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During today’s Walt Disney Studios presentation at Destination D23, the event was more an an overview of current new releases on the studio slate as opposed to new premieres and surprises of what is coming out of the studio.
There was a brief mention during the panel that Disney will release a collection of 100 animated movies as a part of a gift set that you can own. This is to celebrate the 100 years of Disney that the company is currently commemorating this year.
Clark Spencer, president of Walt Disney Studios kicked off the presentation with opening remarks about the history of Disney animation and the impact the company has had on audiences worldwide.
This was a great segue to introduce filmmakers Dan Abraham and Trent Correy to talk about their short film “Once Upon A Studio”. D23 attendees had the opportunity to screen the film which for Disney fans was incredible to experience. Bubbling with nostalgia the flick contains some of your favorite Disney characters from Mickey Mouse, Tiana from Princess and the Frog, Goofy, and so many more! The movie resonated with patrons from the D23 event so much that it received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Property master of such shows of The Mandalorian and Ahsoka chatted a bit about the construction and labor behind creating Ahsoka Tano’s lightsaber on the series. And while we didn’t get a sneak peek of any episodes beyond what the public has already seen, we did get a surprise from Josh and the team over at Ashoka where every attendee in the audience were given a pair of Ahsoka ears to take home with them.
Next up was Marvel Studios. There was a quick showing of the short “I Am Groot”. Season 2 just started streaming on Disney+ on September 6th. A quick clip was presented from the audience featuring an inquisitive Groot chasing after some ice cream. There was also a clip of the impending Nia DaCosta film The Marvels. Following that was executive producer Hevin Wright from Marvel Studios’ Loki.
The panel ends where it starts with animation and it ends with its latest anticipated animated film Wish. The film stars Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, and Alan Tudyk. The movie Wish tells the story of Asha (DeBose), who makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force, a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico (Pine) —to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars.
The audience was able to screen 10 minutes of the film, and I must say the musical number is a bonafide earworm. I look forward to seeing this movie when its out in theaters.