Can Disney ever regain its former glory?
That was the biggest question on fans’ minds as they gathered in Anaheim last weekend for the studio’s annual event. D23 ShowcaseThe studio has come under scrutiny in recent years for its tendency to inject left-wing propaganda into films and TV shows aimed especially at children.
It’s encouraging to see familiar favorites appearing among the sequels and remakes, but Disney needs to show that these revivals are more than just cosmetic.
If rumors spread Recent company-wide layoffs If these things prove to be true, the Mouse House may finally decide to wake up once and for all from its wake trance.
At the very least, the string of exciting new projects Disney has announced for its fans offers some much-needed hope.
Some of the most talked about ones include:
“Toy Story 5”
A fifth installment in the beloved franchise isn’t high on everyone’s wish list, but 2019’s Toy Story 4 proved audiences aren’t ready to shove these old favorites in the attic just yet. Whereas the first movie ended with Woody riding off into the sunset to start a new life with Bo Peep, this one sees Woody reuniting with Buzz and friends just as he faces off against his biggest rival for children’s affections: electronics. Can they stop 50 military commemorative Buzz Lightyear toys stuck in play mode? Here’s hoping Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton delivers another near-perfect Toy Story.
“Moana 2”
The sequel to the hit 2016 animated film was only announced in February of this year, and rumors have it that the studio is working overtime to turn the show, which was available on Disney+, into a theatrically viable release. It sounds rushed, but Moana, starring Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, has shown just how big the movie is going to be with an epic new trailer that dispels any worries of cutting corners. Joining the original duo are a new crew member, a sister, and a threat that they must all defeat.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew
To be sure, Star Wars is a dying brand searching for relevance with its fanbase. Sure, Kathleen Kennedy continues to churn out indifferent, incompetent soap operas with her latest D+ series, The Acolyte. But the newly announced show Skeleton Crew might prove the franchise’s high point isn’t as far away as we thought. The series follows a group of kids who accidentally stow away on a spaceship and team up with a rogue Jedi (Jude Law) to find their way home. The influence of The Goonies and other 1980s Spielberg films is immediately obvious (perhaps too obvious), and the suburban neighborhood setting seems a little too close to home for this world. Still, undeniable charm might be what the once-great Lucasfilm needs.
Daredevil: Born Again
One thing that has fans really excited about Marvel this year is the costume of the lovable blind street hero. After appearing in Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk, Hornhead is finally making his full return to the MCU in the new series Daredevil: Born Again. The show will continue where the canceled Netflix series left off and will not only see the return of DD, but also Karen Page, Foggy Nelson, Kingpin and Punisher.
Tron: Ares
The biggest surprise was a detailed look at Tron: Ares, the long-awaited third installment in the cult-favorite Tron series. Jeff Bridges (reprising his role as Kevin Flynn) took to the stage to introduce Jared Leto, Evan Peters, and Greta Lee, and show off some exclusive footage from the film. Also announced was the news that Nine Inch Nails would be providing music, which is a good sign that we might get a soundtrack as great as the one Daft Punk composed for 2010’s Tron: Legacy.
‘snow white’
And this is… a perfect summary of all the bad choices Disney has made over the last few years. Rachel Zegler, who doesn’t star, doesn’t have the iconic Snow White looks — yeah, that’s teeth But she seems to have no respect for the character, sneering that her version “won’t be saved by a prince.” In an effort to avoid offending real-life dwarfs with outdated stereotypes like Grumpy, Dopey and the others, the filmmakers made matters worse by “casting” gaudy CGI versions, angering the dwarf actors hoping to play the roles. As a “live-action” film, this fiasco definitely looks fake.
You may remember that CEO Bob Iger narrowly escaped defeat in his proxy battle with Nelson Peltz, who warned that he would try again if Iger didn’t turn things around. If there’s one thing Iger has proven, it’s that he still has a lot to prove. It’s heartening to see familiar favorites in sequels and remakes, but Disney needs to show that this revival is more than just superficial. Iger has credited him with blockbusters like Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine, both of which are major entertainment triumphs over nefarious political and social agendas. But if they want to hold the keys to the kingdom, they’d better have a lot more Disney magic up their sleeves.
The complete list of projects announced at D3 2024
Walt Disney Pictures
• “Monster Jam” (film)
• “Avatar 3: Fire and Ashes”
• Percy Jackson & the Olympians Season 2
• “Freaky Friday” (Freaky Friday 2)
• “Lilo & Stitch” (live-action remake)
• “Snow White” (live-action remake)
• “Tron: Ares” (Tron 3)
• “Mufasa: The Lion King”
Pixar Animation Studios
• “Dream Productions” (a spin-off of “Inside Out”)
• “Win or Lose” (series)
• “Toy Story 5”
• “Hoppers” (film)
• “Elio” (film)
• “Incredibles 3”
Walt Disney Animation Studios
• “Moana 2”
• “Zootopia 2”
• “Frozen 3”
Lucasfilm
• “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (series)
• “Star Wars: Andor” — Season 2
• “The Mandalorian and Grogu” (film)
Marvel Studios
• Captain America: Brave New World
• “Fantastic Four: The First Step”
• “Ironheart” (series)
• “Daredevil: Born Again” (series)
• “Agatha All Along” (series)
