In some good news this week, Disney has released the first images from its upcoming film Raya and the Last Dragon – and they are stunning!
The picture shows a powerful Raya wielding a sword, accompanied by a trusty sidekick (what is a Disney film without one?) named Tuk Tuk. The landscape is gorgeously rich in colour and detail, with that magical touch that Disney are known for. Director Don Hall (Winne the Pooh, Big Hero 6, Moana) describes the film as “the most beautiful animated film I’ve ever seen.” Hall’s co-director is Carlos López Estrada, who made his directorial debut in 2018 with Blindspotting.
A second image shows Raya and Tuk Tuk in front of the titular last dragon, Sisu, who will be voiced by Awkwafina (The Farewell, Crazy Rich Asians).
The film follows Raya as she journeys out of The Heart Lands (one of the five lands in the fictional kingdom of Kumandra) to search for the last dragon to save the kingdom of Kumandra from the Druun.
Raya and the Last Dragon will be the first Disney film inspired by Southeast Asia and the first Disney film to be lead by a Southeast Asian actress with the casting of Kelly Marie Tran (Star Wars). The script was written by Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim.
Tran spoke about the importance of her character: “Raya is totally a warrior. When she was a kid, she was excited to get her sword. And she grows up to be a really badass, gritty warrior and can really take care of herself.”
Raya and the Last Dragon is set to be released on 21 March 2021.
Words by Orla McAndrew
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