Infinitely Interesting Lightyear Concept Art

By Courtney Potter

Get ready for launch! In just a few weeks, we’ll get the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans), the hero who inspired the toy, in Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear—a sure-to-be-stellar intergalactic sci-fi adventure! The film follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander Alisha Hawthorne (voice of Uzo Aduba) and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits (voices of Keke Palmer, Dale Soules, and Taika Waititi), and his adorable robot companion Sox (voice of Peter Sohn). But complicating matters and threatening their mission is the arrival of Zurg (voice of James Brolin), an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda...

Recently, D23 was lucky enough to hear about some of the behind-the-scenes magic that went into making Lightyear—illustrated by incredible concept art and visual development images highlighted in the gallery below.  As Greg Peltz, sets art director for Lightyear described the film, “We envisioned a push-button world that was thick, geometric, and analog... Our shading and graphics artists went to extreme lengths learning how to create decoration, weathering, and textural variation that gave our digital models a real sense of tangibility like their live-action counterparts. I can't say it enough—we had an incredible team that was able to realize the richness of our world.”

Fran Kalal, tailoring and simulation supervisor, added, “The complex costumes for Lightyear required extreme collaboration between art, modeling, rigging, tailoring, shading, tools, animation, shot simulation, and lighting artists. All hands on deck! We achieved new levels of technical and look complexity to deliver these costumes.” And some brand-new animation methods were even created for the film: “I'm especially proud of our team's development of new groom construction techniques,” explained Jane Yen, visual effects supervisor. “Our braids system has controls for braid partitioning, curl, and graphic shaping that have allowed us to bring our beautiful characters even further to life.”

Check out the Lightyear concept art below—and don’t miss the film coming only to theaters beginning June 17!

The Stars Shine Bright at the World Premiere of Lightyear

By Zach Johnson

Now this is how you generate buzz!

A seemingly infinite number of stars, filmmakers, and special guests gathered at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood Wednesday night to celebrate Pixar Animation Studios’ 26th feature film, Lightyear. The man of the hour, Chris Evans (voice of Buzz Lightyear), was joined on the red carpet by his co-stars, Keke Palmer (voice of Izzy Hawthorne), Peter Sohn (voice of Sox), Dale Soules (voice of Darby Steel), James Brolin (voice of Zurg), Uzo Aduba (voice of Alisha Hawthorne), Mary McDonald-Lewis (voice of I.V.A.N.), Isiah Whitlock Jr. (voice of Commander Burnside), and Efren Ramirez (voice of Airman Díaz), in addition to director and screenwriter Angus MacLane, producer Galyn Susman, screenwriter Jason Headley, composer Michael Giacchino, to name just a few!

Lightyear, the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, opens in theaters on Friday, June 17. It follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet and tries—through space and time—to find his way back home. Being asked to voice Buzz was an “exciting” opportunity, Evans told reporters on the red carpet. “It’s intimidating, a little daunting—but more than anything, it’s an honor.”

Keke Palmer, who voices Izzy Hawthorne in Lightyear, signs autographs for fans at the film’s world premiere.

Evans credited the talented team at Pixar with helping him fulfill his lifelong dream of voicing a Disney character. “It’s four years of hard work—not by me, by them,” the actor said. “That’s the magic of Pixar. These guys give so much of themselves for so long, and they give us something that lasts a lifetime. It really is nice to celebrate that.”

And what a celebration it was! Special guests including Yvette Nicole Brown, Sherry Cola, Xochitl Gomez, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Tiffany Haddish, among others, joined the cast and crew in being among the first to see the film. “Here we are—and we’re around people!” a smiling MacLane told reporters on the red carpet. “This is fantastic! What a bonus. Here we are seeing Lightyear with a packed house. It’s the first time we’ve seen the movie with an audience since the crew party. We couldn’t be more thrilled. Although we’ve worked very hard to make this an exciting film, to see it with an audience and [to see their] reaction is truly going to be a dream come true for us.”

The phrase “dream come true” was often mentioned during the cast and crew’s red carpet interviews. In fact, Palmer is so proud of the film that she brought her entire family to the premiere so they could experience it together. “We are in it to win it, honey!” she said. Regarding what she loves most about Lightyear, she said, “When you think about reinventing IP or giving it new life, this is what you’re talking about. We all grew up loving Andy’s most coveted toy, Buzz Lightyear, and now we get to know the world that Buzz came from—why that toy was invented.” The film includes important messages, she added, “all told in a really fun way. And the action, honey? You feel like you’re actually in an action movie. They’re not playing around with the special effects!”

Before you see Lightyear in theaters, enjoy more photos from the world premiere:

Saddle Up for Q&A with BUNK’D: Learning the Ropes Star Miranda May

By Victoria Hunt

Giddy up, because BUNK’D is heading to a dude ranch in the Wild West!

The long-running hit comedy series will return for its sixth season this Friday, June 10, at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW. A spinoff of the hit comedy Jessie (2011-2015), BUNK’D revolves around the hilarious adventures of the campers and counselors at Maine’s rustic Camp Kikiwaka. Each season, fans are introduced to a new cast of characters ready to take part in the adventure of a lifetime. But one camper has never quite left the cabin: Miranda May! Since the series debuted in 2015, fans have watched her character, Lou, evolve from camper to camp director. Behind the scenes, May is now an executive producer and will continue to direct select episodes.

Miranda May with her co-star, Trevor Tordjman on the BUNK’D set

Series regulars Trevor Tordjman, Mallory James Mahoney, and Israel Johnson also return for the new installment, titled BUNK’D: Learning the Ropes, and are joined by new cast members Shiloh Verrico, Luke Busey, and Alfred Lewis. Season six begins as Lou, Parker (Tordjman), Destiny (Mahoney), and Noah (Johnson) arrive at the soon-to-be Kikiwaka Ranch in Dusty Tush, Wyoming, where Lou must convince the surly owner, a.k.a. “The Marshal,” to officially sell her the property. In the meantime, counselors Noah and Destiny have their hands full with the new campers, including Bill (Lewis), a no-nonsense descendant of famous cowboy Bill Pickett who prefers roping cattle to hanging out with friends; Winnie (Verrico), a fearless girl who’s earned the nickname “Wild Winnie” by breaking the rules and occasionally blowing things up; and Jake (Busey), a laid-back, easy-going boy who also happens to be a video-gaming fanatic.

Ahead of the premiere, May joined D23 for an exclusive Q&A:

D23: You grew up in Ohio. How much do you relate to your character, Lou?
Miranda May (MM): A lot! Lou grew up a country girl and so did I. Lou grew up on a farm and so did I. She loves animals just like me. We’re also similar in being strong independent women. I pride myself on that—growing within my career and my space. And Lou does that as well.

D23: Just like real camp, your castmates change every season. How do you keep up with new and old friends?
MM: Those friendships are genuine on- and off-screen. We have always been a really close cast and crew. We go on shopping trips, have dinners together, and meet each other for coffee. I hang out with Trevor [Tordjman] and Mallory [James Mahoney] as much as I can. I keep up with the previous castmates as well.

D23: Do you think you could be a camp counselor in real life?
MM: I feel like I am a camp counselor on set! I’m the oldest one and I kind of help everyone through their troubles while also making the set really fun.

D23: What can fans expect from this upcoming season?
MM: This season is going to be wild, adventurous, and heartfelt. Nothing is what we have seen before, which is exciting in a lot of ways. I’m most excited for people to see the new characters and all the animals.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

By Andie Hagemann

You won’t want to miss all the whimsical content airing on your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this weekend! The series of shorts Baymax Dreams is now available as you await the debut of Baymax’s brand-new series, coming later this month. Molly dives into politics on a new episode of The Ghost and Molly McGee, debuting on Saturday—with special guest star Sean Giambrone from The Goldbergs—followed by a presentation of Disney and Pixar’s WALL-E that evening. Sunday is chock-full of celebration with the second anniversary of Artemis Fowl and viewing the TIME100 Gala special, which honors the year’s most influential people!

Baymax (voiced by Scott Adsit) stands next to Fred (voiced by Brooks Wheelan) who looks on excitedly from the shorts Baymax Dreams.

Baymax Dreams—Available on Disney+
While you wait for the debut of Baymax! on June 29, stream season one and two of these hilarious shorts, starring everyone’s favorite healthcare companion robot. While in a dream simulation, Baymax (voiced by Scott Adsit) battles evil sheep, bed bugs, and even multiple versions of himself throughout the series!

Molly (voiced by Ashly Burch) is surrounded by ghosts with city hall seen in the distance from Disney Channel’s The Ghost and Molly McGee.

The Ghost and Molly McGee—Saturday, June 11, at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
Molly (voiced by Ashly Burch) is named “Mayor for a Day” after winning the coveted contest. However, when her term turns into a lifelong gig, she’s uncertain whether she can handle the pressure. The second installment centers around Molly’s internship at Larry’s Pawn Show, as she struggles to maintain her optimism while surrounded by discarded junk. Sean Giambrone from ABC sitcom The Goldbergs voices Reggie, Scratch’s new intern.

EVE (voiced by Elissa Knight) and WALL-E (voiced by Ben Burtt) float in space  after he uses a fire extinguisher to propel himself.WALL-E—Saturday, June 11, at 8:50 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform
WALL-E (voiced by Ben Burtt), short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class, is the last robot left on Earth. He spends his days cleaning the planet one piece of garbage at a time, and after 700 years, he’s a little lonely. Once he spots EVE (voiced by Elissa Knight), a sleek robot sent back to Earth on a scanning mission, he embarks on his greatest adventure yet when he follows her across the galaxy.

Artemis Fowl Sr. (Colin Farrell) looks at Artemis Fowl Jr. (Ferdia Shaw) as he stares out the window in Disney’s Artemis Fowl.

Artemis Fowl—Sunday, June 12, on Disney+
The live-action adaption of the beloved book by Eoin Colfer celebrates its two-year anniversary this Sunday! Artemis Fowl (Ferdia Shaw) is a 12-year-old genius who is a descendent from a long line of criminals. This fantastical adventure follows Artemis as he attempts to save his father (Colin Farrell) after his kidnapping by tracking down the Aculos—the fairies’ most coveted and powerful magical device. Can the prodigy outwit the all-powerful fairies?

Cover art from TIME 100 special covers featuring actor Simu Liu wearing a pink suit.

Time100: The World’s Most Influential People—Sunday, June 12, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
TIME and ABC are teaming up once again to celebrate this year’s most influential people—and, for the first time ever, bring viewers inside the exclusive event. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star and Time100 honoree Simu Liu hosts the Gala and one-hour special, which features musical performances by Mary J. Blige and Miranda Lambert and appearances by members of the list, including Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Quinta Brunson, and many more!

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!

As a member of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, you know your magic! This week we’re putting your Pixar knowledge to the test, to see if you are the ultimate Disney fan.

In Lightyear, what’s the name of Buzz’s personal robot companion cat?

Correct! Wrong!

In the brand-new Disney and Pixar film Lightyear, Buzz has a personal robot companion cat named (D) Sox. Be sure to catch Lightyear exclusively in theaters beginning June 17!

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!
You are the ultimate Disney fan!
Looks like you are a Disney expert! Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge. We’ll see you next week for your chance to uphold your title as the ultimate Disney fan!
Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!
Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge! These questions are tricky, so don’t stop swimming yet. We’ll see you next week for your chance to earn the title of the ultimate Disney fan!

The Biggest Presentations at D23 Expo 2022

By the D23 Team

D23 Expo Presented by Visa is only a few months away—and with it, the promise of exciting announcements, reveals, sneak peeks, and more for everything Disney. Plus, Disney100 will kick off at D23 Expo, celebrating 100 years of wonder as The Walt Disney Company enters its second century. The festivities begin Friday, September 9, with the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony and a kick-off to Disney100. Later that day, The Walt Disney Studios will showcase what’s on the horizon from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, and Disney Live Action. On Saturday morning, the Studios will give fans a sneak peek at the latest from Marvel and Lucasfilm. That afternoon, Disney Branded Television will preview its exciting slate. On Sunday morning, fans will get a preview of what’s in store at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and later on, guests will enjoy a special presentation of Disney Princess – The Concert.

These incredible presentations will take place in “Hall D23,” the 6,900-seat venue located in Hall D of the Anaheim Convention Center. The schedule of Hall D23 Events and Presentations is as follows (all events subject to change and additional events to be announced in the coming weeks):

Friday, September 9
Disney100 kicks off at D23 Expo on Friday, September 9, at 10:30 a.m. with an epic presentation that includes the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, featuring Disney CEO Bob Chapek. The Disney Legends Ceremony will once again honor those visionaries and artists who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. Look for the names of the 2022 inductees to be announced in the coming weeks.

At 3:30 p.m., guests will be treated to new details, first looks, sneak peeks, surprises, and announcements regarding upcoming theatrical and Disney+ titles from Disney Live Action, Pixar Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Studio heads, filmmakers, and cast members will come together onstage with the inside scoop on some of these studios’ most exciting titles.

Saturday, September 10
Filmmakers, celebrity talent, and surprise guests will join representatives from Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm, among others, onstage in Hall D23 at 10 a.m. to showcase theatrical and Disney+ titles. Going behind the scenes of these studios’ highly anticipated films, specials, and series, attendees will see exclusive footage and be among the first to learn what else is in the works.

At 3:30 p.m., Disney Branded Television, home to some of the most iconic stories and characters in the Disney canon—including Peabody Award winners Doc McStuffins and The Owl House, plus the culture-defining movie franchises High School Musical and Descendants—will present an exclusive showcase of upcoming content that will continue the legacy of excellence in storytelling. The showcase will feature talent appearances and never-before-seen sneak previews of original content for Disney+, Disney Channel, and Disney Junior, including looks at the new Disney+ Original series National Treasure, American Born Chinese, and The Santa Claus.

Sunday, September 11
At 10:30 a.m., join Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D'Amaro for a look at Disney’s boundless future. With announcements and updates on the magic happening around the world in parks, on the high seas, at home, and beyond, attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at the big dreams of Disney Imagineers. Every Disney fan will want to be a part of this special presentation full of exciting news and surprises.

At 4:15 p.m., Disney Concerts will present a special performance of Disney Princess – The Concert, featuring Tony® nominee Susan Egan (Broadway’s original Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Meg in Disney’s animated feature Hercules), Broadway.com® Audience Award nominee Isabelle McCalla (Princess Jasmine in Aladdin, The Prom), Disney Channel star Anneliese van der Pol (That’s So Raven, Raven’s Home, Broadway’s final Belle in Beauty and the Beast), and Broadway World Award winner Syndee Winters (Broadway’s Nala in The Lion King, Hamilton). Music director Benjamin Rauhala (Fiddler on the RoofThe Secret Life of Bees) and Prince Adam J. Levy (Moulin Rouge) will also join the quartet. The acclaimed cast will perform favorite Disney Princess and Frozen songs, including classics such as “Let It Go,” “A Whole New World,” “Colors of the Wind,” and “Almost There.” The performers will share exclusive, hilarious, and heartfelt behind-the-scenes stories from their time on the stage and screen.

Don’t miss out on the magic! A limited number of single-day tickets for Friday and Sunday of D23 Expo 2022 are available for $99 for one-day adult admission and $79 for children ages 3–12. D23: The Official Disney Fan Club Gold Members can purchase tickets for $89 for a one-day adult admission. Single-day Saturday tickets and three-day passes are sold out. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2022, visit D23Expo.com.

Schedule and talent are subject to change.

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Showcased are the four 2025 D23 Gold Member Premiums: Disneyland 70th Collection, including The Happiest Place on Earth, a replica Disneyland Park entrance plaque, and a reproduction of the Disneyland Entrance plaque text draft; Gold Member Fan Pack including a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse water bottle, crossbody bag, and hat; a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse Spirit Jersey; and a 10-piece Pin Set.

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How the Final Season of Love, Victor Comes Out on Top

By Zach Johnson

Who knew so much could change in just one year?

After two groundbreaking seasons, the final eight episodes of Love, Victor will stream on Hulu and Disney+ starting Wednesday, June 15, bringing an emotional and open-ended close to Victor’s coming out story. Season three will find him embarking on a journey of self-discovery, figuring out who he wants to be with and who he wants to be.

“We felt really lucky to know that this was our final season,” executive producer Elizabeth Berger tells D23. “It allowed us the space to craft everyone’s final journeys and everyone’s endings very carefully to give the characters the wrap-ups they deserved—to really end things on our terms. They all end in a really satisfying place. It’s emotional and sad that it’s over, but we feel really, really good about how it ends.”

Echoing that sentiment, executive producer Isaac Aptaker adds, “We wanted to give it the right amount of closure, so it feels like the story reaches its end and the audience feels satisfied with where the characters end up. But their futures—and the whole world, really—is ahead of this group, so you want it to feel open to possibility as well.”

In the series finale of Love, Victor, Victor (Michael Simon) goes for a ride on the Ferris wheel at the winter carnival.

Love, Victor is a passion project for Aptaker and Berger, who wrote the screenplay for Love, Simon (2018), which inspired the series. (The film itself is an adaptation of Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda, the acclaimed young adult novel by Becky Albertalli.) Seeing how Victor’s story has resonated with viewers of all ages has been especially meaningful. “When we started in this world with the movie, it was because we found out that there had never been a studio movie about an LGBTQ+ character front and center as the lead,” Aptaker recalls. “Love, Simon was the first, and Love, Victor continues that. It proves that these types of stories are not only commercially successful but greatly needed. Since Love, Victor came out three years ago, we’re seeing more and more queer love stories and underrepresented teens getting their own television shows. If we’re any small part of creating more of those types of stories, that is huge.”

When season three picks up, it’s been almost exactly a year since Victor and his family first arrived in Creekwood. “When the series began, he’d just moved from a small town where he’d really never had another gay person in his life,” Berger says. “He did not yet know how to define himself. He didn’t know how to talk about it with his parents. He didn’t have any friends that were in this with him. By the time the series ends, we hope that people feel like Victor’s in a drastically different place than where he began.”

In the season three premiere of Love, Victor, Victor (Michael Cimino) takes Benji (George Sear) to the bench where they shared their first kiss.

Don’t worry! That’s not a spoiler. In season two, Victor found himself in a love triangle, torn between Benji (George Sear) and Rahim (Anthony Keyvan). In the season finale, he turned up on one of their doorsteps. But whose? That question will be answered in the season three premiere. However, Sear says he’s always considered Victor and Benji endgame. “They go through so much together,” he says. “It’d be really devastating if at the end of it all, they’re like, ‘Actually… see you later.’ I’d always hoped they end up together.” Still, circumstances will tear them apart and force Victor to consider other options. “Sometimes you can get wrapped up in love and just go with the flow,” says Cimino. “But now, Victor’s not doing things out of naivety or from the kindness of his heart. He’s doing it out of experience, which is a more powerful place to come from.”

Central to the series is Victor’s friendship with Felix (Anthony Turpel), and their bond will only grow even deeper in the final season. “If you go back all the way to the first episode, Felix jumped at the chance to be the new kid’s friend,” Turpel tells D23. “They’ve experienced so much together and grown together over these last three seasons, so they definitely have become closer and stronger. They’ve been there for each other, and they understand each other more. They’re like each other’s safety net.”

In season three of Love, Victor, Felix (Anthony Turpel) and Pilar (Isabella Ferreira) grow closer than ever before.

Felix can certainly use the support, given the delicate situation with his mother (Betsy Brandt) amid her mental health struggles. And if Victor is around, his sister, Pilar (Isabella Ferreira) is more than happy to spend time with Felix… just don’t tell her parents (James Martinez and Ana Ortiz). “It’s very relatable, especially in Latinx households, for the father figure to be extremely overprotective,” Ferreira says. “In my case, it was my mother. I feel like there’s always a double standard, especially when it comes to brothers and sisters and allowing boys to do things that the girls can’t. I’m excited for that to play out this season and for viewers to see that and equally relate.”

Meanwhile, Felix’s ex-girlfriend, Lake (Bebe Wood), is trying to make sense of her strong and sudden feelings for Lucy (Ava Capri). “I don’t want to discredit Felix and Lake’s relationship at all, because Lake wouldn’t be the woman she is without that relationship,” Wood says. “I think that relationship taught her a lot about self-acceptance and self-love and not caring about what other people think. But after that relationship finished, she has accepted herself enough to embrace who she is fully. Now, she can explore certain things that I don’t think she would have explored beforehand. Her relationship with Lucy is really fun. Of course, she has her doubts at certain points in season three, but it was fun to just play Lake in love—and not Lake in love…. and worrying about what people are going to think. I like that element of their dynamic, and I think they empower each other to be the truest forms of themselves.”

Capri adds, “There’s something so organic about them. I love that we get to see their whole origin, because we pick up right at the end of season two. Something aligned where they had this unexpected spark the night of Mia’s dad’s wedding, and that will flow into more. It will kept growing. They keep being brave and following their hearts.”

Andrew (Mason Gooding) and Mia (Rachel Hilson) reunite with their friends at school in season three of Love, Victor.

Speaking of Mia (Rachel Hilson), she’s spinning after her dad (Mekhi Phifer) proposed they move to Palo Alto. So, she seeks out her estranged mother (Tracie Thoms) in the hopes it’ll help her stay in Creekwood. Even if Mia can’t always count on her parents, she can always turn to her boyfriend, Andrew (Mason Gooding). “Andrew and Mia are soulmates,” Hilson says. “They have a shorthand, a history. They’re each other’s rocks.”

As for Rahim? “Let’s just say Victor and Rahim’s relationship takes a turn,” Keyvan says.

Rahim (Anthony Keyvan) prays Victor (Michael Cimino) chooses him over Benji (George Sear) in the season three premiere of Love, Victor.

Looking ahead, Hilson is excited by the prospect of future generations discovering the heartwarming story of Love, Victor on Hulu and Disney+. “People of all ages have connected with this show. That’s really special,” she says. “I just hope that continues.”

For now, though, it’s time to say goodbye. Doing so is easier said than done, of course, and Cimino is having a hard time letting go. “This show really changed my life in so many ways,” the actor tells D23. “It’s had such a huge impact on my life. I’m going always cherish this series as ‘the start,’ and it was such a beautiful start for me.”

Marvelous Details from the Ms. Marvel Press Conference

By Alison Statemann

When Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel debuts on Disney+ on Wednesday, June 8, the six-episode series will introduce viewers to the newest member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Ms. Marvel, aka Kamala Khan, also happens to be the first Muslim Super Hero. Late last week, cast members Yasmeen Fletcher (Nakia), Mohan Kapur (Yusuf), Matt Lintz (Bruno), Rish Shah (Kamran), Saagar Shaikh (Aamir), Zenobia Shroff (Muneeba), and Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan), took part in a virtual press conference to discuss the groundbreaking series. They were joined by Bisha Ali, head writer and co-executive producer; Sana Amanat, producer and writer; series directors and executive producers Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah; director and two-time Academy Award® winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy; director Meera Menon; and executive producer Kevin Feige. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the conversation.

From left to right, Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, and Executive Producer Sana Amanat work behind the scenes of Ms. Marvel at night.

How the Series Came to Be
The highly anticipated series is based on the iteration of Ms. Marvel first introduced by Marvel Comics in 2014. Ms. Marvel, aka Kamala Khan, came to life under the direction of Sana Amanat, now Executive of Production & Development for Marvel Studios; Stephen Wacker, a longtime Marvel editor; writer G. Willow Wilson; and artist Adrian Alphona.

“This is all very, very trippy. When Will and I were crafting this comic about eight years ago, we joked about how we’re like, ‘It’s not gonna get past issue nine. No one’s going to care.’ And lo and behold, Kevin Feige cared, which is amazing,” Amanat said.

Before Feige approached the creative team, the comic series took off with fans and critics alike, with the first issue reaching a rare seventh printing.

“The comic did really well. I think what I love about it the most is that it has people from different backgrounds, who had never really read comics before showing up in comic shops for the first time because of what this meant and what it stood for,” Amanat said. “A few years later when Kevin let us know that he wanted to make a show, I was thrilled.”

For Feige, Kamala was a natural choice for Marvel Studios to build on-screen content around.

“At Marvel, it’s such a privilege because not only are there reinterpretations every few years of existing, wonderful, characters, but every once in a while, there’s a new character that comes around that catches the audience’s imagination. And this character clearly did that,” he said. “Almost from the first few issues, people started asking us, ‘When is Kamala Khan coming? When is Ms. Marvel coming?’ So, it always seemed inevitable in a great way. When Disney+ came around, it gave us the opportunity to do what we really wanted to do, which was tell her full story in six episodes, and then have her transition into a feature.”

Ms. Marvel will make her big screen debut alongside Captain Marvel, played by Brie Larson, in The Marvels, coming to theaters in 2023.

Matt Lintz as Bruno, and Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan, attend a festive event in a scene from Ms. Marvel. She wears traditional South Asian dress, and he dons a suit and tie.

A Distinct, Relatable World
While much has been written about Kamala Khan becoming the first Muslim Super Hero to join the MCU, it was important to the series creators and collaborators to incorporate this element into a fully realized portrait of Kamala and her world.

“I don’t think this series is shouting from the rooftops saying, ‘Watch me, it’s about representation,’” said Mohan Kapur, who plays Kamala’s father, Yusuf. “It’s a wonderful story of a community that’s so ethnically diverse and culturally rich. For me, coming from that region, I think it’s a fabulous opportunity, because we suddenly see, this is the Marvel universe telling a story about our milieu. And it’s so beautifully and so subliminally translated over scenes, like, you go to the mosque, you put your shoes over there, you come back, and your shoes are gone. That’s a real thing. You know, the process of entering a mosque, the festivals, the wedding ceremonies.

“This is not a political statement,” Kapur continued. “This is a story of one family, one girl, but it’s so beautiful. It’s a story of a family in a land that’s not their own, but they’ve called it their home and that’s beautiful.”

Iman, who grew up in a Pakistani Canadian household, said that she related strongly to Kamala not only because of her cultural background, but also because of her affinity for Marvel Super Heroes.

“She’s a 16-year-old kid with superpowers. Fine. We’ve seen that before, but she’s also a fan of every other hero within the MCU canon. That fascination and excitement is associated with real-life Marvel fans, so that’s why we relate to her,”  Vellani said. “I’m just excited that people can finally see what I saw when I picked up those comics for the first time and fell in love with Kamala and her world. It’s just so colorful. It’s truly a love letter to all the MCU fans.”

She added about Kamala, “She reacts how we would when she gets powers. I just love that part of her, and that’s why I fell in love with her. Her culture and religion were never the main thing of her personality. It was just some part of her life, how it was for me.”

“The Thrill of Our Lives”
While the cast and crew played it safe when it came to revealing any spoilers, they did offer a few tantalizing clues about what viewers can expect.

“Kamala Khan is going to go on this journey to reconnect with her family to understand why it’s so important for her to tell her own story and to craft that story and to feel that she could be that Super Hero that she always wanted to be, except that it would be her being the Super Hero as opposed to emulating someone else,” said Obaid-Chinoy, who directed episodes four and five. “On that journey of discovery, we as an audience are going to go on what I can safely say is going to be the thrill of our lives.”

Tune in to Ms. Marvel exclusively on Disney+ on June 8 to experience the beginning of Kamala Khan’s Super Hero journey.

Prometheus: 10th Anniversary Celebration

By Lynne Drake, Walt Disney Archives

This month, we celebrate the 10th anniversary release of Prometheus, originally released in the U.S. on June 8, 2012. Ridley Scott returned to the Alien universe to direct the fifth film in the franchise; this time, however, the story takes place in the sci-fi world before the events of his famed Alien (1979). Noomi Rapace stars as Doctor Elizabeth Shaw—alongside Logan Marshall-Green, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, and Guy Pearce—who is on a quest to discover the origins of mankind. Benedict Wong, who costars in the recent Marvel Studios release Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, also has a role in the film.

Prometheus was Scott’s first film shot digitally using 3D cameras, and features almost entirely practical sets created by Arthur Max, who has also partnered with Scott on other films including Kingdom of Heaven, The Martian, and most recently, The Last Duel. Practical effects were also used for the creatures created by Neal Scanlan and Conor O’Sullivan—examples of which now reside in the Walt Disney Archives collection. Filmed at Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom, and in Iceland for the prologue and several climatic sequences, the film was nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Visual Effects.

Please enjoy an inside look at concept art from Prometheus (2012).

Meet the Characters of Ms. Marvel

By Alison Stateman

Viewers will meet the newest Super Hero to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Wednesday, June 8, with the premiere episode of Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel, debuting exclusively on Disney+.  Allow us to introduce Ms. Marvel, aka Kamala Khan, and the family and friends that anchor her life and support her as she transitions from a Muslim American teen to a Super Hero and future Avenger.

Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan stands at the ready in her colorfully decorated bedroom at her family home in Jersey City.

Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan
In Ms. Marvel, Kamala Khan is 16-year-old Muslim American girl growing up in Jersey City. She’s a nerd, a gamer who writes fan fiction and most of all a huge fan of the Avengers, particularly Captain Marvel, who is her hero. Kamala spends her time hanging out with her best friends Bruno and Nakia and is close with her family. As Kamala begins to discover her new destiny, it puts a strain on her relationships as she struggles to understand her new reality.

“What’s interesting about Ms. Marvel is that she is so different and unique from all the other [Super] Heroes,” says Sana Amanat, executive producer of the series and Executive of Production & Development for Marvel Studios.“She’s just a teenager from Jersey City trying to figure the world out when she’s suddenly imbued with powers. And while her identity puts a different lens on this Marvel story, she is still so relatable.” 

Zenobia Shroff as Muneeba and Mohan Kapur as Yusuf
Family is the anchor of Kamala’s life. While her father Yusuf is much more open to his daughter’s creative aspirations and fascination with Super Heroes, her mother Muneeba is much more conservative and wants her daughter to follow a traditional path in life.

“Yusuf is a warm, caring, compassionate man, but his wife Muneeba definitely has the upper hand in the household,” Kapur says. “He adores Kamala and always encourages her to follow her dreams, although his wife tends to be a bit stricter. He understands where his wife is coming from, but he also understands it’s the 21st century and she’s a young teenage girl living in Jersey City. He tries to protect and soften things for her when Muneeba gets too overbearing and judgmental.”

“Muneeba is definitely the bad cop to Yusuf’s good cop,” admits Shroff. “She is much harder on Kamala. I think it’s one of those things where you get a teacher who says, ‘I was tough on you because I knew how great you could be.’ Muneeba knows Kamala’s potential and that there’s something special inside her, but she still wants to protect her from all that.”

“She’s the real prototype of the South Asian mother, highly protective, very loving, kind, but very fierce,” she adds.

Sagar Shaikh as Aamir
While Kamala stretches the boundaries of her family dynamic, her brother Aamir is her ally in softening her parents’ traditional values and expectations. “Aamir is Kamala’s pretty religious, self-proclaimed wiser older brother,” says Shaikh. “He’s kind of aloof and is not as funny as he thinks he is, but I think Kamala gets a lot of her quirks from him. They’re both kind of dorky in their own ways, but he chooses to focus on his relationship with his fiancée instead of Super Heroes and artistic pursuits. He’s kind of the middleman between Kamala and their parents.”

(From Left to Right) Yasmeen Fletcher as Nakia, Matt Lintz as Bruno, and Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan stand with their lunch on trays in their high school cafeteria

Yasmeen Fletcher as Nakia
“Nakia is Kamala’s best girlfriend since they were little kids, and they are a big part of each other’s support system,” explains Fletcher. “They have definitely leaned on each other growing up, which you can tell just from their conversations. Nakia is such a strong character and breaks a lot of the stereotypes for hijab girls… She’s opinionated and is willing to fight for anything that she believes in.”

Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan sits with her bestie Bruno, played by Matt Lintz, on the rooftop of Circle Q one late evening

Matt Lintz as Bruno
Kamala’s other bestie is Bruno Carrelli, a gifted student with a love for science and technical know-how, who develops a bit of a crush for his childhood friend.

“Bruno and Kamala have grown up together and been best friends since second grade,” says Lintz. “You see that in the first episode in the way he interacts with her family and when they hang out at the Circle Q, where he works. Bruno is very loyal to Kamala, especially when she gets her powers, which created a new dynamic between them from just two amazing friends going to school, having fun, and being big fans of the Avengers and Captain Marvel.”

Rish Shah as Kamran, an intriguing new student who has caught Kamala’s eye, stands in front of his black Porsche in the school parking lot

Rish Shah as Kamran
Kamala’s world begins to change when she meets Kamran at a party and finds an instant connection in their ability to bond about things she is struggling with in her own life.

“Kamran initially is just a random boy Kamala meets, and she is immediately infatuated by his charm and charisma,” says Shah, who plays Kamala’s love interest. “Kamran has always felt a lack of belonging and community. When he gets to know Kamala, he finds someone he can relate with in the sense of their culture, humor, and being able to talk about Pakistani things together and not having to hid that or feel embarrassed by it.”

Be sure to tune in to Ms. Marvel on Wednesday, June 8, on Disney+ to learn more about these central characters and Kamala Khan’s Super Hero transformation.