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From the waters of Massachusetts to magical countries and a wicked dance floor, the worlds of Disney are vast—and you don’t even have to leave your house to enjoy them. This weekend is full of exciting new content from Disney+, National Geographic, and more. So, cuddle up on your couch, grab some snacks, and get streaming because we’ve rounded up five things you should watch this weekend:
Descendants Remix Dance Party on Disney Channel – Friday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. EDT/PDT Hosted by Cheyenne Jackson (aka Hades himself from Descendants 3), this high-energy party is perfect for those looking to bust out their wicked dance moves. And like the VKs (short for Villain Kids), you won’t be dancing alone. Featuring musical performances by stars Sofia Wylie and Dara Reneé from Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and Kylie Cantrall from Gabby Duran & The Unsittables, Descendants fans are in for a real treat! For more wickedly good news, D23 got to talk to Jackson about the upcoming special, which you can find here.
Diary of a Future President on Disney+ – Streaming Friday, March 20 Way before Elena Cañero-Reed became the President of the United States, she was navigating the highs and lows of sixth grade. Be sure to catch the season finale, “Two Party System,” as Elena tries to resolve a feud between her and her friend Jessica. Created by Ilana Peña, Diary of a Future President airs its final episode of the season tomorrow, with the whole season available to stream, only on Disney+.
The BFG on Disney XD – Saturday, March 21, at 7 p.m. Get ready for a magical time. This weekend, director Steven Spielberg’s The BFG makes its big debut on Disney XD. The wondrous story tells the tale of an unexpected friendship as a young girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant as she embarks on a big adventure. Based on the classic Ronald Dahl novel, this heartfelt film stars Mark Rylance, Jemaine Clement, Rebecca Hall, and Ruby Barnhill.
American Idol on ABC – Sunday, March 22, at 8 p.m. ET Sing your heart out! After a glitzy start to Hollywood Week, American Idol is back with another round. After performing a song of their choice, the remaining contestants are now being paired to sing a duet, which is sure to bring double the excitement!
Wicked Tuna on National Geographic – Sunday, March 22 at 9 p.m. Now, from the American Idol stage to Gloucester, Massachusetts, the other must-watch of the day is Wicked Tuna. The interesting series follows local fishermen as they vie to reel in the best bluefin tuna. Now in its ninth season, the upcoming episode of Wicked Tuna, “Follow the Leaders,” follows a veteran fleet of fishermen as they encounter a group of new boats on the hunt for their disappearing quota of tuna. And if that has you hooked, be sure to cruise on over to Disney+ for the first two seasons, streaming now!
You didn’t think you’d seen the last of Hades, did you?
Cheyenne Jackson is reprising his villainous role when he hosts Descendants Remix Dance Party: A Disney Channel Music Event on Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m. The half-hour, high-energy immersive dance party will feature upbeat musical performances of reimagined Descendants hits—and Hades is the perfect emcee, according to Jackson: “He’s witty, he’s irreverent, he loves music, and he LOVES to be the center of attention.”
Jackson had been itching to get back into character… if only to wear his blue-flame wig again! “I always feel 95 percent instantly cooler when I have it on,” jokes Jackson. The new special will also feature Sofia Wylie, Dara Reneé, and Kylie Cantrall performing remixes of “Night Falls,” “Chillin’ Like a Villain” and “What’s My Name,” respectively, with 5-year-old rapper ZaZa making a special appearance during Cantrall’s set. Keep an eye on Jackson, who says he’ll be “jamming in the background of all their numbers!”
The Emmy®-winning choreography duo NappyTabs is producing the special, marking their third partnership with Disney Channel Music Events. Jackson, who also worked with choreographer Cameron Lee, says he developed an “instant love connection” with all three collaborators. “We’re already trying to find out next art project together,” he says. “They have the most positive, wonderful attitudes, and it’s a joy to work with them.”
NappyTabs, in particular, bring “pace, scope, energy, humor, skill, and gorgeous visuals” to the production, Jackson adds. The actor himself also played an active role behind the scenes, participating in “many meetings and work sessions on the script.” And, in addition to joining the other actors in blocking and dance rehearsals, Jackson also logged extra hours in the recording studio. “I recorded not only the lead vocals on my song, ‘Set It Off,’ but all the backing vocals and all the vocal call and responses and sound effects, which is not typical,” he explains. “It was a huge amount of work, but fun.”
Finally, Jackson offers one more reason to tune in March 20: “Because Hades said so!”
The world-famous Jungle Cruise has captured the hearts of Disney fans across the world. If you count yourself among the adventurous admirers of this Disney Parks classic who are also waiting with bated breath for the release of the film adaption Jungle Cruise, setting sail to theaters on July 24, you’ll want to grab a copy of The Making of Disney’s Jungle Cruise. This thrilling coffee table book chronicles the creation of both the film and attraction, sharing details, stories, and more that every fan will want to read. Before the book hits stores on June 9, we sat down with author Michael Goldman to uncover some of the secrets behind this must-read book.
D23: The Official Disney Fan Club: What is your personal connection to the Jungle Cruise attraction? When was the first time you rode it? Michael Goldman (MG): My personal connection to the attraction is no more than anyone in our audience: I was and am a fan, having ridden Jungle Cruise since I was a child on more occasions than I can count. I can’t recall the first time, or what age I was, but—although this dates me—I can admit it was back in the era of paper tickets for the various attractions. I think it was an “E ticket” back then, but I can’t recall for sure.
As an aside, I will say as an adult, in my career, I am a journalist who covers the art, science, and people involved with feature filmmaking. I had covered multiple Pirates of the Caribbean films in the past and penned magazine articles on how they were shot and put together, and I always wondered why other attractions, most especially the Jungle Cruise, were not also transformed into feature film franchises. So I was familiar with the concept and understood the many challenges the filmmakers were undertaking at the time.
D23: This book dives into both the making of Jungle Cruise the film and the attraction. What was that like, diving into some of the history of the world-famous Jungle Cruise? MG: Our big challenge up front was figuring out what kind of book to make. It soon became clear we couldn’t simply do a “making of” or “art” movie book when the subject matter was sprouting from one of the world’s great intellectual properties at the Disney theme parks. I was given a tour of Disneyland and went behind the scenes at the Jungle Cruise; met with various Imagineers at their Glendale, California, facility; and quickly learned about the rich history of the attraction, how it was originally the centerpiece of Disneyland and Walt’s own personal creation. The Imagineers were invaluable. I toured the Imagineering facility, was shown archival materials and photos from the attraction’s history, and regaled with stories from six or eight of them who generously devoted time.
Eventually, this allowed us to create a format of making the first half of the book about the history of the Jungle Cruise attraction: its expansion and evolution into other Disney parks, illustrating its cinematic flavor and style and details, and then segueing into how all this served as a foundation for the eventual feature film. And then, thanks to the help of the filmmakers, I was able to tell the story of the making of the movie, and how they were able to both pay homage to the original attraction and still create a new and original story that would appeal to modern movie audiences.
D23: What’s the coolest thing you learned about the making of the attraction? MG: A lot of great stuff, but for me, I was most fascinated with learning the details and history of the original Jungle Cruise attraction’s physical, living jungle—the “ecosystem” that was essentially created by famed Disney landscaper Bill Evans starting in the 1950s. Bill was basically a genius when it came to plants of all types; and his accomplishment in planting trees and other plants at the site in such a way that a real, albeit miniature, ecosystem could form and grow and evolve to this very day, was remarkable.
I make the point in the book that originally, Walt Disney had hoped to have live animals populate the attraction. That proved at the time to be impractical due to the nocturnal habits of the creatures involved, and they came up with the Audio-Animatronics® approach instead, which has grown and evolved over the years. But the decision to plant, grow, maintain, improve, and lovingly nurture a ‘real jungle’ in Anaheim, California, of all places, was a stroke of real genius, because it made the experience a real cruise through a real jungle, as it were.
D23: In your opinion, why do you think the Jungle Cruise is such a beloved attraction? MG: Lots of reasons. Among them are its size and scope as the actual centerpiece of Adventureland and a bedrock foundation of Disneyland itself. But beyond that, the evolution of the attraction to make the skippers the stars with their often ridiculous puns and jokes was another stroke of genius. That ensured the experience is NOT the same every time. It depends when you go, what boat you jump into, which skipper you get, is it day or night or a holiday, and so on. And beyond that, the fact that the attraction makes the guests the ‘stars’ as they sit in the boats and view the sights makes it a much different experience than, say, watching something on a big screen. And, of course, there is the fact that the craftsmanship is so high—both the landscaping and the Audio Animatronics® and the set designs and execution. As one of the Imagineers told me, which I relate in the book, all these factors make the attraction sort of the first (unofficial) ‘interactive’ ride in the world, in a manner of speaking.
D23: What was the most surprising thing you learned about the making of the film while writing this book? MG: There were several things that blew me away, so it is hard to pick one. The production design and the effort taken to design and build the port town of Porto Velho was far beyond what is normal on such films. Likewise, the attention paid to designing era- and culturally appropriate props, hair, and makeup was amazing. The construction of the tramp steamer boat, La Quila, the home to Dwayne Johnson’s character, Frank, was a massive logistical achievement. And then there were the complex visual effects, particularly the state-of-the-art digital work used to create the ferocious jaguar Proxima, and to put a supernatural vibe on the conquistador characters who have been trapped in the jungle for a very long time.
But possibly the craziest thing I learned regarded the helpful role played by a goat named Larry. Yes, you heard me right: a goat named Larry. In Atlanta, at a location called the Old Atlanta Prison Farm, filmmakers had to clear brush that had become way overgrown from a certain part of the location. To have it stand in for a portion of the jungle that required them to bring in jungle-appropriate plants to take the place of the brush, and to give them access to two small water ponds on the site, they had to clear out existing brush. The location manager, Maida Morgan, explained to me that for about two weeks, they had a herd of live goats simply eat away at the brush that prevented them from accessing the ponds on the site. Larry, according to Maida Morgan, was a very special goat who could actually stand on his hind legs and walk like a human. She insisted that he was particularly helpful in helping them reach and remove plants and vines that were located particularly high up. So a big shout-out to Larry the Hind-Walking Goat!!!
Preorder your copy of The Making of Disney’s Jungle Cruise here.
Disney Junior’s latest series, Mira, Royal Detective, set in the India-inspired fairy-tale land of Jalpur, kicks off with an infectious Bollywood dance number. But before the animators could create this spectacular sequence on screen—and others like it—dance consultant and choreographer Nakul Dev Mahajan first had to bring it to life in his studio.
Fans might remember Mahajan from the Emmy®-winning dance competition series So You Think You Can Dance, and Bollywood dance has been part of his life since he was 5 years old. He came in to meet with the Mira, Royal Detective team during the early stages of production, and shares, “I was literally blown away with the artwork, the narrative, and the story they were telling me. It was so detailed. I wanted to live in this place, it was so stunning.” Mahajan was struck by how beautifully Mira, Royal Detective represented his South Asian culture and knew, “I had to be part of this.”
Mahajan is new to the medium, but he’s quickly learned that some movements translate to animated characters—humans and mongooses alike—better than others. “Bollywood dancing can be super-fast. It can be very intricate, and it can be very detailed,” he explains, adding that his greatest challenge is maintaining the genre that he “lives, breathes, eats, and sleeps,” without overwhelming the artists.
It’s also important to note, Mahajan says, that Bollywood dance has evolved in the last 25 years. When asked to define it, he shares, “I would always say [Bollywood dance] is every genre of dance under the sun on a Bollywood song… And then from there you have your sub-categories: Is it traditional Bollywood? Is it Bollywood hip hop? Is it Bollywood jazz? Is it Bollywood contemporary?”
All of these sub-genres have been incorporated into Mira, Royal Detective, for which most episodes will feature authentic forms of dance that can be found across India. Mahajan lets the story and the music serve as his guide. “I can tell by the music tempo and the types of instruments that they’re using what part of India it’s from,” he says.
Mahajan’s creative process starts with the script and the music, and after he and the animation team hone in on a shared vision for a dance sequence, he heads into his studio and begins to choreograph. Mahajan and his assistant perform the dances themselves and create very detailed videos that address formations, nuances, facial expressions, and more. He explains, “For me, Bollywood is not just moving your body.” Go into Mahajan’s studio in the exclusive behind-the-scenes featurette below to see firsthand what it takes to create these magical moves for Mira, mongooses Mikku and Chikku, and more:
Mahajan, a lifelong Disney fan, was born in Agra, India, and raised in Southern California. As a child, he spent every birthday at Disneyland and says that now seeing his choreography come to life on Disney Channel is a dream come true. “It’s perhaps my favorite job,” he confesses. Beyond its authentic portrayal of Indian culture, Mahajan appreciates how Mira, Royal Detective inspires critical thinking in young viewers, and he loves the series’ confident, independent protagonist: “If there’s anything that has those components and my name can be attached to it, I can be a very happy man for the rest of my life!”
Disney Junior’s small and mighty detective is on the case this Friday, March 20, in the series premiere of Mira, Royal Detective. Tune in to Disney Channel at 11 a.m. ET/PT and Disney Junior at 7 p.m. ET/PT. The episodes will also be available on DisneyNOW.
When I was a little girl, one of the things I really loved was poring over my Disney storybooks. One of my favorites was a Little Golden Book entitled The Little Man of Disneyland, published in 1955. I was absolutely enchanted by the story of Patrick Begorra, a leprechaun who lived in a tiny house at the base of an orange tree—in the grove that became Disneyland. The story of how Mickey, Donald, and Goofy took Patrick to the Disney studio in Burbank and showed him plans for the new park, and then helped Patrick create a new home there, was one that I read over and over. I always hoped that one day I would be lucky enough to find him there myself—and always kept a very sharp eye out when my family made our special trips there.
In 2015, the Walt Disney Archives had the opportunity to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Disneyland at the D23 Expo, and I just knew that we had to tell Patrick’s story as part of our big exhibition on the show floor. I was thrilled that people were so excited to hear about this charming little leprechaun but I was absolutely floored to hear that his home magically appeared in Adventureland the morning our exhibit opened! I guess Patrick heard that we were honoring him that weekend and decided that 60 years was long enough to stay hidden away and made his tiny home visible to fans. Someday, I sure hope I get a chance to meet him in person—and believe me, I will keep a sharp eye out on all future visits.
When fans meet Disney Junior’s newest hero, Mira, she is being fitted for the traditional uniform worn by all of the royal detectives who have held the title before her. A nearby portrait gallery confirms that all of Jalpur’s previous royal detectives have been men, all many decades Mira’s senior. The palace tailor observes, “This is the first time I’ve fitted a royal detective who’s so…”
“Small?” questions Mira.
“And mighty!” the palace tailor emphasizes. The brave and resourceful Mira is more than up for the task of solving mysteries throughout her kingdom of Jalpur. She’s a very different kind of royal detective for her kingdom, and the new animated series Mira, Royal Detective—premiering Friday, March 20, at 11 a.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and at 7 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior—brings to Disney Junior a whole new world, a vibrant land that’s inspired by the diverse cultures and customs of India.
Joe D’Ambrosia, senior vice president, Original Programming, and general manager, Disney Junior, recalls that the idea for Mira, Royal Detective sprang from a “water cooler conversation” about great detectives from literature and entertainment, which inspired the team to develop their own young sleuth. D’Ambrosia shares that Becca Topol, who now serves as the series’ story editor, came in and pitched a story about a young girl who is essentially the smartest person in her town, driven to help her community by solving mysteries. “That was the jumping-off point for Mira, Royal Detective,” he says. “And as we worked through development, we decided to make Mira South Asian, to celebrate all of the vibrant customs and cultures of India.”
Each episode features two 11-minute stories in which Mira, with help from her friend Prince Neel, her creative cousin Priya, and her adorably comic mongoose sidekicks Mikku and Chikku, embark on mystery-solving adventures around Jalpur. In addition to clever mysteries that viewers of all ages will enjoy trying to solve along with Mira, the stories feature authentic food, fashion, language, and art inspired by South Asian culture. To ensure that Mira, Royal Detective is culturally authentic to the region that inspires it, Disney Junior is working with IW Group’s Shagorika Ghosh Perkins, who serves as the series’ cultural consultant and consulting producer. Diane Ikemiyashiro, vice president, Current Series, Disney Junior says, “She looks at everything from a springboard idea for an episode all the way to the very end of animation.” Ghosh Perkins advises on everything from customs and cuisine to the names of characters featured in the show.
Jalpur is a fairytale land rich with such elements of Disney magic as flying rickshaws and dancing mongooses, but first and foremost, Disney Junior wanted to be authentic to the region that inspired it. In working with Ghosh Perkins, the creative team looked to India’s northwest region for a few specific elements. Jalpur’s clock tower is reminiscent of many of the central towers found in Rajasthan, and as they envisioned Jalpur as a port city, the team found it helpful to look at the lakes of Udaipur. The incredibly detailed backgrounds are layered with iconic images that tap into South Asian culture. “We took a lot of care working with our consultants and our designers to make sure we got it right,” D’Ambrosia emphasizes.
That drive for authenticity extends to Mira, Royal Detective’s music and dance sequences. Music producer Deepak Ramapriyan (Basmati Blues) serves as a consultant, and Amritha Vaz (Miss India America) is composer. Most episodes feature a spectacular dance sequence created in partnership with Bollywood dancer and choreographer Nakul Dev Mahajan (So You Think You Can Dance). Ikemiyashiro explains, “It was really important to find someone who understands that what we’re trying to do with the show is to portray our characters in a fun, accessible way, with the movement in the dance based on real choreography from Indian culture. Nakul was the perfect match for us because he lives and breathes it.”
Mahajan shares that he was moved to tears in his first meeting with executive producer Sascha Paladino, as he heard the story the Mira, Royal Detective team was committed to tell and viewed the stunning concept art. “I was so taken aback by seeing this beautiful representation of my culture, something I didn’t have when I was growing up in America,” he says. “And to know how powerful this series can be, for not just South Asians but children all over. I had to be part of it.”
The voice cast for Mira, Royal Detective is comprised of an incredibly talented group of actors, almost all of whom are of South Asian descent. “We really felt strongly that the voice talent should be a reflection of what we’re seeing on screen,” Ikemiyashiro stresses. Leela Ladnier stars as the voice of Mira, with Freida Pinto as Queen Shanti; Hannah Simone as a young commoner named Pinky; Jameela Jamil as Mira’s Auntie Pushpa; Kal Penn and Utkarsh Ambudkar as mongooses Mikku and Chikku, respectively; and Aasif Mandvi as Mira’s father, Sahil. The cast also includes Aparna Nancherla as Mira’s cousin Meena, Roshni Edwards as Mira’s cousin Priya, Kamran Lucas as Prince Neel, Karan Brar as Prince Veer, Karan Soni as Manjeet, Maulik Pancholy as Ranjeet, Sarita Choudhury as Great-Aunt Rupa, Sarayu Blue as the palace tailor, and Parvesh Cheena and Sonal Shah as bandits, Manish and Poonam, respectively. The cast recently gathered for a special screening on the Burbank Studio lot and talked about how meaningful it is for them to be part of this series:
In a Disney Junior first, Mira, Royal Detective will launch in India concurrently with its debut in the U.S. The series will premiere in the U.S. on Friday, March 20 (11 a.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and 7 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior), with Disney Channel India premiering a sneak-peek that same day, followed by the series premiere on Sunday, March 22. “Our partners at Disney Channel India have been instrumental and helped guide us in terms of costumes, foods, and other customs that we have in the show; and they were so excited when they saw the first couple of episodes that we decided we would premiere it together,” D’Ambrosia says. “Having them launch day and date with ours in the same weekend will make it a worldwide celebration.” Following its premiere in the U.S. and India, the series will roll out worldwide in an estimated 160 countries on Disney Channel and Disney Junior platforms globally.
While the world of Mira, Royal Detective takes inspiration from South Asia, its message and its smart, empathetic protagonist are universal. What sets Mira apart from other Disney Junior heroes, D’Ambrosia believes, is her special gift of observation, which enables her to see things from a different perspective. “We feel and we hope that she’ll inspire young kids all around the globe to utilize their critical thinking and problem-solving skills and actively engage and help in their community,” he says.
Or, as Mira herself puts it, “If I can’t help my friends and family, what good is being Royal Detective?”
Longtime Disney fan Matthew Morrison, who played the role of Will Schuester on the Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winning series Glee and most recently appeared on FX’s American Horror Story: 1984, has teamed up with Disney Music Group to release a marvelous album of Disney classics, called Disney Dreamin’ with Matthew Morrison, out now.
Morrison, who has recorded albums with an impressive guest list of artists, including Sting, Sir Elton John, and Smokey Robinson, says that “his goal was to deliver an album that reconnects us all to the magic of youth. Every note, every word I sang was for my son, Revel James.”
D23 caught up with Morrison recently to talk about the new record and what makes Disney songs so special and timeless.
D23: What makes a great Disney song? Matthew Morrison (MM): I think it’s the visual aspect along with the amazing music tied together. The songs are told in such a beautiful visual way. You get so invested in them and really connect them to a specific moment. They work on so many levels. It’s the heart and emotion in them that make them so special.
D23: There are so many timeless Disney songs; was it hard to come up with the 10 songs on the album? MM: That was the hardest part of the process for me. Disney gave me access to the complete catalogue. And I wanted to do some older stuff from my childhood; so I have a mashup of “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” and “Bare Necessities,” and another song I love, “When You Wish Upon a Star.” But I also wanted to do some classic songs from the Disney animation renaissance era, including Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, and Hercules; so I added some songs from that era that I absolutely love, that were really a part of my childhood—“Go the Distance” is a big one [and the first single].
D23: How would you describe the music on your album. MM: Eclectic. It was absolutely the most fun I ever had making an album. And I say that because I’ve done a pop album, an album of standards, and those are all linear and you kind of have to stay in that lane. But with Disney, you can go anywhere. The voices you make, the characterizations you make… each song is totally different from the next. And for me as an artist to play in that world and just explore and have fun and be so wild with it… it was the most fun I ever had in my entire life in a recording studio. The possibilities were endless.
D23: Why did you want to make an album of Disney music at this point in your career? MM: Disney music is timeless. It’s been around forever. Our grandparents knew it, our parents know it, we know it, our children, our grandchildren… there is something so special about that. I feel like in the world today, where everything is so transactional—you listen to something, and then you’re on to the next right away—I wanted to partner with Disney, so I could make music and put my stamp on it, but that people will come back to and re-listen to for years to come. For me as an artist I wanted to share that experience with Disney—a company synonymous with timeless music.
D23: What are some of your favorite songs on the album? MM: “You’ll Be In My heart” is definitely one. It’s a song that really makes you think of Phil Collins when you hear it. But my goal was to make it sound fresh and different. It’s the sentiment of that song that really touches me now that I’m a father. Love has a whole new meaning for me now. Lyrics like “I will protect you from all around you, I will be here, don’t you cry.” I sob when I sing that song sometimes. It’s just so beautifully written. It’s definitely one of my favorites. I also like “A Whole New World.” It’s usually done in 4/4 time, but I put it in a completely different time signature. So it sounds different. I also got to do it with my friend Shoshana Bean, who is an incredible recording artist [also appeared in Broadway productions Hairspray, Wicked, and Waitress]. It’s the ultimate romantic Disney song—and one I’ve wanted to do for a very long time. And to actually get to do it with a great friend of mine and put it on my album was very special.
D23: When did you become a huge Disney fan? MM: I first really got into Disney during my high school years. Some buddies of mine and I had Annual Passes and we would go to Disneyland. We called ourselves “The Lost Boys”! We totally bought into that Disney message of freedom of imagination, and we got to run around and be free and wild. But at the same time it was so innocent and such clean fun. Disney for me is something that stands for core values and having a great time—and just pure imagination.
D23: How does your son like the record? MM: Well, I broke the album down to five and five—five lullabies and five, like, dance parties. I sing my son to sleep every night, and we wake up every morning with a dance party. That was the vibe I wanted to put on the album. There is something for everyone on this album, and in particular my son! When we wake up and have our dance parties, he wants to hear the drums, the bass, and just really get into the rhythm and groove of the song. “A Friend Like Me” from Aladdin is one he really gets into. He has a one-arm fist pump he does when he dances. It’s hilarious. You can visualize it, right?
D23: Were there a lot of songs you wanted to record but just didn’t have the room for them? MM: So many. I hope I get to do another record of Disney songs. And a third one! They are so much fun to sing and there’s so much more to sing.
D23: How do you hope audiences will react to the album? MM: For me the big takeaway is I hope it connects people to their families. These are songs that are so special, and hearing them in a different light, with a new take, you can open up your own imagination and create your own worlds to these songs… to get invested in a new way—and maybe sing along to them with someone special.
There’s a whole universe to explore—and thanks to The Walt Disney Company, you don’t even have to leave home to do it! This week, you can uncover the vastness of time and the immensity of space in National Geographic’s Cosmos: Possible Worlds. You’re also invited to discover the magic that happens when the most creative minds in entertainment work together to create attractions, movies, parades, and more! Mark your calendars, because we’ve rounded up five programs you should watch this week:
Cosmos: Possible Worlds—Monday, March 16, at 9 p.m. on National Geographic
The 13-episode season continues to chart humanity’s past, present, and future, taking viewers to previously uncharted territories and turning complex themes of science and exploration into a mind-blowing adventure beyond the realms of the imagination. The third episode, “Lost City of Life,” tells the story behind the man who found the first clues to life’s beginnings on Earth, while the fourth episode, “Vavilov,” tells the story of Nikolai Vavilov, who risked his life for a discovery that changed the history of science; both air tonight, starting at 9 p.m. ET. Hosted by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, the series incorporates state-of-the-art VFX, stylized animation, dramatic reenactments, and more.
Motherland: Fort Salem—Wednesday, March 18, at 9 p.m. on Freeform
What if 300 years ago witches cut a deal with the U.S. government to fight for their country? From creator and executive producer Eliot Laurence, the series follows three young women from basic training in combat magic into early deployment at Fort Salem. Premiering this week, the 10-episode, one-hour drama series stars Taylor Hickson as Raelle, Jessica Sutton as Tally, Ashley Nicole Williams as Abigail, Amalia Holm as Scylla, and Demetria McKinney as Anacostia, with Lyne Renee as General Sarah Alder.
Mira, Royal Detective—Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m. on Disney Junior
Set in the magical Indian-inspired land of Jalpur, the animated series introduces a brave and resourceful girl named Mira, a commoner whom the queen has appointed to the role of royal detective. Each episode features two 11-minute stories that celebrate the cultures and customs of India, as well as at least one original song and dance number. The series, which has already been ordered for a second season, features the voice talents of Leela Ladnier, Freida Pinto, Kal Penn, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Hannah Simone, Jameela Jamil, Aparna Nancherla, Aasif Mandvi, Karan Soni, Maulik Pancholy, Sarayu Blue, Sarita Choudhury, Roshni Edwards, Kamran Lucas, Karan Brar, Parvesh Cheena, and Sonal Shah. Guest stars include Kunal Nayyar, Danny Pudi, Iqbal Theba, Sunita Mani, Karen David, Rizwan Manji, Hari Kondabolu, Nardeep Khurmi, Aarti Sequeira, Avantika Vandanapu, Julian Zane, Brian George, Sakina Jaffrey, and Madhur Jaffrey.
Shark Tank—Friday, March 20, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
Friends from Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona, introduce the Sharks to the future with their stylish and affordable mobile real estate concept. Then, an immigrant from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, now based in Boston, Massachusetts, showcases what she thinks is the ideal alternative snack to popcorn—a tasty treat with Indian roots. An entrepreneur from New York City offers a sustainable, portable solution to powering small tech devices. Finally, an entrepreneur from Virginia Beach, Virginia, shows the Sharks he has more than a few tricks up his sleeve while he pitches a new way to ensure safety while using tools.
Disney Insider—Friday, March 20, on Disney+
Lights, camera, magic! Go behind the scenes of The Walt Disney Company—from making a feature film like Onward to hosting a runDisney race—in the new original series. Disney Insider premieres March 20, with new episodes debuting every Friday.
An unassuming high schooler named Leo meets a free-spirited new student with an unusual name—and an unconventional celebration of kindness and individuality ensues… that’s the story at the heart of Stargirl, Disney+’s colorful, music-filled new film premiering Friday, March 13, on the streaming service. And at Tuesday’s world premiere, Stargirl herself, Grace VanderWaal, joined castmates including Graham Verchere, Darby Stanchfield, Shelby Simmons, and Giancarlo Esposito—as well as director/screenwriter Julia Hart, executive producer/screenwriter Jordan Horowitz, and author Jerry Spinelli (who wrote the New York Times best-selling young adult novel on which the film is based—for a red carpet fit for the AP history books.
Essential to the success of the film is Stargirl herself—and Hart knew she’d found her the minute she met VanderWaal; “I knew that Grace was my Stargirl because she is everyone’s Stargirl,” she joyfully explains. “But she’s also really different from Stargirl, and I think it was fun for her to dig into the intricate ways in which she and Stargirl are different. But man oh man, she’s Stargirl!” And for a film about today’s teenagers, it was important for Hart—a former teacher—to make sure she was telling a truly genuine story… “The world is such a complicated place,” Hart admits, “and the most important thing to me was to get to tell a story about young people that portrayed them in a positive, authentic light… I have so much love for teenagers, and I’ve spent a lot of time with them over the years, and it was so fun and wonderful to get to make this movie with all these amazing kids.”
For Hart’s fellow screenwriter, executive producer Horowitz—also Hart’s real-life husband!—getting involved with this project was a no-brainer: “Julia read the book,” he explains, “and it felt like a movie that could be about the things that we prioritize in our work, which are kindness and compassion [and] loving yourself… we have two young boys, and we try to put the ideas of this book and of the movies that we make into their lives. And there’s no better way to do that, and to demonstrate that we’re serious about it, then to tell stories about it.”
The special nature of the film wasn’t lost on its exuberant young cast, some of whom had to learn brand-new skills for their roles. Says Juliocesar Chavez, who plays Leo’s Mica High School marching bandmate Alan, “I had to learn to read the bass drum music sheet, and learn how to play,” he excitedly explains. “It was a fun experience, and now I know how to play the bass drum!” Meanwhile, Shelby Simmons—an actress known for her roles on Disney Channel’s Andi Mack and BUNK’D, and who appears in Stargirl as antagonist Hillary—it’s important for audiences to know Hillary isn’t all bad. “She is not a bully! She’s not a ‘mean girl,’” Simmons admits. “She’s deeper than that. She has a reason for being here and she’s actually a really great human being.”
Author (and executive producer) Jerry Spinelli is excited for Disney+ audiences to see the story from his best-selling 2000 novel come to life on screen—especially with its cadre of incredible talent. “As soon as I heard that Grace was in the ballgame [to get the role], I was rooting for her,” says Spinelli. “I thought she had the right look, the right personality, and it turns out that she can act!” (VanderWaal is a singer/songwriter known for her star-making appearance on America’s Got Talent.) And as for Verchere, who portrays Leo? “Graham’s just how I pictured Leo,” he admits.
That dynamic duo—VanderWaal and Verchere—cannot wait for audiences to see the film… certain scenes in particular. “The musical scenes were really fun to film,” says Verchere, “and I think they’re good!” VanderWaal agrees, even with a bit of trepidation: “The musical scenes are what I’m most scared about,” she laughingly admits, adding “[And] I think the final scenes at the very, very end, are kind of the best scenes in the entire movie… I’m most excited for people to see the end.” (No spoilers, don’t worry!)
Darby Stanchfield (ABC’s Scandal) costars in Stargirl as Leo’s mother, Gloria—and she anticipates the film’s approachable message resonating with both young and young-at heart: “I hope everybody, whether they’re a child or an adult, take away the message to really have the courage to be themselves—and not worry about fitting in. It’s overrated, fitting in. It really is!” Giancarlo Esposito, currently starring in the Disney+ phenomenon The Mandalorian, appears in Stargirl as Archie—Leo’s mentor of sorts… and adding to Stanchfield’s take, he explains, “This film allows folks the opportunity, if they choose, to embrace the wonder of their dreams. And to ask their parents [and] other friends, ‘Support me. Support me because this is my dream, and I need to be support to know that I can do it.’ And I’m here to tell you, you can. Because [as a kid] I was told I couldn’t, and here I am in front of you today.”
Disney+’s Stargirl –with all its music, magic, and heart—begins streaming on March 13. Take a peek at a few more photos from the premiere, below:
“Walt realized that a visit to an amusement park could be like a theatrical experience—in a word, a show.” — Disney Legend John Hench
No part of the Disneyland “show” was overlooked while preparing to open in the months leading up to July 17, 1955. When Walt and his staff set out to create their new entertainment enterprise, they knew the finished product required nothing less than the highest level of detail, from window trimmings to Cast Member costumes, all perfectly in sync from the very moment Guests walked through the turnstiles.
The beautifully detailed (and fluidly effortless) costume concepts highlighted here help illustrate the rich attention to detail sought after from Walt’s early Imagineers, including one very talented costume designer. The park’s earliest wardrobe concepts were drafted by legendary costumer Renié Conley, who utilized her keen eye and accomplished motion picture experience to design functional, yet thematically appropriate, garments that helped promulgate the immersive concept of “show” Walt and his staff were after.
Conley (who, like several notable Disney artists over the years, had attended the Chouinard Art Institute) also designed motion picture costumes for a slew of Academy Award®-nominated titles, including The Big Fisherman (1959) and Cleopatra (1963)––a film which she won an Oscar® for in 1964. Conley’s lasting Disney legacy can still be found at the park, too––a window above the Carnation Café on Main Street, U.S.A. bears her name—an honor bestowed to only a select few who have helped bring the “show” of Disneyland to magical life.
Check back next week for Costumer to the Stars – Part Two!
