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D23 Expo 2022 fired-up the crowd with a presentation of upcoming slate of movies and series from the Walt Disney Studios, Pixar and more!

By InCinemas / 12 Sep 2022 (Monday)

The Walt Disney Studios turned up the volume in Hall D23 at the Anaheim Convention Center today where thousands of fans gathered at D23 Expo 2022 to be the first to hear big announcements, new details and future plans for Disney Live Action, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios!

The showcase began in true Disney style with a look back at special moments in Studio history and Cynthia Erivo’s breathtaking performance of the classic Disney song “When You Wish Upon a Star” from Disney’s all-new live-action version of Pinocchio, now streaming on Disney+.

Alan Bergman, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, said:

What a way to kick off the show. Of course, "When You Wish Upon a Star" was first heard in the animated film Pinocchio in 1940. It’s a motto about dreaming big, dreaming the impossible and making those dreams come true. And that’s something we try to do each and every day at the studio.

Fans in Hall D23 were among the first to see a brand-new logo introduction of the iconic Disney castle—now platinum in honor of Disney’s 100 Years of Wonder celebration. Created by Disney Studios and Industrial Light & Magic, and featuring an all-new arrangement of “When You Wish Upon a Star” by award-winning composer Christophe Beck (Frozen, WandaVision), the new Disney castle introduction will play in front of all Disney theatrical and streaming releases starting this fall.

Bergman called on Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production (Disney Live Action); Pete Docter, chief creative officer of Pixar Animation Studios; and Jennifer Lee, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios to walk fans through a powerful lineup of streaming and theatrical titles. The event included the following highlights:

Disney Live Action

Hocus Pocus 2

It’s been 29 years since the 17th-century sisters have been resurrected and they are looking for revenge. It’s up to three high-school students (Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo, Lilia Buckingham) to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve. Directed by Anne Fletcher and produced by Lynn Harris, the film sees the return of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters with new characters played by Sam Richardson, Tony Hale and Hannah Waddingham.

Hocus Pocus 2 debuts exclusively on Disney+ September 30.

Disenchanted

Featuring music from Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, the musical comedy picks up 15 years after Giselle (Amy Adams) and Robert (Patrick Dempsey) get married when their family heads to suburbia in search of happily ever after. Fans were among the first to see the first trailer of the film, which is directed by Adam Shankman, produced by Barry Josephson, Barry Sonnefeld and Adams, and features new music from the greats, Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.

Disenchanted streams on Disney+ beginning Nov. 24.

Peter Pan & Wendy

Peter Pan & Wendy spotlights iconic characters in a whole new way. The new film dives deeper into Wendy’s story as she joins the boy who refuses to grow up on a magical journey to Neverland and reveals the history behind Peter Pan’s rivalry with one of Disney’s most memorable villains.

The live-action reimagining of the 1953 animated classic is directed by David Lowery and produced by Jim Whitaker.

Peter Pan & Wendy begins streaming on Disney+ in 2023.

Haunted Mansion

Inspired by the classic theme park attraction, Haunted Mansion is about a woman and her son who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters.

Haunted Mansion will release next year.

Mufasa: The Lion King

Told in flashbacks—Rafiki, Timon and Pumbaa tell the story of Mufasa to a young lion cub—Mufasa reveals the rise of one of the greatest kings of the Pride Lands. The prequel film is still currently in production.

Mufasa: The Lion King will be released in 2024.

Snow White

Snow White is a live-action reimagining of the classic tale starring Rachel Zegler in the title role and Gal Gadot as Snow White’s Stepmother, The Queen. The film is directed by Marc Webb, produced by Marc Platt and features new songs by Tony®-, Grammy®- and Oscar®-winning songwriters Pasek and Paul.

Snow White will premiere in 2024.

The Little Mermaid

The live-action film will feature fan-favorite songs plus four new songs penned by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Halle Bailey will play Ariel in the feature film which also stars Melissa McCarthy as Ursula and Javier Bardem as Triton.

The Little Mermaid swims onto the big screen next summer.

Pixar Animation Studios

Elemental

Elemental is an all-new, original feature film directed by Peter Sohn who shared the personal inspiration behind the film—a story of immigrants pursuing dreams in beautiful neighborhoods where language and cultures come together. The characters in Elemental, which is set in a city where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together. Ember is a tough and fiery young woman, and Wade is a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy. Helping bring them to life are Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie.

Elemental is releasing on June 16, 2023.

Win or Lose

Win or Lose is Pixar’s first-ever long-form series. It follows the Pickles, a co-ed middle school softball team, in the week leading up to their championship game. Each episode takes place that same week, highlighting the perspective of a different main character—players, their parents, the umpire—each reflected in a unique visual style. Will Forte will voice Coach Dan in the series.

Win or Lose streams on Disney+ in Fall 2023.

Elio

11-year-old dreamer Elio is artistic, creative and an avid indoorsman who finds it hard to fit in. Meanwhile Mom Olga, who runs a top-secret military project, is working to decode a strange signal from outer space. But it’s Elio who makes contact, gets beamed into space and is subsequently mistaken for an intergalactic Ambassador for Earth.

America Ferrera is the voice of smart and super-confident Olga, America Ferrerawith Yonas Kibreab, who lends his voice to Elio himself.

Elio releases Spring 2024.

Inside Out 2

The follow-up to 2015’s Oscar®- and Golden Globe®-winning feature film is in the works at Pixar. Director Kelsey Mann, producer Mark Nielsen and writer Meg LeFauve are hard at work on the all-new adventure inside the head of now-teenager Riley—who may or may not be feeling all kinds of new Emotions. Amy Poehler will return to voice Joy.

Inside Out 2 is slated for release Summer 2024.

Walt Disney Animation Studios

Zootopia+

Zootopia+ is a new short-form series, which heads back to the fast-paced mammal metropolis, diving deeper into the lives of some of the Oscar®-winning feature film’s most intriguing residents.

Launching on Disney+ November 9.

Iwájú

The all-new original long-form series created in collaboration with Pan-African comic book entertainment company Kugali. The world of Iwájú is a futuristic depiction—a world bursting with color, unique visual elements and technological advancements inspired by the spirit of Lagos, which is physically divided into an island and a mainland separated by both water and socio-economic status. The coming-of-age story introduces Tola, a young heiress from the wealthy island, and her best friend Kole, a self-taught tech expert and loving son from the mainland.

Iwájú is coming to Disney+ in 2023.

Wish

A film that could only come from Walt Disney Animation Studios, the epic animated musical is inspired by the legacy of films from the studio and asks the question: “How did the wishing star, upon which so many characters wished, come to be?”

The film is set in Rosas, the kingdom of wishes where wishes can literally come true and follows the story of 17-year-old Asha—an optimist with a sharp wit who cares endlessly about her community. In a moment of desperation, Asha makes an impassioned plea to the stars, which is answered by a cosmic force, a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, they face the most formidable of foes to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Academy Award winner will voice Asha, singing original songs for the film written by Julia Michaels.

Wish is set to release Fall 2023, during the Studio's 100th year.

That's a lot to ingest! Which movie/series are you looking forward to most?

D23 Expo 2022

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