Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios Release New Movie Slate!

Just when you thought that Pixar and Walt Disney Animation outdid themselves with Big Hero 6 and Inside Out, they are creating more amazing films. 
As part of the D23 Expo trip, we sat in on the Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar session and we got a eyeful of the new movies they have ready to release. These are amazing movies that look so good. I cannot even pick the one I am most excited about because they all look that good. Here is the a peek at the the roster of movies! 


THE GOOD DINOSAUR (#GoodDino)

In theaters on November 25, 2015, the film introduces audiences to Arlo, a sheltered Apatosaurus who finds himself far from home, and Spot, Arlo’s unlikely human friend. “Arlo and Spot journey through a world that has been greatly inspired by the American Northwest,” said Sohn. “It is epic in scope, soul-enriching and simultaneously beautiful and treacherous. In this world, we meet up with a very special family of T-Rexes, who help Arlo find a way through his personal fears and ultimately teach Arlo what he's truly made of.” “The Good Dinosaur” opens in theaters nationwide Nov. 25, 2015.




This movie looked so good. I also was moved by Director Peter Sohn's story about how his mother used to take him to the movies although she did not understand them because of the language barrier. But he also said that when they saw Disney movies, she always understood those. That was my experience as well. I cannot wait to see this movie. I teared up at one of the scenes we were shown. If I am teary, it it a good sign for a movie!!

Pete sohn's story about his mom not knowing what was going on in American films is my experience as well. (1) #D23Expo

— Carolyn Gonzalez (@carogonza) August 15, 2015 

(2) my mom,however, did understand all the Disney films. #childhoodmemories #D23Expo

— Carolyn Gonzalez (@carogonza) August 15, 2015

ZOOTOPIA (#Zootopia)

International superstar Shakira is lending her Grammy®-winning voice to Gazelle, the biggest pop star in ZOOTOPIA, D23 EXPO fans learned via a taped message from Shakira today. Ginnifer Goodwin (ABC’s “Once Upon a Time,” “Something Borrowed,” “Walk the Line”), the voice of the film’s rookie rabbit officer Judy Hopps, saluted fans alongside Directors Byron Howard (“Tangled”) and Rich Moore (“Wreck-It Ralph”), and Producer Clark Spencer (“Wreck-It Ralph”). Hilarious new scenes from the film were unveiled, plus a tease of the all-new original song, “Try Everything,” written by singer-songwriter Sia and songwriting duo Stargate, and performed by Shakira.



It was a treat to see Ginnifer Goodwin come out and talk about this movie. This looks so good as well. And Shakira? I am so excited about her voicing a character! I love me some Shakira! Walt Disney Animation Studios’ ZOOTOPIA opens nationwide March 4, 2016.


FINDING DORY (#FindingDory)

Ellen DeGeneres (“The Ellen DeGeneres Show”), the voice of everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, took a dip with D23 EXPO attendees this afternoon, celebrating Disney·Pixar’s upcoming film FINDING DORY. Joining DeGeneres on stage this afternoon were Ed O’Neill (“Modern Family”), who lends his voice to Hank, a cantankerous octopus; Ty Burrell (“Modern Family”), the voice of Bailey, a misguided beluga whale; and Kaitlin Olson (“Always Sunny in Philadelphia”), who voices Destiny, a kind-hearted whale shark. Oscar®-winning Director Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”), co-director Angus MacLane and Producer Lindsey Collins (co-producer “WALL•E”) offered details about the all-new story, which reunites Dory with friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale?

Said Stanton, “In FINDING DORY, we can expect to address the one emotionally open-ended issue that remained from the first movie: Where is Dory’s family, and will this overly-optimistic fish with short-term memory loss ever be able to find them again? Her issue has also given us the opportunity to travel to very different locations, on land and sea, and meet a variety of new sea creatures that expand the world of Nemo, Marlin and Dory.”

Yes, you read that right. Ellen came on stage and the crowd went wild. I went wild because I love Ellen. I am so glad we get more Nemo and Dory! FINDING DORY swims into theaters June 17, 2016.

MOANA (#Moana)

"Moana" introduces a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. She meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”), “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.

This is one of the most anticipated films of 2016! And yes that is the Rock! **An aside: I went to school with the Rock. He wasn't the Rock then though. But he voices a character in the movie. The movie looked lovely and the story sounds beautiful. I think this is one of the movies I most want to see!  

TOY STORY 4 / TOY STORY 20th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION (#ToyStory4)

Pixar Animation Studios marks the 20th Anniversary of TOY STORY this year. Said Lasseter, "All the characters from ‘Toy Story’—especially Woody and Buzz—are so close to us. They seem more like family members than just creations. Not only do we dearly love the characters, but we also love the world of ‘Toy Story’—the world where toys come to life when people are not in the room has always been rich with many story possibilities."

Lasseter, who’s one of Pixar’s three founders, celebrated 20 years since TOY STORY transformed the animation industry and the art of storytelling. He welcomed to the stage iconic two-time Oscar®-winning songwriter and longtime Pixar collaborator Randy Newman, whose Pixar credits include “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Cars.”

I loved that Randy Newman came on stage and sang for us at the D23 Expo. Hubby loves him and was a bit jealous I saw him in person! This is definitely on my MUST SEE list! TOY STORY 4, which will be directed by Lasseter and produced by Susman, is slated for release on June 16, 2017.

GIGANTIC (#Gigantic)

Things are looking up at Walt Disney Animation Studios – way up. GIGANTIC, Disney’s unique take on “Jack and the Beanstalk,” will feature music from Oscar®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who greeted D23 EXPO fans in signature style—in song—alongside Director Nathan Greno (“Tangled”) and Producer Dorothy McKim (“Get A Horse!”).

Set in Spain during the Age of Exploration, Disney’s GIGANTIC follows adventure-seeker Jack as he discovers a world of giants hidden within the clouds. He hatches a grand plan with Inma, a 60-foot-tall, 11-year-old girl, and agrees to help her find her way home. But he doesn’t account for her super-sized personality—and who knew giants were so down to earth?

Who knew Jack was Spanish! I love it. This movie is too far away for me to get too excited but when it comes out. I am so there! GIGANTIC hits theaters in 2018.

COCO (#Coco)

Director Lee Unkrich (“Toy Story 3”) and Producer Darla K. Anderson (“Toy Story 3”) revealed the title of their upcoming film: Disney·Pixar’s COCO is the celebration of a lifetime, where the discovery of a generations-old mystery leads to a most extraordinary and surprising family reunion.

"As artists and filmmakers, we couldn't help but be drawn to the striking visuals of Dia de los Muertos,” said Unkrich and Anderson. “But it was the celebration's core themes of family, remembrance and connection across generations that resonated within and truly inspired us. Dia de los Muertos is as singular as the Mexican culture, while at the same time completely universal in its message.

“In our story,” they continued, “the celebration of Dia de los Muertos serves as the perfect backdrop for our main character to ask where he comes from, what his place is within his family, and how families stay woven together across time through the simple act of remembrance."

This is the film I am dying to see. See that? I made a pun. Okay that was corny. But I really want to see this movie. I actually collect Day of the Dead folk art and my house is filled with different type of artwork I have collected. While I did not grow up celebrating Dia de Los Muertos, I adopted it in later life. The idea of honoring the dead and celebrating their life is amazing. There is no release date for this movie but I am awaiting anxiously. 

There you have it. A peek at what Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar have in store for us. I am excited!!