Disney

Billy Porter believes some of our most beloved stories need to change going forward to reflect changes in society, but he adds -- there's no need to cancel the original tales.

We got the "Pose" star in NYC -- who's set to step into the fairy godmother role in Disney's future, live-action "Cinderella" film -- and asked him about calling the reboot a movie "for the #MeToo era."

Billy tells us it's not a knock on the classic "Cinderella" or any of the other fairy-tales, it's just a statement about how things have evolved. He says it's time for remakes to reflect that.

As the Golden Globe-nominated actor puts it ... we're in a different place now.

Disney's got trust issues ... it's being sued for straight-up jacking a battle cry that a breast cancer awareness company says has been theirs for more than a decade.

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ...  Trust Your Journey -- a Nevada-based company formed as a result of a personal fight and victory over breast cancer -- is suing the Mouse House claiming the company's illegally slapping its slogan, "Trust Your Journey," on "Frozen 2" merch.

If you've seen the movie, you know that's basically Anna and Elsa's theme. But, in the suit, Trust Your Journey says Disney's slapped the slogan on t-shirts, posters, jewelry and tons of other stuff ... despite its trademark on the phrase.

President Trump's reelection campaign apparently likes to think of their boss as an equal to the destroyer of worlds, the villainous Thanos ... but the 'Avengers' character's creator is NOT having it.

A Twitter account managed by Trump's reelection team posted a super-produced clip in which DT's head is superimposed over Thanos' body from 'Infinity War' ... and he snaps his Democratic enemies -- who just introduced articles of impeachment -- to dust.

They captioned the post, "House Democrats can push their sham impeachment all they want. President Trump's re-election is 𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲." Funny, right? WRONG ... so says the comic book writer and artist who brought Thanos to life back in 1973. He ain't laughing.

Jim Starlin -- the creator of Thanos -- says he finds it pretty disturbing that Trump's goons are comparing him to a mass murderer -- Thanos literally goes around blowing up planets in "The Avengers." He says, "How sick is that? These are sad and strange times we are going through. Fortunately all things, even national nightmares, eventually come to an end."

Starlin also said he felt violated by the creative hijacking, and said DT has an infantile ego.

Funny enough ... the scene of Thanos snapping that Trump's team used in their hypercut is actually from the part where he dies in the final movie. Spoiler alert ... Tony Stark ends up with all the Infinity Stones, and then snaps Thanos and his henchmen to oblivion.

Rian Johnson is just like the rest of us when it comes to the new 'Star Wars' movie ... he hasn't seen it yet, despite him directing its predecessor in the series.

The filmmaker opened up to us this weekend in NYC about whether he'd gotten any sort of sneak peak ahead of 'The Rise of Skywalker' hitting theaters later this month. As it turns out ... he hasn't! No special treatment for the guy who manned 'The Last Jedi,' it seems.

It's NBD to Rian though -- he tells us he's looking forward to watching it in theaters for the first time like everyone else. Interestingly, he also says he hopes it's the best one ever.

Now, on to a much more serious topic we absolutely needed Rian to weigh in on ... is Baby Yoda actually cuter than those damn puppy-eyed Porgs??? John Boyega sure thought so.

Check out RJ's answer ... he's noncommittal at first on which one is truly more adorable -- almost like a parent who doesn't wanna compare their kids -- but he finally caves and chooses sides. His choice might not surprise you, or anyone who's watched 'Mandalorian.'

Chris Tavarez, from the Disney Channel hit "K.C. Undercover," isn't getting off easy in his domestic violence case with his girlfriend ... and his past is a big reason why.

The L.A. County D.A. has charged the 27-year-old actor with one count of felony domestic violence with a prior conviction. That prior is from a plea deal Tavarez took in 2018.

According to the City Attorney's Office, Tavarez was charged with 2 counts of spousal battery for an incident that occurred in June 2017. He pled no contest to one count, and had to serve 180 days in jail, complete a 52-week Domestic Violence Treatment Program, pay a fine and was ordered to stay away from the victim. The second count was dismissed.

He was also placed on 36 months summary probation, which means his latest arrest could mean a probation violation.

We broke the story ... Tavarez was busted after he allegedly flew into a rage during an argument with his GF and pushed her, which caused her to hit her head and suffer a concussion.

Hilary Duff seems to have a few tricks up her sleeve about her new "Lizzie McGuire" reboot on Disney+ -- and by that, we mean Miranda MIGHT be coming back. Maybe ...

Of course, we could be totally wrong -- 'cause the answer really isn't all that clear based on what HD told us Saturday in L.A. That said, you better believe we asked -- in our own roundabout way -- about Lalaine Vergara-Paras possibly being brought back.

ICYMI ... Disney+ announced it's doing a 'Lizzie' reboot as part of its upcoming content, and just last week ... Adam Lamberg -- who played Gordo -- was confirmed to be onboard.

The only remaining question -- as far as die-hard fans are concerned -- is whether Lalaine would be reprising her role as Miranda Sanchez. After all, the 3 of them were an inseparable trio during the original series' 2-season run. So, you'd think it's a no-brainer, right?!?

Check out the clip ... Hilary doesn't let anything slip about any future characters making a comeback. But, based on her tone here, something tells us there certainly may be.

Considering Miranda's character was mysteriously written out of the movie in 2003 -- Lalaine supposedly went on to pursue a music career in real life at the time -- we're pretty certain viewers would like nothing more than to see her back together with her old TV gang.

It looks like the feeling might be mutual on Lalaine's part as well -- she recently posted a throwback photo of her, Hilary and Adam together on set. So, she's definitely got 'Lizzie' on the brain.

Lizzo has many reasons to be happy ... so a trip to The Happiest Place on Earth was in order.

The Record of the Year nominee and her sister had a fun evening out with friends Thursday at Disneyland to celebrate both her sister's birthday ... and Lizzo's 8 Grammy noms.

We're told the group had a blast all over the park hitting up popular rides like Space Mountain, It's a Small World, the Matterhorn Bobsleds ... and even made their way over to Disney California Adventure for Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: Breakout!

Even better ... Lizzo and company splurged for a VIP tour guide so they didn't have to wait in any long lines.

At one point the "Truth Hurts" singer took a break to check her phone and enjoy a chocolate-covered frozen banana ... with Minnie Mouse ears on and everything.

And if you're wondering about the woman in the sexy Santa outfit on her sweatshirt ... it seems Lizzo's promoting a raunchy new single called "Christmas Time" by celeb hairstylist, Shelby Swain.

Great addition to your feel-good holiday playlist ... along with pretty much all of Lizzo's songs, of course.

Disney actor Chris Tavarez is in hot water after allegedly flying into a rage, giving his girlfriend a concussion ... and getting his ass thrown in jail as a result.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Chris and the woman were at a house in Hollywood when the couple got into an argument that turned physical. We're told Chris allegedly pushed her ... causing her to hit her head.

Our sources say cops were called to the home last weekend, but by the time they showed up, Tavarez had bolted. The responding officers said his girlfriend had marks on her body but refused medical treatment.

Family sources tell us doctors at a hospital later told her she suffered a concussion. Two days later, Tavarez was arrested and booked for felony domestic violence. He was eventually released on $100k bail.

Tavarez, who turned 27 last week, is best known for playing Darien on the hit Disney show "K.C. Undercover" starring Zendaya. He also costarred in the Disney Channel movie, "Avalon High," and appeared in Tyler Perry's "Meet the Browns."

If you've lost one or more friends down the Disney+ wormhole today, here's why -- how freakin' adorable is baby Yoda??? Or terrifying ... depends on your perspective.

Yes, the infant/future Jedi master ... is just one of the 'Star Wars' characters introduced in "The Mandalorian," the new Jon Favreau directed series that debuted when Disney launched its stupidly hyped streaming service at midnight.

Look around you ... more people out "sick" from work? Here's why -- the service gives fans instant access to, not only 'Mandalorian,' but ALL VII 'Star Wars' episodes, ALL the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and TV shows today, and of course ALL of Disney and Pixar's smash hit animated movies.

That's right ... now you can hear "Let It Go" on repeat for $6.99/month. Sorry.

Of course, that all assumes you can login to the service. Disney+ soft-launched in the U.S., Canada and The Netherlands ... but many users (check your social media) are complaining about connectivity issues.

Bummer for Ralph of "Wreck-It Ralph" fame -- he pulled the short straw to get the honor of greeting users who couldn't log in to the service.

Still, the positive buzz is definitely outweighing the negative, so far.

Just ask longtime character actor Brian Posehn (you know that face) who totally geeked out binging 'Mandalorian' overnight. Looks like he scored an uncredited cameo in it, too! The Force is strong with this one.

Pat Sajak is on the road to recovery after undergoing surgery for a blocked intestine ... opening the door for Vanna White to host "Wheel of Fortune."

Production sources tell TMZ ... Pat is going to be sidelined for two weeks, during which Vanna will fill his shoes on the hosting front.

"Wheel of Fortune" is currently shooting Disney Week at its Los Angeles studio ... and our production sources tell us the person turning the letters will have mouse ears ... in case you can't figure it out, we're talking Mickey Mouse!!!

The show announced it canceled its Thursday taping because Pat went under the knife, and taping resumed Friday with Vanna stepping in as host. Sajak is said to be resting comfortably and looking forward to getting back on the job.

Pat's been the host of "Wheel of Fortune" -- the longest-running syndicated game show in the country -- since 1982, and Vanna's been turning the letters since then as well.

'Wheel' and "Jeopardy" are owned by the same company and are 2 of the most successful shows in TV syndication. Pat's now laid up, and Alex Trebek is battling pancreatic cancer and is undergoing a second round of chemo, though he has not missed a show.

Maryland-born actress Kimberly J. Brown was only 14 years old when she took on the role of the witch in training, Marnie Piper -- who leaves the mortal world with her siblings to battle the evil warlock, Kalabar -- in the OG 1998 Disney Channel spooky movie, "Halloweentown."

Kimberly J. Brown was cast alongside some other young actors including Joey Zimmerman as the middle sibling and bus-hopping brother, Dylan Piper, and Emily Roeske as the youngest sister and tagalong troublemaker, Sophie Piper.

Brown was also in the cinematic sequels including "Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge" and "Halloweentown High," but was ultimately replaced by Sara Paxton in the 2006 final film "Return To Halloweentown."

"Halloween is cool."

You know Marvel's "X-Men" as defenders of justice, but a TV show -- in Hungary of all places -- claims Wolverine and co. are guilty of stealing the theme song to their hit cartoon.

A guy named Zoltan Krisko is suing every media giant you can imagine -- Marvel, Disney, FOX, Apple, Amazon and more -- claiming the TV execs behind the animated series from the '90s jacked the intro music from an even older show ... called "Linda."

Bear with us ... "Linda" aired in Hungary from 1984 to 1991, and according to a lawsuit filed by Krisko it was a hit cop comedy/thriller. Hey, genres are different over there.

Anyway, Krisko says he manages the estate of a Hungarian composer named Gyorgy Vukan, who created and copyrighted the "Linda" theme song in 1983. Krisko says it sounds exactly like the tune the "X-Men" cartoon used years later.

Olivia Jade is no Dumbo ... she's detached herself from all the college drama by goofing around with her boyfriend and her buds at Disneyland.

Olivia and crew hit up Star Wars Galaxy's Edge Friday, smooching with her BF, and she looked like she didn't have a care in the world ... and she may have good reason.

Mama Lori Loughlin and papa Mossimo Giannulli got some good news Friday, when prosecutors all but folded like cheap suits in Felicity Huffman's college admissions scandal case ... recommending just 1 month in jail.

What prosecutors said was revealing. They had lots of tough language about rich people cutting corners, but in the end they said it doesn't matter how much time rich people serve ... just that they serve some time. Even they don't believe that.

BTW ... Felicity's asking for no time behind bars, and she might get what she's after because our sources say the probation department which prepared a sentencing report would be fine with that.

Disney's new Tramp, in the upcoming live-action remake of "Lady and the Tramp," didn't slum it for too long before catching his big break ... we've learned the pup went from kill shelter to shelter before becoming a huge movie star.

Monte, the 2-year-old terrier mix had a rough start to life. He was on the verge of being euthanized at a kill shelter before the folks at HALO Animal Rescue in Phoenix scooped him up, saving him from death.

So, now's the terrier's big break ... Mark Forbes, the animal trainer for "Lady and the Tramp," was on the hunt for a scruffy canine, and Monte must have worked his magic at HALO because the trainer saw potential ... a potential movie star!!!

Forbes adopted Monte -- after the pooch spent just 7 days at HALO -- trained him well, and Disney execs fell in love ... i.e., Monte nailed the audition.

Good on the folks at HALO, because they wanted to make sure Monte didn't become one of the has-beens that litter the streets of Hollywood. The org made Forbes promise Monte would become a family pet once filming was over.

Forbes agreed, and he now lives with the fam and even has a newborn baby and pet raccoon to keep him company.

Monte's making his film debut on the new Disney+ streaming service this November ... and HALO hopes his story will lead to more adoptions for dogs in shelters across the globe.

Desmond Howard learned a new rule in 2019 -- you can't quote Dave Chappelle as much as we used to ... especially on a Disney-owned network, at a Disney-owned park.

The former Heisman winner and NFL kick returner -- who's since become a TV analyst -- was on ESPN Saturday talkin' college football with Rece Davis and other broadcasters ... when he invoked a line from an old "Chappelle's Show" skit that caught immediate backlash.

The line -- in response to Rece asking if his alma mater, University of Michigan, could beat Ohio State -- went like this ... "Is Desmond Howard gonna have to choke a bitch?"

Funny, right? WRONG!!! At least that's what a ton of people watching had to say about it soon after. And, apparently, the ESPN honchos thought so too ... 'cause Des apologized.

He came back on the air later and flat-out said sorry if he offended anybody.

Des also tweeted about the incident, saying he didn't realize the joke was so obscure. Of course, he's referring to the line Wayne Brady dropped on a classic 'CS' episode, when he poses the same question to a prostitute during a 'Training Day'-esqe sketch.

Des later posted a clip that aired on ESPN in 2014, in which a commentator also made reference to the famous line. Problem is ... it's 2019, not 2014 -- and definitely not 2004. Also, Des works for ESPN (which Disney owns) and he said this at Disney World. Bad mix!!!

To make matters even more murky, Wayne Brady himself responded to the incident, showing support to Des and thanking him for the fandom. But, Wayne also said, "Choke who you wanna choke, have fun, and I'm a big fan of yours too." That raised eyebrows as well.

Bradley Cooper is enjoying single-dad life -- just check out that stache! -- which means his daughter is absolutely enjoying dad-taking-me-to-Disneyland life!!!

The actor was out with 2-year-old, Lea, Friday at the Happiest Place on Earth, and the toddler brought that title to life with her grin as she and Brad went from ride to ride. Looks like he recruited other grown-ups for the trip too -- a possible nanny was tagging along.

No sign of Irina Shayk here though -- must not be her weekend with the kid.

Anyway, Lea tried her hand on a merry-go-round, the Story Book Land Canal Boats, Dumbo the Flying Elephant ... and, of course, a classic shoulder mount on pops himself.

Meanwhile, Brad and some of the adults he brought with him ended up park jumping at one point -- 'cause he was in the front car of the new Incredicoaster (formerly California Screamin') at California Adventure with a woman who was joining him and Lea for the day.

Lea's too small for that ride ... she  must've been hangin' at Pixar Park or something.