5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

March 4, 2021

By Zach Johnson

What in the worlds of Disney are you watching this weekend? Disney+ is adding the 2006 comedy Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties to its library Friday, the same day Hulu premieres its original movie Boss Level. Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of Disney and Pixar’s Onward being released in theaters, and you can celebrate by streaming it on Disney+. That night, Nat Geo WILD will air the season finale of The Incredible Dr. Pol. Then join us Sunday in celebrating the 13th anniversary of College Road Trip by streaming it on Disney+.

Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties—Friday, March 5, on Disney+
America’s favorite cat, Garfield (voice of Bill Murray), follows Jon (Breckin Meyer) and Odie to England, where he receives the royal treatment after being mistaken for Prince, an heir to a grand castle. Garfield and his doppelgänger decide to trade places, and soon he is living large—as only Garfield can! However, the funny feline will need all nine lives to foil the plans of evil Lord Dargis (Billy Connolly), who wants to convert the castle into a resort.

Boss Level—Friday, March 5, on Hulu
Every morning, assassins kill Roy Pulver (Frank Grillo) in new and gruesome ways. A former Delta Force member, Roy is determined to figure out why he’s stuck in this repeating loop in time and space. He also needs to save his ex-wife, Jemma Wells, (Naomi Watts) and his 11-year-old son, Joe (Rio Grillo), and figure out what evil military scientist Ventor (Mel Gibson) wants with something called “The Osiris Spindle.” By setting things right, Roy can become the best version of himself… if only he can save himself from being killed yet again.

Onward—Saturday, March 6, on Disney+
On his 16th birthday, elf Ian Lightfoot (voice of Tom Holland) finds himself wanting to become better, bolder—more like his late father, Wilden (voice of Kyle Bornheimer), whom he never met. Fatefully, Ian gets the opportunity to do just that after his mother, Laurel (voice of Julia Louis-Dreyfus), surprises him with a gift from Wilden: a wizard’s staff and an incantation. Conjured properly, the spell would give both Ian and his big brother, Barley (voice of Chris Pratt), one more day with their dad. It unfortunately goes awry, so they embark on an extraordinary quest to see if there’s still a little magic left in the world.

The Incredible Dr. Pol—Saturday, March 6, at 9 p.m. ET on Nat Geo WILD
In the season finale, “One Year Pol-der,” the Pol Veterinary Services staff ensures every animal has a fighting chance. From tiny puppies and rabbits, to large cows and horses, to creepy crawlies, this episode of The Incredible Dr. Pol is a mix of, “aww,” “wow,” and “yuck!”

College Road Trip—Sunday, March 7, on Disney+
Melanie Porter (Raven-Symoné) is eagerly awaiting to her first big step towards independence: a girls-only road trip to check out prospective colleges. But this rite of passage takes a wrong turn when her overprotective father, police chief James (Martin Lawrence), insists on escorting her from their home in Chicago to a college interview in Washington, D.C. Along the way, they meet an alarmingly cheerful parent, Doug (Donny Osmond); their car breaks down; and James finds his, son Trey (Eshaya Draper), and pet pig stowed away in the trunk. Worst of all, James gets caught spying on his daughter at a sorority house! Over time, however, James begins to accept that his baby girl is growing up.

Meet the Dazzling Dragons of the 2021 D23 March Hare Mania Bracket

March 4, 2021March 4, 2021

By Jocelyn Buhlman

These fearsome firebreathers are classic characters in Disney stories—and now we’re putting them to the test against another set of rambunctious reptiles: Dragons! This year’s D23 March Hare Mania bracket asks you to vote for your favorite Disney dinos and dragons to see who will reign supreme. Is your voting decision-making process starting to drag on? We can help you choose! Read on to meet these dazzling dragons competing for the prize:

The Reluctant Dragon
The titular character of 1941 film The Reluctant Dragon, this fellow is named for his disinterest in typical “dragon-like” behavior. If you find yourself going against the grain when it comes to expectations, you might relate to this charming character. Rather than battle or scourge countrysides, The Reluctant Dragon would prefer to peacefully read poetry. Just don’t call him a “punk poet” or you may start to see some smoke!

Figment
“From head to tail, he’s royal purple pigment… And there—Voila! You’ve got a Figment!” This precocious purple pal is beloved by Disney Parks fans for his inquisitive nature and optimistic spirit. Figment has a long history at EPCOT inspiring imagination in Disney fans who visit the Journey Into Imagination with Figment attraction at the Imagination Pavilion. If you’re a Figment fan yourself, be sure to check out the 2021 D23 Gold Member Collector Set, which celebrates 50 years of Walt Disney World and features an exclusive Figment pin.

Elliott
Described as both “a fish and a mammal,” you might find it rather strange that this gigantic green dragon is best friends with young Pete, but this beloved character is more friend-shaped than fearsome. Sure, he’ll scare away the Gogans if he thinks they’re out to cause trouble, but more often than not, the titular dragon of Pete’s Dragon just wants to go on fun adventures with his friend.

Maleficent
Well, well. This dragon is actually the Mistress of Evil herself, the dark fairy Maleficent. In Sleeping Beauty, she transforms herself into a massive dragon in order to fight Prince Phillip. While she wasn’t a dragon for very long, she left a massive impression on Disney fans everywhere, and her iconic dragon form appears in many Disney Parks parades and shows, including as the memorable foe to Mickey Mouse in Disneyland’s nighttime spectacular Fantasmic!

Queen Narissa
In the grand tradition of Disney villainesses transforming into dragons, Queen Narissa uses her dark magic to become a dragon in an attempt to defeat Giselle in Enchanted. After Giselle is saved from a poisoned apple thanks to true love’s kiss, Narissa resorts to desperate measures to get her way—and it’s hard to argue with a massive dragon! However, just like her fellow villainesses, Narissa learns the hard way that when you try to fight unfairly, you’re gonna get burned.

Madam Mim
Mad, mad, mad, mad Madam Mim takes many forms during her wizard battle against Merlin in The Sword in the Stone. Determined to out-magic each other, Madam Mim and Merlin transform into a variety of animals, until Mim thinks she’s won by becoming a petulant purple dragon—that is, until Merlin outsmarts her by turning into a pox!

Blazey
Fierce dragon? No, family pet! In Pixar’s Onward, the we discover a world where the mundane and magic have merged, meaning unicorns are troublesome pests and dragons are adorable, dog-like pets we can’t help but want to cuddle. Blazey is the family pet of the Lightfoots, and we wish we lived in a world where we could have a pet as magical as she!

Mushu
First, we need to make it clear: He’s not a lizard. He doesn’t do the tongue thing. Mushu is a Fa family guardian tasked with protecting the titular heroine from 1998’s animated Mulan. While he may be small, he’s got a big personality and a determination to prove himself and protect Mulan. With his quick wit and memorable quotes, we can’t help but love this diminutive dragon.

If you demand more dragons, check out this round up of some of our favorite Disney Parks Dragons. Want to make sure your favorite firebreather makes it to the next round of the 2021 D23 March Hare Mania Bracket? Vote now for your favorites here.

Get Early Access to the March Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited Edition Pinocchio Plush, Amazon Exclusive

March 4, 2021March 5, 2021

Access the March Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited-Edition Pinocchio Plush Amazon Exclusive Plush

Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited-Edition Pinocchio Plush Amazon Exclusive

Relive the magic of Disney with the Treasures From the Vault Plush. Inspired by Disney’s Pinocchio, the Limited-Edition Pinocchio is the third collectible character in this exclusive Amazon series. Standing 16 inches tall and made of soft fabric with embroidered eyes, Pinocchio is wearing his signature felt hat with a feather. He even includes a Certificate of Authenticity and comes in a window box featuring exclusive Disney Treasures From the Vault packaging with gold foil detailing; ideal for collectors. Collect all twelve of these commemorative plush. Ages 3+

Walt Disney’s Pinocchio, the endearing tale of the little puppet made of pine, taught the world to Wish Upon A Star. “In producing Pinocchio,” Walt Disney said, “we have tried to install all the entertainment values—humor, pathos, excitement, and beauty—but even more important, we have sincerely tried to keep faith with the legions of people all over the world who have read the story and who love it.” Disney’s second full-length animated feature is considered by many animation historians as the most technically perfect animated film ever made.

Third commemorative plush in the Treasures From the Vault Plush collection.
Includes Certificate of Authenticity.
Amazon exclusive.
Pinocchio stands 16 inches tall.
Made with soft fabric with embroidered eyes.
Collect all twelve.
Ages 3+
D23 Members will be the first to be notified about each month’s theme and have an opportunity to order the month’s design.
Each month, D23 will provide Members with advance notice of the date the plush will be available for purchase on Amazon.com.
On Friday, March 5, at 9 a.m. PST,visit this page on D23.com for the link to purchase the March Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited-Edition Pinocchio Plush Amazon Exclusive Plush
Please Note: You must be signed in as a D23 Member to access the link to purchase. Click “Sign In” at the top of the page.

Please note limited quantities of the plush will be available on Amazon.com.
For more Disney favorites, visit amazon.com/disney a full assortment of products.

Disney Treasures from the Vault Limited-Edition Pinocchio Plush offer available to D23 Members for a limited time. Limited quantity of plush are available, while supplies last at Amazon.com.

Items not eligible for any additional promotional discounts or offers except available shipping offers. Offer subject to restrictions and to change without notice. Void where prohibited.

Don’t miss out on the previous exclusive plush, available on Amazon:

Disney Treasures From the Vault – Limited-Edition Lady Plush
Disney Treasures From the Vault – Limited-Edition Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Plush

Meet the Dashing Disney Dinos from D23’s March Hare Mania 2021 Bracket

March 3, 2021

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Millions of years ago, these mighty creatures roamed the Earth—and now we’re putting them in the ultimate competition against another mighty species: Dragons! This year’s D23 March Hare Mania bracket asks you to vote for your favorite Disney dinos and dragons to see who will reign supreme. Not sure which rockin’ reptile will earn your vote? Read on to meet these dashing dinos competing for the prize:

Carnotaurus
The Carnotaurus might not have been the dino you’re searching for during your time-traveling quest through the thrilling attraction Dinosaur at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but it makes a big impression nonetheless. This dino’s roar isn’t the only scary thing about it—with sharp teeth and bull-like horns, this dangerous dino makes a memorable foe for a time-travel adventure. If your celebration of Walt Disney World extends beyond voting for a truly epic dinosaur, make sure to check out the 2021 D23 Gold Member Collector Set, which celebrates 50 years of the resort.

Rex
Sure, the T. Rex is considered one of the most fearsome dinosaurs, but this green friend isn’t about to cause any scares. As we see in the Toy Story films, Rex’s terrifying exterior hides a shy and innocent personality. Much more of a friend than foe, Rex is often challenged to overcome his nerves to help Woody, Buzz, and his other toy friends on their adventures.

Tiny
One of the most memorable moments from 2007’s Meet the Robinsons is when the formidable T. Rex Tiny is tasked with trapping a cornered Wilbur. “I have a big head,” he explains, “and tiny arms.” Of course, he’s only fearsome when he’s under the control of the mysterious Bowler Hat Guy—normally he’s the Robinson’s loyal family pet, more friendly than ferocious.

The “Rite of Spring” Dinosaurs
It’s hard to name the most iconic sequence from Fantasia, but if you’re a dinosaur enthusiast (and, come on, who isn’t?) you’ll certainly be fond of the lushly animated sequence from the film set to Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring.” The sequence showcases a variety of cool dinosaurs, but for our March Hare Mania bracket, we featured some of the most iconic dinosaurs from the sequence—the battling T. Rex and Stegosaurus.

Primeval World Dinosaurs
The Disneyland Railroad is a peaceful round-trip tour of Disneyland Park, allowing guests to see the sights along the Rivers of America and travel through Tomorrowland—but one of the most exciting experiences on this tour is the Grand Canyon Diorama, which first showcases the natural wonder as it is now, bursting with animal life. Then, you take a step back in time to the Primeval World Diorama, featuring a colorful cast of 46 dinosaur Audio-Animatronics®. Our bracket features the memorable brontosaurus chomping on a snack, but at Disneyland, guests are wowed by a variety of dinos, including a battle between a certain pairing of dinos inspired by Fantasia’s “Rite of Spring” sequence.

Aladar
As far as Iguanodons go, Aladar is more primate than primeval, as he was raised by some friendly lemurs. As the titular Dinosaur from the 2000 film, Aladar rejoins his own kind during a mass migration to the Nesting Grounds, falling into his own role as a leader along the way.

Arlo
This sweet Apatosaurus from Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur doesn’t so much inspire fear as he feels fear, sparked by the unknown world around him. That’s why it’s all the more admirable when, after unexpectedly being swept far from home, he finds the strength to journey through the unfamiliar and return to his family.

Baby Sinclair
You gotta love him! Baby Sinclair hatched in the very first episode of ABC’s Dinosaurs, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary next month! Created by Jim Henson Associates, the whole Sinclair family provides a dino-mite twist to the classic sitcom setup, but Baby Sinclair is the fan-favorite family member who stole our hearts.

Want to learn about even more Disney Dinos? Wondering where is Dinosaur Gertie? Check out our Dino-Tour of Disney Parks for more fearsome favorites. Plus, don’t forget to vote for your favorite Disney dinosaurs in D23’s March Hare Mania so that your favorite makes it to the final round!

Freeform Stars Will Keep Getting Into the Best Kind of Trouble

March 3, 2021

By Beth Deitchman

The stars of Freeform’s Good Trouble are extremely invested in Mariana’s new tech venture, the goings-on at The Coterie, and the series’ riveting love triangles—which sometimes seem, even to them, more like tantalizing trapezoids—but what really excites the actors is the relevance of the stories they’re telling. Last week, during the 2021 Winter Television Critics Association press tour, Maia Mitchell (Callie), Cierra Ramirez (Mariana), Sherry Cola (Alice), Zuri Adele (Malika), Emma Hunton (Davia), Tommy Martinez (Gael), Josh Pence (Dennis), and Beau Mirchoff (Jamie) joined co-creator/executive Producer Joanna Johnson Joanna Johnson and Constance Zimmer—who, in addition to serving as a recurring guest star, will be one of the series directors this year—to discuss Good Trouble’s recently launched third season. New episodes debut on Freeform every Wednesday (10 p.m. ET).

“This show has been so far ahead of the curve in telling the stories that it’s been telling for years,” Zimmer said, noting that’s what drew her to the show in the first place. “I love being on shows that I think are pushing the envelope and telling stories that not everybody else is telling.”

From the beginning, Good Trouble has addressed sexism in the workplace, racial injustice, and other issues that are of equal importance to Freeform’s young adult audience as they are to the series’ characters and stars. “Things that we talked about in season one reflect what happened in this past year and the world is barely catching up,” said Sherry Cola, who plays aspiring stand-up comedian Alice, a first-generation Asian-American who manages the apartment complex many of the characters call home. She points out that the series’ title is inspired by the words of the late Member of Congress and civil rights activist John Lewis, and she’s proud that even in Good Trouble’s first season, the series counted Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors and Black Lives Matter L.A. director Melina Abdullah among its consultants. Both activists have portrayed themselves on Good Trouble, and Cullors was part of the writers room during the series’ second season. Cola shared, “I’ll be at a protest and I’ll see Melina and she just came from set. These are queens. They are true superhumans and the fact that they’re part of our show really means a lot.”

For Good Trouble’s co-creator/executive producer Joanna Johnson, who said she went into television with the goal of trying “to shine some light into the world,” the priority is looking at these important issues through the lens of how they’re impacting the series’ characters and their relationships. “We try to humanize, rather than politicize the issues,” she said, noting that the writers are always striving to balance entertaining and enlightening the audience.

Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors

Spending quality time with Cullors, Abdullah, and real families who have been impacted by racial injustice has been invaluable in helping the cast members do their part to ensure behind the scenes that they’re telling the characters’ stories authentically, Zuri Adele, who plays activist Malika, shared. Adele and her fellow actors were able to see in real life how Cullors and Abdullah balance their home and family with their work, and they’ve been able to get a full picture of their lives. “Joanna humanizes these stories by giving us an exact experience of what the characters are really going through as a person, rather than making it this PSA [public service announcement],” Adele explained. “This is the real human experience for a well-rounded human being, and we’re able to see that firsthand with the actors we work with. And then also able to implement that into our characters’ lives, especially characters who live together and experience Los Angeles through such different lenses.”

The close-knit cast also benefits from “really courageous conversations” they have with one another, Adele stressed. “We are so willing to learn from each other’s perspective and to continue to do so as so many things are happening outside… The work that we do as characters has really trickled in to the family that we have and the way in which we’re just willing to get into ‘good trouble’—show up at protests, continue to learn how to speak up for what is needed in the world, and to represent our characters and our storyline. The main thing is that we’ve set such a foundation as a family by having these conversations with each other at all times.”

In addition to Good Trouble’s relevant and relatable stories, the actors also take pride in how the series cast reflects the diversity of the world in which we live. “I have always embraced who I am and all the layers of myself, whether it’s immigrant, female, queer, Asian.. there’s so much to every person,” Cola said. “I’m just excited to tell these stories and keep representing the Asian community and all of our communities as a whole on the show. I think on Good Trouble, we practice what we preach and we’ll just tell these real-life stories of these real raw people who are messy and just doing their best and fighting for change. ‘Diversity’ is absolutely a hot-button word, but I think we walk the walk and we talk the talk.”

In this week’s episode, Callie discovers there’s more to Jerod’s case than she had anticipated, while Mariana and the girls come up with their own app. Meanwhile, Davia finds a way to help her students, and Gael takes a job with a renowned artist. Need to catch up? Good Trouble’s first two seasons are also available to stream on Hulu.

JUST ANNOUNCED: Celebrate 100 Years of Disney with Exhibit Launching in 2023

March 3, 2021March 2, 2021

By the D23 Team

2023 is going to be a big year—and not just because it features our favorite number! In celebration of the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company, SC Exhibitions has begun production on an exhibition that showcases the company’s history and rich legacy, to premiere at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in February 2023.

We at D23 are familiar with The Walt Disney Archives’ extensive collection of historical Disney artifacts, hundreds of which will be featured in the exhibition. Along with the galleries, the exhibition will feature an immersive environment of sight and sound spanning 15,000 square feet, showcasing stories and characters from The Walt Disney Company’s last century.

“As we approach the 100th Anniversary of The Walt Disney Company, we at the Walt Disney Archives are incredibly excited about traveling a new and unique exhibit marking a century of unparalleled innovation and storytelling with the world,” said Rebecca Cline, director of the Walt Disney Archives. “This groundbreaking exhibition will celebrate the wonder of Disney, from 1923 to the present and into the future.”

Historian and Co-Curator Paula Sigman Lowery, an internationally recognized expert on Walt Disney and The Walt Disney Company, shares this insight on the future exhibit: “It’s thrilling to bring Disney’s crown jewels—art, memorabilia, costumes, props, and one-of-a kind treasures—to public view—and to explore the story of one of the world’s most creative entertainment companies. Many of these objects have never before been seen outside the company’s archival, animation, and Imagineering vaults.”

President and CEO of The Franklin Institute Larry Dubinski added that “The Franklin Institute is thrilled to debut this world premiere exhibition in Philadelphia during the remarkable 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company. We look forward to celebrating the legacy of a creative empire synonymous with imaginative storytelling, innovation, discovery, and wonder that spans generations and delivers widespread, undeniable global appeal.”

The exhibition marks the third collaboration between SC Exhibitions and Studio TK, a Berlin-based collective of architects, visual artists, and experts of entertainment technology who specialize in aiding the creation of brand exhibitions. “It’s great to work at The Franklin Institute again, where our ‘Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes’ exhibit drew hundreds of thousands of visitors in summer 2019 to the galleries. It’s a big honor to develop the design for the 100th anniversary exhibit of The Walt Disney Company with the Walt Disney Archives,” says Studio TK exhibition designer Tobias Kunz.

The as-yet-untitled “Disney Centennial” exhibition will launch in February 2023 at The Franklin Institute, with a second, parallel staging for territories outside the U.S. set to have its global premiere the following month, says Dieter Semmelmann, SC Exhibitions CEO.

Stay tuned to D23.com for more news on this exhibit as it is announced.

Disney Releases Earn Five Golden Globe Awards for 2021

March 1, 2021

By Beth Deitchman

Searchlight Pictures’ Nomadland, Disney and Pixar’s Soul, and the Hulu Original The United States vs. Billie Holiday combined to earn five Golden Globe® Awards for 2021—including Best Drama, which was awarded to Nomadland. The awards were presented last night by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association during a live telecast hosted by Tina Fey from New York City’s Rainbow Room and by Amy Poehler from Los Angeles’ Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Nomadland was among the night’s biggest winners, named Best Drama and also earning a Golden Globe for Chloé Zhao, who became the second woman to ever receive the win in the Best Director category and the first woman of color. The film, which opened in theaters and began streaming exclusively on Hulu on February 19, is a sweeping panoramic portrait of the American nomadic spirit set on the trail of seasonal migratory labor. In addition to Oscar®-winning actress Frances McDormand, Nomadland also stars some of the real-life nomads whose stories inspired the film, and Zhao shared words given to her by nomad Bob Wells as she accepted the award for Best Director. “This is what he said about compassion: ‘Compassion is a breakdown of all the barriers between us, a heart-to-heart bonding. Your pain is my pain. It’s mingled and shared between us.’ This is why I fell in love with making movies and telling stories, because they give us a chance to laugh and cry together and they give us a chance to learn from each other and to have more compassion for each other,” Zhao said. Later accepting the film’s award for Best Drama, Zhao described Nomadland as “a pilgrimage through grief and healing,” and said the film is for everyone who has experienced this “difficult and beautiful journey at some point in their lives.”

The Hulu Original The United States vs. Billie Holiday was also recognized in the drama categories with a win for its star Andra Day, who received the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture—Drama. She expressed her gratitude to “the amazing, transformative, dynamic Billie Holiday, who just transformed me with this role and with her presence and with her spirit.”

A pair of Golden Globe Awards—the first two for Disney+—went to Disney and Pixar’s Soul, which is available exclusively on the streaming service. Director Pete Docter and producer Dana Murray accepted the Golden Globe for Best Picture—Animated remotely from Northern California, where Pixar is based. “Little did we know, making a film about jazz, that jazz would teach us so much about life, like we can’t always control what happens in the world—but like a good jazz musician, we can try to turn that into something beautiful,” Docter said.

Murray continued, “Certainly that’s so true for our amazing cast and crew. Every one of our collaborators made this film better at every turn, even when we were split apart by a pandemic.”

Because of the pandemic, Docter and Murray were unable to enjoy the win in person with co-director Kemp Powers, who joined them virtually from Los Angeles. “Being able to tell a universal tale that explored the meaning of life through the prism of a Black man’s experiences was a special honor. And though the details are specific, I really believe our story is universal,” Powers said. “So many friends and strangers from all walks of life wrote to tell us how this film resonated with them and how grateful they were to be reminded that seemingly simple everyday moments of life are often the most important.”

Soul was also recognized for its original score by Jon Batiste, Atticus Ross, and Trent Reznor. “Follow all your dreams, because we only have one life to live and one soul,” Batiste shared adding, “This soul is happy today to be recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press for this masterpiece film.”

Congratulations to all of Disney’s Golden Globe winners:

Nomadland (Searchlight)
Best Picture—Drama
Best Director—Motion Picture: Chloé Zhao

Soul (Pixar Animation Studios / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Disney+/Disney Music Group)
Best Picture—Animated
Best Score Motion Picture: Jon Batiste, Atticus Ross, Trent Reznor

The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Hulu)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture—Drama: Andra Day

Inside ABC News’ Historic Newsmagazine Soul of a Nation

March 1, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Soul of a Nation is billed as “a show by Black people, for all people, about the Black experience in America.” Before ABC News launches the groundbreaking primetime newscast on Tuesday, March 2, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, the trio behind the highly anticipated newsmagazine—ABC News SVP of Integrated Content Strategy Marie Nelson and executive producers Eric Johnson and Robe Imbriano—spoke at length about Soul of a Nation’s genesis and its significance during Friday’s Winter TCA virtual press conference.

Each of the six episodes will explore a different theme, ranging from spirituality to Black joy, to activism in sports to the racial reckoning amid George Floyd’s death, and beyond. “The series expands the vision of Black life in America in a way broadcast TV journalism has never done,” said Nelson. For example, after Floyd’s death, Imbriano said, “One of the things a lot of Americans realized is they really didn’t understand these stories or know these stories. So, this is a way of presenting them in one show, but it is not for one people.”

Soul of a Nation will see familiar faces—activists, celebrities, clergy, scholars, and more—gathering for entertaining and provocative conversations “in the kitchen” about current events. Each episode will be hosted by a different guest host, beginning with Sterling K. Brown on March 2, with Jemele Hill, Marsai Martin, and more to follow. A special performance featuring some of the nation’s greatest musicians or spoken word artists—including Common, Andra Day, Cynthia Erivo, and John Legend—will close out each show.

In an ABC News exclusive, the premiere episode will see Pierre Thomas conducting a one-on-one interview with Harry Dunn, one of the many officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6—the was the first U.S. Capitol police officer to speak out about what happened. Dunn, who was quoted numerous times during the impeachment trial, details the fury and horror of the insurrection at the Capitol; speaks about the role race played; and discusses race and policing nationally amid the Black Lives Matter movement. The episode will also show Byron Pitts traveling to Evanston, Illinois, the first locality in the country to fund a plan to distribute reparations to its Black residents; Sunny Hostin moderating an “In the Kitchen” conversation with Brown and Angela Rye; a mini-documentary by ESPN’s The Undefeated chronicling the racial reckoning in film in the Black community; Adrienne Bankert sitting down for an interview with Legend regarding music, activism and the importance of telling Black stories in Hollywood; and much more.

In telling these stories, the hope is that all people will better understand the Black experience. As an example, Nelson recalled how she grew up idolizing broadcaster Andy Rooney, who got “the last word every week.” With Soul of a Nation, she is excited for Black people to see themselves reflected in today’s storytelling. Growing up in the 1970s, if a Black person appeared on TV, she said it was common to call friends and family—like “an early version of social media”—to let them know. “Those were exciting, monumental, life-shaping moments to see someone who looked like me represented on screen,” she said. “But often they weren’t truly telling our story—not with agency, authenticity, and fullness.”

“We know Black America is not a monolith. Honest, open, emotional, both joyful and painful conversations from boldfaced names and everyday black Americans enrich the storytelling and perspectives found in the series,” Nelson explained. “And we believe America will listen and gain understanding from these voices and from their experiences.”

Soul of a Nation is the first broadcast network newsmagazine that aims to put Black life in America front and center. “The way we have been talking about the show, internally, was sort of a news variety show,” Imbriano said. “We are covering real life, we are telling these stories, and we are out in the field doing very cinematic, short-film documentary features.” One segment, for example, will focus on the Tulsa massacre, nearing its 100th anniversary, while another will see Linsey Davis interviewing Nick Cannon about today’s cancel culture.

“I want my mother to see herself in the content that we’re doing,” Johnson said of the wide array of topics covered. “I want my little brother to see himself in the content that we’re creating. My grandmother, my aunties—I want them to see themselves reflected in what we’re doing. But we also want everybody to know that they can find themselves, too, in Black storytelling. Black stories are not just for Black people, and it’s not something we’ve just started doing with Soul of a Nation. We want everybody who watches this to take something away and feel like they can relate to a reparations story, or they can relate when we go back to Tulsa—which is essentially an incredibly long true crime story. We want people to be able to connect to that. That’s the goal of the series. Yes, we hope Black people tune in in big numbers—but we hope these stories resonate with everyone, honestly.”

Nelson said she hopes to continue telling more stories centered on Black Americans, whose stories are as rich as they are varied. And she is particularly proud to have developed Soul of a Nation alongside Johnson and Imbriano. “Creating this series has been like walking on Mars, and we don’t even know it,” she said. “I’m so thankful to Eric and Robe. They are the first Black men to co-EP a primetime weekly newsmagazine at ABC News in our rich history. So, every single day, we are history makers. It’s a really incredible feeling.”

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

March 1, 2021May 3, 2021

By Zach Johnson

This month is already off to an exciting start! Hulu kicks things off today by adding two of our favorite movies, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and Pretty Woman, to its library—in addition to dozens of other film and titles, of course. The next night, ABC News will present the first episode of Soul of a Nation, the first broadcast network newsmagazine that aims to put Black life in America front and center. On Friday, join us in streaming Walt Disney Animation Studios’ all-new original feature film Raya and the Last Dragon; once subscribers get Premier Access to the movie for an additional one-time fee of $29.99, they can watch the movie anytime they like on any platform where Disney+ is available, with an active subscription. (Fans can also purchase theater tickets through Fandango to see Raya and the Last Dragon on the big screen in select cinemas.) And as if that weren’t exciting enough, Friday is also the day when Marvel Studios’ WandaVision airs its anticipated finale.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs—Monday, March 1, on Hulu
The third installment in the Ice Age film series follows Manny (voice of Ray Romano), Diego (voice of Denis Leary), and the rest of their prehistoric pals as they enter a mysterious underground world to rescue the unlucky Sid the sloth (voice of John Leguizamo), who’s just stolen some dinosaur eggs. On their mission, they encounter creatures great and small, including hungry carnivores and a relentless dinosaur-hunting weasel named Buck (voice of Simon Pegg). Rounding out the voice cast are Bill Hader, Joey King, Queen Latifah, Jane Lynch, Josh Peck, Sean William Scott, and Kristen Wiig.

Pretty Woman—Monday, March 1, on Hulu
In Disney Legend Garry Marshall’s beloved 1990 film, corporate mogul Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) finds himself in Los Angeles and in need of a companion for some business get-togethers. After a chance encounter with a stranger, Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts), Edward offers her the job for a week, promising to pay her $3,000. He introduces Vivian to a world of power and privilege—and it doesn’t take long for her natural charisma and charm to emerge. Over time, their business arrangement evolves into a genuine romance.

Soul of a Nation—Tuesday, March 2, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC
Sterling K. Brown guest hosts the primetime newsmagazine’s series premiere, which dives into the current moment of racial reckoning in the United States, tackling issues ranging from policing to reparations, with segments that also highlight the arts and entertainment. Brown, plus ABC News’ Adrienne Bankert, Sunny Hostin, Byron Pitts, and Pierre Thomas lead this groundbreaking hour, which includes interviews with Danny Glover and John Legend, as well as U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, one of the officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Plus, Legend gives a special musical performance.

Raya and the Last Dragon—Friday, March 5, on Disney+ Premier Access
Meet Raya (voice of Kelly Marie Tran), a lone warrior whose mission is to track down the legendary last dragon in a bid to save the fantasy world of Kumandra and unite its lands. Long ago, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned. It’s up to Raya to track down the legendary last dragon, Sisu (voice of Awkwafina), to restore the fractured land and its divided people. Along the way, she learns it takes more than a dragon to save the world; it takes trust and teamwork. The film’s voice cast also includes Ross Butler, Gemma Chan, Patti Harrison, Daniel Dae Kim, Sandra Oh, Lucille Soong, Thalia Tran, Alan Tudyk, Izaac Wang, and Benedict Wong.

WandaVision—Friday, March 5, on Disney+
SPOILER WARNING: It’s all been leading up to this. In the epic finale, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) confronts a lifetime of grief… and the revelation that she’s the Scarlet Witch! The penultimate episode answered many questions—like how Wanda and Vision (Paul Bettany) wound up in Westview, why Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) fears Wanda, and what S.W.O.R.D. director Tyler Hayward (Josh Stamberg) wants with Vision’s body—while posing countless others. What or who is Wanda up against? And will Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings), Jimmy Woo (Randall Park), and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) help her?

It Was “Agatha All Along” on WandaVision—Plus More in News Briefs

February 26, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Take a Listen to “Agatha All Along” from Marvel Studios’ WandaVision

Some spoilers ahead—so overt your eyes and/or scroll down a bit if you’re a tad behind on a certain series featuring Wanda Maximoff and Vision (no judgement here)…

As you may or may not have realized, Marvel Studios’ WandaVision—now airing on Disney+—has already featured several songs from Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, the Oscar® winning songwriting duo behind the music of Frozen and Frozen 2. And that includes an earworm of a new song in episode seven (“Breaking the Fourth Wall”), sung by series costar Kathryn Hahn. (Turns out she isn’t just a meddlesome neighbor.)

Want another listen to “Agatha All Along”? You’re in luck! It’s now available on several music streaming platforms—including Amazon Music, Apple Music, Pandora, and Spotify. Lopez and Anderson-Lopez recently told our pals at Marvel.com that they hoped to write a song for Agatha that had a “witchy, ghoulish feeling”… and we’d have to agree.

Look for new episodes of WandaVision on Fridays, now through March 5!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

It’s about that time, y’all… Grab the perfect spot on your couch, plate up some snacks, and settle in for some good weekend viewing from around the worlds of Disney. Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience? Oh yeah. All three seasons of Disney XD’s Pair of Kings? You betcha! And there’s even more where that came from—so mark your calendar and make sure there’s some Welsh cheddar on that charcuterie board. (That’s our fave.)

**Cute Doggo Alert—Pooch Perfect Coming to ABC Next Month!**

Dog lovers will be tickled pink by this just-announced news from ABC: Pooch Perfect, hosted (and executive produced) by Rebel Wilson, is an eight-episode dog grooming competition series showcasing 10 of the best dog groomers in the country. Along with their assistants, they’ll compete in a series of totally paw-some themed challenges in hopes of taking home the grand prize.

Each week on Pooch Perfect, teams will compete in the Immunity Puppertunity challenge, where one team will earn immunity from elimination. Then, in the Ultimutt Challenge showdown, the remaining teams will face off in an epic grooming transformation, which they will show off on the illustrious dogwalk. An all-star trio of celebrity judges—reality star and renowned dog lover Lisa Vanderpump, celeb dog groomer Jorge Bendersky, and veterinarian Dr. Callie Harris—will be tasked with voting on the incredible creations and ultimately force one team back to the doghouse every week. It all leads up to the season finale where the top three teams compete for a giant cash prize and the coveted Pooch Perfect first place trophy!

Have a doggone good time with Pooch Perfect beginning Tuesday, March 30, only on ABC.

New Trailer for The Falcon and The Winter Soldier

One big reason we’re already looking forward to spring on Disney+ is the premiere of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier—and we can’t quite believe its debut is now just around the corner. And to keep our appetites whet, we were just gifted a thrilling new trailer for the series, above.

Marvel Studios’ The Falcon and The Winter Soldier stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson (a.k.a. The Falcon) and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes (otherwise known as The Winter Soldier); the series will find the pair—who first came together in the final moments of Avengers: Endgame—teaming up on a global adventure that tests their abilities… and their patience.

Directed by Kari Skogland, with Malcolm Spellman serving as head writer, the six-episode series also stars Daniel Brühl as Zemo, Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter, and Wyatt Russell as John Walker. Look for it on Disney+ beginning March 19.

First Look at Disney and Pixar’s Luca

A trip to the Italian Riviera sounds particularly nice right about now, dontcha think? Well, we can’t actually make that happen in real life (although boy, we wish we could)—but we’ve truly got the next best thing: a first-look trailer for Luca, Disney and Pixar’s next animated feature set smack in the middle of that mind-blowingly beautiful locale. Check out the clip, and hear directly from director Enrico Casarosa and producer Andrea Warren, here at D23.com.

Ranger the Rhino Calf Joins the Herd at Kilimanjaro Safaris

Fun news from the good folks at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park at Walt Disney World Resort: Four-month-old white rhino calf Ranger, joined by his mom Kendi, made his big savanna debut earlier this week at Kilimanjaro Safaris—joining the crash (that’s the name for rhino herd; cool, right?) and marking a big rite of passage.

According to the Disney Parks Blog, rambunctious Ranger was eager to explore his new environment—plunging right into the mud alongside Kendi for a lovely wallow before taking off to check out all the sights around the savanna. He later made friends with his “aunties,” Lola and Jao, before taking a well-deserved nap under Kendi’s watchful eye. Should you find yourself at Kilimanjaro Safaris soon, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for both Ranger and Kendi.

(So many cute animals in one News Briefs! Can’t say we’re complaining.)

Veritable Smorgasbord of Disney+ Premiere Dates Announced

It was an embarrassment of riches earlier this week at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, when Disney+ unveiled a slew of spring and summer premiere dates for some of their most anticipated series—including Marvel Studios’ Loki, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, The Mysterious Benedict Society, Turner & Hooch, and more. Find out exactly how to mark your calendars, and see some brand-new images from a few of the series.

Scripps National Spelling Bee Returns This Summer

Nouns, adjectives, verbs—oh my! Yes, the Scripps National Spelling Bee will return this year with top spellers from across the U.S. and the globe gathering on Thursday, July 8, to compete in the nationally televised event.

The final rounds of this year’s Bee will be hosted in person at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. The finals, featuring 10-12 accomplished spellers, will be broadcast live in primetime on ESPN2.

Just how do those amazing spellers get there? They’ll travel to the Orlando area having earned the right to compete in the finals by advancing through three levels of competition: the preliminary, quarterfinal, and semifinal segments. In years past, those three rounds were held over one week—known as Bee Week. But this year, due to the ongoing pandemic, the preliminaries, quarterfinals, and semifinals will be held virtually in the weeks leading up to the July 8 finals and will be broadcast live on ESPN platforms. The semifinals are slated for June 27, with dates for the earlier virtual rounds of the competition to be announced this spring.

We can’t wait to w-a-t-c-h!

**ICYMI: A Touch of Disney Comes to Disney California Adventure Park**

There’s a colorfully fun, not to mention delicious, event coming to Disneyland Resort this spring… and we’ve got all the details! Find out how you can take part in A Touch of Disney at Disney California Adventure park—it’s a limited-capacity ticketed experience, by the way—right here at D23.com. One piece of advice: You’ll wanna attend hungry!