After being announced at Investor Day last December, it’s been revealed exactly when the subscription rate increase for Disney+ will take effect.
The front page of the streaming service’s website prior to login reveals that the rate will increase to $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year beginning Friday, March 26th. This will effect all monthly and annual subscribers beginning with their first billing cycle on or after that date. Prior to that, the $6.99/month and $69.99/year rates are still in effect.
The increase will also affect the Disney bundle, which includes Hulu and ESPN+, raising the price to $13.99/month for ad-supported Hulu and $19.99/month for Hulu with no ads.
Season 2 of The Mandalorian might be over, but we’ve got SO MUCH MORE Star Wars to look forward to. A new Boba Fett series is in the works, an Ahsoka Tano show is on the way, and there’s much more. OH, and we can’t forget about the Obi-Wan Kenobi series! So far, we’ve gotten a little bit of info about the series. And now we’ve got ANOTHER update!
We already know that Ewan McGregor is coming back as Obi-Wan Kenobi. And we’ve heard that Hayden Christensen himself will be returning in the series as Darth Vader. But, now another actor has joined the show!
According to Variety, Indira Varma has been cast in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. What character will Varma be playing? Well, those details are under wraps right now.
You might recognize Varma from her roles in the ABC legal drama For Life or her role as Ellaria Sand in HBO’s Game of Thrones, was well as other films. Varma was also in The One and Only Ivan, which premiered on Disney+ last year.
The Obi-Wan Kenobi series is set to take place 10 years after Revenge of the Sith. The show got a new writer last year and was previously set to begin filming in March of 2021.
Raya and the Last Dragon has been mega popular recently in the parks as various experiences have popped up to celebrate the film’s upcoming debut!
However, Deadline has reported that the Cinemark, the 3rd most popular movie theater in the U.S., will not be playing Raya and the Last Dragon as the movie is released on March 5th. Despite the fact that Raya will debuting both in theaters and through Premier Access on Disney+, negotiations to play the film at theaters have been difficult.
According to Deadline, Disney’s terms for playing Raya and the Last Dragon were strictly outlined. And, if theaters weren’t happy with the negotiations, they didn’t have to play the film when it was released. This will affect venues in places like New York City, whose Cinemark theaters in the five boroughs are reopening with 25% capacity.
Cinemark has released the statement that “In the current operating environment, we are making near-term booking decisions on a discrete, film-by-film basis, focusing on the long-term benefit of exhibitors, studios and moviegoers.
While we are having conversations with The Walt Disney Company, we have not yet reached agreeable licensing terms for Raya and the Last Dragon. As we continue to work with our studio partners, we remain optimistic that we will reach mutually beneficial terms that will provide moviegoers the opportunity to see the exciting film lineup in our theatres.”
At this time, Raya and the Last Dragon will open in over 2,000 theaters, including 200 IMAX screens, 360 Premium Large Format screens, 160 3D locations, and 45 D-Box/4D screens. The industry has estimated that the opening should see $6 million to $7 million in the box office.
Pixar’s newest film Soul debuted on Disney+ on Christmas Day last year. The animated film was the most-streamed title for its opening week. Now, Soul can add another accolade to its list: a Golden Globe!
Soul has won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature! The original Pixar film is a heartwarming and humorous story about human connection and finding one’s place in the world.
There’s a summer of mischief ahead as Marvel Studios’ “Loki” will debut on Disney+ on June 11th.
The series, which sees Tom Hiddleston reprise his role as the popular MCU character as he heads in a new direction following the events of Avengers: Endgame. Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Sophia Di Martino, Wunmi Mosaku and Richard E. Grant also star.
In addition, the streaming service has announced even more release dates for some highly-anticipated shows and films, according to Variety. “Big Shot” debuts on April 16th, while “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” fittingly premieres on May 4th. Season two of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” starts May 14. On the same day as “Loki,” the second season of “Zenimation” premieres. “The Mysterious Benedict Society” is set for a June 25th release, while “Monsters at Work” starts its shift on July 2nd. “Turner & Hooch” is unleashed on July 16th, and “Chip ‘N’ Dale: Park Life” hits Disney+ on July 23.
For a little more about these series, below are official descriptions from Disney:
After getting ousted from the NCAA, a hothead men’s basketball coach must take a job at an all-girls high school. He soon learns that teenage girls are more than just X’s and O’s; they require empathy and vulnerability — foreign concepts for the stoic Coach Korn (John Stamos). By learning how to connect with his players, Marvyn starts to grow into the person he’s always hoped to be. The girls learn to take themselves more seriously, finding their footing both on and off the court.
Series regulars include John Stamos, Jessalyn Gilsig, Richard Robichaux, Sophia Mitri Schloss, Nell Verlaque, Tiana Le, Monique Green, Tisha Eve Custodio, Cricket Wampler and Yvette Nicole Brown. Created and Executive Produced by David E. Kelley, Dean Lorey and Brad Garrett; Bill D’Elia also serves as Executive Producer. The series is a Disney+ Original produced by ABC Signature.
STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH (SERIES PREMIERE) – TUESDAY, MAY 4
“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” follows the elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch (first introduced in “The Clone Wars”) as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War. Members of Bad Batch—a unique squad of clones who vary genetically from their brothers in the Clone Army – each possess a singular exceptional skill that makes them extraordinarily effective soldiers and a formidable crew.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE MUSICAL: THE SERIES (SEASON 2) – FRIDAY, MAY 14
In season two, the East High Wildcats, who are preparing to perform “Beauty and the Beast” as their spring musical, face off against rival school North High to win a prestigious and cutthroat student theater competition. Wigs are snatched, loyalties are tested, and ballads are belted. The season also features brand-new solos written by Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett.
The series stars Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Sofia Wylie, Matt Cornett, Larry Saperstein, Julia Lester, Dara Reneé, Frankie Rodriguez, Joe Serafini, Mark St. Cyr and Kate Reinders. Guest-starring this season are Derek Hough, Olivia Rose Keegan, Roman Banks, Andrew Barth Feldman and Asher Angel. “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” is executive-produced by its creator Tim Federle (Golden Globe and Academy Award-nominated “Ferdinand”) and is “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes, and recently was awarded a GLAAD Media Award.
LOKI (SERIES PREMIERE) – FRIDAY, JUNE 11
“Loki” features the God of Mischief as he steps out of his brother’s shadow in a new series that takes place after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.” Tom Hiddleston returns as the title character, joined by Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Sophia Di Martino, Wunmi Mosaku and Richard E. Grant. Kate Herron directs “Loki,” and Michael Waldron is head writer.
ZENIMATION (SEASON 2) – FRIDAY, JUNE 11
“Zenimation,” the series that creates a mindfulness soundscape experience with scenes from the timeless films of Walt Disney Animation Studios returns for a second season June 11 with all-new episodes. Season 2 features moments from over eight decades of acclaimed films – including scenes from Disney’s first feature “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” all the way through to the Studios’ latest, anticipated animated film, “Raya and the Last Dragon.” Unplug, relax, and refresh your senses with an aural experience like no other as “Zenimation” pays tribute to both the visual and sound artists who have created Disney Animation’s legacy of films. Created and edited by David Bess. Executive produced by Amy Astley. From Walt Disney Animation Studios.
THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY (SERIES PREMIERE) – FRIDAY, JUNE 25
Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, a group of orphans must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications while creating a new sort of family along the way. Based on the bestseller by Trenton Lee Stewart which Time Magazine called “one of the best young adult books of all time,” The Mysterious Benedict Society” stars Emmy® Award winner Tony Hale in the titular role and features a standout ensemble of young actors.
“The Mysterious Benedict Society” stars Tony Hale, Kristen Schaal, Ryan Hurst, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Kessler. The series is executive produced by Sonar Entertainment, 20th Television, Jamie Tarses, Karen Kehela Sherwood, Deepak Nayar, James Bobin, Matt Manfredi (writer/creator) and Phil Hay (writer/creator). Showrunners for the series are Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin.
MONSTERS AT WORK (SERIES PREMIERE) – FRIDAY, JULY 2
“Monsters At Work” takes place the day after the Monsters, Incorporated power plant started harvesting the laughter of children to fuel the city of Monstropolis, thanks to Mike and Sulley’s discovery that laughter generates ten times more energy than screams. It follows the story of Tylor Tuskmon, an eager young monster who graduated top of his class at Monsters University and always dreamed of becoming a Scarer, until he lands a job at Monsters, Incorporated and discovers that scaring is out and laughter is in.
Ben Feldman stars as the voice of Tylor Tuskmon in the series, which introduces new monster characters alongside returning favorites, including Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan (John Goodman). Starring alongside Feldman as part of the MIFT crew are: Henry Winkler as Fritz, the scatterbrained boss; Lucas Neff as Duncan, an opportunistic plumber; and Alanna Ubach as Cutter, the officious rule follower.
In addition to Crystal and Goodman, returning cast members from the original movies include John Ratzenberger as Yeti and Tylor’s dad, Bernard; Jennifer Tilly as Celia Mae; and Bob Peterson as Roze, twin sister to his original Monsters, Inc. character, Roz. Voicing additional characters are Stephen Stanton as Smitty and Needleman, the bumbling custodial team at Monsters, Inc., and Aisha Tyler as Tylor’s mom, Millie Tuskmon. Produced by Disney Television Animation, the series was developed and is executive produced by Disney animation veteran Bobs Gannaway.
TURNER & HOOCH (SERIES PREMIERE) – FRIDAY, JULY 16
When an ambitious, buttoned-up US Marshal inherits a big unruly dog, he soon realizes the dog he didn’t want may be the partner he needs. “Turner & Hooch” stars Josh Peck as Scott Turner, son of Detective Scott Turner portrayed by Tom Hanks in the 1989 film of the same name.
The series also stars Carra Patterson as Jessica Baxter, Scott’s brave, street-smart partner; Brandon Jay McLaren as Xavier Wilson, a cool, enigmatic marine-turned-US Marshal; Anthony Ruivivar as Chief James Mendez, Scott’s boss with a secret soft spot for Scott’s new dog, Hooch; Lyndsy Fonseca as Laura Turner, Scott’s sweet, animal-loving sister; Jeremy Maguire as Matthew Garland, Laura’s dog-loving son; and Vanessa Lengies as Erica Mouniere, the quirky head of the US Marshals dog training program. Five French Mastiffs also star as Hooch, Scott’s slobbery, loveable French Mastiff.
“Turner & Hooch” is a Disney+ original series produced by 20th Television. Matt Nix is creator, executive producer and writer on the series. McG is an executive producer and directed the series premiere. Michael Horowitz, Robert Duncan McNeill and Mary Viola also serve as executive producers, and Josh Levy serves as co-executive producer.
CHIP ‘N’ DALE: PARK LIFE (SERIES PREMIERE) – FRIDAY, JULY 23
“Chip ‘N’ Dale: Park Life” follows two tiny troublemakers trying to live the good life in a big city park while having giant-sized, sky-high adventures. Disney’s beloved chipmunks, nervous worrier Chip and laid-back dreamer Dale, make the perfect odd couple. They’re best buddies and they drive each other nuts! In their perpetual pursuit of acorns, these ultimate underdogs are joined by Pluto, Butch and other iconic Disney characters as they face down bullies great and small. Combining classic-style cartoon comedy with contemporary storytelling, the 36 seven-minute episodes are directed by Jean Cayrol and produced by Marc du Pontavice at Xilam Animation.
