Disney x Epic Games

The Walt Disney Company is investing $1.5 billion in Epic Games.



“Our exciting new relationship with Epic Games will bring together Disney’s beloved brands and franchises with the hugely popular Fortnite in a transformational new games and entertainment universe,” said Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “This marks Disney’s biggest entry ever into the world of games and offers significant opportunities for growth and expansion. We can’t wait for fans to experience the Disney stories and worlds they love in groundbreaking new ways.”

The House of Mouse has a storied history with the maker of Fortnite. Epic Games worked with Lucasfilm on real-time visual effects rendering for the Star Wars live-action spin-off series on Disney+.

“Disney was one of the first companies to believe in the potential of bringing their worlds together with ours in Fortnite, and they use Unreal Engine across their portfolio,” said Tim Sweeney, CEO and Founder, Epic Games. “Now we’re collaborating on something entirely new to build a persistent, open and interoperable ecosystem that will bring together the Disney and Fortnite communities.”

What do you think about Disney buying an equity stake in Epic Games and creating an entertainment universe for Fortnite? Let me know in the comments below.

Bob Iger back at Disney

Bob Iger has dramatically returned to Disney, in echoes of Steve Jobs at Apple, as Bob Chapek is publically ousted after taking the helm in early 2020 as a global pandemic engulfed the world.

Chapek's ill-fated era was defined by the pandemic and seemingly unforced errors.

“We thank Bob Chapek for his service to Disney over his long career, including navigating the company through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic,” said Susan Arnold, Chairman of the Board. “The Board has concluded that as Disney embarks on an increasingly complex period of industry transformation, Bob Iger is uniquely situated to lead the Company through this pivotal period.”

As former CEO, Iger oversaw the successful acquisition of Pixar, Marvel Comics, Lucasfilm and more. This culminated in the launch of Disney+.

“I am extremely optimistic for the future of this great company and thrilled to be asked by the Board to return as its CEO,” Bob Iger said. “Disney and its incomparable brands and franchises hold a special place in the hearts of so many people around the globe—most especially in the hearts of our employees, whose dedication to this company and its mission is an inspiration. I am deeply honored to be asked to again lead this remarkable team, with a clear mission focused on creative excellence to inspire generations through unrivaled, bold storytelling.”

A change in leadership shouldn't affect Doctor Who on Disney+. However, I will update you.

Are you glad to see Bob Iger back at Disney? Let me know in the comments below.

Apple TV+ aims at Pixar with Luck

Following an Oscar win for CODA, Apple looks to an animated success with Luck.



Read the official synopsis:

"From Apple Original Films and Skydance Animation comes the story of Sam Greenfield, the unluckiest person in the world, who when she stumbles into the never-before-seen Land of Luck, sets out on a quest to bring some good luck home for her best friend. But with humans not allowed, her only chance is teaming up with the magical creatures who live there to do it."

The Cupertino-based tech titan is aiming at Pixar. Disney bought Pixar, originally the Graphics Group at Lucasfilm, from the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs in 2006.

The fan-favourite animation studio that once overshadowed the House of Mouse with Toy Story has been in decline in recent years. Most recently, Lightyear failed to capture the imagination of critics and audiences alike.

Luck streams exclusively on Apple TV+ on 5th August.

Are you looking forward to Luck on Apple TV+? Let me know in the comments below.

To infinity and beyond in Lightyear

Disney and Pixar have released an official teaser trailer for Lightyear!



Buzz Lightyear's definitive origin story stars Chris Evans (Captain America) as the fan-favourite Space Ranger from the Toy Story franchise.

“The phrase ‘a dream come true’ gets thrown around a lot, but I’ve never meant it more in my life,” Evans said in a statement. “Anyone who knows me knows that my love for animated films runs deep. I can’t believe that I get to be a part of the Pixar family and work with these truly brilliant artists who tell stories unlike anyone else. Watching them work is nothing short of magic. I pinch myself every day.”

Lightyear will be in cinemas in summer 2022.

Are you excited about Lightyear? Let me know in the comments below.

Boba Fett special on Disney+ Day

Disney+ Day is coming this November to celebrate all things Disney+ including Pixar, Marvel Studios and Star Wars.

"The inaugural Disney+ Day will be a grand-scale celebration of our subscribers across the entire company," said Disney CEO, Bob Chapek.

"This day of appreciation brings to life our mission to entertain, inform, and inspire fans and families around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling, and will become an annual tentpole event to be amplified across our global businesses."

In a press release, Disney+ offers a tease at what’s to come in November:

*The streaming premiere of Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings
*The beloved Disney family-friendly adventure film Jungle Cruise, available to all subscribers
*The new Disney+ Original movie Home Sweet Home Alone, a reimagining of the popular holiday franchise
*An all-new original series of shorts from Walt Disney Animation Studios called “Olaf Presents,” which sees Frozen’s beloved snowman retelling several classic Disney tales as only he can
*The domestic Disney+ streaming debut of fan-favourite shorts from Walt Disney Animation Studios including “Frozen Fever,” Oscar®-winning shorts “Feast” and ”Paperman,” Oscar-nominated Mickey Mouse short, “Get A Horse!” and more
*An animated short film “Ciao Alberto” from Pixar, featuring characters from this summer’s animated hit breakout film Luca
*A new short from The Simpsons that pays tribute to Disney+’s marquee brands
*The first five episodes from season 2 of The World According to Jeff Goldblum from National Geographic
*A special celebrating the origins and legacy of Star Wars’ legendary bounty hunter, Boba Fett
*A special celebrating the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Disney+ with an exciting look towards the future
*Dopesick, an original series starring Michael Keaton, which will be released in international markets as part of the Star general entertainment content offering

Of particular note for Star Wars fans (myself included) is a special celebrating bounty hunter Boba Fett. The Book of Boba Fett drops this December on Disney+.

The first ever Disney+ Day is on 12th November.

Disney+ will also expand into new Asia-Pacific markets on the same date, debuting in South Korea and Taiwan. The streaming service will debut in Hong Kong on 16th November.

What are you looking forward to most on Disney+ Day? Let me know in the comments below.

Raya and the Last Dragon from Disney's home to yours

Disney has released a new trailer for Raya and the Last Dragon.

The latest movie from Walt Disney Animation Studios will premiere in selected cinemas and on Disney+ 5th March. It will be available to stream at additional cost to Disney+ subscribers with Premier Access.

Although I didn't bother with the live-action Mulan, Raya and the Last Dragon is more my jam and an uplifting tale of friendship in adversity is a welcome tonic in lockdown.



Raya is played by Kelly Marie Tran, who was trolled on social media for her role in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and given scant screen time in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and is clearly having a blast headlining here.

"Everything's been taken away from Raya," producer Osnat Shurer said. "She's totally on her own. She's got nothing left save for her father's sword, her friend, Tuk Tuk, and a shard of something that might be magical. And she sets out into Kumandra seeking the last dragon, Sisu, with the hope of restoring peace to her land."

Raya and the Last Dragon was uniquely produced in homes during the pandemic. Whilst nothing can replace the serendipity of working closely together, technology (pioneered by Apple and Lucasfilm) has enabled socially distanced creatives to collaborate on a world stage. This blog, itself, is a beneficiary.

"As filmmakers, [directors] Don [Hall] and Carlos [López Estrada] bring a combination of animation know-how and emotional storytelling to Raya and the Last Dragon, bringing our fantasy adventure to surprising, original, and dynamic heights," Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee explains. "They both saw the potential for this film and had a strong vision for the story, especially for our lead character, played by the wonderfully talented Kelly Marie Tran. And no small feat, directors Don and Carlos, writers Qui [Nguyen] and Adele [Lim], and the entire crew of 400 Disney Animation artists are making this film together, while separated and working from home."

There are no viewing figures for Pixar's Soul, which was released on Disney+ last Christmas. However, if this strategy continues to be successful in driving Disney+ subscriptions upwards of 90 million, Marvel Studios' delayed Black Widow could be next in line to receive a simultaneous release in cinemas and on Disney+.

Are you looking forward to Raya and the Last Dragon? Let me know in the comments below.

All the Star Wars things coming to Disney+

As a lifelong Star Wars and Marvel fan, it feels like Christmas Day in the morning, with so many gifts around the tree, you don't know what to open first.

During Thursday's Disney Investor Day 2020, the Walt Disney Company announced so much Star Wars and Marvel Studios content coming to an expanded, more expensive, Disney+ that will include the new Star brand from February 2021.



Star is essentially an international version of Hulu, which will show family and adult dramas including a new Alien live-action spin-off series for FX.

“Alien will be helmed by Fargo and Legion’s’ Noah Hawley stepping into the creator/executive producer chair, and FX is in advanced negotiations with Academy Award winner, Sir Ridley Scott—director of the first Alien film and the sequel, Alien: Covenant—to join the project as an executive producer,” FX chief John Landgraf said. “Set not too far into our future, it’s the first Alien story set on Earth — and by blending both the timeless horror of the first Alien film with the non-stop action of the second, it’s going to be a scary thrill ride that will blow people back in their seats.”

The prospect of a xenomorph series set on Earth is compelling and hopefully more interesting than executive producer Ridley Scott's Raised by Wolves for HBO Max.

The Mandalorian is repeating executive producer Jon Favreau's masterstroke with Iron Man with further spin-offs Star Wars: Rangers of the New Republic and Star Wars: Ahsoka starring Rosario Dawson. These series will have crossovers.

Then there's Obi-Wan Kenobi reuniting Ewan McGregor as the titular Jedi Master-in-hiding and Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader from the prequels.

“It was such an incredible journey playing Anakin Skywalker,” said Christensen. “Of course, Anakin and Obi-Wan weren’t on the greatest of terms when we last saw them… It will be interesting to see what an amazing director like Deborah Chow has in store for us all. I’m excited to work with Ewan again. It feels good to be back.”

Star Wars: Andor, Star Wars: Visions, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Lando... And a new movie, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, directed by Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman).

“It’s been a lifelong dream as a filmmaker to one day make a great fighter pilot film,” said Jenkins. “As the daughter of a great fighter pilot myself, some of the best memories of my life are of seeing my father’s squadron take off in their F4s every morning, and hearing and feeling the awe-inspiring power and grace. When he passed away in service to this country it ignited a burning desire to one day channel all of those emotions into one great film. When the perfect story arrived in combination with another true love of mine, the incomparable world of Star Wars, I knew I’d finally found my next film. I’m extremely honored and excited to take it on, and grateful to Lucasfilm, Disney, and the fans for extending that thrill to me.”

“Patty has established herself as one of the top directors working in the film industry today,” said Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. “She’s a visionary who knows how to strike the balance between action and heart, and I can’t wait to see what she does in the Star Wars galaxy.”

If that wasn't enough. There's also Willow and a final Indiana Jones movie starring Harrison Ford. Really wish they'd stopped at The Last Crusade.

After all these announcements, I'm going to need a nap like Grogu AKA Baby Yoda. Suffice it to say, Disney+ has a lifelong subscriber in me but I hope the studio amicably resolves its royalties conflict with author Alan Dean Foster.

What are you looking forward to most? Let me know in the comments below.

Lucasfilm celebrates 50th anniversary in 2021

Lucasfilm celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2021.

Founded by Star Wars creator George Lucas, the independent production powerhouse became a hotbed for film, television and technological innovation spawning Skywalker Sound, Pixar, ILM, THX and much more.

In recognition of this milestone, the Disney-owned studio will be releasing all-new merchandise, throughout next year, honouring its many exciting properties beginning with Star Wars.

“Consumer products have always been an integral part of the Star Wars fan experience, and they remain a constant force in pop-culture today,” says Paul Southern, Lucasfilm senior vice president, Licensing and Franchise. “To commemorate Lucasfilm’s 50 years of storytelling, we look forward to honoring this consumer products legacy and bringing to life brand-new products, games, and publishing offerings that celebrate our future with Lucasfilm’s exciting feature films and Disney+ series ahead.”

"Lucasfilm was founded in 1971 by George Lucas. Films such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones took the world by storm and revolutionized visual effects, sound design, animation, and other groundbreaking filmmaking techniques. The artists and technicians of Lucasfilm have never stopped innovating and continue to influence the film industry today. The Mandalorian is currently one of top series on Disney+. Across the Company, Lucasfilm has won 29 Emmy Awards, 38 Academy Awards, 32 Sci-Tech Awards, 18 Webby Awards, and 12 awards for ILMxLAB’s groundbreaking work in immersive entertainment. Lucasfilm Publishing has had over 180 books on the New York Times Bestseller List and has won a multitude of awards, including the 2020 GLAAD Award for Outstanding Comic Book. Lucasfilm Games has delighted fans across multiple platforms and genres with games that push the boundaries of interactive entertainment, winning numerous awards including BAFTA Game Awards, D.I.C.E. Awards from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences and Game Developers Choice Awards."

I can't recall a time when Lucasfilm didn't have an impact on my life. From seeing Star Wars, following a life-changing head injury in primary school, to using Photoshop on a daily basis. The Lucasfilm Fan Club magazine (rebranded as Star Wars Insider) printed a letter of mine in 1993.

What are your earliest memories of Lucasfilm? Let me know in the comments below.

The Walt Disney Company pivots to Disney+

The runaway success of Disney+ since launching last November, combined with an ongoing global pandemic forcing further cinema chain closures, sees The Walt Disney Company refocus on the direct-to-consumer (DTC) market to the understandable concern of cinema owners and their employees. The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) released a scathing statement in response.

It reads: “The vast majority of cinemas across Europe and indeed many regions of the world are now open and able to offer a safe and enjoyable return for audiences.

“Cinema operators have invested massively in offering the safest possible experience to their audiences on the basis of a promising schedule of new film releases. Yet again, however, they find a distributor delivering another blow.”

The corporate restructuring means the vertically integrated multimedia and entertainment giant will be streamlined into content producers and distributors such as Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+. Disney Parks, Experiences and Products will continue to operate under its existing structure. Mirroring moves by competitors Netflix, Warner Bros. and Apple TV+. The latter is an emergent streaming powerhouse and beneficiary of the Cupertino-based company's wealth worth trillions of dollars.

“We want to let the creatives be creatives, and let the business people be business people,” Disney CEO Bob Chapek said. “This is a further evolution of what we’ve already done. Given our success so far, we want to further accelerate our transition to a direct-to-consumer-first model.”

The House of Mouse has already released the live-action Mulan, at a premium for early access on Disney+, and plans to premiere Pixar's Soul, following a music teacher (Jamie Foxx) whose soul becomes separated from his body, on Disney+ this holiday.

Do you think this will accelerate the decline of mainstream cinema? Let me know in the comments below.

Mulan on Disney+ is a 'one-off' this September

The longterm socio-economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are yet to be fully determined in the wake of our shared trauma. As countries emerge from lockdown, it's increasingly clear that life will never be the same for any of us - heartfelt sympathies to those who have lost loved ones.

Cinema chains that have reopened, with social distancing measures in place, are struggling to entice large scale audiences back. So much so, AMC and Universal Pictures have struck a deal that would shorten the established theatrical window to just 17 days before new movies are available to stream online, at a premium price, with revenue sharing for both companies.

Disney has decided to drop the delayed live-action adaptation of Mulan onto Disney+ and into selected cinemas from 4th September. Disney CEO Bob Chapek explains why:

"We’re very pleased to be able to bring Mulan to our consumer base that’s been waiting for it for a long, long time, as we’ve had to unfortunately had to move our theatrical date several times. We’re fortunate that we have the opportunity to bring it to our own direct-to-consumer platform so consumers can enjoy it. But we’re looking at Mulan as a one-off, as opposed to trying to say there’s a new business windowing model that we’re looking at. So Mulan is a one-off. That said, we find it very interesting to be able to take a new offering, our premiere access offering, to consumers at that $29.99 price, and learn from it and see what happens not only in terms of the uptake of the number of the subscribers that we get on that platform, but the actual number of transactions we get on the Disney+ platform that we get on that PVOD offering."

Is this truly a one-off? Disney's decision cements a new era in vertical distribution for the House of Mouse. The studio previously released Artemis Fowl and brought Frozen 2, Onward and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to the streaming service early for those self-isolating. And Marvel Studio's Black Widow maybe next as we continue to live with coronavirus lockdowns in the 'new normal'.

Are you happy to pay a premium to see movies at home? Let me know in the comments below.

Disney+ surpasses 50 million subscribers

Disney+ has surpassed 50 million paid subscribers since launch last November.

The House of Mouse's nascent streaming service is buoyed by launching in new markets this year and the global lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic. The closure of cinemas has witnessed a surge in streaming with The Walt Disney Company releasing Frozen 2 and Onward early on Disney+.

Artemis Fowl will be skipping cinemas entirely and heading directly to homes soon. Former Disney CEO Bob Iger teased more movies may go directly to Disney+.

“In terms of movies going ahead after ‘Artemis,’ there may be a few more that we end up putting directly onto Disney+, but for the most part a lot of the big tentpole Disney films, we’ll simply wait for slots. In some cases, we’ve announced new ones already, but later on in the calendar,” Iger told Barron’s on Tuesday.

"What Disney+ has achieved in five months took Netflix seven years," said Chris Fenton, a movie industry analyst. "Disney+ possesses all the ammunition needed to surpass Netflix, and it also has the potential bazooka of China. If any American streaming service can gain access to the 1.4 billion people of China, it's Disney+."

The Force Friday double bill, featuring The Mandalorian and The Clone Wars, is a weekly treat.

Artemis Fowl to debut on Disney+

With cinemas closed due to the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing the new norm, studios are pushing back the release of blockbuster movies and dipping a toe in streaming selected titles as audiences self-isolate.

Beginning with Universal Picture's Trolls World War and now Disney is releasing Artemis Fowl directly on Disney+. This isn't something entirely new as Netflix has released movies including Annihilation and Bird Box.

“Director Kenneth Branagh and his spectacular cast take viewers right into the vibrant, fantasy world of the beloved book, which fans have been waiting to see brought to life onscreen for years," said Disney+ President of Content and Marketing Ricky Strauss in a statement. "It’s great family entertainment that is the perfect addition to Disney+’s summer lineup.”

Frozen 2 and Onward are already on Disney+ in the US and Canada. However, self-isolating families remain frustrated at Disney's reluctance to release its movies everywhere day-and-date on Disney+. There's still no news regarding when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will be available. How about using Disney+ as a force for good for all in these troubling times, eh? It's all about optics.

Disney+ is the streaming service the world needs

Disney+ launched at 1:00AM (GMT) in the UK and I was wide awake to install the apps and watch the original series of DuckTails until dawn.

The House of Mouse's streaming service is, like Nintendo's Animal Crossing, much-needed delight during the coronavirus pandemic. Empathy with everyone who is at high-risk and is self-isolating for at least 3-months, too. Where possible, I’ll be proactively helping others using social media and technology. Heartfelt thanks to frontline staff (including family & friends).

So, Olaf and Baby Yoda are warmly welcomed into my home. Nick Smith, our US-based stellar scribe, has a headstart on Disney+.

Guest post by Nick Smith

Four months ago, Disney+ launched in the United States, as well as Canada and the Netherlands. Spearheaded by Disney and Pixar movies, an original Star Wars series and classic shows like Boy Meets World and Darkwing Duck, there was enough content to excite the most casual Disney viewer. Now the channel is sizzling into British screens like a wayward travelling Tron. But is there enough content to keep Brits coming back in the months to come?

The answer is yes, as my non-Disneyphile friends are learning as they’re brought to the fold. Some come to enjoy childhood favourites like Splash and Willow. Others like the shiny new Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series and its live-action stablemate The Mandalorian. There’s also the lure of National Geographic and Marvel movies, shows and ‘Ultimate’ motion comics, although the latter are limited in length and detail.

Where Disney+ really succeeds is in the way it packages its products. Hoary old flicks are ‘Nostalgic Movies.’ Cartoons like X-Men and Gummi Bears are ‘Throwbacks.’ Best of all, subscribers can dig into ‘Collections’ that include the Herbie movies, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Muppets. Aside from new content, this repackaging suits the bingeing culture nurtured by Netflix, where it’s harder to find a series of movies in chronological order.

Surprisingly, Netflix still has a handsome handful of Disney films on offer, including Incredibles 2, Ralph Breaks the Internet and Christopher Robin. Original Marvel series like Daredevil and Jessica Jones, which proved the popularity and viability of streaming superhero sagas, are chilling in a little Netflix ‘Marvel Collection.’ But these offerings are scant compared to a year ago. It would be good to see Disney sharing with other streaming companies, using them as testing grounds for darker shows like The Punisher.

Right now, viewers caught in the mousetrap of a monthly subscription are scarfing up cheese made of mature, dependable flavours that keep them coming back for more: Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars. There’s a lot more to Walt’s world than these second-hand brands, though, and Disney+ has to do more than ape its competitors. More archival material, like vintage black and white cartoons, would be great to see, as well as unique, imaginative content – the kind that put Disney on the map in the first place.

Pixar's Onward is coming to Disney+

Disney Pixar's Onward, starring Tom Holland (Spider-Man: Far from Home) and Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy), was released on 6th March to critical acclaim.

However, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and cinema closures, Disney is making the movie available for digital download from today and on Disney+ from 3rd April.

The House of Mouse has already released Frozen 2 on Disney+. Now, please add Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Bob Iger steps down following Disney+ success

Without any fanfare, Bob Iger abruptly stood down as Disney CEO on Tuesday, handing the reins to Bob Chapek, effective immediately.

Iger will remain at The Walt Disney Company through the end of 2021, but as chairman, and he told CNBC that in his new role he will focus on the creative side of the company.

“As we looked at the businesses, we felt we have a great set of assets, we have a great strategy,” Iger said. “What’s next? And what was next in terms of my own priorities is making sure that the creative pipeline of the company was really rich, that all of our creative engines were working extremely well, and I wanted to spend more and more of my time on that. The only way I was able to do that was to give up the day-to-day running of the company, to pass the torch on to Bob [Chapek].”

Iger has overseen a successful acquisition strategy since 2005. Beginning with the purchase of Pixar from the late Steve Jobs to Lucasfilm in 2012 from George Lucas and most recently 20th Century Fox from Rupert Murdoch. The latter has given Disney a majority stake in Hulu.

This has bolstered Disney's content portfolio and culminated in the launch of Disney+ last November. The nascent streaming service continues to expand into new markets and threatens established streamers such as Netflix (with whom Disney had previously partnered).

During Iger's 15-year tenure as Disney CEO, Marvel Studios has emerged as a dominant box office force and Star Wars has enjoyed a renaissance despite the fandom menace and perhaps questionable creative choices such as overexposing the brand, which Iger has conceded to.

Like Jobs at Apple, Iger will be a tough act to follow and Disney's stock dipped.

Pre-order Disney+ for £49.99

Disney+ launches in a month and early-bird subscribers can avail themselves of an annual subscription discounted to £49.99. This makes the nascent streaming service cheaper than established rivals such as Netflix and NOW TV.

Disney+ will be on the following devices at launch and supports 4K with HDR and Dolby Atmos + Vision at no extra cost to subscribers:

Apple TV
Amazon FireTV
Android mobile devices
Android TV
Chromecast
Desktop web browsers
iPad
iPhone
LG WebOS Smart TVs
PlayStation 4 (PS4)
Roku streaming players
Samsung Smart TVs
Xbox One

Due to existing distribution deals, Disney+ will not offer the same content in every territory. No announcement has been made regarding the availability of The Simpsons in the UK as Sky has a first-run deal. So, it may be a while before all seasons show up (if at all). This isn't a dealbreaker for me and I've pre-ordered ahead of 24th March. The Marvel Studios and Star Wars live-action series are the biggest draws.

DisneyLife subscribers will need to create a Disney+ account if they wish to benefit from this limited time offer (ends 23rd March). For more information and to subscribe, visit here.

The subscriber Force is strong with Disney+

Disney+ launched last Tuesday in the US, Canada and the Netherlands (following a free 2-month trial) and has garnered over 10 million subscribers. This will only increase when the House of Mouse's nascent streaming service launches in Australia and New Zealand on 19th November. Expanding, exponentially, in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain from 31st March 2020. It's not difficult to foresee an embattled Netflix merging with another competitor such as Apple.

Among exclusive fare such as Jon Favreau's live-action Star Wars series The Mandalorian. Disney's Gargoyles and Darkwing Duck are enjoying a new lease of life on Disney+.

There's an option to suggest other Disney-owned properties. So, Star Wars fans (myself included) are urging the Walt Disney Company to add mid-eighties Lucasfilm curios Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor, and animated series Ewoks and Star Wars: Droids.

What classic Lucasfilm titles would you like to see added? Let me know in the comments below.

Disney+ launches with The Mandalorian

This will be a day long remembered in the streaming wars. Disney+ launches with the first-ever Star Wars live-action series The Mandalorian in the US, Canada and the Netherlands. Controversially, there are no plans to stream Jon Favreau's series on DisneyLife in the UK before 31st March 2020.

Ahead of today's launch, Lucasfilm released an exclusive clip from The Mandalorian during Monday Night Football on ESPN.



The Mandalorian stars Pedro Pascal, Carl Weathers, Gina Carano, Werner Herzog and Nick Nolte.

In related news. The entire Star Wars saga will be available for the first time ever in 4K on Disney+. George Lucas' space opera has a storied history with Dolby since the original trilogy. Fans of all ages will be able to enjoy mesmerising space battles and lightsaber duels in Dolby Atmos + Vision.

Aside from Star Wars. Disney+ will be the exclusive home for Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) spin-off series including Loki, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and WandaVision.

The launch has been dogged by technical issues that will keep Disney CEO Bob Iger awake at night. Disney in a tweet on Tuesday morning: “The consumer demand for Disney+ has exceeded our high expectations. We are working to quickly resolve the current user issue. We appreciate your patience.” Really? Nick Smith, our resident US-based roving reporter, will be looking into the new streaming service soon.

Without posting any spoilers for folks (myself included) who are unable to watch The Mandalorian. What are your initial reactions to the series and Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.

The Mandalorian on Disney+ in the UK this March

The Walt Disney Company confirmed on Twitter that Disney+ is coming to the UK on 31st March 2020. As expected, DisneyLife will be rebranded and existing subscriptions migrated to the new streaming service.



Now, how will UK-based fans (myself included) be able to watch Jon Favreau's live-action Star Wars series The Mandalorian in the meantime? Avoiding spoilers will be all but impossible and piracy an issue once the highly-anticipated series starts streaming exclusively on Disney+ next week. Fear of missing out (FOMO) is a thing in this era of instant gratification and it's surprising DisneyLife isn't streaming the Star Wars series day and date with Disney+.

Disney CEO Bob Iger has announced that Disney+ will be available on a host of devices at launch including Amazon Fire TV, LG and Samsung smart TVs. “We’re pleased to announce partnerships with Amazon Fire [TV], LG, and Samsung devices.”

Disney+ launches in the US, Canada and the Netherlands 12th November and Australia and New Zealand 19th November.

Disney+ pre-orders open in US

Disney+ arrives in the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Netherlands (there's a free 2-month trial underway) this November and the House of Mouse has opened pre-orders with a free 7-day trial.

The deep discount offered to attendees of the D23 Expo is currently unavailable.

"Consumers signing up for Disney+ pre-orders will be among the first to start streaming the never-before-seen original programming being created exclusively for the service from the company’s iconic entertainment brands, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. In its first year, Disney+ will release more than 25 original series and ten original films, documentaries, including The Mandalorian, from executive producer and writer Jon Favreau, and Lady and the Tramp, a timeless retelling of the 1955 animated classic – both streaming on November 12. Subscribers will also enjoy unprecedented access to Disney’s vast collection of films and television shows.

Subscribers will be able to stream Disney+ on a wide selection of mobile and connected TV devices at launch, including gaming consoles, streaming media players, and smart TVs. Subscribers will enjoy high-quality and commercial-free viewing, up to four concurrent streams, unlimited downloads, personalized recommendations, and the ability to set up to seven different profiles, including the ability for parents to set Kids Profiles that have an easy to -navigate, child-friendly interface to access age-appropriate content.

Subscriptions are priced at $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. They automatically renew, with the option to cancel at any time before each renewal date. All new Disney+ subscribers will be eligible for a 7-day free trial.

As previously announced, on November 12, consumers in the U.S. will have the opportunity to purchase a bundled offering of Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu (with ads) for $12.99 per month. The bundle offers an exciting value proposition with access to all of the Disney+ programming plus thousands of live sporting events, sports-themed original series and award-winning sports documentaries from ESPN+; as well as Hulu’s award-winning original content and on-demand streaming library. Consumers interested in the bundle should wait until it becomes available at launch on November 12."



Disney+ will be on the following devices at launch and supports 4K with HDR and Dolby Atmos + Vision at no extra cost to subscribers:

Apple TV
Android mobile devices
Android TV
Chromecast
Desktop web browsers
iPad
iPhone
PlayStation 4 (PS4)
Roku streaming players
Roku TV
Xbox One

You can sign up for Disney+ here. UK residents will have to wait until early 2020.

Are you subscribing to Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.