Everything We Can’t Wait to Stream on Disney+ in 2020

By Beth Deitchman

The new year is just around the corner, bringing with it 366 days (Thank you, Leap Year!) of Disney+ streaming. The service launched in November with an incredible array of content, and that library only continues to grow. Disney+’s lineup for 2020 features stories from across the worlds of Disney, from Marvel Studios’ The Falcon and The Winter Soldier and Lucasfilms’ Star Wars: The Clone Wars to The Phineas and Ferb Movie: Candace Against the Universe. Here’s some of the must-watch content for the coming year:

MOVIES

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Stargirl
Based on the New York Times’ young adult bestseller, the coming-of-age film stars Grace VanderWaal and Graham Verchere and is directed by Julia Hart from a screenplay by Kristin Hahn and Julia Hart & Jordan Horowitz based on Spinelli’s novel. Verchere plays an unassuming high school student who is inexplicably drawn to a free-spirited new girl (VanderWaal). Stargirl’s cast also includes Karan Brar, Maximiliano Hernandez, Darby Stanchfield and Giancarlo Esposito.

timmy failure

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made
Set in Portland, Oregon, Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made follows the title character—a quirky young hero with an incredible deadpan sense of humor—as he solves local mysteries with his 1,500-pound polar bear partner by his side. The film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Tom McCarthy (Spotlight) from a screenplay by McCarthy & Stephan Pastis based on Pastis’ best-selling book series.

phineas and ferb movie

The Phineas and Ferb Movie: Candace Saves the Universe
As if we didn’t already believe that Disney+ is the most amazing “streaminator” ever invented, Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh have come up with a new animated adventure for Phineas and Ferb. In The Phineas and Ferb Movie: Candace Against the Universe, Phineas and Ferb set out across the galaxy to rescue older sister Candace, who has been abducted by aliens and has found utopia in a far-off planet, free of pesky little brothers. Ashley Tisdale reprises the role of Candace Flynn, along with Vincent Martella as Phineas Flynn; Caroline Rhea as their mom, Linda; Dee Bradley Baker as Perry the Platypus; Alyson Stoner as Isabella; Maulik Pancholy as Baljeet; Bobby Gaylor as Buford; Olivia Olson as Vanessa; Tyler Mann as Carl; and Povenmire and Marsh as Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz and Major Monogram, respectively. David Errigo Jr. joins the cast as Ferb Fletcher.

Secret Society of Second Born Royals
Peyton Elizabeth Lee (Andi Mack) reigns over this contemporary princess story, which introduces Sam (Lee), a rebellious princess who is second in line to the throne of the kingdom of Illyria. Just as Sam’s disinterest in the royal way of life is at an all-time high, she is stunned to learn that she has superpowers and belongs to a secret society with a longstanding tradition of covertly keeping the peace throughout the kingdom. The movie follows Sam’s adventures at a top-secret training program for a new class of second born royals tasked with saving the world. Skylar Astin (Pitch Perfect) is among the stars of Secret Society of Second Born Royals, which is directed by Anna Mastro (Marvel’s RunawaysThe Bold Type).

LIVE-ACTION SERIES

diary of a future president

Diary of a Future President
When this 10-episode series debuts on Disney+ on January 17, it will introduce Elena, a Cuban-American 12-year-old girl navigating the highs and lows of middle school—and for whom an incredibly exciting future lies ahead: She happens to be the future president of the United States. Tess Romero (Blind SpotAlternatino) plays young Elena, while Gina Rodriguez (Jane the VirginSomeone Great) guest stars as adult POTUS Elena. Rodriguez directed the first episode of the series and executive produces with Emily Gipson (Someone Great); along with creator Ilana Peña, whose own childhood inspired the series, showrunner Robin Shorr (The Carmichael Show), and Brad Silberling (Jane the Virgin).

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
Set after the events of Avengers: Endgame, the new series from Marvel Studios will follow  Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) as they up for new adventures in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier will also feature Emily VanCamp, reprising her role as Sharon Carter, and Wyatt Russell, who will play John Walker, a character fans may know from Marvel Comics, but who has not appeared on screen until now.

wandavision logo

WandaVision
Also from Marvel Studios is WandaVision, starring Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Miximoff / Scarlet Witch), Paul Bettany (Vision), Kat Dennings (Darcy Lewis), Randall Park (Jimmy Woo), Teyona Parris (Monica Rambeau) and Kathryn Hahn.

Love, Simon
The original series—set in the world of the 2018 film of the same name—follows Victor, a new student at Creekwood High School, played by Michael Cimino (Annabelle Comes HomeTraining Day). Victor is on his own journey of self-discovery, facing challenges at home, adjusting to a new city, and struggling with his sexual orientation. When it all seems too much, he reaches out to Simon to help him navigate the ups and downs of high school. Love, Simon is from the film’s original writers, Isaac Aptaker (This Is Us) and Elizabeth Berger (This Is Us), and 20th Century Fox Television.

ANIMATED SERIES

Star Wars: The Clone Wars
At D23 Expo 2019, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy announced that the fan-favorite series Star Wars: The Clone Wars will return with 12 all-new episodes that will stream on Disney+ in February 2020. Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, and Captain Rex will be among the beloved characters we’ll encounter in these animated adventures in the galaxy far, far away.

chip n dale

Chip ‘n’ Dale
We went nuts over the news that our favorite chipmunks are coming to Disney+ in a 21st-century take on a cartoon classic, produced by multi-award-winning French studio Xilam Animation. The new series finds the dichotomous duo—the nervous worrier Chip and laid-back dreamer Dale—living in a small park within a bustling metropolis where everyone is seemingly bigger than they are.

SHORTS 

Lamp Life
What happened to Bo Peep from the time we last saw her in Toy Story 2 until she was reunited with Woody and the gang in Toy Story 4? The all-new animated short Lamp Life just might cast some light on the topic.

short circuit logo

Short Circuit
If you love Disney animation and are always keen to find out what the amazing artists at Walt Disney Animation Studios are cooking up next, these short films are for you. The Short Circuit experimental program was created to encourage risks in both visual style and story, surface new voices at the studio, and explore new technical innovations.

NONFICTION CONTENT

howard ashman

Howard
Don Hahn (Beauty and the Beast) directed this critically acclaimed documentary about Disney Legend Howard Ashman, who penned the lyrics to Disney classics such as AladdinBeauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid.

Marvel’s 616
This documentary anthology series from Marvel New Media and the production company Supper Club explores the connection between Marvel’s stories and the people behind them, and the world around us. The first episode, “Higher, Further, Faster,” will look at the trailblazing women of Marvel Comics and the inclusive stories they set out to tell, while additional topics covered will include an intimate look at the cosplay community, Marvel’s influence and relationship with hip-hop, illustrators who live and work internationally, and more.

disney fairytale weddings

Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings
Disney+ will give fans a spectacular look at the world’s most magical weddings and engagements when the popular Freeform series Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings moves to its new home on the streaming service. The new episodes will feature surprise guests and performances; breathtaking locations at Disney Destinations all around the globe; and, of course, incredible love stories. Ahead of the new episodes, you can catch up on all of the episodes and specials from season one, which are streaming now on Disney+.

Be Our Chef
The streaming service is cooking up a delightful cooking competition that invites families from diverse backgrounds to go head-to-head in the kitchen, facing off in a themed challenge that combines their own family traditions and the magic of Disney. Finalists will turn what they’ve learned into the recipe for a dish that represents their family through a Disney lens. Angela Kinsey (The Office) hosts from Walt Disney World Resort.

Dolphin Reef
Go under the sea with Disneynature and meet some of the planet’s most engaging animals in Dolphin Reef. The film follows Echo, a young bottlenose dolphin who knows it’s time to grow up and take on new responsibilities, but finds himself longing to give in to his silly side and just have fun. See how Echo navigates the complicated dolphin society and the temptations that come from the humpback whales, orcas, sea turtles and cuttlefish he encounters on the coral reef he calls home in the documentary coming to Disney+ in the service’s first year.

Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2
Some things never change, and that includes our love for Arendelle and all things Frozen. For this multi-episode documentary series, Walt Disney Animation Studios opened its doors and allowed cameras to capture how the voice cast, directors, and artists together created the blockbuster feature film Frozen 2.

Magic of Animal Kingdom
Our friends at National Geographic traveled to Central Florida to look at the groundbreaking work of the more than 1,000 high respected animal care experts, veterinarians, and biologists who work at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park and Epcot’s SeaBase aquarium.

Prop Culture
This anthology series, hosted by film historian/collector Dan Lanigan, looks at beloved films such as Mary PoppinsPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, and Tron through some of their most memorable props and costumes. We’ll hear from the craftspeople who created them, the actors who interacted with them, and the collectors and archives that have cherished them over the years. Prop Culture is produced by ABC Studios, Alternative and executive produced by Jason Henry and Dan Lanigan.

Rogue Trip
This is not your typical family vacation. In Rogue Trip, renowned journalist Bob Woodruff and his 27-year-old son, Mack, circle the globe in search of off-the-beaten path locales you won’t likely find on your own. They discover roguish, often misunderstood, and frequently overlooked corners of the world whose hidden corners surprise, amaze, and inspire.

Shop Class
Over the course of this competition series, teams of inventive students will design, build, and test new contraptions on their quest to be named Shop Class Champs.

MUPPETS!

Muppets Now
Our favorite felt friends are truly a class by themselves in this, the Muppets’ first-ever unscripted short-form series. Announced at D23 Expo 2019 (though Joe from Legal made sure that all of the details remained under wraps), the series will be rich with everything we’ve always loved about the world of the Muppets, featuring surprising guest stars, startling silliness, and so much fun!

 

Inside Walt Disney Archives’ Showcases of Stunning Assets from the Fox Archives

By Max Lark

A fascinating slice of cinematic history is currently on view in the Walt Disney Archives showcases in the main lobby of the Frank G. Wells Building at The Walt Disney Studios. This must-see exhibition (which D23 Gold Members can see in person during our official tours of The Walt Disney Studios lot) pays homage to the Fox Archives, which was established in 1992 to collect and preserve 20th Century Fox’s publicity, props, and costume collections—and which recently became part of the Walt Disney Archives.

This small collection of iconic costumes and artwork will impress anyone who loves film and television. One showcase contains a dazzling array of iconic costumes—from the show-piece dress designed by legendary couturier Orry-Kelly and worn by Betty Grable as Cynthia Pilgrim in 20th Century Fox’s The Shocking Miss Pilgrim and the poncho worn by Disney Legend Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music to the iconic cardigan Alan Alda wore playing Hawkeye Pierce in the beloved Fox Television show M*A*S*H*, Kate Winslet’s delicately embroidered “flying dress” from Titanic, and the “Live-Aid” costume worn by Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody, and more. This small-but-mighty collection of costumes brings you nearer to some of the most popular and timeless entertainment of the last half century.

Another showcase is devoted to the revolutionary work of artist John Alvin. Alvin, who worked for multiple motion picture studios in the late 1980s and 1990s—including The Walt Disney Studios and 20th Century Fox—had a singular talent to convey to adults in one-sheet posters that Disney’s animated films appealed to both children and adults.

“We wanted to welcome the Fox Archives into the Disney Archives in a meaningful manner and in a way that employees could enjoy,” says Robert Maxhimer, exhibitions manager, Walt Disney Archives. “For the costume exhibit, we went in chronological order from one of the oldest in their collection to one of the newest. In the other showcase we wanted to spotlight the career of legendary artist John Alvin. He drew fame for the movie Blazing Saddles; from there he became a celebrity in the world of movie posters. He worked with a lot of studios—mostly Fox and Disney. We’re displaying some original concept art he drew for posters and we also show a sampling of some of the posters he created for Disney and Fox.”

With the Fox Archives now a part of the Walt Disney Archives, the newly unified department is excited to give Disney employees a peek behind the magic of the Fox collections, showcasing that company’s extraordinary history and celebrating a new world of treasures now preserved in the Walt Disney Archives.

If you want to see this exhibit in person, you can become a D23 Gold Member for future opportunities to tour the Walt Disney Studios Lot—plus more exclusive events celebrating the fantastic worlds of Disney!

Share YOUR Epic Pictures with the D23 Adventure Bandana

By Jocelyn Buhlman

In 2020, we’re putting it into the universe: Adventure is out HERE! If you’ve got big plans for the new year, we want to see all your epic pictures—and we have the perfect way for you to commemorate your adventures.

The 2020 D23 Gold Member Gift (a.k.a. the D23 Fantastic Worlds Adventure Kit) features the D23 Adventure Bandana, designed by voice and visual artist Bret Iwan (you may recognize him from, you know, being the official voice of Mickey Mouse!). Inspired by Mickey’s 1939 short The Pointer and America’s National Parks, we hope you take this bandana with you on your next adventure!

If you’re hoping to capture the perfect picture, next time you hold your breath and say, “cheese,” make sure to hold up your bandana, too!

2020 Gold Member Gift Bandana

You’re a bona-fide adventurer now! Share your pictures with us by using the #D23FantasticWorlds hashtag on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We want to see where you’re adventuring to in 2020!

Want one of these snazzy bandanas for yourself? The D23 Adventure Bandana is part of our 2020 D23 Gold Member Gift, available exclusively for D23 Gold and Gold Family Members joining and renewing in 2020. D23 Gold Family Members get a total of four bandanas with their kit—so the whole family can join in the adventure!  Be part of the magic and join D23 today.

Must-See Disney Experiences Coming in 2020

By D23 Team

For Disney, 2019 was one of the most exciting and momentous years in the Company’s history—from record-breaking box-office returns and huge theme park expansions, to the acquisition of 20th Century Fox and the launch of the game-changing Disney+. What a year! And 2020 is looking to be just as exciting. We can’t wait for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or for Marvel Studios’ Black Widow to headline her own film or for the epic return of Star Wars: The Clone Wars on Disney+, and so much more! Here’s a roundup of the new Disney experiences and entertainment we’re looking forward to in 2020.

onward, black widow, mulan

Upcoming Films

If you thought 2019 was an epic year in film, you ain’t seen nothing yet! In March, director Niki Caro and actress Yifei Liu bring the story of China’s greatest warrior to life with the live-action story of Mulan. Another highly anticipated live-action film is Jungle Cruise, inspired by the Disney attraction and starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.

After the epic conclusion to the Infinity Saga, the Marvel Cinematic Universe enters a new phase with Black Widow; Scarlett Johansson returns in the title role and leads a cast that includes O-T Fagbenle, David Harbour, Florence Pugh, and Rachel Weisz. New titles from 20th Century Fox include Underwater, The Call of the Wild (starring Harrison Ford), The New Mutants, Free Guy, Bob’s Burgers, The King’s Man, and more.

We’ll get not one but two(!) movies from Pixar Animation Studios—for the first time since 2017—when Onward and Soul open in March and June, respectively. And as we first revealed at D23 Expo 2019, Raya and the Last Dragon opens in November. Finally, Christmas comes early with Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of the Broadway musical West Side Story, starring Ansel Elgort as Tony and newcomer Rachel Zegler as Maria.

david copperfield, free guy, and raya and the last dragon

Below is the full list of film titles being released in 2020:

01/10: Underwater (FOX)
02/21: Call of the Wild (FOX)
02/28: Wendy (FSL)
03/06: Onward (DIS)
03/27: Mulan (DIS)
04/03: The New Mutants (FOX)
04/17: Antlers (FSL)
05/01: Black Widow (DIS)
05/08: The Personal History of David Copperfield (FSL)
05/15: The Woman in the Window (FOX)
05/29: Artemis Fowl (DIS)
06/19: Soul (DIS)
07/03: Free Guy (FOX)
07/17: Bob’s Burgers (FOX)
07/24: Jungle Cruise (DIS)
08/07: Empty Man (FOX)
08/14: The One and Only Ivan (DIS)
09/18: The King’s Man (FOX)
10/09: Death on the Nile (FOX)
11/06: The Eternals (DIS)
11/25: Raya and the Last Dragon (DIS)
12/18: West Side Story (FOX)
12/25: The Last Duel (FOX) (Limited)

falcon and the winter soldier, sebastian stan, and anthony mackie

What’s Coming to Disney+

With must-watch originals that include The Mandalorian, Lady and the Tramp, and Togo, we’ve been glued to Disney+ since its November 13 debut, and we’re planning to stream our way through 2020. The can’t-miss season finale of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is right around the corner on Friday, January 10, and it’s just the start of all that’s new for next year, with the new series Diary of a Future President set to debut on January 17.

phineas and ferb the movie and star girl

The new year also brings the features Stargirl and Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made—both based on bestselling books; the return of Lucasfilm’s animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars; and new adventures in Danville via The Phineas and Ferb Movie: Candace Against the Universe. And the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes to Disney+ in a brand-new way with The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, with Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan reprising their fan-favorite roles.

the owl house and oscars

Walt Disney Television

We have several important dates with the couch already planned for 2020, courtesy of our friends at Disney Channel. The new animated series The Owl House premieres on Friday, January 10 (8:45 p.m. EST), on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW. The fantasy-comedy series follows Luz, a self-assured teenage girl, who finds herself transported to a mysterious world where she pursues her own magic-making dreams by serving as apprentice to the rebellious witch Eda.

There’s a big red circle on our calendar around Sunday, February 9, when the 92nd Oscars® are broadcast live on ABC. And we’ll be spending Valentine’s Day among zombies and cheerleaders: ZOMBIES 2, the follow-up to the top-rated Disney Channel Original Movie ZOMBIES, premieres February 14 at 8 p.m. EST on Disney Channel and Disney NOW. Meg Donnelly and Milo Manheim reprise their roles of Addison and Zed, respectively, in the DCOM.

zombies and american idol

On February 16, American Idol returns to ABC (8–10 p.m. EST), with all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie back behind the judges’ table and Ryan Seacrest presiding over the iconic singing competition as host.

What We’re Looking Forward To at Disney Parks in 2020!

If you’re heading to Disney Parks and Resorts around the world in 2020, you can look forward to some incredible new entertainment, thrilling new attractions, and even brand-new lands sure to delight every Disney fan! D23 Expo 2019 attendees were surprised with some sneak peeks at what’s to come next year (and beyond)—including the new Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure park; Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opening inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland; “New Fantasyland” debuting at Tokyo Disneyland; and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. And the good news is, so many of these highly anticipated adventures are now just over the horizon!

Mark your ’20 calendars for the following Disney Parks fun:

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Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland Park
Opening January 17, 2020

awesome planet, beauty and the beast, canada

Awesome Planet at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort
Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along at Epcot
Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360 at Epcot
New films coming to The Land Pavilion, the France Pavilion, and the Canada Pavilion (respectively) beginning January 17, 2020

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Magic Happens at Disneyland Park
Brand-new daytime parade debuting February 28, 2020

space 220 restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant at Epcot
Opening this winter

mickey and minnie's runaway railroad

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
First-ever ride-through attraction featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse opening March 4, 2020

Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil & Disney at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort
Brand-new show begins previews on March 20, 2020, with its official premiere on April 17—tickets available now 

harmonius epcot

Harmonious at Epcot
New nighttime spectacular follows the limited-time run of Epcot Forever in 2020

fantasyland tokyo

“New Fantasyland” Opens at Tokyo Disneyland
New area featuring the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Best attraction and indoor Fantasyland Forest Theatre, debuting April 15, 2020

avengers campus

Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park
Opening Summer 2020

remy ratatouille

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at Epcot
Based on the popular attraction at Disneyland Paris and the hit Disney and Pixar film, opening in the France pavilion in Summer 2020

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Disney Genie at Walt Disney World Resort
The revolutionary new digital offering debuts late 2020

D23 Events in 2020

It’s hard to top D23’s spectacular events of 2019—from screenings of beloved films, to groovin’ with Mickey and Minnie at San Diego Comic-Con, to the epic 10th anniversary edition of D23 Expo—but 2020 is already shaping up to be a year chock full of events and experiences to thrill every member of your family. So check your map, pack your bags, and get ready to chart a course for these D23 events in 2020 celebrating all the extraordinary worlds of Disney. From the sun-soaked beaches of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, to the storied stages of The Walt Disney Studios backlot, to a brand-new exhibit commemorating half a century of the Walt Disney Archives, D23’s experiences in 2020 will transport members like never before. Here are just a few highlights to circle on your calendar.

aulani mixer

January 8: Member Mixer at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
What better way to start 2020 than at the D23 Gold Member Mixer at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, located in Kapolei, Hawai’i? We couldn’t be more excited to meet everyone there to kick off D23’s exciting 2020 adventure in tropical style!

walt disney archives

March: D23 Celebrates 50 Years of The Walt Disney Archives
Fifty years ago, Disney Legend Dave Smith began what has become a cultural institution—the Walt Disney Archives—and this year the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, will host Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic, offering a rare look at some of the treasures from the Archives. The 10,000-square-foot traveling exhibit opens to the public on March 7, 2020. D23 Gold Members are invited to a special Grand Opening Preview of Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic at the Bowers Museum on Wednesday, March 4. Then, to celebrate the actual anniversary of the founding of the Archives on June 22, D23 will hold a special “birthday party” at the Bowers Museum.

But there’s more: The Archives will partner with the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood for special El Cap Throwback screenings during the year. Also, D23’s Behind the Scenes Experience: A Day at the Studio Lot events in 2020, held exclusively for Gold Members of D23, will offer a rare glimpse into how the Archives preserves the magic of The Walt Disney Company. And all Official Walt Disney Studios Tours in 2020, presented by D23, will include a special gift for guests themed to the 50th anniversary.

extreme goofy movie

Movie Screenings
This year, D23 will host twice as many Magical Screenings in select cities around the country, celebrating the milestone anniversaries of such films as The Three Caballeros, A Goofy Movie, PocahontasThe Emperor’s New Groove, and The Aristocats.

destination d 

November 20–22: D23 Desination D: Fantastic Worlds
Later in what is already shaping up to be an incredible year of events, Destination D returns to Walt Disney World November 20–22 and will honor Disney’s many magical places, from the extraordinary to the fantastical. In addition, the Walt Disney Archives is creating an all-new exhibit that will include 50 iconic treasures, representing the 50 years of the Archives. And Walt Disney Imagineering’s store, Mickey’s of Glendale, will once again open a pop-up shop featuring exclusive items.

Those are just some of the events that D23 Members can experience in 2020. Read more to find out a full list of upcoming events.

How Forky Asks a Question Rescued the Character Rib Tickles

By Zach Johnson

If you don’t remember meeting Rib Tickles in Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story 4, that’s because… no one did. The character, voiced by Aloma Wright, wound up on the cutting room floor. But today, she gets her due in the Forky Asks a Question short “What Is a Pet?” on Disney+.

“I was keen on including characters you hadn’t seen for a while or characters that had fallen out of the film,” says Bob Peterson, writer and director of Forky Asks a Question. Enter Rib Tickles, who is mentioned in Toy Story 4 as being Giggle McDimples’ partner. “Rib Tickles had been modeled and was animatable, but she fell out of the story, so I rescued her and brought her back in,” he says, proudly. “Now, she’s the star of a short!”

Known for her television roles in Scrubs and Private Practice, Wright did a “fantastic” job, Peterson adds. “I had not worked with her before, but we had a great experience.”

Each of the featured actors who lend their talents to the Forky Asks a Question shorts—including John Ratzenberger as Hamm, Wallace Shawn as Rex, Kristen Schaal as Trixie, and others—recorded his or her dialogue at the end of a session for Toy Story 4. The one exception was Tony Hale, who voices Forky. “He’s had such a blast with this character and he loved the chance to spend more time being Forky,” says producer Mark Nielsen. “We spent two full days recording him at the end of 2018 for this series.”

With only so much recorded dialogue available, the animators and storytellers had to get creative. “When we’re making a feature, we’ll go for years and we’ll re-do and re-do,” says Peterson. “But these are a lot shorter, so you don’t belabor them. We recorded the actors once, then dealt with what we had. That was a lot of fun; it was almost like independent filmmaking. At one point, we decided to put little buttons at the end. We didn’t have them written in, so we just used found dialogue and crafted these things. Sometimes they ended up as the funniest part of these animations! It was fun being able to go look for scraps and assemble something, and it ended up working fairly well.”

Want more Disney+ news? Click here to stay up-to-date with what’s streaming!

Everything New You Can Stream on Disney+ in January 2020

By Zach Johnson

Need something new to stream in the new year? Disney+ has got you covered! In addition to the hundreds of titles already available to subscribers, January will add dozens of library and original content, from the fun adventures in Aladdin (2019) to the guaranteed drama in the season finale of High School Musical: the Musical: The Series.

All the confirmed film, television, and shorts titles coming to Disney+ in January are listed below:

Wednesday, January 1:
America’s National Parks (Season 1)
Austin & Ally (Season 1–4)
Billy Dilley’s Super-Duper Subterranean Summer (Season 1)
Bugged (Short)
Continent 7: Antarctica (Season 1)
Cool Runnings
Dog: Impossible (Season 1)
Dr. K’s Exotic Animal ER (Season 8)
Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet (Season 7)
Dr. T, Lone Star Vet (Season 1)
Drain Alcatraz
Drain the Bermuda Triangle
Drain the Great Lakes
Drain the Ocean: WWII
Drain the Oceans (Season 2)
Drain the Sunken Pirate City
Drain the Titanic
El Materdor (Short)
First Class Chefs: Family Style (Season 1)
Hacksaw
Holes
Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors—Battle of the Bands
Marvel Super Hero Adventures (Shorts) (Season 2–3)
Marvel: 75 Years, From Pop to Pulp!
Moon Mater (Short)
Muppet Babies Show and Tell (Shorts) (Season 2–3)
One Strange Rock (Season 1)
Out There with Jack Randall (Season 1)
Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja (Season 1–2)
Red Tails
Rescue Squad Mater (Short)
Soy Luna (Season 1)
Spinning (Short)
Super Rhino (Short)
The Golden Touch (Short)
The Lodge (Season 1–2)
The Proud Family (Season 1–2)
The Super Hero Squad Show (Season 1–2)
Time Travel Mater (Short)
Tokyo Mater (Short)
Unidentified Flying Mater (Short)
Vaprinia Ghouls Girls Rock! (Shorts) (Season 1)
Wild Russia (Season 1)
Year Million (Season 1)

Disney+ January 2020

Thursday, January 2
Life Below Zero (Season 13)

Friday, January 3
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (Episode 109—“Opening Night”)
Encore! (Episode 109—“Pippin”)
Marvel’s Hero Project (Episode 109—“Radiant Jayera”)
The World According to Jeff Goldblum (Episode 109—“Coffee”)
One Day at Disney (Episode 105—“Bob Iger: CEO”)
Pick of the Litter (Episode 103—“Training Begins”)
Forky Asks a Question (“What Is Cheese?”)

Wednesday, January 8
Aladdin (2019)

Disney+ January 2020

Friday, January 10
Destino (Short)
Marvel’s Runaways (Season 3)
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (Season Finale: Episode 10—“Act Two”)
Encore! (Episode 110—“High School Musical”)
Marvel’s Hero Project (Episode 110—“Spectacular Sidney”)
The World According to Jeff Goldblum (Episode 110—“Cosmetics”)
One Day at Disney (Episode 106—“Modern Family: Cast & Crew”)
Pick of the Litter (Episode 104—“Next Level Training”)
Forky Asks a Question (Finale—“What Is Reading?”)
SparkShorts (“Loop”)

diary of a future president

Wednesday, January 15
America’s National Parks (Season 1)
Continent 7: Antarctica (Season 1)
Dog: Impossible (Season 1)
Marvel Super Hero Adventures (Shorts) (Season 2-3)
Muppet Babies Show and Tell (Shorts) (Season 1)
Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja (Season 1-2)
The Lodge (Season 2)
Wild Russia (Season 1)

Friday, January 17
Diary of a Future President (Episode 101—“Hello World”) (Series Premiere)
Encore! (Episode 111 – “Ragtime”)
Marvel’s Hero Project (Episode 111 – “Thrilling Tokata”)
The World According to Jeff Goldblum (Episode 111 – “Pools”)
One Day at Disney (Episode 107 – “Jose Zelaya: Character Designer”)
Pick of the Litter (Episode 105 – “Meet Your Match”)

Wednesday, January 22
Bluey (Season 1)

short circuit- puddles

Friday, January 24
Diary of a Future President (Episode 102 – “The New Deal”)
Encore! (Finale – Episode 112 – “Anything Goes”)
Marvel’s Hero Project (Episode 112 – “High Kickin’ Izzy”)
The World According to Jeff Goldblum (Finale – Episode 112 – “Jewelry”)
One Day at Disney (Episode 108 – “Este Meza: Lucasfilm Events”)
Pick of the Litter (Finale – Episode 106 – “Together at Last”)
Short Circuit (Full Collection Available – Episode 101 to 114)

Tuesday, January 28
The Lion King (2019)

Friday, January 31
Diary of a Future President (Episode 103 – “Disaster Relief”)
Disney Family Sundays (Episode 113 – “Tangled: Paper Lanterns”)
Lamp Life (Premiere)
Marvel’s Hero Project (Episode 113 – “Soaring Seamus”)
One Day at Disney (Episode 109 – “Rob Richards: El Capitan Organist”

Celebrate Disney’s Brightest Star with Sunglass Hut’s New Mickey Mouse-Themed Gift Set

By D23 Team

If a trip to either the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort is in your future, we’ve got the perfect gift for you (or any Disney fan on your shopping list): Our friends at Sunglass Hut recently launched a gift set in celebration of the mouse that started it all. The limited-edition set, which retails for $259, includes a pair of M90th (True Original) Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses, an M90th Care Kit, M90th microfiber pouch, and a Limited-Edition Mickey True Original FiGPiN.

The Mickey Mouse-themed gift sets are on sale now at the following locations:

Florida

  • Disney Springs: Sunglass Icon
  • Magic Kingdom: Island Supply by Sunglass Hut
  • Typhoon Lagoon: Singapore Sal’s

California

  • Downtown Disney: Sunglass Icon
  • Disney California Adventure: Sunglass Hut

Only 1,000 of these Disney park-exclusive gift sets were created, and from where we’re sitting, 2020 is looking especially bright. Stop by one of the above locations before supplies run out!

Every Magical Moment from Disney’s Remarkable 2019

By Jim Frye

From mega-blockbuster films to major theme park expansions and the launch of a streaming service that has forever changed entertainment, The Walt Disney Company entered 2019 on a high note and is ending the year with a grand crescendo. In what will be remembered as a historic and pivotal year for Disney (and Disney fans!), 2019 saw the completion of the acquisition of 21st Century Fox, the launch of Disney+, and the conclusion of two major cinematic storylines—the 10-year Infinity Saga from Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm’s nine-film Skywalker Saga. Here, D23 takes a look at some of the highlights from this unprecedented year at Disney:

January 22

black panther

Black Panther Becomes the First Marvel Studios Film Nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Picture
On January 22, Marvel Studios’ groundbreaking film Black Panther added another accolade to its impressive list of milestones, being named among the nominees for Best Picture at the 91st Oscars®, receiving seven nominations in all. Read more.

March 8

captain marvel

Captain Marvel Introduces a Powerful Super Hero Unlike Any We’ve Ever Seen Before
Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel stars Brie Larson as the title character—aka Carol Danvers—a key member of the intergalactic elite Kree military team Starforce. But after Carol finds herself back on Earth, she teams up with S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to delve into questions about her past while working to head off an invasion of our planet by the notorious, shape-shifting Skrulls. Audiences loved Captain Marvel as much as we did: The film crossed the $1 billion mark globally on April 8, becoming the seventh release from Marvel Studios to reach this milestone. Read more.

March 20

21 century fox logo

The Walt Disney Company Completes its Acquisition of 21st Century Fox
On March 20, The Walt Disney Company completed its acquisition of 21st Century Fox. In honor of this historic day for our company, D23 took a look at the storied history of this legendary entertainment giant, which was rooted in the 20th Century Fox film studio, one that has specialized in creating cinema—and, later, television—that enters the collective imagination and is built on great stories and indelible characters. Read more.

April 11

Disney+

Disney Spotlights Comprehensive Direct-to-Consumer Strategy at 2019 Investor Day
The Walt Disney Company’s highly anticipated Investor Day provided an extensive overview of Disney’s comprehensive direct-to-consumer strategy and included presentations on Hulu, Hotstar, ESPN+, and Disney+. New original titles announced during Investor Day included The Falcon and the Winter SoldierWandaVision, and Marvel’s What If…? from Marvel Studios; Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2 from Walt Disney Animation Studios; Forky Asks a Question and Lamp Life from Pixar Animation Studios; The World According to Jeff Goldblum and Magic of the Animal Kingdom from National Geographic; and The Phineas and Ferb Movie from Disney Television Animation. Additionally, Disney+ announced that all 30 seasons of The Simpsons would be available on the service on day one, as well as more than 7,500 television episodes and 500 films including blockbuster hits from 2019 and beyond. Read more.

April 12–14

Star Wars Celebration

Star Wars Celebration Chicago Brings Major Announcements and Cast Appearances
D23 was on the ground at Star Wars Celebration 2019 at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago all weekend, capturing the out-of-this world announcements, presentations, exhibits, and excitement. On Friday, director J.J. Abrams, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, and the cast of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premiered a new teaser trailer during the Episode IX panel. Then on Saturday, Josh Gad (Frozen, voice of Olaf) surprised fans by hosting the panel “Bringing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Life at Disney Parks,” previewing the new lands that were yet-to-open at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Later that day, Ashley Eckstein led the panel “SISTERS OF THE FORCE, A Celebration of Women and Star Wars.” Later that night, Ashley surprised the audience at a special D23 Gold Member-exclusive screening of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi at Chicago’s AMC River Walk 21! Sunday had a The Mandalorian panel, featuring Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, in addition to a Star Wars: The Clone Wars sneak peek. Read morel Read more.

April 26

endgame

Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame Debuts, Goes on to Become the No. 1 Global Release of All Time
In its 13th weekend of release, Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame overtook the global box office record that had been held by Avatar for the past 10 years. Avengers: Endgame shattered records when it opened on April 26 and became the fastest ever to reach $1 billion mark, doing so in just five days; and it crossed the $2 billion mark just 11 days after its release. Ahead of Avengers: Endgame’s opening, we talked to the film’s stars at the world premiere. We assembled some of their secrets spilled here.

May 14

Disney Upfronts

Disney Showcases Unparalleled Storytelling Across its Portfolio of Brands at Combined Upfront Event
At the Disney 2019 Upfront Experience in New York City (where networks present new and returning shows to the advertising community), ABC, ABC News, ESPN, Freeform, FX Networks, and National Geographic announced their thrilling programming slates for the 2019–20 season. During the event, advertisers got their first looks at the networks’ upcoming slates, including ABC’s dramas Emergence and Stumptown and the comedy mixed-ish; three original series from Freeform, Motherland: Fort SalemParty of Five and Everything’s Gonna Be OkayBrain GamesGordon Ramsay: Uncharted and Genius: Aretha from National Geographic; FX’s Emmy®-winning series Fargo and two new series, Mrs. America and DEVS; and ESPN’s 10-part documentary series The Last Dance, which looks at the incredible story of Michael Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls. Read more.

May 24

aladdin

Disney’s Aladdin Flies Into Theaters
Disney’s Aladdin took us on an incredible magic carpet ride, telling the exciting tale of charming street rat Aladdin, the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine, and the Genie who may be the key to their future in a thrilling and vibrant live-action adaptation of the animated classic. D23 traveled to Agrabah by way of the film’s global press conference. Find out what the cast and filmmakers had to say about the film here.

May 31 and August 29

Galaxy's Edge opening

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opens at Disneyland and Walt Disney World
Guests began to live out their own Star Wars adventures in the largest single-themed land expansion in Disney Parks history, with the official opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland park in California on May 31. An epic grand opening ceremony was held May 30 for the more than 14-acre land, which also opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida on August 29. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge features two main attractions: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (now open in Florida; opening in January 2020 at Disneyland). Black Spire Outpost is home to a bustling marketplace, full of vendors showcasing their unique wares from across the galaxy. Read more.

June 21

toy story 4

Toy Story 4 Arrives in Theaters
The toys returned to the big screen with an all-new adventure in Toy Story 4. In the blockbuster film, which would become The Walt Disney Studios’ fifth billion-dollar release for 2019, Woody, Buzz, and the whole gang find themselves far from home, discovering new friends—and old ones—on an eye-opening road trip that takes them to unexpected places. Before the film’s debut, D23 visited Pixar’s headquarters in Emeryville, California, where director Josh Cooley and producers Mark Nielsen and Jonas Rivera hosted a Q&A to discuss all things Toy Story 4. Read more.

July 17

Free Solo

Favorite Series, Specials, and More Earn 116 Emmy® Nominations Across the Worlds of Disney
Walt Disney Television received 95 Primetime Emmy® Award nominations for 2019, with FX receiving 32, led by Fosse/Verdon and Pose; 15 nods were given to National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD; and Disney Channel received a nomination for the animated series Star Wars Resistance. Additionally, the streaming service Hulu received 20 nominations, while ESPN was recognized for its 30 for 30 series. Across all platforms, The Walt Disney Company received 116 nominations. When the awards were handed out on September 22, The Walt Disney Company received 22 Emmys, including four for Fosse/Verdon and seven for Free Solo (which swept every category in which it was nominated). Read more.

July 19

the lion king

New Technology Helps Drive the Success of The Lion King
The audience just couldn’t wait to see King: Director Jon Favreau and his team blended the most advanced VR (virtual-reality) and live-action filmmaking techniques with photorealistic computer-generated animation to tell the timeless story of The Lion King in an all-new, innovative way. Read more.

July 23

Comic-Con D23 event

Disney Produces Some of the Biggest Moments of San Diego Comic-Con 2019
The brands of Disney—Marvel, Lucasfilm, ABC, FX, Fox, Disney Channel, and National Geographic—produced some of the most exciting moments of San Diego Comic-Con 2019. The all-star Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. panel took place in the 6,500-seat Hall H, as ABC’s dramas Stumptown, The Rookie, and Emergence also hosted panels. Fans sang along with the DuckTales cast and laughed along with shows from FX and Fox, including Bob’s Burgers, Archer, What We Do in the Shadows, Family Guy, and The Orville. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige presided over the 90-minute extravaganza with special guests that included Angelina Jolie, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jeremy Renner, Chris Hemsworth, and Mahershala Ali. D23 had a special Gold Member-exclusive mixer celebrating the 80th anniversary of Marvel, and boogied the night away at a party in honor of the 40th anniversary of the multiplatinum Mickey Mouse Disco album. Earlier that day, D23 hosted “Mickey on Vinyl: D23 Celebrates the Mouse, the Music, and the Movement.” Read more.

August 2

Descendants 3

Disney Channel’s Descendants 3 Premieres on Disney Channel
If the Descendants movies have taught us anything, it’s that no one is ever just one thing. Villains can be good, heroes can be bad, and it’s OK—normal, even!—to be a little bit of both. Disney Channel’s premiere telecast of Descendants 3, which aired Friday, August 2, drew cable TV’s highest ratings in more than two years among Kids 6–11, Tweens 9–14, Girls 6–11 and Girls 9–14. Ahead of the premiere, we talked to three of the film’s stars to find out what happens after the original Villain Kids Mal (Dove Cameron), Evie (Sofia Carson), Carlos (the late Cameron Boyce), and Jay (Booboo Stewart) return to the Isle of the Lost to recruit a new batch of villainous progeny to enroll at Auradon Prep. “A lot happens,” promised Anna Cathcart, who portrays Dizzy. “You definitely won’t be disappointed!” Read more.

August 23

Disney Legends Awards Ceremony Kicks Off Exciting D23 Expo 2019
The Walt Disney Company continued a 32-year tradition August 23, honoring 12 remarkable talents as Disney Legends in a special awards ceremony hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger at D23 Expo 2019 in Anaheim, California. This year the award—the highest honor the Company can bestow—was presented to Christina Aguilera, Wing T. Chao, Robert Downey Jr., Jon Favreau, James Earl Jones, Bette Midler, Kenny Ortega, Barnette Ricci, Robin Roberts, Diane Sawyer, Ming-Na Wen, and Hans Zimmer, who were recognized for the significant impact they have made on the Disney legacy. The new Disney Legends take their place alongside iconic names such as Angela Lansbury, Marty Sklar, Dick Van Dyke, and Barbara Walters. Since the program was established in 1987, fewer than 300 people have received the Disney Legends Award. Check out the best moments from this fan-favorite tradition in our recap of the D23 Expo 2019 Disney Legends Awards Ceremony.

August 23

D23 Expo Disney+

Disney+ Announces Six New Titles, Showcases Upcoming Slate of Original Series and Films at D23 Expo 2019
Fans at D23 Expo 2019 in Anaheim, California, were the first to learn of six new series in development for Disney+ and discover key details about the highly anticipated streaming service. The star-studded event featured in-person and video appearances from the stars of Disney+’s slate of originals from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, and included sneak peeks, trailer premieres, and exclusive news about the service and its upcoming projects. Fans enjoyed first looks at The MandalorianHigh School Musical: The Musical: The SeriesLady and the TrampNoelleThe World According to Jeff GoldblumEncore!, and Forky Asks a Question. They were also the first to learn of an untitled Obi-Wan Kenobi series in development from Lucasfilm that will star Ewan McGregor; the new live-action series Ms. MarvelMoon Knight, and She-Hulk from Marvel Studios; and an all-new Lizzie McGuire series starring Hilary Duff.  Read more.

August 24

Soul

Disney Presents Upcoming Live-Action and Animated Slate at D23 Expo 2019
The Walt Disney Studios—including studio leaders and filmmakers from Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Disney live action, Pixar, and Walt Disney Animation Studios—offered guests at D23 Expo 2019 a captivating look at Disney’s upcoming film slate. Alan Horn, co-chairman and chief creative officer, The Walt Disney Studios, was joined by Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy, Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige, Disney live action’s Sean Bailey, Pixar’s Pete Docter and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Jennifer Lee for the presentation at the Anaheim Convention Center, featuring never-before-seen footage and a host of stars from films such as Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Marvel Studios’ The EternalsJungle CruiseOnward, and Frozen 2Read more.

August 25

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Reveals Next Generation of Immersive Storytelling in Disney Parks
At D23 Expo 2019, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek detailed ambitious plans in store for one of the most extraordinary periods of expansion in Disney history. Nearly 7,000 fans filled Hall D23 at the Anaheim Convention Center to hear more about the multiyear transformation of Epcot underway at Walt Disney World Resort, the Avengers Campus coming to both Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris, and the new ship coming to Disney Cruise Line in 2022, along with other new offerings that invite guests to be front and center in their favorite stories. Read more.

September 29

skyliner

The Disney Skyliner Opens at Walt Disney World
On September 29, the Disney Skyliner took flight across four resort hotels and two parks as a new addition to the complimentary transportation systems across the resort. Decorated with images of many beloved Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel characters, each gondola gives guests a unique, never-before-seen view of Walt Disney World. Read more.

October 1

Epcot Forever

Epcot Forever Dazzles
Bringing World Showcase Lagoon to life with an epic spectacle of fireworks, lighting, lasers, special effects kites, and more, Epcot Forever is set to the sounds of some of the most beloved songs from the park’s history including “Magic Journeys,” “Tomorrow’s Child,” and, of course, “One Little Spark.” Read more.

November 5

the little mermaid live

The Wonderful World of Disney presents The Little Mermaid Live! Celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Beloved Animated Classic
The Wonderful World of Disney presents The Little Mermaid Live!  honored the 30th anniversary of the beloved animated classic through a never-before-seen hybrid format that took viewers on a magical adventure under the sea. The star-studded cast included Auli’i Cravalho as Ariel; Queen Latifah as the menacing sea witch Ursula; John Stamos as an eccentric French cook, Chef Louis; Shaggy as Sebastian; Amber Riley as the emcee; and Graham Phillips as Prince Eric. Ahead of his splashy debut, Phillips talked to D23 about how he was preparing for this eagerly awaited live television event. Read more.

November 12

Disney+

Disney+ Launches—And a New Era of Disney Entertainment Begins
Disney+, the highly anticipated streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, went live in the U.S., Canada, and the Netherlands, bringing together for the first time an unparalleled lineup of content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. At launch, the service featured nearly 500 films and 7,500 episodes of television from across the worlds of Disney, including an extensive collection of beloved library titles, as well as a robust slate of Disney+ originals. Click here to discover basically everything you can watch on Disney+.

November 22

Frozen 2

Frozen 2 Melts Our Hearts
After the 2013 release of Frozen, directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck weren’t ready to leave Arendelle—and we weren’t either. On November 22, Frozen 2 opened in theaters, taking fans into the unknown and continuing the story of Anna and Elsa. “This is a journey Disney Animation doesn’t usually do. There’s never been a second musical to a feature,” Lee said, adding, “We just knew we couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen.” Lee and Buck were joined by the film’s cast members Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, and Jonathan Groff, as well as songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez at a press conference right before the film’s record-breaking opening weekend. Click here for nine stories worth melting for from the Frozen 2 team.

December 3

odad

Disney Publishing Worldwide and Disney+ Launch One Day at Disney
Disney Publishing Worldwide and Disney’s new streaming service, Disney+, debuted a spectacular collaboration: One Day at Disney. The new 224-page coffee table book and documentary series—unveiled in August at D23 Expo 2019 by Ricky Strauss, president, Content & Marketing for Disney+, and Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts—shines a dazzling light on the creative forces in front of the cameras and behind the scenes at The Walt Disney Company. Read more.

December 5

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Debuts at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
On December 5, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance debuted at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios—and it’s one of the most ambitious, advanced, and immersive experiences ever undertaken by Walt Disney Imagineering. On January 17, 2020, Star Wars: Rise of Resistance will open at Disneyland park in California. Read more.

December 20

the rise of skywalker

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Hits Theaters and Serves as an Epic Conclusion to the 42-Year Skywalker Saga
After piloting Star Wars: The Force Awakens to galactic levels of success, director J.J. Abrams returned for the ninth and final film in Lucasfilm’s epic Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Ending the series in grand fashion, the film stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Billie Lourde, Keri Russell, Oscar Isaac, Kelly Marie Tran, John Boyega, Billy Dee Williams, Joonas Suotamo, Disney Legend Mark Hamill, and features Disney Legend Carrie Fisher’s final onscreen appearance as General Leia Organa. Read more.

Celebrate Five Years of Into the Woods with 5 Facts

By D23 Team

Witches. Heroes. Enchantments. Curses. Love. Loss. Disney fans know and love these better than most; they’ve embraced them from timeless classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs through contemporary fairy tales like Frozen. But five years ago, Disney opened up this magical world in new ways. For those unfamiliar with the musical, Into the Woods takes the traditional tales of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Little Red Riding Hood and ties them together with a new story, that of a Baker and his Wife who wish to have a child but learn they have been cursed by “the witch next door.” To break the curse, the pair must gather four special objects within three days: a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, a slipper as pure as gold, and a cow as white as milk. Thus, the beloved stories begin to intertwine. 

So, we’re celebrating the anniversary of the timeless tale with five fun facts about the making of Into the Woods.

1. Into the Woods was almost an animated film.
Book writer James Lapine’s Into the Woods was a huge success on Broadway, earning Tony Awards® for Best Score and Best Book. But for over 20 years, talk of a movie would come and go with various ideas in mind—including an animated version.

“I thought [an animated film] would have been perfect,” Lapine said. “But now that we’ve gotten a live-action, I’m thrilled there wasn’t one.” It was actually director Rob Marshall’s idea to bring the project to Disney, with producing partner John DeLuca. “It’s something that we always wanted to do,” Marshall, who also helmed the musical Chicago, as well as Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, said. “We were finishing up Pirates, and we had a wonderful time with Disney. We were thinking, What’s next? And we’d always wanted to do Into the Woods. I’ve always been such a huge fan of it and just thought it had such a powerful statement.”

anna kendrick as cinderella

2. Anna Kendrick thought she would be cast as Little Red.
Kendrick was surprised she was being considered to play the belle of the ball—literally. “I initially thought I would be auditioning for Little Red because normally Little Red is played by a grown woman, and I have a kind of belt-y voice.” Learning she’d be trying out for the role of Cinderella, she said, was “terrifying. I don’t think of myself as a sort of big-hearted ingénue. I think of myself as a weird, little girl.”

meryl streep as the witch

3. One song posed a big challenge for Meryl Streep.
Perhaps Streep’s biggest challenge was mastering a section of the film’s prologue sometimes known as the “Witch’s Rap,” during which the sorceress explains, through spoken rhyme, how the Baker and his house came to be cursed. The verbal intricacies of the rap would likely leave Kanye West tongue-tied.

“I learned it while walking through Richmond Park,” she explained. “The parks in England are unlike parks here. They’re real wild spaces and they’re kind of scary.” Streep would walk at the pace of the rap to learn the song, while listening to her iPod. “I can still remember every single word!” she said with a laugh. “That’s the problem when you do a musical, you can’t lose the music. But I never got sick of doing it. I mean, it’s just so much fun.”

chris pine as prince charming

4. Time stood still for Chris Pine during one particular scene.
Another song that had basically been sung to the audience in the stage production was “On the Steps of the Palace,” where Cinderella flees from the Prince’s castle for the third night in a row (following the Grimm Brothers’ version of the story, which sees the would-be princess attending a ball that lasts three nights).

For the film, time stops, giving Cinderella the opportunity to assess the situation, leaving Pine—in all his princely regalia—frozen at the top of the stairs. “I’m sure everyone assumes he would be CGI’d in the background, but the poor man had to stand there frozen for the entire two days we filmed,” Kendrick said. “I didn’t realize how hard it would be to stand still for so long,” Pine added. “Thank God Anna has a beautiful voice.” “I was running around like a little rabbit on the steps,” Kendrick remembered, “so he was very, very accommodating.”

emily blunt and james corden as the baker's wife and baker

5. Emily Blunt, aka the baker’s wife, secretly had her own bun in the oven.
The costume department’s biggest challenge was likely the surprise Emily Blunt was carrying in her belly. “When we did rehearsals, I was being kind of careful,” recalled Blunt, who was in the first months of her pregnancy with baby Hazel, who was born in February of 2014. She did, however, let some of her co-stars and Marshall in on her happy secret—especially Pine, with whom she shares a dance. “By the time we shot, it was about two months later and I said to Chris Pine, ‘You need to add 15 pounds to what you felt before. When you dip me, you gotta get yourself in a deep lunge because there’s more weight coming down!’”

Disguising the pregnancy was a task for Marshall and the costumers to handle. James Corden, the Baker, would always be positioned in front of her belly, as well as placing Blunt’s apron higher and higher up. “I was hiding behind every tree in that wood!” Blunt said, giggling.

This article originally appeared in a slightly different form in the Winter 2014 issue of Disney twenty-three and was modified for D23.com.

Going Undercover with the Guys from Spies in Disguise

By Zach Johnson

Before your family flocks to the local movie theater to see Spies in Disguise on Christmas Day, we chatted with directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane and voice actor Masi Oka about the inspiration behind the animated adventure from 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios. “Originally there was a short called Pigeon: Impossible by Louis Martell,” Quane said. “It had a simple, funny idea of a spy trying to have lunch and a pigeon getting in his way. We built off that idea and asked, ‘What would be more annoying than a pigeon interrupting a spy’s lunch? If the spy got turned into a pigeon.’”

For the last six years, Bruno and Quane have been shaping that idea into a feature-length film, which centers on two characters: spy Lance Sterling (voice of Will Smith) and scientist Walter Beckett (voice of Tom Holland). “At its heart, this is a story about an odd couple who must save each other in order to save the world,” explained Quane. “For as much fun and action as it has, it also has a great, heartfelt message behind it.”

Spies in Disguise

Smith was always at the top of the directors’ list to voice Lance. “We knew we had to have somebody who could stand up against characters like James Bond, Jason Bourne, and Ethan Hunt,” Bruno said. “We looked back to the heroes we had growing up, and Will Smith was one of them.” Smith agreed to a meeting, much to the delighted directors’ surprise. Soon afterward, he joined the Spies in Disguise cast. “I think it’s because of the message we had,” Bruno said. “We know this is the first time many kids are going to see a spy movie. We felt there was a responsibility to say something with that. In a world where everyone is fighting fire with fire, this movie is about people—despite their different philosophies—working together. I think Will was touched by that.”

“Lance is a guy who flies solo. He’s strong, he’s amazing, he’s capable… There’s no one better!” Quane added. “Turning him into a bird strips all of that away. He will eventually learn he’s stronger with the help of the other birds in the flock and Walter.”

Spies in Disguise

The role of Walter required an actor who could be awkward and optimistic—someone like Holland. “It was really important to find someone who was funny, charming, and sincere,” Quane said, “and as soon as we heard Tom, we were like, ‘That is the guy!’”

“Walter is a guy who can come across as a little weird. He’s got big, crazy ideas. I mean, you watch him turn a man into a pigeon!” Quane said. “But weird is only weird until it isn’t. Weird is only weird ’til you go, ‘Wait a minute… That’s actually a great idea.”

Oka voices the dark web hacker Katsu Kimura, whom he described as the “middle boss.” Despite his criminal character’s “tough exterior,” Oka added, “He’s a teddy bear!” Rounding out the voice cast are Rashida Jones as Marcy Kappel, Ben Mendelsohn as Keller “Robohand” Killian, Reba McEntire as Joy “Joyless” Jenkins, Rachel Brosnahan as Wendy Beckett, Karen Gillan as Eyes, DJ Khaled as Ears, and Carla Jimenez as Geraldine. “We’re seriously lucky on this movie to get all of our first-choice casting for every character,” Quane said. “It’s a rare thing and we’re so excited to have all of them.”

Spies in Disguise

After working on the Star Wars prequel trilogy at Industrial Light & Magic years ago, Oka approached this project with added appreciation for what it takes to make an animated film. “I love the idea of using computers to solve creative problems,” Oka said. “I have a respect for the process, as well as the ability to communicate and understand it. So, I can technically adjust my acting to make everything easier and better for the animators.”

“After seeing this film, I wish I could have done the stunts, but…” Oka said with a big laugh. “The spy stuff is fun! It’s escapism. It’s why we love watching films—to see the things you would never get to do in real life. I always enjoy these spy films. It’s fun for the whole family. Maybe kids will want to be spies one day… or pigeons! One of them!”

All jokes aside, the directors described the animated adventure as a “love letter” to the spy movie genre. “One thing I’m really proud of is that my sons will go into this movie wanting to be a Lance,” Bruno admitted, “but leave very proud to be a Walter Beckett.”