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
Could Trump Tariffs Delay MuppetVision 3D Closing? No Construction Walls Up Yet for Monsters Inc. Attraction

Could Trump Tariffs Delay MuppetVision 3D Closing? No Construction Walls Up Yet for Monsters Inc. Attraction

A curious development is unfolding at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Despite Walt Disney World’s previous statement that construction walls would go up around the Muppets Courtyard before the end of March, no such progress has materialized as of early April. The project in question? A controversial new Monsters, Inc.-themed land that’s set to cause the closing of MuppetVision 3D, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, and PizzeRizzo.

Black Power Ranger Controversy Ignites Hollywood Media Spin—But the Original Actor Isn’t Having It

Black Power Ranger Controversy Ignites Hollywood Media Spin—But the Original Actor Isn’t Having It

The mainstream media has once again latched onto a retro TV moment and turned it into something it was never meant to be. This time, the target is the 90s kids action show Mighty Morphin Power Rangers—specifically the casting decisions made over 30 years ago. According to headlines making the rounds this week, the show’s head writer Tony Oliver confessed that it was a “mistake” to cast a Black actor as the Black Ranger and an Asian actress as the Yellow Ranger.

Disney’s Snow White Production Pollution Exceeds Fast & Furious as Company Continues to Lecture the World on Climate

Disney’s Snow White Production Pollution Exceeds Fast & Furious as Company Continues to Lecture the World on Climate

As if things couldn’t get worse for Disney’s struggling live-action remake of Snow White, a new report reveals that the production has left behind a massive carbon footprint—larger than some of Hollywood’s most explosive action films. Yes, according to The Guardian, the scale of the Snow White production’s pollution even outpaced the most recent Fast & Furious movie.

Original 1977 Cut of Star Wars to Be Publicly Screened for the First Time in Decades at British Film Festival

Original 1977 Cut of Star Wars to Be Publicly Screened for the First Time in Decades at British Film Festival

In a move that has set the film preservation and Star Wars communities abuzz, the British Film Institute (BFI) has announced that it will publicly screen the original 1977 cut of Star Wars — not A New Hope, not the 1997 Special Edition, but the raw, unaltered classic that lit the spark for one of the most influential sagas in cinematic history.

Nintendo Boss Acknowledges Switch 2 Price May Be Out of Reach for Some, Reaffirms Switch 1 Support

Nintendo Boss Acknowledges Switch 2 Price May Be Out of Reach for Some, Reaffirms Switch 1 Support

As discussion around the Nintendo Switch 2 price continues to dominate headlines, Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser has weighed in directly on the growing debate. In a new interview with Canada’s CBC, Bowser addressed concerns about affordability and shared more details on Nintendo’s long-term hardware strategy.

Gina Carano Responds to Court Victory in Lawsuit Against Disney—“A Small Breath of Fresh Air” as Judge Orders Disney to Turn Over Actor Pay Records

Gina Carano Responds to Court Victory in Lawsuit Against Disney—“A Small Breath of Fresh Air” as Judge Orders Disney to Turn Over Actor Pay Records

The legal battle between Gina Carano and Disney has just entered a new—and potentially game-changing—phase. Following a federal judge’s decision to grant Carano’s motion to compel, Disney has been ordered to turn over key internal compensation records tied to The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, The Book of Boba Fett, Andor, The Acolyte, and the upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu film. The ruling forces the entertainment giant to hand over verified spreadsheets and actor contract data within 20 days—a significant victory in Carano’s ongoing wrongful termination lawsuit.

Universal Studios to Open Massive UK Theme Park with Jurassic Park and Shrek Attractions

Universal Studios to Open Massive UK Theme Park with Jurassic Park and Shrek Attractions

In a game-changing move for global tourism, Universal Studios has officially announced plans to build its first-ever European resort in Bedfordshire, England. The ambitious 476-acre development, located just an hour north of London, is scheduled to open by 2031 and promises to redefine theme park experiences across the continent.

Bob Iger Warns Disney Employees of Fallout From Trump Tariffs as Company Faces New Economic Headwinds

Bob Iger Warns Disney Employees of Fallout From Trump Tariffs as Company Faces New Economic Headwinds

Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger is sounding the alarm about the potential consequences of newly implemented tariffs from President Donald Trump’s administration. During a surprise appearance at ABC News’ daily editorial meeting, Iger offered candid and unfiltered remarks about the likely fallout from what the White House is calling “Liberation Day” tariffs—a sweeping policy that imposes a 10% blanket tariff on all imports, with even steeper levies on major trading partners.