In “Wreck-It-Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet,” the titular video game character will go on an adventure that involves the appearances of the Disney Princesses, “Star Wars” characters and a few Marvel superheroes.
At Disney’s D23 Expo last week, many of the original voice artists of the princesses, including Mandy Moore (Rapunzel), Kristen Bell (Anna), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana) and Auli’l Cravalho (Moana), appeared onstage for the announcement.
Ralph, voiced by John C. Reilly, will also be joined in the sequel by Sarah Silverman, who played fellow video game character Vanellope in the first animated film.
Amid outcry, new ‘Doctor’ is optimistic
The announcement that English actress Jodie Whittaker will be taking over the titular role in the long-running sci-fi series, “Doctor Who,” has been met with both support and derision—with disappointed followers of the show expressing their dismay in social media.
But despite negative reactions, many of which allege that the change signals a “PC agenda,” Whittaker has reassuring words: “I want to tell the fans not to be scared [of] my gender,” she told BBC. “The fans have lived through so many changes, and this is only a new and different one, not a fearful one.”
The former “Broadchurch” actress, who will debut with new showrunner Chris Chibnall, explained that the coveted role, previously played by 12 men, exemplified her thespic dreams: “To be asked to play the ultimate character, to get to play pretend in the truest form, this is why I wanted to be an actor in the first place. To be able to play someone who is literally reinvented onscreen.”
Whittaker will replace Peter Capaldi in the annual Christmas episode, after the latter’s version of the alien character expires and regenerates into a new body.—OLIVER PULUMBARIT