X-Men, Starfighter, Zootopia 3, and Everything We Learned At D23
From Marvel's new mutant cast and a new Doomsday trailer to Ahsoka, Incredibles 3, the live-aciton Tangled, Frozen 3, and more, we break down everything Disney presented.
The Walt Disney Company put on an extravagant show at Friday night’s D23 Entertainment Presentation. While always celebrating its accomplishments, Disney offered those in attendance a glimpse at what’s next across the next two years before the next D23. It was roughly three hours of Mutants, music, and memories of Ryan Gosling’s time on The Mickey Mouse Club.
Ginnifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan served as hosts, quickly introducing Josh D’Amaro, the recently installed CEO. “I think most of you know this is not my first D23, but it is my first one since becoming CEO,” he said. “Before I talk to you about where we’re headed, I want to talk about why I’m standing with you tonight. To lead this company, you need to know what it is to be a fan.”
He recalled a story of going to Walt Disney World when he was eight years old. “There was energy around us. Then we saw the castle… and I remember something that stuck with me to this moment: ‘This place is special, this place is magic.’ That feeling didn’t fade; it became part of who I am. Maybe you had that moment.”
“Disney has something no other brand can claim,” he continued. “A connection that spans every age, every background. A connection of four billion fans — half the world’s population — that looks to us for inspiration.”
“We’re not here waiting for the future. We’re building it.” Here’s a glimpse of what they are building.
- Recommended: Marvel Movies in Order
- Recommended: Upcoming Marvel Movies and TV Shows
Marvel Introduces The X-Men
While Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige wanted to talk about the upcoming VisionQuest television series and continue the promotion of December’s Avengers: Doomsday, all in attendance wanted to know one thing: who are the X-Men? And, for once, Feige was willing to answer, as he assembled the new class of Mutants for the first time on the D23 stage.
Claiming he couldn’t talk about the film until Sadie Sink debuted as Jean Grey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, he invited the actor and X-Men director Jake Schreier to the stage. The filmmaker confirmed the film will follow Jean’s story, but will also include Kit Connor (Warfare, Heartstopper Forever) as Cyclops — confirming recent reports — Christopher Abbott (Poor Things, Wolf Man) as Professor Charles Xavier, Samara Weaving (Ready or Not) as Emma Frost, Maya Boyd as Storm, and breakout Obsession star Inde Navarette as Rogue. And then via video, Adam Driver, alone at Pinewood Studios, declared he will play Nathaniel Milbury, another name for Mister Sinister… or is he playing Magneto? He claimed both characters and Feige declined to clarify.
Some mysteries have to remain, although Sinister is a fabulous part for him to play.
X-Men is slated for release on May 5, 2028.
Meanwhile, Feige is excited for fans to see VisionQuest, the conclusion to the WandaVision TV trilogy. Stars Paul Bettany and James Spader joined the executive to discuss the program. As revealed in a new teaser trailer, Vision is now in hiding and working at a pub. But at night, he retreats into his mind, where he and other personifications of Stark AIs consider the original Vision’s memories and status as a hero. Curiously, though, one of Vis’s memories suggests that he may have a son. Setting off to learn the truth, Ultron (a returning Spader) claims, “Nothing brings a family together quite like mortal jeopardy.”
Reflecting on the character, Bettany quipped, “He inconveniently died several times, which I can tell you, as an actor, can make for financial difficulty.” He also said the series will explore the question of Vision’s true identity and what it means to be a hero. Ultron is back to help him figure out to the answers.
“Frankly, I can’t believe it took you so long to turn to me,” Spader said.
The program debuts on October 14.
As he did in San Diego, Feige also teased Endgame Encore will include “something extra” in anticipation of Avengers: Doomsday.
Speaking of that film, Feige teased the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and “the original X-Men” will be together for the first time. Which then led to Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) hijacking the screen to pressure Hugh Jackman into asking for a part in the movie. Or is it just Deadpool trying to worm his way into the film as he attempted at San Diego Comic-Con? Jackman claimed he’d “love to join,” but immediately blames Wade for the on-screen appearance.
Afterward, Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, and Robert Downey Jr. joined Feige on stage. The trio offered a tease about Steve and Peggy’s happy ending. They also provided another look at the film, which opens on Doom in his throne room. Like the SDCC teaser, it featured the voice of Sue Storm’s (Vanessa Kirby) explanation of Doom’s fall set again glimpses of the heroes from the three realities. Like the SDCC trailer, it also took pains to feature a devastated world while Reed asks Doom if he was responsible for it. And as he raises the Sentinels from the ashes, he announces “I am Doom.” Avengers: Doomsday is set to open in theaters on December 18.
Fiege also offered a quick look at Marvel’s Wolverine, the upcoming video game due out on September 15 on Playstation 5.
Star Wars Presents A Starfighter
Dave Filoni received thunderous applause as he took to the stage. The co-president of Lucasfilm was there to talk about the 50th anniversary of the first film and the ever-growing universe it began.
The celebration will include a re-release of the 1977 version of Star Wars and the debut of Star Wars: Starfighter in theaters. But it all begins with the second season of Ahsoka on January 20. Rosario Dawson, joining Filoni on stage, said the new season is “massive” as “the threat of Thrawn looms large.” Hayden Christensen and Ezra Bridger actor Eman Esfandi joined the duo on stage. Anakin Skywalker still has a part to play, even in death, and Christensen called it an “honor” as he advises and challenges Ahsoka with this question: “Are you or are you not a Jedi?”
Esfandi, meanwhile, said Ezra is back home and reunited with his Star Wars Rebels family. He is now fighting for the New Republic against the Imperial Remnant. And as seen in a new teaser trailer, that conflict heats up, with Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) taking his place at the top of the Remnant hierarchy and declaring war on what he terms “the Rebel Alliance.” In another galaxy, Anakin and Ahsoka remember an incident during the Clone Wars. And various Nightsisters join the fray even as Ahsoka and Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) continue to explore a world far, far away.
Filoni then welcomed Starfighter director Shawn Levy to the stage to talk about the brand new film. “We’re releasing [it] the same exact weekend as the original film 50 years earlier,” he said. “We didn’t even plan it that way, but I can’t imagine it any better.” He added that it “embodies the themes of Star Wars,” but it is set in a time that has never been seen before.
“It also gave me the chance to collaborate with Ryan Gosling,” he continued. It was, of course, a set up for a sizzle reel of Gosling’s days on the 1990s Mickey Mouse Club. The actor played along, walking onto stage in his MMC jacket.
“I owe a lot to Disney,” he said. “I’m now here 30 years later… and it’s changing my life again.”
Levy then asked him to switch jackets with one featuring the symbol of his Starfighter character: Cade Oberon.“[He] is a guy from the wrong side of the galaxy whose fate is intertwined with the fastest starfighter ever built,” he explained. According to the teaser, shown exclusively to those in attendance, it is a G-17 Imperial fighter — fast, but seemingly unknown to anyone besides Oberon. He tells his young partner, played by Flynn Gray, that there is a reason why it is so obscure. The trailer also featured some glimpses of the ship itself and the journey the two will take.
The film also features Matt Smith, Amy Adams, and Mia Goth. It’s due out on May 28, 2027.
Pixar Keeps The Momentum Going
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Pixar Animation Studio had a really good year with Hoppers and Toy Story 5. Nonetheless, studio head Pete Docter said he “can’t believe we have been telling stories for four decades.” Nonetheless, he had something “pretty incredible to share.”
Incredibles 3 is due out in Summer 2028. “If you remember from the last film, Supers are legal again,” Docter teased. Now, there’s a corporate superhero league for the Parr family to contend with. Meanwhile, the kids take the spotlight. They are ready to be real supers, but their parents aren’t quite convinced, even as their children sneak out at night to defend the city. Also, they do their best to contain Jack Jack and his wild powers. And if all of that weren’t enough, another threat is menacing Bob (Craig T. Nelson).
Docter was prepared to elaborate, but Edna Mode (Brad Bird) interrupted him before he could say more.
Benjamin Bratt took to the stage to update the work on Coco 2 and confirm his character, villain Ernesto de la Cruz, will return. “Coco 2 picks up a few short years after the first film. Miguel is now a teenager strumming my guitar,” he explained. “To some, he’s a little menace who ruined a career. Ernesto is back for revenge, sending Miguel back to the land of the dead, and proving fate has a truly twisted sense of humor, he must team up with a superstar… me!” The film is slated for a November 2029 release, but Bratt also announced the world of Coco will make its way to the Kingdom Hearts IV video game slated for late 2027. Bratt will also voice Ernesto.
Additionally, there will also be a Kingdom Heats series on Disney+.
Ghost Market is another upcoming Pixar film. Footage of the film screened during the presentation centered on the titular conveince store and Kyle, a young man who enters the establishment. Inside, he finds a kitchen ready to use and a bowl of ramen. “Do you take, like, Apple Pay?” he asks. But the bowl lifts on its own to reveal… well, you’ll have to wait until it makes its way to theaters in Spring 2028.
Although, Kyle offered one more bit of information thanks to his social media account: “it’s a movie about hungry ghosts.”
“[It’s] our first ghost movie,” Docter added. He also explained that Kyle’s hunt for a midnight snack has led him to the crossroads of the living and the end.
March 2027 will bring Gatto to the screen. Directed by Luca‘s Enrico Casarosa, it centers on a cat in Venice, Italy who works as an enforcer for a big mobster who is also a cat. “For Nero, just stepping outside is a high-stakes survival game,” Docter said of the water-averse feline before handing the proceedings over to an extended clip from the movie.
In it, Nero has his eyes on a priceless violin that he needs to heist for Rocco, the mobster cat, but he’s going to need backup. A group of birds are organizing to take out the anti-perching spikes around town. A young human violinist plays nearby with the instrument in question, which happens to feature a cat face at the top. Nero enlists the bird organizing the others. As he makes his way to the violinist’s busking spot, he signals the bird, who dives strait into a nearby posterboard.
The film features a new style Docter described as “painterly.”
Lilo & Stitch 2 Teases Angel
Star Maia Kealoha offered her thanks to “the best friends in the world” before a plan to tease the live action sequel. Stitch, also part of the plan, ended up missing it, though. Naturally enough, he shut down the lighting in the arena to take control of the huge screen behind Kealoha. “Hi D23!” he finally said. But in doing so, unleashed a pink blur that is likely Angel, the new alien joining the duo in the new film.
“There’s two of them?” Kealoha asked.
Production begins soon with a release date of May 26, 2028.
The New Simpsons Movie Offers An Early Peek
Dana Walden, Chief Creative Officer of Disney and Bart Simpson (Nancy Cartwright) introduced a clip from the upoming New Simpsons Movie. In it, Homer (Dan Castellaneta) and a few others are at a baseball game. Homer wants the foul ball, all the while shouting, “Make Homer rich!” The ball heads right for him, only to make its way to Hans Moleman before landing in Abe Simpson’s throat, then to the commentator’s box, and then the organist. Homer chases it from there to the bathrooms. The chase continues and it seems the ball will make anyone in town rich, as others join Homer in his quest. The ball eventually hits his car. Homer dives for it as it enters Moe’s, where it falls into the pickled egg jar before escaping everyone’s grasp and landing at the Bowlarama, the hospital, and the Duff brewery. There, Homer jumps into a vat of beer to retrieve it. Both end up airborne and back in the stadium. In the end, Bart ends up with the ball.
The entire sequence was show as rough sketches and storyboards, but the humor and timing was still palpable, something Walden mentioned while setting up the clip. The film is still a ways off, though.
Tangled Shares A Glimpse Of Spanish Locales
A single fire lantern signaled the time for Tangled, the live action remake of the 2010 animated film. It It was soon joined by several more and a first look at Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel. She then appeared on stage to rapturous shouts. She thanked the audience for willing her into the part. “She’s the best kind of villain,” she added. Stars Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim sent along a video message while in costume as Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder, revealing some of the natural locations in Spain being used to recreate the animated film. Naturally enough, it looks beautiful. The film will be in theaters March 31, 2028.
Oswald Will Finally Get His Day
Hahn introduced Jon Favreau to discuss the new three-part Disney+ series centering on Walt Disney’s first animated star. Lost to obscurity for nearly a century, Disney finally recovered the rights to the character in a very interesting tale of corporate maneuvering. Favreau ended up fascinated by the story, even if it took 10 years to get the project off the ground.
Realized with hand-drawn 2D animation and veteran Disney animators like Sergio Pablos — plus a new crop of younger animators, the program features locations like the original Disney Hyperion Studio, Walt’s Office, and Disneyland itself.
Favreau shared a quick glimpse of the project, a mixture of live action and the aforementioned 2D animation. A minuscule Oswald makes his way into Walt’s office after a tour group passes by. He is silent as he climbs up onto Walt’s desk. He makes his way across the room to a zoetrope and the piano the Sherman Brothers used whenever Walt summoned them for a song. Although brief, the clip definitely felt like a labor of love.
Oswald debuts this February.
Percy Jackson And The Olympians Preps For Season 3
A curious snow-driven soundscape led to a group of archers taking the stage to unearth the logo for season 3 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. At center stage, star Walker Scobell and an oversized trident appeared. “Well, the gods have spoken and delivered a 20-foot trident to D23,” he quipped. Taking its cues from The Titan’s Curse, the third book in author Rick Riordan’s series, “the story is darker,” according to Scobell. Andra Day, who plays Athena, and Ming-Na Wen, playing Hera, joined him.
“Being Queen of Olympus comes with a lot of responsibility and family drama,” Wen said.
Day added that some of these grudges go back centuries. Meanwhile, the Hunters of Artemis will debut, as will a “Titan who has been waiting a long time to make his move.” Oh, and Percy learns to drive.
Season 3 is set to premiere on November 20.
The Bluey Movie Gets A Teaser
Bluey is taking on her biggest adventure yet – the big screen. The film was represented by a brief teaser, in which Bluey and Bingo bounce a balloon, but it touches the ground, so they flee. Balloons then appeared in the arena with Quan and Goodwin insisting none of them can hit the ground. One ultimately burst as it made its way through the audience.
The Bluey Movie comes to theaters August 6, 2027.
Ice Age: Boiling Point Is Aiming For Something Huge
Denis Leary and Queen Latifah are just two of the names returning for another Ice Age adventure, as the gang finds new corners of the treacherous Lost World. Scrat, of course, sets the story in motion, as his latest acorn hunt puts him on top of an active volcano, but in the teaser screened during the presentation, he finds the largest acorn ever. Just then something huge grabs a hold of it.
The film is set for a February 5, 2027 release.
Walt Disney Animation Studios Caps Off The Evening
As the presentation hit the home stretch, Goodwin took to the stage with Judy Hops gear to set the stage for the Animation segment and applause for Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush. His first item of business: Zootopia 3 is officially in development. It all begins with the mystery feather from Zootopia 2. “You can expect to see all the characters you love from the first two films as the world of Zootopia goes to the birds,” he said.
Highlighting Zootopia as a part of Disney’s dedication to trying new ideas, he announced Clay. Set in a forest full of fantastic creatures, it centers on Flip, voiced by Keiran Culkin, who must mentor a young ball of clay called Mushy. It is set for November 2028 release.
This November sees the debut of Hexed. Hailee Steinfeld stars as Billie, a young woman discovering magic in a realm of witches known as Hexed. Walton Goggins plays her guide, a three-eyed cat named Beef Roger Crummchuck. Jodie Foster voices Queen Celeste.
In a sneak peak from the film, Billy is grounded by her mother, but with magic in her fingers, a portal opens. On the other side, she soon meets creatures determining her witchiness. Within Hexed, the world of witches, she will find a brighter, stranger world. But there is something different about her even there, and it threatens a dangerous Celeste (Foster). Beef, meanwhile, offers Billie “every kernel of wisdom.”
“It’s so much fun to return to Disney,” Foster said. “But I have never voiced a character in a Disney animated film until now. Queen Celeste is one tough witch.”
Rounding out the evening was an update on Frozen III. Naturally enough, it took the form of song — after a curious technical difficulty, of course. Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez return to write those songs — two of which were performed live on stage: “Frozen Heart” featuring both Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, and the disco-tinged “Ooooh, Samatha”, which saw Josh Gad’s Olaf singing about his new love, a snowwoman.
After the first song, Bell and Menzel noted it indicates the world of Frozen is more mysterious this time around, even if Anna is on a honeymoon in a land far from Arundel.
The trio offered up the first trailer for the film, which featured a glimpse of that new, icy land and a mysterious shard reaching out to Elsa. It also introduced the sisters’ new opponent. Or, at least, a glimpse of her. No one was willing to tell Gad who she is or why she’s after Elsa and Anna.
Frozen III debuts in 2027.
Other Notable Items:
- Camp Rock 3: The Jonas Brothers took to the stage to briefly discuss their return to the lake years after the first film. A new generation of campers are vying to open for Connect 3 on a new tour. The newcomers appeared to perform some of the new material.
- The Princess Diaries 3: “I have come to love being told to ‘shut up,’” star Anne Hathaway said as she briefly mentioned the long-awaited third film in the Princess Diaries series. She said they are working “very hard” to get it right.
- Romy and Michele Sequel: Stars Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow went the extra mile while promoting Romy and Michele 2 — they appeared in character. “It’s been a minute, but we’ve been super busy,” Kudrow’s Michele said. Fashion is still their entire life, and they still own the Beverly Hills boutique glimpsed at the end of Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion. But now, they’re looking for true love. “We’re officially Disney princess!” Sorvino’s Romy shouted.
- Lion: Jon Favreau also previewed his National Geographic series Lion. Born from his research during The Lion King, he and Prehistoric Planet collaborator Mike Gunton put the program together. It follows a pride of lions across four years as a cub named Kio grows up. “Nothing is staged. It is all real,” Gunton said. Favreau noticed some themes resonated with other Disney tales and reached out to Hans Zimmer, who joined the project as composer. According to Gunton, the story is complete and told across four parts from August 20 on Disney+.
