By Courtney Potter
Disney+ Reveals Thrilling New American Born Chinese Trailer
Disney+ just debuted the official trailer for their upcoming Original series American Born Chinese. The genre-hopping action-comedy series premieres with all eight episodes on Wednesday, May 24, only on the streaming service…
Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang, American Born Chinese chronicles the trials and tribulations of a regular American teenager whose life is forever changed when he befriends the son of a mythological god. This is the story of a young man’s battle for his own identity—told through family, comedy, and action-packed Kung-Fu.
The coming-of-age adventure features an all-star international cast, including Academy Award® winners Michelle Yeoh as Guanyin and Ke Huy Quan as Freddy Wong, Ben Wang as Jin Wang, Yeo Yann Yann as Christine Wang, Chin Han as Simon Wang, Daniel Wu as Sun Wukong, Jimmy Liu as Wei-Chen, and Sydney Taylor as Amelia.
Introducing audiences to a pantheon of iconic Chinese mythical characters are guest stars including Oscar®nominee Stephanie Hsu as Shiji Niangniang, the Goddess of Stones; Ronny Chieng as unconventional monk Ji Gong; Jimmy O. Yang as Ao Guang, the Dragon King; James Hong as Jade Emperor; Leonard Wu as Niu Mowang/Bull Demon; and Poppy Liu as Princess Iron Fan. The series also welcomes Lisa Lu as soon-to-be retired acupuncturist Ni Yang and Rosalie Chiang as student activist Suzy Nakamura.
Destin Daniel Cretton (Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings) directs and serves as an executive producer.
ABC News Presents Special Coverage of the Coronation of King Charles III
Royal watchers, mark those calendars: ABC News will present special coverage of the historic coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Saturday, May 6, beginning at 5 a.m. ET/2 a.m. PT on ABC and streaming live on ABC News Live.
Coverage will be anchored by Good Morning America co-anchor Michael Strahan alongside senior national affairs correspondent Deborah Roberts; Good Morning America’s Lara Spencer; chief foreign correspondent Ian Pannell; foreign correspondents James Longman, Maggie Rulli, Britt Clennett, and Lama Hasan; contributors Robert Jobson and Victoria Murphy; and others.
Good Morning America will have coverage throughout the week leading up to the coronation, beginning Monday, May 1. Stories on GMA will include Rulli live from Caernarfon Castle in Wales; Longman live from Poundbury with a piece on King Charles’ interest in environmental issues; and Spencer live from Dumfries House in Scotland, giving viewers a look at the house King Charles saved for the nation and how he’s trying to open up the monarchy to the public. Spencer will join Roberts and the ABC News team live from London on Thursday, May 4, highlighting last-minute preparations; the crown jewels; and the roles of the royal children and the British military at the coronation.
The entire team will be live from London on Friday, May 5, as the morning show looks at the life and family of King Charles III, his relationship with Queen Camilla and the Commonwealth, and what viewers can expect from Saturday’s coronation. A special edition of Good Morning America will air on the West Coast from London following the coronation. GMA3: What You Need to Know will also feature coverage of the coronation throughout the week.
But that’s not all: ABC News Digital and GMA Digital will have coverage throughout the week, leading up to the coronation on May 6, including a live blog, wall-to-wall coverage of the big events, royal family moments, and the fashion from the historic day. Digital will also showcase historic moments from Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, a look back at King Charles III’s environmental work, and how the coronation is being received in Caribbean Commonwealth countries where anti-monarchy sentiments have been at the forefront. ABC News Digital will also have coverage across several social channels, including GMA, ABC News, and ABC News Live.
So brew up some tea, bake up some scones, and settle in for the pageantry…
ICYMI: How the Proud Family Honors Autism Acceptance Month
Recently, in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month, Disney Branded Television hosted a virtual screening of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, featuring the episode “BeBe” and a Q&A with series creatives Bruce W. Smith and Ralph Farquhar; guest star (and autism activist) Holly Robinson Peete; and moderator Diane J. Wright from RespectAbility. Read up on the meaningful episode—and the story behind its creation—right here at D23.com.
Halfway to Halloween: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Returns This Fall
Sure, it’s only spring, and temps are starting to rise around the country… but if you’re anything like us, you’re already looking forward to a certain holiday creeping up (pun intended) this fall.
Yes, it’s now Halfway to Halloween, and it seems our friends at the Disney Parks Blog are also getting into the spooky spirit with a rundown on all the shenanigans guests can look forward to at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Case in point: Excitement is brewing for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, which returns to Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World on Friday, August 11, and runs through Wednesday, November 1!
The limited-capacity, nighttime event starts at 7 p.m. and comes with shorter wait times on attractions; themed food and beverages; and nighttime spectaculars. Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting Thursday, April 27, and tickets will be available to all guests starting Tuesday, May 2.
During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, guests will find all manner of nonstop fun! Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade summons Disney villains down Main Street, U.S.A., alongside Disney heroes, the iconic Haunted Mansion graveyard diggers, and perhaps some new faces. Meanwhile, Jack Skellington will return to host Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular, which features projections and special effects paired with fireworks, music, and iconic Disney characters. And the iconic Sanderson Sisters, stars of the Hocus Pocus films, will once again call on their comrades during the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage show at Cinderella Castle. As usual, guests can also stop at several trick-or-treating locations throughout the Magic Kingdom.
Click here for more information on specific Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates… and mark those calendars!
Meanwhile, Disneyland Resort has announced that Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party will indeed return for more devilish delights at Disney California Adventure Park this fall! Stay tuned for more news as it becomes available.
5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®
Spidey fans, take heed! Six Spider-Man films will launch on Disney+ throughout April and May—with four of them making their debut this very weekend! So spend your Saturday and Sunday bingeing Spider-Man,Spider-Man 2, The Amazing Spider-Man, and more on the streaming service…
350+ Cabins Coming to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
More news from Walt Disney World Resort and the good folks at Disney Vacation Club: Refreshed cabin hideaways are coming to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground! They’ll offer guests a private retreat within nature, all while keeping the comforts of home.
Nestled across 750 acres of scenic woodlands, proposed plans call for more than 350 new cabins to replace the existing cabins at the resort. The cabins would be built with an eye toward the environment, utilizing the footprint of the existing dwellings and taking advantage of more energy-efficient features.
“For more than 50 years, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground has offered guests the opportunity to explore nature with their loved ones while staying in the heart of Walt Disney World Resort,” Bill Diercksen, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Vacation Club, recently said. “We’re excited to continue to build upon the resort’s rich legacy and elevate the cabin experience for our members and all guests to enjoy for years to come.”
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort is projected to open in 2024 and would be the 17th Disney Vacation Club resort. Design concepts offer a fresh take on the current cabin experience and are inspired by the resort’s idyllic setting, while also paying homage to Fort Wilderness’ unique culture and heritage through the magic of Disney storytelling. Each proposed, stand-alone cabin offers spacious accommodations, sleeping up to six adults, and features a bedroom, bathroom, living room, full kitchen, and private patio. A select number of cabins are also expected to be dog-friendly.
As with all Disney Vacation Club resorts, the proposed cabins will continue to be open for reservations to all guests, including those who are not Disney Vacation Club members, based on availability.
The planned cabins are part of a collection of improvement projects underway at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground—including proposed pool and walking trail enhancements as well as expanded dining experiences at Trail’s End Restaurant and Crockett’s Tavern.
With the cabins just a boat ride away from Magic Kingdom Park, members and guests will have easy access to the theme parks and be able to enjoy the resort’s amenities, including horseback riding at the recently updated Tri-Circle-D Ranch, fishing, walking trails, pools, playgrounds, Chip ’n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long, and dining and entertainment at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. Campsite accommodations will also continue to be available for guests.
Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings Headed to Broadcast TV
Attention, linear TV enthusiasts: Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings is heading to a set near you! Viewers will have several opportunities to experience the groundbreaking film, beginning with its broadcast television debut on Thursday, May 25, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC as part of its The Wonderful World of Disney lineup… followed by airings throughout May and June beginning Saturday, May 28, at 7 p.m. ET/PT on FX and Saturday, June 10, at 8:10 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform.
The film stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, who must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings also stars Tony Leung as Wenwu; Awkwafina as Shang-Chi’s friend Katy; and Michelle Yeoh as Jiang Nan; as well as Fala Chen, Meng’er Zhang, Florian Munteanu, and Ronny Chieng. After its premiere, the film received multiple nominations for Academy Awards®, Screen Actors Guild Awards®, Annie Awards (winning one), Saturn Awards (winning one), and People’s Choice Awards (winning two).
Disney and Pixar’s Elemental to Close Cannes Film Festival
Pixar Animation Studios returns to the renowned Cannes Film Festival for the world premiere of its new animated feature film Elemental on Saturday, May 27, ahead of its U.S. theatrical release in June. Debuting out of competition as the closing film of the 76th edition of the festival, Elemental is the fourth film from the studio to be selected for the event—joining previous favorites Up, Inside Out, and Soul.
Directed by Peter Sohn, Disney and Pixar’s Elemental is an all-new, original feature film set in Element City, where fire-, water-, land-, and air-residents live together. The story introduces Ember (voiced by Leah Lewis), a tough, quick-witted, and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade (voiced by Mamoudou Athie) challenges her beliefs about the world they live in.
The voice cast includes Ronnie del Carmen as Ember’s soon-to-be retired dad, Bernie; Shila Ommi as Ember’s love-seeking mom, Cinder; Wendi McLendon-Covey as Wade’s stormy, Air-Ball-loving boss, Gale; Catherine O’Hara as Wade’s welcoming mom, Brook; Mason Wertheimer as Ember’s admiring neighbor, Clod; and Joe Pera as an overgrown city bureaucrat, Fern.
Pete Docter, Pixar’s chief creative officer, said this year’s return to Cannes is particularly special for the studio. “As we all emerge from our pandemic cocoons and come together in story rooms, animation dailies, and impromptu brainstorming sessions, it’s a joy and honor to have Pixar back on La Croisette,” said Docter, who also serves as the new film’s executive producer. “Directed by the extraordinary storyteller Peter Sohn, Elemental is so funny, full of heart, and, frankly, stunning to see. It was created for audiences to experience on the big screen, and I love that it’ll make its world premiere at Cannes.”
Elemental opens with Pixar’s all-new short, Carl’s Date, in U.S. theaters on June 16!
Sun-Sational Summer Set at Freeform
The good folks at Freeform have big plans this summer… namely, the returns of grown-ish and Cruel Summer and the debut of the new series Praise Petey. New episodes will be available to stream the next day on Hulu.
The second season of the smash-hit anthology series Cruel Summer will debut Monday, June 5, at 9 p.m. ET/PT with a special two-episode premiere before moving to its regular 10 p.m. timeslot. Set in an idyllic waterfront town in the Pacific Northwest, the next chapter of Cruel Summer follows the rise and fall of an intense teenage friendship.
Approaching the story from three different timelines surrounding Y2K, the story twists and turns as it tracks the early friendship between Megan, Isabella, and Megan’s best friend, Luke; the love triangle that blossoms; and the mystery that will impact all of their lives going forward. The series stars Sadie Stanley, Lexi Underwood, Griffin Gluck, KaDee Strickland, Lisa Yamada, and Sean Blakemore. Paul Adelstein and Braeden De La Garza recur.
Then, grown-ish will debut the first half of its sixth and final season on Wednesday, June 28, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Justine Skye and Tara Raani have been upped to series regulars. Skye plays Annika, a funny, sharp, extremely ambitious future media mogul who chose Cal U because it was best for her brand, and Raani plays Zaara, a first-generation, queer Indian American and type-A overachiever with a lot of swagger.
After following in the footsteps of his big sister, Zoey (executive producer Yara Shahidi), and taking on her alma mater, Andre Johnson Jr., aka Junior (Marcus Scribner), makes moves to step out of his sister’s shadow and become a big man on campus. The series also stars Trevor Jackson, Diggy Simmons, and Daniella Perkins.
The network will then make its much-anticipated animated debut with Praise Petey, premiering on Friday, July 21, at 10 p.m. ET/PT with two back-to-back episodes each week as part of Family Guy Friday. The series follows Petey, a New York City “it” girl who has it all until her life comes crashing down around her. As luck would have it, a mysterious gift from her father gives her a new lease on life: She’s going to “lean into” modernizing his small-town cult!
The voice cast includes Annie Murphy, John Cho, Kiersey Clemons, Stephen Root, Amy Hill, and Christine Baranski. Praise Petey is from creator, writer, and executive producer Anna Drezen.
Original Documentary Stan Lee to Premiere on Disney+ June 16
Excelsior! News from our pals at Marvel: In just a few months’ time, a brand-new original documentary about Disney Legend Stan Lee will arrive on Disney+, after having first premiered at the prestigious 2023 Tribeca Film Festival.
The prolific Lee—who would’ve celebrated his 100th birthday on December 28, 2022—left an indelible legacy, as the co-creator of such legendary characters as Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Black Panther, The Incredible Hulk, X-Men, Thor, Silver Surfer, Ant-Man, Nick Fury, The Avengers, and literally hundreds more. Lee himself has also appeared in the pages of Marvel Comics, as well as on-screen with his infamous (and often hilarious) cameos in Marvel Studios films.
Look for Stan Lee to premiere on the streaming service on June 16.
Fitness Program Marvel Move Launches This Summer
Speaking of Marvel… If you’ve ever wanted to train with your favorite characters, now’s your chance! Marvel Move, an interactive fitness adventure, is coming to smartphones this summer. As a collaboration between Marvel Entertainment and Six to Start, the program will be part of the upcoming ZRX app. Check out the trailer for this cool new adventure, above.
The storyline-led running adventure recruits fan-favorite Marvel characters including Thor, Loki, and the X-Men to lead a uniquely immersive experience. With regular new workouts and ongoing storylines, users of all abilities can choose to walk, jog, or run through interactive audio narratives that will transport runners into the Marvel Universe.
Six to Start has over 10 years of experience creating narrated fitness journeys, including Zombies, Run!, and now aims their talents at Marvel Move. The runner is the main character, and supporting characters help runners meet fitness goals amid a selection of epic adventures. Users have full control over the time or distance of their runs. Those needing a sprint can enable thrilling chases when they want to intensify their workout, and they can track their activity whether they’re outdoors, on a treadmill, in a wheelchair, and more. Expert-designed 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon training programs will be available.
Marvel Move will launch with six storylines, including “Thor & Loki: Asgard 5K Training,” “Daredevil: Terminal Degree,” “Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch: In Dreams,” and more! Pre-sale signup is now available at zrx.app/marvel.