Video marketing is booming. Get the insights and knowledge you need to succeed at [a]list Video Summit Aug. 19. Get tix: http://alist.ly/1EVLyyz
Disney fans around the world flocked to Anaheim this weekend, as the company held its bi-annual D23 Expo, which celebrates all the franchises that it has become known for. Several new announcements came from the show, including new details on forthcoming video games, like Disney Infinity and Star Wars: Battlefront, as well as films like the just-announced Gigantic and this winter’s forthcoming blockbuster, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Below is a quick summary of some of the bigger announcements from the show:
- A new playset for Disney Infinity 3.0 called Marvel Battlegrounds was announced, in which players can take their toys from last year’s Disney Infinity 2.0 and fight together in four player co-op battles. It will release sometime next year.
- The Force Awakens playset for Infinity was revealed, featuring characters Rey and Finn from the film. Although no new gameplay footage was shown, scenarios from the movie will be included, and other characters, like the villainous Kylo Ren, could be introduced as well.
- Playsets based on the forthcoming movies Zootopia and The Good Dinosaur will debut with Disney Infinity 3.0. Release dates weren’t given, but they’re expected to release alongside their animated counterparts — Dinosaur later this year, and Zootopia sometime next year.
- Although there’s still no word when Square Enix will release its Disney collaborated role-playing game Kingdom Hearts III (sometime next year, supposedly), the publisher did reveal a new game world for the upcoming title, based on the animated film Big Hero 6. Baymax, the inflatable medical robot featured in the movie, will be included.
- Star Wars: Battlefront got a huge presentation during D23 Expo, as Electronic Arts unveiled a new limited edition PlayStation 4 bundle that will release on November 17th. The bundle, pictured below, includes a Darth Vader-branded PS4 system, a special controller, and a voucher that includes four classic Star Wars games, including fan favorite Super Star Wars. In addition, a special bundle featuring a similar system and Disney Infinity 3.0 will release around the same time, sold exclusively at Wal-Mart.
- Outside of the video game world, Disney made big waves when it announced that it would open Star Wars-oriented exhibits for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Although these new areas are a ways off from opening, Disney will be opening a new version of Star Tours based on The Force Awakens, as well as a special Launch Bay exhibit where users can take part in an “interactive experience,” and get a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming film. (Yes, there will be a Star Wars Cantina in each one for guests to grab a drink in.)
- Marvel properties will also be introduced to the theme parts, including the Iron Man Experience, which will open next year in Hong Kong Disneyland and take “guests on an epic adventure over the streets and in the sky above Hong Kong. The adventure will begin at the new Stark Expo where guests board the Iron Wing to take flight and battle Hydra alongside fan-favorite Avenger, Iron Man,” according to the announcement. There’s no word on if it’ll come to the United States or other locations just yet, but with Civil War debuting next year, it’s very likely.
- The new poster for Star Wars: The Force Awakens was revealed, featuring a design by artist Drew Struzan, who made previous posters for films in the saga. It can be seen below.
- Disney also unveiled the full cast for the forthcoming Star Wars Stories film Rogue One, which will debut later next year. It features Felicity Jones, Donnie Yen and others, preparing for a heist on the Death Star. The film will be directed by Gareth Edwards (Godzilla).
- A director for the forthcoming Star Wars Episode IX has been unveiled, and it’s none other than the helmer of the blockbuster Jurassic World, Colin Trevorrow. The film doesn’t have a release date yet, but is expected sometime in 2019.
- Marvel films took center stage at the show, with new footage from the forthcoming Captain America: Civil War unveiled, along with a first look at Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, which will release later next year.
Overall, the show had plenty to offer, including something for nostalgic Disney fans, like the inclusion of Peter Pan in Disney Infinity 3.0. Several Pixar sequels were hinted at as well, including Toy Story 4, Finding Dory, Cars 3 and the long-awaited The Incredibles II.
