Disney Worldbuilders doc sets Disney+ date with Cameron, Feige and Favreau
Leslie Iwerks’ documentary about Disney park storytelling will premiere on Disney+ on Aug. 20 after a D23 debut.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
Disney’s next behind-the-scenes park documentary has a date: Disney Worldbuilders will arrive on Disney+ on Aug. 20, Variety reports.
The film comes from director Leslie Iwerks, whose Disney ties run deep. She is the granddaughter of Disney Legend Ub Iwerks, the animator and inventor who co-created Mickey Mouse with Walt Disney.
According to Variety, the documentary tracks how Disney turns screen stories into walk-through, ride-through, full-sensory park experiences. The projects featured include worlds tied to films and franchises such as Frozen, Zootopia and more.
The guest list is packed with major Disney-era filmmakers. Variety reports that James Cameron, Kevin Feige, Jon Favreau, Pete Docter, Jennifer Lee and Jared Bush appear in the film, talking through the creative handoff from movie screen to theme park land.
Filmmakers meet theme park magic
Favreau, who directed the latest Star Wars film The Mandalorian and Grogu, appears in the documentary and says, “Technology with a good piece of storytelling creates this immersive experience.”
The film lands after a busy stretch for Disney park tie-ins. Variety reports that earlier this year, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu was added to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Another recent example comes from Frozen. Variety reports that in March, Jennifer Lee, the former chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation, saw Olaf and Arendelle brought into the parks when World of Frozen opened at Disneyland Paris.
The documentary also includes looks at upcoming Disney spaces. Variety says the film offers rare peeks at new lands, areas and experiences being developed across Disney properties.
A D23 debut comes first
Before it hits Disney+, Disney Worldbuilders is set to premiere at D23, followed by a conversation with Iwerks, according to Variety.
The documentary also includes appearances from Disney executives. Variety reports that former Disney CEO Bob Iger discusses the effect of bringing top storytellers together across the Walt Disney Company, while Josh D’Amaro speaks about Disney’s storytelling legacy and how it is changing.
Iwerks has been here before. Variety notes that she released Disneyland Handcrafted last year, a documentary look at the making of Disneyland and Walt Disney’s plan to build the park he called the “happiest place on Earth.”
Disney has also released a teaser for Disney Worldbuilders, giving viewers an early look at the film before its Aug. 20 Disney+ premiere.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.