Disney Grants to Benefit Communities and Wildlife in 25 Countries

Today, The Walt Disney Company announced it has awarded grants to 43 nonprofit organizations working with communities across 25 countries to protect more than 60 species this year, continuing Disney’s ongoing commitment of more than $120 million given to date in support of a healthier planet for people and wildlife. In the spirit of the year-round Disney Planet Possible, Disney is honored to support these nonprofit organizations’ ongoing courage, adaptability, and commitment to making a difference.

These are just a few of their Disney Planet Possible stories:

An okapi grazes in the grass.

  • In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Okapi Conservation Project works to protect the Okapi Wildlife Reserve’s rainforest and wildlife. In the past few years, everyday challenges have intensified: poor infrastructure has increased travel and field supply delivery costs; growing insecurity in the region requires a team member to fly to the nearest bank to withdraw program funds and avoid a 12-hour journey on unsafe roads; and the team had to develop strict communication and evacuation plans should a security breach occur. The team continues to adapt and drive collaborative community programs that aim to improve livelihoods, protect the forest, and respect the connection of human health with nature and the culture and traditions of the indigenous Mbuti people.

A giant anteater walks through the Brazilian Cerrado with a cub on its back.

  • In Brazil’s Cerrado biome, the Institute for the Conservation of Wild Animals is helping giant anteaters cope with some of their biggest threats: collisions with cars on roadways and loss of habitat. In a place where habitat loss reached record levels in the past year, the team’s research helps to identify important anteater hotspots for protection and also rescues and rehabilitates injured and orphaned animals. Their research also supported the creation and launch of new state-wide roadway safety requirements to protect both people and wildlife.

Ten local children learn about reforestation in Sebangau National Park. They are squatting in a circle around a leafy green plant and looking up at the camera.

  • In Indonesia, Borneo’s peat-swamp forests are home to incredible biodiversity, including the world’s largest orangutan populations. Each year, fires damage public health, release CO2, and harm forests and wildlife. In the last two years, Borneo Nature Foundation has supported members of its community tree nursery program, planting 96,302 seedlings in burned and degraded peatland. This year’s grant will help the foundation continue to address the causes of fire in the region by restoring peatlands, supporting local youth and community education, and strengthening local firefighting capacity and fire prevention networks.

Two people smile for a photo on Watchalunga Planting Day. They are wearing orange and red jackets, respectively, and hats and jeans. They are surrounded by green boxes. All around them, other people are planting Watchalungas.

  • In Australia, Nature Foundation Limited manages seven nature reserves for conservation across more than 500,000 hectares. This team is supporting a brighter future for both the critically endangered Mount Lofty Ranges Southern Emu-wren and their neighbors—Traditional Owners of the Ngarrindjeri community who share this land—by improving and increasing available habitat for the birds and launching a cultural heritage assessment to ensure community cultural values, traditions, and heritage are incorporated and protected throughout conservation programs.

A child in a blue and black wetsuit and an orange and black life vest sits on a white cushion on a boat. Next to him, an adult in a black and blue wetsuit wears a snorkel and holds a Mickey Mouse plush in hand.

  • In Mexico, Shark Team One is working with communities of the Yucatan Peninsula to protect one of the last remaining populations of endangered whale sharks by reducing negative human impacts, creating protected marine wildlife corridors, and building sustainable ecotourism and artisanal fishing communities. Their research led to the first sighting of a pregnant whale shark in this area, representing an important moment of hope for this species, as it will help the team focus their efforts on protecting previously unknown critical nursery habitat.

Two people survey the coastline at Fort Ross.

  • In the United States, the Greater Farallones Association’s Long-Term Monitoring Program and Experiential Training for Students is empowering students to get outdoors to observe and collect data from 27 species of marine life at more than 60 rocky intertidal and sandy beach sites along California national marine sanctuary coastlines, including near critical kelp restoration sites in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. The team engages over 5,000 students annually statewide, inspiring STEM learning and motivating future stewards of our oceans.

These are just a few of the inspiring and impactful projects Disney is supporting this year. Disney is committed to saving wildlife and building a global community determined to protect the magic of nature together. Since 1995, the Company has directed more than $120 million and the expertise of its dedicated teams to support organizations working with communities to save wildlife, to inspire action, and to protect the planet.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

From after-hours museum hijinks to a beloved holiday classic, you won’t want to miss all the spectacular content coming to your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this week! Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” celebration continues with 20th Century Studios’ Jingle All the Way airing Tuesday; that same evening, a new episode of The $100,000 Pyramid debuts on ABC. On Wednesday, an all-new episode of The Goldbergs airs on ABC. And last but not least, Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage? and Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again both premiere Friday, exclusively on Disney+.

In the key art for the 20th Century Studios film Jingle All the Way, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger portrays Howard Langston and stands wide-eyed with his hands on each side of his head. He wears a blue gingham button-down shirt, tan coat, and dark blue denim pants. Actor Jake Lloyd portrays Jamie Langston and looks up at Schwarzenegger while holding a large male action figure; he wears a red and yellow striped jacket. They’re both standing in front of a green Christmas tree covered with shiny bright red, light green, and royal blue circular Christmas ornaments.

Jingle All the Way—Tuesday, December 6, at 2 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform
Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) struggles to keep up with his demanding job while still spending quality time with his wife Liz (Rita Wilson) and son Jamie (Jake Lloyd). To make it up to his family, Howard promises to get Jamie the most popular toy of the season—Turbo-Man—even though it’s Christmas Eve and nearly sold out. As he attempts to track down the toy, he bumps into Myron (Sinbad), another father on the same quest. But with the clock ticking, Howard’s moral code is tested as he starts to learn the real meaning of Christmas.

In a scene from ABC series The $100,000 Pyramid, actor and comedian Rosie O’Donnell sits at a table across from a contestant. She wears black framed glasses and a green and red striped Christmas sweater with white snowflakes, polka dots, and reindeers. The constant wears a blue and purple Christmas sweater with white snowflakes, chevrons, and reindeers. The desk is shaped like an upside-down pyramid and has two digital screens. The top, smaller screen has a red background and reads “14” in white. The larger screen, also with a red background, reads “A GAVEL” in white. Behind O’Donnell and the contestant are pink and purple led lights in triangle shapes.

The $100,000 Pyramid—Tuesday, December 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
Four beloved comedians battle it out in two all-new holiday-themed showdowns: First up, Jason Alexander goes head-to-head with Bobby Moynihan, followed by a duel between Rosie O’Donnell and Pete Holmes. Your stomach will also be shaking like a bowl full of jelly watching this episode!

In a scene from ABC series The Goldbergs, actors Wendi McLendon-Covey as Beverly Goldberg and Sam Lerner as Geoff Schwartz stand behind a kitchen island. Actor Hayley Orrantia as Erica Goldberg-Schwartz stands to the side the kitchen island and faces McLendon-Covey and Lerner. McLendon-Covey wears a dark blue sweater adorned with large colorful ornaments sewn on and white apron on top, and she holds a silver spatula in her right hand and looks at Orrantia. Lerner wears a brown, collared shirt with black, brown, and tan abstract designs and is also looking at Orrantia while folding white parchment paper over a green dish with white flowers painted on the side. Orrantia wears a baggy, light turquoise sweater over a teal tank top. On the kitchen island are several kitchen spices, cooking utensils in a white porcelain container, and other cooking materials. The kitchen is decorated with wood cabinets, brown countertops, brown and white plaid wallpaper, and brown, green, and tan curtains covering the windows.

The Goldbergs—Wednesday, December 7, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
The holiday hijinks continue in the Goldberg house. Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) activates her inner Grinch to steal Christmas after Erica (Hayley Orrantia) buys a festive baby toy. Elsewhere, Adam (Sean Giambrone) discovers surprising information about Brea (Sadie Stanley), and the Jenkintown Posse (aka the JTP) host their first holiday party.

In a scene from the Disney+ special Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage?, performer and Disney Legend Idina Menzel sits and sings into a black, handheld microphone in her left hand. She wears a black, cropped top with long sleeves adorned with gold glitter, a gold chiffon shirt, black belt, and gold bejeweled bangle bracelets. The stage spotlight shines solely on Menzel, creating a black background behind her.

Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage?—Friday, December 9, on Disney+
Award-winning actress, singer, and Disney Legend Idina Menzel brings viewers backstage in this brand-new special debuting exclusively on the streaming service. Menzel’s many triumphs include iconic Broadway roles in Rent and Wicked, as well as the voice of Elsa in Frozen. Yet, one goal has evaded her: to headline a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Filmmaker Anne McCabe follows Menzel on a 16-show national tour as she juggles the challenges of being a working mom, all while preparing to finally realize her dream.

In a scene from the animated Disney+ Original film Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again, high school student Nick Daley touches the skeleton of T-Rex in a museum that is roped off with gold barricades. Daley is dressed in an oversized blue jacket, blue pants, white sneakers, blue button-down shirt, and black tie. Behind him are a large statue sculpted to resemble a man’s face, benches, and a large green sphere.

Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again—Friday, December 9, on Disney+
What happens at the American Museum of Natural History after hours? The Original animated movie follows high schooler Nick Daley (voiced by Joshua Bassett), who works as a night watchman at the museum during the summer—following in his father’s footsteps. Nick is familiar with the museum’s ancient tablet that brings everything to life when the sun goes down, and pumped to see his old pals. But when Kahmunrah (voiced by Joseph Kamal) escapes with plans to unlock the Egyptian underworld, it is up to Nick to save the museum. Also featuring the voices of Jamie Demetriou, Alice Isaaz, Gillian Jacobs, Thomas Lennon, Zachary Levi, Akmal Saleh, Kieran Sequoia, Jack Whitehall, Bowen Yang, and Steve Zahn.

Alice’s Wonderland Bakery Is “Painting the Roses Red” in This Exclusive Clip

By Zach Johnson

The Queen, she likes ’em red—and here at D23, so do we!

An all-new episode of Disney Junior’s Alice's Wonderland Bakery, streaming Wednesday, December 7, on Disney+, features a nod to the song “Painting the Roses Red” from the 1951 feature film Alice in Wonderland—and D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has an exclusive sneak peek! In “Queen Alice,” the Queen of Hearts (voiced by Eden Espinosa) goes away for a day and asks Alice (voiced by Libby Rue) to take her place. But it isn’t long before Alice discovers just how hard it is to rule Wonderland.

“Featuring iconic songs such as ‘Painting the Roses Red’ in Alice’s Wonderland Bakery connects our show to the legacy of the 1951 film,” executive producer Chelsea Beyl tells D23. “We’ve framed the world of Alice in Wonderland around this whimsical bakery, reimagined the characters, and even added flavors from different cultures, but a lot of the musical influences, including these memorable ditties, remain the same. We wanted to preserve the spirit of the property, and in our version of the song, Alice gets to lead the Card Guards as they paint the roses red for the Queen of Hearts."

The episode will air on Disney Channel and Disney Junior early next year.

Alice (left), smiling and blonde, wears a blue jacket and a pink apron over a purple and pink striped long-sleeved shirt and matching pants. She wears blue and white high-top shoes with pink trim. Alice wears a tall gold crown with red and maroon fabric, adorned with diamonds, rubies, and red hearts. She stands with her hands behind her back. The Queen of Hearts rests her right hand on Alice’s shoulder. The Queen of Hearts wears a smaller gold grown on her head, with red hearts on the tip of each prong. Her black bouffant has two red streaks on each side. She wears a black and red peplum top with an exaggerated white collar, as well as red and black pants. She has a red bracelet, in the shape of a heart, on each wrist. She is kneeling on a rug.

Sigourney Weaver on Playing Kiri in Avatar: The Way of Water

By Zach Johnson

Before 20th Century Studios’ Avatar: The Way of Water opens exclusively in theaters on Friday, December 16, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is introducing five new characters. Each day this week, visit D23.com for an exclusive interview with actors Jamie Flatters, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jack Champion, Bailey Bass, and Sigourney Weaver.

In Avatar: The Way of Water, Sigourney Weaver returns to James Cameron’s Avatar franchise—albeit in a different role—as Kiri, the biological daughter of the avatar of Dr. Grace Augustine, the deceased character she played in the first film. Kiri is adopted by Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) and raised alongside their three kids. In outtakes from Disney twenty-three, the publication available exclusively to Gold and Gold Duo Members, Weaver opens up about her role, what made her want to return, and more.

D23: How did James Cameron pitch the role of Kiri to you?
Sigourney Weaver (SW): We had lunch in L.A. Jim had mentioned a character that had a connection to Grace, and we started to talk about this forest girl—a girl who felt more at home in the forest with the plants and animals than with people. Maybe she would be different, maybe she would be able to blend in with the forest. In any case, I was immediately entranced. I was excited because it was like nothing I’ve ever done before. And I was thrilled that Jim would entrust me with such a character. I felt an immediate connection to her. I knew it would be probably the biggest challenge I’ve ever taken on, but I thought, with his help, with his amazing writing, with our wonderful cast, I would definitely give it my best shot. Also, one of my favorite Classics Illustrated comic books when I was growing up was Green Mansions that had this forest girl in it—a bird girl. Anyway, I started to work on it immediately. This was about 2010.

D23: What made you want to come back for four more Avatar films?
SW: Originally, it was three. [Editor’s note: The plan is to have five films in the franchise.] When Jim Cameron calls you and says, “I have three more parts of this adventure,” what are you going to say? No? I think he had me at “hello.” The story he wanted to tell, the story of this family—of Neytiri, Jake, and their children—on the run for their lives from the RDA, fleeing into other worlds on Pandora, trying to find a safe haven, I thought it was so timely and moving. There was also a special connection between Kiri and Spider [Jack Champion] and Kiri and Pandora. So, of course I said, “Let’s go.”

Sigourney Weaver smiles while posing for photos against a D23 Expo backdrop. She wears a dark green suit and a black T-shirt.

D23: Aside from the obvious, how do Kiri and Dr. Grace Augustine differ?
SW: Grace was a scientist. She approached Pandora’s wonders analytically. She researched, she theorized, she kept brakes on her emotions. She was objective, she brought a scientist’s objectivity to her work. She wasn’t very successful in being objective because she fell in love with Pandora and the Na’vi. Kiri is a much more intuitive, instinctive, smart girl who’s extremely curious and independent. She’s much more one with her environment. She flows through the forest, the sea with knowledge, effortlessly. And because she’s also an adolescent, there are no brakes at all on her feelings. It’s all primary colors, yes/no, red/black. I would say Grace is rational, objective, human, and distraught, and Kiri is a passionate, wild, frustrated 14-year-old.

D23: What specific experiences did you draw from childhood and infuse into Kiri?
SW: When I was growing up, we lived in a place on the north shore of Long Island that was just this forest and field with little paths down to the beach. Really, in those days, you had no supervision, so I think as young as 4, I would eat breakfast and run out of the house and just stay out as long as I could. I remember I didn’t want anyone to see me, so I pretended to be invisible. I lived completely in my imagination in those days. I was always pretending I was either a renegade hiding out, a runaway, a vagabond, or Robinson Crusoe. By the time I was Kiri’s age, we were living in a different house, but it had this willow tree on it—sort of far from the house. I would try to hang out at the willow tree and not come in all day. I’d sneak into the house, steal lunch, and get away before anyone could see me. It’s kind of amazing how much fun I had doing that. My mother was a serious tennis player and she wanted me to be good at sports. I was a good swimmer, and one day I came in third in a swimming race for my age. My mother immediately started talking about my participating in the Olympics. So, I was pretty far away from what my mother had in mind for me which, I think is sort of how Kiri feels.

D23: What was it like reuniting with Steven Lang, Zoe Saldaña, and Sam Worthington?
SW: I was thrilled. I had never gotten to do any scenes with Zoe, and I got to be her daughter and do several scenes with her. Sam, it was great to be reunited with him. He’s such a present actor. It was such a privilege to be interacting with them. We all trusted each other, encouraged each other, believed in each other. Slang and Kiri have a definite animosity, but Slang and I have become good friends through all this. I think he’s a brilliant actor, amazing as Quaritch, and I love him. I love them all. I’m very lucky.

Brand-New Trailer for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

We’ve Got a Date with Destiny: New Indiana Jones Trailer Revealed!

It’s an early holiday present: Earlier this week, our friends at Lucasfilm released the teaser trailer (and poster) for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the highly anticipated fifth installment of the iconic Indiana Jonesfranchise—starring Harrison Ford as the legendary hero archaeologist, and directed by James Mangold.

Starring alongside Ford are Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, John Rhys-Davies (returning to the franchise as Sallah), Shaunette Renee Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Oliver Richters, Ethann Isidore, and Mads Mikkelsen.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Simon Emanuel—with Steven Spielberg and Disney Legend George Lucas serving as executive producers. John Williams, who has scored each Indy adventure since the original Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981, is once again composing the score. The film is slated to open in theaters on Friday, June 30, 2023… Mark those calendars!

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

Honestly, how did it happen? Wasn’t it just January?! And suddenly it’s December! Well, no matter—celebrate this last delightful month of the year with some quality viewing from around the worlds of Disney: The all-new Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules on Disney+; the premiere of Darby and the Dead on Hulu; all four Toy Story films on FX; and much more where that came from…

In a concept art image from Disney Cruise Line, Captain Minnie Mouse and Captain Mickey Mouse are seen in their new Silver Anniversary at Sea ensembles—Minnie (on left) in a turquoise jacket, white pants, and turquoise shoes (with a captain’s hat), and Mickey (on right) in a turquoise jacket and pants (with a captain’s hat). Part of a Disney Cruise Line ship, as well as some sky, is seen behind them.

Disney Cruise Line Celebrates 25 Years with Silver Anniversary at Sea

It was July 1998 when the Disney Magic embarked on its maiden voyage, introducing the world to a new kind of cruise vacation—where families are immersed in Disney storytelling, dazzling entertainment, and unparalleled hospitality at sea. For almost 25 years, Disney Cruise Line has been a veritable porthole through which guests have experienced global destinations and created cherished memories onboard a one-of-a-kind fleet of truly enchanting ships.

In 2023, new magic will unfold on the high seas as Disney Cruise Line celebrates its 25th anniversary, bringing special entertainment, merchandise, and sure-to-be-incredible celebratory experiences to select summer sailings. Guests are invited to take part in limited time Silver Anniversary at Sea offerings across all five Disney Cruise Line ships from May through September 2023.

The Silver Anniversary at Sea celebration will be featured on summer cruises aboard all five Disney Cruise Line ships. Guests will encounter new entertainment, limited-time enhancements, eye-catching decor, whimsical merchandise, and other delightful surprises, all imbued with the magical spirit of this once-in-a-lifetime event. What can guests expect? For starters, Captain Minnie Mouse and Captain Mickey Mouse will sport dazzling new ensembles to mark the occasion (as seen in the concept-art image above). Plus, Disney Cruise Line will debut a signature song to serve as the soundtrack of the celebration; new family entertainment and activities will culminate in shimmering evening experiences created exclusively for the anniversary celebration; and throughout their voyage, guests will discover themed culinary creations, from fanciful desserts to inspired craft cocktails and beyond.

Even more magic lies in store for guests aboard sailings that include Silver Anniversary at Sea offerings. Additional details about new entertainment, merchandise, and other celebratory experiences will be announced later—so stay tuned!

But that’s not all: The anniversary of Disney Cruise Line also heralds a brand-new membership tier for Castaway Club, which recognizes returning Disney Cruise Line guests with exclusive rewards and perks. Guests who tally at least 25 sailings will become Pearl level members of the club.

Visit DisneyCruiseLine.com for further info, including Silver Anniversary at Sea sailing dates.

Brand-New Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 Trailer—It’s Time to Face the Music

Kicking off December with a roundhouse trailer-kick worthy of Star-Lord’s favorite ’80s flicks is the brand-new trailer for Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3!

Debuting at the recent CCXP22 (Comic-Con Experience 2022) in São Paulo, Brazil, the trailer was introduced by Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios—who also welcomed Zoe Saldaña, who plays Gamora in the franchise, to the stage… much to the delight of the assembled fans.

In the film, the beloved band of misfits is looking a bit different these days. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. It’s a mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

James Gunn writes and directs Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which stars Pratt, Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, and Pom Klementieff, and features Vin Diesel as Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter, and Maria Bakalova. Look for it to rocket (pun intended) into theaters on May 5, 2023.

Broadway performers Arielle Jacobs and Adam Jacobs on stage, mid-song, in a promotional image for the 2023 DISNEY ON BROADWAY concert series at EPCOT, during the International Festival of the Arts. Arielle (on left) is wearing a shiny turquoise jacket, black leggings, and sparkly silver hi-top sneakers; Adam (on right) is wearing a black and white patterned suit jacket and grey scarf with dark jeans. A piano player and drummer are silhouetted behind them, with an orange and red lit-up background.

Lineup Announced for 2023 DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series at EPCOT

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is just around the corner—and to celebrate, our pals at Walt Disney World Resort have shared a first look at who will take the stage during the fan-favorite DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series. Three times each evening, guests will be able to watch some of Broadway’s biggest stars performing songs from more than 25 years of award-winning Disney on Broadway stage productions.

The full lineup is chockablock with talent—including some friends of D23:

  • January 13, 15, 16, 19, 20: Kara Lindsay (Newsies) and Kevin Massey (Tarzan)
  • January 14, 17, 18, 21, 22: Arielle Jacobs (Aladdin) and Adam Jacobs (Aladdin)
  • January 23, 25, 26, 29, 30, and February 2, 3: Patti Murin (Frozen) and Robert Creighton (Frozen)
  • January 24, 27, 28, 31, and February 1, 4, 5: Mandy Gonzalez (AIDA) and L. Steven Taylor (The Lion King)
  • February 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, 18, 19: Kissy Simmons (The Lion King) and Josh Strickland (Tarzan)
  • February 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17: Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) and Michael James Scott (Aladdin)
  • February 20: Special, extended finale performance featuring Brown, Scott, Simmons, and Strickland

Beginning Tuesday, December 13, dining packages will be available to purchase at ArtfulEPCOT.com. Why not make it a tuneful date night? (Makes a great gift!)

The logo for Disney Branded Television; the words “Disney Branded Television” are in black against a white background, with an image of Mickey Mouse to the left. He’s wearing red shorts.

Disney Branded Television Developing New Animated Series Intercats

The good folks over at Disney Branded Television have announced that Intercats, an animated sitcom set in a cat workplace from screenwriter Pamela Ribon and Baobab Studios, is now in development.

Told through the big, reflective eyes of cats, Intercats is an animated workplace comedy about the cats who produce those hysterical cat videos that go viral on the Internet! It features a ragtag team of cats aspiring to get what all cats want: their independence. But to do so, they must first learn to navigate their own internal relationships and build upon their success as the premiere studio for viral cat videos. Intercats reflects the heroic lengths we will all go to find and secure our own place in the world.

It was further announced that Ribon—also a best-selling novelist, comic book writer, and notable blogger of the early aughts—has begun her own first-look agreement with Disney Branded Television’s animation studio, Disney Television Animation, which is working closely with Baobab Studios on the development of Intercats. Stay tuned for meow information as it becomes available.

See the Trailer for Disney+’s Night at The Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again

Amazing news: There’s more adventure to be had at the American Museum of Natural History when the sun goes down…

Disney+ just released an all-new trailer for Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again, an animated adventure based on the popular movie franchise. In the film, Nick Daley (voice of Joshua Bassett) finds that a summer gig as night watchman at the museum is a challenging job for a high school student—but he’s following in his father’s footsteps and determined not to let him down. Luckily, he’s familiar with the museum’s ancient tablet that brings everything to life and is happy to see his old friends, including Jedediah (voice of Steve Zahn), Octavius (voice of Jack Whitehall), and Sacagawea (voice of Kieran Sequoia). But when the maniacal ruler Kahmunrah (voice of Joseph Kamal) escapes with plans to unlock the Egyptian underworld and free its army of the dead, it is up to Nick to stop the demented overlord and save the museum once and for all.

See Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again exclusively on the streaming service beginning December 9.

ICYMI: Disney Delivers 75,000 More Toys to Children in Need Through the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive

’Tis the season to be kind… and as announced earlier this week on ABC’s Good Morning America, Disney is providing a grant to the Marine Toys for Tots Program that will deliver an additional 75,000 toys to children in need this holiday season. Read more about the donation—and how you can get involved by visiting shopdisney.com or by visiting a Disney store or Disney store outlet location—by clicking here.

Teaming Up with the Incredible Hulk in Marvel’s Midnight Suns, Available Now

By Lucas Sullivan

Ready to immerse yourself in the darker side of the Marvel Universe? Assemble an unlikely team of iconic Marvel heroes, including the Hulk as he goes from possessed enemy to powerful ally, and fight back against Lilith, Mother of Demons in Marvel's Midnight Suns, available now on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation®5!

Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a card-based tactical RPG from Firaxis Games, the creators of XCOM, Civilization, and more. As the Hunter, a legendary demon slayer with a mysterious past, you’ll lead iconic Super Heroes like Iron Man, Ghost Rider, Wolverine, and more in the fight against Lilith, desperately trying to stop her from completing an ancient prophecy that could unleash an even greater evil upon the world.

You’ll need all the heroic help you can get in the battle against Lilith, who’s assembled a team of her own using her infernal powers of persuasion. Lilith’s demonic influence can brainwash others into battling on her behalf as fearsome, transformed thralls, meaning the Midnight Suns will have to go toe-to-toe with Fallen versions of Sabretooth, Venom, Scarlet Witch, and Hulk.

But with enough persistence, you can break Lilith’s spell and persuade some of these characters to join the ranks of the Midnight Suns. During a recent developer livestream, the folks at Firaxis confirmed that Hulk will team up with the Midnight Suns as a playable character near the end of the campaign, lending his immense physical might, unbreakable resilience, and focused rage to the ongoing fight against Lilith and her minions.

For more details on how Hulk breaks the supernatural shackles of his Fallen form and the hybrid tank-and-damage role he brings to your squad, we spoke with Firaxis Games’ Joe Weinhoffer, Lead Designer on Marvel’s Midnight Suns. Read on as Joe explains the jade giant’s abilities and how you can harness Hulk’s incredible strength in this exclusive Q&A.

What is Hulk’s main role during tactical missions?
Joe Weinhoffer: Hulk is both a tank and a powerful damage dealer. Hulk’s main mechanic is Rage, which increases his Offense whenever he takes damage and is consumed when he uses Attack or Heroic abilities. Hulk has many Taunt abilities to draw fire from enemies, which generates Rage and protects his allies. He can then unleash that Rage in extremely powerful, high-damage Heroic attacks. The trick to using Hulk is to take enough hits to maximize Rage and damage output without suffering so much damage that Hulk gets KO’d!

How did you approach Hulk’s transformation from Fallen enemy back to Super Hero teammate?
JW: We actually designed Fallen Hulk’s abilities first! As a starting point I took those Fallen abilities and brought them over to the hero version of Hulk (with a few visual differences), so players can use the powerful attacks they had previously been fighting against. Of course, we needed to make some gameplay adjustments, balance his power level, and tie everything together with the Rage mechanic to ensure Hulk’s abilities feel cohesive as a set. Once I finalized how Rage would work and that Hulk would Stun enemies more than other heroes, I designed his remaining abilities to fill in the gaps.

What were the most challenging aspects of designing Hulk as a playable hero in Marvel’s Midnight Suns?
JW: Hulk is immensely powerful compared to other heroes, so it’s always challenging to find gameplay mechanics to fit that narrative without making him totally invulnerable or game-breaking to play. Even with that in mind, our Hulk still ended up being very strong compared to other heroes… you may even want to go up a difficulty level or two once he’s unlocked!

Is there a particular ability that you feel sets Hulk apart from the other Midnight Suns?
JW: Hulk’s “Always Angry” Epic Skill ability is very unique, as it is the only active ability in the game that allows a hero to increase their maximum Health. It consumes all of Hulk’s current Rage to restore his Health, which is Hulk’s only method of self-healing. However, if Hulk is overhealed, it will also increase his maximum Health by that amount. If “Always Angry” is played when Hulk has nearly full HP and a lot of stored-up Rage, his Health can get a serious boost, helping him easily tank damage for the rest of the mission!

How can players add Hulk to their Midnight Suns roster?
JW: Hulk joins the roster very late in the Midnight Suns story, just before the finale. Once unlocked, players can use him as they would any other hero by going on general missions, earning and upgrading abilities, and progressing research projects before deciding to embark on the final mission. Hulk will remain on the roster after finishing the story if you want to keep playing in the Endgame mode, and he is also fully playable from the start of a New Game+ campaign.

Did Lilith’s influence have any lasting effect on Hulk’s attitude or abilities?
JW: Once Hulk joins the roster, he is back to being the Green Goliath you know and love, except now his anger is directed at Lilith and he’s out for revenge! However, Bruce Banner is certainly scarred from his time under Lilith’s influence.

When we’re not controlling Hulk on the battlefield, will we be seeing Bruce Banner in The Abbey?
JW: Yes! While back at the Abbey, the Midnight Suns’ headquarters, Bruce Banner will be in control rather than allowing Hulk to smash his way through the Common Room.

Which Midnight Suns heroes do you personally like to team up with Hulk for tactical missions?
JW: I love teaming up Hulk with Nico, Captain America, Doctor Strange, or my Hunter built with a focus on Light abilities. Those heroes can all take on support roles to heal Hulk, generate a lot of Heroism, draw cards, reduce the cost of Heroic abilities, or provide other beneficial effects to allies. They allow Hulk to play his abilities faster, keep him healthy as he takes damage to build up Rage, and then get out of the way when Hulk unleashes his devastating attacks!

 

Jeff Kinney Gives Us an Exclusive Inside Look at Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

By Tori Hunt

If Jeff Kinney knows anything, he knows what it feels like to be a wimpy kid. The New York Times best-selling author of more than a dozen Diary of a Wimpy Kid books is also now creator, writer, and producer of the all-new animated feature Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules debuting on December 2 exclusively on Disney+. The CG movie follows last year’s Disney+ Original film Diary of a Wimpy Kid; both films are based on Kinney’s books.

But before Kinney was an award-winning author and screenwriter, he was a timid—dare we say wimpy—middle schooler hiding in locker rooms and bathrooms. Just like the movie’s main character, Greg, he was stuck in his awkward pre-teen years, struggling to relate to and learn from his older brother, named Rodrick in the stories, while wanting independence of his own. “We all have these similar experiences, which is what I try to draw from in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series,” Kinney says.

In Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Greg Heffley (voiced by Brady Noon) and his older brother Rodrick (voiced by Hunter Dillon) are left alone when their parents and baby brother Manny leave for the weekend. What ensues can only be described as chaotic, with epic parties and very loud music. Along the way, Rodrick teaches Greg a few rules, including “no nerd stuff,” “always go out in a blaze of glory,” and the reality that “life’s not fair.” Over the course of the weekend, Rodrick takes Greg under his wing to show him the ropes of rebelling and letting loose.

“The very first song [in the film] is called ‘Stuck in the Middle,’ and Greg is not only stuck in the middle of his family but also the middle of middle school,” Kinney shares. Being a middle child himself, the author knows a thing or two about being intimidated by an older sibling and jealous of the family baby. “My older brother was a lot like Rodrick,” he says. “He had a band in the basement, and he introduced me to that whole rock ’n’ roll lifestyle.”

Kinney’s Wimpy Kid books had previously been adapted as live-action films, but Kinney jumped on the opportunity to turn them into CG movies, with character designs based on the books’ original illustrations. “These books have always wanted to be made into animated feature films,” he says. “It was really cool to work with [the team at] Disney, who were willing partners.”

The movie features the late Ed Asner as the voice of Grandpa Heffley, a performance captured shortly before Asner’s passing last year. In memory of Asner’s incomparable contributions to the film, Kinney decided to dedicate Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules to him. “[Asner] delivers one of the best scenes in the movie,” he says. “It just made sense to dedicate the movie to him.”

Kinney is excited about the future of Diary of a Wimpy Kid films on Disney+. “Hopefully, we’ll get to do lots of these [films] over time,” he says.

Be sure to watch the premiere of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules on December 2, exclusively on Disney+, where Diary of a Wimpy Kid is also available to stream.

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

By Andie Hagemann

From a house under siege to a hilarious high school student who speaks to dead people, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy this weekend! The rockin’ new animated film Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules debuts on Friday, exclusively on Disney+, and 20th Century Studios’ feature film Darby and the Dead premieres that same day on Hulu. On Saturday, a new holiday-themed episode of Big City Greens premieres on Disney Channel, and all four Toy Story films air that night on FX. Last but not least, Home Alone airs Sunday night on Freeform.

In a scene from the animated film Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Rodrick, a teenage boy, sits at a red drum set and holds wooden drumsticks crossed above his head. Rodrick wears a black T-shirt with white skull and crossbones printed on the front of his shirt. Behind Rodrick is a white wall and wooden baseboards. A colorful poster with a monster truck hangs on the wall to the right of Rodrick.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules—Friday, December 2, on Disney+
Are you ready to rock? Well, the all-new animated film based on the second book in Jeff Kinney’s book series Diary of a Wimpy Kid is here! The riotous antics of disaster-prone middle school student Greg Heffley (voiced by Brady Noon) continue, focusing on his complicated relationship with his older brother, Rodrick (voiced by Hunter Dillon). Rodrick, a spiky-haired high school student, is lazy and undisciplined and spends way too much time practicing with his rock band, Löded Diper. While he loves to endlessly tease Greg, he ultimately has a soft spot for his younger brother. The film also includes a new original song, “Can You Smell Us Now,” written and produced by Jon Levine, with lyrics by Kinney, and performed by Jimmy Tatro.

In a scene from 20th Century Studios’ Darby and the Dead, actors Riele Downs as Darby Harper and Auli’i Cravalho as Capri walk side by side down a high school hallway. Downs wears a cream blazer, a blue tank top, a dark blue skirt, black knee-high socks, and a blue and black striped tie tied around her waist. Cravalho wears a black blazer with satin lapels, a black tank top, and a pink skirt. Downs and Cravalho are surrounded by a crowd of high school-aged students who are all staring at them.

Darby and the Dead—Friday, December 2, on Hulu
From 20th Century Studios and director Silas Howard comes this hilarious teen comedy about a high schooler who moonlights as a spiritual messenger. After suffering a near-death experience as a child, Darby Harper (Riele Downs) gains the ability to see dead people. As a result, she becomes introverted and shut off from her high school peers and prefers to spend time counseling lonely spirits who have unfinished business on earth. However, Darby’s life changes when Capri (Auli’i Cravalho), the school’s Queen Bee, unexpectedly dies in a freak hair straightening accident, resulting in the cancellation of her upcoming “Sweet 17.” Capri seeks out Darby from beyond to intervene and asks her to convince Capri’s friends to proceed with the party as planned. To appease the undead diva, Darby is forced to emerge from her self-imposed exile and reinvent herself—which allows her to find joy in the land of the living.

In a scene from Disney Channel animated series Big City Greens, characters Gramma, Bill Green, and Nancy Green stand in a living room and wear white virtual reality goggles over their eyes. Tilly Green stands atop the back of a charcoal gray couch and wears white virtual reality goggles over her eyes. Gramma wears a bright red dress and a red shrug with white fur lining the seams. Bill wears a red Christmas sweater with a green Christmas tree print and blue denim pants. Nancy wears a dark blue sweater with a light blue snowflake on it, blue denim pants, and brown cowboy boots. Tilly wears a red dress with white fur lining the bottom. Multi-colored Christmas lights hang on the wall behind Tilly, and a large green Christmas tree is placed in the left side of the room.

Big City Greens—Saturday, December 3, at 9 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and Monday, December 5, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD
Don’t miss this half-hour holiday-themed special with the Greens family… virtually. When Cricket (voiced by Chris Houghton) gets snowed in at the Remingtons’ on Christmas Eve, he attempts to recreate his family’s traditions in a virtual reality video game. Plus, actor Alfonso Ribeiro voices a video game character named Mr. Extras.

In a scene from Disney and Pixar’s animated film Toy Story, Buzz Lightyear, a spaceman action figure with wings, a laser, and a helmet holds Woody, a pull-string cowboy rag doll, as they fly through a bright blue sky. Buzz Lightyear wears an all-white space suit with green accents on the chest, gloves, and boots, and purple wings. Woody wears a brown cowboy hat, a red bandana tied around his neck, a cow print vest, a yellow button-down shirt with red stripes, blue denim pants, and brown cowboy boots with gold spurs on the heels. Woody also wears a large sheriff badge on the left side of his vest.

Toy Story Marathon—Saturday, December 3, from 4 p.m.–12 a.m. ET/PT on FX
Curl up on the couch for an epic marathon highlighting all four feature films from Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story franchise: Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, and Toy Story 4. Don’t miss all the adventures (and misadventures) of beloved characters Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Disney Legend Tim Allen), Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack), Bo Peep (voiced by Annie Potts), Rex (voiced by Wallace Shawn), Mr. Potato Head (voiced by Don Rickles), and many more!

In a scene from the film Home Alone, actor Macaulay Culkin portrays Kevin McCallister and looks up and screams. In the close-up shot, Culkin wears a blue knitted beanie with a white design, a blue sweater, and a dark blue jacket with a tan fabric inside. Behind Culkin are black asphalt and snow-covered sidewalks.

Home Alone—Sunday, December 4, at 6:40 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform
Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” festivities continue with a presentation of this beloved holiday classic. When 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) acts out the night before a family trip to Paris, his mother (Catherine O’Hara) makes him sleep in the attic. The McCallisters mistakenly leave for the airport sans Kevin, leaving him to assume his wish to have no family has come true. However, Kevin’s bliss is soon interrupted when two con men, Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), plan to rob the McCallister residence, and it’s up to Kevin to defend the family home.

Celebrate The Gift and Support Toys for Tots

To get us all in the gift-giving spirit, Disney’s animated global holiday short, The Gift, has been released—the heartfelt final installment of the “From Our Family to Yours” trilogy series. This animated short celebrates the joy of giving and features a song sung by Jessica Darrow, the voice of Luisa Madrigal in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Oscar®-winning film Encanto. Get your tissues ready and hit play below:

As this beautiful story shows, the comfort a gift can bring is profound… and Disney has launched the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive supporting the Marine Toys for Tots Program to help deliver toys to children in need this holiday season.

With the support of so many families and individuals, the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive has collected well over 114,715 toys so far this holiday—and in celebration of 75 years of collaboration, Disney has provided a grant to Toys for Tots that will deliver an additional 75,000 toys to kids in need.

You can continue to grow this impact and donate a toy both online on shopDisney or in person with a new, unwrapped toy at a designated drop-off location; find out where by checking out the list at Disney.com/toydrive.

For 75 years, Disney has supported Toys for Tots to help bring toys to children in need. In fact, the relationship dates to the program’s beginnings—when Walt Disney and his studio artists personally designed the original Toys for Tots train logo we still see and use today.

Throughout the holiday season, The Walt Disney Company will also support Toys for Tots in several other ways, such as through the airing of a public service announcement on Disney television networks and streaming platforms—including ABC, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Freeform, FX, Hulu, and National Geographic—to encourage viewers to participate in the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive. Plus, content from across the Company’s networks, including ESPN’s Get Up!, will feature Disney Ultimate Toy Drive integrations to highlight the season of giving and the importance of supporting communities in need; additionally, Disney Movie Club will be joining in by donating over 2,000 toys to a local Toys for Tots chapter in Wisconsin.

Join us as we continue this tradition of delivering joy with the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive and give back this holiday season. Learn more at Disney.com/toydrive.

Happy Holidays!

All-New Oswald The Lucky Rabbit Short Celebrates Disney100

By Zach Johnson

You better hop over to Walt Disney Animation Studios’ YouTube channel!

Today’s your lucky day, because Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is returning to the studio that bears his creator’s name—Walt Disney Animation Studios—in an all-new animated short, more than 94 years since Disney’s last Oswald cartoon. Created by Disney Animation’s hand-drawn animation team to help celebrate the start of Disney100 that marks 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company, the Oswald The Lucky Rabbit short is directed by animator Eric Goldberg and produced by Dorothy McKim. And, in conjunction with the animated short, Disney launched a global Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Snapchat lens that allows users to channel Oswald using AR technology!

“On the eve of Disney’s 100th anniversary, it was such a joy to create the first new Oswald short from our studio since 1928,” McKim says. “Our hand-drawn animation team—including our hand-drawn legends Mark Henn, Randy Haycock, and Eric Goldberg, as well our wonderful team of 2D apprentices—had a ball animating in the style of Oswald’s era.”

Goldberg adds, “Oswald is such a plucky scamp. We wanted to bring Oswald back, and in the short, he literally returns to his original home: the movie screen. We wanted to have Oswald do all of the ‘squash-and-stretch,’ ‘rubber hose’-animation style, celebrating that first generation of Walt Disney’s artists.”

The black and white animated character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit sits on the stage of a movie theater. He points to a black exclamation point in the air above him.

Of course, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is considered Walt’s first breakout animated star and is widely considered one of the first characters in animation history to feature a unique personality. Walt introduced Oswald to moviegoers in 1927 with the short Trolley Troubles. Twenty-six Oswald short films were created by Walt and his team, with the final Disney shorts starring the character releasing in 1928, the same year Walt lost creative control over his beloved rabbit. In 2006, Disney CEO Bob Iger made an unprecedented deal with NBCUniversal that allowed sportscaster Al Michaels to contract with NBC in exchange for the return of Oswald to his home. Since then, Oswald has appeared in video games, merchandise, Disney theme parks, and more!