30 Years of Indiana Jones Adventure: The Attraction by the Numbers

By Cassandra Pinkney

For the past 30 years, Disneyland Park’s Indiana Jones Adventure attraction has been letting guests test out their adventuring skills as they find themselves journeying deep into the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. At D23’s recent Spotlight Series event, chronicling Walt Disney Imagineering’s creation of the iconic attraction, current and former Imagineers Susan Bonds, Daniel Jue, and Charita Carter delighted fans with behind-the-scenes stories about how Indiana Jones Adventure came to be.

To celebrate this attraction’s 30th anniversary, here’s Indiana Jones Adventure by the numbers:

5 Stories
Of the many iconic moments within the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction, the “Cavern of Death” scene is an expansive, treacherous part of every adventurer’s journey through the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. Measuring five stories high, this iconic moment of the ride is stocked with numerous special effects, including real fire and the Eye of Mara looking for you as you try to escape her wrath.

8 Months
Imagineers worked diligently on Indiana Jones Adventure to ensure the attraction was as thrilling and immersive an experience as possible. An especially impressive component of the attraction are the Enhanced Motion Vehicles (EMVs) that guests ride in. These vehicles were developed by Walt Disney Imagineering Ride Engineering and Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development. After development, it took eight months to program them to move correctly and give guests the exciting experience this attraction is now known for. For Imagineer Ed Fritz, that meant riding the bumpy EMVs for eight months straight to make the attraction perfect.

14 Types of Stamped Concrete
No stone was left unturned when it came to the development of the queue for Indiana Jones Adventure. Fourteen different types of stamped concrete were used throughout the queue, with many bearing messages of doom that guests can decode. Amidst these harrowing messages about the fate that awaits adventurers inside the Temple of the Forbidden Eye are also homages to Imagineers and others who worked on the attraction. For instance, initials of prominent members of the Indiana Jones Adventure team can be seen stamped into the concrete in the “Obelisk of Doom” area of the queue.

16 Feet
When Imagineers were building Indiana Jones Adventure, they only had the space between Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise to work with… so they “bought” themselves room for the attraction’s impressive temple and winding jungle queue by rerouting Jungle Cruise and using part of a Disneyland parking lot to create the ride! Even today, guests can feel the tight quarters that Imagineers had to work with when they find themselves in the parts of the queue with a mere 16-foot space between the Pirates and Jungle Cruise attractions.

18 Seconds
Approximately every 18 seconds, a new group of travelers dares to gaze into the eyes of Mara when their ride vehicle is deployed. These adventurers have the choice of three treasures when they enter the Temple of the Forbidden Eye: earthly riches, eternal youth, or visions of the future. For those who drink too much from the Fountain of Youth, strollers are available when they escape from the temple… (Just kidding!)

27 Trees
Imagineers wanted a mature forest for the attraction’s queue, making guests feel as though they were exploring an ancient temple in India. Disneyland’s original landscaper and Disney Legend Bill Evans consulted with the Indiana Jones Adventure team and explained the origin of many Jungle Cruise trees, and how they could be relocated and used within the new attraction’s queue. In total, 27 trees were replanted—preserving Disneyland’s original foliage and adding to Indiana Jones Adventure’s ancient mystique.

90-Piece Orchestra
John Williams’ Indiana Jones scores feature some of the most iconic music in Disney’s catalog. To incorporate Williams’ score into the experience, a 90-piece orchestra recorded a version that was perfectly timed to the attraction. An on-board sound system plays this score—one of the many ways innovations featured in this attraction—in addition to a number of sound effects, keeping guests fully immersed in the story of the attraction and setting the standard for technological sophistication on future attractions.

400 Imagineers
Over the past 30 years, Indiana Jones Adventure has cemented itself as a truly iconic attraction. This was no easy feat. It required the work of about 400 Imagineers to bring it to life!

1,300 Props
The Indiana Jones Adventure queue is just as immersive and captivating as the attraction itself. To make guests feel like they were embarking on their own adventure, over 1,300 props were used throughout the queue. Some were used in the first three Indiana Jones films—such as the German troop vehicle seen in the outside portion of the queue. The vehicle has a bar attached to its front bumper, which is left over from when filmmakers rigged it for one of Indiana Jones’ impressive stunts.

1935
Indiana Jones Adventure is set in the year 1935. The story of the attraction takes place between the events of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), also set in 1935, and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), set the next year. Guests can find many references to this period throughout the attraction—including a real magazine from the 1930s featuring Mickey Mouse on the cover, seen when you pass by Indiana Jones’ office.

2,000 Skulls
It is said that many enter the Temple of the Forbidden Eye… but few exit. Those who gaze into the eyes of Mara in the pursuit of earthly treasures may encounter a different, more eternal fate. To represent the many souls lost in the temple, Imagineers furnished the attraction with over 2,000 replica human skulls. One of these unlucky adventurers can be seen in the “Hall of Skeletons” portion of the attraction wearing a Mouseketeer cap that says “Bones.”

Special thanks to Walt Disney Imagineering for sharing their knowledge about the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Showrunner Jeff Trammell on Putting Peter Parker and Lonnie Lincoln on Parallel Paths

By Zach Johnson

How does circumstance alter a person’s destiny?

That’s the question Jeff Trammell, the head writer, executive producer, and showrunner behind Marvel Animation’s series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, often asked himself as he was weaving together the narrative for Season 1, now streaming on Disney+.

Throughout 10 episodes, high school freshman Peter Parker (voiced by Hudson Thames) does his best to balance typical teenage tribulations with his alter-ego’s abnormal adventures. Above all, Peter just wants to help people, an attribute he shares with his classmate and friend Lonnie Lincoln (voiced by Eugene Byrd)—that is, until fate intervenes

Big Donovan (right) puts his right arm around Lonnie Lincoln (left) in a scene from Marvel Animation's Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, exclusively on Disney+.

“There was an early version of the show where Peter and Lonnie were on completely opposite ends,” Trammell recalled. “As time went on, I thought, ‘I don’t know if that’s fun. Let’s try putting Peter and Lonnie together and seeing how they complement each other.'”

According to Trammell, “Peter and Lonnie share a lot of really cool personality traits, but they’re also very different. Being able to juxtapose those characters as we take them on similar journeys with different obstacles is something I was really interested in exploring.”

Thames said the dynamic between Peter and Lonnie is filled with nuance and heart. “I think Peter’s relationship with Lonnie is really beautiful,” the actor said. “It’s one of my favorite parts of the whole series, actually. I think the way that it grows and changes is really cool.”

A split-shot Lonnie Lincoln's face (left) and Spider-Man's face (right) in a scene from Marvel Animation's Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, exclusively on Disney+.

Peter is dealing with a lot, from an unrequited crush to an internship at Oscorp Industries—not to mention everything he does as Spider-Man. Lonnie has a lot on his plate, too. As captain of the football team, he wants to make his parents proud. Family means everything to Lonnie, which is why he doesn’t think twice about saving his little brother from the 110th St. gang—even if it means changing the trajectory of his own life.

“Lonnie has so much history in the comics, but there is so much more to explore with him onscreen,” Trammell said. “That was what really drew me to him. Peter is going through growing pains, and he cares so much, and Lonnie is doing the same. Lonnie has a huge heart, and so he does what he feels is necessary given the circumstances. At the end of the day, he cares too much—to a fault. Peter is like that, too. They’re both intrinsically people who want to help but are taken on different journeys throughout the course of this show.”

Peter Parker appears pained as visions of the people in life — including Pearl Pangan, Nico Minoru, Harry Osborn, Aunt May, and others — float above his head in a scene from Marvel Animation's Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, only on Disney+.

In the Season 1 finale, Lonnie was able to help Peter when he needed it most—proving that, perhaps, he’s not a victim of circumstance after all. But the events in that episode also hinted that his life is about to get, well, harder. “A lot of those teases are there because they’re all so exciting to explore,” Trammell said of what happens to Peter, Lonnie, and their friends in the finale (and what lies ahead). “I look at Season 1 like we’re building this world, and we’re setting the board. In Season 2 and future seasons, now we’re playing the game.”

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Star Janice LeAnn Brown Takes Fans Behind the Scenes of the New Series—and Season 1 Finale

By Cassandra Pinkney

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place star Janice LeAnn Brown says that fans are in for some magical delights as the first season of the series winds down, with its finale airing this Friday, February 28. “Your jaw may drop,” she tells D23. “[Fans] can expect fun, adventure, learning. They can expect some wholesome moments and to just relax and forget about every problem in the world and just watch some magic.”

In the continuation of Wizards of Waverly Place, Brown plays a young wizard named Billie, who she describes as a “rascally little fashionista.” The first season follows Justin Russo (David Henrie) as he leaves his mortal life behind to train Billie and protect the future of the Wizard World, all while dealing with the sticky situations Billie and his children Roman (Alkaio Thiele) and Milo (Max Matenko) find themselves in.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is Brown’s first time playing a TV series regular. She loved Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie (2009) growing up and tells D23 she feels “so honored” to be taking on such an important role in this new series. Her excitement was just one part of the “emotional roller coaster” she was on when she learned she was the series lead. “I put a lot of pressure on myself,” she admits. Her on-screen family, including Wizards of Waverly Place actors David Henrie and Selena Gomez (Alex Russo), helped put things in perspective. “Having such an amazing support system calmed me down and I started trusting myself more. They made it so much fun,” she says. “It was such a blast.”

Brown is no stranger to a Disney production. Before she picked up her wand, Brown appeared in other Disney shows, including Bunk’d (2015-2024) and Just Roll with It (2019-2021). “A Disney set is probably one of the most fun sets to be on,” she says. “There’s always laughter and it’s a very wholesome place to be.”

Brown says her experience on Wizards Beyond Waverly Place taught her a lot about herself and she hopes that her character can grow just as much. “I want her to stop using magic for everything, and really listen and take things in,” she says. “I hope that she can enjoy the mortal world just a little bit, rather than causing chaos everywhere.” Brown also thinks a good place for Billie to start would be to “maybe listen to Justin just once!”

The love that the Russo family has for each other in the original Wizards of Waverly Place makes the new show special and, according to Brown, is felt just as much behind the scenes as it is on-screen. She relates to the way Billie finds her way into the Russo family and hopes that her performance can teach viewers, who also relate to her character, that “love exists and that they don’t have to give up on family.”

In fact, Brown says watching the series together could be an excellent tradition for families, especially for viewers of the original Wizards of Waverly Place who now have younger siblings or children of their own. “It’s a great way to spend time with your family. There are jokes for adults. Jokes for kids. Jokes for teenagers. It’s literally for everyone,” she says.

11 all-new episodes of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, including the Season 1 finale, premiere February 28 on Disney+.

QUIZ: How Much Do You Know About Disney at the Oscars®?

By Cassandra Pinkney

And the Oscar® goes to… Disney!

Disney has a storied history with the Academy Awards®, earning its first statuette over 90 years ago in 1932—and it has remained a fixture of the ceremony ever since. This year, The Walt Disney Company earned 15 nominations and is looking forward to a star-studded evening at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, live on ABC and Hulu.

In preparation for Hollywood’s biggest night, test your knowledge of Disney’s legacy at the Oscars.

Which of these films from The Walt Disney Company won the most Academy Awards?(Required)
Which tune won Disney’s first Oscar for Best Song?(Required)
Which Disney Princess starred in a film that won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature?(Required)
Which year is not tied for the most Oscars won by Disney in a single year (six)?(Required)
Which Disney Legend won the Academy Award for Best Original Score two years in a row?(Required)
How many Academy Awards has The Walt Disney Company won for technical and scientific achievements in film?(Required)
What was the last Academy Award-winning film that any of Disney’s Nine Old Men animated?(Required)
Which films won Best Animated Short and Best Animated Feature in the same year?(Required)
How many Academy Awards was Walt Disney honored with?(Required)

Maria Canals-Barrera on the Magic of Reprising Her Beloved Role in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place

No need to cast a summoning spell, this iconic Disney mom is back! After more than a decade, Maria Canals-Barrera is returning to her fan-favorite role as Theresa Russo in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. “It felt like we didn’t skip a beat,” she told D23 in an exclusive conversation about reprising her role in the continuation to Wizards of Waverly Place. “It felt like a wonderful opportunity to get to bring [Theresa Russo] back.”

To Canals-Barrera, the continuation captures everything that made the original series so magical. “A lot of talent and heart went into the show. There’s the same commitment to honoring the original show but creating something new that’s very satisfying.” She credits the show’s creative team with much of its success. David Henrie (Justin Russo) and Selena Gomez (Alex Russo) are back as a series regular and guest star, respectively, as well as executive producers. Canals-Barrera says that the creative team’s care for the show allowed them to “create something special.”

A key component of the Wizards of Waverly Place franchise has always been family. The Russo family mantra, “Russos always have each other’s backs,” lives on in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. “Unconditional love is so evident,” Canals-Barrera says about the newest generation of the Russo family, headed by Justin Russo and his wife Giada (Mimi Gianopulos). She is especially thrilled about her character, now a grandmother, sharing this love with the youngest members of the Russo family, Roman (Alkaio Thiele) and Milo (Max Matenko), in addition to Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown), a powerful young wizard who stays with the Russo family to train with Justin.

Playing a mother on-screen in Wizards of Waverly Place and being a mother off-screen, Canals-Barrera can relate to the importance of family. “I use a lot of myself,” she says of playing her character. “Being a good mother is the hardest thing in the world, and it is my goal to be the best mom I can be.” She draws parallels between her own journey of motherhood and the process which her character navigates. “With Teresa, having the limitation of being a mortal and having to deal with her kids having these magical powers was a great challenge,” she says. She expresses a deep fondness for the character of Giada Russo because she, like Theresa, is a mortal mom who deals with the struggles all moms face as well as the troubles that come from having wizards in the family. “I get to meet her where she’s at and love her unconditionally,” she says.

As a Cuban American, she also appreciates that Theresa Russo is “an American mom on an American show” while still celebrating her Latin heritage. “They didn’t put me in a box,” she says of her portrayal. This type of representation feels realistic to Canals-Barrera and audiences alike, as she learned from her daughter. “I remember my daughter saying, ‘Mom, friends at school really love that you’re like their mom.’ That kind of representation really did matter to a lot of young people, even if it’s unspoken.”

Canals-Barrera is as much a fan of the Wizards of Waverly Place franchise as she is a part of it. The continuation, she says, has something for new and old audiences alike, making it perfect for the whole family. “Hop on board! As an OG fan, it’s so satisfying,” she says. “You’re going to love it.”

This episode, along with 11 all-new episodes of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, premieres February 28 on Disney+.

A Complete Guide to the 97th Oscars® on ABC and Hulu

By Zach Johnson

It’s almost time to roll out the red carpet for the 97th Oscars®. 

Before Hollywood’s biggest night, get all the details on this year’s ceremony, from the host and the nominees to the presenters and the performers — in addition to all the pre- and post-awards coverage of the big wins, fabulous fashions, viral moments, and so much more.

When are The Oscars airing?
Held at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, The Oscars will air live on ABC beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT — and, for the first time, stream live on Hulu. The ceremony will stream on Disney+ internationally and air on broadcast outlets globally.

 

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How and when can I watch the Oscars pre-shows?
Leading into Oscars weekend, Good Morning America‘s Lara Spencer will be on the ground in Los Angeles Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday with a preview of Oscars preparations, including a sneak peek of The Governor’s Ball (the official Oscars afterparty) with celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. James Longman will join Spencer and GMA’s coverage Friday. Whit Johnson will also be on-site for special segments throughout the weekend. In addition, Good Morning America will mark its 50th anniversary with a look back at its extensive coverage of the Oscars throughout the years, culminating with the GMA Oscar Monday After-Party, broadcast live from both Hollywood and New York City on Monday, March 3.

Countdown to the Oscars with Robin Roberts: A Special Edition of 20/20 will air Friday, February 28, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu. In this primetime special, Disney Legend Robin Roberts interviews Oscar nominees Jesse Eisenberg, Cynthia Erivo, Coralie Fargeat, James Mangold, and others. The special also includes spotlights on nominees Timothée Chalamet, Demi Moore, Mikey Madison, and Zoe Saldaña, among others. Connelly also sits down with O’Brien to find out what the first-time host is planning.

ABC News will present a star-studded pre-show, On The Red Carpet at the Oscars, on Sunday, airing across ABC Owned Television Stations and Affiliates as well as streaming on ABC News Live from 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT until the awards show begins. ABC News’ Linsey Davis, Johnson, and Chris Connelly, along with KABC’s George Pennacchio and Variety‘s Clayton Davis will welcome and interview this year’s Oscar nominees and presenters as they arrive, while KABC meteorologist Leslie Lopez, supermodel Roshumba Williams, and fashion expert Joe Zee will be on site to discuss all the night’s best fashions.

Julianne Hough and Jesse Palmer will host The Oscars Red Carpet Show, the official lead-in to the 97th Oscars, on ABC Sunday, marking Palmer’s inaugural year and Hough’s second consecutive year doing the honors. The 30-minute special will highlight nominees, performers, and presenters, providing a multi-view experience of the red carpet arrivals.

Tune in throughout the week and into Oscars weekend for additional coverage from ABC News Live, ABC News Radio, ABC NewsOne, GMA3: What You Need to Know, Nightline, This Week with George Stephanopoulos, The View, and World News Tonight with David Muir.

Nominees for the 97th Oscars® were celebrated at a dinner held at the Academy Museum, Tuesday, February 25, 2025.

Who are this year’s Oscar nominees?
The Walt Disney Company received 15 Oscar nominations across The Walt Disney Studios, content brands, and platforms (Disney+ and Hulu). That includes eight for Searchlight Pictures’ A Complete Unknown, two for Searchlight Pictures’ A Real Pain, one for 20th Century Studios’ Alien: Romulus, one for Disney Branded Television’s Elton John: Never Too Late, one for Pixar Animation Studios’ Inside Out 2, one for 20th Century Studios’ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and one for National Geographic Documentary Films’ Sugarcane.

For a detailed list of Disney’s nominations, click here. To see all the nominees, click here.

In a scene from Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2, Bloofy, a purple 2D cartoon canine TV host, and Pouchy, a yellow fanny pack with googly eyes, face Riley's core Emotions: Sadness, Fear, Anger, Joy, and Disgust.

Where can I stream Disney’s Oscar-nominated films?
A Complete Unknown is in theaters and available to rent or purchase on premium VOD platforms (PVOD). Visit D23.com to find out where to stream A Real Pain, Alien: Romulus, Elton John: Never Too Late, Inside Out 2, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and Sugarcane.

Conan O'Brien wears a tuxedo and holds an applause sign.

Who is the hosting the 2024 Oscars?
As announced in November 2024, Emmy® Award-winning television host, writer, producer, and comedian Conan O’Brien will host The Oscars, marking his first time doing the honors.

“Conan is a preeminent comedic voice whose decades-long success is marked by his distinctive humor and perspective,” Craig Erwich, President, Disney Television Group, said when O’Brien’s involvement was announced. “He joins an iconic roster of comedy greats who have served in this role, and we are so lucky to have him center stage for the Oscars.”

Cynthia Erivo performs during the 92nd Oscars in 2020. She is wearing a form-fitting gold gown with an oversized collar and stands in front of a choir wearing gold robes.

Who is performing at the Oscars?
Doja Cat, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, LISA of Blackpink, Queen Latifah, and RAYE will participate in showstopping performances celebrating the filmmaking community and some of its legends. The Oscars also will feature a special appearance by the Los Angeles Master Chorale. The producers will continue to announce talent joining the show leading up to the ceremony.

Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr., Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Emma Stone, and Cillian Murphy hold gold Oscar statues and pose for a group photo at the 96th Oscars in 2024.

Who is presenting at the Oscars?
Joe Alwyn, Dave Bautista, Halle Berry, Sterling K. Brown, Penélope Cruz, Disney Legend Miley Cyrus, Willem Dafoe, Ana de Armas, Lily-Rose Depp, Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr., Elle Fanning, Disney Legend Harrison Ford, Gal Gadot, Andrew Garfield, Disney Legend Whoopi Goldberg, Selena Gomez, Goldie Hawn, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, John Lithgow, Cillian Murphy, Connie Nielsen, Amy Poehler, Margaret Qualley, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Alba Rohrwacher, Zoe Saldaña, June Squibb, Ben Stiller, Emma Stone, Miles Teller, Disney Legend Oprah Winfrey, Bowen Yang, and Rachel Zegler are confirmed to present during the show.

Oscars Pick 'Em graphic

How do I play Oscars Pick ‘Em?
Oscars Pick’em is a free to play game on ESPN.com/ABC.com, the ESPN App, and the ESPN Fantasy App that serves as a second screen experience for movie and gaming fans alike. Players compete by predicting who they think will win in all 23 categories. During the live broadcast, their selections will be scored in real time as each winner is announced. The grand prize is a trip for two to Los Angeles for the 2026 Oscars Watch Party and $5,000, and 10 first prize winners will receive an Oscar prize pack. (See complete rules for details.)

Amelia Dimoldenberg wears a sleeveless black dress.

How can I follow along on social media?
Chicken Shop Date‘s Amelia Dimoldenberg will serve as The Academy’s official social media ambassador and red carpet correspondent, after first holding the position in 2024.

“We are thrilled to welcome back Amelia as our social media ambassador and red carpet correspondent to provide viewers with exclusive access to the Oscars,” Jennifer Davidson, The Academy’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, said in a statement. “Amelia’s widespread appeal and unique approach resonated with global audiences, and we are looking forward to her affable and engaging perspective on the Oscars experience.”

Fans can also follow along via ABC’s official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X accounts.

GoodMorningAmerica.com—as well as GMA’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X accounts—will provide live coverage of the red carpet and award show starting at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT. ABCNews.com will also publish real-time updates on Oscars Sunday.

Katy Mullan and Raj Kapoor wear eveningwear and stand in front of a red curtain.

Who is on the Oscars production team?
The team behind this year’s ceremony includes executive producer and showrunner Raj Kapoor; executive producer Katy Mullan; co-executive producer Rob Paine; producers Taryn Hurd, Sarah Levine Hall, Jeff Ross, Mike Sweeney; director Hamish Hamilton; production designers Misty Buckley and Alana Billingsley; music director Michael Bearden; supervising choreographer Mandy Moore; and lighting designers Bob Dickinson and Noah Mitz. Joining Conan O’Brien as a writer are Amberia Allen, José Arroyo, Josh Comers, Dan Cronin, Jessie Gaskell, Skyler Higley, Berkley Johnson, Ian Karmel, Brian Kiley, Laurie Kilmartin, Carol Leifer, Jon Macks, Matt O’Brien, Agathe Panaretos, and Mike Sweeney.

What happens after the Oscars?
During the Oscars, Disney Legend Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos will be waiting in the wings to speak with winners the moment they walk offstage. Overnight, the Live with Kelly and Mark team will create the fan-favorite “After the Oscars Show” special, featuring the best moments with the biggest Oscar winners and, of course, the night’s most fabulous fashions. Come Monday morning, Ripa and Consuelos will walk onto the stage — ready or not — to talk to special guests, introduce a show-stopping musical performance, and more.

Conan O’Brien on Hosting the Academy Awards on ABC and Hulu: ‘I’m Going to Get an Oscar… I Plan to Steal One’

By Zach Johnson

Conan O’Brien is going for the gold.

“I do believe in my heart that one day I will win an Oscar. I really do,” the five-time Emmy® Award-winning television host, writer, producer, and comedian said with mock seriousness. “I’m not an actor; never been trained. I don’t really aspire to make movies, but I know I’m going to get an Oscar. Therapists call this a ‘delusion,’ but I really think I’m going to get one, and I think it’s going to happen sometime in the next five years… I plan to steal one.”

That’s the kind of deadpan, hopeful humor audiences can expect when O’Brien hosts the 97th Oscars live on ABC and Hulu this Sunday, March 2, beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

Lauded for “his brilliant humor, his love of movies, and his live TV expertise,” according to Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang, O’Brien is no stranger to the highwire act of hosting a live awards show. But… he’s never hosted the Oscars before.

“I hosted The Emmys twice. I believe I hosted the MTV Movie Awards nine times. I hosted the Soul Train Awards. But The Oscars, it’s the pinnacle,” O’Brien explained. “It’s the one that you most look up to. It’s the one you dream about hosting when you’re a child, so it has great meaning for me to host the Oscars—as long as the pay is good. I’m looking into that.”

As for how he’s preparing for the Academy Awards®, O’Brien is playing it cool.

“My biggest goal is to enjoy the nine hours of the Oscars telecast,” he joked of the three-hour ceremony, which will follow an official red carpet pre-show that beings at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT, only on ABC and Hulu. “I really want to enjoy it. I think it would be a shame to get the chance to host the Oscars and not have a good time, so I’ll be medicated.”

And if things don’t go as planned, well… O’Brien has a plan for that.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned after all these years of hosting is that mistakes aren’t mistakes. If something goes wrong, if there’s a mishap of some kind, if something strange happens, that’s actually a gift. Go with it. Acknowledge it. Maybe have fun with it — hopefully have fun with it,” he said. “I think a big misconception is that you’re hoping everything goes perfectly. I hope that things sometimes go a little off the rails, because that’s where the memorable moments happen in late-night television and on the Oscars.”

“So,” O’Brien concluded, “I’m going to plan for some terrible, terrible mistakes.”

Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker Returning for a Fifth Descendants Movie: All the Details

By Zach Johnson

“You didn’t think that was the end of the story, did you?”

Life is certainly sweeter, because today, Disney Branded Television announced that the next chapter of the Descendants movie franchise is officially in the works for Disney Channel and Disney+, with production on a fifth installment set to begin soon. The newly greenlit Disney Channel Original Movie will expand the music-and-dance-fueled stories that center around the teenage progeny of Disney’s most iconic characters and villains. Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker will reprise their roles as Princesses Red and Chloe, the daughters of the Queen of Hearts and Cinderella, respectively. The film’s official title will be announced at a later date.

“The love for the Descendants franchise runs deep, and the incredible response to Descendants: The Rise of Red last year proved just how much fans are invested in these characters and their stories,” said Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television. “Our next movie will build on that legacy and deliver even more of the magic, music, and heart that make Descendants so special—brought to life by an amazing cast and creative team who continue to elevate this world in new and exciting ways.”

Picking up shortly after the events of Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024), the movie will explore what “happily ever after” is really like for Red and Chloe, following their return from their time-traveling adventures. Set primarily in present-day Wonderland, the sequel delves into the warning at the end of the previous movie: “There are consequences when you alter the fabric of time.”

In an image from Descendants: The Rise of Red, Maddox Hatter, played by Leonardo Nam, is wearing a plaid top hat, a green leather jacket, and an orange scarf. He uses a magnifying glass to inspect a gold pocket watch. Princess Red, who has wavy red hair, is looking over Maddox Hatter's left shoulder.

In addition to Cantrall and Baker, Leonardo Nam returns as Maddox Hatter. New descendants to the hit movie franchise include Liamani Segura as Red’s sister, Pink; Brendon Tremblay as Max Hatter; Alexandro Byrd as Luis Madrigal; and Kiara Romero as Hazel Hook. Additional characters will be announced as the casting process continues.

Brendon Tremblay on the red carpet, Liamani Segura's headshot

Kiara Romero's headshot, and Alexandro Byrd's headshot.

Segura, who has a record deal with Def Jam Recordings, had a series regular role in Disney Branded Television’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, now streaming on Disney+. Tremblay recently wrapped production on the A24 movie ALTAR and previously starred in Xavier Dolan’s miniseries The Night Logan Woke Up. Byrd, who graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan, plays the title character in the upcoming independent film The Legend of Juan Jose Mundo. And Romero trained at the Joffrey Ballet School in the Jazz and Contemporary program before broadening her creative pursuits, recently starring in the feature film Drowning with Lou Diamond Phillips.

Kimmy Gatewood is set to direct and co-produce the fifth Descendants movie, from a script by co-executive producer Tamara Chestna and Dan Frey and Ru Sommer. Returning to the franchise are executive producers Suzanne Todd and Gary Marsh. EmmyⓇ Award winner Emilio Dosal will choreograph the music-and-dance sequences, a hallmark of the franchise.

Can’t wait for the fifth Descendants movie? Kicking off this summer in San Diego, the North American “Descendants/ZOMBIES: Worlds Collide Tour” will celebrate the music from the hit Descendants and ZOMBIES franchises. The arena tour will feature performances by Descendants: The Rise of Red stars Cantrall, Baker, Dara Reneé, and Joshua Colley and ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires stars Freya Skye, Malachi Barton, and Mekonnen Knife, inspiring families and fans of all ages to dance, sing, and engage with their favorite stars.

Disney twenty-three Goes Behind the Scenes of Snow White

By The D23 Team

The Spring 2025 issue of Disney twenty-three takes D23 Gold Members into the enchanted forest and majestic castle of Disney’s Snow White, including behind-the-scenes insights from director Marc Webb and stars Rachel Zegler (Snow White), Gal Gadot (Evil Queen), and Andrew Burnap (Jonathan). The issue is now available digitally, exclusively for D23 Gold Members.

Also in this issue—more Disney Princesses than ever! Hear from Disney Legend Colleen Atwood, Emmy® winner Eduardo Castro, and other accomplished costume designers on just what it takes to dress a princess for live-action films such as Cinderella (2015), Enchanted (2007), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and many more. Then celebrate the 75th anniversary of Walt Disney’s Cinderella (1950) with 75 things you may not know about the animated classic, along with rare production artwork—and a quiz!

Marvel fans won’t want to miss insider takes on Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts*—films exclusively in theaters—and the highly anticipated Disney+ series Daredevil: Born Again. Hear exclusive stories from stars including Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Charlie Cox, and Vincent D’Onofrio.

All D23 Gold Members will have access to the digital edition of Disney twenty-three starting February 28. Gold Members who joined or renewed in 2024 and have not yet reached their 2025 renewal date will be receiving the print edition of this issue by mail, as early as this month, while members who joined or renewed in 2025 can enjoy the digital edition of the publication and find the print edition available to purchase through DisneyStore.com starting March 11.

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In addition to the Gold Member-exclusive content, all D23 Members can read Disney twenty-three’s bonus “digital cover stories” on D23.com, featuring exclusive interviews and digital cover images available only online. To start, Disney twenty-three’s one-on-one interview with Disney Legend Harrison Ford (Captain America: Brave New World) is available now!

Also in the Spring 2025 issue of Disney twenty-three, D23 Gold Members will find:

  • Exclusive artworks by David Pacheco and Becky Cline featuring The Walt Disney Studios lot and some beloved characters—and the stories behind their creation—in honor of the storied location’s 85th anniversary.
  • A sneak peek at 20th Century Studios’ upcoming thriller The Amateur, including interviews with star and producer Rami Malek and director James Hawes.
  • A conversation with the documentary team behind National Geographic’s epic new series Secrets of the Penguins.
  • A gallery of little-seen artwork from the production of the Disney Animation classic The Three Caballeros(1945), marking its 80th anniversary.
  • New installments of Disney twenty-three’s reliably engaging departments: Down the Rabbit Hole, D Society, Ask the Walt Disney Archives, and By the Numbers.

Not yet a Gold Member? Visit D23.com/join to sign up today!

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With the Disney D23 app, your membership card is just a few taps away. Access your benefits from your phone!

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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Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World Composer Laura Karpman on Creating the Film’s Score and Why She Loves the MCU

By Cassandra Pinkney

Composer Laura Karpman takes great pleasure in creating musical scores for the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she says, because of Marvel Studios’ “massive love of music.” “The thing about the MCU is that it’s all of life. It’s every single emotion,” Karpman tells D23. “So, as a composer, working in the MCU gives you an opportunity to totally stretch out and do what we love to do.”

Perceptive fans also bring Karpman a distinct enjoyment while working on her MCU projects, which now include the feature films Captain America: Brave New World (2025) and The Marvels (2023) as well as the Disney+ series What If…? (2021–2024) and Ms. Marvel (2022). “A great thing about the Marvel fan base is that they pay attention,” says Karpman, an Oscar® nominee and five-time Emmy® Award winner. “They pay attention to what’s going on in the movie; they pay attention to themes. They’re engaged, and it’s so fun to engage with them and see how people react.”

For The Marvels, for example, Karpman engaged fans with music that incorporated sounds generated using “space junk” in order to create an authentic musical soundscape for a movie set in outer space. The score to Captain America: Brave New World has its own version of “space junk,” Karpman reveals, although from more down-to-earth objects. “There are actual wind-up toys in the score,” she explains. “There are these really crunchy sounds that create the sound of a ticking clock.” When combined with the other musical elements of the film, the buildup of these sounds makes for a high-strung listening experience, Karpman adds. “It’s this very, very tense music that keeps building and building and building.”

The same might be said of the story told by this newest entry into the MCU. In the first feature-length outing by Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) since taking up the mantle of Captain America, he finds himself racing to uncover the mastermind at the center of an international crisis—before temperamental President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) complicates matters any further.

That ever-building tension is a crucial part of the score and one of the reasons Karpman wanted to return to the MCU for this film. She classifies Captain America: Brave New World as a “political thriller,” a genre she had yet to score in the MCU before taking on this project. The film is reminiscent of classic political thrillers from the mid-20th century, she notes, and implicit references to those movies influenced the themes of many of the film’s characters. “You’ve got the conspiracy theme. You’ve got the Brave New World theme, which is the hero theme for this particular movie. You’ve got the [Dr. Samuel] Sterns [Tim Blake Nelson] theme, which is super creepy and taunting. And then you’ve got the President Ross theme, which starts out in this buttoned-up, sad world.”

In addition to the “taut, tight, and tense” nature of the film, the music also reflects what it means for Sam Wilson to take on the role of Captain America at this point, Karpman says. “The score is very contemporary. It uses a lot of synthesizers. It uses beats. It uses all the stuff that matches a contemporary Captain America. But it also has a classicism to it.”

Karpman has a fondness for Sam Wilson as Captain America and wanted to pay homage to this character’s roots in his first film appearance under this new mantle, the composer says. “Sam is from New Orleans and that’s the DNA of his musical story.” The heavy percussion heard throughout the film is a New Orleans drumline, a driving beat that moves the score forward and reminds audiences of the character’s history.

It’s a history that plays into an ever-evolving and often-surprising MCU. “The relationship between Sam and Joaquín [Danny Ramirez] is great and feels super fresh,” Karpman says. “You have great action and great characters doing great things. It’s certainly a wild ride!”

Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World is in theaters now.