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DisneyEra wrote:Now lets hope over the next 6 months, Disney doesn't cancel it

The animated film follows Raya, a lone warrior from the fantasy kingdom of Kumandra, who teams up with a crew of misfits in her quest to find the Last Dragon — thus bringing light and unity back to their world. Cassie Steele will voice the lead character Raya, and Awkwafina lends her voice to Sisu, the Last Dragon. Inspired by the beautiful and diverse cultures of Southeast Asia, Raya and the Last Dragon will explore themes of community and hope.

The film tells the story of Raya, a lone warrior from the fantasy kingdom of Kumandra, who teams up with a crew of misfits in her quest to find the Last Dragon and bring light and unity back to their world. Lin, a lifelong Disney fan who was born and raised in Southeast Asia, said, “Disney was a magical, transporting presence in my life.” She grew up watching Disney animated films, but noted, “When my cousins and I were not watching Disney movies—on VHS—we lived for Hong Kong action movies, where young girls could still put the beatdown on bad guys. So this movie is a combination of both those genres which I love—which all of us love.”

The Hall D23 audience met two newly announced members of the voice cast: Awkwafina, who will voice Sisu, the Last Dragon; and Cassie Steele, who voices the lead character. Raya meets Sisu when she is in human form, when she is “not the dragon hero Raya is looking for,” Steele points out. Fans were treated to an exclusive, three-minute piece from the dazzling film, which explores themes of community and hope and is inspired by the beautiful and diverse cultures of Southeast Asia.

...Adele Lim , writer, says the film will combine Hong Kong action movies and Disney animation magic. #d23expo

In a narration, we learn that Sisu is the last of the dragons and the only one that can save Kumandra from certain destruction. So Raya takes it upon herself to find this legendary dragon. She lights a torch as she enters a cave and the narration reveals that the dragon is a powerful but dangerous gift. One that could save a dying kingdom or bring it to an end. The narrator then asks if they will find hope or destruction, he then corrects himself and uses devastation, but then decides that the word revelation might be better suited for the film. He then closes out by saying "yeah, no more flute". This annoys Raya, who has let the boy tag alone. She says that the whole thing was fun for a minute, but that he should get serious and put the flute away. But as she looks towards the front, a dragon blows out the torch.

We learn that Sisu has two forms, one of an old woman and the other of a dragon, a water spirit from Southeast Asian mythology. However, she is stuck in her human form and needs Raya’s help to bring her back to being a dragon. Sisu looks like a joyful dragon with a white body and white hair. She has a blue horn and blue tail with pink fins. In one of the last clips from the film, we overhear that the gem that Raya is looking for is also essential to the story, and that, in the right hands, could change the world. It all ended with the tagline, “Keep the Light Alive.”

Raya, the main character, is determined to find the last dragon to save her nation. The first look at the movie is introduced. In the footage, Raya and a little boy head into what looks like a temple or tomb in a mountain. Rain water flows up this mountain and into this place. The little boy's narrating annoys her a bit. She is charming. A woman threatens them with a voice off screen. Sisu is "inspired by the auspicious water spirits of Southeast Asia." Raya has a gem that channels this "amazing huge power" on her quest to find the dragon. Sisu can also be a wild looking grey-haired woman. Raya has to help her become her "true dragon self."

We then got to see a clip and Raya and her little brother are making their way through the cave as he hilariously narrates their path. The animation style is that of Moana. Raya herself is gorgeous with long thick black/dark brown hair. It's not curly like Moana’s but it does have volume. What I like most about Raya is she's a confident badass! Unlike Anna, Elsa, and Moana who are very unsure of themselves and kind of stumble over themselves, Raya reminds me of Mulan and Pocahontas in the way she carries herself and her confidence in where she's going and what she's doing. I believe she is older, possibly in her 20s, definitely not a kid. She gracefully wields a weapon and does all sorts of flips and cool moves. We saw a look at the dragon who apparently is stuck in her human form a lot of the movie (an older woman) and yeah I think that's it! I don't think they mentioned music but it's Disney so I'm sure there will be.

The hyper realistic animation for ‘RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON’ looks astonishingly incredible and rivals the likes of Pixar. #D23Expo #D23

Raya and the last dragon has a mulan meets Moana vibe! #D23Expo

blackcauldron85 wrote:OMG!!! I love her already and I need all the merchandise they make of her!!!! <3