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Disney Facts That You Might Not Know And Are Surprising
Elsa was almost the villain! In the original concept for Frozen, Elsa was written as a classic villain with an icy heart and a thirst for revenge. But everything changed when the team heard "Let It Go." The song captured a sense of vulnerability and empowerment that didn't fit a traditional villain, inspiring the filmmakers to rewrite Elsa as a layered and misunderstood heroine. Cruella de Vil was inspired by a real-life Hollywood actor. Legendary Disney animator Marc Davis, who did the key animation for Cruella, based parts of her design, movements, and personality on actor Tallulah Bankhead, who was known for her dramatic flair, raspy voice, and larger-than-life presence. And, Cruella sounding like Tallulah was actually unintentional. Betty Lou Gerson, who voiced the character, told the LA Times in 1991, "Well, I didn't intentionally imitate her. I was raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and Tallulah was from Jasper, Alabama. We both had phony English accents on top of our Southern accents and a great deal of flair. So our voices came out that way." Cruella pays homage to Tallulah Bankhead being the inspiration for the character in a scene early in the film where Cruella robs the hotel room. In the scene, the movie playing on the TV in the room is Alfred Hitchcock's Lifeboat, which starred Tallulah. According to Lin-Manuel Miranda, he pitched "We Don't Talk About Bruno" as a song to "hold all the characters in the movie." Before working on Encanto, Miranda had worked on Moana, where he saw firsthand in the development process that characters are cut if they aren't important to the main character (saying Moana originally had eight brothers when he started to work on it). By having a "song as a way to check in with the family members who weren't going to get a solo," he knew they would be able to keep all the characters, which was important since the "magic of the story" was that it revolved around a large family. Walt Disney almost made a sequel to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs called Snow White Returns. It would have been a featurette instead of a full-length movie, and the plot would have revolved around the Seven Dwarfs getting the cottage ready for a visit from Snow White. Not much is known about the movie, but it did get storyboarded. It's speculated that, aside from wanting to make a follow-up because of the tremendous success and popularity of Snow White, the sequel was being made because it used two almost completed animation sequences that were cut from Snow White. In 2005, a direct-to-video, computer-animated prequel film to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was put into production. The prequel was titled The Seven Dwarfs and was led by director Mike Disa and screenwriter Evan Spiliotopoulos — who both knew the reputation of Disney animated sequel films being unoriginal and not great — and wanted to make something very different. According to Disa, he said it would be "Disney's answer to The Lord of the Rings." However, in 2006, when John Lasseter became the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, he canceled the movie, along with all other direct-to-video movies still in development. The plot of the movie was actually interesting. It followed Grumpy and Dopey on a quest into the Old Forest to the city of Dwarfenholme; along the way, they would meet the other Dwarfs and befriend a young girl named Narcissa. Also, during the journey, the Dwarfs are being hunted by an evil wizard who wants to use them to get the Olden Dwarf's ancient magical power. But Narcissa is actually the wizard's daughter and works with him to trick the Dwarfs. The film would have ended with Narcissa double-crossing her father by stealing the Olden Dwarf's magic and placing him in the mirror before turning on the Dwarfs. Lyricist Tim Rice first suggested ABBA to Disney for The Lion King. He had previously collaborated with the band's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus on the musical Chess. Unfortunately (depending on how you look at it), Andersson and Ulvaeus were developing the Swedish musical Kristina från Duvemåla at the time, opening the door for Elton John to step in and ultimately compose the iconic soundtrack. Elton John and Tim Rice wrote a song called "To Be King" for The Lion King. It was originally intended for Mufasa and Zazu to sing to teach Simba about leadership. Reportedly, it was cut during production because its upbeat style didn't suit Mufasa's character, and James Earl Jones's deep voice wasn't a good fit for the song. Originally, Lilo & Stitch featured a climactic scene where Stitch, Jumba, Pleakley, and Nani hijacked a commercial 747 and flew it through Honolulu, narrowly missing buildings. After 9/11, Disney (understandably) reanimated the sequence, replacing the plane with Jumba's spaceship and moving the scene to mountains and canyons. The Black Cauldron is Disney's most infamous production and a low point that nearly killed the animation department. However, the film — which was in development since 1973 — was doomed nearly from the start. In 1979, legendary animator Don Bluth, whose team had been working on The Black Cauldron, left Disney, taking 14 key animators with him to start his own animation production company. This left Disney's already small animation department short-staffed and impacted the film's production, causing issues with the story's direction and animation quality, ultimately resulting in a disjointed film. Though it was originally scheduled to be released in 1980, Disney was forced to delay it by several years (at first saying it would be released in Christmas 1984, before ultimately releasing it in the Summer of 1985) as they reworked the story and trained new animators. When it came out in 1985, The Black Cauldron was the first Disney film to use the now classic Walt Disney Pictures logo with the castle, blue background, and falling star. Michael Eisenberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg turned down The Little Mermaid when it was first pitched. At the time, they were making a sequel to Splash (another Disney production) and were concerned about making two mermaid movies. The two changed their minds when they read the two-page treatment for it and realized they had the makings of a classic Disney fairy tale. And if you're wondering, the sequel to Splash — Splash, Too — was a pretty forgettable made-for-TV movie that didn't even star Tom Hanks or Daryl Hannah. Howard Ashman, who, along with Alan Menken, is credited with saving Disney Animation and starting the Disney Renaissance, first worked with Disney on lyrics for a song in Oliver & Company. While working on the song, Ashman was offered several Disney projects to create music for. Of all the projects, he chose The Little Mermaid. He then brought on board his longtime collaborator, Menken, to help him with the music, and the rest is cinematic history. In 1988, during the production of The Little Mermaid, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken wrote a treatment for Aladdin. Disney turned it down, and the two would go on to work on Beauty and the Beast. However, after the success of The Little Mermaid, Disney decided to revive the idea of an Aladdin animated movie. There were many story changes from the original treatment that Ashman and Menken wrote, but three songs ("Friend Like Me," "Prince Ali," and "Arabian Nights") that were written for it did make it into the movie. Beauty and the Beast was originally meant to be a much darker film. Before the version we know and love, Disney envisioned Beauty and the Beast as a somber, non-musical adaptation set in 18th-century France. Inspired by French Gothic films and classic literature, the early drafts leaned heavily into drama and realism, with a more brooding tone and less emphasis on enchantment After watching a 20-minute reel of sketches set with temporary vocals that outlined the story, then-chairman of Walt Disney Studios, Jeffrey Katzenberg, decided to kill that version and start over. The song "Human Again" was cut from the original 1991 version of Beauty and the Beast. The song was replaced during production by "Something There," which better fit the pacing and emotional arc of the story. When the film was adapted into a Broadway musical, "Human Again" was revived for it. The song was also added to the 2002 special edition of Beauty and the Beast. According to Alan Menken, he loved the song, but it was too long. In 2017, he told the Hollywood Reporter, "I love that song, but it was a nine-minute number and problematic because of the logic of the story. So instead, we used 'Something There,' since both deal with Belle and the Beast falling in love and everyone anticipating becoming human again." If you watched the brilliant Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers movie, then you know the villain of it was a grown-up Peter Pan. However, according to the film's director, Akiva Schaffer, they also had a version that they "played with" where the villain was a grown-up Charlie Brown. According to Akiva, while they toyed with the idea, they never attempted to get the rights. And lastly, Ugly Sonic's appearance in the Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers movie was arguably the best cameo. However, Ugly Sonic was not supposed to be in the movie; originally, the character at the expo that Dale talks with was supposed to be Jar Jar Binks.
The Irish Sun
26-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Killer clown slaughtered my mum while I ate breakfast… how beast was snared decades later by sick token left on doorstep
WHEN Marlene Warren's doorbell rang one Saturday morning in May 1990, it sounded the beginnings of a blood-soaked nightmare that would haunt her family forever. Outside stood a most bizarre sight: a clown, dressed in a colourful jumpsuit, with an orange wig and big, black shoes. But this was to be no celebration. Advertisement 17 Joe Ahrens was 21 years old when his mother, Marlene Warren, was murdered in 1990 Credit: CBS/ 48 HOURS 17 Marlene and husband Michael had been together for 20 years Credit: facebook 17 After shooting Marlene in the mouth, the sick killer left two balloons and a basket of flowers on the doorstep Credit: getty 17 Paramedics rushed Marlene to an ambulance after she was shot Credit: getty It was holding two balloons - one with a picture of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on it, another that read You're the Greatest - along with a basket of red and white flowers. Advertisement 'Oh, how pretty,' Marlene said as she opened the door. Seconds later, there was a loud bang. Marlene's son Joe Ahrens says: 'It echoed through the house. It seemed like slow motion. It happened so fast. It was wild. It was like another world.' Marlene, 40, had been shot through the mouth at their home in Wellington Aero Club, Florida - an affluent Just moments before she'd been whipping up a breakfast of eggs and toast for Joe, who was 21 at the time, and three pals. Advertisement Joe says: 'Blood was coming out of her mouth, and she was gurgling. It was terrible - the worst day of my life.' As if that wasn't sickening enough, the clown left the gifts before casually driving off in a white Chrysler LeBaron car parked outside. Joe says: 'After the clown shot my mother they put the flowers down. 'The clown had thick white paint - you couldn't see its skin. I tried. It had a jumpsuit on, a colourful orange wig and black boot shoes… When they got to the car, they looked around. I saw some big brown eyes.' The Killer Clown: Murder On The Doorstep, Sundance Speaking about his ordeal in a new Sky documentary series called Murder On The Doorstep: The Killer Clown , he adds: 'All I could think of was to chase that vehicle. I jumped into the car, just driving like a maniac.' Advertisement It was too late. The clown was gone. Marlene was rushed to Palms West Within days, her family made the devastating decision to turn off her life support machine. Joe says: 'It was hell. I kind of knew myself after the third day that we were going to lose my mother, and it was horrible. She was the best person ever. When I lost her, I lost a big part of me.' Police, now investigating this most bizarre of Advertisement 17 Marlene had a turbulent relationship with her then husband, Michael Warren Credit: CBS/ 48 HOURS 17 Joe tells his devastating story in a new documentary series Credit: CBS/ 48 HOURS 17 The family lived in an affluent area, best known for having its own landing strip Credit: Flicker Productions Ltd © Michael, who was 38, had a solid alibi: he'd been travelling with friends to a horse race in Miami when Marlene had been shot. He appeared to be grief-stricken. Advertisement In taped 'We always got along well. You always have your ups and downs but you know, we've been together 20 years.' But it soon became clear to investigators that Marlene was in a turbulent relationship and actually feared her husband. According to Joe, Marlene intended to leave Michael just days before her death. She'd threatened to leave him, and he'd threatened to kill her Debra Hoisington In June 1990, Marlene's sister, Debra Hoisington, claimed: 'About a year ago, she called me and she said that he beat her up and she'd threatened to leave him, and he'd threatened to kill her.' Advertisement Marlene's step-sister Jamie Twing also told police: 'She just kept telling me, if anything happens to me, get Joey out of the house.' With Marlene out of the picture, Michael now stood to inherit a small fortune from their lucrative family business. He and Marlene had jointly owned a cut-price, car rental business called Bargain Motors which often leased cars to shady characters, according to employees. With the profits, the couple had bought several properties worth over $1million - a huge sum for the time. Michael even owned a plane and a racehorse. Police also spoke to attorney Christopher DeSantis who'd represented the family in an unrelated case. Advertisement In a chilling twist, the attorney told how, in April 1989, he'd had a strange conversation with Michael after he'd asked: 'Can a husband inherit from his wife if he murdered her?' DeSantis told him no, unless, he joked, the killer couldn't be identified because he was dressed like a clown. DeSantis now believes that his flippant comment in some way led to Marlene's death. Killer clown revealed 17 While married to Marlene, Michael had an affair with work colleague Sheila Keen (pictured) Credit: Broward County Sheriff's Office 17 Sheila was known for dressing up as clowns Credit: 15th Judicial Circuit Court Advertisement 17 17 The white LeBaron car was found eight miles from Marlene's home Credit: getty Police were also tipped off that Mike had been having an affair with an employee called Sheila Keen. She denied the relationship. But investigators discovered that just two days before the murder, on May 24, 1990, a woman matching her description bought a clown costume from a store called Spotlight Capezio. The owner later identified Sheila as the buyer. Then the LeBaron car was found dumped at a Advertisement Hair and fibres inside matched those found on clown outfits - and were traced back to Bargain Motors. Yet for all the circumstantial evidence linking Sheila to the crime, there was no concrete forensic evidence to prove her guilt. The case stalled and the mystery surrounding Marlene's murder remained. The clown outfit or weapon were never found. Michael Warren was arrested in October 1990 - but for 66 Advertisement Michael Warren took everything. Mike ruined my life Joe Ahrens He was later sentenced to nine years in prison but served less than three. After his 1997 release, Joe spoke to his step-dad for the last time. Joe says: 'When Mike got out of prison, it was a short phone call, but he called me just to say, 'have a good life',' he says. 'It was just sickening to me. I tried to trace it to find out where he was at, but I never did.' After Marlene's death, Michael had promised to share the inheritance money with Joe. Yet Joe never saw a penny of it. Joe says: 'Michael Warren took everything. Mike ruined my life. I had abandonment issues, alcohol issues… Advertisement "Mike's arrest made me feel glad that we did get something, but to not get total justice for my mother - this is not justice to me. "It really eats me up inside, but I didn't let it kill me.' For years, the case was forgotten 17 Joe tried to move on with life, moving over 1,300 miles away to Iowa Credit: Flicker Productions Ltd © 17 In 2014, Marlene's murder case was reopened thanks to funding and advancements in forensic science Credit: AP 17 Lab technicians revisited the old evidence, including the balloons the clown left Credit: Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Advertisement Joe tried to move on with his life, moving over 1,300 miles away to Iowa. It wasn't until 2014, 24 years after Marlene's murder, that, remarkably, the case was reopened thanks to a cold case funding grant and advancements in forensic science. This time, a lab technician was able to go back over the original evidence from the case - including the balloons the clown had left - and was able to match fibres recovered from the crime scene to Sheila. For prosecutors, it was the missing link that finally tied everything together. It didn't take too much digging for detectives to stumble across more surprising news, either. Advertisement They discovered that Michael and Sheila had married in Las Vegas in 2002 - 12 years after Marlene's death. Sheila had changed her name to 'Debbie', and the pair had moved to Abingdon, Virginia. They were running a diner called The Purple Cow , just over the state line in Kingsport, Tennessee. One former worker even told police that 'Debbie' had once dressed up as a spooky clown for Halloween From death penalty to plea deal 17 In 2017, Sheila Keen-Warren was arrested Credit: Washington County Sheriff's Dept Advertisement 17 Sheila was extradited to Florida, where she potentially faced the death penalty Credit: getty In September 2017, 27-and-a-half years after Marlene's murder, Sheila was arrested for first-degree murder. After she was extradited to Florida, where she potentially faced the death penalty, she pleaded not guilty. 'I didn't do it, so that's it,' she said in police interviews, while refusing to answer any questions. In recorded jailhouse calls between Michael and Sheila, which air in the documentary, Sheila also tells an emotional Michael after her arrest:. 'I'm alright. I'm fine. Quit crying.' Advertisement While Michael, who has always protested his innocence, replies: 'You didn't do nothing. Don't worry about nothing.' Joe moved from Iowa back to Florida expecting a quick trial. Instead, the case began to fall apart. The one person that did not pay for this crime is Michael Warren. He didn't do one day of jail Joe Ahrens Sheila's defence team argued that over the decades, the evidence bags had been opened and examined so many times that the forensic material inside them could no longer be considered reliable. Fearing the whole trial could collapse, prosecutors offered Sheila a plea bargain which, after years in prison awaiting trial, she accepted. In April 2023, she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Advertisement She was sentenced to 12 years - but under 1990 Florida law, and with nearly seven years already served since her arrest in 2017, she was freed just 18 months later, in May 2023. Sheila, 61, moved back in with Michael. For Joe, the thought of Sheila getting out was 'overwhelming' but he admits: 'There was a bit of justice for my mother because we did get the killer.' He has felt the most anger towards his step-dad, who he still believes had his part to play in the murder, despite no charges ever being brought and Michael's denials. 17 Marlene was 40 years old when she was brutally murdered on her doorstep Advertisement Joe says: 'The one person that did not pay for this crime is Michael Warren. He didn't do one day of jail. 'But really I have to let go. I have to let it go.' Instead, Joe, now a dad himself, carries his mother's spirit with him everyday. He says: 'I know she would be very proud of me today, because I'm proud of myself. 'You know, if I'm in a situation, I always think, 'what would mum do?'. Advertisement 'My son is at the age that I was at when I lost my mum. I want my son to grow up knowing his grandmother still lives within me, and I want him to see that through me.' Murder On The Doorstep: The Killer Clown is available now on Now TV
Scottish Sun
26-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Killer clown slaughtered my mum while I ate breakfast… how beast was snared decades later by sick token left on doorstep
Grieving Joe Ahrens tells of his 24-year fight for justice after a lawyer's innocuous joke sent a monstrous killer on the path to murder FACE OF EVIL Killer clown slaughtered my mum while I ate breakfast… how beast was snared decades later by sick token left on doorstep WHEN Marlene Warren's doorbell rang one Saturday morning in May 1990, it sounded the beginnings of a blood-soaked nightmare that would haunt her family forever. Outside stood a most bizarre sight: a clown, dressed in a colourful jumpsuit, with an orange wig and big, black shoes. But this was to be no celebration. 17 Joe Ahrens was 21 years old when his mother, Marlene Warren, was murdered in 1990 Credit: CBS/ 48 HOURS 17 Marlene and husband Michael had been together for 20 years Credit: facebook 17 After shooting Marlene in the mouth, the sick killer left two balloons and a basket of flowers on the doorstep Credit: getty 17 Paramedics rushed Marlene to an ambulance after she was shot Credit: getty It was holding two balloons - one with a picture of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on it, another that read You're the Greatest - along with a basket of red and white flowers. 'Oh, how pretty,' Marlene said as she opened the door. Seconds later, there was a loud bang. Marlene's son Joe Ahrens says: 'It echoed through the house. It seemed like slow motion. It happened so fast. It was wild. It was like another world.' Marlene, 40, had been shot through the mouth at their home in Wellington Aero Club, Florida - an affluent flying community best known for having its own landing strip. Just moments before she'd been whipping up a breakfast of eggs and toast for Joe, who was 21 at the time, and three pals. Joe says: 'Blood was coming out of her mouth, and she was gurgling. It was terrible - the worst day of my life.' As if that wasn't sickening enough, the clown left the gifts before casually driving off in a white Chrysler LeBaron car parked outside. Joe says: 'After the clown shot my mother they put the flowers down. 'The clown had thick white paint - you couldn't see its skin. I tried. It had a jumpsuit on, a colourful orange wig and black boot shoes… When they got to the car, they looked around. I saw some big brown eyes.' The Killer Clown: Murder On The Doorstep, Sundance Speaking about his ordeal in a new Sky documentary series called Murder On The Doorstep: The Killer Clown, he adds: 'All I could think of was to chase that vehicle. I jumped into the car, just driving like a maniac.' It was too late. The clown was gone. Marlene was rushed to Palms West Hospital in Loxahatchee, Florida. Within days, her family made the devastating decision to turn off her life support machine. Joe says: 'It was hell. I kind of knew myself after the third day that we were going to lose my mother, and it was horrible. She was the best person ever. When I lost her, I lost a big part of me.' Police, now investigating this most bizarre of murder enquiries, quickly turned their attention to Marlene's husband and Joe's step-dad, Michael Warren. 17 Marlene had a turbulent relationship with her then husband, Michael Warren Credit: CBS/ 48 HOURS 17 Joe tells his devastating story in a new documentary series Credit: CBS/ 48 HOURS 17 The family lived in an affluent area, best known for having its own landing strip Credit: Flicker Productions Ltd © Michael, who was 38, had a solid alibi: he'd been travelling with friends to a horse race in Miami when Marlene had been shot. He appeared to be grief-stricken. In taped police interviews, featured in the upcoming three-part series, he told detectives: 'I've never loved anybody as much as I loved my wife. 'We always got along well. You always have your ups and downs but you know, we've been together 20 years.' But it soon became clear to investigators that Marlene was in a turbulent relationship and actually feared her husband. According to Joe, Marlene intended to leave Michael just days before her death. She'd threatened to leave him, and he'd threatened to kill her Debra Hoisington In June 1990, Marlene's sister, Debra Hoisington, claimed: 'About a year ago, she called me and she said that he beat her up and she'd threatened to leave him, and he'd threatened to kill her.' Marlene's step-sister Jamie Twing also told police: 'She just kept telling me, if anything happens to me, get Joey out of the house.' With Marlene out of the picture, Michael now stood to inherit a small fortune from their lucrative family business. He and Marlene had jointly owned a cut-price, car rental business called Bargain Motors which often leased cars to shady characters, according to employees. With the profits, the couple had bought several properties worth over $1million - a huge sum for the time. Michael even owned a plane and a racehorse. Police also spoke to attorney Christopher DeSantis who'd represented the family in an unrelated case. In a chilling twist, the attorney told how, in April 1989, he'd had a strange conversation with Michael after he'd asked: 'Can a husband inherit from his wife if he murdered her?' DeSantis told him no, unless, he joked, the killer couldn't be identified because he was dressed like a clown. DeSantis now believes that his flippant comment in some way led to Marlene's death. Killer clown revealed 17 While married to Marlene, Michael had an affair with work colleague Sheila Keen (pictured) Credit: Broward County Sheriff's Office 17 Sheila was known for dressing up as clowns Credit: 15th Judicial Circuit Court 17 17 The white LeBaron car was found eight miles from Marlene's home Credit: getty Police were also tipped off that Mike had been having an affair with an employee called Sheila Keen. She denied the relationship. But investigators discovered that just two days before the murder, on May 24, 1990, a woman matching her description bought a clown costume from a store called Spotlight Capezio. The owner later identified Sheila as the buyer. Then the LeBaron car was found dumped at a shopping mall eight miles from Marlene's house. Hair and fibres inside matched those found on clown outfits - and were traced back to Bargain Motors. Yet for all the circumstantial evidence linking Sheila to the crime, there was no concrete forensic evidence to prove her guilt. The case stalled and the mystery surrounding Marlene's murder remained. The clown outfit or weapon were never found. Michael Warren was arrested in October 1990 - but for 66 auto fraud charges linked to his business, not murder. Michael Warren took everything. Mike ruined my life Joe Ahrens He was later sentenced to nine years in prison but served less than three. After his 1997 release, Joe spoke to his step-dad for the last time. Joe says: 'When Mike got out of prison, it was a short phone call, but he called me just to say, 'have a good life',' he says. 'It was just sickening to me. I tried to trace it to find out where he was at, but I never did.' After Marlene's death, Michael had promised to share the inheritance money with Joe. Yet Joe never saw a penny of it. Joe says: 'Michael Warren took everything. Mike ruined my life. I had abandonment issues, alcohol issues… "Mike's arrest made me feel glad that we did get something, but to not get total justice for my mother - this is not justice to me. "It really eats me up inside, but I didn't let it kill me.' For years, the case was forgotten 17 Joe tried to move on with life, moving over 1,300 miles away to Iowa Credit: Flicker Productions Ltd © 17 In 2014, Marlene's murder case was reopened thanks to funding and advancements in forensic science Credit: AP 17 Lab technicians revisited the old evidence, including the balloons the clown left Credit: Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Joe tried to move on with his life, moving over 1,300 miles away to Iowa. It wasn't until 2014, 24 years after Marlene's murder, that, remarkably, the case was reopened thanks to a cold case funding grant and advancements in forensic science. This time, a lab technician was able to go back over the original evidence from the case - including the balloons the clown had left - and was able to match fibres recovered from the crime scene to Sheila. For prosecutors, it was the missing link that finally tied everything together. It didn't take too much digging for detectives to stumble across more surprising news, either. They discovered that Michael and Sheila had married in Las Vegas in 2002 - 12 years after Marlene's death. Sheila had changed her name to 'Debbie', and the pair had moved to Abingdon, Virginia. They were running a diner called The Purple Cow, just over the state line in Kingsport, Tennessee. One former worker even told police that 'Debbie' had once dressed up as a spooky clown for Halloween From death penalty to plea deal 17 In 2017, Sheila Keen-Warren was arrested Credit: Washington County Sheriff's Dept 17 Sheila was extradited to Florida, where she potentially faced the death penalty Credit: getty In September 2017, 27-and-a-half years after Marlene's murder, Sheila was arrested for first-degree murder. After she was extradited to Florida, where she potentially faced the death penalty, she pleaded not guilty. 'I didn't do it, so that's it,' she said in police interviews, while refusing to answer any questions. In recorded jailhouse calls between Michael and Sheila, which air in the documentary, Sheila also tells an emotional Michael after her arrest:. 'I'm alright. I'm fine. Quit crying.' While Michael, who has always protested his innocence, replies: 'You didn't do nothing. Don't worry about nothing.' Joe moved from Iowa back to Florida expecting a quick trial. Instead, the case began to fall apart. The one person that did not pay for this crime is Michael Warren. He didn't do one day of jail Joe Ahrens Sheila's defence team argued that over the decades, the evidence bags had been opened and examined so many times that the forensic material inside them could no longer be considered reliable. Fearing the whole trial could collapse, prosecutors offered Sheila a plea bargain which, after years in prison awaiting trial, she accepted. In April 2023, she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. She was sentenced to 12 years - but under 1990 Florida law, and with nearly seven years already served since her arrest in 2017, she was freed just 18 months later, in May 2023. Sheila, 61, moved back in with Michael. For Joe, the thought of Sheila getting out was 'overwhelming' but he admits: 'There was a bit of justice for my mother because we did get the killer.' He has felt the most anger towards his step-dad, who he still believes had his part to play in the murder, despite no charges ever being brought and Michael's denials. 17 Marlene was 40 years old when she was brutally murdered on her doorstep Joe says: 'The one person that did not pay for this crime is Michael Warren. He didn't do one day of jail. 'But really I have to let go. I have to let it go.' Instead, Joe, now a dad himself, carries his mother's spirit with him everyday. He says: 'I know she would be very proud of me today, because I'm proud of myself. 'You know, if I'm in a situation, I always think, 'what would mum do?'. 'My son is at the age that I was at when I lost my mum. I want my son to grow up knowing his grandmother still lives within me, and I want him to see that through me.' Murder On The Doorstep: The Killer Clown is available now on Now TV
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Rachel Zegler reveals candid deails about how she reacted following her film Snow White's commercial failure
Rachel Zegler has revealed details about how she 'wasn't functioning' after the live action remake of Snow White bombed at the box office. The actress, 24, addressed the backlash that she received and admitted that the conversation around the film made her extremely anxious. The $270million remake of the 1937 classic was beset by multiple controversies including dumping the traditional 'sexist' romance plot to reimagining the Seven Dwarfs as a diverse group of 'magical creatures' of all heights, gender and race. The 2025 adaptation was a box office disappointment, with worldwide gross falling short of expectations and estimated losses reaching into the hundreds of millions. Rachel took the brunt of the blame for the film underperforming its massive budget - grossing just $69million domestically - and becoming slated on film review sites. Speaking about the effect the film's shortcomings had on her, Rachel told i-D magazine: 'My f***ing psychiatrist has seen me through all of it,' she says. The $270million remake of the 1937 classic was beset by multiple controversies including dumping the traditional 'sexist' romance plot to reimagining the Seven Dwarfs as a diverse group of 'magical creatures' of all heights, gender and race She said she needed someone to remind her that, "What you're going through isn't normal", that sentence did such wonders for me in multiple situations in my life.' Rachel also told how she got medicated for her anxiety too, 'which was truly a game changer, because I just wasn't functioning. 'And I wanted to function in a way that made me feel confident in the way I was moving through the world.' Rachel also spoke about those with a 'victim mindset' and her experiences with perceived negativity, saying:'I think a victim mindset is a choice, and I don't choose it. 'I also don't choose nastiness in the face of it. I don't choose negativity in the face of it. I choose positivity and light and happiness. 'And I do believe at times, happiness is absolutely a choice, and every day I wake up and I think I'm very lucky to live the life I live.' The lead actress came under fire almost immediately after her casting due to her Colombian and Polish mixed heritage. Many fans were upset since the original Brothers Grimm fairy tale describes the character as having, 'skin as white as snow.' Rachel previously said that the origin story has changed, and in Disney's new version the princess earns the name due to a snowstorm she survived as a child. The lead then came under fire for criticising the 1937 animation, calling it 'dated' during a red carpet interview with Extra TV in 2022. 'There's a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird. So we didn't do that this time,' she said. 'We have a different approach to what I'm sure a lot of people will assume is a love story just because we cast a guy in the movie.' Rachel eventually walked back her comments and assured fans that the love story would be 'integral' to the remake's plot. Disney fans then expressed discontent at Rachel when she said she was 'scared' of the original version as a child and only watched it one time. Rachel wasn't the only point of criticism during the making of the film, as the remake's Evil Queen Gal Gadot became a subject of backlash for her stance on the Gaza war. Gal, an Israeli native who also served in the Israel Defense Force, has been vocal about her support for the country. Meanwhile, Rachel on the other hand, expressed her support for freeing Palestine from Israel's occupation. Disney's attempts to make the remake friendlier to 'woke' audiences have fallen flat at times, with actor Peter Dinklage calling out the company's hypocrisy in 2022. 'It makes no sense to me,' he told Mark Maron on the WTF podcast. 'You're progressive in one way and you're still making that f***ing backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f*** are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I'm not loud enough.' The film also suffered yet another rather humiliating blow, with its dreadful 1.5 rating on IMDB currently one of the worst of all time. A review by Daily Mail's Brian Viner gave the film a pitiful two stars, calling it 'a painfully muddle-headed affair.' 'Disney's contorted attempts not to offend anyone have somehow managed to offend everyone,' Viner wrote.
Forbes
04-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Rachel Zegler's ‘Snow White' Gets Disney+ Streaming Date
"Snow White" partial poster featuring Rachel Zegler. Snow White — Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot's beleaguered live-action adaptation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs — is coming soon to Disney+. Directed by Marc Webb, Snow White opened in theaters on March 21 and debuted on digital streaming on May 13. The official synopsis for the movie reads, 'Disney's Snow White is a vibrant live-action musical reimagining of Walt Disney's groundbreaking full-length animated classic. 'Experience the timeless adventure as Snow White (Zegler) journeys into magical woods to escape her stepmother, the Evil Queen (Gadot), and meets the beloved Bashful, Sleepy, Sneezy, Happy, Dopey, Grumpy and Doc who join her quest to restore the kingdom and bring kindness to the land.' Walt Disney Home Entertainment announced on Wednesday that Snow White will premiere on streaming video on demand on Disney+ on Wednesday, June 11. You must be a Disney+ subscriber to watch Snow White on the platform. The platform offers an ad-based Disney+ Basic plan for $9.99 per month, as well as an ad-free Disney+ Premium plan for $15.99 per month or $159.99 per year. Disney+ is also available in bundling packages with fellow streaming services Hulu and Max. Snow White had a rough run in theaters following a slew of pre-release controversies, including Rachel Zegler's criticism of the 1937 animated classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and politically divisive social media posts, and Disney's handling of how the seven dwarfs should be represented on screen. Disney ultimately settled on CGI dwarfs to represent the diminutive characters. Snow White, which is still in theaters, has to date earned $87.2 million in North American theaters and $118.3 million internationally for a worldwide box office tally of $205.5 million worldwide against a $269.4 million production budget before prints and advertising, according to The Numbers. The film earned a 40% 'rotten' rating from Rotten Tomatoes critics based on 258 reviews. The Critics Consensus on the review aggregation site reads, 'Snow White is hardly a grumpy time at the movies thanks to Rachel Zegler's luminous star turn, but its bashful treatment of the source material along with some dopey stylistic choices won't make everyone happy, either.' Snow White, however, did receive a 71% 'fresh' score on RT's Popcornmeter based on 2,500-plus verified user ratings. Snow White will arrive on Disney+ on June 11.
