Wish

[D23ExpoVisitor25]

This article (https://deadline.com/2023/01/2023-china ... 235214100/) points out analsyts hope Iger smooths things out for Disney with China, now that he's back again. I REALLY hope he doesn't because Bob Chapek undid a lot of Iger's mistakes (like putting Love, Victor back on Disney+ and ending Iger's censorship of LGBTQ content, per Variety in Pixar movies starting with Lightyear, along with having better LGBTQ rep in Strange World) to show he would stand with the LGBTQ community after he initially fumbled yet got rightfully forced into speaking out against DeSantis and the Don't Say Gay bill. I hope Iger has learned not to make this same mistake again when it comes to Disney's Wish, the film from Walt Disney Animation Studios that is the finale to Disney's 100th Anniversary celebration, as it has an LGBTQ character played by an LGBTQ actress Princess Asha (voiced by Ariana DeBose) and a non-binary character in Star the Wishing Star, and if he removes the aspect of those characters to try and get China to release it there so it can make $1B WW like Frozen did, then, I'll be so upset and at my wit's end with anti-Disney cinephiles.

[D82]

It just occurred to me today that the Star looks more like a Sufganiyah than a star:

Yeah, it's a very chubby star. It's true it looks a bit like the one Sotiris mentioned. Personally, what it reminded me of when I first saw it are the stars in the Silly Symphony Wynken, Blynken and Nod. Mainly because it's a previous example of a sentient star from the studio, but also due to the cute design. The stars in that short look more like fish, though, since Wynken, Blynken and Nod are fishing them in it.



I actually like Star's design. Having a star as a character is one of the few things I liked from the D23 presentation of the film, I guess because a sidekick like this seems very Disney to me.

I hope Iger has learned not to make this same mistake again when it comes to Disney's Wish, the film from Walt Disney Animation Studios that is the finale to Disney's 100th Anniversary celebration, as it has an LGBTQ character played by an LGBTQ actress Princess Asha (voiced by Ariana DeBose) and a non-binary character in Star the Wishing Star, and if he removes the aspect of those characters to try and get China to release it there so it can make $1B WW like Frozen did, then, I'll be so upset and at my wit's end with anti-Disney cinephiles.

Has it been revealed Asha is LGBTQ? I've only heard about one character possibly being non-binary, but not about that.

[Farerb]

Yeah, it's a very chubby star. It's true it looks a bit like the one Sotiris mentioned. Personally, what it reminded me of when I first saw it are the stars in the Silly Symphony Wynken, Blynken and Nod. Mainly because it's a previous example of a sentient star from the studio, but also due to the cute design. The stars in that short look more like fish, though, since Wynken, Blynken and Nod are fishing them in it.



I actually like Star's design. Having a star as a character is one of the few things I liked from the D23 presentation of the film, I guess because a sidekick like this seems very Disney to me.

I wonder if they took inspiration from Wynken, Blynken and Nod for this film.

I actually don't mind the Star's design, though to me it's obvious that it's chubby for the plushies, and I agree that a Star is very fitting for a Disney sidekick. As much as I'm worried that this film might eventually turn out to be a Disney fanfic, I actually think this is the first film in a while that actually feels like a Disney film.

[singerguy04]

I like Star. I think it's really cute and I can already imagine them as a shoulder plush in the parks.

I do think if they were going for "classic Disney" the star would be a bit more human-like. Something ala the Blue Fairy in Pinocchio. But maybe this make more sense when we find out more details about the story. I don't know much, but I was also the impression that Star is the non-binary character. I mean, why does a Star need a gender anyway? It really doesn't.

I think overall, this movie already has more buzz around it than a project like Strange World so that's a pretty good sign it'll perform better. I just hope, like some others have said, that it isn't a mod podge of Disney tropes and can stand on it's own as a film.

Iger will probably help with the Chinese market, but I'm not personally betting too much into them making much of a difference. I think 2023 will prove to be a very interesting year in the Chinese market because Covid is kinda changing how everything works over there. Avatar 2 won one of the coveted release spots over there and is still underperforming expectations. It's hard to say what a year will bring, but I think what we think of regarding a success is something that will have to change. Between covid and streaming, I'm not sure an animated movie can cross the $1B mark anymore like in Frozen II's case.

[D23ExpoVisitor25]

I like Star. I think it's really cute and I can already imagine them as a shoulder plush in the parks.

I do think if they were going for "classic Disney" the star would be a bit more human-like. Something ala the Blue Fairy in Pinocchio. But maybe this make more sense when we find out more details about the story. I don't know much, but I was also the impression that Star is the non-binary character. I mean, why does a Star need a gender anyway? It really doesn't.

I think overall, this movie already has more buzz around it than a project like Strange World so that's a pretty good sign it'll perform better. I just hope, like some others have said, that it isn't a mod podge of Disney tropes and can stand on it's own as a film.

Iger will probably help with the Chinese market, but I'm not personally betting too much into them making much of a difference. I think 2023 will prove to be a very interesting year in the Chinese market because Covid is kinda changing how everything works over there. Avatar 2 won one of the coveted release spots over there and is still underperforming expectations. It's hard to say what a year will bring, but I think what we think of regarding a success is something that will have to change. Between covid and streaming, I'm not sure an animated movie can cross the $1B mark anymore like in Frozen II's case.

Yet Minions 2 was $60M away from $1BWW.

Also Avatar 2 may be underperforming in China, but it’s still gonna make $2B WW for James Cameron’s sake and it has been granted an additional 30 days in China to make more money.

[D23ExpoVisitor25]

It just occurred to me today that the Star looks more like a Sufganiyah than a star:

Yeah, it's a very chubby star. It's true it looks a bit like the one Sotiris mentioned. Personally, what it reminded me of when I first saw it are the stars in the Silly Symphony Wynken, Blynken and Nod. Mainly because it's a previous example of a sentient star from the studio, but also due to the cute design. The stars in that short look more like fish, though, since Wynken, Blynken and Nod are fishing them in it.



I actually like Star's design. Having a star as a character is one of the few things I liked from the D23 presentation of the film, I guess because a sidekick like this seems very Disney to me.

I hope Iger has learned not to make this same mistake again when it comes to Disney's Wish, the film from Walt Disney Animation Studios that is the finale to Disney's 100th Anniversary celebration, as it has an LGBTQ character played by an LGBTQ actress Princess Asha (voiced by Ariana DeBose) and a non-binary character in Star the Wishing Star, and if he removes the aspect of those characters to try and get China to release it there so it can make $1B WW like Frozen did, then, I'll be so upset and at my wit's end with anti-Disney cinephiles.

Has it been revealed Asha is LGBTQ? I've only heard about one character possibly being non-binary, but not about that.

Asha being LGBTQ was reported by Grace Randolph and (I think) also Skyler Shuler.

[Farerb]

From what I remember, Grace Randolph said there'll be a LGBTQ character, she didn't say who.

I don't know what Skyler said but most of what he says is false. He literally said this movie's name is Foster, which doesn't seem to be correct and in fact was a cancelled Blue Sky movie.

[Avaitor]

Guys, keep in mind, this is Grace Randolph we're talking about. How often is she actually right?

[D23ExpoVisitor25]

Guys, keep in mind, this is Grace Randolph we're talking about. How often is she actually right?

50/50

[D82]

I wonder if they took inspiration from Wynken, Blynken and Nod for this film.

I think they probably did, at least it may have given them the idea of having a star as a character.

I actually don't mind the Star's design, though to me it's obvious that it's chubby for the plushies, and I agree that a Star is very fitting for a Disney sidekick. As much as I'm worried that this film might eventually turn out to be a Disney fanfic, I actually think this is the first film in a while that actually feels like a Disney film.

Well, the character designs at least are a return to the classic Disney style. I like Asha's design too, though I would've preferred it was a little less generic and less similar to Isabella and Esmeralda. The color scheme and the fact that she has a goat as a pet reminds me especially of the latter.

The aspects I'm not convinced by are the story details we've learned so far, the fact that they want to explain the origin of the wishing star, that it could interconnect different Disney movies or the non-photorealistic rendering. We still know very little about the movie, though; perhaps it will all work better than it seems now. I hope so.

From what I remember, Grace Randolph said there'll be a LGBTQ character, she didn't say who.

That's what I remember too. Here's the moment where she said that. I haven't watched many of her videos lately, though; just the ones about the box office. Perhaps she has given new details.

Asha being LGBTQ was reported by Grace Randolph and (I think) also Skyler Shuler.

Do you happen to have a link to any of them saying that?

Guys, keep in mind, this is Grace Randolph we're talking about. How often is she actually right?

Well, she was right about Lightyear and Strange World having LGBT characters in supporting roles. In the case of Strange World, I believe she even said it would be Ethan. So, I think there's actually a high chance she's right about Wish too.

I don't know much, but I was also the impression that Star is the non-binary character. I mean, why does a Star need a gender anyway? It really doesn't.

Yeah, especially if it doesn't even talk, as it's the case here.

[Disney's Divinity]

I'm not sure if they'd have a LGBT protagonist in the very next film after Strange World though, but who knows. Ariana Debose makes me think it isn't impossible, simply because the characters these days imitate their voice actors to the point most WDAS / PIXAR films feel like live-action films that have been put through an animated translator rather than a character being built from the ground up on their own and then having a voice actor chosen to fit them as in the old days before Lasseter / PIXAR. And, tbh, if they're legitimately for LGBT characters now, they should put one in a film they actually plan to advertise that on paper is a hit like Wish versus something that looked like a flop from the word go that's not a genre they've ever had success with like Strange World.

And I suppose we should also give them kudos for finally taking a chance with a Black protagonist again (biracial, I know), since they really only have TP&TF from 14 years ago.... It's interesting to me that there have been more Latino and/or Asian protagonists in a shorter amount of time even though I think African Americans are a much larger demo in the U.S....? Since it's still up in the air if there will be a romance (straight or LGBT), I guess there may still be no first Black prince character here though. At least I think Naveen was called "European" or something, and there was some kind of controversy around it back when that they didn't depict a Black prince?

I also think the star is cute.

[carolinakid]

I always thought Naveen was an Indian Prince. (I know a couple guys from India who have that name, but they spell it Navin.)

I guess if Naveen is supposed to be from Europe, he’s what I call “generic Mediterranean”. He could be Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Greek or even Lebanese or Arabic.

[Farerb]

The aspects I'm not convinced by are the story details we've learned so far, the fact that they want to explain the origin of the wishing star, that it could interconnect different Disney movies or the non-photorealistic rendering. We still know very little about the movie, though; perhaps it will all work better than it seems now. I hope so.

Same.

By the way, I was thinking about what I said previously, about how the movie might be about immigrants facing deportation, and it made me wonder if this was actually the movie Carlos López Estrada was working on since this might be a personal topic for him, cause I just assumed his movie got shelved but perhaps that wasn't the case.

[D82]

Several books based on the movie are now listed on Amazon. All of them have the same synopsis we have already heard except the last three, which don't reveal much new info, but one of them is about Valentino the goat and one "is told from the perspective of a character close to Asha". Here are the links to the books and the new book descriptions:

Disney Wish Little Golden Book
Disney Wish: The Junior Novelization
Disney Wish: The Deluxe Junior Novelization
Disney Wish Step into Reading, Step 2
Disney Wish Step into Reading, Step 3
Disney Wish Pictureback
Wish Picture Book
Wish Middle Grade Novel
Disney Wish Ultimate Sticker Book

Based on Wish, Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Fall 2023 feature film, this middle grade novel follows the events of the movie told from the unique perspective of a character close to the story's heroine, Asha.

Source: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1368093647/ref=sr_1_5

Inspired by Disney's Wish, this brightly illustrated and enchanting picture book features an original story about Valentino the goat.

This original story features Valentino the goat and and an array of characters from Wish.

Source: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1368093655/ref=sr_1_4

Follow Princess Asha and her goat Valentino on an epic starlit adventure in Disney’s Wish with this book packed with stickers.

This fun activity sticker book features images and artwork from Disney’s movie Wish. Wish upon a star and celebrate Disney’s 100th year with all the key characters, locations, and moments and relieve the movie magic with more than 100 stickers.

Source: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0744086450/ref=sr_1_6

By the way, I was thinking about what I said previously, about how the movie might be about immigrants facing deportation, and it made me wonder if this was actually the movie Carlos López Estrada was working on since this might be a personal topic for him, cause I just assumed his movie got shelved but perhaps that wasn't the case.

Asha seeing "a darkness in the kingdom that nobody else does" makes me think the problem she has to face could be something supernatural, but I guess it could also be something like what you said. Anyway, I too have been wondering if Wish could be the movie Carlos López Estrada was going to direct and I think it's possible it is. One thing that makes me suspect that is that the main character is Afro-Latina (or at least it looks like she is), as well as the fact that Chris Buck is one of the directors. Well, maybe he wanted to do something new that wasn't related to Frozen, but I get the impression he might have come to the movie's rescue after there were problems with it and Carlos left or Jennifer Lee replaced him. If it's an immigrant story, that could be another indication it's the same film. We'll see. Maybe we'll learn whether it is or not from some interview when the filmmakers start doing press for the movie.

I always thought Naveen was an Indian Prince. (I know a couple guys from India who have that name, but they spell it Navin.)

I guess if Naveen is supposed to be from Europe, he’s what I call “generic Mediterranean”. He could be Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Greek or even Lebanese or Arabic.

According to Wikipedia, Naveen is an Indian name that can be spelled Naveen or Navin. Do they say in the movie he's from Europe? I don't remember if they do. Well, it's true the name of Maldonia seems to be a combination of Malta and Macedonia, so the fictional kingdom could be located in Southeast Europe. I think people have darker skin in European countries like Turkey, Armenia or Azerbaijan, but I don't know if they're as dark skinned as he is. He looks more like someone from India or near that region to me too. Curiously, his voice actor is Brazilian, so he's not even from the same continent as the character.

[Sotiris]

One of the books referring to the protagonist as "Princess Asha" changed my mind and now I'm more inclined to believe she might actually be a princess in the film itself. However, given Asha's peasant look and pet, she won't be one at the beginning of the film. I think she will become a princess somehow by the end, just not by marriage. Will it be by magic? Will she turn out to be royal by blood after all? Will this title be her reward for saving the kingdom? Her status as a princess may even pertain to a spoiler and may not be revealed during the film's marketing campaign.

[Farerb]

Interesting that there are already books so early. Perhaps this time they'll start marketing the film in March or April instead of July.

[D23ExpoVisitor25]

Interesting that there are already books so early. Perhaps this time they'll start marketing the film in March or April instead of July.

I'd bet we get the first teaser trailer with The Super Mario Bros Movie.

[D82]

One of the books referring to the protagonist as "Princess Asha" changed my mind and now I'm more inclined to believe she might actually be a princess in the film itself. However, given Asha's peasant look and pet, she won't be one at the beginning of the film. I think she will become a princess somehow by the end, just not by marriage. Will it be by magic? Will she turn out to be royal by blood after all? Will this title be her reward for saving the kingdom? Her status as a princess may even pertain to a spoiler and may not be revealed during the film's marketing campaign.

Even though I posted it and read the book description, I didn't notice they referred to her as a princess there! Unless someone made a mistake, this is confirmation she'll be a princess in the movie. If Disney has no problem revealing that in a book description, I don't think it'll be treated as a spoiler. It's true though that she's dressed as a peasant and a goat is not a typical pet for a princess, so perhaps you're right she won't be one at the beginning of the movie. At D23 they said Asha "cares endlessly about her community" and that she's "a leader in the making, even if she doesn't know it yet", which seems to imply she'll become a leader by the end of the film. But, if she ended up being the ruler of the kingdom, wouldn't she be named queen instead of princess? One thing that occurs to me is that she may be a legitimate princess but someone stole his father or mother's throne and they become peasants, but she'll help her family regain it by the end.

Interesting that there are already books so early. Perhaps this time they'll start marketing the film in March or April instead of July.

I think this is not unusual. From what I remember, the first books for the Little Mermaid remake appeared online last summer, almost a year before the film's release. The first Elemental books also popped up long ago.

[singerguy04]

So I started thinking about the villain. We've heard it be referenced as a darkness and also as an actual person. Perhaps it's someone seen as a hero by everyone else, but Asha discovers their evil true intentions. Maybe, not unlike how our own government works sometimes, the kingdom views an action as something positive but it has negative long term effect that Asha can see. I'm thinking of historical events like the Trail of Tears. Now it's recognized as a negative event, but at the time the majority of the country was behind it and didn't have a problem. It kind of seems like the commentary the company would make right now...

[Farerb]

One of the things I hope they don't do here is start the film with narration. Not that starting a film with narration is necessarily bad, but they have done this so much at this point (and more recently they feel the need to establish who the narrator is) that it just feels lazy to me. There are more creative ways to start a film in my opinion and I hope they can find one for this film.