Disney announces new projects for upcoming year

Hollis Tharpe, Managing Editor

Walt Disney Studios held it’s annual Investors’ Day on December 10, 2020. The event is held to outline the studios upcoming projects for the next several years. The 2020 event is the second presentation to be held following the release and success of the streaming service, Disney+. As a result, there has been a new focus on releasing shows related to popular cinematic universes.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has released 23 films to date, with more on the way. Following Avengers: Endgame, Marvel has officially entered phase four of their plan. This phase includes several shows based on less popular movie characters. Some of the shows announced include: Secret Invasion, Ironheart, and Iron Wars. These titles were announced in addition to the previously announced shows Loki, Falcon and Winter Soldier, and the now released WandaVision. Additionally, Marvel announced more movies for the MCU’s phase four plan. These titles include a third installment in the Ant Man franchise, as well as the third Guardians of the Galaxy film.

Lucasfilm announced several Star Wars shows, both animated and live action. This is most likely a result of the hit success of The Mandalorian. One of the shows set to release in the fall of this year is the highly anticipated Kenobi, which will follow the life of jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi on Tatooine. Another show will follow a set of enhanced clone troopers, The Bad Batch, that appeared briefly in the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

All projects announced at the event are slated to release between this year and the next few years. Disney and Pixar also announced several projects, including Raya and The Last Dragon, and Encanto. Lastly, since Disney has acquired both Hulu, and National Geographic, there are several shows and documentaries in the work, including four new seasons of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Overall, Walt Disney Studios has a very solid lineup of shows, movies, and documentaries. The projects will feature old and new characters from beloved franchises, and will keep fans entertained for the next half decade.