Icons of Disney Storytelling: Rob Marshall

By Zach Johnson

In this special series of intimate interviews, D23.com speaks with the most talented, prolific, and articulate storytellers from across The Walt Disney Company.

Much like Ariel, Rob Marshall wants to be where the people are—and he wants to see ’em dancing! The visionary film director and choreographer has been making Disney magic for decades, telling the stories of pirates, bakers, witches, nannies, and others. Now, he’s putting the finishing touches on The Little Mermaid, a live-action reimagining of Disney’s Oscar®-winning animated musical classic, swimming into theaters on May 26.

Marshall’s career with Disney began in 1997, when he choreographed Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderellafor The Wonderful World of Disney on ABC. Fourteen years later, he directed Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth chapter in the swashbuckling film series starring Disney Legend Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow.

For his next act, Marshall wanted something more than life, more than jewels: he wanted to direct a live-action adaptation of the Broadway stage musical Into the Woods (2014)! A man of many talents, Marshall also produced and choreographed the film, which put a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Depp joined Marshall for another adventure, as did Meryl Streep, James Corden, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Lilla Crawford, Daniel Huttlestone, Billy Magnussen, MacKenzie Mauzy, and Tracey Ullman. Marshall then took a stroll down Cherry Tree Lane with Mary Poppins Returns (2018), a sequel to the 1964 film, featuring original music by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The director, producer, and choreographer called upon Blunt and Streep to portray the magical nanny and her eccentric cousin, respectively. Disney Legend Dick Van Dyke, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Colin Firth, Emily Mortimer, Angela Lansbury, Ben Whishaw, Julie Walters, Nathanael Saleh, Pixie Davies, and Joel Dawson rounded out the film’s cast.

Although Marshall is deep into post-production on The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, the six-time Tony® Award nominee, Academy Award® nominee, Golden Globe®nominee, and four-time Emmy® Award winner carved out some time to join D23: The Official Disney Fan Club for a wide-ranging Q&A...

In this production still from Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Disney Legend Johnny Depp, as Captain Jack Sparrow, and Penelopé Cruz, as Angelica, wade through waist-high water. The two pirates are surrounded by low-hanging trees and vines.

D23: You’ve been part of the Disney family since the late 1990s. What makes The Walt Disney Company the perfect home for the kinds of stories you like to tell as a filmmaker?
Rob Marshall (RM): That’s a great question. There are so few studios where you can actually make these incredibly epic musicals that have so many elements involved. It’s very rare that a company can support something like that. I grew up on the big movie musicals of my generation, like My Fair Lady and Mary Poppins, and they were very important to me not only as a filmmaker, but as an audience member. They inspired me so much. We know how expensive movies are and how hard they are to make, and what’s incredible is that Disney supports that kind of filmmaking. They give you the tools to make something special, which is very unusual. My creative partner, John DeLuca, and I feel like we have a wonderful home at Disney, where they trust us to do the work. I feel such great respect for them; they let us do our thing in order to make the films we love.

D23: How has the legacy of Disney storytelling impacted your own work?
RM: Well, Mary Poppins was the first film I ever saw as a child, and it opened up my eyes to this incredible way of seeing a film. Really, all of the Disney films have meant so much to me throughout my life. For me, personally, there was a very big movie musical called The Happiest Millionaire. Bedknobs and Broomstickswas huge for me, too. Those are the kinds of movies you keep returning to; it’s not like you just watch them once and never see them again. They change your life. They fill your life with everything a great movie musical can: it can bring you emotion, it can bring you joy, it can bring you beauty. In a way, this great American form of the movie musical can lift you in a way nothing else can. I’ve been fortunate to be with Disney, working on these incredible films, for over 10 years.

In this production still from Into the Woods, Lilla Crawford, as Little Red Riding Hood, skips along a dirt path while wearing a red cloak and carrying a picnic basket. A quaint valley village is behind her, surrounded by lush trees. In front of her is a canopy.

D23: From the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise to The Little Mermaid, what makes you want to work for Disney time and again? How was your experience evolved or improved?
RM: I have great partners at Disney whom I’ve known for a long time. Alan Bergman [Co-Chairman, Disney Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company] has been here the entire time I’ve been there. Sean Bailey [President, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production] and I started literally on the same day; the day I started on Pirates, he started with the company, so we’ve been collaborating together from the very beginning. When you have partnerships like that, where you trust each other, that’s a big deal—especially on a bigger movie. People always ask me, “Do you feel a great responsibility making these big movies?” I’ve never actually felt the pressure—ever—making these films. I feel it’s the opposite: I have support as opposed to pressure. I always feel like I’m being lifted up by Disney letting me do my work: dreaming and imagining what the movie can be. They’ve always given me great security. I’ve worked at other companies, and the reason I’ve stayed and continued to work here is because I feel that incredible trust and support.

D23: How does a film like The Little Mermaid align with the stories you want to tell?
RM: All the movies I’ve worked on need to have this central core of humanity. The majority of them are about people who are looking for something, either within themselves or out in the world. That’s hopeful and that’s something people can aspire to. I connect with all of the stories I’ve worked on, and The Little Mermaid is very much about someone who feels like an outsider, who feels displaced, who doesn’t feel like she belongs. The fact that Ariel wants to break down the barriers between herself and this other world is very meaningful to me. The contemporary theme of not wanting to be afraid of the “other”—which is really what she wants—feels very much like an antidote to the world’s divisions right now. It’s also a very strong reminder that, really, we’re all one.

In a production still from Mary Poppins Returns, Lin-Manuel Miranda, as Jack, lifts a torch into the air and wraps an arm and a leg around a lamppost. He is surrounded by three actors portraying the Banks children and a dozen lamplighters, who are holding torches. Emily Blunt, as Mary Poppins, looks up at Jack as she holds onto his lamppost.

D23: What’s been the most rewarding part of directing The Little Mermaid?
RM: The Little Mermaid took me four and a half years to create; it’s the most challenging film I’ve ever done by far. Before creating this underwater musical, I thought to myself, “How am I going to do this?” So, it was an incredible mountain to climb, but there is this very strong, beautiful message about connecting with others and trying to break down walls. One young girl is strong enough to find the power within herself to do that. That was very moving to me—and it continues to be. I’m excited to share that with the world.

D23: How has Disney enabled you to work with other artisans, craftspeople, and storytellers to keep telling new and reimagined stories in exciting and innovative ways?
RM: I’ve actually worked pretty much consistently with the same people over the years, because I got very lucky right off the bat with Chicago. In fact, I have the exact same design team I had on Chicago 21 years ago that I have on The Little Mermaid. I have John Myhre, the wonderful production designer; Dion Beebe, the wonderful DP [director of photography] and cinematographer; Colleen Atwood, the amazing costume designer; and, of course, John DeLuca, my producing partner. I have a core group of people that I’ve worked with over the years. We developed this synchronicity. We speak the same language. When you’re doing something as massive as this, I need them. I went to all of them and said, “I really need all of you with me because it’s so complicated. Every moment of this film needs to be designed in advance. It will require a lot of cutting-edge technology to make this work—including technology that’s never been used before.” This film has definitely been a labor of love, but Disney has given me this wonderful playground and set the table for me to be able to work with the best artists in the world.

In a production still from The Little Mermaid, Halle Bailey, as Ariel, sits on a rock underwater. She has red dreadlocks, a turquoise tail, and wears a purple bandeau top.

D23: How would you summarize your entire experience working with Disney?
RM: It’s everything I could have imagined and more. Some years ago, I was choreographing on Broadway. We had some friends over, and somebody said, “We’re going to go around the circle, and you have to pick your dream job.” Now, I had never, ever thought of directing on film—ever. When they got to me, I said, “Well, my dream job would be to direct movies for Disney.” The crazy thing is... it came true! This is such a wonderful company because they really support artists. I’ve only experienced them saying, “Make it yours. Make it different. Bring life to it. Find the story that you want to tell.” To be encouraged to do that from the very moment I started working, it’s been so creatively satisfying for me, personally. It’s a rare place where you actually get to do these kind of movies, which are so still so few and far between, because they are expensive and complicated to create. It involves a lot of time and effort. The fact that I’ve been given this wonderful opportunity to be here all these years has been the greatest gift of my life.

5 Magical Disney Moments from The Oscars®

By Zach Johnson

The magic of the movies was in full effect during The Oscars® on Sunday. The ABC broadcast was filled with memorable moments, including many that were distinctly Disney. From a history-making win to first looks at what’s ahead for The Walt Disney Company, it was a night movie fans will no doubt be buzzing about for some time!

Now, join us in reliving the magic as we recount five Disney moments from the show.

From left to right, Avatar: The Way of Water’s Eric Saindon, Richard Baneham, Daniel Barrett, and Joe Letteri stand onstage to accept their Best Visual Effects Oscars.

1. The Walt Disney Company Wins Two Academy Awards®

Ruth E. Carter won Best Costume Design for Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, four years after she became the first Black costume designer to win an Oscar, for Black Panther. In doing so, Carter became the first Black woman to win two Oscars. “Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the superhero that is a Black woman,” Carter said. “She endures, she loves, she overcomes, she is every woman in this film.”

Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel Barrett received the Best Visual Effects award for 20th Century Studios’ Avatar: The Way of Water. While giving his acceptance speech, Baneham thanked filmmaker James Cameron, “whose artistic thumbprint is on every part of this,” and producer Jon Landau, “who is the engine [that] drove us forward.” He also thanked entire VFX team who worked on the movie.

2. The Walt Disney Company Debuts Four Trailers

During the telecast, The Little Mermaid stars Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy debuted a fin-tastic trailer for the live-action reimagining of Disney’s animated musical classic. Opening exclusively in theaters on May 26, 2023, The Little Mermaid is directed by Oscar nominee Rob Marshall. In addition to Bailey as Ariel and McCarthy as Ursula, the cast includes Jonah Hauer-King, Tony Award® winner Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Noma Dumezweni, and Art Malik, with Javier Bardem.

The sneak peeks didn’t stop there, as Hulu shared a brand-new look at Season 3 of the Emmy® Award-winning series Only Murders in the Building. Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd are joining Disney Legend Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, who play true crime-obsessed neighbors who suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one.

FX also debuted the teaser for The Bear Season 2, streaming this June, only on Hulu. As the young chef Carmy (Emmy Award-winner Jeremy Alan White) fights to transform both The Original Beef of Chicagoland and himself, he works alongside a rough-around-the-edges kitchen crew that ultimately reveal themselves as his chosen family.

Last but not least, Disney Branded Television and 20th Television shared a new TV spot for American Born Chinese, an Original series streaming May 24, only on Disney+. Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang, American Born Chinese tells the story of Jin Wang (Ben Wang), an average teenager juggling his high school social life with his home life. When he meets a new foreign student (Jim Liu) on the first day of the school year, even more worlds collide as Jin is unwittingly entangled in a battle of Chinese mythological gods. The genre-hopping action-comedy’s cast includes Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, and nominee Stephanie Hsu.

Rihanna wears black leather gloves, diamond jewelry, and a black, bedazzled ensemble. Rihanna smiles as she performs the song “Lift Me Up” at the Oscars while standing in a bed of dried grass. She is surrounded by musicians and backup singers.

3. Rihanna Lifts the Audience Up

Following a moving introduction by Danai Gurira, who plays Okoye in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, first-time nominee Rihanna performed “Lift Me Up” from the film’s soundtrack. With music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Ludwig Göransson, and lyrics by Tems and Coogler, “Lift Me Up” was nominated for Best Original Song.

Emily Blunt, wearing a strapless white dress, reads the winner of Best Animated Feature Film. Dwayne Johnson, wearing a blush silk blazer, stands to her left.

4. Crossovers and Reunions Abound

It was a moment we’d all been waiting for: the amazing, the colossal, the stupendous… costars of Disney’s Jungle Cruise, reunited! Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson joined forces to present the award for Best Animated Feature Film.

Theirs wasn’t the only Disney reunion of the night, however! We entered our own “multiverse of madness” when Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness star Elizabeth Olsen presented the awards for Best Documentary Short Film and Best Animated Short Film alongside Star Wars: The Mandalorian star Pedro Pascal. Later that night, Avatar: The Way of Water’s Zoe Saldaña and Sigourney Weaverpresented the award for Best Film Editing, and Harrison Ford presented the award for Best Picture, reuniting him with Quan, his costar in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Left Image: Harrison Ford (left) embraces Ke Huy Quan (right) at the Oscars. They are both wearing tuxedos and smiling as Ford hands Quan his gold Oscar statue. Middle Image: Florence Pugh (left) and Andrew Garfield (right) announce the winner for Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars. Pugh is wearing a strapless gray dress and black shorts. Garfield is wearing a black tuxedo, a white shirt, and a bowtie. Right Image: Elizabeth Olsen (left) and Pedro Pascal (right) present at the Oscars. She is wearing a black dress and he is wearing a black suit and a white shirt.

Stars from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe teamed up to present awards throughout the night. Spider-Man: Homecoming’s Jennifer Connelly and Samuel L. Jackson presented Best Makeup and Hairstyling; Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s Michael B. Jordan and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’s Jonathan Majors presented Best Cinematography; and Spider-Man: No Way Home’s Andrew Garfield and Black Widow’s Florence Pugh presented Best Original and Adapted Screenplays.

5. Disney Legends Remembered

Following an introduction by Oscar nominee John Travolta, Grammy® Award-winner Lenny Kravitz took the stage at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood to deliver a stirring “In Memoriam” performance of “Calling All Angels.” The segment honored the actors, artists, craftspeople, and filmmakers whom we lost in the past year. Two Disney Legends, Angela Lansbury and Burny Mattinson, were spotlighted during the telecast.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

Get ready for a rockin’ week with brand-new content coming to your TV (and assorted streaming devices). On Monday, meet The Good Lawyer in a special crossover episode of The Good Doctor, airing on ABC. Hit the ice Tuesday with the simulcast broadcast of the NHL Big City Greens Classic across Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD, and ESPN+. Season 2 of Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts debuts Wednesday on Disney+, and Freeform’s Good Trouble kicks off Season 5 Thursday. Cap off the week with the premiere of Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming, with Dave Letterman Friday, exclusively on Disney+.

In a scene from an episode of The Good Doctor actor Kennedy McMann cross-examines actor Freddie Highmore in a courtroom.

The Good Doctor—Monday, March 13, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
Introducing… The Good Lawyer. In the embedded pilot episode of the new ABC drama series, Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) seeks legal representation to help him win a case and puts his faith in a promising young lawyer who has obsessive compulsive disorder. The episode guest stars Kennedy McMann as Joni DeGroot, the brilliant, funny, and self-aware lawyer who is relatively new to her prestigious law firm when she takes Shaun’s case. Felicity Huffman plays Janet Stewart, a highly regarded attorney and partner at the law firm with a fierce intellect and dry wit. The episode will be available to stream the next day on Hulu.

Logos for the New York Rangers, Disney series Big City Greens, and the Washington Capitals on a white background with an asymmetrical border.

NHL Big City Greens Classic—Tuesday, March 14, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD, and ESPN+
Prepare to see the Greens lace up their skates for the NHL Big City Greens Classic! ESPN, Disney Channel, and the NHL are teaming up to bring fans the NHL Big City Greens Classic, the first-ever live, animated NHL game telecast, featuring the Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers. The alternate presentation of the game will feature live volumetric animation of players and teams modeled after characters on Big City Greens. Plus, all your favorite characters, including Cricket and Tilly, are getting in on all the fun!

In a scene from an episode of Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts, Disney Legend Robin Roberts talks to actors Sheryl Lee Ralph, Marsai Martin, and Brooke Shields, who all sit in separate armchairs.

Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts—Wednesday, March 15, on Disney+
Disney Legend Robin Roberts returns for another season of intimate conversations with multiple generations of Hollywood’s most inspiring women. This season’s wide-ranging guests include Brooke Shields, Chloe Kim, Chrissy Metz, Dionne Warwick, Hayley Kiyoko, Kelly Osbourne, Kyla Pratt, Loni Love, Marsai Martin, Rita Wilson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Yaya DaCosta. Listen to never-before-heard stories of how these trailblazers learned grace, found fulfillment, conquered certainty, embraced community, and more. All episodes are available to stream at launch.

In a scene from an episode of Good Trouble, actors Tommy Martinez, Priscilla Quintana, Sherry Cola, Zuri Adele, and Kara Wang gather around a baby’s car seat.

Good Trouble—Thursday, March 16, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform
The Coterie crew is back! In the Season 5 premiere, the dynamics of the group change after Mariana (Cierra Ramirez), Evan (T.J. Linnard), and Joaquin (Bryan Craig) attempt to escape Silas’ farm. Meanwhile, Davia (Emma Hunton) and Dennis (Josh Pence) bask in the honeymoon phase of their new relationship, while Sumi (Kara Wang) helps Alice (Sherry Cola) find a new gig. Episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu.

In the key art for Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming, with Dave Letterman, musicians Bono and The Edge sing into microphones in blue lighting as comedian Dave Letterman stands in a crowd.

Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming, with Dave Letterman—Friday, March 17, on Disney+
Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville follows comedian and host Dave Letterman on his first visit to Dublin to hang out with Bono and The Edge in their hometown and experience the city. Letterman joins the two U2 musicians for a concert performance unlike any they’ve given before. Viewers will discover the extraordinary relationship between Bono and The Edge and see how it developed across more than 45 years of close friendship to become one of the most remarkable songwriting partnerships in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. The documentary is part concert movie, part travel adventure, plus a whole lot of Bono and The Edge, with Letterman’s humor throughout.

DOWNLOADABLE: Share Your Ultimate Fandom with Exclusive D23 Member Appreciation Phone Wallpapers

By Cammie Fournier

This month, we’re celebrating the best Disney fans in the world... Spoiler alert: We mean YOU! We know that as a D23 Member, you’re the ultimate fan of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel—or maybe Mickey Mouse ice cream bars? Flex your fandom with these all-new downloadable wallpapers themed to the different worlds of Disney, perfect for every occasion—from saving the world to seeing the lights.

The ultimate fan of everything? We’ve got you covered with our exclusive D23 Member Appreciation wallpapers!

Everything You Need to Know About the 95th Oscars®

Time is ticking toward one of the most glamorous nights in Hollywood, where stars will fill the Dolby® Theatre for the 95th Oscars®.

As artists draft their acceptance speeches, we’ve assembled the ultimate guide to The Oscars®, which airs live on Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. This year’s awards show broadcasts from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, with an endless menu of dazzling performances, acclaimed presenters, and—of course—the coveted gold trophies.

From performance lineups to Disney’s celebrations, here’s our roadmap to this year’s Academy Awards®.

How can I watch the Oscars?

The Oscars will air live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET in more than 200 territories. The show will also be streamed on abc.com and on the ABC app; FAQs about availability can be found here.

You can also stream the show with a subscription to Hulu Live TV.

Three headshots of the hosts of Countdown to the Oscars®. On the left is Ashley Graham in a blue turtleneck, then Vanessa Hudgens in center with her hair in a sleek top knot, and Lilly Singh on the right in a yellow-collared shirt and hoop earrings

How and when can I watch the Oscars pre-shows?

Countdown to the Oscars®, the official lead-in to the 95th Oscars, will highlight Oscar nominees, performers, and presenters for the ultimate insider’s sneak peek. Hosting the pre-show is model Ashley Graham, actor Vanessa Hudgens (for her second consecutive year), and multi-hyphenate Lilly Singh. Content creator Reece Feldman will be a backstage correspondent, and Rocsi Diaz will be the correspondent for the Academy’s member viewing party in New York City. The pre-show airs Sunday, March 12, at 6:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Leading into the official pre-show, ABC News will have special coverage with a live Oscars pre-show On The Red Carpet Live: Countdown to Oscars 95®, Sunday, March 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. ET. The pre-show coverage will also stream on ABC News Live starting at 1:30 p.m. ET throughout the day until the start of the Academy Awards.

ABC News Live Prime anchor and World News Tonight weekend anchor Linsey Davis and Good Morning America weekend co-anchor and World News Tonight weekend anchor Whit Johnson will host the red-carpet special, featuring interviews with Oscar nominees. Davis and Johnson will be joined by ABC News correspondent Chris Connelly, ESPN’s Andscape senior entertainment reporter and ABC News contributor Kelley Carter, and Hollywood insiders, including Variety’s Elizabeth Wagmeister and Clayton Davis, and celebrity stylist Joe Zee.

A photo of the Snow White-inspired Oscar statue display inside Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure Park. The statue sits in a glass display behind red velvet ropes with a red curtain backdrop. The one-of-a-kind statue consists of one regular-sized, golden statue with seven tiny statues beside it.

How is Disney Parks celebrating Oscars week? 

Limited-time food and photo ops are available throughout U.S. Disney Parks! At Disneyland Resort, the iconic Snow White-inspired Oscar statue is on display through Monday, March 20. The trophy traveled from The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California, and is now available for photo ops at Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure Park. Another photo op is just beyond the tree branches at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, where a larger-than-life Oscars statue is stationed by a red carpet. The display will be up through Wednesday, March 15.

Limited-time food comes to Hollywood Land in Disney California Adventure Park from Friday, March 10, to Sunday, March 12. Guests can choose between three funnel cakes at Award Wieners and then head over to Schmoozies! for a chocolate brownie milkshake, looking dapper with a bow tie for the occasion.

At Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort, the ABC Commissary offers a tropical tart topped with an Oscars chocolate coin while specialty popcorn blends are offered at select carts. These are available through Oscars Sunday, March 12. This year’s photo wall comes to Disney Springs in early March for the perfect picture. Post your photos to social media with the hashtags #DisneySprings and #Oscars.

Who are the nominees? 

The Walt Disney Company received 22 nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the 95th Oscars, including two Best Picture nominations for 20th Century Studios’ Avatar: The Way of Water and Searchlight Pictures’ The Banshees of Inisherin.

In a scene from the film The Banshees of Inisherin, Colin Farrell as Pádraic Súille walks across a vast expanse of rolling green hills. A small black donkey trots beside him.

The Banshees of Inisherin leads with nine nominations, followed by Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with five, and Avatar: The Way of Water with four. Empire of Light, Fire of Love, Le Pupille, and Turning Red each received one nomination.

For a complete list of nominations, visit the Oscars website.

How do I make my predictions?

Play a free game of Oscars Pick ’Em for a chance to win your own prize! The Grand Prize Winner will receive an Oscars All-Star Winner prize package: a three-day/two-night trip for two to Los Angeles and tickets to the 2024 Oscars Watch Party at the Academy Museum. There are also 10 First Prize packs that each include an official Oscars tote, water bottle, notebook, pen, and beanie. Voting locks just before the show on Sunday, March 12. Enter here for your chance to win.

A poster of Jimmy Kimmel, who wears a black suit and bow tie. He clutches an Oscar in his right hand and smiles at the camera, his other hand is tucked into his pocket. The background is bright black and gold.

Who is the Oscars host?

Emmy® Award-winning late-night talk show host and producer Jimmy Kimmel will return to host the Oscars for the third time. Kimmel previously hosted back-to-back broadcasts in 2017 (89th Awards) and 2018 (90th Awards).

“Being invited to host the Oscars for a third time is either a great honor or a trap. Either way, I am grateful to the Academy for asking me so quickly after everyone good said ‘no,” Kimmel joked.

“Having Jimmy Kimmel return to host The Oscars is a dream come true. As we see every night on his own show, Jimmy can handle anything with both heart and humor; and we know that he will deliver the laughs and celebratory moments that define the Oscars,” said Craig Erwich, president, ABC Entertainment, Hulu & Disney Branded Television Streaming Originals.

Who are the Oscars presenters?

The roster includes Riz Ahmed, Emily Blunt, Glenn Close, Jennifer Connelly, Ariana DeBose, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Troy Kotsur, Jonathan Majors, Melissa McCarthy, Janelle Monáe, Deepika Padukone, Questlove, Zoe Saldaña, Donnie Yen, Halle Bailey, Antonio Banderas, Elizabeth Banks, Jessica Chastain, John Cho, Andrew Garfield, Hugh Grant, Danai Gurira, Salma Hayek Pinault, Nicole Kidman, Florence Pugh, Sigourney Weaver, Halle Berry, Paul Dano, Cara Delevingne, Harrison Ford, Kate Hudson, Mindy Kaling, Eva Longoria, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Andie MacDowell, Elizabeth Olsen, Pedro Pascal, and John Travolta.

A photo of Rihanna at the world premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She stands alone and poses for the camera with her hands on her stomach. She wears a shiny taupe dress with matching gloves that extend past her elbows.

Who are the Oscars performers?

Four of the five nominated songs were announced for the awards show. Rihanna will perform “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which marks her first Oscar nomination. Among other performers are Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava with “Naatu Naatu” from RRR, as well as actor/singer Sofia Carson and songwriter Diane Warren (marking her 14th Oscar nomination) with “Applause” from Tell It like a Woman.

Oscar-winning David Byrne, Oscar-nominated actor Stephanie Hsu, and music trio Son Lux will perform “This Is A Life” from Everything Everywhere All at Once. Hsu is nominated for Actress in a Supporting Role and Son Lux is nominated for Original Score for their performances in Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Grammy®-winning musician Lenny Kravitz will deliver the “In Memoriam” performance.

Who makes up the Oscars creative team?

Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner serve as The Oscars executive producers and showrunners, while Rob Paine returns for his 28th year in a new role as co-executive producer. They’re accompanied by producers Raj Kapoor, Sarah Levine Hall, Erin Irwin, and Jennifer Sharron, as well as Taryn Hurd as talent producer.

Rounding out The Oscars team are writers Agathe Panaretos, Dave Boone, and Nefetari Spencer, music director Rickey Minor, and lighting designer Robert Dickinson.

Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest stand together in front of a sparkling black backdrop. Kelly wears a sleek black dress while Seacrest sports a suit and bow tie. Seacrest extends his left hand out as they look slightly off-camera.

How can I watch Oscars post-show coverage?

The morning after, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest will keep the party going with backstage highlights. The Live After Oscar® Show will premiere live from the Dolby Theatre in national syndication on Monday, March 13, at 9 a.m. ET.

Ripa and Seacrest will be the first to chat with this year’s Oscar winners just after their acceptance speeches, collecting all the A-list action for viewers at home. Meanwhile, Emmy-winner Carson Kressley will serve as a special Live correspondent and report from the Oscar Red Carpet. Kressley will join Ripa and Seacrest on Monday morning with news of the previous night’s glamour.

“After two years producing the show bicoastally, we are beyond thrilled to be back on the Oscar stage for one of our absolute favorite shows of the year,” said executive producer Michael Gelman. “Kelly and Ryan and the entire Live team are geared up to deliver that signature Oscar excitement to our millions of viewers at home.”

Embracing the Mess with Onyx Collective’s UnPrisoned

By Andie Hagemann

Sometimes, life is messy—and that is certainly true for Paige Alexander (Kerry Washington) in Onyx Collective’s first scripted series, UnPrisoned.

Inspired by the life of Tracy McMillan, the dramedy follows Paige, a marriage and family therapist and single mom who teeters between being a perfectionist and being a little chaotic. Her life becomes even more complicated when her dad, Edwin (Delroy Lindo), is released from prison and moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).

“This is a show—yes, about mass incarceration—but it’s about a family,” says McMillan, series creator and executive producer. “It’s about a father and a daughter; it’s about a grandfather and a grandson. The work that these people did to bring this family to life is amazing and powerful.”

McMillan, whose father was incarcerated, created the series with the intent to empathize with those affected by mass incarceration—especially families like her own. “People would meet my dad over the years and say, ‘What a nice man,’” she continues. “I’d say, ‘Yeah, just because he spent time in prison, it doesn’t mean that he’s not a good person with a good heart.’”

Washington, who also serves as an executive producer, adds, “We live in the shadow of the prison industrial complex in this country, and when you look at the numbers of people who go through that system, it’s so important that we think about these systems and how they impact families… [With this series], I have an opportunity to explore the impact in a way that’s fun and loving so that people don’t turn away [to the issue].”

In a scene from an episode of UnPrisoned, actors Delroy Lindo, Kerry Washington, Faly Rakotohavana, and Marque Richardson gather around a kitchen island inside a residential home.

The series draws on many aspects of McMillan’s life, even incorporating her hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the neighborhood of Lake Harriet. However, unlike Paige, McMillan didn’t allow her father to move in after his release from prison. “I actually have two rules: don’t ask me for money and you can’t live with me,” she says with a laugh. “[For the series], I thought, ‘What would it have been like to have that healing with him coming to live with me?’”

Of course, McMillan’s effervescent social media presence is also a large part of Paige. The character shares how to cultivate even the most complicated relationships while also divulging updates regarding her own life, no holds barred. Ironically, Paige has quite a bit of healing to do herself, especially with her father back in her life full-time. “You teach what you need to learn,” says McMillan. “This has been the business of my life because of my dad. There were times [during production] where I said, ‘Wow, everybody, thanks for helping me with my therapy.’”

Washington shares that she’s been a longtime fan of McMillan and her work. To prepare for her role as Paige, Washington studied up on the bounty of dynamic social media videos to an extent that jokingly frightened McMillan. “I remember the first time that I filmed one of those straight‑to‑camera talks, Tracy said, ‘What am I watching? This is so freaky,’” she says.

In a scene from an episode of UnPrisoned, actors Delroy Lindo and Kerry Washington dance on a light-up platform inside a residential home. Lindo wears a black button-down shirt, a white vest, and white pants. Washington wears a silver, one-sleeved, sequin mini dress and silver heels.

For Washington, starring opposite Lindo is a full-circle moment, having been inspired by the acclaimed actor since high school. “Delroy is quite literally one of the reasons that I am an actor today,” she says with a big smile. “When I was in high school, I read The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and we went to see the movie. I watched what [Lindo] did with that character, and it changed my idea of what was possible as an actor.” She adds, “The magic that he created on screen and the arc of that character just really transformed me and was like a lighthouse in developing my craft throughout my career.”

Of course, when it was time to cast Edwin, he was only one man Washington felt was fit for the role. “They said, ‘What if he says no?’” she recalls. “And I said, ‘[I guess] we don’t have a show; there’s one person.’”

Lindo adds, “The way that they communicated to me about how they wanted to approach this work was genuine, authentic, and loving enough that it touched me.”

All eight episodes of UnPrisoned debut Friday, March 10, on Hulu in the U.S. The series will stream on Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ in all other territories.

The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Firebuds’ “Cleft Hood” Episode

By Andie Hagemann

Disney Junior’s Firebuds continues its tradition of inclusivity with the introduction of Castor, a vehicular character born with a cleft hood.

In the episode “Cleft Hood,” Axl (voiced by Lily Sanfelippo) takes it upon herself to track a wee-hicle down and convince him to return to the hospital for his cleft hood surgery. But first, Axl must put herself in Castor’s wheels and imagine what he is going through. Writer Jeremy Shipp was inspired to pitch the episode by his son Henry, who was born with a cleft lip and palate. Henry also makes his acting debut, serving as the voice of Castor.

Prior the episode’s network debut, Disney Branded Television hosted a virtual screening and Q&A with Firebuds creator and executive producer Craig Gerber, Jeremy and Henry Shipp, and Lauren Appelbaum from RespectAbility, who advised on the episode, for a conversation about the importance of onscreen representation.

“My son is very inspiring to me, and it’s not because of his condition,” said Jeremy. “He’s inspiring because of his attitude—and [he’s] a pretty positive kid. I wanted to do a story with a character like him.”

“When we wrote the episode, I did not in my wildest dreams think about my son voicing the part,” Jeremy continued. “At the suggestion of the story editor, I had Henry audition for it.”

In the episode, Castor carries a plush toy car with a cleft hood named Anya. The toy was inspired by Henry’s own toy of the same name—a doll with a cleft that was purchased by his mother when he was 2 years old.

“I felt if we’re putting Castor in there, who takes a page out of Henry’s book, then Anya should be in there, too,” said Jeremy. “I sent the designers a picture of Henry and I believe they got his essence. I then sent a picture of Anya, and the animated stuffy is very similar to the doll.”

Since its debut, Firebuds has introduced several disabled characters, including the recurring character Jazzy (voiced by Lauren “Lolo” Spencer), a young Black girl with spina bifida whose “vroom-mate” is a wheelchair car named Piper (voiced by Sammi Haney). Jazzy is the sister of Jayden (voiced by JeCobi Swain), a main character, and there are several episodes that are centered around her in particular.

“The disabled community is a group that I felt has been underrepresented in the past, so we wanted to address that in Firebuds,” said Gerber. “[In addition to creating new characters] to include more diversity, we also have individual episodes like ‘Cleft Hood.’ Our show involves medical first responders and we thought there was a great opportunity to do a story about someone who has medical issues that required hospital stays.”

He continued, “[We hope] kids watching at home with similar challenges can see themselves reflected onscreen and get a sense of sort of empathy from that.”

The team behind Firebuds collaborates with RespectAbility throughout the entire creative process, from ensuring the language is correct in the script to working with animators on depicting the series’ many different disabled characters. “We provided reference videos for the animators [while working on Jazzy],” said Appelbaum. “She doesn’t always stay in her wheelchair car. Sometimes she sits, or she transfers. Some people might incorrectly assume that someone using a wheelchair is either always in the wheelchair or potentially in a bed.”

RespectAbility also works with the Disney Branded Television Publicity team regarding how to properly promote the episode and/or character and share it with different members of the community.

“We create a good working relationship where the feedback can be ongoing and informative on things that we do in a greater way,” said Gerber.

“Cleft Hood” premieres Friday, March 10, at 11:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and at 1:25 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Junior. The episode will be available to stream on Disney+ Wednesday, March 15.

QUIZ: What Are You the Ultimate Fan of?

By Jessica Benda

Once, the name “Disney” would beckon thoughts of enchanted castles, sprawling forests, and dazzling original songs. That’s certainly still true today, but over the decades, Disney has expanded into iconic galaxies, lush planets, and charmingly snarky Super Heroes.

The Walt Disney Studios includes several beloved collections of storytellers, including Pixar Animation Studios, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, and the ever-classic Walt Disney Animation Studios. Some fans can name every droid in the galaxy, while others can recite their favorite childhood Pixar film word-for-word. Most Disney fans gear up with more than one area of expertise.

Sometimes, we love the Studios so much it’s hard to decide which is our favorite! Based on Stark Industries-approved technology, we’ve engineered the perfect test to find which franchise to which you’re the most devoted.

What are you watching on Disney+?

Which of these could you name the most of?

Which land at a Disney Park are you most excited to visit?

Where’s your dream destination?

Which animal companion would you bring home?

Who’s your favorite alien?

And who’s your favorite princess?

Which character would you most want to see in a spinoff series?

Which upcoming 2023 film are you most looking forward to?

QUIZ: What Are You the Ultimate Fan of?
You’re the ultimate fan of… Walt Disney Animation Studios!

In a still from the animated film The Lion King, Timon the meerkat, Pumbaa the warthog, and Simba the lion strut in a single file line across a mossy log. Waterfalls flow behind them.

Founded by Walt Disney himself, Walt Disney Animation Studios has delivered a portfolio of 61 feature films to date. It has swept us to far-off castles, into historical cities, and past the second star to the right. You can probably name most of the Disney Princesses and know the words to all The Lion King songs. One thing is certain: You love Walt Disney Animation Studios, and you’ll never let it go.
You’re the ultimate fan of… Pixar Animation Studios!

In a still from the animated film Finding Nemo, Marlin the clownfish and Dory the blue tang look mischievously at one another. Marlin, orange with white stripes, looks skeptical while the blue Dory grins with wide eyes. In the cyan ocean, purple coral pokes up beneath them.

Andy’s room! Radiator Springs! P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney! As the studio behind some of our most imaginative films, Pixar is likely the one you love most. It has produced 26 feature films and counting, including such as classics like Finding Nemo and new adventures like Luca. Pixar has grown beyond the screen and into Disney Parks, including Pixar Pier and Cars Land at Disneyland Resort and Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort. But as the ultimate Pixar fan, you probably already knew that.
You’re the ultimate fan of… Marvel Studios!

In a still of Captain America: Civil War, six Super Heroes stand on the concrete and stare up at the sky. Among them are Captain America, the Winter Soldier, Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye, Ant-Man, and the Falcon. They’re all dressed in their fighter gear.

The sprawling Super Hero multiverse is the one for you. You’re the ultimate Marvel fan, and with over three-dozen films and hundreds of characters, that’s saying something! With the recent launch of Phase 5 via Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is constantly expanding. Captain America, Scarlet Witch, and Black Panther are just some of the famous faces to emerge from Marvel Studios.
You’re the ultimate fan of… Lucasfilm!

In Star Wars: A New Hope, Luke, Leia, and Han all stand together in front of a metallic wall. Han is positioned slightly in front of the other two and braces his blaster, while Leia stands in the middle and Luke at the left. They look carefully at something ahead.

The Force is strong with you, or at least with your love for Lucasfilm! It’s most known for the Star Wars franchise, which spans three iconic trilogies and several spinoff films and television series. Starting with Luke, Leia, and Han Solo, this universe brims with tales of space politics and adrenaline-filled adventures. Whether it’s vibrant Coruscant or lush Naboo, piloting an X-wing or the Death Star, you’d give anything to be a part of that galaxy.

Show Off Your Disney Favorites with New D23 Instagram Stickers!

By Sarah Sterling

Member Appreciation Month has begun here at D23: The Official Disney Fan Club—and we have so many goodies in store to celebrate you, the fans that make up our vibrant, passionate community! We love showing off our favorite Disney fandoms and wanted to give you another way to do the same. That’s why we created brand-new GIF stickers available to use on Instagram Stories! There’s something for every kind of Disney fan, whether you love Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios films, or all of the above. Take a peek at what’s available:

These stickers and many more can be found in the GIF section of the Instagram Stories page by searching for “D23”! We can’t wait to see what you create with these stickers. Be sure to tag us (@DisneyD23) so we can celebrate with you all month long!

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

By Andie Hagemann

Lights, camera… marathon! Ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night, binge-watch Academy Award®-nominated films from across The Walt Disney Company. With 22 total nominations, it’s difficult to narrow down this weekend’s itinerary, but here are four suggestions leading into Sunday’s festivities: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Turning Red, Fire of Love, and Le Pupille. Make sure your marathon concludes in time for The Oscars®, airing live Sunday night on ABC!

In a scene from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, actor Angela Bassett stands on a sandy shore and wears a white tunic dress and an ornate silver and white headpiece.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever—Available to Stream on Disney+
The film is nominated for five Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress (Angela Bassett), Best Costume Design (Ruth E. Carter), Best Original Song (“Lift Me Up” from Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, and Ryan Coogler), Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Camille Friend and Joel Harlow), and Best Visual Effects (Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, R. Christopher White, and Dan Sudick).

In the sequel to Marvel Studios’ Black Panther (2018), Queen Ramonda (Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira), and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor, ruler of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena, and Alex Livinalli.

In a scene from Turning Red, a giant red panda screams in a classroom covered in red smoke.

Turning Red—Available to Stream on Disney+
Growing up is a beast! Disney and Pixar’s feature film—nominated for Best Animated Feature Film (Domee Shi and Lindsey Collins)—introduces Mei Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang). She’s a confident yet dorky 13-year-old torn between being a perfect daughter and forging her own path. Her protective, if sometimes overbearing mother, Ming (voiced by Sandra Oh), is never far behind—an unfortunate reality for the teenager. And as if changes to her interests, relationships, and body weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited, she transforms into a giant red panda!

Fire of Love—Available to Stream on Disney+
Katia and Maurice Krafft loved two things—each other and volcanoes. For two decades, the daring French volcanologist couple roamed the planet, chasing eruptions and documenting their discoveries. Ultimately, they lost their lives in a 1991 volcanic explosion, leaving a legacy that forever enriched our knowledge of the natural world. Director Sara Dosa and the filmmaking team celebrate the intrepid scientists’ spirit of adventure, drawing from the Kraffts’ spectacular archive. Nominated for Best Documentary Feature Film, it tells a story of primordial creation and destruction, following two bold explorers as they venture into the unknown, all for the sake of love.

In a scene from Le Pupille, seven children are dressed as angels.

Le Pupille—Available to Stream on Disney+
From writer and director Alice Rohrwacher and Academy Award-winning producer Alfonso Cuarón, Le Pupilleis nominated for Best Live Action Short. It’s a tale of innocence, greed, and fantasy. Set at Christmastime, it follows young girls at a strict religious boarding school who are consumed with their thoughts of desire, freedom, and anarchy. 

Host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel poses with three Oscars statues and leans on a table.

The Oscars—Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC
Grab the popcorn—it’s time to celebrate the year’s biggest films! Award-winning late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel returns to host the 95th Academy Awards for the third time. Who will take home the coveted honor? Tune in to find out. Also, don’t miss live performances from Best Original Song nominees, appearances from your favorite stars, iconic fashion moments, and so much more!