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All the Disney Investor animation announcements: From 'Lightyear' to 'Zootopia+'

Lightyear (Credit: Disney)
Lightyear (Credit: Disney)

Being something of a cornerstone of the brand and all, the world of animation wasn't left behind in yesterday's sprawling announcements from Disney.

A swathe of new projects, both short and long form, are set to drop from the Mouse House in the next couple of years.

Some of them have potential to hit that 'future classic' note, too.

Lightyear

Now, maybe close one eye and try to take this all in; Chris Evans will lead this origin story of the human man that inspired the creation of the toy Buzz Lightyear. But like Toy Story, it's also an animation. Clear? Well, even Evans felt the need to try and clarify matters on Twitter.

Raya and the Last Dragon

A fantasy tale of humans and dragons in the world of Kumandra, with Star Wars' Kelly Marie Tran voicing warrior Raya and Awkwafina as the dragon Sisu. This has been confirmed to be getting the ‘premiere access’ treatment that Mulan had: launching in cinemas, and on Disney+ for a fee, on the same day.

Read more: All of the Disney Marvel movies on the way

Win Or Lose

Pixar's first full-length series, Win or Lose will come bundled with the studio's usual cerebral, touch-feely edge, following a middle school softball team heading to a championship game, told from different character perspectives.

Encanto

Encanto (Credit: Disney)
Encanto (Credit: Disney)

Hamilton icon Lin-Manuel Miranda will front Encanto, the story of 'a magical family in a magical home' set in Columbia. Miranda will be on scoring duties too.

Cars

Yep, Lightening McQueen and Mater will be back for a new series on Disney+, landing in the autumn of 2022.

Read more: Every major film coming out in 2021 and 2022

Baymax

The breakout star of Oscar-winner Big Hero 6, the hulking healthcare robot Baymax, is getting his own show set in San Fransokyo.

Dug Days

Remember Dug, the excitable retriever from Up? (SQUIRREL!!) Well, he's back with a new series based in his back yard, premiering in the autumn of 2021.

Turning Red

Turning Red (Credit: Pixar)
Turning Red (Credit: Pixar)

Anything cuter in nature than the red panda? Nope, there is not. From the director of Pixar short Bao, Domee Shi, will come this bundle of cuddliness, a tale of an awkward teen who turns into a panda when she gets excited. We've all been there.

Zootopia+

We'll be returning to the denizens of Zootopia (or Zootropolis as it was called in the UK), with mob-connected shrew Fru Fru and Flash the Sloth set to return.

Tiana

The hero from The Princess and the Frog, Tiana, is getting her own show in 2023, all set in the kingdom of Maldonia. She'll be the first Disney princess with her own series.

Moana

This will be followed by Moana, which will pick up the story of the plucky explorer from the inspiring 2016 movie.

Iwájú

One of the most intriguing animation projects, Iwájú is a collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pan-African comic book entertainment company Kugali. Set it Lagos, it will explore themes of class in a futuristic world.

Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers

Edgy comedy fans will be both bewildered and intrigued by the prospect of a live action-animation hybrid reboot of chipmunk siblings Chip 'n Dale, starring John Mulaney and Andy Samberg, directed by Lonely Island pal Akiva Schaffer, and also featuring Seth Rogen.

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