Disney D23 Convention: Mufasa Prequel and Moana 2 among major announcements

The highly anticipated Disney D23 Convention kicked off on August 9 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center in California, offering an exciting lineup for Disney enthusiasts.

Known as the Ultimate Disney Fan Event, this biennial gathering for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is packed with exclusive movie previews, exhibitions, panel discussions, and presentations featuring Disney's biggest stars.

The event will continue until August 11, giving fans plenty to look forward to.

Among the highlights of this year's convention is the announcement of several major upcoming projects.

One of the most eagerly awaited films is "Mufasa: The Lion King," a prequel to the beloved classic. The trailer teases a story exploring the early years of Mufasa and Scar's friendship, with the film scheduled for release on December 20.

Additionally, James Cameron made a surprise appearance to reveal the title of the next installment in the Avatar franchise, "Avatar: Fire and Ash," which hints at a storyline involving Pandora engulfed in flames. This film is set to premiere on December 19 next year.

Disney fans can also look forward to a live-action remake of "Snow White," starring Rachel Zegler as the iconic princess and Gal Gadot as the evil queen. This reimagining of the classic fairy tale is slated for release on March 21, 2025.

Meanwhile, Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis are reuniting for a sequel to their hit family comedy, now titled "Freakier Friday." The film is expected to hit theaters sometime in 2025.

The convention also announced a Broadway musical adaptation of "Frozen," featuring Samantha Barks as Elsa, which will be released on Disney Plus in 2025.

Fans of the Toy Story franchise will be thrilled to hear that "Toy Story 5" is in the works, with the beloved characters Woody, Buzz, and Jessie returning to face a new adventure involving 50 renegade Buzz Lightyears. The movie is set to premiere in the summer of 2026.

"Moana 2" was another major reveal, with attendees treated to a preview of the trailer. In this sequel, Moana and the demigod Maui embark on a perilous journey across the ocean, guided by her ancestors. Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson will reprise their roles as Moana and Maui, with the film set for release on November 27.

Pixar also unveiled its first original animated series, "Win Or Lose," which features a mix of animation styles and is scheduled to debut on December 6. The convention introduced "Zootopia 2," where Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde return for another adventure, this time exploring a new locale called Marsh Market with a viper named Gary, voiced by Ke Huy Quan. The sequel is expected to release on November 26, 2025.

The live-action adaptation of "Lilo & Stitch" was also showcased, with fans excited to see Stitch's new puppy-like appearance. This film, bringing everyone's favorite blue troublemaker back to Hawaii, is set for a summer 2025 release.

Other exciting projects announced at the convention include "Agatha All Along," "Elio," "Incredibles 3," "Hopper," "Skeleton Crew," "LEGO Star Wars," and "Percy Jackson & the Olympians Season 2."