Everything to Watch During Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

By Andie Hagemann

This Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month—and beyond—we’re celebrating trailblazers across The Walt Disney Company. From the debut of American Born Chinese on Disney+ to all-new episodes of Station 19, The Company You Keep, and Grey’s Anatomy on ABC, and so much more—don’t miss the incredible lineup of captivating content available across Disney’s streaming services, on Disney’s linear networks, and streaming across select audio platforms.

To commemorate the occasion, we’ve compiled the ultimate viewing guide for content across the worlds of Disney.

In a scene from Station 19, actor Jay Hayden plays Travis Montgomery.

ABC
New episodes of fan-favorite series Station 19—starring Jay Hayden and Merle Dandridge—and Grey’s Anatomy—with Harry Shum Jr., Midori Francis, and Niko Terho—debut Thursday nights on May 4, 11, and 18, and are available to stream the following day on Hulu. From a highly anticipated mayoral race to wedding day drama, don’t miss the heart-pumping content coming to your screen this month.

In a scene from The Company You Keep, actors Catherine Haena Kim, Freda Foh Shen, and James Saito talk inside a hospital hallway.

The season finale of heist drama The Company You Keep starring Milo Ventimiglia and Catherine Haena Kim airs Sunday, May 7, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Emma (Kim) and Charlie (Ventimiglia) partner with Daphne (Felisha Terrell) to produce a plan to take down the Maguires once and for all, but will the final showdown cause Charlie and Emma to stay on opposite sides or end up closer than ever? The series also stars William Fichtner as Leo, Sarah Wayne Callies as Birdie, Polly Draper as Fran, Tim Chiou as David Hill, Freda Foh Shen as Grace Hill, and James Saito as Joe Hill. Episodes are available to stream on Hulu.

On May 8, Jeopardy! Masters, the latest iteration of America’s Favorite Quiz Show® and hosted by the “GOAT” Ken Jennings, begins its three-week tournament, and will crown its champion on May 24. Andrew He is among the champs vying for the ultimate prize.

Cha-cha your way over to Disney+ to binge Season 31 of Dancing with the Stars, featuring judge and muti-hyphenate Carrie Ann Inaba. Then, stream episodes of ABC series The Good Doctor—starring Will Yun Lee, Christian Chang, and Daniel Dae Kim, The Rookie with Melissa O’Neil, and Not Dead Yet—featuring Hannah Simone and Josh Banday—on Hulu and on-demand platforms.

ABC News
ABC News’ Soul of a Nation will present a one-hour primetime special delving into the rise of Asians and Asian Americans in Hollywood following the historic sweep of Everything Everywhere All at Once at the 95th Academy Awards®. Additional details will be released at a later date.

In a scene from The Muppets Mayhem, actors Lilly Singh and Saara Chaudry sit on a couch and chat with Janice.

Disney+
Starring Lilly Singh, The Muppets Mayhem follows The Electric Mayhem Band—Dr. Teeth on vocals and keyboards, Animal on drums, Floyd Pepper on vocals and bass, Janice on vocals and lead guitar, Zoot on saxophone and Lips on trumpet—on an epic, music-filled journey to record their first-ever studio album. With the help of a driven young music executive, Nora (Singh), the old-school Muppet band comes face to face with the current day music scene as they try to finally record their first studio album. The series also stars Tahj Mowry and Saara Chaudry, along with recurring guest star Anders Holm and a slew of superstar guests. All rockin’ episodes are available to stream at launch on Wednesday, May 10.

In a scene from American Born Chinese, actors Michelle Yeoh and Jim Liu stand in a tree-covered forest.

Disney+ Original series American Born Chinese premieres Wednesday, May 24, and features an all-star international cast, including Academy Award® winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, Ben Wang, Yeo Yann Yann, Chin Han, Daniel Wu, Jimmy Liu, and Sydney Taylor.

Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang, American Born Chinese chronicles the trials and tribulations of a regular American teenager whose life is forever changed when he befriends the son of a mythological god. This is the story of a young man’s battle for his own identity, told through family, comedy, and action-packed Kung-Fu.

The series introduces audiences to a pantheon of iconic Chinese mythical characters, played by guest stars including Academy Award nominee Stephanie Hsu as Shiji Niangniang, the Goddess of Stones; Ronny Chieng as unconventional monk, Ji Gong; Jimmy O. Yang as Dragon King, Ao Guang; James Hong as Jade Emperor; Leonard Wu as Niu Mowang/Bull Demon; and Poppy Liu as Princess Iron Fan. The series also features Lisa Lu as soon-to-be retired acupuncturist Ni Yang and Rosalie Chiang as student activist Suzy Nakamura.

The doctor is in! Season 1 and 2 of Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. are available to stream on Disney+. The second season follows Lahela (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) whose first love, Walter (Alex Aiono), returns from the World Surf Tour. However, he’s not the same boyfriend she said good-bye to months before. But she’s not the same girl either. That becomes clear when she meets a bad boy on a dirt bike, Nico (Milo Manheim.) She’s faced with a decision: fight for what she knows is true or give new love a chance. It’s all complicated by the pressures of being a teenage doctor. Luckily, she has her family, co-workers, and best friend Steph (Emma Meisel) to support her along the way.

The series also stars Kathleen Rose Perkins as Dr. Clara Hannon, Jason Scott Lee as Benny Kamealoha, Matthew Sato as Kai Kamealoha, Wes Tian as Brian Patrick Kamealoha, Mapuana Makia as Noelani, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman as Charles, and Ronny Chieng as Dr. Lee.

Discover even more content in the “Asian & Pacific Islander Stories” collection on Disney+.

Disney Channel
The Ghost and Molly McGee is an animated buddy-comedy that follows tween optimist Molly (voiced by Ashly Burch), who lives to make the world a better place, and grumpy ghost Scratch (voiced by Dana Snyder), whose job is to spread misery. When one of Scratch’s curses backfires, he finds himself forever bound to Molly, creating an unlikely friendship that leads to humorous misadventures as they navigate Molly’s new school and town. Molly is a Thai-American, just like Burch.

The series voice cast includes Jordan Klepper as Pete McGee, Molly’s anxiously idealistic father; Michaela Dietz as Darryl, Molly’s mischievously entrepreneurial brother; and Sumalee Montano as Sharon McGee and Grandma Nin, Molly’s creatively pragmatic mom and adoring grandmother, respectively.

New episodes debut weekly on Saturdays at 8 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and Disney XD.

In a scene from Firebuds, Lolo Ben, Bo, and Chief Bayani cook.

Disney Junior
Disney Junior’s Firebuds is an animated music-filled series following a team of young kids, who are the children of first responders, living in a fantastical world where humans and their talking vehicle sidekicks work and play together. The series premiered in September 2022 and has quickly become a fan favorite. The main character in the series, Bo (voiced by Declan Whaley), has a Filipino dad and Jewish mom, and several of the cast and creative team is Filipino, which is reflected on-screen as well.

In the episode “The Christmas Car-sled Race,” Bo and his dad, Chief Bill Bayani (voiced by Lou Diamond Phillips), make a parol, a Filipino Christmas lantern. And the episode, “Bayani Cookout,” features Bo and Lolo Ben (voiced by JB Tadena), aka Bo’s grandfather, making lumpia (Filipino spring rolls) together. Both episodes are available to stream on Disney+ and new episodes continue to rollout on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.

ESPN+
Discover spectacular stories on the streamer including Jeanette Lee Vs., Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau, Be Water, and so much more.

In a scene from Good Trouble, actor Sherry Cola stands and makes a toast during a dinner party.

Freeform
Hit series Good Trouble, starring Sherry Cola, debuts new episodes on May 4, 11, and 18. Now in its fifth season, the series follows the 20-something residents of Los Angeles’ The Coterie. The roommates will face their toughest obstacles yet as they’re confronted with evolving relationship challenges and new career opportunities. Through highs and lows, romance and heartbreak, The Coterie crew will lean on each other while they navigate the next stage of adulthood. The series also stars Cierra Ramirez, Tommy Martinez, Emma Hunton, Zuri Adele, Josh Pence, Bryan Craig, and Booboo Stewart. Episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu.

In a scene from Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi, Padma Lakshmi cooks in a restaurant and shakes a large silver bowl filled with greens.

Hulu
Season 2 of Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi premieres May 5 on the streamer with all episodes. In the series, award-winning cookbook author and host Padma Lakshmi takes viewers on a culinary adventure across American soil, exploring the rich and diverse communities who have so heavily shaped what American food is today. Over borscht, cornbread, pasteles, and more, Padma uncovers the relationship between our food, our humanity, and our history—ultimately uncovering stories that challenge notions of identity, belonging, and what it means to be American. 

Discover even more content in the “Asian & Pacific Islander Stories” collection on Hulu. 

In a scene from Restaurants at the End of the World, chef Kristen Kish sits on the side of a boat.

National Geographic
A journey that’s a feast for the senses, Chef Kristen Kish explores the planet’s most remote restaurants in the docuseries Restaurants at the End of the World, now streaming on Disney+.

The four-part series follows the award-winning chef, entrepreneur, and global trailblazer to Boquete, Panama; Svalbard, Norway; North Haven Island, Maine; and Paraty, Brazil, as she meets local purveyors, farmers, herders, head chefs, kitchen crew, and more to discover how they make the impossible possible in locales deep in the wild and far from the grid. She, then, forages for the freshest ingredients and, along the way, unearths the culture and heart behind the cuisine.

Our 15 Favorite Iron Man Quotes from the MCU

By Zach Johnson

Fifteen years ago, Iron Man launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the introduction of everyone’s favorite genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist: Tony Stark. Played by Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr., Tony aka Iron Man is as witty as he is heroic—and that’s saying something! To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the film—which was added to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry in 2022—we’ve curated our 15 favorite quotes from all of his MCU appearances, in chronological order.

Iron Man (2008)

  1. “Iron Man… that’s kinda catchy. It’s got a nice ring to it. I mean, it’s not technically accurate; the suit’s a gold-titanium alloy. But, it’s kind of evocative of the imagery.”
  2. “The truth is… I am Iron Man.”

Iron Man 2 (2010)

  1. “I told you, I don’t want to join your super-secret boy band.”

Marvel’s The Avengers (2012)

  1. “Doth mother know you weareth her drapes?”
  2. “That man is playing Galaga! He thought we wouldn’t notice… but we did.”
  3. “It’s good to meet you, Dr. Banner. Your work on anti-electron collisions is unparalleled. And I’m a huge fan of how you lose control and turn into an enormous green rage monster.”
  4. “The Avengers. That’s what we call ourselves; we’re sort of like a team. ‘Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’-type thing.”

Iron Man 3 (2013)

  1. “So, if I were to wrap this up tight with a bow or whatever, I guess I’d say my armor, it was never a distraction or a hobby: it was a cocoon. And now, I’m a changed man. You can take away my house, all my tricks and toys. One thing you can’t take away? I am Iron Man.”

In a scene from Captain America: Civil War, Robert Downey Jr. plays Iron Man. He is wearing a red and gold metal suit. His helmet is off and his right cheek is bruised.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

  1. “Actually, he’s the boss. I just pay for everything and design everything and make everyone look cooler.”

 Captain America: Civil War (2016)

  1. “OK, anybody on our side hiding any shocking or fantastic abilities they’d like to disclose? I’m open to suggestions.”

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

  1. “If you’re nothing without the suit, then you shouldn’t have it.”*

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

  1. “I’m sorry, Earth is closed today. You better pack it up and get outta here.”
  2. “Dude, you’re embarrassing me in front of the wizards.”

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

  1. “I love you 3,000.”
  2. “And I… am Iron Man.”

* Streaming Friday, May 12, on Disney+. 

In a scene from Spider-Man: Homecoming, Iron Man (left) flies through a bustling New York City street as Spider-Man (right) swings from a web in front of him.

Honorable mentions:

  • “Better clench up, Legolas.” (Marvel’s The Avengers)
  • “Don’t do anything I would do, and definitely don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. There’s a little gray area there and that’s where you operate.” (Spider-Man: Homecoming)
  • “It’s not about how much we lost, it’s about how much we have left. We’re the Avengers. We gotta finish this.” (Avengers: Endgame)

A Recipe from the Delicious Disney Vault: Ronto Roasters’ Batuuan Ronto Wrap

For those times when you want to let a droid do the cooking—but don’t have a Podracer to get to Black Spire Outpost—you can make Batuuan Ronto Wraps at home. Soon you’ll be eating like a citizen of Batuu!

Celebrate Star Wars Day with this instantly iconic dish from Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, now featured in The Official Disney Parks Cookbook: 101 Magical Recipes from the Delicious Disney Vault by Pam Brandon & the Disney Chefs.

SERVES 8

Ingredients:

ROASTED PORK SHOULDER
2 pounds pork butt
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons coarse salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

RONTO WRAP SLAW
⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
2½ tablespoons sambal
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup matchstick carrots
3 cups shredded cabbage

PEPPERCORN SAUCE
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon ground sumac
½ tablespoon coarse salt
¼ teaspoon ground coriander
⅛ teaspoon Szechuan peppercorns

GRILLED OR TOASTED PITA BREAD
1 tablespoon canola oil
8 pita flatbreads

GRILLED SAUSAGES
8 (4-ounce) smoked sausages

Steps:

FOR ROASTED PORK SHOULDER

  1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Pat pork dry with paper towel. Rub with canola oil and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Place seasoned pork butt on the rack of a roasting pan and cook for 3 hours, until pork is 160°F.
  3. Cool for at least 15 minutes, then carve to ⅛-inch-thick slices.

FOR RONTO WRAP SLAW

  1. Combine apple cider vinegar, sambal, sugar, canola oil, dried parsley, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add matchstick carrots and shredded cabbage and toss until combined.
  3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

FOR PEPPERCORN SAUCE

  1. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

FOR GRILLED OR TOASTED PITA BREAD

  1. Preheat grill or sauté pan over medium heat. Brush pan or grill with oil.
  2. Toast bread for 1 minute on each side, until golden brown. Keep warm until ready to serve.

FOR GRILLED SAUSAGES

  1. Preheat grill pan over medium heat for 5 minutes. Grill sausages for 5 to 7 minutes, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
  2. Add reserved pork slices to pan and cook until golden brown on both sides.
  3. Keep warm until ready to serve.

TO SERVE

Place 2 slices of pork roast on each piece of pita bread. Place one grilled sausage on top. Top each wrap with ½ cup of Ronto Wrap Slaw and drizzle with Peppercorn Sauce.

Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents.
Please supervise children who are helping or nearby.
This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens; the flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.

Darkness Descends Series Maleficent Doll

Commemorating 100 years of Disney comes the first in a brand-new series from Mattel Creations. This special collector-edition Maleficent doll has been captured in the midst of her transformation from fiendish fairy to fire-breathing dragon, exclusive to Mattel Creations.

In the years since the 1959 classic Sleeping Beauty was released, Maleficent has become one of the most wickedly loved Disney Villains. With majestic dragon wings and green flames engulfing her scaly black and purple gown, Prince Philip would do well to heed her warning—Maleficent will not go down without a fiery fight.

The design team set out to create the most spellbinding version of Maleficent ever seen. Every intricate detail captures her fearsomely evil essence.

The Disney Collector Darkness Descends SeriesTM Maleficent Doll released April 28, 2023, at 9 a.m. PT. Learn more here!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Cast and Filmmakers Celebrate Film’s Global Premieres

By Andie Hagemann

Ahead of the long-awaited return of the ragtag group of heroes, the cast and filmmakers of Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, celebrated the film’s premiere with star-studded events in Seoul, South Korea, and at Disneyland Paris. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 opens in U.S. theaters on Friday, May 5.

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 our beloved band of misfits are settling into life on Knowhere. But it isn’t long before their lives are upended by the echoes of the turbulent past of Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper). Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), must rally his team around him on a dangerous mission to save Rocket’s life—a mission that, if not completed successfully, could lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

The film also stars Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, and Pom Klementieff, featuring Vin Diesel as Groot, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter, and Maria Bakalova. James Gunn directed the film and wrote the screenplay. Kevin Feige serves as a producer with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nikolas Korda, Sara Smith, and Simon Hatt serving as executive producers.

The global celebration kicked off on Tuesday, April 18, as Gunn, Pratt, Gillan, and Klementieff greeted enthusiastic fans at both the Pop-Up Zone and Red Carpet Fan Event in Seoul.

“Thank you all for your support,” Klementieff told fans. “We wouldn’t be here without you. We love you. Mantis loves you.”

The stars then ventured to Avengers Campus at Disneyland Paris on Saturday, April 22, for the European Gala. Gunn, Pratt, Gillan, Klementieff, Saldaña, and Diesel met Guardians fans and posed by the Quinjet.

Check out more photos from the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 global premieres in the gallery below.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

This week there is something for every member of the family to enjoy. The first two episodes of A Small Light air Monday on National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD. On Wednesday, Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All premieres on Disney+, and the series finale of The Goldbergs airs that night on ABC. The first two episodes of Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures launch across Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD on Thursday. Then, close out the week by binging Season 2 of Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi debuting Friday on Hulu.

In a scene from A Small Light, Bel Powley as Miep Gies and Liev Schreiber as Otto Frank walk down a cobblestone street in Amsterdam.

A Small Light—Monday, May 1, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD
Based on an inspiring true story, the all-new limited series follows Miep Gies (Bel Powley), who was a carefree and opinionated young woman, when her boss Otto Frank (Liev Schreiber) asked her to help hide his family from the Nazis during World War II. Without hesitation, Miep agreed. For the next two years, she and her daring and devoted husband, Jan (Joe Cole), with several other everyday heroes, watched over the Frank, van Pels, and Pfeffer families hiding in the secret annex in Amsterdam. While some stood by, Miep stood up. The series includes Amira Casar as Edith Frank, Billie Boullet as Anne Frank, Ashley Brooke as Margot Frank, Andy Nyman as Hermann van Pels, Caroline Catz as Auguste van Pels, Rudi Goodman as Peter van Pels, and Noah Taylor as Dr. Fritz Pfeffer, all of whom hid in the annex with the Frank family. The first two episodes will debut back-to-back and will be available to stream the next day on Hulu and Disney+. Discover more about the series here.

In a scene from Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All, musician Ed Sheeran sits on a wooden cabinet and pulls his wife Cheryl in for a hug.

Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All—Wednesday, May 3, on Disney+
For the first time ever, global superstar Ed Sheeran grants viewers a glimpse into his private life as he explores the universal themes that inspire his music. The four-part original series follows Ed after he learns life-changing news and reveals his hardships and triumphs during the most challenging period of his life. Watch exclusive footage behind his iconic hits, personal archive moments with his friends and family, epic stadium performances, and so much more. All episodes are available to binge at launch.

In a scene from The Goldbergs, actor Sean Giambrone plays Adam Goldberg and holds a video camera and stands next to actor Isabella Gomez as Carmen.

The Goldbergs—Wednesday, May 3, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
The series finale is here, and we’re not crying, you’re crying! When Adam (Sean Giambrone) takes Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) to her high school reunion, à la the fan-favorite film Back to the Future, he tries to end a reality where she winds up with the wrong man. Meanwhile, Barry (Troy Gentile) and Joanne (Beth Triffon) make a surprising decision to prove the seriousness of their relationship. Binge the entire series on Hulu.

In a scene from Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Master Yoda talks to Jedi younglings, Kai Brightstar, Lys Solay, and Nubs, and their friends Nash Durango and RJ-83 on planet Tenoo.

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures—Thursday, May 4, at 9 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD
Set during The High Republic era, the all-new animated series follows Jedi younglings as they study the ways of the Force, explore the galaxy, help citizens and creatures in need, and learn valuable skills needed to become Jedi along the way. Not just one but two episodes will launch on May the 4th, aka Star Wars Day. In the first episode, the Jedi younglings—Kai (voiced by Jamaal Avery, Jr.), Lys (voiced by Juliet Donenfeld), and Nubs (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker)—go on their first adventure, and then Master Yoda (voiced by Piotr Michael) gives the younglings a mission. Then in the second episode, the Jedi pals help Nash (voiced by Emma Berman) with her race and find a long-lost Jedi ship. Episodes are also available to stream on Disney+.

In a scene from Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi, host Padma Lakshmi eats Nigerian food with actor Yvonne Orji.

Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi—Friday, May 5, on Hulu
In Season 2, award-winning cookbook author and host Padma Lakshmi takes viewers on a culinary adventure across American soil, exploring the rich and diverse communities who have so heavily shaped what American food is today. Over borscht, cornbread, pasteles, and more, Padma uncovers the relationship between our food, our humanity, and our history—ultimately uncovering stories that challenge notions of identity, belonging, and what it means to be American. All episodes are available to stream at launch.

Celebrating One Last Ride at the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Premiere

By Zach Johnson

It’s (almost) time to face the music...

Following promotional stops in Seoul and Paris, the Bowie landed in Hollywood Thursday for the world premiere of Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The cast and creative team, along with special guests from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe and beyond, walked the purple carpet to celebrate the action-adventure before it opens in theaters on Friday, May 5. Stars Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Sean Gunn, Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Debicki, Daniela Melchior, Michael Rosenbaum, Will Poulter, Chukwudi Iwuji, Maria Bakalova, Miriam Shor, Nico Santos, Judy Greer, Linda Cardellini, Benjamin Byron Davis, Asim Chaudhry, Kai Zen, and others were joined filmmakers James Gunn and Kevin Feige.

As Marvel.com livestreamed the event, cosplayers dressed as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, Groot, Nebula, Mantis, Yondu, and others cheered as each star showed up. D23: The Official Disney Fan Club was live on the scene, where cast members including Fillion (Master Karja), Bakalova (Cosmo), and Chaudhry (Teefs) opened up about their roles in the highly anticipated film—some for the very first time!

For Fillion, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 marks his second official time in the franchise. “I was in the first Guardians as a blue alien. Little known fact: I was actually in the second Guardians and got cut out. In the third Guardians, I’m back again as another character,” he said. “I’ve played a couple characters in the MCU—just don’t play close attention! Sometimes I get cut out. I got cut out of Deadpool. Listen, that happens in the movie industry. What’s important is that they keep bringing you back.”

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Fillion plays Master Orgosentry Karja—a role that required quite an elaborate costume. “It’s about 70 lbs., I think, all told; it’s pretty heavy,” he told D23. “But you can’t complain, because you’re complaining to Karen Gillan who spent four to seven hours in prosthetic makeup before she started working, and she’s going to spend several hours getting it out before she comes back to do it again. You’ve gotta consider your audience before you complain about these things!”

Will Poulter, Maria Bakalova, Sean Gunn, Vin Diesel, Pom Klementieff, Chris Pratt, Karen Gillan, Bradley Cooper, and Chukwudi Iwuji pose onstage at the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 World Premiere at the Dolby Theatre.

Meanwhile, not only did Bakalova voice Cosmo, but she got to play the space dog. “I got the chance to work with a mo-cap suit, and work with James and be on set, and work with the rest of the cast and all of these talented, exceptional people—good human beings,” she said. “Everything, from the first to the last day, has been the best!”

Shor and Santos, who play Recorder Vim and Recorder Theel, respectively, leaned on each other as MCU newcomers. Calling Santos the “Tweedle Dee to my Tweedle Dum,” Shor said, “It’s overwhelming. [It’s nice] to have someone to share all this with.” Schor added that while Iwuji’s The High Evolutionary “is no small villain,” it was fun to also play a pair of baddies: “There’s something delicious about that.” Santos agreed, saying, “They’re really the best characters, because we’re obviously not evil in real life.”

Among the first MCU stars to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 were Michael Rooker, Ariana Greenblatt, Dominque Thorne, Xochitl Gomez, David Dastmalchian, Meng’er Zhang, Emma Caulfield, Ronny Chieng, Saagar Shaikh, Tara Strong, and Seth Green. Praising the director, Rooker said, “My buddy, his movies—I’m here for him. I’m here for all the other actors. We’re going to have a fun time. The movie’s going to be great.”

Before the movie opens nationwide, enjoy more photos from the world premiere:

How National Geographic’s A Small Light Illuminates the Remarkable Story of an Everyday Hero

By Andie Hagemann

Miep Gies once said, “Even an ordinary secretary or a housewife or a teenager can turn on a small light in a dark room.”

National Geographic’s new limited series A Small Light, premiering Monday, May 1, shares the incredible story of Miep Gies, who like countless others risked everything to help those targeted by the Nazis during World War II, casting a small light in the darkest of times.

Miep, portrayed by Bel Powley, was a carefree and opinionated young woman when her boss Otto Frank (Liev Schreiber) asked her to help hide his family from the Nazis. Without hesitation, Miep agreed. For the next two years, she and her daring and devoted husband, Jan (Joe Cole), along with several other ordinary heroes, watched over the Frank, van Pels, and Pfeffer families hiding in the secret annex above Otto’s business in Amsterdam.

“I found the character of Miep to be incredibly relatable as a young woman,” says Powley. “She was a normal girl, who loved dancing, going out with her friends, and talking about how handsome she found her husband. She was a frivolous, fiercely independent young woman, before she found herself in extreme circumstances.”

Miep Gies played by Bel Powley and Tess played by Eleanor Tomlinson attend a party in A Small Light.

Told with a modern sensibility, A Small Light differs from other historical narratives by depicting life’s more “ordinary” moments amidst tragedy. Audiences will witness Miep and Jan’s marriage as well as her relationships with her friends and family. “They’re people who have rich emotional experiences… that aren’t just about the highest-stakes things that are happening, but about their relationships with each other,” says Susanna Fogel, who serves as an executive producer and director.

“Miep is a person who makes jokes, and then she’s put in this incredibly serious situation,” she says. “But there’s still room for her to connect to the world in a way that feels contemporary in that she’s not relating in a self‑serious historical dry way. She’s someone you can relate to and see yourself in.”

Schreiber shares, “What I thought Bel and Joe did so beautifully was the human pieces, the things that are fun to watch [like their married life]. The person who is kind of flaky actually ends up keeping the Franks alive for two years, and we see that relationship [develop] over the years.”

A project nearly six years in the making, creators, showrunners, writers, and executive producers Joan Rater and Tony Phalen delved into every piece of information they could find on the Franks and Miep and Jan Gies. Their quest even led them to enlist the services of a Dutch researcher and translator to comb through Miep’s many interviews over the years. Rater and Phalen also dug into the history of the Dutch resistance to accurately capture life outside the annex.

Miep’s unwavering courage led Rater and Phalen to investigate the “why” behind helping friends and strangers alike. “She right away said ‘yes’ and kept saying ‘yes’ every day for two years,” says Rater. “We wanted to pose the question, ‘What would you do?’

“There are a lot of things that we explore in the series,” she continues, “[Miep] was an immigrant, and she understood what it was like to be an immigrant in Amsterdam—that’s why she bonded so deeply and instantly with Otto.”

Miep Gies, played by Bel Powley, Otto Frank played by Liev Schreiber, and Jan Gies played by Joe Cole, look up at Otto’s old apartment in A Small Light.

A Small Light was filmed on location in both Amsterdam and Prague. Because the annex itself is now a museum—the Anne Frank House— the production design team was tasked with rebuilding the location on a soundstage in Prague. “Our production designer was maniacal in his desire for it to be exact,” recalls Phelan. “We made it a little tiny bit bigger for the ease of the cameras, but for the most part, it was pretty accurate for both the annex and the Opekta office.”

To capture exterior shots of the Opekta building, and its surrounding area, the crew found a building on the canal that resembled the building circa the 1940s. However, little CGI was needed to replicate Amsterdam during the occupation.

“The other thing we were very conscious of is that during this time in Amsterdam people saw themselves as living in the modern world, in the 20th century, with vacuum cleaners, mixers, appliances, and all of that,” he continues. “This was not that long ago—the apartments that they lived in and the places that they spent their lives are very similar to ours.”

A Small Light also stars Amira Casar as Edith Frank, Billie Boullet as Anne Frank, Ashley Brooke as Margot Frank, Andy Nyman as Hermann van Pels, Caroline Catz as Auguste van Pels, Rudi Goodman as Peter van Pels, and Noah Taylor as Dr. Fritz Pfeffer. Eleanor Tomlinson, Sally Messham, Ian McElhinney, Nicholas Burns, Liza Sadovy, Laurie Kynaston, and Sebastian Armesto round out the cast.

The series will launch with simultaneous broadcast of the first two episodes on National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD. The first episode will have an encore airing Saturday, May 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform. Two episodes will premiere every Monday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on National Geographic and will be available the next day on Disney+, Hulu, and on the Nat Geo TV and ABC apps.

Photos of Peter Pan & Wendy Premieres Fly in from London and New York

By Jessica Benda

Before audiences venture to Never Land, fly to London and New York with these Peter Pan & Wendy premiere photos!

The cast and filmmakers from Disney’s epic movie event stopped in London Thursday at the Curzon Mayfair for the film’s premiere, then later headed to New York’s South Street Seaport Museum Tuesday for a special screening. The pixie dust is evident in the photos, which show off the talent behind and in front of the camera.

The live-action reimagining of the J.M. Barrie novel and the 1953 animated classic debuts Friday, April 28, exclusively on Disney+.

Turn up the Volume on your Paw-some Mix with this Guardians of the Galaxy Pin!

By Peyton Liebler

We’re hooked on the fluffy feeling we get from this amazing new pin! Ramp up your excitement for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 with this D23-exclusive cosmic trinket. This pin is an amazing find for anyone in your found family—and a great way to let them know you’re on their team fur-ever. It’s also a pretty great way to launch your joy out to the furthest reaches of the galaxy, even on the days that you’re feeling a little “ruff.” (We’ll stop hounding you with the dog-gone puppy puns now... )

This pin is inspired by the upcoming interstellar installment, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) must rally his team to defend the universe and protect one of their own. If their mission isn’t completely successful, it could potentially lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

D23 Cosmo Pin Backer Card(4x5)_mockup
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D23-Exclusive Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 Cosmo Pin
Crank up the tunes and defend the galaxy with this special D23 Gold Member-exclusive pin! It’s a great way to celebrate the highly anticipated release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The pin features the latest and greatest member of the Guardians team, Cosmo—the adorable Canine Cosmonaut. Gear up for the Guardians and grab this pin now!

Our D23-Exclusive Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 Cosmo Pin, offered in a limited edition of 1,250, is available to D23 Gold Members at 8 a.m. PST on shopDisney, Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

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*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. These pins are sold for $18.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of two (2) pins of this style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices