Disney CEO Bob Iger received an enthusiastic welcome from approximately 12,000 fans at the D23 expo on Friday night, where he was met with a standing ovation as he opened a grand panel. “Wow. That was more than a warm welcome,” Iger remarked, expressing how much he missed the event after skipping last year’s due to his temporary retirement.
The biannual convention, held at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, featured prominent filmmakers and executives including James Cameron, Kevin Feige, and Jennifer Lee, who announced new projects and teased upcoming releases. The venue allowed nearly double the audience capacity compared to previous years, contributing to an electric atmosphere. Attendees were energized by a pep squad and received light-up bracelets as well as envelopes featuring magician David Blaine’s logo.
Key highlights and announcements from the evening included:
Mufasa: The Lion King showcased a new song by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a trailer highlighting the bond between orphan Mufasa and his adopted brother, Scar.
Tron: Ares featured cast members Jared Leto, Evan Peters, and Greta Lee, with thrilling footage revealed alongside news that Nine Inch Nails would compose the film’s score.
The first trailer for Snow White emphasized its musical elements, while Freaky Friday 2 confirmed its title with stars Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis energizing the crowd.
Magician David Blaine captivated the audience with a stunning trick involving a deck of cards, revealing that everyone present had chosen the same card—the three of hearts.
Marvel Studios’ Kathryn Hahn presented a musical piece followed by a new trailer for the upcoming show, while Kevin Feige announced that Daredevil: Born Again would premiere its first season in March 2025.
Ryan Coogler discussed Ironheart, centering on the character Riri Williams, and shared that footage from the series had already been showcased at the previous D23 event.
Marvel also presented updates for Captain America: Brave New World and the Fantastic Four, featuring Anthony Mackie and exclusive footage.
Director Jon Favreau shared updates on the Mandalorian and hinted at filming activities, while Andor teased familiar characters returning from Rogue One.
Jennifer Lee announced Frozen 3 is scheduled for release in 2027, alongside a confirmation of a fourth film. Zootopia 2 will include a new character voiced by Ke Huy Quan, described as a “highly venomous viper.”
In another exciting announcement, Peter Docter confirmed that Incredibles 3 is in development, and a body-swap comedy titled Hoppers was introduced featuring Jon Hamm and Bobby Moynihan.
Andrew Stanton shared insights into Toy Story 5, indicating a conflict between toys and modern technology. A new TV series titled Dream Productions is also on the way, stemming from the success of Inside Out 2.
James Cameron introduced the title for the third Avatar film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, promising new cultures and environments within the Pandora universe.
Dwayne Johnson announced a new film called Monster Jam focused on monster trucks and their eccentric owners.
Finally, Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho energized the crowd with a performance and preview of Moana 2, demonstrating the continued legacy of the beloved original film.