We got a ton of great questions for this mailbag. If you want your questions featured in the next mailbag (Q2) tweet at me (@TripleZ_87) or @BoardwalkTimes your question. You can also email us at boardwalktimes@yahoo.com.
How does the TikTok ban affect Disney?
That remains unclear as it doesn’t seem like the app will be banned now but you never know. Still, Disney is invested in various other social platforms. Instagram Reels is largely identical to TikTok and most people post the same exact things on to each social site. Disney did have a partnership with TikTok though.
Will Disney ever reveal to investors what the ROI (return on investment) will be for projects like Cars in Frontierland, Monsters Inc. in Hollywood Studios, and Muppets Rock N’ Roller Coaster?
Maybe to a select group of Wall Street investors? But doubtful that people in the general public would ever see that data although it would be quite fascinating. I’m sure Disney has a deck that is filled with data that shows Cars in Frontierland, Monsters Inc., and Muppets Rock N’ Roller Coaster would make “X” amount in Lightning Lane sales in its opening year and other data points that would justify its ROI (return on investment). Being a nerd for this stuff I would love to look at all that data.
Considering Marvel Studios seems to have the most faith in The Fantastic Four: First Steps (due to it having its footage shown the most at SDCC & D23’s two conventions in Anaheim and Brazil alongside having its 4-minute theme shown at the MCU Infinity Saga Concert Experience at the Hollywood Bowl) in terms of which of their MCU films for 2025 will be a global box office smash w/ critical acclaim, do you think Disney will be smart to consider dropping its first trailer during the Super Bowl in order to get just as many views in its 24 hour global debut as Superman’s trailer, if not more views, especially with TikTok now soon to shut down and that movie needing as many platforms as possible to build enough hype to challenge Superman for 2025’s biggest comic book movie at the domestic & global box office?
I think there is a good chance the marketing campaign for The Fantastic Four: First Steps begins at the Super Bowl. That way they would have a teaser or trailer to play in front of Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* not to mention countless other films. I also wouldn’t worry about Superman in this scenario. If Fantastic Four doesn’t beat its view count it doesn’t beat its view count.
Do y’all expect Dr. Doom to show up in Fantastic Four or is that just something people are over-expecting from the movie?
I think there is a good chance we see Doctor Doom in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. I think if Marvel Studios sticks to its schedule as it currently stands the next film after F4 would be Doomsday and it would make a lot of sense to at least introduce Doom in a film before having him anchor both Avengers films. I think it’s at least a real possibility.
Any news of National Treasure 3?
It’s in development. Jerry Bruckheimer is producing and Ted Elliott is writing the screenplay. I feel like we will have more news to report on this project this year though. Disney seems eager to revisit a lot of titles from the early 2000s.
Do you think Disney will have big Super Bowl trailers like F4, Lilo and Stitch?
I’m expecting some Disney Super Bowl commercials but also wouldn’t be shocked if some of the Disney commercials happen before the game and are 30 seconds and the rest of the trailers are online. The actual in-game commercials for the Super Bowl cost $8 million. I can’t see Disney shelling that out multiple times throughout the night.
Odds we hear a “There’s A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” in F4 since the film takes place in retro-futuristic 1960s and Disney is the king of 1960s retro-futuristic?
I’m putting the odds at 60%. Feige loves the Disney Parks and even crashed the World’s Fair panel at D23 in 2024 with Jon Favreau.
Is this the end of The Muppets? Disney hasn’t given the Muppets a series since 2023 or done a movie of them for 11 years.
There’s always Muppet projects in development. It’s more of the fact some things just never see the light of day like Muppets Live Another Day, which was going to be a Disney+ series. Could this be because The Muppets Studio falls under Walt Disney Imagineering/Disney Live Entertainment instead of a proper studio banner? We may explore that further in a future piece.
For now, though there is a Muppets film in development at Disney. Who knows what the timeline looks like here though? However, The Muppets are forever and will continue to live on in the Disney Parks even when Muppet*Vision 3D shuts down.
Chances of Disney picking up Sesame Street with WBD split?
I’d say there’s a good chance. Disney going back to the days of Michael Eisner always wanted Sesame Street. The original Disney-Henson deal was called “Project Big Bird” internally at Disney. However, Sesame Street may not be a big priority for today’s Disney and the fact Sesame Street characters already appear in other theme parks and have other experiences it may be less attractive for Disney. There’s potential Disney does it from a programming standpoint and they get it for Disney+/Hulu.
Are there any medium or long-term plans for a Disney Park in Latin America?
First off this is a phenomenal question. At this time, I don’t think there are plans for a Disney Park in Latin America. However, I wouldn’t be shocked if Disney continues to do D23 events in Latin America just like how they did D23 Brazil. Disney clearly wants to keep testing that market and remember it may not be a park but something may eventually materialize.
I’m sure market research has been done on the prospects of a park going there. However, building a Disney Park in let’s say Brazil would cannibalize all those tourists that come to Walt Disney World. So it may not make sense to expand to Latin America.
Who are your top 3 prospects for CEO?
These are my current top three prospects for CEO. All seem to have interesting paths to get there. Truthfully it depends on how wide this search goes but so far I feel like these will be your top three candidates. D’Amaro runs the biggest division by himself and is a Disney lifer, Walden is beloved by Hollywood and has her fans, and Langley has impressed many at Universal and she’s also good friends with Disney CEO Bob Iger.
What is Disney’s sports & live strategy with Fubo deal, chalking off Venu, and how if any conflicts with ESPN Flagship?
Venu never made sense for Disney in my opinion and I think all the parties involved realized that the project wasn’t going to live up to lofty expectations. Disney’s focus has to be on ESPN Flagship. It’s going to be expensive but it may be attractive for sports fans who no longer have cable. Disney creating a joint venture with Fubo is a bit random indeed but I’m expecting it to serve as another distributor for ESPN Flagship. I think people have to understand the Fubo deal is a joint venture. Disney has a stake in it but it’s going to still be run by Fubo. The only thing that Disney “gave up” in that deal was Hulu Live + TV business which didn’t seem like a priority.
Any chance that a portion of The Rivers of America will be saved at MK following fan outcry?
I don’t think it would be due to fan outcry it would be more if the State of Florida doesn’t accept Disney’s current plans to change it. I mentioned to a buddy it would be hilarious if Disney had to build “Beyond Big Thunder.”
Will the Disney Store come back this year? This could be an awesome business for Iger.
It may come back. I actually have it as a prediction for 2025. I think it will come back in a different way though. I’m expecting new Disney Store locations to be experiential and in sought-after, luxury locations. I think it’s a business that Disney could dominate in a bit more.
Any new Muppet projects on the horizon? If nothing new you can reveal, do you have any insight on the Rock N Roller Coaster refresh?
There is a new Muppet project on the horizon and it seems like Disney is developing a film. I wouldn’t be surprised if a new Disney+ series also comes to fruition.
My only insight on the Rock N Roller Coaster refresh is that a lot of Imagineers have described it as a “dream project” and overall a fun project to work on. A lot of people have speculated that Disney will reuse some elements from Muppet*Vision 3D in the attraction, and I can’t confirm if that will be the case. I think Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney World execs know that this refresh has to be worthy for both Muppet fans and fans of Rock N Roller Coaster.
Will the Tiana show come out in 2025?
I don’t think so. I know they are working hard on it though. Maybe 2026 at this rate?
Will Disney buy Hasbro? Will 20th Century Studios buy Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
No on both. I think other studios will be controlling those IP’s for a while and Disney missed its chance with Power Rangers but then again it led them to Marvel…
If Disney, or in this case Bob Iger, are trying to figure out how to successfully market Pixar’s Elio to make sure it’s a box office hit, if reviews and word of mouth are strong, when it comes out June 13, what should they do? I would personally put out better trailers like the one shown at D23 where they don’t have… potty humor in it (like the joke about the intergalactic bathroom) and I’d focus more on the emotional center of the movie. I would also give it a spot at the Super Bowl as well. But what should Disney do and what will they hopefully do to make sure Elio is a hit and not a flop?
The only way it can become a true hit is if the word-of-mouth is strong from the moviegoing masses. I think some moviegoers follow reviews and Rotten Tomatoes but I think a lot go based on family and friends telling them too.
What I would do to market Elio and granted I think most of this is already in the stages of happening. I’d seek cross-promotion opportunities that fit with the film (Elio in Fortnite? Elio Happy Meal from McDonald’s, etc.), market Elio across the Disney Parks but specifically in Tomorrowland and Pixar Pier, and try to release trailers that will appeal to a wide audience but also zero in on kids and adults who like Pixar. Think Inside Out 2’s first teaser/trailer with “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne. Good music can sell these films.
With the 10-year, $60 billion announced park investments, how much has been allocated in your opinion?
So we know $12 billion has been allocated for Disney Cruise Line and $18 billion is going towards technology and maintenance. So that’s already half of the $60 billion gone right there.
So Disney has $30 billion left for new attractions and experiences and I think they have some flexibility. Unless these projects are going to cost way more than I expect, I think Disney has only allocated 1/3 of the $30 billion. I’m just basing this off of what’s already been announced. Internally, they may have half of it already allocated but for now, I feel like it’s only 1/3.
Do you anticipate any major new announcements at Destination D23 2025?
I’m expecting strong updates and a few surprises. I don’t know if we will get anything major but I’m expecting a satisfying event. Disney no longer has the excuse of the pandemic and temporary spending freeze to hold back on announcements.
I’ve heard some buzz about Disney working out a deal to reclaim Marvel rights in Orlando. Any truth to that and if so, could you see a major addition at Hollywood Studios for those IP’s?
I’ve been following this story forever so if anyone has any tips at all please send them to boardwalktimes@yahoo.com.
I haven’t heard the buzz as much as you but I think Disney wants these rights for Walt Disney World. I mean why wouldn’t they? It’s a valuable IP for Disney that could be utilized across all four parks. If a deal was to get done or even if Disney made amendments to the current deal I could see an uptick at Hollywood Studios when it comes to Marvel. It would likely start small with meet and greets but then could get bigger with a full-fledged land if they were to find the space. I also wouldn’t rule out Marvel’s presence at Animal Kingdom and EPCOT as well, if a deal materialized.
Zootopia 2 trailer when?
I feel like it has to be coming soon. I sorta feel like it will just come out on a random day. Maybe it’s attached to Snow White in March?
How should The Simpsons be integrated into the Disney Parks?
Gently.
I think it would be daunting for Walt Disney Imagineering to make something for The Simpsons and where would it go? I actually think Disney could integrate The Simpsons by making themed dining at Disney Springs and Downtown Disney (California) from the franchise. Disney can use the property but The Simpsons keep their outside, rebel status. After years of being at Universal, it would be jarring to see The Simpsons inside of Disney Parks.
Do you see Disney+ one day having game streaming capabilities?
I do but I think that will be many years from now. Look at how many years it took Netflix to get there. I also don’t know if any of the games Disney+ could create would move the needle. Who knows how tech advances though? In a few years, you may be asking me about how the Disney Epic Games universe integrates with Disney+.
Should Disney shutter Lucasfilm to streamline Star Wars film and show production through the main Disney studio?
I don’t think that would be a good idea. I also don’t think that would make things move faster if that’s what you’re insinuating. Lucasfilm should stay as is. The reality is that film development takes a while and sometimes things don’t get made.
Should Liberty Square be rethemed?
Personally, I think it would be a waste of money considering how small that area is. There are so many other projects Walt Disney Imagineering needs to focus on at Walt Disney World.
However, if they retheme Liberty Square it would likely be a light retheme to Sleepy Hallow. Just keep the good restaurants. What would we do with the Hall of Presidents? That’s another question for another mailbag.
Is it likely Disney will try another international D23 exhibition, like with D23 Brazil last November?
That’s almost a guarantee. I’m predicting we will see another international D23 event this year. It seems like a concept that Disney likes.
Do you know or have any theories on what trailers Disney is likely to release at the Super Bowl and CinemaCon?
For Super Bowl: I’m betting on some Marvel trailers but maybe one pre-game and one during the game probably Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The other Disney projects I don’t know if they will do but I lean towards Lilo & Stitch if they do one.
For CinemaCon: I don’t know what trailers the general public will see but Disney will run through its 2025 slate to hype up theater owners. I wouldn’t be shocked if they even tease their 2026 film slate a little as well. You may get some teasers or trailers online. Maybe Lilo & Stitch, Elio, and Tron: Ares? Disney will likely play up its IMAX and other big-screen format relationships as well.
Is Season 2 of Percy Jackson still expected to be released in 2025?
Yes, it’s on track to release in 2025. I am expecting it in the latter half of 2025.
Any idea what’s happening with this?
It’s currently unutilized space at EPCOT. It was going to be the Play Pavilion before plans changed. I don’t have anything concrete to report today but if Disney decides to bring this building back as Inside Out: Wonders of Life it would likely be a unanimously praised decision.
Have Westcot plans been brought back for Anaheim?
No, despite DisneylandForward being passed they don’t have the blessing of size to do something that ambitious. However, it seems like Walt Disney Imagineering is eager to do another EPCOT-inspired park. Rumblings have included Shanghai Disney Resort’s second gate could be EPCOT-inspired.
Main competitor Universal is doing massive expansions! When will Disney follow suit there hasn’t been (a new park) since Shanghai personally I would like to see a park in Canada?
A Canadian Disney Park does sound like fun and I say that because I’m near Canada for most of the year. I’d even take Disney Springs Canada.
Disney’s desire to build a brand new park would likely come from one of its existing resorts before it expanded into a new market. Universal is in a much better position to expand right now. For Disney, you could hypothetically see a second park in Shanghai and a third park in Paris before they go build a new park somewhere else. Does Tokyo Disney Resort have enough room for a third park? Oriental Land Company could be the one to get a new Disney Park going but I just don’t know the land situation out there.
Universal is in a stronger growth mode with projects in Vegas, Dallas, the UK, and elsewhere.
Why hasn’t Disney bought a game studio yet?
Simply because they are enjoying being a licensor to major studios and the deal with Epic Games has been satisfying for them. They are building out a bigger Disney Games team internally and maybe eventually an acquisition will come together that makes sense. For now, Disney will likely enjoy being a licensor and continuing to build the Epic Games partnership.
Why isn’t Kevin Feige considered for the CEO role?
Multiple factors on why Feige isn’t being considered. However, every once in a while you will see a media piece with an insider that floats Feige as a CEO candidate. First off, Feige runs Marvel Studios which is a pivotal division for Disney but it’s a small piece of the gigantic Disney puzzle. For example, Josh D’Amaro who runs Disney Experiences oversees a division with 185,000 cast members.
The other reality is that Feige in the CEO role wouldn’t be as fun for him. Even though it sounds great on paper. Feige would go from producing films and making creative decisions to earnings calls and a lot of other corporate tasks. That’s why Dana Walden, Josh D’Amaro, Alan Bergman, and Jimmy Pitaro are the internal CEO candidates. Their jobs all deal with the corporate side more than Feige.
However, if Feige ever decides he doesn’t want to just run Marvel Studios and he wants more. I could easily see him as either the President of Walt Disney Studios (overseeing Disney Live-Action, Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century, and Searchlight) or The Walt Disney Company’s Chief Creative Officer overseeing films, streaming, Disney Parks, gaming, etc. I’m actually shocked Feige isn’t a Principal Creative Advisor at Walt Disney Imagineering, that was a role John Lasseter had in addition to his studio duties back in the day.
Avengers hotel at one of the domestic resorts?
Oh, that would be incredible. I don’t think it’s likely unless they find space for it at Disneyland Resort. The rights are too complex for Walt Disney World currently. An Avengers or Marvel-themed hotel would be wonderful. You wouldn’t even have to go “fully immersive” like Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Just make it themed and have it be a fun hotel.
Will Disney+ renew The Book Of Boba Fett and Obi-Wan Kenobi?
I don’t see Disney renewing The Book of Boba Fett. However, I believe Boba Fett and Fennec Shand will continue to have major roles to play in the Mandoverse (New Republic Era) and will likely show up in Dave Filoni’s Star Wars film.
For Obi-Wan, I don’t see a second season either but it’s clear Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen don’t mind being involved with Star Wars more. I think both will be in Ahsoka season two. If they followed up Obi-Wan Kenobi, I have a feeling they would do a one-off film.
The question would be… is there a story worth telling with Kenobi?
Will Disney make an Insomniac Games Marvel Gaming Universe?
I don’t know if they will but they should! I have been clamoring for a Marvel Gaming Universe in the Insomniac style since 2019.
An open-world, realistic MCU game would be fun. Marvel has a lot of characters that are worthy of the video game treatment.
Will Marvel Studios make sequels of Black Widow, Shang-Chi, and Captain Marvel?
Thunderbolts* is a quasi-sequel to Black Widow as Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova and David Harbour’s Red Guardian are in main roles, and there are rumors that others from Black Widow appear.
Shang-Chi 2 should eventually happen. Remember it sometimes takes Marvel Studios around 4–6 years to get to a sequel. If we apply that same logic with Shang-Chi 2 we may see that film in 2027.
As for Captain Marvel, that one will remain unclear. I enjoyed The Marvels but it was bizarre to not call it Captain Marvel 2. However, Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel should play a big role in both Avengers films. I think after that depending on Brie Larson’s willingness she could likely serve as someone who pops in and out of other MCU films.
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Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
