By Courtney Potter
Sneak Peek at Strange World Coming to Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line
Ready to go adventuring? Guests visiting select Disney Parks can soon get an early look at scenes from Strange World, the latest film from Walt Disney Animation Studios. A special sneak peek of the film began playing today, November 4, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort—and sneak peeks of footage from the film will also be coming soon to Disneyland Paris and Disney Cruise Line.
Two of the film’s voice-actor stars, Jake Gyllenhaal (Searcher Clade) and Gabrielle Union (Meridian Clade), helped make the fun announcement:
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ original, action-packed adventure Strange World introduces a legendary family of explorers, the Clades, as they try and navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob, a three-legged dog, and a slew of ravenous creatures.
Directed by Don Hall (Oscar-winning Big Hero 6, Raya and the Last Dragon) with co-director/writer Qui Nguyen (co-writer, Raya and the Last Dragon)—and produced by Roy Conli (Big Hero 6, Tangled)—Strange World releases to theaters on November 23!
5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®
It’s true—we’re just about a week away from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s debut in U.S. theaters on November 11… so in anticipation, we’ve put together a slate of Marvel Studios content to help you reacquaint yourself with Black Panther—not to mention celebrate the life and legacy of late Disney Legend Chadwick Boseman. Click here for what to add to your weekend watch list!
New Disenchanted Trailer Asks What Happens After “Happily Ever After”?
Earlier this week, Disney+ released a truly magical new trailer for Disenchanted, the all-new musical comedy… and sequel to the fan favorite Enchanted!
It has been more than 10 years since Giselle (Amy Adams) and Robert (Disney Legend Patrick Dempsey) wed, but Giselle has grown disillusioned with life in the city. So, they move their growing family to the sleepy suburban community of Monroeville in search of a more fairy-tale life. Unfortunately, it isn’t the quick fix she had hoped for; suburbia has a whole new set of rules—as well as a local queen bee, Malvina Monroe (Maya Rudolph), who makes Giselle feel more out of place than ever. Frustrated that her happily ever after hasn’t been so easy to find, she turns to the magic of Andalasia for help, accidentally transforming the entire town into a real-life fairy tale and placing her family’s future happiness in jeopardy! Now, Giselle is in a race against time to reverse the spell and determine what happily ever after truly means to her and her family.
The film, which reunites original cast members Adams, Dempsey, Disney Legend Idina Menzel, and James Marsden, also stars Rudolph, Gabriella Baldacchino, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Jayma Mays. Directed by Adam Shankman, Disenchanted features new songs from Disney Legend Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. Look for the film to debut Friday, November 18, exclusively on Disney+!
Marvel Day at Sea Returns to Disney Cruise Line in 2023
Marvel fans, assemble! As announced this week, favorite Super Heroes and Villains will make your vacation that much more epic when Marvel Day at Sea sailings begin again on Disney Cruise Line in early 2023.
Setting sail January through March from Miami, Marvel Day at Sea combines the thrills of renowned Marvel comics, films, and animated series with the excitement of a Disney cruise. During this one action-packed day aboard the Disney Dream, guests will get to experience all-day entertainment including meet-and-greets; stage shows; film and TV screenings; special merchandise; themed food and beverage offerings; and activities for every member of the family.
For the first time ever, more than 30 Marvel Super Heroes and Villains will be featured in new heroic encounters and live entertainment throughout the event—including the debut of Captain America Sam Wilson, Mighty Thor, Shang-Chi, Ms. Marvel, Ant-Man and The Wasp, Kate Bishop, and more! Plus, the sailings will feature a brand-new take on “Heroes Unite,” the signature nighttime spectacular featuring special effects, stunts, and pyrotechnics, as well as a cool new “Strange Academy: A Spellbinding Spectacular” show in the Walt Disney Theatre.
But that’s not all: Young recruits will get to sharpen their skills during an all-new, interactive training experience with Captain America Steve Rogers, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Kate Bishop held on the upper decks and in the kids’ club.
For more information on all the amazing fun to expect during Marvel Day at Sea—as well as upcoming itineraries—visit Disney Cruise Line.
Thrilling New Avatar: The Way of Water Trailer from 20th Century Studios
We’re soaring ever closer to the debut of Avatar: The Way of Water, James Cameron’s highly anticipated first follow-up to his Academy Award®-winning Avatar, the highest-grossing film of all time… and to tide us over (pun intended), 20th Century Studios just released a brand-new trailer, above.
With Avatar: The Way of Water, the cinematic experience reaches new heights as Cameron transports audiences back to the magnificent world of Pandora in a spectacular and stirring action-packed adventure. Set more than a decade after the events of Avatar, this new film begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their children), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.
Directed and produced by Cameron, the film stars Zoe Saldaña (Neytiri), Sam Worthington (Jake Sully), Sigourney Weaver (Kiri), Stephen Lang (Colonel Miles Quaritch), Cliff Curtis (Tonowari), Joel David Moore (Norm Spellman), CCH Pounder (Mo’at), Edie Falco (General Ardmore), Jemaine Clement (Dr. Ian Garvin), and Kate Winslet (Ronal).
Avatar: The Way of Water opens in theaters on Friday, December 16.
Jingle All the Way to Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas
Yes, we know—we only just finished up the candy and tossed out the carved pumpkin (responsibly)… but it’s now November, which means all holidays, all the time!!! (Sorry, that was our outside voice.) Case in point: The good folks at Freeform have announced the return of 25 Days of Christmas, their yearly yuletide watchfest of epic proportions. For a full rundown on what to expect—including their new “25 Days of Christmas Past” channel on ABC.com—click here.
Wakanda Forever: The Official Black Panther Podcast Debuts This Week
Proximity Media, in collaboration with Marvel Studios and Marvel Entertainment, announced a six-episode podcast about the making of the highly anticipated film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, opening in U.S. theaters November 11.
Wakanda Forever: The Official Black Panther Podcast—which debuted with its first episode this week—explores this next chapter in the story of Wakanda and honors the remarkable legacy of Disney Legend Chadwick Boseman. Ta-Neshisi Coates, National Book Award-winning author, journalist, and writer for Marvel Comics’ Black Panther, serves as host and writer. Proximity Media’s Head of Audio Paola Mardo serves as producer as well as executive producer alongside Proximity’s founders Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian.
The first episode features a conversation between Coates and director and co-writer Ryan Coogler; the two artists and friends reflect on the cultural impact of Black Panther, the legacy of Boseman, and his inspiration to the cast and crew. “There is no storyteller I admire more than Ryan Coogler,” said Coates, who makes his podcast-hosting debut. “Any chance to partner with him, Proximity Media, and Marvel, is a worthy one. For that opportunity to be a chronicle of the making of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was simply too good to pass up.”
Subsequent episodes will be available weekly in January 2023, celebrating the five-year anniversary of the release of the first Black Panther film. Guests will include cast and crew, including stars Angela Bassett and Dominique Thorne; score and soundtrack composer and producer Ludwig Göransson; production designer Hannah Beachler; director of photography Autumn Durald Arkapaw; co-writer Joe Robert Cole; producers Kevin Feige and Nate Moore; and more. Each episode, in tandem with guests’ conversation, will weave host narration, Göransson’s original score, film clips, and field recordings.
Disney Cruise Line Makes Return “Sailing” to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Lest we forget about Thanksgiving, our pals at Disney Parks Blog just shared the cool news that Disney Cruise Line will return to the 96th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! Last year, Disney Cruise Line debuted an all-new cruise ship float, inspired by the whimsical style of the Disney Wish, during the iconic holiday tradition—and that same vessel will sail down 34th Street again later this month…
In addition to the float, the festivities include a live performance inspired by one of the new Broadway-style shows on board the Disney Wish, “Disney Seas the Adventure.” Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy will lead a cast of performers and iconic Disney characters in this show-stopping number.
Be sure to tune in for the fun, when the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs on Thursday, November 24, from 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones on NBC.
New Look at Willow, Coming Soon to Disney+
Lucasfilm and Imagine Entertainment recently released a sneak peek at their all-new, swashbuckling adventure series Willow. Based on Disney Legend George Lucas’ fantasy-adventure film, the Original series debuts in just a few weeks’ time, exclusively on Disney+.
The story began when aspiring sorcerer Willow Ufgood, played by Warwick Davis, was whisked away on a journey to protect an infant empress, Elora Danan, and vanquish the evil Queen Bavmorda from their world of Andowyne… Now, the tale continues with Davis reprising his titular role, as he leads an unlikely crew of heroes on a quest to protect Andowyne from an even larger foe than they had imagined possible!
The Willow series also stars Ellie Bamber, Ruby Cruz, Erin Kellyman, Tony Revolori, Amar Chadha-Patel, Dempsey Bryk, and Joanne Whalley. Watch for it to debut on the streaming service on November 30.
ICYMI: Disney Receives 86 Children’s & Family Emmy® Award Nominations
It’s the first-ever Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards… and Disney came away with an incredible 86 nominations across its content brands and studios. Before the statuettes are handed out on December 10 and 11 in Los Angeles, click here for the complete list of nominations. We bet a few of your favorites made the cut!