The Walt Disney Company’s bi-Annual ultimate fan event, D23 Expo, opens in Anaheim, CA once again with the Disney Legends ceremony. This year’s twelve inductees’ achievements define what Disney is today. This year’s inductees include: Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man), Diane Sawyer (ABC News), Jon Favreau (Iron Man, Jungle Book, Lion King), Hans Zimmer (Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean), Robin Roberts (ABC News), Burnette Ricci (Director of countless Disney parades and productions), Christina Aguilera (Mulan, Mickey Mouse Club), Ming-Na Wen (Mulan, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Mandalorian), James Earl Jones (Lion King, Star Wars), Wing T. Chao (Imagineering), Kenny Ortega (Newsies, Hocus Pocus), Bette Midler (Hocus Pocus).
But you’re not here for the boring stuff.
Walt Disney Company Video Montage
Images of Deadpool and The Planet of the Apes appeared in the Walt Disney Company corporate video montage (OK, fake news make a story out of this!)
Robert Downey, Jr.
Robert Downey, Jr. recounted his first visit to Disneyland, which ended with his arrest for smoking pot on a gondola ride. Iger laughed it off and took notes.
Diane Sawyer
Diane Sawyer knocked the chocolate Chewbacca off the table in her hotel room, but gathered the pieces together in a nice pile for housekeeping.
Jon Favreau
Jon Favreau said his favorite film was Fantasia, which featured a redesigned Mickey with pupils in his eyes for the first time and how Twitter went berserk.
“…featured a redesigned Mickey with pupils in his eyes…”
Robin Roberts
Robin Roberts referring to her brother’s great-grandchildren…”black don’t crack.”
Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera says becoming a Disney Legend was “way cooler than a Grammy” and cited Disney’s Sound of Music as her inspiration to be a performer (I won’t tell her, if you won’t).
“…cited Disney’s Sound of Music as her inspiration…”
Ming-Na Wen
Ming-Na Wen, who plays a big role in The Mandalorian, says she prayed to “God, Buddha, and the Force” she prayed to “God, Buddha, and the Force” as a little girl.
“…she prayed to God, Buddha, and the Force…”
Wing T. Chao
Wing T. Chao opened his speech with…”Hello, I am Jackie Chan.” He urged Iger to move forward with a kung-fu architect movie.
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones recited the immortal words “May the Force Be With You”…which I’m sure he never said.
