Related
Disney release novel data about its approaching animated film , Raya and the Last Dragon , include a first - smell persona as well as an update cast that featuresStar Wars ' Kelly Marie Tran in the nominal role . In August 2019,Disney first announce the movieas its newest in - house vivify production . The plaster bandage initially included actress and comedian Awkwafina along withDegrassi : The Next Generation ’s Cassie Steele . Adele Lim ofCrazy Rich Asianswas signed on to indite , with longtime Disney graduate Paul Briggs , Dean Wellins , and Osnat Shurer tip as directors and producers .
Originally , Disney did not give much information about the story . It was to follow Raya , a warrior from the fictional kingdom of Kumandra , as she searches for the last remaining Draco . At the fourth dimension of the promulgation , Disney also confirmed that the film would reflect southeasterly Asian cultivation and myth , peculiarly using places like Thailand , Vietnam , and Indonesia as inspiration . The initial annunciation also include concept nontextual matter and a November 2020 release day of the month , which has since been push back due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Related : Where Each Disney Princess Movie convey Place
The first - look image , shared exclusively byEntertainment Weekly , aligns close with the original concept art — butEWalso shared the news that the talent and release date all have major update . Now , Kelly Marie Tran will be lending her articulation to Raya instead of Steele . Awkwafina is still regard and will be play Sisu , a dragon who has somehow ended up in a human body and need Raya ’s help to convert back . The news involves a directorial shift as well . Taking the helm will be Don Hall , one of the directors behind hits likeMoanaandBig Hero 6 , along withBlindspotting ’s Carlos López Estrada . Briggs is staying on as atomic number 27 - director , along with Disney animator John Ripa . American - Vietnamese dramatist Qui Nguyen is link up Lim as a co - writer . Shurer is still produce the moving-picture show , along with Peter Del Vecho , which is largely being make from outside locations — a relative first for Disney .
The first - look icon does n’t give a ton of story selective information , but it does feature Raya looking like a dependable warrior . The hero is carrying a mighty sword and hold out a flowing red mantle as she stares at a landscape painting that echoes some iconic destinations in Southeast Asia . Raya is also accompanied by Tuk Tuk , her trusty crony — because every Disney character needs one — who is depict by Hall as half - contain , half - armadillo . Hall partake in a few plot details withEW , stating that there ’s an malign force in the realm , represented by the villain Druun , and Raya must find the last dragon to help her salvage their land .
Overall , the film look like it ’ll be a positive step forward inDisney ’s representation and inclusivity . Both writer are of Southeast Asiatic descent , and Tran herself is the first Southeast Asiatic lead in a Disney production . Nguyen notice toEWthat movie heroes are typically blank , and Asiatic theatrical performance is usually from East Asia — like the upcomingMulanremake — so this film is incredibly crucial . It ’s a utter follow - up toMoana , which also featured an autonomous distaff warrior and a non - white story . As of now , Raya and the Last Dragonis slat to premiere on March 12 , 2021 .
Next : Why Disney Started Making So Many Live - Action remaking
reference : Entertainment Weekly
