Home  /  Entertainment  /  D23 Announcements: Incredibles 3, Moana 2 Trailer and More

D23 Announcements: Incredibles 3, Moana 2 Trailer and More

Entertainment

| Aug 10, 2024 |

For whatever reason, Disney and its subsidiaries Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel, decided to blow their load on Friday, August 9th, the first day of D23. So many major TV and film announcements were made on Friday that one is left wondering what can still come out over the rest of the weekend. There were big announcements, reveals, trailers, and art for projects we already knew about. Let’s start with Moana 2, which got a brand-new trailer:

I have mixed feelings. The line about Pua getting to come “this time” is cute; many people (myself included) assumed from the marketing that Pua would be Moana’s main sidekick in Moana (2016). But Pua is instead sidelined for the whole film, with inept chicken Hei Hei (Alan Tudyk) joining the voyage instead. I don’t love the “big sis” exchange; it feels too modern or something. It may work better in the final film. But I think showing Grandma Tala was a mistake, at least in the trailer. I’ve talked before about what Grandma’s death and evident rebirth as a ray meant to me, and if they were going to do this at all, it’s delicate. I wouldn’t have put it in the trailer three months before the film releases! I know all they care about is hype, but this is a bad call, in my opinion. Can you imagine seeing Tala’s spirit and her reunion with Moana unexpectedly? I bet that would be more powerful. I will see this movie, and I’m happy the cast returned, but this trailer isn’t great, and I’m still worried about the music without Lin-Manuel Miranda. 

Next, we have a title for the third Avatar film: Fire and Ash.

Beyond the fact that the elemental order continues to copy Avatar: The Last Airbender, the superior Avatar, I don’t really care about this. The first two Avatar movies are just okay to me, and I don’t expect anything different here. Concept art was shown to the audience but not to us at home. Avatar: Fire and Ash comes to theaters on December 19th, 2025. 

Next, a full trailer for Pixar’s first-ever Disney+ original series, Win or Lose:

This genuinely looks promising to me. I like the use of various art styles and the idea of getting multiple characters’ perspectives. You know, like The Acolyte was supposed to do but didn’t. Win or Lose stars Will Forte and follows a middle school softball team in the week leading up to their championship game. Every episode will be from the perspective of a different character. It premieres on Disney+ on December 6th, 2024. Pixar is also producing a spin-off series to the Inside Out franchise for Disney+, titled Dream Productions. We don’t have a trailer or key art for this series, but it will hit Disney+ in 2025. 

Next, have you been eagerly awaiting a trailer for Toy Story 5? Me neither, but it’s here. Andrew Standon (Wall-E, Finding Nemo) is writing and directing Toy Story 5, the only positive news I’ve heard about it. Here’s the teaser trailer:

That was pretty underwhelming, but in fairness, nothing they show is going to impress me. I didn’t know it at one time, but this should have ended with the excellent Toy Story 2. Toy Story 5 is expected in Summer 2026. 

Next, Pixar announced Hoppers, an original film starring Jon Hamm, Bobby Moynihan, and Piper Curda. It will be in theaters in Spring 2026. 

 

Artwork for this film was shown at the convention, but we don’t have access to it. I’m excited to see something that isn’t a rehash. Speaking of original, they showcased new artwork, a trailer, and Zoe Saldaña joining the cast of Pixar’s Elio. We don’t have the trailer, but here’s a still from the movie that hits theaters June 13th, 2025:

Now, it’s time for the announcement I’ve been dreading for months. When The Incredibles was organized into a “collection” on Disney+, and especially when Inside Out 2 became Pixar’s top grosser ever, I felt a third installment coming. Incredibles 2 was the studio’s previous #1 earner, pulling in over $1B at the box office. It’s hardly a surprise, given all the fans (again, myself included) who were clamoring for a continuation of the Parr family’s escapades. The Incredibles is my favorite movie of all time, and I’ve learned so much about life, family, and the art of film from it. Nothing can lessen or remove the achievements of this daring, sophisticated film that was nominated for best original screenplay at the Oscars. But Incredibles 2 did a disservice to the story and, even worse, in my opinion, the characters of the original. That film turned Bob/Mr. Incredible into a male chauvinist without the wit and heart he had in the original, and Helen/Elastigirl a fool who falls right into the villain’s trap. Pete Docter said Brad Bird was returning to direct the film, but no casting was mentioned. I have to assume at least Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, and Sarah Vowell are back, or there would be no reason to make a movie. All this being said, that doesn’t mean the third film will be bad! But I don’t feel good about it. This could be a Cars situation, where the third film ignores and improves upon its predecessor. But, friends, is that what we expect? You know I’ll see the movie as soon as it’s available. I hope it is really, really good. Here’s the logo: 

This brings us to Zootopia 2, with Ginnifer Goodwin (Judy Hopps in the films) introducing art and Gary the Snake, played by Ke Huy Quan: 

Attendees got to see footage from Zootopia 2, but it’s not available to us yet. I’m excited for more from the world of Zootopia, provided they have a good story in mind. Next, we have concept art for Frozen III: 


And director Jennifer Lee explains why they are continuing the Frozen story: “Coming out of Frozen 2, we still have some questions. A lot of questions, actually,” Lee said. “Now, you see why we need two films to tell this story.”

I agree with her. I love Frozen II moreso than the first one, and I think there’s a lot of ground they could still cover. That’s true with The Incredibles, but their more recent movie didn’t instill me with the same hope and curiosity. I think the art is lovely and reminiscent of the concept art for the first Frozen. I’m actually excited for this one, no caveat. 

In 2025, Disney+ will expand its live musical catalogue with Frozen, starring Samantha Barks as Elsa. Hercules on London’s West End and a stage production of The Greatest Showman will follow. 

Okay, again, I’m forced to praise the Frozen franchise. I’ve never seen any of the Frozen live shows, but it’s the most logical choice of these three. Hercules, specifically the Disney version, doesn’t strike me as being dramatic enough for a traditional stage musical. They could go the Hunchback of Notre Dame route and go much darker than the movie, which is likely. I didn’t like The Greatest Showman; it whitewashed history and P.T. Barnum’s life to appeal to modern sensibilities, and worse, it was boring. I like some of the songs, but the characters are bland, and it’s just feel-good nonsense. As a Disney princess musical, Frozen essentially is a Broadway show. I love Samantha Barks. She killed it as Eponine in Les Miserables (2012), and I know she will do Elsa justice in her singing. I don’t like Elsa’s character, especially in the first Frozen, but Idina Menzel’s performance is iconic for a reason. I actually may watch this. 

They showed a trailer for Andor season 2, but I would like to see that, so naturally, it wasn’t released to the public. I’d take that over Skeleton Crew any day. Regardless, we now know for certain that Ben Mendelsohn is returning as Director Orson Krennic and Forrest Whitaker as Saw Gerrera. Alan Tudyk will also reprise his voice role as K-2SO in season 2. Here’s a Tweet showing Diego Luna (Cassian Andor) against a dramatic backdrop:

This is going to be awesome. Andor is easily the best live-action Star Wars since Disney took over, and by a wide margin. It was close before The Mandalorian season 3 for me, but that soured me on that show. I can’t see Andor doing a similar pivot in its next and final season because of who’s working on it and the dire, consistent tone it creates. Andor is also an ensemble piece, not the story of one man and his cute sidekick, so when an episode spends a lot of time with someone else, it’s natural and usually ties into something bigger down the line. Andor is the only Star Wars property I can genuinely be excited about without any major concerns at this point. Until they announce the next animated show, it’s the only one I’m looking forward to. Season 2 will comprise the final four years leading up to the events of Rogue One and is expected to come to Disney+ in early 2025. 

Next, they showed footage from The Mandalorian and Grogu, Mando’s spin-off movie. Once again, they didn’t release this to the public, but here’s Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni on stage:

I have mixed feelings about this, primarily because of The Mandalorian season 3. However, I’m also just not sure this is a story for theaters; The Mandalorian is a TV show, and it feels like a TV show. It has had its epic moments, but even its highest points were that of a TV series. I’m not saying they can’t translate this to the cinematic medium; I just don’t know how well they’ll do so or how the audience will take it. But even with all that, I would have been so excited if we went straight from the season 2 finale to a movie. They lost a lot of momentum with The Book of Boba Fett and Mando season 3. 

Now we have a bizarre announcement: Freakier Friday. This film was actually confirmed to be in the works before, but now we have this official title and these images:

I liked Freaky Friday as a kid, and I preferred this version. The one with John Astin and Jodie Foster was extremely cringe, although I imagine I’d feel the same way about the 2003 one if I saw it again now. However, I don’t have much nostalgia for it, and I will probably skip this one. Freakier Friday comes out in 2025. 

Next, a short clip of a creepy-as-hell live-action Stitch:

And just for fun, here’s Amphibia creator Matt Braly’s opinion on the Lilo and Stitch teaser: 

I think it’s ugly. But I also don’t want a live-action Lilo and Stitch; we don’t want this, we don’t need it, but it’s here. Lilo and Stitch is expected in theaters Summer of 2025. Next, we have a trailer for the live-action Snow White: 

Nope, don’t like it. Do they have to remake Walt’s very first masterpiece? Does this have to be disrespected too? I’m tired of Rachel Zegler, like everyone else, and I even tried to defend her initially. But more importantly, this looks cheap. The dwarfs (who I thought wouldn’t be in this after Peter Dinklage got mad?) and Snow’s classic dress look like high school play props. Her “wishing well” dress looks nicer than her princess gown! But in all honesty, I would be skeptical of this movie no matter what; these factors just aren’t changing my mind. Love Gal Gadot, though, and she will probably be good as the Queen. Snow White hits cinemas March 21st, 2025.

And here, we have a brief look at Nine Inch Nails’ original music for Tron: Ares: 

I’m cautiously looking forward to Tron: Ares. I like the first two movies, but I don’t love them. Finally, we have a trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King:

This is kind of like Snow White in that I wasn’t going to be swayed even by an excellent trailer, but this trailer isn’t excellent. I don’t know who asked for a mish-mash of The Lion King 2019 and Simba’s Pride by way of The Godfather Part II, but it wasn’t me.

Did you like any of the D23 announcements or trailers? Let us know in the comments!

Comments (1)

Tehlis
August 11, 2024 at 9:27 pm

I really wish Freaky Friday 2 was actually a remake of the sequel “A Billion for Boris”.
Mary Rodgers wrote a trilogy. Disney made a movie of it once before.
It would be good to see them treat the series of books properly.

Leave a Reply

Recent Posts

Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!

SIGN UP FOR UPDATES!

NAVIGATION