Enjoy an Exclusive First Look at Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation

August 26, 2021August 25, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation is opening soon in “Pooh” York City!

Performances begin at Theatre Row on October 21—but before the curtain rises, D23 is giving fans an exclusive first look at whimsical production photos taken by Matthew Murphy! Featuring songs by the Sherman Brothers’ and by A.A. Milne, this beautifully crafted musical stage adaptation is set deep in the Hundred Acre Wood and told with stunning life-size puppetry through the eyes of Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin, and their very best friends: Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, and Owl… and Tigger, too!

Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation was developed and is presented by renowned family entertainment creator Jonathan Rockefeller, whose mind-blowing puppetry is omnipresent in Paddington Gets in a Jam and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show. Due to an overwhelming response, Rockefeller Productions recently opened a new block of weekend tickets for the highly anticipated production at Times Square’s Theatre Row, located at 410 West 42nd Street. Tickets are now available at WinnieThePoohShow.com.

“I am thrilled to be entrusted to create a new classic for the stage, for new audiences as they join our adventure into the Hundred Acre Wood,” Rockefeller said when Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation was announced in May. “And what a grand adventure!”

“Disney’s Winnie the Pooh material is so incredibly rich, that after more than half a century, I doubt there is anyone who hasn’t been profoundly moved or feels a personal connection with the wonderful characters of Pooh,” Rockefeller continued. “The question we posed ourselves when creating this intimate musical adaptation was, ‘How do we bring Pooh from the screen and onto the stage in an entirely fresh and new way, yet one that still pays homage to the deep canon of Winnie the Pooh iconography?’ The answer was easy… well, conceptually easy, in theory. We needed to create incredible, brilliant, and amazing puppetry that makes it impossible to believe the characters aren’t real. Audiences can expect their hearts will be captivated by the characters, and their imaginations will soar with these life-size puppets.”

Winnie the Pooh has been enjoyed by millions of fans ever since 1926 when author A.A. Milne first chronicled the adventures of Christopher Robin’s friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. The books, featuring illustrations by English illustrator E.H. Shephard, have sold over 50 million copies worldwide. The theatrical rights to the stories were acquired by Disney in 1961, with an original intent to produce a feature film. But, after production began, Walt Disney decided to make featurettes instead. The three featurettes were subsequently incorporated into the feature The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977). It was the last film in the Disney canon in which Walt had personal involvement. The first featurette, Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966), was released during his lifetime; Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (1968) was still in development. Disney’s Winnie the Pooh has since become one of the best-loved and most successful franchises in history.

The Sherman Brothers are the multi-talented Academy Award^®– and Grammy^® Award-winning American songwriting duo of Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman. Inducted as Disney Legends in 1990, the Sherman Brothers wrote more motion-picture musical scores than any other songwriting team in film history, including for the Disney classics Mary Poppins (1964), The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971). The Sherman Brothers worked directly with Walt on two of the first Winnie the Pooh featurettes: Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree, which garnered a Grammy Award nomination, and Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day. They won a Grammy Award for the third featurette, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too (1977). All three featurettes were incorporated into the 1977 musical film The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. The brothers also wrote songs for Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore (1983) and The Tigger Movie (2000), with their music also featured in Christopher Robin (2018).

Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation is produced in association with Disney Theatrical Productions. Rockefeller Productions embraced the challenge of re-imagining Disney’s Winnie the Pooh for a new audience by bringing it to life on stage in puppet form.

Host Jon Burlingame Scores Big Interview with Alan Menken for Disney’s For Scores Podcast

August 25, 2021

By Jim Frye

“There’s something magical about the marriage of music and image.”

So says Jon Burlingame, a longtime music journalist and the host of Disney’s For Scores, a podcast series that shines the spotlight on television and film composers—taking listeners behind the curtain of some of today’s most iconic scores from Marvel Studios, Star Wars, Pixar, and Disney. Recent episodes have featured Lorne Balfe, who composed the score for Marvel Studios’ Black Widow; Ludwig Göransson, describing his trip to Senegal to work with local musicians for the music of Black Panther, as well the challenges of scoring the first two seasons of The Mandalorian; and Nicholas Britell, who combined orchestra and rock in the score for Disney’s summer hit Cruella.

“The obsession with music—why it has such an impact on us, and why it has such an effect on us, particularly emotionally—has always fascinated me,” says Burlingame. “I’ve never let go of it. It’s one thing to write a piece of music. It’s another thing to write a compelling series of images. But the two of them together—it’s a kind of alchemy in a way.”

The newest episode of For Scores, released this week, features the first of a two-part interview with Disney Legend Alan Menken, discussing everything from The Little Mermaid, the upcoming Disenchanted (sequel to 2007’s Enchanted), and working with Lin-Manuel Miranda, to his longtime collaboration with Howard Ashman… and more.

“We spend a little time talking about the songs of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast and Pocahontas and Aladdin,” says Burlingame. “But what we talk about a lot more is his background and how he got into this unique realm. My favorite part about the two broadcasts with Alan is when he talks about his long partnership with Howard Ashman. And about how Howard Ashman’s musical theatre sensibilities really created the Disney renaissance in the early ‘90s. Whereby The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin in particular benefitted from the Menken and Ashman magic.”

Burlingame continues: “He talks not just about their relationship and how they worked together, but about the impact of Howard’s death on him in 1991, and his career, and how he needed to move on with new partners, but how the relationship with Howard has impacted his whole life. It’s that kind of thing—it’s human—it’s more than putting dots on a piece of paper that will eventually translate into music. There’s a humanity involved in all of this, and we do try to get to that I think.”

Earning his chops in newspaper reporting in the early 1970s, Burlingame eventually gravitated toward entertainment writing in the mid-‘80s. “Being a former musician myself, what I found was that very few film or entertainment reporters ever talked about the music,” he says. “And music in films and television had always made a big impact on me.” Eventually, some publications took note, and for many years Burlingame was the only professional journalist who specialized in film and TV music. This afforded him many impressive interviews, including John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, John Barry, Lalo Schifrin, and more. Then, three years ago, the Disney Music Group approached him about a podcast focusing on this particular topic—and, as they say, magic happened.

“I think the average listener may not be interested in the mechanics of what composers do,” says Burlingame, “but the personalities of the people who make the music can often be as interesting as the music itself.”

Take his upcoming interview in October, for example: Listeners will hear a new chat with the “Pumpkin King” himself, Danny Elfman. “I’ve known Danny for about 30 years, and I’ve done quite a few interviews with him, but this time I’m hoping we’ll get a substantial look back at the history of [Tim Burton’s] A Nightmare Before Christmas and that music, and how it’s gone on to become so much a part of the season.” After that, Burlingame will be talking with Ramin Djawadi, the composer for Marvel Studios’ The Eternals, coming out in November. (He’s also the composer for Game of Thrones).

Regarding his new interview with Menken, Burlingame says: “This is my favorite thing I’ve ever done, because Alan himself is so—forgive me—animated. And he’s so much fun to talk to about this stuff.” Burlingame is sure listeners will agree.

To find out more about For Scores, and to listen to episodes—including this week’s Alan Menken interview—go to https://disneymusic.co/ForScoresPodcast, or subscribe anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Your Favorite Disney Stars Take Us Behind the Scenes of Disney Princess Remixed – An Ultimate Princess Celebration

August 25, 2021August 23, 2021

By Zach Johnson

This Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT, Disney Channel will unveil an all-new, half-hour music special, Disney Princess Remixed – An Ultimate Princess Celebration, coinciding with World Princess Week. Narrated by social media sensation Txunamy Ortiz, it will celebrate the empowering attributes of Disney princesses and queens through pop, rock and R&B performances of their iconic songs. Tune into see Dara Renée and Frankie Rodriguez perform “Into the Unknown” from Frozen 2; Julia Lester perform “Home” from Beauty and the Beast; Reneé, Ruth Righi, and Izabela Rose perform “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog; and Sophia Hammons perform “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid.

Grammy^® Award winner Brandy will also debut her music video for “Starting Now,” the anthem for The Walt Disney Company’s year-long event, Ultimate Princess Celebration, which spotlights the courage and kindness that Disney heroines inspire in fans all over the world. Plus, Walt Disney Records has already released a single from the special, “Into the Unknown (Disney Princess Remixed),” with two more songs available on Friday, August 27.

Disney Channel’s Princess Night will kick off with a special presentation of the Disney films Tangled at 4:05 p.m. ET/PT and Frozen at 5:45 p.m. ET/PT. Immediately following the special, a new princess-themed episode of Disney’s Magic Bake-Off will air at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The special will also be available on Disney+ same day in select markets, including the U.S.

Before the premiere of Disney Princess Remixed – An Ultimate Princess Celebration, four stars—Hammons, Reneé, Righi, and Rose—are taking us behind the scenes of the special.

D23: The Ultimate Princess Celebration celebrates the courage and kindness Disney heroines inspire in fans around the world. Which Disney Princess inspires you most?
Sophia Hammons (SH): It’s hard to choose which Disney Princess inspires me most because they’re all so great, and each Disney Princess shares the same admirable trait: They all have a dream and the courage to pursue it. If I had to choose one, I would say that the Disney Princess that inspires me most is Raya. Raya is a brave and determined young woman who knows what she wants, and when faced with an obstacle, she does her absolute best to overcome it. She’s an amazing leader, and something I really admire about her is that she’s willing to work with a team. Throughout the movie Raya and the Last Dragon, she makes new friends and learns to trust others in order to bring back Kumandra. Raya is a very special Princess to me, not only because of her amazing qualities, but also because she’s Southeast Asian, and it’s always awesome to feel represented by a Disney Princess.
Izabela Rose (IR): I would vote for Princess Tiana because she is hardworking, optimistic, and never gave up on her dreams. This inspires me to reach for all of mine, as well.
Ruth Righi (RR): One of the most inspiring Disney Princesses to me is the one and only Mulan. She represents the classically kind, giving, curious, powerful, and passionate traits of a princess while also representing her own unmatched courage and style.

D23: Dara, how do you relate to Princess Tiana?
Dara Reneé (DR): Princess Tiana has been such a role model for me—not only for her representation, but also for her determination, wisdom, and power. She knows what she wants in this world, and she goes after it! I’m so glad that I had someone that exudes greatness to look up to.

D23: How did each you approach your performance?
SH: I approached this performance with the inspiring curiosity that Ariel has in the song “Part of Your World.” The song is all about dreaming of a different and better world and then going after that dream. I want other boys and girls when watching my performance to understand that it’s OK to be adventurous and explore the world in search of something more. At times change can be scary, but this performance shows that it’s worth the risk.
RR: I tried to approach the performance with the same love, excitement, and dedication that I know Tiana would have had. Now, I am just waiting at the edge of my seat to see the finished performance.

D23: Sophia, how does it feel to make your Disney Channel debut in this special?
SH: Even though I filmed Under Wraps before filming Disney Princess Remixed – An Ultimate Princess Celebration, it’s amazing that this can be my Disney debut. I love the Disney Princesses, and this special is really going to encourage young kids to overcome some of the challenges we’ve faced in recent times, but also give them something to sing and dance along to! (Editor’s note: Under Wraps will debut October 1 on Disney Channel.)

D23: Dara, can you share any behind-the-scenes moments from filming “Into the Unknown” with your High School Musical: The Musical: The Series co-star Frankie Rodriguez?
DR: Rehearsals were so fun with Frankie! We couldn’t stop laughing and cracking jokes 24/7! Also, we FaceTimed each other while we were recording our vocals and competed over who was Anna and Elsa! Working with Frankie was like a dream, and I can’t wait for y’all to see what magic we created!

D23: Izabela and Ruth, what makes your version of “Almost There” with Dara different from the original?
IR: There is a mixture of current and poppy kind of beats, along with that New Orleans swag sound, and a twist of gospel, as well.
RR: The new remixed and modernized version of “Almost There” takes an iconic Disney classic and reimagines it to add a layer of magic to an already beautifully empowering song. Everything from the horns to the dancing is perfectly presented in Tiana’s trademark yellow theme.

D23: What makes “Almost There” such a fan-favorite Disney song?
IR: We all need some inspiration to keep moving forward, especially with everything going on in the world today—and the verses in “Almost There” encourage us to never give up. Every second, every minute, and every day you are one step closer to reaching your goals.
RR: “Almost There” is an inspiring and empowering song that I am beyond lucky to perform alongside Dara and Izabela. I think it is so loved because it represents what it means to have a dream, be passionate, and have hope.

D23: Sophia, why do you think “Part of Your World” has been a fan-favorite since 1989?
SH: I think “Part of Your World” is so beloved more than 30 years later because of its message about facing your fears and believing in yourself, which anybody at any age can relate to. Curiosity and adventure are inspiring!

D23: What do you hope Disney fans take away from this special?
RR: I really hope that you all love the show as much as we do and, after watching, feel capable of achieving anything. I hope you all feel strong, courageous, and inspired, because each and every one of you has the ability to do amazing things.

D23: Izabela, what is your favorite memory from your performance?
IR: I will never forget the feeling of just stepping on the set for the first time to shoot the music video. Even though we had recorded our vocals separately, when we came together in person there was this kinetic energy between us all. It was so big, and so beautiful. I think we did a really good job of bringing Princess Tiana’s spirit to life in 2021.

6 Ways to Celebrate World Princess Week on Disney+

August 24, 2021August 23, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Courage and kindness. The world could always use more of both, and who better to inspire us to live up to those ideals than the incredible Disney Princesses?

Now that this year’s Disney’s Ultimate Princess Celebration is officially underway, we’re more than ready to celebrate all things princess during World Princess Week, happening right now through August 29! It’s a first-of-its-kind, totally fun-filled global celebration of the Disney Princess Characters and the courage and kindness they encourage in fans across the globe. Which got us to thinking—what better way to honor some of our fave princesses than by watching the films that introduced them (or continued their amazing stories) on Disney+? (Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list; there is oodles of princess fun available on the streaming service.)

Read on for what we’re planning to add to our viewing calendar over the next few days… and don’t forget to visit Disney.com/UltimatePrincessCelebration for the latest on Disney Princess news—both for World Princess Week, and throughout the year-long event!

Raya and the Last Dragon
One of the newest Disney Princesses on the horizon, the heroine at the center of the 2021 animated feature is a proud Guardian of the Dragon Gem who finds herself on a life-or-death mission to save the world from the Druun—destructive spirits born out of human conflict who can turn people to stone with a single touch. She proves herself an utterly resilient warrior, with razor-sharp wit and courage to spare.

Frozen and Frozen 2
Disney+ is, of course, the home to both 2013’s Frozen and its 2019 sequel, which chronicle the adventures of two totally tenacious princess sisters, Anna and Elsa. Anna, the forever optimist, is unflappable, especially when it comes to protecting her sister. And Elsa? She’s magical and larger than life, and she comes into her courageous own despite any lingering fears.

Moana
A strong-willed, sea-loving wayfarer, Moana might have moments of self-doubt—but she’s got incredible pride in who she is and doesn’t back away from new challenges. She takes on new challenges with plenty of moxie, and always courageously stands her ground. If it’s been a hot minute since you’ve seen the Oscar^®-nominated 2016 animated film, do yourself a favor and give it a(nother) look.

Tangled
If there was one princess to highlight who isn’t afraid—by any stretch of the word!—to step outside her comfort zone, it’s Rapunzel from 2010’s Tangled. That strong sense of curiosity and determination affords her the fortitude to push herself, pursue her dreams, and discover her truest self in the process.

The Princess and the Frog
Fans of this 2009 feature know Tiana to be a big dreamer who isn’t afraid of a little hard work. No obstacle is impossible to overcome—even when she’s turned into an amphibian! Add this film to your watch list, and make it a party by enjoying some pumpkin beignets during your viewing. (It is almost fall, after all.)

5 Things You Need to Know About Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings

August 24, 2021August 23, 2021

By Zach Johnson

On September 3, Marvel Studios will present Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings, an epic adventure that introduces the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s newest Super Hero: Shang-Chi. In celebration of the character’s big screen debut, the team behind the highly anticipated adventure reunited for a virtual press conference. Hosted by one of the film’s stars, Ronny Chieng, the discussion included actors Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, and Ben Kingsley; director/screenwriter Destin Daniel Cretton; and producer Kevin Feige.

Before the film opens in theaters, here are five things you need to know:

1. Contrary to popular belief, Simu Liu’s tweets did not get him the lead role.
Before he was cast as Shang-Chi, Liu would tweet from time to time about his desire to bring the character from the comic books to the silver screen. Although his tweets got a lot of likes, they weren’t what got him the job. “When you tweet at Marvel, you think it’s going to some 19-year-old intern,” he explained. “‘No one’s going to read that. No one cares.’” Feige admitted he “did not see” Liu’s tweets: “Simu, it was not your tweeting; it was your acting ability, your constant professionalism, and the multiple reads and meetings that you did that got you the job. Now, did our casting director, Sarah Finn, see that? I don’t know.”

2. Destin Daniel Cretton consulted the director of Black Panther in pre-production.
Like Ryan Coogler, Cretton got his start in the industry by making intimate films on a smaller scale. So, when Cretton was approached about joining the MCU, he naturally asked his longtime friend for some advice. “I was scared of stepping into a big studio movie like this and scared of what it might do to me: ‘Will I cave?’ I had a lot of fears,” Cretton said. “The thing that Ryan said to me, which really eased my mind, was, ‘The pressure is hard. It’ll be the hardest thing potentially that you have done up to this point. But none of that pressure and none of those complications come from the people that you’re working with or for.’ And that’s what I found. This is a very special place to work. There is an environment [that promotes] curiosity of exploration, and it comes from the top down. There is no fear-based mentality in the studio, which allowed us to take risks and chances.”

3. Awkwafina learned new skills to prepare for her role as Katy.
When the audience first meets Shang-Chi, he is living in San Francisco as Shaun, working as a valet alongside his best friend, Katy (Awkwafina). He hasn’t disclosed his true identity, which is revealed when a team of assassins attack them on a bus. As Shang-Chi fights them off, he instructs Katy to take the wheel. “I actually went to a race track and learned how to drift,” Awkwafina said, “which is really fun but probably not practical in a scenario like traffic.” The friends travel to Macau, to warn Shang-Chi’s sister, Xialing (Zhang), that danger is coming. As the legend of The Ten Rings is revealed, Katy takes a more active role in fighting against Shang-Chi and Xialing’s father, Wenwu (Tony Leung), and his cabal. Patting herself on the back, Awkwafina shared, “I learned how to shoot a bow and arrow!”

4. This is Meng’er Zhang’s feature film debut.
Trained in theater, Zhang was eager to learn the ins and outs of movie making. “I asked Sir Ben a lot of questions. He said, ‘When we’re on stage, we’re landscape artists. When we’re in front of a camera, we’re portrait artists,’” Zhang said. “That gave me a very clear image.” This is also Liu’s biggest role to date, and he admitted to suffering from “imposter syndrome” working with the likes of Awkwafina, Leung, and Michelle Yeoh. “It was all I could do just not to mess it up. Before I was cast, I did my final screen test with Awkwafina, and she did such a wonderful job of putting me at ease; my nerves were sky high. I was an actor from Toronto who had never allowed myself to imagine being a part of the MCU. It was the craziest dream that anyone could possibly dream. And she did such a great job of putting me at ease and being in the moment with me. We had such a beautiful chemistry.”

5. Ben Kingsley was surprised to see the return of Trevor Slattery.
Kingsley said Feige personally visited him at his home in Oxfordshire to discuss the “under wraps” return of his character, an actor-for-hire was last seen onscreen in 2013’s Iron Man 3. (Fun fact: Kingsley’s casting in Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings wasn’t public knowledge until he attended the world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre on August 16!) According to the Academy Award®-winning actor, Trevor has grown a bit since he last tangled with Iron Man (Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr.). “I did get very fond of Trevor,” Kingsley shared. “He has his vulnerabilities. He has his history, and he has his issues. He found in himself, perhaps, moments of empathy and kindness. I think there’s a wisdom that he doesn’t believe he has, but he does have. And, with his work in Shakespeare, he’s beginning to perhaps grow into a silhouette that’s larger than the one he thought he had.”

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

August 23, 2021August 25, 2021

By Zach Johnson

This week marks the series premiere of The Ultimate Surfer on ABC, debuting Monday and returning with a brand-new episode the following night. Meanwhile, the second season of Freeform’s Motherland: Fort Salem will conclude Tuesday with a game-changing finale. On Wednesday, an extra episode of Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian will drop on Disney+, while a new installment of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s American Horror Story will debut on FX. Cap off the week Thursday with an all-new episode of grown-ish on Freeform.

The Ultimate Surfer—Monday, August 23, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC
Fourteen up-and-coming surfers train and live together at the World Surf League’s state-of-the-art Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California, powered by Kelly Slater’s human-made wave technology, in the hope of winning $100,000 and the opportunity to compete on the WSL Championship Tour. Jesse Palmer hosts the competition series. Erin Coscarelli and Joe Turpel are the commentators, with Slater as the lead consultant and special correspondent.

Motherland: Fort Salem—Tuesday, August 24, at 10 p.m. ET on Freeform
Witches, get ready for war. In the season finale, “Revolution, Part 1,” the Camarilla brings the fight to Fort Salem. Raelle (Taylor Hickson), Abigail (Ashley Nicole Williams), Tally (Jessica Sutton), and their allies are forced to make impossible, world-changing choices.

Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian—Wednesday, August 25, on Disney+
In the season two finale of The Mandalorian, the appearance of a young Luke Skywalker (Disney Legend Mark Hamill) was one of the biggest reveals and best-kept secrets of the series to date. Reactions to the episode were emotionally charged for many, deeply resonating with generations of fans who were over the Endor moon to see the Jedi Master in his post-Return of the Jedi prime. The story of the cutting-edge technology used to bring Luke back is the subject of a special episode of Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian.

American Horror Story: Double Feature—Wednesday, August 25, at 10 p.m. ET on FX and Thursday, August 26, on FX on Hulu
Intended for mature audiences, the 10th installment of the anthology series introduces a struggling writer (Finn Wittrock), his pregnant wife (Lily Rabe), and their daughter (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), who move to an isolated beach town for the winter. As they settle in, the town’s true residents make themselves known. Frances Conroy, Macaulay Culkin, Leslie Grossman, Billie Lourd, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and Angelica Ross round out the cast.

grown-ish—Thursday, August 26, at 8 p.m. ET on Freeform
After Luca (Luka Sabbat) calls out her boss on social media, Zoey (Yara Shahidi) tries to regain control over cancel culture—but things backfire. Meanwhile, Jazz (Chloe Bailey) and Des (Warren Egypt Franklin) grow closer as she tries to lean on Sky (Halle Bailey) less.

Dig a Little Deeper with New Details on the Upcoming Attraction Based on The Princess and the Frog

August 23, 2021

By the D23 Team

We’re kicking off World Princess Week with a trip down the bayou to give you an exciting update involving Princess Tiana and her friends! Last year, Walt Disney Imagineering announced Splash Mountain at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts will be reimagined with new theming inspired by the beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios film The Princess and the Frog. D23 sat down with Bob Weis, president of Walt Disney Imagineering, to talk some of the very first details revealed about the attraction—and today we’re excited to share even more of the latest developments!

First, check out the latest rending of the attraction, giving us a sneak peek into the next chapter for Tiana, Naveen, Louis, and more of their friends. Following the adventures of The Princess and the Frog, the new attraction’s story centers around Tiana’s first ever Mardi Gras performance—during which some original yet familiar music will bring guests into the story.

To learn more about the creative process behind the upcoming attraction—plus, to look back at Tiana’s impact over the past decade—check out the panel below, filmed at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in New Orleans. Since the restaurant’s founder, Leah Chase, was one of the inspirations for Princess Tiana, the restaurant was a natural fit for this conversation. Watch Kenneth Moton from ABC News as he joins Stella Reese, owner of Dooky Chase’s Restaurant and daughter of Leah Chase; Carmen Smith, Creative Executive, Vice President, Inclusive Strategies for Walt Disney Imagineering; Charita Carter, Senior Producer for Walt Disney Imagineering; and Marlon West, VFX Supervisor for Walt Disney Animation Studios to hear more:

So much goes into the creative process behind attractions, include in-depth research to spark inspiration. For this upcoming attraction, Imagineers dug deep into the culture of New Orleans—the city Tiana calls home—in order to craft a story authentic to both the region and to the characters. So much makes New Orleans a distinct and unique city. From food, music, art, architecture, and the diversity of its people and their traditions, there is much from which Imagineers can find inspiration.

One of the early inspirations was visual artist Sharika Mahdi. Mahdi is an art educator and alumna of the renowned YAYA (Young Aspirations Young Artists, Inc.) Arts Center located in New Orleans. To help inspire Imagineers, Mahdi was commissioned to create a series of four original paintings to inspire Imagineers. You can check out one of those inspirational paintings here:

To celebrate all of these developments, our love for the city of New Orleans, and commitment to the arts and education, The Walt Disney Company today announced a $50,000 donation to NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts), a regional, pre-professional arts training center that offers students intensive instruction in culinary arts, dance, media arts, music, theatre arts, visual arts, and creative writing, while demanding simultaneous academic excellence.

If you can’t get enough of Princess Tiana, there are so many more exciting ways her story is coming to life in the future, from the Disney Wish setting sail next year with an all-new lounge, “The Bayou,” and the upcoming Walt Disney Animation Studios original series Tiana on Disney+.

Stay tuned to D23.com for future updates on how this attraction develops.

Epic New Trailer for Marvel Studios’ Eternals—Plus More in News Briefs

August 20, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Don’t Miss This Awe-Inspiring New Trailer for Marvel Studios’ Eternals

Just this week, Marvel Studios released an incredible new trailer for Eternals—giving us an upfront look at the MCU’s newest team-up, featuring a group of heroes from beyond the stars who had protected the Earth since the dawn of man. Check it out, for the first or (if you’re anything like us) 57th time, above.

When monstrous creatures called the Deviants, long thought lost to history, mysteriously return, the Eternals are forced to reunite in order to defend humanity once again. The ensemble cast includes Gemma Chan as humankind-loving Sersi; Richard Madden as the all-powerful Ikaris; Kumail Nanjiani as cosmic-powered Kingo; Lia McHugh as the eternally young, old-soul Sprite; Brian Tyree Henry as the intelligent inventor Phastos; Lauren Ridloff as the super-fast Makkari; Barry Keoghan as aloof loner Druig; and Don Lee as the powerful Gilgamesh; with Kit Harington as Dane Whitman, Salma Hayek as the wise and spiritual leader Ajak, and Angelina Jolie as the fierce warrior Thena.

Academy Award® winner Chloé Zhao (Nomadland) directs the film, with Kevin Feige and Nate Moore producing. Look for it in theaters beginning November 5.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

It might be a tad cliché to say, but it’s true—the month of August is legitimately flying by. Should you be looking for some quality entertainment to view from around the worlds of Disney on this, the third (and penultimate) weekend of the month, we’ve got you covered with another “5 Fantastic Things” rundown… featuring info on the debut of Mickey Mouse Fun House on Disney Channel and Disney Junior; the multi-network Stand Up To Cancer® special; and so much more.

Holiday Fun and Frolic with “Disney Very Merriest After Hours”

Okay, hear us out: We know we’re still a few months away from the holiday season (we haven’t even gotten to Halloween—although it is, incredibly, just around the corner)… but as we are wont to encourage each year, it’s never too early to start planning some festive fun! And as luck would have it, our pals at the Disney Parks Blog recently shared a rundown on what guests can expect from this year’s “Disney Very Merriest After Hours”—a once-in-a-lifetime holiday celebration, coinciding with Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary, happening over 24 select nights in November and December.

“Disney Very Merriest After Hours” will include the nighttime spectacular Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks and the very special holiday-themed Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade—in which Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will be joined by pals from Disney’s Frozen and lots of other fave characters, including the iconic Toy Soldiers… and, naturally, Santa Claus himself!

Tickets for the four-hour “Disney Very Merriest After Hours” will grant admission to Magic Kingdom Park as early as 7 p.m., giving you more time to enjoy some of your favorite Magic Kingdom attractions. Plus, holiday attraction overlays are making a comeback (get ready for the Jingle Cruise, y’all); characters will be dressed in their holiday best; delicious snacks like ice cream novelties and seasonal treats will be complimentary—with specialty food and beverages available for purchase; and so much more.

Tickets are now on sale! For more info, including specific event dates, click here.

Announcements A-Plenty from Disney Branded Television

If you’re looking to fill out your calendar with delightful viewing over these next few months, might we steer you towards our rundown of Disney Branded Television’s big announcements from earlier this week? They unveiled all their fall and winter premiere dates for new original movies and series on Disney Channel and Disney Junior, and you won’t want to miss a minute of it. Check it out right here at D23.com.

First Look at Disney Channel Original Movie Under Wraps

…And speaking of the ultra-cool stuff coming from Disney Channel in the very near future, we just had to call attention this this brand-new Disney Channel Original Movie premiering this fall.

Under Wraps is a contemporary comedic remake of the 1997 Halloween classic Under Wraps—the first-ever Disney Channel Original Movie, which (as you well know) became a blockbuster franchise with more than 100 titles. This re-imagined story follows three 12-year-old friends—Gilbert, Marshall, and Amy—as they accidentally revive a mummy discovered in a neighbor’s basement a few days before Halloween. Take a gander at a first-look trailer for the DCOM, above.

The story unfolds when Gilbert (Daytime Emmy® Award nominee Christian J. Simon), Marshall (Malachi Barton) and Amy (Sophia Hammons) happen upon and awaken a mummy, which they affectionately name Harold (Phil Wright), and must rush to return him to his resting place before midnight on Halloween. Along the way, they narrowly escape a nefarious group of criminals intent on selling the mummy to the highest bidder. When Harold is inevitably captured, the trio must band together to stand up to the criminals, face their fears, and rescue their new (yet distinctly “old”) friend.

Look for Under Wraps to premiere in October!

Lift Off with Space 220 Restaurant at EPCOT Next Month

It’s another milestone for EPCOT, and it’s scheduled to open just in time to help kick off “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” (in honor of Walt Disney World’s 50th)…

An all-new restaurant, Space 220, is set to debut in September—and it sounds totally out-of-this-world! Located adjacent to the Mission: SPACE attraction, Space 220 takes fine dining to a whole new level. The immersive experience begins as you check in to the Space 220 Departure Lounge in Future World. From here, guests will board one of two “Space Elevators” that will transport diners in what seems like 220 miles above Earth to Centauri Space Station. Looking down through a viewport, they’ll see EPCOT “shrinking away”; looking up, they’ll see an incredible Space Station come into view.

Once docked, guests will head through the Centauri Space Station-themed dining area, experiencing a breathtaking panoramic view of Earth below, and a variety of work and leisure activities taking place beyond the windows. The views are only one part of the experience—Walt Disney Imagineers are excited to have created this experience for Executive Chef Marc Kusche to showcase all manner of culinary wonders. The Space 220 restaurant menu will feature (inter)stellar dishes and gourmet recipes—with a two-course prix fixe menu for lunch and a three-course prix fixe menu for dinner.

Stay tuned for more details on the Space 220 restaurant as they become available.

Amazing New Trailer for Disney+’s Star Wars: Visions

Earlier this week, the good folks at Disney+ debuted the trailer—and announced the Japanese and English dub voice casts—for Star Wars: Visions, an upcoming anthology series from Lucasfilm that tells new Star Wars stories through the singular style and tradition of Japanese anime. The new trailer provides a glimpse of the captivating tone and stunning visuals from each of the animated shorts, which can all be viewed both with the original Japanese voice cast or the English dub cast when the series launches on Disney+ on September 22.

Among the English dub voice cast are new and returning Star Wars actors including David Harbour, George Takei, Alison Brie, Lorraine Toussaint, Simu Liu, Bobby Moynihan, Neil Patrick Harris, Lucy Liu, and many more. Fans of anime may recognize some of the names of the Japanese voice actors—such as Masaki Terasoma, Asami Seto, Takaya Hashi, and Mariya Ise.

“Lucasfilm is partnering with seven of the most talented anime studios in Japan to bring their signature style and unique vision of the Star Wars galaxy to this inspired new series,” James Waugh, executive producer and Lucasfilm Vice President, Franchise Content & Strategy, recently said.

We can’t wait to see these new tales unfold…

ICYMI: The Mysterious World of Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers

It’s got a dream cast—including Melissa McCarthy, Nicole Kidman, Bobby Cannavale, and Regina Hall; it’s based on a New York Times bestselling book; and it just about guarantees you an enigmatically good time… it’s Hulu’s latest limited series, Nine Perfect Strangers, and D23.com got the inside scoop from the cast and producers. (And remember: You can also hear directly from another Nine Perfect Strangers costar, Luke Evans, on the 100th episode of D23 Inside Disney podcast!)

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

August 19, 2021August 19, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Following the special Mickey the Brave!, Mickey Mouse Fun House—a whimsical animated series for preschoolers and their families featuring Mickey Mouse and his pals—debuts on Disney Channel and Disney Junior this Friday. That same day, the 2006 fantasy film Eragon joins the Disney+ library. On Saturday, ABC and other networks will help raise funds for cancer research with the seventh biennial Stand Up To Cancer® special. Also on Saturday, celebrate the first anniversary of The One and Only Ivan, streaming exclusively on Disney+. Cap things off Sunday with a new episode of Celebrity Family Feud, hosted by Steve Harvey.

Mickey Mouse Fun House—Friday, August 20, at 8 a.m. ET on Disney Channel and Disney Junior
The two-episode series premiere features four fun stories. First, in “Homesick,” Mickey, Minnie and friends want to take Funny the funhouse on a picnic, but he isn’t feeling well. Then, in “Goldfish Goofy,” Funny takes the gang to Underwater Ocean World, transforming them into merpeople. Next, in “Spaced Out,” Funny turns into a rocket ship to take everyone to space. Last but not least, in “Treasure, Ahoy,” Donald’s impatience causes him to lose his pool floaty, so Funny takes the friends to find the Lost & Found Treasure Chest.

Eragon—Friday, August 20, on Disney+
In a mythical time, a teenage boy named Eragon (Ed Speleers) becomes a dragon rider with the help of a wise old man, Brom (Jeremy Irons). The boy and his newly hatched dragon avenge the murder of the boy’s uncle, rescue a beautiful warrior, and join the resistance to a tyrannical king. Rounding out the film’s cast are Robert Carlyle, Sienna Guillory, Garrett Hedlund, Djimon Hounsou, John Malkovich, Joss Stone, and Rachel Weisz.

Stand Up To Cancer—Saturday, August 21, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Celebrities lending their support to help raise funds for cancer research include Jaime Camil; Ciara; Deon Cole; Kate Del Castillo; Jennifer Garner; Tony and October Gonzalez; Max Greenfield; Tony Hale; Ed Helms; Kyle MacLachlan; Matthew McConaughey; Candice Patton; Michael Peña; Italia Ricci; Cecily Strong; Alison Sweeney; and Chandra Wilson. Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth are executive producing the special, co-hosted by Anthony Anderson, Ken Jeong & Tran Ho, and Sofía Vergara. SU2C co-founder and special guest Katie Couric will appear, and Common, Brittany Howard, and Stevie Wonder will perform. Additionally, a special PSA featuring Jodie Comer, Michelle Dockery, Chris Evans, O-T Fagbenle, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, and Paul Rudd will air. During the show, viewers will be immersed in firsthand stories featuring families who have been impacted by cancer.

The One and Only Ivan—Saturday, August 21, on Disney+
An adaptation of Katherine Applegate’s award-winning book about one very special gorilla, Disney’s The One and Only Ivan is an unforgettable tale about the beauty of friendship, the power of visualization, and the significance of the place one calls home. Ivan (voice of Sam Rockwell) is a 400-pound silverback gorilla who shares a communal habitat in a suburban shopping mall with Stella the elephant (voice of Angelina Jolie), Bob the dog (voice of Danny DeVito), and various other animals. He has few memories of the jungle where he was captured, but when a baby elephant named Ruby (voice of Brooklynn Prince) arrives, it touches something deep within him. Ivan begins to question his life, where he comes from and where he ultimately wants to be. The heartwarming adventure, which comes to the screen in an impressive hybrid of live-action and CGI, also stars Bryan Cranston as Mack.

Celebrity Family Feud—Sunday, August 22, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Actor Bill Bellamy faces off against actress Vivica A. Fox as they battle it out for their chosen charities. In the next game, Major League Baseball alums confront their biggest competition when they go head-to-head against their wives to see who comes out on top.

Watch The Lion King Cast’s Emotional Reunion on the First Day of Broadway Rehearsals

August 19, 2021

By Zach Johnson

The Broadway cast of The Lion King began rehearsals this week for the company’s highly anticipated reopening on Tuesday, September 14, at the famed Minskoff Theatre. And today, our friends at Disney Theatrical Productions shared a special look at the company’s first day back together, which began with remarks by The Lion King’s Tony Award®-winning director, Disney Legend Julie Taymor, before the cast’s deeply moving first sing-thru of the show’s iconic opening number, “The Circle of Life,” led by Tshidi Manye as Rafiki.

In addition to Manye, the Broadway cast of the The Lion King includes Stephen Carlile as Scar, L. Steven Taylor as Mufasa, Pow as Zazu, Ben Jeffrey as Pumbaa, Fred Berman as Timon, Brandon A. McCall as Simba, Adrienne Walker as Nala, James Brown-Orleans as Banzai, Bonita J. Hamilton as Shenzi, and Robb Sapp as Ed. Vince Ermita and Corey J. alternate as Young Simba, and Alayna Martus and Sydney Elise Russell alternate as Young Nala.

The Lion King company also features Lawrence Keith Alexander, Cameron Amandus, Leanne Antonio, Andrew Arrington, India Bolds Browne, Lindiwe Dlamini, Zinhle Dube, Bongi Duma, Angelica Edwards, Jim Ferris, Rosie Lani Feldman, Daniel Gaymon, Pia Hamilton, Daniel Harder, Michael Alexander Henry, Michael Hollick, Pearl Khwezi, Lindsey Jackson, Lisa Lewis, Mduduzi Madela, Jaysin McCollum, Ray Mercer, S’bu Ngema, Nhlanhla Ngobeni, Nteliseng Nkhela, Jacqueline René, Kaylin Seckel, Kellen Stencil, Housso Semon, Derrick Spear, Michael Stiggers Jr., Jamie J. Thompson, Bravita Threatt, Natalie Turner, Donna Michelle Vaughan, Nicholas Ward, and Stephen Scott Wormley.

Approaching 24 landmark years on Broadway, The Lion King continues as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its premiere in 1997, 25 global productions have been seen by nearly 110 million people. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, under the direction of Thomas Schumacher, The Lion King has made theatrical history with six productions worldwide running 15 or more years and four others running 20 or more years.

Visit Disney on Broadway to purchase tickets for The Lion King now.