The film distils the Blytonesque spirit of adventure and outdoorsy fun... and transfers it to a new world in which all generations are longing to escape electronic devices and AI.
Director Ben Gregor wanted his cast to interact with the fantastical surroundings as much as possible. And so, on their sound stage in Reading, Gadsdon found herself filming in a grove of marshmallow trees, surrounded by giant flying-saucer plants and Haribo strawberry beds. I did eat a few, she confides. The Land of Birthdays was just as fun she was filmed in those scenes in the middle of a giant cake, as rollerskating elves disco-danced by.
For decades, two watercolors hung unassumingly in a family home in London. Only recently did the residents discover the works' storied pedigree: they are original illustrations created for a 1903 edition of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book , which were long thought lost. Now, the two watercolors, which depict scenes from Kipling's celebrated collection of short stories, are emerging on the auction block at Roseberys in London.
"Roger Allers was a creative visionary whose many contributions to Disney will live on for generations to come," Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. "He understood the power of great storytelling - how unforgettable characters, emotion and music can come together to create something timeless. His work helped define an era of animation that continues to inspire audiences around the world, and we are deeply grateful for everything he gave to Disney. Our hearts are with his family, friends and collaborators."
