The Hulk was revealed as the first Project Exo character for the Disney Parks during D23 Expo. It’s natural to speculate what’s next for Project Exo and what characters could come to the park utilizing this enhanced innovation.
Before I reveal my list of potential Project Exo characters for the parks. It’s probably best to explain what Project Exo is.
Project Exo is a project that hails from Walt Disney Imagineering. The goal of Project Exo is to bring larger-than-life characters to Disney Parks in a more realistic way. The exoskeleton suit concept was first revealed at Destination D23 in 2021. Then in 2022, we saw it in action with the Hulk at D23 Expo and then Avengers Campus.
Let’s take a look at all the characters Disney can bring to life in its parks by utilizing Project Exo.
Wreck-It Ralph
Project Exo would work perfectly with Wreck-It Ralph’s frame and style. A Project Exo Wreck-It Ralph would be an instant draw as a meet-and-greet. For years it’s been rumored that Disney has been trying to find ways to incorporate more Wreck-It Ralph into its parks (specifically somewhere within Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland). What better way to start than to have a Project Exo version of Wreck-It Ralph?
Panda Mei
Turning Red debuted on Disney+ in March of this year and it became an instant fan favorite. Yours truly even speculated that Panda Mei would make a good Project Exo character.
Just thinking… #TurningRed pic.twitter.com/RjPJ0fRMRx
— Zach (@TripleZ_87) March 13, 2022
Just thinking… #TurningRed pic.twitter.com/RjPJ0fRMRx
— Zach (@TripleZ_87) March 13, 2022
And a ton of people agreed with me!
Panda Mei is a big character and full of emotion. It would be a fantastic character to use. Just imagine Disney making room at EPCOT’s Canada pavilion for a Project Exo Panda Mei meet-and-greet.
Wampa
I mean come on who wouldn’t want to encounter a Wampa? Some people have speculated that the Wampa was actually used as the tests for Project Exo (look at the feet used in the test suit photos at the beginning of the article). I say it’s time to make those rumored tests a reality. A Wampa encounter could be a thrilling experience for Star Wars fans.
Pete
Pete is a classic character from the Mickey Mouse universe. A Pete Project Exo meet-and-greet would be pure nightmare fuel and that’s why it should happen.
Chernabog?
Speaking of nightmare fuel… maybe Chernabog gets the Project Exo treatment. Unless Imagineering innovates and creates an even bigger innovation for its larger-than-life characters. Disney creatives have been teasing a character that will break people’s brains at next year’s Oogie Boogie Bash out at Disney California Adventure. Maybe Chernabog is that character by utilizing Project Exo?
Yeti
This certainly would be one way to bring the Yeti back to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Could also increase the popularity of Expedition Everest and Yeti merchandise at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
I may just be a sucker for original Disney Parks characters getting their own meet-and-greets.
Thanos
Thanos in Project Exo is almost guaranteed.
Whether it’s the regular Thanos we know or other variants of the iconic character. Maybe King Thanos from the Avengers Multiverse attraction? But he is a lock, as Avengers Campus brings in new characters at a faster pace than any other Disney Parks themed land.
Thanos from What If…?
Another Thanos variant idea for Project Exo. The happy, good guy one from What If…?
Sidenote: There is huge potential during season two of What If…? to make the entirety of Avengers Campus a big What If…? themed experience. Maybe I’ll elaborate on this further in a future article.
Beast
One of Disney’s classic characters and I have to admit he would be pretty cool to meet in Project Exo form. They could probably charge more at Be Our Guest if they incorporated a Project Exo Beast meet-and-greet.
Man-Thing
I fully expect Man-Thing to take full advantage of Project Exo.
I just can’t wait to meet this lovable character at Avengers Campus. Man-Thing is also going to be included in the Avengers Multiverse attraction so one would have to assume that a meet-and-greet would eventually happen. Man-Thing made his debut in Werewolf by Night, and it is only a matter of time before he makes his way to the Disney Parks via Avengers Campus.
Did I miss any larger-than-life characters that should use Project Exo? Let me know on Twitter by tweeting @BoardwalkTimes.
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Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
