The Walt Disney Studios doesn't just do singing princesses with animal friends anymore. Now, the company houses Marvel Studios, Pixar and Lucasfilm as well. Upcoming projects for the company include Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, The Eternals, Frozen 2 and the live-action Little Mermaid film. At this year's D23 Expo, Disney brought all this and more, treating attendees to exclusive footage and special guest appearances.

The panel began with the co-chairman and Chief Creative Officer of the Walt Disney Studios, Alan Horn. He discussed the past two years since the last D23 Expo where they debuted "The Circle of Life" footage and announced the cast members of the live-action Aladdin.

"Today we're talking about what we're doing for the biggest of screens -- the movie theater," he said.

About the Fox acquisition, the logos for Ford v Ferrari, Spies in Disguise, The King's Man and Avatar were shown; however, the footage isn't ready for these films yet, said Alan.

Joining Alan onstage was Kathy Kennedy and the writer/director of Star Wars: Rise of SKywalker, JJ Abrams.

"I guess I'd like to start by thanking Kathy for hiring me," said JJ. With that, the cast of Rise of Skywalker came onstage, including BB-8 and R2D2.

"It's crazy to think in a few short months the rise of Skywealker will bei n theaters," said Daisy.

Keri Russell's costume was displayed on the screen, and "I can't wait for you guys to meet Zorri. She's kind of cool and she's kind of shady.. she's kind of a criminal and an old friend of Poe's," she teased.

"Lando has never left me," said Billy Dee Williams. "Being here all these years these 40 years has been a very special experience for me."

"You'll love it," said Anthony Daniels, talking about the work they've been doing for the past few months.

About Carrie Fisher, JJ said they cannot possibly tell the end of these 9 films without Leia and because of found footage they have Carrie Fisher in the film. "She was sort of supernaturally witty and magical in a way," he said. In The Princess Diarist, she had written special thanks to JJ Abrams for putting up with her twice when she had only worked with him once, he shared, saying that it's classic Carrie.

A new poster was revealed and exclusive footage of The Rise of Skywalker was shown, including a shot of Rey in a hood wielding a red double-bladed light saber.

Next Kevin Fiege came onstage, wearing a Black Widow hat. "It's time we give you some new news," Feige said, and he brought out Ryan Coogler onstage.

They teased the name of Black Panther 2, but Ryan said it wasn't ready. May 6, 2022 is the official release date for the sequel.

The cast of The Eternals took to the stage, including Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Kumail Nanjiani and Angelina Jolie. New character Druid will be played by Barry Theogen and a final Eternal, Circe, will be played by Gemma Chan. Playing a non-Eternal character Dane Whitman will be Kit Harington.

Then an exclusive Black Widow trailer was shown.

In the works for Disney live-action is Jungle Cruise. Star Dwayne Johnson sailed across the stage in an old school Jungle Cruise boat.

"We wanted to make a move that was big that was epic that had romance, big comedy, big action, but most importantly, it's got me," said Dwayne Johnson before unveiling the trailer. The trailer included many clips of Johnson's character, including him saying the iconic skipper line about the eighth wonder of the world, the backside of water.

Emily Blunt joined him on stage next, only she rode in on a buggy. Then they showed another trailer, this one from the perspective of her character. Apparently, neither of the clips were the actual trailer.

Back to the stage was Angelina Jolie to talk about Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. "I missed her and I love playing her.  Now we return, Aurora is older, and they're facing the challneges of the world. And it's being emphasized to them how different they are. And they are encouraged to not be a fmily and pulled apart by their differences. And we really pose the question and fight for the belief of what is different makes you stronger, and what is family and what defines family is what you believe in and how you love and what you stand for. So, I love this movie very much," Jolie said.

We will learn more about the Dark Fey in the film, and brought on to the stage was Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

"There's always sort of a sense of belonging when you meet other actors... but when you add on top of that working with women, it's kind of a sense of feeling safe with each other. And I liked the script, and I really loved the film, and I was excited to be a part of it," said Pfeiffer.

The next film is Mulan that "draws from the source material and Disney's classic animation." Shot in China and New Zealand, it's a deeply human story. Mulan director Niki Caro came onstage, saying she thinks Mulan's story represents all of us and is relevant today 1500 years later. She said she is most excited for audiences to feel this story on a "truly epic scale." Then the audience was treated to scenes from the film.

Cruella was announced next. Emma Stone and Emma Thompson will "take us back to the early days of the notoriously fashionable diva." Emma Stone is in London shooting but sent a greeting, revealing that the story will be set in 1970s London. The audience got a first look at Emma Stone's Cruella DeVil, and she's dressed in leather with teased black and white hair.

The Pixar Animation Studios part of the panel is next. Two original films are coming out, and one of them is Soul. It's a film about metaphysics and exploring the question "Why am I here?" The premise of Soul is souls are trained in the You Seminar of all the thing that make you you, including your passions and dreams, then it joins you in the real world. Joe is a middle school band teacher and has been playing jazz since he was three, but finally gets his big break to play the club he's always wanted. Then he falls through a manhole, and we see him as a little soul at the You Seminar. He makes a friend named 22 who's been at the You Seminar a little too long, but helps him find a way to get back to Earth.

Musicians Jon Batiste and Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross from Nine Inch Nails are involved in the film, and Ahmir "Questlove' Thompson will be a voice in the film. Phylicia Rashad is voicing Joe's mother.  Joe's nemesis Paul will be played by Hamilton's Daveed Diggs. The voices of Joe Gardner and 22 are Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey.

A trailer for Onward played. Tom Holland and Chris Pratt took to the stage, as they are the voices of Ian and Barley, the brothers in the film. "Last time we were here we like space buddies fighting on Titan, and now we're elf buddies fighting in LA," said Tom Holland. Their mother, Laurel Lightfoot, will be voiced by Julia Louis Dreyfuss, who came on stage as well.

"It was really fun to play an Elf mom of these two bozos here," she said. Then eight minutes of the film played that's exclusive to D23.

"It's been a really crazy week, and I love you from the bottom of my heart. I love you 300!" said Tom Holland.

Then it was announced that the Manticore will be played by Octavia Spencer. Following the news, another clip from the film played.

The final slate of the panel is Walt Disney Animation Studios, where it all began. A sizzle reel of Disney animated films was shown, going all the way back to 1937's Snow White.

The D23 exclusive coming out Thanksgiving 2020 is Raya and the Last Dragon from directors Paul Briggs and Dean Wellins, screenwriter Adele Lim, and Osnat Shurer. "It's a fantastical work of imagination" inspired by the beautiful and diverse cultures of Southeast Asia.

They researched the film by traveling through Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, and they're continuing to work with experts in the area.

The film takes place in Lumnadra a reimagined Earth with dragons. The world is divided up into five areas.

Raya is a warrior quest to find the last dragon, which she believes can save the world, and "she can swing a sword like a five-star badass," said Adele Lim.

Next, the audience saw footage from the film, which was exclusive to D23. Part of the premise is before the dragons left they hid a gift for the people, one that can save a dying kingdom or bring it to an end, per the voiceover. Playing the lead character, Raya, is Cassie Steele. Playing the voice of Sisu the dragon is Awkwafina.

Sisu is inspired by the auspicious water spirit of Southeast Asia. She flies by riding the raindrops and has a gem that channels a huge power. But the catch is she can also take a human form, which is how Raya finds her. Sisu is not the hero dragon Raya is expecting. Members from other clans join in Raya's quest and they form a family.

Raya and the Last Dragon will come out November 2020.

November 22nd this year is the premiere of Frozen II.

The question they're answering is, "Why does Elsa have powers" and so they called Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez, the songwriters. "Where were the parents really going when the ship went down?" and why doesn't Anna have powers are other questions they were wondering. What they can tell us is Frozen 2 is even bigger and more epic... and we mention it's a story that starts in the past... as you know, we tend to kill off the parents... we're very sorry. But guess what? We're bringing them back! For a scene. It's a flashback with the Queen and young Anna and Elsa." Voicing the mother is star Evan Rachel Wood. The voice of Lieutenant Mattias is none other than Sterling K Brown.

The clip of Anna and Elsa's mother singing to the young characters was played, as was a clip of Lieutenant Mattias talking to Anna about his father. Sterling K Brown was overjoyed to see his character in action, which he hadn't seen yet. Then a little more of Act One of the film played. The film begins in the past. In the prologue a voice "cries out in a dangerous moment" and that voice is now calling Elsa, which takes us to the clip of Anna, Elsa, Olaf and Kristoff playing charades.

Kristoff is about to propose to Anna but it goes awry as Anna is distracted by Elsa's apparent distress. Despite being calmed by Anna, Elsa wakes up in the middle fo the night hearing the voice. A new song played about how she's already gone on an adventure and doesn't need to follow that Siren's song into the unknown.

The cast of Frozen came to the stage, and they sang about how some things never change. Jonathan Groff held a stuffed Sven as he sang for both Kristoff and Sven. Confetti fell as the cast crescendoed.