Disney reveals at D23

With the 2015 EXPO over it’s time to look back on all the great news you might have missed over the last few days. Anaheim promised Disney fans great things and then went and delivered a smorgasbord of delectable treats beyond imagination.

I remember a time a way back after Finding Nemo had been released to critical-acclaim that the rumour mill started churning out potential sequels. Of course the hotly tipped successor would be the adorably innocent Finding Dory. Rumours came and went like the East Australian Current only to be forgotten as mere hearsay. But Pixar took to our relentless probing and finally revealed their plans to release the once fabled Finding Dory in June 2016. With a teasing still Dory isn’t given much hope as she finds herself cooped up in an unstimulating fish tank conversing with an encouraging looking Octopus, suitably Pixar indeed.

Amidst the somewhat quietened hype of Finding Dory lurked an even greater beast. On hand at the ‘Worlds, Galaxies, and Universes’ panel was Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn to reveal the upcoming live action roster for the coming years. Alongside the big money names of Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson as Belle, Alice Through the Looking Glass with Mia Wasikowski returning as Alice, and Neel Sethi as Mowgli in The Jungle Book was the surprise announcement of a fifth instalment in the Pirates of the Caribbean  franchise with Orlando Bloom returning as the devilishly handsome Will Turner.

Announced in the same breath as the lighter, more family oriented ventures listed above came the latest outings of Marvel and LucasFilm. It’s no secret that Star Wars will take the world by storm in what seems like a galaxy far far away but is actually now only around the corner in December. As J. J. Abrams joined the panel at the D23 event it was announced that Colin Trevorrow of recent Jurassic World success would be directing Star Wars Episode IX. With the trilogy firmly underway before the Millennium Falcon even leaves the hangar, fans of Disney’s extended sci-fi arm were given plenty to get excited about.

But the fantasy doesn’t end there. Marvel’s Phase Three launches next year and after such a successful second phase it’s difficult to predict where Marvel can take the franchise. In the words of Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios president, Doctor Strange would “push the boundaries of the cinematic universe.” Well there’s a piece of highly ambiguous yet encouraging bait for all Marvel fans. But while Doctor Strange may appeal to the most diehard of comic book fans the real news coming out of D23 has to be the air of anticipation surrounding the May 2016 release of Captain America: Civil War. Very little has been revealed thus far. Unless you were one of the lucky few to attend the EXPO this year the teaser for Civil War is still unavailable to the general public. But with teasing transcribed experiences from journalists in circulation across the World Wide Web we know it is going to be great.

2015 will be another great year for Disney but the future looks even brighter. Some of the greatest theme parks around the world thrive on the love of Disney’s cinematic legacy and in some of the most breath-taking news to come out of the EXPO Disney fans, thrill seekers, and designated bag holders await the latest interactive instalment at theme parks around the world. Disneyland California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida will both play host to an array of Star Wars themed attractions.

With fond memories of riding Space Mountain as a child Disney have taken the inspiring decision to reimagine the experience for riders and incorporate an X-Wing Starfighter battle into the mix. Both returning visitors and new visitors to Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be treated to a wholly immersive experience including Star Wars Land but also Toy Story Land, bringing the much loved family Toy Story to life.

D23 EXPO 2015 in a nutshell – Finding Dory, Toy Story 4, The Jungle Book, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Captain America: Civil War.

I have no doubt that this time next year we will still be revelling in Disney’s grand ambition and continuously successful legacy.

You can find the Tremr article here

~ Happy Viewing ~