Searching for Stars and Skrulls at the Secret Invasion Launch Event

By Zach Johnson

The invasion has already begun.

Marvel Studios hosted a special launch event for Secret Invasion Tuesday night, with stars such as Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Ben Mendelsohn (Talos), Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), Don Cheadle (Colonel James Rhodes), Kingsley Ben-Adir (Gravik), Emilia Clarke (G’iah), Olivia Colman (Sonya Falsworth), and Dermot Mulroney (President Ritson) walking the red carpet outside of the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood to promote the Disney+ series.

In addition to the cast and crew, the event brought out actors from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Anjali Bhimani (Ruby), Xochitl Gomez (America Chavez), Ginger Gonzaga (Nikki Ramos), Seth Green (Howard the Duck), Matt Lintz (Bruno Carrelli), Rune Temte (Bron Char), Meng’er Zhang (Xialing), and others among those who got a first look at what happens when a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls plots to take over planet Earth. “The energy’s always so good here,” Zhang told D23 while walking the red carpet. “I’m really excited to see all those fans who dress up. Oh, it’s just like coming home, you know?”

Speaking of coming home, what makes Nick Fury leave S.A.B.E.R. and return to Earth? “The Nick Fury backstory is what this show is all about,” said Ali Selim, who directs the series. “It’s about his personal life, of which we’ve never known anything, and it’s about his inner life. Samuel Jackson was unabashed in exploring what Nick Fury’s fears might be, what his vulnerabilities might be, what his inability to embrace others might be. I think he succeeded at that. We’re going to learn a lot about Nick Fury across these six episodes.”

From left to right: Costumes for Talos, G’iah, Nick Fury, Sonya Flasworth, and Colonel James Rhodes were on display at the Secret Invasion launch event in Hollywood.

Whereas fans will learn more about MCU mainstays such as Nick Fury, Maria Hill, and James “Rhodey” Rhodes, they’ll also be introduced to a slew of new characters. “We have phenomenal roles that actors can really sink their teeth into,” casting director Sarah Halley Finn said. “Bit by bit, we were able to put this ‘pinch me,’ dream-come-true cast together.”

For example, Halley Finn said, “These are very different roles for both Emilia and Kingsley, so I feel very lucky that we got them and they were willing to take the journey with us. There are some other lovely cast members, and I think some surprises. We have other actors that should be better known than they are—and will be—like Charlayne Woodard, who’s an award-winning actress. I can’t say what part she’s playing, but I think audiences will feel like they’re discovering her for the first time. She will be an overnight success after decades. The whole cast, top to bottom, is filled with some newer talent, really established [talent], but all interesting... [We’ve] assembled a very eclectic, unusual cast for this one.”

Stream Secret Invasion on Disney+

Before Marvel Studios’ thrilling espionage series Secret Invasion debuts Wednesday, June 21, on Disney+, enjoy more photos of the cast, crew, and special guests at the launch event:

Which Disney Song Should Be Your Pride Month Anthem?

By the D23 Team

No matter what time of year it is, Disney songs can inspire us to feel like heroes—to believe we can do anything. If you’re looking for tunes to motivate you to the max this Pride Month, Walt Disney Records has put together a playlist of Disney hits and anthems that will have you rocking all month long.

As you continue to celebrate Pride Month, you might be searching for the perfect song to be your anthem of inspiration—well, end your search! Take our quiz to discover which Disney song will be your anthem of choice for Pride Month:

What do you usually do while listening to music?

What’s your Pride Month plan?

What’s a message you need to hear right now?

Who’s your Disney style icon?

What’s something about yourself that you are proud of?

Pick a color:

Which Disney Song Should Be Your Pride Month Anthem?
Your anthem is: “Stand Out” (A Goofy Movie)
Celebrate your individuality and star power with this beloved song from A Goofy Movie. You deserve to be seen and heard, and this song perfectly encapsulates your pride in being authentically you.
Your anthem is: “I Want It All” (High School Musical 3)
You deserve it all, and you know it—and in case you forget, you have this song to remind you! This over-the-top tune channels your ambition to overcome obstacles and embrace everything life has to offer you.
Your anthem is: “How Far I’ll Go” (Moana)
This powerful song expresses your spirit of exploration—and your determination to chart your own path, no matter what anyone else thinks. Honor your inner voice and chase your dreams with the help of this modern classic.
Your anthem is: “Rainbow Connection” (The Muppet Movie)
You’re looking for your place in the world—and the “Rainbow Connection” is here to remind you to keep searching and believing. If you’re ever feeling lonely or doubtful, this song is here to remind you that you’re on the right path, alongside the lovers and dreamers!

D23 Pin Celebrates 60 Tropically Triumphant Years of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

By Peyton Liebler

Wake Up—It’s showtime! And, in case you’ve been asleep for too long, it’s also time to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room! To commemorate the magically melodious memories of the Enchanted Tiki Room, D23 is proud to share a cute collectible featuring the iconic barker bird Juan! This is a special keepsake for anyone looking to show off their fanhood for the fantastical feathered friends that inhabit the Adventureland attraction.

Inspired by the iconic attraction, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room at Disney Parks. Since making its debut on June 23, 1963, guests around the world have been delighted by the musical stylings of this eclectic tropical hideaway. It was the first ever attraction to feature Audio-Animatronics® figures in a Disney Park! Boasting a colorful cast of avian actors, botanical beauties, and mysterious tiki gods, this beloved attraction continues to inspire generations of fans.

Artwork for D23 Exclusive Tiki Room 60th Anniversary Pin, featuring one of the original parrot personalities, Juan the Barker Bird, standing ready with his barker hat and cane on a bamboo perch.
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D23-Exclusive Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room 60th Anniversary Pin – Limited Edition
Celebrate an enchanted place where the birds sing words and the flowers croon! This D23 Gold Member exclusive pin is a tropical way to celebrate 60 years of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. It features one of the original parrot personalities, Juan the Barker Bird! A great find for anyone looking to wet their beaks with island style and dazzling star power!

Our D23-Exclusive Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room 60th Anniversary Pin, offered in a limited edition of 1,500 is available to D23 Gold Members starting at 8 a.m. PT on shopDisney, Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

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Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to your D23 Gold Membership. These pins are sold for $19.99 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.

Dive Into 4 Details About The Little Mermaid’s Soundtrack

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Since 1989, we’ve been flipping our fins to the beloved music from Disney’s The Little Mermaid—and with the debut of its new, live action reimagining, there’s even more opportunities to enjoy these classic tunes in fresh new ways. The soundtrack for the new film is out now, featuring beautiful new versions of your favorite The Little Mermaid songs… plus some all-new ones! Disney Legend Alan Menken returned for the reimagining, this time teaming up with Lin-Manuel Miranda to create several new musical masterpieces. During our D23 Inside Disney video podcast on The Little Mermaid, we had the chance to sit down with Menken and talk the new tunes in the film; you can watch to the full interview here, or read on to learn some of Menken’s splashy secrets.

It was on Menken’s “bucket list” to work with Miranda:
Given he literally named his son Sebastian, it’s no surprise that Miranda is a The Little Mermaid superfan. His fandom of the film is so intense that, as a kid, he even reached out to the musical maestro behind the film himself! “I knew of [Lin] as a little boy who was fanatical about The Little Mermaid,” Menken recalls, “I would get these requests for signed posters or to answer questions—just so passionate about it.” Once Miranda rose to his own fame as a songwriter, Menken knew he had to work with him… and the live-action The Little Mermaid was the perfect opportunity to combine their musical mastery.

Prince Eric is dealing with a lot of mysteries:
In the 1989 classic, while Ariel loses her voice, Prince Eric is also silent—when it comes to singing, anyway. This was amended in the live-action reimagining, where Menken was able to put to music some of the feelings Eric is grappling with. “First of all, who is this girl who saved him?” Menken asks. But in the new film, the prince’s got more on his mind than mermaids: “He’s also thinking about the thrill of what’s uncharted before him in his life—and the mystery of the sea.”

Ariel finally figures out what a fire is, and why does it—what’s the word?–burn:
In the beloved song “Part of Your World,” Ariel asks a lot of questions of the human world, and we finally get some answers in the new song “For the First Time.” Menken explains, “It’s the moment where she’s first on land. Feeling for the first time—her legs, feeling the air.” And of course, figuring out what’s the deal with fire (and burns). But that’s not the only new pain she discovers, Menken adds: “She experiences heartbreak for the first time.”

The scuttlebutt on “The Scuttlebutt”:
You’ve probably seen one new song, between Sebastian and Scuttle, making waves with fans—titled “The Scuttlebutt,” and featuring something never-before-heard in The Little Mermaid: rapping! “It’s a delightful combination of Lin’s style of writing and mine, in a really surprising and fun way,” Menken explains of the song. “I gave him a Caribbean tune and Lin sort of did a rap over it that was so perfect, that used the music, but it had this rhythmic pulse to it.”

Want to listen to the new and classic tunes from The Little Mermaid? Get the Target-exclusive vinyl soundtrack now, and learn more at our partner page.

The Wonder Years Returns with A-list Guest Stars, a Disneyland Adventure, and More

By Zach Johnson

The summer of ’69 is full of fun and surprises for the Williams family.

Forget the typical barbecues, games, and road trips. In Season 2 of The Wonder Years, Dean (Elisha “EJ” Williams) is living in New York City, where Bill (Dulé Hill) is working on new music for Marvin Gaye. Meanwhile, back home in Montgomery, Alabama, Lillian (Saycon Sengbloh) receives a surprise visit from her sister, Jackie (guest star Phoebe Robinson), which leads Kim (Laura Kariuki) to see her mother in a new light. Viewers will see it all play out during a special one-hour premiere on Wednesday, June 14, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, on ABC—but, before then, the cast is previewing what’s in store for the Williams this season.

The coming-of-age comedy is inherently nostalgic, and Season 2 will lean further into that notion. “Summer, for a child, is always the most memorable time,” Hill says. “Hanging out with your friends, getting into mischief, the unexpected happens. Joyous moments happen.”

Urban living is eye-opening for Dean, whose knowledge is limited to what he’s seen in movie musicals. Take, for example, Dean and Bill’s new neighbor, Lonnie (guest star Tituss Burgess). Unsure of what to make of the “guy in a dress”—the likes of which he’s never seen before—Dean comes to realize that they have more in common than he anticipated.

In turn, Bill recognizes that he, too, has something to learn from Lonnie. “Dean is seeing Bill learning and growing, and children mirror what they see,” Hill says of the father-son dynamic. “This is a time when Bill is in a new stage of life; he’s not comfortable where he is. Dean has always seen him in Alabama, where Bill knows the world. Seeing how his father adjusts and learns to navigate a new place and new people is empowering for Dean. For Dean—and for Bill, as well—seeing a man in a dress is not something that is familiar to him. As the story goes along, they will find connection and find a relationship through conversation, through engagement. What I love about the first episode is that it shows it’s not always just a race thing that can be a divide. It can also be a cultural thing. If we can communicate, if we can exchange ideas, if we can let go of preconceived notions, if we can look at what’s in front of us, then we can find powerful relationships and powerful moments.”

That’s certainly true of new relationships, but what about old ones? For Lillian and Jackie, who seem diametrically opposed, that realization may take time. “It’s great to juxtapose those characters—especially in the second episode with the straitlaced sister vs. the party sister,” Sengbloh says. “I think people are going to really love it.” Working with Robinson made it easy to develop a sisterhood that feels nuanced yet universal, she adds. “Phoebe is hilarious, OK? She has a whole generation of followers who love her type of humor,” Sengbloh says. “I love how the writers were able to weave it in. It’s the ’60s, but it’s current.”

Lonnie (Titus Burgess) locks the door as Dean (Elisha “EJ” Williams) and Bill (Dulé Hill) exit their New York City apartment in a scene from ABC’s The Wonder Years.

Additional Season 2 guest stars include Donald Faison, Patti LaBelle, Jack McBrayer, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and Bradley Whitford. “I was so excited to work with Patti LaBelle,” Kariuki says. “She is an icon—the icon. Seeing how she works and getting to play a character who’s related to her was amazing.” Sengbloh knew the two would get along, as she had previously worked with LaBelle on Broadway. During that time, the entertainer treated Sengbloh and their castmates to a few of her legendary sweet potato pies—so when Sengbloh learned LaBelle would be guest starring in The Wonder Years, “I thought, ‘Is Ms. Patti going to do the food thing again?’” she says with a laugh. “She didn’t do it for the show, but she brought her sweet vocals and her sweet acting. That’s as sweet as a Patti pie!”

There’s another guest star the cast was excited to work with: Mickey Mouse! Much to Dean’s delight, the family visits Disneyland Resort for the first time this summer. “It was a joyous experience,” Williams says. “The best part is that it didn’t feel like work.” It was also exciting for Kariuki, who had never visited Disneyland Park. “Getting to go there for work was dope,” she says. “They took us back in time with the props, like the popcorn buckets and the ears. It was wild to see it from both a current perspective and a 1969 perspective.”

Hill had so much fun filming in Disneyland Park that he’s plotting a return in Season 3. “Hopefully we get a chance to go back to Disneyland,” he says. “I’m going to pitch that to [executive producer Saladin K. Patterson]. Maybe Dean wants to want to take another trip!”

Sparks Fly at the Elemental Premiere

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Yesterday, the Academy Museum in Downtown Los Angeles transformed into Element City as Pixar rolled out the red carpet for Elemental’s premiere! The cast and creative team from the film breezed down the carpet to share insight and stories from the newest film.

Elemental, which debuts in theaters June 16, follows the story of Ember, a fiery young woman, who befriends a go-with-the-flow guy named Wade, who challenges her beliefs about the world they live in. We got to chat with the voices behind Ember and Wade—plus more of the fiery minds behind the film!

Leah Lewis, in a sparkly red dress, crosses her arms in a coordinating pose with Ember, the fire-based character she voices in Elemental.

Leah Lewis, who voices Ember, told us how it didn’t fully sink in that she was starring in a Pixar movie until she was about to go onstage at D23 Expo 2022: “That was the first time we saw any kind of snippet or commercial, and right before we went out to greet the crowd, I just got chills up my spine. Seeing how people received it as well—it really warmed my heart.” She described herself as someone who “came out the womb Disney, will die Disney,” so getting to be part of the Disney legacy is a huge moment for her career.

Mamoudou Athie poses in front of an Element City-based backdrop with the character he voices, water-based Wade, along with Ember.

The film isn’t even out yet, but we’ve already found water-based Wade’s number one fan: his voice actor, Mamadou Athie! “I just love his heart,” he told us, after listing off several more of Wade’s best traits, such as “his endless optimism and his willingness to put himself at risk for the greater good.” Like Lewis, Athie is also a lifelong Pixar fan, but he adds that director Pete Sohn’s script really drew him to the film: “The script speaks for itself. To work with someone like Pete—you don’t really get a chance like that every day.”

Pete Docter, CCO, Pixar and Elemental director Peter Sohn pose together at the film’s premeire.

Athie wasn’t the only one wowed by Sohn. Pete Docter, Elemental’s executive producer and Chief Creative Officer of Pixar, told us he was amazed the first time he saw Ember and Wade come to life. “When he pitched this, he was like ‘Fire and water are characters,’ and we were like ‘Yeah... How is that gonna work?’” Docter recalled. “So, for them to pull it off and to be able to see their [the characters’] expressions, their gestures—it’s unlike anything we’ve seen before!”

Screenwriter Brenda Hsueh poses in front of the Elemental step and repeat at the film’s premiere.

Sohn wasn’t alone in creating the world of Element City; screenwriter Brenda Hsueh co-wrote the film along with Sohn and Kat Likkel, and shared how Sohn’s idea drew her to the story. “Pete Sohn had that idea for the world of Elements,” Hsueh said. “I was really drawn to it because I’ve literally never heard that before. It was such a unique idea, and then to have it as a metaphor for different immigrant groups, it worked on such a visual level and on an emotional thematic level.”

Creating a world made for Elemental people might be a challenge, but to Hsueh it couldn’t have been more fun. “It was really exciting to think of the logistics—how would fire people live? What kind of clothes would they wear? How would they travel?” Hsueh told us. “You want it to be relatable, but also unique and funny and special.”

Soon you too can discover the world of Element City—but before the film debuts in theaters, check out more images from the premiere below:

9 of Our Favorite Disney Rainbows

By the D23 Team

A wise frog once asked, “Why are there so many songs about rainbows?” The fact that something so beautiful is a natural occurrence—a cascade of colors across the sky—is one of the things that makes it magical. The rainbow is a symbol of hope and positivity and has become a symbol of Pride Month and a form of celebration. So, you can see how someone might be inspired to write a song or two about them. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite rainbows from the worlds of Disney, so read on to find your rainbow connection—from us at D23 to the lovers, the dreamers, and you!

“The Rainbow Connection” (The Muppet Movie)
We would be remiss not to start our rainbow roundup with this Oscar®-nominated tune that opens The Muppet Movie. The song ponders not just why there are so many songs about rainbows—but wonders what it is that motivates the dreamers and believers. It’s a beautiful ode to all of us who are searching for something bigger, who wish upon stars and see the magic in the mundane. Over 30 artists have covered the song, asking the same questions and believing in the same dreams that Kermit the Frog did in 1979. Sure, most of us aren’t banjo-playing green frogs, but there is one thing that unites us all—the rainbow connection.

Loki, Valkyrie, Thor, and The Hulk stand on the Rainbow Bridge, facing the goddess Hela. The Rainbow Bridge leads into the city of Asgard, which sits among green mountaintops.

The Rainbow Bridge (The Marvel Cinematic Universe)
Now it’s time for a literal rainbow connection—powered by the Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge allows the residents of Asgard to travel throughout the Nine Realms, including to Midgard… aka our home planet of Earth! While the bridge was destroyed during the events of Thor: Ragnarok, the hammer Stormbreaker is able to channel the power of the Bifrost and allow Thor to transport himself across the Nine Realms again.

The goddess Iris soars across a blue sky. She is depicted as a human-like woman with a rainbow emanating from her body, hair, and clothes, which spans out behind her creating a rainbow across the sky.

Iris (Fantasia)
Fantasia is a feast for the eyes and ears, celebrating classical musical and the wonders of animation. During the fifth segment of the film, set to Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, we witness a celebration of mythological creatures and gods joining together in festivity—only for their fun to be interrupted by Zeus, who summons a storm and thunderbolts to ruin their fun. But there’s one thing we know for sure—after a rainstorm, there must be a rainbow! That’s where Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, comes in and appears to light up the sky with the beautiful colors that seem to emanate from her body, returning the joy and festivity to the valley below.

Rainbow Caverns (Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland, Disneyland)
Disneyland’s Frontierland is home to the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness—but once upon a time, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad wasn’t speeding through perilous mines and desert scenery. Instead, guests could take a leisurely ride on Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland. Leaving behind the mining town of Rainbow Ridge, the train would take guests through scenes of wildlife and nature before finally traveling through the dazzling Rainbow Caverns. The caverns featured gorgeous, colorful waterfalls and pools and a version of them can still be seen at the beginning of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, lighting up the caverns with color to this day.

Isabela Madrigal’s Powers (Encanto)
Under the pressure of being the perfect grandchild, Isabela used her powers over plants to only make beautiful flowers bloom—until one day, while in an argument with her sister, Mirabel, she discovered that she could create so much more when she removed the pressure for perfection from her work. This results in a joyful display of her control over plants during the song “What Else Can I Do?” Petals and powder go flying, spreading a rainbow of color all over Casita—and Isabela’s dress. While it is no longer considered “perfect” by the standards she previously held herself to, Isabela’s dress is now covered in the rainbow of colors she herself can create with her new control over her powers.

World of Color at Disney California Adventure park, featuring Paradise Bay illuminated by a rainbow of colorfully lit fountains. Behind the bay, the Pixar Pal-Around is illuminated in blues and greens, while Incredicoaster is lit with orange lights. 

World of Color (Disney California Adventure)
The world is a carousel of color—and naturally, you’ll see rainbows rise from Disney California Adventure’s Paradise Bay and into the sky while watching World of Color. The nighttime spectacular, current wowing guests as World of Color – ONE in celebration of Disney’s 100th anniversary, features dazzling projection and lighting effects on 1,200 fountains. If you’ve ever wanted to see the night light up in a rainbow of color, make sure to catch a showing of this can’t-miss experience. Over half a dozen different versions of World of Color have been presented on Paradise Bay, but the one thing that unites them all is the gorgeous rainbows lighting up the water.

In a scene from Inside Out, Rainbow Unicorn, a white unicorn with a rainbow mane, reads a script in the foreground. Behind her, Sadness, Joy, and Bing Bong walk past. Joy and Bing Bong can barely contain their excitement, while Sadness looks at Rainbow Unicorn without much interest.

Rainbow Unicorn (Inside Out)
She’s a star literally from our dreams! You might know her from “Fairy Dream Adventure VII”… or from watching Inside Out, where Rainbow Unicorn serves as the lead actress in many of Riley’s dreams—and who wouldn’t want to dream about such a fabulous unicorn with rainbow flowing locks? …As long as Jangles the Clown doesn’t interrupt your Fairy Dream adventure.

Figment’s Rainbows (Journey Into Imagination and Journey Into Imagination With Figment, EPCOT)
Rainbows have inspired everything from paintings to songs—perhaps, you could say, they spark our imaginations? Dreamfinder and his pal Figment would certainly agree, as Figment himself creates a rainbow in the original Journey Into Imagination attraction at EPCOT, during a segment of the attraction celebrating the joys of artistic creation. Fans of the original attraction may also recall the Rainbow Corridor inside the ImageWorks play area. Guests could walk through a tunnel of colored lights that cycled through the colors of the rainbow.

The current iteration of the attraction also features an artistic Figment sharing the colors of the rainbow—this time, Figment uses a paint bottle to create a sparkling rainbow that spans across the finale of the attraction.

A green boat sails under a bright, sparkling rainbow that has spread across the sky. In the foreground, merpeople float in the water, waving goodbye to Ariel and Prince Eric, who can be faintly seen waving from the balcony of the boat.

King Triton’s Rainbow (The Little Mermaid)
Gifted human legs by her father, King Triton, Ariel is finally able to live out her dreams of exploring the human world and marrying Prince Eric. King Triton uses his powers to cast a rainbow across the sky as her mermaid friends and family wave goodbye to the adventurous princess, creating a visually stunning ending to the 1989 animated classic.

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

By Courtney Potter

There’s always so much to enjoy from around the worlds of Disney—but we’ve chosen just a smattering of delights to populate your viewing calendar with this weekend. Pop some corn (or whip up another preferred snack) and take in the big Disney+ debut of Avatar: The Way of Water; the premieres of the new animated series Hailey’s On It! and the Eva Longoria-directed film Flamin’ Hot; and so much more…

In an image from Avatar: The Way of Water, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) are facing each other and talking. Behind them are the rest of their family, inside a tent-type structure. It appears to be nighttime, and Jake and Neytiri’s conversation appears serious; Neytiri is grabbing Jake’s arm, and there is a firearm resting on a rock in front of him.

Avatar: The Way of Water—now streaming on Disney+
After a historic theatrical run, James Cameron’s worldwide phenomenon Avatar: The Way of Water debuted earlier this week on Disney+ with cool bonus content featuring filmmakers, cast, and crew. Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, 20th Century Studios’ Avatar: The Way of Water launches the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids): the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure. Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, and Kate Winslet, with Britain Dalton, Jamie Flatters, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Bailey Bass, and Jack Champion.

In an image from Disney Channel’s Hailey’s On It!, Hailey (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) and Scott (voiced by Manny Jacinto) are sitting on the roof of a house; Hailey is holding up a book with an inscription on the cover that says “My Big List of Things I’m Totally Gonna Do.” In front of them is a tray table full of snacks. Hailey is wearing big red glasses and overalls; Scott is wearing a green T-shirt and jeans.

Hailey’s On It!— now streaming on Disney+
This new animated series premiered with two back-to-back episodes Thursday on Disney Channel and Disney XD, then joined the Disney+ family today. Auli’i Cravalho (Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana) lends her voice to Hailey, a risk-averse but resourceful teenager on a mission to complete every item on her long list of challenging—and sometimes impractical—tasks to save the world. (Yes, really!) Also starring Manny Jacinto as the voice of Scott, Hailey’s best friend, and Gary Anthony Williams as the voice of Beta, an artificially intelligent operating system from the future. Set in Oceanside, California, the series follows Hailey as she’s pushed outside her comfort zone to discover the greatness that lies within. Whether she’s tackling every ride at the county fair, performing in a musical, reuniting a singing duo, or facing her ever-growing and complicated feelings toward her BFF, Hailey is always encountering new challenges―and more opportunities to conquer her fears.

In a promotional image for Mickey Mouse Funhouse, the enchanted talking playhouse Funny (voiced by Harvey Guillén) is seen in a forest setting, and Mickey Mouse (voiced by Bret Iwan) is standing to their left, looking up at them. Trees surround Funny on either side, and there is a path leading up to Funny’s front door.

Mickey Mouse Funhouse—Friday, June 9, at 7:30 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel and 12 p.m. EDT on Disney Junior
This fun new episode’s two stories include “HALT, Tiger!”: On Shadow Mountain in the Land of Myth and Legend, Mickey and friends meet Cho Sook, a mythical Korean shapeshifter (guest star Jee Young Han [Perry Mason] provides the voice of Cho Sook, a Korean gumiho—or folktale creature)… and “You Gotta Be Kitten Me!”: Daisy and Minnie help Thalia overcome her fear of cats (guest star Yasmine Al Massri [Quantico] provides the voice of Bast, an Egyptian cat-like statue).

In an image from Flamin’ Hot, Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia) stands next to a shelving unit full of bags of Frito Lay chips inside a grocery store. There is a hand trolley near him, and he’s wearing a shirt with a Frito Lay logo patch on it.

Flamin’ Hot—premieres Friday, June 9, on Hulu and Disney+
Helmed by Eva Longoria, in her directorial debut, Flamin’ Hot is the inspiring story of Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia), the Frito Lay janitor who channeled his Mexican American heritage and upbringing to turn the iconic Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into a snack that disrupted the food industry and became a global pop culture phenomenon. The film also stars Annie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert, Emilio Rivera, Tony Shalhoub, Matt Walsh, Pepe Serna, Bobby Soto, Jimmy Gonzales, Brice Gonzalez, Vanessa Martinez, Fabian Alomar, Mario Ponce, and Hunter Jones.

The cast of Disney Channel’s Raven’s Home, in a promotional image from the series. From left to right are Mykal-Michelle Harris as Alice, Emmy Liu-Wang as Ivy, Felix Avitia as Neil, Raven-Symoné as Raven Baxter, Rondell Sheridan as Victor Baxter, and Issac Ryan Brown as Booker Baxter-Carter. They’re seated or (in Raven’s case) standing in front of a picture window in a living room, and they’re all smiling at the camera.

Raven’s Home—Sunday, June 11, at 8 p.m. EDT on Disney Channel
In a new episode entitled “Ain’t That a Sidekick in the Head,” Booker (Issac Ryan Brown) and Neil (Felix Avitia) volunteer at the hospital. Hijinks will, no doubt, ensue. The series also stars Raven-Symoné, Rondell Sheridan, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Emmy Liu-Wang, Ernie Grunwald, and Juliana Joel.

Be Bold, Be Animated, and Celebrate All Things Pixar

Pixar is known for creating dazzling, compelling, heartfelt stories that speak to audiences of all ages. Fans love the films for their celebration of friendship, humor, creativity, innovation, authenticity, and emotions that reflect our own personal experiences... all through the lens of Pixar’s memorable characters and stories.

Now’s your chance to live life like a Pixar character, filling every moment with adventure, humor, and heart. This is your story to tell. Be bold. Be animated. There's no better way to tell your own story in the most creative way possible than through the clothes you wear and the way you play.

The cover of the book The Art of Elemental, which features a bright and colorful piece of concept art of a street in Element City. Wade—a water person—and Ember—a fire person— are walking on the sidewalk with smiles on their faces.

Art of Elemental
Excited to discover the world of Disney and Pixar’s Elemental? Explore more with The Art of Elemental, where you can learn more about character designs, storyboards, and color scripts, and read exclusive interviews from the creative team along with fun behind-the-scenes details. Or make your own story with the Pixar Storytellers – Elemental figure set.

A bag and wallet designed to resemble Nemo, an orange clown fish. Next to it are two bags and a wallet, all featuring stylized art of Nemo, Marlin, Dory, and Crush swimming in the ocean. All the bags sit on top of some wooden poles at the beach.

Loungefly
Maybe you’re more interested in showcasing your unique style while you’re out and about? The Loungefly Finding Nemo 20th Anniversary Collection or Wall-E collection are eye catching along with the Corkcicle Stainless Steel Cups featuring Toy Story’s Buzz and Woody. Or you could even brighten up a room with the Cuutopia Nemo Bundles.

Of course, you must always make time for play! Check out the Cars Dino Playground Set along with Cars Stunt Ivy for the next time you’re feeling adventurous, or create your own adventure with Toy Story Action Chop Buzz, Roarin’ Laughs Rex and Roundup Woody.

Bo Peep, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and Woody all wear racing uniforms while standing in front of two racecars, colored like Buzz and Woody. Text above the characters says, “Season 02: To Infinity and Beyond.”

Disney Speedstorm
You can also race on an out-of-this-world track inspired by Andy's room from the Toy Story films with Disney Speedstorm starting June 13... or keep adding to their collection of Platinum Emojis while commemorating Disney’s 100th Anniversary and celebrating all things Pixar in this month’s Token Quest with Disney Emoji Blitz.

There’s so much to explore—and so many ways to showcase your own Pixar style in a totally unique way! These are just a few of the incredible options available; find more Pixar products at shopDisney, Amazon, Walmart and Target.

Unleashing Super-Hero Style with Marvel x TF Designer Hila Klein

By Sarah Sterling

Hila Klein was motivated to create her streetwear brand, Teddy Fresh, in 2017 when she noticed a lack of vibrancy, innovation, and childlike wonder in the fashion space. Since, she has been disrupting the industry and building a strong community through her bold designs that focus on nostalgia, imagination, and the eclectic. D23 sat down with the artist, podcast host, and mother of two as she prepared to launch Teddy Fresh’s first Disney licensed collection, Marvel x TF. Below, Klein discusses her creative design process, what Marvel means to her and her fanbase, and the magic of seeing Disneyland through her sons’ eyes.

D23: What was the process of creating this collection? When did you start and what standout moments did you experience along the way?
Hila Klein (HK): We work to a 12-month calendar, so we started work on the TF x Marvel collaboration back in June 2022. The Marvel back catalog is really extensive, so our first step was scouring through the Marvel archive and selecting characters and stories which really resonated with us and the rest of the Teddy Fresh team; there were definitely some office favorites we absolutely had to include! There were lots of discussions around who everybody’s top characters are and all the feelings of nostalgia they bring up. We selected a catalog that includes original vintage comic book scans and some of the most iconic artwork we felt would really resonate with the TF and Marvel audience. It was really hard to narrow down our choices!

We really wanted to experiment with some fun dye and print techniques in this collection. Receiving samples back from our suppliers is always one of the most exciting parts of the process, so seeing pieces like the half tie dyed, half dip-dyed Spider-Man hoodie come in and realize our vision was one of those moments that stands out in my mind. We’ve also introduced UV reactive pieces into this collection, which is the first time we’ve used this technique at Teddy Fresh. The pieces totally transform in sunlight, really bringing the characters to life and is such a cool novelty.

D23: Which characters, visuals, or iconography were you excited to include in this collection?
HK: Certain characters like Spider-Man are such comic cultural icons for so many generations of people that we knew we had to include them within pieces in the collection. Most people will have some memory of Spider-Man in his iconic costume and various guises in their childhood repertoire, be it from comic books, films, or television, and he encompasses a real feeling of nostalgia and classic good-guy energy. Spider-Man visuals are amongst the most colorful and playful in the Marvel universe and we have celebrated these in pieces such as our TF x Marvel Spiderman Comic Tee, which features two full scale comic prints on the front and back of the shirt.

We wanted there to be something in the collection that would appeal to each Marvel fan. Most of the styles are unisex, and we wanted to feature as many characters as we could within this capsule. So, alongside the super iconic Spider-Man, Hulk, and Wolverine, we also have styles featuring the darker—but just as beloved—Venom, Loki, and Doctor Strange. As a female-owned company with a majority female team, we really wanted to give some space to the female Marvel characters, so we have a few pieces featuring She-Hulk as well as Scarlet Witch.

D23: Do you have a favorite item in the collection?
HK: It’s so hard to choose, but some styles I can’t wait to wear are the Venom Slip Dress and the Marvel Hero Acid Wash Jacket. The Venom Slip Dress is a brand-new shape for Teddy Fresh and is digitally printed heavy satin; it is really versatile and will look so good layered over a tee with chunky boots. I love how bold the Venom art is on the front and the juxtaposition of this graphic on a traditionally feminine silhouette. The Marvel Hero Acid Wash Jacket has a really intense acid wash, giving it a vintage look and feel, and this works so well with the characters printed in one color. It features some of our favorite Marvel characters and has co-ord wide leg pants for a comic take on the Canadian tuxedo.

D23: What is it about Marvel stories and themes that inspire you?
HK: Marvel characters are complex and multidimensional with flaws and struggles just like us, which make them relatable and human, but the stories also take us to alternative universes and battles between good and evil, which open ups a world of imagination and gives much needed escapism from the mundanity of real life. The stories often reflect real-world issues and conflicts, allowing for commentary, discussion, and a real sense of community amongst fans, which is so important for Teddy Fresh and H3 [podcast] fans alike. They are compelling and thought-provoking and have the ability to inspire audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

D23: If you could design clothes for any Marvel hero, who would you want to work with?
HK: I would be interested in designing clothes for Venom, since it’s technically a symbiote that attaches to hosts. I think it’s really cool that Venom has the capability to evolve and change as it gains life experience and intelligence. Naturally, this would lend to a fun design challenge; as Venom changes over time, so would Venom’s style and perspective. Venom also has had such an interesting story arc, being introduced as a true villain and eventually evolving into an anti-hero with the occasional good intention, which is a duality I love. The dark aesthetic of Venom’s character has always had an allure to me as well and would be fun to try to design for, especially considering my natural inclination has always been towards bright and bold color palettes. It would be interesting to see if I could get Venom to wear some color, actually!

D23: While you have a talented team of artists, you often create designs on your own. How have you developed your personal art style and where do you find inspiration?
HK: I get inspiration from so many places but will often look to vintage children’s books and clothing when I start a project. I am constantly on the lookout for vintage children’s clothes, which have the most fun graphics and trims, and I’m always adding to my archive of these pieces. Often, I will sit with my sketch books and just see what comes naturally. This can start with a funny phrase or idea, which will then spark a whole direction of shapes, graphics, and illustrations. In the past I had more time to really get creative and spend lots of time on sketching and working through ideas, but as a mom and owner of a growing business, I now have to really carve out the time to work on my art and illustration so find that I approach it with a really focused mindset and direction.

D23: Is there a Marvel character you personally relate to?
HK: Shockingly, I think I relate the most to The Hulk. I may not have an uncontrollable rage as he does, but I have so much raw creative energy that it’s a little overwhelming at times. It feels like it takes over and becomes the only thing I can focus on until I can make the idea I have come to fruition. The uncontrollable urge and intrinsic need to create feels similar in that it’s a necessary part of my being, just as The Hulk is an integral part of Bruce, but trying to balance those two things can be a challenge despite it being inherent and unavoidable. Having Teddy Fresh as a creative outlet, along with such a talented team of people to help bring these ideas to fruition has been a great way to channel that energy into something tangible and fulfilling.

D23: Teddy Fresh has collaborated with huge partners, including Disney Legend Elton John! What would be your next dream collaboration with a Disney franchise?
HK: We generally gravitate towards franchises and themes that feel nostalgic, so I think it would be interesting to do a collaboration based on one of the older and more classic Disney movies: Fantasia. The various creative vignettes, colorful characters, and overall world-building within each short was always so dreamy and inspiring to me. Ideally, when we’re choosing a collaboration, we want to choose something that doesn’t just inspire a shirt design or two; we want to be inspired to create an entire expansive collection. Fantasia has so many incredible themes, color palettes, and characters to choose from and reimagine that I think it would be a really special and exciting collaboration.

D23: What Disney memories have you made with your family? Do you have a favorite Disney memory?
HK: Every year we take a full family trip to Disneyland! It’s become a tradition for us, and the best part is truly the entire family is engaged—from the youngest to the oldest members of our family. This year, [my son] Teddy actually gets to celebrate his birthday there, and it’ll be [my son] Bruce’s first time visiting Disneyland. So, though I have plenty of favorite Disney memories over the years, I have a feeling we’ll be making more favorite memories during this particular visit. Getting to see Disney through the eyes of my boys is a unique and heartwarming experience, so I’m really looking forward to this next visit.

The Marvel x TF collection is available now on Teddy Fresh. Marvel fans, don’t wait too long or these pieces will sell out before you have a chance to super-power your style!