Everything We Learned From The Marvel, Lucasfilm, And 20th Century Studios Showcase At D23 Expo

A look at upcoming theatrical and Disney+ projects from Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studio (updating live)

Saturday, September 10 – Studio Showcase: Celebrate the Magic of Disney and Pixar 
(3:30pm – 5:30pm)

Fans gather inside Hall D23 for day 2 at D23 Expo for announcements, exclusive looks, and special looks at upcoming Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century projects.

Lucasfilm

Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, guides the audience through the presentation. “As you can see, there is an immense amount of exciting new Star Wars storytelling to come from Lucasfilm. The quality, creativity, and variety these teams are bringing to Disney+ is absolutely remarkable, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience each of them.”

“ANDOR” – featuring Cassian Andor from “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Stars of the show Genevieve O’Reilly, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, and Diego Luna, comes on stage as their character posters were unveiled. The audience got to see the final trailer for the spy thriller filmed over two 12-episode seasons. The timeline for ‘Andor” – the five years before the events of “Rogue One”. Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero. “Andor” presents Star Wars from a different perspective, focusing on everyday people whose lives are affected by the Empire. The series also stars Stellan Skarsgård, Forest Whitaker, Denise Gough, Fiona Shaw, and Faye Marsay. Toby Haynes, Susanna White, and Benjamin Caron direct specific episodes, and Kathleen Kennedy, Tony Gilroy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Diego Luna, and Michelle Rejwan executive produce. Tony Gilroy is also the creator and showrunner. With action, adventure, and suspense filmed against a cinematic landscape, the first three episodes of season 1 premiere exclusively on Disney+ on September 21. 

“Willow” – a new fantasy-adventure series that follows the 1988 movie. Warwick Davis (Willow Ufgood), comes on stage to share his excitement to return to Andowyne and is joined by series stars Joanne Whalley (Sorsha), Ruby Cruz (Kit), Erin Kellyman (Jade), Ellie Bamber (Dove), Dempsey Bryk (Airk), Amar Chadha-Patel (Boorman) and Tony Revolori (Graydon). The surprise during this presentation is Christian Slater being announced as a part of the cast. Take a look at the brand-new trailer was shown. Set in a magical world where brownies, sorcerers, trolls and other mystical creatures flourish, “Willow” is the story of an unlikely group of heroes who set off on a dangerous quest, facing their inner demons and coming together to save their world. An epic period fantasy told with a modern sensibility and plenty of humor, heart, energy and vibrancy, “Willow” begins streaming on Disney+ Nov. 30.

“STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH” – Dave Filoni is on stage and showed a new image from the upcoming 16-episode second season of the animated series  The timeline for season 2 – months have passed since the events on Kamino and the Bad Batch continue their journey navigating the Empire after the fall of the Republic. They will cross paths with friends and foes, both new and familiar, as they take on a variety of thrilling mercenary missions that will take them to unexpected and dangerous new places. “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” features the voices of Dee Bradley Baker and Michelle Ang, with Filoni, Carrie Beck, Athena Portillo, Brad Rau and Jennifer Corbett serving as executive producers. Rau is also serving as supervising director with Corbett as head writer. Season 2 will begin streaming on Disney+ with a two-episode premiere on Jan. 4, 2023. 

“STAR WARS: TALES OF THE JEDI” – brand-new animated shorts will give us 6 episodes. Journey into the lives of two distinctly different Jedi—Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku—each will be put to the test as they make choices that will define their destinies. Filoni shared the official trailer for the series and announced that all six shorts will debut Oct. 26 on Disney+. The series is created by executive producer Dave Filoni, with Carrie Beck and Athena Portillo serving as executive producers.

“AHSOKA” –  The live-action series heading to Disney+ starring Rosario Dawson in the title role. Filoni shared how much the character of Ahsoka means to him—having crafted her story since her 2008 debut in the animated series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” through her live-action debut in “The Mandalorian.”  Jon Favreau joined Filoni on stage to talk about the project and shared first-look images with attendees. Set after the fall of the Empire, “Ahsoka” follows the former Jedi knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy. The new series is slated for 2023 and will be exclusive to Disney+. The executive producers are Filoni, Favreau, Kennedy, Colin Wilson, Carrie Beck with Karen Gilchrist as co-executive producer. 

“STAR WARS: SKELETON CREW” – Live-action Disney+ series. Creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford are on stage to talk briefly about the show. “Skeleton Crew” tells the story of four kids who find themselves lost in the vastness of the galaxy trying to find their way home. Jude Law also made a surprise appearance during this presentation.

“THE MANDALORIAN” – Season 3 is coming! Filoni and Favreau introduced executive producer Rick Famuyiwa, as well as stars Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Amy Sedaris, Giancarlo Esposito, and Emily Swallow. Together, they shared the season 3 teaser trailer with the audience. In the third season of “The Mandalorian,” the Mandalorian and Grogu have been reunited and continue their journey through the lawless galaxy. Season 3 is set to launch exclusively on Disney+ in 2023.

“INDIANA JONES”– Kathleen Kennedy welcomes director James Mangold to the stage. The audience was treated to a sizzle reel for the upcoming film. Stars Harrison Ford and Phoebe Waller-Bridge join Mangold and Kennedy on stage after the sizzle reel, “

“Thank you for making these films such an incredible experience for all of us. I’m very proud to say that this one if fantastic, and [Waller-Bridge] is one of the reasons.” said an emotional Ford. “Indiana Jones movies are about fantasy and mystery, but they’re also about heart,” continued the actor. “I’m really, really happy that we have a really human story to tell, as well as a movie that will kick your ass.” Indiana Jones will be in theaters June 30, 2023.

Marvel

Kevin Feige greets the audience and talks about how he’s been taking in all the performances the other studios in the Disney family bring to the stage. “I’ve always been a little jealous, why can’t we get our own musical number?” And with that, we were treated to a live performance of “I Could Do This All Day” number from “Rogers: The Musical” as seen in the “Hawkeye” Disney+ series.

Disney+ Series

 “IRONHEART” – executive producer Ryan Coogler offered fans an early look at the new series that takes place after the events of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Dominique Thorne plays Riri Williams, a young, genius inventor determined to make her mark on the world. Her unique take on building iron suits is both brilliant and flawed, and “Ironheart” delves into the dynamics of tech versus magic. Anthony Ramos came to the stage to greet fans and share a little about his character, Parker Robbins aka The Hood. “Ironheart” is slated for Disney+ next year.

“WEREWOLF BY NIGHT” – Marvel Studios’ first-ever special presentation, “WEREWOLF BY NIGHT.” will stream on Disney+ starting Oct. 7. Director Michael Giacchino joined Feige on stage alongside stars Gael García Bernal and Laura Donnelly to give fans new details and the first trailer for the upcoming special that Feige called “fun-scary.”

 “SECRET INVASION” – Don Cheadle, will reprise his role as Colonel James Rhodes. The cast includes Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn as the Skrull Talos—plus Olivia Colman, Emilia Clarke, and Kingsley Ben-Adir. We were shown a scene and the brand-new trailer from the event series that showcases a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls who have been infiltrating Earth for years. “Secret Invasions” launches on Disney+ in 2023.

“ARMOR WARS” – This series will also star Don Cheadle, and Rhodey fans will see the character in a whole new light. Considering the title of the series, audiences can look forward to all-new suits for the hero, featuring different types of armor. 

“LOKI” – Production for season 2 is already underway. The cast includes Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Sophia Di Martino and Ke Huy Quan, who were on stage during the presentation. Fans also got a glimpse at the upcoming season that picks up in the aftermath of the shocking season finale when Loki finds himself in a battle for the soul of the Time Variance Authority. Season 2 of “Loki” begins streaming on Disney+ in 2023. 

“ECHO” – Alaqua Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Devery Jacobs, Graham Greene, Cody Lightning and Chaske Spencer, hit the stage in Hall D23, providing some insight about Maya Lopez, whose ruthless behavior in New York City catches up with her in her hometown. We were treated to a special look at the upcoming series that also stars Tantoo Cardinal and Zahn McClarnon. The new series will stream soon on Disney+. 

“DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN,” – Feige and D’Onofrio were eager to chat about the new show coming to Disney+. The audience went wild when Charlie Cox appeared on stage to discuss the 18-episode new season of the show. And since production isn’t yet underway, fans were treated with a clip from an upcoming episode of “She Hulk: Attorney at Law” (now streaming on Disney+) that features the superpowered hero. 

Marvel Cinematic Universe Theatrical Releases

Fans speculated to hear casting announcements for Fantastic 4 or updates about X-Men, but Feige only confirmed Matt Shakman as the director for Fantastic 4, saying that the film won’t be out until Nov. 8, 2024 and there’ll be another D23 before then.

“BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER” – Director Ryan Coogler shared an exclusive look at a scene and some highlights from the much-anticipated follow-up to 2018’s “Black Panther.” Stars Angela Bassett (Queen Ramonda), Letitia Wright (Shuri), Winston Duke (M’Baku), and Tenoch Huerta (Namor) joined Coogler and Feige on stage. In the story, the Wakandans fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. The heroes must band together to forge a new path for the kingdom. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” also stars Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Florence Kasumba (Ayo), Dominique Thorne (Riri Williams), Michaela Coel (Aneka), Mabel Cadena (Namora), Alex Livinalli (Attuma) and Martin Freeman (Everett Ross). The film will arrive in theaters on Nov. 11. 

“ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA” – The film that will officially kick off Phase 5 of the MCUj. Cast members Paul Rudd (Scott Lang/Ant-Man), Evangeline Lilly (Hope Van Dyne/The Wasp), and Jonathan Majors (Kang). There seems to be great chemistry between the actors as they joke about Paul Rudd’s “Sexiest Man Of The Year” title from People Magazine in 2021. We got an exclusive look at the film where Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne, team up with Hope’s parents, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Scott’s daughter, Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), to explore the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible. We get to see Jonathan Major’s Kang where he says to Scott “I’ve killed an Avenger before. This film will connect to “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty”. “Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania”will be in theaters Feb 17, 2023.

“CAPTAIN AMERICA: NEW WORLD ORDER” – This film will continue Sam Wilson’s journey as Captain America. Director Julius Onah joined Feige on stage. Together, they welcomed “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” returning stars Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Captain America), Danny Ramirez (Joaquin Torres) and Carl Lumbly (Isaiah Bradley). They join new cast members Tim Blake Nelson (The Leader), who was on hand at D23 Expo today, as well as Shira Haas (Sabra). “Captain America: New World Order” hits theaters on May 3, 2024. 

“THUNDERBOLTS” – The team has been revealed! The cast includes Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Valentina Allegra de Fontaine), Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova)David Harbour (Red Guardian), Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost), Sebastian Stan (James “Bucky” Barnes/The Winter Soldier), Wyatt Russell (John Walker/U.S. Agent), and Olga Kurylenko (Taskmaster). The film will be directed by Jake Schreier. “Thunderbolts” opens in theaters on July 26, 2024. 

 “THE MARVELS” – directed by Nia DaCosta who was joined on stage by Brie Larson (Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel), Iman Vellani (Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel), and Teyonah Parris (Monica Rambeau). We were given a special look at scenes from the new movie, which was a lot more fun and chaotic (in the best way possible) than I expected. “The Marvels” opens in theaters on July 28, 2023. 

20th Century Fox

“AVATAR” – Alan Bergman returned to the stage and was joined virtually by Academy Award®-winning producer/director James Cameron, currently in New Zealand, where he is still hard at work readying the release of the highly anticipated sequel to the biggest film of all time, “Avatar.” “AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER,”. The film welcomes back Sam Worthington (Jake Sully), Zoe Saldaña (Neytiri), Sigourney Weaver (Kiri), and Stephen Lang (Colonel Miles Quaritch), who appeared on stage with producer Jon Landau. The audience also got to meet the new-generation cast members Jamie Flatters (Neteyam), Jack Champion (Spider), Bailey Bass (Tsireya), and Trinity Jo-Li Bliss (Tuk).
Timeline for “Avatar: The Way Of Water” – Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, it tells the story of the Sully family, the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive and the tragedies they endure. We got a sneak peek a scenes from the upcoming film and were handed a pair of Dolby 3D glasses – first time ever in Hall D23 – to get fully immersed in the brand-new footage.  “Avatar: The Way Of Water” opens in theaters on Dec. 16