By Courtney Potter
This Hocus Pocus 2 Trailer Will Put a Spell on You
Some legends never die… and as longtime mega-fans of Disney’s 1993 Halloween classic Hocus Pocus, we’re ever so glad—because it means the Sanderson Sisters are returning for more mayhem this fall!
Yes, Winifred (Disney Legend Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy), and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) are back! It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th century siblings, and—no surprise here—they’re seeking revenge! Now it is up to three high school students to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem, Massachusetts, before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve.
Hocus Pocus 2 also features returning co-star Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson, as well as Emmy® winner Hannah Waddingham, Sam Richardson, Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo, Lilia Buckingham, Froyan Gutierrez, and Tony Hale. Directed by Anne Fletcher, the film is produced by Lynn Harris, with Ralph Winter, David Kirschner, and Adam Shankman serving as executive producers.
5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®
Not only is this a holiday weekend, but we’re also now about halfway through the year—can you believe it? Mark both the above occasions with some quality viewing from around the worlds of Disney. Take in a celebratory viewing of Hamilton for its second anniversary on Disney+; marvel in the natural majesty of these here United States in National Geographic’s America the Beautiful, also on the streaming service; and much more.
Raphael Saadiq Named Executive Music Producer of Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Music fans, listen up: Three-time Grammy Award® winner Raphael Saadiq has been named executive music producer for Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, the highly anticipated animated series following 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette (aka Moon Girl) and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur, as they protect New York City’s Lower East Side from danger. The news, along with the above video featurette highlighting Saadiq and the music in the series, was just revealed during a Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur panel at this weekend’s ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ in New Orleans!
Saadiq, a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, will lead the songwriting and musical underscore that reflects the many cultures and communities of New York City (hip-hop, pop, R&B, jazz, Jamaican, funk, Latin, and more). Based on Marvel’s hit comic books, the Disney Branded Television series is scheduled to premiere in 2023 on Disney Channel and Disney+.
Diamond White, the voice of Lunella/Moon Girl, provides vocals for the theme song and additional tunes throughout the series. In addition to White, the voice cast includes Alfre Woodard as Lunella’s grandmother, Mimi; Libe Barer as Lunella’s best friend and manager, Casey; Sasheer Zamata as Lunella’s mom, Adria; Jermaine Fowler as Lunella’s dad, James Jr.; Gary Anthony Williams as Lunella’s grandfather, Pops; Fred Tatasciore as Devil Dinosaur; and executive producer Laurence Fishburne in the recurring role of The Beyonder, a curious and mischievous trickster.
New Trailer for Searchlight Pictures’ See How They Run
This film is right up our alley—it’s a madcap whodunit that takes places in the theater! Searchlight Pictures recently shared the official trailer for See How They Run, starring Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan, and directed by Tom George; check it out, above.
In the West End of 1950s London, plans for a movie version of a smash-hit play come to an abrupt halt after a pivotal member of the crew is murdered. When world-weary Inspector Stoppard (Rockwell) and eager rookie Constable Stalker (Ronan) take on the case, the two find themselves thrown into a puzzling whodunit within the glamorously sordid theater underground, investigating the mysterious homicide at their own peril.
Also starring Adrien Brody, David Oyelowo, Ruth Wilson, Harris Dickinson, Shirley Henderson, Sian Clifford, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Reece Shearsmith, and Charlie Cooper, look for See How They Run in U.S. theaters beginning Friday, September 30.
All the Latest News from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
We’re just a few weeks’ away from the big debut of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season 3, which finds our beloved Wildcats heading off on all manner of summer adventures—chiefly, to Camp Shallow Lake for two drama-filled weeks of musical theater and hilarious mayhem! See the brand-new trailer for the season, and find out about two amazing, just-announced guest stars to look out for, right here at D23.com.
Inside the Lagoon at Disneyland Park’s Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is soon slated to reopen at Disneyland Park… and to celebrate, our pals at Disney Parks Blog recently debuted a fun video going behind-the-scenes of this beloved attraction.
Team from across Walt Disney Imagineering, Disneyland Resort, and Pixar Animation Studios have been working tirelessly to bring lots of new fun (not to mention color) to the attraction—including the addition of Hank the “septopus” from Finding Dory.
Hear from several cast members and Imagineers as they share more about what they’ve been working on, and be sure to visit Nemo and all friends once again—should you find yourself vacationing at Disneyland Resort this summer—beginning July 25.
Good Morning America Announces Lineup for 2022 Summer Concert Series
Ready for a sizzling hot summer of music? Earlier this week, ABC’s Good Morning America announced its lineup for the 2022 Summer Concert Series, with K-pop girl group aespa kicking off the free concert series on Friday, July 8.
Sponsored by Massage Envy, this year’s sure-to-be-memorable lineup includes some of the biggest stars in music—including OneRepublic, Megan Thee Stallion, Demi Lovato, Ozuna, and the Black Eyes Peas. Each concert will take place from Rumsey Playfield in Central Park in New York City.
The 2022 Summer Concert Series lineup is as follows:
- Friday, July 8: aespa
- Friday, July 15: OneRepublic
- Friday, August 12: Megan Thee Stallion
- Friday, August 19: Demi Lovato
- Friday, August 26: Ozuna
- Friday, September 2: Black Eyed Peas
So mark those calendars! All performances will be simulcast on Fridays from 7–9 a.m. ET/PT during GMA on ABC.
ICYMI: Behind the Scenes of Baymax! on Disney+
With Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new six-part series Baymax! now streaming on Disney+, D23 recently heard from creator Don Hall, producers Roy Conli and Brad Simonson, and voice actor Scott Adsit at the series’ recent global press conference. Just what did they talk about? Among other things: why now was the right time to revisit everyone’s favorite inflatable healthcare companion robot! Read more by clicking here.
