PEOPLE can exclusively announce the long-running ABC News program will airDisney 100: A Century of Dreams – A Special Edition of 20/20on Thursday, Dec. 14.
The new two-hour event will commemorate all the magical moments of Disney’s past, present and future, featuring “interviews, rare footage and photos, and never-before-heard stories from those who built the Disney Legend,” according to an official release. There’s also a new sneak peek at an upcoming new Disney theme park attraction.
Josh Gad— the voice of Olaf in theFrozenfranchise — narrates a preview for the documentary, which PEOPLE can also premiere.
Disney 100: A Century of Dreams — A Special Edition of 20/20.ABC News/Youtube
ABC News/Youtube
The clip features several stars from the Disney cannon such asMary PoppinslegendsJulie AndrewsandDick Van Dyke, opening up about what Gad calls “a century of the happiest stories and times that make you want to smile.”
Famous faces from Disney’s animated feature films — includingIdina Menzel(Elsa,FrozenandFrozen 2),Jodi Benson(Ariel,The Little Mermaid),Paige O’Hara(Belle,Beauty and the Beast) andAriana DeBose(Asha,Wish)— will also be talking about voicing some of Disney’s most beloved princesses.
They have also called upon some of Disney’s award-winning musical collaborators to discuss the key role music plays in the movies. Those featured include songwriter Richard Sherman of the prolific Sherman Brothers, legendary recording artistElton John, composerAlan Menkenand singer/songwriterLin-Manuel Miranda.
Additional appearances include journalists Chris Connelly and Kelley L. Carter,Katy Perry,Chris Evans,John Stamos,Mickey Mouse Clubactor Josh Ackerman, and Disney Channel star Christy Carlson Romano. New interviews with Disney CEO Bob Iger and Walt Disney’s grandsons Chris Miller and Walter Miller will also be featured, while interview clips ofTom Hanks,Pedro PascalandLupita Nyong’oare shown in the trailer.
Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse.ullstein bild via Getty Images
ullstein bild via Getty Images
Here’s20/20’s official description of what’s to come:
Disney 100: A Century of Dreams – A Special Edition of 20/20takes viewers on a magical journey that started in 1923, featuring a century of stories and experiences that will touch the hearts of audiences everywhere. From the creation of the Disney Brothers Studio to modern beloved brands such as Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox, the core DNA of Disney remains the same: storytelling, creativity, innovation and optimism. The special is a celebration of the countless Disney creators, telling the story behind the story that will astonish even the biggest Disney superfans, and viewers will be treated to an inside look at an all-new Disney attraction.
The documentary chronicles all facets of the storied company — from animation to parks to television to music — spotlighting those who have played essential roles in Disney’s history. Starting with the creation of the iconic character Mickey Mouse and unspooling the story of how Walt Disney’s quest to make the very first feature-length animated film, Snow White, nearly bankrupted the young studio, viewers will learn how unbridled determination and imagination became the cornerstones of the Walt Disney Company.
ABC will airDisney100: A Century of Dreams – A Special Edition of 20/20on Thursday, Dec. 14(9 p.m. ET).
It will also stream the next day on Hulu and later this month on Disney+.
source: people.com
