Hot off Disney‘s D23 Expo, here’s a fresh look at STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER for you to enjoy!
Synopsis:
Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in theatres on December 19.
The film stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyongâo, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, and Billy Dee Williams.
See the Sneak Peek:
Walt Disney Studios Canada release STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Friday, December 19, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)
Disney held their annual D23 Expo in Anaheim, California today and several announcements were made and unveiled including some exciting casting additions to Marvel’s The Eternals. The Cast of FROZEN 2Â even did a performance!
Check-out some of the highlights!
LUCASFILM
President of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy and âStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerâ director/writer/producer J.J. Abrams showcased the riveting conclusion to the Skywalker saga. Kennedy and Abrams revved up the audience, introducing nine stars from the filmâmany of whom marked this as their first D23 Expo appearance: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran and Billy Dee Williams, plus special appearances from R2-D2, BB-8 and the new droid D-O. A brand-new poster was revealedâand gifted to the entire audience. And all were given a look back at the incredible legacy of Star Wars storytelling and treated to a sneak peek of âStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,â which opens in theatres on Dec. 19, 2019.
MARVEL STUDIOS
Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, kicked off his presentation with a surprise visit from âBlack Pantherâ director and co-writer Ryan Coogler. Together, they revealed that âBlack Panther 2â (working title) will hit theatres on May 6, 2022.
Feige segued to next yearâs âThe Eternals,â inviting cast members from the much-anticipated film to the stage: Richard Madden, who portrays the all-powerful Ikaris; Kumail Nanjiani, who plays cosmic-powered Kingo; Lauren Ridloff, who portrays the super-fast Makkari, the first deaf hero in the MCU; Brian Tyree Henry, who plays the intelligent inventor Phastos; Salma Hayek, who plays the wise and spiritual leader Ajak; Lia McHugh, who portrays the eternally young, old-soul Sprite; Don Lee, who plays the powerful Gilgamesh; and Angelina Jolie, who stars as the fierce warrior Thena. Feige revealed concept art images of each character, and announced three new cast members and their characters: Gemma Chan, who plays humankind-loving Sersi; Kit Harington, who was cast as non-Eternal Dane Whitman, and Barry Keoghan, who portrays aloof loner Druig, and was on hand for the event. Directed by ChloĂŠ Zhao, who helmed the critically acclaimed Sundance film âThe Rider,â âThe Eternalsâ opens in theatres on Nov. 6, 2020.
Feige concluded with âBlack Widow,â the Cate Shortland-directed first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which hits theatres on May 1, 2020. Feige shared a pre-recorded greeting featuring stars Scarlett Johansson, who reprises her role of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow; David Harbour, who was cast as Alexei the Red Guardian; and Florence Pugh, who plays Yelena. The audience was also treated to an exclusive look at the upcoming film.
DISNEY LIVE ACTION
Sean Bailey, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, took the audience through upcoming releases for the studio, including next summerâs âJungle Cruise,â a rousing adventure inspired by the classic theme-park attraction. Star Dwayne Johnson, who plays riverboat captain Frank Wolff, entered Hall D23 aboard an original Jungle Cruise boat, introducing a âtrailerâ that showed off his characterâso much so, that co-star Emily Blunt, who portrays Dr. Lily Houghton, arrived via classic car to share with fans her own âtrailer,â offering a different perspectiveâBailey laughingly informed Johnson and Blunt that neither trailer was official. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, Disneyâs âJungle Cruiseâ hits theatres on July 24, 2020.
Bailey welcomed Angelina Jolie back to the stage to present exclusive footage and details about Disneyâs âMaleficent: Mistress of Evil,â the exciting follow-up to the hit 2014 film. Maleficent, portrayed by Jolie, and her goddaughter Aurora, played by Elle Fanning, begin to question the complex family ties that bind them as they are pulled in different directions by impending nuptials, unexpected allies and new dark forces at play. Auroraâs imminent marriage to Prince Phillip is cause for celebrationâhowever, Prince Phillipâs mother, Queen Ingrith, portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer, challenges Maleficentâs role as Auroraâs mother figure. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Connal, one of the leaders of the dark fey who becomes Maleficentâs ally. Ejiofor, Pfeiffer and Fanning were all welcomed to the stage by an enthusiastic audience. Directed by Joachim Rønning, who co-helmed 2017âs âPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,â âMaleficent: Mistress of Evilâ arrives in theatres on Oct. 17, 2019.
Bailey next introduced acclaimed filmmaker Niki Caro, director of âMulan,â the upcoming live-action reimagining of the 1998 classic animated film. Caro expressed to fans her passion for the project, sharing several minutes of footage from the epic adventure inspired by one of Chinaâs fiercest warriors. In Disneyâs âMulan,â which opens in theatres on March 27, 2020, the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders. So, the eldest daughter of an honored but ailing warrior masquerades as a man, transforming into a heroic warrior to ultimately earn her the respect of a grateful nation and a proud father.
Next up, Bailey shared details about âCruella,â an all-new feature film starring Emma Stone and Emma Thompson. Stone, who plays the iconic âCruella,â sent D23 Expo fans a greeting from the London-based set with help from a spotted, four-legged co-star. Fans also got a glimpse of an image of Stone in full costume with Cruellaâs signature black-and-white hair. Director Craig Gillespie, who helmed âI, Tonyaâ and âThe Finest Hours,â brings âCruellaâ to the big screen on May 28, 2021, with a fresh, 1970s, punk-rock approach.
PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS
Pixar Animation Studiosâ Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter guided the audience through Pixarâs upcoming film slate of originals. Docter began with next summerâs release, âSoul,â which he directs. The film journeys from the streets of New York City to the never-before-seen cosmic realms and âThe You Seminar,â the fantastical place where we all discover our unique personalities. Producer Dana Murray, co-director/writer Kemp Powers and writer Mike Jones joined Docter on stage, and together they set up the film for the audience and shared a sneak peek. The team revealed members of the voice cast who joined them on stage, including Ahmir Questlove Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs, Tina Fey and Jamie Foxx. Foxx lends his voice to Joe Gardner, a middle-school band teacher whose true passion is playing jazz. Fey plays 22, a soul-in-training who has an unexpected encounter with Joe when he accidentally finds his way to the âYou Seminar.â Together, the two are going to find a way to get Joe back to Earth, making him think again about what it truly means to have soul. Filmmakers also revealed that globally renowned musician Jon Batiste will be writing original jazz music for the film, and OscarÂŽ-winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (âThe Social Networkâ), from Nine Inch Nails, will compose an original score that will drift between the real and soul worlds. Disney and Pixarâs âSoulâ opens in theatres on June 19, 2020.
Docter next introduced director Dan Scanlon and producer Kori Rae, who shared details and more than ten minutes of exclusive footage from Pixarâs upcoming feature film âOnward.â The movie, which opens in theatres on March 6, 2020, stars Tom Holland and Chris Pratt as two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left in the world. Set in a modern fantasy world, Disney and Pixarâs âOnwardâ is inspired by Scanlonâs personal experiences with his brother. Holland, Pratt and Julia Louis-Dreyfusâwho voices Mom in the movieâjoined the filmmakers on stageâmuch to the delight of the audience, who all received an exclusive âOnwardâ poster.
WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS
Walt Disney Animation Studiosâ Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee presented an overview of the studioâs next two features, beginning with the Thanksgiving 2020 fantasy-action-adventure, âRaya and the Last Dragon.â Directors Paul Briggs and Dean Wellins (âBig Hero 6,â âFrozenâ), producer Osnat Shurer (âMoanaâ) and writer Adele Lim (âCrazy Rich Asiansâ) joined Lee on stage to set up the film, which introduces Raya, a lone warrior from the fantasy kingdom of Kumandra who teams up with a crew of misfits in her quest to find the Last Dragon and bring light and unity back to their world. The D23 Expo crowd was the first to get a look at the new film, viewing an exclusive three-minute piece. They also met two newly announced members of the voice cast: Awkwafina lends her voice to Sisu, the Last Dragon, who was left on Earth in case dark forces return to the world, and Cassie Steele voices the lead character, Raya. Exploring themes of community and hope, and inspired by the beautiful and diverse cultures of Southeast Asia, the fantasy-action-adventure âRaya and the Last Dragonâ opens in theatres on Nov. 25, 2020.
Lee, who directs âFrozen 2â with Chris Buck, and wrote the screenplay, invited Buck to join her on stage as the OscarÂŽ-winning duo revealed new details about the upcoming film, which opens in theatres on Nov. 21. Lee and Buck introduced two new âFrozen 2â cast members: Sterling K. Brown, who voices Lieutenant Destin Mattias, and Evan Rachel Wood, who voices Queen Iduna, Anna and Elsaâs mother. The crowdâwho received an exclusive D23 Expo âFrozen 2â posterâsaw never-before-seen footage of the new characters, including a scene that featured Wood as Iduna singing to young Elsa and Anna. The song, âAll Is Found,â is one of seven all-new original songs by OscarÂŽ-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The audience also saw a sequence from the movie that showcased Elsaâs yearning for answers about the past, culminating in another song, âInto the Unknown.â And a climactic performance of the song âSome Things Never Changeâ by Menzel, Bell, Groff and Gad brought the audience to its feet, capping off the studio presentation in extraordinary style.
(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)
Disney‘s D23 Expo 2013 took place this weekend in Anaheim, California, giving Attendees unparalleled access to Disney Films, Movies and Theme Parks! D23, known as the official Disney Fan Club, dates back to 1923 when Walt Disney started with humble beginnings at his then-fledgling Hollywood Studio.
The Stars were out in full force this weekend presenting some of Disney‘s most exciting Films to be released soon including: Angelina Jolie for Maleficent; Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins & Natalie Portman for Thor: The Dark World; Chris Evans & Anthony Mackie for Captain America: The Winter Soldier; Ty Burrell for Muppets Most Wanted and Jason Schwartzman for Saving Mr. Banks and of course, George Lucas for Star Wars: Episode VII. See some of the Photos of the excitement above!
Learn more about D23 right here and maybe next year we’ll be there?
(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)
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