Disney Channel Orders 'Girl Meets World' to Series

[Via thewrap.com...]

The "Boy Meets World" spinoff will debut in 2014

Thirteen years after ABC's coming of age comedy, "Boy Meets World," signed off in 2000, it's getting a spinoff.

Disney Channel announced on Monday that it has officially ordered the "Girl Meets World" pilot to series. The youth cable network has yet to determine the amount of episodes for the order, though production on the comedy begins this summer for a 2014 debut.

"'Boy Meets World' and its story of adolescent self discovery resonated with an entire generation of tweens," Disney Channel Worldwide's original programming executive vice president, Adam Bonnett, said in a statement.

"In the same way audiences fell in love with Cory Matthews and Topanga Lawrence, we look forward to introducing our viewers to their daughter Riley Matthews in 'Girl Meets World' and building a memorable connection with a whole new generation of fans."

Eleven-year-old "Spy Kids: All the Time in the World 4D" star Rowan Blanchard will play the titular "girl" with Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel reprising their roles as childhood sweethearts Cory and Topanga, relatively.

On the spinoff set in New York City, Cory and Topanga Matthews' daughter, Riley (Blanchard), takes on seventh grade with best friend, Maya ("Sofia the First" star Sabrina Carpenter). Cory is a history teacher at the school while Topanga owns a diner, a popular after school hangout.

"I am grateful to everyone at Disney Channel for the opportunity to reach my favorite audience, which has always been kids," Michael Jacobs, who created "Boy Meets World" and its spinoff, said.

"'Girl Meets World' is a new show for a new generation that will be rooted in the same kind of honest, comedic storytelling about coming of age and the importance of family and friendship that made 'Boy Meets World' so popular."

"Boy Meets World" writer/producer April Kelly co-created the spinoff with Jacobs, who will executive produce the It's a Laugh Productions Inc. multi-camera series.

On the pilot, Teo Halm plays Riley's older brother Elliott; Peyton Meyer plays a romantic interest for Riley; Corey Fogelmanis is a smart fellow student; and William Daniels reprises his role of Mr. Feeney, school principal and later a college professor on the original series. Disney Channel didn't confirm if the actors would move on with the series.

Jacobs has said there's a good chance that Rider Strong will reprise his role as Cory's best friend, Shawn Hunter, the only character to appear on every episode of "Boy Meets World" aside from Cory and Topanga.

Girl Meets World Begins Filming March 20 - March 22

Girl Meets World began filming for the very first time from March 20 till March 22. Ben Savage, who reprises his role as Cory Matthews in the upcoming Disney Channel series, which is a sequel to Disney's popular sitcom Boy Meets World, tweeted on his official twitter page (@BenSavage) the day before filming (March 21) a behind the scenes photo of the Girl Meets World set with the caption:

Almost showtime http://instagr.am/p/XEHs1Am1v3/

Additionally throughout the filming days Ben Savage tweeted: 

On the set http://instagram.com/p/XJFVDmm1mz/

And:

My first class http://instagram.com/p/XK45mam1t-/

                                     

The newly cast Cast Members for Girl Meets World also contributed to sharing the news, with Rowan Blanchard, who plays Riley Matthews, the daughter of Cory and Topanga tweeting on her official twitter page (@rowblanchard):

#girlmeetsworld http://instagr.am/p/XICjDdpdfY/

                                     

And: 

Last day of filming :(

Also:

That's a wrap! 😭 bensavage http://instagram.com/p/XLi6rUpdV5/

Teo Halm, who plays Cory and Topanga’s son, Elliott tweeted on his official twitter page (TeoHalm): 

THAT'S A WRAP! Had so much filming #gmw with @SabrinaAnnLynn @rowblanchard @BenSavage @peytonmeyer9 @coreyfogelmanis and @daniellefishel. 😄

And:

The fam. @rowblanchard @daniellefishel @sabrinaannlynn bensavage http://instagram.com/p/XLkTaMPmHc/

                                      

OK!'s Google+ Hangout Rewind: Danielle Fishel Introduces the Girls of 'Girl Meets World.'

[Via okmagazine.com...]



TGIF!

Why? Because today was the OK! Google+ Hangout with Danielle Fishel! Did you find time to fit this gem in your schedule? It was the event we've all been waiting for—and we are tickled to announce that it was a major Google+ Hangout moment.

Prepare to be amazed by the cutest (and we literally the CUTEST) Mother/Daughter moment you have ever witnessed. We were all hanging out with the bubbly and bright Danielle Fishel when, all of a sudden, two little celebs popped their heads in the dressing-room door.

Rowan Blanchard and Sabrina Carpenter—the girls that play Riley Matthews and Maya Fox in Girl Meets World—made a surprise cameo in the OK! chat. But they didn't just say hello with a little wave.

After a hairstyle break, the two slipped on their acting shoes and put on a performance. Do you recognize the title "Donut In the Sky"?

If you remember Topanga dancing around Cory's kitchen with lipstick on her face, this clip will bring you to happy tears. So who is watching their Boy Meets World DVDs later?

Ah, the wonders of childhood.

Girl Meets World Q&A: Rowan Blanchard Talks Meeting Danielle Fishel & Ben Savage; Reveals Her Hollywood Crushes

[Via accesshollywood.com...]

“Girl Meets World” pilot star Rowan Blanchard has landed the role of Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga’s (Danielle Fishel) daughter, Riley Matthews, in the Disney Channel pilot spin-off of “Boy Meets World” – and she’s still reeling with excitement over her job – especially since meeting her onscreen parents.

AccessHollywood.com caught up with the 11-year-old, where she dished on some of her Hollywood favorites (crushes too!), how she plans on decorating her trailer and what advice she’s received since landing her plum role.

AccessHollywood.com: Have you met Danielle Fishel or Ben Savage yet? What did you talk about?

Rowan Blanchard: At the most recent audition, Danielle and Ben were there and I got to read a scene with them! I was so excited because, I mean, they ARE Corey and Topanga! We talked about “BMW” and school and “GMW.” It was really cool to meet them.

Access: What was the audition process like for this role?

Rowan: I auditioned literally 10 times! At the first audition, [the producers] told me I was perfect, only that I was too young. I went into the car and cried! Haha! Luckily, I was called back the next week.

Access: Have you seen any of the old episodes of “Boy Meets World”?

Rowan: Actually, a few weeks before I got the call for “Girl Meets World,” my sister and I started watching “Boy Meets World” in the mornings. It wasn’t until I read my sides that I realized they were even connected.

Access: Who is your favorite actor/actress? Who would you love to work with one day?

Rowan: I absolutely love Audrey Hepburn. She’s just so classy and talented. I also love Anne Hathaway and Natalie Portman. I have a lot of respect for them because they both went to college and are very serious about their craft. My favorite actors are Tom Hanks and Humphrey Bogart – I know, Humphrey Bogart. Haha.

Access: What was the reaction from friends and classmates when you got cast?

Rowan: All of my friends were really excited and couldn’t contain their excitement. I tried not to talk about it in school because I don’t want to be treated differently. My best friend Raegan came over that night and brought me an Audrey Hepburn picture that is dated the day [my casting] was announced.

Access: Describe to us how you will decorate your trailer or dressing room.

Rowan: I will probably put up too many Audrey Hepburn posters! I will probably put up some Billy Joel and Judy Garland posters as well. How those two got together – I don’t know!

Access: Once you’re old enough, who would you cast as your on-screen boyfriend?

Rowan: Daniel Radcliffe, not only because he’s cute, but because I respect him as an actor.

Access: Who is your young star crush?

Rowan: Dakota Goyo from “Real Steel” and Colin Ford from “We Bought a Zoo.”

Access: Any Disney Channel idols that you look up to? Miley, Selena, Demi?

Rowan: I think Selena Gomez is very smart at acting and has made good choices in her life. I am literally counting down the days until “The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex.”

Access: What is the best piece of advice you’ve gotten on handling fame?

Rowan: Staying grounded and appreciating EVERYONE on the set, from the grips, to wardrobe. Also stay with your education and keep it a priority in my life.

If the “Girl Meets World” pilot is picked up, the series could land on Disney Channel’s 2013-14 schedule.

'Boy Meets World' reboot star Rowan Blanchard on playing Cory and Topanga's daughter -- EXCLUSIVE

[Via insidetv.ew.com...]

Last month, EW broke the news that 11-year-old Rowan Blanchard landed the coveted spot of Riley, the daughter of Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel), in the pilot for the Boy Meets World reboot, Girl Meets World, which goes into production for the Disney Channel this month.

For the issue of ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY on stands now, EW spoke exclusively to Blanchard, who most recently starred in Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D, about almost getting passed up for the part, meeting her on-screen parents for the first time, and the kinds of dilemmas her character will face (let’s just say boys are involved).

EW: When did you first hear about this part?
BLANCHARD: It was like in the beginning of December.

EW: Had you heard of Boy Meets World at the time?
BLANCHARD: I had heard of Boy Meets World before because it’s on like TV and stuff in the mornings so I watch it. I saw a few episodes and I really liked the idea of people growing up. When I found out I was [auditioning for] Girl Meets World, at first I didn’t know it had any relation to Boy Meets World and then I started reading the script and I saw Cory and Topanga and I was so excited.

EW: Girl Meets World executive producer Michael Jacobs told EW that he loved your first audition, but thought you might be too young for the part.
BLANCHARD: Michael goes, “I would have cast you right now if it weren’t for your age.” And then I was really disappointed. I actually went into the car and cried. My dad was like, “You know, it’s not your fault. It’s your age.” Then two weeks later we got a call that they wanted to bring me back in and make me look a little bit older. I was so excited.

EW: What was it like meeting Ben and Danielle for the first time?
BLANCHARD: It was really surreal to do the lines with them I have to say, because, you know, they’re Cory and Topanga. It was really cool to be able to read with them and get a feel for how the show was really going to play out.

EW: When I spoke to Michael, he said that Ben [who met Blanchard before Fishel] immediately clicked with you.
BLANCHARD: I could kind of tell he really liked me, so I was really happy about that, too.

EW: How could you tell?
BLANCHARD: When I was reading the lines, we played off each other really well. I know that takes some trust to be able to read with someone so easily, so I knew that we definitely liked each other.

EW: Have you had a chance to sit down with Ben and Danielle?
BLANCHARD: I did actually talk to them. The [producers] were in the room talking and they sent us out. We talked for about 10 minutes about school and if I’d seen Boy Meets World. It was really cool to have like a one-on-one conversation with them.

EW: Tell me about your character. Is she more like her mom or dad?
BLANCHARD: She’s a lot like her dad in that she’s not rebel. She struggles with that a little bit I think because her best friend who is edgy and stuff [and that] isn’t Riley. Riley wants to be her friend in a sense.

What is Riley’s relationship like with her parents?
BLANCHARD: I think she’s really close with both of her parents but she does struggle with her dad because she doesn’t like being like her dad. She wants to be more original.

EW: Does Riley want to be a singer or actress?
BLANCHARD: The show is about Riley growing up. It’s not about Riley singing or Riley dancing. I think that’s what makes the pilot unique. I feel like she’s going to be the one person who stays Riley.

EW: What kind of things will she be dealing with in school?
BLANCHARD: Crushes…[Laughs] I can’t really say anything more but basically in the script she’s dealing with boy problems.

EW: Riley is a year older than you. Do you have anything in common with her?
BLANCHARD: I do. We’re both very, very alike in the sense that we’re really loyal, and we’re both—I hate to brag—but smart. We both are excited and we both have a bright spirit. We’re both happy people who deal with everyday problems.

EW: Are there things in school that you’re dealing with that you think Riley will be dealing with?
BLANCHARD: I think Riley will deal with grades and you know the nervousness of when they’re passing the paper back and you don’t know what you got and you’re so nervous. Riley will deal with the problems that we deal with everyday in school.

EW: I hear Cory is a teacher at Riley’s school.
BLANCHARD: My dad was actually my P.E. teacher for a little bit, so I can definitely identify with that. Like I said Riley and I are almost exactly alike. I understand hating being called out on and getting treated differently, so I think Riley dislikes that her dad is her teacher because I know I definitely didn’t really like it. But I feel like it has its strong points too because she can come to him when she needs things. I also think he’s definitely harder on her because she is his daughter.

EW: In which ways are you and Riley different?
BLANCHARD: I mean there’s not much. We’re different in the sense that Riley kind of wants to not be like her parents and I kind of want to be like my parents. We’re not really different, we’re almost the same person.

EW: How do you feel about Riley’s uncle Shawn possibly making an appearance on Girl Meets World?
BLANCHARD: I think Riley would love having an uncle Shawn because Shawn’s character on Boy Meets World is a lot like the character of Maya, [who is Riley's best friend], kind of a rebel. I think Riley really likes the idea of going against the teachers even though she would never do it.

EW: When you watched the show did you have a favorite character?
BLANCHARD: Probably Topanga. She’s just so happy and pretty and smart and nice. I think that’s definitely something I would like to be like.

EW: What did you like about Boy Meets World?
BLANCHARD: I liked how it was original and how it was just about what we go through everyday. It wasn’t like there was a whole spin to it and this and this is going to happen. It was about what happens in a daily basis. It wasn’t like a soap opera or something so dramatic. It was something that had everything. A little bit of everything.

EW: What kind of reaction have you received since you’ve landed this role?
BLANCHARD: It was kind of crazy. My phone was blowing up and I had gained like 5,000 followers overnight. It was really surreal.

EW: Do you manage your own social media?
BLANCHARD: My mom kind of manages it, but I’m mainly on there. I understand Twitter much more than I understand Tumblr.

EW: What are people saying to you?
BLANCHARD: A lot of people are really excited to see the continuation of Cory and Topanga and Boy Meets World. I was getting a lot of positive feedback, which I was really happy about.

EW: Why do you think people are so excited about Girl Meets World?
BLANCHARD: I think people are excited because even watching Boy Meets World you can tell that those characters are going to do something when they get older. I think people are excited to see characters they grew up with continue.

EW: When you realized this was a reboot of Boy Meets World did you feel any pressure? Or do you feel any pressure now?
BLANCHARD: It’s not that I feel pressure, but I feel like we have to stick to what people loved about Boy Meets World.

EW: So what are you looking forward most to?
BLANCHARD: I’m most looking forward to working with Ben and Danielle and especially Michael. There was a time when I was auditioning and auditioning and I was either too young or too old and Michael really pushed for me so I’m really excited to work with him.

EW: Have you thought about how you’re going to balance a TV show?
BLANCHARD: School is the first priority because I love school and I really care about this, too — but I have to balance this out, too.

EW: What have your friends been saying?
BLANCHARD: Let’s just put it this way, my true friends are really happy for me, like really happy for me. My best friend Regan is just out of this world happy for me. She knows I’ll be able to balance it. She knows I’ll be able to still be her best friend and be on a show. My friends will help me stay grounded and so will my family.

Rowan Blanchard Talks Girl Meets World

[Via Clevvertv.com...]

If you're gearing up for the Boy Meets World reboot, we're happy to offer up an interview with Rowan Blanchard. The star just got cast as Riley Matthews AKA the daughter of Corey and Topanga -- how exciting!! Check out what Rowan had to say about meeting her new Girl Meets World tv parents.

We definitely hope that Girl Meets World starts production in the next week or so because that means that we're getting even closer to the big show debut. Let us know if you're excited to see Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel reprise their roles from the popular 90s show -- post a comment below. And subscribe to ClevverTV for all of the latest on your favorite stars. I'm Dana Ward, see you next time!

'Boy Meets World' spin-off adds 2 more roles

[Via EW.com...]

Disney Channel’s Boy Meets World spinoff is looking for more young stars.

The production has started the casting process for two more roles now that producers have figured out who’s playing Riley, the daughter of Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga Matthews (Danielle Fishel) in the pilot (that would be 11-year-old Rowan Blanchard). Plus, we now have a detailed description of Cory and Topanga’s son — Elliott. Also, in case you missed it, we just broke the casting of Riley’s best friend Maya, so check out that story too.

The new characters are:

– Elliott Matthews, 13. Cory and Topanga’s son. This guy will start the series as a “thinking man’s jock.” He’s described as “good looking, well built, funny and insightful in his observations. Good hearted except for his dedication toward using Riley (Blanchard) as his wrestling practice dummy. His parents worry that he has inherited the ‘Eric Matthews Algernon’ gene and will lose intelligence as time goes by.” That “Eric Matthews Algernon” bit is a two-part reference to a character in the original series who got dumber as seasons passed and the classic novel with a similar theme, Flowers for Algernon.

– Tristan Friar, 12-13. An Austin, Texas transplant who’s a “cowboy in the city.” His description: “He seems actually possessed of ethics, common sense and a value system making him immediately alien to everybody else except Riley, who believes it’s the value system that attracts her to want to be his friend even though he’s too good looking for her to look at.”

– Shamus Farkle, 12-13: This is the show’s resident genius. “Future world ruler. Riley’s rebellious best friend Maya is his nemesis, Riley gets between them to save his life. Farkle is wildly attached and protective of both girls and loves equally that Riley doesn’t make him miserable and Maya does.”
Sound promising?

The pilot for Girl Meets World is set to begin production next month. If/when the show gets greenlit to series it will premiere during Disney Channel’s 2013-14 schedule.

'Boy Meets World' spin-off: Meet Cory and Topanga's daughter -- EXCLUSIVE

[Via EW.com...]

Boy Meets World fans, meet your Girl: EW has exclusively learned that 11-year-old Rowan Blanchard will play the daughter of Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) in the Disney Channel spin-off of Boy Meets World, titled Girl Meets World.

The Los Angeles-based actress — with credits in Spy Kids: All the Time in World in 4D and The Back-up Plan — was just notified tonight that she’d be playing the part of Cory and Topanga’s daughter Riley Matthews after a nationwide casting search.

“As soon as Rowan walked into the room, I was reminded of why Ben Savage was loved as Cory Matthews,” says Michael Jacobs, who’s producing the Girl Meets World pilot. “Rowan is real and accessible and I am hopeful this girl is about to meet a world that will love growing up with her as well.”

It should be stressed, however, that the return to World is still a ways away: The pilot for Girl Meets World is set to begin production next month. If it gets greenlit to series (which is all but assured), expect this Girl to find her place on Disney Channel’s 2013-14 schedule.