Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Star Janice LeAnn Brown Takes Fans Behind the Scenes of the New Series—and Season 1 Finale

February 28, 2025February 27, 2025

By Cassandra Pinkney

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place star Janice LeAnn Brown says that fans are in for some magical delights as the first season of the series winds down, with its finale airing this Friday, February 28. “Your jaw may drop,” she tells D23. “[Fans] can expect fun, adventure, learning. They can expect some wholesome moments and to just relax and forget about every problem in the world and just watch some magic.”

In the continuation of Wizards of Waverly Place, Brown plays a young wizard named Billie, who she describes as a “rascally little fashionista.” The first season follows Justin Russo (David Henrie) as he leaves his mortal life behind to train Billie and protect the future of the Wizard World, all while dealing with the sticky situations Billie and his children Roman (Alkaio Thiele) and Milo (Max Matenko) find themselves in.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is Brown’s first time playing a TV series regular. She loved Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie (2009) growing up and tells D23 she feels “so honored” to be taking on such an important role in this new series. Her excitement was just one part of the “emotional roller coaster” she was on when she learned she was the series lead. “I put a lot of pressure on myself,” she admits. Her on-screen family, including Wizards of Waverly Place actors David Henrie and Selena Gomez (Alex Russo), helped put things in perspective. “Having such an amazing support system calmed me down and I started trusting myself more. They made it so much fun,” she says. “It was such a blast.”

Brown is no stranger to a Disney production. Before she picked up her wand, Brown appeared in other Disney shows, including Bunk’d (2015-2024) and Just Roll with It (2019-2021). “A Disney set is probably one of the most fun sets to be on,” she says. “There’s always laughter and it’s a very wholesome place to be.”

Brown says her experience on Wizards Beyond Waverly Place taught her a lot about herself and she hopes that her character can grow just as much. “I want her to stop using magic for everything, and really listen and take things in,” she says. “I hope that she can enjoy the mortal world just a little bit, rather than causing chaos everywhere.” Brown also thinks a good place for Billie to start would be to “maybe listen to Justin just once!”

The love that the Russo family has for each other in the original Wizards of Waverly Place makes the new show special and, according to Brown, is felt just as much behind the scenes as it is on-screen. She relates to the way Billie finds her way into the Russo family and hopes that her performance can teach viewers, who also relate to her character, that “love exists and that they don’t have to give up on family.”

In fact, Brown says watching the series together could be an excellent tradition for families, especially for viewers of the original Wizards of Waverly Place who now have younger siblings or children of their own. “It’s a great way to spend time with your family. There are jokes for adults. Jokes for kids. Jokes for teenagers. It’s literally for everyone,” she says.

11 all-new episodes of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, including the Season 1 finale, premiere February 28 on Disney+.

QUIZ: How Much Do You Know About Disney at the Oscars®?

February 26, 2025February 28, 2025

By Cassandra Pinkney

And the Oscar® goes to… Disney!

Disney has a storied history with the Academy Awards®, earning its first statuette over 90 years ago in 1932—and it has remained a fixture of the ceremony ever since. This year, The Walt Disney Company earned 15 nominations and is looking forward to a star-studded evening at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, live on ABC and Hulu.

In preparation for Hollywood’s biggest night, test your knowledge of Disney’s legacy at the Oscars.

Maria Canals-Barrera on the Magic of Reprising Her Beloved Role in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place

February 26, 2025

No need to cast a summoning spell, this iconic Disney mom is back! After more than a decade, Maria Canals-Barrera is returning to her fan-favorite role as Theresa Russo in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. “It felt like we didn’t skip a beat,” she told D23 in an exclusive conversation about reprising her role in the continuation to Wizards of Waverly Place. “It felt like a wonderful opportunity to get to bring [Theresa Russo] back.”

To Canals-Barrera, the continuation captures everything that made the original series so magical. “A lot of talent and heart went into the show. There’s the same commitment to honoring the original show but creating something new that’s very satisfying.” She credits the show’s creative team with much of its success. David Henrie (Justin Russo) and Selena Gomez (Alex Russo) are back as a series regular and guest star, respectively, as well as executive producers. Canals-Barrera says that the creative team’s care for the show allowed them to “create something special.”

A key component of the Wizards of Waverly Place franchise has always been family. The Russo family mantra, “Russos always have each other’s backs,” lives on in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. “Unconditional love is so evident,” Canals-Barrera says about the newest generation of the Russo family, headed by Justin Russo and his wife Giada (Mimi Gianopulos). She is especially thrilled about her character, now a grandmother, sharing this love with the youngest members of the Russo family, Roman (Alkaio Thiele) and Milo (Max Matenko), in addition to Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown), a powerful young wizard who stays with the Russo family to train with Justin.

Playing a mother on-screen in Wizards of Waverly Place and being a mother off-screen, Canals-Barrera can relate to the importance of family. “I use a lot of myself,” she says of playing her character. “Being a good mother is the hardest thing in the world, and it is my goal to be the best mom I can be.” She draws parallels between her own journey of motherhood and the process which her character navigates. “With Teresa, having the limitation of being a mortal and having to deal with her kids having these magical powers was a great challenge,” she says. She expresses a deep fondness for the character of Giada Russo because she, like Theresa, is a mortal mom who deals with the struggles all moms face as well as the troubles that come from having wizards in the family. “I get to meet her where she’s at and love her unconditionally,” she says.

As a Cuban American, she also appreciates that Theresa Russo is “an American mom on an American show” while still celebrating her Latin heritage. “They didn’t put me in a box,” she says of her portrayal. This type of representation feels realistic to Canals-Barrera and audiences alike, as she learned from her daughter. “I remember my daughter saying, ‘Mom, friends at school really love that you’re like their mom.’ That kind of representation really did matter to a lot of young people, even if it’s unspoken.”

Canals-Barrera is as much a fan of the Wizards of Waverly Place franchise as she is a part of it. The continuation, she says, has something for new and old audiences alike, making it perfect for the whole family. “Hop on board! As an OG fan, it’s so satisfying,” she says. “You’re going to love it.”

This episode, along with 11 all-new episodes of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, premieres February 28 on Disney+.

A Complete Guide to the 97th Oscars® on ABC and Hulu

February 26, 2025February 28, 2025

By Zach Johnson

It’s almost time to roll out the red carpet for the 97th Oscars^®.

Before Hollywood’s biggest night, get all the details on this year’s ceremony, from the host and the nominees to the presenters and the performers — in addition to all the pre- and post-awards coverage of the big wins, fabulous fashions, viral moments, and so much more.

When are The Oscars airing?
Held at the Dolby^® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, The Oscars will air live on ABC beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT — and, for the first time, stream live on Hulu. The ceremony will stream on Disney+ internationally and air on broadcast outlets globally.

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How and when can I watch the Oscars pre-shows?
Leading into Oscars weekend, Good Morning America‘s Lara Spencer will be on the ground in Los Angeles Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday with a preview of Oscars preparations, including a sneak peek of The Governor’s Ball (the official Oscars afterparty) with celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. James Longman will join Spencer and GMA’s coverage Friday. Whit Johnson will also be on-site for special segments throughout the weekend. In addition, Good Morning America will mark its 50th anniversary with a look back at its extensive coverage of the Oscars throughout the years, culminating with the GMA Oscar Monday After-Party, broadcast live from both Hollywood and New York City on Monday, March 3.

Countdown to the Oscars with Robin Roberts: A Special Edition of 20/20 will air Friday, February 28, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu. In this primetime special, Disney Legend Robin Roberts interviews Oscar nominees Jesse Eisenberg, Cynthia Erivo, Coralie Fargeat, James Mangold, and others. The special also includes spotlights on nominees Timothée Chalamet, Demi Moore, Mikey Madison, and Zoe Saldaña, among others. Connelly also sits down with O’Brien to find out what the first-time host is planning.

ABC News will present a star-studded pre-show, On The Red Carpet at the Oscars, on Sunday, airing across ABC Owned Television Stations and Affiliates as well as streaming on ABC News Live from 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT until the awards show begins. ABC News’ Linsey Davis, Johnson, and Chris Connelly, along with KABC’s George Pennacchio and Variety‘s Clayton Davis will welcome and interview this year’s Oscar nominees and presenters as they arrive, while KABC meteorologist Leslie Lopez, supermodel Roshumba Williams, and fashion expert Joe Zee will be on site to discuss all the night’s best fashions.

Julianne Hough and Jesse Palmer will host The Oscars Red Carpet Show, the official lead-in to the 97th Oscars, on ABC Sunday, marking Palmer’s inaugural year and Hough’s second consecutive year doing the honors. The 30-minute special will highlight nominees, performers, and presenters, providing a multi-view experience of the red carpet arrivals.

Tune in throughout the week and into Oscars weekend for additional coverage from ABC News Live, ABC News Radio, ABC NewsOne, GMA3: What You Need to Know, Nightline, This Week with George Stephanopoulos, The View, and World News Tonight with David Muir.

Who are this year’s Oscar nominees?
The Walt Disney Company received 15 Oscar nominations across The Walt Disney Studios, content brands, and platforms (Disney+ and Hulu). That includes eight for Searchlight Pictures’ A Complete Unknown, two for Searchlight Pictures’ A Real Pain, one for 20th Century Studios’ Alien: Romulus, one for Disney Branded Television’s Elton John: Never Too Late, one for Pixar Animation Studios’ Inside Out 2, one for 20th Century Studios’ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and one for National Geographic Documentary Films’ Sugarcane.

For a detailed list of Disney’s nominations, click here. To see all the nominees, click here.

Where can I stream Disney’s Oscar-nominated films?
A Complete Unknown is in theaters and available to rent or purchase on premium VOD platforms (PVOD). Visit D23.com to find out where to stream A Real Pain, Alien: Romulus, Elton John: Never Too Late, Inside Out 2, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and Sugarcane.

Who is the hosting the 2024 Oscars?
As announced in November 2024, Emmy^® Award-winning television host, writer, producer, and comedian Conan O’Brien will host The Oscars, marking his first time doing the honors.

“Conan is a preeminent comedic voice whose decades-long success is marked by his distinctive humor and perspective,” Craig Erwich, President, Disney Television Group, said when O’Brien’s involvement was announced. “He joins an iconic roster of comedy greats who have served in this role, and we are so lucky to have him center stage for the Oscars.”

Who is performing at the Oscars?
Doja Cat, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, LISA of Blackpink, Queen Latifah, and RAYE will participate in showstopping performances celebrating the filmmaking community and some of its legends. The Oscars also will feature a special appearance by the Los Angeles Master Chorale. The producers will continue to announce talent joining the show leading up to the ceremony.

Who is presenting at the Oscars?
Joe Alwyn, Dave Bautista, Halle Berry, Sterling K. Brown, Penélope Cruz, Disney Legend Miley Cyrus, Willem Dafoe, Ana de Armas, Lily-Rose Depp, Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr., Elle Fanning, Disney Legend Harrison Ford, Gal Gadot, Andrew Garfield, Disney Legend Whoopi Goldberg, Selena Gomez, Goldie Hawn, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, John Lithgow, Cillian Murphy, Connie Nielsen, Amy Poehler, Margaret Qualley, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Alba Rohrwacher, Zoe Saldaña, June Squibb, Ben Stiller, Emma Stone, Miles Teller, Disney Legend Oprah Winfrey, Bowen Yang, and Rachel Zegler are confirmed to present during the show.

How do I play Oscars Pick ‘Em?
Oscars Pick’em is a free to play game on ESPN.com/ABC.com, the ESPN App, and the ESPN Fantasy App that serves as a second screen experience for movie and gaming fans alike. Players compete by predicting who they think will win in all 23 categories. During the live broadcast, their selections will be scored in real time as each winner is announced. The grand prize is a trip for two to Los Angeles for the 2026 Oscars Watch Party and $5,000, and 10 first prize winners will receive an Oscar prize pack. (See complete rules for details.)

How can I follow along on social media?
Chicken Shop Date‘s Amelia Dimoldenberg will serve as The Academy’s official social media ambassador and red carpet correspondent, after first holding the position in 2024.

“We are thrilled to welcome back Amelia as our social media ambassador and red carpet correspondent to provide viewers with exclusive access to the Oscars,” Jennifer Davidson, The Academy’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, said in a statement. “Amelia’s widespread appeal and unique approach resonated with global audiences, and we are looking forward to her affable and engaging perspective on the Oscars experience.”

Fans can also follow along via ABC’s official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X accounts.

GoodMorningAmerica.com—as well as GMA’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X accounts—will provide live coverage of the red carpet and award show starting at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT. ABCNews.com will also publish real-time updates on Oscars Sunday.

Who is on the Oscars production team?
The team behind this year’s ceremony includes executive producer and showrunner Raj Kapoor; executive producer Katy Mullan; co-executive producer Rob Paine; producers Taryn Hurd, Sarah Levine Hall, Jeff Ross, Mike Sweeney; director Hamish Hamilton; production designers Misty Buckley and Alana Billingsley; music director Michael Bearden; supervising choreographer Mandy Moore; and lighting designers Bob Dickinson and Noah Mitz. Joining Conan O’Brien as a writer are Amberia Allen, José Arroyo, Josh Comers, Dan Cronin, Jessie Gaskell, Skyler Higley, Berkley Johnson, Ian Karmel, Brian Kiley, Laurie Kilmartin, Carol Leifer, Jon Macks, Matt O’Brien, Agathe Panaretos, and Mike Sweeney.

What happens after the Oscars?
During the Oscars, Disney Legend Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos will be waiting in the wings to speak with winners the moment they walk offstage. Overnight, the Live with Kelly and Mark team will create the fan-favorite “After the Oscars Show” special, featuring the best moments with the biggest Oscar winners and, of course, the night’s most fabulous fashions. Come Monday morning, Ripa and Consuelos will walk onto the stage — ready or not — to talk to special guests, introduce a show-stopping musical performance, and more.

Conan O’Brien on Hosting the Academy Awards on ABC and Hulu: ‘I’m Going to Get an Oscar… I Plan to Steal One’

February 26, 2025March 4, 2025

By Zach Johnson

Conan O’Brien is going for the gold.

“I do believe in my heart that one day I will win an Oscar. I really do,” the five-time Emmy^® Award-winning television host, writer, producer, and comedian said with mock seriousness. “I’m not an actor; never been trained. I don’t really aspire to make movies, but I know I’m going to get an Oscar. Therapists call this a ‘delusion,’ but I really think I’m going to get one, and I think it’s going to happen sometime in the next five years… I plan to steal one.”

That’s the kind of deadpan, hopeful humor audiences can expect when O’Brien hosts the 97th Oscars live on ABC and Hulu this Sunday, March 2, beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

Lauded for “his brilliant humor, his love of movies, and his live TV expertise,” according to Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang, O’Brien is no stranger to the highwire act of hosting a live awards show. But… he’s never hosted the Oscars before.

“I hosted The Emmys twice. I believe I hosted the MTV Movie Awards nine times. I hosted the Soul Train Awards. But The Oscars, it’s the pinnacle,” O’Brien explained. “It’s the one that you most look up to. It’s the one you dream about hosting when you’re a child, so it has great meaning for me to host the Oscars—as long as the pay is good. I’m looking into that.”

As for how he’s preparing for the Academy Awards^®, O’Brien is playing it cool.

“My biggest goal is to enjoy the nine hours of the Oscars telecast,” he joked of the three-hour ceremony, which will follow an official red carpet pre-show that beings at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT, only on ABC and Hulu. “I really want to enjoy it. I think it would be a shame to get the chance to host the Oscars and not have a good time, so I’ll be medicated.”

And if things don’t go as planned, well… O’Brien has a plan for that.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned after all these years of hosting is that mistakes aren’t mistakes. If something goes wrong, if there’s a mishap of some kind, if something strange happens, that’s actually a gift. Go with it. Acknowledge it. Maybe have fun with it — hopefully have fun with it,” he said. “I think a big misconception is that you’re hoping everything goes perfectly. I hope that things sometimes go a little off the rails, because that’s where the memorable moments happen in late-night television and on the Oscars.”

“So,” O’Brien concluded, “I’m going to plan for some terrible, terrible mistakes.”

Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker Returning for a Fifth Descendants Movie: All the Details

February 25, 2025

By Zach Johnson

“You didn’t think that was the end of the story, did you?”

Life is certainly sweeter, because today, Disney Branded Television announced that the next chapter of the Descendants movie franchise is officially in the works for Disney Channel and Disney+, with production on a fifth installment set to begin soon. The newly greenlit Disney Channel Original Movie will expand the music-and-dance-fueled stories that center around the teenage progeny of Disney’s most iconic characters and villains. Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker will reprise their roles as Princesses Red and Chloe, the daughters of the Queen of Hearts and Cinderella, respectively. The film’s official title will be announced at a later date.

“The love for the Descendants franchise runs deep, and the incredible response to Descendants: The Rise of Red last year proved just how much fans are invested in these characters and their stories,” said Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television. “Our next movie will build on that legacy and deliver even more of the magic, music, and heart that make Descendants so special—brought to life by an amazing cast and creative team who continue to elevate this world in new and exciting ways.”

Picking up shortly after the events of Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024), the movie will explore what “happily ever after” is really like for Red and Chloe, following their return from their time-traveling adventures. Set primarily in present-day Wonderland, the sequel delves into the warning at the end of the previous movie: “There are consequences when you alter the fabric of time.”

In addition to Cantrall and Baker, Leonardo Nam returns as Maddox Hatter. New descendants to the hit movie franchise include Liamani Segura as Red’s sister, Pink; Brendon Tremblay as Max Hatter; Alexandro Byrd as Luis Madrigal; and Kiara Romero as Hazel Hook. Additional characters will be announced as the casting process continues.

Segura, who has a record deal with Def Jam Recordings, had a series regular role in Disney Branded Television’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, now streaming on Disney+. Tremblay recently wrapped production on the A24 movie ALTAR and previously starred in Xavier Dolan’s miniseries The Night Logan Woke Up. Byrd, who graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan, plays the title character in the upcoming independent film The Legend of Juan Jose Mundo. And Romero trained at the Joffrey Ballet School in the Jazz and Contemporary program before broadening her creative pursuits, recently starring in the feature film Drowning with Lou Diamond Phillips.

Kimmy Gatewood is set to direct and co-produce the fifth Descendants movie, from a script by co-executive producer Tamara Chestna and Dan Frey and Ru Sommer. Returning to the franchise are executive producers Suzanne Todd and Gary Marsh. Emmy^Ⓡ Award winner Emilio Dosal will choreograph the music-and-dance sequences, a hallmark of the franchise.

Can’t wait for the fifth Descendants movie? Kicking off this summer in San Diego, the North American “Descendants/ZOMBIES: Worlds Collide Tour” will celebrate the music from the hit Descendants and ZOMBIES franchises. The arena tour will feature performances by Descendants: The Rise of Red stars Cantrall, Baker, Dara Reneé, and Joshua Colley and ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires stars Freya Skye, Malachi Barton, and Mekonnen Knife, inspiring families and fans of all ages to dance, sing, and engage with their favorite stars.

Disney twenty-three Goes Behind the Scenes of Snow White

February 20, 2025February 28, 2025

By The D23 Team

The Spring 2025 issue of Disney twenty-three takes D23 Gold Members into the enchanted forest and majestic castle of Disney’s Snow White, including behind-the-scenes insights from director Marc Webb and stars Rachel Zegler (Snow White), Gal Gadot (Evil Queen), and Andrew Burnap (Jonathan). The issue is now available digitally, exclusively for D23 Gold Members.

Also in this issue—more Disney Princesses than ever! Hear from Disney Legend Colleen Atwood, Emmy® winner Eduardo Castro, and other accomplished costume designers on just what it takes to dress a princess for live-action films such as Cinderella (2015), Enchanted (2007), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and many more. Then celebrate the 75th anniversary of Walt Disney’s Cinderella (1950) with 75 things you may not know about the animated classic, along with rare production artwork—and a quiz!

Marvel fans won’t want to miss insider takes on Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts*—films exclusively in theaters—and the highly anticipated Disney+ series Daredevil: Born Again. Hear exclusive stories from stars including Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Charlie Cox, and Vincent D’Onofrio.

All D23 Gold Members will have access to the digital edition of Disney twenty-three starting February 28. Gold Members who joined or renewed in 2024 and have not yet reached their 2025 renewal date will be receiving the print edition of this issue by mail, as early as this month, while members who joined or renewed in 2025 can enjoy the digital edition of the publication and find the print edition available to purchase through DisneyStore.com starting March 11.

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In addition to the Gold Member-exclusive content, all D23 Members can read Disney twenty-three’s bonus “digital cover stories” on D23.com, featuring exclusive interviews and digital cover images available only online. To start, Disney twenty-three’s one-on-one interview with Disney Legend Harrison Ford (Captain America: Brave New World) is available now!

The back cover of the Disney twenty-three publication for Spring 2025 depicts Sam Wilson in his Captain America garb, seen from the right side, his head bowed and the Captain America shield on his right arm. Red Hulk is reflected in the shield, and the red and white stripes of the American flag appear to be fluttering in the background.

Also in the Spring 2025 issue of Disney twenty-three, D23 Gold Members will find:

Exclusive artworks by David Pacheco and Becky Cline featuring The Walt Disney Studios lot and some beloved characters—and the stories behind their creation—in honor of the storied location’s 85th anniversary.
A sneak peek at 20th Century Studios’ upcoming thriller The Amateur, including interviews with star and producer Rami Malek and director James Hawes.
A conversation with the documentary team behind National Geographic’s epic new series Secrets of the Penguins.
A gallery of little-seen artwork from the production of the Disney Animation classic The Three Caballeros(1945), marking its 80th anniversary.
New installments of Disney twenty-three’s reliably engaging departments: Down the Rabbit Hole, D Society, Ask the Walt Disney Archives, and By the Numbers.

Not yet a Gold Member? Visit D23.com/join to sign up today!

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With the Disney D23 app, your membership card is just a few taps away. Access your benefits from your phone!

Showcased are the four 2025 D23 Gold Member Premiums: Disneyland 70th Collection, including The Happiest Place on Earth, a replica Disneyland Park entrance plaque, and a reproduction of the Disneyland Entrance plaque text draft; Gold Member Fan Pack including a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse water bottle, crossbody bag, and hat; a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse Spirit Jersey; and a 10-piece Pin Set.

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Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World Composer Laura Karpman on Creating the Film’s Score and Why She Loves the MCU

February 20, 2025February 25, 2025

By Cassandra Pinkney

Composer Laura Karpman takes great pleasure in creating musical scores for the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she says, because of Marvel Studios’ “massive love of music.” “The thing about the MCU is that it’s all of life. It’s every single emotion,” Karpman tells D23. “So, as a composer, working in the MCU gives you an opportunity to totally stretch out and do what we love to do.”

Perceptive fans also bring Karpman a distinct enjoyment while working on her MCU projects, which now include the feature films Captain America: Brave New World (2025) and The Marvels (2023) as well as the Disney+ series What If…? (2021–2024) and Ms. Marvel (2022). “A great thing about the Marvel fan base is that they pay attention,” says Karpman, an Oscar® nominee and five-time Emmy® Award winner. “They pay attention to what’s going on in the movie; they pay attention to themes. They’re engaged, and it’s so fun to engage with them and see how people react.”

For The Marvels, for example, Karpman engaged fans with music that incorporated sounds generated using “space junk” in order to create an authentic musical soundscape for a movie set in outer space. The score to Captain America: Brave New World has its own version of “space junk,” Karpman reveals, although from more down-to-earth objects. “There are actual wind-up toys in the score,” she explains. “There are these really crunchy sounds that create the sound of a ticking clock.” When combined with the other musical elements of the film, the buildup of these sounds makes for a high-strung listening experience, Karpman adds. “It’s this very, very tense music that keeps building and building and building.”

The same might be said of the story told by this newest entry into the MCU. In the first feature-length outing by Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) since taking up the mantle of Captain America, he finds himself racing to uncover the mastermind at the center of an international crisis—before temperamental President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) complicates matters any further.

That ever-building tension is a crucial part of the score and one of the reasons Karpman wanted to return to the MCU for this film. She classifies Captain America: Brave New World as a “political thriller,” a genre she had yet to score in the MCU before taking on this project. The film is reminiscent of classic political thrillers from the mid-20th century, she notes, and implicit references to those movies influenced the themes of many of the film’s characters. “You’ve got the conspiracy theme. You’ve got the Brave New World theme, which is the hero theme for this particular movie. You’ve got the [Dr. Samuel] Sterns [Tim Blake Nelson] theme, which is super creepy and taunting. And then you’ve got the President Ross theme, which starts out in this buttoned-up, sad world.”

In addition to the “taut, tight, and tense” nature of the film, the music also reflects what it means for Sam Wilson to take on the role of Captain America at this point, Karpman says. “The score is very contemporary. It uses a lot of synthesizers. It uses beats. It uses all the stuff that matches a contemporary Captain America. But it also has a classicism to it.”

Karpman has a fondness for Sam Wilson as Captain America and wanted to pay homage to this character’s roots in his first film appearance under this new mantle, the composer says. “Sam is from New Orleans and that’s the DNA of his musical story.” The heavy percussion heard throughout the film is a New Orleans drumline, a driving beat that moves the score forward and reminds audiences of the character’s history.

It’s a history that plays into an ever-evolving and often-surprising MCU. “The relationship between Sam and Joaquín [Danny Ramirez] is great and feels super fresh,” Karpman says. “You have great action and great characters doing great things. It’s certainly a wild ride!”

Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World is in theaters now.

The 97th Academy Awards®: Where to Watch Disney’s Nominees

February 18, 2025

By Cassandra Pinkney

The Oscars® are just around the corner, and Hollywood’s biggest night is already giving us a lot to look forward to. The Walt Disney Company earned 15 total nominations this year across a wide variety of films, including biopics, animated features, documentaries, and more! To help you get award-show ready, here’s a guide to where you can watch all of this year’s nominees from around the worlds of Disney:

A Complete Unknown – In Theaters Now, Coming Soon to Hulu
Searchlight Pictures’ A Complete Unknown follows the early career of American folk musician Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet) and shows the singer-songwriter’s quest for artistic freedom amidst his burgeoning success. The film garnered eight nominations, the most of any Disney-related film at this year’s Oscars. Among these nominations are nods for Best Picture, Best Director (James Mangold), and Best Actor (Chalamet).

A Real Pain – Streaming on Hulu
Gaining two more nominations for Searchlight Pictures is A Real Pain, a comedy-drama about two cousins who travel to Poland in honor of their late grandmother. The film was nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Kieran Culkin) and Best Original Screenplay (Jesse Eisenberg, who also costars).

Inside Out 2 – Streaming on Disney+
The sequel to 2015’s Inside Out earned Pixar Animation Studios its 19th nomination in the Best Animated Feature category. Inside Out 2 finds Riley Andersen entering high school and navigating a host of changes in her life with a brand-new cast of emotional characters.

Alien: Romulus – Streaming on Hulu
20th Century Studios earned two nominations for Best Visual Effects, the first of which for Alien: Romulus. The terrifying new addition to the Alien franchise, set between the events Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986), is sure to send chills down your spine (or, maybe across your face).

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – Streaming on Hulu
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the fourth action-packed installment in the recent Planet of the Apesseries. The film earned 20th Century Studios its second nomination for Best Visual Effects at this year’s Oscars.

Sugarcane – Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu
A poignant investigation into the abuses of the Canadian Indian residential school system, Sugarcane has earned National Geographic Documentary Films an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature Film.

Elton John: Never Too Late – Streaming on Disney+
Disney Legend Sir Elton John has had an incredible career, making some of the world’s most beloved and recognizable hits over the past 50 years. In Elton John: Never Too Late, the musician looks back on this career as he prepares to play his final North American concert. The film’s title track, “Never Too Late,” earned Disney Branded Television an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.

The Oscars will air on ABC and Hulu on Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, live from the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.

Fly Into Your Next Mission with These Captain America: Brave New World Favorites

February 14, 2025February 12, 2025

By Paula Poveda

Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World has officially flown into theaters across the U.S.—so why not bring the excitement and action of the movie home with these cool toys, accessories, collectibles, and books? Here are some of our favorites!

Kids or adults will love the Hasbro Marvel Legends action figures. Let your imagination soar playing with the Marvel Legends Series Captain America and the Marvel Legends Series Red Hulk while you recreate scenes from the film. Or you can proudly display them amongst your (many, if you’re anything like us!) other Marvel collectibles…

Whichever you chose, it is going to be hard to get your hands off the Captain America: Brave New World Red Hulk Gamma Smash Fists. You’ll be in for a smashing, action-packed good time! But don’t worry, they’re made of a soft foam material to ensure safety, even though imaginative destruction is at play.

Suit up for battle with this Marvel Captain America Graphic Tee. The comfortable cotton blend makes it perfect year-round for when you want to rep your new favorite movie. Complete the look with the stylish Captain America ”Falcon” Baseball Hat featuring embroidery of Captain America’s shield and Falcon wings on the front, or the Captain America: Brave New World Clogs for Adults by Crocs—which will take your outfit to new heights. These unique shoes feature allover screen art with red, white and blue graphics while 3D wings on the sides and a shield charm stir the patriot within.

Fly into your next mission in style with the Captain America: Brave New World Mini Backpack and the Captain America: Brave New World Shield Crossbody Bag from Loungefly. Not only are they super cute, but they both have 3D wings which fold out… or can be tucked away when not in flight!

Pin fans, there is something for you as well! Two limited-release pins available on DisneyStore.com: one dual sided Falcon Joaquin Torres Pin lets the Falcon shine in the spotlight, while this Red Hulk Pin makes it feel like Red Hulk is literally smashing his way towards you!

After a long action-packed day, it might be a good idea to wind down with some equally as action-packed stories. In Captain America: Brave New World: A Hero Looks Like You, New York Times best-selling author Kwame Mbalia and New York Times best-selling illustrator Nikkolas Smith present a heartwarming story about a young boy named DJ who steps up to help Captain America, his favorite Super Hero. Along the way, DJ discovers that heroes don’t always look big or strong or wear a suit. Sometimes, they might even look like him. And if you haven’t already, you can fall in love with Captain America as he flies into action in Captain America: Sam Wilson (Marvel) Little Golden Book.

If you haven’t purchased your tickets to see the film in theaters, now’s your chance! Get tickets to go see Captain America: Brave New World at Regal by February 17 and you’ll receive an exclusive digital bundle in Marvel Rivals—including a spray, nameplate, and mystery costume.*

* Marvel Rivals account required to redeem. Terms & Conditions apply. Please refer to Marvel Rivals official website for detailed information.