During D23, Raven Symone and Lilly Singh hosted a packed extravaganza showing tons of content from Disney branded television which includes shows on Disney Junior, Disney Channel, and Disney Plus streaming service. Here are the shows we’re most excited about coming out of the presentation:
AMERICAN BORN CHINESE (Coming Soon Disney Plus)
Based on the genre-hopping graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang, “American Born Chinese” tells the story of Jin Wang, an average teenager juggling his high school social life with his home life. When he meets a new student on the first day of the school year, even more worlds collide as Jin is unwittingly entangled in a battle of Chinese mythological gods. “American Born Chinese” stars Ben Wang as Jin Wang, Yeo Yann Yann as Christine Wang, Chin Han as Simon Wang, Ke Huy Quan as Freddy Wong, Jimmy Liu as Wei-Chen, Sydney Taylor as Amelia with Daniel Wu as Sun Wukong “The Monkey King” and Michelle Yeoh as Guanyin. During the expo, some of the cast and producers included the director of Shang-Chi and The Legend Of The Ten Rings Destin Daniel Cretton.
THE SANTA CLAUSES (November 16 Disney Plus)
Scott Calvin is on the brink of his 65th birthday and realizing that he can’t be Santa forever. He’s suddenly starting to lose his Santa magic; and, more importantly, he’s got a family who could benefit from a life in the normal world, especially his two kids who have grown up at the North Pole. With a lot of elves, children and family to please, Scott sets out to find a suitable replacement Santa while preparing his family for a new adventure in a life south of the pole.
The Disney+ Original series “The Santa Clauses” stars Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, Elizabeth Allen-Dick, Devin Bright, Austin Kane, Matilda Lawler, Rupali Redd and Kal Penn.
Marvel’s MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR (February 10 Disney Channel)
Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,” based on Marvel’s hit comic books, follows the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur. After Lunella accidentally brings Devil Dinosaur into present-day New York City, the duo works together to protect the city’s Lower East Side from danger.
“Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” stars Diamond White as Lunella (aka Moon Girl); Fred Tatasciore as Devil Dinosaur; Alfre Woodard as Lunella’s grandmother, Mimi; Libe Barer as Lunella’s best friend and manager, Casey; Sasheer Zamata as Lunella’s mom, Adria; Jermaine Fowler as Lunella’s dad, James Jr.; Gary Anthony Williams as Lunella’s grandfather, Pops; and series executive producer Laurence Fishburne in the recurring role of The Beyonder, a curious and mischievous trickster.
THE MUPPETS MAYHEM (2023 Disney Plus)
The comedy series follows The Electric Mayhem Band — Dr. Teeth on vocals and keyboards, Animal on drums, Floyd Pepper on vocals and bass, Janice on vocals and lead guitar, Zoot on saxophone and Lips on trumpet — on an epic, music-filled journey to record their first-ever studio album. With the help of a driven, young music executive, Nora, the old-school Muppet band comes face-to-face with the current-day music scene as they try to finally go platinum. “The Muppets Mayhem” stars Lilly Singh (“Nora”), Tahj Mowry (“Moog”), Saara Chaudry (“Hannah”) as well as Anders Holm (“JJ”) in a recurring role.
“The Muppets Mayhem” is developed by Adam F. Goldberg, Bill Barretta and Jeff Yorkes based on characters created by Jim Henson.
STAR WARS: Young Jedi Academy (2023 Disney Junior)
Set during the High Republic era, “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” will follow a group of Younglings as they embark on missions where they will help people in need, discover exotic creatures, clash with villainous pirates, train with their masters, and ultimately learn the valuable skills needed in order to become Jedi: compassion, self-discipline, teamwork, patience and friendship.
“Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” stars Jamaal Avery Jr. (“Abbott Elementary”) as Kai Brightstar, a Jedi Youngling who hopes to follow in the footsteps of his hero, the great Master Yoda, and become a Jedi Knight; and Emma Berman (Pixar’s “Luca”) as Nash Durango, a pilot who befriends Kai and his friends and joins them on their adventures across the galaxy.
“The Hip Hop Nutcracker”
Coming This Holiday Season to Disney+ (Done+Dusted)
Run-D.M.C.’s Rev Run brings us along for a hip-hop reimagining of The Nutcracker ballet set in New York City. It’s the night of the annual New Year’s Eve block party and Maria-Clara’s (Caché Melvin) mom and pop (Allison Holker Boss and Stephen “tWitch’ Boss) aren’t getting along … and it’s bringing her down. Maria-Clara embarks on a holiday adventure to bring her parents back together, finding help along the way from the magical toymaker, Drosselmeyer (Comfort Fedoke), and the Nutcracker (Du-Shant “Fik-shun” Stegall) whom she brings to life.
Maria-Clara’s journey takes her from the streets of New York to fantasy worlds where she battles with mice and toy soldiers (Viktor White, BDash, Kevin “Konkrete” Davis”), and back in time to the Land of Sweets in order to find the key to unlock her holiday wish. Will it be enough to rekindle her parents’ lost love before the clock strikes midnight? The special features best-in-class dancers Mikhail Baryshnikov, Tiler Peck, KidaTheGreat AKA Kida Burns, the Jabbawockeez as magical snowflakes, and more.
Produced by Done+Dusted, executive producers are Raj Kapoor, Katy Mullan, Jennifer Weber, Eva Price and NappyTabs. Choreographers include NappyTabs, Hokuto “HOK” Konishi, Phillip Chbeeb, Makenzie Dustman, Luther Brown, D-Trix and Jennifer Weber.
Nikki Parsons is director. The Disney+ Original special “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” is inspired by the live stage phenomenon touring America this holiday season.
Cast:
Rev Run – Neighborhood MC/Narrator
Caché Melvin – Maria-Clara
Du-Shaunt “Fik-Shun” Stegall – Nutcracker
Stephen “tWitch” Boss & Allison Holker Boss – Mom and Dad
Comfort Fedoke – Drosselmeyer
Jabbawockeez – Snowflakes
Jaja Vankova – Marionette Toy
Tiler Peck – Ballerina Toy
Nicholas “Slick” Stewart – Jack in the Box Toy
Robert Green – Violinist, Ensemble
BDash, Kevin “Konkrete” Davis, Viktor White – Soldiers
Jean Sok – Mouse King
KidaTheGreat AKA Kida Burns – Reed Pipes, Ensemble
Alex Wong, Simrin Player – Sweets, Ensemble
Ray Basa – Chocolates
D-Trix – Piano Player
Bailey “Bailrok” Munoz, Dustin “D” Payne, Randi “Rascal” Freitas, Rudy Reynon, Tre De Rego, Ethan Evaro, Elyssa Cueto, Angel Gibbs, Alexis Shon, Brynda Rowen, Shannon Kelly, Maycee Steele, Winnie Chang, Jordan Laza, Dayne Sempert, Alex Palaez, Hugh Aparente, Chris Andrews, Noelle Rodriguez, Taylor Thomas – Ensemble
Marisa Kouroubacalis – Bucket Drummer
Mikhail Baryshniikov – Cameo
Kurtis Blow – Cameo
Phil Wright – Cameo
