Disney, Marvel Studios & Lucasfilm Live Action Secrets Revealed! With Videos! #D23Expo #D23Expo2017 @DisneyD23 @Marvel @DisneyStudios @StarWars

I attended the Disney, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm presentation of their live- action film slate at the D23 Expo. As you can see from the pictures below, it was mind blowing to see who showed up on stage. We also saw some trailers, some so secret they cannot be shared, and all I can say is, the films headed our way from these studios will blow up the box office, they looked amazing!

Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn hosted the highly anticipated biennial event. “At The Walt Disney Studios, we could not do what we do without the support of the many Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars fans around the world,” said Alan Horn, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios.  “We feel like our fans are a part of the family, and the D23 Expo is our chance to give a little something extra back to them.”

The fans at the event, which included me, were all blown away by the magic we saw on the stage and the big screens around the room!

“A Wrinkle in Time” cast members Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling and Chris Pine along with newcomer Storm Reid and visionary director Ava DuVernay introduced the film’s teaser trailer and teaser poster. The film is based on Madeleine L’Engle’s classic book, one that I absolutely loved as a kid, to the point where I then devoured all of her other books. Use this as an opportunity to introduce everyone you know to the book (especially all the kids) before the movie comes out

“A Wrinkle in Time” opens nationwide March 9, 2018:

Then we saw Disney’s all-new take on a classic story in “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.” Starring Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy, newcomer Mackenzie Foy as Clara, Helen Mirren as Mother Ginger, Morgan Freeman as godfather Drosselmeyer, and featuring a special performance by Misty Copeland, the movie is inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale. In my other life I was a fundraiser for American Ballet Theatre, and I am honored to share that I was there when Misty joined the company!

Sean Bailey shared: “The Mouse King is made up of thousands of mice—a cutting-edge CG creation. But we wanted him to move in a way that would be wonderfully surprising and incredibly cool, so we called on Lil Buck to provide the style of dance that defines the character. He is so talented and the way he makes this character move is unbelievable.” We saw Lil Buck demonstrate the kind of street dancing—called jookin—that informed the way his character moves in the film. His dancing to ballet music was incredible

The “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.” will open in U.S. theaters on Nov. 2, 2018.

And then, Emily Blunt, the star of Disney’s sequel “Mary Poppins Returns,” took to the stage with director/producer Rob Marshall. In this original musical sequel to the 1964 “Mary Poppins,” Mary and her friend Jack, an optimistic street lamplighter played by Lin-Manuel Miranda, embark on entirely new adventures with the next generation of the Banks family to help them find the joy and wonder missing in their lives.

Emily gave us some insight on how she made the character her own. “I needed to try to pay homage to Julie Andrews, but carve out a new space for myself,” said Blunt. “And we were very loyal to the books.” Rob Marshall shared, “I was incredibly honored to be approached by Disney about directing a sequel. This is a brand-new original film musical from top to bottom, which is very rare, and it is a wonderful opportunity to create something specifically for the screen.” D23 attendees were then treated to an exclusive first look at the film, which was accompanied by a live orchestra performing original new music from the film conducted by composer Marc Shaiman, eliciting thunderous applause.

I had shivers running up and down my spine from the first look at Ms. Blunt’s Mary Poppins appearing tin the sky with her signature umbrella. And from the snippets that we saw, I can tell you to watch for any new trailers, this film is already looking incredible. Additionally, Dick Van Dyke is in this! Meryl Streep is in this! And Angela Lansbury is in this! The original story of Mary Poppins is only one of the many story that P.L. Travers had written!

“Mary Poppins Returns” will be released in U.S. theaters on Dec. 25, 2018.

Sean Bailey confirmed and revealed new films underway at the studio, thank goodness he did, because I need to catch my breathe!

• “Mulan,” a live-action take on Disney’s 1998 feature, which will be helmed by Niki Caro (“McFarland, USA,” “Whale Rider”).
• “Jungle Cruise,” a live-action nod to the popular theme park ride.  The studio is working with Dwayne Johnson, recently heard as Maui in “Moana,” on the project.
• “Aladdin,” directed by Guy Ritchie, with Mena Massoud as Aladdin, Naomi Scott as Jasmine and Will Smith as the Genie.

Will Smith as the Genie!

Tim Burton is busy directing his next project—a live-action reimagining of Disney’s 1941 animated classic “Dumbo.”

The film stars Colin Farrell as Holt Farrier, a former circus star and war-veteran charged with the care of a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock of an already struggling circus. Nico Parker and Finley Hobbins were cast as Holt’s children, who discover that Dumbo can fly. Danny DeVito portrays circus owner Max Medici who tries to capitalize on the novelty. And Michael Keaton is persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere who swoops in with aerial artist Colette Marchant, portrayed by Eva Green, to make Dumbo a star.

Filmed entirely in England, “Dumbo” is utilizing state-of-the-art visual effects to portray the big-eared elephant and many of his animal counterparts. And we got to see the actual Dumbo model! He came out on stage! No, not a real life elephant, just a model, but it was still awesome!

“Dumbo” is slated for release on March 29, 2019.

At this point in the action, Alan Horn joined Bailey for a special look at director Jon Favreau’s new live-action take on Disney’s 1994 classic animated film “The Lion King.” The technology team behind the movie are introducing all-new filmmaking techniques that promise striking visuals never before seen on the big screen—bringing celebrated characters to life in a whole new way. That whole new way is that the film’s stars are the actual animals!

THE LION KING roars into theaters everywhere on July 19th, 2019!

Rian Johnson is the writer and director of the latest chapter of Star Wars, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”  Johnson thrilled the audience by introducing talent from the film, including Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro.  The audience was then treated to a special sneak peek of behind-the-scenes footage from the highly anticipated movie.

In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.

Each star was introduced one by one and joined the rest of their fellow cast members on stage. The feeling of being in that room and being able to watch that process was absolutely amazing.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in U.S. theaters on Dec. 15, 2017.

And then the finale!

Horn brought Kevin Feige to the stage for Marvel Studios’“Avengers:    Infinity War.”  To start the ball rolling, Feige unveiled the Marvel Studios’ official 10^th anniversary logo to the excited audience. Why were we an excited audience? Keep reading, we all knew something huge was coming!

Then, in a surprise that almost killed me, talent from the film made a grand entrance. Once again, they were announced one by one and it seemed like it would never stop: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Mackie, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Josh Brolin, Don Cheadle, Sebastian Stan, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan and Pom Klementieff. Breathing became more difficult for many of us as the parade of stars seemed like it would never stop!

And then we got to see secret footage of the movie. I was speechless. It wasn’t a trailer, it was a teaser as we were told that the movie is only half completed. It’s been a few days and I have still not recovered!

This movie spans the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe! Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” is the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. The Avengers and their Super Hero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.

“Avengers: Infinity War” releases in U.S. theaters on May 4, 2018.

Did I mention that Marvel genius Stan Lee was at D23Expo?

Lastly, I just received permission to share another unlisted video with you with recaps from the actual event. Shh, don’t tell anyone I showed you another secret video!

Disclosure: Disney invited me on this press trip and paid all of my expenses. No other compensation was received. All opinions are always 100% my own and honest. All pictures are courtesy of the D23 Press.