Disney has released the first trailer for Walt Disney Animation Studios' upcoming RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON and the Southeast Asia-inspired CG fantasy unveils the first real look at a dazzling epic quest.
Per Disney's synopsis "Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans, and dragons lived together in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world—it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well." The film comes from directors Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada as well as co-directors Paul Briggs and John Ripa.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON features the vocal talent of Kelly Marie Tran as Raya and Awkwafina as the last dragon Sisu. In the case of Kally Marie Tran, who is Vietnamese-American, this makes her the first actress of Southeast Asian descent to lead a Walt Disney Animation Studios film. Producer Osnat Schurer spoke about the film on Tuesday, in a featured conversation during this week's virtual VIEW visual effects and animation confab, and she detailed how the film is heavily inspired by Southeast Asia. The filmmakers also took research trips to countries including Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Authenticity appears the top priority for Disney's latest animated production.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON, which was just entering production earlier this year when the COVID-19 outbreak was starting, has a crew of more than 300 that worked remotely to continue to get the film done. Voice recording also required a remote process and we will see how it all turns out when the film hits screens on March 12, 2021.
Did YOU like the first trailer?