Anthony Mackie officially took on the role of Captain America in 2021. Photos: Handout
The Walt Disney Company recently unveiled its 2025-2026 theatrical and streaming slate at the 2024 Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore.
The two-day event, attended by StarLifestyle, featured major announcements from Disney, 20th Century Studios, Searchlight Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Lucasfilm and Marvel Studios.
Attendees were treated to exclusive previews of upcoming titles such as Snow White, Zootopia 2 and The Amateur, among others.
Other highlights included Avatar: Fire And Ash, Incredibles 3, Lilo & Stitch and A Complete Unknown.
President of Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific Luke Kang said in his speech that the upcoming shows reflect the company’s commitment to creating stories that resonate across generations.
“The Walt Disney Company is in a very unique position as we are entertaining and engaging consumers in multiple ways and touchpoints, centred on a legacy of creative excellence and relentless focus on quality storytelling.
“If there is one thing that sets The Walt Disney Company apart, it is our IPs, and how it manifests in so many ways in people’s lives,” he said.
Kang also noted that Walt Disney Studios became the first studio to surpass US$4bil (RM17.8bil) in global box office revenue this year, fuelled by the success of Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2 – the highest-grossing R-rated film and top-grossing animated film of all time respectively.
“I believe our storytelling is stronger than ever before, driven by the unmatched strength of our global and local creative studios across film, television and streaming, as well as the wide appeal of our beloved brands and franchises,” he said.
Comic book fans can look out for more titles from Marvel such as the partially-shot-in-Malaysia Thunderbolts* and series such as Daredevil: Born Again, Ironheart and Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, who made a virtual appearance, pointed to his Fantastic Four cap when asked about the Marvel project he’s most excited for.
Set to launch Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), The Fantastic Four: First Steps will arrive in theatres on July 25. It boasts an ensemble cast – including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Julia Garner.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige is excited to see the future of the Fantastic Four in the MCU. Photos: Handout
“Finally, (we’re) bringing Marvel’s ‘First Family’ into the MCU. The movie comes out next summer, and then all those characters go right into the next Avengers movie, so I’m very excited for the future of the Fantastic Four,” Feige said.
He described the setting of the film as a “1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world”, where the team faces their most daunting challenge yet as they defend Earth from a ravenous space God.
Feige also teased the gradual introduction of the X-Men into the MCU, hinting at a new era of mutants – a highly anticipated development for fans.
A logo for 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' was unveiled at the Singapore showcase on Nov 20, 2024. Photos: Handout
Meanwhile, Anthony Mackie, the sole American guest at this showcase, is thrilled to lead his first standalone movie, Captain America: Brave New World, in the MCU.
The 46-year-old made his MCU debut as Sam Wilson, also known as Falcon, in the 2014 release Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
He later took on the mantle of Captain America when appointed by Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.
Mackie, who officially stepped into the role of the iconic superhero in the 2021 series The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, expressed pride at how far his character has come over the past decade in the MCU.
“To have Sam Wilson start off where he grew into Captain America is very unique. He has the ability to not only honour his country, but honour his friend Steve Rogers,” he said.
Mackie added that he’s most excited for fans to see him “kicking a**” in Brave New World, which is set to premiere at cinemas on Feb 13.
Tron: Ares
Tron: Ares will be led by popular American actor Jared Leto.
A sophisticated programme called Ares is sent from the digital world into the real world to embark on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with Artificial Intelligence (AI) beings. Coming to cinemas on Oct 9.
Zootopia 2
Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan will be joining the cast for 'Zootopia 2'.
This highly anticipated sequel, scheduled for Nov 26 theatrical release, follows everyone’s beloved bunny and fox duo as they get caught up in the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile.
Win Or Lose
'Win Or Lose' tells the story of a softball team called Pickles.
Pixar’s first original long-form animated series, premiering on the streaming platform on Feb 19, revolves around a co-ed high school softball team named Pickles. Each episode explores the off-the-field life of each player, their parents and the referees, in the week leading up to the championship game.
Andor Season Two
A logo for 'Andor Season Two' was unveiled at the Singapore showcase.
The second and final instalment to this Star Wars series will be out on April 22 as it follows the transformation of intelligence officer Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) from soldier to leader to hero.
Daredevil: Born Again
'Daredevil: Born Again' will be available on Disney+ Hotstar on March 3.
After concluding its three-season run on Netflix in 2018, the series returns with actor Charlie Cox as blind attorney Matt Murdock on March 3.
This instalment follows his journey in fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavours in New York.
