6 Degrees of Walt Disney—How The 2019 Oscar® Nominees Relate to Walt

By Courtney Potter

Walt Disney is truly iconic in so many different ways… but did you know he won or received an incredible 32 Academy Awards—from a whopping 67 nominations—during his career? He still holds the record for most Oscars® in history! That astonishing legacy is still felt in every corner of Hollywood; actors and actresses the world over, to this day, can trace a path from their own careers back to films Walt himself produced. In preparation for the 91st Oscars, D23 took a look at all of the 2019 nominees for Actor and Actress in a Leading Role and calculated their “Six Degrees of Walt Disney”—read on for more, and make sure to catch these nominees during the sure-to-be-memorable telecast on Sunday, February 24, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT… only on ABC!

6 degrees of Walt - Oscars

Look for New Star Wars and Frozen 2 Products This Fall—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Mark your calendars for tons of fun on October 4, and get ready to make your Disneyland Resort photos “pop”… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Coming Soon: Brand-New Star Wars- and Frozen 2-Inspired Products!

They’re both still a few months off… but two of the most anticipated films of, well, the entire decade will also be unveiling some brand-new, and sure-to-be-incredible, products this fall! That’s right—fresh products inspired by both Star Wars: Episode IX and Disney’s Frozen 2 will begin hitting shelves around the world this October 4, as part of Disney’s first-ever worldwide simultaneous rollout.

Known now as Triple Force Friday, that fateful fall day—Friday, October 4, 2019—will see the launch of a wide range of brand-new products from several original Star Wars events… including products inspired by the much-anticipated final installment of the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: Episode IX, as well as the first-ever Star Wars live-action series, The Mandalorian (set to debut exclusively on the upcoming Disney+ streaming service). Plus, look for the introduction of products themed after the latest title from EA and Respawn—Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, a new action-adventure game coming to store shelves during the 2019 holiday season. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. that Friday, a plethora of products—spanning categories from toys to collectibles, housewares, books, apparel, and more—will go on sale, and stores around the world will join the festivities with cool in-store experiences and midnight openings.

But that’s not all: In celebration of Disney’s Frozen 2 storming into theaters on November 22, Disney and retailers around the world will also kick off Frozen Fan Fest on October 4—when tons of new products debut worldwide! Frozen Fan Fest will include the aforementioned product reveals; fun musical moments; in-store events; and so much more. Fans will be able to join their favorite Frozen characters in a whole new way, as they set out on an epic journey beyond Arendelle…

Stay tuned for more info about Triple Force Friday and Frozen Fan Fest in the coming months!

Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
March 7, 2018
Don’t Miss a Complimentary Advance Screening of Captain Marvel
March 10, 2018
D23’s 10-Year FAN-niversary Celebration at The Walt Disney Studios
March 11, 2018
D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experiences: A Day at the Studio Lot
March 18, 2018
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23
April 5, 2018
Lunch with a Disney Legend–Linda Larkin
April 6, 2018
D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experience: The Lion King on Broadway
April 6, 2018
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – GOLD FAMILY EXCLUSIVE
April 15, 2018
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23
May 6, 2018
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23
August 23-25, 2019
D23 Expo 2019
Parks
January 18-February 25, 2019
2019 Epcot International Festival of the Arts
March 1-April 23, 2019
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
March 6-June 3, 2019
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Summer 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening at Disneyland Resort
Fall 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening at and Walt Disney World Resort
Studios
March 8, 2019
Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel opens in U.S. theaters
March 29, 2019
Dumbo opens in U.S. theaters
April 17, 2019
Penguins opens in U.S. theaters
April 26, 2019
Avengers: Endgame opens in U.S. theaters
May 24, 2019
Aladdin opens in U.S. theaters
June 21, 2019
Toy Story 4 opens in U.S. theaters
July 19, 2019
The Lion King opens in U.S. theaters
August 9, 2019
Artemis Fowl opens in U.S. theaters
Television
February 15, 2019
Kim Possible premieres on Disney Channel (8–9:32 p.m. EST/PST)
February 24, 2019
The Oscars® airs on ABC (8–11 p.m. EST)
March 3, 2019
American Idol kicks off second season on ABC (8–10:01 p.m. EST)

downtown disney

Pop-Up Disney! Will Make Your Disneyland Resort Photos Positively “Pop”

Our pals down at Disneyland Resort are continuing to celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 90th in a big way—and their latest venture is one that’ll really make your Instagram account sing! Later this spring, they’ll be introducing Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration, a pop-up experience at the Downtown Disney District that’ll transport you though a whimsically immersive experience celebrating nine decades of both Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

This limited-time, separately ticketed exhibition will feature several different imaginatively themed rooms with colorful displays inspired by all things Mickey. Every room will include “selfie”-worthy surprises and provide plenty of fun and fabulous photo ops for guests of all ages. One such surprise: a plush, polka-dotted “bow” sofa, where you can live out all your ridiculously adorable Minnie Mouse photo-shoot fantasies.

Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration will be found near the Downtown Disney District Monorail station, in the former space of the ESPN Zone; look for tickets to go on sale soon!

Catch Up with Your Favorite VKs in New Descendants 3 Teaser Trailer

The much anticipated “trequel” to Disney’s Descendants will premiere this summer on Disney Channel—and to tide us over, director Kenny Ortega and his cast just released a nifty new teaser trailer… one that gives fans a first look at what happens when the VKs (a.k.a. “villain kids”) head back to the Isle of the Lost to recruit for Auradon Prep. See the trailer and read more about what you can expect right here at D23.com.

dca food and wine

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival: Merchandise Mania

Kicking off March 1, the 2019 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will offer 54 full days of delectable eats and treats as far as the eye can see… and if you’re searching for a way to bring home some memories of all that fun, look no further than the festival’s brand-new, exclusive commemorative merchandise.

You’ll find everything from those coveted spirit jerseys (a personal fave); baseball caps; a festival wine tote; Mickey ears featuring glimmering-gold utensils; festival-themed glassware; and even a cutting board shaped like a wine bottle—the perfect addition to your favorite foodie’s kitchen.

Food & Wine Festival merch will be located throughout Disney California Adventure park for a limited time—so don’t forget to take a break from all that delicious food and drink to do a little shopping…

Do You Enjoy Puppies? Then You’ve Gottta Watch the Latest Pixar Short!

We are unashamed to admit we are big-time dog lovers ’round here—so when we realized the latest short from Pixar Animation Studios’ SparkShorts program, Kitbull, was all about a cutie-patootie “pit bull” (and the stray kitten who befriends him), we knew we’d be smitten. And smitten is right! Watch the gorgeous, heart-warming hand-drawn clip—and hear from the short’s director, Rosana Sullivan—here at D23.com.

american idol

Sneak Peek at American Idol Before This Sunday’s Oscars®

Idol fans, listen up: Before this Sunday’s big Oscar® telecast, ABC viewers will be privy to a special 30-minute sneak peek at the upcoming season of American Idol. So just in case you needed a bit more star power that night, you’ll get to spend some time with host Ryan Seacrest and judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.

In the special, American Idol: A New Journey Begins, Seacrest sits down with the judging trio to discuss the return of the series—and to share a preview of this year’s crop of new talent! Plus, the panel will answer fan questions and share some fun behind-the-scenes tidbits. You can find the special on ABC at 1 p.m. PST/4 p.m. EST.

But that’s not all… later in the evening, Oscar viewers will see a historic musical performance featuring auditionees from the upcoming premiere episode. Set in one of the most iconic locations on Earth—the heart of Hollywood—this unique rooftop production will be shown during the live broadcast of the 91st Oscars, and will include a special appearance by Seacrest.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for American Idol’s big return—Sunday, March 3, at 8 p.m. EST/PST, only on ABC.

Every ’90s Disney Thing Captain Marvel Should Do When She Needs a Break From Saving the Day

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Captain Marvel is set to be a groundbreaking film for many exciting reasons, but possibly the most exciting of all is that it’s going to be the first film from Marvel Studios to be set in the 1990s! Yes, we admit it, some of us here at D23 might still be ’90s kids at heart, and we can’t wait for the heroic Carol Danvers to explore Earth during a totally radical time in history. We don’t know what year Captain Marvel makes her dramatic crash-landing onto Earth, but we can’t help but wonder: If Carol needed a break from all the action, what Disney things could she do for fun? Well, wonder no longer, because we’ve rounded up some of our favorite ’90s Disney things that are all that and a bag of chips:

Movies

The Lion King

Captain Marvel crash-lands in a VHS rental store, and if she wants to keep up with some of our favorite Disney films, she picked the perfect time to visit Earth. The ‘90s were full of fun Disney films that we’re still watching today. For example, back in 1994, we welcomed The Lion King to our pride (And 25 years later, we’re welcoming an all-new The Lion King into theaters in July 2019).

Goofy Movie

Depending on when in the ’90s Carol arrives, she could check out Toy Story, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Muppet Treasure Island, and more in theaters! We like to think she’d love jamming out to the poppy Powerline tunes from A Goofy Movie. (Maybe the “perfect cast” could provide perfect inspiration for fighting Skrulls?) No matter when Carol arrives, she can head to the movies for the perfect Disney night out after spending a long day as the hero that the world needs.

Disney Parks

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

“You’ve just crash-landed on earth! What are you going to do next?” We hope Captain Marvel gets the chance to visit a Disney theme park during her adventures on Earth, because in the ’90s, a lot of exciting, new things were happening at Disney parks in America.

Taking a trip to Orlando, Carol could book a room at the newly opened Wilderness Lodge Resort (which is celebrating 25 wild years in our modern time of 2019) and enjoy a well-deserved vacation. When she’s done relaxing, she can cool off at Blizzard Beach water park, which opened in 1995. Sure, our fearless Captain is brave enough to face off against Skrulls, but can she handle the 120-foot slope of Summit Plummet?

If she needs even more thrills, might we suggest Captain Marvel checks into a deserted hotel on the dark side of Hollywood… That’s right, back in 1994, we were introduced to the thrills and chills of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019), natch. Can she survive the terrifying ups and downs of this groundbreaking attraction?

Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye

Carol can also take her passion for thrills over to Disneyland and try out Indiana Jones Adventure, which opened the temple doors in 1994. And if she should happen to find herself with a little time to explore the attraction’s queue, we hope she has a decoder card ready—because we’re sure her Kree training will give her the wiles she needs to uncover the mystery of Mara.

Television

Darkwing Duck

After a long day of fighting Skrulls, who wouldn’t want to curl up in a blanket and chow down on some pizza while watching the antics of the latest, coolest Disney characters? We think Carol could get some much needed rest and relaxation while watching the adventures in TaleSpin, Gargoyles, Chip ’n’ Dale Rescue Rangers, and more of the animated shows airing during the Disney Afternoon programming block. She could even pick up some hero tips from Darkwing Duck. (What’s Kree for, “I am the terror that flaps in the night”?)

Internet

While Captain Marvel wouldn’t be able to log on to D23.com yet (We didn’t join the ’net until 2009—by the way, are you going to our 10th anniversary celebration?), Disney.com launched in 1996, so if Captain Marvel felt like she needed to learn more about Earth culture, we’d recommend she visit Disney’s website to get all the information she needs. (Plus, she can book that trip to Walt Disney World!)

If you want to experience your own ’90s throwback, catch Captain Marvel in theaters starting March 8.

Epcot Unveils Plans for Historic Multi-Year Transformation

By Zach Johnson

As Walt Disney himself once said, Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort is “an experimental prototype community that will always be in a state of becoming.” Walt’s words ring true today, as Disney announced several enhancements for Epcot, including a play pavilion, a reimagined main entrance, and an Experience Center showcasing the park’s future. “Epcot has always been, and always will be, an optimistic celebration of the real world that is brought to life through the magic of Disney,” said George A. Kalogridis, president, Walt Disney World Resort. “The exciting plans we have on the horizon will honor Epcot’s rich legacy of creativity and innovation while continuing to exceed the expectations of our guests for decades to come.”

Epcot transformation

The as-yet-unnamed pavilion in development will include first-of-their-kind experiences devoted to playful fun, inviting guests into an innovative, interactive city bursting with games and hands-on activities. Guests at Epcot will interact with their favorite Disney characters in an energetic metropolis unlike anything ever seen before in the park. The area will come to life under the vast dome of the pavilion previously known as Wonders of Life (more recently the Festival Center) and will be unveiled in time for the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary.

“This innovative, new pavilion is beyond anything we’ve ever created and is completely unique to Epcot,” said Zach Riddley, portfolio executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “Built on the power of play, it introduces an immersive and interactive ‘city’ where you can explore, create, and interact with some of your favorite Disney characters. This is an experience worthy of our bold vision for Epcot—and another signature element of our transformation.”

Epcot transformation

New magic is also coming to Epcot’s main entrance, as the plaza will soon welcome guests with new pathways, sweeping green spaces, and a reimagined fountain. This new design will pay homage to the original park entrance with fresh takes on classic components. As part of this new entry experience, Leave A Legacy photos will move into a stunning setting outside the park’s gateway. Significant redevelopment will also commence between Spaceship Earth and World Showcase Promenade; details about that area’s transformation will be announced later.

Guests will be able to preview the exciting plans for Epcot when doors open later this year on a new Experience Center in the Odyssey Events Pavilion. There, they can experience interactive exhibits that showcase the energy, excitement, and innovation driving the theme park’s future.

“Epcot is beloved for its focus on imagination, innovation, fun, food, and family,” said Kalogridis. “It’s a timeless place where the real is made fantastic through the magic of Disney. It has a very bright future ahead and the best part is that we’ve only just begun to dream.”

These new announcements join other projects already underway as part of the Epcot evolution. Larger-than-life Super Heroes will descend upon the park with the opening of a Guardians of the Galaxy-themed attraction. This new experience will be one of the longest enclosed roller coasters in the world and feature a brand-new ride system when it also opens in time for the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary.

Other new developments underway that we can’t wait to experience at Epcot include:

  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction in the France pavilion, patterned after the No. 1 family attraction at Disneyland Paris
  • Beauty and the Beast sing-along in the France pavilion, showing in addition to the pavilion’s current film, Impressions de France
  • Circle-Vision 360 film for the China pavilion and updated O Canada! 360-degree show
  • Signature Dining experience inspired by the natural beauty of Japan
  • Space-themed table-service restaurant adjacent to Mission: SPACE, inviting guests to travel high above the earth for an unforgettable dining experience
  • Epcot Forever, a 2019 limited-time nighttime experience over World Showcase Lagoon set to classic Epcot tunes, followed by an all-new nighttime spectacular debuting in 2020

New Disney Collections Debut at Raw Threads

By Karina Schink

It’s no secret that working out isn’t always the easiest thing to do. But, we have the perfect solution to make even the sorest muscles sing when the next rep is looming. Raw Threads just debuted their latest Disney-inspired collection and, we have to say, it might be their most magical yet! Highlighting Disney Princesses, these workout clothes will keep you inspired all the way to the finish line! D23 Gold Members, don’t forget to use your discount at RawThreads.com to receive 15% off site-wide.

Raw Threads

Check out Raw Threads’ Disney Princess collection here, which joins their Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Mary Poppins collections.

Raw Threads

Whiskey Cavalier Goes Down Smooth—Just Ask Its Stars

By Zach Johnson

ABC’s newest series is, ironically, a throwback. Whiskey Cavalier, an hour-long action dramedy making its debut right after the Oscars® February 24, co-stars Scott Foley as tough but tender FBI agent Will Chase (code name: “Whiskey Cavalier”) and Lauren Cohan as beautiful and bold CIA operative Frankie Trowbridge (code name: “Fiery Tribune”). Together, the unlikely duo partners up to lead an inter-agency team of fearless, flawed, and funny spies—all while navigating new friendships, romances, and office politics. “It’s got this old school charm to it you don’t see that much anymore,” says Cohan. “We’re really just trying to have fun and let our viewers have fun.”

Whiskey Cavalier

Foley, fresh off his six-season run as Jake Ballard on ABC’s Scandal, agrees. “It’s a throwback, in a way, to some of the shows people might have grown up with… shows that, for whatever reason, the networks stopped making years ago,” the actor says. “We’re trying to bring it back.”

The series, hailing from writer/executive producer David Hemingson and executive producer Bill Lawrence and Jeff Ingold, also stars Vir Das as Jai Datta, Josh Hopkins as Ray Prince, Ana Ortiz as Susan Sampson, and Tyler James Williams as Edgar Standish. According to Cohan, Whiskey Cavalier puts “different people and disparate ideologies” together in a way “that’s compelling and fun.”

Whiskey Cavalier

Foley promises the “sexy, romantic spy world” in the 13-episode first season will appeal to Disney fans of all ages. “What are Walt Disney World and Disneyland for? They’re for escaping, right? If you want to escape your problems or whatever you’re dealing with, Whiskey Cavalier will take you there,” he says. “It’s a great escapist fantasy, just like Disneyland and Walt Disney World.”

Echoing her co-star’s sentiments, Cohan believes Whiskey Cavalier has a “binge-able” quality—one with an “infectious,” broad appeal. “The fun thing about this show,” the actress explains, “is you can jump in at some point—having not seen an episode—and still enjoy it as a capsule.”

Whiskey Cavalier will re-air its premiere episode Wednesday, February 27, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Pixar’s Kitbull SparkShort Is Full of Purr-sonality

By Zach Johnson

The paw-some pals at the center of Kitbull, a newly released Pixar SparkShort from director Rosana Sullivan and producer Kathryn Hendrickson, forge a friendship you won’t soon fur-get. Set in San Francisco’s Mission District, the story begins when a stray kitten finds shelter in a back-alley dumpster, where it encounters a tender pit bull who’s been abused by its owner. Initially wary of each other, they eventually warm to each other and begin a new life together.

Kitbull differs from what Pixar typically does, in that it’s hand-drawn (as opposed to digitally animated). “I’ve always loved the charm of a hand-drawn image,” Sullivan says in a behind-the-scenes video clip. “No two artists will draw the same way, and no two drawings are going to be exactly alike.”

“Every frame is hand-drawn and hand-painted,” adds Sullivan, who watched “endless” cat videos as part of her research. “And while we did draw on computers, everything was directly from the artists’ hands onto the screen.” According to Hendrickson, that “posed a lot of challenges” for the team, who had to take the 2-D project and “fit it back into the normal 3-D process at Pixar.” So, to bring their story to life onscreen, Sullivan boasts, “We created our own pipeline.”

As such, the characters were “not overly detailed,” she says. “The kitten is very cartoony and is almost abstract in some ways. It was just so personally rewarding and fun just to draw the kitten. I think for people who joined the crew later on as animators, they felt the same way.”

Kitbull premiered alongside two other Pixar SparkShorts, Purl and Smash and Grab, at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre last month. All three shorts—part of Pixar’s development program championing new creative voices within the studio—are now streaming on YouTube.

Hades Wreaks Havoc in the Descendants 3 Teaser Trailer

By Zach Johnson

Mirror, mirror on the wall: Who’s the baddest of them all?

Look no further than the VKs—that’s villain kids, to the uninitiated—at the center of Disney Channel’s Descendants 3. The first teaser trailer for the “trequel” aired during the world premiere of the Disney Channel Original Movie Kim Possible, giving fans their first look at what happened after Mal (Dove Cameron) saved the day and Uma (China Anne McClain) swam away at the end of 2017’s Descendants 2. This time, the VKs’ adventure begins when Mal, Carlos (Cameron Boyce), Evie (Sofia Carson), and Jay (Booboo Stewart) return to the Isle of the Lost to recruit a new crop of villainous offspring to join them at Auradon Prep. But after a barrier breach jeopardizes Auradon’s safety, Mal elects to permanently close the gates, fearing Uma and Hades (Cheyenne Jackson) will seek retribution. Despite Mal’s decision, a mysterious dark force threatens the people of Auradon—and it’s up to the VKs to save them before it’s too late.

New and returning actors to the third film in the Descendants franchise include Anna Cathcart as Dizzy; Christian Convery as Squeaky; Brenna D’Amico as Jane; Zachary Gibson as Doug; Jedidiah Goodacre as Chad; Mitchell Hope as King Ben; Sarah Jefferey as Audrey; Jadah Marie as Celia; Judith Maxie as Queen Leah; Melanie Paxson as Fairy Godmother; Dan Payne as Beast; Luke Roessler as Squirmy; Jamal Sims as Doctor Facilier; and Keegan Connor Tracy as Belle.

The film is directed by Kenny Ortega, who also serves as executive producer with Wendy Japhet, as well as Sara Parriott and Josann McGibbon, writers of the trequel’s screenplay. Descendants 3 also brings back veteran costume designer Kara Saun, producer Shawn Williamson, and production designer Mark Hofeling.

Descendants 3 will premiere this summer on Disney Channel.

Descendants 3

Descendants 3

Descendants 3

Descendants 3

Meet the Cast of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

By Zach Johnson

This is the start of something new, Wildcats.

Production is underway in Salt Lake City, Utah, on the highly anticipated and reimagined High School Musical: The Musical: The Series for Disney+, The Walt Disney Company’s upcoming streaming service. Joining previously announced star Joshua Bassett (Stuck in the Middle) are cast members Olivia Rodrigo (Bizaardvark), Kate Reinders (Modern Family), Sofia Wylie (Andi Mack), Matt Cornett (Bella and the Bulldogs), Dara Reneé (Freaky Friday), Julia Lester (Mom), Frankie Rodriguez (Modern Family), Larry Saperstein (Fan Girl), and Mark St. Cyr (Doomsday).

The 10-episode series picks up nearly 15 years after the first movie aired, at the real-life location where it all began: East High. It follows a group of students as they rehearse for opening night of their school’s first production of High School Musical. Behind the scenes, show-mances develop; friendships are both forged and tested; rivalries rage; and lives are changed forever.

Brand-new songs and acoustic “rehearsal-room” reinterpretations of songs from the original High School Musical provide the soundtrack, with Zach Woodlee (Glee, Dumplin’) choreographing the numbers. The series is developed and executive produced by Tim Federle (Ferdinand) with showrunner and executive producer Oliver Goldstick (Pretty Little Liars); Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush, from the original High School Musical trilogy, are also executive producers. Tamra Davis (Empire, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) is directing the first three episodes.

“The challenge we handed the creative team was Herculean. How do you recapture the joy and the magic of the original High School Musical movie… and simultaneously reimagine it completely?” said Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide.  “That’s like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded. And Tim and Oliver—and this amazingly talented and diverse cast and crew—have done exactly that!”

Here are the character breakdowns:

  • High school junior Ricky (Bassett) is a sarcastic yet charismatic skater who sets out to prove himself to his ex-girlfriend Nini—by auditioning to star opposite her in a musical.
  • Nini (Rodrigo) found her voice at summer theater camp—along with a new boyfriend. Fiercely loyal to her two moms, she’s a shining star—even if she doesn’t always think so.
  • Miss Jenn (Reinders) is a new drama teacher who believes musicals can save lives. She may experience imposter syndrome, but she’d do anything for her students.
  • A transfer student with a secret past, Gina (Wylie) is a theater veteran. Ambitious and entitled, she’s keen to show Miss Jenn she shouldn’t have been cast as an understudy.
  • Nini’s new love interest E.J. (Cornett) is the completely confident son of two corporate lawyers, who secretly feels the pressure of living up to his picture-perfect social media persona. As co-captain of the water polo team, senior class treasurer, and trust fund baby, E.J. is used to getting what he wants—like the lead in role in the school musical.
  • Kourtney (Reneé) is obsessed with makeup tutorials and feminism in equal measure. Nini’s ride-or-die BFF, Kourtney also works on the costume crew of High School Musical.
  • E.J.’s cousin Ashlyn (Lester) is an “old soul” who worships Sara Bareilles—so much that she secretly dreams of following in her idol’s footsteps to become a songwriter herself.
  • As captain of the color guard and student choreographer, Carlos (Rodriguez) thinks of Miss Jenn as a peer. In fact, he eats lunch in her office and has been drinking espresso since third grade. And of course, Carlos already has his Tony Awards® speech memorized.
  • Big Red (Saperstein) is the quintessential skater boy, always fuzzy and sleep-deprived. He’s weirdly devastated by Ricky and Nini’s split, as he’s been their third wheel forever.
  • East High’s somewhat stiff S.T.E.M. teacher Mr. Mazzara (St. Cyr) believes in preparing students for the future, which leads him to butt heads with the daydreaming Miss Jenn.

“We are truly excited about this extremely talented cast and the fresh and contemporary take on this globally beloved franchise,” said Agnes Chu, senior vice president of content, Disney+.  “From the music and dance, to the characters and hilarious meta references, there is something here for fans of the originals, as well as people who are new to East High. It’s going to be an unforgettable viewing experience for Disney+ subscribers.”

Disney+, The Walt Disney Company’s upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service, is set to launch in the U.S. later this year.

Want more Disney+ news? Click here to stay up-to-date with what’s streaming!

Living Life in the Fast Layne

By Beth Deitchman

From Susie, the Little Blue Coupe, and Herbie, the Love Bug, to Lightning McQueen, Disney cars have driven us to distraction in the best possible ways. But you’ve never quite met a Disney car like VIN before. This tech-enhanced talking car motors onto Disney Channel in the eight-part miniseries Fast Layne on Friday, February 15 (9:32 p.m. EST/PST), right after the premiere of the live-action Disney Channel Original Movie Kim Possible.

The miniseries centers around Layne, a super-organized middle schooler who plans her life down to the minute. There’s not a lot of room in Layne’s life for surprises, but when she and her free-spirited neighbor Zora discover a souped-up talking car named “VIN” parked beneath an abandoned shed in her backyard, she embarks on the ride of her life. VIN has some secrets hidden under his hood—and a pair of mysterious villains giving chase. Layne and Zora team up with Layne’s mechanically inclined classmate Cody to stay out in front of the bad guys while also trying to put the brakes on Layne’s cousin Mel and his determination to uncover their secret.

Fast Layne

“This is definitely one of the shows where you want to keep watching and unravel the mystery,” says Sophie Pollono (The Young and the Restless), who plays the title character. “There are so many twists and turns.”

Fast Layne

The plot goes in unexpected directions, much like Fast Layne’s leading vehicle. VIN jumps bridges and boasts a host of unexpected, high-tech features, but he endeared himself to the miniseries’ characters—and its stars—through his personality. The young cast could interact with VIN as a car—being very careful to keep his all-white interior clean—but they were also able to deliver their lines to an on-set actor who read VIN’s lines in real time. “When you’re working with an inanimate object, it’s challenging because you have to work off these emotions and make sure that they are genuine,” says Brandon Rossel (The Outsiders Club), who plays Cody. “So you really have to have someone that’s energetic like that on set and thankfully we had a reader like that at all times reading for VIN—and he was awesome. He was energetic all the time and he brought that energy out of all of us.”

Fast Layne

“VIN was like a friend—a shiny, bright orange friend that we had to be very careful to not pull the seatbelts off of,” laughs Sofia Rosinsky (The Other Side of the Door), who plays Zora.

It’s no coincidence that the cast came to see VIN as more than just a ride. Alongside the high-speed action sequences, and the crazy lengths Layne and Zora go to in order to keep their four-wheeled friend hidden, are themes that resonated with the Fast Layne stars. Pollono hopes that young viewers will come away from the series with the reassurance that, “It’s OK to be different. It’s OK to have flaws. It’s OK to need help.”

Fast Layne

As half of the unlikely duo comprised of the level-headed Layne and the more impulsive Zora, Rosinsky thinks it’s important to remember that friends can be very different from each other: “You don’t have to be the same or even like the same things, as long as you understand each other.”

Over the course of Fast Layne’s eight episodes, Layne might just find that she needs to rethink her schedule and cut down on the traffic in her daily life. Rossel observes, “In life it’s good to have some organization, but sometimes you’ve got to take life spontaneously.”

Fast Layne

Or, as Winslow Fegley (Teachers), who plays curious cousin Mel puts it, “You’ve got to wing it.”

The adventures of Layne, Zora, Cody, Mel, and VIN are just revving up: Fast Layne moves into its regular timeslot on Sunday, February 17 (7 p.m. EST/PST). Catch the second installment this weekend, and hang on for an exciting ride!