Disney Investor's Day Re-Cap: More Than 50 New Projects From the Media Giant, Emphasis on Streaming.
- EL DE
- Dec 11, 2020
- 6 min read
It’s a good day to be invested in Disney. Following yesterday’s Disney Investor Day, Disney’s stock has soared to an all-time high at a $309 Billion Market Cap. It’s no accident that Disney is positioned at the top of the market. They have strategically invested in streaming and new programming to continue to grow their ever-increasing revenue streams. It’s goal for 2021 and beyond – invest more.
The Investor’s Meeting yesterday started out with former Disney CEO, Bob Iger, addressing the masses. In his opening address, Iger announced that Disney is placing an emphasis on “content over volume.” Interesting choice of words. Literally only a few seconds later, Disney announced one of the most impressive content line-ups that has ever debuted. There were hundreds of announcements flooding Twitter, Instagram and other channels all sponsored by Disney’s various outlets including Marvel News, Star Wars updates and Disney Original Content timelines.
While there were more than 50+ upcoming projects announced yesterday, I was severely disappointed in the lack of original and creative ideas coming to the streaming site. Almost all of the projects include comic book or re-made content.
Besides announcing all the new projects coming to Disney+ and its Hulu Partner streaming site, Disney+ has announced its membership value as well. As of November 2020, Disney+ has roughly 86.8M Subscribers worldwide. A subscription number that took Netflix years to reach and Disney+ was able to attain the high level of subscription in just a year.
However, some of the biggest announcements from the panel revolved around Star Wars and Marvel. Disney has stated that in the next few years, Star Wars and Marvel will each have 10 different installments, prequels and / or spin offs that cover some of the franchise's most beloved characters. These Series will appear in a TV installment format and will appear on Disney+. There is a lot to un-pack and most of the announcements are vague. I will do my best to re-cap.
Enchanted Sequel “Disenchanted” Movie in The Works
A rumor that has been circulating for many years now has now been made official! The sequel to the 2007 hit that made Amy Adams a household name is coming back to the screen. While much of the plot has been kept under wraps, we can assume that most of the original cast, including Patrick Dempsey, Idina Menzel and James Marsden, will be back. The Movie is set to debut on Disney+.
Hayden Christensen Returning to Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ Series
The Disney+ Series announcement is part of Disney’s commitment to producing at least 10 different spin-offs and prequels based on the Star Wars Franchise. While the Obi-Wan Series has been in the works for a while, the announcement that Hayden Christensen will reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker, turned Darth Vader has been a long time rumor that has finally been confirmed. Ewan McGregor is reprising the title role and the Series is supposed to take place roughly 10-years after “Revenge of the Sith” (2005). More details to come!
“Little Mermaid” Live-Action Movie Cast Revealed
Disney has also announced the finalized Live-Action “Little Mermaid” Cast including Halle Bailey, Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay, Awkafina, Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy. Release Date still TBD.
“Beauty and The Beast” Prequel Announced
A rumor that has been circulating since the 2017 Live-Action Re-Make has officially been confirmed. The series is set to center around Josh Gad (Lefou) and Luke Evans (Gaston) reprising their roles.
“Chip N Dale Rescue Rangers” Series Re-Boot
Andy Samberg, John Mulaney and Seth Rogen have been cast in the Disney “Chip N’ Dale” Re-Make coming to Disney. No other details have been announced at this time.
“Indiana Jones 5” To Start Filming Next Spring
Harrison Ford reprising his iconic role. The film will be directed by James Mangold who helmed “Logan” in 2017 and more recently “Ford v. Ferrari” in 2019. The fifth installment of the beloved franchise is set to be Ford’s last in the series, he is 78.
Buzz Lightyear Solo Movie
Possibly the most bizarre announcement that no one was really expecting, Buzz Lightyear the beloved “Toy Story” action-figure is getting his own movie and will be voiced by Chris Evans. Apparently, the animated feature will be starring the young test pilot that became a space ranger. Chris Evans commented on the news last night, clarifying the story’s plot line stating that “to be clear, this isn’t Buzz Lightyear the toy. This is the origin story of the human Buzz Lightyear that the toy is based on.” Confused? Yeah, me too. Due out June 2021 in Theaters.
Marvel Series (So Far)
WandaVision – January 2021
Wanda and Vision are the epitome of domestic bliss in this sitcom spin-off series
The Falcon & The Winter Soldier – March 2021
The Falcon (Anthony Mackie) & The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) take over Captain America’s Shield as they defend the United States in this spin-off series.
Loki TV Series – May 2021
Tom Hiddleston will reprise his role as the God of Mischief in this spin-off series.
Hawkeye – Fall 2021
Hailee Steinfeld will be appearing alongside Jeremy Renner as Kate Bishop in the spin-off series.
What If? – TBD
Marvel Studios Animated Series
Ironheart – TBD:
13-year old reverse engineers Iron Man’s suit to protect her Chicago neighborhood
Armor Wars – TBD
Stars Don Cheadle as War Machine after Tony Stark’s tech falls into the wrong hands
Secret Invasion – TBD
Stars Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn as Talos as they unearth a secret Skrull conspiracy.
She-Hulk - TBD
Starring Tatiana Maslany as She-Hulk with Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner also making an appearance. Feige also teased that other MCU characters will make appearances
Ms. Marvel
Starring Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan in Ms. Marvel. It was also confirmed that she will have a role alongside Brie Larson in “Captain Marvel 2.”
Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special – Holiday 2022
James Gunn will return to the Director’s Chair in this Holiday Special set to arrive before Vol. 3.
I Am Groot - TBD
A spin-off series of short films as Groot interacts with other Marvel characters
Marvel Movies
Black Panther 2 – July 2022
It has been confirmed that the role of the Black Panther played by Chadwick Boseman who passed away this Summer, will not be re-cast. The film is being directed by Ryan Coogler and he is working on a new concept.
Blade - TBD
Movie starring Mahershala Ali. Plot details TBD
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
The third installment of the Ant-Man series will star Kathryn Newton and Jonathon Majors. Majors has been confirmed to play Kang the Conqueror, a fan-favorite villain in the movie
WandaVision, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Madness and Spider-Man 3
Feige confirmed that all the films are connected and will bounce off one another
Thor: Love & Thunder - May 2022
The fourth Thor installment will be directed by Taika Waititi. Yesterday, Disney announced that Christian Bale will be in the movie playing "Gorr the God Butcher" in the movie. Natalie Portman is finally returning to the franchise and will play Lady Thor...or something like that.
Fantastic Four - TBD
Another revival is in the works for Fantastic Four. Jon Watts has been placed in the Director’s Chair – he is known for his involvement in “Spider-Man: Homecoming”
Other
Alien Series - TBD
Noah Hawley (Fargo and Legion Creator) is developing an Alien Series for FX.
Ice Age Adventures of Bulk Wild – Spring 2022
Simon Pegg will star as Buck the Weasel in the Ice Age spin-off.
National Geographic Series
Chris Hemsworth and Will Smith are getting their own Nat Geo Series. Smith’s Series: “Welcome to Earth” and Hemsworth’s Series “Limitless”
Sister Act III - TBD
The third movie will feature Whoopi Goldberg reprising her role. Tyler Perry is on-board to produce!
Hocus Pocus 2 - TBD
Finally, it has been confirmed that the Halloween Treasure from the 90's is getting a much-anticipated sequel.
Star Wars Series
Obi-Wan Kenobi - TBD
A Droid’s Story – TBD
A heroic droid will be introduced to R2D2 and C3PO in the Droid spin-off
Rogue One: Cassian Andor’s Story – Spring 2022
Rogue One Prequel starring Diego Luna will arrive on Disney+ in 2022.
Mandalorian: Rangers of the New Republic
Mandalorian: Ahsoka
The Acolyte
Tale set in the High-Republic and will focus on The Dark Side
Star Wars: The Bad Batch - TBD
Animated Series follows a group of rogue clone stormtroopers.
Star Wars: Lando – TBD
Spin-off series centered around Lando Calrissian coming to Disney+
Taika Waititi Star Wars Project
Patty Jenkins Star Wars Movie
Disney Animation
Raya and The Last Dragon – March 2021
Zootopia Plus – Spring 2022
Baymax (Big Hero 6 Spin-Off) – Spring 2022
Moana Musical Series – 2023
Tiana (Princess & The Frog Spin-Off) – 2023
Encanto New Pixar Animation Movie – TBD
Pixar Movies
Buzz Lightyear Movie – June 2022
Luca – June 2021
Turning Red – TBD
Pixar Series on Disney+
Dug Days – Fall 2021
Pixar Popcorn – Early 2021
Cars Spin-Off – Fall 2022
Win or Lose Animated Series – Fall 2023
Had enough? Yeah, me too.
Considering all the creative minds at Disney, most of the projects announced were spin-offs, prequels or sequels that no one really asked for. I would have been much more impressed with more original slated series and films. Although disappointed, I know I will be tuning in on some of these.
And that’s the sitch.
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