Disney Approaching Its 100th Anniversary, Betting on Familiarity and Empathy

Next Year's Cinema and OTT to Feature Fifty Films
Marvel Studios Highlights Familiar Characters
Animation Addresses Controversy Over Black 'Inyeo Gongju'

Movie 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' still cut
[Photo by Walt Disney Company]

The Walt Disney Company, approaching its 100th anniversary, is strengthening its dominance in the content market through a volume offensive. Next year, it will release more than fifty works through movie theaters and online streaming services (OTT). All of these are highly anticipated works from its subsidiaries such as Marvel Studios, Disney Animation, Lucasfilm, and Pixar Studios.

On the 30th (local time), Disney held the ‘Disney Content Showcase Asia-Pacific (APAC) 2022’ at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, introducing the lineup of works to be released next year. At the forefront were Marvel Studios’ works that will decorate the 5th phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). These include the movie ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ releasing on February 17 next year, the movie ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ (releasing May 5 next year), Disney+ series ‘Secret Invasion’ (release date TBD), and ‘Loki Season 2’ (releasing summer next year).

‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ is directed again by Peyton Reed, who has helmed this series. Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, and Michelle Pfeiffer reprise their roles. Luis Desposito, co-president of Marvel Studios, who attended the event via video call, named it the most anticipated work of next year, saying, “Ant-Man and the Wasp face off against MCU’s greatest villain Kang (Jonathan Majors) in an exciting story.”

Disney+ 'Secret Invasion' still cut
[Photo by Walt Disney Company]

Unlike the 4th phase of the MCU, familiar characters lead the story in the other works as well. ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ focuses on the budding emotions between Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) and a new dimension’s Gamora (Zoe Saldana). ‘Secret Invasion’ and ‘Loki Season 2’ unfold around Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston), respectively. The movie ‘The Marvels,’ releasing in July next year, highlights the cooperation between Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani). In Korea, it has attracted much attention from early production stages due to Park Seo-joon’s appearance. Desposito said, “Like this year, work crossing between movies and series will continue,” adding, “You will also be able to meet the Disney+ series ‘Ironheart,’ based on the world of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.’”

Movie 'Wish' still cut
[Photo by Walt Disney Company]

Disney Animation Studios will release ‘Wish’ (scheduled for November next year) as a 100th anniversary commemorative work. It is a feature animation depicting the birth of a shooting star, with actress Ariana DeBose providing the voice. Other releases or premieres include ‘The Little Mermaid,’ which sparked controversy over casting a Black mermaid, the co-production with a Nigerian animation company ‘Iwaju,’ ‘Mufasa: The Lion King,’ which portrays Mufasa’s growth from ‘The Lion King,’ and ‘Peter Pan & Wendy.’ A live-action version of ‘Snow White’ is also in production, aiming for a 2024 release.

Movie 'The Little Mermaid' still cut
[Photo by Walt Disney Company]

Perhaps to dispel the controversy over casting a Black mermaid, Disney put considerable effort into highlighting Halle Bailey. They released a scene of her singing ‘Part of Your World,’ one of the original soundtrack (OST) songs, and detailed the casting process. Sean Bailey, President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Production, praised her, saying, “Bailey is an exceptionally talented actress and a great singer,” and “When we did the screen test, she showed a perfect Ariel, so we immediately decided she was the right fit for the role.”

Disney+ 'The Acolyte' Poster [Photo by Walt Disney Company]

Lucasfilm, famous for the ‘Star Wars’ series, will present ‘The Acolyte’ starring Lee Jung-jae, as well as ‘The Mandalorian Season 3,’ ‘Star Wars: Bad Batch Season 2,’ and ‘Star Wars: Visions.’ Lee Jung-jae, currently filming in the UK, said via video, “I am very happy to become a member of the Disney family,” and “Please look forward to and support it with much interest and love.” Lucasfilm will also release ‘Indiana Jones 5’ on June 30 next year. Starring Harrison Ford and directed by James Mangold, this action-adventure film is produced with Steven Spielberg’s participation. The trailer released that day received the most enthusiastic response.

Movie 'Indiana Jones 5' still cut
[Photo by Walt Disney Company]

Pixar Studios, which overturned the animation industry with high-quality works, is determined to continue its reputation with ‘Inside Out 2’ and ‘Elemental.’ The latter is directed by Korean-American Peter Sohn. It personifies the elements that make up the world such as water, fire, earth, and air. The story follows the journey of Ember, who embodies fire, and Wade, who embodies water.

Movie 'Elemental' still cut
[Photo by Walt Disney Company]

Director Sohn explained, “This film is inspired by my immigrant parents. They started a new life in New York in the early 1970s with nothing,” adding, “It is a love story with a message that although we are all different, we can live together peacefully.” Pete Docter, Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer, said, “Works inspired by personal experiences guide us to the outside world and offer new perspectives,” and “It will provide an amazing experience that deepens understanding and empathy for others.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.