'Avengers,' 'John Carter' and More on Disney's D23 Expo Agenda

Marvel

Disney will present sneak peeks at The Muppets, John Carter, Oz The Great and Powerful, Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie, Pixar's Brave and Marvel’s The Avengers at its studio-themed convention known as D23 Expo.

Disney will also trot out the stars of some of those movies, including Jason Segel, Kermit, and Miss Piggy (Muppets), Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, and Willem Dafoe (John Carter), Kelly Macdonald and Kevin McKidd (voicework for Brave), Jennifer Garner (The Odd Life of Timothy Green), Jack McBrayer and Sarah Silverman (Wreck-It Ralph), and Avengers cast members, whom have not been revealed.

The company, in making the announcement, also promised surprise guests, with some speculating cast members of the not-yet-in-production Lone Ranger, starring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer, could show up as well. 

The convention, now in its second year, runs August 19 to 21, but it’s August 20 that promises to be the big day, with the sneak peaks and cast roll call. Also on hand for that day will be Disney Studios chairman Rich Ross, production president Sean Bailey, Disney Animation and Pixar chief John Lasseter and Marvel man Kevin Feige.

D23 Expo, held at the Anaheim Convention Center, is designed to be a Comic-Con-style celebration of things Disney and D23’s nascent arrival has affected how Disney (and Marvel) now approach Comic-Con; the studio, for example, didn’t bring Avengers to the San Diego-based pop culture mega-event, waiting to hold it for its own event.

A large amount of time will be devoted to Pixar, which is celebrated its 25th anniversary, including a look at the key members of the Pixar creative team (in a panel including Lasseter, Jim Morris, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, Lee Unkrich, Mark Andrews and Dan Scanlon), a look at the characters of Pixar’s new movie Monsters University, a focus on composer Michael Giacchino, a look at the art of Brave, and a panel discussion with the filmmakers behind the Pixar shorts.

Also on the schedule, an advance screening of the 3D version of The Lion King and and the upcoming ABC holiday special Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nicefrom Walt Disney Animation Studios.

On the convention center floor, fans will be able to see a collection of props from Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, engage in drawing classes, meet-and-greets, book signings, among other activities.