Looks Like We’re Going to Have to Wait Even Longer for, Kelly Marie Tran Is Officially a Disney Princess! The first trailer hasn't been out that long, but viewers are already extremely excited about the film, and many have high hopes that it will provide the representation they have been asking from Disney for a long time. But regional research was only a small portion of the research done for the animated film. And the film looks amazing. She's a trained lawyer and opera singer as well as a mom and author. Raya, a Southeast Asian heroine, takes centre stage in Disney's latest animated film. But it looks like things are not going well in Raya’s world, as she zooms over the desert in a vehicle that looks like part of it is based on her cute armadillo friend. [8][9][10] To research, the production team traveled to Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.[11][12][13]. Jessica Mason (she/her) is a writer based in Portland, Oregon with a focus on fandom, queer representation, and amazing women in film and television. According to the Southeast Asian branch of IGN, Kelly will be the first Southeast Asian actress to fully voice a Disney princess. As of now, Raya and the Last Dragon is set for release on March 12, 2021.We were already hopeful that would be possible. They even used gamelan instruments in their conceptual process. In addition, Qui Nguyen joined Lim as co-writer and Peter Del Vecho joined Shurer as producer as well. Directed by Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada. But hopefully, since it looks like there are five, they might be assigned the Chinese elements (Wu Xing) of Earth, Wood, Fire, Metal, and Water. In the first wave of reactions, many point to Raya's use of Arnis as a weapon as a reason to be excited, in addition to the fact that most of the characters in the movie are people of color. A lone warrior sets out to find the last dragon in existence and save the kingdom of Kumandra from the villainous Druun. [3] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Pixar's Soul taking that release date (and then later moved to Disney+ on Christmas Day), the film's release was delayed to March 12, 2021. [2], On May 24, 2018, That Hashtag Show reported that Walt Disney Animation Studios was developing an animated film titled Dragon Empire, which would be the directorial debut of story artists Paul Briggs and Dean Wellins, written by Kiel Murray. The first look poster and teaser of the film was released on 21 October 2020. Will Voice the Lead in Upcoming Animated Film. Premise. The last dragon is named Sisu and is voiced by “The Farewell” Golden Globe winner Awkwafina. [4], The film is set in a fictional fantasy land called Kumandra, inspired by Southeast Asian cultures from Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Laos. Email us. The film features the voices of Kelly Marie Tran and Awkwafina as the titular Raya and Sisu, the last dragon, respectively. Good things are coming in 2021, and when we return to theaters, Disney will be there with Kelly Marie Tran leading Raya and the Last Dragon.The film has been in … Do you think we’ll actually get to see it in theaters? In addition, Qui Nguyen joined Lim as co-writer and Peter Del Vecho joined Shurer as producer as well. READ NEXT: 10 Best Fathers in Disney and Pixar Movies. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. According to the outlet, the filmmakers also attempted various martial arts while conducting their research. Become a subscriber and support the site!