My Favorite Reveals from Disney’s Investor Day
Investor Day just doesn’t have the same ring as Comic-Con or D23, does it? Yet that was exactly how Disney treated its 4 hour long investor presentation on December 10th. From business updates to 3 year branded rollout of all upcoming Disney content, they had investors and fans alike hooked to their screens for almost the entire afternoon. And while I certainly could go line by line noting my excitement for each upcoming project, I decided to keep my list to my top 5:
5) The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – what was once meant to kick-off Marvel Studios slate of original Disney+ series, The Falcon and the Winter Solider now has its first trailer. And a release date! What looks to be an action-packed political thriller, I’m excited to see this buddy duo continue you on the story left off by the departure of my personal favorite hero Captain America. And with the release date confirmed, I already can see a finale stinger that ties directly into the plot or new characters introduced in May’s Black Widow.
4) Star Wars: Rogue Squadron – space battles have always been some of my favorite parts of the Star Wars franchise, with Rogue One’s being at the top of that list. So the idea of Patty Jenkins bringing a Top Gun aesthetic to space definitely has me on board. But what got me even more excited was the announcement teaser from Jenkins herself – highlighting what a passion project this is for her as the daughter of a fighter pilot. 2023 is a long ways away but I’m already looking forward to the high octane adventures she plans to bring to a galaxy far, far away.
3) Turning Red – for anyone who knows me, you know my fondness for red pandas; they’re my spirit animal. Of the 4 stuffed animals I own today, one of them is most certainly a red panda - and another is Big Hero 6 favorite Baymax. Turning Red looks to tell the coming-of-age story of a young Asian woman’s puberty driven alter-ego; you guessed it, a giant red panda. Directed by Domee Shi, creator of the super adorable short, albeit with a slightly controversial ending, Bao, her new film looks to bring her same fantasy and family focused sensibilities to her first feature film in 2022.
2) Fantastic Four – another title close to my heart, Marvel’s First Family was one of the first modern big-screen superhero films ever made. I still remember waiting outside Midtown Comics in Manhattan for hours just to meet the cast and get them to sign the movie poster. So to see them as the first former Fox characters to be brought into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, directed by Spider-Man: Homecoming’s Jon Watts, I know that we are in for a super fun ride for the whole family. But I have to ask – is H.E.R.B.I.E going to be included?
1) Encanto – Out of all the announcements Disney made, this one put the biggest smile on my face and had me texting my family the news. The child of an immigrant mother from Colombia, I have a continually growing fondness for the country and its culture as I have grown older - a trip to Colombia with a close group of friends was actually my first trip cancelled due to COVID-19. So not only am I excited to return to the country for myself, but to see it showcased off in this magical musical film with songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda in 2021 as well.
