Hitchhiker’s Guide and More: The Disney/ Touchstone 2005 Preview

Originally Published: December 23, 2004

Disney has its hands on what will be one of the biggest films of 2005 – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. There are millions of devoted fans of the original series scattered across the world, and for everyone else, it will be the curiosity factor. What a great story name!

I was a huge fan of the series, so I am looking forward to (and nervous about) seeing what they do with it. I understand the original series creator Douglas Adams, insisted for years that the film version get made. Unfortunately, he passed away before he could see that happen.

Disney’s other entries into the ring include The Pacifier, a Vin Diesel action vehicle, and Chicken Little. We have pages featuring some of the titles online. The other films will be featured as information is released to us. Click on the underlined films for links to trailers, synopsis and whatever else is available (Hint: I would start with Hitchhiker’s). You can find release dates for most of these pics on our RELEASE DATES page. Well, onto the show:

The Pacifier – Disgraced Navy S.E.A.L. Shane Wolf (Vin Diesel), is handed a new assignment: Protect the five Plummer kids from enemies of their recently deceased father -a government scientist whose top-secret experiment remains in the kids’ house.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) realizes that his house is about to be demolished and learns from Ford Prefect (Mos Def), his friend (an alien being), that the whole Earth is going to be destroyed in order to build an intergalactic highway bypass. Luckily, they are able to escape by hitchhiking on a passing spaceship with their handy copy of the book The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Chicken Little – Chicken Little (Zack Braff) has an overactive imagination and wreaks havoc when he runs around town shouting that the sky is falling. This results in his being sent to a camp for animals with challenges of their own.

Ice Princess – A brainy young girl (Michelle Trachtenberg) uses her knowledge of physics to realize her dream of becoming a champion figure skater. Also on hand to help is her mother (Joan Cusack) and a disgraced coach (Kim Cattrall) who at one time had a chance to make the Olympics.

Dark Water – A mother (played by Jennifer Connelly) and daughter flee to an old apartment building during a custody battle with the girl’s father, but upon their arrival they find that the place is haunted by the ghost of a child who used to live there.

Flight Plan – Jodie Foster returns home to the United States with her daughter after her husband dies. On the flight, however, the daughter vanishes.

Shop Girl – The story follows Mirabelle, a disenchanted salesgirl and aspiring artist who sells gloves and accessories at a department store. She has two men in her life: wealthy divorcee Ray Porter (Steve Martin) and struggling musician Jeremy.

Casanova – Heath Ledger stars as the titular romantic legend, who discovers what love really is when he encounters a lovely lass who isn’t swayed by his appeal.

Sky High – Set in a world where superheroes are a common phenomenon, the story follows Jeremy, the teenage son of Commander Stronghold (Kurt Russell) and Jetstream (Kelly Preston). While attending a high school for superpowered teens, Jeremy must deal with the trials and tribulations of being both a regular teenager and a possible future hero.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – Based on the classic novel by CS Lewis. Four London children are sent to a professors country home in order for protection during World War II. There they find a magic wardrobe which leads to a mystical land called Narnia, which is being ruled by an evil witch. To defeat the Witch, they must join forces with Aslan, the lion God of Narnia, and the great battle between good and evil. (There will be lots more on this one soon) Releasing Christmas 2005!

Herbie: Fully Loaded – The classic white Volkswagen with a knack for helping couples hook up finds itself in the world of NASCAR.