This past Friday, Disney thrilled an audience of 12,000 devoted fans at the biennial D23 fan event in California. The event showcased exclusive footage from upcoming movies and TV shows, including the highly anticipated “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and new “Star Wars” and Pixar films.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
James Cameron, director of the “Avatar” franchise, took the stage to announce the title of the latest installment, set for release in December 2025. Cameron teased that the new film would be “not what you expect, but definitely what you want.” Footage from the movie featured stunning scenes of Pandora, including blue Na’vi characters, giant floating ships, and flying beasts. Cameron promised higher emotional stakes, new cultures, settings, creatures, and biomes.
Star Wars
Fans got their first look at “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” a new “Star Wars” film expected to release in May 2026. The film is a spin-off from the popular streaming series “The Mandalorian” and features the beloved Baby Yoda. Footage showed the adorable creature and his mercenary friend on a snowy planet. Additionally, Jude Law stars as a Jedi in the upcoming TV show “Skeleton Crew,” streaming in December.
Pixar
Pixar unveiled two new animated movies: “Hoppers,” about a young girl who can “hop” her brain into a robotic beaver, and “Toy Story 5,” where the beloved toys compete for children’s attention against electronic devices. A Crucial Time for Disney Despite the excitement, Disney faces challenges, including poor performance from Pixar and Marvel franchises, high-profile flops, and a declining stock price. However, recent hits like
“Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Inside Out 2” bring hope for the company’s future.
The D23 event showcased Disney’s commitment to its fans and its ability to create magic. As CEO Bob Iger said, “Who else but Disney could pull off a weekend like D23?”
