Disney’s biennial pop-culture celebration has once again come and gone, but D23 has left us once again with some lasting memories. Whether you’re a fan of Disney’s video games, classic animated films, or any of Disney’s subsidiaries, D23 had quite a bit to digest.
In order to make the process a bit easier, we’ve dug through the details to provide you with the four more important announcements from D23.
The latest Star Wars Episode VIII posters are breathtaking
While no new details were given about this year’s Star Wars release, Disney did share some exciting content. The most stunning Star Wars Episode VIII content revealed was probably the new posters, which have to be seen to be appreciated.
Aside from static content, Disney also shared a fantastic behind-the-scenes look at the development of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. While it might not have been the video content you’re looking for, it is pretty exciting to see.
Kingdom Hearts III brings franchise-first with Toy Story mashup
Anybody familiar with Disney knows that the company isn’t just a film studio, and there’s no better example of Disney’s other properties than their collaboration with Square Enix: Kingdom Hearts.
Kingdom Hearts III was promised a big showing at D23 2017, and that’s what it received. Director Tetsuya Nomura shared a ton of new content, such as a greater look at combat, but the most important announcement was the inclusion of a Toy Story world in the final game.
Check out the trailer for a better look at Pixar’s entrance to Kingdom Hearts, and check out Kingdom Hearts III when it launches on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One next year.
Live-action reboots are here to stay with Mary Poppins and more
D23 Expo gave us a pretty big look at Disney’s live-action projects, as well. Occasionally we hear news about a new cast member for Lion King or something related to production for the live-action Aladdin, but when we see all of those titles getting love at the same event, it really shows how diverse the live-action reboots are.
One of the most talked about events was a Mary Poppins teaser starring Emily Blunt and Lin Manuel Miranda. But other noteworthy stories coming out of the live-action world include footage from Lion King and news surrounding the cast of Aladdin. Overall, the live-action presence at D23 showcased Disney’s commitment to retelling its classic stories in ways that appeal to the next generation.
Avengers: Infinity War is going to be huge, and expensive
Marvel’s superhero franchise is one of the more impressive behemoths in the modern movie industry. The sequels and storytelling have a sense of purpose because they’re telling fan-favourite stories from years of history. That’s how a blockbuster film like Iron Man can be better received than that of Transformers—Disney and Marvel are appealing to nostalgic literature, rather than focusing on products that required imagination.
But even though it’s so well-known to be successful, it’s still shocking when you really think about the names attached to the film. Disney and Marvel have added so much more to the Marvel Universe since the last Avengers and they’re doubling down on their commitment to these franchises with the next film.
Faces like Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Holland, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Josh Brolin are only the tip of the iceberg for Avengers: Infinity War. When considering that there are appearances from the likes of Karen Gillan, Bradley Cooper, Chris Pratt, Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth, things get a bit hectic.
Avengers: Infinity War is so big that it takes up two films, and you can catch the first when it hits theatres on May 4, 2018.
