Welcome, foolish mortals, to fun under the sea and elemental connections as Disney brings the heat with a slate of films that are sure to warm hearts—and provide some chills as well. To celebrate the start of the summer season, the new issue of Disney twenty-three will feature three covers highlighting some of the biggest films coming from Disney: The Little Mermaid, Elemental, and Haunted Mansion. Each cover features never-before-seen artwork showcasing the main characters who will tell these stories on the big screen. For The Little Mermaid, Halle Bailey glistens under the sea as the reimagined live-action Ariel. The fire-and-water friends Ember (Leah Lewis) and Wade (Mamoudou Athie) share their smiles on the cover for Elemental. Meanwhile, down in New Orleans, Rosario Dawson (Gabbie) and co-stars Owen Wilson (Father Kent), Danny DeVito (Bruce), Chase W. Dillon (Travis), Jamie Lee Curtis (Madame Leota), Tiffany Haddish (Harriet), and LaKeith Stanfield (Ben) appear in the “dead center of the room” on the cover featuring Haunted Mansion. D23 Gold Members will receive one of the stunning covers at random and will be able to purchase additional covers at shopDisney.com in May while supplies last.
In 1989, Disney fans around the world were introduced to Ariel in The Little Mermaid as she gave everyone a glimpse into life under the sea. On May 26, fans will have the chance to dive back into the fathoms below with the reimagined live-action film. Bailey—joined by director Rob Marshall, co-star Daveed Diggs (Sebastian), and composer and Disney Legend Alan Menken—gives readers a glimpse into part of her world during an exclusive interview, including the extensive “tank work” she did to bring Ariel to life.
The summer issue also breaks down the elements of Pixar Animation Studios’ new film, Elemental, in theaters June 16. Dig deeper into the flow of the filmmaking process, including the origins of the story, the real-life inspiration for Element City, and the creative process of bringing to “life” these permeable people. Director Peter Sohn and co-stars Lewis and Athie share all these inside details and more to get readers fired up for Pixar’s story about this unlikely connection.
From opposites react to ominous attractions, the summer of hits continues when Disney’s Haunted Mansion creeps into theaters on July 28 and brings to life the happy haunts of the beloved Disneyland Park classic. Stars Rosario Dawson, LaKeith Stanfield, and Tiffany Haddish share behind-the-screams details that are sure to leave readers in good spirits. Director—and former Haunted Mansion attraction cast member at Disneyland Park—Justin Simien shares that “it’s such a refreshing and funny take on a ‘ride movie’ that also strikes this unexpectedly personal chord.”
The back cover of the issue features the Electric Mayhem Band in a cover created exclusively for Disney twenty-three to celebrate the May 10 release of the Disney+ Original series The Muppets Mayhem. Executive producers Bill Barretta (Dr. Teeth), Adam F. Goldberg, Jeff Yorkes, and Leigh Slaughter, as well as Dave Goelz (Zoot) and co-stars Lilly Singh and Tahj Mowry, share stories on how the show—which follows the band on its journey to record their first album—rocks out.
After four decades of crusades and crystal skulls, it might seem time for archeologist-turned-adventurer Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) to retire his whip and fedora, but he’s got another quest to join in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, in theaters June 30. Ford is joined by co-star Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Helena) and director James Mangold in exclusive interviews detailing the storyline of the new film, the action-packed stunts, and living up to the legacy of the Indiana Jones franchise. Ford shares with Disney twenty-three that he “wanted to finish the job. I wanted to see the character at the end of his career. I wanted to round out the story, as it were. So much of the character is based on his prowess, and when his academic career finishes, I always wondered what would be left of him.”
The new issue, available exclusively to Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, also sets sail through 25 years of the Disney Cruise Line; looks back at 70 years of Peter Pan, one of Walt Disney’s favorite childhood fairy tales and his first starring role; and gives a sneak peek into what happens when mystical beings enter the hallowed halls of high school in American Born Chinese, a new series coming to Disney+ on May 24.
Also in the Summer 2023 issue of Disney twenty-three:
- A visual tour of the traveling Walt Disney Archives exhibit Walt Disney and El Grupo: A Trip Through Latin America
- A tribute to the life and legacy of Disney Legend, animator, director, and story artist Burny Mattinson
- A special By the Numbers: Disney100 looking back at The Walt Disney Company from 1949–1973—the second in a four-part series
- Regular features include D Society, Character Analysis, and Ask the Walt Disney Archives
Disney twenty-three is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps and is offered exclusively to D23 Gold Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving before the end of May. For members looking to collect all three covers, they will be available exclusively on shopDisney.com while supplies last.
Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter @iamcg83