Ariana DeBose to Star in Wish, The Little Mermaid Gets Release Date & More News from D23 Expo

The biennial D23 Expo—known for being the biggest weekend for Disney fans—took place from September 9 through September 11, and the company announced an abundance of new projects and premiere dates for shows and films starring Broadway favorites. The weekend also featured a slew of exciting first looks and trailers. Keep reading to get a sneak peek at The Little Mermaid, Disenchanted, Snow White and more!

Wish
Oscar winner and Broadway alum Ariana DeBose will star in Wish, the newest Disney animated feature film. With music by Julia Michaels, Wish is set in Rosas, the kingdom of wishes, and focuses on the power of wishes. DeBose will lead the company as Asha in the film written by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck and directed by Fawn Veerashunthorn. Wish is set to arrive in theaters in November 2023 in honor of Disney’s 100th anniversary. Watch DeBose surprise the audience by performing the song "More for Us" from the film below!

Walt Disney Animation Studios revealed a FIRST LOOK at “Wish,” their all-new animated feature film that explores how the iconic wishing star came to be. (1/2) #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/LWOy7X5JLM

— Disney (@Disney) September 10, 2022

The Little Mermaid Trailer
Are you ready to go under the sea? The first teaser trailer for the upcoming live-action remake of Disney's The Little Mermaid is here, and fans are treated to hearing Halle Bailey belt out "Part of Your World" as Ariel. As reported, the cast also includes Tony winner Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Tony nominee Noma Dumezweni as Queen Selina, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Jonah Hauer-King as Eric, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder and Awkwafina as Scuttle. Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda teamed up with the movie's original composer Alan Menken to create new songs. It was also announced that the film will premiere in theaters on May 26, 2023.

Out of the sea, wish I could be... part of that world.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid is coming to theaters May 26, 2023. #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/B5Rn833L6W

— Disney (@Disney) September 9, 2022

Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration
A two-hour hybrid animated and live-action special of Disney's Beauty and the Beast is on the way! Songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman from the original animated movie will be performed in front of a live audience at Disney Studios. Alongside a screening of the film, it will include live never-before-seen musical performances and features brand-new sets and costumes inspired by the story. As announced, H.E.R. will play Belle alongside Tony nominees Josh Groban as the Beast and Joshua Henry as Gaston. EGOT winner Rita Moreno will serve as the night’s narrator. The special will be taped in front of a live audience at Disney Studios and will air on December 15 on ABC and be available to stream on Disney+ the next day.

Disenchanted Trailer 
The long-awaited sequel to Enchanted is almost here, and now, we have a trailer to celebrate! Disenchanted is set to arrive on Disney+ on November 24—15 years after the original film's release! Original stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, Tony winner Idina Menzel and James Marsden reprise their roles along with new cast members Maya Rudolph, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jayma Mays and Gabby Baldacchino. As previously announced, composers Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz have written new songs for the upcoming movie musical. Enjoy the trailer below.

Nothing stays enchanted forever.#Disenchanted, an Original movie, starts streaming November 24 on @DisneyPlus. #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/CK4dXqgGcF

— Disney (@Disney) September 9, 2022

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 4
The East High Wildcats are coming back! The popular series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, created by Broadway's Tim Federle, has been renewed for a fourth season and is giving fans the High School Musical 4 they've been waiting for since 2008. The fourth season will follow as the students of East High learn that a fictional High School Musical 4: The Reunion is being shot on their school, which has audiences speculating that the season will actually reunite the original movie cast, including Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Corbin Bleu, Ashley Tisdale and more. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series stars Joshua Bassett, Matt Cornett, Sofia Wylie, recent Into the Woods star Julia Lester, Dara Reneé, Frankie Rodriguez, Broadway's Kate Reinders and pop star Olivia Rodrigo. The first three seasons, which feature a slew of Broadway favorites, including Bleu as himself, Andrew Barth Feldman, Roman Banks and more, can be streamed on Disney+. A release date for season four is to be announced.

Rogers: The Musical 
Tony nominee and Pretty Woman tour leading man Adam Pacal is back in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—kind of. Pascal once again took center stage in the fictitious Rogers: The Musical, which first debuted in the Hawkeye series on Disney+. The fake musical features a very real score created by Broadway's own Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitman, and audiences at D23 were treated to the first in-person performance of the musical. Check out the video below to see Pascal lead the song "Save the City" as a citizen waiting for the Avengers to help come save the day. Could this be the next superhero musical to arrive on Broadway?

Hocus Pocus 2 Trailer
Are you ready, sistaaaahs? Hocus Pocus 2, the highly-anticipated sequel to the 1993 film, will fly into homes on Disney+ on September 30. As previously reported, Tony winner Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy will reunite in the Anne Fletcher-directed film. Watch a new trailer for the sequel below!

This Halloween season, the Sanderson Sisters fly again. 🧹#HocusPocus2, an Original movie event, is streaming September 30 on @DisneyPlus. #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/dMrHX1uKm2

— Disney (@Disney) September 9, 2022

Snow White 
The previously announced live-action remake of Snow White starring Rachel Zegler will be released in 2024, with exact dates to come. Tony winner Andrew Burnap and Gal Gadot star alongside Zegler in the film that will feature new songs by Tony and Oscar-winning duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Marc Webb directs. 

Mufasa: The Lion King
The previously announced The Lion King prequel has a name! Mufasa: The Lion King will serve as a prequel to Barry Jenkins' 2019 live-action adaptation of The Lion King. Jenkins will return as director for the film that will tell the story of how Simba's father, Mufasa, rose from humble beginnings to become the ruler of all the Pridelands. Mufasa: The Lion King is set to premiere in 2024.

Mufasa: The Lion King. 2024. #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/PvWcrbUl5E

— Disney (@Disney) September 9, 2022