Marvin Montanaro

Marvin Montanaro is the Editor-in-Chief of That Park Place and a seasoned entertainment journalist with nearly two decades of experience across multiple digital media outlets and print publications. He joined That Park Place in 2024, bringing with him a passion for theme parks, pop culture, and film commentary. Based in Orlando, Florida, Marvin regularly visits Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, offering firsthand reporting and analysis from the parks. He’s also the creative force behind The M4 Empire YouTube channel, bringing a critical eye toward the world of pop culture. Montanaro’s insights are rooted in years of real-world reporting and editorial leadership. He can be reached via email at mmontanaro@thatparkplace.com SOCIAL MEDIA: X: http://x.com/marvinmontanaro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvinmontanaro Facebook: https://facebook.com/marvinmontanaro YouTube: http://YouTube.com/TheM4Empire Email: mmontanaro@thatparkplace.com
Disney’s So-Called MuppetVision 3D Preservation Is Just a PR Stunt Before Demolishing Jim Henson’s Final Work

Disney’s So-Called MuppetVision 3D Preservation Is Just a PR Stunt Before Demolishing Jim Henson’s Final Work

Disney has begun filming MuppetVision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios ahead of the attraction’s scheduled closure on June 7, 2025. Internally described as a “Filming Event – Archiving MuppetVision 3D!,” the effort is being framed as a preservation project to honor the final attraction ever overseen by Jim Henson. But based on what we’ve learned, this isn’t a tribute—it’s a farewell brush off

Dolly Parton Leads 40th Anniversary Celebration at Dollywood in Person With a Parade, Big Dreams, and a Monumental New Ride on the Way

Dolly Parton Leads 40th Anniversary Celebration at Dollywood in Person With a Parade, Big Dreams, and a Monumental New Ride on the Way

This past weekend, That Park Place had representatives on location in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to cover the 40th anniversary of Dollywood only to discover that Dolly Parton herself would be in attendance! Fans packed the streets on Friday, May 2, to catch a glimpse of the country music legend as she waved from a parade near the park’s entrance. Signs, cheers, and pure joy filled the air as visitors came not only to celebrate a milestone, but to honor the woman whose vision turned a small mountain attraction into a global destination.

Thunderbolts Falls Below Initial Opening Weekend Box Office Projections, Becomes Marvel’s Lowest Summer Kickoff Ever

Thunderbolts Falls Below Initial Opening Weekend Box Office Projections, Becomes Marvel’s Lowest Summer Kickoff Ever

The official weekend box office numbers are in, and Thunderbolts has come in lower than initially projected, opening with $74.3 million domestically—below the $76 million projected early Monday morning. Despite being billed as the kickoff to the 2025 summer movie season, the Marvel Studios release is now underperforming even by the franchise’s post-Endgame standards.

California Governor Gavin Newsom Proposes $7.5 Billion Tax Incentive for Studios to ‘Make America Film Again’ After Trump Unveils Tariff Plan on Foreign-Made Movies

California Governor Gavin Newsom Proposes $7.5 Billion Tax Incentive for Studios to ‘Make America Film Again’ After Trump Unveils Tariff Plan on Foreign-Made Movies

Just one day after President Donald Trump proposed a sweeping 100% tariff on movies produced outside the United States, California Governor Gavin Newsom extended an unexpected olive branch. On Monday, Newsom announced he would like to work with the Trump administration to establish a $7.5 billion federal tax incentive to boost domestic film production.

GTA 6 Trailer Drops With Male Lead Front and Center as Fans Question Rockstar’s Direction — Garners 1.3 Million Likes in 1 Hour

GTA 6 Trailer Drops With Male Lead Front and Center as Fans Question Rockstar’s Direction — Garners 1.3 Million Likes in 1 Hour

After months of silence, Rockstar Games dropped a brand-new GTA 6 trailer today—and it’s already stirring debate. Clocking in at 2 minutes and 46 seconds, the trailer showcases breathtaking visuals, a glimpse at the criminal underworld of modern-day Vice City, and a more detailed look at the game’s protagonists. But there’s one thing fans can’t help but notice: Lucia, the heavily marketed female lead, doesn’t show up until over a minute in.

Marvel Renames ‘Thunderbolts’ to ‘The New Avengers’ After Box Office Struggles — Was This Always The Plan?

Marvel Renames ‘Thunderbolts’ to ‘The New Avengers’ After Box Office Struggles — Was This Always The Plan?

In one of the strangest pivots in Marvel Studios history, the company has begun actively rebranding its latest film Thunderbolts as The New Avengers—after the film has already opened in theaters. While no official title change has appeared in theater listings yet, Marvel has launched a coordinated promotional campaign referring to the film by its new moniker, signaling a dramatic shift in branding strategy.

Epic Universe Faces Backlash Over Harry Potter Virtual Queue Glitch That Allowed User to Join From Home Over In-Park Guests

Epic Universe Faces Backlash Over Harry Potter Virtual Queue Glitch That Allowed User to Join From Home Over In-Park Guests

Universal Orlando’s upcoming park, Epic Universe, isn’t even officially open yet, but it’s already facing mounting pressure from theme park enthusiasts due to issues surrounding one of its most anticipated attractions. Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry has captured the imagination of early guests with its stunning visuals and next-gen ride technology. But the ride is also drawing criticism—not for its design, but for the Harry Potter virtual queue system guests are required to use.

New Avatar: The Last Airbender Movie Replaces Beloved Voice Cast Over Race According to Casting Director

New Avatar: The Last Airbender Movie Replaces Beloved Voice Cast Over Race According to Casting Director

Paramount and Avatar Studios are catching serious heat this week after confirmation emerged that the upcoming animated sequel film The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender is replacing the original beloved voice cast—not because the actors retired or passed on the roles, but over their race. This, according to the film’s casting director, is because they no longer align with the fictional animated characters’ ethnic backgrounds.

Harry Potter Author J.K. Rowling Fires Back After Snape Actor Paapa Essiedu Signs Letter Opposing UK Court Ruling on Gender Issues

Harry Potter Author J.K. Rowling Fires Back After Snape Actor Paapa Essiedu Signs Letter Opposing UK Court Ruling on Gender Issues

JK Rowling has already found herself at odds with Snape actor Paapa Essiedu ahead of the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series.

The divide surrounding HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series has deepened, as several Potter franchise actors—both past and present—signed an open letter opposing the United Kingdom’s Supreme Court decision affirming that the legal definition of “sex” refers to biological sex. Among the signatories were Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne, original film series actress Katie Leung, and most notably Paapa Essiedu, who will portray Severus Snape in the new television adaptation.

Marvel Renames ‘Thunderbolts’ to ‘The New Avengers’ After Box Office Struggles — Was This Always The Plan?

Thunderbolts Opens to $76 Million at the Domestic Box Office, Landing Squarely Among Marvel’s Flops

The summer movie season has officially begun, and Marvel Studios is once again finding itself in the uncomfortable position of managing expectations. Thunderbolts, the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, earned $76 million in its opening domestic weekend box office—enough to claim the number one spot, but not enough to escape comparisons to the studio’s most notable misfires.