Disclaimer:  Disney invited me to California on an all-expenses paid trip, in exchange for my coverage of events, which included D23 Expo, where new Disney movies (and Pixar and Disneytoon) were announced and surprises revealed. As always, all opinions are my own. 

The future of animation.

That’s really why there was so much excitement in the air this past Friday as we sat in our chairs waiting for a certain panel in Hall D23. This panel, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films, would be hosted by none other than John Lasseter himself.

I was in the unique position to have a phone at my fingertips, ready to tweet out the breaking news at a moments notice. And I would do exactly that (my fingers are still sore from all the tweeting excitement)!

Next panel is EVERYTHING! John Lasseter and the future of PIXAR and Walt Disney Animation! Announcements & surprises expected! #d23expo ad

— Finding Debra (@FindingDebra2) July 14, 2017

You see, everyone except media had to hand over their cellphones. And while I’m sure they would have loved to be sharing on Facebook live or Snapchat, it allowed this core group of Disney fanatics to simply take it all in.

Off in the corner, I spotted musical instruments. There was no doubt we were in store for live performances.

The lights went down.

Goosebumps.

Then Alan Horn, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios took to the stage to begin what would be an incredible two hours.

Then Alan Horn introduced John Lasseter (the man, the myth, the legend, chief creative officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios).

Known for his trademark Hawaiian shirts (yes, he even wears them to red carpet premieres), John Lasseter took the stage literally blasting gifts into the crowd. With some sort of a super-blaster (something maybe Buzz Lightyear would use), Lasseter shot shirts into the audience. One of my travel agent friends just happened to snag one! Lucky girl.

Oh, you can imagine how this just fueled the crowd! We were off to an amazing start.

But soon it was time for some announcements and new Disney movie updates. Lasseter said, “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.”

Oh and yes, there were celebrity surprises too…

Take a look at these Disney princesses. Selfies to document what will no doubt be an epic moment in Disney history. You’ll have to scroll down find out why these two (Princess Anna and Rapuzel) were onstage! Oh, it’s BIG!

Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios 

November 22, 2017 – OLAF’S FROZEN ADVENTURE

Walt Disney Animation Studios

Kristen Bell, the voice of Anna, introduced fans to the new “Frozen” holiday featurette, “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure.”  The Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new 21-minute featurette, hits the big-screen in front of Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” on November 22, 2017, and will no doubt make fans everywhere extra excited for the holiday season.

With 4 new songs and the original cast – an instant holiday hit!

DISASTER: As Kristen Bell introduced a musical scene to us, there were technical difficulties on the screen. Um…I felt sorry for her onstage. But, then wouldn’t you know (she is an actress after all), it was the perfect setup for her to need some help from a friend.

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. I’m still singing the song! First surprise performance of the afternoon and I was loving it!

Joining Bell and Gad in the featurette are Idina Menzel as the voice of Elsa, and Jonathan Groff as the voice of 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”).

November 27 2019 – FROZEN 2 (TITLE TBA)

Walt Disney Animation Studios

Since Olaf and Anna were onstage, why not surprise us with some more news on the much-anticipated sequel to Frozen? The actors had so much back and forth fun with each other, that we aren’t quite sure what the new title of the movie will be, though I’m sticking with Frozen 2 for now as my guess!

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 slated for theaters on November 27, 2019. Bell, Gad, Menzel and Groff are reprising their roles in an all-new 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.

June 15, 2018 – INCREDIBLES 2

Disney•Pixar

Lasseter, who’s looked forward to the return of everyone’s favorite family of superheroes (and since “The Incredibles” was still in production), was excited to share 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, take a look at what we saw:

“Incredibles 2” 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).

When Samuel L. Jackson was onstage, the crowd went wild as he took a selfie! See, they are just like us!

Bird revealed details of the upcoming caper, which puts the family into an expanded universe that includes new allies and a brand-new villain. “‘Incredibles 2’ 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!”

SCOOP: We were able to watch some footage and oh my goodness, this will not disappoint.  The family has moved into a new house (not so baby friendly) and Bob discovers that Jack Jack has the coolest superhero abilities ever. It’s exciting, but not so good for a baby! Oh, this will be interesting!

“Incredibles 2” hits theaters on June 15, 2018.

November 21, 2018

RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2

Walt Disney Animation Studios

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.

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).

New Character: 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.”

EPIC MOMENT: Disney Princesses Join Cast of Wreck-it Ralph 2

We were able to watch an exclusive clip that is enough to make any Disney fanatic LOVE this film. Tackling everything from classic Disney parks to Tsum Tsum, this will be an incredibly interesting film. (They didn’t have to go far for research)!

So imagine a scene where Vanellope has a slumber party with all the Disney princesses. Yes…it’s perfect in every possible way! Princess Jasmine has asthma…who knew? It gets REAL at that slumber party!

Then it happened.

Belle is here!!! Paige O’Hara too!! All the original princesses are here!!! Omg!!! #d23expo ad

— Finding Debra (@FindingDebra2) July 14, 2017

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.

Let that sink in…Largest Gathering of Disney Princesses in history.

I was there.

Day made.

Produced by Oscar® winner Clark Spencer, “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2” hits theaters on Nov. 21, 2018.

April 12, 2019 – UNTITLED DISNEYTOON STUDIOS FILM

This announcement kicked off the afternoon 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.

We saw incredible rough footage of this film and what I saw amazed me.

It’s a film that pushed the edge of aviation. Think Top Gun meets Cars 3 – high speed planes with eyes! I cannot wait to where this goes!

June 21, 2019 – TOY STORY 4

Disney•Pixar

Big announcement!

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. Having had a tour of Pixar headquarters myself, I loved watching this.

We were able to watch the first dialogue being taped for the film. As I was getting ready for say, Tom Hanks, to walk out on stage, they laughed and said the first dialogue was with Alien! Fooled me!

Produced by Jonas Rivera (“Inside Out”), “Toy Story 4” is slated for release on June 21, 2019.

UNTITLED DAN SCANLON MOVIE

Disney•Pixar

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.

Scanlon shared how he lost his father at a very young age, the blueprint for this film. It’s inspired by the questions he always asked: who was my father? how am I like my father?

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.”

My eyes teared up. Cannot wait for this emotional @DisneyPixar movie. Having lost my mom, I’m intrigued. #d23expo ad

— Finding Debra (@FindingDebra2) July 14, 2017

Kori Rae (“Monsters University”) will produce.

November 22, 2017 – COCO

Disney•Pixar

To finish off the memorable 2-hour event, we were treated to the first-ever public performance of “Remember Me” from Pixar Animation Studios’ upcoming feature film “Coco.” Golden leaves fell from above. This was going to be the finale!

Anthony Gonzalez, who provides the voice of Miguel in the film, and Benjamin Bratt, 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.

“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. In theaters Nov. 22, 2017, “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.

Honoring your ancestors AND following your dream…the essence of this movie.  The last 5 seconds of the scene I saw made me sure this is a film I will cherish.

What an afternoon! It was an experience I will not forget. And though I wish you could have been there with me, I have a video here of some highlights…hopefully you can feel the magic!

Stay tuned for more as I bring you all the other major announcements including Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Live Action updates and surprises!

AND if you didn’t see how much of a Disney fanatic I am, be sure to check out my full costume in my I’m Going to D23 Expo post! Yes, I said costume! 🙂

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