The first day of Disney’s D23 Expo was exciting, to say the least, but also a whirlwind. It’s like… how many times can you get your mind blown in one sitting?
Here is a list of all the live-action Disney films that were previewed at D23 this year:
1.
The Little Mermaid
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Disney
Can we talk about Halle Bailey, please? I’m not even a fan of The Little Mermaid, but c’mon… you can’t tell me her voice doesn’t give you chills! This live-action adaption hits theaters on May 26, 2023 and stars Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Javier Bardem, and Jacob Tremblay.
2.
Hocus Pocus 2
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Shenanigans ensue in the sequel that’s almost three decades in the making! Hocus Pocus 2 starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy hits Disney+ Sept. 30.
3.
Disenchanted
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Here’s another sequel from my high school days, Disenchanted hits Disney+ Nov. 24, and stars Amy Adams, Maya Rudolph, James Marsden, and Patrick Dempsey.
4.
Peter Pan & Wendy
Hello, origin tale! This film promises to put Wendy front and center. Peter Pan & Wendy debuts in 2023 and stars Jude Law, Alexander Molony, Ever Anderson, Yara Shahidi, Jim Gaffigan, and Alyssa Wapanatahk.
5.
Haunted Mansion
The cast of Disney’s ‘Haunted Mansion’:
• Jared Leto
• Jamie Lee Curtis
• Winona Ryder
• Tiffany Haddish
• Owen Wilson
• Dan Levy
• Rosario Dawson
• LaKeith Stanfield
• Danny DeVito
This trailer for this film was a surprise and doesn’t seem to be released online yet. It features an ensemble cast that includes LaKeith Stanfield, Danny DeVito, Owen Wilson, Winona Ryder, Dan Levy, Hasan Minhaj and more. I’d say the film has a slight Knives Out feel, but much spookier (and more family-friendly). Can’t wait until this gets the proper trailer treatment! Haunted Mansion is set to debut in 2023.
6.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Barry Jenkins came out on stage to announce Mufasa: The Lion King, which will be an origin film told from the perspectives of Rafiki, Timon, and Pumbaa. In the short trailer revealed at D23, a young Mufasa is shown being carried away by a flood into an unknown land. Mufasa is slated to debut in 2024.
7.
Snow White
Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler introduced Snow White, another adaptation with high expectations. The teaser was short and only showed Gal in makeup, which was subtle yet resounding, and the iconic apple falling from Snow’s hand. Look out for Snow White in 2023.
Are you excited about the new live-action Disney Studios films? Let me know in the comments!