The producers and directors at Walt Disney Studios and Pixar are busy crafting a mix of sequels to their beloved stories as well as new original films. At Disney 23, a fan event held from August 9-11, 2024, sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes moments and surprises for upcoming attractions and movies were unveiled. Some highlights from the Disney 23 convention include sequels to popular franchises such as “Moana 2” and ‘Zootopia 2,” in addition to a new original, “Elio.”
Moana 2 Trailer
Riding the wave of fan’s excitement, “Moana 2” is set to make a splash in theaters, with fans eagerly anticipating a highly-awaited sequel.The first movie, “Moana”, was released on November 23, 2016, hitting $643 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. But will “Moana 2” live up to its predecessor? Let’s dive in and find out!
The trailer shows the main character, Moana, embarking on a new adventure, accompanied by Hei-Hei the chicken once again and her other little companion, Pua the pig. This time, instead of restoring the heart of Te Fiti, Moana must journey through a treacherous storm and set foot on an ancient island in order to break a curse and reunite her people. Moana had gotten a call from her wayfinding ancestors, a tribute/flashback to the og, making her even more determined to set sail and help.
Halfway through the trailer, Maui, a demi-god, makes his flashy entrance, marking the return of the comedic oceanic duo from the first movie. Alongside Maui, many familiar faces from the original film are back, including Moana’s grandmother and the villainous Kakamora, little coconut warriors. Additionally, the trailer reveals that Moana has a younger sister named Simea and other new characters who will join Moana and Maui on their journey to break the curse.
I think that this sequel seems to be more centered around culture and community, with Moana’s mission being to unite her people and others by reaching the ancient island. The movie’s message might be about how friendships formed along the way are what truly bring people together, not the destination. (In other words, the journey was just the friends we made along the way…)
I am really excited for this release and can’t wait to watch it with my friends! I’m looking forward to seeing the breathtaking animation and enjoying the comedic interactions between Maui and Moana.
“Moana 2” will be out in theaters November 27, 2024.
Trailer Rating: 9/10
Predicted Rating: 9/10
Zootopia 2 Trailer
The long-awaited sequel to “Zootopia” is finally on the horizon after a 9 year wait from the first movie, released on March 4, 2016. After its massive success, fans were speculating about a sequel, but nothing was officially confirmed until the D23 announcement. Many fans, including myself, were very excited to say the least since it will be continuing the beloved story with fresh adventures and new characters.
“Zootopia 2” is set to release in 2025, which will definitely excite long-time Disney animated movie fans, especially with other highly anticipated sequels like “Incredibles 3” and “Toy Story 5’also on the way for 2025-2026.
In the new teaser, we see our beloved characters, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, going off to solve another mysterious case in Zootopia. This time, the story expands beyond Tundratown and the Rainforest District to explore a new area called Marsh Market. The market is home to semi-aquatic mammals like hippos, seals and otters, and Nick and Judy are seen questioning locals about a snake’s whereabouts. According to Judy Hopps’ voice actor, Jennifer Goodwin, Zootopia 2 will feature reptiles, including a new character (and potential antagonist) named Gary, a venomous snake, who might be the one Judy and Nick are pursuing.
From watching the teasers, I can’t wait to explore the new areas of Zootopia, especially where the reptiles will be living, and I really enjoyed the new character designs and outfits. The environment seems like it will offer a very interesting touch to the story with its colorful tones and creative structures. I’m sure that, like me, other “Zootopia” fans are thrilled to see a continuation to the first amazing movie!
Zootopia 2 will be released in theaters November 26, 2025.
Teaser Rating: 9/10
Predicted Rating: 10/10
Elio Trailer
Jumping back into the Disney universe, a new Disney original movie, “Elio,” is set in a sci-fi world where alien lifeforms from other universes are brought into the world of humanity. One night, a boy named Elio, known for his great creativity and imagination, is suddenly abducted by UFOs and brought into the Communiverse. He meets the United Advanced species of the universe, a council of interplanetary beings. Through a humorous miscommunication, Elio is mistakenly deemed the leader of Earth, leading him to navigate the complex workings of intergalactic diplomacy.
This story is about Elio finding his sense of self among the vast universe of unique beings, offering a fresh perspective compared to the recent Disney movies in the past few years. I also enjoyed the animation, with its aesthetically pleasing color schemes and beautiful depictions of space, featuring shimmering stars and celestial colors.
“Elio,” originally planned for release in March 2024, had been pushed back to 15 months, possibly due to the actors’ strike or box office complications. However, the new teaser shown at D23 shows some promising ideas awaiting to come. I’m intrigued to see how Elio will grapple between pretending to be Earth’s leader while also finding joy in his adventure as a lost boy in outer space.
Elio will be released in theaters June 13, 2025.
Trailer Rating: 7/10
Predicted Rating: 8/10
I am very pleased with the upcoming selection of the Disney animated movies that Disney has announced so far. Even though some of them are sequels, I feel like the stories that will be executed will give a fresh new take on the original movies, which would lead to a better experience for both new and loyal fans.
