Walt Disney’s animated musicals are built upon a legacy of rich innovation, resonating storytelling, and heartfelt songs. So for Wish, its 62nd feature, which also celebrates the studio’s 100 anniversary, Disney veteran director Chris Buck and first-time director Fawn Veerasunthorn, using a script written by Disney Animation Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee and Allison Moore, are delivering audiences a celebration of the visual storytelling medium. Now a new trailer gives us a better look at how 2D watercolor techniques and 3D animation work in tandem to create something that’s a century in the making.
Earlier today, we posted our reaction to some of the footage that was released to a select group of journalists and an interview with Buck and Veerasunthorn. We will have more interviews and coverage of some of the behind-the-scenes work later this week.
Wish is an original fairy tale that follows Asha (Ariana DeBose), a sharp-witted idealist who treasures her family and community. Living in a rustic cabin just outside of the Kingdom of Rosas, Asha works as one of the island’s greeters and is among the first faces people see when arriving in Rosas filled with hopes and dreams. The beloved and somewhat vain King Magnifico (Chris Pine) protects his kingdom and his people with the magic that’s he’s learned throughout his years. He’s so powerful that he can grant anyone’s wish. However, this is not something he does for anyone, and as such, he accepts all wishes that are given to him. So when Asha learns that Maginfico can only grant a wishes he deems good for the kingdom, she turns to the stars for answers that she is desperately looking for. And the cosmic forces respond by sending her a little ball of boundless energy that inspires people to pursue their deepest wishes. Together, Asha and Star confront the altruistic ruler and discover that he will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.
It wouldn’t be much of a Disney animated musical full of color, music, and magic without a few animal companions. So for Wish, Asha is paired with Valentino. Voiced by Alan Tudyk, a.k.a. Disney animation’s good luck charm, Valentino is a confident and opinionated baby goat who follows Asha wherever she goes. The adorable pajama-wearing little guy could teach humans a thing or two about perseverance — that is, once Star magically gives him the power of speech.
Other voice talents include Angelique Cabral, Victor Garber, Natasha Rothwell, Jennifer Kumiyama, Evan Peters, Harvey Guillén, Ramy Youseff, Niko Vargas, Della Saba, and Jon Rudnitsky.
Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter Julia Michaels and Grammy-winning producer/songwriter/musician Benjamin Rice writes seven original songs that are both an homage to the Disney animated musicals of old yet have the spirit of the new generation written into their lyrics. Dave Metzger serves as the film’s composer.
Wish opens in theaters on November 22, 2023.
Here’s the official plot synopsis for Wish:
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force — a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe — the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico — to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.
