Attendees at today’s D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA, were shocked and disappointed to discover that Disney and Lucasfilm had no new details to share regarding their highly anticipated Star Wars sequel, Star Wars: Episode VII (hence, I’m sorry to have to pass this disappointment on to you, dear readers).

The lengthy live-action presentation today at the main hall of the Expo, which included panels for other properties like Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Disney’s Maleficent, began this morning with the Lucasfilm panel. Immediately, it was announced that there were no additional details to be revealed on the forthcoming seventh episode of the franchise, apparently getting that bummer out of the way early. (I suspect Lucasfilm would have concluded the day’s presentation had breaking news been planned.)

Hello, Captain America!

Chris Evans, Anthony Mackie, and Sebastian Stan previewed the first footage of Captain America: The Winter Soldier today at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA.

The first scene (which premiered at Comic-Con back in July) finds Captain America in an elevator, watching the other men who enter with signs of concern. These are no fine men. They are there to eliminate everyone’s favorite superhero with a shield! They pin Captain America to the elevator’s wall, attacking him, but he fights back. Frank Grillo‘s character claims “it’s nothing personal,” but Captain America disagrees after knocking him out. Exhilarating scene!

A trailer-like piece of footage showed the various characters in the film, including Nick Fury, Black Widow, and Captain America. Some of the pieces of footage shown in this “trailer” included fight scenes involving Black Widow; a massive aircraft falling into the water; and shots of Robert Redford. More new footage was shown as well (see description here below).

Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, and Tom Hiddleston appeared with Marvel’s Kevin Feige to discuss Thor: The Dark World at today’s D23 Expo live-action studio presentation in Anaheim, CA.

While only some new footage, which showcased Portman’s Jane, was shown beyond the recently-released trailer, the sequel shows signs of epicness.

The first scene shared found a rumbling in a woods-set environment, full of explosions and then massive sword-fighting. Thor made a most timely and mighty entrance, using his hammer to destroy the scene. Parts of this have already been shown in the trailer, but this expanded on the already-revealed footage. Then Feige shared the aforementioned trailer.

Ever wanted to see Mickey Mouse in black-and-white, color, 2-D, 3-D, and with Walt Disney’s voice – in under seven minutes?

In November, you will have that opportunity!

Attendees at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA, today were among the first to see Get A Horse, the new animated short film that will play in theaters in front of Frozen on November 27, 2013.

Host John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, discussed the Animation Research Library, where individuals like him have made many discoveries. One great find: the artwork of the fourth Mickey Mouse cartoon that never came to full fruition. That is… until now!

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ next film is heating up anticipation, and for all the right reasons. Frozen could very well be the next game-changer for the animation house, if any of the footage or singing I caught today at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA, suggests its value.

John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, concluded the three-hour arena animation presentation with this film, which he described as a very special project. How special? Very much so.

Kristen Bell, the voice of the “funny,” “quirky,” and “magicless” sister Anna. Bell charmed the audience with her natural sharpness and down-to-earth sense of humor. She was that kid who sung Little Mermaid songs on the boombox, always dreaming of being involved with Disney. Now she has that privilege, voicing a character with effortless charisma and sweetness. She “wears her heart on her sleeve,” as the directors described, thus making for some awkward situations.