Disney treats fans to first looks at new live-action films on D23 Expo first day
By Mike Bedigan, PA Los Angeles Correspondent
Disney treated fans to first looks at a spate of new live-action films on the opening day of the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California.
Remakes of classic Disney films including The Little Mermaid and Snow White, as well as Lion King spinoff Mufasa: The Lion King, were shown at the convention on Friday.
Out of the sea, wish I could be... part of that world.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid is coming to theaters May 26, 2023. pic.twitter.com/2WGtf2wN3n— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) September 9, 2022
Stars of the films including Gal Gadot, Rachel Zegler and Halle Bailey took to the stage to introduce clips of their films.
The corporation’s chief executive Bob Chapek kicked off the three-day event before panels commenced.
Mufasa: The Lion King. 2024. pic.twitter.com/7rhorK8oLF
— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) September 9, 2022
D23 is expected to feature further announcements from the Marvel and Star Wars universes over the coming weekend.
Also announced was the sequel to the 2015 animated film Inside Out, starring US comedian and actress Amy Poehler, who will reprise her role as the emotion Joy, and appeared at the convention to help introduce it.
Oh JOY! Amy Poehler is back to star in Inside Out 2. Directed by Kelsey Mann, produced by Mark Nielsen, and written by Meg LeFauve, Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2 releases Summer 2024. pic.twitter.com/vNgJjd1Q2w
— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) September 10, 2022
Directed by Kelsey Mann and written by Meg LeFauve, Inside Out 2 will be released in the summer of 2024.
Gadot and Zegler appeared side by side to help introduce Snow White, parts of which have been filmed in London, which is also set for 2024.
Disney’s Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, releasing 2024. #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/uTSmbysJxT
— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) September 9, 2022
Bailey, meanwhile, introduced a new teaser trailer for The Little Mermaid, which arrives in May 2023.
The short clip shows her swimming through an underwater kingdom, while Bailey is heard to sing the film’s famous song Part Of Your World.
Nothing stays enchanted forever.#Disenchanted, an Original movie, starts streaming November 24 on @DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/XocHAEs5z5
— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) September 9, 2022
Also included in Friday’s showcase were looks at original films Enchanted, Peter Pan And Wendy, Haunted Mansion, and the highly-anticipated Hocus Pocus 2, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy.
Earlier, famous faces including Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Ellen Pompeo, Josh Gad and Jonathan Groff were presented with Disney Legend Awards.
The brother of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman also accepted the posthumous honour on his behalf.
