Wish

[Thumper_93]

The fact is that they can create a mediterranean character with a mix of the spanish culture and the Morocco culture. Morocco's people came to Spain and they stayed here for some centuries. Spanish culture has lot of influences from Morocco and some of our buildings have their Style. They could create a stunning world...

[D82]

I dont think biracial or POC would be weird in the Mediterranean world, at the time, wasn't it a hub for commerce and trade routes from all sorts of cultures? (I see the ocean and ships in the concept art.) What is weird is that she would be a princess.

It's true, but an Afro-Latina specifically would be a bit weirder for that time and place. I don't think it has been confirmed she is, though. Ariana DeBose said it's a character that "looks like her" and "has a mixed background", but didn't say directly whether she's Afro-Latina or not. Maybe, she's biracial like her, but not Afro-Latina.

In another interview she said: "this is really cool, where an incredibly multicultural group of individuals is coming together to make something that represents all of us". Is she confirming the setting is a mix of different cultures there?

Regarding whether Asha will be a princess or not, both in the presentation and in interviews they mentioned she "cares endlessly about her community" and "is a leader who doesn't know it yet", which makes me think she could be, though it doesn't necessarily mean she will either. Also, she lives in a kingdom, which makes it more possible.

By the way, here are a couple more images and videos (1 and 2) of the Wish display/photo-op at D23 and a better look at Asha's kingdom:


Source: https://twitter.com/Crystal_blue_89/sta ... 0125534210


Source: https://twitter.com/PatrickADougall/sta ... 7015495680


Source: https://twitter.com/spinatmaedchen/stat ... 2581462017

[Thumper_93]

In my opinion a character created by a mix of cultures is something that is not all right. They have been making movies based in especific cultures like Encanto in order to represent colombian people. Why would you do a movie with a mix of cultures with non sense? These cultures deserve an individual representation because they are so important as the cultures that has been already represented.

[carolinakid]

Re:D82’s latest pictures of Princess Asha.

She black. ‘Nuff said!

[singerguy04]

I think Asha is absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to see more of her! As a side Ariana is also a stunning talent who I think will bring a very high quality of performance to this character. Ariana also seems to be a bit of a spit-fire, so if she has any influence in her character I think we'll get a really interesting princess.

I'm purely speculating, but I wonder if part of the reason they are keeping the location a little vague is to be able to fit more references from past films into the film without it being too jarring. As was mentioned, historically the Mediterranean served as a crossroads of trade for many civilizations. Maybe this will be reflected in other characters, architecture, art, clothes, and so forth in the film? I just hope because of it coming to us during the 100 years celebration it isn't reduced to just references.

[Disney's Divinity]

I don't mind the amalgamations because aren't most of the princess films amalgamations anyway? At least they always seemed that way, very vague where the setting is (ye olden times is how I think of them). That and the other way of practically copyrighting a specific culture (think of PIXAR with El Dia de los Muertos) is sort of creepy in its own way.

I love these other shots of her. The hairstyle they gave her is very pretty. I made the image in my banner based on that first shot of her posted, the one that's almost a side view of her looking to the left (I simply flipped it to use for basis). It was sort of hard to imitate the style of the other little avatars because her hair is so long and straight, I copied the Pocahontas one as far as cutting it off in a way that implies it keeps going down further than what's shown.

[D82]

I don't mind the amalgamations because aren't most of the princess films amalgamations anyway? At least they always seemed that way, very vague where the setting is (ye olden times is how I think of them).

I was going to say that too. Personally, I don't mind it as long as the setting feels cohesive enough, but I also understand Thumper_93. If your country is included in one of these amalgamations, you're less likely to get a Disney film set in it in the future.

I think Asha is absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to see more of her! As a side Ariana is also a stunning talent who I think will bring a very high quality of performance to this character. Ariana also seems to be a bit of a spit-fire, so if she has any influence in her character I think we'll get a really interesting princess.

I agree about Ariana. I'm glad she was cast in the role. I just hope the songs live up to her talent. The one that was previewed is nice, but not memorable enough for a Disney "I want" song, in my opinion. I also agree Asha is very beautiful. At first, I thought she looked a bit generic, but it's true that the braided hair and that hairstyle sets her apart from the other princesses, as Disney's Divinity said. I just wish they hadn't given her a goat as a pet, even though he's very cute and I like his design. That coupled with her color scheme always reminds me of Esmeralda. Plus, she even wears an ankle bracelet like her.

Speaking of her appearance, I wonder if the motive at the lower part of the dress and on her satchel could be the symbol of the Kingdom of Rosas. It looks a bit like a rose, but I'm not sure if that's what it is.

I'm purely speculating, but I wonder if part of the reason they are keeping the location a little vague is to be able to fit more references from past films into the film without it being too jarring.

That's an interesting theory. Who knows, maybe it is one of the reasons.

[D82]

A new interview from D23 with Ariana DeBose and Alan Tudyk has been released. What Ariana says near the end when asked what she hopes people take away from the movie; that your dreams don't work unless you do and so on, sounds a lot like The Princess and the Frog's message, doesn't it? I hope it's not the main theme once again.

[DisneyFan09]

So Valentino is going to talk, huh? Well, at least it`s something to distinguish him from Djali.

[D82]

So Valentino is going to talk, huh? Well, at least it`s something to distinguish him from Djali.

Yes, that's true.

[singerguy04]

A new interview from D23 with Ariana DeBose and Alan Tudyk has been released. What Ariana says near the end when asked what she hopes people take away from the movie; that your dreams don't work unless you do and so on, sounds a lot like The Princess and the Frog's message, doesn't it? I hope it's not the main theme once again.

I'm not too upset with keeping the idea that a person needs to put in the work for their dreams to come true. It is the truth for the most part. I think something that will separate Tiana from this is that she also takes it all WAY too literally in PatF. She overworks, and learns the lesson that it's important to put in the work, but also ok to take a step back and enjoy your life. It doesn't seem like that's the how Asha's journey will go so far, I can see it taking a more "you can't rely on a wish to solve all your problems" kind of route, which again sounds similar to PatF through Naveen's journey?

In that interview Alan's energy is what struck me. He's been in a number of great Disney films, and he seems a little more excited this time around. I think that's a good sign that he's happy with the project overall.

[D82]

I'm not too upset with keeping the idea that a person needs to put in the work for their dreams to come true. It is the truth for the most part. I think something that will separate Tiana from this is that she also takes it all WAY too literally in PatF. She overworks, and learns the lesson that it's important to put in the work, but also ok to take a step back and enjoy your life. It doesn't seem like that's the how Asha's journey will go so far, I can see it taking a more "you can't rely on a wish to solve all your problems" kind of route, which again sounds similar to PatF through Naveen's journey?

I don't have a problem with the message itself either; I think it's something good and important to learn, but I fear it could feel a bit repetitive to have the same lesson in this film as well. But you're right Tiana also learns not to be too obsessed about work and enjoy life more, so probably it'll be a bit different here, as you said.

[Sotiris]

Here's what Carlos has been up to since leaving WDAS.

Carlos López Estrada has been enlisted by Paramount, Bad Robot and Toho to rewrite and direct the sci-fi anime live action remake “Your Name.” López Estrada is currently developing an animated feature documentary set to release in 2023, as well as the live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated favorite, “Robin Hood.”

Source: https://variety.com/2022/film/news/raya ... 235418682/

[Disney's Divinity]

A documentary? I wonder what about.... Anyway, I thought he'd left Disney altogether, so I'm surprised he's involved with the Robin Hood remake.

[D82]

I wonder if the reason he left WDAS is that he was offered to direct this movie. It's interesting that both the Your Name remake and the documentary he's developing are somehow related to animation.

A documentary? I wonder what about.... Anyway, I thought he'd left Disney altogether, so I'm surprised he's involved with the Robin Hood remake.

I'm a bit surprised by that too. If it's true, I guess he left on good terms with the studio.

[Sotiris]

Disney trademarked the characters Sabino and Queen Amaya that are most likely from this film.

[Disney's Divinity]

Asha, Sabino, Amaya--I'm liking the names they're choosing so far. I hope Sabino is the name of a love interest for Asha, at least it sounds like a male name to me? And that Amaya is a villainess.... I know the existence of a prince or a villain is close to nil with modern Disney, but I keep hoping.

[D82]

Amaya is definitely a Spanish name. It comes from the Basque Country, which is a region of Spain. But maybe it's used in other countries too. Sabino sounds like it could be Spanish as well, but I've never heard that name before. If it is, it's definitely a male name.

[carolinakid]

Yes, Sabino is a Spanish name meaning wise. It comes from the Latin root sapiens which in Spanish is sabio.

The feminine form is Sabina.

[Disney's Divinity]

That makes sense, what with saber meaning to know in a more definite sense (whereas conocer is more of to know in a more personal way). It's been a while, but I remember a lot of Spanish..

Either way, "Prince Sabino" or "Queen Amaya" would sound great, that's why I thought about it. At least from the pictures we have of Asha, she doesn't strike me at first as a natural born princess even though she's living in a kingdom (where there has to be a ruler of some kind). I could be wrong though--"Princess Asha" does sound right.