Disclosure: This post is part of my upcoming all expense paid trip to Los Angeles, CA provided by Disney. However, typos, misspelled words and opinions are 100% mine.
D23 Expo was an amazing experience. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the event and witness some major talents and major announcements firsthand. When I was invited to the D23 Expo, I had no idea what I would see exactly, but I knew it would be something amazing, and I was right! There were some absolutely ginormous announcements at the Expo this year, and I want to share them with YOU!
Day 1: D23 Expo – Credit Where Credit is Due
Before we get into the new film announcements from Disney and Pixar, I want to touch on the Disney Legends tribute that took place on the first day of the event. On Friday, Disney gave the Disney Legends award to some huge names in entertainment, recognizing them for their contributions to our world and the things that we love. Among the recipients were Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Stan “The Man” Lee! It was amazing. These people are icons, so I was humbled to say the least.
And now, on to the D23 Expo announcements!
Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
D23 Expo Upcoming Film Announcements
Before Disney actually dropped their upcoming films, Alan Horn, chairman of Walt Disney Studios, gave us all a look back on the extremely successful animated films of the past year as a reference for what was to come. After that, John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios came on stage sporting the cutest shirt I’ve ever seen and shooting t-shirts into the audience with a t-shirt gun! You could see his passion and enthusiasm for the event and Disney and Pixar animated films written all over his face! After that, it was time for the big show.
Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
“Untitled DTS Film” – April 12, 2019
The first film they announced is as yet untitled. They showed a clip of two jets breaking the sound barrier, flying incredibly fast across the sky. According to Lasseter, the untitled Disneytoon Studios movie will “explore the future of aviation”.
Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure – November 22, 2017
Everyone’s favorite goofball snowman, Olaf, is back! Kristen Bell, the voice of Anna, kicked off the presentation with some info about Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. It’s a 21-minute featurette that will be shown before Pixar’s CoCo.
She was supposed to show a clip, but a “glitch” made it impossible. As luck would have it, Josh Ga, voice of Olaf, just “happened” to be prepared with a song from the featurette. Fun!
Frozen 2 (As Yet Untitled) – November 27, 2019
Up next was the as yet untitled Frozen sequel. Between quips about names that didn’t make the cut such as Thawed and Frozen Again, we were treated to a behind-the-scenes film of a research trip the film makers took to Norway, Finland, and Iceland.
Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2 – November 21, 2018
One of my favorite announcements of the D23 expo! I loved the premise of the first movie, so when directors Rich Moore and Phil Johnston took the stage with actress and comedian, Sarah Silverman to announce the second installment of Wreck It Ralph, I was super excited.
In Wreck It Ralph 2, Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (voiced by Sarah Silverman) leave the arcade world and explore the internet. On their journey, they meet Yesss (voiced by Taraji P. Henson), owner of the website Buzzaholic.
This film is absolutely chock full of Disney fun. In fact, Ralph and Vanellope venture into the world of Disney, and there’s even a scene with Vanellope interacting with all of the Disney Princesses! This is the ONLY movie where ALL the Disney Princesses are in one place!
Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Incredibles 2 – June 15, 2018
Another announcement that had me squirming in my seat like a 4 year old was hearing about Incredibles 2. I’ve been waiting FOREVER to get a sequel to this one! Director, Brad Bird, joined John Lasseter on stage to talk about what happens with the family after the events of Incredibles.
Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Toy Story 4 – June 21, 2019
The Toy Story franchise just keeps going, with another installment announced at D23 Expo. We didn’t see as much of this film as the others, but Josh Cooley, the man behind Riley’s First Date? showed us a behind the scenes look at a day in the director’s life at the studio. If you paid close attention, you could absolutely see a few Easter eggs about the upcoming movie.
Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Coco – November 22, 2017
We got to see two Coco clips, and they got me absolutely frantic to see this film. Coming to theaters this November, Coco tells the story of, Miguel, an aspiring musician from a family that has banned music. However, Miguel will not be deterred from following his dream of being like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Because of that, Miguel, makes a decision which sets him on a path that lands him in the Land of the Dead. While there, he meets his extended family and trickster, Hector (voiced by Gael Garcia Bernal).
To close out the Coco announcement, Anthony Gonzales (voice of Miguel) and Benjamin Bratt (voice of Ernesto de la Cruz) performed the first er live rendition of “Remember Me”. This over-the-top finale featured over 160 performers, lights, huge backdrops, and more.
Unnamed, Yet to be Scheduled Film
Finally, we were treated to some major news about another film. The unnamed, unscheduled feature from Pixar Animation Studios and director, Dan Scanlon (Monsters University) is set in a world populated by elves, trolls, and sprites. Dan took the stage and shared an emotional account of losing his father at a young age and how it inspired the film.
The picture will focus on two teenage elf brothers whose father died so early in their lives that they can’t remember him. Thanks to what little magic is left in their world, the boys go on a journey which will allow them to spend one last day with their father. I got all the feels just hearing about it. It’s going to be a good one!
D23 Expo – Almost TOO Much Awesome
Okay not really, but the D23 Expo did throw a lot of amazing announcements at us. Seeing the talent behind the voices and the films themselves announce all the great upcoming titles at the Expo was an absolutely amazing experience. I’m so glad I was able to be a part of the D23 Expo, and I can’t wait to see all of these movies in theaters!
