We are now only a couple of weeks away from Disney+ finally hitting our screens and even though we now know almost everything that is coming to the giant new streaming service, the company still has some tricks up their sleeve as we learned today at an exciting event in Hollywood. Presented in conjunction with the International Documentary Association the Mouse House unveiled a slate of new non-fiction programming as well as premiering some of their most anticipated documentary shows.
During the presentation at Neuehouse, the studio was intent on putting across their experience in documentary film making. “Disney has a rich history in nonfiction storytelling that dates back to the 1940s,” Ricky Strauss, president, content & marketing, Disney+ said. “The projects announced and showcased here today reflect Disney+’s commitment to building on Walt’s storytelling ethos and core values of creativity, innovation, and exploration.”
As well as the new projects, which you can read all about below they also previewed Kristen Bell’s Encore! About high school drama groups reuniting to put on their performance one more time, The World According to Jeff Goldblum, which follows the titular eccentric as he explores things that people love through his own unique lens, and most excitingly for parks and Disney diehards Leslie Iwerks (yes the granddaughter of UB!) The Imagineering Story which delves into the world of the people who create the experiences at Disney’s worldwide network of theme parks.
Howard
“Disney+ has acquired the worldwide distribution rights for the critically acclaimed documentary Howard. Directed by Don Hahn (Beauty and the Beast), Howard is the untold story of Howard Ashman, the brilliant lyricist behind Disney classics like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and creator of musicals including Little Shop of Horrors. The film will stream exclusively on Disney+ in 2020.”
Marvel 616
Disney
“Multi-talented artist Gillian Jacobs (“Love, “Community”) will direct the first episode in the previously announced documentary anthology series Marvel’s 616. From the perspective of what it means to be a woman in what’s perceived to be a male-driven industry, “Higher, Further, Faster” will shine a light on the trailblazing women of Marvel Comics and explores how they found ways to tell stories of representation and inclusion. Jacobs will be joined by Paul Scheer, David Gelb, and Andrew Rossi, among others, to helm additional episodes of the series. The episodes will focus on a range of topics including an intimate look at the cosplay community, Marvel’s influence and relationship with hip-hop, illustrators who live and work internationally, and following a high school theater production of Marvel and Disney’s “Spotlight” program. Marvel’s 616 will stream exclusively on Disney+ in 2020.”
Untitled Micky Mouse Documentary
Disney
“Academy Award, Grammy Award, and Emmy Award-winning documentarian Morgan Neville (Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, 20 Feet From Stardom) is producing an untitled Mickey Mouse Documentary for the service. Directed by Jeff Malmberg (Marwencol, Shangri-La), the film will work to decode Mickey’s deeper significance, getting to the core of what his cultural impact says about each of us, and about our world. From Tremolo Productions and Lincoln Square Productions, the film will strive to be the definitive analysis of Mickey as a cultural icon.”
People and Places
Disney
“People & Places will re-launch Walt Disney’s Academy Award-winning series of documentary short films. Following in Walt’s footsteps, the series will focus on real-life stories of extraordinary people and places from around the globe that embody the Disney ethos — all told by a mix of up-and-coming and established filmmakers.”
Science Fair
Disney
“Disney+ will also be the exclusive global streaming home for National Geographic’s Emmy Award-winning documentary film Science Fair, which will be available when the service launches on November 12. The winner of audience awards at Sundance Film Festival and SXSW Film Festival, Science Fair follows nine high school students from around the globe as they navigate rivalries, setbacks and, of course, hormones, on their journey to compete at The International Science and Engineering Fair.”
Wolfgang
Disney+
“Wolfgang, directed by David Gelb (Jiro Dreams of Sushi), will be an intimate portrait of the life and work of the original “celebrity chef,” Wolfgang Puck.”
You’ll be able to check out all of these and more when Disney+ hits on November 12th.
