Disney CEO Bob Iger had a busy day. Shortly after the markets closed, Iger went on CNBC and had several major announcements for just about every aspect of the Walt Disney Company.
So, get your friendship bracelets ready. Here’s your rundown of everything Iger announced and when to expect it to hit your living room or local theater.
NEW: Disney and Epic Games announce new partnership with Epic Games, $1.5 billion investment to acquire equity stake. pic.twitter.com/aQgLVr9U27
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) February 7, 2024
Disney/Epic Games Partnership
Disney announced a deal with Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, to create an entertainment universe, bringing together the Walt Disney Company’s intellectual properties into the world of Fortnite. Disney will also invest $1.5 billion to acquire an equity stake in Epic Games alongside the multiyear project.
FORTNITE x DISNEY TRAILER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oGjjMsfopq
— HYPEX (@HYPEX) February 7, 2024
Our exciting new relationship with Epic Games will bring together Disney’s beloved brands and franchises with the hugely popular Fortnite in a transformational new games and entertainment universe. This marks Disney’s biggest entry ever into the world of games and offers significant opportunities for growth and expansion. We can’t wait for fans to experience the Disney stories and worlds they love in groundbreaking new ways.
This partnership will see Disney jumping into the digital gaming world and bringing some of its most beloved characters with them. Disney will create all new games and entertainment inside the world of Fortnite.
The Sequels Are Coming
Bob Iger also announced release dates for some of Disney Animation and Pixar’s highly anticipated sequels. We finally have released dates for Zootopia 2, Frozen 3, and Toy Story 5.
Zootopia 2 will come first with a release date of 2025, and Frozen 3 and Toy Story 5 will hit theaters in 2026.
Iger also made a surprise announcement with the November release of Moana 2. Originally, Moana was meant to be a series on Disney Plus, but Iger announced today that Maui and Moana will be heading to theaters for a sequel this November.
Just Announced (Taylor’s Version) pic.twitter.com/bfmS5s2Y1w
— Disney+ (@DisneyPlus) February 7, 2024
Swifties Set Your Calendar
Did you miss out on Taylor Swift when she came around last year? Can’t afford tickets for this year’s shows? Don’t worry, Swifties, Bob Iger has you covered.
Iger announced that Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) will be coming to Disney Plus on March 15. It will include “Cardigan” and four additional bonus acoustic tracks.
The Eras Tour has been a true phenomenon that has and continues to thrill fans around the world, and we are very excited to bring this electrifying concert to audiences wherever they are, exclusively through Disney+.
You’ll get your Taylor Swift fix this weekend at the Super Bowl, but you’ll have to wait a month for her to enter your living room.
Percy Jackson Season 2
Season One of Percy Jackson and the Olympians was a massive hit for Disney Plus. The first episode of Percy Jackson and the Olympians brought in 13.3 million viewers in its first six days on Disney Plus and Hulu. This makes it one of the top five premiere episodes for 2023.
But the first season ended, and there was no announcement about a second season. We all assumed it was coming, but you know what happens when you assume.
Well, assume no longer. Iger announced today that Percy Jackson will be getting a second season. This season will adapt The Sea of Monsters, the second of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson books.
Disney did not announce any further details, but given that the show has not started filming its second season, we shouldn’t expect it until 2025.
Saban Headed to ESPN
And finally, when Nick Saban retired as the head coach at the University of Alabama, you had to know he wouldn’t sit on the couch. Saban has found himself a home as an analyst for ESPN.
NEW: Nick Saban is joining ESPN as an analyst, Disney announces. pic.twitter.com/i5RjkZSU65
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) February 7, 2024
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said,
Nick Saban is a singular, iconic presence in college football. He is also an extremely gifted communicator, who will immediately add even more credibility, authority and entertainment value to ESPN, including our esteemed College GameDay show.
Saban won six National Championships as the head football coach at Alabama and a seventh while the coach at LSU. He recently retired from his coaching duties.
It was a big day of announcements for Disney and Bob Iger. What do you think of all the news? Let us know in the comments.