By Karina Schink
Today’s the day you get to add the latest Marvel film to your cinematic collection. Avengers: Infinity War is available today for Digital Download, and to celebrate this marvelous occasion, we have an exclusive clip to share of one of Executive Producer Victoria Alonso’s favorite moments–and we have to say that we love it too! Relive one of the “biggest cheer moments” of the film in the clip below, and again and again when you take Avengers: Infinity War home with you today!
By Jocelyn Buhlman
Our weekend just made the jump to light speed with the news that Star Wars: Episode IX will begin filming at London’s Pinewood Studios on August 1, 2018. The last movie in the new trilogy, following our heroes Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron (and adorable droid BB-8), has been eagerly awaited since the moment the credits rolled on Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) returns to bring their adventures to a close, based a screenplay he co-wrote with Chris Terrio.
While the new film is shrouded in secrecy (what else did you expect?), here’s what we do know so far:
Familiar and New Faces of the Force
For the latest installment in this intergalactic saga, expect to see returning cast members such as Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd. Joining them will be Disney Legend Mark Hamill, along with veteran Star Wars actors Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as our favorite smuggler with swagger, Lando Calrissian.
Newcomers Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant will join the cast, as yet-unannounced characters in the ever-expanding Star Wars Galaxy.
Continuing a Legacy
Starwars.com revealed that Leia Organa will return in Star Wars: Episode IX, portrayed by Disney Legend Carrie Fisher, using previously unreleased footage from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
“We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” said director J.J. Abrams. “Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.”
Settling the Score
What would a new Star Wars film be without its iconic score? Composer John Williams, who has made musical magic for the previous eight Star Wars films, returns to finish the Skywalker saga with a brand-new score for Episode IX.
Mark Your Calendars
It’s been a long journey across the galaxy, and the latest trilogy following the Skywalkers and their friends (and enemies!) will soon be coming to a close. Are you ready? Mark your calendars for December 2019 and get ready to go, once again, back to a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….
By Beth Deitchman
The circle of friends continues to grow for Mickey’s favorite bear, Duffy, who has not one but two new friends you may have yet to meet: The curious and inventive Cookie, an adorable puppy who loves coming up with new recipes, is greeting guests at Hong Kong Disneyland; while the tenderhearted turtle ‘Olu (pronounced “Oh-loo”) can now be found at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, where an exclusive new line of merchandise becomes available to guests today.
Disney fans agree with Mickey, who discovered years ago, when he set out on his inaugural voyage with a teddy bear made for him by Minnie to keep him company during his travels at sea, that Duffy is one special little bear. As the story goes, Minnie filled the bear with happy memories and love, and Duffy came to life in Mickey’s dreams, comforting him and chasing away his feelings of homesickness—and becoming the best travel buddy Mickey could ever ask for. By delivering smiles and joy to guests around the world, Duffy lives in their imaginations, too, and now new friends Cookie and ‘Olu join ShellieMay, Gelatoni, and StellaLou in this delightful story world. Charlie Watanabe, Senior Story Editor for Walt Disney Imagineering, recently chatted with D23 about Duffy’s newest friends, who are sure to become your favorite cuddly companions, too.
The kindhearted turtle ‘Olu sang his way into Duffy and Mickey’s hearts.
Mickey and Duffy were sailing the islands in search of a perfect birthday present for ShellieMay, who was also made by Minnie Mouse (and filled with joy) so that Duffy could have a best friend by his side. The pair was drawn to the sounds of an ‘ukulele, played by a sweet turtle with an affinity for songs of love. ‘Olu then accompanied Duffy and Mickey to ShellieMay’s birthday party, where the trio serenaded the guest of honor with ‘Olu’s special song. “He’s a bit shy,” says Watanabe, “but he loves to play music for his friends.”
A most appetizing accident made Duffy and Cookie forever friends.
Duffy met Cookie, a darling floppy-eared puppy with a penchant for wearing a chef’s hat with a pink bow, under equally unexpected circumstances. Their paths collided—literally—and the cotton candy Duffy was about to take a bite of went flying, only to be caught by Cookie, who had already seen her own stack of waffles fly through the air, as well. Cookie—an avid foodie with a talent for combining ingredients and making culinary magic—was inspired and came away from her encounter with Duffy with a brand-new friend and a new recipe for a cotton candy waffle sandwich.
Duffy learns something from all of his friends… and so do we.
“Gelatoni sees the world with his heart,” explains Watanabe about the cat who loves to paint and draw, and who sees beauty in everything he sees. StellaLou, a hard-working girl with dreams of dancing on Broadway, danced her way into Duffy’s heart in New York in American Waterfront, teaching him that dreams aren’t just something we have when we’re asleep. Duffy and his friends’ stories come to life in books, in the parks, and on the hangtags that accompany plush dolls that guests purchase to take home. “Through reading the stories, we feel the innocence, the pure dedication, and the pure inventiveness,” says Watanabe. “As guests, we learn something from Duffy and his friends that we often fail to see or fail to feel in our everyday lives, and we all get a sense of comfort, security, and friendship from Duffy and Friends.”
That cotton candy-waffle concoction isn’t Cookie’s only “first”…
In addition to being the first puppy to ponder the pairing of two delicious treats, Cookie is the first of Duffy’s friends to make their global debut at Hong Kong Disneyland. She received a warm welcome from guests on July 3, and a host of new food and beverage offerings debuted in her honor, including “Cookie’s Cheese Cake,” “Cookie Blueberry Cupcake” and a range of desserts with adorable images of the precious pup. Guests at Hong Kong Disneyland have the opportunity to encounter Cookie every day at Main Street Cinema: My Journeys with Duffy. Watanabe notes that Cookie’s kitchen creativity stems from her innate curiosity, but he says, “She’s very curious about other new things, as well. She loves introducing new things to her friends. She gets so much joy out of her friends trying something she created.”
Guests at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa will be the first to say “Aloha” to ‘Olu.
Since Duffy’s first voyage with Mickey, he and his friends have become increasingly popular with guests from all across the globe. With the introduction of ‘Olu at Aulani and Cookie’s debut at Hong Kong Disneyland, Watanabe says, “More people can enjoy their love and their friendship—because I think Duffy and his friends are all about that message, and I feel like this world needs that more than ever.”
By Courtney Potter
Duffy’s newest friend debuts; the Inside Out favorite’s candy store opens; and Princess Elena comes to primetime TV… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!
The adorable Duffy has a new pal to go on adventures with—and he just made his global debut at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, in gorgeous Ko Olina, Hawai’i: His name is ‘Olu, and his exclusive line of merchandise is now available!
Wondering how ‘Olu and Duffy met? One day, as Mickey Mouse and Duffy sailed around the islands in search of the most perfectly magical birthday present for ShellieMay, they heard someone strumming a tune on an ‘ukulele… after following the sound, they found ‘Olu, a warmhearted turtle, was responsible for the feel-good music! And what better present is there than music? So Mickey and Duffy asked ‘Olu to accompany them to ShellieMay’s party—and they all sang a special song together for their birthday friend.
Make sure to say “Aloha!” to ‘Olu the next time you’re visiting Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. We can’t wait to meet him ourselves…
| D23 and Walt Disney Archives July 30, 2018 Attend the Red Carpet Premiere of Christopher Robin July 30, 2018 D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experience: Toy Story Land Tour July 31-August 1, 2018 Be Among the First to See Disney’s Christopher Robin! August 6, 2018 D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experience: Pixar Animation Studios August 10, 2018 Lunch with a Disney Legend – Jim Cora August 11, 2018 D23’s Saturday Morning on the Lot August 12, 2018 Mickey’s of Glendale Summer Shopping Event November 16-18, 2018 Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse August 23-25, 2019 D23 Expo 2019 Parks August 17, 24, 28, 31 September 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30 October 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park August 30-November 12, 2018 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival September 7-October 31, 2018 Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort 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 August 3, 2018 Disney’s Christopher Robin opens in U.S. theaters November 2, 2018 The Nutcracker and the Four Realms opens in U.S. theaters December 19, 2018 Mary Poppins Returns opens in U.S. theaters Television August 10, 2018 Disney Channel Original Movie Freaky Friday premieres on Disney Channel (8–9:45 p.m. EDT/PDT) September 21, 2018 Elena of Avalor: Song of the Sirenas premieres on Disney Junior (7–8 p.m. EDT/PDT) |
We’ve previously told you about all the fabulous fun you can have at Pixar Pier inside Disney California Adventure park, including some of the land’s “coming attractions”… well, one of them is now open, and we couldn’t be more thrilled for the sugar rush in store! Bing-Bong’s Sweet Stuff—themed after the beloved character from Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out—is located in the Pixar Promenade neighborhood, and it’s now offering guests a delightful assortment of candies, caramel apples, rainbow cotton candy, and all manner of Pixar souvenirs, accessories, apparel, and accessories. But wait, there’s more: Jangles the Clown will be serving up some delicious Memory Refreshers, frozen drinks available in a ton of flavors and colors.
Get your sweet tooth ready and remember to pay a visit to Bing-Bong’s Sweet Stuff the next time you’re at the Disneyland Resort!
Hear ye, hear ye—the kingdom of Avalor has a very special announcement: Princess Elena is coming to prime-time television this fall! Elena of Avalor: Song of the Sirenas, an hour-long TV movie event based on Disney Junior’s über-popular Elena of Avalor, will premiere on Friday, September 21, at 7 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior and the DisneyNOW app.
In the special, Elena (voice of Aimee Carrero) travels to Nueva Vista—a place that she used to visit when she was a child—and reconnects with her cousin Duke Cristóbal (guest voice Javier Muñoz, of Broadway’s Hamilton), who has been keeping watch over the city. While there, she encounters a group of mermaid-like sea creatures called sirenas and learns about their complicated history with humans. In an attempt to make amends, Elena befriends the sirenas and enlists their help to defeat evil sorceress Shuriki (recurring guest voice Jane Fonda). The super-special guest voice cast also includes Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin), Edward James Olmos (Disney•Pixar’s Coco), Rita Moreno (One Day at a Time), Prince Royce (East Los High), and Rosario Dawson (Marvel’s The Defenders)—who join regulars including Carerro, Jenna Ortega, Chris Parnell, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Carlos Alazraqui.
Plus, following the premiere of the TV movie, Disney Junior will debut a series of shorts called Elena of Avalor: The Secret Life of Sirenas, which delves deeper into the everyday lives of the sirenas.
Look for Princess Elena’s latest adventures in just a few months’ time!
On August 3, we all go back to the Hundred Acre Wood for some fantastic, brand-new adventures with Winnie the Pooh and pals in Disney’s Christopher Robin. And here’s a great way to get ready: a fresh extended sneak peek for the film… Check it out, above!
In this heartwarming live-action adventure, the young boy who embarked on countless adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with his band of lovable stuffed animals has grown up (portrayed by Ewan McGregor) and lost his way. Now, it’s up to his childhood friends to venture into our world and help Christopher Robin remember the loving and playful boy who is still inside.
Directed by Marc Forster, Christopher Robin also stars Hayley Atwell, Bronte Carmichael, and Mark Gatiss—and features the voices of Jim Cummings, Peter Capaldi, Brad Garrett, Toby Jones, Nick Mohammed, and Sophie Okonedo.
The new TV season is just around the corner, and ABC is preparing to thrill audiences with a host of new shows and returning favorites. And now we have premiere dates—which means we can plan our themed food and beverage menus for each evening… (We can’t be the only ones who do that, right?)
The big 2018–19 season kicks off with the premiere of the 27th installment of Dancing with the Stars on Monday, September 24—followed by the second-season premiere of The Good Doctor. The new drama A Million Little Things, starring Ron Livingston (Boardwalk Empire) and James Roday (Psych), premieres that Wednesday, September 26. Nathan Fillion—who charmed audiences in both Firefly and ABC’s recent detective dramedy Castle—returns to the network in the much-anticipated drama The Rookie, which will debut on Tuesday, October 16… the very same evening viewers will first enjoy two new comedies: The Conners, a spinoff of the groundbreaking show Roseanne, and The Kids Are Alright, inspired by creator Tim Doyle’s Irish-Catholic upbringing in the turbulent 1970s.
Plus, Dancing with the Stars: Juniors will pair celebrity kids with professional junior ballroom dancers beginning Sunday, October 7, and The Alec Baldwin Show will offer in-depth conversations with some of today’s most intriguing personalities starting Sunday, October 14. Fan faves like Grey’s Anatomy (ABC’s longest-running series) and Shark Tank will offer up premieres on Thursday, September 27, and Sunday, October 7, respectively.
For a full list of the 2018–19 fall premiere dates, visit our pals over at ABC.com.
If you kept your eyes peeled on D23.com this past weekend, you know we were down in San Diego, California, for the mega-huge (and mega-fabulous) San Diego Comic-Con 2018. Need a refresher on all the amazing stuff that happened? No worries! Read our rundown of all the Disney magic, including a look at both of D23’s incredible panels, “90 Years of Mickey Mouse” (featuring the debut of the brand-new Mickey Mouse birthday portrait by animator Mark Henn) and “25 Years of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” (moderated by very special guest Neil Gaiman).
But that’s not all: Disney Channel previewed a picture of actress Sadie Stanley as the title character for the new live-action Kim Possible film, above. And Freeform got into the action by announcing a second season of their hit series Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger
It was truly a jam-packed weekend of Disney fun… we had a blast!
As just announced by our friends at Disney Parks Blog, there’s a brand-new quick service restaurant opening at Disney Springs next month. Chicken Guy! is the creation of celebrity chef Guy Fieri and restauranteur Robert Earl, two culinary superstars who most recently collaborated on the new burger and sandwich menu at Planet Hollywood—and are working together once again, creating an all-new concept that features one-of-a-kind, all-natural fresh chicken tenders (available either fried or grilled) and a whopping 20 different varieties of house-made sauces.
Need a side to go with those yummy chicken tenders? Look for Chicken Guy! Fries tossed with their signature seasoning; Mac Daddy Mac ‘n’ Cheese; and Loaded Fries smothered in SMC (“SUPER MELTY CHEESE!”) and topped with chopped grilled chicken, bacon, and green onions. Those wanting lighter fare will appreciate the Chicken Guy! Salad Bowls—featuring lots of fresh veggies… and for dessert, try one of the restaurant’s Flavortown Frozen Treats, including the Triple Double Mint or Cinnamon Apple soft-serve delights.
Fire up those taste buds and keep an eye out for more info—including the restaurant’s official opening date—soon.
By Beth Deitchman
At D23 Expo Japan 2018, we first learned that Marvel’s tiniest Super Heroes will be bringing big new thrills to Hong Kong Disneyland in an attraction featuring Ant-Man and The Wasp, and today its name was revealed. Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! is scheduled to open in 2019 as part of the resort’s multi-year expansion, which, when complete in 2023, will feature an entire Marvel-themed area for guests to explore.
The new attraction, which will join the fan-favorite Iron Man Experience as the second Marvel attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland, features an epic story: When a routine trip to the S.H.I.E.L.D. Science and Technology Pavilion at Stark Expo takes an unexpected turn, guests join forces with Ant-Man and The Wasp in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s state-of-the-art vehicle to fight against Arnim Zola and his army of Hydra swarm-bots in a heroic battle.
Actors Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly will appear in the all-new, interactive attraction, which they’re eagerly ant-icipating along with the rest of us. “I have been a Disneyland fan my whole life,” said Rudd. “To have an attraction as Ant Man at Hong Kong Disneyland is so exciting.” Added Lilly, “It’s such an exciting moment for a female heroine to be in the title of a Marvel film. For the character to also have her own ride is an incredible honor.” You can hear from the stars of Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and The Wasp and see spectacular concept art for the attraction in the video below:
As the multi-year expansion continues at Hong Kong Disneyland, stay tuned to D23.com for news about how Disney characters and stories will be brought to life in amazing new ways.
By Jim Frye
Each July, more than 130,000 fans of films, comic books, and television travel to Southern California for San Diego Comic-Con, one of the largest celebrations of pop culture in the country. Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm have been there since the convention’s early years—Comic-Con celebrates 50 years in 2019—providing news about the latest Marvel comic books, previews of the newest Disney TV shows, and announcements about upcoming Star Wars films. As a matter of fact, in 1976, in a less-than-packed conference room, writers Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin presented a preview of a still-unknown film called Star Wars, complete with slides on a projector screen.
Roy Thomas and Howard Chakin tell a less than packed audience about a film called Star Wars at @Comic_Con in 1976. #ThrowbackThursday #SDCC pic.twitter.com/XIrJgaAfrL
— Star Wars (@starwars) July 20, 2017
Little did the attendees know that they were witnessing the beginnings of one of the most successful film franchises in history. Comic-Con and Lucasfilm—as well as Marvel and Disney—have come a long way since then. A quick look at this year’s program book, not to mention the convention floor, demonstrated the enduring power of Disney’s brands and the stories they provide. Here’s a roundup of some of the Disney highlights from this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.
New Mickey Mouse Portrait Revealed During Panel Celebrating 90 Years
For the first time ever, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club hosted a panel at San Diego Comic-Con, and it was a big one, celebrating the mouse that started it all. D23’s Justin Arthur hosted the panel, which included Bret Iwan (voice actor), Becky Cline (director, the Walt Disney Archives), and Mark Henn (Legendary Disney animator) commemorating 90 years of Mickey Mouse. The highlight was the unveiling of the brand-new Mickey Mouse portrait by Henn.
Neil Gaiman Hosted 25 Years of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club
The popular author Neil Gaiman surprised excited fans as the host and moderator of D23’s special panel commemorating the 25th anniversary of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Joining Gaiman were assistant art directors Kelly Asbury and Bill Boes, associate editor Edie Ichioka, animator Anthony Scott, and director Henry Selick. 
Big News at the 10-year Anniversary of Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Dave Filoni, Lucasfilm TV animation executive producer & supervising director, celebrated 10 years of the Emmy Award®-winning Star Wars: The Clone Wars with an announcement that excited Star Wars fans the world over—a sixth season of Clone Wars will arrive on Disney’s upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service.
Don Cheadle Announced as the Voice of Donald Duck for season finale of DuckTales
Hot off his portrayal of War Machine in Marvel Studios’ mega-blockbuster Avengers: Infinity War, Don Cheadle arrived in Duckburg for the biggest role of his life—the voice of Donald Duck in the season finale of DuckTales. The announcement came during the panel that featured executive producer Matt Youngberg, co-producer/story editor Francisco Angones, art director Sean Jimenez, and series stars Ben Schwartz (House of Lies, Parks and Rec), Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live, We Bare Bears), Danny Pudi (Community, Powerless), Toks Olagundoye (Castle, The Neighbors), and Entertainment Weekly’s Marc Snetiker.
The Three Caballeros Are Back!
Don Cheadle’s Donald Duck wasn’t the only surprise during the DuckTales panel. It was also announced that The Three Caballeros will make an appearance in the second season of DuckTales. The characters were famously featured as the stars of Walt Disney’s 1944 movie of the same name. They will be voiced by Tony Anselmo (“Donald”), Bernardo de Paula (“Jose”), and Arturo del Puerto (“Panchito”).
Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger Announced a Second Season
Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, the popular and exciting new take on Marvel Super Heroes, featuring Olivia Holt as Tandy Bowen and Aubrey Joseph as Tyrone Johnson, officially announced in front of more than 4,000 screaming fans that a 10-episode second season has been picked up on Freeform. With executive producer/showrunner Joe Pokaski, the panel featured a lively Q&A moderated by executive producer and head of Marvel Television Jeph Loeb.
First Look at the Live-Action Kim Possible Disney Channel Original Movie
Kim Possible executive producers Mark McCorkle and Bob Schooley revealed the first photo of the iconic title character, as brought to life by actress Sadie Stanley in the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie.
Freeform’s Hit Drama Siren Swam Into Comic-Con With Exclusive New Footage
The stars and executive producers from Freeform’s hit new drama series Siren made their San Diego Comic-Con debut with an amazing panel moderated by the ultimate Siren superfan and four-time GRAMMY® Award winner, iconic singer Chilli, best known as one-third of TLC, the best-selling American girl group of all time. The panel—which premiered exclusive footage—included stars Eline Powell (Ryn), Alex Roe (Ben), Fola Evans-Akingbola (Maddie), Ian Verdun (Xander), and Rena Owen (Helen), along with executive producers Emily Whitesell and Eric Wald.
Exclusive New Footage for Marvel’s Iron Fist, from Netflix, Screened For Fans
Featuring Jeph Loeb, this panel offered a short teaser of new footage, which promised some surprises for season 2—namely, the addition of Typhoid Mary, a classic Marvel villain who has never been portrayed in live action before. Danny Rand (Finn Jones) is Iron Fist, who this season will be up against his estranged brother Davos (Sacha Dhawan), who becomes the comic book character Steel Serpent.
Big Hero 6: The Series: Heroes Return
The cast and creative team of Disney Channel’s Big Hero 6: The Series received a heroes’ welcome at San Diego Comic-Con. Stars Ryan Potter (Hiro), Scott Adsit (Baymax), Jamie Chung (Go Go), Khary Payton (Wasabi), Genesis Rodriguez (Honey Lemon), and Brooks Wheelan (Fred) were joined by executive producers Mark McCorkle, Bob Schooley, and Nick Filippi, in a panel moderated by Entertainment Weekly’s Marc Snetiker. In addition to some action-filled, never-before-seen footage from the series, fans were also treated to the introduction of Mini Max, a tinier version of Baymax!
First look at Mini Max, straight from @Comic_Con! #awwww #BigHero6 https://t.co/bgol0Rb669
— Disney Channel (@DisneyChannel) July 21, 2018
ABC Brought Star Power and Exclusive Merchandise
ABC brought the star power to Comic-Con with talent from some of the network’s most popular series. Actors who appeared included Lana Parrilla (Once Upon a Time), Forrest Wheeler (Fresh Off the Boat), John Ross Bowie and Cedric Yarbrough (Speechless), and Fred Savage (Child Support). Additionally, fans were able to meet cast members from Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., including Ming-Na Wen, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge, Natalia Cordova-Buckley, Henry Simmons, and Jeff Ward, and executive producers Jeff Bell and Jeph Loeb. Also appearing were Lauren Cohan and Tyler James Williams, stars of the upcoming drama Whiskey Cavalier, along with Nathan Fillion from the upcoming The Rookie. And the ever-popular stars of The Goldbergs were also there: Wendi McLendon-Covey, Jeff Garlin, Hayley Orrantia, Sam Lerner, and AJ Michalka. AJ also stars in the upcoming The Goldbergs spin-off, Schooled, which is set in 1990-something and follows the teachers of William Penn Academy.
In addition, ABC offered exclusive merchandise from such series as Alias, Blossom, Dinosaurs, Grey’s Anatomy, The Golden Girls, Home Improvement, Once Upon a Time, Scrubs, and Schoolhouse Rock!
Ashley Eckstein Debuts a First-Ever Funko Pop! Dress Inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
Ashley Eckstein has been a fan (and friend!) of Disney for most of her life. As the voice actress behind Ahsoka Tano from the Disney XD series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, and Star Wars Forces of Destiny—not to mention her recurring role as Muffy on the Disney Channel show That’s So Raven—Eckstein has a deep appreciation for the Disney brand. This year, she discussed her new book It’s Your Universe: You Have the Power to Make It Happen in addition to hosting her annual Comic-Con fashion show showcasing her clothing line, Her Universe. At the show, Eckstein revealed the first-ever couture Funko Pop! Dress, inspired by the wacky, whimsical Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The Many Panels of Marvel
As one of the most important voices in comics and comics-related entertainment, Marvel fielded a number of panels, such as “Making Comics the Marvel Way”; “Marvel Animation: Marvel Rising”; “Marvel Studios: The First 10 Years, Visual Development” and also a panel on “Prop Development”; “Marvel’s Black Panther Costume Designer Ruth Carter: Designing the Costumes of Wakanda”; and “Marvel Animation Presents.”
Mark Hamill Went Undercover
There were also panels from Lucasfilm Publishing, Star Wars and Marvel collectibles, and Disney Channel TV shows—enough to make even the most discerning Disney fan feel right at home. But one of the best—and most clever—visitors to San Diego Comic-Con was Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), who disguised himself as a Stormtrooper and went undercover on the convention floor. He joked about “being too short” for his costume, harking back to the classic line by Princess Leia when she first meets Skywalker: “Aren’t you a little short for a Stormtrooper?”
Now that’s a true fan!
By Karina Schink
The Hundred Acre Wood is filled with lots of lovable characters that we often find ourselves relating to. Do you think, think, think too much? Do you always find yourself giving advice to all of your friends? Or do you find yourself constantly craving a little something sweet? Well, this test will tell which one of Christopher Robin’s friends you truly are.
How would your friends describe you?
A. A leader
B. Playful
C. Hungry
D. Creative
E. Honest
F. Wise
G.Optimistic
H. Responsible
What superlative would you have been dubbed in school?
A. Most Likely to Succeed
B. Best Smile
C. Best Dressed
D. Most Likely to Write a Book
E. Most Likely to Win the Lottery but Lose the Ticket
F. Teacher’s Pet
G. Class Clown
H. Best Shoulder to Cry On
What do you wish was your hobby?
A. Stamp Collecting
B. Hiking
C. Cooking
D. Painting and drawing
E. Listening to music
F. Knitting
G. Improv comedy
H. Gardening
Choose an animated sidekick
A. Tinker Bell
B. Flounder
C. Morph
D. Sven
E. Sebastian
F. Jiminy Cricket
G. Thumper
H. Baymax
Where are you and your friends hanging out this weekend?
A. At a political event
B. Wherever they want to go is fine with me!
C. At a hip new restaurant (if we can get in)
D. Camping
E. At home. Alone.
F. At a museum
G. At a theme park
H. At the beach
Pick your favorite Disney Song
A. “Let It Go”
B. “Friend Like Me”
C. “Winnie the Pooh”
D. “Part of Your World”
E. “Poor Unfortunate Soul”
F. “Un Poco Loco”
G. “Hakuna Matata”
H. “Circle of Life”
RESULTS:
Mostly As: Rabbit
You got Rabbit! You’re a true born leader, and while you may be stubborn at times, everyone knows that you consider your friends to be the most important things in your life. They turn to you as a leader, but also because they know you’ll always have their backs (even when you’re stubborn about it).
Mostly Bs: Piglet
You got Piglet! While you’re small in size, your heart is one of the biggest in the Wood! You are kind and compassionate, and everyone you meet is a friend of yours, as far as you are concerned. Even though you love spending time with your friends, you’re not always the loudest, and s-s-simply enjoy being in their company.
Mostly Cs: Winnie the Pooh
You got Pooh! While we know that you’re quite the foodie and have a seemingly bottomless pit in your stomach, nothing matters more to you than your friends. You’re always the one making plans and getting everyone together—and you always bring the snacks, too!
Mostly Ds: Roo
You got Roo! While you may be one of the tiniest in the group, you certainly have a big personality! Your imagination spreads far and wide, and your curiosity for the world with it! All of your friends are always excited to hear about your latest project or adventure, because they never know where you’re bouncing off to next!
Mostly Es: Eeyore
You got Eeyore! It’s no secret to anyone that you’re not always the most, well, optimistic one in the group. But, you can certainly dish out some of the greatest one-liners. You can be a bit sarcastic at times, but all of your friends enjoy your wry sense of humor.
Mostly Fs: Owl
You got Owl! Hoot, hoot, you’re certainly the sage one in the group! Your friends often look to you for words of wisdom, and you enjoy being the one they consult, too. Even if you don’t always have the right answer, you’ll always try to help.
Mostly Gs: Tigger
You got Tigger! My, my, you’re bounding with energy! You never have to stop for a second cup of coffee, because your exuberance for life always gets you through the day (and sometimes late into the night!). You have an infectious personality, and your happiness rubs off on every one you come across, so it’s easy to see why your friends think you’re one-of-a-kind!
Mostly Hs: Kanga
You got Kanga! You’re definitely the mom of the group. Not only do you approach everyone and everything with kindness and love, you’re also one of the best huggers in the group. Your friends come to you when they need someone to talk to who they trust, and you’re always ready to accept them with open arms (or an open pouch!).
By Beth Deitchman
There’s breaking news out of Duckburg, or rather, San Diego Comic-Con, where it has just been revealed that Oscar®-nominated actor Don Cheadle (Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War, House of Lies) is taking on another challenging role: Donald Duck. Cheadle will guest star in the DuckTales season finale, playing the intelligible voice of Donald Duck (the result of an inventive voicebox).
Cheadle said, “It’s an awesome opportunity because there are only so many roles that you look forward to playing as an actor. You’ve got to do your homework and bring your A-game when you’re trying to voice Donald Duck.” He may not be quacking his way through the episode, but the acclaimed actor went to great lengths to get into character and prepare to play the iconic duck, as you’ll see in the video below:
The epic, one-hour episode—titled “The Shadow War!”—will also feature Lin-Manuel Miranda (Broadway’s Hamilton, Disney’s Moana) reprising the role of Fenton Crackshell-Cabrera (aka Gizmoduck), Kimiko Glenn (Orange Is the New Black) as Lena, and Catherine Tate (Doctor Who) as Magicka De Spell—who is close to exacting revenge on Scrooge. Our favorite family of ducks must race against time to plan a dangerous rescue mission to save Scrooge and the city.
We’ll have to wait until Saturday, August 18 (9:30–10:30 a.m. EDT) for “The Shadow War!” but the DuckTales team has other tales of derring-do for us to enjoy ahead of that. Earlier this week, news broke that the beloved TaleSpin character Don Karnage will appear in an episode airing on Saturday, July 28 (9:30–10:10 a.m. EDT). Actor Jaime Camil (Jane the Virgin) will play the fan favorite in “Sky Pirates…in the Sky,” which finds middle child Dewey feeling ignored and inspired to look for a new family—a band of singing and dancing pirates who are looking to rob Scrooge blind. Camil, who appeared on Broadway in Chicago, will also perform “Sky Pirates,” an original song written and produced by Andy Bean (Muppet Babies).
A second season of DuckTales is slated to debut later this year, but you can watch the series daily on Disney Channel. DuckTales stars David Tennant as Scrooge McDuck; Danny Pudi, Ben Schwartz and Bobby Moynihan as Huey, Dewey, and Louie, respectively; Kate Micucci as Webby Vanderquack; Beck Bennett as Launchpad McQuack; and Toks Olagundoye as Mrs. Beakley.
By Jocelyn Buhlman
We made our debut at San Diego Comic-Con today, and it’s only appropriate that our very first panel would honor the mouse that started it all. Fans who gathered in Room 6A came to celebrate Mickey Mouse himself, but also to witness the unveiling of a brand-new work of art: Mickey’s new birthday portrait! Titled “Spreading Happiness Around the World,” the painting by legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios animator Mark Henn honors Mickey’s 90th anniversary, and the fans gathered at our panel “Celebrating 90 Years of Mickey Mouse with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club” were the very first to see it in person!
This stunning portrait, featuring Mickey floating over a world full of happiness, was commissioned by D23 and our friends at the Walt Disney Archives, in partnership with Walt Disney Animation Studios. Henn—a Disney animator currently working on Ralph Breaks the Internet, but who previously brought his magic to “Mini Maui” in Moana, along with supervising the animation on a castle’s worth of Disney Princesses such as Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, and Princess Tiana—follows in the footsteps of Disney Legend John Hench, who crafted five of Mickey’s previous official portraits.
“It is one of the great honors of my career to be asked to paint Mickey’s 90th birthday portrait,” says Henn. “I was greatly inspired by the portraits painted by John Hench. I wanted to capture some of the same style and sense of youth that John achieved in his portraits.” D23 Gold Members can enjoy the portrait in their own homes, as it is the stunning cover of the Fall 2018 issue of Disney twenty-three, the quarterly publication sent exclusively to Gold Members of D23.
Since we first met Mickey in his big-screen debut in Steamboat Willie on November 18, 1928, he has been the global ambassador for The Walt Disney Company. From the beloved Mickey Mouse Club to today’s Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts, fans around the world enjoy Mickey’s optimistic outlook and endearing personality every day. You can find out even more ways we’ll be celebrating Mickey Mouse this year and join in the celebration yourself on social media with the hashtag #Mickey90.
By Beth Deitchman
Something truly magical happens every weeknight at 9 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. PDT. All across the U.S., Disney fans stop what they’re doing, head for the nearest screen and spend the next seven minutes together, playing a game in which the more they love Disney, the more likely they are to win. Trinitee Stokes (K.C. Undercover) is right there alongside them as host of the brand-new interactive trivia show Disney QUIZney, airing live on Disney Channel and on the DisneyNOW apps and DisneyNOW.com through Friday, July 27. A Disney fan through-and-through, the effervescent 12-year-old is in her element at the helm of the fast-paced live show.
“The best part about hosting Disney QUIZney has probably been the live component,” Trinitee tells Newsreel during a break in rehearsal for the evening’s telecast and livestream. “When you’re in the game, you get to see the number of people playing,” she explains, and that number only grew over the course of the inaugural episode. As host, Trinitee serves as asker of questions and keeper of answers, and she also roots for her fellow Disney fans, offering shout-outs to contestants who make it to the top of the leaderboard—with each day’s top-10 winners sharing $1,000 in digital gift card prizes.
Every game consists of five questions that cover a range of topics from DCOMs to Disney animated classics. They become increasingly more challenging—even for a Disney devotee—but fear not. Trinitee notes that she—like many Disney QUIZney contestants in the inaugural game—was fooled by a question about what animal Genie transformed Abu into for Aladdin’s grand entrance as Prince Ali. An abundance of contestants saw “Abu” and selected “monkey,” when the correct answer was “elephant.” Though she was disappointed to have guessed incorrectly, the host prefers to look on the bright side. “It makes me want to go home and watch Aladdin again,” says Trinitee, who loves that the game reminds her of Disney details she may have forgotten.
Trinitee considers herself something of an expert on characters from Disney movies, but the game is so fast-paced, she stresses that sometimes you just have to go with your gut. “I think if I were really playing the game I would do pretty well, but there were a few questions that made me ponder,” she admits. “But you don’t have the time to think about an answer, so I would come at it the random way—just pick an answer that I think is right.”
We asked Trinitee to share her expert advice with Disney fans to help them prepare for the game. “To have the best shot, I would definitely set your alarm for about 5:58 [p.m. PT], so you can be on the couch, on your phone, on Disney Channel—ready!—so that when Disney QUIZney comes on you can be zoned and ready to go,” she says. “I recommend maybe taking a quick power nap, so that your brain can be ready to digest all of the questions and then you can be like, ‘Bam, I got this!’” But the most important thing, Trinitee emphasizes, is “Be prepared and just have fun!”
Fans who miss the live telecast can still test their Disney knowledge in the DisneyNOW app, where the Disney QUIZney questions become available as the “Quiz of the Day” after the livestream ends. A new edition of Disney QUiZney airs tonight and continues in the 9 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. PDT timeslot weeknights through Friday, July 27. And Disney QUIZney welcomes in the weekends with “Freaky Fridays,” where the cash prizes are doubled, but the questions are harder, as well. Trinitee is excited to see the stakes increase, and she wants to assure her fellow Disney fans that they’re up for the challenge. “You guys can do it!” she says with her winning smile.