Disney's film and television studios, including Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Walt Disney Studios, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, 20th Century Studios, and Disney Branded Television, revealed a slew of new details at the D23 Expo, which took place September 9-11 at the Anaheim Convention Center, adjacent to Disneyland.
Highlights included panels with cast and creatives from almost every major Disney property, providing fans with new looks at everything from Indiana Jones 5 to Disenchanted, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to The Little Mermaid. New announcements included Disney Animation's ambitious next project Wish, starring Ariana DeBose, and Christian Slater joining the Willow remake.
The biennial expo comes as Disney prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2023.
The following is a summary of what was new.
Live Action Movies
Marvel
Ant-Man And The Wasp Quantumania : The audience was treated to new footage from the threequel, which stars Paul Rudd, Kathryn Newton, Evangeline Lilly, and Jonathan Majors. It hits theatres on February 17th.
Black Panther Wakanda Forever : The audience erupted when they saw footage from the MCU sequel starring Angela Bassett as Ramonda. It hits theatres on November 11th.
Captain America New World Order : Shira Haas and Tim Blake Nelson have joined the cast of the sequel starring Anthony Mackie. It arrives in theaters on May 3, 2024.
Fantastic Four : Kevin Feige has confirmed that Matt Shakman will direct the reboot film, which will be released in theatres on November 8, 2024.
Thunderbolts : Several casting announcements have been made for the Jake Schreier-directed film, which will conclude Phase 5 of the MCU on July 26, 2024. David Harbour, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Wyatt Russell, Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Hannah John-Kamen, and Olga Kurylenko are among them.
Lucas Film
Indiana Jones 5 : A trailer for the fifth instalment of the lucrative 41-year-old franchise was shown to the audience. Harrison Ford addressed the audience and revealed that this will be his final performance as America's favourite archaeologist. "I'm done," he declared. "I will never fall for you again."
Willow : Christian Slater was revealed as a cast member in a new trailer for the reimagining of the 1988 fantasy classic. He joins Warwick Davis, Joanne Whalley, Ruby Cruz, Erin Kellyman, Ellie Bamber, Dempsey Bryk, Amar Chadha-Patel, and Tony Revolori in the cast.
20th Century
Avatar The Way of Water (Avatar 2/Avatar Part 2) : The audience was shown footage from James Cameron's long-awaited sequel to one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
Disney Live Action Movies
Mufasa The Lion King : The title of the prequel was revealed, and a sneak peek was shown in the room. It will be available in 2024.
The Little Mermaid : New teaser trailer was unveiled. The film will be released in the summer of 2023.
Disney+
Hocus Pocus 2 : A new trailer for the sequel, which will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on September 30th, has been released.
Disenchanted : The first trailer for the sequel, which will be available exclusively on Disney+ beginning November 24.
Peter Pan & Wendy : Peter Pan & Wendy will be released on Disney+ in 2023.
Animated Movies
Elemental : The Pixar film's lead actors have been revealed, and the release date has been set for June 16th.
Elio : America Ferrera will appear in the new Pixar feature film about 11-year-old dreamer Elio (Yonas Kibreab). Adrian Molina directed the film, and Mary Alice Drumm produced it. The plot: Elio is an artistic, creative, and avid outdoorsman who struggles to fit in. Meanwhile, Mom Olga is working on a top-secret military project to decode a strange signal from space. But it's Elio who makes contact, is beamed into space, and is mistaken for Earth's intergalactic ambassador. It will be available in the spring of 2024.
Strange World : A new trailer for the Disney Animation feature film has been released. The film will be released in theatres on November 23.
Wish : The title of Walt Disney Animation Studio's next original feature film, which will be released in the fall of 2023, has been revealed. The plot was outlined by directors Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, and it takes place in Rosas, the kingdom of wishes where wishes literally come true. It revolves around Asha (Ariana DeBose), a 17-year-old girl who makes an impassioned plea to the stars, which is answered by a cosmic force, a small ball of boundless energy known as Star. Together, they face the most formidable of foes to save her community and demonstrate that wondrous things can happen when the will of one brave human connects with the magic of the stars. Alan Tudyk will play Valentino, a goat. Julia Michaels is responsible for all of the songs. Jennifer Lee wrote the screenplay.
Peter Del Vecho is the producer and the Juan Pablo Reyes is co-producer.
Inside Out 2 : Amy Poehler will reprise her role in the Pixar Inside Out sequel. The film will be released in the summer of 2024.
TV shows or TV Series
Marvel
Ironheart : Shakira Barrera has joined the cast of Dominique Thorne's Disney+ series Riri Williams. The premiere date is still unknown.
Secret Invasion : Full trailer for the 2023 Disney+ series starring Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury.
Armor Wars : Don Cheadle will reprise his role as Col. James Rhodes in a standalone series that will depict the character in a completely different light. The premiere date is still unknown.
Loki Season 2 : Ke Huy Quan has joined the Season 2 cast of Disney+'s series, which also stars Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, and Sophia Di Martino. The production is underway, but the premiere date has yet to be determined.
Echo : Alaqua Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, Devery Jacobs, Graham Greene, Cody Lightning, and Chaske Spencer, as well as Tantoo Cardinal and Zahn McClarnon, hosted a special look at the upcoming series. The premiere date is still unknown.
Daredevil Born Again : Kevin Feige and co-star Vincent D'Onofrio were eager to discuss the upcoming Disney+ series starring Charlie Cox. In 2023, production will begin.
Werewolf By Night : The Halloween-themed programme, starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Laura Donnelly, was announced, along with a trailer and an October 7 premiere date on Disney+.
Lucas Film
Andor : The final trailer for Diego Luna's Disney+ series was released. The Star Wars universe drama will premiere on Disney+ on September 21.
The Mandalorian : Season 3 of the Disney+ series starring Pedro Pascal has received a trailer.
Star Wars The Bad Batch : Season 2 of Disney+'s Star Wars universe animated series about the Bad Batch's elite and experimental clones has been pushed back from September 28 to January 4.
Tales of The Jedi : The first trailer for the short-form animated anthology series set in the Star Wars universe was released, along with an October 26 premiere date.
Disney+
American Born Chinese : Consider the original series from Disney Branded Television and 20th Television first. The film will be released in 2023.
Big Shot : The second season of Disney Branded Television and ABC Signature series starring John Stamos will debut on October 12.
Iwájú : In 2023, a brand-new original long-form series developed in collaboration with Pan-African comic book entertainment company Kugali will be released. The series' setting—a love letter to Lagos, Nigeria—was introduced by Kugali filmmakers Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, Hamid Ibrahim, and Tolu Olowofoyeku.
The Muppets Mayhem : The Disney Branded Television and ABC Signature comedy series will premiere on the streaming service in 2023.
National Treasure: Edge of Story : The trailer for an original series from Disney Branded Television and ABC Signature, which will premiere with two episodes on December 14, has been released.
Prom Pact : The first look at a new Disney Branded Television film.
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder :
Season 2 will begin in February. New trailer has been released.
The Santa Clauses : The first look teaser for Disney Branded Television and 20th Television's original series starring Tim Allen has been released. It will premiere on November 16th.
Win or Lose : Pixar's first long-form series has been announced. Will Forte has joined the voice cast. In the fall of 2023, it will be available on Disney+.
Zootopia+ : A new trailer for a short-form series has been released. On November 9, Disney+ will launch.
Best in Snow : Tituss Burgess hosts a competition in which teams from around the world are transported to Snowdome, a magical snowy village, and compete for the title of Best in Snow. There is no set premiere date.
Pentatonix: Around the World for the Holidays : Pentatonix, the world's most famous a cappella group, is struggling to find inspiration for their annual holiday album, and the clock is ticking. There is no set premiere date.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker: Revenge of Run-D.M.C. Run transports us to New York City for a hip-hop reimagining of The Nutcracker ballet. There is no set premiere date.
Disney Channel
Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: The first trailer for the Disney Television Animation series was released, revealing that Alison Brie has joined the guest voice cast. Releases on Disney+ on February 10th.
Under Wraps 2 : The sequel from Disney Branded Television and MarVista Entertainment will premiere on September 25 and will be available on Disney+ on September 30.
Disney Junior
Star Wars Young Jedi Adventures : Jamaal Avery Jr. and Emma Berman have joined the cast of Lucasfilm's upcoming animated series, which will premiere in 2023.