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Disney reveals the name of their new streaming service launching in late 2019 and teases new series starring Tom Hiddleston and Diego Luna.
Disney investors got a ton of information about Disney's upcoming streaming service Thursday afternoon, officially revealed as Disney+, including new series announcements for both "Star Wars" and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but many fans were hung up on that name.
The "+" didn't do Google+ any favors, but as a brand extension, it matches with the already launched ESPN+ sports streaming service, which has performed well for the company. Disney CEO Bob Iger also explained one way in which Disney+ will differ from key rival Netflix and that's in how it organizes its content.
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View StoryInstead of complex algorithms with rows and alarmingly specific categories, Disney+ is going to be divided into five hubs, similar to themed areas in an amusement park. Those five branches of Disney+ are Disney, Pixar, Marvel, "Star Wars" and National Geographic.
Each category will have its own look and feel specific to the brand its representing and feature archived and original content. That latter delineation is what many genre fans are most excited about, as Iger announced major new projects for both the Marvel and "Star Wars" hubs.
While the films labeled "A Star Wars Story" have reportedly been shelved after the poor performance of "Solo," Disney is looking back to its more popular entrant with an expansion of the "Rogue One" saga via an exclusive television series digging deeper into the backstory of Cassian Andor, once again portrayed by Diego Luna.
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View StoryThis joins the already announced "Mandalorians" series and the promised final season of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" animated series. And there's no reason to imagine Disney would skip the opportunity to premiere new big-budget "Star Wars" films on the platform as well, and especially if they want to compete with Netflix.
On the Marvel side, along with already-announced series for the Scarlet Witch and the Winter Soldier, the MCU's most popular villain has been confirmed to get his own series, with Tom Hiddleston on board to explore more about the crazy life of Thor's half-brother Loki.
Other original content touted for the streaming service includes a "Monsters Inc." series on the Pixar hub and several holiday-themed films. Disney will be removing its movies from Netflix in 2019 before the launch of Disney+ later that year. Existing original MCU shows on Netflix and Hulu will stay put for now as Disney+ is looking at a more family-friendly focus, though it remains possible they could wind up there eventually.
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View StoryPresumably by that time, the Fox deal will be done, which explains NatGeo's presence as a hub. Will other Fox properties simply fold into the existing hubs, then? It remains to be seen. If it does, hopefully they'll have a way to differentiate canon MCU properties from disasters like all of the "Fantastic Four" movies to date.
In the meantime, check out how fans are reacting to the big announcement, including their excitement about the launch and their disappointment in the name. But seriously, is it worse than DC Universe?
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View StoryUT OH!!! I'm wondering which app I'll have to delete unsubscribe and cancel to make room for this #DISNEYPLUS OHHHH BOY I'M EXCITED!! °O° °O° https://t.co/IlK0xPaxs1
@KEEKEE2FINE
Huh. #DisneyPlus as the name. I don't dislike it, though I was anticipating a more creative and iconic name. The plus makes it sound like a dinky little app serving as a tiny bonus to the Disney product, not this huge media colossus that will put the final nail in the TV coffin
@HighRiskOculus
Where do I sign up? #DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/PIlk9nSdUb
@ItsJustMayhem
A Cassian live action TV show, hell yes! #StarWars #DisneyPlus
@jedidaniel
Me hearing there is a @Disney streaming service! Let's hope it's available in Australia! #DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/Z3c58CRtO2
@RandomlySuzana
*Crosses Fingers*
@Foxification
Come onnnnnnnnn...
STREAMBOAT WILLIE!#DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/P0mc9bbWua
I'm over the Luna 🌙 that there'll be Cassian Adventures! 😏😎 🐻 🌲 #DisneyPlus #diegoluna *Hope @garywhitta gets to write an Episode or two. https://t.co/LYQcdm9rhD
@anasianskywalkr
Here is a simple request regarding the upcoming #DisneyPlus. NO LIVE. ACTION. SITCOMS. EVER! pic.twitter.com/XwrNQfeUjA
@Dclark11132000
Can't help but think @Disney missed a trick with the new #DisneyPlus logo. The signature logo we all know has a '+' within the 'D'. I've singled it out in a secondary image. Adding the arguably jarring & off-kilter plus in their manner is perplexing. Anyone agree? #designthinking pic.twitter.com/7xskOES5g4
@deadbeatweets
Woohoo! The new highly anticipated streaming service...
@BarnesWrites
...Is named Disney Plus. Really? That's the most creative thing you could come up with? You're DISNEY.
Here are several options that I came up with that I feel are more fun than #DisneyPlus
#Disney reveals the name of its upcoming streaming service, #DisneyPlus... parents of screaming toddlers everywhere are waiting with bated breath pic.twitter.com/ALgF4rAtpx
@ApothemMedia
As a global company with unlimited resources, creativity, and brand recognition @WaltDisneyCo naming their new streaming service DISNEY+ after already expanding another of their brands dubbed ESPN+ just seems a little "Lazy"(Not one of Snow White & The 7 Dwarfs)#DisneyPlus
@justajeremy39
I'm looking forward to the live-action prequel series to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on #DisneyPlus! This is the side of Star Wars that I find most interesting, honestly.
@gothamroyale
Really Disney? You're going to call your new streaming service #DisneyPlus? You couldn't call it something more creative like Disney Magic or something you had to go and pull a google us with your naming? pic.twitter.com/gGtsW08rrX
@Toonguy94
#disneyplus is about to be looking at my wallet like. pic.twitter.com/lmbOhffLWj
@fakelovebegone
Are we kidding with #DisneyPlus ? ESPN plus already exists be original guys
@Philaphonic28
Loki series coming to #DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/r5RPUaKxHL
@DoctorComicBook
cassian getting his own spinoff makes me so happy because he's my favorite character from rogue one so yayyyyy #disneyplus
@janissajoy
#DisneyPlus -- I preferred #disneyflix
@RichBTIG
Just read #DisneyPlus will be streaming a series based on Loki starring @twhiddleston and I think I just peed a little from excitement!
@xoxo_jessbeatty
Shoulda been DisneyLAN #disney #DisneyPlus #disney+ https://t.co/h0tK45zY6t
@MikeBowShow
But I want it now! #DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/bjJCBXxncb
@TweetAshlee
I can't think of a better character to get a Star Wars series than Cassian Andor, his whole dynamic in that movie was fascinating. And I really hope it sticks the landing of showing how dirty the wars get especially for those on the side of a rebellion #Disneyplus
@MccolleyJohn
So the streaming service of Disney is named... #DisneyPlus really? nothing more magical? like the disney mirror?
@U_S_Ace
some of the specials announced for it include spin offs Loki , Rogue one , the mandalorian, scarletwitch, highschool musical , monsters inc
coming late 2019 pic.twitter.com/QYIhZVCIRc
So @GooglePlus dies & #DisneyPlus arises. pic.twitter.com/qyUCA42cne
@Yopeac3
Netflix's new competition #DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/uBu1th6wJf
@axial_skeleton
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