By Courtney Potter
Another peek into the world of Coco, and The Force Awakens director will revisit the Star Wars universe… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!
Brand-New Coco Trailer, Poster, & Fun at Disney California Adventure
Disney•Pixar’s Coco will dazzle moviegoers beginning this Thanksgiving—but if you’re looking for an early peek at all that colorful, musical fun, you’re in luck: A brand-new trailer was just released! Check it out, above, and then double-check your calendar to make sure November 22 is circled in red…
The Coco fun continues this fall at the Disneyland Resort: Beginning September 15, guests at Disney California Adventure can enjoy Plaza de la Familia at the park’s Paradise Gardens—celebrating both Coco and the everlasting bonds of family. It’s all inspired by the traditional Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), when families come together to remember their loved ones. Plaza de la Familia features “A Musical Celebration of Coco,” a performance of dance and music with storytellers. A singing host, Mateo, and an ensemble of Folklórico dancers—plus the Grammy®-winning Mariachi Divas—will bring three songs from the film to life.
Guests will also enjoy authentic Mariachi music on the Paradise Gardens Bandstand; a new “The World of Coco” exhibit; a Tree of Life interactive photo location; and a delicious new menu of Mexican dishes. Plaza de la Familia is a limited-time offering that runs from September 15 through November 2.
J.J. Abrams Returns to Star Wars Universe for Episode IX
Mega-huge news from the Star Wars universe: J.J. Abrams, who helmed the worldwide blockbuster Star Wars: The Force Awakens, will return to complete the sequel trilogy as writer and director of Star Wars: Episode IX!
J.J. and Chris Terrio will co-write the film, which will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Abrams, Bad Robot, and Lucasfilm. “With The Force Awakens, J.J. delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for, and I am so excited that he is coming back to close out this trilogy,” said Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy.
Keep your eyes peeled here, and with our pals over at StarWars.com, for more updates in the coming months…
Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:
| D23 and Walt Disney Archives October 1, 2017 D23’s Fanniversary Celebrates 35 Years of Epcot October 1, 2017 A Progressive Dinner Celebrating 35 Years of Epcot October 3, 2017 D23’s Sip and Stroll October 29, 2017 D23’s Spooky Screening Series: Halloweentown on The Walt Disney Studios Lot November 17, 2017 Lunch with a Disney Legend: Russi Taylor November 18, 2017 The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23 February 2 2018 D23 Member Night at Disney’s Aladdin at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre Parks August 25 and 29, September 1, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, and 29; October 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, and 31; November 1 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park August 31-November 13, 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival September 15–October 31, 2017 Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort September 15–November 2, 2017 Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure September 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, October 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 31 Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland Park November 10–January 7 Holidays at the Disneyland Resort 2019 Star Wars-Themed Lands Opening at Disneyland and Walt Disney World |
Studios November 3, 2017 Thor: Ragnarok opens in theaters November 22, 2017 Coco opens in theaters December 15, 2017 Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in theaters Television September 23, 2017 DuckTales Series debuts with two new episodes (7 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT) |
Amazing Thor: Ragnarok Character Posters… and Tickets on Sale Now!
The opening of Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok is tantalizingly close (we can now count in weeks and not months)… and to celebrate, Marvel Studios just released some amazing new character posters. The colorful images depict the movie’s awesome heavy-hitters—including Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hela (the newest Marvel villain, played by Cate Blanchett), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and Asgardian warrior Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson).
Additionally: Are you the kind of moviegoer who likes to plan in advance? (If so, we’re kindred spirits.) You’ll be happy to know tickets for Thor: Ragnarok are now officially on sale wherever movie tix are sold!
In this go-round of Thor’s adventures, our Asgardian hero is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer… and he finds himself in a race against time to stop Ragnarok—the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger: the Incredible Hulk. Thor: Ragnarok opens November 3.
Disney Channel’s Andi Mack Returns on October 27
It was one of the biggest Disney Channel debuts in recent history, and it’s coming back soon for its big second season! Andi Mack, the series that has captivated kids and families, makes its season premiere with a one-hour episode on Friday, October 27 (8 p.m. EDT), on Disney Channel and the Disney Channel app (9 p.m. EDT). Created and executive produced by writer Terri Minsky (Lizzie McGuire) and filmed in Salt Lake City, Utah, the series has been lauded for its skillful handling of realistic stories about a girl and her circle of friends and family.
Andi Mack stars Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Lilan Bowden, Lauren Tom, Joshua Rush, Sofia Wylie, and Asher Angel. Make sure to look for the cast in the new music video for the show’s popular theme song “Tomorrow Starts Today,” premiering Friday, October 20, on Disney Channel and DisneyMusicVEVO. The song is performed by Hollywood Records artist Sabrina Carpenter and will also be released as a single the same day.
Fun New Marvel Super Hero Adventures for Younger Fans
If you’ve got some young Marvel fans in your life, listen up: There’s a brand-new way for them to enjoy their favorite characters! Marvel Entertainment recently announced an amazing multi-platform program called Marvel Super Hero Adventures—featuring stories that touch on themes of friendship, helping others and, of course, heroism.
Beginning this fall, Marvel Animation is set to launch a season of 10 short-form episodes across several platforms; the preschool-audience-focused production will include exciting three-and-a-half-minute animated episodes with Spider-Man in an epic team-up with other Marvel heroes. Plus, Marvel Super Hero Adventures toys and apparel from Hasbro, Jakks Pacific, and more will debut throughout the next few months—as will new early-reader chapter books, which will join the existing line of popular Marvel Super Hero Adventures activity books and storybooks.
Look for more info on exact launch dates—and where you’ll be able to watch the new short-form episodes—soon!
These Olaf’s Frozen Adventure Songs Will Get You Right in the “Feels”
Okay, so we haven’t even gotten to Halloween yet… but we can still enjoy a little early holiday fun, right? Of course! D23 recently got a sneak peek a few brand-new songs from Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, the featurette set to debut ahead of Disney•Pixar’s Coco this Thanksgiving—and we bet they’ll get you into the holiday spirit in no time. Listen to snippets of “Ring in the Season,” “That Time of Year,” and “When We’re Together” right here.
It’s Almost Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort!
Speaking of Halloween… On September 15, the Disneyland Resort becomes the Spookiest Place on Earth! Oogie Boogie from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas will welcome visitors to Disney California Adventure, and Cars Land gets a complete All Hallow’s Eve makeover for the very first time. And don’t forget all your favorite Halloween tricks and treats at Disneyland Park—including Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy.
Take a quick gander at what you can expect from Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort this year in the new video, above. It’s sure to be frightfully good fun!
