Disney+ Round-up (4/23/21) – Earth Days are Easy
Happy Earth Day! In celebration, Disney+ premieres Secrets of the Whales, from NatGeo.
There’s also some pretty hefty news this week relating to Sony Pictures and Disney streaming services. Read on for everything news and streaming this week on Disney+. It’s a Disney+ Round-Up!
I have curated a few fun shopDisney items appropriate for all the shows we’re watching. The links to these products can be defined as “affiliate links”. This means that we may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you purchase something through the links. Win-win!
Celebrate Earth Day with some cute T-shirts, then prep for May the 4th Be With You – Star Wars Day!
Disney+ News
Disney And Pixar’s New Short “22 Vs. Earth” Coming To Disney+ April 30
Ever wonder what new soul 22 has against Earth in Disney and Pixar’s hit 2020 feature film “Soul”? A new short from Pixar Animation Studios revisits the skeptical soul long before she ever met Joe Gardner. Debuting on Disney+ on April 30, “22 vs. Earth” welcomes Tina Fey back to The Great Before as the voice of quick-witted and sarcastic soul 22.
In the short, 22 defies the rules of The Great Before and refuses to go to Earth, enlisting a gang of five other new souls in her attempt at rebellion. However, as her cohorts’ activities lead to unexpected results, 22’s subversive plot may actually lead to a surprising revelation about the meaning of life. The short is directed by 21-year Pixar veteran Kevin Nolting.
Sony’s “Spider-Man” “Jumanji” and “Hotel Transylvania” Franchises Coming to Disney’s Streaming Services
April 21, 2021 – Disney and Sony Pictures Entertainment have entered into an unprecedented Licensing Agreement. The agreement provides Disney with a robust collection of Sony Pictures’ Universe of Marvel Characters Films in Post-Pay 1 TV Windows. The deal also includes U.S. rights to Sony’s new theatrical releases from 2022-2026 following their Pay 1 TV window, as well as library titles for Disney’s streaming services.
The deal also grants rights to a significant number of SPE’s iconic library titles, ranging from the “Jumanji” and “Hotel Transylvania” franchises to Sony Pictures’ Universe of Marvel Characters films, including Spider-Man. This gives Disney enormous programming potential across its platforms and makes them key destinations for a robust collection of Spider-Man films. Notably, the agreement provides Hulu access to a significant number of library titles beginning as early as this June.
“This landmark multi-year, platform agnostic agreement guarantees the team at Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution a tremendous amount of flexibility and breadth of programming possibilities to leverage Sony’s rich slate of award-winning action and family films across our direct-to-consumer services and linear channels,” said Chuck Saftler, head of Business Operations for ABC, Freeform, FX Networks, and Acquisitions in DMED’s Networks division, who played a key role in the negotiations. “This is a win for fans, who will benefit from the ability to access the very best content from two of Hollywood’s most prolific studios across a multitude of viewing platforms and experiences.”
“This groundbreaking agreement reconfirms the unique and enduring value of our movies to film lovers and the platforms and networks that serve them,” said Keith Le Goy, president, Worldwide Distribution and Networks, Sony Pictures Entertainment. “We are thrilled to team up with Disney on delivering our titles to their viewers and subscribers. This agreement cements a key piece of our film distribution strategy, which is to maximize the value of each of our films, by making them available to consumers across all windows with a wide range of key partners.”
How much did this licensing agreement cost?? Unfortunately, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
This Week on Disney+ for Friday, April 23
Disney+ Original Series or Premieres
Premiere on Earth Day April 22 Secrets of the Whales
This show plunges viewers deep within the epicenter of whale culture to experience the extraordinary communication skills and intricate social structures of five different whale species: orcas, humpbacks, belugas, narwhals and sperm whales. Filmed over three years in 24 locations, throughout this epic journey, we learn that whales are far more complex and more like us than ever imagined
Series Finale The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – “Episode 6”
This series stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson aka The Falcon, and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier. As usual – no information is given, even the title, until the episode is out. Join us every Friday at 7:45pm PT for a Zoom Chat on Falcon – sign up for our Weekly Newsletter to get the link! Check out our spoiler-free review, as well as some fun Behind-the-Scenes info.
The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers Episode 105 “Cherry Picker”
Evan’s rocker dad unexpectedly shows up, complicating things for Evan, Alex and even Bombay.
Big Shot Episode 102 “The Marvyn Korn Effect”
Marvyn’s attempt to amp up the girls’ practice regimen put him at odds with Westbrook’s faculty.
About Big Shot: After getting ousted from the NCAA, a men’s basketball coach is given a chance for redemption with a coaching position at an elite private high school. He soon learns that the teenage players require empathy and vulnerability — foreign concepts for the stoic Coach Korn (John Stamos). By learning how to connect with his players, Marvyn starts to grow into the person he’s always hoped to be. The girls learn to take themselves more seriously, finding their footing both on and off the court.
New to Streaming on Disney+
These series and films are not Disney+ Originals, but they will begin streaming on April 23 unless otherwise noted.
I’m a Disney+ Junkie and Want More!!!
- 457: Star Wars in Disney Parks – A History
- 456: The Bad Batch S3 Mid-Season Breakdown
- 452: The Bad Batch S3 Premiere Press Roundtable & Review – Dee Bradley Baker, Michelle Ang, Brad Rau & Jennifer Corbett
- 446: Skywalking Through 2023 and Beyond! with Melissa Truth and Spencer Jawitz
- 445: A CHRISTMAS CAROL in Pop Culture & History
