EW can exclusively reveal a first look image from Disney's next animated film, 'Raya and the Last Dragon.'
“Raya and the Last Dragon is a movie of many firsts — one of which no one saw coming, not even its creators. The upcoming film will be one of the first Disney Animation features to be developed from remote locations in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With production ramping up around March just as the pandemic hit, the Raya team had to quickly reshuffle, working with equipment at home and communicating through Zoom. Despite the challenges, director Don Hall says the studio’s various teams rallied to create what he calls “the most beautiful animated film I've ever seen.” As the filmmaker behind beloved pictures like Winnie the Pooh, Big Hero 6, and Moana, Hall knows what he’s talking about.
EW can exclusively reveal a first look image from Raya, which happens to be the first fully rendered CG image of the movie. Featured in the picture are Raya and her trusty steed Tuk Tuk, a creature Hall describes as a fuzzy bear meets “an insect version of an armadillo.” As an evil force threatens the fictional kingdom of Kumandra, the two must leave their Heart Lands home and track down the last dragon to help stop the villainous Druun.
EW can also reveal that voicing Raya is Star Wars actress Kelly Marie Tran, who took over the part from Cassie Steele. Awkwafina, whose inclusion was announced last August, is playing Sisu, a dragon in human form who needs Raya’s help to reclaim her power and become her true dragon self.”
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