21 Major Omissions That Weren't Revealed At D23
D23 Expo is one of Disney's most anticipated events, and with huge updates on Marvel, Disney Parks, and more, there were many reasons for fans to remain excited about Disney's upcoming projects.
Yet with the rumor mill consistently churning and unreasonable expectations abound, some fans were let down after D23 for one reason or another. As such, I've assembled 21 omissions from D23 that left fans wanting a little more.
18.No Fantastic Four Casting News
While it was revealed at D23 Expo 2022 that Wandavision director, Matt Shakman, would be officially taking the helm for Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four film, fans were hoping that the official line-up for Marvel's first family would take shape. Rumors are rampant that John Krasinski will return to the role of Reed Richards with Killing Eve star Jodie Comer joining him as Sue Storm. Alas, no such reveal would come to fruition, with the official Fantastic Four line-up still shrouded in mystery for the time being.
No Fantastic Four casting news, no Eternals sequel, no #AntManandTheWaspQuantumania trailer wide release, no Ms. Marvel season two announcement… #D23 #D23Expo #D23Expo2022
17.No Rogue Squadron Updates
No mention of Rogue Squadron. https://t.co/J4fkvUHif1
16.No Update on The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
After there was no update on The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special at San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel fans were sure that they would learn more about the upcoming holiday special at D23, yet they had no such luck last weekend. While some are wondering if the special has been canceled, the recent release of GotG Holiday Special Funko POP! figures would suggest that the special presentation is full-steam-ahead.
No eternals news, no young avengers news, quantumania and the marvels teasers only shown exclusively, no hercules news, no gotg news or holiday special sneak peak... I really lost today
15.No Gravity Falls Updates
In recent months, speculation has been rumbling about a potential Disney+ limited series continuation or special for Gravity Falls in the near future, especially after a cameo of Bill Cipher on The Simpsons and an intriguing video tribute to the series surfaced for the show's 10th anniversary on creator Alex Hirsch's Twitter. Alas, D23 didn't even mention the cult favorite series, and with Hirsch still busy with The Owl House, it seems that Gravity Falls will remain dormant... for now.
STILL WAITING FOR SEASON 3 OF GRAVITY FALLS ‼️‼️‼️
14.No Tower of Terror Updates
After announcing that Disney would be partnering with Scarlett Johansson on a new Tower of Terror film, the latest word on the film was that Thor: Love and Thunder director, Taika Waititi, was in early talks to helm the film. Yet D23 offered no word on the status of the film's development, and Johansson was nowhere to be seen at the aforementioned Expo last weekend.
Disney’s gonna look me in the eye and make another Haunted Mansion comedy movie like the 2003 version didn’t happen? Sorry, but if the new version isn’t scary then I don’t want it. Gimme the Tower of Terror movie I deserve cowards.
13.No Major MCU Casting News
D23 did a solid job at establishing the immediate future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as the return of some long-absent figures from the MCU, including Tim Blake Nelson as The Leader and Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost. But for those hoping for a big reveal, whether it be as a new hero such as Ghost Rider or Nova, any casting announcements for Blade or The Marvels, or any cast members for Phase Five's television offerings, there was none to be found outside of the surprise of Everything, Everywhere All At Once's Ke Huy Quan joining Season Two of Loki.
D23 Expo 2022 Marvel Studios rumors that were untrue:Casting: Denzel Washington, John Boyega, Giancarlo Esposito, Henry Cavill, Jodie Comer, John Krasinski, Dasiy-Edgar Jones and Glenn Howerton. NONE of this was true.
12.No Defenders-MCU Reveals
Though Marvel fans know by now that Charlie Cox's Daredevil and Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin are officially canons in the MCU, with the pair even appearing at D23's Daredevil: Born Again presentation, the fates for the other Defenders is still up in the air. With Mike Colter still on Paramount's Evil and fan response being cautious at best for a return of Finn Jones as Iron Fist, Marvel superfans were hoping for some kind of tease or announcement at D23 regarding Jessica Jones, The Punisher, Claire Temple, or even Colleen Wing, but it appears Kevin Feige & Co. are still being tight-lipped about when, or if, these established characters will show face in the MCU anytime soon.
11.No Definitive Encanto Attraction Announcement
One of the most anticipated yearly panels at D23 is their Disney Parks presentation, which teases the future of their attractions at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney properties across the globe. Expectations were admittedly high coming into the 2022 edition of D23, with many hoping there would be something for Disney's smash hit Encanto, as been rumored to take the place of Disneyland's Tarzan attraction. Yet outside of simple teases of something potentially happening in the future should a Magic Kingdom expansion come to pass, there was nothing concrete for Encanto fans to look forward to at Disney Parks anytime in the immediate future.
never putting my expectations high for an encanto announcement/thing ever again I will only believe something big is coming when I have it confirmed
10.No Mary Poppins Attraction Update
During the last D23 Expo prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, Disney CEO Bob Chapek excitedly shared with Disney Parks fanatics that Epcot's England Pavilion would transform to accommodate a new "addition" catered to one of Disney's most beloved properties, Mary Poppins. The details at the time were vague: some assumed there might have been a live Mary Poppins musical show with dancing chimney sweeps and wirework, others believed that this would include some kind of screen-based ride and some even thought there would be a simple overlay with the addition of a dining area. Yet since the pandemic, the project has been put on "pause," and many were hoping D23 Expo 2022 would include an update about when, or even what, we should expect from the Mary Poppins addition to EPCOT. Sadly, the potential attraction was not even mentioned, giving some fans a less-than-optimistic view about whether or not the addition will actually come to fruition at all.
I think it's important to note that none of this is concrete. Kind of upset that old projects like Mary Poppins and the current state of Genie+ were never mentioned. #dpep #d23
9.Limited Disney Parks IP Announcement for Disney+
With the connections between Disney's Parks and Films divisions intertwined greatly at D23 Expo, many Disney die-hards were expecting major parks-related series or original films to be announced for Disney+'s 2023 slate, especially given the popularity of Parks-related content on the service. Sadly, the only Disney Parks IP to get any attention in the realm of fictional content was the upcoming Haunted Mansion film and a stop-motion series surrounding Disney's international mascot, Duffy, with fans further yearning for any series or film content surrounding such valuable original Parks IP as "Space Mountain," "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad," "Expedition Everest" or "Journey Into Imagination," to name a few.
@Disney @DisneyD23 @DisneyStudios Ok but after this can we get the ball rolling on my “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad” movie please? I’ll buy a ticket to see it immediately I promise
8.No Mandalorian Addition to Star Tours
One of the most notable Star Wars updates to come out of D23 was the third season trailer for The Mandalorian, welcoming the fan-favorite character back to the small screen following his brief appearance in 2022's The Book of Boba Fett. However, rumors swirled recently of the character's presence at Disney Parks, including a walkabout character for meet & greets and even an additional path for "Star Tours" tieing into the show just in time for the opening of "Galaxy's Edge" at Disneyland Paris. While the former was indeed revealed, complete with animatronic Grogu traveling alongside the character, the latter rumor still remains unsubstantiated as of this writing, with fans of Disney+'s Star Wars series left wanting about any further representation at "Galaxy's Edge."
@spoiler4you With all the space-battles in season 3, they should include a "Mandalorian" sequence in Star Tours.
7.No Deadpool 3 Update
Fans haven't seen Deadpool on screen since 2018's smash hit Deadpool 2, and the character's fate had long been in question after Disney's purchase of 20th Century Fox. But when Kevin Feige confirmed that Deadpool 3 would be the MCU's first R-rated film, fans have been awaiting any appearance or announcement surrounding the Merc with a Mouth. Alas, MCU fans can add D23 Expo 2022 to the list with San Diego Comic-Con and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness to places absent of a Deadpool development.
6.No Hercules Live-Action Film Update
With the announcement earlier this year that Guy Ritchie would return to the Disney fold to direct the live-action adaptation of Hercules, Disney fans were hoping that casting announcements or even some storyboard art might be in line for this year's D23 Expo. Unfortunately, it seems too early in development for Disney to announce anything significant as of yet, but many fans believe it might be a safe bet that some kind of Hercules preview will be seen at next year's San Diego Comic-Con, should the film go the distance without hitting any major roadblocks.
All of D23 tbh. I wanted a Hercules casting (Live Action Disney), Deadpool 3 news, and a casting announcement for the Fantastic Four…and we got none of it. https://t.co/5RIlrhai7t
5.No Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise Update
While most industry experts would tell you it was unlikely that anything Pirates related would be spotlighted this year at D23, a contingent of vocal Disney fans held out hope that there would be any update on the globally successful Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, whether it be with attached reboot star Margot Robbie or Jack Sparrow himself, Johnny Depp. Of course, neither Robbie nor Depp were to be found at D23 Expo.
me getting ready to endlessly refresh twitter hoping to see a Pirates of the Caribbean announcement from D23 today
4.No Avatar: The Way of Water Announcement for Animal Kingdom
There's no denying that Avatar: The Way of Water is going to be the film to watch this winter, and fans were left buzzing after exclusive footage was shown at D23 Expo as the anchor of their 20th Century Studios presentation. However, Disney die-hards hoped that there might be a Disney Parks tie-in for the film around its impending release, considering how long the film has been in development and how popular the Pandora area has been within Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom. Instead, Animal Kingdom fans received news that DinoLand U.S.A. would be receiving the axe for Moana and Zootopia attractions while Pandora is (currently) slated to remain as-is for the foreseeable future... or at least until Avatar: TWoW makes a billion dollars.
3.No Keith David Announcement for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
To some, "Tiana's Bayou Adventure" was the crown jewel of D23 Expo in 2022, with plenty of details regarding the "Splash Mountain" retheme dropping throughout the convention. Nevertheless, some fans were disconcerted to hear that several major voice actors from the film would be returning except Keith David, who brought the fan-favorite villain Doctor Facilier to life in The Princess and the Frog. While there is still definitely a possibility Facilier will be a part of the ride in some way, shape, or form, some fans are admittedly disappointed by the prospect of David's iconic voice potentially not being included in Disney's biggest retheme to date.
But no Keith David?! I swear this is such a miss if there's no Facilier/voodoo on Tiana's Bayou Adventure!!💔😵💫 https://t.co/0G7QpDhceE
2.No World Showcase Expansion or Addition Announced
Prior to D23, speculation ran wild about possible additions to EPCOT's World Showcase being announced during the Parks presentation, from the widely-rumored Aladdin attraction being developed for the Morocco area to a Chez Remy restaurant in the France pavilion to even some kind of Turning Red installation in the "Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360" space. But EPCOT's World Showcase was barely mentioned this year on the Parks-centric Day Three of D23.
Also I’m disappointed every D23 we don’t get a new country for World Showcase. THERES SO MUCH SPACE! Use IP I don’t care about that at all. Gimmie Greece with a Hercules ride you won’t hear me complain. Even with the current countries the lack of expansion/rides is SHOCKING to me
1.No X-Men MCU Casting Updates
With no disrespect to any other Disney properties given the spotlight at D23 Expo, most fans were chomping at the bit to see if Marvel would live up to the rumors of X-Men casting at the biennial event, with many circles suggesting Giancarlo Esposito (who appeared on the Mandalorian presentation) being announced for Professor X and Denzel Washington as his rival, Magneto. But much like Fantastic Four, the rumor mill had this one wrong this year with no X-Men casting announcements whatsoever, even though some fervent Marvel fans still hope the fan-casted pairing is still in the cards eventually.
