Angela Bassett, Wakanda's Return, Tiana’s New Ride And Other Black Happenings at Disney's Expo (2024)

Disney’s D23 Expo is a chance for fans of the House of Mouse to celebrate the company’s various brands, including films, TV, animation, theme parks and others. While we got previews of upcoming films like “Moana 2” and series like “Agatha All Along,” we also heard plenty of news about its Black stars and projects. To save you some time on the internet, we’ve gathered a helpful roundup of what’s Black at Disney’s D23 Expo.

Angela Bassett: Disney Legend

The Disney Legends Class of 2024 included big names like Harrison Ford, James Cameron, Kelly Ripa and Miley Cyrus, but the one we care about is our queen Angela Bassett. The “9-1-1” star was introduced by her “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler, who said, “To see her and what she does is truly a gift.”

Bassett took the stage at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. To thank her family and friends for their “encouragement.” She also thanked fans for their consistent support of her work.

“To the fans, you are the magic,” she said. “There are not enough words to let you know how much I appreciate you, how much I love you. I stand here today because you have the tickets, you have watched the television shows, you have cheered me on my best days and lifted me up on the more difficult ones. Thank you, always.”

‘Ironheart’ Is Finally On the Way

If it feels like it’s been an eternity since we last saw Riri Williams in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” it’s because it actually has been a long time.

At the Disney Entertainment Showcase, we got a look at new footage from the Disney+ series starring Dominique Thorne as the MIT genius who builds her own Iron Man suit out of scrap metal. Riri’s been stuck since her experience in Wakanda, because now she sees what she can truly accomplish with her suit.

Her obsession with building another high tech suit drives her to make some questionable decisions and get involved with people who have their own agendas.

Between COVID-19, the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes; and issues with the direction of the MCU and new directives from Disney, “Ironheart” has been rescheduled multiple times. As of now, we’re supposed to get it sometime in 2025. Fingers crossed!

We Can Never Have Too Much Wakanda

Since T’Challa and Wakanda were introduced in “Captain America: Civil War,” we’ve wondered how the African superpower fits into the larger MCU. “Eyes of Wakanda” will answer some of those questions with stories about warriors from the country’s past and present. Ryan Coogler offered an update on what animation fans can expect from the new series.

“I’m most excited to see the animation style and how it’s received. It’s really unique. It doesn’t look like anything I’ve ever seen before,” Coogler said. “Our director and show runner is a guy named Todd Harris, who’s an incredible storyboard artist…He’s incredible, a true artist.”

The four episode series is currently scheduled to premiere later this year.

Colman Domingo vs. Spider-Man

Audiences have been fan-casting Colman Domingo in the Marvel universe for years. Now, it’s finally happening, as the Oscar nominee will be the voice of Norman Osborn in the new animated series, “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.”

It follows Peter Parker during his early days as Spider-Man, before he meets Tony in “Captain America: Civil War.”

Technically, the MCU hasn’t introduced its Norman Osborn. The one we met in “Spider-Man: No Way Home” was from Tobey Maguire’s universe. We don’t know when he turns into Green Goblin, but it will reportedly be devastating for Peter.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Comes to Disneyland

While guests at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World have been enjoying the new attraction Tiana’s Bayou Adventure all summer, Disneyland fans have had to wait a little longer to join Tiana and her friends for Mardi Gras fun.

Well, wait no more, because we finally have an opening date. “The Princess and the Frog” themed water ride will open in the newly renamed Bayou Country Nov. 15.

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