The Disney 2024 Theatrical Preview
Let’s take a look at Disney’s 2024 theatrical slate.
Disney’s theatrical presence in 2024 is way smaller than years past due to numerous factors. The leading factor is the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. Another contributing factor is Disney’s 2023 was filled with box office misfires. The 2024 slate is a small slate but has a few films that may catch fire. I usually don’t cover 20th Century Studio films but I’m going to cover two in this article because they are intellectual properties that Disney intends on using more of.
Let’s dive in.
Pixar Pandemic Era Disney+ Films Get Re-Released Turning Red, Soul, Luca (January 12, February 9, March 22)
Yes, this slate is so small we are including the Pixar Disney+ Re-Releases. Disney decided to re-release the Pixar Disney+ films that were released during the pandemic. Now Pixar fans will have a chance to watch Soul, Turning Red, and Luca in theaters.
Soul opened on January 12 and is accompanied by SparkShort Burrow. Turning Red will open on February 9, and will be accompanied by SparkShort Kitbull. Luca then hits the big screen on March 22, and it will be accompanied by the classic Pixar short For the Birds.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (May 10)
Synopsis: Set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, in which apes are the dominant species living harmoniously and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
Planet of the Apes is a key 20th Century Studio franchise that Disney wants to utilize. Could this upcoming film spark a revival in the franchise? The current plan is to make a new Planet of the Apes trilogy starting with this film. Wes Ball is directing, and the film stars Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, and William H. Macy.
Inside Out 2 (June 14)
Synopsis: Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2 returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust — who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts — aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone.
Pixar returns to the world of Inside Out.
New emotions join Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust in Riley’s head. Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader will bot reprise their roles as Disgust and Fear. Liz Lapira and Tony Hale are the new voices for the roles. Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black all return from the original as Joy, Sadness, and Anger. Maya Hawke joins the cast as Anxiety.
Kelsey Mann is the director, Meg LeFauve penned the script.
Deadpool 3 (July 26)
Synopsis: Deadpool and Wolverine team up.
One of the most anticipated films of the year. Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool makes his MCU debut alongside Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. Fans should expect a super meta and multiverse heavy film with some big surprises. Shawn Levy is directing the film. Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells, Reynolds, and Levy are penning the script.
The film stars Reynolds, Jackman, Emma Corrin, Matthew Macfadyen, Morena Baccarin, Brianna Hildebrand, Shioli Kutsuna, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, Rob Delaney, Stefan Kapici, and Jennifer Garner.
Expect Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort to do incredible marketing for this film. Also, expect Deadpool 3 to set up future Marvel Studios titles like Avengers: Secret Wars.
Alien: Romulus (August 16)
Synopsis: Alien: Romulus will take place between the events of 1979’s Alien, and the 1986 sequel Aliens.
This film was originally set to premiere on Hulu. Alien is a key 20th Century Studio franchise, Disney wants to use. I’d expect more franchise expansion in the near future. Noah Hawley is currently working on an Alien series for FX as well.
Fede Álvarez is the director. The script was written by Álvarez and Rodo Sayagues. Alien: Romulus stars Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu.
Untitled Walt Disney Animation Film (November 27)
Although it hasn’t been announced yet, this slot could end up being Suzi Yoonessi’s film which is supposed to have a female lead and be a fairy tale set in Iran/Persia. Yet it’s not confirmed if we will get a Walt Disney Animation Studios film this year. It’s also unclear what else is in the Walt Disney Animation Studios film pipeline besides Suzi Yoonessi’s untitled film, Zootopia 2, and Frozen 3 & 4.
Mufasa: The Lion King (December 20)
Synopsis: The prequel about the rise of one of the greatest kings of the Pride Lands, goes back to the African savanna where Rafiki tells Kiara — daughter of Simba and Nala — the story of her grandfather while Timon and Pumbaa add color commentary.
Disney is ending its year with Mufasa: The Lion King. A prequel-sequel to Disney’s 2019 live-action reimagining of The Lion King. This film will be directed by Barry Jenkins. Will this film be a box office behemoth or will audiences not show up for this prequel-sequel? This will be a big test for Disney live-action.
Mufasa: The Lion King stars Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani.
Can this small slate pull off some surprise wins for Disney?
I think the ones to watch for now are Inside Out 2 and Deadpool 3. Everything else is a big question mark. I just hope the 2025 slate is a bit more robust, so we have more films to cover.
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Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
