At D23 Expo, Disney puts its box office hopes on animated sequels and Baby Yoda
As a long-time fan of both “Star Wars” and Marvel, I must say that this year’s D23 Expo and San Diego Comic-Con have been nothing short of exhilarating for me! It seems like the galaxy far, far away is gearing up for a big-screen return with “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which promises to be an exciting addition to the franchise.
If there’s one thing Disney knows how to do, it’s put on show.
At the Honda Center in Anaheim last Friday, I was part of a captivated crowd witnessing the grand spectacle that was the Disney Entertainment Showcase, one of this year’s highlights at the D23 Expo. For three hours, we were treated to a dazzling array of previews, exclusive glimpses, artwork, live performances, fireworks, and even a mind-boggling magic trick. The various creative arms under Walt Disney Studios – Disney Animation, Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel Studios – each took their turn in the limelight, showcasing their upcoming cinematic and television offerings.
At the D23 Expo, after an absence of five years, Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, was greeted like a rockstar as he confidently stepped onto the stage to kick off the festivities.
In a friendly tone, Iger replied, “I had intended to greet you with ‘good evening’ and express my gratitude for your warm welcome, but it turned out to be much more than just a warm welcome.” This audience of dedicated Disney fans responded with energetic cheers and a standing ovation.
As a movie enthusiast, I was thrilled to catch glimpses of the upcoming projects from some of my favorite talents in the film industry. The likes of James Cameron (Avatar), Auliʻi Cravalho & Dwayne Johnson (Moana 2), Diego Luna (Andor), Ryan Coogler (Ironheart), the dynamic duo Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan (Freaky Friday), and Jeff Bridges (Tron) all gave us tantalizing peeks into their future creations.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Disney’s studios showcase.
Disney continues to dip into its vault
Sequels, threequels and spinoffs seems to be the name of Disney’s current game.
The event began by Cravalho singing “We’re Back,” a song from the upcoming sequel to “Moana,” where Moana and Maui embark on a fresh journey. During Disney Animation’s segment, Ginnifer Goodwin hinted at “Zootopia 2” and Jennifer Lee, the studio’s creative head, announced updates about “Frozen III” (and potentially “IV”).
Pixar’s Pete Docter revealed that they are currently developing “The Incredibles 3” with Brad Bird at the helm. Additionally, expect “Toy Story 5,” directed by Andrew Stanton, and a “Dream Production” spin-off series of “Inside Out” on Disney+.
Coming up next on the slate for live-action and live-action-style productions include “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Tron: Ares,” which are both continuations of their original series, as well as “Freaky Friday,” a follow-up to the beloved 2003 film. Additionally, there will be live-action remakes of “Snow White” and “Lilo & Stitch.”
As a movie enthusiast, the box office triumphs of “Inside Out 2” and the double-team punch of “Deadpool” and “Wolverine” ($1.56 billion and $925 million respectively) are undeniably enticing, making it tempting to double down on sequels and franchises. However, it’s important not to overlook that not all of their recent sequels and reboots have hit the mark in the same way.
Star Wars builds hype for its movies
The Star Wars universe has thrived on television with series like “The Mandalorian” and “Andor,” but it’s now preparing for a return to the big screen.
Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni recently showed up to give a sneak peek at their upcoming project, “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which is now being filmed. This new production will mark the first time Baby Yoda will grace the big screen. The initial footage revealed brief glimpses of Zeb (a character introduced in “Star Wars Rebels”), snow troopers, AT-AT walkers, and a band of Anzellans – a species that includes the small mechanic Babu Frik.
At D23 Expo, “Mando & Grogu” was the sole movie showcased, but there are several other “Star Wars” films under development that have been announced in recent times. For instance, a movie featuring Daisy Ridley is in the works, as well as another film helmed by Filoni.
In simpler terms, the latest “Star Wars” movie shown in theaters was “Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker,” which came out in 2019, before the pandemic and a new presidency. Could Baby Yoda and his TV companions be the future of more “Star Wars” films? Time will tell, but as we say in “Star Wars,” this is the way.
Marvel Studios hasn’t forgotten television
At San Diego Comic-Con in July, Marvel’s Hall H event primarily focused on their movie projects. Meanwhile, at the D23 Expo, they predominantly discussed their television series.
After much anticipation, “Ironheart” returned to center stage with Coogler and the main cast, including Dominique Thorne and Anthony Ramos. Slated for release on Disney+ in 2025, the show will chronicle Riri Williams’ efforts to complete her personal, high-tech superhero suit using unconventional methods.
Kathryn Hahn and her fellow stars Aubrey Plaza, Patti LuPone, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, and Debra Jo Rupp showcased their performance of “The Ballad of the Witches Road” during a live event. This musical series is set to premiere on Disney+ starting from September 18th.
The cast of “Daredevil: Born Again” was present as well, offering sneak peeks at their upcoming series airing in March. The latest Marvel television show to debut was “Echo,” which premiered on Disney+ in January under the new Marvel Spotlight label, and it included some familiar characters from “Daredevil.” It appears that after a significant hiatus, Marvel Studios is gearing up for a consistent release schedule on TV once again.
Original films footprint is small, but still there
Disney’s presentation predominantly featured well-known movie series and brands, yet it also spotlighted a few fresh productions that garnered some interest.
As I, the movie critic, feasted my eyes on the tantalizing sneak peeks of Pixar’s forthcoming productions, I was captivated by two intriguing tales. Firstly, in “Elio,” I found myself drawn to the story of a spirited young boy who embarks on an interstellar adventure, fueled by his boundless imagination. Secondly, “Hoppers” promises a heartwarming journey about a compassionate animal enthusiast who decides to merge with a robotic beaver – a fascinating exploration of life and technology. Notably, Pixar’s first original series, “Win or Lose,” is set to debut on December 6th, a date I will undoubtedly mark on my calendar.
In simpler terms, Disney Animation’s Lee hinted at the development of a fresh, unique movie without revealing any further specifics.
At the D23 Expo, being a fan gathering, it’s logical to emphasize beloved characters and universes to ignite anticipation. After all, Disney’s dominance was founded on retellings of classic fairy tales. However, establishing fresh franchises necessitates fresh concepts and allowing them space to flourish.
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2024-08-11 01:01