A trailer has been released for the next Leslie Iwerks film, Disney Worldbuilders. Along with the new trailer, it was announced that this feature-length documentary will be arriving on Disney+ on August 20th. When it does, fans will see some of “Disney’s most influential storytellers reflect on the memories, moments and creative breakthroughs that shaped their work, tracing how those stories come to life at Disney’s theme parks around the globe.”
These conversations show how there is a “creative practice” that permeates Disney. This allows for a story to inspire a place, and a place can inspire the next story. This practice dates all the way back to Walt Disney himself. It continues to provide the path that continues to provide the path for every new story that Disney tells.
“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. It’s a feeling I know well, and one that has shaped my own journey. My hope is that audiences leave with that same sense of possibility and inspiration.”
These conversations feature Bob Iger, James Cameron, Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, Jennifer Lee, Pete Docter, Dave Filoni, Jared Bush, and Josh D’Amaro. They provide a peek behind the curtain into how the creative minds create the connected universe that Disney provides. They will reveal how stories like Avatar, Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pixar, and the worlds of Frozen and Zootopia become places that fans can visit and experience.
As viewers watch Disney Worldbuilders, they will hear from the architects of these franchises in their own words. They will share about the stories and worlds they’ve built together. They will also reveal where things are going next. This will include a look at upcoming lands at Disney destinations around the world. This comes during a time that is one of the most ambitious periods of creative expansion in the company’s history. This also comes at a time when this period isn’t over; there is still more to come.
Disney Worldbuilders will celebrate its world premiere at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event on Sunday, August 16th. Those who are in attendance will be among the first to see the full film.
Leslie Iwerks continues to carry on her family name and the legacy this family has of being storytellers. Her grandfather, Ub Iwerks, was Walt Disney’s original animator and co-creator of Mickey Mouse. Her father, Don Iwerks, was a camera technician and inventor at Walt Disney Studios. Both won Academy Awards, and both are Disney Legends. Leslie has directed some incredible documentaries focused on different elements within The Walt Disney Company. This includes The Imagineering Story, The Pixar Story, Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible, and most recently, Disneyland Handcrafted.
Disney Worldbuilders is produced by Iwerks & Co. for Disney+. Daps Magic will have a review up of this film once we have had the chance to see it. What do you think of what you are seeing of it? What do you think of this trailer? Are you excited about it? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
