A Super Tepid Take on the Quasi (2023) Trailer

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On Tuesday March 21, the trailer for Quasi dropped. Quasi is the Broken Lizard satirical take on The Hunchback of Notre Dame or that is what the people say. From this trailer I do not see it.

What Quasi has going for it…

Sure, there are somethings in common with Hugo’s novel and/or other adaptations. It takes place in medieval France and there is a hunchback named Quasi, which is a nickname of Quasimodo, but that’s a far as it goes according to the trailer.

This trailer poses three questions.

First being what makes a good trailer? I have seen great trailers for bad movies and bad trailers for awesome movies. Trailers are an art form. One has to give people just enough of the film that people want to see more. From this trailer and reading comments on social media, this trailer is for people who are Broken Lizard fans already and also want it mixed with a bit of Monty Python-type of humor.

From this trailer, it does seem like comedy troupe wanted to a comedy movie set in medieval period but wanted/needed to ground it in already known story. The general public knows of The Hunchback of Notre Dame as it is an old novel but most people don’t know the story that well. All most people might know about the novel are the basics. Quasimodo is a Hunchback who rings the bells at Notre Dame. So it a good base for whatever story you want.

Which bring us to the second question, What makes a Hunchback adaptation an adaptation of the story? What elements are needed? Very simply, one needs a Quasimodo character, an outcast who has deep reverence for a specific place. Does it HAVE to be a cathedral? It helps but it not specifically needed given the story. It has to be a place where people align themselves, a place that forms a sense of identity and connections. Then you have the foils to Quasimodo. An Esmeralda character who is also considered an outcast as she is a member of the Travelers but she beloved by the public as well as beautiful. And a Frollo-type character who is part of the community and is mostly respected because of his position but not loved by anyone and is for most part is alright with that since he considers himself above the common masses. I would say those core-elements are needed to convey the basic plot of novel, there are exceptions but for the MOST part those elements in some form are needed.

Thoughts on the Trailer

So what did I think of the trailer for Quasi? Umm…. I didn’t. It’s not my style of humor and I wouldn’t say I have high-brow humor. I have been known to like dumb stuff.

If you find this style of humor funny that is great, humor is very subjection but I didn’t find it funny and I’m failing to see The Hunchback of Notre Dame in this “version.” Broken Lizard can do whatever medieval comedy movie they want but don’t peddle it as a movie version of novel if just in name only.

The news outlets were calling it a satirical or spoof of the novel but I’m not seeing even that much. If the Hunchback character was named anything else I don’t think it would change a thing within the story, it’s just to get people to think it’s the novel with nothing else of the novel is there.

An Illuminating Quote

Here’s a quote from Jay Chandrasekhar about the movie “I will tell you this, we have a movie called ‘Quasi’, which we made. It’s going to come out in December on Hulu, and it’s a 13th-century French … It’s like murder, assassination, mystery. I play the King of France, Paul Soter plays the Pope, and Steve Lemme plays a hunchback. And it’s a big international sort of … It’s a ‘Monty Python’ movie.” https://collider.com/super-troopers-3-script-update-jay-chandrasekhar-comments/

Judging from the quote it doesn’t SOUND like they were originally aiming for a Hunchback version either.

So yeah while I was wrong in my assumption that Kevin Heffernan would play Quasi(modo) when in-fact Steven Lemme is playing the Hunchback character, I feel wrong calling this movie a Hunchback of Notre Dame adaptation.

I wouldn’t have known about the movie if wasn’t being called a Hunchback version and the trailer is giving me little to support that it is one. Especially since an actor in the film called the titular character “a hunchback.” It seems that the troupe wanted to do a Monty Python and the Holy Grail type flick mixed with their brand of humor and to make the project marketable they named the Hunchback Quasi and labelled it as a spoof for subterfuge.

So the third and final question is should Quasi even be reviewed as a Hunchback adaptation???

Is the Hunchback TikToK Fan-Cast Actually Real?

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By now many of you have seen this poster or the tiktok.

Live Action Fan Cast

Now, in case you want to know if this is true or not I would say it’s fake. There is good evidence that the release date for this movie is July 19th 2024. There has been a few news pieces on that and it’s on IMDB which grain of salt but it is still far easier to create a photoshop image and TikTok than it to edit IMDB. So unless that release day is wrong this is fake and it is.

BUT let’s just LOOK at the “casting.” It is rather easy to tell which roles the actors are intended for.

Josh Gad as Quasimodo. I have said much on this subject already. If he doesn’t play Quasimodo it would be MORE of a shocker. And until it’s officially announced I maintain he likely to Quasimodo for this version.

Gal Gadot for Esmeralda. Again I have said a bit on this one in my IMDB trivia post however Gadot is set to play the Evil Queen in the Snow White remake so it is less likely that she would play two different Disney remake characters for movies that release the same year (unless the the July 2024 date is wrong.)

Chris Evans for Phoebus. I mean sure that could work. Evans fits the actor-type for Phoebus.

Peter Capaldi for Frollo. I’ve said that an actor for Frollo should have a hard, angular look to them and Capaldi does. I’ll admit I’m not familiar his roles so I don’t know how good a Frollo he would be but the base look is there.

Imelda Staunton as Laverne. I have seen Staunton is a few different roles but as Laverne? Maybe I’m sure she can handle the role, it’s not complex just a mixing of grumpy and tender.

Kelsey Grammer as Victor. Sure why not. Victor is the mid-point between the gargoyles so the character can be anything that the production needs to balance out the group. So a snarky elegance could work.

Jack Black as Hugo. I still would prefer no gargoyles for this remake but Black does have a quality to him that could soften Hugo’s sense of humor and make it more endearing. It is however not beyond the scope that the gargoyles could have different personas in the remake unlikely but it still a change that could happen

Sacha Baron Cohen as Clopin. I do like the idea of le mis actor in another Victor Hugo related movie project so sure why not.

Also according to Gad this fan-casting is not real (https://www.justjared.com/2023/03/21/josh-gad-confirms-hes-not-actually-starring-in-the-hunchback-of-notre-dame-movie-for-now-at-least/)

Edit June 2023- Was looking through old posts and I found this one from July 12th 2018 (a few months before the Live Action version was even announced) basically it’s a fan-casting that is very similar…

https://www.thehunchblog.com/2018/07/12/a-not-real-casting-list-for-a-disney-remake/

The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episodes 13 & 14

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Episode 13: The Man who Would Not be King

Two Frollos, The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 13 The Man who wouldn't be King
A Tale of Two Frollos?

Right off-the-bat this is not my favorite episode even though the Frollo shenanigans are high. The episode starts with showing how great Quasimodo is, this time he is master cartographer/artist. He is tasked with accompanying the King on an annual tour. Also I think Quasimodo and Esmeralda think the expansion of France’s boarders further west is a good thing but they may just not know about colonialism plus it’s a kids’ show, just weird bit of dialogue.

While that is happening Frollo lucks into a shapeshifting potion thanks to Azarof. It can change the person who drink it into whomever they are looking at though the effects are short. So using very dumb henchmen, Frollo takes the King’s place and shenanigans ensue. PLUS Paris is under threat from the Duke of Burgundy since the King is away (which seems often in this show.) Frollo is willing to bow down to the Duke thus ruining Louis’s reputation but not before he gets Esmeralda to dance for him. This is the first time Frollo has taken any interest in Esmeralda which is in keeping with the character in other versions but out of character for this version of Frollo.

Then there is the climax of the episode where it’s known to everyone that Frollo is impersonating the King, which Quasimodo learns from the very dumb henchmen and Esmeralda sees first hand. The action is cut back and through between Quasimodo fighting Frollo, who has taken Quasimodo’s form and François’ incompetences at riding a horse to save the King. It’s is very jarring tonal since François’ incompetences is played for laughs and the sword fight is not. This type of humor of might be better suited to kids but that might be selling kids short.

Anyway Frollo gets away again and the Duke is handle off screen.

This episode felt disjointed, like it couldn’t decided what it wanted to do so did all the ideas. Also I’m just getting a little tried of show constant usage of François as the butt of jokes. Can he just be good at one thing maybe? I don’t think the show will do that though but Quasimodo is good at all things so I guess it evens out.

Episode 14: Hope Springs Eternal

Quasimodo and Esmeralda, The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 14 Hope Springs Eternal
Quasimodo, Esmeralda and Divining Device

So I was wrong! Turns out François is actually good at something. More on that further down.

The episode starts with Quasimodo mistaking his family crest at the market which prompts him to want to visit his family’s home, the one that is ruins. To get there they get a boat from François and Esmeralda’s uncle and it’s a dank rinky row-boat but it doesn’t sink so it’s get the job done. On route they pass some bullies who work for a wicked baron.

The gang of pals make to the chateau and find Quasimodo’s parent’s lab which is teeming with their awesome work. They also learn more about how awesome they were and that Frollo was their former assistant who they dismissed a week before the place burn down, dun dun dun! I wonder if that will come up again later…???

The gang of pals then gets caught in some farmers’ drama. They spring dried up so they have stealing water from mean-old baron who the Kings’ advisor don’t trust. One of the farmer need’s Quasimodo’s parents help to find a new spring because they helped her parents when she was baby and now she needs their divining device again and also her brother is locked up by the baron. Esmeralda and Quasimodo find the device so while Esmeralda uses it, Quasimodo and François break out the brother.

Now here, my good people is where François does something successfully. He can pick locks and he does so without hitting his head or falling down. Guy can’t even hold melon without incident but a prison break no problem.

In end the Baron turns out to be very reasonable. He didn’t know the his underlings had locked the farmer in granary but the two were stealing water from his estate. He does lets it go and the Esmeralda finds water for the poor young farmer siblings. Quasimodo then decides to continue on his awesome parents’ awesome work and also to form his own opinions without being swayed by other’s, that is a good lesson, a bit tacked on but it sort fit in the theme of the episode.

This episode is more or less alright. It was less annoying than the previous episode though Frollo acting immature as the King was mildly entertaining. There was some dumb stuff with François on a run-away horse machine and screaming around the lab for help and Quasimodo and Esmeralda ignoring him then chastising him for not asking for help. That is their go-to humor approach, I’m just glad François got to be useful without the humor getting in the way. A low bar to be sure but I will take it.

François' Art, The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 13 The Man Who Wouldn't Be King
François’ Art

The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 12

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Episode 12: The Choice

I’m resolved to get this review series done…

Quasimodo and Djali The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 12 The Choice
Quasimodo and Djali The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 12

This episode is a bit emotional. Well, emotional enough for this show. Also Djlai! I know it’s taking me forever to get this show watched/reviewed but is the the first time Djali has appeared? I’m pretty sure it has. I am all for it, I love Djali.*

In the episode Esmeralda and François are invited to perform at the the King’s Royal Retreat which is super exciting. François wants to woo the Princess so he packs all his clothing, which makes him indecisive and an over-packer, very relatable …

As they are about to set off Quasimodo is informed that a couple matching the description of his awesome parents have been spotted conveniently near where Esmeralda and François are heading, at the Port City of Lujon and they are bound for England. So the Gang of Pals are off along with Djali and a super helpful coachmen, seriously this guy and Djlai are the MVPs of the episode.

Quasimodo and the siblings split off to their separate ways, Quasimodo gets in a minor scrape involving a rock side, a cave-in and an earthquake and yet despite all that he is totally fine. It felt as through that scene was to pad out the episode’s runtime OR the show has a cave quota because it seems this show loves cave. I mean who doesn’t? Stalagmite and Stalactite are awesome.

The siblings however get into coach accident where the coach is suspended over a raging river. Esmeralda gets knock-out and François hangs from a tree. Djali, being an MVP, finds Quasimodo for help.

Here is the choice, Quasimodo must decided between reuniting with his awesome parents or saving his friends and one of those friends might be more than just a friend. His and Esmeralda’s flirting was amped up this episode. And with tears in his eyes Quasimodo makes his choice and I got to say it got me for a second. You got me show, you got my little emotions. Happy?

So Quasimodo and the MVP Coachman save Esmeralda and François but unfortuntly François’ clothing didn’t make it.

Quasimodo doesn’t regret his choice and François stalks the Princess.

All in all this episode was alright. No magic but we did get Djali and if that wasn’t enough, and it is, the coachman was top-shelf, seriously this guy is just helpful and nice. I doubt we will see more of him but we better see more of sweet, smart resourceful Djali.

* Rereading the post of episode one of this show and Djali does appear there, I just forgot. I suppose that is what happens when it has taken me so long to watch/review this show. I do take reasonability for my taking so long but the show should use a cute goat more.

Esmeralda and Djali The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 12 The Choice
Esmeralda and Djali, The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 12

Quasimodo and the Actors who love him

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Disclaimer- These are my opinions..

Quasimodo during Out There Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Quasimodo during Out There Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Over the years there has been a few new adaptations announcements about Hunchback movies/series in development with the most recent announcement being the next to release on April 20th 2023.

Aside from one version, all announcements centered around an actor leading the project with the expressed casting themselves as playing Quasimodo.

Patrick Timsit as Quasimodo & Melanie Thierry as Esmeralda Quasimodo d'El Paris picture image
Patrick Timsit as Quasimodo & Melanie Thierry as Esmeralda

Now this isn’t new, Lon Chaney (1923) and Patrick Timsit (1999) both more or less lead their respective projects. It does seem inevitable that Josh Gad will play Quasimodo in 2024 Disney Live-Action version and Kevin Heffernan with Quasimodo in the Broken Lizard version, Quasi. But the question is, Is this really a bad thing?

Quasimodo is a unique role for actors. One has to combine physicality with pathos which is more or less the dream combination for many actors. And one does not have to be “Leading Man Handsome.” In fact it works to an actor’s advantage not to be “that type” for a certain believability. Just think of the most “handsome” or “hottest” actor you can think of. Can you really imagine them playing Quasimodo? Maybe you can and maybe can’t.

Josh Gad for Quasimodo picture image
Josh Gad

So take an actor like Josh Gad, he does not have many lead roles. He is most known for voicing Olaf in Frozen, a side-character. A memorable side-character from very well loved movie but still not a starring role. In that same vein he also played LeFou in the live action version of Beauty and the Beast.

Now this is just an opinion but given that Gad is producing both the 2024 Hunchback remake and the Beauty and the Beast series, which follows LeFou and Gaston, my guess that he trying to make opportunities for himself within the system. He has already played LeFou and a Hunchback remake was inevitable given the Disney film making landscape right now. Coupled with the allure of playing a role like Quasimodo which was more or less up for grabs given a chance. A chance that he may not have gotten had he not jump at producing the project outright.

So is it a bad thing for actors to create projects where they can cast themselves in the leading role? It defiantly speaks to a self-serving privilege BUT I don’t think it bad. Given that seven announced Hunchback projects that were actor-lead that have been announced since 2010 and only two of them have release dates, it doesn’t mean that said actor who leading the project will even get to play the role. The other projects may have fizzled out or be stuck in-development-hell.

So while Gad wasn’t high on my casting picks for Quasimodo he may bring an earnest to the role that the Disney animated version possessed.

An Idea for the Gargoyles for the Disney Live Action version

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Gargoyles A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Gargoyles A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

After looking through the casting rumors for the Disney live action movie it is apparent that the Gargoyles are going to be comedic. The Gargoyles are a point of contention for the original Disney film as their humor was too much for the overall tone of the movie.

There has been two musicals based on Disney’s Hunchback that took different approaches to Quasimodo’s imaginary friends. The German musical made the Gargoyles subtle in their humor. They were characters but they didn’t mess with the tone of the production. In the American musical version there are not gargoyles or characters so to speak but there is an ensemble or the congregation. They are more like voices that are part of the cathedral as in statues or stained glass windows.

Rumor had it that the congregation was a reason why the show didn’t go to Broadway because of the amount of people it called for and the The Actors’ Equity Association. I do not know if that is true.

Getting back to the 2024 Live action version, the actors rumored to being playing the Gargoyles are Ed Helms for Victor, Jane Lynch for Laverne, and Jason Alexander reprising Hugo. So this would make Gargoyles go in a comedy direction.

However can the production has its proverbial cake and eat it too? Yes! Yes, it could! And if the movie goes for this method I would just assume they had the same idea as me, which would be great.

I think they should use the actors who they cast as the Gargoyles to also play townspeople, like the ones that Quasimodo made models depicting, the people who Quasimodo sings “Knowing them as they will never know me.” So Jason Alexander go play Hugo and also play the baker for example.

Contextually this would make the Gargoyles part of Quasimodo’s parasocial relationship with the people of Paris. They can still be humorous but it would make the characters both darker and sadder without the need for any lines to explain it. The production would just need to show actors early on in their townspeople roles which they can easily do in the opening number, The Bells of Notre Dame. Unless they do something else with the opening.

So that is one way this version could still have funny gargoyles that could offer Quasimodo more pathos.

I’m sure there way to convey this in the narrative in this movie wants to go in that sort of direction and it’s also they don’t. We shall see.

The Gargoyles; Hugo Laverne, Victor Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney
The Gargoyles; Hugo Laverne, Victor Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney

What do you guys think? How would you like the gargoyles handled in line action version?

It’s Not the Worst Valentine’s Day Ever

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Valentine’s Day! It’s either one of the most romantic days of the year, a stressful day that you forgot about till JUST now, or the bane of your existence.

Whatever the day means you go treat yourself with chocolate or any other treat you prefer.

Side note (slightly personal)- I love Galavant, wish it had a third season, it should have gotten a third season. I have seen it twice and I tried to rewatch it back in May 2022 BUT due to circumstances I couldn’t get back into it at that point. Maybe in future but I still love the songs and the vibe.

Analyzing the Trivia for the Live Action Version

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The Disney live action version is over a year away with a release date set for July 2024 but I though it would fun to look through the IMDB trivia as it is in early February 2023 and offer my thoughts. You can see the IMDB trivia HERE.

Most of these are rumors. I also know that actors’ job is to act and one can’t completely base opinions of an actor’s capabilities on other work/characters they have done, so grain of salt with some of my opinions. Also with a grain of salt all of these since IMDB can easily be edited. Also singing a is part of this casting consideration.

“Chris Hemsworth has expressed interest in the role of Captain Phoebus.”

I can see that casting as a good choice. I wrote a post about Hemsworth as a hypothetical casting picks which you can read here.

“A live-action remake of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) was announced in January 2019.”

This is true. I believe it was the 16th though I did a post on the 17th ( blog post) However unlike the first reports I don’t think this version will be called “Hunchback” like 1997 version.

“Lin-Manuel Miranda has expressed interest in playing Clopin.”

On a personal level I think I would prefer another actor to play Clopin but I’m more ambivalent about this casting should it come to pass.

“Jason Alexander is rumored to reprise the role of the comical gargoyle Hugo.”

My opinion is that Jason Alexander reprising his role would not be a good idea. First off no one really gravitated to the gargoyles so having them in the movie seems not the best call. And if this version reframes them to be not annoying we are still going to be reminded of the previous version based on Alexander’s involvement.

Though I could see one way that the production could have their cake and eat it too as making the gargoyles both comical and sad/dark. This post is long enough so I will do a separate post on that.

“Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is reported to be in consideration for the role of Phoebus.“

Again this was a previous hypothetical casting post I did ages ago. I think he would work I just worry that he might be too mature for the role. But it could be fine.

“According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney has tapped the Tony-winning playwright David Henry Hwang to pen the script. In addition, Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz will write the music, as they did for the 1996 animated original; their combined work on that movie nabbed them Oscar and Golden Globe nominations.“

David Henry Hwang is attached to this project and he has since the project was first announced. I have no knowledge of his work so we shall see.

“Robert Bathurst expressed interest in playing the villain Claude Frollo, following his antagonistic performance as Dottor Massimo in The Thief Lord (2006).”

I haven’t heard of The Thief Lord nor am I certain that it would a good basis for an actor or like I said, if we should basis previous roles for this hunchback version but I will slightly for this piece of trivia.

I have been a fan of Downton Abbey for a while and Bathurst (who was in seasons one and three) would not be my top pick for the role. I know much can be achieve with make-up and costuming but he doesn’t seem to have the right look for Disney’s Frollo.

Now Iain Glen who was also on Downton Abbey (season 2) would make a great Frollo, he has a certain look for it and apparently he can sing. I guess what I’m saying is that Frollo should look hard with sharp angles, no softness.

“Pamela Adlon has expressed interest in playing a new character.“

I don’t know what this would even mean. Looking into her roles she has done quite a lot of voice work so I’m not sure if she means doing that or not. A new character could mean anything but new characters are fine.

“Simon Russell Beale is possibly being considered to play the Archdeacon. Colm Wilkinson is also being considered, having portrayed a similar role in the 2012 film adaptation of the hit musical “Les Miserables.“

So there are two trivia nuggets in this one. I mean either actor is fine, Beale has more movie acting experience than Wilkinson and Wilkinson’s casting in the Les Mis movie was an homage because he was the original Valjean on Broadway so Wilkinson doesn’t the same type of connection to this project that he did with Le Mis, aside from Victor Hugo musicals adaptations.

I’m not sure what the analogous would be to casting someone for another Hunchback project. The mischievous part of me say cast someone from Notre Dame de Paris or one the OG Disney Hunchback musical performers, like Patrick Page. But I have no really strong opinions on the Archdeacon’s casting, at least at this point.

Actually I quite like the idea of Patrick Page playing the Archdeacon in this version.

“Gal Gadot expressed interest in playing Esmeralda.“

In fairness, Esmeralda does skew older in the Disney movie. It’s well known that in the novel she is sixteen however in the Disney version she comes off as older but she is still youthful enough as she is referred as “girl’ throughout the movie.

I just wonder if Gadot as Esmeralda is be a bridge too far? However 40 year old guys often play a 20 year old Quasimodo and an over 50 year old is “under consideration” for this version of Phoebus so the remake just may skew older with casting which would make a more maternal Esmeralda for an oldish Quasimodo work. However I do feel like an age-ish ass for this casting opinion. But Gadot can sing so there is that in her favor and she has a good look for Esmeralda too.

“As of July 14, 2019, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is under consideration to play Phoebus.”

Trivia so nice, they listed it twice. As of Early 2023 there is not casting information out yet so it’s unclear how far this consideration has really gone or if Coster-Waldau is at all interested the role. He might not be.

“Ed Helms has expressed interest in playing the comical gargoyle Victor.“

Given this bit of trivia and the one about Jason Alexander and the one that follows, the gargoyles are not being re-contexturized they are going to comic relief. Maybe the humor will be better than animated but we shall see.

“Jane Lynch is rumored to play the comical gargoyle Laverne.“

I feel like I need make peace with new Disney Gargoyles. I don’t relish the idea of Lynch as Laverne but I can see others getting a kick out it, so my opinion is ambivalence. Also it would just be her voice so that might be fine.

I did an anti-hypothetical casting post for Lynch for a book character who is an older-ish woman character so… there is that.

“Josh Gad is set to produce, and as of July 14, 2019, confirmed to be in consideration to play Quasimodo.”

It’s not at all surprising that the actor spearing-heading the project would want to play Quasimodo. That just seems to be how it goes down from Chaney to Timsit to like six other hunchback projects that were announced but never made. I also assume that for the Broken Lizard version called Quasi, Kevin Heffernan, who is also the producer, director and screenwriter will play Quasimodo.

Do I see Gad as being the ideal casting pick for Quasimodo? No. Is he likely to be cast as Quasimodo for this project? I would be surprised if he wasn’t.

“This will be the sixth remake of a Walt Disney Animation Studios movie that is from the Disney Renaissance, after Beauty and the Beast (2017), Aladdin (2019), The Lion King (2019), Mulan (2020), and The Little Mermaid (2023).“

Factually yes.

“The production on the film was temporarily halted in March 2020 due to the 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic, until six months.“

Makes sense I’m just a little confused was it halted for six months or did it resume six months after this trivia was posted? I mean I shouldn’t question anyone grammar.

“Becky G has expressed interest in playing Esmeralda.”

I have never heard of her so I no clue if she would be a good choice for the role. Not a choice I would have considered looking into her filmography but if she capable at playing the role effectuality, maybe. But not a first pick for casting.

“Hiba Abouk is rumored to play Esmeralda.“

I have never heard of her. She is a little on the older side to play Esmeralda, she is within the same age range as Gadot. She does a have a good look for Esmeralda but I don’t know much about her or her acting capacity. I suppose in fairness to her and Gadot they don’t look their ages (whatever that means in today’s society) and Esmeralda is more motherly in Disney, so maybe.

‘Vocal coach and opera singer Elizabeth Zharoff hopes that Hellfire emulates Jonathan Young‘s metal cover for the movie, as well as in stage productions.“

I’m not sure why this is IMDB trivia. But it would be great if the Hellfire was as cinematic as the animated version. I don’t think a metal version for the film would work but the production can prove me wrong.

“To be released on the occasion of the original The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)’s 28th anniversary.”

Cool. Though the Animated version came out June 21st 1996 and this version is to be released July 19th 2024 so does this indicate there are advance screening planned in June 2024? Or is this piece trivia just incorrect?

“Set to be the first live-action movie musical adaptation of the novel.”

Neat? I do suppose a single song/dance does not make for a musical or the 56 version would have it beat.

“Josh Gad, Alan Menken, and Stephen Schwartz would also work on the Untitled Josh Gad/Jeremy Garelick Musical Project, even though that movie was originally going to be made in the 2010s.”

So they teamed up once prior and the project didn’t get made? Given Hollywood this seems very normal.

Who would you like to see cast in this version? Remember they have to be able to sing. I hope this means Phoebus gets a song or two.

The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 11

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Disclaimer -In an effort to get this series review done, I’m doing one episode for this and most likely the next post. 

Episode 11: The Clay Army 

Quasimodo, Esmeralda, François and Andras, The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 11
Quasimodo, Esmeralda, François and Andras, The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 11

As is the norm with this show there is some public event that Frollo ruins with magic and the Gang of Pals has to thwart him. 

The event of this episode is The March of Progress, which has ten winners get 500 Gold pieces for some good work. Quasimodo’s friend, Roger, whom I don’t recall meeting before, pitched a hospital for the poor with hot water as a heating source. 

Now Frollo gets wind of the prize money and says the most “Frollo-like” thing he has said thus far. He wants the all the prize money so that he can get the materials to make a Philosopher’s stone so that he can turn everything he owns in to gold, except Azarof, because Azarof’s good dog. It is still weird that he has a dog but it doesn’t matter. 

Frollo’s plan is to make a small clay army of cute gargoyles to steal the coins (which is all the gold of France so not JUST the prize money) and he is successful and uses the gold as a blanket. The scale of the clay gargoyles is all over the place but that adds to the chaotic charm of the show.

However what he didn’t account for is that the King calls the best force in France to find the gold, The Gang of Pals! 

So as they do they find one of the small gargoyles and follow it to Frollo’s spooky-ooky underground tunnels. Quasimodo still hates rats but rats hate François’ poetry/prayer. Long story short, they get the gold and escape by bribing the good boy Azarof and Frollo has a literal temper tantrum. 

The small gargoyles made this episode cute. I do find the insanity that Frollo brings more appealing however the show is very much set on its formula which is just how it functions as far so any little difference like tiny magical clay gargoyles over that inn from the last episode is welcome. 

Also Frollo’s gargoyle Dragon works too hard. 

Also, also,  in this episode we get a hint of what Frollo’s dating bio would be like: he’s “Brilliant, Handsome, Sensitive and above a Liar.” Would you swipe left or right?

Frollo and his cute clay armyThe Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 11,
Frollo and his cute tiny clay army, The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo Episode 11,