Latest news with #BadRobot
Los Angeles Times
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Orbital slides, space shuttle at Exposition Park are almost ready for a big reveal
Along with the stars on Hollywood Boulevard and the Universal Studios theme park, a new celestial attraction is set to debut in Los Angeles. The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center at Exposition Park is expected to complete construction this year, according to its architects, only three years after the first shovels broke ground. That would make the center ready in time for when Los Angeles hosts visitors from around the world to see the 2026 World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympics. One of the aspects that makes this place special is its showcase, the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The spacecraft stands in a stack position, meaning it's standing — complete with boosters and a rare fuel tank — as if it were ready to launch. It's the only shuttle in the nation to feature such a feat. Jeffrey N. Rudolph, president and chief executive of the California Science Center, and Ted Hyman, partner at architectural firm ZGF, which designed the air and space center, recently shared updates with The Times, including news of an exclusive partnership with director/producer J.J. Abrams' production company Bad Robot. That silver cylindrical colossus that is easily seen from the freeway houses the stacked space shuttle. The Endeavour was meticulously placed there in January 2024 as much of the museum was built around it. As for the 20-story diagrid, or shuttle housing building, the museum's construction crew is about 80% finished wrapping a stainless-steel skin exterior around the shuttle, according to an estimate from Mark Piaia, a ZGF project architect. The shiny view comes courtesy of 4,247 panels and 1,074 diagonal strips that would stand 7,862 feet tall if lined up. Rudolph said building construction is expected to be completed this year. He would not provide an official opening day but noted that artifact and exhibit installations would still need to be completed. The museum is expected to house about 20 planes and jets, including a Boeing 747. There are also plans for a 45-foot slide that imitates the feeling of entering the atmosphere with a radiating orange glow, two sonic booms and the 'S' turns a shuttle would make upon reentry. Rudolph was excited about what he's calling 'the reveal.' He exclusively told The Times that a pair of introductory films are being produced by directing/producing titan J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot. That's the same production company responsible for some of the latest 'Star Wars' and 'Mission:Impossible' movies. The first film will greet visitors as they walk into the museum and will focus on the entire air and space exhibits. The second will screen at a mini theater at the entrance to the space shuttle exhibit. It is a five-minute film that focuses on the history and inspiration behind the space shuttle. The film ends with a simulated launch, during which steam rises from the floor and through hallway doors and fills the theater. As the steam impairs a guest's vision, the screen is removed and visitors get a surprise: a full, 'envelope' view of the stacked 20-story space shuttle. 'It is an amazing experience and we want to really build it up,' Rudolph said. 'It's not just about the hardware, but about the people and the educational aspects.' The delicate nature of the shuttle makes that impossible. 'There's no way,' Rudolph said. 'The hatch is very small and it's very fragile.' There is, however, a mock-up of the flight deck — an area designed to carry cargo — that visitors can toy with to get a feel that only shuttle astronauts once got. We'll continue to follow the progress of the air and space museum as we head toward opening day. Have a great weekend, from the Essential California team Jim Rainey, staff writerDiamy Wang, homepage internIzzy Nunes, audience internKevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorAndrew J. Campa, reporterKarim Doumar, head of newsletters How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
AsiaOne
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Ariana Grande and Josh Gad to star in Dr. Seuss' Oh, The Places You'll Go!, Entertainment News
Ariana Grande and Josh Gad have been cast in Dr Seuss film Oh, The Places You'll Go! The Wicked star is reuniting with Jon M. Chu — who will direct with Jill Culton — on the upcoming animated musical adaptation of the iconic children's writer's last published book, which was released in 1990 before his death the following year aged 87. Warner Bros. Pictures Animation revealed the casting news on Tuesday (July 15) with an Instagram post showing Grande and Gad in the studio. The duo will lead the voice cast, but no details have been given on specifics roles or the plot as a whole. The story follows a young adventurer exploring the highs and lows of life. Rob Liber has written the script, with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Bad Robot involved in the production. Original songs are being written for the musical by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, while the film is set to hit cinemas — including Imax — on March 17, 2028. Director Chu's next film in cinemas will be the sequel Wicked: For Good in November, which will see Grande return as Glinda. The 31-year-old actress also has roles coming up in the next Meet The Parents movie, while Gad has been cast in Amazon's Spaceballs 2. Although she has found huge success as a popstar, after first starting out on TV, Grande previously revealed she hopes to make more movies after the success of 'Wicked'. She told ScreenDaily: "I would love to exist in this space for a while longer. "I love finding characters that make people feel seen and human. I'd love to continue on this road." The thank u next hitmaker stars opposite Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey in Wicked, but admitted that those who she became "closest" to were the ones who worked behind the scenes. She told The Movie Buddy: "It's hard to... I don't know, everyone was so fulfilling to be around, that helped recharge the battery too, my glam team, the people who you spend the most time with and get to know most closely. "My dresser Jess, she's my sister now, she would call me Chickadee. Everyone, PAs, everyone and that really helped recharge the battery." The Into You songstress also admitted that while there were "a lot of challenging moments" during filming, she cannot think of any particular one because she had so much "support" during production. She said: "I don't know, leaving set? I'm joking! There was a lot of challenging moments but I can't really... I had so much support, that's the thing. "Of course, it was very challenging work and there are very hard parts but everything felt so supported and so safe. It's hard to answer something like that." [[nid:720270]]
Mint
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Ariana Grande, Josh Gad to lead Oh, the Places Youll Go! animated movie
Washington DC [US], July 16 (ANI): Actors Ariana Grande and Josh Gad will lead the voice cast for directors Jon M. Chu and Jill Culton's forthcoming animated adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book 'Oh, the Places You'll Go!', according to The Hollywood Reporter. The musical film is set for theatrical release on March 17, 2028. The script was written by Rob Lieber and is based on Dr. Seuss' popular children's book. Oh, the Places You'll Go!. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are writing original songs for the project, which counts Bad Robot's J.J. Abrams and Gregg Taylor as producers, according to the outlet. The film revolves around a young adventurer navigating the ups and downs of life. It is based on Dr. Seuss' last published book, which was released in 1990. The author died the following year at age 87, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In 2018, Warner Animation Group and Dr Seuss Enterprises struck a deal to make new animated movies based on the stories of Theodor Seuss Geisel. "We are beyond thrilled to bring one of the most beloved Dr Seuss books to life for so many generations of Seuss fans. The pairing of this classic title, with the creative excellence of Jon Chu and Bad Robot defines what we at WB try to achieve; marry great branded entertainment with singular creative talent," Courtenay Valenti, president, production and development at Warner Bros. Pictures, said in a statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Grande is also set to appear in the next film in the Meet the Parents franchise alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. Gad's future projects include producing and starring in Amazon's Spaceballs 2.
Perth Now
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Ariana Grande and Josh Gad cast in new Dr Seuss musical Oh, The Places You'll Go!
Ariana Grande and Josh have been cast in Dr Seuss film Oh, The Places You'll Go! The Wicked star is reuniting with Jon M. Chu - who will direct with Jill Culton - on the upcoming animated musical adaptation of the iconic children's writer's last published book, which was released in 1990 before his death the following year aged Bros. Pictures Animation revealed the casting news on Tuesday (15.07.25) with an Instagram post showing Grande and Gad in the studio. The duo will lead the voice cast, but no details have been given on specifics roles or the plot as a whole. The story follows a young adventurer exploring the highs and lows of life. Rob Liber has written the script, with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Bad Robot involved in the production. Original songs are being written for the musical by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, while the film is set to hit cinemas - including Imax - on March 17, 2028. Director Chu's next film in cinemas will be the sequel Wicked: For Good in November, which will see Grande return as Glinda. The 31-year-old actress also has roles coming up in the next Meet The Parents movie, while Gad has been cast in Amazon's Spaceballs 2. Although she has found huge success as a popstar, after first starting out on TV, Grande previously revealed she hopes to make more movies after the success of 'Wicked'. She told ScreenDaily: 'I would love to exist in this space for a while longer. "I love finding characters that make people feel seen and human. I'd love to continue on this road.' The thank u next hitmaker stars opposite Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey in Wicked, but admitted that those who she became "closest" to were the ones who worked behind the scenes. She told The Movie Buddy: "It's hard to... I don't know, everyone was so fulfilling to be around, that helped recharge the battery too, my glam team, the people who you spend the most time with and get to know most closely. "My dresser Jess, she's my sister now, she would call me Chickadee. Everyone, PAs, everyone and that really helped recharge the battery." The Into You songstress also admitted that while there were "a lot of challenging moments" during filming, she cannot think of any particular one because she had so much "support" during production. She said: "I don't know, leaving set? I'm joking! There was a lot of challenging moments but I can't really...I had so much support, that's the thing. "Of course, it was very challenging work and there are very hard parts but everything felt so supported and so safe. It's hard to answer something like that."
Express Tribune
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
na Grande and Josh Gad to star in Dr. Seuss' Oh, the Places You'll Go! animated musical
Ariana Grande and Josh Gad are set to voice lead roles in Oh, the Places You'll Go!, an upcoming animated musical adaptation of Dr. Seuss' final book. Produced by J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, the Warner Bros. Pictures Animation film is scheduled to debut in IMAX theatres on March 17, 2028. Directed by Jon M. Chu and Jill Culton, the feature will bring to life the 1990 children's classic that explores a young adventurer's journey through life's highs and lows. The screenplay is written by Rob Lieber, while original songs are being crafted by songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Chu, known for his work on Universal's Oscar-winning adaptation of Wicked, reunites with Grande, who portrayed Glinda in the film. The second Wicked instalment, Wicked: For Good, is due out this November. Josh Gad, widely recognised for voicing Olaf in Disney's Frozen, will not only star in but also produce Amazon's Spaceballs 2. Warner Bros. is investing significantly in Dr. Seuss properties. Prior to Oh, the Places You'll Go!, The Cat in the Hat—voiced by Bill Hader—is set for release on February 27, 2026.
