ANAHEIM, Calif. (Sept. 10,
2022) — The Walt Disney Studios continued to fuel the fire ignited at
yesterday’s showcase with a jam-packed presentation from the teams at
Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios and 20th Century Studios this morning at the Anaheim
Convention Center as part of D23 Expo 2022. Thousands of fans were among the
first to hear new announcements, see never-before-seen footage and hear from
the stars of the industry’s biggest streaming and theatrical titles slated for
the coming months and beyond.
Alan Bergman, chairman,
The Walt Disney Studios, welcomed a fired-up crowd to Hall D23. Bergman
reflected on the 13-year history of D23 Expo and the evolution of the Studios
group. “That [first] year, none of the iconic studios you’ll hear from today
were part of the company,” he said. “It was just Disney Animation, Disney Live
Action and Pixar. We announced the Marvel acquisition just before our first
Expo in 2009. Then three years later, we added Lucasfilm, and in 2019, 20th
Century Studios. I’ve been at Disney for 26 years, so it’s been incredibly
exciting to welcome each of them to our Studio family. And like Disney and
Pixar, each of these studios has a phenomenal legacy of storytelling.”
Joining Bergman to walk
fans through the upcoming slate of films were studio executives Kathleen
Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm; Kevin Feige, producer and president of Marvel
Studios; and James Cameron, director of 20th Century Studios’ “Avatar: The Way
of Water.” The showcase included the following highlights.
LUCASFILM - Bergman introduced
Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, who guided the audience through the
incredible lineup ahead. “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.”
Before Kennedy concluded
the Lucasfilm presentation, she had one more title to share. “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 of the immensely popular “INDIANA JONES” franchise,
which opens in theaters June 30, 2023. Joining Kennedy and Mangold on stage was
the one-and-only Harrison Ford alongside co-star and Emmy® winner Phoebe
Waller-Bridge. Ford, who was a little emotional on stage, said, “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,” continued the actor.
“I’m really, really happy that we have a really human story to tell, as well as
a movie that will kick your ass.”
MARVEL STUDIOS -Greeting fans at D23 Expo
2022, Kevin Feige said he’s been coming to D23 Expo for years—taking in all the
performances the other studios in the Disney family bring to the stage. “I’ve
always been a little jealous,” Feige admitted. “Why can’t we get our own
musical number?” That kicked off a show-stopping performance of the buzzy
fan-favorite “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.”
Feige returned to the
stage, reviewing recent announcements including the Multiverse Saga—the
conclusion of Phase 4, the Phase 5 slate and the Phase 6 titles that include
“Fantastic Four” and two new Avengers films: “The Kang Dynasty” and “Secret
Wars.”The Marvel Cinematic
Universe continues to thrill fans of the big screen, starting with the last
film of Phase 4.
“BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA
FOREVER” director 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), “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is
produced by Feige and Nate Moore, and hits the big screen on Nov. 11.
Joining Feige on stage to
officially kick off Phase 5 of the MCU were “ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA”
stars Paul Rudd (Scott Lang/Ant-Man), Evangeline Lilly (Hope Van Dyne/The Wasp)
and Jonathan Majors (Kang). 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. Hitting theaters Feb. 17, 2023, the film connects to “Avengers: The
Kang Dynasty,” said Feige. Feige officially confirmed
that Matt Shakman, who directed every episode of 2021’s “WandaVision” would be
directing “FANTASTIC FOUR.” The film opens in theaters on Nov. 8, 2024.
Continuing Sam Wilson’s
journey as Captain America is a brand-new film heading to theaters in 2024.
“CAPTAIN AMERICA: NEW WORLD ORDER” director 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).
“Captain America: New World Order” hits theaters on May 3, 2024
The identities of the
“THUNDERBOLTS” were unveiled this morning 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) joined director Jake Schreier on stage to thunderous
applause. 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 theaters on July 26, 2024.
Feige capped the Marvel
Studios presentation with “THE MARVELS,” revisiting key moments in the MCU
before welcoming to the stage director Nia DaCosta and cast members Iman
Vellani (Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel), Teyonah Parris (Monica Rambeau) and Brie
Larson (Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel). Fans were given a special look at scenes
from the new movie, which opens in theaters on July 28, 2023.
20TH CENTURY STUDIOS -Alan Bergman returned to
the stage and was joined virtually by Academy Award®-winning producer/director
James Cameron, currently in New Zealand, where he is still hard at work
readying the release of the highly anticipated sequel to the biggest film of all
time, “Avatar.” “AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER,” which opens in theaters on Dec. 16,
welcomes back to the big screen returning cast members Sam Worthington (Jake
Sully), Zoe Saldaña (Neytiri), Sigourney Weaver (Kiri) and Stephen Lang
(Colonel Miles Quaritch), who 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.
About The Walt Disney
Studios:For over 95 years, The
Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company
was built. Today it brings quality movies, episodic storytelling and stage
plays to consumers throughout the world. The Walt Disney Studios encompasses a
collection of respected film studios, including Disney, Walt Disney Animation
Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Searchlight
Pictures and 20th Century Studios. It is also home to Disney Theatrical Group,
producer of world-class stage shows.
About Lucasfilm Ltd.:Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt
Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital
entertainment. In addition to its feature film and series production, the
company's offerings include cutting-edge visual effects and audio
post-production, digital animation, immersive storytelling, and the management
of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties
including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd.
is headquartered in northern California. Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR
WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States
and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM 2022
Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.
About Marvel Studios:Marvel Studios produces world-class filmed
entertainment based on characters and stories from across the iconic Marvel
comic book empire. Marvel Studios is home to the Marvel Cinematic Universe
(MCU), and unprecedented interconnected collection of films that began in 2008
with “Iron Man” and includes “Captain America,” “Thor,” “Guardians of the
Galaxy,” “Ant-Man” and the “Avengers” series as well as “The Incredible Hulk,”
“Doctor Strange,” Spider-Man: Homecoming,” Black Panther” and “Captain Marvel,”
to name a few. The MCU continues to expand with Marvel Studios’ slate of
series, including “WandaVision,” “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” and
“Loki.” Marvel Studios also launched its first animated series, “What If…?”
that reimagines famous events from the films in unexpected ways.
About 20th Century
Studios:20th Century Studios is an
Academy Award®-winning producer of feature films for both theatrical and
streaming release. It is home to such iconic
franchises as “Avatar,” “Alien,” “Planet of the Apes,” “Predator,” “Die
Hard” and “Kingsman” and creator of hit films including “Bohemian Rhapsody,”
“The Greatest Showman,” “The Martian,” and “Ford v Ferrari” and “Free Guy.” It
also launched the successful “Deadpool” and “X-Men” film series and recent
Oscar®-winner “West Side Story.” Upcoming releases include the “Avatar” sequel
“Avatar: The Way of the Water,” and the newest film from filmmaker David O.
Russell, “Amsterdam.” Previously known as 20th Century Fox prior to becoming a
part of The Walt Disney Company, 20th Century Studios is recognized for its
incredible 80-year legacy. It is the studio that brought the world the first
six “Star Wars” films, in addition to standouts from across the decades,
including “Miracle on 34th Street,” “All About Eve,” “The King and I,” “The
Sound of Music,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “The Princess Bride,”
“The Abyss,” “Edward Scissorhands,” “Home Alone,” “My Cousin Vinny,” “Speed,”
“Cast Away,” “Moulin Rouge!,” “Minority Report,” “Gone Girl” and “The
Revenant.”
About D23 Expo 2022: The largest Disney fan event in the world, D23 Expo
Presented by Visa celebrates the wonderful worlds of The Walt Disney Company,
including Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars across film, television, theme
parks, and more! VISIT D23 EXPO.
About D23:The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey
that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23
is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives
its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them
in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney
twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content;
member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the
year. Fans can purchase an individual plan ($99.99/year for one Gold
Membership) or a duo plan ($129.99/year for two Gold Memberships) at D23.com.
To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
