Disney Wonder Becomes Winter Wonderland with New Frozen Stage Show

August 3, 2016August 3, 2016

By Nicole Nalty

We may still be “in summer” but we just got chills! Our friends at Disney Cruise Line just announced that Frozen, A Musical Spectacular will make its way to the Walt Disney Theatre aboard the Disney Wonder! Starting November 10, 2016, guests sailing from Galveston, Texas will be able to relive the story of Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf as Frozen comes to life on stage in this brand-new show unique to the Disney Wonder.

You’ll feel like you’re seeing the hit animated film “for the first time in forever” thanks to a fantastic flurry of theatrical techniques, modern technology, and iconic Disney storytelling. “The story of Frozen is one of the most iconic animated movies ever, so this is a unique and special opportunity to retell the story onboard the Disney Wonder, transporting guests right into the world of Arendelle,” said Kevin Eld, creative portfolio executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. With intricate costumes and sets, unbelievable special effects, and show-stopping numbers, Frozen, A Musical Spectacular will transport Disney Wonder guests to the fjords of Norway, no matter their cruise itinerary!

Tony® Award-nominated director Sheryl Kaller (Next Fall, Mothers and Sons) leads the talented team bringing the snowy story to the stage. The popular music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—the creators of the Frozen film score—will be adapted from the screenplay by four-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (Aladdin, The Wedding Singer, Elf, Gotta Dance), and our favorite reindeer and the sweetest snowman will be just as vibrant on stage as they were on screen, thanks to dynamic puppetry by Michael Curry (The Lion King on Broadway). Rounding out the creative team are costume designer Paloma Young (Peter and the Starcatcher), choreographer Josh Prince (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), scenic designer Jason Sherwood (Paint Your Wagon), and writer Sara Wordsworth (In Transit).

We can’t wait to see Frozen, A Musical Spectacular! Stay tuned to D23 for more exciting updates from Disney Parks and Resorts around the world.

Fun in the Sun: 8 Amazing Disney Resort Water Slides

August 2, 2016August 3, 2016

By Courtney Potter

What combines the best of a Disney Park attraction, and the beat-the-heat advantages of a resort pool? Why, a Disney-designed water slide, of course! Perfect for every member of your family, Disney water slides offer thrills, chills, and spills that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. These unique attractions are the best way to cool off after a long day at the park, while still having a lot of fun.

The summer season may be winding down (with the first day of school just around the corner), but there’s still time for a Disney diversion or two. D23 has combed through Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide to highlight some of our very favorite water slides… Did your fave make the list? Plan on visiting one (or two) before summer vacation is over? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

Doubloon Lagoon’s “Scales” Slide at Port Orleans Resort—French Quarter
Meet Scales, the 51-foot-long, blue sea serpent that lives at the Port Orleans Resort. Don’t worry, he’s very friendly; once you take a ride on this snaking water slide, Scales’ “tongue” deposits you safely into the Doubloon Lagoon pool lagoon with a mighty spray. And here’s a fun fact: Scales’ name was partially inspired by the song “Scales and Arpeggios” from the 1970 Disney film The Aristocats.

Luna Park Pool Slide at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Stepping into Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, you’re transported to Atlantic City of the 1920s… and that goes for the resort’s Luna Park pool area too, which is themed after a whimsical, old-timey carnival. A fantastic 200-foot-long water slide ends in a 184,217-gallon basin. (If you’re hungry after your slide sojourn, check out the nearby lounge and bar.)

Monorail Slides at Disneyland Hotel
There are two Monorail-themed slides at the Disneyland Hotel: the 180-foot-long slide, and 80-foot-long slide. Both are replicas of the original Mark 1 Monorail trains that opened on June 14, 1959. We can’t ever choose between the two, so we ride both… multiple times… until we’re ready for a drink over at Trader Sam’s.

Redwood Pool Slide at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel
The Redwood Pool area at Disney’s Grand Californian is just about as majestic as the stately California tree it’s named after. The pool includes a 90-foot-long waterslide that curves around the giant Redwood “stump”; you’ll fly down this wild slide—bordered by beautiful pine trees and craggy boulders—before splashing down into the pool at the bottom.

AquaDuck on Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy (Disney Cruise Line)
Developed by Walt Disney Imagineers, this amazing, totally unprecedented water slide is found only on Disney Cruise Line (specifically, on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy ships). The AquaDuck takes riders on a crazy, waterlogged journey up, down, around, and even off the side of the ship through 765 feet of snaking tubes. Transparent, uncovered sections of the slide allow for breathtaking views of the ship—and ocean—below. Ride if you dare!

Tubestone Curl Slide at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
The Tubestone Curl water slide is an open-air, twisty-turny tube adventure that eventually launches you into the beautiful Waikolohe Stream pool area (Waikolohe means “mischievous water” in Hawaiian, so the area is aptly named). Feel free to ride it solo, or with a partner; along the way, you can explore the Imagineering-designed Waikolohe Valley and discover all kinds of details inspired by natural Hawaiian beauty.

Summit Plummet at Disney’s Blizzard Beach
A mind-boggling 120-foot sheer slope awaits you at Disney’s Blizzard Beach’s most extreme water attraction! Summit Plummet is a “ski-jump”-like slide that’s so steep, you can’t see where you’re going… until you get there, of course! You’ll plunge 12 stories down, then rocket through a darkened tunnel before emerging into a massive whitewater spray. Are you game?

Humunga Kowabunga at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
Not to be outdone, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park has its own outrageously thrilling water slide. Humunga Kowabunga sends you 214 feet downhill at a 60-degree angle! Three side-by-side enclosed body slides mean there are thrills and spills for (big) kids, teens, and adults alike. You’ll zoom downhill in the dark, dropping five full stories before a mega-cool surprise ending. Never been? Don’t worry, we won’t spoil it for you…

Disney twenty-three Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Beauty and the Beast

August 2, 2016August 2, 2016

This year, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast—the first animated film ever to be nominated for an Academy Award^® for Best Picture—celebrates its 25th anniversary, and Disney twenty-three is giving fans a spectacular look at the film from its inception to its timeless legacy. The issue features interviews with Paige O’Hara (Belle), Robby Benson (Beast), Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Potts), David Ogden Stiers (Cogsworth), Richard White (Gaston), composer Alan Menken, screenwriter Linda Woolverton, producer Don Hahn, and many more, as well as stories about how the film has been equally successful in Disney theme parks and on stage. Plus, readers will learn more about the live-action adaptation of the film, coming to theaters in 2017.

The issue, exclusively for Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, also features a Fall TV Preview, which includes interviews with ABC’s Once Upon a Time creators Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz; the producers and stars of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.; and Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh (who created Phineas and Ferb), who reveal details about their new Disney XD show, Milo Murphy’s Law. Plus, Hayley Atwell of Agent Carter and Cinderella gives fans a preview of her new ABC show, Conviction, and shares with readers her favorite Disneyland attractions.

Also included in the fall publication of Disney twenty-three is an exclusive interview with Benedict Cumberbatch about his upcoming Marvel film Doctor Strange; a look at how Disney Theatrical Group creates spectacular shows for Broadway and beyond; a peek at the creation of Disney’s newest princess, Elena of Avalor; and a story focusing on the timeless artwork of Dumbo to toast the film’s 75th anniversary. The issue also includes regular columns such as Ask Dave, From the Vault, A Walk with Walt, and a special “From the Desk of” to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa.

The celebration of Beauty and the Beast’s 25th anniversary continues on September 5, when D23 Members—and Disney fans—are invited to join the festivities as the club kicks off its annual Fanniversary event. D23 will be holding member screenings of the groundbreaking film around the country, Gold Members will receive special “selfie kits” with the fall publication, and D23.com will offer fans exclusive features, new videos, printables, recipes, and much more. Fans are invited to “be our guest” for this 25-day event, and to use the hashtag #D23Fanniversary on social media to join the conversation. More details will be available in the coming weeks at D23.com/D23Fanniversary.

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in late August.

6 Stunning Photos from Shanghai Disneyland at Night

August 1, 2016July 27, 2016

By Nicole Nalty

There’s something extra magical about Disney Parks after dark—in fact, it’s so magical, our friends at the Disney Parks Blog have a whole series on it (check out the latest Disney Parks After Dark here). While we’ve seen many beautiful images of Disney’s newest park during the day, we wanted to take a closer, nighttime look at Shanghai Disney Resort.

From Enchanted Storybook Castle, all the way to Disneytown, Shanghai Disney Resort lights up the night.

Corners of Fantasyland come to life with new light at night—we love the stained glass hearts in the windows!

The Alice in Wonderland Maze becomes curiouser and curiouser after dark.

If ye be seekin’ adventure, creep through Treasure Cove after sunset.

Perhaps even more iconic at night than it is during the day, Tron Lightcycle Power Run beams brightly in Tomorrowland, while Jet Packs spin and shine through the night.

A Disney Parks at night round-up wouldn’t be complete without an extraordinary castle shot, and this spectacular shot of Enchanted Storybook Castle is no exception.

It’s All in the Family: Boy Meets World Cast Reunion

July 29, 2016July 29, 2016

By Nicole Nalty

The Boy Meets World family was already larger-than-life when the show aired its final episode in 2000, and it has continued to grow throughout three seasons of its family-filled follow-up, Girl Meets World. All of these characters are near and dear to our hearts, from Boy Meets World’s Mr. Feeny to Girl Meets World’s Farkle, which is we were so excited to see most of the original cast reunite and join the new cast for a ‘family reunion,’ as Ben Savage (Cory Matthews) shared on his Instagram.

Rider Strong (Shawn Hunter), Danny McNulty (Harvey “Harley” Keiner), Willaim Russ (Alan Matthews), Betsy Randle (Amy Matthews), Lee Norris (Stuart Minkus), Will Friedle (Eric Matthews), Anthony Tyler Quinn (Jonathan Turner), Lily Nicksay and Lindsay Ridgeway (Morgan Matthews), and William Daniels (Mr. Feeny) joined Ben Savage, Danielle Fishel (Topanga Matthews) and their new Girl Meets World family in the photo above.

Girl Meets World airs Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on Disney Channel.

Get Ready to Meet Your New Favorite Hero—Future-Worm!

July 29, 2016July 28, 2016

By Beth Deitchman

He’s fearless… unflappable… has the ability to travel through time—and have we mentioned his titanium-enforced abs?! This, Disney fans, is your new favorite animated hero: Future Worm. Yes, “Fyootch,” as he is known to his friends, is of the worm species, but don’t let his size or proximity to the ground fool you. Future Worm is a hero like you’ve never seen before.

Future-Worm!, the brand-new series debuting Monday, August 1 (11–11:30 a.m. EDT), on Disney XD, is an animated comedy adventure about an optimistic 12-year-old named Danny, who creates a lunchbox that doubles as a time machine. While in the future, he becomes fast friends with the aforementioned Future Worm, and returns home with his new friend to embark on new adventures—big and small.

The series was created by Emmy® Award-winning director Ryan Quincy—who also serves as executive producer. The name “Future Worm” came to Quincy soon after he began sketching the slithery creatures, sometimes trying out different hairstyles and visors. “But then I landed on that beard with that shape, and I was a big fan of pro wrestling as a kid,” Quincy told D23. “Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, Mr. T, and Chuck Norris—all those types of characters are sort of blended in to Future Worm.”

Danny, on the other hand, was inspired by something closer to home: Quincy’s own childhood, growing up in Nebraska. “As a kid I wore a captain’s hat for… a couple of years,” Quincy sheepishly admitted. “For this character, I wanted a very simple sort of kid who was comfortable in his skin, who had this strong confidence.” Above all, Quincy wanted “optimism” to be Danny’s defining quality, as well as the basis for his friendship with “Fyootch.” “Fyootch could have hung out with anyone in time or space anywhere, and he decides to hang out with Danny. That says a lot about Danny’s character,” Quincy observed.

One of the fun challenges that comes with “grounding” a show around a character that’s a worm, Quincy mentioned, is dealing with the animal’s physical limitations: “He doesn’t have any arms. He doesn’t have any eyes to emote with.” Quincy relies on Future Worm’s tongue and tail to convey some emotion, but he was also quick to sing the praises of James Adomian, who voices Fyootch. “He brings so much charisma and energy to this character,” Quincy said. “It’s fun to see that kind of big, gravelly voice come out of that pink worm with blonde hair and a beard and a BeeGees hairstyle.”

Though Danny and Future Worm can—and do—travel through time, Quincy said sometimes the duo will just stay put, at Danny’s house. There is an intentional lack of rules surrounding the jumps forward and back in history. “Rules like paradoxes, the butterfly effect, running into your past self… that seemed like such a burden to deal with,” Quincy explained, and he also wanted to avoid running into famous historical figures. The question Quincy instead tried to answer is, “What would a kid, if he had a time machine, want to do?” And, Quincy concluded, a young boy would likely use his invention for something a little more self-serving than trying to figure out “Who knocked the nose off the Sphinx?”

Each episode of Future Worm! is divided into three segments—11 minutes, seven minutes, and three minutes—an unorthodox structure for most animated series. “The 11-minute segment is like our ‘mini-movie, with an A story and a B story,” Quincy said, while the seven-minute stories focus on one problem, like Danny and Fyootch wanting to play with a chemistry set from the future—only to be interrupted by Danny’s parents, who want to “cash in” a coupon for a home-cooked dinner from their son. At three minutes, the shortest sequences in Future-Worm! might not even feature the two protagonists, Quincy revealed. Fans can look forward to movie trailers featuring Danny’s favorite on-screen character, Steak Starbolt, or game shows from the future. “We wanted to build a world that was so rich in characters who could carry stories on their own,” he added.

Some of those characters are part of Danny’s present, like his parents—stay-at-home dad Doug Douglas and his toy inventor mom, Megan Douglas. And some are from the future, like Dr. D.—an imposing dinosaur with a “healing touch.” And some might even be familiar to viewers, who will see noted astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson (Cosmos) playing… noted astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. The science authority was thrilled to participate in the show and, Quincy said, had just one caveat: “He would like just a little bit more science education ‘sprinkled’ into the show. He’s excited that Danny has ‘Science’ on his shirt, because that becomes an entry point for kids [to science].” Tyson also serves as an unofficial scientific adviser to the show. According to Quincy, when a script referred to a location being “3 million light years away,” Tyson implored them to “add a couple of zeroes” to that figure, pointing out that “Three million light years is actually pretty close!”

Thanks to his friendship with Future Worm—who Quincy refers to as Danny’s Jiminy Cricket-like sidekick—it’s guaranteed that Danny is never going to have a dull day. And thanks to Quincy’s unique sensibilities, which inspired him to create a show that parents can watch with their kids—it’s guaranteed that Future-Worm! viewers will always be thrilled!

Did You Know? Surprising Facts From the Cult Favorite Flight of the Navigator

July 28, 2016

By Greg Ehrbar

Zooming into its 30th anniversary on July 30, Flight of the Navigator is a sci-fi adventure with a loyal legion of fans in its orbit. It starts with every kid’s nightmare—waking up in a strangely altered reality, then morphs into an awesome kid’s dream-come-true—piloting a spacecraft with a goofball robotic sidekick.

Director Randal Kleiser is no stranger to Disney, having helmed Honey, I Blew Up the Kid and White Fang, as well as the Honey, I Shrunk the Audience attraction at Disney Parks around the world. His numerous other films include the megahit movie version of Grease, and Hanna-Barbera’s Emmy®-winning live-action drama, The Gathering.

Kleiser shared some behind-the-scenes stories for D23.com readers. “One of the crazy things that happened was we used a stunt double for the back of the David’s head when he was steering the spaceship along the wetlands,” he said. “The stunt boy was Norwegian and didn’t understand English. So if I said for him to move left, they translated from English to Norwegian—but by the time the boy would move left, he should have been going right. So it took all day and was very difficult to shoot.”

Some of the film was shot in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with local Florida actors and real news anchors. But when we go inside of the ship, we’re in Norway. “All the interiors of the spaceship were shot in a warehouse, one hour outside of Oslo,” Kleiser recalls. “It was during the cold months of February. The reason we shot there was that the producer had blocked funds there that could only be spent in Norway. I later heard a rumor that the blocked funds never came through. If that’s the case, we flew the crew from Florida to Norway for no reason!”

One big surprise for 1986 audiences was the voice of MAX, the ship’s computer: Paul Reubens, who had already become a movie star in Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. In Flight, he used the pseudonym “Paul Mall” in the credits. Kleiser explains: “Paul did not want to have his name used in this project because he wanted to stay low key and have it be a surprise. Kind of like Matt Damon in Interstellar.”

An innovator in special effects, Kleiser was elected into the Science and Technology Committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2010. “The effects in Flight of the Navigator were cutting-edge for the time,” he says. “It was the first use of image-based lighting and an early use of morphing in a motion picture.”

Like other great big-screen fantasies, it’s touching and insightful as well as funny and exciting. Ultimately, it’s our connection with loved ones that is what matters most. “But what really seems to resonate with many viewers is the idea of a younger brother who becomes an older brother. Anyone who has a sibling can identify with this,” Kleiser says.

More fun Flight facts:

The forest where David’s adventure begins was filmed at the Villa Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami (which at the time was, ironically, adjacent to the Museum of Science and Planetarium. In Iron Man 3, the Villa was used as the Mandarin’s lair.).

The film marked the feature film debut of actress Sarah Jessica Parker.
Flight is one of the few films or TV shows to depict non-glitzy, everyday suburban life in South Florida, right down to details like the Turnpike sometimes being faster than I-95.

The film was released a few months before the opening of Star Tours at Disneyland Park, where Paul Reubens voiced another zany robotic pilot named Rex.

How Imagineers Made History at Disney Springs

July 28, 2016

By Beth Deitchman

Disney storytelling—it’s the reason why Disney’s Animal Kingdom is more than just a theme park, and why Big Thunder Mountain Railroad can’t simply be described as “a roller coaster.” Walt Disney Imagineers bring rich details and backstory to every attraction or experience they create, and in the case of Walt Disney World Resort’s Disney Springs they’ve created what feels like a living history for an entire Florida town.

To set the scene, Imagineers began with the research they’re known for. “That’s something that’s really near and dear to us,” Walt Disney Imagineering Portfolio Creative Executive Theron Skees told D23 at the Awaken Summer preview event this spring. “If you think of Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, for example, you’ve got to [travel]—you’ve got to see it. We actually hired artisans [from that area] to carve and create a lot of those things, to create a level of authenticity,” he said. And, Skees detailed, they approached Disney Springs in exactly the same way.

“We did a lot of travel around the state of Florida. We looked at a ton of different types of architecture and buildings, and studied—literally—how people move through a retail, dining, and entertainment facility,” he said. Then they began to tell the Disney Springs story.

“Every neighborhood represents a different era of time, and it kind of represents a different architectural time period or genre that took place in Florida,” Skees explained. Though Town Center opened most recently, it now serves as the main entrance to Disney Springs. As the story goes, Town Center is located around a series of natural springs that drew the first settlers to the area. The Landing served as the town’s transportation hub on the waterfront, and was the site of the town’s marina, bottling company, and train station. The Craftsman-style Marketplace dates back to the 1930s and 1940s, while West Side is the most contemporary neighborhood found in Disney Springs.

The detail incorporated into each neighborhood is astounding. The Mediterranean-inspired architecture found in Town Center features 15 different shades of white. As you walk through The Landing, you might notice small bas-relief sculptures that are built right into the architecture. According to Skees, “That’s a nod to what the town may have sculpted or created to tell the story of what was going on in Disney Springs at that particular time.” The Marketplace has a vibe that definitely feels more handcrafted, while West Side shows the town’s evolution. Not only are there remnants of Disney Springs’ onetime railroad in West Side, but a commemorative plaque in the neighborhood’s Exhibition Park touts Disney Springs’ Centennial celebration, back in 1950.

Skees pointed to brick groundwork in The Landing as another wonderful example of how Florida history has been integrated into Disney Springs. “This is salvaged brick, over 120 years old…—it’s the perfect way to tell the story here and it really underscores our whole story here at Disney Springs of adaptively reusing things.”

Every shop or restaurant at Disney Springs has its own history. “It’s meant to be a collection of buildings that were built over a time period and were really designed and built for a different purpose,” Skees said. For example, the Morimoto Asia restaurant is in the building that was once the Springs Bottling Company, and a dramatic chandelier made out of a former bottle conveyance system can be found just inside the main doors to the restaurant. “We had to design [the buildings] in such a way that it captured the original use,” Skees explained, “but they had to look like they were lovingly restored and also outfitted with modern light fixtures and modern tables.”

No two trips to Disney Springs will ever be the same, Skees emphasized. “Our approach with the entire property was to create a venue where guests are excited about coming back—or just hanging out. If you sit in one place, you get to see part of the experience,” and, he added, “The next time you come you could sit in another place and experience something completely different.”

Disney Springs is celebrating its Grand Opening all summer long, and has recently welcomed new retailers such as UNIQLO and Coca-Cola Store, along with new restaurants from James Beard Award-winning chefs—Frontera Cocina by Rick Bayless and Homecoming by Art Smith. And to keep up with news and updates from the waterfront district, visit DisneySprings.com and the Disney Parks Blog.

Don’t forget that D23 Gold Members get a discount at Ghirardelli and House of Blues at Disney Springs.

A Fan’s Ultimate Guide to Disney, Marvel, and ABC at San Diego Comic-Con 2016

July 27, 2016

By Jim Frye

Disney, Marvel, ABC, and Star Wars were “out in force” at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, giving fans more chances than ever to see their favorite stars and get all the latest news about their favorite shows and films. And best yet, we even had a D23 Member Mixer nearby to meet fellow D23 members, and take a break from the heat. If you weren’t able to make it out to San Diego this year, no worries! We’ve put together your ultimate guide to all things Disney at Comic-Con, featuring our top-5 Disney panels at the convention.

MOANA: ART OF THE STORY
Directors Ron Clements and John Musker presented artwork, music, and the latest news about Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana, arriving in theaters this November. This dynamic duo of animation explained how important the culture of navigation is to the film, and detailed Moana’s father’s belief that no one should ever dare to go beyond the reef. This, of course, is a hurdle for Moana to get over, and becomes the basis for an incredible nautical adventure. And speaking of Moana, Auli’i Cravalho, who provides the voice for the character, was on hand at Comic-Con, as well. Guests in the room were treated to exclusive footage—including the first three minutes of the film in advance of its November 23 opening date!

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: 25TH ANNIVERSARY
Of course, we couldn’t talk about Walt Disney Animation Studios at Comic-Con without mentioning a panel about one of the crown jewels from the Studio: Beauty and the Beast! The beloved film celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, so producer Don Hahn and directors Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise headlined a panel of filmmakers discussing the classic. Featured on the panel were animators James Baxter (lead animator for Belle), Dave Pruiksma (lead animator for Mrs. Potts), Nik Ranieri (lead animator for Lumiere), and art director Brian McEntee.

ONCE UPON A TIME
Fans of ABC’s hit series Once Upon a Time, beware—Jafar (played by Obed Fehr) is coming to Storybrooke in season six, along with everyone’s favorite “street rat,” Aladdin (Deniz Akdeniz)! The stars of the popular ABC program were all on hand in the massive Ballroom 20, including Jennifer Morrison, Colin O’Donoghue, Jared Gilmore, Rebecca Mader, Emillie de Ravin, Josh Dallas and Lana Parrilla. Moderator Yvette Nicole Brown kept the conversations moving as fans were treated to a special clip from season six.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.
The cast from ABC’s popular Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. delighted fans with multiple appearances, most notably during their packed Ballroom 20 panel, and also outside the convention center at a free Entertainment Weekly Con-X appearance. In attendance were Clark Gregg (Coulson), Chloe Bennet (Daisy), Henry Simmons (Mack), Elizabeth Henstridge (Simmons), and Iain de Caestecker (Fitz), along with Jeph Loeb, executive vice president and Head of Marvel Television, and co-creators and executive producers Jed Whedon and Maurissa Taancharoen, and executive producer Jeff Bell. This powerhouse lineup revealed the exciting news that longtime Marvel character Ghost Rider will be blazing a path on the show next season.

MARVEL STUDIOS
It’s no surprise that the Marvel Studios presentation inside the 6,500-plus capacity Hall H was the marquee event of this year’s convention, bringing together cast, filmmakers, and surprises from Marvel’s spectacular lineup of blockbuster films, including Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming (in partnership with Sony Studios), Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, and Captain Marvel. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige led the panel, introducing a brand-new company logo and, of course, the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! attraction opening next year at Disney California Adventure.

D23 talked to many of the panelists; here are some highlights:

Ryan Coogler (Director, Black Panther): “I would tell the fans that we’re working hard and thinking about them. This is a film that’s being made by fans. We respect this world and these characters and what they mean to people. At the same time we want to make a film that’s challenging and gives people something unexpected and something new.”

Michael B. Jordan (Erik Killmonger, Black Panther): “Ryan Coogler and I are really good friends; I’ve known him for a long time, I know his shorthand and his work ethic, and I’m really excited to read the script—I haven’t read it yet, even though I’ve tried to pry it from him!”

Mads Mikkelsen (Kaecilius, Doctor Strange): “I love the fans! The Walt Disney Company is many things and should really be proud of the fact that they keep the flavor of everything they do and respect all the genres they’re working with. That’s a thumbs-up to Disney.”

Dave Bautista (Drax, Guardians of the Galaxy): “I just can’t wait to ride the attraction (Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!)!”

Scott Derrickson (Director, Doctor Strange): “I love Doctor Strange. I grew up reading the Marvel comic. It’s my favorite character, and I think the only Marvel character that I’m suited to direct. It’s edgier, darker, very weird, but in the end it’s about a man overcoming his own ego. D23 fans, please come out and see Doctor Strange on November 4.”

Benedict Wong (Wong, Doctor Strange): “Scott Derrickson—what a visionary! I was really thrilled to be standing onstage amongst a really talented ensemble.”

James Gunn (Director, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2): “I spent a lot, a lot, a lot of time drawing little drawings of Baby Groot, trying to get him just right… it took a lot of work. I think when I wrote Baby Groot into the treatment before I wrote the script, it really ushered the movie into a new direction and it was a lot more exciting for me personally to write.”

OTHER DISNEY PANELS
And that’s just the tip of a huge iceberg when it comes to Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and ABC at Comic-Con this year. There were also panels about the Dynamic World of Disney Comics; Animation Storyboarding; Marvel Civil War II on the publishing side; Star Wars: The Science Awakens; a Q&A with the screenwriters of Captain America: Civil War, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely; and tons more. Once Upon a Time creators Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis even updated fans on their collaboration with Ian Goldberg on their new summer smash hit on Freeform, Dead of Summer. And we didn’t even mention Disney XD’s Pickle and Peanut, Future-Worm!, Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero, or The 7D.

Whew! So much Disney, so little time.

Moana Voice Talent Revealed—Plus More in News Briefs

July 27, 2016August 22, 2016

By Courtney Potter

Huge Moana News: More Characters and Voice Talent Announced

The next adventure from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Moana, officially sets sail on November 23—and just this week, we learned more about the cast of characters who’ll be accompanying the wayfaring teen on her life-altering adventures.

Costarring with newcomer Auli‘i Cravalho as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as demigod Maui are Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords, Disney’s The BFG) as Tamatoa, a self-absorbed, 50-foot crab who lives in Lalotai, the realm of monsters; Rachel House as Gramma Tala, Moana’s confidante and best friend; Temuera Morrison as Chief Tui, Moana’s father and the well-respected leader of the people of Motunui Island; Grammy®-nominated singer Nicole Scherzinger as Sina, Moana’s always-supportive mother; and Alan Tudyk (known as Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “lucky charm,” having voiced characters in Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph, and Big Hero 6) as Heihei, the “village idiot” rooster who manages to stow away on Moana’s canoe, landing a front-row seat on her epic journey.

Check out a first look at a few of the characters, above—and keep an eye out for more Moana info as it becomes available…

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
August 20
The Reluctant Dragon 75th Anniversary on the Lot
August 22
D23 Presents Aloha Aulani!
September 23
Lunch with a Disney Legend: Bill Sullivan
September 24
D23 Presents Bedknobs and Broomsticks: 45 Bewitching Years (Florida)
October 5
D23’s Sip & Scream
October 5
D23 Behind-the-Scenes Experience: A Midnight Soirée at the Tower of Terror
November 19–20
D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures
July 14-16, 2017
D23 Expo 2017
Studios
August 12, 2016
Pete’s Dragon opens in theaters
September 23, 2016
Queen of Katwe opens in theaters
November 4, 2016
Doctor Strange opens in theaters
November 23, 2016
Moana opens in theaters
December 16, 2016
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story opens in theaters

Parks
September 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29, 30; October 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World Resort
November 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29; December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World Resort
September 2–October 29 (Friday and Saturday Nights, plus October 31)
Club Villain, special ticketed event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
September 14–November 14, 2016
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
November 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29; December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World Resort
Television
September 18
68th Emmy® Awards broadcast on ABC at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Straight Outta Comic-Con: Amazing New Doctor Strange Trailer!

As you probably know, this past weekend, hundreds of thousands of fans descended upon San Diego for this year’s Comic-Con International—and D23 was there! One of the coolest things to come out of the whole weekend was a new official trailer for Marvel’s Doctor Strange, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

The film chronicles the adventures of Dr. Steven Strange—a neurosurgeon who suffers a devastating accident, which propels him into a realm of magical alternate dimensions. Mark your calendars now for its November 4 release!

It’s a Whole New World on ABC’s Once Upon a Time

Another fun announcement to come out of last weekend’s Comic-Con came courtesy of ABC’s Once Upon a Time panel. Looks like favorites from Disney’s Aladdin are making their way to Storybrooke!

When the series returns to the airwaves this fall, look for Turkish-Australian actor Deniz Akdeniz as lovable “street rat” Aladdin; additionally, Oded Fehr (The Mummy, Criminal Minds) will join the cast as evil grand vizier Jafar. But perhaps most exciting—especially for fans of a certain recent ABC “cult favorite” musical, such as ourselves—Princess Jasmine will be played by former Galavant star Karen David!

Check out the first few minutes of the Once season premiere, featuring Jafar and Aladdin’s inaugural appearances, above… and stay tuned for Season 6 to kick off officially on Sunday, September 25, at 8 p.m. EST—only on ABC.

Two New Series Coming to Freeform

Freeform is loading up on all sorts of cool original content—including two new TV shows that have a little something for everyone…

Famous in Love is a new drama based on a novel by Rebecca Serle; it follows ordinary college student Paige (Bella Thorne, Shake It Up) as she gets her big break after auditioning for the lead role in a Hollywood blockbuster. She’s faced with navigating her new star-studded life (and undeniable chemistry with her two co-leads), all while discovering the highs and lows that come with being the new “It Girl” in town. Look for Famous in Love to debut soon!

Additionally, Freeform has “greenlit” The Deep, a one-hour drama that takes us inside Bristol Cove—a coastal town known for its legend of once being home to mermaids. When the arrival of a mysterious girl proves this folklore all too true, the battle between man and sea takes a very vicious turn as these predatory beings return to reclaim their right to the ocean.

A Sneak Peek at Disney XD’s New DuckTales

In advance of its debut at Comic-Con, our pals over at Disney XD revealed some very cool teaser art from the new DuckTales series, created by the production’s art team—led by Annie Award nominee Matt Youngberg (Ben 10: Omniverse) and Sean Jimenez (Gravity Falls). Youngberg will executive produce the series, which is set to premiere in 2017; once again, the show will take viewers on all sorts of high-flying adventures with Scrooge McDuck, his grandnephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, and Donald Duck himself!

The art, seen above, will also appear on the back of the DuckTales Cinestory Volume 1 comic, a collectible edition featuring a retelling of the first five episodes of the original DuckTales television show. Look for it in comic book stores nationwide starting Tuesday, September 27. (Collectors, take note!)

Huge Moana News: More Characters and Voice Talent Announced

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

Straight Outta Comic-Con: Amazing New Doctor Strange Trailer!

It’s a Whole New World on ABC’s Once Upon a Time

Two New Series Coming to Freeform

A Sneak Peek at Disney XD’s New DuckTales

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