Disney D23 Rewind—Week of March 27

By Courtney Potter

In an image from Disney+’s Crater, Mckenna Grace as Addison (as well as several other cast members to her left and right) are wearing space suits and are standing on the lunar surface, staring up at something off camera and to the right.

Disney’s Crater to Debut Exclusively on Disney+ This May 

Ready for some lunar fun? The Disney+ Original Movie Crater will debut exclusively on the streamer on May 12.

Crater follows Caleb Channing (Isaiah Russell-Bailey), who was raised on a lunar mining colony and is about to be permanently relocated to an idyllic faraway planet following the death of his father (Scott Mescudi). But before leaving, to fulfill his dad’s last wish, he and his three best friends—Dylan (Billy Barratt), Borney (Orson Hong), and Marcus (Thomas Boyce)—and a new arrival from Earth, Addison (Mckenna Grace), hijack a rover for one final adventure on a journey to explore a mysterious crater.

Directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez, the coming-of-age sci-fi film was written by John Griffin and produced by Shawn Levy, Dan Levine, and Dan Cohen.

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

This weekend marks the beginning of April—so don’t joke around with your viewing from around the worlds of Disney! Season 2 The Ghost and Molly McGee kicks off on Disney Channel and Disney XD; Hollywood Week (and all its requisite drama) starts on ABC’s American Idol, followed by an all-new episode of The Company You Keep; and so much more…

Freeform’s grown-ish to End with Season 6

All good things must come to an end: Earlier this week, Freeform announced that its hit comedy series grown-ish will end with its upcoming sixth season.

Season 6, which will mark the series’ milestone 100th episode, will air in two parts; the first will premiere this summer, while the second airs in 2024. Yara Shahidi, who stars as Zoey Johnson, shared the news in a video posted to Freeform’s social channels, seen above.

The series currently follows Andre Johnson Jr., aka Junior (Marcus Scribner), as he transitions from Zoey’s little brother to big man on campus.

“We’ve spent nearly a decade telling our stories through the -ish series, and to say it has been an amazing journey would be an understatement,” creator and executive producer Kenya Barris recently said. “To be able to watch Yara, Marcus, and our entire grown-ish family grow up in front of—and in many ways alongside—us over these past several years has been both a joy and an honor. From the stories we’ve told to the talent we’ve fostered and, most importantly, the memories made, I could not be more proud of everything we’ve accomplished and the -ish family I’ve been a part of.”

Also announced were the upcoming season’s guest stars—which include Lil Yachty, Anderson .Paak, and Free Nationals.

ICYMI: 14 Ultimate Fans from Around the Worlds of Disney

With D23 Member Appreciation Month ending soon, it’s a good time to take in some fellow fans from around the worlds of Disney. Check out our rundown of some favorite “ultimate fans”—from Coco’s Miguel (and his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz) to Lilo & Stitch’s Lilo and her love of all things Elvis, and so many in between!

Disney and Pixar Reveal New Elemental Trailer and Announce New Short

Disney and Pixar have premiered a sizzling new trailer for Elemental, opening in theaters Friday, June 16!

Elemental, directed by Peter Sohn, transports moviegoers to an extraordinary place called Element City, where a host of elements live and work. The trailer showcases each element—air, earth, water, and fire—and what sets them apart… according to Ember, a quick-witted and fiery woman who has always stayed close to home in Firetown. In the film, she finally ventures out of her comfort zone to explore this spectacular world born from the imaginations of Pixar’s filmmakers and specifically crafted for the big-screen experience. Element City is inspired by big cities around the globe and embraces theorized contributions from each elemental community—from giant pine-tree-like buildings and waterfall skyscrapers to a tornado-shaped arena called Cyclone Stadium.

Joining the previously announced voice cast—including Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie as Ember and Wade, respectively—are Ronnie del Carmen as Ember’s soon-to-be retired dad, Bernie; Shila Ommi as Ember’s love-seeking mom, Cinder; Wendi McLendon-Covey as Wade’s stormy and Air-Ball-loving boss, Gale; Catherine O’Hara as Wade’s welcoming mom, Brook; Mason Wertheimer as Ember’s admiring earth neighbor, Clod; and Joe Pera as an overgrown city bureaucrat, Fern.

They also announced that a brand-new animated short, Carl’s Date, will run ahead of the film—resuming Pixar Animation Studios’ moviegoing tradition of pairing their features with short films.

The poster for Disney and Pixar’s new animated short Carl’s Date. Carl (on left) is holding a bouquet of purple flowers while standing on the front porch of his home with his dog Dug (on right); he’s wearing his signature black glasses, a white button-up shirt, a dark bow tie, suspenders, and brown pants. Dug is holding a flower in his mouth. The number “333” is seen on the doorway leading into the house. Above them, the phrase “New Adventure, Same Wingman” is seen; the short’s title is seen below, with the date of the short’s release (June 16).

The new short catches up with Carl Fredricksen (voiced by the late, great Ed Asner) and his lovable talking dog Dug (voiced by Bob Peterson), who were introduced in Pixar’s Oscar®-winning feature Up. Written and directed by Oscar nominee and Emmy® Award winner Peterson and produced by Kim Collins, this all-new short finds Carl reluctantly agreeing to go on a date with a lady friend—but admittedly with no idea how dating works these days. Ever the helpful friend, Dug steps in to calm Carl’s pre-date jitters and offer some tried-and-true tips for making friends… if you’re a dog.

In concept art for the new Disney Cruise Line ship based out of Singapore, the port of Singapore (with several tall buildings, and a Ferris wheel to the right) is seen behind a large ship sailing from left to right.

New Disney Cruise Line Ship Will Sail from Singapore in 2025

Big news for cruise fans around the globe: Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board have announced magical cruise vacations to Southeast Asia for the first time! The info was recently revealed by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, S. Iswaran.

Under a new Memorandum of Understanding, Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board agreed to collaborate to homeport a brand-new Disney cruise ship exclusively in Singapore for at least five years beginning in 2025.

The new ship will feature innovative Disney experiences along with all the dazzling entertainment, world-class dining, and legendary guest service that set Disney Cruise Line apart. Guests young and young at heart will find dedicated spaces and activities designed just for them, and families will create unforgettable memories with beloved characters including Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse, Disney Princesses, Marvel Super Heroes, and more.

Disney Cruise Line estimates the passenger capacity of the 208,000-gross-ton ship to be approximately 6,000, with around 2,300 crew members—and it’s expected to be among the first in the cruise industry to be fueled by green methanol, one of the lowest emission fuels available. Construction is projected to be completed at the MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany, under the management of Meyer Werft, the Papenburg-based company that built the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and the Titan-class Disney Wish (and is constructing two additional Titan-class ships).More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries, and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date.

ABC News Presents New Diane Sawyer Interview with Jeremy Renner

This week, the good folks at ABC News announced that anchor and Disney Legend Diane Sawyer will sit down with actor Jeremy Renner in an exclusive interview—the first since his life-threatening accident on New Year’s Day.

Renner, who was run over by his seven-ton snowplow in an attempt to save his nephew’s life, was critically injured―breaking more than 30 bones and puncturing a lung and his liver. He opens up to Sawyer about the harrowing details of his accident; the critical hours that followed; and his time in the hospital. He also provides a behind-the-scenes look at his ongoing recovery.

The special also features interviews with Renner’s family members, including the nephew he was trying to protect, and the first responders who saved his life.

Jeremy Renner: The Diane Sawyer Interview – A Story of Terror, Survival and Triumph airs Thursday, April 6, at 10:01 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and the next day on Hulu.

Lucasfilm Debuts New Shorts Ahead of Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures Premiere

Ahead of the series’ debut on May the Fourth—Star Wars Day—Lucasfilm recently shared a sneak peek at the upcoming series Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures with the release of several animated shorts that introduce the Jedi younglings and their friends on planet Tenoo. Check out Meet the Young Jedi, above! (The other two shorts, Lys’ Creature Caper and Kai’s Daring Droid Rescue, can be found here and here, respectively.)

Set during The High Republic era, the animated series—the first Star Wars series created for preschoolers—follows Jedi younglings as they study the ways of the Force, explore the galaxy, help citizens and creatures in need, and learn the valuable skills needed to become Jedi along the way.

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures stars Jamaal Avery, Jr. as Kai Brightstar, Juliet Donenfeld as Lys Solay, Dee Bradley Baker as Nubs, Emma Berman as Nash Durango, Jonathan Lipow as RJ-83, and Piotr Michael as Master Yoda.

Three additional shorts will debut on YouTube over the coming weeks, with all six shorts available to stream on Disney+ on Wednesday, April 26, ahead of the series debut on Thursday, May 4, Star Wars Day, on Disney+ and Disney Junior.

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

By Andie Hagemann

From ghostly encounters to super-charged astronauts, here’s everything you need to watch this weekend. The Season 2 premiere of The Ghost and Molly McGee airs Saturday on Disney Channel and Disney XD, and the beloved soccer flick Bend It Like Beckham dribbles its way onto Hulu that same day. Hollywood Week kicks off on American Idol, followed by an all-new episode of The Company You Keep, both airing Sunday night on ABC—plus, that same night, watch a special presentation of Fantastic Four on FX.

In a scene from an episode of The Ghost and Molly McGee, Molly, an animated young girl, plays guitar and looks at Scratch, a ghost, while he plays a large, blue drum set.

The Ghost and Molly McGee—Saturday, April 1, at 8 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and Disney XD
In the season premiere, the McGees welcome a new family to the neighborhood, the Chens. However, they soon make the shocking discovery that the Chens—Ollie (voiced by Alan Lee), June (voiced by Sue Ann Pien), Esther (voiced by Stephanie Sheh), and Ruben (voiced by Leonard Wu)—are ghost hunters. Meanwhile, a new chairman is declared in the Ghost World, which makes life and the afterlife even more complicated for Molly (voiced by Ashly Burch) and Scratch (voiced by Dana Snyder). The series voice cast includes Jordan Klepper as Pete McGee, Molly’s anxiously idealistic father; Michaela Dietz as Darryl, Molly’s mischievously entrepreneurial brother; and Sumalee Montano as Sharon McGee and Grandma Nin, Molly’s creatively pragmatic mom and adoring grandmother.

In a scene from Bend It Like Beckham, actor Parminder Nagra is surrounded by her teammates who hold her dress in a hot pink and gold sari.

Bend It Like Beckham—Saturday, April 1, on Hulu
Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), the daughter of strict parents (Anupam Kher and Shaheen Khan), is not permitted to play organized soccer, even though she is 18 years old. When Jess is playing for fun one day, her impressive skills are noticed by Jules Paxton (Keira Knightley), who later convinces her to play for her semi-professional soccer team. Jess then uses elaborate excuses to hide her new endeavor from her family while also dealing with her romantic feelings for her coach, Joe (Jonathan Rhys Meyers).

In a scene from an episode of American Idol, judge Lionel Richie stands next to contestant Colt Glover.

American Idol—Sunday, April 2, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
As the Hollywood Week festivities commence, fan-favorite Idol alumni return as contestant mentors. With make-or-break performances on the horizon, the alums advise the contestants on how to command the stage, while also providing songwriting tips. Who will impress superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie? Part 2 of the highly anticipated Hollywood Week airs Monday, April 3, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. New episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu.

In a scene from an episode of The Company You Keep, actors Catherine Haena Kim and Milo Ventimiglia talk outside of a stark, stone building.

The Company You Keep—Sunday, April 2, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
In the all-new episode—intended only for mature audiences—the Nicolettis set their sights on stealing an elusive painting. Birdie (Sarah Wayne Callies) enlists the help of an old flame to carry out the mission. Meanwhile, Emma (Catherine Haena Kim) grapples with Charlie’s (Milo Ventimiglia) shocking admission and the emerging conflicts of interest at work at the CIA. The series also stars James Saito, Tim Chiou, Polly Draper, Freda Foh Shen, William Fichtner, and Courtney Taylor, to name a few. New episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu.

In a scene from Fantastic Four (2005), actor Jessica Alba separates actors Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis from fighting in front of a crowd as actor Ioan Gruffudd stands behind Alba.

Fantastic Four (2005)—Sunday, April 2, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX
The lives of four astronauts—Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd), Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis), Sue Storm (Jessica Alba), and Johnny Storm (Chris Evans)—are changed forever when they are struck by a cloud of cosmic radiation that bestows superpowers upon them. Reed can now stretch his body like elastic and Ben becomes the “Thing,” a man made of rock, while Sue and Johnny become the Invisible Woman and the Human Torch, respectively. But there is just one problem... the sponsor of the mission, Dr. Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon), has also been affected and instantly becomes a dangerous force who needs to be stopped before it’s too late. The action-packed film is also available to stream on Disney+.

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

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

What color suit did Troy Bolton wear to prom in High School Musical 3: Senior Year?

Correct! Wrong!

Trick Question... Troy Bolton did not attend East High’s senior prom; he drove through the night to surprise Gabriella during her college program.

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!

How The Ghost and Molly McGee Brought Season 2 to Life

By Jessica Benda

When a ghost and a girl strike up a friendship, unpredictable antics are sure to follow. That’s certainly the case with The Ghost and Molly McGee, which returns for a spooky Season 2 on Saturday, April 1 at 8 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and Disney XD, and next day on Disney+. New episodes then debut each Saturday.

Tween optimist Molly lives to make the world brighter, while grumpy ghost Scratch attempts to fulfill his job to spread misery. When one of Scratch’s curses backfires, he finds himself forever bound to Molly, creating an unlikely bond that leads to humorous misadventures.

The zaniness will continue in Season 2, said Bill Motz and Bob Roth, creators and executive producers. The Emmy® Award-winning writing and producing duo shared their creative process, which all begins with blank notecards.

“We’ve got 40 11-minute stories to tell,” Motz explained. “We put note cards on a wall and sit with the team and go, ‘We’ve got to fill 40 of these. What do we want to do?’ And everybody starts throwing out ideas, we write them down and pin them up until that board is almost filled.”

The team sifts through ideas until they settle on their final 40 stories, many of which are inspired by true events. Season 2 abounds with relatable moments of growing up, such as struggling to follow a “mature makeup tutorial” or going to your first school dance.

“Everybody brought their collective lives to the show, especially our writers, but also our board artists, our directors, even our production team would poke their heads in. Those moments just bubble to the surface and become the cream of the show,” Motz said. “We’re finding those moments that everybody goes, ‘Yes, I remember doing that.’”

Less common to tween life is the anxiety that comes when a ghost-hunting family moves in across the street. Season 2 kicks off with the arrival of the Chens, who are as quirky as the McGees themselves.

Meanwhile, a new Chairman is declared in the Ghost World, making life (and afterlife) even more complicated for Molly and Scratch. One element that the creators wanted to explore was Scratch’s backstory, including his identity before his ghostly form.

With such a deeply engaged creative team, it should be no surprise that there are a few inside jokes to look out for. For example, Motz and Roth revealed that audiences might notice that all the characters read the same book: Bill and Bob’s Okay Adventure. It was something that Sarah Keeley, the prop designer, added to make the crew laugh.

Then there are the “ghost-sonas.” Several ghosts are caricatures of the show’s creative team and crew, including Motz and Roth—“maybe two of the most unflattering caricatures,” Roth said with a laugh.

“The crew really let us have it with those,” Motz added. “I’m excited. My character finally spoke, and John DiMaggio did his voice. I couldn’t be more delighted that John DiMaggio voiced me in a cartoon.”

The character designs themselves reflect “a type of classic Disney.” Scratch is brought to life in a way reminiscent of the Disney Parks attraction Haunted Mansion, Roth pointed out.

“This is a classic Disney show. It has the human heart and hope that I always loved,” Roth said. “I think the best of Disney goes through emotional journeys. It’s not just cotton candy that you’re eating all day long; the show has substance, too. I think that’s what Disney does.”

14 Ultimate Fans from the Worlds of Disney

By Jessica Benda

Stars—they’re just like us! Especially if the “stars” are our favorite Disney characters, and the “like us” is our fierce love of Disney.

The worlds of Disney are full of fans devoted to their own passions—whether it be musicians, movies, or a certain snowy holiday. Some Disney characters show off a huge collection of their idol’s merchandise, while others may take their fandom to other extremes. To celebrate D23: The Official Disney Fan Club’s 14th anniversary, we’ve rounded up 14 of the ultimate fans from some of our favorite Disney films and series.

In the animated film Turning Red, Mei and her friends cry tears of joy at 4*Town’s concert. The four of them stand in the crowd and sport 4*Town face paint and shirts.

Turning Red’s Mei: 4*Town
Magazine covers, fan art, a CD of the ’99 Australian Tour with the Girl I Love Your Jeans remix—Mei might be the most accurate depiction of tween fandom yet. In Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red, Mei and her friends are deep in a one-sided relationship with boyband 4*Town… so obviously, they have to attend their upcoming concert at the SkyDome!

Ms. Marvel’s Kamala Khan: Marvel
Kamala Khan (a.k.a. SlothBaby to her fan fiction readers) is the ultimate Marvel fan, in her Disney+ series Ms. Marvel. With a fierce adoration of Captain Marvel and a mental encyclopedia of Avenger knowledge, she’s thrust into the life she writes about when she activates her own powers. Kamala ultimately takes on her own Super Hero identity as Ms. Marvel—and surely comes full circle as the new source of other teens’ fan fiction.

The Incredibles’ Syndrome: Mr. Incredible
Metroville hath no fury like a Syndrome scorned… Once the self-proclaimed Incrediboy—and the state-proclaimed Buddy Pine—Syndrome was Mr. Incredible’s No. 1 fan in Disney and Pixar’s The Incredibles. As an active member of the fan club, he often seeks out autographs and pictures, and eventually endeavors to make himself Mr. Incredible’s sidekick. But after he’s brushed aside, he makes it his personal mission to extinguish all superheroes. Syndrome takes “ultimate fan” to new (and kinda scary) heights!

Alt text: In the animated film Lilo and Stitch, the blue alien Stitch stands on the beach in an Elvis Presley costume. He wears a black wig, sparkling white pantsuit, and strums a guitar.

Lilo & Stitch’s Lilo: Elvis Presley
The only thing Lilo loves more than Stitch? Elvis Presley. Okay, maybe not quite that much, but no one can deny that Elvis is Lilo’s idol. In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Lilo & Stitch, she spends a fair amount of time lying on the hardwood while cranking “Heartbreak Hotel.” And when Stitch needs shaping up into a “model citizen,” Lilo knows the ultimate model citizen: Elvis (though the 1950s might’ve disagreed). She takes it on herself to teach Stitch all “the King’s” skills: dancing, guitar, and romance.

Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century’s Zenon: Proto Zoa
In 2049, Microbe is one of the biggest groups in rock—and Zenon is one of their biggest fans. Much of the momentum in the Disney Channel Original Movie Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century is driven by Zenon’s love of  the group and its lead singer, Proto Zoa. Amid stopping mass destruction, she even wins a “Dance with Proto Zoa” contest, and travels with him to the first live concert in space!

Teen Beach Movie’s Brady: Wet Side Story
In the Disney Channel Original Movie Teen Beach Movie, teen surfer Brady loves the fictious 1960s movie musical Wet Side Story, a Disney Channel rendition of Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story. Brady’s ultimate fan dreams come true when he and his girlfriend, McKenzie, are swept into the movie by a storm. Radical!

In the stop-motion animated film Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, the towering Jack Skellington is wearing a Santa Claus costume. He looms over a child in a Christmas-decorated home, offering him a present from his sack.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Jack Skellington: Christmas
Few fans take their obsessions as far as Jack Skellington, and that’s probably for the best. After Jack discovers Christmas, he commits identity theft, kidnapping, and surely infringes on Christmas Land copyright… but surely, it’s just because it loves it so much! He spends the bulk of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas attempting to transform Halloween Town into a winter wonderland and himself into “Sandy Claws.” The expression “crash and burn” becomes literal—in a good way—as, thankfully, he eventually reignites his passion for Halloween and his role as the Pumpkin King.

The Little Mermaid’s Ariel: The Human World
As shown by her cavern of collectables, Ariel is a huge fan of the human world. She collects thingamabobs and whatzits to her heart’s contents, and she’s not afraid to break the rules by breaching the ocean’s surface. Her passion for the above world pays off when she becomes a human herself! It’s a little dicey at first, but—spoiler alert—there’s a happy ending after all.

Coco’s Miguel: Ernesto de la Cruz
As an aspiring musician, Miguel idolizes the late singer and (supposed) songwriter Ernesto de la Cruz—so much so that he built a secret tribute to him in his family’s attic. In Disney and Pixar’s Coco, Miguel breaks into Ernesto’s tomb to borrow his guitar, and inadvertently turns himself into one of the dead. Luckily for him, being dead has its perks—as he can now track down his deceased idol. Worth dying for? TBD.

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Peter Quill pilots a ship. He smiles as he steers, while Gamora and Drax are blurry in the background.

Guardians of the Galaxy’s Peter Quill: Kevin Bacon
Kevin Bacon saved a small town through the power of dance in Footloose, so it’s understandable why he’s Peter Quill’s hero! Though Peter mentions his love of the ’80s megastar a few times in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, Bacon appears in all his Los Angeles glory in Disney+’s The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. Mantis and Drax abruptly kidnap Bacon to present him to Peter as a Christmas present. But unlike Jack Skellington, Peter knows better than to hold his hero hostage…

Sonny with a Chance’s Sonny Munroe: Chad Dylan Cooper
In Disney Channel’s Sonny with a Chance, small-town Sonny Munroe is starstruck when she meets Chad Dylan Cooper, the star of hit tween series MacKenzie Falls. As she starts as a new cast member of a rival TV show, she’s only dazzled for an episode before she realizes the enormity of his ego. As in any fan’s ultimate dream, Chad goes from Sonny’s celebrity crush, to her nemesis, to her boyfriend, and so on and so on.

A Goofy Movie’s Max Goof: Powerline
Max Goof first proves his love of Powerline in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ A Goofy Movie by hijacking a school assembly to perform as the pop star. He spends the rest of the film on a wayward road trip with his father, Goofy, ultimately trying to steer the course toward Los Angeles. There, he not only gets to attend Powerline’s concert, he performs in it!

In the animated film Moana, Maui the demigod holds a boat in one hand and makes a finger gun symbol with his free hand. He winks.

Moana’s Maui: Maui
The hair! The bod! In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana, the demigod Maui makes it clear that he knows his own worth—perhaps a bit too much. Then again, he harnessed the breeze, pulled islands from the ocean, and made a coconut tree out of a dead eel. Can you blame him?

Toy Story 2’s Al: Woody’s Roundup
Original hand-painted face; natural-dyed blanket-stitched vest; hand-stitched polyvinyl hat! It’s love at first sight for toy store owner Al when he finds Woody at Andy’s family garage sale. When he can’t buy Woody, he lets his inner crazed-fan loose and steals him… it’s the final piece Al needs for his prized collection based on the classic TV show Woody’s Roundup. But that said, Al might be a bigger fan of the profit than the collection.

DOWNLOADABLE: Celebrate Your Creativity with a Disney100 Coloring Page

By Analise Warner

Ring in the last week of Women’s History Month before the clock strikes midnight this Friday! Celebrate with the courageous and kind Princess Cinderella with an exclusive printable page from Disney Publishing’s new Art of Coloring: Disney 100 Years of Wonder book. Have a bibbidi-bobbidi ball with this must-have adult coloring book that offers a fun and familiar look at everything Disney—past, present, and future. Download the charming coloring page below and remember: “If you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true!”

DOWNLOAD

Icons of Disney Storytelling: Jared Bush

By Zach Johnson

For 100 years, Walt Disney Animation Studios has told timeless tales through films that combine beautiful artistry, masterful storytelling, and groundbreaking technology. Among the studios’ many bright stars is Jared Bush, who most recently helmed its 60th feature film, the Academy Award®-winning Encanto, writing the script with Charise Castro Smith and directing the film alongside Byron Howard.

A Harvard University graduate, Bush began his career as a script reader for Oscar®-winning director Robert Zemeckis. After he joined The Walt Disney Company, he co-created, executive produced, and wrote Disney XD’s animated comedy adventure series Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero. He went on to co-direct and write the Oscar-winning feature Zootopia; write the Oscar-nominated feature Moana; and executive produce both the Oscar®-nominated feature Raya and the Last Dragon and the Disney+ Original series Zootopia+. Suffice to say, Bush knows how to tell a good story—and he’s already hard at work on his next one. But first, he’s joining D23: The Disney Fan Club for a wide-ranging Q&A...

In a scene from Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero, animated characters Sashi Kobayashi, Penn Zero, and Boone Wiseman wear superhero suits and stand in a park.

D23: What makes Disney the perfect home to tell your stories?
Jared Bush (JB): Walt Disney Animation Studios is a place that celebrates the elements of stories that I love the most: comedy, emotion, unique characters, and fantastical worlds. Even better, it celebrates those things in a hyper-collaborative environment where we all work together to create something greater than the sum of its parts, built from the imaginations of the most creative people I’ve ever worked with.

D23: How has Disney helped you touch hearts around the world in ways you didn’t expect?
JB: When anyone sees themselves onscreen, whether it’s how they look, experiences they’ve had, or emotions they’ve felt, there’s an amazing connection that can form between audiences and the stories they feel a part of. One of my favorite unexpected things about Disney Animation is just how many different types of people you have the benefit of working with, all of whom are putting their hearts and experiences into our films, which allow people everywhere to feel seen. Being able to translate and perform “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Encanto into 42 languages flawlessly is pretty great, too!

In a scene from Zootopia, the police officer rabbit Judy Hopps holds a sprinkle donut sign above a shrew named Fru Fru, who is holding red shopping bags.

D23: What are some common things you hear from viewers about your projects?
JB: I hear a lot. Truthfully though, I think my favorite thing to hear are viewers’ theories about loose-ends or unanswered mysteries. I feel very strongly that audiences having their own interpretations of our stories and characters is really important—everyone’s lived experiences change their perspective of what’s onscreen, and I think it’s all valid. If you see a story I worked on differently than I do, it means you’ve found your own personal connection, and I think that’s fantastic.

D23: How does Disney Animation help you connect with audiences in a way that’s unique to Disney?
JB: Well, like so many of us, I grew up watching Disney Animation films: The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan. I think the entertainment and wonder immediately grabbed me, but it’s impossible to think of those films without the music that defines them. Music tied to character, even better. I think it’s subconsciously informed a lot of what I love, and the choices I make in the stories I’ve been able to work on. For decades, people have had high expectations of Disney stories: fun, emotion, hope, imagination—all elements I firmly believe in. It’s a high bar to aspire to, but I think challenge breeds creativity.

In a scene from Moana, Moana and a rooster named Hei Hei are on a raft in the ocean on a sunny day. Moana kneels on all fours and holds a coconut in one hand.

D23: What is it about Disney that’s most important to you in supporting your development as a storyteller?
JB: Collaboration with unbelievably talented people who think and create in different ways than I do. It’s hard to describe the feeling of someone finding something absolutely brilliant that you never would have thought of that elevates your story in ways you couldn’t have imagined. It makes you think differently and expands what you think is possible. As a storyteller, it’s an incredible luxury.

D23: How has Disney enabled you to collaborate with other storytellers?
JB: Disney Animation is defined by collaboration. It’s not possible without it. More than 600 people work on any given film, and the reason is because it takes hundreds of specialists to achieve each aspect of what you see in the final frame. Animation, lighting, character design, clothing, music, hair simulation, special effects, story, crowd characters, the technology that makes all of that possible, the people working behind the scenes to support all of it—it takes everyone working together, helping each other, all in pursuit of telling a story that we can be proud of.

In a scene from Encanto, Isabela sits on a swing made of flowers and is bathed in purple light. Her family members stand below, extending their arms.

D23: How would you summarize your experience working with Disney to realize your vision?
JB: Combined imagination. Our stories are not “one vision.” Even in stories very personal to me, where it’s begun with a tiny nugget of an idea in my brain, it quickly becomes a shared vision of many people, all of whom work together and bring themselves into the story to make it something greater than any one person could create alone. It’s my favorite part of working at Disney Animation. And in my experience, it’s wholly unique in Hollywood... which is why I feel so lucky to be a part of it.

D23: What makes you want to work on new Disney projects time and again? How has working at Disney Animation helped you realize your dreams—and dream new ones?
JB: I think any creative person’s dream is to be able to have a career where imagination and artistic freedom is even remotely possible... let alone the most important aspect of what you do. I still don’t believe this is my life. But a step further, I also believe that all creative people hope someone connects with a story they create, a picture they draw, a character they imagine, a song they write... because everything we make is in some way deeply personal. It is truly a part of you. When that resonates, it’s a dream come true. My only new dream is to be able to keep doing what I’m doing... forever.

Totally Tubular Photos from the ’80s-Themed Prom Pact Premiere

By Zach Johnson

Given that the Disney Original Movie Prom Pact features multiple “promposals” inspired by classic ’80s films, it made perfect sense the film’s world premiere, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, was similarly themed. And so, last Friday night, the stars and creative team came together to pose for photos on the pink carpet in celebration of Disney Branded Television’s heartfelt romantic comedy, debuting Thursday, March 30, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and next day on Disney+.

Prom Pact stars Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Milo Manheim, Blake Draper, Monique Green, Arica Himmel, Jason Sakaki, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and David S. Jung came dressed to impress, as did executive producers Julie Bowen, Rachael Field, and Melvin Mar. “I'm a massive sucker for the ’80s,” Draper, who plays Graham Lansing, said at the recent Winter 2023 TCA Press Tour. “To be able to live out prom in the Prom Pact world, with this ’80s set, was just one of the greatest things ever. So, I had some fun.”

The cast of Prom Pact poses for a photo on the pink carpet at the premiere.

Lee and Manheim’s Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. costars Wes Tian, Emma Meisel, Mapuana Makia, Matthew Sato, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, and Alex Aiono also attended the premiere. (Don’t forget: All episodes from Season 2 will premiere Friday, March 31, on Disney+!) Not only that, but Manheim reunited with his ZOMBIES costars Meg Donnelly, Trevor Tordjman, Emilia McCarthy, and Carla Jeffries!

Before you watch Prom Pact, enjoy more photos from the pink carpet:

Unraveling the Mysteries of Secrets of Sulphur Springs Season 3

By Zach Johnson

Secrets don’t stay secret for long... at least not in Secrets of Sulphur Springs!

Following the time-traveling series’ two-episode Season 3 premiere on Disney Channel, stars Preston Oliver and Kyliegh Curran tell D23: The Official Disney Fan Club they’re just as mystified as fans by what’s happening in Room 205 at the paranormal Tremont hotel. “The ghost of 205 has been doing his best to ruin the lives of the residents and the main characters, and he takes out his anger on Griffin and Harper’s families,” says Curran, who plays Harper and Daisy Tremont. “It ends up turning them against each other. In Harper’s vision, you see that Griffin pushes Topher [Johari Washington] off of the balcony and onto the front desk of the lobby, and that ruins their family’s bond; it tears them apart. So, the Harper you see yelling really loudly at Griffin—that’s future Harper. She’s really torn up about her brother, so she’s taking it out on the guy who she thinks ruined her life—when, actually, it’s because of a ghost.”

When Griffin visits Harper in the future and inquires about Topher’s accident, he is shocked to learn he may have played a part in such a tragedy. “Reading the script, it was a total twist,” Oliver recalls. “It wasn’t where I thought the show was going to go.”

Oliver isn’t the only one surprised by what the future may hold for their characters. Given Harper’s special abilities, one might assume Curran could better predict what’s coming. Not so! “Harper’s visions are usually about something horrible that happened in the past,” Curran says. “But once Harper finds out that bad things will happen to Griffin’s mother in the future, and that there’s been a horrible act in the past in Room 205, they can specifically target those two problems and take preventative measures.”

Throughout Season 3, Griffin’s family—dad Ben (Josh Braaten), mom Sarah (Kelly Frye), and twin siblings Wyatt (Landon Gordon) and Zoey (Madeleine McGraw)—will pay extra attention to the eerie events around the hotel, as will Harper’s brother. Whether they believe a ghost is involved, however, depends on the character. “Having a bigger group to go on these adventures with is refreshing for Griffin,” Oliver says. “But at the same time, it’s a lot more stressful, because telling the kids about all the stuff that’s been going on could mean that they’ll tell other people, which cannot be that good.”

The cast of Secrets of Sulphur Springs stands on a wooden staircase on the show’s set.

When Wyatt, Zoey, and Topher set out to prove the ghost of Savannah (Elle Graham) is real, they stumble upon what Griffin and Harper have long-known: She is not only real, but she’s a real person—not a ghost. As they soon learn, she has been time-traveling from the 1960s to the present day to help Griffin and Harper make sense of the hotel’s enigmas. After filling in their respective siblings, Griffin and Harper remind them that they cannot change the past. But, by changing the present, they might be able to change the future. “I think it’s more hope than anything,” Curran says. “I think their experiences with not being able to change the past created a swell of doubt in them. But they are both super-determined kids, and they care a lot about their families; they aren’t going to let an evil little ghost ruin their lives. So, I think it’s hope against hope.”

Oliver adds, “When it gets the future, that’s where it gets a little confusing—because it’s in the future where their lives go bad. But present day, they’re all still together, so they want to do their best to change the present before it gets to the future. That means they need to go back to the past to get information they can use to change the present. It’s little confusing to talk about, but once you see it, you’ll completely get it!”

As for Harper’s vision of the hotel on fire? “It just kind of happens. It’s an anomaly,” Curran says. “That’s why we don’t like the ghost—because he doesn’t explain himself!”

The next episode of the Children’s and Family Emmy® Awards-nominated series airs Friday, March 31, on Disney Channel. All episodes are available next day on Disney+.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

From lavish Promposals to dramatic series finales, don’t miss all the new content coming to your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this week! Zach’s journey to true love concludes with the season finale of The Bachelor, airing Monday on ABC, and the shocking finale of The Watchful Eye airs that same night on Freeform. The two-episode season finale of Star Wars: The Bad Batch debuts Wednesday on Disney+. On Thursday, Disney Channel Original Movie Prom Pact premieres on Disney Channel. Plus, all episodes of Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. launch on Friday on Disney+.

In a scene from an episode of The Bachelor, series lead Zach Shallcross and host Jesse Palmer sit in an outdoor patio. Shallcross wears a green, short-sleeved, button-down shirt and khaki shorts. Palmer wears a pink button-down shirt and khaki pants.

The Bachelor—Monday, March 27, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
It’s a crucial final week in Thailand as Zach Shallcross introduces the final two women, Kaity and Gabi, to his family. With everything on the line, he’ll head out on a romantic horse ride with Gabi and, later, a breathtaking hike with Kaity; each date leading him closer to the most important choice he’s made so far. Watch along with a live studio audience as host Jesse Palmer sits down with Zach and the final three women (Kaity, Gabi, and Ariel) to discuss the emotional conclusion of his journey. Who will receive the final rose?

In a scene from an episode of The Watchful Eye, actor Kelly Bishop wears a black pantsuit and stands in a dark basement.

The Watchful Eye—Monday, March 27, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform
Alliances are tested and new ones are formed in the heart-pumping season finale. Once the truth is revealed, The Greybourne will never be the same.  The scintillating series stars Mariel Molino as Elena, Warren Christie as Matthew, Kelly Bishop as Mrs. Ivey, Amy Acker as Tory, Jon Ecker as Scott, Lex Lumpkin as Elliott, Henry Joseph Samiri as Jasper, and Aliyah Royale as Ginny. New Episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu.

In a scene from an episode of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Crosshair wears a gray, armored top.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch—Wednesday, March 29, on Disney+
The second season concludes with not just one, but two thrilling episodes titled, “The Summit” and “Plan 99.” Season 2 picks up months after the events on Kamino with the Bad Batch as they navigate the Empire after the fall of the Republic. They cross paths with friends and foes, both new and familiar, as they embark on a variety of thrilling mercenary missions that will take them to unexpected and dangerous new places. The series stars Dee Bradley Baker who voices the Bad Batch and Michelle Ang who voices Omega.

In a scene from Prom Pact, actors Milo Manheim and Peyton Elizabeth Lee sit in a movie theater and eat popcorn. Manheim wears a white button-down shirt, a purple pattered suit jacket. And a black bolo tie. Lee wears a hot pink, strapless, sequin dress and matching gloves.

Prom Pact—Thursday, March 30, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
It’s the height of prom season, and high school senior Mandy Yang (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) and her best friend and fellow outsider Ben (Milo Manheim) are surrounded by over-the-top 1980s-themed Promposals. However, Mandy is laser-focused on her lifelong dream of attending Harvard. When she finds out that she has been put on the waitlist, she is determined to do whatever she can to get herself accepted, even if that means asking for help from the one person she abhors—popular all-star jock Graham Lansing (Blake Draper) whose father is a powerful senator and Harvard alum. Once Mandy becomes Graham’s tutor, she begins to realize there’s more to him than she thought and perhaps something more to life than Harvard. The Disney Channel Original Movie also stars Monique Green as LaToya, Arica Himmel as Zenobia, Jason Sakaki as Charles, Chelah Horsdal as Mrs. Lansing, David S. Jung as Tom Yang, with Wendi McLendon-Covey as Alyssa Yang and Margaret Cho as Ms. Chen. The movie is available to stream beginning on Friday, March 31, on Disney+.

In a promotional image for Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., actors Matthew Sato, Milo Manheim, Emma Meisel, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, and Alex Aiono smile and sit huddled together on a grass lawn.

Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.—Friday, March 31, on Disney+
The doctor is in! All episodes of the highly anticipated second season drop on Friday. Season 2 begins with Walter (Alex Aiono) back from the World Surf Tour, but he’s not the same boyfriend Lahela (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) said goodbye to months before. But she’s not the same girl either. When she meets a bad boy on a dirt bike, Nico (Milo Manheim), she’s faced with a decision: fight for what she knows is true or give new love a chance. It’s all complicated by the pressures of being a teenage doctor. Luckily, she has her family, co-workers, and best friend Steph (Emma Meisel) to support her along the way. The series also stars Kathleen Rose Perkins as Dr. Clara Hannon, Jason Scott Lee as Benny Kamealoha, Matthew Sato as Kai Kamealoha, Wes Tian as Brian Patrick Kamealoha, Mapuana Makia as Noelani, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman as Charles, and Ronny Chieng as Dr. Lee.