Day 1 Recap: D23 Expo 2017


Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios took the stage at the D23 Expo in Anaheim to present their upcoming animated slate. New footage and details were shared from Coco, Toy Story 4, Frozen 2, Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2, and more. And in an unforgettable moment, voice actors behind our favorite Disney Princesses came together on stage in a celebration fit for a princess.

Following, in the order of release, are the films presented on behalf of both studios.

"Coco" The director and producers came out to explain the film’s premise, which involves an aspiring musician, Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez), who looks up to a famous singer, Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt). At the panel, audiences were shown Bratt's screen test and two extended clips, including one in which Miguel crosses over from the world of the living to the world of the dead. Bratt and other cast members performed a song from the film, "Remember Me." "Coco" and "Olaf's Frozen Adventure" will premiere Nov. 22, 2017.

"Olaf's Frozen Adventure" Kristen Bell, the voice of Anna, introduced fans to the new Frozen holiday featurette, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, surprised the crowd with a live performance of the all-new original song “That Time of Year,” written by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson. The song is part of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new 21-minute featurette, which hits the big-screen in front of Disney•Pixar’s Coco on Nov. 22, 2017. Joining Bell and Gad in the featurette are Idina Menzel as the voice of Elsa, and Jonathan Groff as the voice of Kristoff.

The featurette is directed by the Emmy-winning team Kevin Deters and Stevie Wermers-Skelton (Prep & Landing) and produced by Oscar winner Roy Conli (Big Hero 6).

"Incredibles 2" Writer/director Brad Bird took the stage to show off new expressions characters will make in the film, proving that technology has improved since "The Incredibles" premiered in 2004. This time around, the family -- voiced by Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Hugo Milner (new Dash), and Sam Jackson -- who were also on-stage, live among new allies and face a new villain. "Incredibles 2" will premiere June 15, 2018.

"Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2" A trailer for the upcoming film, which is expected to premiere Nov. 21, 2018, revealed that in the sequel, Ralph and Vanellope (voiced by Sarah Silverman, who appeared on stage) have to travel into the internet to find a part for her game, which broke. New characters include Yesss (a trendsetting algorithm voiced by Taraji P. Henson). The clip shown also features Vanellope hanging out with all the Disney princesses -- a moment that caused the audience to erupt into hysterical laughter. The movie skewers and plays with all the princess stereotypes -- essentially, Disney is poking fun at itself.

Untitled Disneytoon Studios Film John Lasseter kicked off the presentation by announcing Disneytoon Studios’ original new animated movie, “Untitled DTS Film.” Directed by Klay Hall and Bobs Gannaway, and produced by Ferrell Barron, the theatrical feature film explores the future of aviation—taking moviegoers to the edge of discovery in the air -- and beyond. “Untitled DTS Film” opens in theaters on April 12, 2019.

"Toy Story 4" Lasseter said that rather than direct himself, he will mentor director Josh Cooley for the fourth installment, which is due out June 21, 2019. Cooley, who started as an intern at Pixar in 2003 working on "Cars," showed a video about what they're working on at the studio.

"Frozen 2" The sequel to the 2013 hit film will be titled "Frozen 2" for now. Lasseter joked that it will not be called "Fro-Yo," or "Thawed." The film, which will be directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee and produced by Peter Del Vecho, will premiere November 27, 2019.

Untitled Dan Scanlon film Dan Scanlon, who directed "Monsters University," will direct an untitled film set in a suburban fantasy world where unicorns are as common as rats. This film is personal for the Scanlon, whose father died when he was one and his brother was three. Scanlon never heard his dad's voice until someone found an old audio tape. In the new movie, two teen brothers try to find a way to spend one day with their late father.
John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios said:
 “I’m so excited about our upcoming movies; they are all hilarious, emotional, beautiful and make you think,” said Lasseter, who serves as executive producer on all animated titles. “It’s a great mix of incredibly creative and surprising new worlds and characters and stories we love returning to. Our filmmakers are putting so much heart into these films – I can’t wait for people to see them.”
Comeback tomorrow for more D23 Expo 2017 updates!

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