Disney releases the Little Mermaid video Along with the Mufasa prequel, Hocus Pocus 2, and a host of other announcements

The D23 Expo was full of exciting announcements, from the first look at Halle Bailey’s ethereal Ariel in The Little Mermaid to the fun-filled trailer drop for Disenchanted.

With other news including the development of The Lion King prequel on Mufasa, the confirmation of Inside Out 2, the latest trailer for Hocus Pocus 2 and a film called Wish exploring the origins of the wishing star, there sure is a lot to look forward to.

With the expo still ongoing, with plenty of Marvel and Star Wars news expected on the second day, people are still wrapping their heads around the fact that Halloween star Jamie Lee Curtis is set to appear in the film based on Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion ride.

What’s more, a first look was revealed of Rachel Zegler’s Snow White, in which she’ll star opposite Gal Gadot as the evil queen, with upcoming Pixar film Elemental expected to reduce audiences around the world in tears.

Here’s all the big Disney news that was revealed at the event.

First look at Halle Bailey in The Little Mermaid

Oh be still our beating hearts. A first look has been released of singing phenomenon Halle Bailey as The Little Mermaid, and we already can’t get enough.

The 22-year-old, who is usually seen singing alongside her 24-year-old sister Chloe Bailey, belts out a portion of Part Of Your World in the trailer for the highly-anticipated live-action remake, complete with her green mermaid’s tail, purple shell top and flowing red locks.

We have a feeling the world is going to fall in love with the rising talent’s portrayal of Disney favourite Ariel.

The Lion King prequel to follow young Mufasa in live-action film

Mufasa: The Lion King. 2024. pic.twitter.com/IkPMk6IDGR

— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) September 9, 2022

Following the 2019 live-action remake of The Lion King, based on the 1994 animated film of the same name, a new prequel is now in the works.

Mufasa: The Lion King, directed by Moonlight director Barry Jenkins, will follow Simba’s father as an orphaned cub, detailing how he rose to royalty.

The tale will be narrated by Timon, Pumba and Rafiki.

Hocus Pocus 2 trailer drops weeks before release

We’re weeks away from spooky season as Halloween approaches… which means the release of Hocus Pocus 2 is also just around the corner.

A brand new trailer dropped at D23 Expo, showing even more footage of the Sanderson sisters Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy in action, reprising their roles from the original 1993 film.

The trio will face off against three high school students, who strive to put a stop to the sisters after their return to present-day Salem.

Disenchanted trailer reveals trouble in fairytale paradise

One of the panels at D23 Expo that Disney fans were most looking forward to centred on the Enchanted sequel Disnechanted… and it definitely didn’t disappoint.

After months of anticipation, a new trailer was released, teasing that the fairytale life created by Giselle (Amy Adams) with her love Robert (Patrick Dempsey) may not be as perfect as they think.

It looks as though Giselle’s wish for a fairytale life could result in her becoming the stereotypical version of an evil stepmother… and we can’t wait to see how this fantastical tale unfolds.

First look at Snow White starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot

West Side Story star Rachel was in tears as she took to the stage with Gal.

Over the past few years, Rachel has been on a stratospheric rise, having starred as the lead Maria in the recent adaptation of West Side Story, which received seven Oscar nominations.

The 21-year-old now takes on another iconic role as the titular character in the live-action take on Snow White, which will see Wonder Woman’s Gal portray the evil Queen Grimhilde.

Rachel was moved to tears as she took to the stage, making it clear just how much this role and the positive reaction from fans means to her.

Inside Out 2 is confirmed with brand new emotions

The first Inside Out film came out in 2015.

One of Pixar’s most critically-acclaimed films is officially returning for a sequel, which will continue to follow the emotions inside now-teenager Riley’s head.

Considering Riley will have grown a few years older by the time of the new movie, there will be new emotions in her head to join the likes of Joy, Sadness and Anger… who are yet to be revealed.

While Amy Poehler is among the returning voice actors, Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader will not be reprising their characters of Disgust and Fear respectively.

New Pixar film Elemental set to pull on heartstrings

🔥and💧come together in this FIRST LOOK at Ember & Wade played by Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie, from Disney and Pixar’s Elemental, coming to theaters June 16, 2023! pic.twitter.com/X9lsXU4LcB

— Pixar (@Pixar) September 9, 2022

As demonstrated with releases including Inside Out, Soul and Finding Nemo, Pixar sure knows how to reduce its audience to tears.

It looks like they’re going to do so yet again in Elemental, which is due to be released in 2023 and will depict the two main characters – Ember and Wade – sparking a romance in a city where the elements live alongside one another.

With the leads voiced by Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie respectively, the visuals already look stunning from what we’ve seen so far.

Young boy makes first contact with aliens in Pixar movie Elio

You’re invited on Disney and Pixar’s newest adventure… ELIO.
Meet Elio: A boy who finds himself transported across the galaxy & mistaken for the intergalactic Ambassador for our planet Earth.😮 pic.twitter.com/D9yN5MwaqJ

— Pixar (@Pixar) September 10, 2022

Imagine being the first person to make contact with aliens?

That’s the adventure the young Elio finds himself on in the upcoming Pixar film, as he’s mistaken for an intergalactic ambassador for Earth by his new extra-terrestrial acquaintances.

Horror legend Jamie Lee Curtis to star in Haunted Mansion

Who better to star in a haunted film than Halloween star Jamie?

Disney’s Haunted Mansion is becoming an extremely star-studded production indeed, with big names including Winona Ryder and Jared Leto attached to the project.

The D23 Expo saw the huge surprise of Jamie also announced as a cast member on the film, in which she’ll play Madame Leota.

Other actors set to appear in the movie include Rosario Dawson, Lakeith Stanfield, Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, Danny DeVito, Dan Levy, Hasan Minhaj and Chase Dillion.

Poster released for Peter Pan & Wendy with Jude Law as Captain Hook

Just revealed at #D23Expo. ✨ Check out the new poster for #PeterPanandWendy. Streaming in 2023 only on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/FITrxySe65

— Disney (@Disney) September 9, 2022

The latest take on Peter Pan and Wendy’s story has a new poster, featuring the iconic pirate’s ship from the magical story.

Starring Jude Law as Captain Hook, it’s been teased that the film will reveal how the villain once had a friendship with the boy who never grew up.

Alexander Molony will appear as Alexander Molony, while Ever Anderson stars as Wendy Darling.

Disney to explore origins of iconic wishing star in feature film Wish

Starring Ariana DeBose as Asha, directed by Chris Buck & Fawn Veerasunthorn, produced by Peter Del Vecho & Juan Pablo Reyes, and featuring all-new songs by Julia Michaels, Disney’s Wish releases in November 2023. (2/2) #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/Jvzhu7tPHJ

— Disney (@Disney) September 10, 2022

Anyone who’s seen Pinocchio will understand the significance of the wishing star, with the song When You Wish Upon a Star playing at the start and end of the original 1940 animated film.

Disney is now set to explore the origins of the star in upcoming film Wish, which will star Oscar-winning West Side Story star Ariana DeBose as Asha.

Pixar to launch first long-form animated series Win or Lose

Up to bat at #D23Expo: a FIRST LOOK at Pixar’s all-new Original series Win or Lose, with Will Forte as Coach Dan.
From filmmakers Michael Yates, Carrie Hobson, and David Lally, Win or Lose comes to @DisneyPlus in 2023! pic.twitter.com/UoZTIpbhR7

— Pixar (@Pixar) September 10, 2022

Pixar’s first long-form animated series, Win or Lose, will star Saturday Night Live and MacGruber star Will Forte as Coach Dan, who’s in charge of a middle school softball team.

The team must prepare for their championship game, with the show set to drop next year.

Zootopia series making its way to Disney Plus

Fans of Zootopia will get to delve back into the vibrant world.

With animated film Zootopia first having been released in 2016, the world is set to expand in an upcoming series, which will be called Zootopia+.

It’s understood that the anthology series will follow three sets of characters from the movie, with several familiar anthropomorphic faces showing up in the tale.

Disney and African entertainment company Kugali collaborate on Iwájú series

Journey into a futuristic version of Lagos, Nigeria with this FIRST LOOK of Disney Animation and Kugali’s Iwájú!

The all-new Original series streams on @DisneyPlus in 2023. #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/Y5rpL4i7mR

— Disney (@Disney) September 10, 2022

Set to debut in 2023, Iwájú is the first original long-form animated series produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, created in collaboration with Pan-African entertainment company Kugali.

The story will be set in a futuristic version of the Nigerian city of Lagos, and will explore ‘deep themes of class, innocence and challenging the status quo’.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Lucy Liu to star in adventure film Strange World

Get lost in this very STRANGE new look at Disney’s #StrangeWorld and see the movie in theaters November 23, 2022. pic.twitter.com/uLw4A4QROL

— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) September 10, 2022

In just a couple of months time, Jake Gyllenhaal and Lucy Liu will front Disney adventure Strange World, voicing characters alongside Jaboukie Young-White, Gabrielle Union and Dennis Quaid.

The story will follow Jake’s Searcher Clade, a farmer who has never had the nerve to embark on an adventure, despite his legendary family’s reputation as explorers.

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