Untitled WDAS Film (2028)

[Sotiris]

Has Disney learned nothing from the reception of Wish? Audiences rejected non-photorealistic rendering for Disney films.

In 2028, the studio plans to release another original. Mr. Bush wouldn’t divulge the title or plot, saying only: “It’s not a human world. It’s a very different style than we usually do.”

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/busi ... -bush.html

[DisneyFan09]

Well, perhaps audiences could`ve accepted a different style if it was done right. The style of Wish didn`t look right at all. The characters looked like paper cardboards against unfinished backgrounds.

But I`m curious what this movie is going to be about. Since it`s confirmed to not be a human story, is it going to be an animal movie?

[reee9948]

So is Disney going to be releasing two animated movies in 2028 or will Frozen 4 be released in 2029? Since Frozen 3 and 4 are part of the same story, I'd imagined Disney wouldn't want to leave their audiences hanging in the cliffs for 2 years.

[reee9948]

Has Disney learned nothing from the reception of Wish? Audiences rejected non-photorealistic rendering for Disney films.

In 2028, the studio plans to release another original. Mr. Bush wouldn’t divulge the title or plot, saying only: “It’s not a human world. It’s a very different style than we usually do.”

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/busi ... -bush.html

Wish was poorly recieved because the movie felt undercooked, both the animation and the story. From what I've seen in the internet, a lot of people wants Disney to start embracing a more cartoony art style rather than just copying Pixar photo realistic style.

[Kyle]

Has Disney learned nothing from the reception of Wish? Audiences rejected non-photorealistic rendering for Disney films.

No, they havent?
None of Disney's animated movies have been "photo realistic" in the first place. Unless you count the "live action" adaptations.

[The Disneynerd]

Has Disney learned nothing from the reception of Wish? Audiences rejected non-photorealistic rendering for Disney films.

Did the article really mention a non realistic render style similar to Fish? Im genuinely asking as i cant access half of the article as im not subscribed to NYT. If so, mehhh, but not surprising as other movies thrive with their Experimental artstyles these days

Non human world could still mean fairies, Mermaids or such type of non human fairytale which could be exciting, but i expect this to be another Anthropomorphic animal movie in the veins of Robin Hood and Zootopia, perhaps to draw parallels to 100 years of Mickey . No way WDAS would leave the rats 100th anniversary untouched. Perhaps another retool of the Search for Mickey Mouse? I think they basically tested the waters for a fully theatrical idea with the publics perception for the Once upon a Studio short which seemed positive enough.

So is Disney going to be releasing two animated movies in 2028 or will Frozen 4 be released in 2029? Since Frozen 3 and 4 are part of the same story, I'd imagined Disney wouldn't want to leave their audiences hanging in the cliffs for 2 years.

While it would make sense to contain the hype strictly, imo Still quite a smart decision to put the long awaited focus on 3 and gather most audiences to see it (like 3 is gonna be the only new Frozen sequel for a few years so masses will devour it stronger than just waiting a few months to skip to the finale ala Endgame). Also leaves room to build more anticipatation once 3 is gonna hit Disney+ to grow more audiences so 4s gonna explode at the box office (and most likely will even surpass 2 Billion$).
A 2 year distance would be the best of both worlds imo

[Disney's Divinity]

Has Disney learned nothing from the reception of Wish? Audiences rejected non-photorealistic rendering for Disney films.

No, they havent?
None of Disney's animated movies have been "photo realistic" in the first place. Unless you count the "live action" adaptations.

Moreover, Wish's design aesthetic was the one thing that was generally praised as far as the film review sites go. That's just a knowable fact, even if there was what seemed almost like a coordinated group of new member posters working overtime trying to blitz this site with commentary saying the opposite. Personally, I liked the style, although I hope they keep working on ways to improve it further as time goes by.

But I'm not sure if I believe that sentence necessarily means it's in that same vein stylistically anyway.

[PatchofBlue]

Yeah, what I remember is that the visuals were the only part of WISH that most people liked. It was the thin story and limp songs that turned people away from it. There's definitely a proper way to use that technology.

[reee9948]

Yeah, what I remember is that the visuals were the only part of WISH that most people liked. It was the thin story and limp songs that turned people away from it. There's definitely a proper way to use that technology.

The character model looked like they are from a high budget video game if I'm being honest, however I really liked the painted background in the movie. It reminds me so much of Sleeping Beauty which is one of my favorite Disney movies.

[Sotiris]

None of Disney's animated movies have been "photo realistic" in the first place. Unless you count the "live action" adaptations.

You misunderstood. I'm talking about the type of rendering here, not the level of stylization in character design. Disney movies before Wish may not have been photorealistic, but did use photorealistic rendering.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physicall ... _rendering
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-photo ... _rendering

Did the article really mention a non realistic render style similar to Fish? Im genuinely asking as i cant access half of the article as im not subscribed to NYT. If so, mehhh, but not surprising as other movies thrive with their Experimental artstyles these days

No, he just said "a very different style than we usually do" which I took it to mean non-photorealistic rendering since it's the newest trend in the industry.

Moreover, Wish's design aesthetic was the one thing that was generally praised as far as the film review sites go.

The majority of the comments I encountered online complained about Wish's style calling it "unfinished", "old-fashioned", "low-budget", and "video game-like".