Superfans flock to D23. Whatwe’re hoping to see
Legends, ‘ Wrinkle,’ Solo and ‘ Incredibles’ all get our attention
D23 Expo doesn’t inspire full- on fan maniawith its dry title, taken from theWalt Disney Co.’ s official fan club. (“D” is for Disney; “23” is 1923, the year the company originated.)
But Disney’s biennial conference at Anaheim Convention Center ( Friday through Sunday) has turned into amustattend event for passionate fans of blue- chip properties like Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar.
“With Disney’s properties growing exponentially, the Disney movie fanbase is also growing, and the D23 Expo has exploded with that,” says Erik Davis, managing editor of movie ticket site Fandango. com.
Disney is keepingmum about the surprise reveals and star appearances looming. But here are five burning questions before D23 Expo begins. QHow weepy will the Legends ceremony get?
A Fridaymorning’s
Disney Legends Award ceremony was already destined to be a touching event, with Carrie Fisher ( aka Princess Leia) slated for induction alongside her StarWars co- star Mark Hamill, Oprah Winfrey and beloved director Garry Marshall ( who died last summer).
“It hasn’t even been a year since the shock ( of Fisher’s death); people are still digesting that,” says film historian Leonard Maltin. “The opportunity to sing her praises is one no one wants to pass up.”
Piling on the emotion: Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee will be honored barely a week after losing his wife of 69 years, Joan Lee. It’s not clear if Lee will still attend. But bring hankies.