Not long after Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios showed their latest batch of content at the D23 Expo, HallD23 was packed to the brim once again for the showcase for Disney Branded Television, where they released new info on the shows coming to Disney+, Disney Junior, and Disney Channel.Raven-SymonéandLily Singh, both of whom are starring in shows represented at the event, hosted the showcase and brought quite a few big names with them, so here is everything that was revealed at the Disney Branded Television Showcase.
The Muppets: Mayhem
The show began with a special live performance from the famousElectric Mayhemband, with all your favorite puppeted musicians performing, including the oh-so-iconic Animal on the drums. It was announced earlier this year that the Electric Mayhem would be getting there very own spin-off show on Disney+ with Singh set to star alongside them. Other than the performance of the song “Can You Picture That”, no footage from the project was shown.
American Born Chinese
The next Disney+ series discussed is one based on a classic graphic novel which itself is based on a classic Chinese legend: Journey to the West. The worlds of Chinese mythology and the human high school life of one Jin Wang collide to create an action packed high school adventure, with a behind the scenes featurette showing some impressive practical effects and fight choreography. The show also comes with an impressive cast & crew, with major stars likeMichelle YeohandKe Huy Quanreuniting afterEverything, Everywhere, All at OnceandShang-Chiand futureAvengers: The Kang DynastyfilmmakerDestin Daniel Crettondirecting.
National Treasure: Edge of History
Don’t let the lack ofNicolas Cagefool you.National Treasure: Edge of Historyis still very much set in the world of the original two films and will even feature a few returning favorites. AfterCatherine Zeta-Jonesand the rest of the new cast of treasure protectors took the stage, they released a new trailer which featured the return ofHarvey KeitelandJustin Bartha. New details offered also featured that iconic landmarks like the Alamo and Graceland will be a part of the series and that page 47 from the President’s Book of Secrets may also have a presence in the show.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Perhaps the most anticipated project of the showcase was the reboot ofPercy Jackson and the Olympians, the second attempt to bring the massively popular book series to life, this time with original authorRick Riordanbeing heavily involved. The cast trio ofWalker Scobell,Leah Jefferies,Aryan Simhadriintroduced themselves as Percy, Annabeth, and Grover, before showing a fifty second teaser that shows a beautifully book-accurate Camp Halfblood.
Holiday Specials
With the holidays right around the corner, Disney took a quick pause in scripted program to show some more variety specials. The trio of programs includesPentatonix: Around the World for the Holidays,The HIp Hop Nutcracker, andBest in Snow.
The Santa Clauses
You can’t mention the holidays without bringing up the upcoming sequel series,The Santa Clauses, once again starringTim Allenas the holly-jolly Scott Calvin. Allen and the rest of the cast debuted a new trailer that sets the stage for Scott Calvin’s retirement as Santa Claus. The trailer features a surprise cameo of football starPeyton Manningand also shows the return ofDavid Krumholtzas former Elf Number 1 Bernard. More info and footage about the six episode series was shown at a dedicated panel for the show in the Premiere Stage at D23.
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Season 2
The next season for the hit revival ofThe Proud Familyis set to arrive in 2023, but that didn’t stop the cast from announcing some pretty major guest stars coming to the animated sitcom. The names dropped in the showcase includeNormani,Gabrielle Union,Leslie Odom Jr., andChance the Rapperwith possibly more yet to be revealed.
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
An original animated show based on the Marvel comic,Moon Girl and Devil Dinosauris being produced by none other thanLawrence Fishburne, following the exploits of a genius superhero and her primitive but lovable red dinosaur. The show takes place not too far from Ms. Marvel in New Jersey marks the very first Marvel show to follow a female black teen. Fishburne will also be a character in the show as the Beyonder, who if you’re familiar with the comics, has a significant role in some certain Wars that are a Secret, though this take on the character will probably be a bit more comedic like the rest of the show.
Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium
Moving on to unscripted content, Disney+ received a huge get with the live-streaming rights to the final concert ofSir Elton John, the conclusion of his farewell tour at the same venue where one of his most iconic concerts took place.
Madufollows the young resident of Lagos, Nigeria whose clip of him dancing went viral. The docuseries premiering on Disney+ will show Anthony Madu’s real-life quest to the United Kingdom where he’ll enter one of the top dance schools in the world and hopefully become a trained professional in the art form.
