While Iron Man 2 may be the most anticipated robot movie of the summer, Toy Story really gets my circuits a-blazing.

In fact, 10 years ago when Toy Story 2 came out, I named it the best picture of 1999, just narrowly beating out American Beauty, The Matrix, and Fight Club.  (Sorry, Swank– The Phantom Menace came in a distant 5th).  And since then, Lassater and Co have only improved on their artistry through films like Monsters Inc, The Incredibles, and last year’s tearjerking Up.

And wouldn’t you like to see what they’re doing?

Well you can– just go become a fan of TS3 Screenings on Facebook by clicking here, then go find your local college you “attend” and when and where the screening will take place. But beware– most of these screenings already have confirmed attendees in the hundreds according to their Facebooks RSVPs, and they’ve bought ad space on Facebook.  These are going to be crowded.  There will likely be riots because too many people will show up to try to see the films. And they are supposedly checking college IDs.

this is not for the faint of heart

That being said, if you feel like braving the crowds, please go enjoy this.  Then make sure you drop us a line here at Big Shiny Robot and tell us how it was.

And we know many of our local Robots are based here in Salt Lake City and Utah County, so I’ve included the info for your screenings.  Click the links to go to facebook page for the Salt Lake or Orem screenings.

University of Utah, Weber State, Utah State, Westminster, SLCC, et al:

Century 16 in Midvale, Thurs April 22, 8pm

BYU (Go Cougars!) and Utah Valley University

Cinemark University Mall in Orem, Thurs Apr 15, 8pm

As an aside, Citizen-Bot here in Austin will have to sit this one out, as not only does he not have a doppleganger with a Longhorn college ID, but Harry Knowles will likely attend the screening here for University of Texas students, filling up all seats with his Jabba-esque largesse and crowding out all other film-goers.

Disney XD (A Disney Channel aimed towards the slightly older children) announced their 2010-2011 programming lineup yesterday, and in the mix is a new Avengers cartoon that will be making its debut this fall! Here’s the official description:

“The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” — Further aligning the strength of Marvel’s hugely popular characters and stories with the burgeoning Disney XD brand and global reach, an all-new animated series, “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes,” will debut in fall 2010 on Disney XD and DisneyXD.com. Beginning with the “Iron Man” and “Incredible Hulk” movies in 2008, the release of “Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” follows Marvel’s overall “Avengers Assemble” strategy introducing the greatest heroes in the Marvel Universe through various content platforms, including the upcoming feature films “Iron Man 2” in May of 2010, “Thor” in May of 2011 and “Captain America” in July of 2011, all building up to the Avengers theatrical film in 2012. Produced by Marvel Animation, the animated series features 52 episodes targeted at kids 9-14, starring Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, Giant Man and Wasp — who form the Avengers, a team assembled when no single hero’s powers can save the world. A 20-part “micro-series” that focuses on each hero’s backstory will roll out in fall 2010 on Disney XD, immediately followed by the series premiere on Disney XD in the U.S. and, shortly thereafter, around the world. Disney XD, the single largest distributor of Marvel content around the world, currently showcases approximately 20 hours of Marvel series (including “The Spectacular Spider-Man,” “Fantastic Four” and “Iron Man”) each week.

And you all thought Disney obtaining Marvel would be a bad thing…

It took long enough, but at long last we have a feature length trailer for the highly anticipated Toy Story 3 which hits theaters on June 18, 2010! I know people get nervous when sequels are made to great movies, but with Pixar at the helm, is anyone that concerned? Check out the trailer in full HD over at Apple!

Woody and Buzz had accepted that their owner Andy would grow up someday, but what happens when that day arrives? In the third installment, Andy is preparing to depart for college, leaving his loyal toys troubled about their uncertain future. Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2” and “Finding Nemo”) directs this highly anticipated film, and Michael Arndt, the Academy Award®-winning screenwriter of “Little Miss Sunshine,” brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings. TOY STORY 3 will be presented in Disney Digital 3D^TM in select theaters.

For those of you who weren’t able to make it down to D23, fear not. My dear sister, Nurse Static, attended the function and reported back as much as she could. We have one whole photo from the event, the new light cycle from “Tron Legacy.” Why? Because most everywhere you went your phone and cameras were taken from you. To build on Shannon Barnson’s Comic-Con joke about “what’s this the line for?” …Most of the time, those lines were to get your stuff back! Attending everything that she possibly could and messaging it back, we have notes about Disney related material from parks to films and more.

WARNING: Before you read on, please be advised there is some spoiler material below, so you read at your own risk. And on top of that, yes, we know, some of this is already on the internet. The point of this post is to tell you what Disney was hyping at the event. If they chose to rehash what’s already been put out, its not our fault, so bare with us as we recap.

The Muppets had the most amount of news this year:

*New film on the way to be titled “The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made.”
*Muppets.com finally being created, going through a redesign to look like Facebook for the characters.
*New Muppet cooking show on the way for Food Network, due to co-star the Sweedish Chef and Cat Cora.
*More YouTube exclusive videos being made, including a performance of Bohemian Rapsody.
*“Muppets Letters To Santa” finally hits DVD, along with other old releases.
*Planned 2010 ABC Halloween show.
*Tons of new toys including plushes and better Halloween costumes, plus the Whatnot Workshop (where you can create your own Muppet at FAO Schwartz) will be coming to Disney parks.
*Remaking the Muppets Disney ride in Digital 3D.
*New book on the way called From The Balcony featuring Statler & Waldorf.
*Muppets Apps on the way for iPhone and Blackberry.
*Season 4 DVD on way as well with Gonzo on the cover.
*And a new eco-friendly “Green & Loving It” campaign in the works.

Nicholas Cage came to chat about Sorcerer’s Apprentice with photos, but no footage of the film. Why must you taunt us with subway pictures, sir?

The 4th Pirates film is a go with Depp on board, currently titled “Stranger Tides.” Speaking of Depp, he’ll be in the new Lone Ranger film… as Tonto. …Why?

As mentioned by Swankmotron on Saturday, Star Tours closing down 10/11/09, being torn apart and remaking it to a 3D attraction with Podracing included. Physically, the ride’s seats look to be getting an overhaul, but in what form is unknown. Here’s hoping they’re individually spaced with harness seating!

For those of you who care about the park itself, a remodeling of Fantasy Land in Disney World is coming, updating everything including the castle. Also “Cars Land” based off the film will be added to California Adventure, they’ll be adding the town Radiator Springs.

Speaking of Cars… Cars 2 due in 2011. A new Aston Martincharacter named Finn McMissile (no actor assigned yet) will challenge Lightning McQueen to a race around the world. Aside those who died, many of the original cast are due to return.

Tim Burton showed up to chat “Alice”, but just showed the same footage from Comic-Con. So nothing new other than the chance to say “look, it’s Tim Burton as a Disney event!”

Tron Legacy! Showed the trailer again, along with a special night screening of what appeared to be an enhanced version of the original. Displayed the light cycle and more props from the film. A closer look shows the bikes are now designed like newer bullet bikes to go in any pattern they choose, meaning we’re probably going to get one hell of a chase scene in the next film beyond what the trailer showed.

Strangest news to come out of D23… a new version of the Beatles “Yellow Submarine” movie is set to be made. Robert Zemeckis will take the lead to do motion capturing, aiming for a 2012 release.  Makes you wonder who they’ll grab to impersonate the Fab Four.

A full viewing of the new “Princess & The Frog” film was shown with animation artists on hand to display techniques they used to animate it while it played. (The assumption was made by Disney that no one cares much about 2D and standard computer animation anymore, so they made this one extra special for those who attended.)

“Toy Story 3” hits June 18th! Storyline given out so far, Andy goes to college. We get to see what happens to his toys as he leaves, there is a possibility he donated them to a pre-school. New toys to be introduced! Barbie meets Ken who will be voiced by Michael Keaton. A German toy in lederhosen named Mr. Prickle-Pants, voiced by Timothy Dalton. Other names on board to do voices… Jeff Garland, Ned Beatey, Bonnie Hunt and Whoopi Goldberg.

A new Winnie The Pooh film being made, and will actually get a theater release instead of going straight to DVD. Due in 2011.

Disney’s 50th animated film will be… Rapunzel! Due in 2010. A new take on it as well, she will portray a fighter-like princess with 70-foot long hair. Mandy Moore voices Rapunzel, Zachery Levi voices the leading man.

Prep & Landing, a 30 minute computer animated Christmas special to air on ABC. Revolves around two dumbfounded elves who prepare the homes for Santa before he arrives.

And the big NON-NEWS… There was absolutely no talk about Marvel whatsoever. No posters, no promotional material, nothing! Many questions were apparently passed on due in part to the deal not being finalized yet.

Tron Legacy: Light Cycle

ComingSoon.net is currently attending Disney’s D23 Expo in California and got the chance to ask Disney President and CEO, Bob Iger, about the recent acquisition of Marvel by Disney. Here’s what he had to say:

Iger stressed the notion that fans can expect Marvel to continue to operate as it has.

“We’re not planning on any ‘Disneyfication’ of Marvel,” said Iger, “…Our intention is to keep Marvel as an entity.”

Iger went on to explain that he has met with a great many Marvel talents and that, like the acquisition of Pixar, Disney’s primary goal is to stay on the sidelines and let the artists do what they do best.

He did admit that he was excited about the chance for some cross-pollination in the future, though nothing is planned as of yet.

Iger reiterated that part of what is so intriguing about Marvel is that the deal is designed to play out in the long run, having characters that “transcend gender and age.” In the short term, Disney just has to wait until some of the Marvel deals already in place with other studios and theme parks “work their course” and, until then, “there isn’t much planning to be done.”