Avengers: Endgame Stars Celebrate the Launch of Avengers Universe Unites

By Zach Johnson

The stars of Marvel Studios’ Avengers: assembled to celebrate a Super Hero-sized charitable initiative today, as Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd, and Brie Larson visited the Disneyland Resort to launch Avengers Universe Unites. The epic charity event supports The Walt Disney Company’s signature philanthropic commitment, Disney Team of Heroes, which delivers comfort and inspiration to seriously ill children around the world.

Downey, Hemsworth, Johansson, Renner, Rudd, and Larson teamed up in Disney California Adventure Park to celebrate the donation of more than $5 million to nonprofits supporting children with critical illnesses, including $1 million in cash from Disney to Starlight Children’s Foundation. The LEGO Group, Hasbro, Funko and Amazon together donated more than $4 million in Avengers: Endgame toys and products, which will be sent to hundreds of children’s hospitals throughout the country, as well as to Give Kids the World, a nonprofit resort in central Florida.

Avengers Unit

“The superheroes in Avengers personify traits like courage, perseverance, bravery and hope—the same traits countless kids and their families in children’s hospitals exhibit every day,” said Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, who joined the kickoff celebration. “We are grateful to have the Avengers cast take time out of their day to be a part of this effort to lift spirits and bring comfort to children during a difficult time.”

Avengers Unit

Kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Anaheim and Garden Grove joined the six actors to play at a larger-than-life LEGO® build at The LEGO Store in Downtown Disney, where they were treated to a visit by Amazon’s Treasure Truck stocked with Avengers: Endgame toys, including Hasbro action figures, Iron Man MK50 robots by UBTECH, and Funko POP! vinyl figures. “Nobody understands magical experiences better than Disney, and we’ve been proud to partner with them in bringing those experiences to kids in children’s hospitals for more than 20 years,” said Adam Garone, CEO, Starlight Children’s Foundation. “From delivering hospital care packages, to storytelling through Starlight Xperience virtual reality, to our recent Disney-themed Starlight Gowns, millions of seriously ill children have benefited from our amazing relationship together. And with this donation, even more kids will get to experience the magic of Disney.”

Everything You Need to Know About Star Wars Celebration Chicago

By Zach Johnson

Soon, fans from across the galaxy will travel to Chicago for Star Wars Celebration—and so will we. For padawans who aren’t making the journey to the Windy City, The Star Wars Show LIVE! presented by Geico will stream panels, interviews and more directly from the show floor. Also, be sure to follow D23 on social media for real-time updates, coming at you faster than lightspeed! And you won’t want to miss actress and D23 favorite Ashley Eckstein do a mini social takeover on Saturday. Finally, come back to D23.com Monday for a fun, comprehensive recap of the buzziest moments.

The five-day celebration will take place from April 11–15 at McCormick Place (2301 S. Lake Shore Drive). Sharing in the excitement of new books, comics, movies, and television shows, while also celebrating the vast history of the Star Wars universe, the exclusive event will include major announcements, celebrity guests, immersive exhibits, limited edition merch, meet-and-greet opportunities, fan-inspired activities, early screenings, panel discussions, and more. Star Wars Celebration will be open 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. Jedi Master VIPs also get 30 minutes early access.

David W. Collins and Amy Ratcliffe will return as hosts of the Galaxy Stage and the Behind-the-Scenes Stage, respectively. Warwick Davis, who brought Weazel and Wicket to life onscreen, will serve as the master of ceremonies; he last hosted the Celebration Stage in Orlando in 2017.

Star Wars Celebration attendees can take advantage of the new LIGHTSPEED Virtual Panel Reservations and LIGHTSPEED Lane Virtual Queuing, powered by ThinkGeek, which eliminate the need for overnight queuing and give fans the opportunity to see the panels they want and shop the Celebration Store with less waiting time.

And no matter how far, far away fans may be, they can join the festivities via their nearest screen or device, as hosts Andi Gutierrez and Anthony Carboni, co-hosts Max Scoville and Chastity Vicencio, and Jordan Hembrough and Ashley Eckstein stream live from StarWars.com and YouTube.com throughout the event.

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

ARE THESE THE DROIDS—ER, CHARACTERS—YOU WERE LOOKING FOR?
Dozens of actors will be making appearances, including Riz Ahmed (Bodhi Rook), Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks), Paul Bettany (Dryden Vos), Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker), Hermione Corfield (Tallissan Lintra), Michael Culver (Captain Needa), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Warwick Davis (Wicket W. Warrick/Weazel), Mark Dodson (Salacious B. Crumb), Anthony Forrest (Sandtrooper), Janina Gavankar (Iden Versio), Julian Glover (General Veers), Greg Grunberg (Temmin “Snap” Wexley), Kathy Kartwheel (HURID-327), Paul Kasey (Admiral Raddus and Ello Asty), Erin Kellyman (Enfys Nest), Ken Leung (Admiral Statura), Jett Lucas (Zett Jukassa), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine), Ian McElhinney (General Dodonna), John Morton (Dak Ralter), Ray Park (Darth Maul), Michael Pennington (Moff Jerjerrod), Hugh Quarshie (Captain Panaka), John Ratzenberger (Major Derlin), Orli Shoshan (Shaak Ti), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Alan Tudyk (K-2SO), Forest Whitaker (Saw Gerrera), and Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian).

Meanwhile, voice actors scheduled to attend include Dee Bradley Baker (Glem), Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano), Donald Faison (Hype Fazon), Taylor Gray (Ezra Bridger), Jason Isaacs (The Inquisitor), Tom Kane (Master Yoda and others), Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker), Scott Lawrence (Jarek Yeager), Daniel Logan (Boba Fett), Vanessa Marshall (Hera Syndulla), Suzie McGrath (Tam Ryvora), Bobby Moynihan (Orka), Freddie Prinze Jr. (Kanan Jarrus), Greg Proops (Jak Sivrak, Garma and Fode), Katee Sackhoff (Bo-Katan), Christopher Sean (Kazuda Xiono), Tiya Sircar (Sabine Wren), Catherine Taber (Padmé Amidala), James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Myrna Velasco (Torra Doza), Sam Witwer (Darth Maul), and Matthew Wood (General Grievous).

(For pricing information regarding autographs and photo ops, click here.)

Other guests include puppeteers Dave Chapman and Brian Herring, the men responsible for bringing BB-8 to life; droid builders Lee Towersey and Josh Lee, who mechanized R2-D2 and K-2SO, respectively; electronic and development supervisor Matt Denton; and authors Jeffrey Brown, Katie Cook, Zoraida Córdova, Delilah Dawson, Alexander Freed, Claudia Gray, E.K. Johnston, Justina Ireland, Cavan Scott, and Timothy Zahn. Rob Bredow, executive creative director and head of Industrial Light & Magic, will also be autographing his new book, Industrial Light & Magic Presents: Making Solo: A Star Wars Story. Lorne Peterson, one of the founding members of Industrial Light & Magic who was hired to help create models for Star Wars: A New Hope, will make an appearance, as will creature performer Annabelle Davis (Thromba) and Penny McCarthy, who played both a Devaronian cantina patron and a band member in the film.

Plus, Mark Daniel (Celebration Stage warm-up host), Warwick Davis (Celebration Stage host), Dave Griffiths (Galaxy Stage DJ), Elliot Hansen (Celebration Stage DJ), Gus Lopez (Collecting Track host), Cameron Matthews (StarWars.com Stage warm-up host), Mark Newbold (Podcast Stage host), and Amanda Wirtz (Galaxy Stage warm-up host) will be there to rev up the crowds.

Star Wars Episode IX

PANELS! UNLIMITED PANELS!
An exciting entertainment lineup will take place across eight stages in McCormick Place: Celebration Stage (Location: Wintrust Arena), Collectors’ Stage (Location: W474), Fan Stage (Location: W470), Galaxy Stage (Location: Skyline Ballroom), Podcast Stage (Location: W193), Star Wars Show LIVE! Stage (Location: Exhibit Hall), Twin Suns Stage (Location: W196), and University Stage (Location: W194). The Star Wars Celebration website has an interactive map.

Here are some of the most anticipated panels of 2019:

Friday, April 12

Star Wars: Episode IX (11 a.m.–12 p.m.)
Director J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy will appear live on stage to celebrate the culmination of the Skywalker Saga. Count on plenty of surprises and special guests as anticipation builds for the blockbuster finale, set for release on December 20, 2019.

Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series (1:30–2:30 p.m.)
Join ILMxLAB and Oculus for a preview of the first Star Wars story series designed for virtual reality. Learn all about the design, story, and technology that bring this new experience to life.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Saturday, April 13

Bringing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Life (11 a.m.–12:20 p.m.)
Team members from Walt Disney Imagineering and Lucasfilm will share stories about what it takes to bring Star Wars to life and how guests can live their own Star Wars stories in Batuu. Expect a few surprises before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens May 31 at Disneyland Resort in California and August 29 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Star Wars Rebels Remembered (12:45–1:45 p.m.)
The Ghost crew is far from forgotten! Take a walk down memory lane with executive producer Dave Filoni and voice actors Gray, Marshall, and Sircar. Spoiler alert: There are NO reboot plans.

The Mandalorian

Sunday, April 14

The Mandalorian (11 a.m.–12 p.m.)
Learn about the perilous world at the heart of the series, set to debut on Disney+, with executive producer/writer Jon Favreau and executive producer/director Dave Filoni. Disney+, The Walt Disney Company’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, debuts in the U.S. later this year.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Sneak Peek (3:30–4:30 p.m.)
Filoni will invite special guests to discuss the return of the animated series, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Together, they’ll share an exclusive sneak peek at things to come.

Monday, April 15

Star Wars: Phantom Menace 20th Anniversary Celebration (11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
Davis will host the can’t-miss event live from the Celebration Stage, sharing rare behind-the-scenes content and inviting special guests to share insights and memories from the film’s set.

Star Wars Resistance Season Two Sneak Peek (1:30–2:30 p.m.)
Preview new episodes of the animated series with executive producers Brandon Auman, Athena Portillo, and Justin Ridge, plus actors Faison, Lawrence, McGrath, Sean, and Velasco.

Visit Star Wars Celebration’s website for a complete guide to dozens of must-see panels.

Star Wars merch

NEVER TELL ME THE ODDS—ER, PRICE!
Star Wars Celebration will transport some of the most sought-after treasures in the galaxy to a single space: McCormick Place. Most items will only be available to fans who attend the event, although select products will be available to purchase from Amazon, Target, and other retailers.

Save up your Imperial Credits and explore the floors to find merchandise like ACME Archives’ “The Hopeful” Art Print by Jerry Vanderstelt, Aquarius’ Character and Vehicle Magnets, Beeline’s Rancor and Jedi Luke Geeki Tikis Set, Diamond Select Toys’ Hera Syndulla Mini Bust, Fantasy Flight Games’ Star Wars: Legion Limited Edition Darth Vader Commander Expansion, Funko’s Watto POP!, Hallmark’s Boushh Itty Bitty, Hasbro’s Star Wars: The Black Series Obi-Wan Kenobi on Episode I Cardback, Koto, Inc.’s R2-R9 and R2-B1 ARTFX Statues 2-Pack, Kotobukiya’s ARTFX Darth Vader Bronze Version, LEGO’s Darth Vader Bust, Loungefly’s Animated Boba Fett Edition Backpack, NECA’s Jabba the Hutt Chia Pet (Limited Edition of 500), Po-Zu’s Star Wars Celebration Sneaker, Reed Exhibitions’ Darth Maul Souvenir Jacket, Regal Robot’s Jabba’s Dais Gargoyle Magnet, Seven20’s Aunt Beru’s Diner Mug, Seven20’s Walk-N-Roar Chewbacca Plush With Collectible Millennium Falcon Pin, Wilson’s Star Wars: The Phantom Menace 20th Anniversary Football, and dozens of other collectibles.

Star Wars Resistance

HOW YOU GET SO BIG EATING FOOD OF THIS KIND?
Fans can purchase meals in the 2nd Level Food Court in McCormick West, as well as in the Marriott Marquis Chicago and around the McCormick Place convention center area. Chicago also has wonderful restaurants and eating places for Star Wars Celebration after-hours meals.

HELP ME, OBI-WAN KENOBI: YOU’RE MY ONLY HOPE!
The Star Wars Celebration Mobile App is the best source for up to the minute information, maps and more. Still have questions? Look no further than the Star Wars Celebration FAQs.

Tickets are still available for Monday, April 15. Star Wars Celebration Chicago teamed up with Lyte to form an authentic, safe ticket exchange. Fans may return their sold-out ticket types to Lyte, or they may make a reservation to buy a ticket from Lyte after a ticket type has sold out.

Avengers: Endgame Tickets Now on Sale—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

It’s almost time to join the Avengers for “whatever it takes,” and their colleagues at S.H.I.E.L.D. return to ABC this summer… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Avengers: Endgame: The Wait is Almost Over…

While it’s true that we don’t know much about what Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame has in store (and honestly, we prefer it that way—no spoilers!), we do know this: Tickets for the film are now on sale! So if you’d like to avoid waiting in long lines at your local cineplex once it’s rocketed onto screens, you might just wanna go ahead and pre-purchase yours—available anywhere movie tickets are sold… don’t say we didn’t warn you!

And get this: Twelve theaters in North America (11 in the States and one in Canada) will offer fans the chance to experience the Marvel Cinematic Universe like never before during an incredible Marvel Studios’ 22-Movie Marathon! Starting Tuesday, April 23, fans will be able to see every film in the MCU, culminating with Avengers: Endgame at 5 p.m. local time on Thursday, April 25. Check out Marvel Studios’ 22-Movie Marathon for more information.

Plus, just in case you needed another teaser trailer to further whet your anticipatory appetite, take a gander at the brand-new clip above—released in honor of the film’s on-sale fiesta. Avengers: Endgame opens in theaters everywhere April 26. See ya there!

Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
April 5, 2019
Lunch with a Disney Legend–Linda Larkin
April 6, 2019
D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experience: The Lion King on Broadway
April 6, 2019
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – GOLD FAMILY EXCLUSIVE
April 13, 2019
Join D23 for a Special Screening of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi!
April 15, 2019
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23
May 1, 2019

May 4, 2019
D23’s Magical Screening Series: The Lion King at Walt Disney World
May 6, 2019
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23
May 11, 2019
D23’s Magical Screening Series: The Lion King on the Lot
May 16, 2019
D23 Celebrates Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World
June 1, 2019
D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experience: Return to Walt’s Chicago
June 8, 2019
Lunch with a Disney Legend – Paige O’Hara
August 23-25, 2019
D23 Expo 2019
Parks
March 1-April 23, 2019
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
March 6-June 3, 2019
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Summer 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening at Disneyland Resort
Fall 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening at and Walt Disney World Resort
Studios
April 17, 2019
Penguins opens in U.S. theaters
April 26, 2019
Avengers: Endgame opens in U.S. theaters
May 24, 2019
Aladdin opens in U.S. theaters
June 21, 2019
Toy Story 4 opens in U.S. theaters
July 19, 2019
The Lion King opens in U.S. theaters
August 9, 2019
Artemis Fowl opens in U.S. theaters
Television
March 3, 2019
American Idol kicks off second season on ABC (8–10:01 p.m. EST)

news briefs 4/4

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Returns This Summer

Speaking of the MCU, we’re pleased to report that Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will be returning to the ABC airwaves in just a few months’ time. Some of your favorite agents made the announcement at the recent WonderCon convention in Anaheim—read more about the show’s return, and get a ton of inside scoop, right here at D23.com.

news briefs 4/4

Two Big Epcot Festivals Announce Delightful Details

Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort is supremely cool for oh, so many reasons—including their amazing annual festivals, some of which have been going on for decades. So color us ecstatic regarding the following update… New details were just revealed this week for two such fan favorite events: the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays!

The 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will run August 29 through November 23, making it the longest Food & Wine Festival in the park’s history—at a whopping 87 days! As in years past, look for all manner of tasty dishes, fine dining events, and appearances by top celebrity chefs. Plus, the festival’s Eat to the Beat Concert Series will run from August 29 until November 19 and will feature a memorable lineup of pop, rock, R&B, country, Christian, swing, and Latin artists. (Do note that the concert series will conclude a few days earlier than the festival, in order to set the stage for the return of Epcot’s beloved Candlelight Processional!) Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for more information in the coming months at TasteEpcot.com.

And speaking of Candlelight, the 2019 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays will delight guests beginning November 29 and run through December 30. This seasonal celebration invites young and young at heart to discover holiday cheer across all 11 World Showcase pavilions and throughout the park. Special entertainment, storytellers, yummy favorites at Holiday Kitchens, and shimmering holiday decor are all part of the magic. The Candlelight Processional—a truly “must-do” event for many Epcot fans—will feature nightly retellings of the traditional Christmas story read by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a choir and live orchestra.

Stay tuned for more info on Epcot’s upcoming festival fun as it’s released!

Five Times the Aladdin on Broadway for Fifth Anniversary

If you’re a fan of Aladdin on Broadway—the musical based on Disney’s 1992 animated hit—or if you’re just a fan of fabulous theatrical performances in general, you positively must check out the video from the show’s recent fifth anniversary celebration… featuring five actors who’ve played the production’s show-stopping Genie—including Tony® winner James Monroe Iglehart. Check it out here at D23.com.

news briefs 4/4

Party with Your Favorite Villains at Magic Kingdom’s Disney After Hours

Our good pals over at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts have started offering some supremely cool events for guests, once the sun’s gone down and the park gates have closed… On the West Coast, it’s known as Disneyland After Dark (the next event is at Disney California Adventure park in late April; more info here)—and at Walt Disney World Resort, it’s known as Disney After Hours. And just this week, Magic Kingdom park revealed that all our favorite villains will play a huge part in their next nighttime event, running from June 6 to August 8 on 10 select evenings.

Open to a limited number of guests, Disney After Hours offers shorter wait times at more than 20 attractions and experiences—including Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, and many more. Disney After Hours tickets allow entry as early as 7 p.m., so there’s time to enjoy some fireworks before the main festivities even commence. And yummy snacks like ice cream and popcorn are included in the cost of admission!

Disney Villains After Hours will include some incredible, exclusive entertainment—namely, a brand-new Disney Villains stage show called “Villains Unite the Night,” featuring fan favorites Hades and Meg from Hercules. Plus, the amazing Maleficent the Dragon float (from Disney’s Festival of Fantasy parade) will be “let loose” for the very first time at night, breathing fire as she slinks through the park. Don’t forget to look for exclusive Disney Villains merchandise, as well as wickedly tasty food and beverage offerings. And of course, guests are encouraged to come bedecked with attire inspired by your favorite baddie.

Tickets for Disney Villains After Hours will be available beginning April 29—for more info, check out the event page at DisneyWorld.com.

Amphibia Brings Brenda Song Back to Disney Channel

She previously co-starred on Disney Channel’s The Suite Life of Zack & Cody—as well as in a slew of Disney Channel Original Movies—and now she’s back, lending her voice to a brand-new animated series. Hear more about what to expect from Amphibia, debuting this summer on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW, right here at D23.com.

news briefs 4/4

Meet Two Rising Stars at Disney TV Animation

Speaking of Amphibia, and Disney TV animation in general—two Disney animators have made it onto a very special list. Animation magazine recently released its annual rundown of up-and-coming animation professionals (dubbed the “Special 16”) taking the world by storm… and the creator of Amphibia, Matt Braly, made the list! The CalArts graduate first turned Disney heads as a storyboard artist for Disney Channel’s Gravity Falls—and now, he’s produced his own highly anticipated series for the Company.

But that’s not all: Disney TV animation’s own Dana Terrace, creator of the upcoming Disney Channel series The Owl House (slated to debut in early 2020), was highlighted as a member of the “Special 16” as well! She, too, started working in storyboards for Gravity Falls, and has now created a series that follows a rough-around-the-edges mother figure resembling her own quirky female relatives.

Take a look at the full list here, and make sure to keep an eye out for these rising stars.

Every Way You Can Celebrate Earth Month with Disney

By D23 Team

Every April, The Walt Disney Company celebrates Earth Month as a way of honoring the wonderful place we call home. Whether you’re marveling at the beauty of nature or practicing ways to reduce plastic waste, there are countless ways to be part of the Earth Month celebration with us! All over the world, you can join Disney in spending this month working to make our world a little bit better—and more magical! How will you be celebrating the Earth?

Walt Disney World
Guests at the Walt Disney World Resort can celebrate Disneynature’s Penguins while learning more about the impact plastics can have on marine environments. The nonprofit organization Washed Ashore has created a striking nine-foot-tall sculpture of an Adélie penguin made completely from recycled marine trash, such as bottle caps, plastic utensils, and even golf balls. You can see the sculpture in person during the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival from now through June 3 in Epcot’s Future World. A second enormous penguin sculpture is also on display at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in celebration of Earth Month, April 1–30.

Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort cast members are getting creative to showcase their love of the environment in the fourth annual Environmentality Art Challenge. Individuals and teams are building, sculpting, painting, or drawing their own project that illustrates why Environmentality is important to them. The art challenge finalists will be on display at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail April 8–22. Guests and employees vising the resort are invited to see these amazing creations in person and cast their votes to help determine the winner.

Disneyland Paris
Throughout April, enjoy a special projection pre-show featuring jaw-dropping scenes from Disneynature films, all projected on Sleeping Beauty Castle! Marvel at the beauty of nature every evening from March 30 to April 30, 2019 with clips from Bears, Born in China, The Crimson Wing, Oceans, and other favorites. You’ll have a roarin’ good time before you enjoy the dazzling Disney Illuminations spectacular.

Shanghai Disney Resort
At Shanghai Disneyland, guests can enjoy stunning photos of wildlife as part of the WildAid Wildlife Photo Exhibit. Once again, Shaghai Disneyland has partnered with the environmental nonprofit WildAid, this time with a photo gallery of some of our favorite stars of nature.

Penguins

Movie Theaters Everywhere
From April 17–23, everyone is invited to waddle on over to their nearest movie theater to see Disneynature’s Penguins. For every ticket sold in its opening week in North America, Disneynature will make a donation to the Wildlife Conservation Network to help protect penguins across the southern hemisphere. Meet Steve, Penguins’ leading bird, at Nature.Disney.com/Penguins, and learn more about the film and the Disneynature label, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Olivia Holt Shines a Light on our Burning Questions About Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger

By Jim Frye

Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, the groundbreaking series based on the popular Marvel Comics characters, storms back into action for its second season with a two-hour premiere event on Thursday, April 4 (8 p.m ET), on Freeform. It features Olivia Holt as Tandy and Aubrey Joseph as Tyrone, two teens with super powers they’ve kept hidden from the world—until now. Tandy can channel light energy, giving her the ability to wield deadly daggers of light. Tyrone, on the other hand, can manipulate dark energy, allowing him to teleport. The two characters complement each other, with Tandy and Tyrone being told that they are part of a “Divine Pairing,” meaning that to fulfill their destiny, eventually one will live and one will die.

Olivia Holt took a break from filming to talk exclusively with D23 about her character, season two, and how the series deals with weighty, real-world issues.

Cloak & Dagger

D23: Can you describe the powers of your character, Tandy?
Olivia Holt (OH): Tandy has the ability to manifest light daggers in her hands and she also has the ability to see people’s hopes when she touches them. As the second season evolves, her powers have been enhanced and she now has the power to manifest energy light bombs. And she can now throw light daggers now, and she’s way more comfortable with the level of powers she has.

Cloak & Dagger

D23: Where are we at the beginning of season two?
Holt: Tandy is back living with her mom, trying to mend that relationship and grasp what went down last season. Tyrone is moving into the church that Tandy once lived in. We start the second season with them having these movie nights and building this very unique friendship. They’re trying to understand what to use their powers for and why they have them.

D23: How does Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger address real-world issues?
Holt: We don’t shy away from anything that’s happening in society or real life. We keep it authentic, and as heavy as those things can be to see or listen to, I think it really creates a space for people to talk about it. On the first season we focused a lot on police brutality and drug addiction. As heavy as those topics can be, I’m glad we’re not just a show that focuses on two teenagers with super powers, but we’ve been put in situations where we can do things about what’s happening in society.

Cloak & Dagger

D23: Describe your character—what is Tandy like?
Holt: Tandy’s a real interesting character. There are a lot of things about her that are not normal that I personally love—she moves to the beat of her own drum. She’s not afraid to be herself. She doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. The thing about Tandy is that she’s not just one-note—she has a lot of layers. She’s ambitious, yet resilient and cynical. The first season we see what life took from her, and she wants to take it back. But this next season we this hope that has sparked back. We get to see just how honest and inspiring she is, and her relationship with Tyrone, and how this journey that they’re on together is filled with little truths.

Cloak & Dagger

D23: How long did it take for you and Aubrey, who plays Tyrone, to ‘click’?
Holt: Not very long at all. We had pretty instant chemistry in our “chemistry read,” where we went into the audition together. And then we did an improv scene, and I think that was the cherry on top, the icing on the cake. We had pretty insane instant chemistry. I feel very lucky to work with someone like him. His natural instincts are insanely great, and he’s also just a very great human.

D23: What was it like meeting fans of the show at the giant fan conventions this past year?
Holt: It was really surreal. It was my first time going to any of the cons, and it was a really awesome experience. The fans are loyal and so supportive, and they’re the reason we do it. We want to make great television, and the fact that these people are connecting with it and are really enjoying what we’re putting out there is really special. I feel very grateful.

D23: Can you give any hints about what fans can see this coming season?
Holt: This season everything is taken to a whole new level. It’s bigger and better, with a lot of growing both emotionally and physically. Tyrone and Tandy go into some heavy stuff this season—it’s certainly not one to take lightly.

D23: If you could choose any Disney character who could help Tandy and Tyrone on one of your adventures, who would it be?
Holt: Personally, I would choose Rapunzel, even though I feel Tandy would be so mad and fed up with Rapunzel because she’s so optimistic and has this wild energy about her. She has an ambitious and adventurous, driven side to her. She’s very much like Tandy and Tyrone in that she doesn’t want to stop at ‘no,’ and she wants to continue further. I might be biased because I’m a really big Rapunzel fan.

D23: Why should fans watch Cloak and Dagger this Thursday?
Holt: I think there’s a real connection the audience will have with these characters and the journey they go on. There’s going to be a big lesson that they learn, and I think the audience can learn that lesson with them—it’s a special one, and an important one, an honest one, and I hope the fans love it. I’m really excited.

Get ready for all the life lessons, the action, the chemistry, and the “Divine Pairing” of Tyrone and Tandy when season two of Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger rips across your TV screens Thursday, April 4, on Freeform.

7 Disney Parks Attractions Where Small Audiences Go on Big Adventures

By Jocelyn Buhlman

At Disney Parks, we have the chance to explore all sorts of amazing worlds, from forbidden temples to haunted mansions—and even outer space! But some of the attractions that have the biggest places in our hearts have some of the smallest settings and characters. Whether you’re in the kitchen with Remy or exploring the inside of a snowflake, we’ve had all sorts of opportunities to see the world from a smaller point of view. Here are some of our favorite times we’ve gotten to shrink down at Disney Parks:

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Nano Battle!

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Nano Battle!
When Hydra attacks, it’s up to the smallest heroes to come to the rescue. That means it’s a job for Ant-Man, The Wasp, and YOU! Shrunk down to nano-scale proportions, we team up with our favorite pint-sized pair to destroy swarmbots and save the day!

Honey, I Shrunk the Audience

Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
Before Peyton Reed directed the films portions of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!, he had a hand in the creation of another attraction that shrunk guests down—but this time, it wasn’t so we could defeat Hydra! Based on Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and its accompanying sequels (which you should definitely rewatch right now if you need an idea for a movie night), this 3D film, which ran at Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland (as MicroAdventure!), Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris (as Chérie, J’ai Rétréci le Public!), invited us to the Imagination Institute, where Professor Wayne Szalinski’s amazing shrinking machine is demonstrated—on us! The accidental audience-shrinking leads to many wacky incidents (make sure to lift up your feet!), but everyone ends up back at their correct size in the end… mostly.

Adventure Through Inner Space

Adventure Through Inner Space
This mighty fine Tomorrowland attraction used the Mighty Microscope to shrink guests down smaller than an atom—you could even watch the shrunken Atomobiles begin their tiny journey right from the queue! Guests passed beyond the limits of normal mag-nif-i-cation to the inside of a snowflake and into a water molecule—and then into an atom! Featuring the classic Sherman Brothers song, “Miracles from Molecules,” this attraction lives on in the hearts of Disney fans today. Although it no longer is shrinking guests down at Disneyland Resort, sharp-eyed guests might notice a reference to inner space while exploring outer space—next time you ride Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, you might spot the Mighty Microscope hidden inside the Death Star!

Wonders of Life

Body Wars
Directed by the legendary Leonard Nimoy, this classic Epcot attraction explored the Wonders of Life first hand—by exploring the inside of the human body! Our miniaturized mission was to meet up with Dr. Cynthia Lair, who was observing a splinter from inside the body. Of course, the mission goes awry, and we were able to explore the heart, lungs, and more before our safe return to the Wonders of Life Pavilion (and our normal sizes).

Toy Story Midway Mania

Toy Story Midway Mania
Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney California Adventure, and Tokyo DisneySea, we can join in the fun and games of life as a toy! Shrink down to the size of a toy and explore Andy’s new Midway Games set—will you get the high score?

Ratatouille

Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquee de Remy
We’ve been shrunk for science and to fight bad guys, but in this attraction at Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris, we get shrunk down to the size of a rat in order to explore fine dining in Paris! With Remy as our guide, we race through the kitchen of Gusteau’s and avoid the scheming Chef Skinner. Of course, it all ends happily ever after—with food!

It's Tough to Be a Bug

It’s Tough to Be A Bug!
Inside the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we’re treated to a bugs-eye view of the world in this special 3-D show hosted by Flik. As honorary insects, we experience what it’s like to be small and learn about the different bugs that help keep nature balanced. Of course, bug-sized people have bug-sized problems, like a certain unfriendly grasshopper crashing our fun! While we may shrink small for this show, the thrills we experience will leave us buzzing about it for a long time.

7 Secrets Revealed by the Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Cast and Producers at WonderCon

By Jim Frye

It’s been nearly a year since ABC’s fan-fueled hit Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. aired its fifth season finale, leaving viewers wondering about the fates of Agent Coulson and Agent Fitz and the future of the team. The show’s producers delivered a huge wallop of a cliffhanger—the culmination of an entire action-packed season—and fans are ready to re-enlist with S.H.I.E.L.D. when season six arrives this summer.

As a special early preview, the cast and producers ventured down to WonderCon in Anaheim, California—directly across the street from Disneyland Resort—to give the show’s devotees a special exclusive look at the upcoming season. WonderCon is a comic book, entertainment, and pop culture convention produced by Comic-Con International, the same folks who bring you the gigantic San Diego Comic-Con.

Jeph Loeb, executive vice president and head of television for Marvel, moderated the panel in the 5,000-seat arena, joined by executive producers Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, and Jeff Bell, and cast members Clark Gregg (Phil Coulson), Elizabeth Henstridge (Jemma Simmons), Iain De Caestecker (Leo Fitz), Henry Simmons (Alphonso “Mack” MacKenzie), Natalia Cordova-Buckley (Elena “Yo-Yo” Rodriguez), and Jeff Ward (Deke Shaw).

To kick things off—after singing “Happy Birthday” to series star Clark Gregg—exuberant fans were treated to an exclusive first-look at the full premiere episode of season six followed by a spirited, freewheeling Q&A. Here are seven things we learned from the Marvel’s Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. cast and producers at WonderCon.

1. WHEN CAN WE TUNE IN?: Perhaps the most important piece of news to come out of the event is that Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns Friday, May 10 (8–9 p.m. EDT), on ABC.

Marvel's Agents of SHIELD

2. IS COULSON DEAD? The season-five cliffhanger had Agents Coulson and May seemingly spending Agent Coulson’s last living days together in Tahiti. Did he live? Did he die? According to Clark Gregg and showrunner Jed Whedon, beloved Phil Coulson is indeed dead. Speaking about his character’s journey, Gregg says, “There’ve been so many different iterations [of Coulson). I mean Iron Man felt like a completely different thing than Thor, and the big [group-up] of the Avengers, and then dead! And then Joss [Whedon, director of The Avengers] called me and said, ‘Hey, maybe not. And then on this new story about the unsung agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and then Hydra and suddenly there is no S.H.I.E.L.D…. and they came to me toward the end of season five and said, ‘We don’t think you’re going to be able to weasel out of this—we think Coulson really may be finished at the end of season five, but we have an idea for season six where you get to play somebody new, somebody who’s not as big-hearted and heroic.’”

3. THANOS SNAP: How does the big Thanos snap in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War affect the show? Answering a fan’s question, Jeph Loeb says, “On April 26, you’ll probably be in a theater finding out how Infinity War concludes in Endgame. And then on the third of May, which is a week later, you’ll probably go back and see it again and tell everybody that it’s the coolest movie you’ve seen in your whole life. So by the time you get to May 10, you’re not going to have anything else to do other than sit home and watch Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., knowing how Endgame So that should tell you—particularly when you saw today [in the premiere episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.] that it said ‘One Year Later’—that you would have figured that part out.” In other words, Loeb is suggesting—in a vague, non-answer sort of way—that the premiere episode picks up roughly a year after the events in Avengers: Infinity War.

4. CLARK GREGG DIRECTED the premiere episode of season six. “I’ve gotten to watch the way that technology and everything about the Marvel Universe in TV and film has evolved so much, so fast over these 10 years, and most of it has been as an actor,” says Gregg. “I directed an episode in season five that had some fun VFX and fight stuff, but this was a full-on hardcore sci-fi Marvel episode and our season six premiere. That was a real thrill, and I feel like I benefitted from watching all the stuff I’ve been watching, and from our amazing crew and DPs [directors of photography] and special effects supervisor Mark Kolpack. You saw how amazing that looks. The fact that we’re able to do that on a TV show that we shoot in nine days is remarkable.”

Marvel's Agents of SHIELD

5. A PET MONKEY: Iain De Caestecker, who plays Agent Leo Fitz, recently received an actual real-live monkey as a gift—and would really love to have it featured, in some way, in the show. “For Christmas my sister gave me one,” says De Caestecker. “She was like, ‘In real life, Iain is never going to have one,’ so she got me one.” Executive producer Jeff Bell, however, was less enthusiastic about the prospect of incorporating a monkey on the show.

Marvel's Agents of SHIELD

6. ELIZABETH HENSTRIDGE’S BEST S.H.I.E.L.D. MEMORIES: Elizabeth Henstridge, who plays Agent Simmons, has three particular “favorite memories” from her time as super-smart Agent Jemma Simmons on the series: Her first is “any scene” with fellow cast member Iain De Caestecker, who plays Agent Leo Fitz. After that, her favorite memories are, “The first time walking on the set, when we shot the pilot—it was such an out-of-body experience. And also getting to do a scene with Stan Lee was equally as wonderful and crazy and beyond special.”

Marvel's Agents of SHIELD

7. JEFF WARD IS NOW A SERIES REGULAR: Jeff Ward, who plays Deke, has been made a series regular this year. “It was very exciting,” he says. “It’s awesome, and I really love being part of this show and I love the character so much, so I really was excited to get to hang around with Deke some more, especially now since he’s aware of being a ‘Fitz-Simmons’ [grandson of characters Fitz and Simmons from a time-jump storyline].”

Prepare to have your socks knocked off by the explosive season-six premiere of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on May 10.

FINAL RESULTS: Find Out Who the Cutest Disney Baby Is for D23 March Hare Mania 2019!

By Karina Schink

Last year, we asked you which show-stopping number reigned supreme in our Disney Song D23 March Hare Mania. You may have thought that was a hard tune to swallow, but this year, it’s getting even tougher.

We all know Disney films are filled to the brim with catchy tunes, heartwarming stories, and thrilling tales of adventure, love, and hope, and it’s certainly no secret that they also hold some of the cutest babies we have ever seen. From flashbacks of our heroes and heroines, to their adorable sidekicks, it’ll be hard to pacify your excitement for this year’s D23 March Hare Mania #D23BabyBracket. Get ready to go stork raving mad over deciding which Disney or Pixar baby is the absolute cutest!

April 1 Update: You cast your votes throughout the month of March, and now we’ve gone from 16 of the most adorable Disney and Pixar babies to the baby you’ve declared to be the cutest of them all.

March Hare Mania: Baby Bracket Winner

It’s no surprise that Moana of Motonui was the baby who went the furthest. Every turn she took, every trail she tracked, every path she made, every road led back to the finish line in this year’s March Hare Mania!

Check out the final bracket below!
March Hare Mania: Baby Bracket Final

Aladdin on Broadway Celebrates Five Years With Five Friends Straight from Agrabah

By Karina Schink

It was a night to remember—in Agrabah and in New York—as the stage of the New Amsterdam Theatre was suddenly occupied by five current and former Genies who took the stage to celebrate five years of Broadway’s Aladdin.

Tony Award® winner James Monroe Iglehart, current star Michael James Scott, tour Genie Major Attaway, and current Broadway standbys Juwan Crawley and Deonte L. Warren joined together in an epic Aladdin medley, featuring all of your favorite show-stopping numbers.

Check out the full performance, staged by Tony Award-winning director Casey Nicholaw and written by Tony nominee Chad Beguelin, below.