Our gente is showing up loud and proud in all things Disney, and we are so ready for it. Just look at the announcements coming out of Disney’s D23: The Ultimate Fan Event – like Coco 2. There’s Latino talent sprinkled like pixie dust all over the Mouse House! So take a look at the Latinos coming to Disney’s small screen, films, and even theme parks.
Coco 2
Let’s start with a visit to the land of the dead… again.
“Remember me,” asks Benjamin Bratt. The Emmy-nominated actor took to the D23 stage in Anaheim with a much-anticipated update on the long-awaited Coco 2, scheduled to be released in November of 2029.
“Prepare yourselves, amigos, Ernesto de la Cruz will be back to seize his moment,” said Bratt.
According to the Emmy-nominated actor, Miguel is a teenager now and still strumming the strings of de la Cruz’s guitar on the streets of Santa Cecilia. “To some, Miguel is a little menace who ruined a career and destroyed a legacy,” says Bratt. “Ernesto de la Cruz is back for revenge.”
“Coco 2 pushes Miguel to his limits. But, his true compass remains his family and his beloved ancestors who come to his aid and play a pivotal role in his journey,” Bratt tells the crowd.
Coco was released in 2017 and would go on to make over $800 million worldwide and earn two Oscars – one for best animated feature film and the other for best original song with “Remember Me.” The sequel will reunite the original filmmaking team of Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina. No word on other cast members returning – we are looking at you, Gael Garcia Bernal. Although now seems as good a time as any to report that we found Bernal’s BFF Diego Luna buried in the cast of the newly announced Tangled live-action movie, due in theaters in the spring of 2028.
In more things Coco, Bratt announced that the film will be featured in Kingdom Hearts, Disney’s action role-playing game. And in more news that is sure to make you un poco loco, a newly announced Coco ride is coming to Disney’s California Adventure. Work is already underway and it’s expected to highlight the music, the journey, and the color of the land of the dead. Disney didn’t give us an opening date, though.
Encanto
Speaking of rides, we may not talk about Bruno, but we can certainly talk about the new wild attraction coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto. The attraction at Walt Disney World will send riders into the enchanted casita with some familiar familia. Stephanie Beatriz, Jessica Darrow, and Diane Guerrero will all lend their voices to the ride, which is expected to open in 2027.
In other Encanto-related news, the man responsible for the music of the Colombian animated film, Lin-Manuel Miranda, was himself minted as a Disney Legend at D23. The honor was given to 11 people, each with an iconic history with the Mouse. Auliʻi Cravalho, the voice of Moana, presented the honor to Miranda over the weekend. In all, Miranda has composed music for four Disney films: Moana, The Little Mermaid (2023), Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), and, of course, Encanto.
We are sure to hear some Miranda music on the new Encanto ride. But, as for an appearance of Bruno himself (John Leguizamo) – well, no one talked about that.
Ice Age
But, we can tell you that Leguizamo is back in a franchise that dates back almost a quarter of a century, and is as hot as ever.
Ice Age: Boiling Point is slated for February 2027. While the film’s plot remains frozen on ice, we do know that the original gang of Queen Latifah (Ellie), Dennis Leary (Diego), and Ray Romano (Manny) are back. To date, the Ice Age franchise has earned over 6.4 billion at the box office. With numbers like that, it’s easy to see why Hollywood is obsessed with the franchise.
X-Men
Speaking of obsession, the Latina behind the runaway indie hit Obsession, Inde Navarrette, has been added to another ga-jillion dollar movie franchise – X-Men. Navarrette is taking over the role of Rogue, formerly played by Anna Paquin. In the new reboot from Marvel Studios, Navarette joins Adam Driver as Mister Sinister, Christopher Abbott as Charles Xavier, Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, and Samara Weaving as Emma Frost.
The untitled X-Men movie is slated for a Cinco de Mayo 2028 release.
Star Wars
Over in a galaxy far, far away comes new details on Star Wars: Streetfighter. Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy gave fans at D23 a first look at the film. Canadian/Brazilian Mia Goth is among the star-studded cast that includes Matt Smith and Oscar-nominated Amy Adams.
Star Wars: Streetfighter will be released on the 50th anniversary weekend of the original Star Wars movie – May 28, 2028.
And, after an almost three-year hiatus, Rosario Dawson is finally back with the second season of Star Wars: Ahsoka. Fans at D23 got a look at a new trailer. The sophomore season will see the return of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker and will hit Disney+ in January of 2027.
Avengers
Expectations were mucho high for any news on Avengers: Doomsday, and boy did D23 deliver. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is bringing together a lot of Latinos for this one. Pedro Pascal, Tenoch Huerta, and Danny Ramirez are among the packed cast. Avengers: Doomsday will hit the big screen just in time for Christmas this year.
