5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

Love is in the air this week! Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with your special someone or Pal-entine’s Day with your besties, there’s fantastic content coming your way. On Monday, whip up some spaghetti and watch the romantic animated classic Lady and the Tramp; that same day, the latest episode of The Bachelor’s Clayton making tough decisions as he and the ladies travel to Croatia. Keep the fairytale alive by watching Cinderella on its 72nd anniversary on Tuesday, followed by the newest episode of How I Met Your Father. Plus, Assembled: The Making of Eternals debuts Wednesday, providing a behind-the-scenes look at Marvel Studios’ filmmaking magic.

Lady and the Tramp—Monday, February 14, on Disney+
Have yourself a “Bella Notte” on Valentine’s Day by watching this heartwarming love story… Lady (voice of Barbara Luddy) is a pampered cocker spaniel living uptown with her owners Jim Dear (voice of Lee Millar) and Darling (voice of Peggy Lee) when she meets Tramp (voice of Larry Roberts), a free-spirited mutt. Lady’s comfortable life dramatically changes when her owners go on vacation, leaving dog-hating Aunt Sarah in charge to care for their new baby and the home. Aunt Sarah’s mischief-making cats quickly have Lady dodging life in a muzzle and seeking help from new pal Tramp. The two dogs embark on a grand adventure… and eventually fall in love.

The Bachelor—Monday, February 14, at 8 p.m. ET, on ABC
This week’s episode proves finding “the one” can be extremely complicated. As Clayton continues his dramatic two-on-one date with Genevieve and Shanae at Niagara Falls, will he be able to see the truth—or fall for another performance? Then, Clayton and the women continue their romantic journey by traveling to Hvar, Croatia, where one woman reveals a jaw-dropping secret. Later, the ladies battle it out gladiator-style for a chance at a rose, but drama ensues when a one-on-one date is handed out to someone who’s already had one. Plus, someone has Clayton doubting if the women are ready for marriage and long-term commitment.

Cinderella—Tuesday, February 15, on Disney+
Add a little “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” to your week and celebrate the 72nd anniversary of this animated classic! Hardworking Cinderella’s (voice of Ilene Woods) dream of attending the Royal Ball comes true with the help of her animal friends Jaq and Gus (both voice of James MacDonald) and her Fairy Godmother (voice of Verna Felton). At the ball, the Prince (voice of Mike Douglas) instantly becomes smitten with Cinderella; after she rushes off at the stroke of midnight, only leaving her glass slipper behind, he sets out on a kingdom-wide mission to find the shoe’s mysterious owner.

How I Met Your Father—Tuesday, February 15, on Hulu
Sophie’s (Hilary Duff) budding relationship with Drew (Josh Peck) is soon complicated when she begins to feel haunted by his ex. Meanwhile, Sid (Suraj Sharma) and Hannah (Ashley Reyes) revisit an old argument inciting new drama. Plus, Charlie (Tom Ainsley) and Ellen (Tien Tran) host the gang for a dinner party in their new apartment—but will it go as planned?

Assembled: The Makings of Eternals—Wednesday, February 16, on Disney+
Lights, camera, action! Learn how Marvel Studios created the film Eternals in this behind-the-scenes feature debuting on the streamer. This immersive episode includes on-set footage; conversations with the star-studded ensemble cast and filmmakers; and so much more, in an in-depth examination of Marvel Cinematic Universe storytelling. Eternals is directed by Chloé Zhao and stars Gemma Chan (Sersi), Richard Madden (Ikaris), Kumail Nanjiani (Kingo), Lia McHugh (Sprite), Brian Tyree Henry (Phastos), Lauren Ridloff (Makkari), Barry Keoghan (Druig), and Don Lee (Gilgamesh)—with Kit Harington (Dane Whitman), Salma Hayek (Ajak), and Angelina Jolie (Thena).

Disney’s Big Game Trailers Reveal Doctor Strange, Moon Knight… and GOATs!

By Zach Johnson

As far as we’re concerned, the MVPs of Sunday’s Big Game were Doctor Strange, Moon Knight... and GOATS. Not only did Marvel Studios debut fresh looks at two of its most anticipated projects of the year, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Moon Knight, but actress Awkwafina helped Disney+ introduce Disney fans to the literal GOATS. If you missed the game—or if you just want to take another look—we’ve got you covered!

The brand-new trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness took millions of viewers on a mind-blowing whirlwind through the Multiverse. In the film, releasing in theaters on May 6, 2022, the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) journeys into the unknown with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traversing the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Directed by Sam Raimi, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, and Xochitl Gomez, with Michael Stühlbarg and Rachel McAdams. Kevin Feige is the producer, and Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Eric Hauserman Carroll, and Jamie Christopher are the executive producers. Michael Waldron, who served as head writer for the Disney+ Original series Loki, wrote the film’s screenplay.

Watch WandaVision on Disney+

In addition, the action-packed Moon Knight TV spot offered a thrilling look at the next original series from Marvel Studios exclusively for Disney+. The streamer also shared a poster for the series, which brings a Marvel Super Hero to the screen for the first time.

The story of Moon Knight follows Steven Grant (Oscar Isaac), a mild-mannered gift-shop employee who becomes plagued with blackouts and memories of another life. Steven discovers he has dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector. As Steven/Marc’s enemies converge upon them, they must navigate their complex identities—all while being thrust into a deadly mystery among the powerful gods of Egypt.

Moon Knight

Moon Knight also stars Ethan Hawke and May Calamawy. Feige, D’Esposito, Alonso, Grant Curtis, Brad Winderbaum, Isaac, Mohamed Diab, and Jeremy Slater are the executive producers, and Trevor Waterson and Rebecca Kirsch are the co-executive producers. Slater is the head writer. Moon Knight will premiere on March 30, 2022, exclusively on Disney+.

Last but certainly not least, Disney+ debuted a new spot during Sunday’s Big Game in which Awkwafina, star of Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings and voice of Sisu in Raya and The Last Dragon, shared that the streamer has the greatest movies and shows of all time—the literal GOATs. The promo took fans through the Disney+ offices, which are revealed to be the home of the GOATs from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. More than 30 goats can be seen in the promo, representing many fan-favorite characters including Captain America, Chewbacca, Cruella, Woody, and Homer Simpson.

Fans will discover a special surprise when they tweet about their favorite Disney+ GOATs using one of the following hashtags: #DisneyPlusGOATs, #DisneyGOATs, #PixarGOATs, #MarvelGOATs, #StarWarsGOATs, #NatGeoGOATs, and/or #TheSimpsonsGOATs.

The GOATs are ready for their close-up! Take a look at the new character posters:

Send a Disney Pal-entine to Your BFF

By the D23 Team

Want to tell someone special you care, but can’t find the words? As part of our Pal-entine’s celebration, we’ve created these e-cards that can say the words for you! Download the cards below and start tweeting, messaging, tagging… or however else you prefer to communicate with your pals. If you’re feeling especially fanciful about your friendship, you can even print the card out and mail it to your bestie!

Beyond Infinity with New Lightyear Trailer—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear: New Trailer Launched!

It’s the definitive origin story of a beloved Toy Story favorite—and it’s coming to theaters this summer! Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear follows the legendary Space Ranger—the hero that inspired the toy—on a thrilling intergalactic adventure. Check out the trailer (for the first or 81st time), above.

“Buzz’s world was always something I was excited about,” director Angus MacLane recently said. “In Toy Story, there seemed to be this incredible backstory to him being a Space Ranger that’s only touched upon, and I always wanted to explore that world further. So, my Lightyear pitch was, ‘What was the movie that Andy saw that made him want a Buzz Lightyear toy?’ I wanted to see that movie. And now I’m lucky enough to get to make it.”

Joining the previously announced Chris Evans, who lends his voice to Buzz, are Keke Palmer, Dale Soules, and Taika Waititi as a group of ambitious recruits; Peter Sohn as Buzz’s robot companion, Sox; and the voices of Uzo Aduba, James Brolin, Mary McDonald-Lewis, Efren Ramirez, and Isiah Whitlock Jr. Plus, Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino—who has a storied history with Pixar—is on board to score the film.

Lightyear is set to release on June 17!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

As per usual, there’s all manner of fun and frolic to be had on your TV or streaming device of choice this very weekend from around the world of Disney. Prepare to “feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme!” with an unlikely Winter Olympics bobsled team in Disney’s Cool Runnings on Disney+; check out the Season 3 premiere of Big City Greens on Disney Channel; and so much more.

Season 5 of Raven’s Home Premieres March 11

Raven’s home—literally!

Season five of Disney Channel’s hit series Raven’s Home, a spinoff of the iconic That’s So Raven, follows Raven Baxter (Raven-Symoné) and her son, Booker (Issac Ryan Brown), as they move back to San Francisco to help take care of her dad, Victor (returning That’s So Raven costar Rondell Sheridan) after a mild heart attack. Now Raven finds herself parenting her parent; raising her young cousin, Alice (Mykal-Michelle Harris); and settling into life back in her hometown.

Meanwhile, Booker is “the new kid” at Raven’s old high school—whose principal now happens to be Raven’s former nemesis Alana (Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, reprising her role from the original series)—and must keep his visions a secret from a new group of friends.

Also joining the cast this season are Felix Avitia as Neil, Victor’s neighbor and Booker’s high school classmate; Emmy Liu-Wang as Ivy, a young neighbor who babysits Alice; and Marissa Reyes as Cami, a popular and ambitious girl with a rebellious streak.

Look for season five of Raven’s Home to debut on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW on Friday, March 11, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Previous seasons of the series are currently available on Disney Channel, DisneyNOW, and Disney+… and fans can also catch all four seasons of That’s So Raven on the streaming service.

The Walt Disney Company Earns 23 Oscar Nominations

Nominations for the 94th Oscars were announced earlier this week—and films from across The Walt Disney Company combined to earn 23 Academy Award® nominations… a number we happen to think is quite fortuitous! For a full rundown of nominees, click here—and stay tuned for more Oscars-related content in the coming weeks!

Questlove’s Summer of Soul Coming to ABC February 20

Speaking of the Oscars: Our pals at ABC just announced that Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s acclaimed documentary, Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)—which was nominated for Best Documentary Feature—will have its world broadcast premiere on ABC on Sunday, February 20, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Questlove, a friend of D23, made his filmmaking debut with this powerful and transporting documentary—part music film, part historical record—created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture, and fashion. Over the course of six weeks in summer 1969, just 100 miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park). The footage was largely forgotten… until now.

The film secured Disney’s Onyx Collective’s very first Academy Award nomination, in partnership with Searchlight Pictures and Hulu. And for those who can’t wait ‘til the 20th, it’s also currently available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

Hulu Announces Upcoming Futurama Revival

Attention, irreverent animation fans: a favorite series will soon be back! Earlier this week, 20th Television Animation and Hulu announced the return of Matt Groening and David X. Cohen’s hilariously subversive animated sci-fi comedy, Futurama. The series, which goes into production this month, will feature 20 new episodes with a 2023 premiere. The show’s returning voice cast includes Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr, and David Herman.

“I’m thrilled to have another chance to think about the future… or really anything other than the present,” joked Cohen. Added Groening, “It’s a true honor to announce the triumphant return of Futurama one more time before we get canceled abruptly again.”

Futurama focuses on the life of Philip Fry (voice of West)—a 25-year-old pizza delivery boy who accidentally froze himself on December 31, 1999, and woke up 1,000 years later with a fresh start at life and a “diverse” new group of friends, including Leela (voice of Sagal), a tough but lovely one-eyed alien, and Bender, a robot who possesses human characteristics and flaws. The series originally debuted in ’99, and over its seven seasons spanning two decades, 140 original episodes were produced—with the then-final episode airing on September 4, 2013.

Keep your eye(s) peeled for more info in the coming months.

Disney+ Debuts New Trailer for Cheaper By the Dozen 

Get ready for some warm-hearted mayhem! The Disney+ Original movie Cheaper by the Dozen, starring Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff, will premiere exclusively on the streamer on Friday, March 18. See the dozen in action, above.

A fresh take on the 2003 hit family comedy with Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt, Cheaper by the Dozen is a joy-filled story of the raucous exploits of a blended family of 12, the Bakers, as they navigate a hectic home life while simultaneously managing their family business. Along with Union and Braff, the film stars Erika Christensen, Timon Kyle Durrett, Journee Brown, Kylie Rogers, Andre Robinson, Caylee Blosenski, Aryan Simhadri, Leo Abelo Perry, Mykal-Michelle Harris (soon to be seen in the aforementioned Raven’s Home), Christian Cote, Sebastian Cote, and Luke Prael.

Cheaper by the Dozen is directed by Gail Lerner with a screenplay by Kenya Barris and Jenifer Rice-Genzuk Henry, based upon the novel by Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey.

ICYMI: Castings Announced for National Treasure and More

There are so many cool new series coming soon to Disney+ and Disney Channels—and Disney Branded Television announced some amazing casting news about ‘em earlier this week. Read D23’s rundown on Catherine Zeta-Jones searching for National Treasure; Michelle Yeoh joining the international cast of American Born Chinese; and more!

Watch an Exclusive Clip from Big City Greens’ Season 3 Premiere

By Zach Johnson

You’re not alone in counting down the days until the season three premiere of Big City Greens! To tide everyone over before the hit comedy series returns on Saturday, February 12, at 9 a.m. ET/PT, we’ve “harvested” an exclusive clip from our friends at Disney Channel.

In the sneak peek, Bill (voiced by Bob Joles) is determined to make the blackberry harvest as fun as possible, despite the early wakeup call. Will Cricket (voiced by Chris Houghton), Tilly (voiced by Marieve Herington), and Gramma Alice (voiced by Artemis Pebdani) embrace his “live, laugh, love” philosophy? Find out when the episode, “Papaganda/Boss Life,” airs this weekend! This season will bring a big change for the optimistic mischief-maker Cricket, while Tilly will participate in a rite of passage event that is inimitably Green.

Last month, Disney Channel announced it had ordered a fourth season of Big City Greens, bringing the Daytime Emmy®-winning series to more than 100 episodes in total. It also announced brothers Chris and Shane Houghton, the series’ creators and executive producers, are developing a Big City Greens movie musical for Disney Channel and Disney+.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

By Andie Hagemann

Adventure is out there… on your television (or favorite streaming device) this weekend! Go for the gold on Friday by watching the fan-favorite movie Cool Runnings; that same day, see the National Geographic documentary Russia’s Wild Tiger, which explores the stunning big cat’s fight for survival. The highly anticipated third season of Big City Greens is here, and Saturday’s premiere episode has two hilarious stories that won’t disappoint. Then, grab your valentine and watch the romantic comedy The Proposal airing Saturday night. And prior to (or in lieu of) Sunday’s gridiron action, catch the high-flying animated adventure Up.

Cool Runnings—Friday, February 11, on Disney+
As world-class athletes compete in the 2022 Winter Games, keep the Olympic fever alive with a viewing of this hit comedy loosely based on the true story of an unlikely troupe of competitors. Jamaican sprinter Derice Bannock’s (Leon Robinson) gold-medal dreams are dashed after a costly stumble disqualifies him from the 1988 Summer Olympics… but he isn’t giving up just yet. Derice sets his sights on the Winter Olympics with a completely different sport: bobsledding. After teaming up with his best friend and two fellow disqualified sprinters, the four-man team enlists the help of disgraced American bobsledder Irving Blitzer (John Candy) as they chase redemption.

Russia’s Wild Tiger—Friday, February 11, on Disney+
It’s Year of the Tiger, and this fascinating documentary from National Geographic centers on the iconic big cats as the species attempts to combat extinction. Follow the life of a young tiger, who was born in a conservation area, as he leaves his mother and searches for a territory in Russia’s Far East. However, his journey is soon met with conflict when he strays into human settlements. Viewers will be transported to the places where the fate of Siberian tiger will be decided: vast forests, remote villages, and cities at the edge of the wilderness.

Big City Greens—Saturday, February 12, at 9 a.m. ET, on Disney Channel
The third season of the animated hit is finally here, and big changes are in store for the Greens.  The season premiere has hard-working father Bill (voiced by Bob Joles) embracing a “Live, Laugh, Love” mindset, but will the family follow his lead? Then, Gloria (voiced by Anna Akana) struggles to maintain her café’s perfect rating—and not “girl boss” too close to the sun.

The Proposal—Saturday, February 12, at 3:45 p.m. ET, on Freeform
Facing deportation to her native Canada, successful book editor Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) says she’s engaged to her assistant Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds) to throw off immigration authorities. Hilarious hijinks ensues when Andrew agrees to the sham engagement, but on his terms—like flying to Alaska to meet his family, including eccentric grandma Annie (Disney Legend Betty White). Can Margaret and Andrew pull off the ruse without a hitch?

Up—Sunday, February 13, at 4 p.m. ET, on Disney Channel
With his longtime home threatened by skyscrapers and gentrification, retired balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen (voice of Ed Asner) embarks on one last chance at adventure. But Carl isn’t hopping on a flight or cruise ship; instead, he opts to tie thousands of balloons to his house and float to his dream locale, Paradise Falls. However, his trip takes as unexpected turn as he discovers that 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer Russell (voice of Jordan Nagai) is on his front porch… high in the sky! The unlikely duo set sail on adventure and meet new friends along the way in this heartwarming animated classic from Disney and Pixar.

Go Inside Death on the Nile with Kenneth Branagh

By Courtney Potter

Passion and jealousy. Mystery and murder. And enough twists and turns to keep you guessing ’til the very end! Based on Agatha Christie’s 1937 novel, 20th Century Studios’ Death on the Nile follows renowned Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) as his Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer turns into a terrifying search for a murderer after a picture-perfect couple’s idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short. Branagh—the eight-time Academy Award® nominee who also directs—first brought his take on Poirot, and on Christie’s work, to audiences in 2017’s worldwide hit Murder on the Orient Express; this time, Branagh’s film tells a sweeping tale of love and betrayal set against Giza’s fabled pyramids.

Recently, D23 was lucky enough to sit down with Branagh for a colorful, engaging chat about bringing Death on the Nile to life…

D23: What is it about the character of Hercule Poirot—and Agatha Christie as an author and storyteller—that made you want to return to that world and direct this film?
Kenneth Branagh (KB): Well, [Christie] remains deceptively simple. I think it’s such a gift for writers to have the directness that she does. And yet always, always, she surprises you… In this case, Death on the Nile is a very personal-feeling story, it seems to me. Certainly as suggested by her grandson, Mathew Prichard, who grew up with her and was an advisor [on the film], along with James Prichard, her great-grandson [and CEO of] Agatha Christie Limited—they both felt that she, as she indicates in the introduction, really felt the humanity of this story; an understanding of what happens when people are driven by love, sometimes beautifully and giddily, but sometimes dangerously. So she takes that very familiar, recognizable human issue, gift, whatever you might call—love—and she reinvents it…

Death on the Nile

As for Poirot, there’s this character trait [seen in Murder on the Orient Express] that somehow suggests that he has given up on love. He’s instead devoted himself to his gift for detection and somehow denying himself that human quality—because it doesn’t go with being the objective seeker of truth. Well, this story, in its DNA, demands that all the characters reveal their feelings, attitudes, disposition towards love—including, and perhaps especially, Hercule Poirot. So to see him, across the story of the movie, unravel a little and [be] put back together perhaps in a slightly different way, was a real reason to revisit.

D23: Do you have any standout memories from the making of the film?
KB: I think that it was fantastic to have eight leading female characters. That was just great, to feel the power in the story of that. And with the men too, they all seemed to plug in—through costumes and things—to a kind of innate glamour… I certainly felt that—a sense of real transportation into a different time. We shot the film, relatively, in story order. For instance, we [go] to a nightclub in the 1930s, where all of this sort of glamour could be expressed in clothes and in dancing. And it was very much an atmosphere; the texture in the look, the lights, the materials being used in the clothes, the music of Sister Rosetta Tharpe—an amazing blues and gospel singer whose music infuses this story… Of all the films I’ve done, this felt like the one that was immediately, immersively transportive.

D23: To that end, we’d love to know—how did you manage to bring 1930s Egypt to life?
KB: We went all over the world to try and work out how we might best produce a sense of Egypt in 1937. Of course, that included going to all the real places, including the temples at Abu Simbel, which is a wonder of the ancient world. So we went, but we made other decisions. Some of our Egyptian work is in the movie… but in order not to rob visitors who were actually visiting the site of the chance to enjoy the temple in the way that they should be allowed to, and to give us maximum possibility for taking the time to get everything right, we came back and we built Abu Simbel just outside London. We built it at full-size! In fact, my brother rang me one evening from his mobile phone; he was on the freeway near our studios. He said, “What the bloody hell’s going on? I think I’ve just seen… Did I just see the temple of Abu Simbel just above the M25?!” I said, “That’s right! When you see it in the movie, it’ll look like it’s really in Egypt!”

Death on the Nile

D23: You’ve directed several other films in and around the worlds of Disney—2011’s Thor, 2015’s Cinderella, 2020’s Artemis Fowl… how do you feel Death on the Nile fits into that particular creative thread for you?
KB: Well, the Disney pictures are all on a fairly massive scale—I would say that. And one of the amazing and privileged positions you enjoy in being at Disney is that they look to try and realize things at their best. If scale is required, then they’re unafraid of taking that on… If you want to really ignite people’s imaginations, you’re going to have to do it on a scale that demands the kind of resources that Disney is almost unique in being able to provide. Not just the resources for making the film, but then the resources to take the film to the world.

In my Disney pictures, I think you’d say that we live in a world of the “big image,” [which is] part of the experience of enjoying movies. They’re definitely invitations to other worlds—including the other worlds of Poirot’s travels, and burrowing [into] Poirot’s imagination… The Disney way is to try and unleash the imagination of the filmmaker and of the viewer. So I’ve been very happy to seize that invitation.

D23: What do you hope audiences take away from this adaptation of Death on the Nile?
KB: I hope [they enjoy] a satisfying, volatile mystery. We changed some of the plot points from the original novel—with the blessing of the Agatha Christie Limited group. So we will surprise you. I promise we will surprise you, if you’ve read the novel or if you’ve seen other adaptations. This will be different, that’s for sure… And I also hope that the emotional dimension of Agatha Christie’s story is something that plays out with psychological realism. I think that’s a treat that we have, because of the ensemble of actors. They play the humanity of the piece with great passion and great drive. And if you’ve ever been in love, you’ll get caught up in this. So I wish the audience that kind of visceral experience for the heart. And I hope that their head gets wonderfully engaged in the puzzle.

Death on the Nile

D23: Anything else you’d like D23 to know about the film?
KB: I think the expansiveness of Disney movies, you’ll find with Death on the Nile. I think that invitation to truly experience the story is going to be here, in the film… These pictures, I think by good fortune, found a pretty extraordinary home in the Disney family. And I’m hoping that those central members of the Disney family, the D23 family, will find that the appearance of these Poirot films in this world is natural—and exciting!

See 20th Century Studios’ Death on the Nile in U.S. theaters beginning Friday, February 11.

Disney+ Announces Obi-Wan Kenobi Debut Date

By Zach Johnson

Did you feel a disturbance in the Force? If so, it’s likely because Disney+ just announced that Obi-Wan Kenobi, the highly anticipated new limited series from Lucasfilm, will debut exclusively on the streaming service on May 25! It will feature Ewan McGregor reprising his role as the iconic Jedi Master and Hayden Christensen returning in the role of Darth Vader. In addition to announcing a premiere date, Disney+ also shared a new poster for the series.

The story of Obi-Wan Kenobi is set 10 years after the dramatic events of the film Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005), where Obi-Wan Kenobi faced his greatest defeat—the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker (Christensen), who turned to the dark side as evil Sith Lord Darth Vader. Joining McGregor and Christensen onscreen will be Moses Ingram, Joel Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Sung Kang, Simone Kessell, and Benny Safdie.

Stay tuned to D23.com for the latest updates… and until then, may the Force be with you!

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Celebrates with More Magic than Ever

By Victoria Hunt

As if having a Disney wedding could be any more magical, Disney Fairy Tale Weddings is adding more pixie dust to your special day than ever before.

The committee of expert event planners has embarked on a mission to make 2022 the most whimsical year yet for weddings, making the most of a new collection of princess-inspired dresses, never-before seen venues and customizable menus.

Soon-to-be newlyweds now have the option to have a Parisian-style ceremony set at the steps to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure within the France Pavilion at EPCOT, dabbled with exquisite French décor to transport you instantly to the European villa of your dreams.

This is the newest addition among many locations at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris and Aulani Resort, in Hawai’i, as well as aboard Disney Cruise Line, where you can say your vows on the open sea.

And what would be a fairy tale wedding without the perfect, dreamy dress? Disney Weddings along with Allure Bridals has unveiled a line of dresses inspired by the Disney Princesses themselves. In celebration of Snow White’s 85th anniversary, designers have introduced a gorgeous A-line dress daintily covered with flower accents and soft sequins, perfect for an outdoor ceremony.

For a more sophisticated look, designers paid homage to Princess Jasmine, whose first appearance in Aladdin was 30 years ago this year. The dress is covered with nearly 14,000 intricate beads and an on-trend modern cape with sleeves.

For the bride looking for something unique, Allure Bridals is offering the opportunity to win a special-edition, one-of-a-kind dress in honor of Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th Anniversary celebration. The luxurious gown has 3,000 crystals and 15,000 beads. Contest details will be announced soon.

Imagine getting married in the world’s most romantic city, Paris. Love birds getting married at Disneyland Paris can now arrive like true Disney royalty in a new coach that seems to have come to life straight from Cinderella. The handcrafted coach is decked out in 13,000 Swaroski crystals and more than 2,000 gold leaves. Talk about making an entrance!

Curious to see how these royal weddings come to life and to meet the lucky couples who have enjoyed them already? You can stream two seasons of the series Disney Fairy Tale Weddings now on Disney+.

For more information on how you could celebrate your special day with Disney, visit disneyweddings.com.

 

Enchanted Rose Pastries Recipe

Fall under the spell of these enchanted rose pastries! Your sweetheart—or your Pal-entine—is sure to enjoy this delicious dessert. Make a whole evening out of it by watching Beauty and the Beast on Disney+!

Ingredients

  • 2 large red apples
  • 1 package frozen puff pastry sheets
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon sugar
  • 2 tbsp butter, softened
  • 1 lemon
  • A pinch of flour

Directions

  1. Thaw the puff pastry sheets as directed (about 30 mins at room temperature). Prepare a muffin tin by spraying with a non-stick spray.
  2. Cut the lemon in half, and add the juice from half to a microwave-safe bowl. Fill the bowl about halfway with water.
  3. Cut each apple in half and remove the core. Slice each apple half into thin slice, about a half centimeter thick. Place the slices in the bowl of water and lemon juice to prevent them from browning.
  4. Once the apples are fully sliced, microwave in the water for 2-5 minutes, until softened and able to bend without breaking. Strain the apple slices and set aside.
  5. Unfold the thawed pastry sheets onto a lightly floured surface. Cut into 2-inch-wide strips.
  6. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon until well combined.
  7. Using a butter knife or pastry brush, smooth a thin layer of butter on top of each pastry strip. Spread a spoonful of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top in an even layer.
  8. Begin placing the softened apple slices along the top edge of the pastry, overlapping each slice slightly. Once the entire top edge is covered in apple slices, fold the bottom of the pastry sheet up over the bottom of the slices.
  9. Starting at one end, begin rolling the apple-filled pastry. Once done, you should have a beautiful rose shape!
  10. Place each rose in its own indent in the muffin tin, then place in the refrigerator while the oven preheats. Preheat the oven to 375° F, then bake the pastries for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Gently remove each pastry before allowing to cool, so as to prevent sticking.
  11. Serve warm and enjoy!

Click here to see more of our dessert recipes.