Do you like Star Wars? Could you, like Henry Higgins, at least grow accustomed to its face? You’d better because every movie from now on until forever is going to be Star Wars.

At CinemaCon today, Disney announced it plans to release one Star Wars movie every year, starting with its much-anticipated Episode VII, directed by J.J. Abrams, which is set to come out summer 2015. From there, Disney says it will release a standalone movie, likely either the Han Solo origin story or Boba Fett feature Disney already has in the works, in 2016. In 2017, we’ll get another Star Wars sequel, another spinoff in 2018 and so on and so forth. The sun rises, the sun sets, seasons change and each year another Star Wars movie.

It’s a pretty safe bet Disney is making, considering the legions of fans who will go see each and every one. But the question isn’t “does the world want a million more Star Wars movies until the end of time,” it’s “does the word need them.”

Disney, of course, took over the Star Wars franchise and brand name when it purchased Lucasfilm last year.

Are you looking forward to all the new ‘Star Wars’ films?

It’s a good time to be a Star Wars fan.

Not only are we getting J.J. Abrams‘ Star Wars: Episode VII, but Disney and Lucasfilm have announced their plans to develop standalone films based on the franchise. So which characters are first to get their own spin-off movie?

Han Solo and his nemesis, Boba Fett.

What are these films about? When do they take place? Read on to find out…

According to EW, Solo’s film will focus on the “wisecracking smuggler’s origin story”, and will require a younger actor to take over the role originated by Harrison Ford in the original Star Wars trilogy.

 EW also reports that Boba Fett’s film will be an adventure that finds the bounty hunter “at the center of a rogue’s gallery of galactic scum.”

Because Fett met his demise in 1983′s Return of the Jedi, his film will reportedly take place sometime between the events of A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, but before Jedi. Solo’s origin story will apparently be set between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.

Given the timeframe of these standalone films, EW points out that fans might see popular characters like Darth Vader, Jabba the Hutt or Chewbacca make an appearance.

Screenwriters Lawrence Kasdan (Empire Strikes Back) and Simon Kinberg (Mr. & Mrs. Smith) are developing standalone Star Wars films, but no word yet if they are working on these projects. Celebuzz will keep you posted…

Who should play the young Han Solo? Post your casting choices in the comments below.

On Tuesday, Netflix gave its subscribers yet another reason to veg out on the couch all day. The company signed a multi-year deal with Disney to exclusively  stream first-run live-action and animated films. Starting in 2016, subscribers will be able to access theatrical releases from Disney, Marvel and Pixar. Netflix announced the deal via press release.

Meanwhile, less than 24 hours after J.J. Abrams unveiled the poster for his top-secret movie Star Trek Into Darkness, word comes that a special 60-second trailer for the film will hit the internet on Thursday, December 6. Simon Pegg, who plays “Mr. Scott” in the film, tweeted the news of the internet-only trailer on Tuesday. Fans wanting to see the full trailer will have to wait until December 14, when it is released before prints of The Hobbit. [Twitter]

On the heels of news that Dale DeHaan will play Harry Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, his co-star Jamie Foxx recently spoke to Entertainment Tonight regarding his role as the sequel’s villain, Electro. “I think Electro will be an exciting character to play because he’s a … genius electrician-type person,” Foxx said. “He gets the short end of the stick from the whole world, and the next thing you know he turns it on.” Andrew Garfield will reprise the role of Spider-Man opposite Foxx in the sequel, which hits theaters May 4, 2012. [Entertainment Tonight]

Work is already progressing on a sequel to Guillermo Del Toro‘s Pacific Rim before the original even has a trailer in theaters. Del Toro and Rim‘s screenwriter Travis Beacham will co-write Pacific Rim 2 for Legendary Pictures, the production outlet behind the original film. No word yet on what the story will be, other than it will be set in the same “monsters vs. 30-foot robots” world of the original film. Pacific Rim opens July 2013. [The Hollywood Reporter]

Frances Ford Coppola, after a string of small indie movies, is returning to studio filmmaking. The Godfather director is currently looking for studio to set up home for his next film, a sprawling New York-based epic that spans from the 1920s to the ’60s. The mystery project will mark the Oscar-winning filmmaker’s first studio film since 1997′s The Rainmaker, starring Matt Damon. [Entertainment Weekly]

Zero Dark Thirty‘s Jason Clarke and Drive‘s Oscar Isaac will topline Mojave, written and directed by Oscar-winner William Monahan. The thriller’s plot is being kept under wraps, but the story reportedly centers on two men who end up in the dessert and find themselves entering “a vortex of criminality and violence.” Monahan will finish the big screen adaptation of Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, starring Charlize Theron, before shooting Mojave early next year. [Variety]

Which news story excites you the most? Weigh in below. 

Disney’s live-action adaptation of Cinderella is closing in on a leading lady. Saoirse Ronan (The Host), Gabriella Wilde (The Three Musketeers) and newcomer Alicia Vikander are in talks to play the Disney princess for director Mark Romanek. This piece of casting news comes on the heels of reports that Cate Blanchett is circling the role of the Evil Stepmother. [Variety]

J.J Abrams’ Star Trek Into Darkness continues to peel back the curtain as it ramps up to its trailer premiere on December 14. The film’s first official teaser poster hit the internet late Sunday night. Click here to see a surprisingly star-free, Dark Knight-inspired poster. [StarTrekMovie.com]

Warner Bros. superhero team-up film, Justice League, may have found its villain. According to reports (read: rumors), DC Comics staple Darkseid will be the Big Bad terrorizing Superman, Batman and the rest of the Justice League when the film is released in 2015. Until Warner Bros. releases an official statement, take all of this with requisite grains of salt. [LatinoReview].

Stephen King’s latest literary property to get a big-screen adaptation has just added some genre-friendly names to its cast. The Walking Dead’s Carl, aka Chandler Riggs, and Super 8’s Joel Courtney will star in Mercy, an adaptation of King’s creepy short-story “Gramma.” Riggs and Courtney will play brothers who are tasked with caring for their grandmother, who just happens to be a witch. [The Hollywood Reporter]

Which news bit are you most excited about? Discuss in the comments below!

After acquiring the movie rights to E.L. James’ novel Fifty Shades of Grey, Universal Studios is now suing Smash Pictures for their planned porn parody of the book. Smash Pictures and director James Lane (aka Jim Powers) are being taken to court for their movie Fifty Shades of Grey: A XXX Adaptation, which Universal calls a “willful attempt to capitalize on the reputation of the book.” [The Hollywood Reporter]

Safety Not Guaranteed’s screenwriter Derek Connolly is having a good week. Earlier, he signed on to co-write the remake of Flight of the Navigator with Safety’s director Colin Trevorrow. Now, he’s writing a script for a mystery Pixar movie to be directed by Teddy Newton. Details on the script are being kept under secrecy, but what we do is that the writer has been developing the movie for at least a year. [Variety]

Jennifer Lee, a co-writer on Disney’s hit Wreck-It Ralph, will co-direct Disney’s upcoming animated feature, Frozen. Lee, who also did script work on the film, joins Tarzan director Chris Buck to tell the story of the Snow Queen. Disney announced Lee’s hiring via press release.

Mad Men’s Jon Hamm is circling a comedy to be his first leading role on the big screen. Epic Fail, written by Kevin Costello, will feature Hamm as a downtrodden high school teacher who recruits two students to kidnap his wife so he can play the hero and rekindle their marriage. The film will be released by 20^th Century Fox. [Variety]

True Grit’s Hailee Steinfeld has joined Kevin Costner in the thriller Three Days to Kill. The Academy Award-nominated actress will play the estranged daughter of Costner’s character, a dying assassin who uses his last mission to reunite with his child. McG (This Means War) will direct. [Deadline]

Alright, movie fans: Talk amongst yourselves in the comments below. And watch Celebuzz weigh the pros and cons of a 50 Shades of Grey movie!

Disney didn’t provide attendees with a varsity jacket embroidered with their last names or even an old-school letterman’s sweater, but the studio earned a “Gimme an A” for effort introducing footage from two upcoming Pixar projects, Monsters, Inc. 3D and Monsters University.

Inviting a small group of reporters to the University of Southern California campus in advance of the school’s football match-up with Notre Dame, Disney screened scenes from each film which were contextualized by Production Designer Ricky Nierva.

Monsters, Inc. is the latest Pixar film to be converted into 3D, and it opens December 19. The re-release offers a great reintroduction to the world of the film prior to the June 21, 2013 opening day of Monsters University, a prequel.

In terms of stereoscopic entertainment, Nierva screened probably the single best sequence from Monsters, Inc. – the epic chase through the hall of doors that provides the film’s climax. As Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sully (John Goodman) flee Randall (Steve Buscemi) in search of Boo’s bedroom door, the depth of the great cavernous room is palpable, and the action flows smoothly from one shot to the next.

In Monsters University, audiences get to see Mike and Sully as they first meet one another, and as their great friendship is born. In the scene that was shown – in 2D, it should be noted – the duo arrives at a fraternity house that vaguely resembles one from Revenge of the Nerds: it’s populated entirely by outcasts and oddballs, and the house is run by none other than one of the pledges’ mothers.

After a brief introduction of the new characters, all of whom are eager to see Sully – albeit Mike not as much – in action as a scarer, the pair are shuffled off to their room, a cramped space they’re assigned to share. As they contemplate the circumstances that led them to being thrown together in the most embarrassing fraternity on campus, they’re ushered downstairs for an initiation ceremony – which is subsequently interrupted by the house mom, who’s dutifully doing her son’s laundry.

After the screening, the group toured campus en route to the stadium, outside of which was ESPN’s tailgate party. In addition to a classic game-day spread of hot dogs, ribs, macaroni, and of course beer, a DJ played a surprisingly eclectic spate of songs as attendees got in the mood for some football.

Funniest was the moment when the DJ unexpectedly asked the crowd, “Who’s seen Lincoln?” and then failed to follow up with any sort of explanation or context. Disney, who distributed Lincoln, later assured Celebuzz that the shout-out was not in fact evidence of corporate synergy, but quite possibly symptoms of undiagnosed Attention Deficit Disorder in a disc jockey who at least three times during his set exclaimed, “this is my favorite song!”

Monsters Inc. 3D opens in theaters December 19. Monsters University opens June 21, 2013. Watch the trailer for Monsters University below.

Cate Blanchett is in talks to join Disney’s live-action Cinderella movie. The Oscar-winning actress is circling the role of the Evil Stepmother in the film, to be directed by Mark Romanek (Never Let Me Go). The titular role has yet to be cast. [TheWrap]

Director Bryan Singer tweeted that Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen will reprise their roles as Professor Xavier and Magneto, respectively, in X-Men: Days of Future Past. While no one knows exactly how these characters will be utilized in the sequel to the X-Men prequel, it’s safe to assume that they will share screen time with their First Class counterparts, played by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender. [Twitter]

First, it was reported that Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg were signed to write and produce Episodes VIII and IX in the new Star Wars trilogy. Now, it looks like the scribes will pen Star Wars spin-offs instead. According to THR, who originally reported the writers’ involvement in the new trilogy, “[the] scripts could turn into official ‘Episodes’ in the main Skywalker storyline, or they could form the basis for spinoffs focusing on side characters.” This story seems to confirm that the new trilogy will center on the Skywalkers. [The Hollywood Reporter]

Speaking of Star Wars, Safety Not Guaranteed director Colin Trevorrow was rumored to be in contention for directing one of the new films. Now, the director and his Safety writer Derek Connolly have signed on to rewrite the remake of Disney’s Flight of the Navigator. The 1986 original centers on a boy goes missing who returns to his family 8 years later. The catch? He hasn’t aged a day. Trevorrow may also direct the remake. [Variety]

Joe Carnahan is trading in the wolves from The Grey for vampires. The writer-director is in talks to helm and rewrite the script for Undying Love, based on the popular graphic novel. Warner Bros. will release the film, which revolves around a former soldier who falls in love with a girl who happens to be a vampire. In order to be with her, the soldier must battle the man who sired her: A Hong Kong crime lord protected by hired killers. So it’s a comedy, clearly. [Deadline]

Lots of news to discuss here, movie fans. That’s your cue to drop some comments below. Also, watch the trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey below.

Lucasfilm and Disney have secured Toy Story 3’s Michael Arndt to write Star Wars: Episode VII, and now they’re looking at two more writers to pen the rest of the trilogy.

The Hollywood Reporter claims that Simon Kinberg and Lawrence Kasdan have locked deals to “write and produce Episodes VIII and IX.”

No one knows who will write which film, or if they’ll do one or both as a team.

The goal is to have Kinberg and Kasdan work on the scripts while Arndt writes Episode VII, so that the next installments can be ready for release in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

Having Kasdan in the running is welcome news for Star Wars fans; he wrote The Empire Strikes Back, which is considered to be the best of the Star Wars films.

Kinberg is no stranger to writing big franchise fare. The Mr. and Mrs. Smith scribe helped bring 2009’s Sherlock Holmes to the big screen, as well as 2011’s X-Men: First Class.

The first film in the new trilogy is scheduled to arrive in theaters in 2015.

On a scale from 9 to 10, how excited are you for the new batch of Star Wars films? Tell us all about it in the comments below! And if you can’t wait till 2015 to get your Star Wars fix, check out the trailer for The Phantom Menace.

15 years and thousands of DVDs since the format’s introduction, filmmakers have offered fans virtually every possible angle from which to look at the making of a movie. But Disney and Pixar offered Celebuzz a unique opportunity not just to see, but directly experience exactly what the makers of Brave went through when they created their latest animated odyssey.

To commemorate the film’s November 13, 2012 Blu-ray release, Senior Film Editor Todd Gilchrist joined a small group of reporters on November 3^rd on a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, where he visited local sights, interviewed members of the filmmaking team including story supervisor Brian Larsen, and immersed himself in the same Scottish culture that inspired them on their creative journey.

As chronicled in the video above, Gilchrist flew from sunny Los Angeles to the overcast landscape of Edinburgh, where he went to not one but two bona fide castles that were each centuries old. Additionally, he engaged in a series of traditional Scottish activities including archery, falconry, folding (and wearing) a proper kilt, eating haggis (surprisingly delicious), scotch tasting (unsurprisingly delicious) and, of course, bagpipe playing.

During a tour of the countryside, the group got a real and palpable sense of the rolling hills and lush green pastures that eventually provided a backdrop for Brave’s story. Further, the authentic castles and buildings from hundreds of years ago became immediately linked to the old-world aesthetic of the film, and gave both the movie-watching experience and the locations themselves a richer sense of history, and beauty.

Watch Celebuzz’ report on Gilchrist’s trip to Scotland for Brave. Additionally, watch an interview with Brave producer Katherine Sarafian and co-director Mark Andrews.

Starz has set a return date for Spartacus’ third and final season, Spartacus: War of the Damned. Liam McIntyre returns as the titular gladiator as the season begins following the defeat of Roman commander Gaius Claudius Glaber. It premieres Friday, Jan. 25 at 9 PM. [Starz]

Bravo is giving us more Real Housewives this Sunday with a special episode of The Real Housewives of Miami. The episode,which will air after The Real Housewives of Atlanta, will feature Alexia attempting to unite the housewives for a dinner. It is set to air at 10 PM. [Bravo]

CBS is readying a spin off of NCIS: LA. While the project doesn’t yet have a name, it will be written and executive produced by current NCIS and NCIS: LA executive producer Shane Brennan. The characters in the spinoff will center a on a small team of agents who travel the country solving crimes. Two of the characters will be introduced in a two-part episode of NCIS: LA. [Deadline]

Ratings for many shows were down on Monday night. Though NBC’s The Voice was the ad-coveted 18-49 leader for the 8 PM and 9 PM hours, ABC won the night in terms of actual viewers. FOX’s Bones and The Mob Doctor returned with audiences consistent with their season averages. [Zap2it]

Patricia Arquette will appear on Law & Order: SVU this November. The former star of Medium will play a call girl in the episode. In addition, Anne Meara, who has appeared on many TV Shows including The King of Queens and Oz will play Arquette’s mom on the episode. [TVLine]

It looks like Disney’s Boy Meets World sequel is a go, at least for pilot season. Word is Disney is casting for Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel)’s daughter Riley Matthews and her BFF, Maya for the project, Girl Meets World. The description for Riley says she is a 13-year-old girl who is loyal to her friends and ready to take on life. Maya will be the exact opposite of her best friend. Meanwhile, Cory is set to be following in Mr. Feeny’s footsteps teaching seventh grade history. [Zap2it]

The only thing people are talking more about than the announcement of a new Star Wars movie is what that movie will be about.

Since Disney announced both their purchase of Lucasfilm and their plan to release Star Wars: Episode VII in 2015 — the first chapter in a new trilogy – the internet has been speculating non-stop about possible story details.

While specifics have yet to materialize, it’s safe to assume that elements from the original trilogy will crossover into the new one.

Here are 6 things Celebuzz wants to see in Episode VII.

1. A Lack of Trade Federation Anything

The only thing “Trade Federation this” and “space tariffs that” did to the Star Wars prequels was get in the way of the things fans love about Star Wars.

Audiences don’t travel to that galaxy, far, far away for an intergalactic version of CSPAN. They go to watch space opera in all its four quadrant-pleasing glory; to see lightsabers clash and underdog heroes take down larger-than-life villains.

A good Star Wars movie aims to make its audience feel like a kid again. Let’s hope Episode VII has that sense of wonderment in its sights.

2. A Fun-but-Grounded Tone

In the wake of The Dark Knight’s success, every cinematic tentpole based on an intellectual property must be “gritty.” As a result, Hollywood has confused an aesthetic choice with being the thing that can propel a story forward. There’s something off about that way of thinking, and if any movie can restore the balance there, it’s Star Wars.

Less Jar Jar-esque antics and more Empire Strikes Back undertones; make the drama personal, and therefore the stakes all the more compelling. Kick off this new trilogy by doing what Episodes IV-VII did best: Ground the action and drama with the characters. That way, every victory and defeat feels like one of our own.

If Disney can do that, then they have already begun to pave the way for a potential classic.

3. Droids!

Specifically, C3P0 and R2D2.

These two characters and a certain asthmatic Sith Lord acted as a bridge between the original trilogy and the prequels. Celebuzz would bet Jabba’s third chin that these droids will most likely service a similar function in Episode VII.

4. Darth Vader

Vader is more than just an iconic sci-fi villain, he represents the thematic fulcrum by which every Star Wars movie thus far hinges upon.

Aside from the aforementioned droids and space, Vader is the one constant Star Wars movies – and their fans – can’t seem to live without. Yeah, we know – Vader died and became a “Force Ghost” in Return of the Jedi. It’s the job of the filmmakers to figure out an organic way to resurrect the character in the new film, not ours.

We just hope they do it in a way that feels earned; in a way that preserves the character’s redemptive struggle while enhancing it in the presence of whatever drama Episode VII has in store.

5. New Heroes and Villains

The shadows of Skywalker and Vader will be all over this film, which means it will have to create characters – good and evil – that can weather the inevitable comparison to those that came before.

It’s not an easy task, but it is nonetheless a vital one. The prequels lacked any real characters for viewers to latch on to, in the way that they did with Han Solo, Boba Fett or Darth Vader. If this new trilogy wants to thrive, it has to start with the people in it.

Don’t worry about making them iconic, Disney. Just make them likable and flawed; audiences will take care of the rest.

6. The Rise of The Jedi

Episode VII’s story is rumored to take place at least 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi. If true, that would mean two things: The Sith have fallen – maybe even for good – and that the Jedi have risen.

Celebuzz would like to see this new Jedi order in its prime, maybe even Luke Skywalker serving a more Obi-Wan role this time around.  Then show us a threat that puts The Force off balance and the Jedi on alert, as a new enemy emerges that tests them in ways the prequels never quite pulled off.

And if this new threat has ties to the Sith, even better. Make it happen, Disney. You are our only hope!

You’ve read Celebuzz’ picks, now it’s time for yours. What do you want to see in Episode VII? Drop some fan-fic in the comments below! And before Episode VII hits theaters, take a look back at where it all began and watch the trailer for Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

The internet just imploded. Why?

Disney has bought Lucasfilm and has set Star Wars: Episode VII for a 2015 release, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed Tuesday.

And no, we’re not making this up.

Per The Reporter, Disney purchased George Lucas’ Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion.

Lucas, who wrote and directed the Star Wars prequels, will serve only as “creative consultant” on a new Star Wars trilogy. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy will executive produce Episode VII and all future Star Wars films.

“For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next,” said George Lucas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lucasfilm, in a statement. “It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers.”

Lucas continued: “I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime. I’m confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come. Disney’s reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment, and consumer products.”

In a video released Tuesday, in concert with the press release, Lucas revealed that he has written a treatment for Episode VII and outlines for VIII and IX. Those story docs have been handed over to Kennedy, who has already met with writers to discuss plans for the new trilogy.

Disney will follow Episode VII’s 2015 release with Episodes VIII and IX, with long-term plans in the works to have a new Star Wars film in theatres every two or three years.

As for Lucasfilm’s other big franchise, Indiana Jones, Disney has also acquired the rights to that property. But since Paramount Pictures released those films, Disney will have to sort through some red tape before engaging a new Indy film. Currently, Disney has no plans to toy with the Indy series.

The next chapter in the Star Wars saga is set for release in the same year as Justice League and Disney’s other major blockbuster, Marvel’s The Avengers 2. In addition to Lucasfilm, Disney now also owns Pixar and Marvel.

We know your mind is blown, but what say you about the new Star Wars movie in the works? Do you want it to include Han, Chewie and Luke? Or start from scratch with a brand new set of characters? Discuss below!

Watch George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy talk the future of Star Wars:

Imagine being a kid and getting to meet stars from your favorite Disney Channel shows. That would be pretty magical, right?

Well, that’s precisely what happened this past weekend when stars from Disney Channel and Disney XD shows surprised more than 200 kids from The Boys & Girls Clubs of Los Angeles Harbor in San Pedro, Calif.

Who showed up?

Zendaya Coleman (Shake It Up), Raini Rodriguez (Austin & Ally), Jake Short (A.N.T. Farm), Olivia Holt  (Kickin” It) and Billy Unger (Lab Rats), were just a few of the stars on hand for Radio Disney’s “Back to School Drive.” On Saturday, the talented young celebs joined Disney’s “VoluntEARS,” to give backpacks loaded with school supplies to more than 200 kids from The Boys and Girls Clubs of Los Angeles Harbor.

“I’m here with @RADIODISNEY and some of my Disney Channel family to surprise 200 kids of @BGCA_Clubs of LA Harbor w/ backpacks for school! (:” Rodriguez tweeted from the event.

Kids aren’t usually big on school supplies — and they’re definitely not big on going back to school — but we’re guessing that this year they’ll be happy to go back. After all, they just got to meet their favorite Disney stars!

Launch the gallery to see photos from the star-studded event.

The search for the next Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato kicks off again!

Another crop of hopefuls are ready to compete on the fifth season of Radio Disney’s N.B.T. (Next BIG Thing) hosted by Jake Whetter. Five young artists have been chosen once again to go head to head — or vocal chord to vocal chord — for another round of RD’s popular singing competition.

Aged from just 12 to 17, the talented young singers will be introduced this weekend in Orlando. And the performers this year are also vying for a guest starring role on Disney Channel’s Austin & Ally in addition to their first ever single being released by Disney Music Group.

So who are these Disney chosen ones?

This year’s competition round will feature a two-sister act facing off against four other individual singers.

Chloe and Halle Bailey are R&B singers and actresses from Atlanta, Georgia who already have built a strong fan  base. The spunky pair’s cover of Beyonce‘s “Love on Top” has received a whopping 1.8 million views on YouTube!

Beyonce performing her hit ‘Love on Top’

9 Photos »

Also competing:

New Yorker Elle Winter, 13, who is already writing her own songs.

Fellow New Yorker Katherine Hughes, 17, also made the cut for her version of “Put Your Records On.”

Triple threat Damian Otchere, is just 16 years old but already is making a mark as a pop and R&B singer, dancer and actor.

Last but not least, 16-year-old Jack Skuller from Hoboken, New Jersey, who has been writing songs for five years and loves music of yesteryear — rockabilly. Skuller’s original rock song “Love is a Drum” caught the ears of the show’s judges.

“‘Love is a Drum’ is one of my first full length songs I ever wrote,” Skuller said in his audition video (below). ”I was like 11-years-old and I was first experiencing heart break.”

This weekend the five “N.B.T.” acts will be playing the first-ever three-night showcase at Walt Disney World Resort’s Disney Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida.

The N.B.T. artists will set off on a massive 15 city tour from July 1, where they will be joined on the road by popular Radio Disney artists, as well as Austin & Ally stars Ross Lynch and Laura Marano.

Today, Radio Disney announced the remaining four contestants for their Next Big Thing competition!

The lucky four who will be moving on to the second round of competition got to meet with recording artist Cody Simpson for a jam/mentoring session that will air on Radio Disney and the Disney Channel.

The contestants told Celebuzz that Simpson has given them some helpful hints during the session: 

Shealeigh  - “Cody showed me some vocal warm ups and routines to do before a performances.  I am using these vocal exercises every day.”

Zack Montana – “Cody gave me some great advice by suggesting that when I rehearse I run while I sing so I can better move around the stage while singing.”

Tay Barton – “Cody’s advice for me was to practice the guitar so it would eventually become second nature. This has helped me on the N.B.T. tour because now I can focus on my singing and not my guitar playing.”

The new episode of Next Big Thing will air on both Radio Disney and the Disney Channel.

Young stars waiting to perform were filled with energy at the first Radio Disney Next Big Thing (N.B.T.) Concert in Hollywood — and Celebuzz was there!

Set to perform were the five new artists of N.B.T. season four competition and N.B.T. alum Allstar Weekend as the headlining act. Waiting outside in the Central Courtyard at the Hollywood and Highland Center were groups of screaming fans awaiting the artists they’ve grown to love.

Chit chatting with the cuties of Allstar Weekend, who recently came out with their new album All The Way a couple weeks ago, the band told us their feelings about the contestants. Lead singer Zach Porter commented: 

“It’s really great to see all these people succeeding, it was only 4 years ago … we finally came up and got this opportunity and got signed. It was amazing and seeing that for other people is really amazing.”

Bassist Cameron Quiseng and drummer Michael Martinez also told Celebuzz about the growth of Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing Competition, saying:

It’s really cool to see how far N.B.T. has progressed as well, because when we first started it was only on the radio. We did a couple radio takeovers, no TV. Now they’re on the cover of a van, they have a billboard out here, posters are everywhere, they’re on a van, they’re on TV; they’re playing these huge concerts. We didn’t do any of that, I’m jealous. They’re all so talented though and they’re all really good.”

Season four of N.B.T. premiered this past Sunday October 16 on Radio Disney and Disney Channel. Over the course of the next 10 weeks, each artist will receive equal play and exposure where audiences are invited to vote for their favorite. The winner will be named in December and have their single released by Disney Music Group.

Vote for your favorite at Facebook.com/RadioDisney

If you love a good reality adventure series, be sure to catch tonight’s premiere of  Disney XD’s  Fort Boyard-Ultimate Challenge!

If you’ve never heard of Fort Boyard-Ultimate Challenge, let Celebuzz catch you up!

This show is based on Fort Boyard — one of the most successful adventure game shows in the world — and it is the first kids version of the series, which has been produced in 40 countries worldwide!

The series is set in a 19th century sea fort off the coast of France. It introduces six teams who compete in a tournament where only one team will ultimately get the key to unlock the historic fort’s hidden treasures and win the honor of calling themselves the conquerors of Fort Boyard.

The 1o-part Disney XD series is hosted by Geno Segers (who also plays Mason in Disney XD’s hit series Pair of Kings). As with any Disney production, it is sure to be full of fun and excitement for all ages! 

Check it out for yourself: the show premieres tonight, Monday, October 17th!

The Disney Store held it’s Halloween BOOtique Party last night, where the stars were out with their little ones!

As with any Disney event, the night was filled with magic as Kyle Richards, Joey Lawrence, Molly Ringwald, Candace Cameron and Valentina Pinault (Salma Hayek’s daughter) all came out with their families to select from the newest Disney Halloween costumes.

The night included story time in the Disney Store Theatre, personal shopping for costumes and to top the night off, Mickey Mouse came out to join the children! 

Want to shop for Disney Halloween costumes for your trick-or-treater? Just go to their website at  www.disneystore.com!

Joey Lawrence seems to be an avid Disney fan, check out these pics of him with co-star Melissa Joan Hart at Disneyland earlier this year!

Could fairy-tale remakes be the next big thing in Hollywood, as superhero movies were for the last decade? If recently reported plans for two separate movies based off Snow White are any indication, some film industry execs might think so.

Two projects, one by Universal Pictures and one by Relativity Media, are underway that will showcase differing interpretations of the Snow White tale. Snow White and the Huntsman by Universal is courting Charlize Theron to be its Evil Queen, while at the time time, The Brothers Grimm: Snow White by Relativity Media has its eye on Julia Roberts to play the apple poisoner.

Reportedly, the latter adaptation is also being circled by Natalie Portman, who wants to play an “edgy” version of the main role, perhaps in an attempt to do to the fable what Black Swan did to ballet.

As to what may have jump-started Hollywood’s sudden interest in fantasy children’s tales, look no further than last March’s Alice in Wonderland, which shocked analysts by raking in over a billion dollars globally at the box office.

Earlier this year, Selena Gomez was our pick to play Snow White should a remake ever arise, so she gets Celebuzz’s vote. But who do you think should portray the Evil Queen—Theron or Roberts? Vote in our poll!

The new trailer for the upcoming animated feature film Gnomeo & Juliet has just been released. The story will tell the classic tale of forbidden love. The movie stars the all-star voices of James McAvoy and Emily Blunt and features the music of Sir Elton John.

Check out the trailer below.

The film comes to theaters on February 11, 2011. Will you go see it? Comment below.