On Saturday, the big guns lined up at the Disney D23 event in Anaheim, California. Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, and 20th Century Fox laid out their upcoming stale, and presented first-looks, new trailers, and big news for their planned releases.
First up was Lucasfilm with Kathleen Kennedy, president of the studio saying: “As you can see, there is an immense amount of exciting new Star Wars storytelling to come from Lucasfilm. The quality, creativity, and variety these teams are bringing to Disney+ is absolutely remarkable, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience each of them.”
She referred to the planned 24 episodes of Andor, which was first on the impressive docket. The first run starts to drop at the end of September with Genevieve O’Reilly, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona and Cassian Andor himself, Diego Luna, taking to the stage to present the new, and final trailer. The era featured in “Andor”—the five years before the events of “Rogue One”—is filled with danger, deception, and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero. “Andor” presents Star Wars from a different perspective, focusing on everyday people whose lives are affected by the Empire. The decisions they make have real consequences, and the stakes for them—and the galaxy—couldn’t be higher. The series also stars Stellan Skarsgård, Forest Whitaker, Denise Gough, Fiona Shaw and Faye Marsay. The first three episodes of season 1 premiere exclusively on Disney+ on September 21. You can see the new trailer below.
Then there was Willow, the sequel series to the beloved movie which is also dropping on Disney+ quite soon. Kennedy introduced Warwick Davis (Willow Ufgood), who shared his excitement to return to Andowyne before being joined by series stars Joanne Whalley (Sorsha), Ruby Cruz (Kit), Erin Kellyman (Jade), Ellie Bamber (Dove), Dempsey Bryk (Airk), Amar Chadha-Patel (Boorman) and Tony Revolori (Graydon). To the delight of surprised fans, Christian Slater was also welcomed to the stage as a member of the ensemble cast. A new trailer was then shown. The series kicks off on Disney+ from 30th November. Here’s the trailer.
Dave Filoni then presented a look at the second series of The Bad Batch, as well as announced Star Wars: Taes Of The Jedi, six animated shorts featuring parables built around Jedi from the prequel era. The six episodes are described as follows: Journey into the lives of two distinctly different Jedi—Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku—each will be put to the test as they make choices that will define their destinies. A trailer was revealed with the news that all six shorts will hit DIsney+ from 26th October.
Filoni then shared how much the character of Ahsoka means to him—having crafted her story since her 2008 debut in the animated series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” through her live-action debut in The Mandalorian. AHSOKA is a new live-action series heading to Disney+ starring Rosario Dawson in the title role. Fellow executive producer Jon Favreau joined Filoni on stage to talk about the project and shared first-look images with attendees. Set after the fall of the Empire, Ahsoka follows the former Jedi knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy. The new series is slated for 2023 and will be exclusive to Disney+. The executive producers are Filoni, Favreau, Kennedy, Colin Wilson, Carrie Beck with Karen Gilchrist as co-executive producer.
The next talk was about Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, with creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford serving up the series, which is coming soon on Disney+. “Skeleton Crew” tells the story of four kids who find themselves lost in in the vastness of the galaxy trying to find their way home. Applause erupted when star Jude Law came out to greet fans.
Next for Lucasfilm was the premiere of the trailer for season three of The Mandalorian. In the third run, the Mandalorian and Grogu have been reunited and continue their journey through the lawless galaxy. Season 3 is set to launch exclusively on Disney+ in 2023. Kennedy and Colin Wilson executive produce, with Karen Gilchrist and Carrie Beck as co-executive producers. Executive producer Rick Famuyiwa to join them on stage, as well as stars Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Amy Sedaris, Giancarlo Esposito and Emily Swallow. Here’s the trailer.
Lastly, Kennedy teased the fifth Indiana Jones movie, which is due in cinemas next summer. “I couldn’t leave here without talking about one other project we’ve been hard at work on at Lucasfilm—Indiana Jones,” she said as the familiar theme played and the crowd erupted. “I’m thrilled to welcome to the stage our director, James Mangold.” Mangold wowed the crowd with some new details along with a sizzle reel from the upcoming fifth installment, and was then joined by the legendary Harrison Ford and series newcomer Phoebe Waller-Bridge. “Thank you for making these films such an incredible experience for all of us. I’m very proud to say that this one if fantastic, and [Waller-Bridge] is one of the reasons. “Indiana Jones movies are about fantasy and mystery, but they’re also about heart,” Ford said. “I’m really, really happy that we have a really human story to tell, as well as a movie that will kick your ass.”
Onto Marvel Studios. Kevin Feige kicked off proceedings by introducing a musical number; a performance of “I Could Do This All Day” from the show-within-a-show “Rogers: The Musical” in last year’s Disney+ series Hawkeye. Bringing it to life live on stage were 22 performers, a six-piece live rhythm section, and composer and conductor Marc Shaiman, who wrote the song for Hawkeye.
On Marvel’s slate first was Ironheart where executive producer Ryan Coogler offered fans an early look at the new series that takes place after the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Dominique Thorne returns as Riri Williams, a young, genius inventor determined to make her mark on the world. Her unique take on building iron suits is both brilliant and flawed, and Ironheart delves into the dynamics of tech versus magic. Feige invited Anthony Ramos to the stage to greet fans and share a little about his character, Parker Robbins aka The Hood. The new series is slated for Disney+ next year.
Next was Werewolf By Night, where director Michael Giacchino joined Feige on stage alongside stars Gael García Bernal and Laura Donnelly to give fans new details and the first trailer for the upcoming special that Feige called “fun-scary.” You can see it below and check out the special presentation on Disney+ from 7th October.
The studio then opened up a presentation for the planned series Secret Invasion, where Don Cheadle reprises his role of Colonel James Rhodes. The cast includes Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn as the Skrull Talos—plus Olivia Colman, Emilia Clarke and Kingsley Ben-Adir. Fans were shown a scene and the brand-new trailer from the event series that showcases a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls who have been infiltrating Earth for years. Watch the trailer below. This one is due on Disney+ next year.
Cheadle then spoke about Armor Wars, a new series in which he will also star. Rhodey fans will see the character in a whole new light, and considering the title of the series, audiences can look forward to all-new suits for the hero, featuring different types of armor.
There was then talk of season two of Loki with Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Sophia Di Martino, and Ke Huy Quan arriving to talk about the series, which is now in production. Fans also got a glimpse at the upcoming season that picks up in the aftermath of the shocking season finale when Loki finds himself in a battle for the soul of the Time Variance Authority. Season 2 of “Loki” begins streaming on Disney+ in 2023.
Cast members from Echo including Alaqua Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Devery Jacobs, Graham Greene, Cody Lightning and Chaske Spencer, hit the stage in Hall D23, providing some insight about Maya Lopez, whose ruthless behavior in New York City catches up with her in her hometown. Audience members were treated to a special look at the upcoming series that also stars Tantoo Cardinal and Zahn McClarnon. The new series will stream soon on Disney+.
Next, there was a brief chat about Daredevil: Born Again. Fans reportedly went wild when Charlie Cox appeared on stage to discuss the 18-episode new season of the show, which kicks off shooting next year.
Then, there was Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Ryan Coogler shared an exclusive look at a scene and some highlights from the much-anticipated follow-up to 2018’s Black Panther. Much to the crowd’s delight, cast members Angela Bassett (Queen Ramonda), Letitia Wright (Shuri), Winston Duke (M’Baku) and Tenoch Huerta (Namor) joined Coogler and Feige on stage. In the story, the Wakandans fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. The heroes must band together to forge a new path for the kingdom. Also starring Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Florence Kasumba (Ayo), Dominique Thorne (Riri Williams), Michaela Coel (Aneka), Mabel Cadena (Namora), Alex Livinalli (Attuma) and Martin Freeman (Everett Ross), the film hits screens in November.
Feige then introduced Paul Rudd (Scott Lang/Ant-Man), Evangeline Lilly (Hope Van Dyne/The Wasp) and Jonathan Majors (Kang) for Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The audience was treated to an exclusive look at the film that features Super Hero partners Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne, who team up with Hope’s parents, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Scott’s daughter, Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), to explore the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible. It was confirmed that the film has a direct connection with the new Avengers movie and will arrive in cinemas in February.
Slated for a release in November 2024, it was confirmed that Matt Shakman (Wandavision), would helm the new Fantastic Four movie for the studio.
Captain America: New World Order, releasing in May 2024, was up next. Julius Onah joined Feige on stage. Together, they welcomed “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” returning stars Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Captain America), Danny Ramirez (Joaquin Torres) and Carl Lumbly (Isaiah Bradley). They join new cast members Tim Blake Nelson (The Leader), who was on hand at D23 Expo today, as well as Shira Haas (Sabra).
The Thunderbolts were then unveiled as Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Valentina Allegra de Fontaine), David Harbour (Red Guardian), Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost), Sebastian Stan (James “Bucky” Barnes/The Winter Soldier) and Wyatt Russell (John Walker/U.S. Agent) who all joined director Jake Schreier on stage. The esteemed team also features stars Olga Kurylenko (Taskmaster) and Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova)—Pugh recorded a greeting for the D23 Expo audience. Thunderbolts opens in cinemas on July 26, 2024.
Next was The Marvels, next summer’s big release. Nia DaCosta and cast members Iman Vellani (Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel), Teyonah Parris (Monica Rambeau) and Brie Larson (Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel) were welcomed on stage, while fans were given a special look at scenes from the new movie.
The only release presented by 20th Century Studios was their December film: Avatar: The Way Of Water. James Cameron’s film is still in production with the filmmaker hard at work in New Zealand, but the maestro beamed in via video link, while Sam Worthington (Jake Sully), Zoe Saldaña (Neytiri), Sigourney Weaver (Kiri) and Stephen Lang (Colonel Miles Quaritch), appeared on stage with producer Jon Landau. The crowd was treated to some fun anecdotes and exciting revelations about the new film before meeting the new-generation cast members Jamie Flatters (Neteyam), Jack Champion (Spider), Bailey Bass (Tsireya) and Trinity Jo-Li Bliss (Tuk). Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” begins to tell the story of the Sully family, the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive and the tragedies they endure. Before the show concluded, the lucky fans learned they’d be among the first to see scenes from “Avatar: The Way of Water”—right now. Each was invited to don a pair of Dolby 3D glasses—a Hall D23 first—to get fully immersed in the brand-new footage.
