Disney Announces New Fantasy Adventure RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON Animated Film
Disney announced a brand new animated fantasy adventure film project they are developing at the D23 Expo today. It’s called Raya and The Last Dragon and it looks like it’s going to be another incredible movie from the studio.
The film will be set in southeast Asia and features themes from that part of the world. The story is set in a realm called Kumandra, which is described as “a reimagined earth inhabited by an ancient civilization that venerated the mythical dragons for their power and their wisdom.”
It’s explained that there are five distinct clans from the Land of the Dragon, but the dragons are gone and Kumandra has been invaded by a dark, sinister force. Raya is a lone warrior on a quest to save her world, determined to find the last dragon, who she believes, has the power to save Kumandra.
The film stars Cassie Steele as Raya and Awkwafina takes on the role of the dragon, named Sisu. When talking about her character, Awkwafina says, “She’s not like any other dragon that you’ve seen before; she’s a water dragon.” You can see an image of that dragon character below. There is a catch to Sisu though, Steele explains that “when Raya first meets Sisu, she’s in human form and needs Raya’s help to reclaim her power to become her true dragon self. Basically, Sisu is not the hero dragon Raya was expecting, but thankfully they have help. Raya and Sisu are joined by a band of misfits from different clans, who become a family.”
They showed some beautiful early footage from the film during the presentation and it looks like it’s going to be an incredible magical adventure. I loved the art style and the southeast Asia inspired setting is going to give it a super vibrant look.
The footage screened is set in a green lush forest while it’s raining and we see a warrior’s foot step into the muddy ground. This footage has a photo realistic look to it. As this character travels through the forest, there’s narration from a kid’s voice telling the story, “Our world was created by dragons. But before they left, they had a gift for people. A powerful, yet dangerous gift.” As the warrior walks through a cave filled with ancient art, the narration continues, “But what we will find? Hope, or destruction?” The warrior takes off a hat to reveal that she is the young woman and main character, Raya. She is also being followed by a little boy with a flute who was providing all the narration on her journey.
The film is being directed by story artists Paul Briggs (Frozen) and Dean Wellins (Zootopia). Moana producer Osnat Shurer is overseeing the project and Adele Lim (Crazy Rich Asians) wrote the script.
Raya and the Last Dragon will arrive in theaters on Thanksgiving 2020. I’ll be looking forward to watching this!
Just Announced: Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon, starring @cassandrasteele (Raya) and @Awkwafina (Sisu, the Last Dragon). Check out all-new concept art, and see the film in theaters November 2020. #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/V40bv64IIp
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) August 24, 2019
The cast of @DisneyAnimation’s new film Raya and the Last Dragon, @CassandraSteele and @Awkwafina join the filmmakers on stage at #D23Expo. pic.twitter.com/2J9um56pwU
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) August 24, 2019
