Disney Worldbuilders: Behind the Magic of Theme Parks
Disney fans will soon get a behind-the-scenes look at how Disney theme parks come to life in the new documentary 'Disney Worldbuilders,' set to stream on August 20th on Disney+.
The film, directed by Academy Award- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, features conversations with some of Disney's most influential storytellers, including Bob Iger, James Cameron, Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, Jennifer Lee, Pete Docter, Dave Filoni, Jared Bush, and Josh D'Amaro.
The documentary explores how stories like Avatar, Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pixar, and the worlds of Frozen and Zootopia come to life at Disney's theme parks around the globe. The conversations reveal a creative practice that moves in every direction, where a story can inspire a place, and a place can then inspire the next story.
Ahead of its debut on Disney+, 'Disney Worldbuilders' will have its world premiere at D23, the ultimate Disney fan event, on Sunday, August 16th. The documentary captures the architects of these franchises in their own words, discussing what they've built together and where they're taking it next.
'I wanted to understand what ignites the imaginations of the storytellers behind some of the world's most beloved stories,' said Iwerks. 'As I sat down with each of them, I discovered a common thread: they often traced their creative journeys back to a single childhood moment, walking through the gates of Disneyland and realizing that impossible dreams could become real.'