Disney Animation’s Southeast Asia-inspired fantasy involved research trips to countries including Singapore and Thailand.
Disney has dropped the teaser trailer for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ upcoming Raya and the Last Dragon, scheduled for a March 12, 2021 release.
The Southeast Asia-inspired CG fantasy follows the fearless Raya, voiced by Kelly Marie Tran, and the last dragon, Sisu, voiced by Awkwafina. It’s directed by Don Hall (Oscar winner for Big Hero 6) and Carlos Lopez Estrada, from a screenplay by Adele Lim (Crazy Rich Asians).
Producer Osnat Schurer (an Oscar nominee for Moana) spoke about the upcoming film on Tuesday, in a featured conversation during this week’s virtual VIEW visual effects and animation confab.
She related that while the story is set in a fantasy world, it was heavily inspired by Southeast Asia. The filmmakers took research trips to countries including Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. Schurer added that they also tried martial arts and gamelan instruments as part of their creative process.
The producer shared that the movie was just entering production earlier this year when the Covid-19 outbreak was starting, therefore the crew of more than 300 have been working remotely. Voice recording also required a remote process.
