Disney is premiering a brand new VR short film at Siggraph in a few weeks, but it has VR plans for its D23 Expo too.
A new VR experience highlighting the company’s array of broadway shows will be on display at the event this year. Little about the piece is known right now but Disney promises it features “brand new” content. According to the company, it will put “you center stage in Aladdin, Frozen, and The Lion King’s biggest Broadway production numbers”. Stars include Caissie Levy (Elsa), Major Attaway (Genie), Telly Leung (Aladdin), and Tshidi Manye (Rafiki).
From the sounds of it, then, this might be a 360 video showcasing choice picks from each musical. If you want some idea of what to expect, Disney actually already filmed a performance of Circle of Life from The Lion King back in 2015. To this day it actually remains one of the better 360 videos we’ve seen.
It’s been four years since then, though, and 360 filming has come some way. We’d love to see an updated version of The Lion King and other musicals in VR.
This isn’t the only way Disney is using VR, though. In fact, this month’s upcoming live-action adaptation of The Lion King used VR to help visualize many of its scenes. We’re still waiting on a Pixar VR film, though.
Sadly there’s no word on if this app will be released to VR headset owners following D23. This year’s show takes place from August 23 – 25. Hopefully this won’t be the only VR experience to speak of at the show.
