led its theme parks and experiences division. His leadership comes as Disney’s film studio increasingly prioritizes sequels and franchises over original content. While the studio is celebrating the success of Pixar’s Hoppers, which has earned $164 million in its opening weekends, its box office potential will not match the billion-dollar runs of films like Lilo & Stitch and Avatar: Fire and Ash. Disney’s focus on sequels is also evident in the continued dominance of animated franchises. Zootopia 2, which became the highest-grossing animated film in Hollywood history with $1.#disney #pixar #lilo_stitch #incredibles #josh_damaro

Tim Cook Shares Steve Jobs' Unforgettable Advice on Leadership Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, recalled a pivotal piece of advice from the late co-founder Steve Jobs, who urged him to prioritize doing what is right over emulating his own leadership style. The guidance, given as Cook took over the helm of the $3.83 trillion tech giant, emphasized the importance of independent decision-making. “Never ask what I would do, just do the right thing,” Jobs told Cook, a lesson rooted in his experiences at Disney and Pixar. Jobs, who co-founded Pixar with George Lucas in 1986, later became a key figure at Disney after the company acquired Pixar in 2006. During his time at Disney, he observed how the organization often hesitated, overthinking decisions by referencing Walt Disney’s past choices. This “paralysis” of relying on historical precedent, Jobs believed, could stifle innovation. He wanted Apple to avoid such stagnation, encouraging Cook to embrace his own vision rather than being constrained by his predecessor’s legacy. Cook described the moment as a transformative experience, noting how Jobs’ advice lifted the weight of constantly questioning, “What would Steve do?” Instead, Cook focused on becoming the best version of himself, a mindset that shaped his leadership approach. This philosophy aligns with Jobs’ broader emphasis on collaboration and excellence. He believed that combining diverse ideas could yield groundbreaking results, advocating for a culture where debate and shared creativity led to innovation. Jobs also stressed the importance of focus, urging teams to say “no” to countless distractions to concentrate on a single, exceptional goal. This principle of “insanely great” execution became a cornerstone of Apple’s identity, ensuring that every product met the highest standards.#apple #disney #tim_cook #steve_jobs #pixar