See the Teaser Trailer for Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red—Plus More in News Briefs

July 16, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Sneak Peek at Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red

Ready for more magic from Disney and Pixar? Check out the brand-new teaser trailer for their upcoming animated film Turning Red…

Young actress Rosalie Chiang lends her voice to Mei Lee, a 13-year-old who suddenly “poofs” into a giant red panda when she gets too excited (which is, much to her chagrin, practically always). Golden Globe® winner and Grey’s Anatomy vet Sandra Oh voices Mei Lee’s protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming, who is never far from her daughter—a very unfortunate reality for the teenager.

Directed by Pixar Animation Studios’ Domee Shi, who won an Oscar® for her 2018 short film Bao, and produced by Lindsey Collins, Turning Red is slated to debut on March 11, 2022.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

There’s a little something for everyone—from sitcom fans to music lovers of all ages—to watch from around the world of Disney this weekend. Look for a brand-new episode of Disney Channel’s Gabby Duran & the Unsittables, as well as Hulu’s debut of a new original series McCartney 3,2,1, starring the iconic Beatles legend himself. There’s more where that came from, so click here and mark your calendars accordingly.

ABC Announces Fall Premiere Dates for 2021–22 Season

The good folks over at ABC just announced their fall premiere dates for new and returning series during their upcoming 2021–22 season—so start laying in all your favorite snacks (and call dibs on your favorite spot on the couch!) now.

The much anticipated new coming-of-age comedy The Wonder Years—inspired by the beloved award-winning series of the same name and narrated by Don Cheadle—is set to debut on Wednesday, September 22… the same night, new seasons of The Goldbergs, The Conners, Home Economics, and A Million Little Things will also kick off. The following Monday, September 27, sees the return of The Good Doctor.

Meanwhile, the new female powerhouse drama Queens, starring Eve, Naturi Naughton, Nadine Velazquez, and Brandy, will premiere on Tuesday, October 19, following the season premiere of The Bachelorette with Michelle Young.

Thursday nights will be filled to the brim with memorable drama, as last fall’s No. 1 new series Big Sky joins Station 19 and Grey’s Anatomy on Thursdays beginning September 30. Earlier that same month, Dancing with the Stars begins its incredible 30th milestone season on Monday, September 20.

Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, Supermarket Sweep, and The Rookie all return on Sunday, September 26, while AFV brings its real-people shenanigans back to ABC one week later, on Sunday, October 3. Shark Tank reopens for business a few days later—on Friday, October 8—followed by the season premiere of ABC News’ 20/20.

There is so much amazing content to look forward to this fall from ABC… we cannot wait!

Check Out the Official Trailer for Behind the Attraction from Disney+

Earlier this week, Disney+ revealed the official trailer for Behind the Attraction—and if this doesn’t make you want to sprint as fast as possible to the nearest Disney park, we don’t know what will…

Narrated by Paget Brewster, Behind the Attraction is a 10-part series giving viewers an exclusive peek “behind the curtain” of the most beloved attractions and destinations at Disney Parks and Resorts around the world, from Jungle Cruise to it’s a small world, to the Haunted Mansion and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The show delves into Disney Parks’ rich, amazing history using archival and never-before-seen footage and photographs to unveil how the attractions came to be—and how they’ve been refined over the years as new ideas surface and technology evolves.

Behind the Attraction begins streaming on Disney+ on Wednesday, July 21, with five episodes at launch—including a look at Space Mountain and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror—with five additional episodes coming later this year. Stay tuned!

The Walt Disney Company Garners a Record Number of Emmy® Nominations

Here’s some big, big news that just dropped a few days ago: The Walt Disney Company racked up a serious amount of Emmy® Award nominations for the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards… with Disney+ leading the way, for the second year in a row, as Lucasfilm Ltd.’s The Mandalorian garnered a whopping 24 nominations. D23.com has a complete rundown on all the Emmy excitement right here.

Diary of a Future President Returns to Disney+ on August 18

Great news, Diary of a Future President fans (and if you’re not one yet, you should be!): The second season of the critically acclaimed Disney+ series kicks off on Wednesday, August 18, with all 10 episodes available for binge-worthy streaming.

Continuing the origin story of Cuban American and future leader Elena Cañero-Reed as she enters the seventh grade—and recounted through excerpts from 13-year-old Elena’s diary—this coming-of-age series follows Elena through the ups and downs of middle school which sets her on the path to becoming the President of the United States.

Created by showrunner Ilana Peña (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and loosely inspired by Peña’s own adolescence, the series has been applauded for its authentic portrayal of a Latinx tween and all her friends and family. Peña makes her directorial debut with the season’s ninth episode, and Gina Rodriguez—who costars as the adult Elena—directs the season premiere.

“We are so excited for season 2 and cannot wait to share this next chapter of Diary with viewers,” Peña recently said. “I promise you’ll laugh, I’m pretty sure you’ll cry, and most of all, I hope this season is as meaningful to watch as it was for all of us to make.”

Marvel Studios Gets Animated in Trailer for New Series What If…?

Disney+ recently debuted a new trailer for Marvel Studios’ What If…?—an original series that reimagines famous events from films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Creating a multiverse of infinite possibilities, What If…? features fan-favorite characters, including Peggy Carter, T’Challa, Doctor Strange, Killmonger, and Thor.

Marvel Studios’ first-ever animated series is directed by Bryan Andrews, with AC Bradley serving as head writer. Andrews and Bradley are also credited as executive producers alongside Kevin Feige and Brad Winderbaum. Featuring signature MCU action with a curious twist, Marvel Studios’ What If…? will premiere on the streaming service on Wednesday, August 11. From the looks of the trailer, there is a ton of adventure—not to mention twists and turns—in store…

ICYMI: Get the Inside Scoop on Disney Junior’s Mickey Mouse Funhouse

Calling all kids and kids at heart! Mickey Mouse Funhouse launches today (Friday, July 16) with Mickey the Brave!, a primetime special airing on Disney Junior at 7:30 p.m. EDT/PDT, followed by the series premiere Friday, August 20 (8 a.m. EDT/PDT), on both Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Find out what makes this series so special by taking a look at D23’s recent interview with Executive Producer/Supervising Director Phil Weinstein.

Wildly Creative: The Poster Art of Walt Disney’s Jungle Cruise

July 16, 2021July 12, 2021

By Holly Brobst, Walt Disney Archives

The world-famous Jungle Cruise attraction at Disneyland draws inspiration from Walt Disney’s acclaimed True-Life Adventures film series, as well as numerous far-off locales from around the world that are meant to inspire the intrepid. The original Jungle Cruise poster, seen below, was designed by artist Bjorn Aronson in 1955 using a complex process known as silkscreen printing.

Similar to stenciling, silkscreen printing is accomplished by “masking off” or covering different areas of the art. The artist then prints one color at a time, each time masking different color sections in succession. This Jungle Cruise attraction poster was silkscreened seven separate times to achieve its final appearance.

Over the years, original attraction posters like this from Disneyland, Walt Disney World Resort, and Disney’s international theme parks and resorts have come to be considered highly collectible examples of popular culture. Many have even been reproduced in smaller size for purchase by park Guests or reprinted in historical publications, further cementing their place as uniquely Disney works of art.

Everything New You Can Stream on Disney+ in August 2021

July 15, 2021August 20, 2021

By Beth Deitchman

A future president returns to Disney+ in August, and a brand-new animated series asks the question, “What if…?”

Five all-new short films make their Disney+ debut on Wednesday, August 4, in the second season of Short Circuit, an experimental, innovative program where anyone at Walt Disney Animation Studios can pitch an idea and get selected to create their own short film. If you could tell any story with the team of talented artists at Disney Animation, what would you create? That same day, new episodes of Marvel Studios Legends serve as an exciting refresher for the various heroes and villains making their way to the highly anticipated streaming shows premiering on Disney+, setting the stage for the upcoming adventures. New episodes feature Peggy Carter, The Avengers Initiative, and The Ravagers.

Just one week later on August 11, What If…? flips the script on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), reimagining famous events from the films in unexpected ways. Marvel Studios’ first animated series focuses on different heroes from the MCU, featuring a voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their roles.

In August we’ll bid farewell to The Mysterious Benedict Society, which lowers the curtain on its eight-episode season on August 6. And on August 18, season two of Diary of a Future President continues the origin story of Cuban American and future leader Elena Cañero-Reed as she enters the seventh grade. Told using the narration of excerpts from Elena’s diary, the family comedy follows Elena through the ups and downs of middle school which set her on the path to becoming President of the United States.

You’ll go wild over Growing Up Animal, which also makes its debut on August 18. The six-episodes follow intimate and extraordinary adventures of baby animals, from the safety of the womb to the uncertainty of birth and their tentative first steps. Each episode sees the incredible transformation of a different iconic animal, full of wonder and emotion. Growing Up Animal is the magical story of a mother’s instinct to nurture and her infant’s drive to survive.

And on August 25, take a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a celebrated “chapter” of The Mandalorian in Disney Gallery: Star Wars: The Mandalorian—Making of the Season 2 Finale. Focusing on the technology used for recreating Luke Skywalker, the special episode delves into the collaborative process, including working with Mark Hamill, to create an authentic and fitting recreation, and explores the immense pressure and responsibility the filmmakers had in bringing back one of the most important characters in film history.

All the titles coming to Disney+ in August are listed below:

Wednesday, August 4
America’s Funniest Home Videos: Animal Edition (Season 1)
Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog (Season 1, Episode: “Fit For Service”)
Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog (Season 1, Episode: “One Brick At A Time”)
Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life (Episode 102: “The Whole Package / Bird Brains / Acorn In My Side”)
Fancy Nancy (Season 2)
Marvel Studios Legends (New episodes)
Monsters at Work (Episode 106 “The Vending Machine”)
Short Circuit (Season 2 Premiere)(“Dinosaur Barbarian,” “Going Home,” “Crosswalk,” “Songs to Sing in the Dark,” “No. 2 to Kettering”)
Turner & Hooch (Episode 103 “Diamonds are Furever”)

Friday, August 6
Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2
Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva La Fiesta!
Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted (Season 3, Episode: “Finland’s Midnight Sun”)
Killer Shark Vs. Killer Whale
Mrs. Doubtfire
The Mysterious Benedict Society (Series Finale, Episode 108)
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Episode 115)

Wednesday, August 11
Breaking Bobby Bones (Season 1, eight episodes)
Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog (Season 1, Episode: “Front Of The Pack”)
Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog (Season 1, Episode: “Canine Quarantine”)
Chicken Squad (Season 1, seven episodes)
Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life (Episode 103: “The Jungle / The Flight / Deep Dive”)
Gabby Duran & The Unsittables (Season 2, 10 episodes)
Monsters at Work (Episode 107: “Adorable Returns”)
Turner & Hooch (Episode 104: “In The Line Of Fur”)
What If…? (Series premiere, Episode 101)

Friday, August 13
Aquamarine
Shark Attack Files (Season 1, Episode: “Sharks Gone Rogue”)
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Episode 116)

Wednesday, August 18
Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog (Season 1, Episode: “Pack Attack”)
Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog (Season 1, Episode: “Blind Faith”)
Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life (Episode 104: “A Nut You Can’t Refuse / Chipmunks Away / Ruff Justice”
Diary of a Future President (Season 2 premiere)
Growing Up Animal (Season 1 premiere)
Monsters at Work (Episode 108: “Little Monsters”)
The Owl House (Season 2, five episodes)
Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet (Season 9)
Life Below Zero: Next Generation (Season 1)
Life Below Zero: Next Generation (Season 2)
Turner & Hooch (Episode 105 “Road To Smell Dorado”)
What If…? (Episode 102)

Friday, August 20
Eragon

Wednesday, August 25

Behind the Attraction (New Episodes: “The Castles,” “Disneyland Hotel,” “it’s a small world,” “Trains, Trams, and Monorails,” and “Hall of Presidents”)
Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog (Season 1, Episode: “Twin Trouble”)
Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog (Season 1, Episode: “Dogs V Cats”)
Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life (Episode 105: “Dog In The House / Cone Alone / Highway To Hugs”)
Disney Gallery: Star Wars: The Mandalorian—Making of the Season 2 Finale (special episode)
Dr. K’s Exotic Animal ER (Season 9)
Gigantosaurus (Season 2)
Monsters at Work (Episode 109: “Bad Hair Day”)
Turner & Hooch (Episode 106: “The Fur-gitive”)
Wicked Tuna (Season 10, 12 episodes)
What If…? (Episode 103)

Friday, August 27
Cruella
Dan in Real Life
Disney Princess Remixed: An Ultimate Princess Celebration
Underdog

A True-Life Jungle Cruise with National Geographic: The Congo River

July 15, 2021August 2, 2021

By Justin Arthur and the National Geographic Image Collection

In celebration of the “gnu” excitement coming to the Jungle Cruise attractions at Disneyland Park and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom this summer, along with the Disney’s Jungle Cruise film, in theaters and on Disney+ Premiere Access on July 30, D23 is teaming up with the National Geographic Image Collection to explore some of the real-life rivers that have inspired Adventureland over the years! If you missed our first adventure on the Mekong River, be sure to check it out here!

Our next photo safari takes us to the Congo River, which flows into the heart of the African continent. In Adventureland, it is home to bellowing hippos, safari camps overrun with gorillas, and snapping crocodiles!

The National Geographic Image Collection archives began in 1919 as an illustration library, and contains over 64.5 million still images dating back to the 1860s. This ever-growing Image collection is carefully preserved, curated and digitized, with amazing photos from the pages of National Geographic magazine constantly added, making it one of the most significant photo collections in the world. D23 is pleased to partner with the expert team at the Image Collection to offer a glimpse into this vast archive and celebrate the Jungle Cruise!

The real-world Congo, the most powerful river in Africa, spans almost 3,000 miles into the heart of the continent. Beginning in the highlands of the East Africa Rift, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Mweru, the Congo flows through savannah, swamp, thick tropical rainforest, and over several epic waterfalls, such as Stanley Falls, Livingstone Falls, and Inga Falls. (Sadly, not Schweitzer Falls!) The second longest river in Africa (unless you’re in de-Nile), the Congo crosses the equator twice before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. A variety of incredible wildlife call the Congo Basin home, including chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, elephants, and buffalo. Humans have even populated this area for more than 50,000 years, and it now is home to over 150 distinct ethnic groups who depend on these rich ecosystems for their survival.

Thanks for joining our true-life Jungle Cruise on the Congo River, and be sure to join us next week as we explore another incredible destination with National Geographic. Now everyone, please watch your head and your step as you exit the boat. If you miss your step and hit your head, please watch your language!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021

By Zach Johnson

This weekend has it all: aliens, animals—even a Beatle!

On Friday, Disney Channel will air an all-new, laugh-out-loud episode of Gabby Duran & the Unsittables. That same day, Disney+ will add the 2011 film We Bought a Zoo to its streaming library, just as Hulu will debut a new original series: McCartney 3,2,1. On Saturday afternoon, FXM will broadcast the 1980 comedy 9 to 5, and Freeform will air Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award®-winning 2003 film Finding Nemo later that evening.

Gabby Duran & the Unsittables—Friday, July 16, at 8:24 p.m. ET on Disney Channel
After Gabby (Kylie Durran) leaves Jeremy (Callan Farris) alone during a babysitting job, she later discovers he lost a bet with Jimbuk (voice of Chris Britton)—and now he’s lost Swift’s house! Together, they must find the house before Swift (Nathan Lovejoy) returns.

We Bought a Zoo—Friday, July 16, on Disney+
Directed by Cameron Crowe and loosely inspired by Benjamin Mee’s memoir of the same name, this inspiring true story stars Matt Damon as a single dad who moves to a home that’s situated in the middle of a zoo. The reason for the move? He wants to give his kids a much-needed fresh start. Thomas Haden Church, Elle Fanning, Colin Ford, Patrick Fugit, John Michael Higgins, Scarlett Johansson, and Maggie Elizabeth Jones round out the cast.

McCartney 3,2,1—Friday, July 16, on Hulu
Paul McCartney sits down for a rare, in-depth, one-on-one interview with legendary producer Rick Rubin to discuss his groundbreaking work with The Beatles, the emblematic ’70s arena rock of Wings, and his 50 years and counting as a solo artist. The six-episode series, directed by Zachary Heinzerling, offers new insights into McCartney’s relationships with George Harrison, John Lennon, George Martin, and Ringo Starr, as well as how his artistic influences, like Johann Sebastian Bachto and Fela Kuti, inspired his own musicality.

9 to 5—Saturday, July 17, at 12:10 p.m. ET on FXM
Stuck in a dead-end job under a boss (Dabney Coleman) that she trained, Violet Newstead (Lily Tomlin) is at her wit’s end. But after the egotistic boss’ secretary, Doralee Rhodes (Dolly Parton), and new hire Judy Bernly (Jane Fonda) decide they’ve had enough, too, their revenge fantasy becomes hilarious reality in a scheme that spins wildly out of control.

Finding Nemo—Saturday, July 17, at 5:55 p.m. ET on Freeform
Young clownfish Nemo (voice of Alexander Gould) is tragically stolen away from the safety of his undersea home at the Great Barrier Reef, ending up in a dentist’s office fish tank overlooking Sydney harbor. Nemo’s cautious father, Marlin (voice of Albert Brooks), sets off to rescue him, accompanied by Dory (voice of Ellen DeGeneres), a Regal Blue Tang fish.

This Summer, Sideshow Has Once Again Declared ‘The Con is On!’

July 15, 2021July 13, 2021

By the D23 Team

No lines, no crowds, no problem. Returning after last year’s first-of-its-kind virtual and physical hybrid convention event, Sideshow Con 2021 brings fans seven days of pop culture celebration and exciting new collectibles from Monday, July 19th — Sunday, July 25th. This in-depth event features a custom-built booth space designed to spotlight the latest creations from highly sought-after collectibles makers like Hot Toys, Sideshow, and more.

Eager collectors can expect to see dozens of new and upcoming figures and statues from some of their favorite Disney properties during the week as well as experience exciting live and interactive content including giveaways, discounts, livestreams, and more.

D23 has your first sneak peek at some of the incredible Star Wars™ and Marvel collectibles fans will get a closer look at during the show. Here’s just a hint of what you can expect to see at the booth.

From the Star Wars™ Galaxy!
Star Wars is out in full Force with new statues and figures from Hot Toys and Sideshow alike!

Exclusively revealed by D23 earlier this year, Sideshow’s Ahsoka Tano™ Premium Format™ Figure makes her vibrant return, as everyone’s favorite Togruta™ wields her lightsabers in an action-packed scene inspired by Star Wars: Rebels.

Animation fans will have plenty more to be excited over with an even closer look at the upcoming Anakin Skywalker™ Sixth Scale Figure and Obi-Wan Kenobi™ Sixth Scale Figure from Sideshow, each based on the iconic style of The Clone Wars series. These highly poseable figures feature carefully tailored costumes, unique facial sculpts, and a variety of accessories for dynamic displays in your home collection.

Hot Toys collectors will want to have their Beskar all in order for a bountiful display of fan-favorite characters from The Mandalorian™, including The Mandalorian™ and Grogu™ Deluxe Sixth Scale Figure Set, featuring Din Djarin’s chrome-plated armor, the Beskar spear and Darksaber accessory for posing, and an adorable in-scale Grogu figure with a newly developed headsculpt for incredible accuracy to the character’s on-screen appearance.

All these and more collectibles from a galaxy far, far away await fans during the Sideshow Con 2021 festivities!

Marvel Universe Must-Haves!
Chaos magic and clashing heroes are coming your way as a part of the Marvel reveals for Sideshow Con with new debuts from Hot Toys and Sideshow.

Celebrate the streaming hit series WandaVision with the Scarlet Witch Sixth Scale Figure by Hot Toys. This highly articulated and incredibly detailed figure is crafted based on the likeness of Elizabeth Olsen in her series finale costume and includes accessories and features like the Darkhold book and a luminous reflective effect on her eyes to emulate the Scarlet Witch taking her magic to new heights.

Accompanying Wanda is the Vision Sixth Scale Figure, meticulously recreated by the artists at Hot Toys to capture the stunning details of the synthezoid’s mechanical features. Overlaid with a skillfully tailored costume and cape, Vision includes a specially designed figure stand and a Hex themed backdrop for an even more immersive display—for those without reality-warping powers.

Sideshow is set to show fans a closer look at two iconic heroes battling head-to-head in the Hulk vs Hulkbuster Maquette. This action-packed Avengers statue measures over 19 inches tall and 21 inches wide, sculpted to capture the rampaging Hulk taking on Tony Stark’s signature tech. The maquette features lighting effects in the eyes, arc reactor, and repulsors of the Hulkbuster suit, making this a smashing scene for collectors to bring home.

Collectors can enjoy an entire multiverse-worth of even more Marvel collectibles to be revealed throughout the week!

Fans can pre-register for priority access to convention-exclusive collectibles by visiting side.show/con. Registration is totally free and also provides eligibility for random Sideshow Rewards opportunities and more during the event. Celebrate pop culture from the comfort of your own home. Don’t miss Sideshow Con 2021!

There’s So Much Disney History Built Into the Foundation of Mickey Mouse Funhouse

July 14, 2021July 12, 2021

By Beth Deitchman

Disney Junior’s Mickey Mouse Funhouse is designed for the youngest of viewers, but it’s sure to enchant Disney fans of all ages. The animated series launches Friday, July 16 with Mickey the Brave!, a primetime special airing on Disney Junior at 7:30 p.m. EDT/PDT, followed by the series premiere Friday, August 20 (8 a.m. EDT/PDT), on both Disney Channel and Disney Junior. The special introduces Funny, an enchanted talking playhouse, and marks the beginning of brand-new adventures for Mickey and the rest of the Sensational Six in a vibrant new world that’s been inspired by Disney’s rich history.

Executive Producer/Supervising Director Phil Weinstein (pictured above), who most recently served as director for Disney Junior’s Emmy®-nominated Mickey and the Roadster Racers and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, felt it was important from the outset to establish that these new stories take place in a world that’s different from Hot Dog Hills, where the most recent Mickey Mouse preschool series have been set. “I almost thought of it like Los Angeles is Hot Dog Hills, and Big Bear is Funhouse Forest—a couple hours away by car,” he explains. Mickey the Brave! takes the Sensational Six—and Disney Junior’s preschool audience—on a journey. After their arrival in Funhouse Forest, they venture inside Funny the Funhouse where they climb the Stairs to Anywhere and step through one of the Adventure Doors. In the primetime special, that door leads to the kingdom of Majestica, where the gang encounters a mischief-making dragon named Farfus. And when the series continues in August, the possibilities for adventure will be limitless—as are the nods to Disney’s rich history that Disney fans will discover in every 11-minute story.

In addition to Mickey, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, and Pluto, Disney fans will encounter a host of other familiar faces in Mickey Mouse Funhouse. Clarabelle Cow and Pete both make an appearance in Mickey the Brave!, and Weinstein promises that other beloved heritage characters will turn up, as well. “I don’t want to spoil anything, but we’ve got them all,” he says.

Weinstein began his career as a storyboard artist on Darkwing Duck, Winnie the Pooh, The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride, and Boo to You Too! Winnie the Pooh, for which he received an Emmy Award. But his love for Disney animation goes back further than that. Weinstein points to an autograph from Mickey Mouse that he received during a first visit to Walt Disney World as a precious memento from his childhood. And later, when he moved to Los Angeles, Weinstein got to know Disney Legends Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston through his wife, who worked for the two members of the Nine Old Men after they’d retired from The Walt Disney Company. “I think that’s when my love of it grew more as a grown-up than as a kid, from that experience of learning from those two legends,” he shares. The lessons Weinstein learned from Thomas and Johnston continue to guide his work today on Mickey Mouse Funhouse—from the idea of staying loose and looking for inspiration from even simple walks around the house, to using the silhouette as a kind of test to make sure animation is reading properly. The trick, Weinstein explains, involves drawing a character and filling in the design with a black marker. If you can still tell what the character is doing—walking, running, or something completely different—and read the action, you’re on the right track. “And if you can’t, then you’ve got to repose that character in such a way that the silhouette reads,” Weinstein states.

To inform the design of the backgrounds and settings in Mickey Mouse Funhouse, art director Alan Bodner (pictured above) also looked to the Disney’s incredible legacy of animation and entertainment. “It’s really going to be a tribute to all Disney,” he says. The lifelong Disney fan remembers the experience of looking into a View-Master and seeing how the toy could bring Disney animation to life in a rich, immersive way, and it was his intent to evoke the same feeling with the design for the new series. The Sensational Six’s adventures will take them to the old west, to a world that’s evocative of Greek mythology, and even underwater, Bodner reveals, so to create these disparate locales—and ensure that they felt true to the wonderful worlds of Disney—his initial jumping-off point was another iconic series.

“I’ve always loved the classic Mickey Mouse Club, and when we started to talk about the feeling that we wanted to have with this show—a little more traditional-looking and more whimsical and storybook-like—I thought it would be wonderful to kind of reference some of those sets that Annette Funicello and all of the Mouseketeers were performing in front of,” he recalls. The sets, which ran the gamut from western towns to the circus, were filled with character, and Bodner says, “To me, that’s a hallmark of Disney styling.” He also looked to the playfulness and beauty of Disney Legend Mary Blair’s designs for “Once Upon a Wintertime” [from Melody Time] and Alice in Wonderland, as well as other classic titles such as Sleeping Beauty and The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.

Bodner’s Disney credits include Disney Channel’s Tangled: The Series (which earned him an Emmy), as well as Kim Possible, Phineas & Ferb, and Cinderella II. And this isn’t his first experience with the Sensational Six; Bodner was an art director on the holiday favorites Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas and Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas. To create the world of Mickey Mouse Funhouse, Bodner and his team also stepped into the world of Mickey—literally—through research at Disneyland Park’s Toontown, where they took a close look at the whimsical architecture that’s so much a part of the land. Though they always wanted to define their own style for Funhouse Forest, Bodner emphasizes how helpful it was to study how unconventional shapes and forms play off each other in Toontown. “It didn’t have to be symmetrical,” he says of the world they were designing. “[In Toontown,] everything is kind of off-kilter, yet when you’re standing in it, it fits the characters because they’re kind of round-y, happy shapes. They really work well together.”

In talking with Weinstein and Bodner, it’s abundantly clear that Mickey Mouse Funhouse is made for Disney fans by Disney fans. Viewers won’t have to look very closely to find Easter eggs that have been hidden in the series. For example, when Funny transforms into a castle in Mickey the Brave!, the palace looks very familiar… and the fanfare that accompanies the moment will hit you like a bolt out of the blue. And hidden Mickeys are truly everywhere. “Always look to the sky! Always look at the foliage. And then keep an eye out on patterns—wall patterns, etc.,” Weinstein hints.

That playful element adds a dimension that will make Mickey Mouse Funhouse a series that Disney fans of all ages can enjoy together, because while the message is geared toward younger audiences, the themes are universal—especially for Disney fans. “I think we’ve taken some pretty new and kind of broad concepts, but hopefully when you watch it you’re just very accepting of a room stretching and the ceiling opening up and then going through a door and being transported to another land—which is just all about thinking creatively, thinking freely, and having fun doing it,” Weinstein says. “It’s 100 percent about imagination.”

Check out the Lilo & Stitch Art on Display at the Inside the Walt Disney Archives Exhibition

July 14, 2021

By the D23 Team

The exhibition Inside the Walt Disney Archives, which opens at the Graceland Exhibition Center starting July 23, 2021, will feature some unique art pieces to celebrate the exhibit’s current location. Along with the dazzling display of more than 450 objects, including original artwork, costumes, and props that tell the story of the Archives, The Walt Disney Company, and Walt Disney himself, the exhibit will feature art from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Lilo & Stitch, including an image of the characters from the film visiting Graceland!

lilo & stitch archives — Background painting, Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Artist: William T. Silvers Jr.
Courtesy of the Walt Disney Animation Research Library

In traditional hand-drawn animation, background paintings are the stages on which the animated characters “act.” This painting from the 2002 animated feature Lilo & Stitch depicts a souvenir photograph of David, Stitch, Lilo, and Nani visiting Graceland, one of many memorable photographs in Lilo’s collection shown in the film’s end-credit sequence.

Story sketches are created to help the filmmakers visualize and refine the story before committing resources to actual production. In this case, these sketches from the 2002 animated feature Lilo & Stitch illustrate the alien, Stitch, causing a sensation on the shores of Hawaii dressed as a certain well-known pioneer of rock and roll.

See the art in person when you visit the exhibit—and don’t forget, D23 Gold Members get 20% off tickets to Inside the Walt Disney Archives through this exclusive offer. The exhibit will continue through January 2, 2022, and will include a wide array of special events for people of all ages, including a special D23 Gold Member preview. To see the full schedule and purchase tickets or hotel packages, please visit Graceland’s website.

Disney Earns a Record 166 Primetime Emmy® Award Nominations

July 13, 2021July 13, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Television’s biggest night is right around the corner!

The Walt Disney Company proudly announces an impressive 166 nominations for the 73rd Primetime Emmy® Awards. While the Television Academy announced the attributed total number as 146, the Company additionally recognizes all the programming produced for third party platforms and by all its production and studio entities. The Company’s nominations span 85 categories and 38 titles, and winners will be revealed September 19.

For the second year in a row, Disney+ leads the way with Lucasfilm Ltd.’s The Mandalorian garnering 24 nominations, including Outstanding Dramas Series. Additionally, Disney+’s limited series from Marvel Studios WandaVision received 23 honors, including a nomination for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress (Elizabeth Olsen) and Outstanding Lead Actor (Paul Bettany) in a Limited or Anthology Series. Similarly, Disney+’s Hamilton became a fan-favorite this year with 12 total nominations, including two nods for Outstanding Lead Actor—Lin-Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr.—and a nomination for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded). Marvel Studios and Disney+’s The Falcon and The Winter Soldier scored five nominations, including one for Don Cheadle, who is up for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.

Hulu Original The Handmaid’s Tale netted a series-best 21 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series and a Lead Actress nod for Elisabeth Moss, making season four the most nominated season to date. Additionally, Pen15 earned the platform its first Outstanding Comedy Series nomination, and Aidy Bryant earned her first lead actress nomination for Shrill. National Geographic scored 13 total nods, including Cynthia Erivo’s critically acclaimed performance in Genius: Aretha, as well as reality and documentary programming City So Real and Secrets of the Whales. FX’s Pose earned 10 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, as well as Outstanding Lead Actor for Billy Porter and a historic first-ever nomination for a transgender nominee for Mj Rodriguez as Outstanding Lead Actress. FX’s much-talked-about The New York Times Presents: Framing Britney Spears also received two nominations, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special.

ABC’s black-ish earned a series-best of six nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Lead Actor (Anthony Anderson) and Lead Actress (Tracee Ellis Ross). This marks Anderson’s seventh nomination, making him the most nominated Black actor in Emmy history in the Lead Actor in a Comedy Series category. Additional series with multiple nominations include 20th Television-produced This Is Us and ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.

Congratulations to all of The Walt Disney Company’s nominees:

The Mandalorian (Disney+/Lucasfilm Ltd.)
24 Nominations

Outstanding Drama Series
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Giancarlo Esposito
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series – Carl Weathers
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series – Timothy Olyphant
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series – Disney Legend Jon Favreau
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series – “Chapter 13: The Jedi”
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series – “Chapter 16: The Rescue”
Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More) – “Chapter 13: The Jedi”
Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series
Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour) – “Chapter 15: The Believer”
Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (One Hour) – “Chapter 13: The Jedi”
Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes – “Chapter 13: The Jedi”
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series – “Chapter 11: The Heiress”
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series – “Chapter 13: The Jedi”
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series – “Chapter 15: The Believer”
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series – “Chapter 16: The Rescue”
Outstanding Period and/or Character Hairstyling – “Chapter 16: The Rescue”
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup – “Chapter 13: The Jedi”
Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) – “Chapter 16: The Rescue”
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) – “Chapter 13: The Jedi”
Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or a Movie
Outstanding Stunt Coordination
Outstanding Stunt Performance – “Chapter 16: The Rescue”
Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More) – “Chapter 13: The Jedi”

WandaVision (Disney+/Marvel Studios)
23 Nominations

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Paul Bettany
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Elizabeth Olsen
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Kathryn Hahn
Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – “Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience”
Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – “Previously on”
Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Program (Half-Hour)
Outstanding Casting for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes – “Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience”
Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – “On A Very Special Episode…”
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – “The Series Finale”
Outstanding Period and/or Character Hairstyling
Outstanding Main Title Design
Outstanding Period and/or Character Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) – “Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience”
Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score) – “Previously On”
Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics – “Agatha All Along”
Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music
Outstanding Music Supervision
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special – “The Series Finale”
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – “The Series Finale”
Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or A Movie
Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – “All-New Halloween Spooktacular!”

The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu Original)
21 Nominations

Outstanding Drama Series
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series – Elisabeth Moss
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – O-T Fagbenle
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Max Minghella
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Bradley Whitford
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Madeline Brewer
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Ann Dowd
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Yvonne Strahovski
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Samira Wiley
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series – Alexis Bledel
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series – Mckenna Grace
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series – “Home”
Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary Program (One Hour or More)
Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series
Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling – “Vows”
Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) – “Pigs”
Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) – “The Crossing”
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour)
Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes

Hamilton (Disney+)
12 Nominations

Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Lin-Manuel Miranda
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Leslie Odom Jr.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Daveed Diggs
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Anthony Ramos
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Jonathan Groff
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Phillipa Soo
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Renee Elise Goldsberry
Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special
Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Special

Pose (FX/20th Television/FX Productions)
10 Nominations

Outstanding Drama Series
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Billy Porter
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series – Mj Rodriguez
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series – “Series Finale”
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series – “Series Finale”
Outstanding Contemporary Costumes
Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling
Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic)
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup
Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series – Pose: Identity, Family, Community

black-ish (ABC/ABC Signature)
6 Nominations

Outstanding Comedy Series
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Anthony Anderson
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series – Tracee Ellis Ross
Outstanding Contemporary Costumes
Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Stacey Abrams

This Is Us (20th Television)
6 Nominations

Outstanding Drama Series
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Sterling K. Brown
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Chris Sullivan
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series – Phylicia Rashad
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup
Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)

Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
5 Nominations

Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming – Artem Chigvintsev, Choreographer
Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming – Derek Hough, Choreographer
Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program
Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Series
Outstanding Contemporary Makeup for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program (Non-Prosthetic)

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (Disney+/Marvel Studios)
5 Nominations

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series –Don Cheadle
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) – “One World, One People”
Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or a Movie
Outstanding Stunt Coordination
Outstanding Stunt Performance – “Truth”

The Oscars® (ABC)
4 Nominations

Outstanding Variety Special (Live)
Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special
Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special
Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Special

Ratched (20th Television)
4 Nominations

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series – Sophie Okonedo
Outstanding Period Costumes
Outstanding Period and/or Character Hairstyling
Outstanding Period and/or Character Makeup (Non-Prosthetic)

Fargo (FX/FX Productions)
3 Nominations

Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie
Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score)
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special

Genius: Aretha (National Geographic/20th Television)
3 Nominations

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Cynthia Erivo
Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Life Below Zero (National Geographic)
3 Nominations

Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera)
Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program
Outstanding Picture Editing for an Unstructured Reality Program

Pen15 (Hulu Original)
3 Nominations

Outstanding Comedy Series
Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

The Politician (20th Television)
3 Nominations

Outstanding Contemporary Costumes
Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling
Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic)

Secrets of the Whales (Disney+/National Geographic)
3 Nominations

Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program
Outstanding Narrator – Sigourney Weaver

Shark Tank (ABC)
3 Nominations

Outstanding Structured Reality Program
Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program – Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, Kevin O’Leary
Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program

Central Park (20th Television Animation)
2 Nominations

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Tituss Burgess
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Stanley Tucci

City So Real (National Geographic)
2 Nominations

Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program

The Conners (ABC)
2 Nominations

Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series
Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series

Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC/ABC Signature)
2 Nominations

Outstanding Variety Talk Series
Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Series

The New York Times Presents: Framing Britney Spears (FX)
2 Nominations

Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program

Archer (FX/FX Productions)
1 Nomination

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Jessica Walter

Becoming (Disney+)
1 Nomination

Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program

Bob’s Burgers (20th Television Animation)
1 Nomination

Outstanding Animated Program

The Disney Holiday Singalong (ABC)
1 Nomination

Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming – Derek Hough, Choreographer

Family Guy (20th Television Animation)
1 Nomination

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Seth MacFarlane

grown-ish (Freeform/ ABC Signature)
1 Nomination

Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour)

Inside Pixar (Disney+/Pixar Animation Studios)
1 Nomination

Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series

Last Man Standing (20th Television)
1 Nomination

Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series

Maggie Simpson in: The Force Awakens from Its Nap (Disney+/20th Television Animation)
1 Nomination

Outstanding Short Form Animated Program

Once Upon a Snowman (Disney+/Walt Disney Animation Studios)
1 Nomination

Outstanding Short Form Animated Program

Rebuilding Paradise (National Geographic)
1 Nomination

Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program

Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia (Lincoln Square Productions)
1 Nomination

Outstanding Television Movie

Running Wild with Bear Grylls (National Geographic)
1 Nomination

Outstanding Structured Reality Program

Shrill (Hulu Original)
1 Nomination

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series – Aidy Bryant

The Simpsons (20th Television Animation)
1 Nomination

Outstanding Animated Program

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

July 12, 2021July 19, 2021

By Zach Johnson

National Geographic’s SHARKFEST continues on Monday with the marquee special Shark Attack Investigation: The Paige Winter Story, where experts unpack the details of Paige Winter’s attack and share the inspirational story of her continued shark advocacy. Two days later, Marvel Studios’ Loki reaches a magical and mischievous climax on Disney+. That same night, Good Trouble returns on Freeform, and on Thursday, American Horror Stories begins streaming exclusively on FX on Hulu. Last but not least, Mickey the Brave!, a Disney Junior primetime special preceding the series debut of Mickey Mouse Funhouse, airs Friday.

Shark Attack Investigation: The Paige Winter Story—Monday, July 12, at 10 p.m. ET on National Geographic
Paige Winter was only 17 years old when she lost a leg and portion of her hand to a shark. Now, experts are unpacking the details of Winter’s attack to determine what kind of shark is responsible for her injury and what, if anything, can be done to prevent this from ever reoccurring. Despite all she has endured, this inspirational teen remains an advocate for sharks and, with the help of professionals, takes brave steps to overcome her greatest fears.

Loki—Wednesday, July 14, on Disney+
After escaping Alioth, thanks to Classic Loki (Richard E. Grant) realizing his glorious purpose, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) hope to finally face whoever is behind all of this. (This being the Time Variance Authority, of course.) But what—or who—will Loki and Sylvie find in that just-discovered castle? Only time will tell…

Good Trouble—Wednesday, July 14, at 10 p.m. ET on Freeform
In “Knocked Down,” Callie (Maia Mitchell) and Gael (Tommy Martinez) decide to give their relationship a shot. Meanwhile, Malika (Zuri Adele) is blindsided by news from Isaac (Sarunas J. Jackson); Alice (Sherry Cola) returns to the comedy program after getting some unlikely help; and Davia (Emma Hunton) feels confused after Dennis (Josh Pence) returns.

American Horror Stories—Thursday, July 15, on FX on Hulu
Intended for an adult audience, this new anthology series packs plenty of chills and thrills. A spinoff of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s award-winning American Horror Story, a different horror story is featured each episode. Cast members include Madison Bailey, Matt Bomer, Dyllón Burnside, Ashley Martin Carter, Gavin Creel, Belissa Escobedo, Rhenzy Feliz, Virginia Gardner, Kaia Gerber, Amy Grabow, Nico Greetham, Naomi Grossman, Paris Jackson, Billie Lourd, John Carol Lynch, Sierra McCormick, Kevin McHale, Charles Melton, Danny Trejo, Aaron Tveit, and Kyle Red Silverstein, among others.

Mickey the Brave! —Friday, July 16, at 7:30 p.m. ET on Disney Channel
The all-new series Mickey Mouse Funhouse debuts with a primetime special in which Mickey Mouse and his pals befriend Funny (voice of Harvey Guillén), an enchanted talking playhouse with the power to lead them on adventures to anywhere their imaginations can take them. In Mickey the Brave!, Funny transports the Sensational Six to the Kingdom of Majestica, where they encounter Farfus, a dragon who’s been causing trouble in a village.