Forget waiting for the next dose of K-pop demon hunters; DreamWorks is about to unleash a tidal wave of animation magic with its upcoming film, “Forgotten Island.” Universal’s animation powerhouse is poised to deliver an experience that might just surpass expectations. Polygon has secured an exclusive first look at this highly anticipated movie, set to hit theaters on September 25th.
A Glimpse into Nakali
The exclusive image introduces us to Jo (HER) and Raissa (Liza Soberano), alongside a strikingly original character: Mermahn, the Prince of Kataw. This hunky blue merman sports a fishnet shirt and starfish strategically placed on his… well, you get the idea. The name is a clever nod to his half-fish heritage.
We reached out to co-directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado for some background on this intriguing character:
Meet Mermahn: Prince of Kataw
“Ah yes, Prince Merhman,” the directors shared. “Son of King Merdad, heir to the Pearl Throne, and wielder of Tidebreaker (a trident sword)! Prince Mermahn is a shallow, self-absorbed merman thirsty for validation who becomes part of the Wild Pack during Jo and Raissa’s journey on Nakali.”
The voice behind this memorable character? Kevin McCann. “Throughout our production process, many of us provided temp or ‘scratch’ voices before we brought in the actors,” the directors explained. “Kevin’s scratch was just too good to NOT use. So we kept him in the film! He was part of the editorial team on ‘Forgotten Island’ as well as ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.’ And fun fact: he also voiced the character ‘Ethical Bug’ in that film! He’s super talented.”
Pushing the Limits of 2D Animation
Given Joel Crawford’s previous work on “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” which redefined animation boundaries, we were eager to learn how he and Mercado pushed those limits even further with “Forgotten Island.” Their response was illuminating:
“In ‘Forgotten Island,’ we were really excited to explore including more anime references and telling side-stories in 2D animation. Creating a new world from scratch in Nakali also afforded us the opportunity to really push our camera lens choices as well as our lighting design. We really want to immerse the audience in the 90s era in terms of color and vibe.”
The Plot Thickens: What’s “Forgotten Island” About?
“Forgotten Island” tells the story of two friends who stumble into another realm and must find their way home before they lose their memories. The official synopsis reveals:
While celebrating their last night together, Jo and Raissa discover a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali, teeming with magical and mythological creatures from Filipino folklore. Some will become friends, others foes. Joined by the well-meaning-but-hapless weredog Raww (Dave Franco) and a small but mighty pack of pals, Jo and Raissa must face The Dreaded Manananggal (Tony Award winner Lea Salonga), the most feared creature on the island. When they discover that the memories of their entire friendship are the price for returning home, Jo and Raissa will race to find a way to leave the island before they forget each other forever.
Meet the Cast: A Who’s Who of Talent
Here’s a breakdown of the impressive voice cast:
- HER as Jo
- Liza Soberano as Raissa
- Dave Franco as Raww
- Manny Jacinto as Bungi (a Tiyanak)
- Jenny Slate as Batiba (a Batibat)
- Lea Salonga as The Dreaded Manananggal
- Dolly de Leon as Lola Fatima (Jo’s grandmother)
- Jo Koy as Datu
- Ronny Chieng as King Truffle Wuffle
- Kevin McCann as Mermahn, the Prince of Kataw
Mark Your Calendars: “Forgotten Island” Arrives September 25th
“Forgotten Island” is set to make a splash in theaters on September 25th. Get ready for an unforgettable animated adventure!
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