Disney’s D23 Expo is bigger and better than ever, packed with major announcements for fans of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, The Simpsons, and more.
This year, new shows and live-action projects stole the spotlight. Disney officially debuted the first trailer for Halle Bailey’s highly anticipated The Little Mermaid remake and announced that H.E.R. will star as Belle in the upcoming Beauty and the Beast 30th Anniversary Celebration.
But one of the biggest — and history-making — announcements came from the Marvel team, who previewed the first episode of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, featuring Marvel’s first-ever Black teenage superhero.
Hollywood Unlocked was in the room for the exclusive screening of the first episode, set to premiere in February 2023. Let us tell you — this series feels like a love letter to New York City, the Black community, Latin culture, family ties, and everything that makes urban youth culture thrive.
Laurence Fishburne, a creator and executive producer of the series, spoke during the D23 panel about the importance of showcasing Black families in a multi-generational, authentic way. He also revealed that the show’s lead, 13-year-old Lunella Lafayette (aka Moon Girl), is portrayed as one of the smartest characters in the Marvel universe — on par with Tony Stark himself.
The animated series boasts an exciting voice cast, including:
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Diamond White as Lunella Lafayette/Moon Girl
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Fred Tatasciore as Devil Dinosaur
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Libe Barer, Alfre Woodard, Jermaine Fowler, and more
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is set to premiere in February 2023 on Disney Channel and Disney+.
Representation matters — and Marvel’s next young hero is ready to change the game