Disney event reveals new ‘Avatar’ and ‘Star Wars’ films

Disney revealed details of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and showcased exclusive footage from upcoming “Star Wars” and Pixar movies in front of an excited crowd of 12,000 fans in California on Friday.

James Cameron, the director of “Avatar,” took the stage at Disney’s biennial D23 fan event to announce the title of the latest installment in his sci-fi franchise, set for release in December 2025.

“The new film is not what you expect. But it’s definitely what you want,” Cameron teased about the upcoming third venture to Pandora.

The previous two “Avatar” films hold the top and third positions for highest-grossing movies of all time, amassing a combined revenue of $5.2 billion.

Footage from the new film, currently being produced in New Zealand, featured blue Na’vi characters dancing around a campfire, along with scenes of giant floating ships and flying beasts.

Cameron promised higher emotional stakes along with “new cultures and settings and creatures and new biomes.”

“You’ll see a lot more of Pandora, the planet, that you never saw before,” he added.

The fourth and fifth “Avatar” films are slated for release in 2029 and 2031, respectively.

Disney fans also got their first look at “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” a “Star Wars” film expected to release in May 2026.

This will be the first “Star Wars” film since the contentious 2019 release “The Rise of Skywalker.” Disney had previously paused annual “Star Wars” releases due to declining box office returns.

“We’re putting ‘Star Wars’ back on the big screen,” announced Dave Filoni, the producer of the new film, which is spun off from the streaming series “The Mandalorian” and will feature the beloved Baby Yoda.

Footage showed the adorable creature and his mercenary friend whizzing around a snowy planet.

On the television side, Jude Law stars as a Jedi in “Skeleton Crew,” streaming in December.

The kid-centric show is inspired by ’80s coming-of-age films like “The Goonies” and “E.T.,” promised Law.

The D23 event showcases Disney’s most devoted fans, who flock to the California convention center biennially, often dressed as their favorite characters.

Tickets range from $80 to a staggering $2,600 for VIP passes, allowing attendees to purchase rare merchandise and watch star-studded presentations unveiling new films, shows, and theme park rides.

“Who else but Disney could pull off a weekend like D23, right?” asked CEO Bob Iger, addressing a packed crowd at Anaheim’s NHL professional ice hockey arena. Seconds later, the suited executive was replaced by Polynesian dancers and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, promoting “Moana 2.”

However, beneath the excitement of new movie and TV show announcements, Friday’s presentation comes at a crucial time for Disney.

The company’s Pixar and Marvel franchises have faced unusually poor performance in recent years, with high-profile flops like “Lightyear” and “The Marvels.”

Disney’s stock price remains significantly below its peak in 2021. Cost-cutting measures have resulted in thousands of job cuts since last year, mirroring industry trends across Hollywood.

This summer brought some relief with hits like “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Inside Out 2” — the latter already being the highest-grossing animated film of all time.

Pixar unveiled “Hoppers,” a new animated movie about a young girl who can “hop” her brain into a robotic beaver, set for release in spring 2026.

The film follows her adventures in the animal world, where she befriends a “regal beaver” called King George and fights against an evil mayor voiced by Jon Hamm.

Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” coming out a few months later, will see the beloved toys vying for children’s attention against electronic devices such as phones and tablets.

“This time around, it’s toy meets tech,” said director Andrew Stanton.

Source: AFP/File