Disney has been around for a long time, and many Oswego High School students have grown up with Disney whether it be through its games, movies, or television shows. With the D23 Expo of 2019, OHS students of today have much to look forward to for new Disney content. The 2019 D23 expo started Aug. 23 and ended Aug. 25.
The D23 Expo is a convention held by Disney to showcase new projects it is working on and to celebrate anniversaries of movies, shows, etc. Disney holds the D23 Expo every other year at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.
Disney and Pixar Animation Studios released some information on some of their upcoming projects, including “Onward”, “Frozen 2”, and “Raya and the Last Dragon.” Disney and Pixar’s “Onward” takes place in a modern fantasy world, and tells the story of two teenage elf brothers on their journey to figure out if there is still a little bit of magic left in their world. They do this so that they can spend one last day with their father who died when they were young. Disney and Pixar’s “Onward” is going to hit theaters on March 6, 2020.
Some of the actors from the upcoming Disney film, “Frozen 2,” were at the Expo to share some general information about the forthcoming sensation. The cast of the film includes Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, and Jonathan Groff.
Disney also announced a new project titled Disney’s “Raya and the Last Dragon.” The film is about a warrior named Raya and his search for the last dragon in the film’s universe.
Several OHS Disney fans have a range of opinions on the announcements from the recent D23 Expo!
“I think every Disney movie always has potential,” said Junior Collin Martin. “I think I am ready to see [“Onward”] when it comes out to theaters.”
On another note, “Star Wars” announced information on their big movie: “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” as well as some new and returning TV shows including an untitled Obi-Wan Kenobi series, “The Mandalorian,” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” was the main project that “Star Wars” fans were looking forward to at the Expo. This film is the last installment of the new “Star Wars” trilogy, and director J.J. Abrams gave the “Star Wars” fans a unique look at the movie.
“I’m pretty excited to see where [“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”] is going off to. ,” said junior Josh Bentz.
During the “Star Wars” panel, Disney discussed some other projects to the fans. One of which is about a name we haven’t heard in a while in the “Star Wars” universe. Obi-Wan Kenobi will be getting his own show with Ewan McGregor as Kenobi, reprising his role as the titular character once more. This untitled Kenobi series will begin shooting next year and released sometime after on Disney+.
To add, the first trailer for another “Star Wars” series, “The Mandalorian,” debuted during the “Star Wars” panel. The show will take place after five years after the fall of the Empire and will follow the story of a solo bounty hunter. The show will be the first live-action “Star Wars” television series and will be set to release Nov. 12 on Disney+.
“I’m expecting quite a bit from [“The Malandorian”]. I am hoping it’ll be pretty good as all the other “Star Wars” movies have been” Bentz said. “Hopefully, there will be some sort of ‘bringing back’ from some of the older stuff.”
Last but not least, the classic cartoon series, “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” is making a comeback! The animated series first aired in 2008 and then ended in 2014 is getting a new season. The new season will debut on February 2020 on Disney+.
Marvel was at the Expo as well and announced many TV shows and movies releasing in the coming years. These include “Black Panther 2,” “The Eternals,” “Black Widow,” and many more exciting projects.
Ryan Koogler, director of the academy award-winning movie “Black Panther,” was there to announce that Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther 2” is undoubtedly coming to theaters and is set to release on May 6, 2022. To add, Loki and WandaVision are two new TV shows about said Marvel characters that will premiere on Disney+ in 2021.
Marvel’s President, Kevin Feige, welcomed the cast of the new Marvel movie, “The Eternals,” to the stage to introduce the film. The cast included Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, and many others. Feige also showed Marvel fans concept art and a first look at the cast in costumes. “The Eternals” will drop in theaters on Nov. 6, 2020.
The next film Feige presented was Marvel’s “Black Widow,” and fans were treated to some footage and behind the scenes clips. “Black Widow” is going to be released in theaters on May 1, 2020.
Feige also announced three new shows under Marvel’s name including “Ms. Marvel,” “Moon Knight,” and “She-Hulk.”
“Loki sounds pretty good, and the WandaVision sounds interesting and also Black Panther 2,” Martin said.
Disney+, the previously mentioned streaming service, will launch Nov 12 and will have many original shows made up of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” a live-action “Lady and the Tramp” film, and “Noelle.”
“High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” is 10 episodes long and is set at East High where they filmed the first three “High School Musical” movies. The series follows a group of high school students as they prepare for their school’s first-ever performance of “High School Musical.” This show will begin streaming on Nov. 12, 2019.
A 1955 animated classic is getting a live-action film on Disney+ that dogs will love. “Lady and the Tramp” is getting a live-action retelling of the love story of a formal house dog and a charming stray. The remake will begin streaming Nov. 12, 2019.
Disney’s Christmas comedy film, “Noelle,” will start streaming on Nov 12, 2019. It tells the story of Kris Kringle’s daughter, Noelle, and also his son Nick. Nick Kringle is set to take over as Santa this Christmas and the pressure is getting to him, so Noelle advises him to take some time off to cool down. Nick does not return from his little vacation and Noelle must find him to return him home in time to save Christmas.
The 2019 D23 Expo had many Disney, Pixar, “Star Wars,” and Marvel fans excited and wanting more. The 2019 D23 Expo announced over 20 films and TV shows, and these films will be releasing in the coming years and months for the people’s pleasure. Now, all we can do is wait for the 2021 D23 Expo, and hope it can bring the same amount or more magic that this D23 Expo brought. As Walt Disney once said, “if you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started by a mouse.”
