D23 Expo Recap: Television and Movie Updates
If you haven't been checking social media this weekend, or even if you have but you don't follow the right people then you won''t know about the Disney D23 Expo that happened. Starting on Friday, Disney hosted its biannual Expo event D23. The event takes place in California and allows Disney affiliates release new information and sneak peeks related to television, movies, video games and the theme parks. This year was definitely one of the most exciting with some highly anticipated information being released. Here is a a complete category by category recap of all the news that took surprised us all.
Television:
-Once Upon a Time
After the suspense of waiting to see if OUAT would get renewed for a seventh season, fans got hit with a huge cliff hanger and news that only three members of the cast would be returning. Oncers were greeted with EPs Adam Horowitz and Eddie Kitsiss who released some new information for the next season. Dania Ramirez (who played Rosie on the Lifetime show Devious Maids), will be playing a new version of Cinderella married to the now older version of Henry Mills.
*As a show about fairy tales Once did cover Cinderella before during the very first season. That story, featuring actress Jessy Schram, just showed her past and followed her traditional-ish (Once Upon a Time twist) story like going to the ball and falling in love with the prince. Prince Thomas that is.
-Marvel Television Animation Panel
Marvel's senior vice president and chief creative officer delivered news that Disney XD channel will premiering a new animated series based on Marvel's Spider-Man. They also gave word for a season three of the show Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout as well as a new animated special from The Lego Group and Marvel.
- From Scenes To Pages: Gravity Falls and Star vs. The Forces of Evil Become Books
Creators of both Gravity Falls and Star vs. The Forces of Evil announced that their shows are jumping from the screen to the pages of a book. The books are released by Disney Press and feature new adventures for both sets of characters. The panel celebrated the recent release of the books titled Gravity Falls: Journal Three and Star vs. the Forces of Evil Star and Marco’s Guide to Mastering Every Dimension.
Movies:
- Avengers: Infinity War
Marvel Studios President, Kevin Feige, along with Marvel Stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Mackie, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Josh Brolin, Don Cheadle, Sebastian Stan, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, and Pom Klementieff took the stage, along with one of the film’s directors, Joe Russo. Together, the dazzled the crowd with the first look at what is said to be "the biggest production in the Marvel Cinematic Universe". The explanation confirmed that the Avengers will face the biggest villain Thanos and need the Guardians of the Galaxy to help them in the pursuit.
-Live Action Lion King First Look
Director, Jon Favreau who was in charge of the largely successful live action movie The Jungle Book is back for more with The Lion King. After much speculation Favreau took the stage at D23 to reveal an exclusive first-look at the upcoming film. The feature displayed an adaptation of "Circle of Life" and featured beloved characters Rafiki, Mufasa, and baby Simba. The film is set to be released in 2019.
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi
The Director Rian Johson invited stars of the upcoming Star Wars movie to talk a bit about the film and build excitment. While they sadly revealed no exclusive information, the film, which opens in theaters on December 15, 2017, was regarded as a "game changer".
- Mary Poppins Sequel
Also at D23, Emily Blunt surprised the audience with director Rob Marshall to talk about the upcoming film Mary Poppins Returns which hits theaters December 25th 2018. Composer Marc Shaiman led an orchestra in a performance of a piece of the original score, which played over a series of images from the film.
-A Wrinkle In Time
The high-profile cast of the upcoming movie A Wrinkle In Time greeted the expo and handed out posters to all the famous. The cast consisting of Oprah Winfrey (who plays Mrs. Which), Reese Witherspoon (Mrs. Whatsit), Mindy Kaling (Mrs. Who), and Chris Pine (Mr. Murry) joined director Ava DuVernay to unveil the official trailer. The film is set to break March 9th, 2018.
For more information in other criteria and all things Disney visit the expo website at d23.com