D23 to Feature 'Avengers' Panel

Marvel and Disney appear to be a match made in heaven. Both companies appear to have a penchant for being able to instill debilitating anticipation.

Today the Mouse House confirmed that their D23 Expo would include an Avengers presentation featuring some of the cast of next summer’s film on hand; all of the movie panels will occur on August 20th. I would suspect that Disney is going to put on a pretty special presentation for next summer’s comic book film, but it’s going to have to be pretty spectacular to top last year’s on-stage appearance of the entire cast and director Joss Whedon.

But that was before filming took place.

I have a nagging feeling that attendees are going to get some extended glances at the film—something much more jaw-dropping than the satisfying (albeit brief) teaser at the end of Captain America: The First Avenger.

On top of this, Disney also confirmed that they would be using D23 to announce two more 2014 Marvel Studios productions. While Thor 2 and Iron Man 3 are set for the summer of 2013, it makes sense that a Captain America follow-up could be scheduled for the following year. If there are only two films scheduled, then it’s going to be a toss-up between an Ant Man or a Doctor Strange film (two productions that have had a lot of buzz of late).

Although I was not a fan of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, I have complete faith that Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz) can do something absolutely wonderful with an Ant Man film. Wright and co-writer Joe Cornish recently turned in the latest Ant Man script.

Official Press Release

BURBANK, Calif. – August 9, 2011 – Exclusively at Disney’s D23 Expo August 19-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Disney film fans will go behind the scenes to explore the exciting roster of projects on the horizon at The Walt Disney Studios, with a variety of panel discussions, sneak peeks and exhibits.

On Saturday, August 20, Rich Ross, chairman, The Walt Disney Studios; Sean Bailey, president, production, The Walt Disney Studios; John Lasseter, chief creative officer, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios; and Kevin Feige, producer and president, Marvel Studios, will present a not-to-be-missed look at The Walt Disney Studios’ upcoming film slate, which includes Disney’s The Muppets, John Carter, Disney•Pixar’s Brave, Marvel’s The Avengers, Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie, Oz The Great and Powerful and more.

With projects from Disney, Pixar Animation Studios and Marvel Studios, this special presentation will feature never-before-seen footage and all-star appearances by Jason Segel, Kermit and Miss Piggy (Disney’s The Muppets), Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins and Willem Dafoe (John Carter), Kelly Macdonald and Kevin McKidd (Brave), Jennifer Garner (The Odd Life of Timothy Green), Jack McBrayer and Sarah Silverman (Wreck-It Ralph), cast members from Marvel’s The Avengers and other surprise guests.