Last night there was a cascade of big announcements that Disney made with new shows they have announced, new movies and documentaries, some of which were surprises, some were not. I am compiling all the announcements here in the order they announced them, organising them in their own categories and will throw in a few comments of my own here and there if appropriate.
Star and Star+
Star and Star+ are general entertainment content brands which will be made available outside of the U.S. This will build on the success of both Disney+ internationally and Disney+ Hotstar in India and Indonesia . In Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and several other markets, Star will be fully integrated into Disney+ and will be accessible as the sixth brand tile in the app [the other 5 being: Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic].
In some international markets, Star will add a large collection of content to Disney+, including series from Disney Television Studios and FX, blockbuster films and library content from the Disney and 21st Century Fox libraries, as well as exclusive local original content.
Star will launch in many markets on February 23, 2021 – and in Japan and South Korea later in 2021! In Latin America, Star+ will be a standalone app. Star+ will offer general entertainment television series, movies, local original shows, live sports from ESPN including football leagues, tennis, and other sports all available in one app in June 2021.
I’m gonna skip over the ESPN announcements because frankly that doesn’t interest me in the slightest.
Hulu and Star
- New series called Only Murders in the Building starring Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez.
- The Dropout will tell the story of the con artist Elizabeth Holmes, starring Kate McKinnon.
- Dopesick is a harrowing new drama series inspired by true events starring Michael Keaton, Peter Sarsgaard and Rosario Dawson.
- Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy star in Nine Perfect Strangers, a thrilling new series from creator David E. Kelley. Only on Hulu.
- Season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale returns in 2021 and Season 5 is confirmed too.
- The Kardashian Jenners will create new global content under a multi-year deal, to stream exclusively on Hulu in the U.S. and in multiple territories on Star internationally.
FX Networks
- New seasons of Atlanta, American Horror Story, Dave, What We Do in the Shadows, Mayans, Better Things, Snowfall, and Archer
- In the new show The Old Man, Jeff Bridges is a former CIA operative who is forced to reconcile with his past. Coming to FX on Hulu.
- From creator Ryan Murphy comes American Horror Stories, a new anthology series spin-off of American Horror Story. Coming to FX on Hulu.
- Platform is an innovative scripted anthology from B.J. Novak that uses the boldest issues of our times as a jumping off point to tell singular, character-driven stories about the world we live in today. Coming to FX on Hulu.
- FX’s Reservation Dogs is a new half-hour comedy series about four Native American teenagers growing up on a reservation in eastern Oklahoma. Currently in development from co-creators Sterlin Harjo and Academy Award winner Taika Waititi.
- Y: The Last Man is a new FX Networks drama series based on the acclaimed comic book series of the same name written by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. Starring Diane Lane and coming exclusively to FX on Hulu.
- Alien is currently in development at FX Networks. The first TV series based on the classic film series is helmed by Fargo and Legion’s Noah Hawley. Expect a scary thrill ride set not too far in the future here on Earth.
- Lastly, FX is developing a retelling of James Clavell’s saga Shōgun. Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo are adapting the epic with award-winning producer Tim Van Patten.
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has been renewed through season 18, making it the longest-running live action sitcom in TV history.
LucasFilm (Star Wars)
A few new series set in the timeline of the Mandalorian announced:
A new series set in the timeline of Rogue One called Andor:
The long awaited series Obi-Wan Kenobi starring Ewan McGregor as the eponymous character and Hayden Christensen returns in the role of Darth Vader
Star Wars: The Bad Batch is an all-new animated Original Series from Lucasfilm Animation, coming soon to Disney+
Star Wars: Visions is a new original animated series in the style of japanese Anime
For the fans of Lando Calrissian, the character will return in Lando, a brand-new event series for Disney+. Justin Simien is in the early stages of developing the project.
Leslye Headland brings a new Star Wars series to Disney+ with The Acolyte. “The Acolyte” is a mystery-thriller that will take viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era.
Lucasfilm Animation is teaming up with Lucasfilm’s visual effects team, Industrial Light & Magic, to develop a special Star Wars adventure for Disney+, A Droid Story. This epic journey will introduce a new hero guided by R2-D2 and C-3PO.
There are also very sparse details about a further 2 movies, one directed by Taika Waititi without a title yet, the second by Patti Jenkins called Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, which will apparently be somehow centered around X-Wing pilots:
LucasFilm (Other Properties)
Coming in 2022 is Willow, a TV show following the events of the beloved 1988 movie with Warwick Davies reprising the main role and the pilot directed by Jon M. Chu.
[su_note_]I loved Willow as a kid, it was one of my first proper forays into fantasy and I can’t wait to see what they do with the character and the world in which he lives.[/su_note]
Also coming in July 2022 is Lucasfilm is the next instalment of the Indiana Jones franchise. The movie is currently in pre-production and at the helm is James Mangold, director of Ford v Ferrari, and Indy himself, Harrison Ford, will be back to continue his iconic character’s journey.
Tomi Adeyemi’s New York Times bestselling novel Children of Blood & Bone is being developed by Lucasfilm in partnership with 20th Century Studios. This coming-of-age adventure follows a young African girl’s quest to restore magic to her forsaken people, the Maji.
National Geographic
In partnership with The Cousteau Society, National Geographic is producing the feature documentary Cousteau, chronicling the life of legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau.
From executive producers Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, the fourth instalment of Genius will premiere exclusively on Disney+ and explore the extraordinary life and immeasurable impact of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Secrets of the Whales, narrated by Sigourney Weaver, is a visually stunning and profoundly personal natural history series over 3 years in the making from executive producer/National Geographic Explorer-at-Large James Cameron and National Geographic Explorer Brian Skerry.
A Real Bug’s Life is an adventure into a world beyond your imagination where life is on a completely different scale and little creatures rely on amazing powers to make it through the day.
America The Beautiful is the ambitious story of North America. It’s a journey across her visually spectacular regions as seen through the eyes of its iconic species.
Go on a mission to discover the limits of the human body and find out how to stay healthier and younger for longer. From National Geographic, Limitless with Chris Hemsworth is one-part science, one-part action adventure.
Finally from National Geographic comes Welcome to Earth (working title) – an epic, stunning series from Darren Aronofsky in which Will Smith embarks on an awe-inspiring journey to unlock the secrets of this planet’s most extraordinary, unexplained phenomena.
Disney Plus
The following are exclusive series or features coming exclusively to Disney+
- The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers continues the legacy of hockey’s finest fowls. The series picks up where the films left off. Emilio Estevez returns as Gordon Bombay and Lauren Graham is joining the flock.
- Inspired by the classic film, Turner & Hooch is a buddy comedy starring Josh Peck and his partner, a sweet and slobbery mastiff.
- Big Shot is a celebration of girl power, set in the world of high school basketball. Starring John Stamos, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Jessalyn Gilsig, Big Shot packs in big fun.
- Another mystery is unfolding… Join Tony Hale and Kristen Schaal in The Mysterious Benedict Society, based on the international best-selling book series.
Disney Studios
- Hocus Pocus 2, the spooky sequel to the 1993 Halloween classic! Adam Shankman is set to direct
- Cheaper by the Dozen, a re-imagining of the hit comedy from “Blackish” producer Kenya Barris, will debut on Disney+ in 2022. The story centers on a blended family of 12, navigating a hectic home life and their family business. Gabrielle Union is set to star.
- The live-action film franchise Diary of a Wimpy Kid comes to Disney+ in 2021 as an all-new animated film!
- The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild is the next instalment in 20th Century Studios’ Ice Age franchise. It stars three favourite characters: prankster possum brothers Crash and Eddie, and swashbuckling weasel Buck voiced by Simon Pegg. Coming to Disney+ in early 2022.
- Night at the Museum is coming to Disney+ with a new twist: this time it’s animated! Shawn Levy, director of the film trilogy, is producing. The exhibit opens on Disney+ in 2021.
- Embark on a thrill-ride down the Amazon in Jungle Cruise with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Emily Blunt, Edgar Ramirez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti. Jungle Cruise sails into theaters July 2021.
- A prequel to the live-action The Lion King is in development from Barry Jenkins, director of the Oscar-winning film Moonlight. Hans Zimmer, Pharrell Williams, and Nicholas Britell will provide the music.
- Meet the cast of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey (Ariel), Jonah Hauer-King (Prince Eric), Awkwafina (Scuttle), Daveed Diggs (Sebastian), Jacob Tremblay (Flounder), Melissa McCarthy (Ursula) & Javier Bardem (King Triton). Directed by Rob Marshall, featuring music from the animated original & new music by Alan Menken & Lin-Manuel Miranda.
- Chip and Dale are back in a hybrid live-action-animated feature directed by Akiva Schaffer and starring John Mulaney N’ Andy Samberg. Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers, an Original Movie, is coming to Disney+
- One of Disney’s all-time classics is coming to Disney+ with the new live-action retelling of Pinocchio, starring Tom Hanks and directed by Robert Zemeckis.
- Peter Pan & Wendy will be flying to Disney+. David Lowery directs an amazing cast including Yara Shahidi in the role of Tinker Bell and Jude Law as Captain Hook.
- Disenchanted, a sequel to the hit film Enchanted, will stream exclusively on Disney+. Amy Adams returns for more fantastical fun as Giselle!
- Sister Act 3 is in development! Whoopi Goldberg returns to star and produce, with Tyler Perry as producer as well. Sister Act 3 will premiere on Disney+.
Disney Animation
- Raya and the Last Dragon comes to theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.
- Disney Animation’s first-ever original animated series are coming to Disney+: Baymax!, Zootopia+, and Tiana are coming in 2022, and Moana, the series, in 2023.
- In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Disney Animation and Pan-African entertainment company Kugali will team up to create an all-new, science fiction series coming to Disney+ in 2022: Iwájú.
- This Fall, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ all-new film Encanto takes you to Colombia, where a magical family live in a magical home. Directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush, co-directed and co-written by Charise Castro Smith, and music written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Pixar
- Pixar’s latest film Pixar Soul is premiering only on Disney+ this Christmas!
- Accompanying Soul is Pixar’s latest SparkShort, “Burrow.” Burrow follows a young rabbit trying to build the home of her dreams. Streaming this Christmas only on Disney+
- The first five episodes of Inside Pixar, a documentary series that takes you on a never-before-seen tour of Pixar Animation Studios, are now streaming on Disney+, with more episodes releasing in the coming months.
- Next, grab a quick snack with Pixar Popcorn, a collection of mini shorts starring some of your favorite Pixar characters in all-new, bite size stories. Coming to Disney+ in January.
- The first of three new Pixar series coming to Disney+ is Dug Days! In this Up spin-off, Dug discovers the dangers of suburbia like puppies, fireworks, and… SQUIRRELS!! Dug Days will premiere on Disney+ in Fall 2021.
- Next, Pixar is speeding ahead with a new series following Lightning McQueen and Mater on a road trip across the country. Featuring new characters, old friends, and imaginative destinations. Coming to Disney+ in Fall 2022.
- Third is Pixar’s first original long-form animated series, Win or Lose. The show follows a middle school softball team in the week leading up to their championship game, and each episode is told from the perspective of a different character. Coming to Disney+ in Fall 2023.
- Pixar’s next feature film is Luca. It’s a celebration of the friendship between a boy named Luca and his best friend Alberto during their unforgettable summer. You won’t want to miss Luca, diving into theaters June 2021.
- Director of the Academy Award-winning short Bao, Domee Shi, brings us Turning Red. Meet Mei: she experiences the awkwardness of being a teenager, with an added twist: when she gets too excited, she transforms into a giant red panda. Turning Red comes to theaters March 11, 2022
- Blasting into theaters June 17, 2022, Lightyear is the definitive story of the original Buzz Lightyear. Voiced by Chris Evans, get ready to go to “infinity and beyond” with Lightyear
Marvel Studios
You just know that Disney would be keeping the best for last so let’s start with the new trailer for Wandavision, available on Disney+ from 15 January:
Next is Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness. The film debuts on the 25th of March, 2022. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr Strange), Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch), Benedict Wong (Wong), Rachel McAdams (Dr Christine Palmer), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Baron Mordo), & Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez. Directed by Sam Raimi, the film ties to WandaVision & the next Spider-Man film.
Marvel Studios’ The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, will start streaming on the 19th of March on Disney+. We finally have an official poster and a first trailer:
Black Widow chronicles Natasha Romanoff’s efforts to deal with her history as a spy long before she became an Avenger. Directed by Cate Shortland and starring Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz. The movie which was originally due to be released in May 2020 will now be in theaters May 7, 2021 (all things being well).
The Loki original series will arrive in May 2021, no specific date has been announced yet but Marvel has posted a teaser trailer which heavily showcases the TVA (Time Variance Bureau)
The animated series What If…? has the Watcher introduce scenarios where certain events didn’t quite happen the same way to Marvel heroes. For instance, what if Peggy Carter was given the super soldier serum, or what if T’Challa had been taken by Yondu instead of Peter Quill? What If…? will premiere on disney+ in the summer of 2021 and in the meantime we have a short trailer:
Production has just wrapped for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and we have a breakdown of the main cast. Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be in theaters on the 9th of July, 2021.
Ms. Marvel, has been announced as an upcoming Disney+ exclusive series and now we have confirmation that Iman Vellani will play the role of Kamala Khan. Ms. Marvel is coming late 2021 to Disney+ and we have a quick preview sizzle on the character:
Brie Larson returns as Carol Danvers in Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel 2, directed by Nia Da Costa. Joining the cast are recently announced Ms. Marvel, Iman Vellani, and Monica Rambeau played by WandaVision’s Teyonah Parris. Captain Marvel 2 flies into theaters 11/11/2022
Regarding Eternals, there hasn’t been any more news than what we already know and it’s a little early for a trailer as I understand it’s due to come out around November 2021.
Jeremy Renner returns to star as Hawkeye in the series of the same name. He will be teaming up with well-known archer from Marvel comics, Kate Bishop played by the amazing Hailee Steinfeld. Additional cast include Vera Farmiga, Fra Free, and newcomer Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez with episodes directed by Rhys Thomas and directing duo Bert and Bertie. No exact release date has been announced yet.
Some casting updates regarding the She-Hulk series: Tatiana Maslany will portray Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk and Tim Roth returns as the Abomination and Hulk himself, Mark Ruffalo, will appear in the series. The series is by Directed Kat Coiro and Anu Valia.
Despite a quick tweet about it there was no further update on the upcoming Moon Knight series
A completely unexpected announcement however was the fact that Samuel L Jackson will be back as Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn as the Skrull Talos not in a Nick Fury series as was previously rumored but in Marvel Studios’ new Original Series Secret Invasion.
Another unexpected announcement was the introduction of Riri Williams to the MCU. She will be played by Dominique Thorne. Riri Williams is the genius inventor known as Ironheart. Ironheart is an Original Series about the creator of the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man.
The next surprise is Don Cheadle returning as James Rhodes aka War Machine in Armor Wars, an Original Series coming to Disney+. A classic Marvel story about Tony Stark’s worst fear coming true: what happens when his tech falls into the wrong hands?
In 2022 we’re also getting The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. James Gunn will be back to write and direct.
Also rather unexpectedly, Baby Groot, will star in a series of shorts on Disney+ featuring several new and unusual characters. I Am Groot, an Original Series from Marvel Studios, is coming to Disney+ at yet an undisclosed time.
Christian Bale’s role in Thor: Love and Thunder has been revealed as the villain Gorr the God Butcher. The movie is due in theaters on the 6th of May, 2022
Marvel also reconfirmed Mahershala Ali as playing Blade in an upcoming Marvel Studios movie.
A rather big announcement here: Peyton Reed is back to direct the third Ant-Man film, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, and Michelle Pfeiffer all return. Kathryn Newton will join the cast as Cassie Lang and Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror.
An important update on Black Panther 2: the movie will open on the 8th of July, 2022 and is once again being written & directed by Ryan Coogler. Honoring Chadwick Boseman’s legacy & portrayal of T’Challa, Marvel Studios will not recast the character, but will explore the world of Wakanda & the rich characters introduced in the first film.
And finally, last but certainly not least, the first Marvel family will finally debut in the MCU with Fantastic 4 being directed by Jon Watts and with an as-yet unconfirmed release date.
If you thought there should have been news about Spider-Man 3 given all the recent rumours, remember that this is up to Sony to make announcements about this movie.