News coming out of the House of Mouse has been coming pretty thick and fast as we near closer and closer to the end of the year. So we’re going to distil down some of the key things to keep a lookout for as we edge closer to 2021. We’ve picked out a handful of choices for what’s coming out in both cinemas and on the streaming platform that we think you need to keep an eye out for.
EARTH TO NED
Have you ever thought to yourself that chat show hosts are basically puppets? What if a chat show host really was a puppet? Or in this case, a muppet. This new chat show combines the unique creature work of the Jim Henson Company with the chat show format. Meet Ned and his lieutenant Cornelius who decide to call off their invasion of Earth and host a chat show instead. The show looks a little silly and ridiculous but they’re also getting to interview some cool people including RuPaul, Gina Carano, Taye Diggs, Bindi and Bob Irwin, Eli Roth, Reggie Watts and Billy Dee Williams.
Earth To Ned will be available from 4 September 2020 on Disney+
ONCE UPON A TIME
Disney+ has also acquired the popular tv series Once Upon A Time and all seven seasons will be available for your bingeing pleasure. This isn’t a new title, the show used to air on Channel 7 back in 2011, but this is the first time it will be available for Australian audiences on a streaming provider. If you’re a fan of this slightly quirky and occasionally revisionist take on classic fairy tale characters, it’s definitely worth taking a look if you’ve never seen it. For existing fans, it will be great to have the show on a streaming platform for a good old fashioned rewatch.
Once Upon A Time will be available from 25 September 2020 on Disney+.
CLOUDS
From the director of the young adult tearjerker Five Feet Apart, Justin Baldoni is set to pull some guitar strings and your heartstrings with his latest directorial film. Clouds is inspired by the incredible true story of a young man named Zach Sobiech, a fun-loving high school student gifted with raw musical talent who is diagnosed with a rare form of terminal cancer. Fin Argus plays Zach, and along with his songwriting partner Sammy (played by Sabrina Carpenter), the two decide to spend what remaining time Zach has writing and playing music. When they are given the opportunity of a lifetime record deal, they along with Zach’s family and mentor will all embark on an unforgettable journey about friendship, love and the power of music. You’ll need an entire box of tissues for this one for sure.
Clouds will be available on Disney+ from 16 October 2020.
DEATH ON THE NILE
Hercule Poirot is back to investigate a treacherous and mysterious murder aboard an Egyptian river steam-boat. This adaptation of the classic Agatha Christie novel sees Kenneth Branagh reprising his director position and iconic moustache in the role of Poirot. The cast list is once again star-studded and includes Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Letitia Wright, Russell Brand, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders to name a few. If you enjoyed the previous romp of Murder On The Orient Express then you’ll be sure to have fun with this murder mystery thriller as it will most certainly have an unexpected plot twist we did not anticipate.
The Australian release date for Death On The Nile is “TBC” but it’s slated for October 2020.
ONCE UPON A SNOWMAN
Frozen fans will be getting a treat with a new short film that will delve into the previously untold origin of our favourite jokester snowman Olaf. If you’ve ever wondered what happened to Olaf before he meets Anna and Kristoff in the forest, and why he loves summer so much, you’ll now get to find out. Josh Gad returns to voice our favourite snowy goofball and will follow Olaf’s first steps to discovering his identity in the snowy mountains of Arendelle.
Once Upon A Snowman will land on Disney+ on 23 October 2020.
BLACK WIDOW
Marvel’s next venture on first impression looks to be a bit of a backwards step. But the retroactive addition of a film highlighting the previous exploits and origins of the assassin-spy comes on the back of her sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame. The film will be set after the events of Captain America: Civil War but before Avengers: Infinity War. It features Florence Pugh as Natasha’s “sister” and fellow Black Widow Yelena Belova, Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff, and David Harbour as Red Guardian
It’s release date got pushed back to 29 October courtesy of the coronavirus pandemic. Most cinemas internationally (Australia included) should be able to screen this film as they are back open with limited capacities. What will be interesting to see is whether America pushes it back due to having their cinemas mostly closed. Or whether the yet to be seen success or failure of Mulan’s Premier Access will mean Disney+ want to have a crack at a shared theatrical and SVOD roll out.
Black Widow is due for release in cinemas 29 October 2020.
THE MANDALORIAN: SEASON TWO
With minimal fanfare and a simple teaser image, Disney+ dropped the announcement for when fans will finally get to see the continuing adventures of The Child and his heroic mercenary space-Dad Mando. Better known as The Mandalorian, the next season will land on 30 October 2020, and some new faces will join the cast list including Rosario Dawson, Katee Sackhoff, and Timothy Olyphant. We’re assuming it will be another 10 episode run that will drop episodes weekly like last time. Check out the first look photos from season two exclusively on Entertainment Weekly and the brand new trailer that just landed a few hours ago below.
The Mandalorian: Season Two will be available from 30 October 2020 on Disney+.
