D23 Expo 2015 Recap

Buzz Lightyear Macy's Parade Balloon Greets D23 Expo Attendees at the front of the Anaheim Convention Center.

We attended D23 Expo this year on Friday the first day of the show as fans/attendees and not as media/press so our coverage is very lite since we didn't have a lot of time and wanted to do as much as we could with the time that we had.

StocktonCon Pics

Here's a few pictures from Stocktoncon that was held a couple of weeks ago. 

New Clip from LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes - Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is distributing (as Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD) “LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes - Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom” on August 25. Available now on Digital HD.

The “LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes - Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom" clip features Lex Luthor (voiced by John DiMaggio) hatching the first part of his diabolical plan -- to create a villains version of the Justice League. To do so, Luthor, along with guest judges Black Manta (Kevin Michael Richardson) & Sinestro (Mark Hamill), hosts "tryouts" for the Legion of Doom -- with all your favorite DC villains auditioning to join the team.

New Clip from Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is distributing (as Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD) “Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem” on August 18. This is available now on Digital HD. 

The “Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem” clip features Batman, Red Robin, Nightwing and Green Arrow in hot pursuit of a few unwelcome treat-or-treaters in Gotham City on Halloween night -- Solomon Grundy and Silver Banshee. Roger Craig Smith provides the voice of Batman, alongside Yuri Lowenthal (Red Robin), Will Friedle (Nightwing) and Green Arrow (Chris Diamantopoulos). Fred Tatasciore (Grundy) and Kari Wuhrer (Banshee) voice the villains.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Announces New Lands, Entertainment and Experiences at D23 EXPO 2015

Star Wars, Toy Story Land, Pandora – The World of AVATAR, Soarin’ and Iron Man among new experiences coming for guests

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Aug. 15, 2015) – Today, Disney announced a line-up of new attractions and entertainment coming to its theme parks around the world during the D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. 

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek gave 7,500 lucky fans a behind-the-scenes look at what’s to come.  He was joined by Imagineers working on these projects as well as legendary filmmakers James Cameron and Jon Landau who shared new details about Pandora – The World of AVATAR including the names of the land and E-ticket attraction – AVATAR Flight of Passage.  Fans also got a chance to see Marvel legend Stan Lee in a cameo appearance where he posed as an unsuspecting fan during Iron Man’s dramatic entrance. 

DISNEY LAUNCHES KINDNESS CAMPAIGN IN CELEBRATION OF CINDERELLA BLU-RAY RELEASE

In Celebration of the Digital HD and Blu-ray™ Release of “Cinderella,”

Disney Launches THE “A Million Words of Kindness” Campaign

BURBANK, CA, August 15, 2015 – In celebration of the Digital HD and Blu-ray™ release of Disney’s “Cinderella” on September 15, 2015, Walt Disney Studios is proud to announce the “A Million Words of Kindness” Campaign, launched on August 15, 2015. Inspired by the spirit of Cinderella, this online initiative invites fans everywhere to pledge their commitment to be courageous and kind in the hopes of achieving “A Million Words of Kindness” in time for World Kindness Day on November 13^th, 2015.

In the film “Cinderella,” Ella is told by her mother, “Where there is kindness, there is goodness; and where there is goodness, there is magic.” Now families everywhere can create this magic themselves by submitting words of courage and kindness at www.cinderellakindness.com, using the hashtags #Cinderella and #bekind or the handle @Cinderellamovie. These kind words and their entrant’s names will then appear on the site’s interactive “Kindness Wall.”

To join the “A Million Words of Kindness” Campaign, visit www.cinderellakindness.com and use your words to help make the world a kinder, more magical place!

STAR WARS COMES TO CHASE DISNEY VISA CREDIT CARDS

STAR WARS^TM COMES TO CHASE DISNEY VISA^® CREDIT CARDS

STAR WARS CARD DESIGNS AND CARDMEMBER-EXCLUSIVE STAR WARS

MEET ‘N’ GREETS – A FIRST EVER FOR DISNEY

Chase’s new Disney Visa Credit Card Designs Feature Classic STAR WARS Characters:

Darth Vader, Yoda and R2-D2 with C-3PO

WILMINGTON, Del. – August 15, 2015 – Marking the first Star Wars brand collaboration for a credit card for The Walt Disney Company [NYSE: DIS], Chase Card Services, a division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. [NYSE: JPM] and Disney, are putting The Force in Cardmembers’ wallets with the introduction of three exclusive Star Wars designs to the Disney Visa Credit Card family, accompanied by exciting, new and exclusive Star Wars perks for all Disney Visa Credit Cardmembers.

DISNEY SHOWCASES LIVE ACTION SLATE WITH EXCITING

NEWS EXCLUSIVELY FOR FANS AT D23 EXPO 2015

STARS AND FILMMAKERS OF UPCOMING DISNEY, MARVEL STUDIOS AND LUCASFILM MOVIES FEATURED AT TODAY’S LIVE ACTION EVENT

 

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Aug. 15, 2015) — Disney, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm presented their live action film slates this morning at the D23 EXPO 2015 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. The presentations, which revealed exclusive news and details about the upcoming live action films, were aided by live and video appearances from talent and filmmakers. Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn hosted the highly anticipated biennial event.

“It’s quite something to be able to have Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm all on the same stage, and it’s tremendously gratifying to unveil our upcoming projects to our most dedicated fans first,” said Alan Horn, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “We always have an incredible time at the D23 EXPO.”

After welcoming the crowd to D23 EXPO 2015, Horn introduced Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, and Sean Bailey, President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, to present overviews of the Marvel Studios and Disney live action slates. Later Horn returned to the stage to present the Lucasfilm film slate to the enthusiastic audience.

Star Wars-Themed Lands Coming to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts Announced at D23 EXPO

Star Wars-Themed Lands Coming to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Aug. 15, 2015) – Today at the D23 EXPO 2015, The Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Bob Iger announced to an audience of more than 7,500 fans that Star Wars-themed lands will be coming to Disneyland park in Anaheim, Calif., and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., allowing Star Wars fans to step into the stories from a galaxy far, far away. 

Ambitious plans to bring Star Wars to life in the two parks include creating Disney’s largest single themed land expansions ever at 14 acres each, transporting guests to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port and one of the last stops before wild space where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life.  

"ROGUE ONE" - THE DARING MISSION HAS BEGUN

Resistance Fighters Unite to Steal Plans for Death Star

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. (August 15, 2015)—Lucasfilm announced today that their first film in the new standalone Star Wars stories series, “Rogue One,” has begun principal photography. Gareth Edwards (“Godzilla,” “Monsters”) is directing “Rogue One,” which tells the story of resistance fighters who have united to steal plans to the dreaded Death Star. The film is produced by Kathleen Kennedy and is slated for a December 16, 2016 release.

STAR WARS EPISODE IX DIRECTOR ANNOUNCED

STAR WARS EPISODE IX DIRECTOR ANNOUNCED

ANAHEIM, CALIF. (August 15, 2015)—Today at D23, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn announced that writer-director Colin Trevorrow will direct Star Wars: Episode IX, which is set for release in 2019.

While production won’t begin for a few years, Trevorrow is heading to Lucasfilm this year to begin working with artists and his fellow Star Wars directors. “Colin is someone I’ve been interested in working with ever since I saw ‘Safety Not Guaranteed,’” says Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “The power of that film paired with the enormous success of ‘Jurassic World’ speaks volumes about his abilities both as a storyteller and skilled filmmaker. We are thrilled to have such an incredible talent as Colin join our family and step into the Star Wars universe.”

Trevorrow states, “This is not a job or an assignment. It is a seat at a campfire, surrounded by an extraordinary group of storytellers, filmmakers, artists and craftspeople. We’ve been charged with telling new stories for a younger generation because they deserve what we all had—a mythology to call their own. We will do this by channeling something George Lucas instilled in all of us: boundless creativity, pure invention and hope.”

Star Wars: Episode IX will conclude the third trilogy of Star Wars movies that begins with Star Wars: The Force Awakens on December 18, 2015.

TOY STORY 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION / "TOY STORY 4"

WOODY AND BUZZ MARK TWO DECADES – Pixar Animation Studios’ John Lasseter, who’s one of Pixar’s three founders, was joined on stage by several award-winning artists and filmmakers, including Pete Docter (“Inside Out,” “Up”), Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL·E”), Lee Unkrich (“Coco,” “Toy Story 3”), Josh Cooley (“Cars 2,” “Ratatouille”) and Galyn Susman (“Toy Story 4,” ABC’s “Toy Story OF TERROR!”). Celebrating 20 years since “Toy Story” transformed the animation industry and the art of storytelling, the Pixar team welcomed iconic two-time Oscar®-winning songwriter and longtime Pixar collaborator Randy Newman, whose Pixar credits include “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Cars.” Also joining in the celebration were writers Rashida Jones and Will McCormack (“Celeste & Jesse Forever”), who are part of the “Toy Story 4” team, though details of Buzz and Woody’s return to the big screen were mysteriously missing. “Toy Story 4,” which will be directed by Lasseter and produced by Susman, is slated for release on June 16, 2017. 

FINDING DORY DIVES IN

DORY DIVES IN -- Ellen DeGeneres (“The Ellen DeGeneres Show”), the voice of everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, took a dip with D23 EXPO attendees this afternoon, celebrating Disney·Pixar’s upcoming film “Finding Dory.” Joining DeGeneres on stage this afternoon were Ed O’Neill (“Modern Family”), who lends his voice to Hank, a cantankerous octopus; Ty Burrell (“Modern Family”), the voice of Bailey, a misguided beluga whale; and Kaitlin Olson (“Always Sunny in Philadelphia”), who voices Destiny, a kind-hearted whale shark. Oscar®-winning director Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”), co-director Angus MacLane and producer Lindsey Collins (co-producer “WALL•E”) offered new details of the all-new story, which reunites Dory with friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale? Also featuring the voices of Albert Brooks, Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy, Disney·Pixar’s “Finding Dory” swims into theaters June 17, 2016.

DO I KNOW YOU? -- In Disney•Pixar's "Finding Dory," everyone's favorite forgetful blue tang, Dory (voice of Ellen DeGeneres), encounters an array of new—and old—acquaintances, including a cantankerous octopus named Hank (voice of Ed O'Neill). Directed by Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”), co-directed by Angus MacLane and produced by Lindsey Collins (co-producer “WALL•E”), “Finding Dory” swims into theaters June 17, 2016.

T-REXES SPOTTED AT D23 EXPO 2015!

T-REXES SPOTTED AT D23 EXPO 2015 – Anticipation for Disney·Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur” was amplified when director Peter Sohn and producer Denise Ream shared breathtaking sequences with fans, including never-before-seen footage of a trio of T-Rexes in action. In theaters on Nov. 25, 2015, “The Good Dinosaur” features Arlo, a sheltered Apatosaurus who finds himself far from home among a host of intimidating creatures. 

A TRIO OF T-REXES — An Apatosaurus named Arlo must face his fears—and three impressive T-Rexes—in Disney•Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur.” Featuring the voices of AJ Buckley, Anna Paquin and Sam Elliott as the T-Rexes, “The Good Dinosaur” opens in theaters nationwide Nov. 25, 2015.

RILEY¹S FIRST DATE? MAKES ITS WORLD PREMIERE AT D23 EXPO 2015!

“RILEY’S FIRST DATE?” MAKES ITS WORLD PREMIERE – Pixar Animation Studios heads back inside the mind with an all-new short. “Riley’s First Date?” made its world premiere this afternoon at D23 EXPO 2015. Director Josh Cooley, along with “Inside Out” filmmakers Pete Docter (“Up,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and Jonas Rivera (“Up”), introduced the short, which revisits Riley, now 12, who is hanging out with her parents at home when potential trouble comes knocking. Mom’s and Dad’s Emotions find themselves forced to deal with “Riley’s First Date?” The short will be included as a bonus feature in the digital HD & Blu-ray releases of Disney·Pixar’s “Inside Out,” which will be available digitally Oct. 13 and on Blu-ray Nov. 3, 2015.