We seem to be in a place where original movies are getting their time in the sun, and DreamWorks Animation, known for franchises like “Shrek,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” and “Kung Fu Panda,” is looking to release an original project in September called “Forgotten Island.” This new animated effort, hailing from Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, who will be writing/directing.
Universal Pictures, the film’s distributor, has dropped a first-look trailer for “Forgotten Island” that sees two wildly creative childhood friends, Jo and Raissa, now young adults, being transported to a reality-shattering, fantastical island after discovering a portal on their final night together before they’ll be separated. Their friendship is tested alongside magical creatures that inhabit the island, as they may end up having to sacrifice memories of each other to return home.
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It boasts a voice cast that features musican H.E.R. (“The Color Purple”), Liza Soberano (“Lisa Frankenstein”), Jenny Slate (“Marcel the Shell with Shoes On,” “Dying for Sex), Manny Jacinto (“The Good Place, “The Acolyte”), Dolly de Leon (“Triangle of Sadness”), Dave Franco (“Now You See Me”), Lea Salonga (“KPop Demon Hunters”), comedian Jo Koy (“Haunted Mansion”) and fellow funny man, Ronny Chieng (“The Daily Show,” “Shang-Chi”).
A logline for the animated flick courtesy of Universal:
While celebrating their last night together, Jo and Raissa stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali, packed with magical and mythological creatures they grew up hearing stories about from their Filipino families. Some of these figures will become friends, some foes. Joined by well-meaning-but- hapless weredog Raww (Franco) and a small-but-mighty pack of pals, Jo and Raissa must face The Dreaded Manananggal (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.
After viewing the trailer for “Forgotten Island” (See below), coming to theaters September 25, we are getting minor vibes of a family-friendly version of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” mixed with “Palm Springs.”
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
