There is nothing like being in a room with thousands of people to hear the thunderous applause and roars of excitement when John Lasseter (chief creative officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios) joins filmmakers and voice talent to share details and surprises about the upcoming film slate for Pixar and Disney Animation Studios at D23 Expo 2017 on Friday, July 14, 2017.
The list of filmmakers and talent that joined John Lasseter on stage was impressive, to say the least, and included Benjamin Bratt, Anthony Gonzalez, Josh Gad, Kristen Bell, Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Vowell, Samuel L. Jackson, Huck Milner, and Sarah Silverman.
ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 14: (L-R) Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios John Lasseter, actors Paige O’Hara (Belle/BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), Irene Bedard (POCAHONTAS), Mandy Moore (Rapunzel/TANGLED), Auli’i Cravalho (MOANA), Sarah Silverman (Vanellope von Schweetz/RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2), Kristen Bell (Anna/FROZEN), Kelly Macdonald (Merida/BRAVE), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana/THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG), Linda Larkin (Jasmine/ALADDIN), and Jodi Benson (Ariel/THE LITTLE MERMAID) of RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2 took part today in the Walt Disney Studios live action/animation presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2017 in Anaheim, Calif.
And in an unforgettable moment, Auli‘i Cravalho, Kristen Bell, Mandy Moore, Kelly MacDonald, Anika Noni Rose, Irene Bedard, Linda Larkin, Paige O’Hara, and Jodi Benson joined together to give us 9 Disney Princesses together on stage in one moment.
John Lasseter shared new details, footage, behind-the-scenes looks and images from upcoming films. “I’m so excited about our upcoming movies; they are all hilarious, emotional, beautiful and make you think,” said Lasseter, who serves as executive producer on all animated titles. “It’s a great mix of incredibly creative and surprising new worlds and characters and stories we love returning to. Our filmmakers are putting so much heart into these films—I can’t wait for people to see them.”
Here’s a recap and highlights in order of release for both Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios.
COCO
We heard the first-ever public performance of “Remember Me” from Pixar Animation Studios’ upcoming feature film COCO. Anthony Gonzalez, who provides the voice of Miguel in the film, and Benjamin Bratt (SWOON!), who lends his voice to Ernesto de la Cruz, teamed up to perform the song written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Capping the animation presentation, the grand finale featured more than 160 performers who descended upon Hall D23 at the Anaheim Convention Center, including the Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea and Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles under the direction of Kareli Montoya, and the Grammy®-winning Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band.
D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)
ANTHONY GONZALEZ, BENJAMIN BRATT, JOHN LASSETER (CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, PIXAR AND WALT DISNEY ANIMATIONS STUDIOS)
“Our film embraces a broad landscape of music,” said director Lee Unkrich. “We were fortunate to have Kristen and Bobby create ‘Remember Me’—it’s the signature song made famous by Ernesto de la Cruz, and it embodies the key theme in our story: the importance of remembering loved ones both in life and beyond.”
Unkrich, co-director and screenwriter Adrian Molina and producer Darla K. Anderson shared details about the original story with the crowd. COCO introduces Miguel, an aspiring musician whose family long ago banned music. Desperate to prove his talent and follow in the footsteps of his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz, Miguel makes a fateful decision and finds himself in the Land of the Dead, where he meets his extended family and charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal). Together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
COCO features an original score from Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino (Up, Rogue One) and additional songs co-written by Germaine Franco (Dope, Shovel Buddies) and Molina. Also part of the team is musical consultant Camilo Lara of the music project Mexican Institute of Sound.
Fans in attendance all received an exclusive COCO poster depicting the film’s iconic skull guitar.
COCO is in theatres November 22, 2017.
OLAF’S FROZEN ADVENTURE
Kristen Bell, the voice of Anna, introduced fans to the new Frozen holiday featurette, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, surprised the crowd with a live performance of the all-new original song “That Time of Year,” written by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson.
D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)
KRISTEN BELL, JOSH GAD
The OG cast of Frozen are back! Joining Bell and Gad in the featurette are Idina Menzel (Elsa), and Jonathan Groff (Kristoff).
The featurette is directed by the Emmy®-winning team Kevin Deters and Stevie Wermers-Skelton (Prep & Landing) and produced by Oscar® winner Roy Conli (Big Hero 6).
D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)
JOSH GAD
The song is part of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new 21-minute featurette, which hits the big-screen in front of Disney•Pixar’s Coco on Nov. 22, 2017.
INCREDIBLES 2
Lasseter, who said he’s been looking forward to the return of everyone’s favorite family of superheroes since The Incredibles, said Incredibles 2 was still in production. Lasseter excitedly shared with fans a look at what the fashion world thinks of super-suit stylist Edna Mode—the petite-but-powerful character introduced in Pixar Animation Studio’s 2004 Oscar®-winning feature. Showcasing fashion phenoms from Heidi Klum and Kendall Jenner to Zac Posen and Rachel Zoe.
The Incredibles director Brad Bird—who lends his voice to Edna—joined Lasseter on stage to welcome to the festivities the voices of Mr. and Mrs. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter), Violet (Sarah Vowell), Dash (newcomer Huck Milner), and Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson). Bird revealed details of the upcoming caper, which puts the family into an expanded universe that includes new allies and a brand-new villain. “The Incredibles is really a family film, it’s just that the family happens to have super powers,” said Bird. “They may have super speed or super strength, but they experience the same problems as any family.”
“Bob’s actually home with the kids this time and I’m the one out fighting crime,” added Hunter. She joked, “I’ve been working out 13 hours a day!”
What I learned from watching the preview footage? Don’t piss off Baby Jack Jack.
Incredibles 2 hits theaters on June 15, 2018.
RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2
This is the one I’m personally most excited about! Directors Rich Moore and Phil Johnston hit the stage at D23 Expo 2017, introducing Emmy®-winning actress and comedian Sarah Silverman, who returns as the voice of Vanellope von Schweetz.
We saw a clip that pays homage to the Disney Princesses. It was absolutely hilarious. And seriously, merchandising for the world. Every tween/teen will be able to relate, as well as their parents. Lasseter revealed that filmmakers had asked the original voice actresses behind the Princesses featured to reprise their roles for the sequence, and in a moment no Disney fan will forget, Auli‘i Cravalho (Moana), Kristen Bell (Anna in Frozen), Kelly MacDonald (Merida in Brave), Mandy Moore (Rapunzel in Tangled), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana in The Princess and the Frog), Irene Bedard (Pocahontas), Linda Larkin (Jasmine in Aladdin), Paige O’Hara (Belle in Beauty and the Beast) and Jodi Benson (Ariel in The Little Mermaid) were welcomed on stage for the largest gathering of Disney Princesses in history. Nine princesses in one place!
They got the OG princess actresses to voice their respective characters in #WreckItRalph2 #D23Expo #pixar
— Jana Seitzer (@whiskynsunshine) July 14, 2017
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ follow-up to 2012’s Wreck-It Ralph leaves the arcade behind, venturing into the expansive universe of the internet, which may or may not survive Ralph’s not-so-light touch. Outcasts-turned-BFFs Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and Vanellope von Schweetz are reuniting with Fix-It Felix (voice of Jack McBrayer) and Sergeant Calhoun (voice of Jane Lynch). Filmmakers revealed a new character, Yesss, an algorithm who plays an important role in Ralph and Vanellope’s journey within the internet. Golden Globe®-winning actress Taraji P. Henson (“Empire”) lends her voice to the character. “Yesss is a new character who owns the website Buzzaholic,” said Henson. “Yesss knows about everything cool and on trend. And she does spell her name with a triple ‘s.’ Yesss is very savvy, smart and sexy.”
#tarajiphenson voices Yesss in #WreckItRalph2 #D23Expo2017 #D23ExpoLIVE #D23Expo #pixar #disneyanimation pic.twitter.com/C41VD7SxUG
— Jana Seitzer (@whiskynsunshine) July 14, 2017
Produced by Oscar® winner Clark Spencer, Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 breaks into theaters on Nov. 21, 2018.
UNTITLED DISNEYTOON STUDIOS FILM
John Lasseter kicked off the presentation by announcing Disneytoon Studios’ original new animated movie, Untitled DTS Film. Directed by Klay Hall and Bobs Gannaway, and produced by Ferrell Barron, the theatrical feature film explores the future of aviation—taking moviegoers to the edge of discovery in the air—and beyond.Untitled DTS Film opens in theaters on April 12, 2019.
D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)
JOSH COOLEY (DIRECTOR)
TOY STORY 4
Lasseter invited Pixar’s Josh Cooley (“Riley’s First Date?” short) to the stage, revealing that Cooley has assumed full director responsibilities for TOY STORY 4. The pair brought with them a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the director’s life at the Northern California studio. Produced by Jonas Rivera (Inside Out), TOY STORY 4 is slated for release on June 21, 2019.
FROZEN 2 (TITLE TBA)
Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, and produced by Peter Del Vecho, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ feature-length follow-up to 2013’s Oscar®-winning film Frozen is underway. Bell, Gad, Menzel, and Groff are reprising their roles in an all-new Frozen story. Lasseter, Bell, and Gad shared with Frozen fans a behind-the-scenes video showcasing the filmmakers’ recent research trip to Norway, Finland, and Iceland.
Frozen 2 is slated for theaters on November 27, 2019
UNTITLED DAN SCANLON MOVIE
Director Dan Scanlon, who helmed Pixar’s Monsters University, joined Lasseter to share a few details about an all-new original feature film currently in production at Pixar Animation Studios. According to Scanlon, who lost his father at a very young age, the film is inspired by the question he’s always asked: Who was my father?
Suburban fantasy world: Untitled #pixar film / based on a personal journey / more to come#D23ExpoLIVE #D23Expo #disneyanimation
— Jana Seitzer (@whiskynsunshine) July 14, 2017
The story is set in a world with no humans—only elves, trolls, and sprites—“anything that would be on the side of a van in the ’70s,” said the director. “In the film, we’re going to tell the story of two teenage elf brothers whose father died when they were too young to remember him. But thanks to the little magic still left in the world, the boys embark on a quest that will allow them a chance to spend one last magical day with their father.”
Kori Rae (Monsters University) will produce.
Video Recap
Here’s a Video Recap of the Panel
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I’ve been invited to an all-expenses paid trip to Anaheim. As always, all opinions are my own.
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[…] been excitedly waiting for this film since I first saw it on the movie slate at D23. I was wholly disappointed (along with everyone and everything else) as 2020 delayed the release […]