"The devastation in the wake of Hurricane Katrina is simply heartbreaking and our thoughts are with those struggling in the aftermath of this disaster," said Michael Eisner, CEO, and Bob Iger, president, COO and CEO-elect of The Walt Disney Company. "We hope that our donation will aid emergency management teams and organizations in their efforts to provide assistance to those impacted."

Walt Disney Television International (India) has rolled out an extensive 360 degree marketing campaign announcing the same.

From outdoor, internet, radio to trade magazines; no medium has been left untapped. The campaign has been rolled out in 25 metros and mini metros across the country, which include - Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkatta, Ahmedabad, Baroda, Amritsar, Chandigarh and Ludhiana, to name a few.

"The Hindi speaking market in India is the biggest and cannot be ignored. We have rolled out a marketing campaign, which is simple and clutter breaking by using the iconic characters of Disney - Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. The campaign drives homes the message in a unique and entertaining way," says Walt Disney Television International (India) marketing director Tushar Shah.

The campaign has been conceived by Contract Advertising, Disney's creative agency.

Mickey Mouse inflates have also been put up at Phoenix Mills in Mumbai. Apart from this, the company will also be distributing personalised Mickey mugs to the media fraternity with "M Se Mickey" written on one side in Hindi and with the person's name written on the other side, for eg: "P Se Pooja."

This activity will be undertaken on 1 - 2 September, wherein various professionals from the media, ad sales, distribution, advertising agencies, advertisers and cable industry will receive their personalised mugs.

Three radio spots have been created with the adorable Donald Duck trying his best to learn the new language. The radio spots have Donald reciting the Hindi alphabets and also encouraging Daisy Duck to do so. In his unique quacky voice, he seems at pains to learn the alien language but manages just fine in the end.

Speaking on the thought behind the campaign, Contract Advertising account director Ayesha Ghosh says, "The brief given to us was simple and Disney encouraged us to go creative on this one so that the campaign doesn't become just another blind spot. The idea was to attract attention and roll out a communication that works for the brand."

"All the outdoor ads have the popular characters learning Hindi, whereas the three radio spots have Donald in the lead role since his is the most identifiable voice among all the Disney characters," Ghosh adds.

The channels is also planning to roll out TVCs, which will be variations of the radio spots.

Toon Disney is launching in Japan later this year, a move which also takes the Jetix brand to the territory. Walt Disney Television International Japan will air the 24-hour channel from the beginning of December.

Toon Disney's arrival in Japan follows that of the Disney channel in November 2003. As well as Disney's catalogue of animated programs, the Toon channel will also carry a Jetix action/adventure block, a feature of its output elsewhere.

In view of their popularity with the pre-teen set, it is no wonder that Disney Channel stars Lizzie McGuire (Hillary Duff) and Raven (Raven Baxter) have jumped from the small screen to the Game Boy Advance screen once again in a pair of video game sequels. Who would have thunk it but you actually need some gaming skill to play either 'Lizzie McGuire 3: Homecoming Havoc' or 'That's so Raven 2: Supernatural Style'? Both releases are deceptively simple.

In 'Lizzie McGuire 3' you must assist the high school misfit in achieving her dream of becoming homecoming queen. To do so, you must best a host of mini-game challenges in Competition Mode. That's 100 games and 10 dance offs in 10 stages, folks. Yep. Moms and dads, this game will have your kids tied up until doomsday...or shortly thereafter. The mini-games include all the basic skills a novice gamer will need in future. There's button-mashing "rapid tap" challenges, timed tests, games including dodging, aiming and the ever popular bonus round 'Dance Competition' in which you have to press the appropriate direction on the control pad as arrows quickly move across the screen to get Lizzie to set the dance floor on fire. In the bonus rounds, you can earn valuable tokens, points and chances.

'That's so Raven 2: Supernatural Style' doesn't fair as well unfortunately although it is more of an arcade style experience. Raven's predicament this time around is that she needs concert tickets for a date. Instead of purfume to spray those dastardly villains with, this time around Raven can...ummm...throw...cream pies. Go figure, eh? Raven can also "borrow" a wide variety of outfits that give her other powers as well as combining special items to create new accessories too. If you collect enough coins, you can buy clothing and other items in the Raven Store as well as unlock trivia about the television show and mini-games.

Mercifully, neither of these releases are recycled versions of those old school "girl games" (for lack of a better term) which contained nothing too challenging or too threatening for young women to deal with. It is good to see that those embarrassing days are seemingly gone for good. Adios. Goodbye. See yah, later. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

London Biscuits managing director Datuk Liew Yew Ching said with the agreement, the company would be able to distribute its "more attractive" products with cartoon characters to the Hong Kong market.

The company has been a Disney licensee since 2003 and had, in March this year, extended the licensing to use the Disney packaging in Malaysia and Singapore for another two years.

"This allows the company to further expand its market in the former British colony, which is one of our main export destinations,'' Liew said in a statement.

A signing ceremony was held in Hong Kong on Tuesday between London Biscuits and an official of Walt Disney Co (Asia-Pacific) Ltd.

Liew said the company also wanted to take advantage of the enthusiasm which Hong Kong Disneyland is generating ahead of its opening this September.

The Disney packaging is used on the company's cake and corn products under the Yummies brand range and would be available in Hong Kong next month.

The characters on the confectionery packets are Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Winnie the Pooh.

Most of us think the Red Sox' legendary win in Game 4 of the 2004 World Series was the Greatest Game Ever Played. But writer/director Mark Frost reminds Bostonians of another local triumph – caddy Francis Ouimet's victory in the 1913 U.S. Open at The Country Club of Brookline.

``I really think Francis Ouimet was the Jackie Robinson of golf, he changed the way the game was not only perceived but the way it was played,'' Frost said of the 20-year-old caddy whose amazing victory over British golfing great Henry Vardon is dramatized in the upcoming Disney flick ``The Greatest Game Ever Played.''

And Frost said he never had any doubt about who should portray the unknown underdog Ouimet. When 19-year-old ``I Robot'' star Shia LaBeouf walked through the door, he knew he had his man.

``We had to find somebody who is relatively unknown, as Francis is a complete unknown,'' explained Frost. ``Shia is perfect because he's not over-exposed and he's different in every movie.''

Casting Ouimet's charismatic caddy, Eddie Lowery, happened in a similar fashion.

``You couldn't make up a character like this little caddy,'' he said. ``We had to find a kid who's like a 50-year-old in a 10-year-old's body.''

And that would be 11-year-old Josh Flitter, a bit player in ``Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.'' As soon as Frost saw him, Josh said, he shouted, ``He's Eddie!''

The barely 4-foot kid actor told the Track that it wasn't just his short stature that he shared with Lowery.

``He was determined to do anything and so am I. He was really like a smart aleck and so am I,'' he said.

``The Greatest Game Ever Played'' opens in theaters Sept. 30.

Hurricane Katrina's assault on the Big Easy is having repercussions in Hollywood.

In the aftermath of the devastating storm that authorities fear left hundreds dead, flooded more than 80 percent of downtown New Orleans, and ravaged the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama basins has caused several productions in the region to shut down.

Two Disney films were forced to evacuate New Orleans before the hurricane made landfall: Déjà Vu, starring Denzel Washington, and The Guardian, with Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher. The Los Angeles Times reports that the studio hired a charter jet Saturday and flew 70 crew members out of the city and back to Los Angeles before the monster storm slammed into the Gulf coast.

Another film pulling up stakes was Warner Bros.' horror thriller The Reaping, which stars Hilary Swank as a myth debunker investigating signs of the 10 plagues. Little did the two-time Oscar winner know she was about to encounter a natural disaster of biblical proportions.

A studio rep said the cast and crew for the Joel Silver-produced film caught a flight from Baton Rouge to the relative safety of Austin, Texas. While Katrina wreaked havoc on the production schedule, filmmakers are ready to return to Baton Rouge and resume shooting next week--that is, if the basic infrastructure, power, car rentals, clean roads, etc., is back up and running.

"We're anticipating resuming production Tuesday, after the Labor Day holiday. The crew is expected to return to the Baton Rouge location tomorrow," said Warners publicist Stacy Ivers.

Earlier reports that the hurricane washed out some sets there, causing minor damage, were unconfirmed.

Warners and Disney aren't the only one placing a call to their insurance company. The producers of The Last Time, a comedy-drama costarring Michael Keaton and Brendan Fraser, suspended production immediately once mandatory evacuation orders were issued Sunday by New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin.

"While the production has incurred some extra expense as a result of the delay caused by the continuing executive order preventing us from reentering New Orleans, more importantly, we are happy that our cast and crew are safe," says a statement from producer Adam Rosenfelt, president of Element Films, the company overseeing production. Rosenfelt says he hopes to start filming again as soon as possible.

Last year, Hollywood received $67 million in tax breaks from Louisiana to attract film and TV production. But the hurricane's effects are expected to be felt for months. With state officials relocating government offices, the Louisiana and New Orleans film commission offices were not reachable for comment.

Also beating a hasty retreat were the cast and crew of Vampire Bats, a made-for-TV flick for CBS featuring Xena alum Lucy Lawless.

"I turned on the television and saw 'category 5,' " the actress told Entertainment Tonight.

Lawless joined the thousands of evacuees fleeing the below-sea level, bowl-shaped city at the last minute.

"The traffic was going one mile per hour sometimes," she told ET of the mass exodus on local highways. "Then it was two miles per hour, then five. It took nine hours for what should have taken 50-55 minutes."

As of press time, Lawless was holed up with three crew members and their relatives in Baton Rouge without electricity but still able to use the telephone.

It's doubtful however she'll be getting in front of the camera anytime soon.

"Everyone is safe," Vampire Bats producer Frank von Zerneck told the Hollywood Reporter. "But now I'm dealing with things like, are the trucks flooded? Where is the equipment? Everything was boxed up and stored, but now the city is pretty much closed down."

And it will be for months to come, given the submerged state of New Orleans.

The crisis is such that the governor of New Orleans has ordered tens of thousands of people who had sought refuge in New Orleans rescue centers, including the Superdome, to get as far away from the city and region as possible. More than 5,000 National Guard troops and other emergency personnel are conducting 24-hour rescue operations, pulling stranded people to safety, extinguishing gas fires and attempting to stanch the flow of water from breeched levees. Health officials fear the worst could be on the horizon, with water sources polluted, dead bodies exposed and disease-carrying mosquito populations expected to boom.

"Commander-in-Chief"

What: Drama about a woman who unexpectedly becomes president — and the men who don't like it.

Where: Tuesday, 9 p.m.

When: Sept. 27

Who: Geena Davis, Donald Sutherland, Kyle Secor, Harry L. Lennix, Ever Carradine, Julie Ann Emery, Andrew James Allen, Caitlin Wachs, Jasmine Anthony.

Why: Successor to the lame-duck "West Wing."

How: Speaker of the House Nathan Templeton dismisses her candidacy for vice president as a campaign stunt, "all done as pure theater." That's cold. Not to mention cruel resistance heaped on Vice President Mackenzie Allen, who now, with the death of the president she ran with, is being pressured to step aside and let someone "more appropriate" claim the Oval Office. Next in line would be Templeton, "an SOB and a liar," the dying prez told her, "but he shares my vision." How will the progressive, independent and indubitably female President Mackenzie fare? And how will her husband, until now her dynamic Chief of Staff, react to serving as the nation's first "First Man"? Secor scores as the loving but hamstrung hubby, Sutherland is a delicious scoundrel as Templeton, and Davis is presidential in this very electable hit.
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"Freddie"

What: Young, successful chef and freewheeling single guy fills his bachelor pad with his sister, sister-in-law, niece and grandmother. Has he cooked his own goose?

Where: Wednesday, 8:30 p.m.

When: Oct. 5

Who: Freddie Prinze, Jr., Jacqueline Obradors, Brian Green, Jenny Gago, Chloe Suazo.

Why: Outsiders invading the happy home is a long-standing sitcom staple. Can't anybody stop it?

How: "When my brother died, I realized I lost contact with everybody I loved. Now that they're all here, I feel like I have a family again," says Freddie. "You're saying it's perfect?" asks pal and fellow bachelor Chris (Green). "No, it's killing me," says Freddie. Cue the laugh track. This show isn't a bit funny. On the other hand, it's comfortable like family; the sort of show that, like it or not, a viewer might admit into his home.
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"Hot Properties"

What: "Designing Women" for a new millennium: Crasser, far less funny and bigger breasts.

Where: Friday, 9:30 p.m.

When: Oct. 7

Who: Gail O'Grady, Nicole Sullivan, Evan Handler, Audra Blaser, Stephen Dunham, Sofia Vergara.

Why: Nature abhors a vacuum, on a network schedule like everywhere else.

How: Four wisecracking women run their real estate business as "matchmakers for people and homes." They also spend a lot of time dishing about men. Among the foursome is the obligatory loser in love (Sullivan) who declares, "I'm not slutty, I'm easy. It's subtle, but there's a difference." And the obligatory red-hot Latina (Vergara) who, reminded that her father and uncles are all cabinet makers, acknowledges, "Yes, I spend my life surrounded by men with wood." This "Properties" is condemned.
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"Invasion"

What: Very extreme makeovers, sci-fi edition — aliens are in our midst, converting us one by one.

Where: Wednesday, 10 p.m.

When: Sept. 21

Who: William Fichtner, Eddie Cibrian, Kari Matchett, Lisa Sheridan, Tyler Labine, Alexis Dziena, Evan Peters, Ariel Gade.

Why: A drama that gives viewers something new to worry about. (Terrorists are so last season!)

How: Set in a small Florida town at the edge of Everglades National Park, this series begins with a torrential storm. But what if the storm weren't a natural disaster, but a diversionary tactic cooked up by alien invaders? And what if the storm-ravaged town fell under the emergency control of a sheriff (Fichtner) who is part of the aliens' takeover plan? Pretty soon a U.S. Park Ranger (Cibrian) gets suspicious, and his wife (Sheridan) happens to be an intrepid TV reporter. But will they uncover the conspiracy in time? And will viewers care, once they uncover this silly mess?
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"Night Stalker"

What: Broken-hearted but iron-willed, a young man looks for creepy answers in the dark.

Where: Thursday, 9 p.m.

When: Sept. 29

Who: Stuart Townsend, Gabrielle Union, Eric Jungmann, Cotter Smith.

Why: The original "Kolchak: The Night Stalker," which ABC aired for just one season in the 1970s, was canceled — but it wouldn't die.

How: "The real stories you won't find printed in any newspaper," Carl Kolchak declares in a mournful voiceover — "stories of strange deaths, endless suffering, horrors we can only pretend to explain, and hidden threads that connect them all." A seasoned crime reporter like Kolchak should know better than indulging in such purple prose. But he's got a mission beyond journalism: his wife was killed 18 months ago in an otherworldly fashion and the FBI likes him for the murder. So naturally Kolchak (Townsend) is obsessed with discovering what really happened. He also needs to solve all the subsequent ghoulish occurrences and crack a cover-up that no one else will acknowledge. All of which suggests this occult suspenser isn't bucking for realism: Here's a reporter who never puts in for overtime.

Walt Disney Resort to Host 23rd Annual Night of Joy

The Magic Kingdom will be hosting some of Christian music’s most recognized and highly acclaimed stars during the 23rd Annual Night of Joy, which will take place Sept. 9-10 at the Walt Disney Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Headliners this year include one of the Gospel Music Association’s most-honored performers, Steven Curtis Chapman, and recent GMA Music Award winners Casting Crowns (Group of the Year), Nicole C. Mullen (Female Vocalist of the Year), and MercyMe (2004 Artist of the Year).

Other big name artists included this year are Matthew West, Mark Schultz, Big Daddy Weave, Vicky Beeching, newsboys, Donnie McClurking, CeCe Winans, Kutless, Tree 63, Superchic[k], Further Seems Forever, Stellar Kart, Kierra “Kiki Sheard,, Audio Adrenaline and tobyMac.

In addition to CCM’s finest, two special acts will be performing at the Night of Joy, including a four-sister group from Washington called Witherspoon and 27 youngsters from Chicago’s Evangel Assembly of God.

Contemporary Christian recording artist Mark Schultz takes time away from touring to goof around in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort

Witherspoon was selected as the overall Grand Prize winners at the GMA Music in the Rockies seminar, which was held from late July to early August, and the Evangel Assembly of God was the overall winners in Kellogg’s Gospel Youth Choir Competition, which finished last week. The Evangel Assembly of God youth Choir will perform at the Night of Joy on stage with Kierra “Kiki” Sheard, who was also a spokesperson for the Kellogg event.

“From time to time we’ve looked to introduce some fresh ideas to the Night of Joy event, a definitely a fresh idea this year is the relationship we have to GMA and to Kellogg,” said Night of Joy spokesperson Dave Herbst.

Another special feature at this year’s Night of Joy will be an “information station” for the upcoming Christmas film release The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

At the station, guests will be able to access exclusive content about the film including the latest updates, behind-the-scenes footage and “sneak peek” movie clips, and a preview of Buena Vista Games console games inspired by the movie.

Other Narnia features offered at Night Of Joy are “The Chronicles of Narnia – Audio Magazine” and an “Official Narnia Passport” (with special information on the movie), both of which will appear as tracks on a complimentary CD given to every Night of Joy guest.

Walt Disney World Resort has presented Night of Joy annually since 1983. More than 100 Christian music artists have performed before a combined audience of more than 800,000 people in the Magic Kingdom.

For more information or to purchase tickets for Night of Joy 2005 call 407/W-DISNEY.

Fifty years after Disneyland opened in California, heralding America's postwar success, the Walt Disney Co. is betting that China, the world's newest economic giant, will welcome Mickey Mouse to Hong Kong with open arms.

On Sept. 12, after six years of planning and building costs of $1.8 billion, Hong Kong Disneyland will greet the first of the 5.6 million guests it projects in the first year.

The park is a joint venture of the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), which invested $419 million for a 57% stake, and Disney, which invested $316 million for a 43% stake, a government spokesman said. In addition, the Hong Kong government spent $1.75 billion on infrastructure works that would have been carried out in the area for tourism and recreational development regardless of whether Disneyland was built, the spokesman said.

Nestled on a bay against a backdrop of green hills on Lantau Island in the South China Sea, the 310-acre park is 10 minutes by light rail from the international airport and 24 minutes from Hong Kong, a part of the People's Republic of China since 1997, when Britain gave up its colonial rule after 156 years.

Although statistics show 21 million visitors arrived last year in Hong Kong, which abuts Guangdong, mainland China's richest province, industry observers say the cost of admission to Disneyland could scare off many guests from the mainland, where the official average income is less than $1,000 a year.

Adult tickets will start at HKD295 ($37) in the offseason, when a night at the one of the park's two hotels -- the Hollywood Hotel and Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel -- will start at HKD1,000 ($129) and HKD1,600 ($206).

"Disney will do well to keep its price point down in China," said J. Clark Robinson, president of the Alexandria, Va.-based International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, which held its annual Asian Expo in June in Hong Kong.

Tickets at Hong Kong Disneyland, however, are cheaper than those at the parks in Anaheim, Orlando, Paris and Tokyo, and Stanley Cheung, managing director of the Walt Disney Co. China and a Hong Kong native, said he is not worried about mainland Chinese attendance.

"About one-third of our guests are expected to come from mainland China, primarily from the richer, southern regions such as Guangdong province," Cheung said from his office at Disney China headquarters in Shanghai.

Drawing even a fraction of the mainland's 1.3 billion people to the park is a worthy challenge, even though China's consumers are expected to spend more on entertainment in coming years than other Asians.

U.S. accounting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers sees a 25.2% rise in Chinese entertainment and media spending through 2009, making China the fastest-growth market in Asia. PwC said China's amusement industry will swell an average of 5.7% a year in the same period, leaping to more than $7 billion in 2006 alone.

It's been a long march to Sept. 12 for Disney, which first showed "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in China in the 1930s. Andy Bird, president of Walt Disney International, said that Hong Kong Disneyland will provide guests with an immersive experience to re-ignite what he calls "the magic that is the Disney storytelling tradition."

"The park will act as a springboard for our other businesses throughout China and the region," he said in an interview from his Los Angeles office.

"Whenever we open a park, we find there's a very good halo effect that is created," he said, noting that a martial arts retelling of "Snow White" called "Snow White and the Seven Monks" is in preproduction.

Still, in some respects, Hong Kong Disneyland is as American as apple pie. It features Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland -- four environments that echo the Anaheim originals -- and a staff of 5,000 "cast members," many of whom went to Orlando for training (AB, July).

Yet sensitivity to Chinese culture was important in creating the park. A Chinese menu was developed to complement Disney's traditional Western fare; there are Mandarin-, Cantonese- and English-speaking staff; and a master of the 14th century art of feng shui was consulted on the park's design to make sure it sits harmoniously with the natural environment, Bird said.

To please a different set of beliefs, Disney entered into a partnership with the nearly 70-million strong Communist Youth League. Music and video materials were sent to members, who range in ages from 14-28, in the hope of raising awareness of Mickey Mouse.

In case budding interest in Mickey and pals failed to get Chinese kids to push their parents for tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland, the park chose as its spokesman pop singer Jacky Cheung, a household name in Hong Kong and across much of Asia.

Industry observers say that all the effort that Disney has put into the Hong Kong park was meant to meet the challenge of selling Disney's clean and controlled approach to family entertainment to a small group of newly wealthy Chinese whose nascent tastes are tough to gauge.

"Chinese think of theme parks as places for children only, but Disneyland has the chance to change this misperception," said Ji Xiangqun, deputy general manager of the Suzhou New District Economic Development Group, which runs amusement parks outside Shanghai.

According to Greg Hale, Disney's chief safety officer, all Disney parks succeed in appealing to guests of all ages by upholding the four core tenets of safety, quality, showmanship and efficiency.

"These set expectations high, and now we have to deliver on the promise," Hale said, noting the importance of defining exactly what is expected of each cast member, then making sure everybody, from all levels of management, adheres to those four core behaviors.

"No one will walk past a piece of trash or something that's improper without bending over to pick it up," Hale said.

James Lu, executive director of the Hong Kong Hotels Assn., identified another challenge Disney might face in serving its mainland Chinese guests: "Low-paying guests always ask for more services than high-paying guests, but neither likes to ask for service and then wait."

"That's why we must have ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen," said Lu, noting that Disney might also face a talent shortage as hotels, resorts and amusement parks compete in coming years for educated young employees in the technology and information industries.

Brian Ho, human resources director of Ocean Park, a Disneyland competitor now undergoing a $700 million renovation, noted the same challenge. "Why, when they could be working in air-conditioned offices, would kids want to work outside on a hot Hong Kong day, dealing with mainland tourists?" he asked.

For some, Disney's rigorous culture might also prove too straitjacketed.

Reporter Alexandra Harney wrote in the Financial Times that a free media tour of the new Hong Kong park was "presumably intended to convert cynical journalists to Disney's all-American entertainment philosophy. Instead, it created a slightly uneasy feeling of pervasive control."

"I have been to Walt Disney's first theme park in China, and I can report that it is the scariest place I have been since I visited North Korea a few years ago," she wrote on July 30.

Shanghai surprise?

When the opening-night fireworks have dimmed over Hong Kong Disneyland, the question of a second Disney theme park in China will linger.

In the past several months, Disney's newly appointed CEO, Robert Iger, has traveled several times to Asia, with stops in China, India, Vietnam and Hong Kong. Iger sees the region as one of Disney's main growth opportunities. For about a month, he has been fending off speculation that Shanghai, China's largest city, is the proposed site for a possible second Disneyland in China in the coming years, going so far as to say that it isn't likely to happen before 2010.

"Two Disney parks in China is not market saturation," IAAPA's Robinson said. "Disney changed the face of the industry in the United States in the 1950s and has probably been the most influential around the world ever since."

Disney China managing director Cheung added this about the possibility of Shanghai: "Disney has been engaged in talks over the years with the Chinese government about opening a park in China. The first one is going to be in Hong Kong, and that is the focus of our efforts for now."

Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai, who continues to conquer new frontiers outside India with her beauty and talent, adds another milestone to her career.

Aishwarya's International Manager Simone Sheffield told UNI in a communication through e-mail that she has been signed for Disney's ''Rearranged'' which will be directed by Audrey Wells, The rest of the cast is yet to be finalised.

Aishwarya, who is currently in Tunisia for ''The Last Legion''plays Mira, a Byzantine warrior where she co-stars with Sir Ben Kingsley and Colin Firth to restore the Roman Empire.

Even though her fans in India have been critical that she has vanished from Bollywood since ''Devdas'', the former Beauty Queen has as many as 11 projects lined up till 2007.

Aishwarya is currently filming for ''The Last Legion'' in Tunisia. The principal photography for the film started on August five and she joined the shoot from August nine. Next month, the unit will move to Slovakia and the shoot would continue till November.

Director of ''The Last Legion'' Doug Lefler, whose credits include second unit direction on ‘Spider-Man’ and ‘A Simple Plan’, explains that ''The list of requirements for the one major female role in the film, Mira, was long. We needed an actress of rare beauty, with enough screen presence to hold her own against the likes of Colin Firth and Sir Ben Kingsley. Aishwarya was the obvious choice''.

Mr Sheffield further said The Last Legion is a Dino De Laurentiis presentation produced by Martha De Laurentiis and Raffaella De Laurentiis, directed by Doug Lefler. The film is an independently financed film produced in partnership with Quinta Communications’ Tarak Ben Ammar and British co-producers Chris Curling and Phil Robertson of Zephyr Films.

Part fact, part legend, 'The Last Legion' is an epic adventure based on acclaimed author Valerio Massimo Manfredi’s international best-selling 2003 novel of the same name. The film is set against the fall of the Roman Empire in 470 AD and its last emperor, 12-year-old Romulus Augustus (Thomas Sangster).

Over-run with rebellion, Rome is a city on the brink of chaos and destruction. Imprisoned by rebels on the island-fortress of Capri, Romulus, aided by the clever strategies of his teacher Ambrosinus (Sir Ben Kingsley) and the heroic skills of his legionnaire Aurelius (Colin Firth) escape the island.

Despite the turbulent events around them, this small band of Roman soldiers, accompanied by Byzantine warrior Mira (Aishwarya Rai), are determined to continue their mission to restore the Empire. This resolute group sets out on an arduous and dangerous trek for Britannia in search of the Last Legion, in their bid to make one final stand for Rome.

The producers have assembled a stellar cast on this epic film about courage, loyalty and unfailing resolve.

Youngsters from Yorkhill Hospital who suffer from leukemia will be among the first to see a spectacular new ice show in Glasgow.

Disney on Ice has donated 20 show tickets to children being treated for life-threatening illnesses at the hospital's Schiehallion Unit. The show, which will run from September 13-18, is expected to attract crowds of more than 50,000 during its six-day run.

Les Hoey, 44, from Wishaw, who helped organise the trip, said: "To see their favourite characters in their home town will be a really great experience." YOUNGSTERS from Yorkhill Hospital who suffer from leukemia will be among the first to see a spectacular new ice show in Glasgow.

Disney on Ice has donated 20 show tickets to children being treated for life-threatening illnesses at the hospital's Schiehallion Unit. The show, which will run from September 13-18, is expected to attract crowds of more than 50,000 during its six-day run.

Les Hoey, 44, from Wishaw, who helped organise the trip, said: "To see their favourite characters in their home town will be a really great experience." YOUNGSTERS from Yorkhill Hospital who suffer from leukemia will be among the first to see a spectacular new ice show in Glasgow.

Disney on Ice has donated 20 show tickets to children being treated for life-threatening illnesses at the hospital's Schiehallion Unit. The show, which will run from September 13-18, is expected to attract crowds of more than 50,000 during its six-day run.

Les Hoey, 44, from Wishaw, who helped organise the trip, said: "To see their favourite characters in their home town will be a really great experience."

ESPN is planning a six-episode reality series, to debut in February, that will feature Bob Knight selecting a Texas Tech student to join the basketball team as a walk-on.

With Knight, you never know what to expect. If there isn't a chair around to throw, he'll find something.

In "Celebrity Fish Talk: Tales of Fishing From an All-Star Cast," host Jerry McKinnis tells author Dave Strege about the time Knight was a guest on his show.

According to McKinnis, after Knight let a largemouth bass slip away and a cameraman quipped, "Eddie Sutton would've caught that fish," Knight glared back at him and picked up a paddle.

"Coach threw it across the little bay at this cameraman," McKinnis said. "That paddle went whizzing through the air."

Trivia time: When was the first $1-million horse race, and who won it?

One viewpoint: Ron Gardenhire, manager of the Minnesota Twins, told Fox Sports radio that he didn't agree with Frank Robinson, manager of the Washington Nationals, that all of Rafael Palmeiro's statistics should be erased because he tested positive for steroids.

Gardenhire, a .232 career hitter in his five seasons with the New York Mets in the 1980s, said, "I could've taken steroids my whole life and never gotten 3,000 hits. I couldn't get 10 hits a month, period."

Exclamation point: Little Leaguer Austin Smith, 13, of Davenport, Iowa, says in an ESPN promo, "My name is Austin Smith, and my favorite player is Rafael Palmeiro, period."

The comment was a spoof of Palmeiro's telling Congress, "I've never used steroids. Period."

On ESPN's "Outside the Lines," Smith, explaining a kid's viewpoint, said, "We kind of make fun of the people who got caught, saying they never knowingly took it. I mean, if you didn't knowingly take it, but you're on it, how do you not know?"

Whatever it takes: Reader David Macaray recalls that former Angel manager Gene Mauch, who died Aug. 8, said of outfielder Gary Pettis' reluctance to choke up on the bat: "You hit major league pitching the way you can, not the way you want to."

Looking back: On this day in 1991, Mike Powell broke Bob Beamon's seemingly unbreakable world record in the long jump with a leap of 29 feet 4 1/2 inches at the world track and field championships in Tokyo. Beamon's record, set at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968, was 29-2 1/2 . Before that, the record was 27-4 3/4 . Powell's jump ended Carl Lewis' 10-year, 65-meet win streak in the event.

Trivia answer: The inaugural Arlington Million at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Ill., on this day in 1981. The race was won by John Henry, with Bill Shoemaker aboard.

And finally: President Bush threw out the first pitch at a Little League playoff game this month near his Texas ranch.

"Not sure he knew it was Little League," Jay Leno said. "When President Bush reached down and shook hands with players, he said, 'This is proof our steroids policy is working.' "

Switzerland's Kudelski (KUD.VX) and Walt Disney (DIS.N) have set up a joint venture to develop and market a video-on-demand system for digital television operators worldwide, the firms said on Wednesday.

The security software group and Walt Disney subsidiary Walt Disney Television International said the set top box system would offer a selection of movie and other television content delivered to its hard drive, as well as the capacity for subscribers to record personal content from existing channels.

The system is designed to run on satellite, cable, terrestrial and IP digital video recorder hardware platforms, the companies said.

The system will not be available in the United States, Canada and Japan.

The protest was organized by a watchdog group that recently issued a report alleging that Disney contractors in China pay workers below the minimum wage, demand excessive overtime and cheat labor monitors by faking pay slips.

The factories have denied any abuse. In response to the report, Disney has appointed an auditor to look into the claims, but Tuesday's protesters want the company to also make public its list of contractors so that activists can investigate for themselves.

One of the demonstrators, Argo Yeung, said protesters wanted to raise awareness of the labor conditions at contractors for multinational companies.

"The price of the products made by multinational brands isn't low. It's a big difference compared to what the workers get paid. There's hasn't been discussion of the issue in Hong Kong," Yeung told The Associated Press by phone.

The government, which agreed to shoulder most of the $3.5 billion construction cost, says the park will boost employment and tourism.

Critics say the park's economic benefits are overrated and that officials are focusing too much on it.

A Hong Kong Disneyland spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a reporter's call seeking comment on the protest.

Hong Kong Disneyland is due to open on September 12, but the park has organized previews for various groups.

Join them as they embrace 'ohana the family spirit of Hawaii, fly away to the magical world of Never Land, make tracks to London to help Pongo and Perdita find their puppies and escape as Sebastian takes them under the sea.

It's a show the whole family can enjoy together, and a great opportunity for everyone to experience some traditional Disney magic - live on ice.

The two for one ticket offer is available for the following performances:

Glasgow, SECC: Wednesday 14 September-19.30, Thursday 15 September-19.30, Friday 16 September-15.45
Aberdeen, Press & Journal Arena: Thursday 22 September-19.30, Friday 23 September-19.30
Manchester, M.E.N Arena: Wednesday 28 September-19.30, Thursday 29 September-19.30
Nottingham, Nottingham Arena: Thursday 6 October-19.30, Friday 7 October-19.30
Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena: Tuesday 11 October-19.30, Saturday 15 October-19.30, Sunday 16 October-18.30
London, Wembley Show Hall: Wednesday 19 October-19.30, Thursday 20 October-15.45 and 19.30, Friday 21 October-12.00 and 15.45
Birmingham, The NIA: Wednesday 26 October-19.30, Thursday 27 October-16.00 and 20.00, Tuesday 1 November-19.30, Wednesday 2 November-19.30, Thursday 3 November-19.30
Sheffield, Hallam FM Arena: Tuesday 8 November-19.30, Wednesday 9 November-14.00, Thursday 10 November-14.00

There is limited availability so book now!

How to book your two for one tickets

Phone: To book via the phone please call Ticketmaster on 0870 4000 777 and quote 'Daily Mail offer'

Online: Book online with Ticketmaster

Terms & conditions
The offer is valid on all price levels, (£10.50-£22.50) except rinkside, for a selection of shows across the country.
Tickets are subject to a booking fee per ticket (£1.50-£2.25) and a processing fee of £1.25 per transaction.
There is a limit of 4 tickets per transaction.
The offer is valid from 31 August until 30 September 2005.
This offer is subject to availability and cannot be booked in conjunction with any other offer.

Someday the phrase "Coming soon to a theatre near you" could be replaced with "Coming soon to a Wal-Mart near you."The tradition of major films debuting first in theatres, then across staggered release "windows,"including pay-per-view, home video, cable and, finally, broadcast TV, is being openly questioned.

Robert Iger, CEO-elect of The Walt Disney Co., recently suggested the day could come when a DVD is released while the movie is still in theatres.

The millions of dollars that studios spend marketing first-run movies would serve double duty promoting the more profitable DVDs, making for a faster and more efficient return on investment.

"Consumers have a lot more authority these days and they know that by using technology they can gain access to content and they want to use the power that they have..."Iger told financial analysts earlier this month. "We can’t stand in the way and we can’t allow tradition to stand in the way of where the consumer can go or wants to go."
"He knows there would be no viable movie theatre industry in that new world — at least not a theatre industry devoted to the entertainment products of Hollywood."

Theatres have already seen profits shrink as movies move more quickly to home video. Studios and theatres split profits in the early weeks of a movie’s run. The theatres split gets larger the longer the movie plays, giving studios an incentive to release films on DVD even earlier. Studios make the majority of their profits from home video sales, with theatrical runs serving as marketing for the DVD.

The gap between a movie’s opening weekend in theatres and its debut on home video has been narrowing from about six months in 1994 to about four months in 2004.

Some studios release their DVDs even sooner. The action sequel "XXX: State of the Union,"which fizzled at the box office, hit video shelves 11 weeks after its theatrical debut. Many studios announce the release date of a movie on home video while the film is still in theatres — a practice that infuriates theatre owners.

Before all 625 experiments landed in Hawaii, Stitch was enjoying his new "Ohana" with Lilo and Nani. It may have seemed like paradise, but little did they know something strange was about to happen… Stitch has a glitch! Presenting the all-new animated motion picture LILO & STITCH 2 STITCH HAS A GLITCH, available only on Disney DVD and VHS on August 30 from Walt Disney Home Entertainment.

Disney's Kim Possible Code Tod nationwide contest has come to a close. Walt Disney managing director Rajat Jain presented the grand prize to lucky winner Aaliya Mulla, a class six student from Lilawati Bai Poddar High School from Santacruz, Mumbai today.

Mumbai kids Nirav Patel, Harkirat Singh, Rekha Gaykar, Nikhil, Priya Morchani, Mini Lahoti, Jai S Mudrat, Khushboo Lalwani, Riya Kudukar and Sanjan Sharma were amongst the 25 lucky winners of hi-tech gaming mobile phones.

The winners were chosen from over 2,000,000 entries. Operation Code Tod, which ran from 25 July to 12 August 2005, was a marketing campaign aimed at popularising its comedic action adventure series Kim Possible.

The channel invited its young viewers to help the show's cheif protagonist, Kim Possible to save the world from destruction by intercepting secret codes with special Kim Possible code-seeker spy goggles. With over 2.2 million spy gogles made available to aspiring young agents across India, the campaign was aimed at consumer connect.

"This Is Your Life," a sentimental audience favorite which ran for nearly a decade in the 1950s and '60s on NBC, is making a comeback in a new version on ABC.

The original series, created and hosted by Ralph Edwards, was a reality TV pioneer. Each week, a person was surprised with an often-emotional recounting of his or her life by Edwards, friends and family.

The subjects varied from celebrities to prominent business figures to regular folks.

"We are thrilled to introduce 'This is Your Life' to a whole new generation of ABC viewers," ABC executive Andrea Wong said in a statement. The original series "was more than just one of America's best-loved television shows; it became a cherished part of the American vernacular."

Edwards began his show on radio, then moved to NBC in 1952 and remained at the network until 1961. Syndicated versions aired briefly in the 1970s and '80s.

The new show will be produced by Fox Television and Ralph Edwards Productions. Edwards, who is 92, lives in Los Angeles but won't be involved with the series.

Production on the show has yet to be begin, ABC said Tuesday. An air date was not announced.

"Armageddon," a non-stop and action-packed sci-fi thriller starring Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, Billy Bob Thornton and Steve Buscemi, airs as the "ABC Saturday Movie of the Week," with 5.1-Channel Surround Sound and video description, SEPTEMBER 17 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD: 4/30/01)

After New York City experiences a "minor" but devastating asteroid shower, the Earth is in for a real shock, as a Texas-sized asteroid hurtles toward the planet for a collision that would kill every living thing – plant and animal. The world's leading deep-core oil driller, Harry Stamper (Willis, "Hostage," "Hart's War"), is called on to lead two teams on an emergency shuttle mission that will fly to the asteroid to plant a nuclear device at its core. Directing NASA's last-ditch effort is Dan Truman (Thornton, "Bad Santa," "Monster's Ball").

Stamper's daughter, Grace (Tyler, "Lonesome Jim," "Lord of the Rings" films), must stay behind as her father and the man she loves (Affleck, "Jersey Girl," "Daredevil") embark on their desperate mission to save mankind.

Starring are Bruce Willis as Harry S. Stamper, Ben Affleck as A.J. Frost, Live Tyler as Grace Stamper, Billy Bob Thornton as Dan Truman, Steve Buscemi ("Spy Kids 2 and 3," "Fargo") as Rockhound, Will Patton (TV's "Into the West," "Remember the Titans") as Charles "Chick" Chapple, William Fichtner ("ABC's "Invasion," "Black Hawk Down") as Colonel William Sharp, Owen Wilson ("Wedding Crashers," "Meet the Fockers") as Oscar Choi, Michael Clarke Duncan ("The Island," "The Green Mile") as Jayotis "Bear" Kurleenbear, Peter Stormare ("Prison Break," "Chocolat") as Lev Andropov, Ken Hudson Campbell ("Boat Trip," "Breakfast of Champions") as Max Lennert and Jessica Steen as Co-Pilot Jennifer Watts.

The 1998 film was directed by Michael Bay ("The Island," "Pearl Harbor"). The screenplay was written by Jonathan Hensleigh ("The Saint," "Jumanji") and Jeffrey (J.J.) Abrams (ABC's "Lost" & "Alias," "Regarding Henry"), from a story by Hensleigh and Robert Roy Pool ("Outbreak"). The movie is a production of Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Touchstone Pictures and Valhalla Motion Pictures. (CLOSED CAPTIONED)

This film carries a TV-14, L,V parental guideline. Due to sensitivities surrounding current events and some violent content, viewer discretion is advised.

"ARMAGEDDON" IN HDTV:

The ABC Television Network's HDTV broadcast of "Armageddon" will air in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-Channel Surround Sound and video description. 

Hollywood's biggest stars are seen in one of television's longest-running series of specials when "Celebrity A-List Bloopers," hosted by Dick Clark and co-hosted by Sherri Shepherd ("Less than Perfect"), airs THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. This first-run show was taped in March 2004.

The 12-week Mexican Riviera itinerary that ended Aug. 20, scheduled to coincide with Disneyland's 50th anniversary, was an opportunity for the company to showcase the service to "a whole new audience," said Christi Erwin, a spokeswoman for the line.

"The pace of bookings for these special West Coast cruises was exceptional from the day they were offered," she said. "We are delighted with the success of these cruises."

The not-so-fairytale ending for Disney-philes in the West, however, is that after getting a taste of the Magic, it could be years before it or any other Disney ships come back. The cruise line has only a pair of 1,750-passenger vessels, both built in the '90s, and they are fat and happy spending their days in the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

The line has drawn up plans for a third ship, Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin said in June, but the continued strength of the euro over the dollar makes building new ships in Europe (where nearly every large passenger ship is built) unattractive. "More ships? Yes, but the time isn't right," McAlpin said.

In the meantime, fans will have to make do with three-, four- and seven-day voyages out of Port Canaveral, Fla. Go to http://www.disneycruiseline.com/.

Sony, Disney ink Toontown deal in US

Sony Online Entertainment’s Platform Publishing and Disney Online in association with Buena Vista Games announced an agreement that is scheduled to bring Disney’s Toontown Online, the first massively multiplayer online (MMO) game designed for kids and families, to retail stores in the US.

The family-friendly online title is priced at $19.99, which includes a two-month subscription to the game service. Additionally, Platform Publishing has secured a license to also create an online version of Toontown specifically for video game consoles.

Disney Publishing Worldwide will unveil to the world its latest novel, Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg, by Newbery Honor-winning author Gail Carson Levine.

This new illustrated novel for girls aged 6-10 builds upon the enormous popularity of Tinker Bell and the Walt Disney Company's heritage of more than 75 years of creating fairy tale magic.

The book is the cornerstone of Disney Fairies, a new franchise from The Walt Disney Company. Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg launched with an enormous one million copy printing in 45 countries -- and was translated into 32 languages. The launch of the book will be supported by a $1 million marketing campaign.

The world of Neverland in J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan serves as the inspiration for Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg, which introduces a new group of fairies, each with a personality that will appeal to young girls -- from feisty, big-hearted Tinker Bell to the newest fairy, Prilla, to Mother Dove, the wisest creature in Never Land.

The launch event, which will be held at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California in the year of Disneyland's 50th anniversary, will re-introduce hundreds of girls and their parents to Tinker Bell and her world of fairy friends.

Levine will read an excerpt from the book in a magical fairy environment while David Christiana, the critically acclaimed illustrator, will bring her words to life. During the event, Disney will introduce a new Disney Fairies collectors' pin and exclusive lithograph of one of the book's illustrations, as Levine signs books for her young fans.

"For over one hundred years, girls all over the world have embraced Tinker Bell and taken her into their hearts. With the launch of Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg, we are thrilled to introduce girls across the globe to Tinker Bell's world of fairy friends and give her a voice for the very first time," said The Walt Disney Company president, COO and CEO-elect Robert Iger.

Following Disney Publishing Worldwide's initial launch, The Walt Disney Company will provide unparalleled and synergistic support for Disney Fairies across its business units. The campaign begins with the recent launch of http://www.disneyfairies.com, a global online experience where visitors can explore and learn about Tinker Bell and other Never Land fairies. The entertainment experience will continue with a series of chapter books planned for spring 2006.

In addition, multiple films are currently in development to further extend the storytelling and bring the world of Tinker Bell and her friends to life. Disney Consumer Products will bring Disney Fairies into the homes and lives of girls around the world with a breadth of product that will inspire, enlighten, and encourage them to believe -- from apparel and toys to home decor and stationery.

"The response to the novel has been tremendous both globally and throughout the Walt Disney Company. We at Disney Publishing are so thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the way for the entire company in bringing Disney Fairies to life. It was an amazing opportunity to work with Gail Carson Levine, a real master of the modern fairytale, in creating Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg. The novel's rich story, captivating illustrations, and that touch of Disney magic is bound to make Disney Fairies a phenomenal success with girls around the world in the years to come," says Disney Publishing Worldwide president Deborah Dugan.

Levine will embark on a national and international book tour, visiting retailers in 10 US states throughout September followed by visits to Japan, UK, Finland, Germany, Spain and Portugal.

Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg can be found at bookstores in the US from 1 September, 2005 and will roll out around the world shortly thereafter.

Walt Disney Pictures has hired Ron Burch and David Kidd to write "The Last Lap".

The comedy is based on the real-life story of Leonard, a Chicago-based feature correspondent for NBC's "Today" who dropped everything and rented an RV to travel across America for a month, taking his funny and eccentric parents to see the places and people who shaped their lives. Following them in another RV were Leonard's three grown children, including a daughter who gave birth at journey's end.

The studio bought the feature treatment and underlying feature rights to Mike Leonard's manuscript in January. The story was a featured segment on "Today," and Leonard's book will be published next year by Ballantine.

Thanks to 'Jason'.

This new illustrated novel for girls ages 6-10 builds upon the enormous popularity of Tinker Bell and the Walt Disney Company's heritage of more than 75 years of creating fairy tale magic. The book is the cornerstone of Disney Fairies, a new franchise from The Walt Disney Company. Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg launched with an enormous one million copy printing in 45 countries -- and was translated into 32 languages -- and will be supported by a one million dollar marketing campaign, extraordinary in the world of children's publishing.

The world of Neverland in J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan serves as the inspiration for Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg, which introduces a new group of fairies, each with a personality that will appeal to young girls -- from feisty, big-hearted Tinker Bell to the newest fairy, Prilla, to Mother Dove, the wisest creature in Never Land.

The launch event, which will be held at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California in the year of Disneyland's 50th anniversary, will re-introduce hundreds of girls and their parents to Tinker Bell and her world of fairy friends. Ms. Levine will read an excerpt from the book in a magical fairy environment while David Christiana, the critically acclaimed illustrator, will bring her words to life. During the event, Disney will introduce a new Disney Fairies collectors' pin and exclusive lithograph of one of the book's illustrations, as Ms. Levine signs books for her young fans.

"For over one hundred years, girls all over the world have embraced Tinker Bell and taken her into their hearts. With the launch of Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg, we are thrilled to introduce girls across the globe to Tinker Bell's world of fairy friends and give her a voice for the very first time," says Robert Iger, president, COO and CEO-elect of The Walt Disney Company.

Following Disney Publishing Worldwide's initial launch, The Walt Disney Company will provide unparalleled and synergistic support for Disney Fairies across its business units. The campaign begins with the recent launch of http://www.disneyfairies.com, a global online experience where visitors can explore and learn about Tinker Bell and other Never Land fairies. The entertainment experience will continue with a series of chapter books planned for spring 2006. In addition, multiple films are currently in development to further extend the storytelling and bring the world of Tinker Bell and her friends to life. Disney Consumer Products will bring Disney Fairies into the homes and lives of girls around the world with a breadth of product that will inspire, enlighten, and encourage them to believe -- from apparel and toys to home decor and stationery.

"The response to the novel has been tremendous both globally and throughout the Walt Disney Company. We at Disney Publishing are so thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the way for the entire company in bringing Disney Fairies to life," says Deborah Dugan, president, Disney Publishing Worldwide. "It was an amazing opportunity to work with Gail Carson Levine, a real master of the modern fairytale, in creating Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg. The novel's rich story, captivating illustrations, and that touch of Disney magic is bound to make Disney Fairies a phenomenal success with girls around the world in the years to come."

Ms. Levine will embark on a national and international book tour, visiting retailers in 10 US states throughout September followed by visits to Japan, UK, Finland, Germany, Spain and Portugal.

US TOUR SCHEDULE

* September 6 -- New York, New York
* September 7 -- Fairfield, Connecticut
* September 8 -- Phoenix, Arizona
* September 10-12 -- San Francisco, California
* September 13-14 -- Seattle, Washington
* September 15 -- Ann Arbor, Michigan
* September 16-17 -- Chicago, Illinois
* September 18 -- Dayton, Ohio
* September 19 -- Lexington, Kentucky
* September 20-21 -- Miami, Florida

Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg can be found at bookstores in the US from September 1, 2005 and will roll out around the world shortly thereafter.

About the Author

Gail Carson Levine is the author of many books for children. Her novel Ella Enchanted, a 1998 Newbery Honor Book, has sold more than 1 million copies, and was made into a feature film. Her other books include Dave At Night, an ALA Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults; The Wish; The Two Princesses of Bamarre; and her Princess Tales books: The Princess Test, The Fairy's Mistake, Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep, Cinderellis and the Glass Hill, For Biddle's Sake and The Fairy's Return. She is also the author of the picture book Betsy Who Cried Wolf, illustrated by Scott Nash.

About the Illustrator

David Christiana, the critically acclaimed illustrator of more than 20 picture books for children, has created dreamy, intricate imagery for Gail Carson Levine's characters and their magical world. The book's illustrations were inspired by the great tradition and craft of early twentieth century European children's book illustration -- the very artwork that influenced Walt Disney's vision for some of his most memorable animated films, including Bambi and Pinocchio

Consider this fair warning. If you find yourself sitting next to John and Vernon Fox at the sequel to Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" next year, don't be surprised if one of them starts bragging.

"I'll say, 'I know that part. I made it,' " says Vernon, 15.

"Yeah," said John, 16. "Everyone will be jealous."

Vernon will be speaking the truth. You won't see any "Made in Washington" labels, but up on the screen you'll be looking at masts, spars, rigging, "crow's nests" and other nautical paraphernalia crafted just outside Aberdeen.

Stay in your theater seat long enough and, deep in the credits, you'll see a thank-you to Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, just as you would have at the end of "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" in 2003.

Here, where seaport executive director Les Bolton boasts of the "largest mast-making lathe in North America," parts are taking shape for not just a second, but a third "Pirates" movie, meaning audiences will have two more chances to witness Johnny Depp's quirky creation of the pirate Capt. Jack Sparrow.

The sequels are being filmed back-to-back in Los Angeles and the Bahamas, with "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" to hit theaters next July and the third out in 2007.

A passion for shipbuilding is fundamental to the identity of Grays Harbor, along the Washington coast west of Olympia. The harbor, one-time home to more than 20 shipyards, is the birthplace of the state's tall-ship ambassador, Lady Washington.

But why is Hollywood, with its legions of set designers, construction crews and special-effects wizards, turning here for help, to a program staffed partly by teenagers?

"Because they've got the equipment and the expertise," said Matt O'Connor, a movie-marine coordinator who tapped the Aberdeen group for work in the first "Pirates." "It's very specific to get those pieces right, to have them look correct and have the correct hardware on them."

Last week, getting the correct look meant cutting and piecing together heavy sections of Douglas fir to form "fighting tops" — platforms landlubbers often call crow's nests — that will ring the masts of the ghostly Flying Dutchman in the next film.

Vernon Fox helped Kent Wall, seaport-site manager, measure 5-inch-thick wooden "cheeks" to support the circular platforms on the Flying Dutchman's three masts, which range up to 65 feet tall. The masts themselves lay alongside, tapered on the ends like mammoth blond toothpicks shaved smooth by the lathe.

Other workers pored over blueprints sent by Disney to make sure that what the seaport delivers is what the filmmakers ordered.

But nobody doubts that it will be. "They know we know this stuff," said Bolton. "We're like 18th Century R Us."

The lure of the pirates

A good pirate yarn has long been a Hollywood staple, and there's a reason for that. "We have a romanticized notion of pirates," said Bolton. "They were not nice people and they did some pretty horrific things. But I think we are fascinated with rule-breakers because we are regulated an incredible amount as a society."

And Bolton believes there is something even more basic at work — an instinctive link Americans feel to a maritime culture and classic vessels. "Tall ships in particular, people connect with them mentally and psychologically," he said. "We know our forefathers came across on boats. That's our heritage."

Bolton, 52, is a lifelong boating enthusiast whose family moved from California to Mountlake Terrace when he was in junior high. "My father always had a boat. I wanted to be the next Jacques Cousteau, but he didn't die in time so I had to do something else."

Certified as a scuba diver when he was 12, Bolton went on to be a diver in the Army and worked for a few years as a salvage diver before buying the Sylvia, a 76-foot wooden ketch built in 1896.

"She was beautiful, built in Sweden as a sailing fishing vessel. Very comfortable in the water. Standing there at the helm, sailing along particularly at night, I'd get that feeling that 95 years earlier someone was standing right here doing what I'm doing. How beautiful is that?"

The Sylvia was both his home and workplace in the late 1980s. Living in Bellingham and then La Conner, he ran weeklong educational charter trips in the San Juan Islands.

In 1990, he was hired to run the public, nonprofit Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority, which conducts educational programs and operates the Lady Washington, the graceful 112-foot brig that rivals Kurt Cobain as Aberdeen's best-known export.

For most of Disney's Animal Kingdom guests, Wildlife Express to Rafiki's Planet Watch is a novel way to travel by rail behind the scenes. It runs from the African village of Harambe past state-of-the-art animal care facilities to Rafiki's Planet Watch, an interactive, fun-filled center of activity focusing on animals worldwide. But for railroad buffs, the puffing steam engines and their open-air carriages provide a nostalgic adventure extending the legends of British railroading in the mountains and jungles of far-off colonies.

Engines like these were first produced by British boiler works 150 years ago. For nearly 100 years they were shipped to places like South Africa, Rhodesia or India carrying European explorers and the native population to the animal lands, mines and agricultural areas of the two continents.

The model for the new Disney engines, discovered in the archives of the Indian Peninsula Railroad, features an unusual Aspinwall side-tank 2-4-2 design first built in 1898 in England's Horwich Locomotive Works. Its passenger carriages are partly enclosed by waist-high, wood-louvered shutters with carpet bags, boxes, crates and wicker luggage stacked high on its weathered rooftops -- definitely an "Out of India" theme.

The Express travels a 1.2-mile circle-tour route built in narrow-gauge (3.3-foot rail width) to fit the scale of its Disney's Animal Kingdom surroundings. The smaller scale was used in many remote areas where narrow-gauge was easier to build along canyon walls and around horseshoe bends.

Three engines and two sets of cars were built in 1997 only a few miles from William Shakespeare's cottage in Stratford-on-Avon by the model-railroad firm of Severn Lamb, Ltd., at Alchester, England. The company makes trains, large and small, for parks throughout the United Kingdom and Europe, including one for Disneyland Paris. Each five-car train seats 250 passengers on contoured benches facing sideways.

The stubby-looking locomotives -- engine and tender all in one -- look very different from the Magic Kingdom American-style engines with their bells and low-moaning B&O whistles. Wildlife Express whistles sound like the scream of a wounded piccolo. You'll recognize them right away from a dozen British mystery movies.

The classic depot is patterned after stucco structures with archways surrounding an open-air waiting area built by the British in East Africa during the early 1900s and complete with colorful travel posters on the walls and a corrugated-metal water tank nearby. Next to formal, wrought-iron railings is a "local addition" made of thatch-and-pole construction.

The train makes its way down a shallow valley between Africa and Asia for a behind-the-scenes look at ultra-modern animal care facilities which provide nighttime shelters for lions, elephants, warthogs and antelope herds. All of these animals and many more spend their days in the forests and grasslands of Africa along the route of Kilimanjaro Safaris.

At Rafiki's Planet Watch, guests enjoy up-close encounters with small animals, interactive video linking animal researchers and information sources around the world, and a complete veterinary hospital with medical procedures in progress. Television screens provide intimate views of animals during feeding, health care and other daily activities within backstage animal care facilities and at locations in the Africa and Asia animal lands.

Supervising design and construction of the trains for Walt Disney Imagineering were Joel Fritsche, technical director of mechanical engineering, and veteran Disney train-maker Bob Harpur, who came out of retirement to help with the project.

Harpur ran a model train factory before joining Disney in 1966 to help locate and rebuild antique trains from Mexico for Magic Kingdom and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground in Florida.

The Wildlife Express job involved overseeing tracklayers on site, traveling to England to check on construction of three engines and 10 carriages, and directing final theming and "weathering" by Disney experts at the Walt Disney World site.

Although some of the 19th century trains may be still operating with makeshift repairs and unreliable schedules in isolated areas of the world, the last of the vintage steam trains in England retired nearly 50 years ago, relegated to places like the National Railway Museum in Yorkshire. None will ever again carry as many passengers as the Wildlife Express will carry at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Student activists Sunday called on the government to come clean about what they called a "secret agreement" with Hong Kong Disneyland.

Speaking at a public forum in Mong Kok, the group of graduates and students from the Polytechnic University, University of Hong Kong and Chinese University claimed the government's confidential joint venture agreement with Disney gave the American company leeway to keep court disputes secret, be exempt from off-site environmental pollution and prohibit ambulance drivers from entering the park ``except in extreme situations.''

A Disney public relations manager denied the allegations.

``We are obliged to follow all Hong Kong laws and regulations,'' said Disney public relations manager Esther Wong.

The student group, Disney Hunter, handed out flyers that criticized Disney for promoting Western cultural values and seeking special privileges.

It blamed Disney for environmental damage near the theme park and said the government did not hold the company to task because an ``extraterritorial agreement'' exempted Disney from meeting SAR standards.

Mirana Szeto, an associate professor in comparative literature at HKU, told The Standard the anti-Disney group staged the forum to take both Disney and the government to task.

Disney Hunter's allegations include an agreement to try labor disputes and hold court cases against Disney outside Hong Kong's jurisdiction; the use of improperly treated sand for land reclamation in Penny's Bay; and privileges for parades and flight restrictions to which other companies do not have access.

``We are not allowed to read the exact terms on these issues, but it is the same in other Disneys,'' Szeto said.

She cited a book, Once Upon An American Dream: The Story of Euro Disney, by Andrew Lainsbury, which revealed that Disney could seek adjudication outside of French courts.

Former legislator Cyd Ho said lawmakers had been petitioning the government since 1999 to reveal the terms of the agreement. ``We asked for the agreement to be released, but the government has released nothing,'' Ho said.

Students also allege that Disney will prevent ambulance drivers from entering the theme park in case of emergency to avoid frightening visitors.

Both Disney and the Fire Services Department have denied the claim, initially raised by the president of the Ambulancemen's Union, Wat Ki-on.

Sunday's demonstration, held outside a Giordano store selling Disney T-shirts, attracted hundreds of people passing through the shopping district on Sai Yeung Choi South Street.

One of them, 21-year-old journalism student Angelina So, was taken aback, saying

she thought Hong Kong people would have embraced Disney's arrival.

``It's surprising to me. We have this Western culture - and Hong Kong people against Disney?,'' she asked. ``The government and television stations promote Disney, so I'm surprised the students are against it.''

Judging by the looks of several passers-by, many may have felt the same thing, too. 

It is a tree like none other, rising 14 graceful stories into the sky, its leafy canopy spreading 160 feet across the landscape. Its upraised branches beckon: Come take a closer look.

It is impossible to resist a closer look at The Tree of Life, which stands 145 feet tall at the heart of Discovery Island in Disney's Animal Kingdom, the newest theme park at Walt Disney World Resort. True, the lofty icon is made by humans. But its story is the awe-inspiring tale of all of Earth's animals and the interconnected nature of every living thing.

Carved into the tree's gnarled roots, mighty trunk and sturdy branches is a rich tapestry of more than 300 animals -- from the regal lion to the playful dolphin. Its leaves -- of many colors and four shapes and sizes, all attached by hand to more than 8,000 of the tree's end branches -- number more than 103,000. Its trunk is 50 feet wide and spreads to 170 feet in diameter at its sprawling root base. Building the tree's support structure required an engineering plan similar to those used in building offshore oil rigs.

And because it wouldn't be a tree without being able to sway in the wind, a giant expansion joint encircles the tree at each branch unit.

"The Tree of Life is a technological marvel, but it's also a symbol of the beauty and diversity and the grandeur of our animal life on Earth," says Joe Rohde, Walt Disney Imagineering vice president and executive designer for the park. "It's a celebration of our emotions about animals and their habitats."

Disney's Animal Kingdom guests first encounter The Tree of Life after they stroll through The Oasis, a lush garden setting alive with streams, flowering glades, waterfalls and animals that include iguanas, sloths, macaws and other fascinating creatures. As they continue past the animals and walk through a series of grottoes, guests are treated to their first incredible view of The Tree of Life.

"We want you to look up at it, to regard it with awe and wonder and to translate those feelings to the real animal world," Rohde says.

Where The Tree of Life's giant roots twist over and into the earth, they meld with a quiet landscape of pools, meadows and trees that becomes the natural habitat for flamingoes, otters, lemurs, axis deer, cranes, storks, tortoises and even red kangaroo. Guests can watch from several viewing locations without disturbing the animals as they go about their lives. Invisible barriers exist between animals and guests which appear to be part of the natural terrain.

After guests meander along a pathway through the extensive maze of roots, they discover entry inside the massive trunk to a 430-seat theater. A humorous special-effects experience introduces them to the world of some of our planet's lesser-known wild creatures -- insects -- from the bug's point of view. "It's Tough to be a Bug!" spins an amusing yarn using 3-D film, Audio-Animatronics® figures and other in-theater special effects.

While following the pathway that leads to the show, guests can view The Tree of Life from every angle. They see a waterfall rushing from the tree into one of the feeding pools. They spot a dinosaur sculpting formed by the "dead" wood around the tree's base. They continue to discover sculptings that include an armadillo, an elephant, a camel, a baboon and hundreds of others.

"We want our visitors to wander up to the tree, to recognize animals and seek out others," says Zsolt Hormay, Tree of Life chief sculptor and senior production designer. "Some are more recognizable, some are less so. It's a constant discovery and rediscovery."

The artistry of the tree, from the carvings to every detail of its composition, required 20 artists led by Hormay, all faced with the challenge of creating a work of art that was at once both natural and fantastic.

"That was probably the most difficult part of sculpting the tree, to create the 325 animal figures that appear to be formed of bark and wood -- finding the balance between the animal forms and the wood textures was a great challenge," says Hormay, who hails from Budapest and whose team included three Native American artists, plus artists from France, Ireland, Indianapolis and Central Florida.

In all, it took more than 18 months and a crew of thousands to complete exterior construction of The Tree of Life.

"This is the most impressive artistic and engineering feat that we have achieved since the original Sleeping Beauty castle at Disneyland," Rohde says.

To maintain fluidity of the tree's carvings, the trunk portion was assembled outside the park with 52 rockwork cages from which the animal sculptures were carved. The trunk then was cut into a dozen giant segments and flown to a construction site near the park. There, the segments were joined in pairs. Finally, the completed six trunk segments were transported by crane to the tree's location, where the final pieces of the trunk puzzle were reunited.

The Tree of Life is located in the heart of Discovery Island, the island hub from which Disney's Animal Kingdom guests can explore further adventures including the Kilimanjaro Safaris in Africa, Camp Minnie-Mickey, DinoLand U.S.A., Asia and a tour of Rafiki's Planet Watch.

A new wave of American telesales scam artists is targeting British holidaymakers, claiming to represent the Disney resorts.

Royalty Holidays, a Texas-based company, is phoning UK homes claiming to be the agency for a "50th-birthday promotion for Disneyland Florida", in which the lucky winners receive heavily discounted holidays. But "winners" have to hand over their credit-card details to claim the prize, unwittingly permitting the company to debit the cards. The Sunday Times reported in June that several Florida-based firms using a similar scam were charging as much as £700 to people's cards, then refusing to give refunds.

Disney is hitting back at firms falsely claiming to be their agents, including Royalty Vacations. "Based on the information provided, we are confident that whoever is making these calls is not affiliated with us in any way, and we do not condone this behaviour," it said. "The matter is in the hands of our lawyers, and we are investigating what action can be taken. We have also notified the relevant UK regulatory authorities that we are not in any way connected with these calls."

You know something is afoot as you approach the front door of Tommy and Jacki Huelsman's home and see a sign that says "Huelsmanor."

The Huelsman house is a theme house and the subject is Disney movies.

It started when Jacki Huelsman began collecting Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs memorabilia before she was married. In their former home, they began incorporating Snow White into the decor.

Lumiere, the candlestick from "Beauty and the Beast," has become Tommy Huelsman's favorite character.

The first vacation the Huelsmans took as a family with their two older sons was to Disney World in Orlando, Fla., and they've returned three times. "We love to go down there; it's so bright and colorful. We wanted to transpose some of it into our house," Tommy Huelsman says.

He says their three sons think the decor's neat. "But I hate to say they're not into it as much as my wife and me."

The theme so far hasn't extended into the basement of the Louisville, Ky., home where Jonathon, 15, and Jacob, 12, have their bedrooms. Joseph, 6, has the movie "Finding Nemo" as the theme in his room.

The "Monsters, Inc." mo

Living room

The Huelsmans used the blue and yellow in Snow White's dress in the living room. The walls are bright blue. A sofa, love seat, chair and the ceiling are yellow.

• Bookshelves are filled with Snow White dolls, figures and cups. A display cabinet holds Snow White figurines, and a curio cabinet showcases Snow White water globes.
• A limited-edition print of Snow White hangs on the wall behind the sofa. When you look closely at the print, you can see the seven dwarfs hiding, Prince Charming in the clouds and the witch in the woods.

Kitchen

Parts of the two walls were removed to make the kitchen open to the living room and to make it feel more spacious.

Mickey Mouse prevails here. The black cabinets have Mickey pulls purchased from eBay.

• "Mickey Mouse" is spelled out in white on the red soffit. Two walls are yellow; the other two are white.
• Two black bar chairs have red seats with Mickey heads and the red telephone in a yellow base plays the Mickey Mouse theme song when it rings. If it's paged to find its location, Mickey's voice says, "Hey, pal, over here."

Joseph's bedroom

Based on "Finding Nemo," two walls are orange, with the clown fish represented by black and white irregular stripes.

• Two other walls are a blue-green, representing the ocean, and sport decals of sea creatures from the movie.
• The comforter has an ocean blue background with deep orange clown fish and green seaweed.

Dining room

Tommy Huelsman painted a mural with a gold Lumiere dancing on pink, green, white, blue and lavender cakes. He draped it with red velvet curtains to give it a movie feel. "Be Our Guest," a song the character sang in "Beauty and the Beast," is painted in purple on the doorway to the living room.

Master bedroom

"This is our romantic 'Aladdin' room," Huelsman says. He painted two murals in the Arabian-theme room: a blue genie on the wall behind the Early American dresser; and a palace in golds, white and a touch of blue on the wall by the poster bed. The walls are purple.

Office

Huelsman took family pictures on trips to Disney World and then scanned and printed them in black and white to look like a roll of film. He then used the creation as a border 5 feet up from the floor on three gray walls.

Powder room

vie influenced this room. In an open closet with a dark lime wall is a "Monsters" poster. "Monsters" decals decorate the walls above the closet.

Bathroom

"Peter Pan's" Tinker Bell stars here, appearing on shower curtain hooks, towels, a towel rack with a shelf and an oval mirror.

"Now if we could get some of the Disney staff people to come and clean . . .," jokes Tommy Huelsman.

It appears Miramax Films still needs Harvey Weinstein.

The Disney-owned studio, which will sever its relationship with co-founders Harvey and Bob Weinstein on September 30 after a few acrimonious years, will have released some 21 pictures this year by then. But two potentially high-profile movies that were destined to wind up in the current fire sale of releases have been given a new lease on life.

"Proof" and "The Libertine," two films appealing to adults, had been scheduled to open opposite each other September 16. But they have won a reprieve because they boast major stars who used their muscle to pull together deals between the divorcing parties. Neither "Proof's" Gwyneth Paltrow nor "The Libertine's" Johnny Depp was willing to go forward into the crowded fall season without help from Harvey Weinstein. They demanded him. And they got him.

Weinstein has deep relationships with both actors. Paltrow won kudos for her performance in Miramax's "Emma" in 1996, and a best actress Oscar for her cross-dressing role in the company's "Shakespeare in Love." Depp starred for Miramax in Lasse Hallstrom's "Chocolat," "Once Upon a Time in Mexico," and landed a best actor nomination for last year's "Finding Neverland."

"Neverland" pushed John Madden's adaptation of the hit play "Proof" out of its planned fall berth last year. Harvey Weinstein asked the "Proof" filmmakers to postpone their release by a year so that he could take proper care of "Neverland" and "The Aviator." Both movies landed multiple nominations, and then "The Aviator" won five Oscars to "Neverland's" one.

So Harvey Weinstein owed Paltrow. He also has a long-term relationship with director Madden, whose next film, an adaptation of Elmore Leonard's "Killshot," is backed by the Weinstein Co.

As a result, both Weinstein and new Miramax chief Daniel Battsek will accompany "Proof" -- which will still open September 16 -- to the upcoming Venice and Toronto film festivals, says one of "Proof's" producers, John Hart. "The allocation of P&A (prints and advertising) spending was determined by Miramax, Disney and Harvey," he said. "They're giving it a big push and support. Harvey loves the movie. Everybody is pulling the same oar right now."

But other sources insist that though "Proof" will remain on its Miramax date, Weinstein is still negotiating for a consulting fee to cover his ongoing involvement on the film.

As for "The Libertine," according to producer Russ Smith, the filmmakers behind that project were not going to allow their hard-won indie movie to be thrown out with the Miramax bath water. "The moment that the decision came down that the movie was going out in this period of time with so many films and one-ninth of the staff, our imperative was to get this movie released as it should be," Smith says.

Miramax picked up the film in September, after a work-in-progress, buyers-only screening at Toronto. The final cut of the movie, trimmed by 30 minutes, played well to buyers in Cannes in May. Depp himself called Harvey Weinstein to beg him to take on "The Libertine," in which Depp stars as the infamous sexual predator the Earl of Rochester. The movie is so sexy that the MPAA's rating board has slapped it with an NC-17; the decision on whether to appeal the rating or make cuts has not been made. "It's a special movie that deserves all the attention it can get in December," says Tracey Jacobs, Depp's agent at the United Talent Agency. "It needs to be handled with intelligent marketing."

Jake Bloom, Depp's attorney, took on the task of convincing both Disney studio chairman Dick Cook and Weinstein that it was in their mutual interest for Miramax to give the Weinsteins a distribution fee and a substantial P&A commitment to distribute "The Libertine" in December for awards consideration. Needless to say, Depp's ongoing role in Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise was a prime motivator for Cook to make his star happy.

After Miramax's ongoing string of boxoffice flops, such as "The Great Raid," the Weinsteins could use some hits. Observers suggest that the brothers had expected to firm up their funding and output deals by now. But their investment banker, Goldman Sachs, is still lining up equity investors for two funds, one in North America and another in the Far East, according to Weinstein sources. Bob Weinstein has been discussing possible studio distribution deals for home video and pay TV. Talks broke down with Sony Pictures Entertainment, confirms SPE CEO Michael Lynton, who worked with Harvey Weinstein in the publishing world. "I have the highest regard for the Weinsteins," Lynton says. "I have every confidence that they will raise the money they need."

The Weinsteins had been accustomed to a $700 million production budget when they were at Disney; it's going to be tough to come up with that kind of annual cash flow without a substantial library to pay the bills. And Wall Street has taken note of the underlying message behind DreamWorks' "for sale" sign: A pure content play is tough going in this market.

Meanwhile, the Miramax team at Disney is ramping up under new chief Battsek, who is setting up shop at Miramax's old Disney-owned Spring Street offices in Lower Manhattan, where he will be assessing his staffing needs. After the last of the old Miramax product is released at the end of next month, Miramax has a quiet period of adjustment before it starts releasing its new slate, which will include "Kinky Boots," a comedy directed by British television director Julian Jarrold; Ben Affleck's directorial debut, "Gone, Baby, Gone," which he is adapting from Dennis Lehane's Boston mystery; "The Hoax," starring Richard Gere as Clifford Irving, who forged an autobiography of Howard Hughes; and Scott Marshall's "Lucky 13."

Of course, the companies will continue to work together on such co-financing partnerships as "The Matador," "Mrs. Henderson Presents" and "Derailed." But what Harvey Weinstein boasts in spades, and the new Miramax still lacks, is that special Oscar mojo. During this transition period, Disney had no choice but to do turn to Harvey for help with "Proof" and "The Libertine." It's been a "pleasure" working with the Disney team during this time, Harvey Weinstein says.

ABC1, Walt Disney Television's UK entertainment channel, is going ahead with its long-awaited plan to launch on Sky and will be available in more than 7 million homes from next week.

The channel originally launched on Freeview almost 12 months ago and on both NTL and Telewest broadband in December 2004.

From 30 August Sky channel 281 will also play home to ABC1, which carries a raft of US programmes such as Aaron Sorkin's Sports Night, legal drama Kevin Hill, Less Than Perfect and 8 Simple Rules.

Walt Disney has given ABC1 the green light to double the amount of programming on the channel from the current 12 to 24 hours from 26 September.

John Hardie, managing director of Walt Disney TV in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: "The success of ABC1 has shown that there is a real and continuing appetite for high quality, US shows that are intelligent and still appealing to a very broad audience.

"The new deal with Sky will get ABC1 into far more homes, which is great news."

Nicola Bamford, director of channels and operations at Sky, said: "Sky is committed to giving its customers the widest range of quality entertainment programming, so we are pleased to announce this new deal with abc1.

"We look forward to welcoming the channel to the Sky platform and to the extension of its broadcast hours for satellite and cable viewers next month."

In December last year ABC1 appointed Digital Media Sales to handle advertising sales fopr the channel.

In a move that reflects the growing clout of big retailers, the Walt Disney Co. is giving Wal-Mart exclusive sales rights through the end of the year to the animated holiday feature film "The 3 Wise Men," which debuts on DVD November 1.

The disc will feature both English- and Spanish-language versions. Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez and Eddy Martin provide voices for the English-language version. The voice cast also includes Christian recording artists Jaci Velasquez and Marcos Witt.

As the market for DVDs becomes increasingly competitive, big retailers are aggressively vying for exclusives -- and, in more and more cases, getting them. Wal-Mart, the world's biggest retailer with close to 40% of the home video market, is in the catbird seat, studio sources say.

"Wise Men" appeals to three of Wal-Mart's core demographic groups -- family, Latino and Christian, said Lori MacPherson, senior vp brand marketing and product management at Disney's Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

"It's by no means a regular strategy we're adopting," said MacPherson. "But every once in a while there's an opportunity that seems to make sense in certain channels or with certain retailers, and in this case in speaking with Wal-Mart they felt this was the type of title they could maximize."

Wal-Mart promised additional promotional and marketing support in return for the exclusive, said Santiago Pozo, CEO of Los Angeles-based Arenas Entertainment, the film's producer.

Wal-Mart also will promote the title on its in-store TV monitors, Pozo said, as well as in its magazine. In addition, commercials will run on the Telemundo network, targeting Latino consumers.

Last year, Buena Vista gave Wal-Mart an exclusive sales window of several months on "The Miracle Worker," a "Wonderful World of Disney" title about the life of Helen Keller.

Wal-Mart isn't the only big retailer to seek, and get, exclusives. Earlier this year, Buena Vista gave Best Buy exclusive sales rights to the TV-DVD title "Buddies," Dave Chappelle's short-lived 1996 series that was canceled after 13 episodes, only five of which ever aired.

Best Buy executives specifically spelled out their intent "to pursue exclusive arrangements" in the consumer electronics chain's annual report for fiscal 2005.

So far this year, the chain's other video exclusives have included the single-disc TV-DVDs "Buffy: The Best of Spike" from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, and "The Best of Welcome Back Kotter" from Warner Home Video.

Since August 2, Best Buy has been selling several Warner action titles -- including "American Kickboxer," "Hellbound" and "Delta Force 3" -- that won't be available at other retail outlets, including Amazon.com, until December 6.

Exclusives are more prevalent in the music arena. Just last week, retired country singer Garth Brooks cut a deal to sell his catalog exclusively through Wal-Mart. The deal came two months after Brooks ended a 16-year relationship with Capitol Records.

For the second summer in a row, a giant flower is on the verge of making a big stink at Disney's Animal Kingdom. A rare Titan Arum -- known as the "corpse flower" because of the peculiar odor it emits -- is expected to burst into all of its putrescent wonder around Labor Day weekend.

And it could be a blossom for the record books.

According to Disney horticulture manager Wendy Andrew, the titan growing at the Walt Disney World theme park is on pace to rival the nine-foot-tall world record bloom set in Germany. "Because of the size of the tuber it's growing on, there is the potential for this flower to set a Guinness World Record when it blooms," Andrew said.

The specimen at Disney's Animal Kingdom currently stands some two-and-a-half feet tall -- but can grow two to five inches in a day.

It is the second Titan Arum to bloom in as many years at the theme park. In mid-July 2004, a Titan Arum more than five feet tall bloomed at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

The sensational stinkpot gives new meaning to the term Flower Power. Once the single spathe is unfurled, the fetid odor -- similar to rotting flesh -- only lasts for a couple of days. Its statuesque nature and malodorous scent is nature's way of attracting pollination.

Native to the rainforests of Sumatra, the Titan Arum in the wild is pollinated by a carrion fly that can follow its scent from miles way. A pollinated titan inflorescence can produce more than 1,000 fruit, each containing up to two seeds.

Disney's Animal Kingdom guests can view the impressive bud and catch a whiff of the odoriferous flower in Rafiki's Planet Watch.

The triathlon, which takes place on Sept. 25, consists of a 1.5-km swim, a 40-km bike ride and a 10-km run. The race will start at Disney's Contemporary Resort with the swim-to-bike transition under the shade of the monorail tracks. Triathletes will then embark on a 40-km bike ride that will end at Epcot, the site of the bike-to-run transition. The entire 10-km run will take place in and around Epcot, culminating with a lap around the World Showcase Lagoon, past Spaceship Earth and finishing just outside the main entrance.

Cast Members can sign up for the event at a discounted rate, available only by filling out a paper application form available at any Company D location.

The cost for Cast Members is as follows:
Individual race
$95 by Sept. 1
$115 Sept. 2-24

Relay
$160 for a team by Sept. 1
$190 for a team Sept. 2-24

The cost for Guests is as follows:

Individual race
$100 by Sept. 1
$115 Sept. 2-24

Relay
$175 for a team by Sept. 1
$190 for a team Sept. 2-24

Participants must be 15 or older on race day and have a USA Triathlon card number (Participants can purchase a one-day USA Triathlon card at the expo at Disney's Contemporary Resort Sept. 23-24.) Guests may register for the triathlon online at www.disneyworldsports.com, or print and mail the registration form. They also may call 407-938-3398 and have a registration form mailed to them.

All entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Visit www.disneyworldsports.com on the Internet for more information.

"This is a great opportunity for us to partner with Sony Online Entertainment, a leader in the retail MMO space," stated Steve Parkis, vice president of premium products, Disney Online. "We feel that our trusted brand and unique game offering that appeals to the entire family is a natural fit for the retail marketplace. And as the connected console marketplace develops, we want to be among the first MMO family titles made available."

Team up with thousands of players for fun gags and exciting games in "Disney's Toontown Online." "Disney's Toontown Online" (www.toontown.com) is an award-winning multiplayer online game filled with non-stop play, ever- changing adventure and irreverent fun. Players create their own cartoon characters (Toons) and join forces to save the world from the Cogs, humorless business robots who are attempting to turn the colorful, happy world of Toontown into a dark metropolis of corporate monotony. It's always growing, always changing and a wild world of cartoon adventures.

The PC retail version of "Disney's Toontown Online" will come with CD-Rom, game manual and a Cog poster in the box, along with access to a bonus in-game item.

"Toontown" has been designed primarily for children ages 8 to 12, but is enjoyed by kids of all ages. Player feedback reveals that many families are playing the game together, with parents enjoying the game as much as their children. Unique in the game industry, players are evenly split between boys and girls. "Toontown" has received multiple awards, including Computer Gaming World's MMORPG of the Year in 2003, a 2003 Parent's Choice award, and the 2005 WiredKids Safe Gaming Award.

"Toontown Online" is rated E for Everyone (cartoon violence and mischief) by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, and carries a monthly subscription fee of $9.95.

For more information, please visit http://www.platformpublishing.com or www.disney.com/press.

About Disney Online

Disney Online produces the number one kids' entertainment and family community destination on the World Wide Web. Launched in 1995, Disney.com is designed to reflect the vision of an "online theme park," providing an interactive gateway to all of the company's many Disney-branded internet initiatives. Popular Disney Online places to visit include Disney Channel, Playhouse Disney, shopping at Disney Direct, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Walt Disney Pictures, Disney DVD & Video and Radio Disney.

Among the many magical "neighborhoods" found at www.Disney.com are Disney's Toontown Online, the first 3D massively multiplayer online role playing game for kids and families, and Disney's Blast, a premium subscription service for kids ages 3-9. Disney Online also produces FamilyFun.com the premier online family resource for "great ideas, practical advice, and fun stuff to do" as well as Movies.com a leading site that provides a broad array of reviews and information to help movie fans "get movie night right." Disney Online is a part of the Walt Disney Internet Group, which provides integrated strategic and operational services for Internet, broadband, and mobile initiatives of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS).

About Platform Publishing(TM)

Based in San Diego, CA, Platform Publishing is a cross-platform publishing, distribution and marketing label, with an exciting library of interactive entertainment products from third-party developers and content providers for personal computers, game consoles and mobile devices. The label puts talented developers and publishers together with Platform Publishing's high caliber suite of services and support, including top-notch distribution, marketing and technology resources. Platform Publishing is a DBA of Sony Online Entertainment Inc. For more information, please visit www.platformpublishing.com.

About Buena Vista Games

Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG) is the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company. BVG publishes, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with third-party interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. For more information, please log on to www.buenavistagames.com

SOE and the SOE logo are registered trademarks and Platform Publishing is a trademark of Sony Online Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

The writer-director plans an October starting date to shoot Apocalypto, set 500 years ago in Central America, his spokesman, Alan Nierob, said Monday.

Dialogue will be spoken in an obscure Mayan dialect, in the same way Gibson used Aramaic and Latin for his religious blockbuster The Passion.

Also like The Passion, Gibson will bankroll Apocalypto himself. Disney has signed on to release it domestically for a fee, similar to the deal Gibson struck with Newmarket Films to distribute The Passion, one of 2004's top hits with $370 million in domestic revenue.

''We couldn't be more excited about working again with Mel and his team,'' said Dick Cook, chairman of Walt Disney Studios, whose previous collaborations with Gibson include Signs and Ransom. ``This is one of the most original and unique scripts we've ever had the opportunity to read recently, and we plan for this to be an anchor of our summer schedule.''

Due out next summer, Apocalypto will feature a cast of unknowns native to the area in Mexico where the film will be shot, according to the Hollywood trade paper Variety. Gibson will not appear in the film, and he's keeping the plot under wraps.

At least three other studios passed on Apocalypto, but others made bids for it, according to Variety.

It's a far different reception than Gibson got for The Passion, which studios passed on distributing because of its potentially divisive religious themes.

The folks over at the super-thorough Song of the South fansite, SongOfTheSouth.net, tell of work over at Universal Cartoon Studios (UCS) on a project called Brer Rabbit, based on characters from the unavailable-in-the-U.S. Disney film from 1946, which were based on Southern folk stories compiled and popularized by Joel Chandler Harris.

UCS, the company that produces the neverending Land Before Time series, sees franchise potential in this retelling of Harris's "Uncle Remus" stories. The movie will reportedly feature the voices of Danny Glover, D.L. Hughley, Wayne Brady and Wanda Sykes.

No word yet from SongOfTheSouth.net as to how effective their 65,000+ name petition has been in persuading The Mouse to finally release the "controversial" film, but considering that the its 60th anniversary is in 2006 and Disney's considerable success in packaging similar bygone content in their exhaustive Walt Disney Treasures DVD series, fans will likely soon be in for a "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" day.

The 23rd annual Night of Joy will be held on September 9 & 10 this year in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World.

Many new features will be highlighted through Night of Joy 2005, including several Christian artists performing for the first time their songs inspired by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media's upcoming release The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. The Walt Disney Company will also use the stage opportunity to do some serious promoting for this upcoming holiday film, slated to hit theatres December 9th, 2005.

In addition, the Night of Joy 2005 stage will be an opportunity to introduce new faces to the gospel music scene. Due to this year’s collaboration of Disney World and the GMA (Gospel Music Association), the over-all winners from the GMA's 31st Annual "Music in the Rockies" event will come to perform at Night of Joy for the first time. In exchange, Walt Disney World Entertainment has previously provided judges during the Rockies on July 31-August 6.

Another ‘new face’ performing at the Night of Joy will include the winner of a different national Christian music talent search called “Kellogg's Gospel Sing Off 2005”, which is a competition for youth church Gospel choirs from selected cities. Teen gospel sensation Kierra "KiKi" Sheard-- also the host of the event-- will perform with the winner at Night of Joy.

This year, Disney World will be promoting a new host for the Night of Joy. Up to last year, it was the artists on stage that spent time introducing their upcoming CDs or tours, etc. Starting next month, it will be Mickey Mouse who’ll will be entrusted with this faithful commission, making the Night of Joy 2005 all the more exciting and new.

Tens of thousands of church-goers will descend on the Magic Kingdom this fall to listen to the best in Christian Pop, Rock and Gospel. Here are the listings of top Grammy/Dove award winning artists who will be performing during the two magical days.

Friday, September 9
MercyMe
Steven Curtis Chapman
Audio Adrenaline
Casting Crowns
Nicole C. Mullen
Mark Schultz
Big Daddy Weave
Matthew West
Vicky Beeching

Saturday, September 10

newsboys
tobyMac
Donnie McClurkin
CeCe Winans
Kutless
Superchic[k]
Tree63
Further Seems Forever
Kierra Kiki Sheard
stellar kart

Information & Tickets
Single-night tickets are $37.95 plus tax (in advance) and $42.95 plus tax (at the gate, if available). Two-night tickets are $61.95. For more information or to purchase tickets for Night of Joy, call 407-W-DISNEY or go online and check out www.disneyworld.com/nightofjoy on the Internet.

Bob Siemon Designs has announced plans to release a new collection of inspirational jewelry this September based on the upcoming film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The company is an authorized licensee to create official jewelry for the Disney and Walden Media movie.

The Narnia jewelry collection will feature 15 original designs inspired by the story’s themes and motifs. Each design is intricately hand-carved using either the highest grade sterling silver or solid lead-free pewter and is directly inspired by the story’s universal messages of hope, faithfulness, trust, and redemption.

Incorporating C.S. Lewis’ deep symbolism into our handcrafted jewelry creates a powerful and visible statement, says Bob Siemon Designs Marketing Communications Specialist Geoffrey Graham. "This project is a perfect opportunity for us to adapt a timeless story into jewelry that will inspire people to express and share their faith to a wide audience."

Last year, Bob Siemon Designs partnered with Mel Gibson’s Icon Productions to produce jewelry and gifts for The Passion of the Christ. The full Narnia jewelry collection will be available in retail stores nationwide this September as well as online at www.bobsiemon.com.

Disney has been criticized by residents of Discovery Bay and Peng Chau island over noise and smoke from the theme park's fireworks tests which were held both in May and earlier this month.

In California, Disneyland has switched to alternative, low-polluting air-launch technology, which uses compressed air to launch pyrotechnics instead of gunpowder, in combination with low-gunpowder fireworks.

The approach reduces noise and air pollution levels from fireworks by up to 60 percent and is used under an agreement with pollution-control authorities.

When asked whether he was aware of the new technology and Disney's reluctance to use it in Hong Kong, Tsang said: ``We have already done what we can in the sense that the technology being used, as I understand it, would comply with the Hong Kong legislation or the environmental rules that we have established for protecting the environment of Hong Kong.

``They have complied with it and they have passed the test and I am satisfied with those tests.''

Islands District Councillor Amy Yung said the government should require Disney to deploy the new technology.

``Why is it that Hong Kong people don't have the same bargaining power as the Californians,'' Yung said.

Environmentalist Mei Ng, a member of the government's Advisory Committee on the Environment, criticized Tsang for standing up for big business.

``How can the chief executive just listen to one side of the story, without investigating the facts?'' she said

``He said he would fully respond to public concerns when he was running for the chief executive's post. Why is he now ignoring repeated concerns of Discovery Bay residents?''

In an interview with The Standard this month, Disney's public affairs manager Esther Wong said, ``the technology can be utilized in Hong Kong, but we have already complied with the Environmental Protection Department's requirements.''

Wong said that the complexities particular to Hong Kong are another factor in the preference for the use of gunpowder to launch fireworks. ``The show in Hong Kong is different,'' she said, without elaborating.

After Disneyland's May fireworks trials, the Islands District Council received 31 complaints over noise and smoke.

According to Environmental Protection Department guidelines, the fireworks have to meet a noise standard of no greater than 55 decibels over the course of a 15-minute show. In the last test, which lasted for 12 minutes, noise levels reached 51.5 decibels for Peng Chau and 54.6 decibels for Discovery Bay, according to EPD information.

"Only this show offers audiences the chance to see the Incredibles in a brand-new adventure," said Producer Kenneth Feld. "And for this show, we're doing something we've never done before -- we're giving all children who walk through the door an Incredi-Band [a special light up cuff] that will allow them to be a part of the show."

This spectacular story captures all the fun and hilarity of the characters from the Disney/Pixar hit, The Incredibles, in an imaginative story set in the Magic Kingdom Park. A touring production, this ice show extravaganza premieres Friday, September 9, 2005, in Orlando, Florida, home of the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World, with stops in more than 65 North American cities, before heading overseas.

The adventure begins when the Parr family hits the road on their well- deserved vacation to the Magic Kingdom Park. As they ride favorite Disney theme park attractions and meet famous Disney characters, the family's extraordinary powers keep getting in the way. In one instance, Jack-Jack accidentally gets caught on the windmill on "it's a small world," and Bob has to use his super strength to stop the ride, causing a malfunction that accelerates it to lightning speed. It's situations like this that keep the entire family in one comical scene after another.

"This show is truly reminiscent of Disney theme park experiences because the crowd can virtually relive their favorite park memories with the Incredibles," said Feld. "Each show moment takes audiences to lands beyond their imagination just like they remember from the parks."

Adults and children alike will marvel when the Parr family embarks on a swashbuckling Pirates of the Caribbean voyage, gets spooked in the Haunted Mansion, and takes a wild spin on the Mad Tea Party, among others. But when the scheming Syndrome arrives to spoil everyone's fun, the Parrs must don their Super suits and stop him. Syndrome, however, is better prepared this time, and the Incredibles will need a little help -- from the audience. It will be up to all kids to activate their complimentary Incredi-Band to help the Incredibles save the day!

Heroes once again, the show culminates with a special parade down Main Street, U.S.A. Audiences will be just as thrilled to meet Mickey, Minnie and all of their friends, including: Goofy, Donald and Pluto; Cinderella and Snow White; Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter and many more beloved Disney characters -- as they pass by with dazzling floats.

Under the direction of Creative Director Jerry Bilik, Feld assembled a team of innovative talents, including:

Director Patty Vincent, who herself skated for Disney On Ice for nine years, serves as character development director for all touring Disney On Ice and Disney Live! productions and directed Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo;

Costume Designer Scott Lane, whose credits include Disney On Ice celebrates Walt Disney's 100 Years of Magic, Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar's Monsters, Inc., Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo and seven years with the Tournament of Roses Parade;

Production Designer John Arnone who also designed the set for Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo brings with him extensive Broadway experience, as well as a 1993 Tony Award for Best Scenic Design on the musical The Who's Tommy;

Choreographer Cindy Stuart, who has choreographed for Olympic Silver Medalist Rosalyn Sumners, two-time National Pairs Champions Todd Sand and Jenni Meno, World Champion Chen Lu, and several Disney On Ice productions, including Disney On Ice presents Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey and Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo; and Lighting Designer Peter Morse who worked on Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo has also worked with such talents as Madonna, Prince, Shania Twain, Destiny's Child and the Backstreet Boys, and won an Emmy Award for his designs for Bette Midler's HBO Special, Diva, Las Vegas.

Buena Vista Games (BVG), the global interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company, today announced that the highly anticipated game The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, inspired by the upcoming film from Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, will be console exclusive to PlayStation 2 throughout PAL territories until 31 March 2006. The PS2 exclusivity does not affect PC or handheld releases in Europe, or the full line-up of games to be released in North America. The PAL PS2, PC and handheld titles will ship to retail in November, 2005.

The deal sees significant TV and marketing support from SCEE, including online and PS2 bundles across all PAL territories.

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe has all the ingredients of a hit videogame franchise, great characters, vast environments and dynamic gameplay," commented Sean Ratcliffe, European marketing director, Buena Vista Games. "Through this co-marketing opportunity, Narnia will become a major entertainment event in Europe and around the world, The game is perfect for the PS2 customer and we predict great sales success for the title."

"We are looking forward to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe on PlayStation 2. The time and effort BVG, Disney and Walden Media have made to develop CS Lewis' classic adventure story for the game and movie worlds, will prove to be hugely popular for many PlayStation 2 owners. For this reason we are pleased to collaborate with BVG in bringing the game to them," commented Simon Rutter, vice president of Product Marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

In the game, players enter the world of Narnia, a land frozen in a 100 year winter by the evil powers of the malevolent White Witch. In order to end this frigid captivity and free his people, the mighty lion Aslan invokes an ancient prophecy. It will become the destiny of four siblings from our world: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie to work together and use their unique combat skills, weaponry and abilities to defeat the Witch and her armies to save Narnia. These four heroes must battle the evil forces of the White Witch by waging war against a vast variety of creatures, including, Minotaurs, Minoboars, Cyclops, Werewolves, Horrors, Ankleslicers, Wolves, Boggles and more.

These ferocious creatures are modeled in the game after the characters being created for the motion picture, by the digital and visual effects geniuses at New Zealand-based Weta Workshop, whose credits include "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King," "Van Helsing," and "I, Robot." Additional game features include intricate puzzle solving, two-player action featuring all four characters, and seamless game play integration with real film footage. The console and PC games are developed by UK-based Traveller's Tales, and the handheld games are developed by Seattle-based Amaze Entertainment.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is a spectacular live action/CGI motion picture adaptation of C.S. Lewis' beloved literary classic. The film marks the first live action directorial effort for Andrew Adamson (Academy Award-winner for "Shrek," "Shrek 2"), who also co-wrote the film's screenplay adaptation with Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. The film is produced by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Mark Johnson ("Rain Man"). The film will be released December 9, 2005.

About Buena Vista Games Buena Vista Games, Inc. is the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company's Consumer Products business unit. BVG publishes, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of PC and multi-platform video games worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with third-party interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Titles for Buena Vista Games fall under two publishing labels: Buena Vista Interactive, which publishes high-profile, multi-platform games based on creative content from the numerous businesses within The Walt Disney Company, and Disney Interactive, which markets and distributes the company's interactive entertainment based on Disney branded properties. 

That's not the case with Anthony Spinner, who is suing ABC and its sister studio, Touchstone TV, over the network's series "Lost." Spinner claims that he came up with the idea first -- in 1977.

Spinner, a writer and producer on such shows as "Cannon" and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," filed the suit Friday (Aug. 19) in Los Angeles Superior Court. He seeks unspecified damages for fraud and breach of contract, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The author chosen to write a sequel to JM Barrie's classic Peter Pan has revealed for the first time the dark and complex world she plans to create.

Geraldine McCaughrean, a three-times winner of the Whitbread Children's Book award, beat competition from around the world to write the novel, which is set to be the publishing sensation of next year.

McCaughrean says she has rewritten the final pages of Peter Pan to help transport readers back to Neverland, to a setting 25 years after the boy who never grew up apparently vanquished his pirate foe.

She hints that the character of Wendy will be a stronger, more modern woman, while - in a remarkable twist - the immortal Peter may be transformed into his dastardly nemesis, Captain Hook.

While some aficionados may be shocked by the revelations, experts are excited and insist McCaughrean is doing justice to Barrie's modern interests in issues of gender and humanity's struggle with inner demons. McCaughrean, 53, who has written more than 130 books and plays, was selected after Great Ormond Street Hospital held an international competition to bring Peter Pan to a new generation of children.

Barrie assigned the book rights to the hospital in 1929, but these run out in 2007, 70 years after the author's death. By commissioning a new Peter Pan book, the hospital effectively renews its rights.

More than 100 entrants submitted a sample chapter and synopsis for the sequel, designed to help boost hospital finances.

McCaughrean's 60,000 word novel, which has been given a working title of Captain Pan, will be published simultaneously worldwide next summer and sales are expected to rival those for the Harry Potter series.

In Barrie's story, Captain Hook, Peter's foe and alter ego, died when he was eaten by a crocodile. McCaughrean has hinted that Peter, with no enemy to challenge, begins to take Cook's place - even borrowing his clothes. She also said she was determined to appeal to both adults and children, and would avoid the saccharine-sweet Disney image of Peter and the Lost Boys, with Wendy a more assertive 21st-century girl.

McCaughrean said: "Barrie quite pointedly covered every aspect of what happened to everybody, including almost saying 'this book does not need a sequel'. But given the fact there is a very worthwhile reason for doing it, I am quite sure he would approve.

"I did have to undo a few knots he had cast off so very absolutely. Everyone has grown up except Peter, who was left behind in Neverland. He hasn't changed. They, of course, have to find a way of becoming young again, because no one who isn't a child can go to Neverland."

She added: "I wanted to explore the good and the dark side of Peter. There is the famous last line 'As long as children are young, innocent and heartless'. I have picked up on that aspect of out-of-sight, out-of-mind. In the original, Peter forgets Wendy, he only sometimes remembers to come back and get her to do his spring cleaning. Tinkerbell he forgets about when she's not there any more.

"There is that heartless thing about childhood - the egocentricity; the fact they can forget people as soon as they are not there. That side interests me about Peter. One of the themes in the book is dressing up, about how children, when they dress up, become somebody else. Peter's nature will slide according to what he's wearing. All of the main characters are altered by what they are wearing."

The author said of Wendy: "I don't want to go for the little housewife thing. I want her to show a little more gumption and be a bit more active. I really hope people aren't going to be wounded by what I've done to their favourite characters. That's the trouble: people are so very fond of them."

Karen McGavock, an expert in children's literature at Stirling University, said: "She seems to be sticking very closely to Barrie's text and ideas. I am intrigued by this suggestion Peter could become Hook, because to Barrie they were twins representing good and evil.

"He was always fascinated by the dichotomy and tension between good in evil in us all. He was also interested in issues of gender and again this idea of a modern Wendy is appropriate."

Ingrid Turner, custodian of the Barrie Birthplace museum in Kirriemuir, Angus, added: "Barrie was always reinventing and retelling Peter Pan, and this is a continuation of that."

McCaughrean, who has just finished a novel about Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott, also said the obsession with unfounded and unfair allegations of paedophilia had tainted a number of Victorian and Edwardian heroes.

She said: "I've always felt quite strongly that there is this modern way of looking back and trying to see the worst in things. I feel it completely misunderstands the way the Victorian mind worked."

Barrie was born in 1860, the ninth of 10 children. His childhood was overshadowed by the death of his elder brother David, aged 13, in a skating accident. David, he later observed, would always be 13, a boy who would never grow up.

In 1898 Barrie met George and Jack Llewelyn Davies, playing in Kensington Gardens. He befriended the boys' mother, Sylvia, and came to know her other children: Peter, then a baby, Michael, born in 1900, and Nico, born in 1903. He wrote stories for them which were the precursors to Peter Pan.