The enchanting trailer for Disney’s latest short film, “Once Upon A Studio,” has been unveiled in celebration of the studio’s momentous centennial. This animated short is a heartfelt homage, described by its creators as a love letter dedicated to the studio, its cherished fans, and the countless artists who have contributed to its legacy.
The Trailer
The trailer opens with a captivating glimpse of Disney’s animation building, portrayed in live-action, as a group of youthful employees joyfully exits the premises. Among them is the legendary Disney figure, Burny Mattinson, who became part of the Disney family in 1953 when he was just a teenager and remained dedicated until his passing earlier this year.
A Magical Spectacle
As the trailer unfolds, viewers are treated to a magical spectacle: the animated Tinker Bell, with her signature pixie dust, approaches a painting of Mickey Mouse. In an enchanting display of Disney’s storytelling magic, Mickey and Minnie spring to life, stepping out from the canvas. Soon, they are joined by a procession of beloved Disney characters, spanning generations and animation techniques, including the classic hand-drawn favorites like the 101 Dalmatians, the timeless Beauty and the Beast, the enchanting Frozen, and the adventurous Moana. Adding a glimpse of the future, Asha, the protagonist of Disney’s upcoming feature “Wish,” voiced by the talented Ariana DeBose, also graces the screen.
Return of 40 Iconic
A remarkable aspect of this project is the return of nearly 40 iconic voice actors to reprise their beloved roles, including Paige O’Hara as Belle from “Beauty and the Beast,” Dwayne Johnson as Maui from “Moana,” and Josh Gad as Olaf from “Frozen.” While the use of AI has been ruled out for voicing characters, a select group of new voice actors has joined the production to breathe fresh life into the classic Disney characters.
Mark your calendars
Mark your calendars, as the highly-anticipated animated short, “Once Upon A Studio,” is scheduled to premiere on ABC on October 15. Adding to the excitement, it will be featured in theaters alongside “Wish,” a Disney film slated to hit the big screen on November 22. The combined release promises an extraordinary cinematic experience, uniting Disney’s cherished history with its promising future.