The Force is strong with Disney’s Super Bowl 57 commercial.
On Sunday, ahead of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, Disney dropped a surprise Super Bowl 57 announcement in honor of its upcoming 100th anniversary, which will be October 16, 2023.
The minute-and-a-half ad, titled “Disney100 Special Look,” will air during gameplay as a surprise to fans and will feature scenes from the iconic Disney IP, including several moments from the Star Wars franchise; footage from animated films such as Lion King, Frozen and Encanto; and behind-the-scenes moments from stage productions, theme parks and fans.
“As we commemorate our 100th anniversarye anniversary, it is remarkable to look back on the legacy of Walt Disney and his passionate pursuit of excellence that continues to propel the company forward today. We are incredibly grateful to generations of people around the world for being such a special part of our history and for inviting our stories and characters into their lives over the past century,” CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. communicated. “Disney100 represents a celebration of all of our fans and families, as well as our creative storytellers and visionaries whose talents and imaginations have created the magical moments that make Disney such an enduring part of global culture.”
Along with the announcement, Disney touted its upcoming anniversary events in a statement, including Disney100: The Exhibition having its world premiere at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 18. The event is expected to bring Disney stories to life through innovations and immersive technology, according to the company.
In addition to the surprise publicity, Disney is expected to debut several trailers during the Super Bowl touting its upcoming theatrical releases from Pixar, Marvel Studios, and Lucasfilm. Trailers are currently expected for The Little Mermaid, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Elementary and The Wonders.
Of course, the timing of the celebratory ad can be questioned. In a recent earnings call, Iger announced a major reorganization, dissolving Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution Group, a division created under former CEO Bob Chapek, in favor of three different segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN and the Parks Group, Experiences and Products. Amid the reorganization and massive loss of subscribers and revenue, the company plans to lay off 7,000 employees.
When announcing the reorganization, Iger also said the company would build on proven intellectual property, with planned films from the Toy Story, Frozen and Zootopia franchises.