Saving Mr. Banks was an extremely popular movie last year and Tom Hanks did a great job portraying Walt Disney. If this movie left you wanting to learn even more about the man behind the mouse, then you are in luck as two independent biopics about Walt Disney’s life are being released in 2014.
As Dreamers Do
The first of these two films is called As Dreamers Do. This film will be directed by Logan Sekulow (God Bless Vegas) and written by Wendy Ott.
“This movie is a passion project for me,” Sekulow recently said. “Since before I went into film school, I dreamed of telling a story like this. Walt has been a lifelong inspiration, and I hope to share this often-untold adventure in a unique, creative and entertaining way. I’m a hardcore Walt fan, and we will not disappoint.”
Disney will be portrayed by Olan Rogers (pictured above.) Mark Stuart and Tyler Hayes will play his parents, Elias and Flora Disney respectively. Ryan Dunlap will play his brother Roy and William Haynes will be Ub Iwerks, Disney’s friend and business partner. Travis Tritt will narrate the film.
Filming began earlier this month in Tennessee, and is scheduled to be released sometime this spring.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVdJ_F4uSV8]
Walt Before Mickey
The second film to be released will be based off of the book Walt Before Mickey by Timothy Susanin. This book was published in 2011 and was supported by the Disney family, and the movie will be of the same name.
“Walt Before Mickey is a fresh take on a classic American ideal, exploring a part of Walt Disney’s life that little is known about,” said producer Armando Gutierrez.
The film is also being produced by Jeff Rice and Arthur Bernstein and directed by Ari Taub. While (strangely) we don’t know who will be playing Disney, we do know that it will feature Jon Heder as Roy Disney, Hunter Gomez as the animator Hugh Harman, Matt Cook as Ub Iwerks, Donn Lamkin as Elias, and Kate Katzman as Walt’s wife, Lillian.
Filming has begun, but there is no release date for the film yet. However, updates are being routinely posted on the movie’s Facebook page so there will be more information soon enough!
