The Walt Disney Company Leads All Studios With 22 Academy Award® Nominations

The Walt Disney Company today received a total of 22 nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the 95th Oscars®, which are set to take place on Sunday, March 12 at 5pm PST on ABC. Emmy® Award-winning late-night talk show host and producer Jimmy Kimmel will return to host the ceremony live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide.

Disney’s film studios led the way with a total of two Best Picture nominations for 20th Century Studios’ Avatar: The Way of Water and Searchlight Pictures’ The Banshees of Inisherin.

The Banshees of Inisherin received a total of nine nominations, including Best Director (Martin McDonagh), Best Actor (Colin Farrell), Best Supporting Actor (Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan), Best Supporting Actress (Kerry Condon), Best Original Screenplay (Martin McDonagh), Best Film Editing (Mikkel E.G. Nielsen), and Best Original Score (Carter Burwell).

Searchlight Pictures also secured a nomination for Best Cinematography for Empire of Light, bringing its grand total of Academy Award® nominations to 10. To date, Searchlight Pictures has secured a total of 21 Best Picture nominations.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever picked up a total of five nominations, including Best Supporting Actress (Angela Bassett), Best Costume Design (Ruth E. Carter), Best Original Song for "Lift Me Up" (Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler), Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Visual Effects.

Avatar: The Way of Water had a total of four nominations, including Best Production Design, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects.

Pixar’s Turning Red was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film and National Geographic Documentary Films secured a nomination for Best Documentary Feature Film for Fire of Love.

Rounding out the nominations was Disney Branded Television’s Le Pupille for Best Live Action Short.

A complete list of all TWDC nominations is below:

The Banshees of Inisherin | Searchlight Pictures
9 Nominations

  • Best Picture – Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, and Martin McDonagh, Producers
  • Best Director – Martin McDonagh
  • Best Actor – Colin Farrell
  • Best Supporting Actor – Brendan Gleeson
  • Best Supporting Actor – Barry Keoghan
  • Best Supporting Actress – Kerry Condon
  • Best Original Screenplay – Martin McDonagh
  • Best Film Editing – Mikkel E.G. Nielsen
  • Best Music (Original Score) – Carter Burwell
Stream The Banshees of Inisherin on Hulu

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever | Marvel Studios
5 Nominations

  • Best Supporting Actress – Angela Bassett
  • Best Costume Design – Ruth E. Carter
  • Best Original Song for "Lift Me Up" – Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler
  • Best Makeup and Hairstyling – Camille Friend and Joel Harlow
  • Best Visual Effects – Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, R. Christopher White, and Dan Sudick
Stream Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on Disney+

Avatar: The Way of Water | 20th Century Studios
4 Nominations

  • Best Picture – James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
  • Best Sound – Julian Howarth, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Dick Bernstein, Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, and Michael Hedges
  • Best Production Design – Dylan Cole and Ben Procter; Set Decoration: Vanessa Cole
  • Best Visual Effects – Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel Barrett 
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Empire of Light | Searchlight Pictures
1 Nomination

  • Best Cinematography – Roger Deakins
Stream Empire of Light on Hulu

Fire of Love | National Geographic Documentary Films
1 Nomination

  • Best Documentary Feature Film – Sara Dosa, Shane Boris, and Ina Fichman
Stream Fire of Love on Disney+

Le Pupille | Disney Branded Television
1 Nomination

  • Best Live Action Short – Alice Rohrwacher and Alfonso Cuarón
Stream Le Pupille on Disney+

Turning Red | Pixar Animation Studios
1 Nomination

  • Best Animated Feature Film – Domee Shi and Lindsey Collins
Stream Turning Red on Disney+

Avatar: The Way of Water Crosses $2 Billion Worldwide

By Zach Johnson

Six weeks after its release, 20th Century Studios’ Avatar: The Way of Water surpassed the $2 billion mark at the global box office—only the sixth film in industry history to reach that milestone. With this feat, James Cameron has directed three of the six highest-grossing films of all-time globally; his 2009 film, Avatar, remains at No. 1.

Avatar: The Way of Water remains the No. 1 non-local movie worldwide for a sixth consecutive weekend. It stands as the sixth highest-grossing global release of all-time and is closing in on No. 5 Avengers: Infinity War’s $2.052 billion. In addition, the film is the highest-grossing global release of 2022 and the highest-grossing global release of the pandemic era.

Domestically, Avatar: The Way of Water has grossed $598.2 million to date. It remains the No. 1 movie domestically and is the 13th highest domestic release of all-time, closing in on Disney and Pixar’s Incredibles 2 ($609 million). Internationally, Avatar: The Way of Water has grossed over $1.428 billion since it was released in December 2022.

Avatar: The Way of Water has been named one of the year’s top films by the AFI and National Board of Review. Cameron and Jon Landau are nominated for Producers Guild of America Awards; the stunt ensemble is nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award; and the film recently won Best Visual Effects at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.

Cameron isn’t the only record-setter. Zoe Saldaña, who reprises her role as Neytiri in Avatar: The Way of Water, has now starred in four of the six films to cross $2 billion, including Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018).

Celebrate National Polka Dot Day with All Things Minnie Mouse!

It’s that time of year to celebrate lifestyle muse Minnie Mouse! National Polka Dot Day on January 22 is a reminder that style means something more than fashionable—it’s about living boldly, being authentic to yourself, and spreading positivity. In honor of this special day, we have gathered some amazing items, books, and games so you can share your Minnie style with the world! 

A Minnie Plush for Everyone from shopDisney
Minnie is dressed to impress as she hosts the Disney100 celebration in style with this commemorative plush featuring a glamorous “platinum” velour dress accented by iridescent shoes and bow. Next is a soft Valentine’s Day plush, with rosette trimmed bow, ruffled trims, and muted coloring that makes a sweet gift for someone special! Minnie is also ready to join the party in a golden detailed dress celebrating Lunar New Year 2023, the Year of the Rabbit. Check out more Minnie plushes and items on shopDisney.

Rock the Dots with These Accessories
Minnie’s iconic dots and bow are featured in this wallet and crossbody bag. The faux leather Minnie Mouse card walletis smart and sweet and features an all-over Minnie print showcasing her favorite polka dot designs. The Minnie Mouse crossbody bag is unmistakably stylish, thanks to the satiny finish and the plush polka dot bow. Finally, there’s always a classic pair of Minnie ears! Be unapologetically you while rocking the dots! 

Have a Polka-Dot-Day-Inspired Bedtime Story with Disney Publishing and Minnie-Inspired PJ Sets
In Minnie Mouse: I Lost My Polka Dots!, Minnie embarks on a whimsical solo adventure. Minnie has always been the most fashionable of the gang and her polka dots are definitely her signature look. But when they decide to go on their own adventure, Minnie must set off around the globe to get them back!

Join Minnie and all her friends and snuggle up with a tyke-targeted collection of tales in My First Minnie Mouse Bedtime Storybook! Search for a daffodil thief, attend a sleepover with Daisy, spend the day at the lake with the whole gang, and more in this bedtime collection.

Reading about Minnie Mouse while wearing this Disney Positively Minnie Matching Mommy & Me Pajamas will inspire your little one to live boldly and be empowered, just like the muse herself.

Celebrate with Free In-Game Items in Disney Magic Kingdoms
Celebrate Polka Dot Day and feel positively Minnie with free in-game items from Disney Magic Kingdoms!

Wield Minnie’s Might in Disney Mirrorverse!
Log in to Disney Mirrorverse today, National Polka Dot Day, to celebrate Positively Minnie and collect a free 2-Star Guardian Minnie Mouse! She’s known for being a hero with moxie to spare, and now the Stellar Mirror has evolved Minnie’s passionate heart to harness fiery power and pack a punch that could warm even the coldest of Fractured. Download Now on the App Store or Google Play!

 

Make 2023 the Positively Best Year Yet
Living a Minnie-inspired life is more than just having the right accessories, so this year make wellness a priority. With so many different options—including the Disney Minnie Mouse Blendjet 2, The Magical Minnie Bundle from PMD Beauty, and Disney Minnie Lip Balm from Basin—self-care will be more fashionable than ever.

Blend your favorite smoothies, shakes, margaritas, frappés, or baby food without the limitations of a regular blender with the Disney Minnie Mouse BlendJet 2 Portable Blender.

Fun Fashion Finds on shopDisney
The skies may be gray, but the forecast calls for smiles with these cute and cheerful Minnie Mouse rain jackets! For women, there is a water-resistant jacket with sublimated art of Minnie carrying a bouquet of balloons. For kids, the translucent water-resistant design has a bold all-over print featuring blurred splotches of color while Minnie is in sharp focus on the front, clutching a colorful bunch of balloons.

For classical Minnie style, the thoroughly modern Minnie Mouse cardigan has the prettiest air of vintage flair.

Passion for Fashion!
Celebrate all things #PositivelyMinnie and #MinnieStyle with the brand-new Fashion Minnie Emojis in Disney Emoji Blitz’s Fashion Item Event from January 25 through January 29! Learn about the Fashion Item Event and more here!

Share your Minnie-inspired fashion and how you are celebrating National Polka Dot Day with the hashtags #MinnieStyle and #PositivelyMinnie.

It’s A Family Thing: The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Season 2 Premiere

By the D23 Team

Yesterday, Disney+ rolled out the purple carpet to welcome back a favorite animated family—and the comical cast that brings them to life.

Season 2 of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder continues the stories explored in Season 1, while also highlighting culturally specific experiences of the Black community and addressing universal topics, such as self-worth, interracial dating, and Juneteenth.

Kyla Pratt poses in front of the step and repeat for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Season 2.

From the original The Proud Family series ’til now, the same talented cast has been behind the characters we know and love—like Kyla Pratt, who has been voicing Penny Proud since 2001.

She’s grown and changed alongside Penny—and is excited to share more of that growth in Season 2 of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. Pratt tells us, “She is the same girl going through different circumstances with the same friends, and we’re discovering new things about her all the time!”

Karen Malina White strikes a dramatic pose in a sparkly, silver gown in front of a The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder step and repeat.

One key plot point that will continue to be explored in the new season is Suga Mama, the matriarch of the Proud Family, and her ongoing quest to find her roots. The rest of the Proud family is alongside her in support, including Trudy Proud (voiced by Paula Jai Parker). Parker explains, “At the end of last season, we saw Trudy finally assert herself—she’s the catalyst for Suga Mama finding her roots. So, at the beginning of Season 2, Trudy just pushes a little bit harder and makes sure that Suga Mama gets the most out of finding her people.”

While we’ll have to wait until February 1 (when the new season premieres on Disney+!) to find out what happens, for now we can check out more of the fun from the Louder and Prouder premiere in the gallery below:

QUIZ: Only the Ultimate High School Musical Fan Can Finish These Quotes

By Sarah Sterling

The very first High School Musical film debuted on Disney Channel on this day in 2006! For the past 17 years we have laughed, cried, and definitely sang along with our pals Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan, Chad, Taylor, and all of our favorite Wildcats. To celebrate this iconic piece of DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) history, we’ve put together a trivia quiz that will test your knowledge of High School Musical quotes and lyrics. So, strap in and go for the gold like you’re Gabriella in the scholastic decathlon or Troy in the basketball championship! Good luck…

Gabriella: “You sounded like you’ve done a lot of singing, too.” Troy: “Yeah, sure, my _______ is very impressed with me.”

Correct! Wrong!

“We need to save our show from people who don’t know the difference between a Tony Award® and _______.”

Correct! Wrong!

“It’s going to be a happy Wildcats New Year, man! Because in two weeks we’re going to the championships with you leading us to___________.”

Correct! Wrong!

"So good to be seen /So good to be heard / Don’t have to say a word / So long I was lost / So good to be found / I’m loving __________.”

Correct! Wrong!

"Look at me! Look at me, right at me—like the first time we sang together. Like ________.”

Correct! Wrong!

"If you play basketball, you’re going to end up on the cereal box. If you sing in musicals, you’re going to end up in my mom’s __________.”

Correct! Wrong!

"I believe in dreaming and shooting for the stars / Baby, to be number one, you got to ____________.”

Correct! Wrong!

"You know, I once scored 41 points on a league championship game. And the same day, I invented the _________ and microwave popcorn.”

Correct! Wrong!

"And the world looks so much _______ with you by my side.”

Correct! Wrong!

What is the last line of dialogue spoken in High School Musical before the cast sings “We’re All in This Together?”

Correct! Wrong!

Only the Ultimate High School Musical Fan Can Finish These Quotes
Maybe this quiz wasn’t what you were looking for... but if you study the High School Musical movies, the next quiz you take could be the start of something new.
Not bad, but get’cha head in the game and maybe you’ll score better next time!
You almost bopped your way to the top! Another re-watch of High School Musical will help you climb the ladder of success.
Is your name Gabriella? Because we’re ready to call you “freaky genius girl” when it comes to High School Musical trivia!

EPCOT Debuts New Parking Lot Names

By Andie Hagemann

A magical transformation is underway at EPCOT that extends beyond the theme park! Starting today, guests will be greeted with new character-themed parking lots highlighting some of the heroes and sidekicks who represent the concepts that live in EPCOT. Our friends at the Disney Parks Blog unveiled a sneak peek of the new signs.

A graphic of eight new character-themed parking lot signs.

The parking lot is now divided into two themes: Earth and Space, and within the two sections are beloved characters Crush, Dory, HeiHei, Moana, Rocket, Gamora, WALL-E, and Eve. Devoted EPCOT fans may recognize that the character designs are in the same art style as the EPCOT posters illustrating past, present, and future attractions.

In addition to the enhancements being made to the parking lot and signs, guests also have the new Car Locator feature in the My Disney Experience app to make it easier than ever to keep track of where they parked after a fun-filled day at the park.

Walt Disney Records Releases Lofi Minnie: Chill

The wait is over for Lofi Minnie: Chill, the second lofi volume featuring some of Minnie Mouse’s favorite Disney songs reimagined. Chill out to iconic hits like “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” and more in a fresh new lofi vibe, available now across streaming platforms.

Lofi Minnie: Chill features 16 songs reimagined by some of the biggest names in lofi from around the world, including Jazzinuf, Team Astro, Sagun, eevee, and more (captivating 10 million+ monthly Spotify listeners collectively). The album is a musical journey through varied lofi influences, ranging from hip-hop and jazz to bossa nova. With soothing beats and uplifting melodies, these tracks are perfect for studying, creating, or unwinding.

On the pairing of Minnie and lofi music together for a second album, Tim Pennoyer, Enterprise Franchise Management said, “As Minnie Mouse is one of Disney’s most celebrated icons, she’s a source of comfort for so many around the world. Bringing listeners comfort, and a way to unwind, is a huge part of what makes lofi special, too. We saw those elements marry so well in the release of our first album, Lofi Minnie: Focus, that we knew we couldn’t stop at just one.”

“We’re so grateful to the brilliant lofi talent involved in this project,” Pennoyer continued. “None of this could be possible without them, and their styles are so nuanced that this album really has something for everyone while maintaining a consistent vibe throughout.” 

Pennoyer concluded, “Many lofi music fans get in the zone by listening for hours, so we stacked 16 songs into Lofi Minnie: Chill for fans to get over an hour of listening with the first album combined. We’re just getting started on reimagining fresh new interpretations of Minnie Mouse like this and are so excited for people to see what she has in store.”

Listen to the Lofi Minnie: Chill album wherever you stream your music here.

Track List:

  1. “Circle of Life” (The Lion King) – Team Astro
  2. “Colors of the Wind” (Pocahontas) – WYS
  3. “You’ll Be in My Heart” (Tarzan) – Jeff Kaale
  4. “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)” (Hercules) – Gnarly
  5. “Reflection” (Mulan) – Philanthrope
  6. “Beauty and the Beast” (Beauty and the Beast) – Hippo Dreams
  7. “When You Wish Upon a Star” (Pinocchio) – Jazzinuf
  8. “The Bare Necessities” (The Jungle Book) – Pastels
  9. “Winnie the Pooh” (Winnie the Pooh) – Sagun
  10. “Chim Chim Cher-ee” (Mary Poppins) – Hoogway
  11. “Strangers Like Me” (Tarzan) – mommy
  12. “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” (Mulan) – Kerusu
  13. “When Will My Life Begin?” (Tangled) – Ruth de las Plantas
  14. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” (Encanto) – Otelsa
  15. “Let It Go” (Frozen) – eevee
  16. “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” (Cinderella) – Made in M

This is the Way to a New The Mandalorian Trailer—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Disney+ Debuts New Trailer for The Mandalorian Season 3

Earlier this week, our pals at Lucasfilm dropped a brand-new trailer for the much-anticipated Season 3 of The Mandalorian, premiering on Disney+ this spring.

Old allies return and new enemies emerge during this next eight-episode run, as the New Republic grapples with leading the galaxy away from its dark history. (And yes, of course: Fan-favorite Grogu is back!) The series stars Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Carl Weathers, Amy Sedaris, Emily Swallow, and Giancarlo Esposito. Directors for Season 3 include Rick Famuyiwa, Rachel Morrison, Lee Isaac Chung, Carl Weathers, Peter Ramsey, and Bryce Dallas Howard—and Disney Legend Jon Favreau is showrunner and head writer.

Look for Season 3 of The Mandalorian exclusively on the streaming service March 1.

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

Huzzah! We’ve made it to another (hopefully) relaxing weekend, with lots of quality viewing from around the worlds of Disney in store. In honor of this Sunday’s The Wonderful World of Disney presentation of Iron Man, we’ve assembled (get it?) four Marvel Studios films and series to get us in the mood. See which ones we chose…

A headshot of Jimmy Kimmel; he’s wearing a black suit with a white shirt and black tie. He has dark hair and a salt and pepper beard, and is standing against a white background.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Epic Primetime Episode

Back in 2003, George Clooney, Snoop Dogg, and Chris Martin of Coldplay were the very first guests on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!—and on January 26, those same three guests will be back for a special primetime episode (at 10 p.m. ET/PT) of the Emmy® Award-winning late-night show to celebrate the momentous occasion.

Following the special’s premiere, the episode will re-air in the show’s regular timeslot, at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! is already one of American television’s longest-running talk shows—and Kimmel’s recent contract extension will keep him on ABC through his 23rd season. “Twenty years. I can’t believe it either,” Kimmel recently said. “It makes absolutely no sense.”

The show broadcasts from the iconic El Capitan Entertainment Centre on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. For more information—including how you can get tickets to see Kimmel and crew in person the next time you’re in SoCal—visit JimmyKimmelLive.com.

You’ll Definitely Want to Repeat These Lizzie McGuire Outfits…

It’s been over two decades since the premiere of the hit Disney Channel sitcom Lizzie McGuire—and time has absolutely not dulled our memory of some of Lizzie’s most iconic outfits. Despite, at one point, being egregiously called an “outfit repeater,” we’re pretty sure you’ll want a do-over with these eight particular outfits!

New Willow Documentary Special Coming to Disney+

With the season finale of Lucasfilm’s all-new action-adventure series Willow having just aired, Disney+ announced a premiere date for the debut of the original documentary special Willow: Behind the Magic. Featuring its breakout stars and returning legends, the documentary takes viewers behind the scenes for an in-depth look at the making of the hit original series.

The story of Willow began when an aspiring sorcerer, originally played in Disney Legend George Lucas’ 1988 fantasy-adventure film by Warwick Davis, is whisked away on a journey to protect the infant empress Elora Danan and vanquish the evil Queen Bavmorda from their world of Andowyne. Now, the story continues with Davis reprising his titular role as he leads an unlikely crew of heroes—which includes a now-grown Elora, who has just learned of her prodigious birthright—on a quest to protect Andowyne from an even larger foe than they had imagined possible.

Willow also stars Ellie Bamber, Ruby Cruz, Erin Kellyman, Tony Revolori, Amar Chadha-Patel, Dempsey Bryk, and Joanne Whalley.

Check Out These Artifacts from Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute

In a little less than a month, we’ll witness the world premiere of Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia—and in celebration, D23.com just unveiled 23 “Crown Jewels” from the Walt Disney Archives vault of treasures that will be on display when the exhibition opens. Take a gander at the incredibly cool items by clicking here.

See the Trailer for New Hulu Original Docuseries The 1619 Project

This week, Hulu released the official trailer for The 1619 Project, a six-part docuseries that expands upon “The 1619 Project” created by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times Magazine. The series premieres exclusively on Hulu starting next week.

The 1619 Project seeks to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative. The episodes—“Democracy,” “Race,” “Music,” “Capitalism,” “Fear,” and “Justice”—are adapted from essays from the recently published book, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, and examine how the legacy of slavery shapes different aspects of contemporary American life.

The series, hosted and executive produced by Hannah-Jones, is a Lionsgate Production in association with One Story Up Productions, Harpo Films, and The New York Times. Look for it on the streaming service beginning Thursday, January 26.

ICYMI: Everything to Eat, See, and Do at the 2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

From now until February 20, the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts presented by AT&T will be celebrating visual, culinary, and performing arts—and delighting guests both young and young at heart with performances by Broadway’s best; incredible artwork; and delectable delights. Should you find yourself at Walt Disney World Resort, D23 has a rundown of everything to eat, see, and do at the festival right here; do check it out!

How the Cast of Star Wars: The Bad Batch Finds Their Voice

By Andie Hagemann

Clone Force 99 is back for another mission.

Lucasfilm Animation series Star Wars: The Bad Batch ushers in a new chapter of the Star Wars saga and follows the experimental clones of the Bad Batch as they find their way in a changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War.

Now streaming on Disney+, with new episodes launching weekly, Season 2 opens months after the events on Kamino, and the Bad Batch continue their journey across the Empire after the fall of the Republic. They encounter friends and foes, both new and familiar, as they take on thrilling mercenary missions that will take them to unexpected and dangerous new places.

Bringing the complex characters to life on the screen is no easy feat, but voice actors Dee Bradley Baker and Michelle Ang relish the challenge.

“The trickiest part of voiceover is simply acting—it all gets down to acting well,” says Baker, who lends his voice to the Bad Batch, Clone Troopers, Captain Howzer, Captain Rex, Captain Wilco, Captain Grey, Commander Cody, Cut, and Gregor.

Baker adds, “To do it well and to enjoy it, it’s like being a session player in a jazz band. You’ve got to be ready for someone to throw the solo to you or take up the bass line and support, but to have that feeling of readiness to be able to contribute whatever needs to be added appropriately to the story that’s being told or the song that’s being sung.”

Ang, who voices Omega, an unaltered clone, uses the character’s physical traits and the “character’s essence” as a starting point when formulating the voice.

“It’s about placing myself in the world,” Ang shares, “and because the scripts are so full, it’s easy for me to imagine the scene playing out. The childlike wonder of experiencing something for the first time comes naturally when I bring my whole body and imagination to it—then my voice just follows.”

The creatives behind the magic of Star Wars: The Bad Batch animate the series to the voice actors’ performances. Therefore, the cast relies heavily on direction from supervising director and executive producer Brad Rau to execute the tone needed for the scene.

“Voice acting is a very collaborative variation of acting—uniquely so, because it’s not just what we’re performing, but it’s also done in collaboration with the team of artists and technicians who add their acting to our voice performance,” Baker says.

Ang adds, “I’m newer to voice acting, and thinking a lot about physicality is something that was quite different and required that extra layer of imagination when thinking about the physical environment and physical exertion [for Omega during a climb or even when speaking to Crosshair or Hunter].”

Baker has portrayed a lot of his Star Wars characters, especially the clones, for a long time, having worked on Tales of the Jedi, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, and Star Wars: Rebels, to name a few, and he reveals how he organizes his Rolodex of voices.

“I usually associate the clones, who are closer in character to each other than the Bad Batch, with an adjective or two,” Baker says. “For Cody, the word that comes to my mind is ‘regal.’ There’s an authority that I try to feather into his performance to make him distinct from other clone brothers. If that’s not enough, then they probably have a reference that they can play back for me so I can find the tone and something specific to keep him delineated from the other characters.”

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

By Andie Hagemann

This weekend, we’re highlighting the man, the myth, the legend: Tony Stark! The marathon leads into The Wonderful World of Disney’s presentation of Iron Man on Sunday night. We have assembled here a list of four Marvel Studios films and series available to binge on Disney+.

In a scene from Marvel Studios’ Iron Man 2, actor and Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr. portrays Tony Stark/Iron Man. He sits in a packed courtroom and behind a tiny microphone. He wears a dark gray pinstripe suit, a tan button-down shirt, and a yellow and gray striped tie.

Iron Man 2—Available to Stream on Disney+
With the world now aware that he is Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from all sides to share his technology with the military. Tony is reluctant to disclose the secrets behind his armored suit, fearing the information will fall into the wrong hands. With Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle) by his side, Tony must forge new alliances and confront a powerful new enemy. The film also stars Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson, Clark Gregg, John Slattery, Garry Shandling, and Disney Legend Jon Favreau (who also directs the film), to name a few.

In a scene from Marvel Studios’ Iron Man 3, a man wears a red, white, and blue suit of armor and walks next to a man holding an American flag.

Iron Man 3—Available to Stream on Disney+
Consumed with worry and insomnia since saving New York, Tony Stark (Downey) is more dependent on the suits that give him his Iron Man persona—so much so that every aspect of his life is affected, including his relationship with Pepper (Paltrow). After a malevolent rival known as the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) reduces his personal world to rubble, Tony must rely solely on instinct to avenge his losses and protect the people he loves.

In a scene from Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Civil War, actor and Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man sits at a wooden conference table and looks at actor Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America. Behind them are large TV screens displaying surveillance footage and clocks displaying various time zones.

Captain America: Civil War—Available to Stream on Disney+
After political pressure mounts to the creation of an accountability system for the Avengers, the team find themselves at an impasse. Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) believes Super Heroes should remain free to defend humanity sans government interference, while Tony Stark/Iron Man (Downey Jr.) supports oversight. As the debate escalates into an all-out feud, Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) must pick a side. The star-studded cast includes Cheadle, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Elizabeth Olsen, Disney Legend Chadwick Boseman, Paul Rudd, Paul Bettany, Tom Holland, and Daniel Brühl, to name a few. 

In a scene from the animated Marvel Studios series What If..., Tony Stark shows Killmonger hologram designs for a super suit inside a large workroom.

What If… Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark?—Available to Stream on Disney+
Episode 6 of the hit series reimagines Tony Stark’s origin story. An American soldier called Killmonger (voiced by Michael B. Jordan) rescues Tony Stark (voiced by Mick Wingert) when his Humvee is attacked in Afghanistan. However, Tony’s safety comes at a price. Killmonger intends to use Tony’s elite technology and designs to conquer Wakanda. The episode includes the voices of Favreau, Boseman, Bettany, Cheadle, Jeffrey Wright, Angela Bassett, Danai Gurira, and Leslie Bibb.

In a scene from Marvel Studios’ Iron Man, actor and Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr. portrays Tony Stark/Iron Man and wears a black suit with white pinstripes, a white button-down shirt, a floral print tie, and dark-lensed sunglasses. He extends both arms out as he stands in a barren desert.

The Wonderful World of Disney: Iron Man—Sunday, January 22, at 8 p.m. ET/PT
Tony Stark (Downey Jr.), a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor, is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and resourcefulness, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man. Also starring are Paltrow, Gregg, Favreau, Bibb, Jeff Bridges, and Terrence Howard.