“Walt Disney and El Grupo: A Trip Through Latin America” Exhibition Debuts Sneak Peek in Mexico City

February 22, 2023

By Jessica Benda

Ahead of the exhibition’s global opening, a special first look at “Walt Disney and El Grupo: A Trip Through Latin America” debuted in Mexico City today.

The exhibition is the first dedicated to Walt Disney’s 1941 research trip through several Latin American countries. Joined by a close group of artists, Walt aimed to learn in-depth about the region, experience the beauty of its land, and celebrate its cultures through future Disney films.

The preview arrived at the Soumaya Museum with over 60 restored photographs, archival footage, film clips, posters from two feature films, and more than 30 pieces of artwork inspired by the journey.

“We at the Walt Disney Archives are thrilled to share a series of photos that transcend the borders of language and culture. These fascinating photos tell the special story of a group of artists who fell in love with lands far from their own home and were inspired to create films that simply celebrate the global friendship they discovered there,” said Becky Cline, director of Walt Disney Archives.

Walt Disney Archives presents the exhibition in association with the Live Entertainment team of The Walt Disney Company Latin America. The exposition, which takes place during Disney’s 100th anniversary, will be available and free to the public until Saturday, March 18. Audio guides and Mexican Sign Language interpretation are offered.

“We are very excited to be able to provide a very unique glimpse into a lesser-known episode on the impact that Walt Disney’s journey through Latin America had on his life and work, as well as on the culture and society of that time,” said Allan Navarrete, Senior Vice President and General Manager, The Walt Disney Company Mexico.

In 2017, the Cineteca Nacional in Mexico City held another exhibition, “Mexico and Walt Disney: A Magical Encounter,” which showed Walt’s visit through the city itself, as well as the states of Jalisco, Veracruz, and Acapulco.

In the latest exhibition, the experience presents another episode of the trip Walt and a group of artists took through Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Perú, Chile, Ecuador, and Guatemala. These visits, along with a visit to Mexico, inspired the making of two colorful features that celebrated the beauty and cultural richness of Latin America: Saludos Amigos and Los Tres Caballeros.

“At The Walt Disney Company Latin America, we are eager to share this must-see exhibition with local audiences so they can explore this special trip and the emblematic bond forged between Walt Disney, his staff, and the culture of the region,” said Ariana Fernandez, The Walt Disney Company Latin America’s Director of Live Entertainment Business and Strategy.

Icons of Disney Storytelling: Raven-Symoné

February 21, 2023February 27, 2023

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.

Only a psychic could’ve foreseen Raven-Symoné’s bright future with Disney!

When That’s So Raven premiered on Disney Channel in 2003, Raven—who had been working steadily since age 3—became the first Black woman to have her name appear in a comedy series title. Throughout the series’ run, she won four NAACP Image Awards and two Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. That’s So Raven became the network’s first series to cross the 100-episode mark, and it earned two Primetime Emmy^® Award nominations, in 2005 and 2007, for Outstanding Children’s Program. In addition to playing Raven Baxter, in Season 4 she became a series producer at age 19.

As her popularity skyrocketed, Raven starred in the Disney Channel Original Movies The Cheetah Girls (2003) and Cheetah Girls 2 (2006), as well as the ABC Family original movie Revenge of the Bridesmaids (2010). On the big screen, she starred in Walt Disney Studios’ The Princess Diaries 2 (2004), alongside Disney Legend Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway, and College Road Trip (2008), opposite Martin Lawrence. As a Hollywood Records artist, she released two feature-length albums, This Is My Time (2004) and Raven-Symoné (2008), and also contributed to multiple Disney soundtracks.

From 2012–2017, Raven served as a co-host on ABC’s daytime talk show The View; she and her fellow co-hosts earned Daytime Emmy Award nominations in 2016 and 2017. She returned to Disney Channel in 2017 to reprise her role as Raven Baxter in Raven’s Home (now in production on Season 6). The following year, she received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s, Preschool Children’s, or Educational and Information Program. She made her directorial debut in 2019 with the episode “Sorry to Father You” and continues to direct to this day. She also directed several episodes of the popular Disney Channel series Sydney to the Max (2019–2021).

Over the years, Raven had recurring roles as Rhonda in ABC’s black-ish (2015–2022) and as Alice in Freeform’s The Bold Type (2017–2021), and she guest starred in Disney Channel series such as K.C. Undercover (2015–2018) and Just Roll with It (2019–2021). Raven’s voiceover credits include Iridessa in the Disney Fairies feature film series (2008–2015), Monique in Kim Possible (2002–2007), Valkyrie in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! (2015–2019), and Maria in Big City Greens (2017–Present). In addition, she’s hosted several Disney Channel specials, from Holidays Unwrapped: A Disney Channel Music Event (2019) to Disney Holiday Magic Quest (2020) and beyond. And, for over 15 years, Raven has been very active with the Make-A-Wish^®Foundation.

With more than 35 years of experience in the entertainment industry—most of which have been spent with The Walt Disney Company—the multihyphenate is just getting started. Now, Raven joins D23: The Official Disney Fan Club for a wide-ranging Q&A…

D23: What makes you want to work with Disney time and again?
Raven-Symoné (RS): They like to hire me every now and then! [Laughs] I understand their overall language when it comes to family, to inclusivity, to storytelling; I get that and I appreciate that. Also, they just have good content and I like being a part of it. They work well. They believe in what I call “the ladder up.” I started in their family as an actress and they saw my passion for directing and producing, and they’re allowing for that to happen. In a positive way, it’s like old Hollywood, where you’d sign with a network and grow with it. That’s kind of how my life is with the ABC and Disney family.

D23: Over the years, you’ve done so many incredible projects with The Walt Disney Company. Were there any roles or opportunities where you really felt like Disney helped you be the truest expression of yourself, both as a creative and as a storyteller?
RS: I think that would be Raven Baxter. Working with Disney on Raven’s Home in this capacity has been eye-opening. I have been a part of television since I was 3 years old, but I had never been a part of it from the ground up. I remember working with Gary Marsh [former President and Chief Creative Officer for Disney Branded Television] and I was like, “Gary, I’m not trying to act. I’m trying to be a director and producer.” He said, “OK, let’s show you how to do a television show.” And I was able to be in those meetings and have those conversations and actually be heard—not just because I ticked a box, not just because I’m the name of the brand, but because I was saying, “Let’s do this together.” And to this day, they know I’m here to make sure that this brand, this storytelling, and this character are always respected and looked at with loving eyes, because it’s a reflection of our work. Sometimes I’m like, “You can’t do that!” They’re like, “Raven, the rules have lessened. It’s OK.”… I know that they trust me, and I trust them. We walked into this project together, because it reflects both of our brands. Yes, it’s a company, but I’m also a human, and it means a lot to me how my face is portrayed and looked upon.

D23: How has Disney empowered you to create opportunities for other people?
RS: We try to do it every day. One of my favorite examples is that our script supervisor from That’s So Ravenis now our technical director for Raven’s Home; that’s a big bump up! Cast members who want to try something new, if I’m able to open a door for them and get them a meeting, I will. Issac Ryan Brown started super young on Raven’s Home, and he’s like, “I want to be a writer.” Now, he’s in the writers’ room working it out. Hopefully a script this season will have his name on it. I don’t believe in gatekeeping. I don’t believe that successful shows require people to stay at the same level from beginning to end. Every time I see somebody come through, I’ll ask them, “What your goal? What are you trying to do?” Because if you’ve got a goal, I want to be a part of your story. Hopefully you’ll pay it forward, like so many people did for me.

D23: How has Disney helped you touch people’s hearts in unexpected ways?
RS: Working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Children’s Hospital L.A. through Disney has been amazing, especially in the very beginning. I’ve been able to visit people all over the world, from South Africa to London, from Paris to Walt Disney World. Plus, getting to be in the homes of millions of viewers, being a part of their childhood, and then seeing them share that content with their offspring, connecting the loop in a chain of content—that’s so cool. Not everyone gets to do that. I remember doing an interview and someone asked, “Why are you still doing children’s content?” And I was like, “Because there will always be children. And why not?” I love being able to work with the new minds of the world and being able to share with them the comedy that I learned from the greats from back in the day, but in a palatable way so that they can understand and continue that legacy. I will always have my foot in children’s content, no matter what. Who better to do it with than with Disney—the very first to start treating children with respect? I was taking an animation class at Academy of Art University, and I swear, two weeks were just on Disney! And I learned that The Walt Disney Company—that Walt, really—had decided to do a drama for kids using animation. It touches the heartstrings of so many, but it’s done in a palatable way so that you teach humans how to deal with loss, how to deal with pain, how to deal with joy, how to deal with happiness. This is the best company to be part of to still do that.

D23: You’ve played Raven Baxter for more than 200 episodes on two different television series. What do you enjoy most about playing her after all these years?
RS: Well, the obvious answer is now I’m able to play her as a grown-up. When I was younger and people asked what I liked about playing Raven, I’d say, “She’s crazy! She’s like the girl I wish I could be in high school, who probably gets attention—and I’m not trying to be like that person!” Years later, I thought, “Who does that person become? How does that mother look? Is that the mother I wish I had?” Raven seems like a cool friend, but she is also respected by the younger generation, because she teaches by doing. It’s not just, “This is what you have to do.” It’s, “Listen, I’ve been there. I know it. Let’s do it together. I’ll explain why.” I remember there was an episode where Booker [Brown] and Nia [Navia Robinson] wanted to do something, and Raven said no. They asked why, and she said, “Because.” They were like, “Mom, ‘because’ it’s not an answer.” When they were writing that episode, I was like, “Dang, I got ‘because’ so much growing up. This is so smart.” It gives parents accountability. I think we’re pushing that paradigm a little bit with Raven, because a lot of stuff her kid gets into… those kids could have been grounded for six months! But she can’t do that, because she did it herself. It really shows parents that yes, you are in charge—but let’s not forget who you were as a kid. Now that Raven and Booker are living in San Francisco with her father, it’s even more of a humbled experience for Raven. Just respect others!

D23: How has Disney helped you realize your dreams—and then dream new ones?
RS: After I stopped working on The View, I talked to Gary Marsh—he always kept in touch with me after the end of That’s So Raven—and I told him what I wanted to do next. Because of the higher-ups being so welcoming to new faces and talent and making sure that people feel heard, I’ve been able to direct over 12 episodes across their IP—and that’s continuing this very day. One of my co-workers who’s new enough to the industry had an idea for a movie, so I’m like, “Listen, he’s talented. Let’s give him a shot.” It’s incredible to be able to go to your family—to your company—and say, “Let me test out my pitching skills. Let me see what you think about this.” A lot of companies don’t do that, especially with kids. With the kids on my show, I tell them all the time: “Listen, acting is great. Singing is great. Make sure you have a backup plan: writer, director, producer, or something outside of the industry. If I can help you cultivate any of those, then I’m going to do that for you.” Ultimately, Disney listens.

D23: How would you summarize your relationship with Disney after all these years?
RS: Being a part of the Disney family means a lot. It means self-respect. It means respect towards others. They’ve been a part of my life since I was 7 years old. I’m 37 now, so for the last 30 years, they’ve kept me live. I don’t have the words to correctly express what they mean to me, because how they make me feel is so deep and so guttural. They’ve been through personal issues with me, they’ve been through public issues with me, and they’ve always had my back. It’s deeper than one might think. I’m not going to twist it—it is a business, so we both have our boundaries, obviously—but I have to say, the company, as a whole, is run by loving people who get gold stars all the way around. Massive gold stars! They’re kind, energetic, respectful, and understanding.

The Magic Goes GLOBAL with D23 Events Coming to Europe This April!

February 20, 2023February 21, 2023

By the D23 Team

C'est magique! To celebrate Disney100—an anniversary of global proportions—D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is headed to Europe for a trio of events that D23 Members won’t want to miss!

First, look out for D23 at Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023 in London from April 7–10! We’ll be covering the event all weekend, bringing you all the intergalactic fun! We’ll also be hosting a D23 Member-exclusive screening on Saturday, April 8, so look out for more details soon.

Next, we’ll be crossing the English Channel for a one-of-a-kind D23 Gold Member event at Disneyland Paris, to celebrate the grand finale of their 30th anniversary celebration! On Wednesday, April 12, and Thursday, April 13, D23 Gold Members will be invited to celebrate at Disneyland Paris with exclusive tours led by Walt Disney Imagineering, specialty dining opportunities, behind-the-scenes looks at the parks, a peek at the latest entertainment, and even more exciting experiences celebrating 30 Magical Years of this exceptional resort!

Then, later in April, D23 Members will be invited to experience all the excitement of the celebration of the century in Germany with a special preview of Disney100: The Exhibition during its European premiere at Kleine Olympiahalle in Munich! Disney100: The Exhibition invites guests to step into their favorite stories using innovation and immersive technology throughout ten galleries in the 15,000-square-foot exhibit. The Walt Disney Archives opens its vault of treasures, showcasing hundreds of extraordinary objects, including Disney’s “Crown Jewels”—more than 250 rarely-seen original artworks and artifacts, costumes and props, and other memorabilia. Stay tuned for more details on our member-exclusive opening celebration of this incredible exhibit!

We can’t wait to celebrate 100 years of Disney with all of our fellow Disney fans in Europe and beyond! See ya real soon!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

February 20, 2023February 17, 2023

By Andie Hagemann

From a unique group of singers to an emotional coming-of-age story, this week is chock-full of brand-new content. On Wednesday, binge all 10 episodes of The Low Tone Club on Disney+, followed by a new episode of grown-ish airing on Freeform. Say farewell to Meredith Grey in the winter premiere of Grey’s Anatomy premiering Thursday on ABC. On Friday, watch the broadcast debut of The Mandalorian on ABC, Freeform, and FX, along with the streamer debut of Onyx Collective’s Bruiser on Hulu.

The Low Tone Club—Wednesday, February 22, on Disney+
Starring Colombian singer Carlos Vives, the Latin American original series follows the story of Amaranto Molina (Vives), an unconventional music teacher at a music school that only encourages students who do well by commercial-success standards. Every year Principal Eduardo Kramer (Julián Arango) chooses five students, nicknamed The High Tones, to be part of the school’s prestigious Teen Band. Molina, on the other hand, is put in charge of The Low Tones, a group of students whose talents do not meet the school’s standards. With his disruptive methods, this eccentric teacher and The Low Tones will embark on a journey that will help heal wounds and inspire each one of them to express their unique talents. Along the way, the students learn more about Mr. Molina and discover their teacher’s mysterious past. All 10 episodes will be available to stream at launch.

grown-ish—Wednesday, February 22, at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform
Now that midterms are over, the crew is eager to alleviate their stress, and in doing so opt for an unconventional method. Elsewhere, the Cal U faculty pressure Aaron (Trevor Jackson) to partake in karaoke night; despite his initial hesitation to join the festivities, he learns some surprising things about himself. The series also stars Marcus Scribner, Yara Shahidi, Diggy Simmons, Daniella Perkins, Justine Skye, Tara Raani, and Cory Patt. This episode is intended for mature audiences.

Grey’s Anatomy—Thursday, February 23, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
In the season’s winter premiere, the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial prepare a farewell surprise for Meredith (Disney Legend Ellen Pompeo) on her last day. Meanwhile, Nick (Scott Speedman) confronts Meredith about the future of their relationship. Elsewhere, the interns compete to scrub in on a groundbreaking procedure, and Richard (James Pickens Jr.) asks Teddy (Kim Raver) an important question. The series also stars Chandra Wilson, Kevin McKidd, Caterina Scorsone, Camilla Luddington, Kelly McCreary, Jake Borelli, Chris Carmack, Anthony Hill, Alexis Floyd, Harry Shum Jr., Adelaide Kane, Midori Francis, and Niko Terho.

The Mandalorian—Friday, February 24, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, Freeform, and FX
Ahead of the debut of Season 3 on Disney+, the series premiere of The Mandalorian makes its broadcast debut across ABC, Freeform, and FX. In “Chapter 1: The Mandalorian,” the series begins in the lawless aftermath of the collapse of the Galactic Empire. An armored bounty hunter known only as the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) takes on a well-paying, yet cryptic assignment. Seasons 1 and 2 of the series are available to stream on Disney+. The third season launches Wednesday, March 1.

Bruiser—Friday, February 24, on Hulu
Onyx Collective’s critically acclaimed first narrative film—intended for mature audiences only—debuts on the streaming service on Friday. Directed by Miles Warren, the film explores the effects of toxic masculinity and follows 14-year-old Darious (Jalyn Hall) as he explores the boundaries of his manhood through interactions with his strict but loving father, Malcolm (Shamier Anderson), and Porter (Trevante Rhodes), a charismatic drifter. However, when Darious learns Porter’s true identity, he is thrust into conflict between the two men.

Behind the Scenes of National Geographic’s Making the Wish: Disney’s Newest Cruise Ship

February 17, 2023February 17, 2023

By Jessica Benda

As 144,000 tons of steel evolved into an astounding, ocean-bound castle, a tight-knit crew set out to answer the question on everyone’s mind: How?

National Geographic’s Making the Wish: Disney’s Newest Cruise Ship whittled 13 months of filming into 66 minutes, crafting a story of how this beautiful behemoth came to be. The Disney Wish now sails to the Bahamas as the youngest ship in Disney Cruise Line’s fleet, a floating playground of innovative entertainment, Marvel- and Frozen-inspired dining experiences, and the first-ever Disney attraction at sea. In the documentary, which debuts on Disney+ on Friday, February 17, viewers can glimpse the people who made it. The film premiered December 24 on National Geographic but has not been available via streaming until now.

“For us, it’s a story, and the stories are these people that are so passionate, so creative, so innovative, and so motivated to make these experiences special,” said Chad Cohen, the documentary’s director, writer, and producer.

Cohen helmed the project alongside Bethany Jones, producer and writer, in partnership with Disney Yellow Shoes. Cohen and Jones started filming in June 2021, when they first traveled to the Meyer shipyard in Germany not long after construction kicked off in April. Roughly 90 percent of the film’s footage is from the crew’s cameras, enhanced by the shipyard’s timelapses and Disney Cruise Line’s aerial shots.

Like its subject, the documentary isn’t stationary. It takes viewers from Hollywood sets to Walt Disney World Resort, from the German shipyard to the intimate confines of Imagineer Laura Cabo’s garage. While the shipyard was an obvious choice, where crews visited six times during filming, others took a more personal turn.

In a brief but poignant sequence, viewers are swept off to Walt Disney World Resort, where Walt Disney Imagineers Danny and Sachi Handke experience “it’s a small world,” with their young daughter. Danny, senior creative director, and Sachi, project coordinator, remark how their daughter is their inspiration, and they try to see the world through her eyes.

Cohen pinpointed smaller, human moments like that as essential to the big picture. “It’s really easy to just have people building [and] sailing the ship, but what you remember are those people working in crazy situations, late nights, early mornings to bring this passion of theirs to life,” Cohen said. “You want to care about them, you want to get to know them, and you want them to succeed.

Nearly 15,000 people contributed to the construction of the Disney Wish, but the National Geographic crew was much smaller. A shoot would usually include five to six people. During the voyage from Germany to Florida, a larger team of nine—Cohen and Jones included—piled into the Disney Wish to capture the final efforts.

While the Disney Wish was picture-perfect on the outside, finalizing the interior was an 11-day dash during the Atlantic crossing. Performers rehearsed on-stage as another team finished the set. Deeper in the ship, cast and crew hauled furniture as Disney executives did some vacuuming, Jones recalled. An immense project was backed by an even stronger display of teamwork.

Cohen and Jones leaned into the project’s many moving parts to create a compelling narrative, and the documentary’s care in exploring the crew’s personal lives only heightens its impact.

“You’re seeing these people that you care about,” Cohen explained. “You met them in their garage, you met them with their daughter, and now you’re seeing the race to finish this thing and you’re cheering for them. You want them to finish.”

When they did, the Disney Wish abounded with little details that National Geographic sought to capture. Whether it was the two-year design process for choosing a ceiling’s colors or a carpet that took a whole night to lay out, the filming crew had their hands full trying to document it all.

“There’s just so many layers of details that you have to sift through,” Jones said. “It’s like Easter eggs all throughout the ship.”

When the Disney Wish docked at Port Canaveral, Florida, a chapter finally closed. Emotions ran high for both the Imagineers and Disney Cruise Line cast and crew, as well as the National Geographic team that had followed them throughout the journey.

Cohen remembers a tearful moment the night before the maiden voyage, when it struck midnight in the Grand Hall. In true Cinderella fashion, a choreographed light show twinkled on the stories-high ceiling as gentle music played.

“Everyone spontaneously laid down on the floor and looked up and experienced this moment when it came to life,” Cohen recalled, his own crew filming the scene. “And for them, they saw it was the end. Our crew was emotional as well, having been through it with them. All this work, and then they let it go knowing that the Disney Wish will be enjoyed by guests for years to come.”

Making the Wish: Disney’s Newest Cruise Ship debuts on Disney+ on Friday, February 17.

Meet the Characters of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania

February 16, 2023May 1, 2023

By Jessica Benda

This Friday, Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne embark on a breathless adventure into the fantastical Quantum Realm, surrounded by family and foes alike. Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania will premiere in theaters on Friday, February 17, officially launching Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In the third Ant-Man installment, Scott’s daughter Cassie shares her family’s passion for science and technology, but her curiosity lands them a one-way ticket to the Quantum Realm. With Scott and Cassie heading one direction and Hope and her parents, Janet and Hank, pulled in another, director Peyton Reed places family dynamics under an evocative, subatomic new lens.

Before delving into the mystifying Quantum Realm, brush up on the characters that will take you there.

A headshot of Scott Lang, who wears his red Ant-Man suit but no helmet. His hair is black and eyes green. He looks concerned.

Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd)
In a vast understatement, Scott Lang has been busy since we first met him in 2015’s Ant-Man. He lived a normal life until he committed a well-intentioned crime, then joined the Avengers, travelled down to the Quantum Realm, and then saved the universe. You know, typical post-jail activities. Now, he’s riding high in San Francisco, promoting his new memoir Look Out for the Little Guy and making new memories with his family.

“One of the things that’s been fun about playing this part is that there’s nothing extraordinary about Scott,” Rudd said. “He doesn’t possess any real super abilities—he’s not a God of Thunder, he’s not big and green and strong, he can’t fly. He’s just an intuitive, smart guy. To play the part of a regular guy who didn’t really want this but is forced to be heroic is fun.”

A headshot of Hope Van Dyne clad in her yellow suit. She has short black hair styled in a pixie cut, staring with an unreadable expression off-screen.

Hope Van Dyne/The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly)
The Pym Van Dyne Foundation is led by none other than the brilliant Hope Van Dyne, who is utilizing the Pym Particle in new and innovative ways to advance humanitarian efforts. Her biggest life change was the return of her mother, Janet, who spent three decades lost to the Quantum Realm. In the newest installment, Hope wrestles with not knowing the secrets that Janet keeps about her time away. Nevertheless, Hope is thrilled at the trajectory of her new life.

“She’s repaired her relationship with her father, she has returned her mother from the Quantum Realm, she’s fallen madly in love with Scott Lang—they’re a dynamic duo, a Super Hero pair,” Lilly said. “And on top of that, she’s quasi-adopted his daughter, Cassie, and she’s revitalizing Pym Tech—using it to better the world.”

Kang the Conqueror leans with his hands against a gold metallic device, staring down in thought. He wears a green jacket and brown belt with close-cropped dark hair.

Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors)
Reed calls Kang the Conqueror the “most powerful being in the multiverse,” and for good reason. Known as He Who Remains in the Disney+ series Loki, this dangerous variant of Kang wields time as his weapon.

“Kang is able to experience past, present and future at the same time,” Reed said. “What does that look like? He conserves his energy. There’s not a wasted gesture or word, and if Kang says something, he means it.”

Cassie and Scott stand together as they look off into the distance. The purple sky and red-brown rocks of the Quantum Realm are behind them. Scott wears his red and black Ant-Man suit while Cassie sports a gray T-shirt and jeans. Her brown hair is pulled back into a ponytail.

Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton)
Now 18, Cassie’s love of science is rivaled only by her love of improving the world, though often they go hand-in-hand. Like Scott, she’s headstrong, independent, loyal, and fights hard for her beliefs. However, as she matures, she must navigate an ever-evolving relationship with her dad as he grapples with the fact that she’s not a little girl anymore.

“I really wanted to explore that relationship between Scott and Cassie,” Reed said. “How does Scott relate to her now that she’s an adult? Cassie is an idealist—she wants to do good in the world, but she’s still trying to figure out what that means for her. She’s trying to find her voice as a young woman. She can be quite critical of her dad, so we had fun with some of the generational divide between father and daughter in this movie.”

Janet stands on what looks to be a dark ridge, with the electric blue, black, and purple sky of the Quantum Realm behind her. She looks solemnly to her right. She’s clad in robes, gloves, and boots, and her blond hair brushes just past her shoulders.

Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfieffer)
After three decades trapped in the Quantum Realm, Janet is just relieved to be with her family once more. In a film focused on familial relationships, Janet and Hope bring a mother-daughter dynamic with unearthly tensions (literally). Janet holds her secrets close, but returning to the place she just escaped from brings them to the surface.

“Janet has unfinished business in her past, which has ramifications for the family,” Pfeiffer said. “This is an opportunity for them to finally get to know Janet and, like it or not, she is back in her element and needs to make amends for things that she thought were in her past.”

Hank Pym points a handheld futuristic weapon at something off-screen. He wears a brown coat with goggles around his neck. His white hair is brushed back.

Hank Pym (Michael Douglas)
After handing the reins of the Pym Van Dyne Foundation to Hope, Hank is spending time with his family, including his honorary granddaughter, Cassie. Most of all, he’s making up for lost time with Janet.

“Their relationship extends to their marriage and their careers,” Douglas said. “Not many people are able to pull that off. It’s certainly an equitable relationship—they each have their strengths and weaknesses.”

A headshot of Jentorra, who has black lips and gold markings on her face. Her dark hair is pulled back and topped with an ornate warrior headdress, and she appears to be in battle-wear.

Jentorra (Katy O’Brian)
The unrelenting warrior Jentorra is among the first Quantum Realm residents that moviegoers will meet, and she sets the bar high. Jentorra leads the Freedom Fighters, a group of displaced inhabitants in the Quantum Realm, and is waging a losing battle against Kang the Conqueror. As a Quantum Realm native, Jentorra is well-accustomed to the biomes and the beings that live in them.

“You’ll get to explore a lot of the different colonies and the different groups of people that we have here—broccoli man is my personal favorite,” O’Brian said. “We have characters that float, we have blobs, we have mind-readers—all kinds of zany creatures and humanoids and mysterious things.”

Lord Krylar (Bill Murray)
Lord Krylar is the governor of Axia, a cushy community within the Quantum Realm, and he loves the high status that comes with it. Krylar lives a life of exotic cocktails and top-notch transportation, but Janet’s return hints at an unknown history between them. “We liked the idea of kind of giving Hank and Janet this tension with Krylar,” Reed said. “That felt fun to us.”

M.O.D.O.K. (Corey Stoll)
M.O.D.O.K. stands for Mechanized Organism Designed Only for Killing, which should be fairly self-explanatory. M.O.D.O.K. is Kang’s ferocious right-hand man (though he’s more of a giant floating head stuffed into a tiny body, as Reed describes), using force and fear to solidify Kang’s hold on the Quantum Realm. “Of course, M.O.D.O.K. really has no choice, but he drank the Kool-Aid and is totally on board with Kang’s plan and being his literal killing machine,” Reed said.

An upper body shot of Quaz, who looks solemnly downward. He has close-cropped dark hair and a close-cut beard. He wears a red scarf and blue and tan outerwear.

Quaz (William Jackson Harper)
At Jentorra’s side, Quaz spurs on the fight to escape Kang’s grip on the Quantum Realm. Quaz is bioluminescent with a cerebrum that glows when his power is activated, so he knows who’s doubting him the moment it happens.

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Everything New You Can Stream on Disney+ in March 2023

February 16, 2023

By Zach Johnson

Disney+ is marching into a new month with an exciting new slate!

March kicks off with the premiere of Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 3. Once a lone bounty hunter, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) has reunited with Grogu. Meanwhile, the New Republic struggles to lead the galaxy away from its dark history. The Mandalorian will cross paths with old allies and make new enemies as he continues his journey with Grogu. Speaking of a series from a galaxy far, far away, stream a new episode of Star Wars: The Bad Batch every Wednesday leading up to the Season 2 finale on March 29.

On Wednesday, March 8, stream the new series MPower, which salutes the Marvel women who have brought iconic heroes to life, both on- and off-screen. Two days later, stream the new movie Chang Can Dunk, which follows Chang, a 16-year-old, Asian American high school student in the marching band who bets the school basketball star that he can dunk by Homecoming. The bet leads the 5-foot-8 Chang on a quest to find the hops he needs to dunk in order to impress his crush, Kristy, and finally gain the attention and respect of his peers. Before he can rise up and truly throw one down, he’ll need to rethink everything he knows about himself, his friendships, and his family.

Livestream the NHL Big City Greens Classic on Tuesday, March 14, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Disney+ and ESPN+; the first-ever live, animated NHL game telecast between the Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers will also be broadcast on Disney XD and Disney Channel. The alternate presentation of the game will feature real-time volumetric animation of players and teams modeled after Big City Greens characters.

On Wednesday, March 15, stream Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts Season 2 in its entirety. Disney Legend Robin Roberts hosts intimate conversations with multiple generations of Hollywood’s most inspiring women. Listen to never-before-heard stories of how each woman learned grace, found fulfillment, conquered certainty, and embraced community. Guests in Season 2 include Yaya DaCosta, Chloe Kim, Hayley Kiyoko, Loni Love, Marsai Martin, Chrissy Metz, Kelly Osbourne, Kyla Pratt, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Brooke Shields, Dionne Warwick, and Rita Wilson. Two days later, Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming, with Dave Letterman will premiere. U2’s Bono and the Edge return to Dublin with Dave Letterman, reflecting on their journey as musicians and friends. The Disney+ Original special features never-before-seen footage and interviews detailing their songwriting process and the inspiration behind their music.

Closing out the month on Friday, March 31, is the return of Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. When Walter (Alex Aiono) returns from the World Surf Tour, he’s not the same boyfriend Lahela (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) said goodbye to months before—nor is she the same girl. That becomes clear when she meets a bad boy on a dirt bike, Nico (Milo Manheim.) She’s faced with a decision: fight for what she knows is true or give new love a chance. It’s all complicated by the pressures of being a teenage doctor. Luckily, she has her family, co-workers, and best friend (Emma Meisel) to support her along the way.

Throughout the month, Disney+ will add new episodes of hit shows such as Eureka! and Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends, as well as complete seasons of classic and new series such as Doogie Howser, M.D. and Restaurants at the End of the World.

All the titles coming to Disney+ in March are listed below:

Wednesday, March 1
Eureka! (Season 1, 4 Episodes)
Going Fur Gold (Season 1)
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Episode 211: “Metamorphosis”)
Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Season 3 Premiere) (Episode: “Chapter 17”)

Friday, March 3
Dino Death Match
The Next Mega Tsunami

Wednesday, March 8
Africa’s Deadliest (Seasons 2–5)
Chibiverse (Season 1)
Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (Season 1, 5 Episodes)
MPower (Premiere) (All Episodes Streaming)
Spidey and his Amazing Friends (Season 2, 4 Episodes)
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Episode 212: “The Outpost”)
Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Episode: “Chapter 18”)

Friday, March 10
Chang Can Dunk (Premiere)

Tuesday, March 14
Disney NHL Big City Greens Classic (Livestream)

Wednesday, March 15
Doogie Howser, M.D. (Seasons 1–4)
Engineering Connections (Seasons 1–2)
Firebuds (Season 1, 4 Episodes)
Kiff (Season 1, 6 Episodes)
Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts (Season 2 Premiere) (All Episodes Streaming)
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Episode 213: “Pabu”)
Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Episode: “Chapter 19”)

Friday, March 17
Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming, with Dave Letterman (Premiere)
Hippo vs. Croc

Wednesday, March 22
How to Win at Everything (Season 1)
Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes (Season 1, 4 Episodes)
Restaurants at the End of the World (Season 1)
Superstructures: Engineering Marvels (Season 1)
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Episode 214: “Tipping Point”)
Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Episode: “Chapter 20”)

Friday, March 24
Witness Disaster

Saturday, March 25
Saturdays (Season 1, 6 Episodes)
Secrets of Sulphur Springs (Season 3)

Wednesday, March 29
Crimes Against Nature (Season 2)
Mickey Mouse Funhouse (Season 2, 4 Episodes)
Incredibly Small World (Season 1)
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Episode 215: “The Summit”) (Episode 216: “Plan 99” – Season 2 Finale)
Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Episode: “Chapter 21”)

Friday, March 31
Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. (Season 2 Premiere) (All Episodes Streaming)
Prom Pact
Worst Weather Ever?

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

February 16, 2023February 16, 2023

By Andie Hagemann

From scintillating secrets to high-stakes chess, this weekend is jam-packed with all-new content! Camp Kikiwaka embarks on a treasure hunt in a new episode of BUNK’D: Learning the Ropes, airing Friday on Disney Channel. On Saturday, watch new episodes of Hamster & Gretel and Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, both launching back-to-back on Disney Channel. The quest to find music’s next superstar begins Sunday night with the season premiere of American Idol on ABC, followed by the series debut of The Company You Keep, also on ABC.

BUNK’D: Learning the Ropes—Friday, February 17, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
This week, an elusive treasure hunt captivates the campers and counselors alike—and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to win. In fact, Destiny (Mallory James Mahoney), Bill (Alfred Lewis), and Parker (Trevor Tordjman) even go as far as stalling a livestock auction just to search for clues! Elsewhere at Camp Kikwaka, Jake (Luke Busey) works on a heartfelt gift for his moms, and Noah (Israel Johnson) practices stunts.

Hamster & Gretel—Saturday, February 18, at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
The unlikely supercharged duo gets into two hilarious—and very different—predicaments in this brand-new episode. In the first installment, Gretel (voiced by Meli Povenmire) and Kevin (voiced by Michael Cimino) sneak into a wrestling match, and Carolina’s sister comes to visit. And later, Carolina (voiced by Carolina Ravassa) and Gretel attend Strawberry Fest, which unexpectedly takes Carolina by surprise.

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur—Saturday, February 18, at 10 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
This weekend, not just one but two brand-new episodes roll onto our screens. The first episode follows Lunella Lafayette (voiced by Diamond White) as she takes on the immense responsibility of running the rink for a night. To aid Lunella, Casey (voiced by Libe Barer) concocts a get-rich-quick scheme. However, the plan threatens Moon Girl’s reputation and her family’s business. Airing at 10:30 a.m. ET/PT, the second episode centers around Lunella’s obsession with winning after she loses a game of chess against a supercomputer. Asia Kate Dillon guest stars as the voice of LOS-307 and Craig Robinson guest stars as the voice of Principal Nelson.

American Idol—Sunday, February 19, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
The iconic series returns this week for Season 6 on the network. The quest to find America’s next singing sensation kicks off with superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie venturing to New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Nashville for contestants’ auditions. Emmy^® Award-winning host and producer Ryan Seacrest returns to host the weekly competition series. New episodes are available to stream the following day on Hulu.

The Company You Keep—Sunday, February 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
All is fair in love… and lies. This steamy new series—intended only for mature audiences—centers around con-man Charlie (Milo Ventimiglia) and undercover CIA officer Emma (Catherine Haena Kim), who unknowingly spark an unlikely romance. While Charlie attempts to exit the “family business” for good, Emma’s closing in on the vengeful criminal who holds Charlie’s family debts in hand—forcing them to reckon with the lies they’ve told so they can save themselves and their families from disastrous consequences. The series also stars William Fichtner, Tim Chiou, Freda Foh Shen, James Saito, Sarah Wayne Callies, Felisha Terrell, and Polly Draper, and is based on the Korean Broadcasting System series My Fellow Citizens.

Introducing The Company You Keep’s Undercover Lovers

February 16, 2023February 15, 2023

By Zach Johnson

ABC’s new series promises all is fair in love and lies.

In The Company You Keep, based on the Korean Broadcasting System series My Fellow Citizens, a night of passion leads to love between con man Charlie (executive producer Milo Ventimiglia) and undercover CIA officer Emma (Catherine Haena Kim). “These two are on a collision course,” Ventimiglia says. “Professionally, they are two sides of a coin who have compartmentalized lives; she is a CIA officer who, for national security, really can’t discuss her job. And he is a criminal who, for personal security, doesn’t want to land in jail. So, when you have that—but you also have this undeniable connection and love and foundation—there’s [an added layer of] complication. The honesty, which takes a while to ultimately get, hopefully will put them closer together.”

Kim adds, “We all know what it’s like to fall in love. We know it’s exciting and it’s terrifying: ‘Can I trust you? Can I trust you with my heart? What’s real? What’s not?’”

According to executive producers and co-showrunners Julia Cohen and Phil Klemmer, the series’ premise is rife with storytelling opportunities. “I was compelled by the idea of two professional liars who see one another’s truths. And what is love if not seeing somebody’s truth?” Cohen asks. “What breaks the pattern for our two professional liars is their relationship and the fact that they ultimately see the real Charlie and the real Emma.” However, Klemmer cautions, “Not all lies are made equally; we all know about white lies and necessary lies.” In fact, Klemmer argues, “Lies make the world go ’round, in a way. When it comes to dating somebody and presenting your best self, perhaps you’re lying, or perhaps you’re presenting the version of yourself that you want to be.”

So, who are the real Charlie and Emma? The simple (although perhaps frustrating) answer is… it’s complicated. “Seemingly, they’re so different, but they happen to meet at the exact same moment in their lives,” Kim says. “It’s that moment when you look over at somebody and you think, ‘Oh, it’s you. It’s going to be you.’ And then, it’s on.”

Ventimiglia says his role as Charlie allowed him to “stretch into something new creatively,” and he enjoys getting to discover that opposite Kim. “This series explores real intimacy. Sure, there’s the physical [aspect], and you’ve got two people who are just kind of thrown together and drawn together and pulled together like magnets,” the actor says. “But really, what makes that stick is that emotional vulnerability, that intellectual vulnerability. It’s the willingness to open that raw nerve and show it to somebody else and be like, ‘Hey, can I trust you?’ And I think that’s definitely something we explore quite a bit within the parameters of who these characters are.”

All the while, Charlie and Emma will be forced to reckon with the lies they’ve told so they can save themselves and their families from disastrous consequences. Ultimately, The Company You Keep is an “escapist” fantasy, Cohen says. “I am a romantic at heart,” she explains. “There is an epic romance at its core—a very sexy one at that!”

The Company You Keep—produced by 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios—debuts Sunday, February 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT and streams next day on Hulu.

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!

February 16, 2023June 1, 2023

As a member of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, you know your magic! This week we’re putting your Black Panther knowledge to the test to see if you are the ultimate Disney fan.

What does T’Challa’s nanotech Black Panther suit store and redistribute?

Potential energy

Solar energy

Kinetic energy

Quantum energy

Correct! Wrong!

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!

You are the ultimate Disney fan!

Looks like you are a Disney expert! Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge. We’ll see you next week for your chance to uphold your title as the ultimate Disney fan!

Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!

Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge! These questions are tricky, so don’t stop swimming yet. We’ll see you next week for your chance to earn the title of the ultimate Disney fan!