D23 Exclusive Q&A: Percy Jackson Author Rick Riordan

September 26, 2023

By Alison Stateman

To celebrate today’s publication of Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club sat down with New York Times bestselling author Rick Riordan to discuss his new novel, which features the long-awaited reunion of Percy and his two besties Annabeth, the daughter of Athena, and Grover, a satyr. The trio first joined forces in Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief—the novel that launched the beloved Percy Jackson book series in 2005. Riordan also filled us in on the making of the Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, based on his bestselling books. Debuting on the streamer on December 20, the series stars Walker Scobell in the title role, with Leah Sava Jeffries as Annabeth, and Aryan Simhadri as Grover.

D23: What was it like writing in the voice of Percy Jackson again?
Rick Riordan (RR): It’s been a while, 14 years since the last novel narrated by Percy. I was a little nervous about it. I didn’t know what that would be like, stepping back into that point of view. But I found it to be very easy. I think Percy is just so close to my own voice, [and is] so much a part of my life and my family’s life that he really does feel like a member of the family. So while no book is ever easy to write, this one felt like a reunion with a good friend.

D23: What was the biggest challenge you faced writing the new novel?
RR: I think just trying to figure out how to recapture that energy that this trio, Annabeth, Grover, and Percy had in the very first book in the series, The Lightning Thief. That really is the last time we saw just the three of them as a trio. So, getting back into their friendship, and the roots of the Percy Jackson world was a challenge, but it was also a whole lot of fun to do.

D23: There are Percy Jackson fans who have been eagerly awaiting this book, but also new readers to the Percy Jackson universe. What do you hope they each take away from Chalice of the Gods?
RR: The goal with all of my books is to provide a reading experience that’s fun and enjoyable and also kind of a stealth education in mythology. I always want kids to have fun and, maybe, not even realize how much they’re learning until afterwards. If I can provide kids with a good experience of reading a book for fun rather than because it’s been assigned to them and, learning, “Hey this reading stuff is pretty cool,”—if I can do that, I think I’ve done my job.

…I hope that readers who know the series will pick up Chalice of the Gods and say, “Oh, yeah, this reads exactly like I remember.” And I hope new readers will be able to pick it up and enjoy it for what it is—just a fun adventure with three young people trying to figure out life.

D23: What do you think fans of the Percy Jackson book series will enjoy most about the new novel?
RR: It is like going to a high school reunion, in a good way—catching up with the people you really cared about and seeing them again. If you’ve known the characters for a long time, it will be a treat to see them again in action. I hope it’ll feel like coming home. Even though the characters are older now—they’re seniors in high school—they’re still dealing with life issues and things that most kids can relate to, like getting ready for college and trying to graduate, all the while going on this dangerous quest and meeting gods and monsters who aren’t the friendliest. It’ll hopefully be a good ride.

D23: Because they are older, how has each grown in terms of their relationships—or understanding about navigating everyday life and these quests?
RR: I think to no one’s surprise, Annabeth is the one with the plan. She has it all figured out and she knows what she wants. She wants to study and become an architect and design buildings that will last forever. Her struggle is to get Percy to take all this seriously, to pass his courses so that he can go to college with her. Percy is like a lot of seniors in high school; he’s kind of done with the whole school thing and not feeling very motivated, especially when he gets distracted with all these quests he’s got to do. Grover is the most interesting. He is looking ahead to a time when his two best friends are going to be leaving for college and he’s going to be staying behind. He’s a satyr; he ages differently. That’s a real bittersweet moment for him, wondering how that’s going to change their friendship.

D23: In addition to your new novel, you have adapted Percy Jackson and the Olympians into a series for Disney+. [Two films, Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief from 2010 and 2013’s Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters—both of which Riordan wasn’t directly involved in—are currently available to view on Disney+.] What inspired you to take on this new series?
RR: I wanted to see if there was an opportunity to make an adaptation that was more closely aligned with the source material. Fans of the books have wanted that for years. The acquisition of Fox by Disney presented an opportunity to look at that again. I made the choice with my wife Becky to go out to Hollywood again and give it one more shot. It became a full-time job. It was, to use Greek mythology, a Herculean effort to get it off the ground—but we did it. It was three solid years of work and I’m really pleased that we finally have the series coming out.

D23: What was the production process like?
RR: There was COVID and all the other many challenges of putting together any TV show. It was a learning experience. I like to compare it to learning a new language, like immersion—just dropping myself into another country where I don’t know the language, I don’t know the culture, and trying to muddle my way through until I’m at least conversant.

D23: Translating your books into an entirely different format must have involved its own particular challenges…
RR: Absolutely. It was a great challenge and something that I don’t think I understood until I was on the other side trying to figure it out. Again, I like the challenge of learning other languages—and I have come to realize from doing that, that it’s very difficult, even from one language to another to translate something. If you just try and go word for word and recreate the sentence, it will be faithful but it won’t make any sense. It won’t make the same point. You have to make some changes in order to say the same thing. That’s the way it is with film too. You have to use a different toolbox to say roughly the same thing.

D23: Can you tell me about casting the three main roles? What were you looking for and around how many actors did you screen?
RR: Disney’s company policy, which I agree with, is open casting—we’re going to see everyone who wants to participate and we’re not going to put any guidelines on it other than actors being able to play the age of the character. We saw thousands and thousands of audition tapes and got it down to a smaller number and had to consider not only which actor or actress had the aura we were looking for to capture the character, but also had good chemistry with the other two main leads. It took months and months. I can safely say that the three actors that we got are unbelievable. They’re not only talented individually, but they are fantastic together. They bring the characters to life.

D23: Do you have a favorite episode?
RR: Oh, gosh. It’s hard to say without giving away too much. I will say there are several very important scenes that we adapted from the book that never made it into the movie versions. Those are probably my favorites in the show because it’s the first time fans will see those rendered for the screen—and I think they will be very pleased.

D23: How closely did you hew to the book?
RR: In terms of the plot, we stuck with it very closely. What I will say though, that I found really fascinating, is that we were able to look at the story, which I wrote back in 2005, and say, “What do I wish I had done at that time? What background can we give people that know the story backwards and forwards, but still have questions like, ‘How did Sally meet Poseidon?’ or ‘What were Percy’s experiences in school before we see him in the first chapter?’” We were able to dive into that and flesh out the history of these characters and the chemistry between them in ways that are completely faithful [to the book] but are also new.

D23: Are there any Easter eggs you can share from the Disney+ series that fans will especially appreciate?
RR: I have a cameo in the series. So, if you can find it, you may spot a Rick Riordan in the wild!

Celebrate Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month with These Phone Wallpapers

September 26, 2023February 29, 2024

By D23 Team

Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month takes place from September 15 through October 15, so there’s plenty of time to join in the festivities. It’s a month where we remember to focus on vibrant culture, rich history, and la familia, encouraging all of us to continue the celebration all year long!

One way to express your pride or solidarity with Hispanic and Latin American heritage is with D23’s free, downloadable phone wallpapers featuring Mirabel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto and a flurry of icons you’ll recognize from Disney and Pixar’s Coco. We hope these smile-inducing images bring some magia into your daily life!

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Dancing with the Stars Finds a New Groove in Season 32

September 25, 2023September 25, 2023

By Zach Johnson

Fourteen celebrity couples will put their best feet forward—literally!—when Season 32 of Dancing with the Stars is simulcast live this Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC and Disney+. But who will win the Mirrorball Trophy? Their fates will be determined weekly by judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough, in addition to the viewers’ votes.

Not only will Season 32 of Dancing with the Stars feature a new co-host, Julianne Hough, joining Alfonso Ribeiro, but it will mark the first live series simulcast on ABC and Disney+. “It’s monumental,” Julianne said prior to Tuesday’s expanded premiere. “It’s never been done before… and it only seems fitting that Dancing with the Stars will be the one to do it.” Not only that, but each episode of Dancing with the Stars will be available to stream the following day on Hulu. “You can’t get rid of us!” Julianne joked. “We’re just gonna be there.”

As previously announced, this season’s celebrities and professional dancers include Tyson Beckford with partner Jenna Johnson, Xochitl Gomez with partner Val Chmerkovskiy, Alyson Hannigan with partner Sasha Farber, Harry Jowsey with partner Rylee Arnold, Charity Lawson with partner Artem Chigvintsev, Ariana Madix with partner Pasha Pashkov, Jason Mraz with partner Daniella Karagach, Adrian Peterson with partner Britt Stewart, Lele Pons with partner Brandon Armstrong, Mira Sorvino with partner Gleb Savchenko, Jamie Lynn Spears with partner Alan Bersten, Mauricio Umansky with partner Emma Slater, Matt Walsh with partner Koko Iwasaki, and Barry Williams with partner Peta Murgatroyd.

In fact, many of the celebrities are just as excited as fans are for Dancing with the Stars to return! “When I got the call from Dancing with the Stars inviting me to be a contestant on this season, I almost dropped the phone!” Williams said with a laugh. “It’s something I have wanted to do for the longest time—almost, you could say, a bucket list [item]. And I have something prove here. My TV mom, Florence Henderson [competed for] five weeks. My TV sister, Maureen McCormick, [competed for] seven weeks. And they both want me to go all the way. Do you hear that, Donny Osmond? I’m coming after your title: oldest man to win!”

Hannigan added, “Honestly, watching the show makes me want to dance—so, here I am!”

Each of the 14 couples will no doubt have their work cut out for them, but they all vowed they’re up for the challenge. “I feel like in order to win the Mirrorball Trophy, you have to work really, really hard,” Madix said. “You have to really be connected to your partner and to the music, and I feel like you really have to have fun—because having fun is contagious.”

Ribeiro, for one, said he can’t wait to see the couples perform for the first time on live television. “It’s going to be so much fun,” he said. “I think this is going to probably be one of the best seasons in a very long time.” Ribeiro added that he’s looking forward to moving from the skybox to the ballroom and hosting alongside Julianne: “It’s going to be amazing!”

Julianne, of course, is no stranger to the award-winning ballroom competition. Celebrating her “family homecoming,” Julianne gushed, “This is one of the biggest full-circle moments, because I was on Dancing with the Stars as a pro—winning two seasons back to back [in Seasons 4 and 5]—and then I was a judge. Now, coming back as a co-host is honestly a dream come true.” In her new role, Julianne said she wants to make the competitors “feel as safe, comfortable, and free as possible. My job is to be up in the skybox with the competitors, to let them feel like they can exhale after they’ve just danced, so they can really speak from the heart. It is a place of comfort and safety; they know I have their backs no matter what. As a judge, I was there to judge. As a pro, I was there to compete. As a host, I’m here to support and wrap my arms around every single one of those competitors.”

Like Julianne, Ribeiro—who won the Mirrorball Trophy in Season 19 with partner Witney Carson—wants to set everyone up for success. “The advice I like to give to contestants is to be themselves—to truly show their hearts. [They have to] let the world get to know them,” Ribeiro explained. “When that happens, the audience will truly fall in love with you. That’s very important in this show. Yes, the judges’ scores are incredibly important—but if the home audience doesn’t fall in love with you, you’re not going to stay all the way to the end. So, you really have to open up completely and let the entire world in. Don’t hold back!”

Meet the Characters of The Creator

September 25, 2023September 20, 2023

By Bruce C. Steele

The epic science fiction film The Creator, an action thriller from 20th Century Studios opening in theaters September 29, is at its heart a character drama focused on one man: Joshua (John David Washington). In the not-too-distant future, the former special forces operative is pulled out of retirement to help find and destroy a powerful weapon that threatens humankind. The search for the weapon, created by the AI robots that human forces are fighting across the globe, leads Joshua to an AI being in the form of a young girl, whom he dubs Alphie (Madeleine Yuna Voyles). Their relationship challenges everything Joshua believes about the war and leads both Joshua and Alphie on a quest to find the Creator—a human inventor revered by robots as their progenitor—through the teeming and dramatic landscapes of New Asia.

Along the way, Joshua and Alphie encounter a variety of fascinating characters, many of whom are struggling with the same questions Joshua is facing. Some of them are not what they first seem. To help you get a head start on who’s who in The Creator, what follows is an introduction to some of the movie’s key characters. (Note: Quotes from actors are from interviews conducted before July 1, 2023.)

In a scene from the 20th Century Studios film The Creator, John David Washington portrays Joshua, seen here from his left side. He’s wearing a T-shirt and looking to his left with a serious expression on his face. Behind him is a dimly lit and out-of-focus room.

Joshua
John David Washington portrays Joshua, the reluctantly returned soldier who takes on the role of protector for an AI girl he knows next-to-nothing about. Driven by a need to find out what happened to his wife, Maya, after she was presumed killed one night five years earlier, Joshua has to bring to bear all his military training and his powerful sense of empathy to pursue his deeply personal mission. For Washington, The Creator was a welcome mission in filmmaking because he was working with director Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story). “Gareth has this great ability to inject human behavior—warmth, compassion, human imperfection—into a genre that usually depends on spectacle and danger, and it’s a happy balance,” Washington said. The character intrigued the actor in part because, Washington said, “Empathy could be the difference between us living and having a nuclear holocaust…. I think this film will challenge how you empathize with someone.” It was a tough assignment, Edwards added: “John David knew this was going to be hard, but he dove into it wholeheartedly, ready to let it hit him.”

In a scene from the 20th Century Studios film The Creator, Madeleine Yuna Voyles portrays Alphie, an AI figure in the form of a six-year-old girl. She is seen from behind, looking back over her left shoulder at something out of frame. In front of her, out of focus on the left, is a desk with a pool of light, where it appears she has been drawing. The rest of the room around her is dark.

Alphie
Alphie is an AI robot who appears to be a six-year-old girl, and her vulnerability immediately triggers Joshua’s empathy and his impulse to protect those weaker than he is. Alphie’s origins and powers are shrouded and only gradually revealed, but her demeanor and personality are those of any sweet and curious six-year-old. To play this pivotal role, Edwards selected seven-year-old newcomer Madeleine Yuna Voyles from the hundreds of young performers who auditioned. It was a risky bet that paid off, he said: “Madeleine delivered this breathtaking performance, and everyone was just looking at each other like, ‘Did you just see that?’ The entire crew, including some battle-hardened technicians, had tears in their eyes.”

In a scene from the 20th Century Studios film The Creator, Gemma Chan is Maya, seen from the shoulders up. She is wearing a dark tunic and has long, dark hair. She is holding a gun in front of her, close to the camera lens and out of focus, pointed at something out of frame. The room around her is dimly lit but she appears to be standing in a doorway.

Maya
Joshua’s wife Maya is featured in a prologue that takes place five years before the movie’s main story. Portrayed by Gemma Chan, one of the stars of Captain Marvel and Eternals, Maya is a strong woman with an enigmatic past who loves her husband but is initially unaware of his secret mission. Pregnant with their child, Maya is lost when a military operation goes awry. Five years later, Joshua sets out to find out exactly what happened to her—and to confront the mysteries that define her life. Chan was perfect for the role of Maya, producer Jim Spencer said, because “We wanted someone who could exude thoughtfulness and intelligence while opening the door to the war on AI and the world of New Asia. Gemma fit the bill perfectly.”

In a scene from the 20th Century Studios film The Creator, Allison Janney is Colonel Jean Howell, seen from her chest up as she loads a handgun in front of her. She is wearing a light teal military jumpsuit with a protective vest over it and appears to be inside some kind of troop transport vehicle, although all that can be seen behind her are two out of focus windows.

Colonel Jean Howell
The tough-as-nails commander of the military mission that ensnares Joshua, Colonel Jean Howell is played by Academy Award®-winning actress Allison Janney. Howell comes across as all business and unflappable even when her life is on the line, but her family story includes a heartbreaking secret that she shares with Joshua. “I’ve never worked with a director who is so confident,” Janney said of Edwards. “He has a wonderfully creative mind, and he’s very formidable.” As for the movie, she noted that it has “a beautiful, positive message in the end, but it takes you on a wild ride to get there.”

Harun
The clever and stoic leader of a community of AI robots, the fascinating character of Harun is portrayed by legendary Japanese actor Ken Watanabe. As with many of Watanabe’s iconic roles in Japanese and American classic films, Harun appears to be an easily understood figure—“the veteran warrior who will stop at nothing to save his people,” Spencer said—but who gradually reveals layer after complicated layer, becoming one of the film’s most memorable figures. Filming demanding action scenes on a remote location in Thailand, Spencer recalled, Watanabe “took it all in stride.” Edwards added, “Every time the camera went on Ken, it was just so exciting to see someone of his caliber in the frame.”

Drew and Kami
Joshua turns to his best friend, former war buddy Drew, in a moment of particular peril, and Drew risks his own life and the life of his girlfriend, Kami (Veronica Ngo), to help Joshua and Alphie. Drew is played by actor and country music singer Sturgill Simpson. “He is the supreme multihyphenate,” Spencer said of Simpson. “[He] brought an impressive realism to his character.” Simpson was attracted to the project, the actor said, in part because “it was just like most of my favorite movies when I was a kid [and we] got together and had a fight on the playground.” Ngo’s Kami is seen in one of the movie trailer’s most touching moments, offering ice cream to Alphie.

McBride and Cotton
Two steely cohorts on Joshua’s military mission are the fierce McBride—a “take no prisoners” kind of soldier with the years of combat experience necessary to back that up—and Captain Cotton, a dedicated and determined officer who stays focused on the objective at hand. McBride is played by seasoned character actor Marc Menchaca, whom audiences will recognize from his dozens of roles in feature films and television series, including Colonel Sutton in 20th Television’s Sleepy Hollow (2013–2017). Portraying Captain Cotton is Michael Esper, whose long resume in movies and TV includes the mysterious “pock-marked man” in the ABC series The Family (2016) and J. Paul Getty Jr. in the FX limited series Trust (2018).

Member Exclusive at Mickey’s of Glendale: Shop Destination D23 Merchandise From the Walt Disney Imagineering Campus

September 25, 2023September 22, 2023

Mickey’s of Glendale, the Walt Disney Imagineering campus store, created a selection of Destination D23 merchandise exclusive to our event. Didn’t make it to Destination D23 or missed that one item at the event you were hoping to grab? For a limited time, while supplies last, D23 Gold Members will have the opportunity to purchase merchandise from the Destination D23 Collection through an online event. Mickey’s of Glendale also sprinkled in some pixie dust: FREE SHIPPING!

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ACCESS OFFER

Destination D23 Collection available only to D23 Gold Members. Available for purchase starting September 25, 2023, while supplies last. Must enter your D23 Gold Membership email to be eligible to purchase. Only one order per D23 Gold Member; any duplicate orders will be cancelled. Items not eligible for any additional promotional discounts or offers. Offer subject to restrictions and to change without notice. Void where prohibited.

Everything New You Can Stream on Disney+ in October 2023

September 22, 2023September 19, 2023

By Emily Hewitt

Disney+ is doing the cha-cha into October with an episode of Dancing with the Stars airing live every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. PT. The show is hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough and judged by Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough.

Another series continuing into October is Star Wars: Ahsoka, which will release the Season 1 finale on Tuesday, October 3.

Loki Season 2, which follows Loki (Tom Hiddleston), along with new and old characters, as he navigates an ever-expanding and increasingly dangerous multiverse in search of Sylvie, Judge Renslayer, Miss Minutes, and the truth of what it means to possess free will and glorious purpose, will premiere on Thursday, October 5, at 6:00 p.m. PT with a new episode dropping every Thursday.

Meanwhile, 4EVER tells the story of four talented youngsters who undertake the challenging road toward recognition as a band in Miami’s music scene. All episodes will debut on Wednesday, October 11.

Catch the series premiere of Goosebumps, which was inspired by R.L. Stine’s worldwide bestselling books. The series, which follows a group of five high schoolers as they embark on a shadowy and twisted journey to investigate the tragic passing of a teen three decades earlier, will premiere on Friday, October 13, with Episodes 1-5, with a new episode airing every Friday thereafter.

On Wednesday, October 25, all episodes of Primal Survivor: Extreme African Safari will be available. The show follows survival expert Hazen Audel through Africa’s Great Rift Valley on an extreme expedition to see rare and magnificent wildlife out in the open.

Close out the month on Friday, October 27, with LEGO Marvel Avengers: Code Red. After an argument between Black Widow and her father, Red Guardian, he disappears, and The Avengers assemble to investigate and save New York City in this special.

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

Sunday, October 1
Toy Story Funday Football (Live Streaming at 9:30 a.m. ET)

Monday, October 2
Mickey and Friends Trick or Treats

Tuesday, October 3
Dancing with the Stars (Season 32, Episode 2, Live 5:00 p.m. PT)
Star Wars: Ahsoka (Episode 8, Finale)

Wednesday, October 4
Haunted Mansion
Hailey’s On It! (Season 1, 5 Episodes)
Kiff (Season 1, 1 Episode)
SuperKitties (Season 1, 3 Episodes)
The Villains of Valley View (Season 2, 4 Episodes)

Thursday, October 5
Loki (Season 2 Premiere, Available at 6:00 p.m. PT)

Friday, October 6
Bobi Wine: The People’s President
Camping Out
Chips Ahoy
Fiddling Around
Inferior Decorator
Old MacDonald Duck
When the Cat’s Away
Wyken, Blyken and Nod

Tuesday, October 10
Dancing with the Stars (Season 32, Episode 3, Live 5:00 p.m. PT)

Wednesday, October 11
Alice’s Wonderland Bakery (Season 2, 7 Episodes)
Broken Karaoke (Shorts) (Season 2, 3 Episodes)
The Simpsons (Season 34, 22 Episodes)
Heartland Docs, Dvm (Season 5, 12 Episodes)
4EVER (Premiere, All Episodes Streaming)

Thursday, October 12
Loki (Season 2, Episode 2, Available at 6:00pm PT)

Friday, October 13
Goosebumps (Premiere, Episodes 1-5 Streaming)

Tuesday, October 17
Dancing with the Stars (Season 32, Episode 4, Live 5:00 p.m. PT)

Wednesday, October 18
PJ Masks: Power Heroes Music Videos (Shorts) (Season 1, 10 Episodes)

Thursday, October 19
Loki (Season 2, Episode 3, Available at 6:00 p.m. PT)

Friday, October 20
Werewolf by Night in Color
Goosebumps (Episode 6)

Tuesday, October 24
Dancing with the Stars (Season 32, Episode 5, Live 5:00 p.m. PT)

Wednesday, October 25
Big City Greens (Season 4, 5 Episodes)
Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge (Season 2, 8 Episodes)
Theme Song Takeover (Shorts) (Season 3, 7 Episodes)
Primal Survivor: Extreme African Safari (All Episodes Streaming)

Thursday, October 26
Loki (Season 2, Episode 4, Available at 6:00 p.m. PT)

Friday, October 27
Explorer: Lake of Fire (Special)
LEGO Marvel Avengers: Code Red (Premiere)
Goosebumps (Episode 7)

Tuesday, October 31
Dancing with the Stars (Season 32, Episode 6, Live 5:00 p.m. PT)

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

September 21, 2023

By Courtney Potter

While there isn’t exactly a theme to this weekend’s cavalcade of imminently watchable content from around the worlds of Disney, there do happen to be two—count ’em, two—music festivals to delight the senses… one coming to you live from Las Vegas, and the other from Central Park in that grand dame of a metropolis, New York City. Amongst all the incredible tunes (and, in the case of the Global Citizen Festival, fighting the good fight against extreme poverty worldwide), do make note of these other episodes and specials as well…

Marvel Studios’ Assembled: The Making of Secret Invasion—now streaming on Disney+
Time to go behind-the-scenes on another of Marvel Studios’ incredible series… Through in-depth interviews with cast and crew and exclusive footage, Assembled uncovers how Marvel’s Secret Invasion was born. Viewers will see just what it took to conjure the world of the show, and spend time with series star Samuel L. Jackson as he dons the patch once again to engage in the most baffling battle of Nick Fury’s career.

iHeartRadio Music Festival—Friday, September 22, and Saturday, September 23, at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET on Hulu
For the first time, Hulu will serve as the official streaming destination of the iHeartRadio Music Festival—the annual concert event taking place on Friday, September 22, and Saturday, September 23, at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. This year, the totally epic two-day lineup will feature performances by (at press time) Foo Fighters, Fall Out Boy, Kelly Clarkson, Kane Brown, Lil Wayne, Lil Durk, Lenny Kravitz, Miguel, Public Enemy, Sheryl Crow, Travis Scott, Tim McGraw, TLC, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and more. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the iHeartRadio Music Festival will once again include one-of-a-kind collaborations and other surprises!

Pupstruction—Friday, September 22, at 8 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and 11:40 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Junior
The episode’s two stories include: “Amusement Park-ing,” in which Pupstruction builds a parking lot for Petsburg Pier’s Canine Coaster; and “The Dino-Dog Dig,” where the team unearths a dinosaur skeleton and displays it for the citizens of Petsburg. (Honestly, if you can’t appreciate a group of adorable dogs working together to build amazing things for their fellow townspeople, there’s not much we can do for you…)

2023 Global Citizen Festival—Sunday, September 24, at 4pm PT on ABC
Taking place on the Great Lawn at New York City’s historic Central Park, the 2023 Global Citizen Festival will include (at press time) performances by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Megan Thee Stallion, Conan Gray, Sofia Carson, Stray Kids, and DJ D-Nice; and appearances from Bill Nye, Bridget Moynahan, Carmelo Anthony, Common, Danai Gurira, Gayle King, Jordan Fisher, Padma Lakshmi, Rachel Brosnahan, and more… all in support of urging governments to take action and address the systemic issues perpetuating extreme poverty. Not only can you watch highlights from the festival on ABC on Sunday, September 24, but it’s also streaming live on YouTube (and several other platforms) the day before.

The Villains of Valley View—Sunday, September 24, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
Time to catch back up with everyone’s favorite suburbanite villains! In an episode titled “The Promposal,” Amy (Isabella Pappas) agrees to go to prom with Milo (Isaiah C. Morgan) as friends, but finds out she isn’t his first choice. Meanwhile, Colby (Malachi Barton) and Eva (Lucy Davis) train Vic (James Patrick Stuart) to perfect his power.

Big City Greens Q&A: The Houghton Brothers Talk Season 4

September 21, 2023September 22, 2023

By Courtney Potter

“1, 2, 1-2-3-4!” Yes, in just a few days’ time, the Green family is back for Season 4 of Disney Branded Television’s hit animated comedy-adventure series Big City Greens! For the uninitiated, the series follows the offbeat adventures of 10-year-old Cricket Green (voiced by co-creator/executive producer Chris Houghton), a mischievous and optimistic country boy who moves to the big city with his wildly (but hilariously!) out-of-place family: older sister Tilly (voiced by Marieve Herington), father Bill (voiced by Bob Joles), and Gramma Alice (voiced by Artemis Pebdani). Cricket’s natural curiosity and enthusiasm lead him and his family on totally epic journeys—as well as into the hearts of his new neighbors.

This time ‘round, the clan establishes a new normal with Cricket and Tilly’s mom Nancy (voiced by Wendi McLendon-Covey) staying on the country farm while the rest of the Greens goes back and forth between Big City and Smalton.

Recently, D23 was lucky enough to chat with Chris Houghton and his brother, and fellow co-creator/executive producer, Shane Houghton, about the making of Season 4… what excites them about the family’s latest adventures; cool guest voice stars to expect; and so much more:

The conversation below has been edited and condensed for clarity.

D23: There’s a “new normal” now, with Nancy staying on the farm while the rest of the family commutes back and forth—what about that makes for a compelling storyline in Season 4?
Shane Houghton (SH): The world of Big City Greens got a lot bigger in Season 3. Because they’re now straddling between these two worlds, the city and the country, it’s really opened up the storytelling possibilities for us. We have a whole cast of characters now in the country that we got to meet a little bit in Season 3 but didn’t really get any deep dives with because it was so focused on the Greens. So in Season 4, we get to see a lot more of the country neighbors and folks in Smalton. Meanwhile, back in the city, there’s plenty of new characters and new locations that the Greens are also going to be exploring—there’s a long-lost Green family member who comes back into the fold in Season 4; Gloria [voiced by Anna Akana] hires a new employee at the café, so it’s no longer just Cricket and Gramma working there. We’re shaking things up while still [sticking] with the Greens. We still have all the same cast of characters we know and love—but we’re introducing some newer elements, new locations, new conflicts, and trying to build out the world even larger.

D23: Can you speak a bit about some of the amazing guest voice stars you’ll be featuring on the show this season?
Chris Houghton (CH): Well, I had the pleasure of directing Brad Marchand, the Boston Bruins player, who joined for a hockey-related episode. We needed someone who was willing to come in and have some fun—and Brad said yes! Now, I like hockey, but I’m not, like, the hockey expert. So I looked Brad up after the fact—because our producer is a big fan, and he was like, “You want Brad Marchand.” I said, “Absolutely!” But when I looked him up, I found out he was known for fighting… he’s called “The Rat”! I’ve never been more thrilled to direct someone over Zoom! All kidding aside, Brad was an absolute delight. He was so down to have fun, and we just had a blast. I think it goes for all of our guest stars; we’re just so thrilled when someone understands what we’re trying to do on the show, which is just to have fun and make funny stuff. Anyone who wants to come and play in that arena and isn’t afraid to make themselves look silly, it just makes for better cartoons.
SH: I can speak to Michael Bolton, who is in the first episode of Season 4. We needed somebody to play a [commercial] jingle writer—and we wanted somebody who could sing, but we needed somebody who was also funny. Michael Bolton stood out to us, because he’s done a couple of comedy bits, like on Saturday Night Livewith The Lonely Island guys. So we reached out to him, hoping he would do it—and he was interested! But then he came back to us with some thoughts, and we got really excited; this doesn’t usually happen. We thought, wow—what does Michael Bolton think of this? What does he want to do? He had thoughts on the character, design, the story, and specific jokes—and to his credit, all of them were great ideas. We were like, “We love this. This is fantastic!”

And it kind of happened late in the pipeline, but the crew pulled it together. We implemented all the notes, and the episode is funnier and better because of it! And then Michael comes into record, and he is just so funny. And he had a great time. It was one of the best voice-actor interactions I’ve ever had, directing Michael Bolton.

D23: That’s amazing! On a similar token, what’s the dynamic now between the “core” family group of voice actors—you, Chris, as well as Marieve, Bob, and Artemis—after all these seasons?
CH: Oh my gosh, it’s delightful! Even though the core cast is not always together, whenever we do have the opportunity to get together, it’s so much fun. We are all pretty similar to our characters, in a very strange way. I’m a little wily and Cricket-like. Marieve, the voice of Tilly, is just so sweet—she’s a delight. Bob Joles really does have this fatherly-like energy to him. And Artemis, Gramma, is a spitfire; she’s so fun to be around.

The core cast of the Greens—including Remy, who’s played by Zeno Robinson—we all traveled to New York Comic Con together, and it really does kind of feel like a family reunion. We’ve all been working together for so many years, at this point, that we can lovingly poke and annoy each other like family members and have a grand old time.

D23: This show started out based on your childhood… does it continue to be a special experience, in that way?
SH: This show is incredibly personal to us, yeah. A lot of the core concepts came from us and our family members and our neighbors and our life experience. That’s where it started. And now it’s blossomed into this enormous thing that so many hundreds of people have creatively contributed ideas and personal experiences to. While Chris and I are kind of like the “tastemakers”—we get to decide what goes in the show and what doesn’t—the personal aspects are no longer just us. It is this entire collective experience that goes into making the show.

D23: All told, what do you hope audiences take away from this season of Big City Greens?
CH: We’re always aiming, first and foremost for “Fun, funny, and more fun.” Beyond that, we’ve always said that if there’s a recipe for the show, it’s two parts comedy, one part heart—and I think the episodes that really resonate with audience members are the episodes that have that heart, or that little nugget of truth to them. However, it needs to be wrapped in a thick layer of comedy and a thick layer of fun. So that’s what we’re always focusing on.

We always love hearing from audience members. We kind of try our best to predict what will really resonate—but once the show goes out, it has a life of its own, and certain episodes hit people at a certain time in their lives. sometimes those particular episodes have such a profound impact on those people. It’s something we could have never predicted, and it’s always so cool to hear about. We hope that Season 4 continues to do that, as seasons have in the past—and we can’t wait to hear what audiences think of it!

Celebrate Your Fandom During The Wonder of Marvel

September 19, 2023September 18, 2023

This month, as part of the Disney100 celebration, power up for The Wonder of Marvel! Assemble and celebrate your favorite Marvel stories and characters... Whether you are watching your favorite Marvel film, reading your favorite comic, or cosplaying your favorite character, there are so many ways to join in the fun!

A collage of five images, including a LEGO set of Captain America’s shield, a LEGO set of the Avenger’s Quinjet, a selection of Marvel-themed sunglasses, an Avenger’s backpack, and an Iron Man action figure.

Avengers 60th Anniversary
This year is special since it’s a celebration within a celebration, with the 60th Anniversary of the Avengers! Commemorate the occasion by showing off your inner hero: Want stylish shades like Tony Stark? Check out the Marvel x DIFF Beyond Earth’s Mightiest, Avengers 60th Anniversary eyewear collection. More interested in collectibles? The Marvel Legends Series Iron Man (Model 01) is an Avengers 60th Anniversary action figure detailed to look like the Iron Man character from Marvel's Tales of Suspense comics. If you’re a hero on the go, the Avengers Sling Bag by Heroes & Villains is ideal to carry your Super Hero gear. You can even build your Super Hero adventure with the LEGO Captain America’s Shield and LEGO The Avengers Quinjet.

A collage of three images: A t-shirt pattered with images of The Hulk, Thor, and Iron Man; action figures of Iron Stomper and Iron Man; and the Marvel Stunt Squad playset.

Super Hero Fun for Kids
Super Heroes AND dinosaurs? Yes, please! This Iron Man with Iron Stomper Mechasaur allows kids to play as their favorite iconic Marvel Super Hero with a pre-historic power boost to defeat enemies. If you are ready to SMASH like the Incredible Hulk, look no further than the Marvel Stunt Squad Captain America vs. Thanos Tower Smash Playset. For super style, the Marvel All-Over Graphic T-Shirt for Kids features Marvel heroes in a comic book design.

An advertisement for a variety of Spider-Man products against a red-tinted cityscape. The ad includes a poster of Venom fighting Spider-Man, the Spider-Man 2 PS5 game, a statue of Venom fighting Spider-Man and Miles Morales, and a sidebar featuring additional unlockables from the game.

Swing Across Marvel’s New York with Peter Parker and Miles Morales
On October 20, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the highly anticipated next chapter in Marvel’s Spider-Man story, arrives exclusively on PS5. If you’re looking to take your gaming experience to the next level, check out the Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Collector’s Edition. It includes the full game, early-unlock suits and gadgets, skill points, and much more—topped off with an impressive 19-inch Collector’s Edition statue featuring our two Spider-Heroes, Peter Parker and Miles Morales, locked in battle versus the intimidating villain Venom. Want more? Watch the Story Trailer.

Ready for some heroic fun?! Visit the Times Square Disney Store on Friday, October 6, and Saturday, October 7, for Marvel’s Avengers: Beyond Earth’s Mightiest Celebration! There’ll be Avengers-themed activities, photo ops, and some special surprises and giveaways.

For more Marvel product collections visit:

Everything You Need to Know About Marvel Studios’ Moon Knight — Everything You Need to Know About Marvel Studios’ *Moon Knight*
Cammie March 29, 2022

5 Mystifying Moments from the Moon Knight Press Conference — 5 Mystifying Moments from the *Moon Knight* Press Conference
Cammie March 24, 2022

The Moon and Stars Align at Moon Knight’s Launch Event — The Moon and Stars Align at *Moon Knight*’s Launch Event
Sohrab March 23, 2022

Watchlist: Celebrating Hispanic & Latin American Cultures

September 15, 2023September 27, 2023

This Hispanic & Latin American Heritage Month—and really, all year long—we’re honoring the unity of the voices, communities, heritage, and traditions across the globe.

To commemorate the occasion this year, we’ve compiled a watch guide of incredible content from across the worlds of Disney. From brand-new specials from ABC and ABC News, to curated films and episodes from Disney+, National Geographic, and more—you won’t want to miss a moment!

ABC and ABC News

In honor of Hispanic & Latin American Heritage Month, ABC and ABC News will have lots of dedicated coverage across its many programs and platforms…

Look for a new primetime special from the Emmy® Award-winning ABC News Studios series Soul of a Nation. The new one-hour event― “The Latin Music Revolution: A Soul of a Nation Presentation”―will explore the massive popularity of global Latin music and the young stars who are taking the industry by storm with chart-topping songs and record-breaking sales. “The Latin Music Revolution” will examine the roots and evolution of Latin pop music; the stars who are seeing mainstream success, breaking barriers, and creating a space for themselves and their music, including the difficulties of breaking through in the early decades, featuring interviews with Colombian artist Karol G, whose new album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this year, making it the first Spanish-language album by a woman to do so; reggaeton and Latin trap artist Nicky Jam; Afro-Colombian singer and rapper Goyo; Mexican Latin pop group RBD; Dominican American Afro-Latina singer Amara “La Negra”; legendary singer Linda Ronstadt; and singer/percussionist Sheila E. and her father Pete Escovedo.

Viewers can tune into Good Morning America, World News Tonight with David Muir, Nightline, GMA3: What You Need to Know, The View, ABC News Live, ABC News Digital, and ABC News Audio all month long for stories highlighting Hispanic and Latin cultures.

Disney+

Performers of Hispanic and Latinx descent are featured all across the Star Wars universe… and so much is available to stream on Disney+—where to begin?

You’ve positively got to be watching Ahsoka… and if you aren’t, there’s no time like the present to start! Starring Rosario Dawson as the former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano, the series follows along as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy. New episodes drop weekly through October 3.

On a similar Lucasfilm tip: If you haven’t already, take a gander at Andor, starring Diego Luna; in an era filled with danger, deception, and intrigue, Cassian Andor (Luna) will discover the difference he can make in the struggle against the tyrannical Galactic Empire. It’s probably not so much a spoiler to say that this sets him on a path that’s destined to make him a Rebel hero…

Additionally, look for Ariana Greenblatt in Ahsoka; Pedro Pascal in The Mandolorian; Oscar Isaac in the Skywalker trilogy; Freddie Prinze Jr. as the voice of Kanan in Star Wars Rebels; The Book of Boba Fett, directed and executive produced by Robert Rodriquez; and so much more…

Additionally: Season 2 of Launchpad, a collection of live-action shorts from a new generation of dynamic filmmakers, premieres on the streaming service on September 29. In the episode “Beautiful, FL,” directed by Gabriela Ortega and written by Joel Perez and Adrian Ferbeyre, an ice cream competition inspires a teen girl to use a flavor inspired by her late Tia Abuela’s Puerto Rican treats—as well as the help of her trailer park neighbors—to figure out the winning recipe. (Read more about Launchpad here!)

A fan of animation? Don’t miss the Pixar SparkShort Nona, directed by Louis Gonzales. A grandmother plans to spend her day watching her very favorite TV show—E.W.W. Smashdown Wrestling—until her precocious 5-year-old granddaughter Renee is unexpectedly dropped off. Now, Nona is caught between her two favorite things. Oh, and once you’ve watched the short, check out A Spark Story, an exclusive documentary film about the making of Nona (and another amazing SparkShort, Twenty Something) featuring interviews with Gonzales and a look at his filmmaking process.

For kids in your life, find all episodes of Disney’s Emmy® and Imagen Award-winning Elena of Avalor on the streaming service. Elena (voiced by Aimee Carrero) is a brave and adventurous teenager who has saved her kingdom from an evil sorceress—and must now learn to rule as crown princess until she’s old enough to be queen. In the meantime, she is advised by a Grand Council, comprised of her Grandfather Francisco (voiced by Emiliano Díez), Grandmother Luisa (voiced by Julia Vera), and Royal Advisor Duke Esteban (voiced by Christian Lanz). With her sister Princess Isabel (Jenna Ortega) and some magical friends by her side, Elena learns that her new role requires thoughtfulness, resilience, and compassion—the traits of a truly great leader.

Elsewhere on Disney+, have a look at the Walt Disney Animated Studios Oscar®-winning hit Encanto and its related special Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl; Marvel Studios’ Moon Knight (starring Oscar Isaac) and Eternals(featuring Salma Hayek Pinault); and so much more.

Discover further incredible programming in the Hispanic & Latin American Stories collection on Disney+.

Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD

All month long, the good folks across the networks of Disney Branded Television will air culturally relevant episodes of various animated series—including Hamster & Gretel, Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, and Hailey’s On It!

Additionally, Disney Junior will premiere two sure-to-be-enthralling Día de los Muertos episodes: In the special episode of Mickey Mouse Funhouse (airing Friday, October 6 at 10 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and 12:05 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Junior), Donald’s (voiced by Tony Anselmo) old pal Panchito invites the gang to celebrate Día de los Muertos in Mexico City. Daisy (voiced by Debra Wilson) is worried she may miss her beloved gran-duck who has passed away—but discovers the joy of remembering loved ones. Meanwhile, in an episode of Me & Mickey airing later in October, Mickey Mouse (voiced by Bret Iwan) shares his favorite parts of the Día de los Muertos celebration: sugar skulls, pan de muerto, and an ofrenda for his hamster who passed away.

ESPN+

Explore sensational stories on the streamer through ESPN+Más, which aims to elevate Hispanic athletes, fans, and communities through a celebration of sport and culture.

Freeform

Over on Freeform, look for the Disney and Pixar hit Coco! If you need a refresher: Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, 12-year-old Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voiced by Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, and following a mysterious chain of events, Miguel finds himself in the stunning colorful Land of the Dead. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voiced by Gael García Bernal)—and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

Hulu

Among the more recent offerings on Hulu that highlight Hispanic and Latin cultures are Miguel Wants to Fight. Despite living in a neighborhood where fighting is stitched into the fabric of everyday life, high school junior Miguel (Tyler Dean Flores) has never found himself in one. And, to be honest, he’s perfectly fine with that… But when a combination of events turns his life upside down, Miguel and his three best friends—the stoic David (Christian Vunipola), the rowdy Cass (Imani Lewis), and the quick-tongued Srini (Suraj Partha)—enter into a series of hilarious misadventures as he tries to get into his first-ever fight. This new Hulu Original Film is directed by Oz Rodriguez and written by Jason Conception and Shea Serrano.

Plus, check out the Searchlight Pictures and Hulu Original Film Flamin’ Hot, directed by Eva Longoria. It’s the inspiring story of Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia), the Frito Lay janitor who channeled his Mexican American heritage and upbringing to turn the iconic Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into a snack that disrupted the food industry and became a global pop culture phenomenon. The film also stars Annie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert, Emilio Rivera, Tony Shalhoub, Matt Walsh, Pepe Serna, Bobby Soto, Jimmy Gonzales, Brice Gonzalez, Vanessa Martinez, Fabian Alomar, Mario Ponce, and Hunter Jones.

Don’t forget new episodes of Only Murders in the Building, Season 3—starring Selena Gomez—are airing now through October 3. This season, our favorite podcasting sleuths (Gomez, Martin Short, and Disney Legend Steve Martin) are investigating a death behind the scenes of a Broadway show… Hollywood action hero Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd) is the show’s big star, making his Broadway debut—which is cut tragically short by his rather untimely demise. Aided by co-star Loretta Durkin (Meryl Streep), the trio embarks on their toughest case yet.

Check out the first season of El Mantequilla: Maestro de la Estafa. In 1982 Mexico, Emiliano Escamilla (Alberto Guerra), a notorious scam artist and impersonator, plans to avenge his mother, who was wrongfully imprisoned for the crimes of his father, “El Mantequilla,” the most famous and pursued swindler of the 1950s. Mixing dark comedy, action, and drama, it’s a classic story of scams and impossible plans, where nothing is as it seems…

And don’t miss the second season of This Fool, which is inspired by star and co-creator Chris Estrada’s experience growing up in South Central LA. After Julio’s job at “Hugs Not Thugs” blew up at the end of last season, this season, new roommates Julio (Estrada) and Luis (Frankie Quiñones) embark on starting “Mugs Not Thugs” with the help of Minister Payne (Michael Imperioli), Chef Percy (Jamar Neighbors), and other former Huggers. (Recommended for mature audiences.)

Discover even more content in the Hispanic & Latin American Stories collection on Hulu.

National Geographic

If incredible environments and astonishing archeology from Hispanic and Latin countries are more your speed, look no further than National Geographic; they’ll be debuting a compilation of Wild Chile—exploring the wildlife found in the furthest corners of the Chilean deserts and hidden forests—on September 15 on Nat Geo WILD, followed by encores of Latin America from Above. Pre-contemporary history encores of Lost Treasures of the Maya, Lost City of Machu Picchu, and Skeletons of the Inca Rebellion will be featured on National Geographic on September 21. Also look for Ancient Worlds Revealed with Albert Lin, Skeletons of the Inca Rebellion, and Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted.