D23 Expo 2019 Essentials: Schedule, Star Wars And Marvel News, And More

Disney's D23 Expo comes along every two years, bringing with it all kinds of news about upcoming movies, theme park rides, and TV shows. From Pixar's upcoming animated films to the latest Star Wars and Marvel Cinematic Universe offerings, there's plenty to learn about and 2019's expo will be no different when it runs between Friday, August 23, and Sunday, August 25. As with all big events, news slips out a little earlier, and that's been the case with D23 too. For example, it has been reported that a Ms. Marvel TV show is coming to Disney+, Game of Thrones star Kit Harington is joining the MCU, Moon Knight is getting a Disney+ series, as is She-Hulk. In terms of Marvel movies, a Black Window update was provided and Kit Harington's role in The Eternals was confirmed--as well as Gemma Chan's.

When it comes to Star Wars, Clone Wars Season 7 has been confirmed as returning in Febraury 2020, and if that wasn't enough a new spy series featuring Rogue One's Cassian Andor and K2SO is also in the works for Disney's streaming service. If that wasn't enough for you, Ewan McGregor is going to be putting on the robes and picking up the lightsaber once again to play Obi-Wan Kenobi in a new Star Wars project. There was also a new Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker trailer.

This might be the biggest D23 yet. On the heels of Marvel Studios revealing its Phase 4 slate at San Diego Comic-Con, D23 will present panels that focus on Walt Disney Studios, as well as the upcoming Disney+ streaming service. That means we'll not only likely get more details about what's to come from the MCU on the big and small screen, but also looks at Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and the upcoming original series The Mandalorian. On the latter front, we've already gotten a look at the first Mandalorian poster.

Then, of course, there are the theme parks. There's a Marvel land in the works at Disney California Adventure, along with an immersive Star Wars hotel in Florida, and a new ride at both Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge lands that will likely be discussed this weekend. So far, we've learned about the Avengers Campus that will be housed at Disneyland.

GameSpot will be on the ground at D23, gathering all the information you could possibly need. However, several of the expo panels will also be streaming online this year via D23.com. You can take a look at the biggest panels of the three-day convention below, as well as the ones that will be available to watch online, so you can adequately prepare your weekend. All of the times below are PT.

Friday, August 23, 2019

• Disney Legends Ceremony - 10:30 am (STREAMING)
• The Music and Sounds of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - 12:30 pm
• Disney+ Showcase - 3:30 pm
• Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series - Episode II First Looks - 2 pm
• Marvel's Agents of SHIELD - 3 pm
• Behind the Art of Disney Costuming – 4 pm (STREAMING)

Saturday, August 24, 2019

• Behind the Scenes with The Walt Disney Studios - 10 AM
• The Simpsons, 10 am
• Women of Impact: Meet the Nat Geo Explorers Changing the World – 10 am (STREAMING)
• Haunted Mansion: Celebrating 50 Years - 12:30 pm
• Immersive Worlds: Bringing Films to Life in Disney Parks - 3:30 pm
• Marvel Comics: Marvel’s 80th Anniversary – 5:30 pm (STREAMING)

Sunday, August 25, 2019

• Heroines of the Disney Galaxies presented by BoxLunch – 10 am (STREAMING)
• Sneak Peek! Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products - 10:30 am
• Inspiring Women Behind Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - 2 pm
• The Art of Disney Storytelling – 3 pm (STREAMING)

The Biggest D23 News

Monsters Inc. Workplace Comedy Series Coming to Disney+

Disney announced that a spin-off Monsters Inc. series called Monsters At Work is coming to Disney+. It'll star Ben Feldman and Aisha Tyler, who appeared on stage so explain that the series is a workplace comedy.

Ms. Marvel Coming To Disney+

A TV show based on teenage superhero Ms. Marvel, also known as Kamala Khan is in the works. Bisha K. Ali is attached as writer and showrunner. It should be something fresh and different, if only because Kamala is a unique character among Marvel's stable of heroes. She's a Pakistani American Muslim and, as such, has a very different cultural perspective. Interestingly, Kamala will be introduced in the show and then appear in the MCU movies later.

Another Game of Thrones Star Is Joining The MCU

The MCU is quickly becoming the go-to destination for Game of Thrones alum. Reports have indicated that Kit Harington will be joining one of Marvel and Disney's MCU projects. Harington played Jon Snow in HBO's massively-successful fantasy series. However, as of yet it isn't clear which project that is. If it's happening in Phase 4, it could be that Harington will be added to the ensemble cast for The Eternals, where he would appear alongside fellow Game of Thrones alum Richard Madden.

New Characters For The Eternals

A day after reports of Kit Harington joining the MCU, Marvel confirmed that he would be playing a role in The Eternals. And, joining him on the movie is Gemma Chan, who, interestingly, already plays another character in the MCU. They will play Dane Whitman and Sersi, respectively.

Marvel's What If? Introduces Captain Carter, Zombie Steve Rogers

A brief What If? teaser was shown during Marvel's segment on the D23 panel and it featured a zombified Steve Rogers, Peggy Carter as a super solider called Captain Carter, and Uatu The Watcher, who will serve as the narrator and a kind of guide for the audience.

Black Widow Movie Detailed And Shown

Scarlett Johannson's Black Window is set to get her own movie, finally, and at D23 Marvel confirmed that it will be in cinemas in May, 2020. While Johannson wasn't at D23, she did appear in a video message alongside castmates David Harbor and Florence Pugh.

Familiar Faces Join WandaVision

WandaVision takes two of the MCU's most interesting characters and puts them together in one TV show where, we hope, they get to live a somewhat normal life. Of course, it won't be smooth sailing all the way given that they're both superheroes and members of the Avengers. Further still, they'll be visited by a few familiar faces.

Loki's Story Isn't Over

Are you wondering what happened to Loki after he picked up the Tesseract during Avengers: Endgame? Do you think about whether the god of mischief can make a real friend? Do you want to know if the sun will really shine of Loki again? That's all the questions that the Loki series on Disney+ will answer, among many others.

Moon Knight Arrives On Disney+

Along with Ms. Marvel, two other new Marvel shows were announced for Disney+. One of them was Moon Knight, a beloved character in the Marvel comics universe, who is now stepping onto the small screen. What will happen to Marc Spector and how much will the Egyptian god Khonshu, who Moon Knight draws his power from, factor into his life? We'll find out.

She-Hulk Smashes Onto Disney+

Bruce Banner is no longer the only green gamma goliath in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as his cousin, Jennifer Walters--better known as She-Hulk, will be appearing as the star of her very own Disney+ series. Smashing!

Star Wars Spy Series Will Reunite Rogue One Characters

If you're a fan of Cassian Andor and K2SO, two of the central characters from Star Wars: Rogue One, you'll be happy to hear that the duo is returning for a Star Wars spy series that will air on Disney+. Although the series has a title, head of LucasFilm Kathleen Kennedy didn't say what it is. We do know that it will be a prequel and it's filming in London.

Finally, A Clone Wars Season 7 Release Date

If you're one of the many Clone Wars fans that have been desperately waiting to see the series continue with Season 7, you'll no doubt be happy to hear that Clone Wars will return on Disney+ in February 2020.

Hello there! It's Obi-Wan Kenobi

Ewan McGregor will reprise his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi for a new Star Wars project. Details on exactly what it is weren't provided, so it's unclear whether it's a TV show or movie, or if it's a Disney+ exclusive. All we know is it's happening and LucasFilm has the scripts pretty much ready.

Star Wars Episode 9 Gets A New Trailer

For those in attendance, D23 provided the opportunity to see a brand new Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker trailer. The rest of us, sadly, will have to settle for reading about the details until the trailer is officially released.

Tom Holland Loves You 3000 And Goes Onward

The dispute between Disney and Sony means the fate of Spider-Man, and his actor Tom Holland, remains uncertain. Holland appeared at D23 to talk about his upcoming Pixar film, Onward. The fantasy movie looks to be charming and fun, and those at D23 were given a sneak peek look at it. Although Holland didn't address the ongoing Spider-drama, he did give fans of the MCU a little message, "I love you 3000!"