Pixar @D23 EXPO 2017: What Do We Know?

The Walt Disney Company's biannual exposition showcasing the latest and greatest from all branches of the Mouse House is just days away. The D23 Expo 2017, held this upcoming Friday, July 14th through Sunday, July 16th, is the biggest event of the year for Disney fans excited about the company's upcoming projects. For Pixar fans, D23 Expo 2017 will similarly showcase exciting new information about the studio's upcoming projects: Coco, Incredibles 2, and Toy Story 4. As we prepare for the animation presentation this Friday, what should we expect to hear? And, more importantly, what surprises may be in store?

The main event that Pixar fans should most anticipate is the animation presentation held on Friday, July 14th, from 2:30-4:30 PM PST. The official press release for the presentation is below:

PIXAR AND WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS: THE UPCOMING FILMS, HOSTED BY JOHN LASSETER

Join host John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, as he presents Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films. Watch never-before-seen footage from Pixar’s upcoming feature Coco and Walt Disney Animation’s Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2, and be prepared for surprise announcements, musical performances, and appearances by star voice talent. Cell phones, cameras, and all recording devices will be checked for this presentation.

Ok, so we know we'll get new footage from Pixar's next feature Coco. But what about new announcements, concept art, or possible footage for Incredibles 2 and Toy Story 4? Both films are set to debut before the next D23 Expo in 2019, so it would only make sense that we get something. Here is a little breakdown of what we can expect (or rather hope) to see from Coco, Incredibles 2, and Toy Story 4:

Coco:

• Never-before-seen footage
• New concept art?
• Musical performance(s)?
• More detailed information about the World of the Dead?

Lee Unkrich, Director "Toy Story 3" and "Coco"

Incredibles 2:

• First look at footage?
• New concept art?
• Official title treatment?
• Teaser Poster?
• Teaser Trailer?
• First look at updated character designs?
• Casting announcements?

Brad Bird, Director "The Incredibles," "Ratatouille," and "The Incredibles 2"

Toy Story 4:

• Concept art?
• Teaser poster?
• First look at updated character designs?
• Casting announcements?

John Lasseter, Director "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Cars," "Cars 2," and "Toy Story 4"

While most of what we may want probably won't be revealed, it would be really nice to see at the very least concept art for Incredibles 2 and Toy Story 4. Because we don't know anything about the plots for both films, a sneak peek at some concept art for each could give us a base-line for what to expect regarding the timelines, characters, and environments of both films.

But what about the three Untitled Pixar Films?

In February 2016, Pixar President Jim Morris revealed that after Toy Story 4 in 2019, Pixar has four original projects in the works that are set to debut in the following years. We've known since then that Director Pete Docter is working on an original project, and for several years that Dan Scanlon and Mark Andrews are both working on directing their own original projects. Could we learn about which director's project has one of the three Untitled Pixar Film release dates from the above graphic? Titles for one or more of the films? Concept art? Baseline plot synopses? These are all of the really big unknowns for what to expect from Pixar's presentation at D23 Expo 2017.

We have to keep in mind that Pixar is sharing the same presentation with Walt Disney Animation Studios, so while we would love to get as much information as possible, time to give a presentation is precious. Additionally, although it is really REALLY exciting when we hear new details about untitled projects, it is also fun to not know that much information so we are kept speculating. After all, half the fun of being a Pixar fan is not knowing what is coming in the future. So, let's keep our expectations low, and (HOPEFULLY) get some exciting bits and pieces out of some of the original film concept projects that are in Pixar's upcoming film slate.

The Animation Presentation, PIXAR AND WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS: THE UPCOMING FILMS, HOSTED BY JOHN LASSETER, at D23 EXPO 2017 is on Friday, July 14th!