Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we haven’t had a Walt Disney Animation Studios film this year. But coming next spring is Raya and the Last Dragon. Entertainment Weekly are revealing that Star Wars: The Last Jedi’s Kelly Marie Tran is voicing Raya, the titular character for the film. She’s the first Southeast Asian actress ever to lead a Disney animated film. Also among the cast is Awkwafina as Sisu the dragon, and Adele Lim, who co-wrote the screenplay with playwright Qui Nguyen.
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Raya and the Last Dragon is the first feature from Walt Disney Animation inspired by the culture of Southeast Asia. Disney is also releasing the first fully rendered image from the film, giving fans an idea of what the final product will look like. You can see the image below:
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Disney describes Raya as “an epic fantasy adventure with southeast Asian themes.” Set in a realm called Kumandra, a reimagined earth inhabited by an ancient civilization. Five clans form the land of the dragon, and Raya is daughter of the Chief of the Heart Lands. During the years before the story begins, dragons and humans live together in harmony. One day, monsters known as Druun invade, forcing the dragons to sacrifice themselves and save humanity. Raya starts a journey to find the last dragon, hoping to save the realm.
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Moana, Big Hero 6, and Winnie the Pooh director Don Hall reveals that his newest film was another first for the company. Raya is the first animated Disney movie developing almost entirely from remote locations. The whole production started in earnest during the coronavirus lockdown. November 25th was the original release date, but the pandemic altered Disney’s entire schedule. Raya and the Last Dragon will now hit theaters (hopefully) on March 21, 2021.
Featured Image: Walt Disney Animation Studios