High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Stars Tease “Twists and Turns” in the Season 3 Finale

By Zach Johnson

It’s going to be a night to remember, all right.

In the Season 3 finale of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, streaming Wednesday, September 14, on Disney+, it’s the opening night of Frozen at Camp Shallow Lake. The pressure on the performers is an all-time high—and not just because the Corbin Bleu–hosted docuseries they’ve been filming is going to be livestreamed. At D23 Expo presented by Visa® on Saturday, Saylor Bell Curda, who plays Maddox, told D23, “I think everyone is going to be really shocked—but everyone is going to love it!”

“There are a lot of twists and turns,” added Frankie Rodriguez, who plays Carlos. “It’s a little messier than previous season finales, but it’s good.” Coming from the actor whose character produced The Real Campers of Shallow Lake to ensure he and his friends would be the stars of Bleu’s Disney+ docuseries, that’s really saying something!

Nini, played by Olivia Rodrigo, wears a red velvet blazer and a pink and red shirt with a star-print pussy bow. Miss Jenn, played by Kate Reinders, has her back to the camera and is talking to Nini. She is wearing a floral dress.

Joshua Bassett, who plays Ricky, was similarly cryptic about the drama that unfolds in the highly anticipated episode. “I can’t say anything at all, other than to expect the unexpected,” he said. “The way we wrap up the season is insane! I’m so excited for people to watch it. I’m very curious about their reactions. It’s going to be interesting.”

Interesting indeed. For one thing, Ricky still hasn’t told Gina (Sofia Wylie) that he was caught on camera professing his feelings for her—or that the entire world is going find out as soon as the docuseries is released. Meanwhile, Gina is still sorting out her feelings after her recent breakup with E.J. (Matt Cornett)… who suspects there may be something brewing between her and Ricky. As Rodriguez said, it’s very complicated.

Ashlyn, played by Julia Lester, is wearing a green dress with a matching bow in her curly hair. She is sitting on a couch with her back to the camera while talking to Big Red, played by Larry Saperstein, who is wearing a floral blazer and smiling at her.

“A lot of people are questioning what Gina is going to do,” Wylie said of the characters’ simmering love triangle. “Things are moving so fast. She’s just broken up with E.J, so it would be abrupt for her to make any kind of decision—but she is confused. There are a lot of possibilities. The finale leaves the door open in Season 4.”

As for Cornett?  “Whatever happens with the characters, happens with the characters,” he said. “Honestly, I can’t pick a side. There are amazing things about Ricky, and there are amazing things about E.J. They’re both great guys. Gina can’t lose either way, really.”

As announced onstage at D23 Expo during “Disney’s Epic Entertainment Showcase: The Musical: The Extravaganza!” in Hall D23, Season 4 of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series will find the Wildcats staging a production of the hugely popular movie High School Musical 3: Senior Year. “It’s so exciting to be going back to East High in Salt Lake City,” said Joe Serafini, who plays Seb. “It just gets bigger and better every time.”

Congratulations to The Walt Disney Company’s 2022 Primetime Emmy® Award Winners

By Zach Johnson

The Walt Disney Company won 26 Primetime Emmy® Awards across its content brands and studios, including ABC Entertainment, Disney+, Disney Television Studios’ 20th Television and ABC Signature, FX, FX Productions, Hulu Originals, Lucasfilm Ltd., Marvel Studios, National Geographic Content, Searchlight Television, and Walt Disney Studios. Including the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which took place Saturday, September 10, Disney’s streaming platforms earned 19 wins, with Hulu and Disney+ receiving 10 and nine awards, respectively, and Disney Television Studios received 12.

Disney+ and Walt Disney Studios’ The Beatles: Get Back swept all its nominated categories, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series. The Disney+ Original Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers was named Outstanding Television Movie—the first best program win for the streamer and the first time ever that an animated film has won in the category.

Hulu Originals tied its previous record of 10 wins, including firsts for Amanda Seyfried (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Hulu, 20th Television, and Searchlight Television’s The Dropout); Michael Keaton (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie in Hulu and 20th Television’s Dopesick); and Nathan Lane (Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for Hulu and 20th Television’s Only Murders in the Building).

ABC and 20th Television’s Abbott Elementary garnered three wins, including Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for star, creator, and executive producer Quinta Brunson, and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Sheryl Lee Ralph.

A complete list of all The Walt Disney Company wins follows:

The Beatles record music in a rainbow colored room. Paul McCartney is to the left, wearing all black, and strumming his guitar. Closest to him is George Harrison, wearing jeans and a blue shirt. Behind him on drums is Ringo Starr, wearing a red vest, a black shirt, and black pants. To the right is John Lennon, who is smiling at the piano.

The Beatles: Get Back (Disney+/Walt Disney Studios)
5 Wins

  • Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
  • Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program – “Part 3: Days 17-22”
  • Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program – “Part 3: Days 17-22”
  • Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera) – “Part 3: Days 17-22”
  • Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera) – “Part 3: Days 17-22”

Abbott Elementary (ABC/20th Television)
3 Wins

  • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Sheryl Lee Ralph
  • Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series – Quinta Brunson
  • Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series

Nathan Lane, in character as Teddy Dimas, wears a wool coat and matching scarf and black glasses. He has pensive expression on his face.

Only Murders in the Building (Hulu/20th Television)
3 Wins

  • Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series – Nathan Lane
  • Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Program (Half-Hour) – “True Crime”
  • Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation – “The Boy from 6B”

Michael Keaton, in character as Dr. Samuel Finnix, layers a fleece L.L. Bean jacket over a maroon zip-up jacket, a plaid shirt, and a white undershirt. Glasses hang from his neck, and he’s wearing a baseball cap and jeans. He is standing in front of a green door, with the white number 57 on it, and a brick wall.

Dopesick (Hulu/20th Television)

2 Wins

  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Michael Keaton
  • Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – “Breakthrough Pain”

How I Met Your Father (Hulu/20th Television)
2 Wins

  • Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series – “Pilot”
  • Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series – “Timing Is Everything”

Atlanta (FX/FX Productions)
1 Win

  • Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour) – “Three Slaps”

Grogu uses the Force to tame a rancor that is loose on the desert planet Tatooine. Grogu’s left hand is extended, and he is dwarfed by the wrinkled, tough-skinned beast in front of him.

The Book of Boba Fett (Disney+/Lucasfilm Ltd.)
1 Win

  • Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or a Movie

Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers (Disney+/Walt Disney Studios)
1 Win

  • Outstanding Television Movie

The Dropout (Hulu/20th Television/Searchlight Television)
1 Win

  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Amanda Seyfried

Elle Fanning, in character as Catherine, is seated on the edge of her bed and flanked by Belinda Bromilow, in character as Aunt Elizabeth, and Gillian Anderson, in character as Joanna, and several extras. They are wearing ornate costumes and big wigs.

The Great (Hulu)
1 Win

  • Outstanding Period Costumes – “Five Days”

Impeachment: American Crime Story (FX/20th Television/FX Productions)
1 Win

  • Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling – “The Assassination of Monica Lewinsky”

Life Below Zero (National Geographic)
1 Win

  • Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program – “Fire in the Sky” 

While fighting next to an ancient pyramid, Khonshu—with a skeleton-like beak and mummy-like dressings—attempts to pin down Ammit—a giant, bipedal crocodile —with a weapon.

Moon Knight (Disney+/Marvel Studios)
1 Win

  • Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special – “Gods and Monsters”

Pam & Tommy (Hulu)
1 Win

  • Outstanding Period and/or Character Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) – “Jane Fonda”

What If…? (Disney+/Marvel Studios)
1 Win

  • Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Disney Legend Chadwick Boseman

What We Do in the Shadows (FX/FX Productions)
1 Win

  • Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes – “The Wellness Center”

New Details about Disney 100 Years of Wonder Revealed to Fans During D23 Expo

New and exciting details about Disney 100 Years of Wonder were revealed this past weekend to fans during D23 Expo 2022 presented by Visa. Disney100 will be the largest cross-company global celebration in the 100-year history of The Walt Disney Company, and it will officially kick-off during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest on ABC.

“Ten decades of creativity, innovation, and determination created The Walt Disney Company you know today—the most enduring and beloved name in entertainment,” said Disney CEO Bob Chapek during the opening ceremonies of D23 Expo. “It’s an awesome responsibility to lead Disney as we begin our second century of telling stories and creating magic that will endure for another 100 years.”

Guests at the Ultimate Disney Fan Event were the first to see Mickey Mouse in his shimmering new “platinum” outfit, designed to reflect the optimism and creativity of Disney as the company celebrates 100 years and looks toward the next century. And throughout the weekend, fans heard about incredible new entertainment, experiences, and events coming from every corner of The Walt Disney Company for the celebration. From Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 2023 release Wish and Disney100: The Exhibition, which will tour domestically and internationally beginning next year, to new spectaculars opening at Disneyland Resort, amazing collectible merchandise, and more, here’s a taste of what’s to come during Disney100:

The Walt Disney Studios

On Friday inside the 7,000-seat Hall D23, Jennifer Lee, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios announced Wish, an epic original animated musical inspired by the studios’ legacy of films and features all-new songs by Grammy®-nominated artist Julia Michaels. The magical story, which looks ahead to the next 100 years for the studio and explores how the wishing star that so many Disney characters wished upon came to be, is set in Rosas, a fantasy kingdom where wishes literally can come true. Inspired by watercolor illustrations of fairytales that fascinated Walt Disney, the look of the film blends a timeless watercolor style with contemporary 3D CG animation. Attendees were introduced to 17-year-old Asha—a smart and driven optimist with a sharp wit whose impassioned plea to the stars calls down an actual star from the sky. Impossibly curious and a little ball of boundless energy, Star is a giant beacon for chaos. Filmmakers Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn and actor Alan Tudyk (the voice of Valentino the goat) joined Lee on stage before introducing the voice of Asha, recent Oscar® winner Ariana DeBose, who brought down the house singing “More for Us,” an all-new original song from the film, which hits theaters in 2023.

Plus, the Walt Disney Studios presentation of upcoming theatrical and streaming titles on Friday previewed a trio of new films from Disney Live Action that continue Disney’s 100-year celebration. These new films include The Little Mermaid, a live-action reimagining of the studio’s Oscar-winning animated musical classic, which opens exclusively in theaters nationwide May 26, 2023; Haunted Mansion, a ghostly adventure inspired by the classic theme park attraction, which hits theaters in 2023; and Peter Pan & Wendy, a reimagining of the 1953 animated classic, which premieres on Disney+ in 2023.

Fans in Hall D23 were among the first to see a brand-new Walt Disney Studios logo introduction in honor of Disney 100 Years of Wonder. The new Disney castle introduction features Tinker Bell flying over a riverside village and up a waterfall that leads to the iconic Disney castle, now platinum. Created by Disney Studios Content and Industrial Light & Magic and featuring an all-new arrangement of “When You Wish Upon a Star” by award-winning composer Christophe Beck (Frozen, WandaVision), the new introduction will first appear in theaters with Disney’s Strange World this Thanksgiving and will then play in front of all Disney theatrical and streaming releases throughout 2023.

Disney100: The Exhibition

At D23 Expo, it was announced that Disney100: The Exhibition will open on February 18, 2023, at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Chicago, Illinois, and Kansas City, Missouri, set as the next two stops on the North American tour. The international unit of the exhibit will open on April 18 in Munich, Germany, with more cities to be announced in the coming months. The stunning key artwork for the exhibit was also revealed, which invites guests to step into their favorite stories using innovative and immersive technology throughout ten galleries in the 15,000-square-foot exhibit. The Walt Disney Archives is opening its vault of treasures, showcasing more than 250 of its “Crown Jewels,” rarely seen original artworks and artifacts, costumes and props, and other memorabilia. Disney has curated special behind-the-scenes glimpses into the creation of the company’s most popular characters, films, shows, and attractions—from Disneyland to Walt Disney World and beyond. The ten magnificent and imaginatively themed galleries, all featuring moving stories, unique interactive installations, and exciting background information, will take visitors on a journey through 100 years of The Walt Disney Company, celebrating the classics from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Strange World, as well as the latest members of the Disney family—Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and National Geographic.

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro provided guests at D23 Expo a first look at how Disney Parks around the world will mark Disney100. New décor, specialty food and beverages, character experiences and more will come to parks around the world, with the heart of the celebration rooted at Disneyland Resort:

  • Two new nighttime spectaculars—World of Color – One and the new fireworks show Wondrous Journeys—will kick off in late January at Disneyland Resort. World of Color – One at Disney California Adventure will span the broad storytelling legacy of Disney’s first 100 years and tell a new story through Disney classics and new favorites. Wondrous Journeys at Disneyland Park will ignite the wonder in everyone and feature nods to all 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios films to date, taking viewers on a journey filled with artistry, music, storytelling, and heart. Special entertainment moments will also pop up across the resort, including the long-awaited return of the Magic Happens parade this spring.
  • Hong Kong Disneyland will also unveil a new statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse near Cinderella’s Golden Carousel as part of Disney 100 Years of Wonder.

Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing

As The Walt Disney Company celebrates its 100th anniversary, Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing has several exciting new merchandise collections and collaborations to commemorate Disney 100 Years of Wonder. The first of these collections include:

  • Disney100 Platinum Collection – D23 Expo attendees got a special preview of Disney’s Platinum Collection, including the debut of the first Disney100 ear hat and headband. Platinum is a rare, precious metal known to withstand the test of time, just like beloved Disney characters. This Platinum Collection of Disney100 products captures the “classically Disney” look while paving the way forward into a new century. Additional details about this collection debuting on shopDisney—including the introduction of new products—will be revealed later this year.
  • Disney100 Decades Collection – As part of the Disney100 Celebration, Disney is introducing the Disney Decades collection, a merchandise line that celebrates classic stories and eras from the company’s history. Debuting early next year on shopDisney with products centered around the 1920s and Steamboat Willie, this ongoing series will celebrate a different decade and the beloved stories from them including Snow White from the 1930s, Pinocchio from the 1940s, and more.
  • Disney100 Books from Disney Publishing: Fans looking to celebrate 100 years of Disney through its beloved tradition of storytelling can look forward to brand-new titles in 2023, including Walt Disney: An American Original, Commemorative Edition; The Official Walt Disney Quote Book; The Story of Disney: 100 Years of Wonder, by John Baxter, Bruce C. Steele and the Staff of the Walt Disney Archives; and People Behind the Disney Parks: Stories of Those Honored with a Window on Main Street, U.S.A. by Chuck Snyder with original art by Josey Tsao.

A Company-Wide Celebration

In addition to the above, more incredible experiences, content, and opportunities await guests including:

  • Disney.com: D23 Expo marked the debut of Disney100.com, a digital experience for all the magic in store for guests during the celebration. Right now, fans can get a sneak peek of the site, which will officially launch January 1, 2023.
  • ABC News Studios will present a once-in-a-lifetime documentary event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of one of the world’s most beloved companies. Disney: 100 Years of Wonder will take viewers on a journey that started in 1923 and whose future is not yet written. Deciding that a linear chronological retelling beginning in 1923 was inadequate to truly capture the essence of the magic of The Walt Disney Company, the project will tell the story from the lens of the core values and philosophies of the company, which have acted as a guided path through our ever-changing world.
  • Disney Music Group and Deutsche Grammophon will releaseLang Lang: The Disney Book on Septembers 16, 2022 celebrating 100 years of Disney with iconic melodies reimagined for the piano.
  • In 2023, Disney Music Group will release a vinyl compilation highlighting the Company’s musical moments across film, television and the Parks.
  • And much, much more to be announced in the coming weeks and months, including —content that will span the company’s portfolio of must-watch linear television channels, including ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN, Freeform, FX, and National Geographic, as well as the ABC owned-stations—and streaming platforms—Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+

Fans can post about the celebration using #Disney100.

shopDisney Post-D23 Expo 2022 Offer

Two adults and a child lay on a blanket, laughing and smiling. The child is holding and looking at a Minnie Mouse plush, while the adult in the upper right corner holds a football.
Where: shopDisney
What: Get 20% off $60 or more!
9/12/22 – 9/18/22

D23 Expo 2022 has concluded, but the magic continues with this exclusive offer from shopDisney!

As an added benefit to being a D23 Member, shopDisney.com has given us an exclusive online shopping perk on the Disney items we love. For a limited time, receive 20% off all orders of $60 or more shopDisney.com*.

Not a D23 Member? Sign up for free to become a
D23 General Member and take advantage of this special offer!

BECOME A MEMBER

Here's how to redeem your 20% off $60 or more promotion: 

  1. Place at least one eligible item into your Bag.
  2. Type the Promotion Code DISNEY20 into the Add Promotion Code area.
  3. The promotion will be applied, if eligible.
  4. Continue shopping or begin checkout.

NOTE
*20% off $60 or more restrictions: Valid September 12, 2022 (12:01 am PT) through September 18, 2022 (11:59 pm PT) or while supplies last, whichever occurs first, on select, in-stock merchandise purchased via phone orders and orders placed online at shopDisney.com. Not valid on purchases made at Disney Parks and Resorts locations or Disney store merchandise purchased from other retailers or using third party websites. The 20% off discount applies only to orders that include $60 or more in merchandise purchased in a single order. Qualifying purchase threshold is based on pre-tax, post-discount amount. Offer excludes sales tax, shipping & handling charges, gift wrap & gift box charges, personalization charges, Disney Theme Park Tickets, Disney Gift Cards, The Walt Disney Company Collectible Shareholder Certificate, subscription products, art & collectibles, books & media (DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs & video games), electronic toys, limited edition, special edition & limited release merchandise, talking action figures, select Star Wars: The Mandalorian merchandise, items related to a charitable promotion, and items from the following brands and collections: Aden & Anais, Afridrille Shoes, Alex and Ani, Barbie Signature Collection, Barefoot Dreams, BaubleBar, Beats by Dre, Bésame, Betsey Johnson, Bulova, Circle with Disney, Citizen, COACH, ColourPop, Converse, CRISLU, Cubcoats, Disney Designer Jewelry Collection, Disney Fairy Tale Wedding Rings, Disney Parks Designer Collection, Disney Vacation Club, Dooney & Bourke, Enesco, Fantasy Flight Games, Finn & Emma, Freshly Picked, Garmin, Hanna Andersson, Harveys, Jim Shore, Kate Spade, Le Creuset, LEGO, Lenox, Levi’s, LÍLLÉbaby, Lionel, Loungefly, Make-A-Wish Collection, MagicBand, Marvel Legends Series, Master of Arts, Mickey: The True Original Exhibition, Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Collection, Milk Snob, select National Geographic, Native Shoes, New Balance, Nike, Nixon, Olszewski, Opening Ceremony, Otterbox Electronics, Element Skateboard Decks, Pandora Jewelry, Pandora: The World of Avatar Interactive Banshee Toy, Petunia Pickle Bottom, Pippa & Julie, Precious Moments, rag & bone, Rebecca Hook, RockLove, Royal Selangor, S.T. Dupont, Sentiments, Shinola, Sideshow Collectibles, select Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge merchandise, Star Wars: The Black Series, Starbucks, Steiff, Terez, Thomas Kinkade, TOMS, Tommy Bahama, Vera Bradley, Vinylmation, Waddle, and Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary. Additional exclusions may apply. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount, except available shipping offers. Free Shipping applies to Standard Delivery on orders of $75 or more sent to a single shipment address in the United States. Qualifying purchase based on pre-tax, post-discount amount and excludes shipping & handling charges, D23 Memberships, gift wrap & gift boxes. Additional shipping & handling applies for select items or shipments to more than one shipment address. No adjustments to prior purchases. Merchandise subject to availability. Returns and exchanges will be subject to discount taken at time of purchase. Valid packing slip required for returns and exchanges. Offer subject to restrictions and change without notice. Void where prohibited.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

On Tuesday, new series The Come Up premieres with four episodes on Freeform. A special guest stops by the season finale of ABC’s Generation Gap to test the contestants’ wits, airing on Thursday. Team Spidey teams up to save sea life in a new episode of Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends, airing Friday on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Kick off your celebrations for Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month with the debuts of Mija and the Coco Sing-Along on Disney+ that same day.

A group photo of Ben Hard, Claude Shwartz, Ebon Gore, Fernando Casablancas, Sophia Wilson, and Taofeek Abijako shows them smiling and wearing solid, brightly colored clothing. They are sitting around a wood table in a corner booth. The lighting is dim, and a brick wall is behind them.

The Come Up—Tuesday, September 13, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform

The all-new unscripted series—intended only for mature audiences—debuts with four back-to-back, 30-minute episodes. In the first installments, meet the eclectic group of friends—Ben Hard, Claude Shwartz, Ebon Gore, Fernando Casablancas, Sophia Wilson, and Taofeek Abijako—as they chase lofty goals and attempt to “make it” in New York City. What’s next for Taofeek after his breakout moment at New York Fashion Week? Will Claude’s friends get along with Ben? Meanwhile, Sophia weighs a major decision regarding her college education, and Ebon is planning an epic party. New episodes air on Tuesdays and are available the next day on Hulu.

Contestants Paxton and Cindy smile and stand behind a large wood desk. Paxton is a young boy and wears a yellow, short-sleeve shirt. Cindy is an older woman and wears a pink long-sleeve blouse and colorful scarf tied around her neck. A digital screen reads, “Paxton and Cindy” on the desk.

Generation Gap—Thursday, September 15, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC

Two new dynamic duos compete against each other for a chance to take home big prizes. Don’t miss the season finale of this hilarious generation-spanning game show, hosted by Kelly Ripa. Plus, Anderson Cooper makes a special guest appearance!

Animated character Isla Coralton sits on a bench next to Team Spidey. She wears a teal shirt, blue jacket, tan slacks, and a name tag. Behind them are metropolitan buildings and sand. The sky is a purple-blue color with a large fluffy cloud.

Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends—Friday, September 16, at 8:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and 12:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Junior

When Doc Ock (voiced by Kelly Ohanian) threatens the safety of sea life, Team Spidey embarks on an underwater mission to save the day. Zookeeper and conservationist Bindi Irwin guest stars as oceanographer Isla Coralton, who assists the pint-sized Super Heroes. Then, Sean Giambrone, star of ABC’s The Goldbergs, returns to voice Ant-Man, who works with Ghost-Spider (voiced by Lily Sanfelippo) to stop Green Goblin (voiced by JP Karliak) from destroying a mini golf course.

Doris Munoz and Jacks Haupt sit on a large blanket sprawled on green grass. They are leaning toward each other and face a still lake framed by green, leafy trees. Munoz and Haupt wear light-colored clothing. 

Mija—Friday, September 16, on Disney+

The Disney Original Documentary film, directed by Isabel Castro, centers around Doris Muñoz and Jacks Haupt, two daughters of immigrants from Mexico who are both navigating their careers in the music industry. Doris and Jacks bond over the ever-present guilt of being the first American-born members of their families and the financial burdens of chasing their dreams. They also have to deal with the heightened pressure of success as their families dream of securing green cards and family reunification.

Animated boy Miguel is surrounded by a gaggle of skeletons. A large wooden desk separates the group from another skeleton, who wears a green utility hat and button-up shirt. 

Coco Sing-Along—Friday, September 16, on Disney+

¡Cantemos! This week, the Academy Award®-winning animated film debuts a sing-along version that will allow viewers to belt out “Un Poco Loco” and “Remember Me” perfectly. The film introduces Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez), an aspiring young musician who dreams of taking the stage just like legendary musician Ernesto de la Cruz (voiced by Benjamin Bratt). Miguel embarks on a fantastical journey to the magical land of his late ancestors to uncover his family’s mysteries, stories, and traditions. The beloved story also features the voices of Gael García Bernal as Hector, a charming trickster; Renee Victor as Abuelita; Gabriel Iglesias as the departures clerk; and Alanna Ubach as Mama Imelda, to name a few.

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Previews Its Boundless Future at D23 Expo 2022

By Alison Stateman

Today at D23 Expo presented by Visa®, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro shared a dazzling look into the future for Disney theme parks and beyond with an enthusiastic audience of fans. Highlights included the expansion of Avengers Campus at Disneyland Resort with a third attraction; a first look at the Disney Treasure, the next ship joining the Disney Cruise Line fleet; a closer look at Frozen-themed lands coming to three park destinations around the world; and a behind-the-scenes look at the blue-sky brainstorming of Walt Disney Imagineers.

“There’s no limits to where we are going,” D’Amaro said. “When I look back over our first 100 years, what jumps out at me is how we are just constantly reinventing ourselves, telling new stories for brand-new generations. You all know this: We need those stories more than ever. And that’s a lesson we take straight from Walt. He believed in the power of storytelling.”

Of course, a presentation devoted to what’s next for Disney would not be complete without a few magical surprises, which included appearances from special guests, celebrities, never-before-seen characters coming soon to Disney Parks, and spirited performances that filled Hall D23 with music and excitement.

Singer-songwriter Jordan Fisher kicked off the show with a rousing performance of the popular Walt Disney World Resort anthem “Happily Ever After.” Then, D’Amaro began sharing all the exciting updates focused, fittingly, on Disneyland Resort, the park that started it all.

Read on for more on all the magic to come in 2023 and beyond:

New Stories Coming to Disneyland Resort
D’Amaro was joined on stage by executive producer and Disney Legend Jon Favreau, who shared a first look at the Mandalorian and Grogu, two new characters whom guests will encounter at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, starting in mid-November.

Then, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige shared how Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure park will expand the multiverse with a never-before-seen third attraction, along with the debut of the Incredible Hulk, who will appear in his Quantum Suit at Avengers Campus in California beginning next week for a limited time. The new attraction will allow guests to join in battle with the Avengers means facing foes from anywhere and everywhen, including a new threat, King Thanos, a Multiverse variant designed specifically for Avengers Campus.

“The fun thing about Marvel is [seeing] the characters all of the characters, all of the time—and with the Multiverse at Avengers Campus, you’re going to be able to do that,” Feige shared, before showing a rendering King Thanos, drawing gasps among the crowd. “This is a new version of Thanos for the very first time coming into the MCU via this attraction. He’s got a cool white beard, too, and a crown. This is a Thanos that won, and the Avengers aren’t too happy about that. And you have to help them.”

Just around the corner from Avengers Campus, Pacific Wharf will be reimagined as San Fransokyo from the Oscar®-winning Disney Animation film Big Hero 6, complete with a place to meet Baymax, as well as new spots to eat and shop.

Meanwhile, over at Disneyland Park, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will invite guests into a cartoon world where toon rules apply, and Mickey’s Toontown will step into a new era of inclusive experiences for families of all ages when it opens in early 2023.

“We are going to celebrate Mickey, Minnie, and their best pals in a whole new way in Toon Town at Disneyland Park,” D’Amaro said before sharing concept art with the audience.

D’Amaro also said progress continued on the reimagining of the Paradise Pier Hotel to Pixar Place Hotel, where guests will feel as though they’ve stepped into a Pixar art gallery featuring new interpretations of favorite Pixar pals. Over at the Downtown Disney District, more than a dozen new and reimagined locations will open, including a Southern Californian favorite, Porto’s Bakery & Café. For running fans, runDisney races will return to the resort in 2024 for the first time since 2017.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort
Imagineers joined D’Amaro onstage to discuss new story details for the attraction Tiana’s Bayou Adventureand showcase stunning new concept art of the attraction at night. It was revealed several members of the original film cast will return to lend their voices to the attraction, coming to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort in late 2024, including Disney Legend Anika Noni Rose as Tiana, Bruno Campos as Naveen, Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis, and Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie. 

Closing out the segment, Tony Award® winner Rose, who voiced Tiana in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Princess and The Frog, delighted the audience with a rousing performance of “Almost There” from the film, followed by “Dig a Little Deeper.”

Walt Disney World Resort and the Transformation of EPCOT
The next major milestone in EPCOT’s multi-year transformation will include the completion of the World Celebration neighborhood in late 2023. Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will also open in late 2023, inviting guests to follow the story of water on the planet, inspired by Moana’s connection to the ocean. Fan-favorite character Figment will also appear live to park guests by the end of 2023.

Over at Magic Kingdom, TRON / Lightcycle Run will invite guests to enter the Grid in spring 2023. Popular anthem “Happily Ever After” will play again when an updated nighttime spectacular returns to light up the skies over Cinderella Castle in 2023. At the Haunted Mansion, the Hatbox Ghost will materialize in 2023.

New Horizons for Disney Cruise Line and the Disney Treasure
The sixth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Treasure, will set sail in 2024. Imagineers have dreamed up a new design concept inspired by the theme of adventure, celebrating Walt Disney’s lifelong love of exploration. The Grand Hall—the magnificent three-deck-tall atrium that welcomes guests on board—is inspired by the grandeur and mystery of a gilded palace, drawing on real-world influences from Asia and Africa and paying homage to the far-off land of Agrabah. At the center, the signature statue will feature Aladdin, Jasmine, and their Magic Carpet.

For the first time, Disney Cruise Line will bring the magic of a Disney vacation to families and fans in Australia and New Zealand during limited-time cruises that immerse guests in Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Warsstories beginning in late October 2023. Additionally, repositioning cruises for the Disney Wonder will be the first South Pacific voyages for Disney Cruise Line, giving guests the chance to experience destinations like Fiji and Samoa.

In the Bahamas, progress continues on a beautiful new island destination at Lighthouse Point, which will bring the natural beauty and rich culture of the Bahamas to life for Disney Cruise Line guests and be powered 90 percent through solar energy.

Three Frozen-Themed Lands Highlight Expansions at Disney Parks Around the World
Inspired by Disney Animation’s stunning films, World of Frozen will open in the second half of 2023 at Hong Kong Disneyland—the first of three Frozen-themed areas coming to international Disney parks. It will blend Arendelle with the park’s natural landscapes on Lantau Island.

At Disneyland Paris, the Frozen-themed land will be the next major milestone in the ongoing transformation of Walt Disney Studios park. This land will offer a gorgeous lakeside promenade and will immerse guests in the same magical wintry setting from the films. A new Tangled-themed family attraction will join the new gardens leading into the land. Frozen will also be part of the transformation of the Disneyland Hotel, reopening in 2024. As part of the grand finale of the 30th Anniversary celebration underway, a new stage show, “Pixar: We Belong Together,” will debut in 2023 in Walt Disney Studios park.

At Tokyo Disney Resort, Frozen is one of the stories coming to life as part of the Fantasy Springs expansion at Tokyo DisneySea, joining two other Disney Animation stories, Peter Pan and Tangled, plus a brand-new hotel integrated right into the park. Fantasy Springs will feature several new Audio-Animatronics® figures, including Elsa, who sings in Japanese and whose movements sync with the rhythms of the language.

A trio of singers took turns singing a rendition of “Into the Unknown” from Frozen 2, in Cantonese, Japanese, and French—representing the park locations which will feature the new themed land.

D’Amaro then shared a first look at the stunning transformation of Space Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland, showcasing how the attraction will transition from day to night. “With a nod to the original architecture, this reimagined Space Mountain will anchor a new plaza and will be completed by 2027,” he said.

Shanghai Disney Resort will be the first Disney resort to bring the world of the Oscar-winning Disney Animation film Zootopia to life. At Zootopia Central Station, guests will find animals going about their daily lives. At the Zootopia Police Department, which doubles as the entrance for the land’s new family attraction, guests will be greeted by an Audio-Animatronics figure of fan-favorite Officer Clawhauser.

Mickey’s favorite teddy bear, Duffy, is a fan favorite in all three Disney resorts in Asia, and to the delight of assembled fans, D’Amaro shared that Duffy & Friends will star in their very own six-episode, stop-motion animated series on Disney+ next year.

What’s Next
A highlight of the morning included a look at what’s possible when Walt Disney Imagineers and their collaborators dream big. Disney Animation Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee, the Academy Award-winning writer and director of Frozen and Frozen 2, shared how the studio is working with Walt Disney Imagineering on concept explorations for Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park and potential expansion opportunities at Magic Kingdom park, both at Walt Disney World.

Chris Beatty, Creative Portfolio Executive for WDI, offered a glimpse of what could lie “beyond Big Thunder Mountain” through concept art, citing two recent Disney Animation hits, as well as “what if” renderings of a land of Disney Villains. “Imagine what if we could pass over those fires in Big Thunder Mountain,” Beatty said. “Maybe there’s a little valley in front of us with the little town of Santa Cecilia [from Coco] and celebrating Encanto. And what if we could... fly into the Land of the Dead with our friend Miguel, just like the Riveras [from Coco]?  That’s what could be out there.”

Disney 100 Years of Wonder
D’Amaro concluded the presentation with a first look at how Disney Parks, Experiences and Products will mark Disney 100 Years of Wonder (Disney100), the biggest celebration in the history of the Company. New décor, specialty food and beverages, character experiences, and more will come to parks around the world, with the heart of the celebration rooted at Disneyland Resort.

  • Two new nighttime spectaculars—World of Color – One and the new fireworks show Wondrous Journeys—will kick off in late January at Disneyland Resort. World of Color – One at Disney California Adventure will celebrate the storytelling legacy started by Walt a century ago. It’s going to be World of Color like guests have never seen it before, with an all-new inspiring story told through some favorite characters. Wondrous Journeys at Disneyland Park will ignite the wonder in everyone and feature nods to all 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios films to date, taking viewers on a journey filled with artistry, music, storytelling, and heart. Special entertainment moments will also pop up across the resort, including the long-awaited return of the Magic Happens parade this spring.
  • A brand-new nighttime spectacular will come to the World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT in late 2023 as part of the Disney100 Celebration.
  • Hong Kong Disneyland will also unveil a new statue of Walt and Mickey near Cinderella’s Carousel as part of the Disney100 Celebration. Fans were given a keepsake rendering at the presentation’s conclusion.

Every Magical Moment from D23 Expo Day 3

It's the final day of D23 Expo, and we're so excited to see what magic is in store for everyone at The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Stay tuned for updates from panels on Disney Parks, The Proud Family, TRON, and so much more!

Click here for updates from Day 2

Click here for updates from Day 1

Conversations with Disney Character Voices Panel Awes Fans

The voices behind some beloved Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Ariel, and Tiana, dazzled fans in attendance for the “Conversations with Disney Character Voices” panel to close out D23 Expo. 

Rick Dempsey, Disney’s senior vice president of character voices, emceed the festivities, which featured talk backs with iconic actors, an automated dialogue replacement (ADR) session with the stars of Aladdin, and a live performance by Donny Osmond!

Those participating included Jim Cummings (voice of Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Ray, Pete, Darkwing Duck), Disney Legend Bill Farmer (voice of Goofy), Disney Legend Tony Anselmo (voice of Donald Duck), Bret Iwan (voice of Mickey Mouse), Kaitlyn Robrock (voice of Minnie Mouse), Jodi Benson (voice of Ariel), Susan Egan (voice of Megara), Disney Legend Anika Noni Rose (voice of Tiana), Disney Legend Linda Larkin (voice of Jasmine), and Scott Weinger (voice of Aladdin).

Farmer, who has been voicing Goofy for more than 35 years, shared that it’s heartwarming to hear from fans how much his work means to them. “People always come up and say, ‘I couldn’t talk to my dad, and [Goofy Movie] became our movie, and we became closer because of it,’” Farmer said. “We’re just in a little booth with a microphone; you don’t know how it affects the people out there, but with an event like this, we get to hear how it affects you.”

Dempsey later asked Rose if she shares any similarities with Tiana, a role that required the actress to embody extreme determination to land the gig. “I think we’re both big dreamers and from small spaces but found ways to inhabit the dreams that we had in our spirit,” Rose said. “I was really grateful to be able to bring that to heart and show young girls and boys who need to remember that dreams are still active even when you’re a grownup.”

Closing out the panel, Donny Osmond surprised fans with a spectacular performance of “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from Mulan, which brought the crowd to their feet with a standing ovation.

(Andie Hagemann)

Dancing with the Stars 31st Season Celebration Waltzes onto the Backlot Stage

“This is Dancing with the Stars!” To commemorate the incredible 31st Season of the fan-favorite series—and its big move to Disney+—judges and executive producers from the show took to the Backlot Stage to reveal some exciting news about the upcoming season.

Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough were joined by executive producer Conrad Green and co-executive producer Deena Katz for a rollicking panel moderated by DWTS professional Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy—who unfortunately can’t compete this season due to impending parenthood—alongside husband (and fellow DWTSprofessional) Val Chmerkovskiy.

Green, who began with the series when it first debuted on ABC, is back as executive producer and show runner—and is especially excited to be around for the show’s big move to Disney+. “Coming back feels like coming home,” he told the audience. “Bringing a live show to Disney+, and bringing it to an audience that’s gonna be so receptive to what we are doing—trying to make it bigger, and we’ve got some really exciting plans for the season; just the combination of all that, seeing so many familiar faces and so many new faces and being able to bring a really aspirational, positive show to Disney+ is super exciting for us.” Dancing with the Stars is the first live series to debut on the streaming service!

During the panel, they shared that the beloved Disney Night will expand this season to Disney+ Night and feature content from the streamer’s marquee brands. Not only that, but voting will be live across the country in all time zones—as well as in Canada!

When asked why he thinks the show is so successful, Hough recalled a story about working with Season 18 contestant Amy Purdy, who lost her legs at age 19. “This is one of my favorite moments of all time—more than winning,” he admitted. “I’m sitting down [in the rehearsal room] and she starts crying. And I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m being too hard on her; what’s going on? I’m so sorry!’ And she goes, ‘No, this is the first time I felt like a woman, that I felt feminine, since I lost my legs.’ And in that moment—to be able to bear witness to something [like that]—it just supersedes and transcends the show.”

After the panel discussion concluded, Hough surprised the crowd with a never-before-seen, Disney-themed dance he’d choreographed with his fiancée (and previous DWTS troupe member) Hayley Erbert, set to a unique rendition of “Kiss the Girl” from Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

Don’t miss Dancing with the Stars—hosted by supermodel and businesswoman Tyra Banks and new co-host, actor, and television personality Alfonso Ribeiro—when it returns to the ballroom Monday, September 19, at 8 p.m. EDT / 5 p.m. PDT, only on Disney+!

(Courtney Potter)

D23 Expo Reveals the World of Duffy and Friends—Including a New One

Sunday’s “The World of Duffy and Friends Revealed panel at D23 Expo was all about introducing American Disney fans up to Duffy, a teddy bear who has generated a genuine frenzy in the Disney Parks in Tokyo and Shanghai and has now transitioned across the globe, with a six-episode Disney+ stop-motion animation series now in the works. 

Panel guests were first treated to a brief recap of the franchise, dating back to 2004 when the toy bear made his debut at Tokyo DisneySea (after a brief, unheralded appearance in the American parks), where he was given a name and a backstory: Minnie Mouse hand-stitched the bear and gave it to Mickey to take on his travels as he explored DisneySea’s many ports.

The bear, who resides in DisneySea’s Cape Cod Village, soon developed a life and ardent fan following of his own, and was joined by an expanding family of cuddly friends including:

  • Shellie May, a female bear who was described as being more adventurous than Duffy and who encourages Duff to try new things. She also loves making gifts for those in need.
  • Gelatoni, an artistic green cat who sees beauty in everything.
  • Stella Lou, a spunky, long-eared violet rabbit who loves to dance. She dreams of being a professional dancer and has taught Duffy what it means to dream.
  • Cookie Ann, a yellow puppy chef who is skilled at combining unrelated things to create something amazing.
  • Olu Mel, a green turtle who is a musician at one with nature. He plays his little ukulele and can create harmony among the birds, trees, and all natural things.
  • And the newest addition: Lina Bell, a pink fox detective who loves to learn and carries a little magnifying glass to help her solve mysteries. Her perspective on life: clues to life’s problems might be right in front of you so just open your eyes! Lina has spent a lot of time in the woods and has thus learned a lot about plants and forest creatures.

The panel’s moderator, Carlye Wisel, welcomed three panelists who have been involved in Duffy and Friends’ expanding presence at the parks: Senior Story Editor Charlie Watanabe, Daniel Jue (WDI Portfolio Creative Executive), and Eva Lee (Senior Manager Franchise and Partnership Development). They explained that the pastel-hued plushies are intended to provide comfort and relieve stress. Just holding one of the animals, Jue said, causes chemicals to be released into the brain that make us feel better. Watanabe added that the stressful Japanese culture has benefited greatly from having these animals to love.

In the Disney Parks, the animals are held facing outward so they can enjoy the same visual experience that their owners are having. Watanabe said that as Japan’s birthrate has gone down, the animals have filled a void as “surrogate children.”

Photos were shown of the incredibly long lines that formed at Shanghai Disney Resort last year when Lina Bell was introduced. Fan-created costumes for the plush animals further revealed their growing popularity. InStyle China even put Lina Bell on its cover as its “Friend of the Year.” The character had just been welcomed into Hong Kong Disneyland two days prior to the panel.

Asked if there will be more friends coming soon, Jue said cryptically that there “is always room for more in our imaginations,” with Lee adding, “If the story requires a new character, there might be more.”

Lee indicated that a little butterfly we see flying around the accompanying video shorts that Watanabe writes may be further developed in the future. The panel ended with a screening of a never-before-seen video adventure called “Lunch Box Mystery,” which will be released at a later date. The story involved Duffy losing his floral-design lunchbox in a garden. With Lina Bell’s sleuthing, it is discovered that the box was absconded by a pair of mischievous bright purple moles, one a bit larger than the other. The introduction of these two new characters in the Duffy World created quite the buzz among Duffy fans… who were each given a gift as they exited the panel: Duffy and Friends trading cards in a cute tote bag. Or perhaps “duff-el” bag would be more accurate. 

(William Keck)

Imagineers Share Entertaining Stories of Making the Impossible, Possible

What’s better than a story-packed Imagineering panel at D23 Expo? Two panels of Walt Disney Imagineers, back to back! For “Walt Disney Imagineering: 70 Years of Making the Impossible, Possible” on the Premiere Stage, filmmaker and author Leslie Iwerks hosted two sets of Imagineers, consecutively. The first, “Creative Imagination Panel,” included Charita Carter, Kevin Rafferty, Kim Irvine, Jeanette Lomboy, and Bob Weis. A second Imagineering team came in for the second half, focusing on innovation and technology, including Tommy Jones, Leslie Evans, Emily Dow, Alfredo Ayala, and Ron Hamming.

Both groups began by sketching in their careers for the gathered fans, including Ayala’s tale of getting caught playing “spin the beaker” in a college chemistry lab—an incident that eventually led to Imagineering after the professor who caught him became a mentor and recommended Imagineering as a career option for the budding innovator.

More such stories are included in Iwerks’ upcoming book, The Imagineering Story: The Official Biography of Walt Disney Imagineering, an expansion of her popular six-part Disney+ Original documentary series, The Imagineering Story. Iwerks followed the panel with a book signing for the few lucky fans who scored advance copies of the book at the Disney Publishing pavilion before it sold out. Additional copies will be on sale everywhere in November.

Other highlights of the Imagineers’ discussion on the Premiere Stage included:

  • Rafferty told the crowd his best and worst attraction pitching experiences. The best was for Toy Story Midway Mania!, which he and fellow Imagineer and now Disney Legend Rob’t Coltrin proposed to Disney’s top executives on the fly with just a few storyboards and concept sketches they happened to have ready—and “they bought it.” The worst was a meeting he had to cancel at the last minute when another attraction, close to opening, needed his attention. As a result, Disney Legend Marty Sklar, then Imagineering president, sent a memo to then CEO Michael Eisner that read simply, “Kevin Rafferty preferred to go to Florida rather than meet with you.” A copy of the menu projected on the stage’s oversized screens drew a laugh from the audience.
  • Irvine shared her excitement at posting a “color board” sketch that depicted the beautiful endpoint of an ongoing renovation of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park. She had the sketch posted on the barrier that was erected around the construction site. Unfortunately, the color board depicted just the castle, without its drawbridge. The morning the sketch was hung, Irvine was eavesdropping on guests’ reactions and overheard one guest telling another that Disney was apparently removing the castle’s drawbridge to limit access to Fantasyland. Irvine immediately had the sketch removed and later replaced it with a drawing that depicted the castle and the drawbridge.
  • Carter had her own eavesdropping story: Outside a recently opened attraction, she listened as a father tried to explain to his 14-year-old daughter how a particular special effect was accomplished—only to have the girl poke holes in every explanation. Finally, he threw up his hands and said in exasperation, “Honey, it’s just magic!”—and Carter knew that the Imagineers had done their job well.
  • Lomboy confessed that she used to think her favorite time at Disneyland Park was after hours, when the guests were gone—until the COVID-19 pandemic closed the park for more than 400 days. Now, she said, “I don’t like Disneyland closed, and I don’t like it empty.” When the guests are gone, she told the audience, “It’s a skeleton without a heartbeat, and that heartbeat is all of you.”
  • Leslie, whose father is Disney Legend Don Iwerks, recalled how her father came home from work at Imagineering one day with a rubber hand. The Audio-Animatronics® figure at the center of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln got a new set of hands before it was installed at Disneyland (after its debut at the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair), and Don had been the model for Mr. Lincoln’s new hands. As a result, Leslie recalled, “I had this rubber hand that I grew up with,” which she enjoyed hiding in unexpected places to surprise her friends.

One theme came through in almost all the stories the Imagineers shared—that the work of Walt Disney Imagineering is entirely focused on the guest experience. As Evans phrased it, “We’re building part of the story, but you all are building the other half.”

(Bruce C. Steele)

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Cast Reflects Upon D23 Expo

Following their Sunday panel at D23 Expo 2022 presented by Visa®, the voice cast from The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder reconvened backstage to reflect on what it meant to them to experience the appreciation that fans have for the Disney+ animated series in person—especially after months of working on their own, virtually, in the recording booth.

Kyla Pratt (Penny Proud), Paula Jai Parker (Trudy Proud), JoMarie Payton (Suga Mama), Karen Malina White (Dijonay Jones), Alisa Reyes (LaCienega Boulevardez) and Soleil Moon Frye (Zoey Howzer) sat down with D23 and revealed the powerful effect seeing fans in person had on them.

“It was an amazing feeling,” said Pratt. “I think that’s the reason we all do this show and love being a part of this show is getting that energy from the people who watch it. And it's moved them in so many ways for decades. So being here, we enjoy being with each other as our own little Proud Family, but everybody is an extension. So everybody who sees us and loves us and loves the show is a part of the Proud Family in some way, so being able to see them and spend time with them is an amazing feeling.”

Her co-star Payton agreed. “To listen to some of the stories that we’ve heard about how we helped them navigate through issues and life challenges and things like that, it’s just sometimes overwhelming to hear—which makes us even want to be better and better at what we do.”

It was especially gratifying to see a rainbow of ages, races and generations represented in the audience, “all different walks of life,” said Pratt. “That’s what speaks volumes about The Proud Family… we relate to every single person. It doesn’t matter where you're from, or what you look like or how you identify.”

“We really don’t know how we affect and touch people until we come to places like D23,” said Parker. “And we see people wearing our clothing and carrying our bags and telling us these stories. So it’s very important. This is why we do it.”

For Reyes, interacting with fans was especially poignant. “It was emotional, especially with me being a new mom with a 1-year-old,” she shared. “We had a Puerto Rican woman who said that she just resonated with all of us and that her daughter watches [our show] now… I think that for me, it was the full-circle moment, just the fact that we’ve impacted such a beautiful, diverse cultural community with so many topics that we weren’t really talking about before, but now we can. I think for me that’s what’s just life-changing.”

“It was really beautiful to hear these incredible people talking about how they felt represented and connected,” added Frye. “To see they’re such huge fans of The Proud Family and this beautiful community that loves each other so much is incredibly inspiring.”

(Scott Huver)

Marvel Comics Stars Talk Comics-Movie Connections at Impromptu Panel

After an overwhelming positive response to Marvel Comics’ Saturday presentation at D23 Expo, the legendary comic book company’s editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski and superstar artist Humberto Ramos took the stage again on Sunday for Marvel Fanfare, a more freewheeling—and wide-ranging—conversation.

Reuniting on the Hyperion Stage at the Anaheim Convention Center before an enthusiastic crowd, Cebulski jokingly warned fans that, as professionals working at the original comic book division of Marvel, they are typically no more in-the-know about secret developments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe than other fans.

“So I cannot tell you what's happening in Avengers: Secret Wars or who’s in the cast of the Fantastic Fourmovie,” Cebulski chuckled about two hotly anticipated, closely guarded film projects. But he did delve into the increasingly symbiotic creative relationship between the comic book creators and the film and television talent.

“Marvel’s become such an all-encompassing kind of brand,” the EIC explained. “But Marvel Comics, what we do, that’s the heart. That’s what I’ve always said: that’s where it started.”

He revealed that, particularly over the past decade, where the comics have always provided inspiration to Hollywood, now the MCU incarnations are having a similar influence on comics creators. “We take a lot of cues now from some of the cool stuff that they do in films or in games or in animation, or in the Disney+ shows,” Cebulski said. “We see things and we go, ‘Oh my God!’ One of their writers, one of their directors, one of their producers had an idea and they took it and they improved upon it.”

He continued, “A good example recently was Alligator Loki,” one of the multiversal incarnations of Tom Hiddleston’s Asgardian antihero seen on the Loki series on Disney+. “We fell in love with it. So I had a talk with some of the producers and said, ‘Hey, we’d love to take that idea of bringing Alligator Loki into Marvel Comics’—and we have.

“It’s that amazing synergy that we have now working between our divisions,” he added. “The producers are taking what they love from the comics and putting it on their screens. We’re taking what they have on their screens and put it back in the comics, so there’s this wonderful symbiotic relationship that we have.”

Ramos’ signature energetic interpretation of Spider-Man has become one of the most distinctive and influential visual takes on the web-slinger—one he’s noticed reflected on the big screen as well. Drawing on cues from a few preceding Spider-Man artists, Ramos drew the eyes on the superhero’s mask in increasingly expressive ways, reflecting Peter Parker’s emotional reaction in more visual terms—a somewhat controversial take, he admitted, that got him a light scolding from a legendary Spider-Man penciller.

“He said, ‘You’re the guy who draws those Spider-Man eyes changing,’” revealed Ramos. “He said, ‘You know this is a mask, right? You can’t move the eyes.’ And my answer was, ‘But you know we draw comic books, right? These guys aren’t real.’”

Validation came when Ramos saw Tom Holland’s first on-screen appearance as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War, where the eyes on the Spidey suit shift and change size, giving him a greater range of expression. ‘I was like YES! I knew it! In your face!’” laughed Ramos.

(Steve Huver)

Christy Carlson Romano and Will Friedle of Kim Possible reunite at D23 Expo

Multiple generations of Kim Possible fans answered the call—or the beep—to assemble for a 20th anniversary panel that reunited co-stars and longtime friends Christy Carlson Romano and Will Friedle on Sunday at D23 Expo.

Panel host Khleo Thomas welcomed Romano and Friedle to the Disney Bundle Stage at the Anaheim Convention Center, where they were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd that included more than a few cosplayers dressed as Kim, Dr. Drakken, and Shego, and the actors immediately rewarded them with in-character catchphrases “What’s the sitch?” and “Booyah!”

Romano, who voiced can-do heroine Kim Possible, and Friedle, who voiced the reluctantly heroic Ron Stoppable, recalled their synergistic transitions from young live action actors for Disney-produced series—Even Stevens and Boy Meets World, respectively—and admitted they never imagined the animated series would become a beloved institution, with its popularity continuing for two decades and counting.

“Kim wasn’t just some superficial high school chick. She was so three-dimensional,” Romano offered on why her character struck such a resonant chord. “Something cool about Kim is that she was the change. She didn’t talk about it. She didn’t have to campaign for it. She just was powerful… She had those people supporting her, and if they were female, if they were male, it didn’t really matter. At the end of the day, it was about community impact. It was about saving the day and being a good person. That’s what she really represented.”

“I think it’s Kim, mostly, but I also think the relationship between Kim and Ron was really special,” added Friedle. “That’s something that people really liked and were big fans of, myself included. When I read the script that Ron was actually going to get to date Kim, I was like, ‘Oh yeah—he did it. He did it!’”

Along with the groundbreaking female hero/male sidekick dynamic, Romano credits the then first-time collaboration between Disney Channel at Disney Animation for creating a such a visually compelling design for the show.

“It was groundbreaking, because we have people who have designed Belle and other Disney princesses literally working on cels for Kim Possible,” she recalled. “It was a really exciting time to see that character. They played around with different hair colors, but that red hair—that’s iconic. Everything about Kim Possible is so iconic.”

Romano and Freidle, who currently co-host the podcast I Hear Voices, also revealed what they thought Kim and Ron would be up to all these years later.

“We’ve talked about this: We still think they’re married and they have kids, and they’re kind of like a spy version of The Incredibles,” said Friedle.

“And they’re [the parents of] twins, like Jim and Tim!” Romano added, referencing Kim’s twin brothers. “I do think that it could be great to see a brother-sister dynamic.”

(Steve Huver)

Back to the Grid: Boxleitner Leads “40 Years of Tron” Celebration

Producers and forward-thinking special effects wizards reunited with Tron himself, actor Bruce Boxleitner, for a nostalgic look back at the movie Tron—40 years after the ground-breaking sci-fi classic’s release. As the panelists shared stories about how they brought the futuristic film to life, giant monitors showcased original concept art and rare behind-the-scenes photos, along with historic snapshots taken outside Hollywood’s historic Grauman’s Chinese Theater, where the film was first screened.

The biggest audience reaction came when a racy, never-before-seen clip was revealed showing Tron and Lora (Cindy Morgan) sharing a sexy private moment within the computer-generated grid. In the deleted scene, Lora is tracing her finger around the illuminated lines of Tron’s costume, showing him how the lines can help guide him through the grid like a map. As Lora’s finger extended further down Tron’s costume, Lora could be heard saying, “Follow this all the way down…” before the screen suddenly went dark.

Boxleitner remembered being up on a horse while shooting a Western movie when he first read the script for Tron. Although he wasn’t able to quite wrap his head around what the film would actually be about, he had recently lost the part of Luke Skywalker to Mark Hamill and decided to give it a shot.

In a surprise video greeting, Morgan recalled how the film’s writer/director, Steven Lisberger, helped her conceptualize an environment that would be created only after her filming was completed—including graphics of what the lightcycle vehicles would eventually look like. “I found the reality in the other actors’ eyes,” she explained, before thanking fans for four decades of support and enthusiasm.

Producer Donald Kushner recalled having to “sell” Disney on the idea for Tron. Ultimately, he got a greenlight only after he claimed another studio had expressed interest. But the studio had one condition: He and Lisberger had to create a sample effects reel, “which—by the way—we didn’t,” Kushner confessed. “We figured if we could get the plane in the air, we’d figure out how to land it.”

Visual effects supervisor Richard Winn Taylor II recalled how he took home a white motocross helmet and plussed it with tape to create the grid players’ helmets the night before they were to be featured in scenes. “We were inventing what we were doing as we went along,” he admitted.

John Scheele, the film’s effects technical supervisor, inspired laughs when he spoke about how he was recruited to help airbrush away unanticipated strange glowing effects emanating from the actors’ nether regions.

Boxleitner did take a moment to acknowledge his co-star and lifelong friend Jeff Bridges, who played brilliant computer programmer Kevin Flynn. “He still calls me ‘the Tronster,’ and I call him ‘Flynnster,’” said Boxletiner, who was mourning the recent loss of actor David Warner, who played the villainous Ed Dillinger. “I was hoping he would make the event,” Boxeltiner said of Warner, who passed away in July at age 80.

“I owe a great deal to this film,” said Boxleitner, who credited the classic for helping him land future sci-fi projects, including Babylon 5.

The panel ended by looking forward to the spring 2023 opening of TRON Lightcycle/Run, a new high-speed coaster opening in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. Scot Drake, the Imagineer who oversaw the attraction’s debut in Shanghai Disney Resort, recalled that his initial challenge was “to immerse guests in the grid like never before…. When you get launched into the grid, face first… it’s something you never forget!”

“I need to ride that thing!,” Boxleitner proclaimed. And judging by the audience’s cheers, he’s not alone in feeling that anticipation!

(William Keck)

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Spills Family Secrets at D23 Expo

Fans were in for a real treat Sunday morning when the voice cast and creatives of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder appeared on the Premiere Stage during D23 Expo presented by Visa®. EJ Johnson, who lends his voice to the character Michael Collins, hosted the panel, and was joined by Bruce W. Smith (creator and executive producer), Ralph Farquhar (executive producer), Kyla Pratt (voice of Penny Proud), Paula Jai Parker (voice of Trudy Proud), JoMarie Payton (voice of Suga Mama), Cedric the Entertainer (voice of Uncle Bobby), Karen Malina White (voice of Dijonay Jones), Soleil Moon Frye (voice of Zoey Howzer), Alisa Reyes (voice of LaCienega Boulevardez), and Keke Palmer (voice of Maya-Leibowitz-Jenkins).

From sharing what’s ahead for the Prouds to doing a live table read and manifesting dream guest stars, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder team pulled out all the stops for some of their biggest fans.

Additionally, the official trailer for Season 2 dropped this weekend amidst the festivities. The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder returns in February 2023, exclusively on Disney+. “Season 1 was the appetizer,” Smith said, “and Season 2 is the entrée.”

While the cast and creatives were reluctant to divulge too much about the upcoming season, they did tease an episode in which Penny is sent to live with Suga Mama. And fans viewed an exclusive scene from the Season 2 premiere, which is a continuation of the Season 1 cliffhanger, “Old Towne Road.”

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder picks up the story of its central character, Penny Proud, and includes her madcap family: parents Oscar and Trudy, twin siblings BeBe and CeCe, and grandmother Suga Mama (and Puff!). Of course, it would not be The Proud Family without Penny’s loyal crew: Dijonay, LaCienega, Zoey, and Maya, among others.

“The interesting thing about doing this show this time around is that right now a great part of our audience were kids in 2001 and the show is being made by those kids,” Farquhar said.

Cedric the Entertainer remarked how honored he is to be a part of The Proud Family—one of the few animated series centered around a Black family—that not only triumphantly returned after 20 years, but also added even more diverse characters.

“I feel fans of the show—just like me—can relate to the series in so many ways,” Pratt said. “Everyone can find a character that they can relate to, and it’s easy to watch TV when you see someone who is like you onscreen. It helps you feel more seen in so many ways.”

Pratt added, “It’s timeless; it’s a show that you can watch any time.”

The series has welcomed a star-studded lineup of guest stars and recurring characters on The Proud Familyand The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder over the years, including Disney Legend Anthony Anderson, Beyoncé, Lizzo, Al Roker, Kobe Bryant, and Gabrielle Union, to name a few. During the Q&A portion, a fan asked the cast to name their dream guest star, and the panel agreed they have their sights set on former First Lady Michelle Obama. Recording artists Saweetie and Doja Cat are also atop some cast members’ wish lists.

What hijinks will the Prouds get into next? Tune in to find out!

(Andie Hagemann)

Mickey: The Story of a Mouse Documentary Previewed at D23 Expo

Mickey Mouse fans at D23 Expo presented by Visa® were the first to see the new teaser trailer for Mickey: The Story of a Mouse, a Disney Original Documentary that will debut Friday, November 18, on Disney+.

The panel discussion following the trailer reveal was hosted by Bret Iwan, the official voice of Mickey Mouse, who introduced the filmmakers: director Jeff Malmberg (Marwencol) and producers Meghan Walsh and Chris Shellen. When the concept of a Mickey Mouse documentary was brought to him, Malmberg said, “I instantly got why that would be a fabulous thing to do.” Mickey, he continued, is “a symbol of joy for everyone, everywhere, all the time.”

The documentary traces the history and impact of Mickey, both culturally and personally for fans, and also introduces a brand-new short, Mickey in a Minute, animated in part by legendary Disney animator Eric Goldberg, who also joined the panel. The new short takes Mickey through his 90-plus years of history with all-new animation recreating some of his most beloved roles—as well as showcasing Mickey’s different looks across the decades.

It was a considerable responsibility, Goldberg said: “As animators, we have the specter of all the greats who came before us looking over our shoulders, saying, ‘Don’t mess it up.’” Goldberg worked on animating the new hand-drawn short for about a year, along with Disney animation veterans Mark Henn and Randy Haycock—all of them thrilled to be creating a fresh Mickey tale. “When we get an opportunity like this, we pull out all the stops,” Goldberg said.

Also on the panel was animator and Disney Legend Floyd Norman, who shared, “To me, Mickey’s always been real.” When Norman left animation in the 1980s and for a time wrote Mickey Mouse stories, he discovered it was easier than he expected because “I knew this character. I had known him all my life.”

During the making of Mickey: The Story of a Mouse, the filmmakers discovered that sentiment was shared by fans of all ages, backgrounds, and geographic locations. As panelist Rebecca Cline, director of the Walt Disney Archives, put it, “He’s a part of our DNA—with an emphasis on the D.”

The joy Mickey engenders, Malmberg said, was “endlessly fascinating” to document. “Even though it’s universal, it’s also very particular and personal,” he said.

That’s especially true for Goldberg. “My favorite kind of animation is animation that looks like it’s enjoying itself onscreen,” he said. “And who better embodies that than Mickey Mouse?”

Mickey: The Story of a Mouse also delves into the more difficult parts of Mickey’s legacy—his appropriation by artists and activists outside of Disney, for their own agendas or expression. “We wanted to make sure we got to tell all of the story,” Malmberg said—even the uncomfortable parts.

To close the discussion, Iwan asked each panelist to offer one word that expressed their experience of Mickey Mouse. Their answers colored in many aspects of the Mouse: “joy” (Malmberg), “perseverance” (Shellen), “layered” (Walsh), “animation” (Goldberg), “resourceful” (Norman), and “optimism” (Cline).

Iwan’s own answer: “Walt.” As the official voice of Mickey, “I’m just doing my part to fill in for Walt,” he said.

Mickey: The Story of a Mouse is directed by Malmberg and produced by Academy Award® winner Morgan Neville, producing under his company, Tremolo Productions. Walsh and Shellen are also producers. Caitrin Rogers serves as executive producer. Marjon Javadi is vice president of Originals for Documentaries and Docuseries for Disney Branded Television/Disney Original Documentary. The film is edited by Jake Hostetter, Aaron Wickenden; cinematography by Antonio Cisneros; sound design by Lawrence Everson; and music by Daniel Wohl. The film had its World Premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival earlier this year and also screened at this year’s Sun Valley Film Festival and Newport Summer Film Series, among others.

(Bruce C. Steele)

Every Major Announcement from Disney Branded Television at D23 Expo 2022

By Andie Hagemann

On Saturday at D23 Expo presented by Visa®, Disney Branded Television revealed exciting new projects and released never-before-seen content for its series and movies across Disney+, Disney Channel, and Disney Junior during a presentation titled “Disney’s Epic Entertainment Showcase: The Musical: The Extravaganza!” Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis made the announcements with some help from the casts and creative teams of current and upcoming titles.

“At Disney Branded Television, we create shows full of magic, adventure, thrill, and heart that resonate with audiences around the world,” Davis said. “Our announcements today spotlight the breadth and depth of our commitment to entertaining fans of all ages, across animation, live-action series and movies, unscripted, and documentaries.”

Raven-Symoné and Lilly Singh hosted the star-studded showcase that was jam-packed with spectacular live performances and heartfelt moments. The festivities kicked off with The Electric Mayhem performing “Can You Picture That?” followed by the cast of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series singing a medley, including “Love Is an Open Door” from Frozen, and “High School Musical” from High School Musical 3: Senior Year.

Read on for all the spectacular announcements from the showcase!

Disney+

The Muppets Mayhem
Coming to Disney+ in 2023, The Muppets Mayhem is an all-new comedy series that follows

The Electric Mayhem Band on an epic, music-filled journey to record their first-ever studio album. The band includes Dr. Teeth on vocals and keyboards, Animal on drums, Floyd Pepper on vocals and bass, Janice on vocals and lead guitar, Zoot on saxophone, and Lips on trumpet.

With the help of a driven young music executive, Nora (Singh), the old-school Muppet band comes face-to-face with the current-day music scene as they try to finally go platinum. The Muppets Mayhem also stars Tahj Mowry as Moog, Saara Chaudry as Hannah, and Anders Holm as JJ in a recurring role.

The Electric Mayhem’s rockin’ performance of “Can You Picture That?” is now available for streaming! To tide you over before the series’ debut, click here. 

The series was developed by Adam F. Goldberg, Bill Barretta, and Jeff Yorkes, based on characters created by Disney Legend Jim Henson. It is written by Goldberg, Barretta, and Yorkes, and executive produced by Goldberg, Barretta, Michael Bostick, and Kris Eber. Yorkes is a co-executive producer. The Muppets Studio’s David Lightbody and Leigh Slaughter are also executive producers.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Season 3 of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is streaming now on Disney+, and the Wildcats are spending their summer at Camp Shallow Lake, a sleepaway camp in California. The Wildcats and their fellow campers are primed for an unforgettable summer with romance, curfew-less nights, and time in the great outdoors. With a high-stakes production of Frozen on the horizon and a drama-filled docuseries of the production, the Wildcats will attempt to show who is “best in snow” without leaving anyone out in the cold. The season finale launches Wednesday, September 14, exclusively on Disney+.

The third season stars Joshua Bassett as Ricky; Sofia Wylie as Gina; Matt Cornett as E.J.; Julia Lester as Ashlyn; Dara Reneé as Kourtney; Frankie Rodriguez as Carlos; Saylor Bell Curda as Maddox; and Adrian Lyles as Jet. Also featured this season are recurring guest stars Corbin Bleu as himself, Meg Donnelly as Val, Jason Earles as Dewey Wood, Kate Reinders as Miss Jenn, and Olivia Rodrigo as Nini—as well as guest stars Olivia Rose Keegan as Lily, Larry Saperstein as Big Red, Joe Serafini as Seb, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Marvin; and JoJo Siwa as Maddox. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is created and executive produced by Tim Federle.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series fans can now rejoice, because a fourth season is coming!  After an epic summer at Camp Shallow Lake, the Wildcats return to East High, where they will prepare a stage production of High School Musical 3: Senior Year. On their first day back, the principal announces that Disney has decided to make the long-awaited High School Musical 4: The Reunion movie on location at their beloved high school, and our Wildcats will be playing featured extras in the movie. It’s season four, and it’s now or never.

American Born Chinese
The cast and creative team of the American Born Chinese, including Michelle Yeoh, Ben Wang, Ke Huy Quan, and Daniel Wu, unveiled a first look at the new Disney+ Original series debuting in 2023.

Based on the genre-hopping graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang, American Born Chinese tells the story of Jin Wang (Wang), an average teenager juggling his high school social life with his home life. When he meets a new student on the first day of the school year, even more worlds collide as Jin is unwittingly entangled in a battle of Chinese mythological gods.

The series also stars Yeo Yann Yann as Christine Wang, Chin Han as Simon Wang, Quan as Freddy Wong, Jimmy Liu as Wei-Chen, Sydney Taylor as Amelia, Wu as Sun Wukong “The Monkey King,” and Yeoh as Guanyin.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians
The stars of Percy Jackson and the Olympians—Walker Scobell, Aryan Simhadri, and Leah Sava Jeffries—introduced an exclusive sneak peek of the highly anticipated live-action series coming soon to Disney+.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
The Prouds are back with an all-new season in February 2023! Season 2 of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder picks up the story of its central character, Penny Proud (voiced by Kyla Pratt), and includes her madcap family: parents Oscar (voiced by Tommy Davidson) and Trudy (voiced by Paula Jai Parker), twin siblings BeBe (voiced by Aiden Dodson) and CeCe (voiced by Bresha Webb), and grandmother Suga Mama (voiced by Jo Marie Payton). Of course, it would not be The Proud Family without Penny’s loyal crew: Dijonay Jones (voiced by Karen Malina White), LaCienega Boulevardez (voiced by Alisa Reyes), Zoey Howzer (voiced by Soleil Moon Frye), and Maya Leibowitz-Jenkins (voiced by Keke Palmer), among others.

Voice talent and executive producers Bruce W. Smith and Ralph Farquhar shared a teaser trailer of what’s to come for the beloved animated family.

Growing Up
Creator Brie Larson and Hero Vanessa Aryee of the new innovative docuseries Growing Up took the stage to share what it means to be a part of the series.

Growing Up explores the challenges, triumphs, and complexities of adolescence through 10 compelling coming-of-age stories. Each episode of the series uses narrative, experimental, and documentary filmmaking to follow one casted individual, age 18-22, as they tell their story. The youths represent a wide range of lived experiences, giving audiences emotionally powerful narratives that offer an engaging look at teenage-hood and the diverse social, familial, and internal obstacles young people face on their path to self-discovery and acceptance. Each 30-minute episode features one young person or “hero” and their experience growing up. Each episode is anchored by a deeply personal interview that allows our heroes to walk us through their childhood and teenage years. Alongside these interviews, creative cinematic reenactments help bring their major inflection points to life.

All episodes of Growing Up are available to stream now on Disney+.

Best in Snow
Best in Snow, a festive holiday special hosted by Tituss Burgess, transports artistic teams from around the world to a magical snowy village, Snowdome, for a spirited competition for the title of Best in Snow. With the help of Snowdome’s finest carvers, teams will transform their 10-foot, 20-ton blocks of snow into beautiful creations inspired by Pixar, Marvel, Walt Disney Animation, Walt Disney Studios, and The Muppets Studio. The teams focus on family favorites such as Moana, Coco, and The Lion King, and bring the characters to life in a way you’ve never seen before—in snow! Spectacular snow sculptures and lively musical performances from Burgess, Kermit the Frog, and DCappella make this an action-packed winter event for the entire family. The special premieres this holiday season on Disney+.

Pentatonix: Around the World for the Holidays
Superstar a capella group Pentatonix is struggling to find inspiration for their annual holiday album, and the clock is ticking. To make matters worse, their well-intentioned but misguided manager mistakenly locks them in a magic mailroom. But with the help of some Disney magic, we’re soon on a whirlwind tour around the world, discovering holiday traditions and inspiration from Pentatonix fans all around the globe: from Tokyo to Grenada, Ghana to Mexico and Iceland. The fun-filled journey leads the group to realize that wherever we find ourselves, the holidays offer the perfect opportunity to discover how much we have in common—and that it really is a small world after all!

The cast includes Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee of Pentatonix, and Nico Santos as manager. Pentatonix: Around the World for the Holidays debuts this holiday season on Disney+.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Run-D.M.C.’s Rev Run brings us along for a hip-hop reimagining of The Nutcracker ballet set in New York City. It’s the night of the annual New Year’s Eve block party and Maria-Clara (Caché Melvin) is worried that her mom and pop (Allison Holker Boss and Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss) aren’t getting along... and it’s bringing her down. Maria-Clara embarks on a holiday adventure to bring her parents back together, finding help along the way from the magical toymaker, Drosselmeyer (Comfort Fedoke) and the Nutcracker (Du-Shant “Fik-shun” Stegall) she brings to life.

Maria-Clara’s journey takes her from the streets of New York to fantasy worlds where she battles with mice and toy soldiers (Viktor White, BDash, Kevin “Konkrete” Davis), and back in time to the Land of Sweets to find the key to unlock her holiday wish. Will it be enough to rekindle her parents’ lost love before the clock strikes midnight? The special features best-in-class dancers Mikhail Baryshnikov, Tiler Peck, KidaTheGreat AKA Kida Burns, the Jabbawockeez as magical snowflakes, and more!

The Disney+ Original special The Hip Hop Nutcracker—directed by Nikki Parsons—debuts on Disney+ this holiday season.

The Santa Clauses
Disney Legend Tim Allen took the stage along with Elizabeth Mitchell, Kal Penn, and more to introduce the highly anticipated continuation of the beloved franchise. The first two episodes launch November 16 on Disney+ with new episodes airing weekly thereafter. Allen surprised D23 Expo fans with the first trailer of The Santa Clauses!

Scott Calvin (Allen) is on the brink of his 65th birthday and realizing that he can’t be Santa forever. He’s suddenly starting to lose his Santa magic—and, more importantly, he’s got a family who could benefit from a life in the normal world, especially his two kids who have grown up at the North Pole. With a lot of elves, children, and family to please, Scott sets out to find a suitable replacement Santa while preparing his family for a new adventure in a life south of the pole.

National Treasure: Edge of History
The cast of National Treasure: Edge of History, including Lisette Olivera and Catherine Zeta-Jones, unveiled the first full trailer for the upcoming series. The series premieres with the first two episodes on December 14, exclusively on Disney+.

The Disney+ Original series National Treasure: Edge of History is an expansion of the National Treasuremovie franchise, told from the point of view of a young heroine, Jess—a brilliant and resourceful DREAMer in search of answers about her family—who embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to uncover the truth about the past and save a lost Pan-American treasure. The series also stars Jake Austin Walker, Jordan Rodrigues, Zuri Reed, Antonio Cipriano, and Lyndon Smith.

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
The cast and creatives behind Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur unveiled the official trailer for the supercharged series coming to Disney Channel on February 10. The series will be available for streaming shortly thereafter on Disney+.

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, based on Marvel’s hit comic books, follows the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton Tyrannosaurus rex, Devil Dinosaur. After Lunella accidentally brings Devil Dinosaur into present-day New York City, the duo works together to protect the city’s Lower East Side from danger.

The series’ voice cast includes Diamond White as Lunella (aka Moon Girl); Fred Tatasciore as Devil Dinosaur; Alfre Woodard as Lunella’ 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; and series executive producer Laurence Fishburne in the recurring role of The Beyonder, a curious and mischievous trickster.

Choir
Fans got a first look at unscripted series Choir from Disney Original Documentary and were treated to a live performance by the show choir themselves. The new series, coming soon to Disney+, is based on the moving and motivational story behind America’s Got Talent finalists the Detroit Youth Choir (DYC).  

Madu
Disney Original Documentary announced the new documentary Madu coming soon to Disney+. The star of the documentary, Anthony Madu, was introduced onstage along with a sneak peek at the inspirational project.

Madu captures Anthony’s story after being discovered through a viral 44-second video that was posted online in 2020 and garnered over 16 million views. Having grown up in an isolated community outside of Lagos and with almost no formal training, audiences will get a close look at Anthony’s journey after being awarded a scholarship to Elmhurst Ballet School, one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the United Kingdom. Anthony comes from a community with limited opportunities, making this the chance of a lifetime to pursue his dream. By immersing the audience in Lagos’ culture and fascinating surroundings, Ogens and Benson use their unique perspectives to bring the film to life in the true spirit of Nigeria and its people.

Big Shot
John Stamos took the stage to highlight the upcoming second season of Big Shot as well as his appearances on Mickey Mouse Funhouse and Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends. Stamos recanted his favorite Disney memories before honoring the late Bob Saget.

On Big Shot, the latest plan from Marvyn (Stamos) is to get his basketball team broadcast on ESPN, and his method is to recruit an unlikely player: Ava (Sara Echeagaray), a gutsy beach volleyball phenom whose public tantrum got her ousted from her own sport. Between losing their assistant coach Holly Barrett (Jessalyn Gilsig) to a rival school, new friction amongst teammates, a sudden and unexpected proximity to boys, and off-the-court disasters that no one could’ve predicted this season, the Westbrook Sirens have even more to prove.

Big Shot also stars Sophia Mitri Schloss, Nell Verlaque, Tiana Le, Tisha Custodio, Cricket Wampler, and Brown. Season 2 premieres October 12 on Disney+.

Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.
Season 2 of the hit series Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. is coming soon to Disney+! Series stars Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Milo Manheim announced the news during the showcase. After spending the summer apart, Lahela (Lee) is finally reunited with Walter (Alex Aiono), although he’s not the same boyfriend she said goodbye to months before. Their relationship has shifted and they’re no longer on the same page. Her head is spinning—and even more so when she meets a new patient, Nico (Manheim). Lahela’s life is full of decisions—Walter, Nico, and choosing her medical specialty. In the end, who or what will she choose? Luckily, she has her family, coworkers, and best friend (Emma Meisel) to support her along the way.

Prom Pact
Lee and Manheim also introduced an exclusive clip from the upcoming original movie Prom Pact, coming soon to Disney+.

It’s the height of prom season, and high school senior Mandy Yang (Lee) and her best friend and fellow outsider Ben (Manheim) are surrounded by over-the-top ’80s-themed prom-posals. However, Mandy keeps her eyes focused on a different goal: her lifelong dream of attending Harvard. When she finds out that she has been put on the waitlist, she is determined to do whatever she can do to get herself accepted, even if that means asking for help from the one person she abhors—popular all-star jock Graham Lansing (Blake Draper), whose father is a powerful senator and Harvard alum. Once Mandy becomes Graham’s tutor, she begins to realize there’s more to him than she thought and perhaps something more to life than Harvard.

Prom Pact also stars Monique Green as LaToya, Arica Himmel as Zenobia, Jason Sakaki as Charles, Margaret Cho as Ms. Chen; Wendi McLendon-Covey as Alyssa, and David S. Jung as Tom.

ZOMBIES 3
Manheim then busted out his best dance moves as he was joined onstage with a slew of dancers as they performed one of the musical numbers from ZOMBIES 3.

ZOMBIES 3, the third installment in the uber-popular ZOMBIES franchise, takes an interstellar turn as space aliens suddenly touch down in Seabrook, upsetting the senior year of Zed (Manheim) and Addison (Meg Donnelly) at Seabrook High in the town that’s become a safe haven for zombies, werewolves, and humans alike. Zed is anticipating an athletic scholarship that will make him the first zombie to attend college, and Addison is gearing up for Seabrook’s first international cheer-off competition when mysterious extraterrestrial beings appear around Seabrook, provoking something other than friendly competition. ZOMBIES 3 is now streaming on Disney+.

The cast includes Chandler Kinney as Willa, Ariel Martin as Wynter, Pearce Joza as Wyatt; Carla Jeffery as Bree, Trevor Tordjman as Bucky, Kylee Russell as Eliza, Terry Hu as A-spen, Matt Cornett as A-lan, Kyra Tantao as A-li, James Godfrey as Bonzo, and Kingston Foster as Zoey.

Disney Junior

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures
The stars of Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures from Lucasfilm and Disney Junior took the stage to unveil a first look at their characters, Kai Brightstar (voiced by Jamaal Avery Jr.) and Nash Durango (voiced by Emma Berman) as well as what’s in store for the exciting new series.

Set during the High Republic era, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures will follow a group of Younglings as they embark on missions where they will help people in need, discover exotic creatures, clash with villainous pirates, train with their masters, and ultimately learn the valuable skills needed to become Jedi: compassion, self-discipline, teamwork, patience, and friendship.

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures follows Kai, a Jedi Youngling who hopes to follow in the footsteps of his hero, the great Master Yoda, and become a Jedi Knight; and Nash, a pilot who befriends Kai and his friends and joins them on their adventures across the galaxy.

The series premieres in 2023 on Disney Junior and Disney+.

Stars from the Disney Junior series—Donald Faison (Alice’s Wonderland Bakery), Brown (Firebuds and Alice’s Wonderland Bakery), and Harvey Guillén (Mickey Mouse Funhouse)—greeted fans on stage and shared their excitement about voicing beloved animated characters.

Disney Channel

Under Wraps 2
The stars of Under Wraps 2—Malachi Barton, Christian J. Simon, Sophia Hammons, and Phil Wright—took the stage after a mummified performance from a group of dancers.

Under Wraps 2 picks up as Marshall (Barton), Gilbert (Simon), and Amy (Hammons) are getting ready to attend Amy’s father’s Spooktacular Halloween-themed wedding. However, plans soon go awry when the three friends discover their mummy pal Harold and his beloved Rose may be in danger. Sobek (T.J. Storm), an evil mummy with a 1,000-year-old grudge against his best friend-turned-bitter-rival, Harold (Wright), is unexpectedly awakened and out for revenge. With help from his hypnotized lacky Larry (Jordan Conley), Sobek kidnaps Rose (Ryla McIntosh). Amy, Gilbert, Marshall, Buzzy, and Harold must use their skills once again to save her and get back in time to attend the wedding.

The film premieres September 25 on Disney Channel and available for streaming September 30 on Disney+.

Descendants 4
A fourth Descendants film is coming! The news was announced by actress China Anne McClain, who return as Uma. Joining the cast of Descendants 4 are Kylie Cantrall and Dara Reneé.

Raven’s Home
Raven-Symoné was joined onstage with her Raven’s Home co-stars, where she announced the hit comedy series has been picked up for a sixth season.

A spinoff of the iconic Disney Channel comedy That’s So Raven (2003-2007), Raven’s Home follows the hilarious adventures driven by somewhat psychic Raven Baxter (Raven-Symoné) and her son Booker (Issac Ryan Brown), who has inherited his mom’s gift to catch glimpses of the future.

All the Magic from Studio Showcase, Day 2: Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios

By Courtney Potter

The Studio Showcase for D23 Expo 2022 presented by Visa® was so epic, they had to split it up into two massive presentations... and this morning in Hall D23, Day 2—featuring the latest and greatest from Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, and 20th Century Studios—fired up fans with more new announcements; more never-before-seen footage; and more stars from Disney’s biggest streaming and theatrical titles slated for the coming months and beyond.

Kicking off the proceedings, Alan Bergman, chairman, The Walt Disney Studios, reflected on the 13-year history of D23 Expo—as well as the evolution of the Studios group. “That [first] year, none of the iconic studios you’ll hear from today were part of the company,” Bergman explained. “It was just Disney Animation, Disney Live Action, and Pixar. We announced the Marvel acquisition just before our first Expo in 2009. Then three years later, we added Lucasfilm, and in 2019, 20th Century Studios. I’ve been at Disney for 26 years, so it’s been incredibly exciting to welcome each of them to our Studio family. And like Disney and Pixar, each of these studios has a phenomenal legacy of storytelling.”

Bergman was then joined by Kathleen Kennedy, president, Lucasfilm; Kevin Feige, producer and president, Marvel Studios; and James Cameron, director of 20th Century Studios’ upcoming Avatar: The Way of Water, to showcase a veritable smorgasbord of incredible content to come.

LUCASFILM

Andor
Kennedy first welcomed Andor series star and executive producer Diego Luna, as well as costars Genevieve O’Reilly, Kyle Soller, and Adria Arjona, to tease the upcoming 24-episode spy thriller. The era featured in Andor—the five years before the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story—is filled with danger, deception, and intrigue, where Cassian Andor will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero. Much to the delight of the assembled crowd, Luna and his costars unveiled a final trailer for the series.

The series presents Star Wars from a different perspective, focusing on everyday people whose lives are affected by the Empire. The decisions they make have real consequences, and the stakes for them—and the galaxy—couldn’t be higher. The series debuts with three episodes on Disney+ on September 21.

Willow
Next, Kennedy welcomed Warwick Davis to the stage to talk about the new Disney+ series Willow—a live-action fantasy-adventure series that returns to the world of Andowyne that we first met in the 1988 feature film (directed by Ron Howard and produced by Disney Legend George Lucas). Davis was then joined by series stars Joanne Whalley (Sorsha), Ruby Cruz (Kit), Erin Kellyman (Jade), Ellie Bamber (Dove), Dempsey Bryk (Airk), Amar Chadha-Patel (Boorman), and Tony Revolori (Graydon)—and as a special surprise, Christian Slater was also welcomed to stage as a member of the ensemble cast! We were also privy to a new trailer for the series:

Set in a magical world where brownies, sorcerers, trolls, and other mystical creatures flourish, Willow is the story of an unlikely group of heroes who set off on a dangerous quest, facing their inner demons and coming together to save their world. An epic period fantasy told with a modern sensibility and plenty of humor and heart, Willow begins streaming on Disney+ November 30.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch
Next up, Kennedy welcomed Dave Filoni—who shared a host of amazing Star Wars-related announcements. First, Filoni showed a new image from the upcoming 16-episode second season of the animated series Star Wars: The Bad Batch. Months have passed since the events on Kamino, and the Bad Batch continue their journey navigating the Empire after the fall of the Republic. They’ll cross paths with friends and foes, both new and familiar, as they take on a variety of thrilling mercenary missions that will take them to unexpected and dangerous new places. And revealed today: The series will begin streaming on Disney+ with a two-episode premiere on January 4, 2023.

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi
Filoni next revealed news about Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi, six brand-new animated shorts featuring parables built around Jedi from the prequel era. Journey into the lives of two distinctly different Jedi—Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku—who will each be put to the test as they make choices that will define their destinies. Filoni delighted the audience by sharing an official trailer for the shorts.

All six shorts will debut October 26 on Disney+.

Ahsoka
And speaking of a certain popular Jedi, Filoni shared with Hall D23 how much the character of Ahsoka means to him—having crafted her story since her 2008 debut in the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars through her live-action debut in The Mandalorian. Ahsoka is a new live-action series heading to Disney+, starring Rosario Dawson in the title role. Disney Legend Jon Favreau joined Filoni on stage to talk about the series, and shared a first-look images with the assembled fans. Set after the fall of the Empire, Ahsokafollows the former Jedi knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy. The new series is slated for 2023 and will be exclusive to Disney+.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew
Favreau and Filoni were then joined by Star Wars: Skeleton Crew creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford, who talked about the series, which is coming soon on Disney+. Skeleton Crew tells the story of four kids who find themselves lost in in the vastness of the galaxy trying to find their way home... and as a special surprise, series star Jude Law joined Favreau and Filoni to greet the fans!

The Mandalorian Season 3
Favreau and Filoni couldn’t leave the stage without chatting about The Mandalorian—and the crowd erupted with delight when they welcomed cast members Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Amy Sedaris, Giancarlo Esposito, and Emily Swallow to join them. Together, they shared the newest trailer for Season 3 of the series.

In the third season of The Mandalorian, the Mandalorian and Grogu have been reunited and continue their journey through the lawless galaxy. Season 3 is set to launch exclusively on Disney+ in 2023.

Indiana Jones 5
Finally, Kennedy concluded the Lucasfilm portion of the proceedings by sharing info about one more title: Indiana Jones 5! She then welcomed the film’s director, James Mangold, who shared some incredible details and first-look footage from the upcoming fifth installment of the immensely popular Indiana Jones franchise—which opens in theaters June 30, 2023. And then, much to the utter delight of Hall D23, Kennedy and Mangold were joined on stage by the film’s stars, Harrison Ford and Phoebe Waller-Bridge! “Thank you for making these films such an incredible experience for all of us,” said an emotional Ford. “I’m very proud to say that this one is fantastic, and [Waller-Bridge] is one of the reasons.”

Ford continued, “Indiana Jones movies are about fantasy and mystery, but they’re also about heart... I’m really, really happy that we have a really human story to tell, as well as a movie that will kick your [butt].”

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D23 charter member Feige, reflecting on his multiple sojourns to D23 Expos over the years, spoke of watching the performances created just the event from around the worlds of Disney: “I’ve always been a little jealous,” Feige admitted. “Why can’t we get our own musical number?” That kicked off an incredible, high-energy performance of the fan-favorite “I Could Do This All Day” from the show-within-a-show Rogers: The Musical, featured in last year’s Disney+ Original series Hawkeye! The number, boasting 22 performers, was accompanied by a six-piece rhythm section led by composer and conductor Marc Shaiman, who wrote the song for the episode.

Feige returned to the stage to detail several recent announcements, including the Multiverse Saga—the conclusion of Phase 4, the Phase 5 slate, and the Phase 6 titles that include Fantastic Four and two new Avengers films: The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Feige was first joined by director Ryan Coogler, who shared an exclusive look at an incredible scene and some highlights from the much-anticipated follow-up to 2018’s Black Panther. And to the crowd’s delight, cast members Letitia Wright (Shuri), Winston Duke (M’Baku), Tenoch Huerta (Namor), and Angela Bassett (Queen Ramonda) joined Coogler and Feige onstage. Look for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in theaters November 11.

Ironheart
Coogler shared an early look at the new series he’s executive producing that takes place after the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Dominique Thorne returns as Riri Williams, a young, genius inventor determined to make her mark on the world. Her unique take on building iron suits is both brilliant and flawed—and Ironheart delves into the dynamics of tech versus magic. Feige then invited series costar Anthony Ramos to the stage to greet fans and share a little about his character, Parker Robbins aka The Hood. The new series is slated for Disney+ in 2023.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Feige then officially kicked off Phase 5 of the MCU by bringing to the stage the stars of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania: Paul Rudd (Scott Lang/Ant-Man), Evangeline Lilly (Hope Van Dyne/The Wasp), and Jonathan Majors (Kang). The crowd was then treated to an exclusive look at the film, which follows Super Hero partners Scott and Hope, who team up with Hope’s parents, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer)—as well as Scott’s daughter, Cassie (Kathryn Newton)—to explore the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that’ll push them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible. Hitting theaters February 17, 2023, the film connects to Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Feige announced.

Werewolf by Night
Feige then announced Marvel Studios’ first-ever special presentation, created for this Halloween: Werewolf by Night, directed by Michael Giacchino. If that name sounds familiar to you, that’s because he’s an Academy Award®-winning composer of such Disney, Pixar, and Marvel favorites as The Incredibles, Up, and Thor: Love and Thunder (just to name a few!). But Giacchino is also an accomplished filmmaker, and was joined onstage by his “fun-scary” special’s stars, Gael García Bernal and Laura Donnelly, to help share their spooky new trailer.

The special starts streaming on Disney+ this October 7.

Secret Invasion
Fan favorite Don Cheadle then joined Feige on the Hall D23 stage to talk about Secret Invasion, a thrilling new event series that showcases a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls who have been infiltrating Earth for years. They also revealed the series’ brand-new trailer:

Armor Wars
Cheadle then segued into revealing details about another Disney+ project he’ll star in, Armor Wars. Rhodey fans will see the character in a whole new light, and considering the title of the series, audiences can look forward to all-new suits for the hero, featuring different types of armor.

Loki Season 2
Feige then welcomed—direct from the set in London—Loki stars Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Sophia Di Martino, and new cast member Ke Huy Quan to chat about the new season. Fans were lucky to get a glimpse of what’s to come, picking up in the aftermath of the shocking season finale when Loki finds himself in a battle for the soul of the Time Variance Authority. Season 2 of Lokibegins streaming on Disney+ in 2023.

Fantastic Four
Feige officially confirmed that Matt Shakman—who directed every episode of 2021’s WandaVision and who was in the Hall D23 audience—would be directing Fantastic Four. The film opens in theaters on November 8, 2024.

Echo
The cast of Echo—Alaqua Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Devery Jacobs, Graham Greene, Cody Lightning, and Chaske Spencer—joined Feige on stage to chat about the new series; show some sneak-peek footage to the crowd; and provide some details about Maya Lopez, whose ruthless behavior in New York City (after the events in Disney+’s Hawkeye) catches up with her in her hometown.

Daredevil: Born Again
Once most of the Echo cast left, D’Onofrio remained on stage... and Hall D23 erupted with excitement when Feige welcome Charlie Cox to join D’Onofrio to briefly talk about Daredevil: Born Again! Production isn’t underway yet on the 18-episode Disney+ series—but fans were treated with a clip from an upcoming episode of She Hulk: Attorney at Law (now streaming on Disney+) that features Cox’s superpowered hero.

Captain America: New World Order
Director Julius Onah joined Feige on stage to chat about Captain America: New World Order, continuing Sam Wilson’s journey as Captain America in a brand-new film coming to theaters in 2024. Joining Onah were returning The Falcon and the Winter Soldier stars Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Captain America), Danny Ramirez (Joaquin Torres), and Carl Lumbly (Isaiah Bradley), who were joined by new cast member Tim Blake Nelson (The Leader)—himself returning to the MCU after an extended absence.

Thunderbolts
Feige excited the crowd by revealing the identities of the Thunderbolts by welcoming them to the Hall D23 stage: Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine), David Harbour (Red Guardian), Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost), Wyatt Russell (John Walker/U.S. Agent), and Sebastian Stan (James “Bucky” Barnes/The Winter Soldier). They’ll also be joined by Olga Kurylenko (Taskmaster), and Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova)—the latter of whom sent a video message sending her love both to the assembled fans and to her costars. Thunderbolts opens in theaters on July 26, 2024.

The Marvels
Finally, Feige wrapped the Marvel Studios portion by revisiting key moments in the MCU before welcoming to the stage director Nia DaCosta and The Marvels cast members Iman Vellani (Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel), Teyonah Parris (Monica Rambeau), and Brie Larson (Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel). Fans were given a special look at scenes from the new movie, which opens in theaters on July 28, 2023. 

20TH CENTURY STUDIOS

Avatar: The Way of Water
Bergman then returned to the stage to introduce—via Zoom from New Zealand—Oscar®-winning producer/director Cameron, director of the upcoming Avatar: The Way of Water. He’s hard at work finishing the film—the highly anticipated sequel to the biggest film of all time, Avatar—so he couldn’t join D23 Expo in person. But the film’s producer, Jon Landau, helped welcome returning cast members Sam Worthington (Jake Sully), Zoe Saldaña (Neytiri), Sigourney Weaver (Kiri), and Stephen Lang (Colonel Miles Quaritch)—plus new-generation cast members Jamie Flatters (Neteyam), Jack Champion (Spider), Bailey Bass (Tsireya), and Trinity Jo-Li Bliss (Tuk)—before the audience was treated to several scenes from the new film! Fans were invited to don a pair of Dolby 3D glasses (a Hall D23 first!) to get fully immersed in the brand-new footage.

Every Magical Moment from D23 Expo Day 2

Today is packed with highly anticipated moments, from the day 2 Studio Showcase featuring Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century; to a celebration of The Muppet Christmas Carol; and so much more! Check back here for updates and news as they break!

Christmas Comes Early for Fans of The Santa Clauses

Fans were in for a merry evening when the cast and crew of The Santa Clauses appeared on the Premiere Stage to talk about the Disney+ Original series (premiering Wednesday, November 16, with two episodes) and share a trio of exclusive clips. Based on the blockbuster feature films, The Santa Clauses finds Scott Calvin (Disney Legend Tim Allen) on the brink of his 65th birthday and realizing he can’t be Santa forever. And since there can’t be a world without a Santa Claus, he sets out to find a suitable replacement while preparing his family for a new adventure south of the pole.

“If you’ve got a job and a family, you can work so hard that you forget why you’re doing what you’re doing,” Allen said. “He’s working so hard to be Santa Claus, to do everything right, that his kids are growing up without other humans. It’s very complex.”

You wouldn’t know it when you see them in character, but it’s been 16 years since Allen and costar Elizabeth Mitchell suited up as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, respectively. So, when the time came for them to reprise their roles in this new series, Allen joked he had to put in extra work to embody his character. “She puts her hair in a bun and then she looks gorgeous. I’ve got to gain just 138 lbs. of pork sausage!” the actor and comedian joked. “It’s not magic. I actually gained the weight. You think [Tom] Hanks is a special guy? I gained 138 lbs. every day! All I ate was gluten and trans fats!” After the laughter in the room subsided, Allen asked Mitchell how she really felt about her hair and makeup... and she proved his point by admitting, “I thought it was fine. I really did!” In fact, she added, “It was really nice to put on [that costume] and walk through a room full of kids, seeing how they respond to it. It was really magical.”

Joining Allen and Mitchell onstage were costars Elizabeth Allen-Dick (Sandra), Devin Bright (Noel), Austin Kane (Cal), Matilda Lawler (Bett), Rupali Redd (Grace), and Kal Pen (Simon), plus executive producers Jack Burditt and Jason Winer. Not only does Allen-Dick play Allen’s daughter onscreen, but she’s his daughter in real-life! “From a dad's point of view, it's one of those moments in life that I can't describe,” Allen said of seeing his daughter act. “She's respectful to the crew and everybody around her, she does her job, she adds value, and she's a surprise in a huge way. It means the world to me.”

(Zach Johnson)

Fans Get a Sneak Peek at Zootopia+ at D23 Expo

Saturday at D23 Expo, the directing team behind Zootopia+ treated fans to an advance screening of two episodes of the animated series, coming to Disney+ on November 9.

The show, from Walt Disney Animation Studios, heads back to the fast-paced mammal metropolis, diving deeper into the lives of some of the Oscar®-winning feature film’s most intriguing residents.

Before screening the debut episode, “Hopp on Board,” and the fourth episode, “Godfather of the Bride,” directors Josie Trinidad and Trent Correy spoke about their approach to the series, which they began working on in 2020.

“The series was all about bringing joy, especially during the pandemic. We absolutely just want to bring some smiles to people,” Correy said.

Each episode of Zootopia+ interconnects with the timeline of the original film, while offering a new perspective on the characters, locations, and scenarios that fans know from Zootopia, the the filmmakers shared.

“They seamlessly weave in and out of the movie while being jam-packed with familiar scenes, Easter eggs—and you might even get to see Nick and Judy,” Correy said.

He continued, “Each episode embraces a different style of filmmaking. We have an action film, a reality TV [episode], a musical, and we have a film noir period piece, a talent show competition, and everyone’s guilty pleasure, the rom com, giving each of episode its own unique and distinctive look and feel.”

(Alison Stateman)

Encanto Fans Enjoy Surprise Guests, a Musical Performance, and More

An Encanto panel Saturday at D23 Expo brought together the filmmakers and the cast for some lively storytelling, a surprise guest, a musical performance, and the announcement of an upcoming live staging of the movie’s story and music.

Thousands of enthusiastic fans filled the Premiere Stage at the Anaheim Convention Center as event host Tamron Hall began by introducing Jared Bush (who directed the film with Byron Howard and co-director Charise Castro Smith, and wrote the screenplay with Castro Smith) and producers Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer.

The overwhelming fan response to the film was “completely surreal,” Bush said, addressing the audience. “It means so much to us that it means so much to you.”

“It really just means so much to me that people see themselves in the movie,” Merino added.

Bush and Howard, who together also directed Zootopia, “have this incredible ability to create these amazing worlds,” Spencer said.

The filmmaking trio were next joined by Jamal Sims, the choreographer for the movie, who shared a rare clip of live-action reference footage of dancers performing the dance moves for the hit song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” It was the first Encanto song he worked on, he revealed, “and we kind of did it in one day and sent it over [to the filmmakers].” He remembered thinking after working on that first, amazing tune, “All the rest are not going to be as good, right?”—only to be disproved again and again by the great numbers provided by songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Miranda himself next joined the panel, linked in remotely by AT&T 5G technology and seen sitting in a chair on a large screen across from the other panelists—looking for all the world like he could step out onto the stage any minute. “I’m trapped in Bruno’s tower!” he joked.

The Tony®-winning composer, writer, and actor said he’d been preparing for his career ever since “I was pretending to be Sebastian the crab on my desk in the fourth grade”—referencing Disney’s The Little Mermaid—and had enthusiastically pursued a creative role in the Latin American film he had heard Walt Disney Animation Studios was working on.

Development of Encanto took place before the COVID-19 pandemic forced isolation on the filmmaking team, which meant most of production was done remotely—with team members working from their homes, including Miranda. He composed “Bruno” and “Surface Pressure” in the two months immediately following the lockdown, he recounted, when he was living in isolation with his family and his in-laws. The songs he worked on reflected that situation. “‘Surface Pressure’ was about ‘How do I protect my family,’” he said, while “Bruno” was about “what am I allowed to talk about in front of [my wife’s] mother?”

After Miranda signed off from his remote connection, the panelists were joined by Encanto cast members Wilmer Valderrama, Mauro Castillo, Diane Guerrero, Carolina Gaitán, and Adassa. Getting together onstage in person, as they were today, was a pleasure this chosen family didn’t get to enjoy during the remote recording sessions, due to the pandemic. “No one ever met anyone in person until the night of the premiere,” Merino said.

“Even though we were apart, we were working together,” Clark said.

When the actors were asked by Hall about their reactions to seeing the designs for their characters, Valderrama responded, “You forget what the character looks like [when you’re performing]. You’re just trying to find the beauty and the humanity within yourself as a character.”

Just before the panel’s finale, Hall shared the big news of the day: “Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl” was announced for a two-night stand on November 11 and 12 at the famous outdoor amphitheater. For those evenings, “The Hollywood Bowl will transform into Casa Madrigal,” she said, creating “an immersive concertgoing experience.” Those attending the panel will have access to an early ticket-buying window with a code Hall shared.

Appropriately, the Encanto panel ended with the five cast members joining for an energetic performance of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” with the audience invited to sing along!

(Bruce C. Steele)

Magic in the Air: Muppet Christmas Carol outtakes and more

Muppet favorite Gonzo the Great channeled his Charles Dickens persona to open a merry and whimsical D23 Expo panel celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Muppet Christmas Carol. Not anyone could follow a personality as mammoth as Gonzo’s, but D23 Expo managed to find a moderator who was more than up for the challenge: RuPaul’s Drag Race alum and self-described “huge Muppet fan” Nina West, debuting a Kermit couture gown created especially for the event.

The first surprise for fans at the Premiere Stage was a Q&A with some very familiar panelists: Kermit the Frog, who played Bob Cratchit; Miss Piggy (Emily Cratchit); Kermit’s nephew, Robin (Tiny Tim); and; of course; Gonzo, who generously invited West to address him as “Chuckie,” a less formal take on “Charles.”

From the onset, friction developed between Piggy and West, forcing Kermit to act as a go-between when Piggy turned her snout on West, refusing to speak to her directly. Kudos to Piggy for laughing off a real low blow from West, who cracked that Piggy had undoubtedly collected several Blue Ribbons during her long career.

Since Dickens’ A Christmas Carol has long been in the public domain, allowing Hollywood to remake the timeless classic without having to pay royalties, the Muppets suggested future spin-off titles. Robin got a big laugh when he threw out his pitch for The Muppet Christmas Carol 2: Tiny Tim, Winter Soldier.

A behind-the-scenes gag reel from the original production was shown with bloopers revealing the lovable, ginger-haired giant Ghost of Christmas Present accidently slapping Michael Caine (Ebenezer Scrooge) in the face during a musical number. Other outtakes revealed Gonzo accidentally snagging his head with a grappling hook and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew flubbing a line and cursing in a very Muppet-like fashion by grumbling “poo poo.”

Next up was a Q&A with the film’s director, Brian Henson, songwriter Paul Williams, costume designer Polly Smith, and much beloved puppeteer Dave Goelz, who began voicing Gonzo, Dr. Honeydew, Waldorf, and others way back in 1976. A little trivia: Goelz’ first association with Disney dates back to 1961, when he played an extra in The Parent Trap.

Henson began explaining how it was his agent who originally came up with the idea for having the Muppets dramatize Dickens’ classic—but as an ABC TV movie with a budget of $3 million, before it ended up becoming a $5 million feature film, co-produced by Walt Disney Productions (as The Walt Disney Company was then called). With the film shoot so closely following the devastating death of Muppets creator Jim Henson, Brian Henson recalled how nervous he was, wondering how they’d fare without his father’s guidance. “We were scared and careful… having just lost my dad,” he said.

Williams said he was a Muppets fan even before his association with the colorful troupe began. Though he has an illustrious songwriting career, Williams admitted his “phone was not ringing off the hook” when Brian Henson called to invite him to write the songs for the film, which would also mark Henson’s big-screen directorial debut. Williams, who had just committed to a sober life free of alcohol and drugs, felt blessed to be given the assignment to create emotional songs for a feel-good project about a man who was addicted to greed and undergoing a spiritual awakening. “Talk about timing,” Williams said.

His one great disappointment about the project was a call from studio executive Jeffrey Katzenberg to cut a love song (“When Love Is Gone”) that he wrote for Caine and actress Meredith Braun, who played Scrooge’s lost love, Belle. Katzenberg made the tough call when he saw a few children exiting the theater to take bathroom breaks during the musical number when the film was screened for test audiences. “There was not a lot of laughing in there, Brian,” Henson remembered being told by Katzenberg. Though Katzenberg agreed to have the song reinserted into the film for home video editions, the negative of the scene was somehow lost forever. Then, two years ago, a version of the scene taken from the negative was found, allowing the song to be shown to audiences in celebration of the film’s 30th anniversary. Beginning December 11, Disney+ viewers will be able to see the long-lost musical scene as a special feature.

As an added Christmas treat to panel attendees, Jodi Benson, the voice of The Little Mermaid’s original Ariel, came out onstage to sing a full version of the song. “I’m so honored to be here to share a lost treasure that’s been found,” said Benson, who added that she could relate to Williams’ disappointment, as Katzenberg had also considered cutting “Part of Your World” from her 1989 animated classic when he witnessed a 4-year-old boy drop his bucket of popcorn during a test screening.

The look was priceless on Williams’ face as he sat back in his chair brandishing a big grin as he listened to Benson sing the song he wrote more than three decades earlier.

As one final surprise for fans, Kermit, Piggy, Gonzo, Robin, Fozzie and the other Muppet cast came out in their original Christmas Carol costumes to sing a medley of the film’s songs, accompanied by West. For the fortunate D23 fans in attendance, Christmas this year most definitely came early!

(William Keck)

Stars of National Treasure: Edge of History share a sneak peak of the Disney+ series

Stars from National Treasure: Edge of History treated fans to some behind-the-scenes intel on the highly anticipated Disney+ Original series on Saturday at D23 Expo presented by Visa®. The show debuts December 14 with two episodes.

Lead actress Lisette Olivera (Jess Valenzuela) was joined by castmates Jordan Rodrigues (Ethan), Antonio Cipriano (Oren), and Zuri Reed (Tasha), for a panel during which they showcased a clip about the making of the series before taking part in a Disney trivia challenge.

The series, an expansion of the National Treasure movie franchise, is told from the point of view of Jess, a brilliant and resourceful DREAMer in search of answers about her family. She embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to uncover the truth about her past and save a lost Pan-American treasure. The series also stars Oscar® winner Catherine Zeta-Jones, who plays fellow treasure hunter Billie Pearce.

“Thank you, guys, so much for coming out to support our show. I know we have to wait a little bit longer until you guys can see it, but we have a little taste [of the series] for you all to enjoy,” Olivera said before the clip aired.

Fans were then given a glimpse of the action-packed journey Jess undertakes with her friends Ethan, Oren, and Tasha, as well as more about Billie.

“She’s a black market antiquity dealer and she plays a cat-and-mouse game with Jess,” Zeta-Jones teases in the clip. “The audience is figuring it out as we are figuring it out.”

Justin Bartha, who reprises his role as Riley Poole from the original film and the sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, said, “What’s wonderful about the National Treasure movies and now TV show is that it uses American history as a jumping off point for exciting treasure hunts. What sets the television show apart is that it’s a different world now. Exploring American history was a lot different 20 years ago.”

The series will air later this year exclusively on Disney+.

(Alison Stateman)

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Cast and Creatives Reveal Series Premiere

Saturday at D23 Expo presented by Visa®, cast and creatives behind Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur debuted the highly anticipated series’ premiere.

After the screening, producer Pilar Flynn hosted a Q&A with executive producers Steve Loter and Laurence Fishburne, and voice cast Diamond White (Lunella/Moon Girl), Fred Tatasciore (Devil Dinosaur), and Libe Barer (Casey). Each shared their excitement being a part of the groundbreaking new series to fans in attendance.

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, based on Marvel’s hit comic books, follows the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton Tyrannosaurus rex, Devil Dinosaur. After Lunella accidentally brings Devil Dinosaur into present-day New York City, the duo works together to protect the city’s Lower East Side from danger.

The voice cast also includes Alfre Woodard as Mimi; Sasheer Zamata as Adria; Jermaine Fowler as James Jr.; and Gary Anthony Williams as Pops. Additionally, Fishburne will voice a character named The Beyonder in the series.

Lunella’s arrival marks the first Black female Super Hero in a Marvel adaptation. “She’s as smart as Tony Stark and Reed Richards—and she’s only 13 years old,” Fishburne said excitedly. The award-winning actor added that he wanted to show a multi-generation tight-knit family because it’s a “family relationship rarely seen on TV—especially within animation.”

Loter shared how he secured three-time Grammy Award® winner Raphael Saadiq as the series executive music producer. “I heard he was doing a signing at Amoeba Music so I brought a stack of records with me and when it was my turn I pitched the series to him,” Loter continued, “and when he finished signing the last record he said, ‘I’m in.’”

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur debuts in 2023 on Disney Channel.

(Andie Hagemann)

New cities, artwork shared for Disney100: The Exhibition at D23 Expo

Where can you see the original “Feed the Birds” snow globe from Mary Poppins, an actual ride vehicle from Disneyland Park’s Peter Pan’s Flight, and the chimes used to make Tinker Bell’s iconic jingle? Only within Disney100: The Exhibition, a celebration of The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary that opens February 18 at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, beginning a five-year journey across the continent.

That official opening day and many more details and exclusive visual treats were among the revelations Saturday at D23 Expo, as part of the panel “The Making of Disney100: The Exhibition,” presented on the Backlot Stage. Becky Cline, director of the Walt Disney Archives—the main creative force behind the exhibition—both led and moderated the panel. The challenge of putting the show together, she said, was, “How do you tell the story of 100 years of Disney in 15,000 square feet?”

An early decision was that the exhibition would not be presented in strict chronological order but rather thematically, in 10 galleries inspired by “Walt Disney’s philosophies,” explained Paula Sigman-Lowery, the exhibition’s curator. “I didn’t want people to have to walk through eight galleries before they meet Olaf,” she said. After an introductory gallery introducing Walt Disney and his early life and creations, subsequent galleries are based on themes such as sound and music, story development, technological innovation, and the spirit of adventure.

Of course, with the Walt Disney Archives behind the show, priceless artifacts will be showcased throughout. The Archives worked with Berlin, Germany-based exhibition design firm StudioTK to create “a stage for all these beautiful artifacts… to make them shine,” said Annette Doonan, StudioTK’s head of content. “They are the real stars of the exhibition.”

More than 250 rarely seen original artworks and artifacts, costumes and props, and other memorabilia will be included in the exhibition, celebrating feature filmmaking from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Strange World, Disney Parks and products, Disney music, and more, including the latest members of the Disney family: Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and National Geographic.

StudioTK also created “unique interactive experiences” for each gallery. For example, while the actual prop book used at the opening of Sleeping Beauty will be on display, “everybody will get to see every page” inside the book, Doonan revealed, through an original video display—and each page is further brought to life with new animated touches.

Such artifacts are the “crown jewels” of the Walt Disney Archives, said Archives curator Kelsey Williams, who shared images of some other items heading to Philadelphia, including a unique Pinocchio maquette, that Mary Poppins snow globe, and Cinderella’s glass slipper.

The panel also revealed two more stops along the North American tour: Chicago, Illinois, Walt Disney’s birthplace; and Kansas City, Missouri, where Walt spent much of his youth and where he founded his first animation studio, Laugh-O-gram Films, Inc. Meanwhile, a second unit of the exhibition—with the same design as the U.S. unit but with many unique artifacts of its own—will open April 18 in Olympic Park, Munich, Germany. More European stops will be announced in the coming months.

The panelists also shared the creation and final design of the 12 colorful posters designed for the exhibition by David Pacheco and Shane Enoch, who also joined the panel. In addition to the collectible posters, the exhibition will have a colorful catalog, including essays by film historian and critic Leonard Maltin; Imagineer Joe Rohde; Disney producer, director, and author Don Hahn; and others. A coffee-table book inspired by the exhibition, titled The Story of Disney: 100 Years of Wonder will also be available next year, along with a new book of quotations from Walt Disney (Walt Disney’s Words), and a commemorative edition of Bob Thomas’ definitive biography, Walt Disney: An American Original.

As Cline put it, “It didn’t really start with a mouse. It started with a man. Walt Disney.”

(Bruce C. Steele)