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On Saturday, cast members from FX’s The Bear won in three categories at the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®, hosted at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles.
Congratulations to this year’s winners:
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Ayo Edebiri, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Jeremy Allen White, Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
At the Producers Guild of America Awards on Sunday, hosted in the Ovation Hollywood’s Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood and Highland, The Bear received another accolade: the Danny Thomas Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy.
Season 2 of FX’s The Bear, now streaming on Hulu, follows Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri), and Richard “Richie” Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they work to transform their grimy sandwich joint into a next-level spot. As they strip the restaurant down to its bones, the crew undertakes transformational journeys of their own, each forced to confront the past and reckon with who they want to be in the future.
Of course, it turns out the only thing harder than running a restaurant is opening a new one, and the team must juggle the insane bureaucracy of permits and contractors with the beauty and creative agony of menu planning. The transition brings a newfound focus on hospitality as well. As the entire staff is forced to come together in new ways, pushing the boundaries of their abilities and relationships, they also learn what it means to be in service, both to diners and to each other.
The comedy series also stars Abby Elliott, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Matty Matheson. Edwin Lee Gibson, Oliver Platt, and Molly Gordon appear in recurring roles.
During the recent Nintendo Direct, Disney fans rejoiced with the news of the return of two beloved titles: Disney Epic Mickey (2010) and Star Wars™ Battlefront (2004). Fans with fond memories of playing these games can now relive the fun on modern gaming platforms—and anyone who wants to see what all the hubhub is around these titles can discover the action for the first time.
Star Wars™ Battlefront Classic Collections Aspyr and Lucasfilm Games revealed the Star Wars™ Battlefront Classic Collection will be headed to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam March 14, 2024 for $35.01. The Classic Collection brings together two fan-favorite Star Wars games, Star Wars™ Battlefront (2004) and Star Wars™ Battlefront II (2005), to modern platforms allowing fans to experience the classic games in one definitive collection.
Return to the battle front with restored online play for up to 64 players, expansions to Hero Assault mode, and all previously released bonus content for both titles. Steam users will also enjoy Steam Deck support.
Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collection includes a galaxy of content inspired by the original and prequel trilogies, from famous battles across Episodes I-VI, to playable heroes and villains like Asajj Ventress, Darth Vader, and more, to unique modes and challenges.
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed An exciting piece of news from the presentation was the reveal that THQNordic and Purple Lamp are launching Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, a faithful remake of the beloved classic adventure, in collaboration with Disney Games. Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is scheduled for release across PS4™, PS5™,Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo® Switchand PC in 2024.
The development team was assisted in the remaster by Warren Spector, director of the original Disney Epic Mickey. In this classic action-adventure game, players will send Mickey Mouse, armed with a magical paintbrush, on an epic creative journey to brave the dangerous world of Wasteland. Players will be summoning their creativity and sense of discovery as Mickey Mouse when they find themselves drawn into Wasteland – another world from Disney’s creative pen! Wasteland is ruled by Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, one of several Disney creations of the past that players can look forward to interacting with in Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed. Players will determine how their in-game story develops through the use of paint and thinner, facing enemies, overcoming challenges, and meeting new friends along the way.
In the expansive world of voice acting, Emmy and Annie nominated actor Dee Bradley Baker stands as a titan, his talent reverberating through iconic characters. He provides the voices for members of titular clone troopers in Star Wars: The Bad Batch—the third and final season of which began streaming on Disney+ on Wednesday—but beyond that galaxy far, far way, he’s done it all, from whimsical creatures to stoic warriors.
Join us as we delve deeper into some beloved personas Baker has brought to life, sometimes including multiple roles in the same show, as in Star Wars: The Bad Batch. All of the following (except for the video game) are now streaming on Disney+
Perry the Platypus in Phineas and Ferb (2007–2012) Baker’s vocal prowess shines brightly in Phineas and Ferb, as he lends his voice to the iconic Perry the Platypus. With his playful platypus noises in place of traditional dialogue, Baker brings Perry to life, endearing him to audiences with his unmistakable style and wit.
Hunter and others in Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021–2024) In the action-packed Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Baker voices Hunter, leader of the Bad Batch and a stoic soldier with a special set of skills. Baker also voices four more characters in the show, who often are talking to each other. As a testament to Baker’s talent, you’d never know it was one actor performing all the parts in real-time!
Waddles in Gravity Falls (2012–2014) Baker’s talent knows no bounds in Gravity Falls, where he voices the adorable Waddles, the pet pig of Mabel Pines. Waddles quickly became a fan-favorite character in the show, stealing scenes with his oinks and antics.
Captain Rex and the entire clone army in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008–2020) Star Wars: The Clone Wars marked the beginning of Baker’s impressive work voicing not just a few of the titular characters, but lending voice to every single clone featured in the show. Thanks to Baker, clones such as Captain Rex, Commander Cody, Fives, and more became fan-favorite characters in the Star Wars galaxy.
M.E.R.C. in Miles from Tomorrowland (2015–2016) In this animated series, Baker voices M.E.R.C. (short for Mechanical Emotionally Responsive Creature), a pet robotic ostrich who serves as the sidekick to Miles Callisto, the protagonist of the series. Baker’s lines primarily consist of ostrich sounds, which means lots of chirping.
Nubs in Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (2023) In Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Baker voices the adorable Nubs, a member of a brand-new species called Pooba. Nubs possesses innate physical strength, which he demonstrates in protecting both friends and strangers from potential threats. Throughout the series, we can often hear Baker cooing, squealing, and speaking Poobian.
Captain Rex in Star Wars Rebels (2014–2017) Baker reprises his Clone Wars role of Captain Rex in Star Wars Rebels, where he joins the crew of the Ghost to fight against the Empire, showcasing his experience and wisdom as a veteran clone trooper. Throughout the series, Rex struggles with his past as a soldier but remains a steadfast ally to the Rebels, using his skills to aid their cause.
Eda and Lilith in owl beast form in The Owl House (2020–2022) In The Owl House, Baker voices Edna and Lilith in their owl beast forms, contributing to the magical and whimsical atmosphere of the animated series. Against the backdrop of the perilous Boiling Isles, Eda and Lilith’s cursed forms serve as compelling reminders of the complexities of power, redemption, and sisterhood.
Diogee in Milo Murphy’s Law (2016–2019) Diogee Ex Machina Murphy is Milo Murphy’s faithful pet dog, whose stamina and intellect seem to surpass the average canine. Diogee’s intelligence often comes to the rescue when Milo and his friends find themselves in sticky situations. In this role, Baker embodies Diogee through playful barks and endearing whines, particularly when urged to “Go home!” by Milo.
Cheese and Fiona in Secret of the Wings (2012) In the enchanting world of the Pixie Hollow feature film Secrets of the Wings, Baker embodies Cheese, one of the many mice in Pixie Hollow, and Fiona, pet lynx to the Hollow’s Keeper, Dewey. You’ll catch Baker communicating mainly through chirps and squeaks in this fourth installment in the Disney Fairies franchise!
Animal and 10 more characters in Muppet Babies (2018–2021) In Muppet Babies, Baker brings to life the toddler version of Animal, an excitable, frenzied monster who plays the drums. In this animated series, Animal is joined by Kermit the Frog, Piggy, Bear, Gonzo, and Summer Penguin as they embark on imaginative adventures while under the care of their loving nanny, Miss Nanny. Baker’s portrayal of Animal perfectly captures the character’s wild nature, infusing each line with the energy that fans have come to expect from the beloved Muppet.
Nix in Star Wars Outlaws (2024) In the upcoming action-adventure video game Star Wars Outlaws, Baker takes on the role of Nix, Kay Vess’s loyal companion, adding another compelling character to the ever-expanding Star Wars universe. The game takes place during the period between Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983).
He looks great for a nearly 63-year-old duck, but who is Ludwig Von Drake? You may have seen his latest appearance in a video that explains “How to Vote for Disney” as part of The Walt Disney Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders coming up on April 3. But you may not know a lot about Donald Duck’s brilliant and eccentric professor uncle. To remind you of Ludwig’s many entertaining appearances, we’re sharing here some of the “8 Genius Facts About Ludwig Von Drake” compiled by Disney historian Jim Fanning on the occasion of the character’s 60th birthday in 2021:
His 1961 Debut Ludwig Von Drake first appeared on the premiere episode of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color on September 24, 1961. The only major animated character Walt created especially for television, Professor Von Drake is Donald Duck’s father’s brother. (He has a different last name because Donald took his mother’s name when he went into show business.) As quoted from Von Drake’s official bio by Walt Disney, Ludwig is “an eminent psychologist, renowned color expert, etymologist” and “the most sought after lecturer in the world. He is undoubtedly the outstanding genius of the century.”
His Colorful Origins Walt Disney’s arrival at the forefront of color television programming in 1961 was big news. His move to NBC, “the Color Network,” from ABC, home to the Disney TV hour since 1954, made headlines. To signal his serious intent to produce must-see full-color broadcasts Walt created an all-new animated character: Ludwig Von Drake, who held forth on “An Adventure in Color/Mathmagic Land,” the first Wonderful World of Color episode. He let loose with the first of his loony lectures, on color, of course, especially as seen via color TV.
His Distinctive Voice One of Walt’s favorite voice artists, Disney Legend Paul Frees, was the vocal powerhouse behind Professor Von Drake’s zany on-screen personality. Gifted with a three-octave vocal range and an unerring ear for impressions, Frees was also a talented actor whose vocal improvisations helped shaped the Von Drake character beyond simply a wild Austrian accent. “Walt Disney gave me a lot of liberty in portraying the Professor, and I’ve made him more personal than any of my other characters,” Frees once said. The actor voiced a variety of Disney roles, including many of the buccaneers in Pirates of the Caribbean and the weirdly welcoming Ghost Host at the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park. He took a live-action role in Walt Disney’s The Shaggy Dog (1959), playing a psychiatrist.
His Famous Nephew In his appearances, Ludwig emphasized academia, reveling in rants and ramblings about geometry, geography, atomic energy and especially psychiatry. In “Inside Donald Duck” (1961), the learned loony actually succeeds in curing Donald of his infamously fiery temper—until Ludwig presents his nephew with the bill. And in the DuckTales TV series, the learned professor took on perhaps his greatest challenge (since Donald anyhow) as psychiatrist to Launchpad McQuack.
His LP Recording Ludwig crashed the spoken-word recording trend of the 1960s by yakking it up about color theory, music (singing some specially composed Sherman Brothers songs along the way), and the art of sound recording on his own LP album, Professor Ludwig Von Drake. Once available only as a vinyl LP, this classic comedy album is accessible today via online music stores.
His Appearances in Print Ludwig jumped from the television screen to the printed page with such hardcover classics as “Ludwig Von Drake, Dog Expert” as well as his own comic book title. Ludwig also joined the comic-page cast of the classic Donald Duck newspaper strip drawn by Disney Legend Al Taliaferro and written by Bob Karp. On September 22, 1961, Donald starts preparing for the arrival of the “all-around genius” from Vienna by redecorating his guest room with a telescope, test tubes, and maybe even a “hunk of uranium 255.” Donald unveils an oversized painting of his Uncle Ludwig (sent as a gift by the Professor himself) in the Sunday color comic page published on September 24, 1961—the very date Von Drake debuted on Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. From that point on, Ludwig was a supporting star of the Donald Duck strip for the next four decades.
His Beetle Buddy Such a talkative talent needs someone to converse with besides the television audience, so Ludwig was given a pet named Herman to interact with. A bootle beetle—that particular Disney species of insect—Herman popped up from time to time to help Ludwig with his presentations. In “Music for Everybody” (1966), Ludwig introduces his own 99-piece orchestra made up entirely of bootle beetles. Herman and his musical pals also appear as the Bughouse Five, a spoof of the Disney-artist jazz band, Firehouse Five Plus Two, headed by frequent Ludwig animator Ward Kimball.
His Recent Roles In addition to playing it up in various video games, Ludwig has thrived in recent TV productions, starring in his own segment, “Ask Von Drake,” on House of Mouse (2003–2009). His tricky song wherein the wacky vocalist rapidly rattled off an endless list of Disney characters has become a YouTube favorite. On Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Von Drake invented the titular high-tech clubhouse, equipping it with outlandish accessories. In the stylized and crazily creative Mickey Mouse series of newly produced cartoons from 2013, the kooky professor fits right in. This Disney favorite continues to delight video audiences whether or not they are aware of his zany television debut 62-plus years ago!
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March on Disney+ is shaping up to be an extraordinary lineup of classic favorites and fresh releases, catering to fans of every age and interest. Whether you’re a dedicated Swiftie, a fervent Marvel enthusiast, or both, get ready for an exciting month of entertainment.
Kicking off the month is Queens, a new nature docuseries from National Geographic. Guided by award-winning actress Angela Bassett, the first season showcases the wildest places on the planet that have always been home to powerful leaders. All episodes will be streaming on Tuesday, March 5.
Next up, Star Wars: The Bad Batch has returned for its highly anticipated third season, chronicling Clone Force 99’s struggle for survival in the wake of the Empire’s ascension. The saga unfolds with the debut of Episode 305, “The Return,” on March 6, followed by weekly releases throughout the month.
Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) will make its streaming debut on Friday, March 15, exclusively on Disney+. The concert film in its entirety for the first time includes the song “cardigan” and four additional acoustic songs.
Marvel fans, mark your calendars as X-Men ’97 makes its grand premiere on Wednesday, March 20, transporting audiences back to the beloved era of the 1990s. Join the iconic X-Men as they confront unprecedented challenges and navigate an uncertain future, all while striving to safeguard a world that fears and mistrusts them.
Finally, on Friday, March 29, prepare to be moved by Madu, the poignant tale of 12-year-old Anthony Madu’s extraordinary journey from his Nigerian homeland to one of the world’s most esteemed ballet academies in England. Madu promises to inspire audiences with its universal themes of ambition and resilience.
All titles coming to Disney+ in March are listed below:
Friday, March 1 Morbius (2022)
Tuesday, March 5 Queens (All Episodes Streaming)
Wednesday, March 6 Kiff (Season 1, 4 Episodes) Life Below Zero (Season 7, 10 Episodes) Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Season 3, Episode 305 “The Return”)
Friday, March 8 Cinderella (2015)
Saturday, March 9 NHL Big City Greens Classic (Livestream at 12:00 p.m. PT/ 3:00 p.m. ET)
Wednesday, March 13 Morphle (Shorts) (Season 1, 14 Episodes) Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Season 3, Episode 306 “Infiltration,” Episode 307 “Extraction”)
Friday, March 15 Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)
Tuesday, March 19 Photographer
Wednesday, March 20 Life Below Zero (Season 22, 9 Episodes) Morphle and the Magic Pets (Season 1, 18 Episodes) X-Men ’97 (Premiere) Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Season 3, Episode 308 “Bad Territory”)
Wednesday, March 27 Life Below Zero: Next Generation (Season 7, 7 Episodes) Random Rings (Shorts, Season 3, 6 Episodes) X-Men ’97 (New Episode) Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Season 3, Episode 309 “The Harbinger”)
Friday, March 29 Madu (Premiere) Renegade Nell (Premiere, All Episodes Streaming)
In The Space Race, Emmy Award winning Producer & Director Diego Hurtado de Mendoza and Academy Award® nominated and Emmy-winning Producer & Director Lisa Cortés shed light on the journey of the Black astronauts who confronted social injustice to pursue their dreams in space.
Now available on Disney+ and Hulu, the National Geographic Documentary Film offers a compelling narrative that explores the triumphs and challenges faced by African Americans at NASA, intertwining their struggles with significant historical events from 1963 to 2020.
Featuring NASA’s Leland Melvin, Guion Bluford, Ed Dwight, and Charles Bolden, and more, The Space Race gives audiences unprecedented access to archival footage and personal accounts—highlighting how these astronauts’ contributions left an indelible mark on space exploration and inspired generations to reach for the stars.
Dwight, the first African American to have entered the Air Force training program from which NASA selected astronauts, initially dismissed the opportunity to join it—thinking “it was a joke,” as he recently recalled during a panel at the 2024 Winter Television Critics Association press event. Though Dwight’s initial instinct was that he would never be “allowed to be part of this club,” his mother’s encouragement was just the push he needed to join the program.
One of Dwight’s greatest challenges was reconciling with the necessity of “politics” to navigate such an environment: “I had everything I needed except for the politics of it all,” he remarked. President John F. Kennedy personally selected Dwight to be the first Black astronaut to journey into space—but following Kennedy’s assassination, Dwight lost the backing he had for the mission.
Despite contending with the political dynamics inherent in such environments, Dwight recognizes the significance of his role in initiating discussions about racial representation. When questioned about potential disappointment stemming from being denied the opportunity to travel into space due to racial tensions, Dwight reflects that his time in the White House and interactions with numerous esteemed individuals left him feeling more appreciative than resentful.
“My role was to open up this conversation,” he said. “If I had gone into space and, for some reason, failed, then I would have prevented all the efforts after me and the groups that came after me that did incredible things. I’m so grateful to have been a part of this at all.”
When the panel touched on legacy and opening doors, astronaut Victor Glover—also seen in the film—said that while he’s “grateful to be serving my country and profession, it is sad that it is 2024 and I am the first Black person going to the moon” during NASA’s planned Artemis II mission. Glover also emphasized the importance of having a second and a third person already in place to continue the legacy of “firsts.”
On the topic of “firsts,” director Cortés added, “Everyone in this community looks back to Ed and to the path he opened for a story that continues today. I love that our film is a connection between the past and the present. Ed and his indomitable spirit provide the receipts of a story and the narratives that were almost omitted.”
The Space Race is not just a documentary—but a tribute to the resilience, perseverance, and ingenuity of Black astronauts who defied the odds to pursue their dreams and push the boundaries of human achievement.
Marvel Studios has unveiled the long-awaited trailer for X-Men '97, a continuation of the beloved X-Men: The Animated Series. Scheduled to debut on Disney+ on Wednesday, March 20, the series features 10 episodes and promises to transport viewers back to a time when mutants ruled the airwaves.
Set in the iconic era of the 1990s, X-Men ’97 reintroduces us to the familiar band of mutants, led by Cyclops, Jean Grey, Wolverine, and others, as they navigate a world that fears and despises them. This time, they’re up against challenges more daunting than ever before, thrust into a dangerous and unpredictable future.
The voice cast boasts an impressive lineup, including Ray Chase as Cyclops, Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey, and Cal Dodd reprising his role as Wolverine, alongside other talented actors stepping into the iconic roles. Behind the scenes, Beau DeMayo takes the helm as head writer, ensuring that the spirit of the original series remains intact while offering fresh, exciting storylines for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
With episodes directed by Jake Castorena, Chase Conley, and Emi Yonemura, and featuring music by The Newton Brothers, X-Men ’97 is set to capture the hearts of fans once again. The series is executive produced by Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, and Beau DeMayo.
In celebration of our 15th anniversary, D23 is bringing even more Disney magic in 2024 with a new issue of Disney twenty-three, a slate of uniquely Disney events, a special Member Appreciation Month, and a spellbinding Gold Member Collector Set.
DISNEY TWENTY-THREE SPRING 2024 ISSUE Inside the Disney twenty-three Spring 2024 issue, readers can enjoy exclusive content including behind-the-scenes looks at the creation of both the new and immersive Zootopia land at Shanghai Disney Resort and World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Additionally, readers will get a first-ever comprehensive look back with the Walt Disney Archives at the beautiful storybooks created for the opening sequences of classic films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), TheSword in the Stone (1963), as well as more recent stories such as Enchanted (2007) and Wish (2023). Plus, the 30thanniversary of Disney on Broadway takes to the stage with intimate, first-person stories from Broadway magic makers including Susan Egan (the original Broadway Belle), Ashley Brown (the original Broadway Mary Poppins), James Monroe Iglehart (the original Broadway Genie), and many more.
Disney twenty-three is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps and is included as a benefit of their D23 Gold Membership. The latest issue will begin arriving by the end of February. Plus, as a special gift to D23 Gold Members and D23 Charter Members, the Disney twenty-three Spring 2024 issue will include a magnet celebrating the official fan club’s 15th anniversary.
D23 15th ANNIVERSARY EVENT On March 10, 2024, D23 is commemorating 15 years of fandom, fun, and favorite memories with a special Gold Member-exclusive event at The Most Magical Place on Earth: Walt Disney World® Resort! The event will include exclusive access to Splitsville Luxury Lanes, where guests can enjoy entertainment and games, festive food, photo spots, and specialty merchandise. For availability and tickets, visit the event page here.
D23 DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios film The Princess and the Frog (2009), D23 is inviting members to reexperience the story with a Big Easy theatrical screening of the beloved film and a D23 “Dreams Do Come True” Grand Finale event at The New Orleans Jazz Museum featuring an exclusive reception, themed photo opportunities, live jazz performances, and a commemorative gift. For availability and tickets, visit the event page here.
D23: THE ULTIMATE DISNEY FAN EVENT Join D23 and the entire Disney family in Anaheim, California, for a one-of-a-kind fan experience that will bring together the best of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and more! Tickets for the event will go on sale beginning March 26. For more information, visit UltimateFanEvent.D23.com. Highlights of the event include:
Thursday, August 8: D23 kickoff celebration at Disneyland® Resort
Friday, August 9 – Sunday, August 11: Enjoy exclusive shopping, exhibits, panels, and presentations at the Anaheim Convention Center, along with marquee shows every evening at the Honda Center.
THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS OFFICIAL TOUR – PRESENTED BY D23 D23 welcomes guests to The Walt Disney Studios Lot, giving members the opportunity to visit the world-famous studio in Burbank, California. These tours offer fans a unique perspective on historic moments from Disney films, television series, and theme parks—along with the chance to look inside the Walt Disney Archives and draw inspiration from Walt Disney’s office suite. For availability and tickets, visit the events page here.
SIGNATURE EVENTS Throughout the year, D23 Members can look forward to exclusive events such as previews of upcoming traveling exhibitions around the world from the Walt Disney Archives. Members will get the opportunity to enjoy advance and opening night screenings of the latest Disney movies at locations across the country. Employee-exclusive merchandise stores, including The Walt Disney Company Store and Walt Disney Imagineering’s Mickey’s of Glendale, will open their doors to members for both online and in-person opportunities. Also, look out for the return of holiday magic at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. In November, fans will get the opportunity to enjoy a D23 experience like no other with a multi-day event coming to São Paulo, Brazil.
2024 GOLD MEMBER COLLECTOR SET – THE D23 MAGIC & MYSTERY BOX Celebrating the stories that foster classic Disney magic and paying tribute to magician kits of yesteryear, the D23 Magic & Mystery Box Collector Set boasts an illustrious lineup with a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse collectible figurine, a mystery companion collectible figurine, a deck of playing cards, and a mystery pair of beautifully sculpted pins, as well as a Membership Card and Certificate—which will be available to all new and renewing D23 Gold Members in 2024! Delight in magical companions and enchanted objects from beloved Disney films including The Sword in the Stone (1963), The Little Mermaid (1989), Aladdin (1992), The Princess and the Frog (2009), Coco (2017), Encanto (2021), and more. The 2024 Gold Member Collector Set will begin shipping this spring.
D23 MEMBER APPRECIATION MONTH Throughout March, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will be celebrating its 15th anniversary as part of Member Appreciation Month. D23 will share exclusive offers, fun downloads to showcase the beloved fandoms of The Walt Disney Company, and a truly magical sweepstakes. D23 Gold Members will be able to flaunt their fandom with brand-new exclusive merchandise that features some fan-favorite characters. Member Appreciation Month announcements and details will be available right here on D23.com.
Ticketing information and more D23 events will be announced throughout the year. Full details on D23’s lineup of 2024 special events are available here. All events and dates are subject to change.
Marvel has set hearts racing with the announcement of the upcoming The Fantastic Four movie’s new cast. The studio chose Valentine’s Day to drop this bombshell on Instagram, capturing fans’ attention with an endearing graphic.
Leading the pack as Mr. Fantastic himself, the brilliant scientist Reed Richards, is none other than Pedro Pascal. Joining Pascal is Vanessa Kirby, who will be stepping into the shoes of the formidable Sue Storm, also known as the Invisible Woman. Rounding out the team is Joseph Quinn as the hot-headed Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who assumes the mantle of Ben Grimme, better known as The Thing.
With this stellar lineup, Marvel promises a fresh and invigorating take on one of its most beloved Super Hero teams. Fans have eagerly awaited news of the casting for The Fantastic Four, and the reveal has sparked widespread excitement and anticipation.
For more Marvel Cinematic Universe content, explore all the latest updates from around the Multiverse on D23: https://d23.com/marvel/
Continuing a cross-country tour that launched at D23 Expo 2019, Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume makes its Southeastern U.S. debut on February 17, when the exhibition opens at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Produced by the staff of the Walt Disney Archives, the 6,000-square-foot exhibit examines the craftsmanship and artistry of Disney costume designers, offering visitors up-close looks at more than 70 iconic costumes and props from some six decades of Disney films and television programs.
“So much has been said and documented about the incredible work of filmmakers, musicians, and animators who have brought our favorite films and TV shows to life,” says Kelsey Williams, Exhibitions Creative Lead for the Walt Disney Archives. “But we think it’s fair to say that Disney costume designers have not had their work examined, or appreciated, with the same level of attention. We’ve been excited to finally shine that spotlight with this traveling exhibition.”
Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume marks the first Disney experience to debut at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Previous stops for the exhibit have included the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington (in 2021), and the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, Michigan (in 2022).
Costumes designed by Jacqueline Durran for the Beast (Dan Stevens) and Gaston (Luke Evans) in Beauty and the Beast (2017), as displayed in Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation® in 2022.
“What’s great about producing and traveling this exhibit is that it’s flexible,” shares Matthew Adams, Manager of Exhibitions for the Walt Disney Archives. “It’s been featured in a variety of different spaces across the country, each with its own unique configurations, but the exhibit has been designed like that intentionally.”
No matter the venue or layout, costumes from some of Hollywood’s preeminent designers are on full display, including Academy Award® winners Colleen Atwood and Sandy Powell, as well as Emmy® winner Ellen Mirojnick and Emmy® nominees Eduardo Castro and Penny Rose. Their work has been worn by the likes of Nicolas Cage, Glenn Close, Angelina Jolie, Geoffrey Rush, and Disney Legend Oprah Winfrey.
“You get to see costumes from our collection up-close,” Williams explains, “which is really quite spectacular. To take in the fine detailing, the stitching, the textiles, the colorful fabrics, the costumes’ lightness or heaviness—it’s all the work of costume designers who put an incredible amount of thought, consideration, and skill into every detail you see… the elements that help shape and define who the character is.”
This costume was designed by Sandy Powell for Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) in Cinderella (2015).
Visitors will first enter “Cinderella’s Workshop,” a gallery that examines how several designers have each applied their own unique style and artistry to different interpretations of the fairy tale heroine—from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997) and Into the Woods (2014) to the ABC hit series Once Upon a Time (2011–2018) and the 2015 live-action reimagining of Walt Disney’s animated classic starring Lily James.
“Cinderella’s Workshop” gallery is presented as part of the exhibition Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation® in 2022.
“It’s a really cool case study,” says Williams, “and through our gallery elements, you’ll also get to hear from the designers themselves as they explain their creative process and what they brought to their variation of the character.”
The exhibit continues upstairs, where dozens of iconic costumes are revealed in three sections: Heroes, Villains, and Spaces Between—a category reserved for the antiheroes whose fascinating journeys make them among Disney’s most complex characters.
This week’s opening in Birmingham welcomes several first-time additions to the exhibit, such as the costumes of Peter Pan and Captain Hook (Alexander Molony and Jude Law) from 2023’s Peter Pan & Wendy, the village dress worn by Belle (H.E.R.) in 2022’s Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration on ABC, and the bewitching dresses donned by the Sanderson sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) in 2022’s Hocus Pocus 2.
Costumes designed by Salvador Pérez Jr. for the Sanderson sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) in Hocus Pocus 2 (2022).
The Alabama premiere also marks a homecoming for Adams. “I’m personally really excited about this venue because Birmingham is where I was born and raised,” he relates, thinking back to school field trips to the museum. “So it’s really a full-circle moment to have a project I’m working on follow me back to my hometown.”
The significance of exhibiting treasures from the Archives’ collections isn’t lost on Adams. “We can take them to places where there traditionally is not a big Disney experience, such as a theme park,” he continues. “We can take them into communities where there’s a high affinity for Disney. So it’s been rewarding to go to those places and share a little bit of Disney magic for fans who would otherwise need to go far to experience it.”
Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume is on display at the Birmingham Museum of Art in Alabama from February 17 through August 18, 2024. Stay tuned to D23.com as future venues are announced.
When the panel touched on legacy and opening doors, astronaut Victor Glover—also seen in the film—said that while he’s “grateful to be serving my country and profession, it is sad that it is 2024 and I am the first Black person going to the moon” during NASA’s planned Artemis II mission. Glover also emphasized the importance of having a second and a third person already in place to continue the legacy of “firsts.”
