New Trailer for National Geographic’s America the Beautiful—Plus More in News Briefs

June 17, 2022

By Courtney Potter

Disney+ Debuts Trailer for National Geographic’s America the Beautiful

Earlier this week, our pals at Disney+ debuted the trailer for its newest original series from National Geographic, America the Beautiful.

Narrated by Emmy^®-nominated actor and producer Michael B. Jordan, the documentary series takes viewers on an epic journey across North America’s most spectacular regions to witness the breathtaking landscapes of the most diverse land on Earth while showcasing its many unique creatures. The goal is to inspire audiences to conserve the precious habitats and inhabitants found in our own backyards. Each episode of the series showcases smart and brave animal heroes of all sizes—from grizzlies to bald eagles, mountain lions to honeypot ants—whose funny and amazing antics are brought to life with character-led storytelling.

From the multiple BAFTA- and Emmy Award–winning team of Vanessa Berlowitz and Mark Linfield at Wildstar Films, America the Beautiful is the first natural-history series to place cinema-grade cameras on fighter jets, taking viewers on a jaw-dropping ride through some of the most impressive scenery on Earth, revealing rich and textured worlds that are unique to the continent. And to capture elusive and never-before-seen animal behaviors on the ground, a new generation of remote cameras and gyro-stabilized cameras were used. Additionally, in the final episode—to celebrate the human conservation heroes of America—producers worked directly with Indigenous tribes such as the Chippewa Cree of Rocky Boy Reservation in Montana to film bison reintroduction and the Gwich’in people of Alaska to document the battle to protect the Arctic refuge from oil exploration.

As part of this summer’s Independence Day celebration, all six episodes of America the Beautiful will debut Monday, July 4, exclusively on the streamer.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm^®

Stay cool this weekend by having an animation-palooza in the comfort of your home (or wherever your favorite streaming device takes you, provided they have air conditioning… at least, that’s our preference). Have a hankerin’ to see Inside Out? What about Luca? Or Mulan? Check out our 5 Fantastic Things roundup for more!

ABC Announces Fall Premiere Dates for 2022-23 Season

Yes, it’s already that time—the good folks at ABC have just announced the fall premiere dates for its new and returning series for the upcoming 2022-23 season!

Bachelor in Paradise turns up the heat on Tuesday, September 27, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, followed by the debut of The Rookie spinoff series, The Rookie: Feds, starring Niecy Nash-Betts at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The search for love continues as BIP begins its two-night weekly run on Monday, October 3, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, preceding the return of hit drama The Good Doctor, which will hit 100 episodes this season.

The Quinta Brunson-helmed Abbott Elementary returns on its new night, Wednesday, September 21, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, joining comedy staples The Conners, The Goldbergs, and Home Economics; then, Reba McEntire and Jensen Ackles step into the world of Big Sky on its new night.

Meanwhile, Alaska Daily, from Oscar^®-winning writer Tom McCarthy and starring two-time Academy Award^® winner Hilary Swank, joins Station 19 and Grey’s Anatomy—TV’s longest-running primetime medical drama—on Thursday, October 6.

Celebrity Jeopardy! debuts September 25, followed by the return of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune; the evening culminates with The Rookie, and AFV joins the Sunday lineup on October 2.

Plus, the first-ever live episode of Shark Tank, featuring all six original Sharks, swims into the weekend on Friday, September 23. A new season of ABC News’ 20/20 follows.

Additional premiere dates for the 2022-23 season will be announced soon—so keep your eyes peeled, and your viewing calendars open!

Fall Favorites Returning to Disneyland Resort

With the new broadcast TV season almost upon us, that also means it’s time to think about fall—and yes, we know how vaguely shocking that sounds, but hear us out: It’s never too early to start planning all your autumnal fun! To that end, Disneyland Resort recently announced amazing fall favorites returning to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, as well as Downtown Disney District. Read up on what you can expect by clicking here.

Disney Television Animation, Disney Junior, and Disney EMEA Original Productions Unveil Slate During AIAFF

There are tons of cool new animated series on the horizon… Mere days ago, Disney Television Animation, Disney Junior, and Disney Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) took to the stage at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival (AIAFF) to announce new productions and share exciting sneak peeks of the upcoming slate of new original animated series to air on Disney+ and other Disney-owned platforms in 2023 and beyond.

Titled “Everyone Has a Story,” the presentation included the announcement of a season two greenlight for the hit Disney+ series Monsters at Work, set to debut in 2023. Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life, which features Chip and Dale and their adventures living in the big city, was also renewed for a second season.

Additionally, it was revealed that a new animated series inspired by Disney’s popular music-driven movie franchise ZOMBIES is in production at Disney Television Animation—and the EMEA Original Productions team announced greenlights for the epic adventure series Dragon Striker and spooky comedy The Doomies.

The presentation also included the announcement of season three renewals for Disney Junior megahits Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends and Mickey Mouse Funhouse and additional episode orders for some of Disney Television Animation’s upcoming series, including Hamster & Gretel, Kiff, Hailey’s on It, and Primos.

Additional announcements and first looks included the upcoming Disney+ African sci-fi anthology Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire (pictured above); the new preschool series Kiya and the Kimoja Heroes; and Disney Junior’s Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures.

Latest Trailer for Second Season of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building

Hulu recently debuted the official trailer for the upcoming second season of Only Murders in the Building, starring Disney Legend Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. Our favorite podcasting sleuths return on Tuesday, June 28, in two brand-new episodes—after which, a new episode will be available to stream weekly on Tuesdays.

Following the shocking death of Arconia Board President Bunny Folger, Charles (Martin), Oliver (Short), and Mabel (Gomez) race to unmask her killer. However, three unfortunate complications ensue—the trio is publicly implicated in Bunny’s homicide; they are now the subjects of a competing podcast; and they have to deal with a bunch of New York neighbors who all think they committed murder!

Guest stars this season include Tina Fey, Amy Schumer, and Shirley MacLaine.

ICYMI: Meet the Characters of Lightyear

Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear has finally hit the big screen! Before you make like Buzz and go to infinity and beyond at your local cineplex, read up on what makes the main characters of Lightyear so special in our handy-dandy character guide right here at D23.com… then come back and check out what the cast and creatives had to say at their recent press conference!

14 Times Chris Evans Joined the Worlds of Disney

June 17, 2022June 17, 2022

By Zach Johnson

Chris Evans blasts off today in Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear, the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy. It’s not his first time working with Disney, of course. After setting the movie industry ablaze as Johnny Storm, aka Human Torch, in 20th Century Fox’s early 2000s Fantastic Four films, Evans went on to play the inimitable Steve Rogers aka Captain America—first in Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The First Avenger, then in two Captain America sequels and the Avengers films. His Super Hero roles aside, the actor has played everything from an astronaut to a de facto guardian—and even himself! And so, in celebration of Lightyear opening exclusively in movie theaters, join us in taking a closer look at some of Evans’ roles across the worlds of Disney.

Chris Evans, fully engulfed by flames as Johnny Storm aka The Human Torch, flies through the sky in Fantastic Four.

Fantastic Four (2005)
Transformed into Super Heroes after surviving a disaster in space, The Fantastic Four—Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic (Ioan Gruffudd); Susan Storm, aka Invisible Woman (Jessica Alba); Johnny Storm, aka Human Torch (Chris Evans); and Ben Grimm, aka Thing (Michael Chiklis)—struggle to reconcile their powers, responsibilities, and relationships as a dysfunctional family. Ultimately, they must put all that aside to stop the maniacal Dr. Doom (Julian McMahon), their former patron, who is hellbent on world domination.

Stream Fantastic Four on Disney+

As Chris Evans’ Johnny Storm aka The Human Torch flies through the sky in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, he begins to exhibit some of the same powers as Ben Grimm aka Thing. His body is slowing turning into a rock, and his left hand is especially big as he prepares to pack a punch.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
What would you do when an intergalactic herald known as The Silver Surfer (played by Doug Jones and voiced by Laurence Fishburne) crashes your sister’s wedding and promises global destruction? If you’re Johnny, there’s just way to answer: “Flame on!”

Rent Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer on Movies Anywhere

Chris Evans, with a buzzed head and a green shirt, has a tense conversation as engineer James Mace in scene from Sunshine.

Sunshine (2007)
In the year 2057, Earth’s last hope lies with a spacecraft whose mission is to deliver a nuclear device designed to reignite our fading sun. Evans plays steadfast engineer James Mace alongside an all-star cast that includes Rose Byrne, Cliff Curtis, Troy Garity, Cillian Murphy, Hiroyuki Sanada, and two future stars of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Benedict Wong and Michelle Yeoh. The sci-fi thriller is directed by Academy Award^® winner Danny Boyle from a script by Oscar^® nominee Alex Garland.

Rent Sunshine on Movies Anywhere

Anna Faris’ Ally Darling, with messy blonde hair in an untidy apartment, sits next to Chris Evans’ Colin Shea, wearing a blue Henley and distressed denim, on a green couch. They are looking at a MacBook screen.

What’s Your Number? (2011)
In this comedy from 20th Century Fox (intended for mature audiences), Evans stars as Colin Shea, who helps his neighbor, Ally Darling (Anna Faris) track down her former lovers. There’s just one problem... Colin and Ally just might be each other’s soul mate!

Rent What's Your Number? on Movies Anywhere

Outfitted as Steve Rogers aka Captain America in his star-spangled military uniform, which includes brown gloves, brown boots, and a winged helmet, Chris Evans runs through a ship.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
After being deemed unfit for military service, Steve Rogers (Evans) volunteers for a top-secret research project that transforms him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America. He leads the fight for freedom during World War II, as he’s the world’s best chance at stopping the evil HYDRA organization, led by the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving).

Stream Captain America: The First Avenger on Disney+

Outfitted as Steve Rogers aka Captain America, wearing red gloves and boots and holding his Vibranium shield, Chris Evans looks to the ground during the Battle of New York in Marvel’s The Avengers. There is smoke in the air and debris on the ground; cars nearby are damaged, and passersby are looking in Captain America’s direction.

Marvel’s The Avengers (2012)
Sixty-six years after he was frozen in a state of suspended animation, S.H.I.E.L.D. exhumed Captain America so Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) could recruit him for the Avengers Initiative. Alongside Tony Stark, aka Iron Man (Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr.); Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson); Bruce Banner, aka Hulk (Mark Ruffalo); Thor (Chris Hemsworth); and Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Captain America pledged to stop Loki (Tom Hiddleston) during the Battle of New York.

Stream Marvel’s The Avengers on Disney+

In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Chris Evans’ Captain America, wearing his red, white, and blue uniform, uses his shield to pummel a HYDRA operative. He has kicked another enemy away.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Does that masked, metal-armed man look familiar? It turns out Captain America wasn’t the only one to transcend time, as his best friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) was rescued from the brink of death and brainwashed to become the assassin known as the Winter Soldier. Can Captain America knock some sense into his pal before it’s too late?

Stream Captian America: The Winter Soldier on Disney+

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Whether he’s battling sentient robots or superpowered twins, Captain America never gives up; he wasn’t kidding when he said, “I can do this all day!” But can he and the rest of the Avengers stop Ultron (James Spader) before he takes over the entire world?

Stream Avengers: Age of Ultron on Disney+

Wearing a gray T-shirt and gritting his teeth in Captain America: Civil War, Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers aka Captain America flexes his biceps as he tries to stop a helicopter from escaping. He grabs a yellow banister atop a building with his left hand, and with his right hand, he grabs onto the helicopter.

Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Avenging is tough business, especially when the world’s governments want to get involved. Debates about the Sokovia Accords, which would control and regulate the activities of enhanced individuals, ruffles our heroes, putting Captain America and Iron Man at odds. As a result, the new status quo fractures the Avengers in surprising ways.

Stream Captain America: Civil War on Disney+

In this scene from Gifted, child prodigy Mary Adler (played by McKenna Grace) is wearing a shirt with palm trees and a sunset on it, paired with khaki corduroys. She has blonde hair and is sitting on the lap of her uncle Frank (played by Chris Evans), who is reclined on the sofa. Frank is wearing a brown shirt and is listening intently to his niece.

Gifted (2017)
Frank Adler (Evans) is a single man raising a child prodigy—his spirited niece, Mary (Mckenna Grace)—in a coastal Florida town. Frank wants Mary to have a normal life, unlike her late mother. This goes against the wishes of Frank’s mother, Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan), whose ambitions for her granddaughter threaten to separate Frank and Mary.

Rent Gifted on Movies Anywhere

In this scene from Avengers: Infinity War, Chris Evans’ Captain America is standing in the Wakandan jungle. His star-spangled uniform is tattered and torn, and his lip is bleeding out of the right corner. His is bearded and blonde and tired from fighting.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Captain America and the Avengers have never faced a threat like Thanos (Josh Brolin), who wants to collect each Infinity Stone so he can erase half the universe’s population.

Stream Avengers: Infinity War on Disney+

In this scene from Avengers: Endgame, Chris Evans’ Captain America is in the foreground. His face is dirty and his helmet is scuffed, but his face has a determined expression.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Captain America didn’t get erased, like so many of his friends—and he’s never given up hope that the Avengers can undo Thanos’ actions. In order to save the day and bring everyone back, the Avengers will have to journey across space and time.

Stream Avengers: Endgame on Disney+

Free Guy (2021)
The less we say about Evans’ brief but memorable cameo, the better. Just watch it!

Stream Free Guy on Disney+

In this scene from Lightyear, Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans) is wearing a purple cowl and is examining a special crystal that is emitting a blue light.

Lightyear (2022)
Legendary space ranger Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Evans) embarks on an intergalactic adventure alongside ambitious recruits Izzy Hawthorne (voiced by Keke Palmer), Mo Morrison (voiced by Taika Waititi), and Darby Steel (voiced by Dale Soules), plus his robot companion Sox (voiced by Peter Sohn). The motley crew must learn to work as a team to evade Zurg (voiced by James Brolin) and his obedient, omnipresent robot army.

Get Tickets

Exclusive Q&A: Go Behind the Scenes of Lightyear

June 17, 2022June 16, 2022

By Courtney Potter

Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear tells the definitive origin story of the hero who inspired the toy we’ve come to love from the iconic Toy Storyfranchise… The film follows Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans), the legendary Space Ranger, after he’s marooned on an inhospitable planet millions of light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find his way home through space and time, accompanied by a band of ambitious recruits and a robot companion cat, he’s also faced with complications brought on by an ominous presence named Zurg (voiced by James Brolin) with a mysterious agenda.

As the Lightyear team was doing final checks ahead of launching the film into theaters on June 17, D23 was lucky enough to hear exclusively from director Angus MacClane; producer Galyn Susman; and costar Efren Ramirez, who lends his voice to engineer Airman Díaz… as well as one of the film’s NASA consultants, astronaut Thomas (Tom) Marshburn, who mere weeks ago returned from a sojourn on the International Space Station! Read on for a fascinating look into what makes this film so special.

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club: Thanks for chatting with us today! Angus, friendship was such an important theme in the Toy Story films. While this movie is obviously not in the same story realm, what do you think Buzz’s relationships add to that sort of friendship “thread,” if you will?
Angus MacLane (AM): I see what you’re getting at, as far as the connectivity of his friendships, yeah. What happens in our film is that Buzz’s friendship—he’s separated from his friendship by his sense of duty and his sense of wanting to correct a mistake that he made. And as a result, it separates him from his friends, and from society in general. It’s about him coming back to society and finding a new peer group, and accepting his own failures. And I think that ultimately the friendships and the connections that he has with people are more important than his career endeavors, is really what he learns.

D23: Galyn, why was it important for Pixar Animation Studios to have folks from NASA, including Thomas, consult on the film?
Galyn Susman (GS): Well, we don’t necessarily hold true to the “science” of science fiction—it’s a small “s” and a big “F” for us—but if you don’t have at least an understanding of the rules that you’re going to break, then you can very easily break them in a way that kind of ruins the believability of the film. So getting a better sense of what we could move, what we could “break,” how we could make things cinematic and still tell our story and not do something that’s going to just make somebody go, “Ugh, that’s so not true, I’m outta here!”—that was important.

D23: Angus, did Thomas and NASA’s technical advice—as well as your filmmaking team’s related research trips—impact the storytelling at all?
AM: Research has always been a key element to the development process of a Pixar film. And so very early on, we decided that we wanted to go to NASA and we wanted to be connected to Tom and learn about what life was actually like for an astronaut. [Even though] we’re describing life as a caricature, we wanted to figure out what the truth was first to draw from—to build the Star Command and to build the Space Ranger program. What would that be like? And a lot of times what we took from it was just a sense or a feeling or small details—many too small or insignificant to describe, but it was more of a tone or a feeling of what it was like to train as an astronaut, and try to put that sense of realism into what we have in Lightyear.

D23: Tom, when you became an astronaut, did you ever imagine you’d wind up consulting on a Disney and Pixar film?
Thomas Marshburn (TM): That’s easy—no, I would’ve never imagined I’d have a chance to do this! I did have a creative background, as many astronauts do. And so, just the opportunity to get a little window [into their world]—to work with such wonderful creators and wonderful people like Angus and Galyn is a great thing. So the greatest moments for me have been just being with these creative minds—I’m just talking about what I know, which is space flight—what it’s like to be up there. It’s great to see their minds at work.

D23: Efren, we heard you too got in on the NASA research action, visiting NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California… what was that like, and how did it inform your role as Airman Díaz?
Efren Ramirez (ER): When I do research on characters, it’s always based on two things: their relationships and their professions. As engineers, you really have to be a perfectionist when it comes to quantum physics and math and engineering—you have to be very, very accurate, because one little mistake can be a huge mistake in space! Something that I found really important is teamwork. Everybody that I met at JPL worked really well together… everybody has a specific role to play. Going from one building to the next, they spoke about the Mars Curiosity rover; they spoke about the mission to Mars; they spoke about satellites. Everyone was so helpful and kind.

D23: Galyn, do you have a favorite moment from the making of this film?
GS: When we first got to see the film again on a big screen—because we had spent two years working on it at [Zoom] size during the pandemic. You do have a sense of the wonderful work the team is doing—but you also don’t, really. And so, the first time I was able to sit in the theater and watch that launch into space and literally I was like—oh, I was so overwhelmed with what the crew was able to do. I will definitely remember that.

D23: Angus, what do you hope audiences take away from Lightyear?
AM: From an early age, films were very important to me. Like Star Wars and Sleeping Beauty, which are probably the first two movies I saw—they’ve always fueled my imagination. And I wanted to create a movie that would inspire the new generation, narratively, and would give kids something that they were excited about, in a world that was dangerous and thrilling and provided all of the “thrill-ride” entertainment that I enjoyed in the movies that I grew up with. And so that was really the intent of the film—to make something that was awesome. Something you could enjoy in a group, at a movie theater—a “popcorn movie”!

See Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear only in theaters beginning June 17.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

June 16, 2022

By Andie Hagemann

Five beloved feature films from Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios are celebrating anniversaries of their debuts this weekend! Break out the treats and festive decorations before curling up on the couch with friends and family to binge watch Toy Story 3, Tarzan, Luca, Mulan, and Inside Out. All five films are available to stream on Disney+.

Toy Story 3—12th Anniversary on Saturday, June 18, Available on Disney+
Andy (voiced by John Morris) is off to college, and before he leaves for this new chapter, he packs his beloved toys into a box for safekeeping in the attic. However, when the toys are mistakenly delivered to a day care center instead, it’s up to Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) to rally the other toys to plot their escape.

Tarzan—23rd Anniversary on Saturday, Available June 18, Disney+
After his parents are killed by a ruthless jaguar, Tarzan (voiced by Tony Goldwyn) is raised by a gentle gorilla named Kala (voiced by Glenn Close) in the African wilderness. After he encounters a group of British explorers, he recognizes for the first time that he is a human being not a gorilla. Soon, Tarzan is forced to choose between his gorilla family and new human pals.

Luca—1st Anniversary on Saturday, June 18, Available on Disney+
Transport yourself to a seaside town on the Italian Riviera with this coming-of-age story about a young boy experiencing an extraordinary summer filled with gelato, pasta, and endless scooter rides. Luca (voiced by Jacob Tremblay) shares his adventures with his newfound best friend, but all the fun is threatened by the fact that they’re both sea monsters from just below the ocean’s surface.

Mulan—24th Anniversary on Sunday, June 19, Available on Disney+
Fearing she’s already brought dishonor on her family following her matchmaker snafu, Mulan (voiced by Disney Legend Ming-Na Wen) risks it all as she disguises herself as a man, taking the place of her ailing father in the army. With the help of her guardian dragon Mushu (voiced by Eddie Murphy), she learns to become as swift as the coursing river and a disciplined warrior while the ragtag group of soldiers prepare to defeat the Huns.

Inside Out—7th Anniversary on Sunday, June 19, Available on Disney+
Riley (voiced by Kaitlyn Dias) is a happy, hockey-loving 11-year-old Midwestern girl, but her world turns upside down when she and her parents move to San Francisco. Riley’s emotions—Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler), Fear (voiced by Bill Hader), Disgust (voiced by Mindy Kaling), Sadness (voiced by Phyllis Smith), and Anger (voiced by Lewis Black)—try to guide her through this difficult, life-changing event. Things become a little more complicated when Joy and Sadness are inadvertently swept into the far reaches of Riley’s mind, leaving the remaining emotions—Anger, Fear, and Disgust—in charge.

D23-Exclusive Lilo & Stitch 20th Anniversary Commemorative Pin

June 16, 2022June 20, 2022

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Say aloha to this tropically extraterrestrial pin! This D23 Gold Member exclusive is the sweetest way to show off your Lilo & Stitch pride and celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary. The pin features the mischievous experiment 626, otherwise known as Stitch, and his record player on a relaxing Hawaiian beach. Celebrate friendship, ‘ohana, and 20 years of Lilo & Stitch!

Lilo & Stitch premiered on June 16, 2002and combined the gorgeous setting of Hawaii with colorfully eclectic visitors from the stars. The film follows the crash-landed Stitch, a runaway genetic experiment from a faraway planet. As he wreaks havoc on the Hawaiian Islands, he becomes the mischievous adopted alien “puppy” of an independent little girl named Lilo and learns about loyalty, friendship, and 'ohana, the Hawaiian tradition of family.

Our Lilo & Stitch 20th Anniversary pin, offered in a limited edition of 1,500, will be available to D23 Gold Members on shopDisney on June 20*!

SOLD OUT

An enamel pin featuring Stitch standing in front of a red and yellow surfboard and a teal record player. The text above him reads “Disney Lilo & Stitch 20 years”

*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. Pins are sold for $12.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of two (2) pins of this style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices.

9 Meteoric Moments from the Lightyear Press Conference

June 16, 2022

By Courtney Potter

In short order, we’ll finally get to learn … the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans), the hero who inspired the toy from the beloved Toy Story franchise. Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear finds the Space Ranger trying to find his way back home through space and time; though he’s got a loyal band of recruits willing to help, he’s also faced with an ominous obstacle in the form of a mysterious presence named Zurg (voiced by James Brolin). Can he finally go to infinity… and beyond?

To celebrate the film’s impending release, Evans and Brolin joined castmates Keke Palmer, who voiced Izzy Hawthorne, Taika Waititi, who voiced Mo Morrison, Dale Soules who voiced Darby Steel, and Peter Sohn, who voiced Sox—as well as director Angus MacLane, producer Galyn Susman, and composer Michael Giacchino—for a virtual press conference, where they shared some (inter)stellar stories about their experiences making the film.

Evans on what he was most excited to bring to audiences with his portrayal of Buzz:
“Just getting to explore a character that we all know so well in a slightly more nuanced interpretation, you know what I mean? The Buzz that we all know is obviously a toy—and as a toy, there are certain ways that they can move through the world without the weight that we may carry. A toy knows its purpose… the impacts of the choices that we make as people are a little bit more consequential and it’s fun to put Buzz against that backdrop.”

Palmer on how she personally connected with Izzy, including the discovery of what the character cared about most:
“I connected with her love for her grandmother, Alisha, and the legacy that she wants to uphold. She wants to make her family proud—and that’s something that I think we all can relate to. And the fact that she’s not afraid to pivot, I really admired that about her. And I feel like she displays so many great leadership qualities—she knows how to push her friends forward; she knows how to see something in somebody so they can carry out their duty. She empowers others. I love the character.”

Soules on Darby’s past—and why it’s Buzz, in particular, that she forges a meaningful relationship with:
“Her past is very mysterious, and we want to keep it that way. We do know that she was incarcerated—and that, while everyone else on the Junior Zap Patrol is voluntary, she isn’t exactly voluntary; she’s there in the hope that she will reduce her parole if she does well. So that’s the part you know. The part you don’t know that I found out, that I really loved, was that I was treated with such respect by Buzz. That really informed the heart of her—because as gruff and tough as she looks, she does respond to being treated with respect. And he does that, and it works like a charm. In a lot of ways, I suppose she is like me; she’s no nonsense, she’s gruff. She’s very loyal to those who do treat her with respect.”

Waititi reflects on the film’s themes:
“I’ve made mistakes in my time. That kind of theme definitely resonates with me, especially the idea [of] taking on responsibility, or wanting to be the hero—wanting to be some kind of hero, to someone. But I think the theme that really resonates the most for me is this idea of seeking something that’s ‘out there,’ something in the future, something that’s not tangible and real, rather than what’s around you in the here and now. The grass is not necessarily greener on the other side.”

Sohn on working with his Pixar pal Angus MacLane, and how Sox might actually have a lot of canine qualities:
“I’ve known Angus for a long time and we nerd out a lot on our favorite sci-fi movies and stuff like that. So, it was really easy [when recording with him] to go from a militant sort of, ‘Yes, captain. Warp one; light speed!’ And then go into a friendly, ‘Hey buddy!’ kinda thing. Y’know, it’s so funny, when we were talking about Sox—he’s a cat, but he’s so loyal like a dog, and I’m a dog guy. And, so, I can totally jump into the idea of like, ‘Whatever you want, Buzz! I’ll bring you your snacks; I’ll fetch your newspapers!’ So it was really fun in the room.”

Brolin on realizing how intriguing his character really was:
“I’ve seen an [unfinished] version of the film, and I actually realized then that my character was much more complex then I had imagined. At this point, I’m not supposed to tell you everything that Zurg is… There’re so many things to learn in this movie. There’s a lot of messages about how we approach things and how we solve our problems and how we avoid them.”

Susman on how animation technology has changed since she first started in the industry, as evidenced by Lightyear’s incredible imagery:
“The best change is that the tools have gotten so sophisticated that we now can hire artists instead of hiring technicians. And, so, we can bring in so much more artistry and perspective in the people who can work on these films. Lighting on the original Toy Story was literally typing lines of code; it was nothing like what you do when you light, right? So, we don’t do that anymore, obviously. And that’s been huge. It’s just opened up a huge number of people who can come in and embrace the medium.”

Giacchino on his childhood inspiration for Lightyear’s score:
“These are the kind of movies I grew up on. What I used to do was sneak a small tape recorder into the movie theaters when I was a kid, and I would record the movie audio—and it would have the audience response, all of that, on it. There was no VHS when I was growing up; there was no internet, nothing, so the only way for me to experience that movie again, when it was out of theaters, was to listen to it. So I would record them, and then I would sit at home and every night I would play them under my pillow. Because I loved to listen [to] how the sound worked in these movies, and how music worked with sound effects and dialogue and all of that. It’s ingrained in my head in a massive way. So, working on this was like—if someone had asked me at 12 years old, “Hey, you get to make your own one of these things; what do you wanna do with it?’ I’d say ‘Great—I would do this.’ And that’s what I love about working with Angus.”

MacLane on the history-making aspect of Lightyear being Pixar’s first film in IMAX:
“It looks amazing. And going in and out of IMAX [with certain scenes] was really fun. Sometimes we’d go, ‘I think it should be here,’ and you’d try it and think, ‘Nah, it didn’t work at all.’ The IMAX review process was so fun. We’d go to San Francisco, and we’d go to the IMAX Theatre at the Metreon—a group of us would go to this big theater, just like 10 people, in the middle of the pandemic. We’d see each other and say, ‘Oh, I haven’t seen you months; let’s watch part of our movie and see how it works in IMAX!’ And then when the IMAX technicians are calling and saying, ‘This is really cool’—they see everything. So that was probably the earliest best compliment—when the IMAX folks were nerding out about the movie and the experience they were getting. That meant a lot.”

See Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear only in theaters beginning this Friday, June 17!

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!

June 16, 2022June 15, 2022

As a member of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, you know your magic! This week we’re quizzing you one of our favorite Disney fathers, to see if you are the ultimate Disney fan.

In A Goofy Movie, which activity is Goofy excited to do with his son?

Surfing

Hiking

Fishing

Cooking

Correct! Wrong!

In the 1995 film A Goofy Movie, Goofy can’t wait to spend quality time (C) fishing at Lake Destiny with his son Max.

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!

You are the ultimate Disney fan!

Looks like you are a Disney expert! Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge. We’ll see you next week for your chance to uphold your title as the ultimate Disney fan!

Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!

Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge! These questions are tricky, so don’t stop swimming yet. We’ll see you next week for your chance to earn the title of the ultimate Disney fan!

QUIZ: Which Muppet is Your Style Inspiration?

June 15, 2022June 16, 2022

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Nobody expresses themselves better than the Muppets! The beloved gang of wacky weirdos includes everything from rock stars to monsters to… uh… whatever is going on with Gonzo. When it comes to our personal self-expression, we could learn a thing or two from this bunch of fuzzy fashionistas. If you’ve been looking for a new style icon to inspire your daily outfits, look no further! It’s time to play the music! It’s time to light the lights! It’s time to take this quiz and find out which stylish Muppet you’re most like:

It’s showtime! What is your role?

Stunt expert

Musical guest

I’m out front selling bootleg T-shirts

I’m the STAR!!!

I’m the host (and very stressed out)

You’re going to a glamorous movie premiere. What’s your red-carpet style?

Pattern mixing to the max

EXTREME glamour

Eh, I’m not into that fancy shmancy stuff… I’ll just wear whatever

I’m all about comfort, color, and good vibes

My date is picking my outfit for me

I can never leave the house without…

A helmet

My finest jewels

A snack for later

A powerful crystal

My banjo

What’s your go-to Halloween costume?

A hippie

A movie star

A princess

Mickey Mouse

A pirate

What feature are you most known for?

My long eyelashes

My distinctive nose

My expressive face

EVERYTHING about me is iconic

My voice

Describe your style in one word

Simple

Loud

Showstopping

Colorful

Comfortable

You’re going to a Disney Park! What’s your must-wear accessory?

A tiara

A mouse ear hat

Comfortable shoes

A cape

A colorful spirit jersey

What’s your fashion mantra?

I’ve never met a patterned shirt I didn’t like

I must outdress everyone, or else

It’s all about good vibes and happy colors

Don’t mess with a classic look

Comfort is key!

Pick a line from “The Rainbow Connection”

Why are there so many songs about rainbows?

Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection

The lovers, the dreamers, and me

What’s so amazing that keeps us stargazing?

Have you been half asleep, and have you heard voices?

Someone calls you a WEIRDO!! What do you say back?

Yes, thank you for noticing

Takes one to know one!

HI-YA!

I just sigh exasperatedly (This is the third time someone’s told me today)

Normal is a lie made up by “The Man,” man

Which Muppet is Your Style Inspiration?

Your style inspiration is… Janice!

Janice stands with her arms outstretched, looking up. She wears a floral tank top, rainbow bracelet, and purple hat.

You’re like, totally groovy, and your style shows it! Just like Janice, you radiate good vibes wherever you go, and you’ve cultivated a style with a lot of positive energy. Your style is fun colors, playful textures, and anything that makes you feel happy when you look at it.

Your style inspiration is… Miss Piggy

Miss Piggy strikes a pose with one hand on her hip and one hand against her head. She wears a black coat with leopard print accents, a pearl necklace, purple gloves, and a large ring.

No one can ever quite compare to Miss Piggy, but with your fabulous fashion you’re certainly a close second. You don’t just dress to impress… you dress to win! Being stylish is a competition and you are turning heads in every room you enter. You’ve never met a diamond, sequin, or statement piece you didn’t like.

Your style inspiration is… Gonzo!

Look, we don’t know how else to put it: You’re a weirdo… and you dress like one. That’s okay, though, because that means you’re just like The Great Gonzo—so, you’re proud to be your stylishly strange self. You love big, bold patterns and clashing colors and you don’t care if you stand out in a crowd! Others may say, “Woah, there’s a lot going on in your outfit,” but you know that it will make you easier to spot when you’re shot into the sky via cannon.

Your style inspiration is… Kermit!

Kermit the Frog stands with hands behind his back in a headshot-style photo with a white background.

It’s not easy being stylish, but just like Kermit, you make it look easy. You figured out your signature style a long time ago and have been rocking it ever since. For Kermit, it’s his collar, which he’s been wearing since the ’70s! You’re timeless and classic (and maybe a little stressed out) just like Kermit, and you don’t plan on changing that any time soon.

Your style inspiration is… Rizzo!

Listen, not everyone in the world is obsessed with fashion, okay? Some people just like to be comfortable and focus on the more important things in life: Food! Like Rizzo, you value clothes that make you feel good—if you look good, that’s a bonus. If your outfit doesn’t get in the way of your next round of shenanigans (or next meal), you’re happy. Rats off—er, hats off to you for dressing your way.

Fall Favorites Return to Disneyland Resort September 2

June 14, 2022

By Sarah Sterling

Get ready to trick-or-treat yourself this fall at Disneyland Resort, because our favorite autumnal festivities are returning starting September 2! Looking forward to spooktacular events this Halloween? Or maybe celebrating your family history during Día de Los Muertos? We break down everything coming to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure this fall. It is going to be fun for the whole family!

Mark your calendars! Tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party go on sale on June 30. Oogie Boogie Bash is a celebration for guests of all ages where you can trick-or-treat throughout Disney California Adventure in your Halloween costume! Enjoy exclusive entertainment, including the Frightfully Fun Parade, Villains Grove at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, and Mickey’s Trick and Treat show. This villainous event is topped off with seasonal character meet-and-greets, merchandise offerings, and, of course, tasty treats! Magic Key holders can purchase pre-sale tickets on June 28 and D23 Gold Members can purchase tickets for an exclusive members-only night on September 10. Tickets open to the public on June 30 for event dates from September 6 to October 31.

Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party includes:

Entrance to Disney California Adventure Park before the party. The party kicks off at 6 p.m. PT and guests have the opportunity to enjoy Disney California Adventure three hours before the party beings.
Immersive treat trails featured throughout Disney California Adventure, offering kids and guests of all ages the chance to don costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating, encountering some new and favorite characters.
“Mickey’s Trick and Treat” show, a not-so-scary, family-friendly celebration where guests of all ages can enjoy dancing with Mickey and his friends.
“Frightfully Fun Parade” – The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow leads the way, arriving on his ghostly black steed at the start of the parade and carrying his flickering jack-o’-lantern. A cavalcade of Disney characters and mischievous villains follow, ready to stir up some toil and trouble!
Character sightings feature favorite Disney characters including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck—plus villains, too. Guests may encounter unexpected characters at this Halloween party, ready for photos and interactions.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail transforms into Villains Grove, an ethereal wonderland of imagery inspired by Disney Villains. With lighting, projections, sounds, and special effects, guests will experience a dreamlike world that unfolds in a series of scenes, each creating a hauntingly beautiful space of color, sound, light, and shadow, as stories emerge from the darkest night to create an enchanting world.
A Halloween spell is cast on the façade of Carthay Circle Restaurant on Buena Vista Street, transforming the iconic tower structure throughout the night with swarming bats, pulsing green energy, and mesmerizing moments sure to delight.
Unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads from the party are included with admission to Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party. Disney PhotoPass photographers are stationed throughout the party to help the entire family capture everlasting memories with spook-tacular photos.

Find full details and dates at Disneyland.com/OogieBoogieBash.

There is so much more to experience at Disneyland Resort during Halloween Time. Starting September 2, the Resort will transform into an eerily enchanting Halloween hub with seasonal décor, including the magical Mickey Mouse pumpkin on Main Street, U.S.A., and the Headless Horseman statue on Buena Vista Street. Halloween-themed attractions including Haunted Mansion Holiday and Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark will return, and guests can meet their favorite Disney characters and villains!

Over in Cars Land, Radiator *Screams* will be full of your favorite car-acters in their Halloween costumes as Lightning McQueen, Mater, Cruz, and Red celebrate Haul-O-Ween! Take a spin on popular Cars Land attractions with new Halloween twists. Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree will have a special spooky soundtrack, and Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween shows its wicked side.

Every night this Fall, guests can experience the return of Disneyland’s “Halloween Screams” projection and light show. On weekend nights, “Halloween Screams” will take to the skies with fireworks, viewable from multiple locations, including Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, and it’s a small world.

The Downtown Disney District will also bring back Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit from September 9 through October 31. Embark on a scavenger hunt for hidden decorative pumpkins and redeem your completed game board for a special prize. This experience is only $9.99 and is a great way to celebrate the season outside of the Disneyland Resort theme parks. Be sure to check out the Halloween-themed lobby displays at the hotels of the Disneyland Resort, too!

The fall fun doesn’t end after Halloween at Disneyland! From September 2 through November 2, guests can celebrate Día de Los Muertos at Disney California Adventure Park at Plaza de la Familia! This limited-time celebration features live entertainment, specialty foods, crafts, and interactive experiences. “A Musical Celebration of Coco” is sure to delight Pixar fans and illuminate the everlasting bonds of family. Paradise Gardens will also display “The World of Coco” art installation and provide photo opportunities at the Arbol de la Vida (Tree of Life). You can even meet the hand-animated Miguel from Coco and enjoy live Mariachi music!

Over at Disneyland Park, stop by Frontierland to see the vibrant Día De Los Muertos arrangement featuring skeletons, colorful flowers, and festive décor honoring the spirit of the season.

What frightfully fun experience are you most excited for this fall at Disneyland? Keep an eye on D23.com as we bring you all of the updates and details on Halloween Time at the Disney Parks this year!

The Walt Disney Archives Invites Guests to Explore 100 Years of Wonder at D23 Expo 2022

June 14, 2022March 28, 2024

By the D23 Team

The Walt Disney Archives returns to D23 Expo presented by Visa with an all-new exhibit, exciting panels, and a closer look at a rarely-seen piece of Disney history!

A prop carousel horse from Mary Poppins, which is white and covered in white and gold flowers and features purple hair, hooves, and accents.

Step Into an All-New Exhibit
We know fans look forward to a new exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives that lets D23 Expo attendees explore Disney history right on the show floor—and this year’s exhibit will be especially timely. Guests will experience Walt Disney Archives presents Step in Time, an exhibit celebrating the nearly 100-year history of The Walt Disney Company. As part of the kick-off to Disney100, this chronological exhibition will showcase Walt Disney Archives historical assets like never before with immersive, themed environments from animated shorts, films, and film premieres, as well as television productions and Disney Parks favorites, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Mary Poppins, Tron, and Walt Disney World Resort’s Haunted Mansion. The exhibition will provide fans an opportunity to experience some of the most iconic Disney moments over the course of September 9, 10, and 11 at the Anaheim Convention Center during the Expo hosted by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club.

A timeline in the center of the exhibit will showcase the breadth of extraordinary Disney events over the past century and will act as a guide for visitors as they journey through the 12,000-square-foot experience. Guests will have the chance to literally “Step in Time” into various immersive areas around the perimeter of the space, showcasing rare historical objects as never before, in recreations of the settings from which they originated.

The gallery space will be divided into nine highly themed areas, inviting fans to capture photos and become part of Disney’s rich history themselves. From captaining the boat in Steamboat Willie, walking the blue carpet at the premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and visiting with the carousel horses from Mary Poppins, to being serenaded by Breathless Mahoney at Club Ritz (Dick Tracy), visiting Flynn’s Arcade (Tron), and coming face-to-face with the bride in the attic of the Haunted Mansion, fans will have the opportunity to relive moments from 100 Years of Wonder, all while making new memories to last a lifetime.

The Walt Disney Archives Stage Returns
Disney history fans, rejoice! The popular Walt Disney Archives Stage returns, hosting more than a dozen panels and presentations throughout the weekend. Notables such as Disney Legend Bill Farmer, Walt Disney Archives director Becky Cline, author and historian Graham Allan, Walt Disney Imagineering global ambassador Bob Weis, Imagineers from the Illusioneering Lab, and historian and artist Stacia Martin will offer a unique peek “behind the magic.” Fans will enjoy exploring many of Disney’s worlds, including the impressive 50-year legacy of the Main Street Electrical Parade, a look back at the 1980s and 1990s edition of the Mickey Mouse Club, and the first half-century of the Walt Disney World Resort.

Plus, join the Archives team and special guests on the 1,250-seat Backlot stage on Saturday, September 10, at 10 a.m. for a look at the creation of the upcoming Disney100: The Exhibition, which opens next February at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

An Exhibit We’re Just Plane Crazy About
Earlier this year, it was announced that Walt Disney’s Grumman Gulfstream I airplane will be on display at D23 Expo. To accompany the return of this piece of Disney history, which is having its exterior restored and will be available for guests to see in the Arena of the Anaheim Convention Center, the Walt Disney Archives has curated an all-new exhibit featuring specially selected items that represent the history of the aircraft. Included will be a customized instrument panel originally located near Walt’s favorite onboard seat (enabling him to monitor flight conditions), a telephone handset (which gave Walt a direct line of communication to the pilot in the cockpit), and a flight bag adorned with an image of Mickey Mouse sitting on the tail of the famed plane.

A limited number of single-day tickets for Sunday of D23 Expo 2022 are available for $99 for one-day adult admission and $79 for children ages 3–12. Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $89 for a one-day adult admission. Single-day Friday and Saturday tickets and three-day passes are sold out. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2022, visit D23Expo.com.

Schedule and talent are subject to change.

MORE EXPO NEWS

Phone featuring the 2024 D23 Gold Member Card and surrounded by sparkles.

Access Your D23 Benefits Anytime, Anywhere
With the Disney D23 app, your membership card is just a few taps away. Access your benefits from your phone!

Showcased are the four 2025 D23 Gold Member Premiums: Disneyland 70th Collection, including The Happiest Place on Earth, a replica Disneyland Park entrance plaque, and a reproduction of the Disneyland Entrance plaque text draft; Gold Member Fan Pack including a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse water bottle, crossbody bag, and hat; a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse Spirit Jersey; and a 10-piece Pin Set.

Where Disney Fans Belong
Enjoy access to exclusive screenings, special shopping events, immersive experiences, and unique merchandise.

JOIN TODAY