Disney is set to release its highly-anticipated animated feature ‘Wish’ on November 22nd, 2023. This musical fantasy film marks Disney’s 60th animated feature and explores the origin story behind the magical tradition of wishing upon a star. Here’s everything we know so far about ‘Wish’:
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Release Date
‘Wish’ is scheduled to release in theaters worldwide on November 22nd, 2023. Unlike several Disney animated films in recent years such as ‘Soul’ and ‘Turning Red’ which debuted on Disney+, ‘Wish’ will open exclusively in theaters.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting details on ‘Wish’ ever since it was first announced at the D23 Expo in 2019. Though it’s still months away, the November release date is quickly approaching.
Cast
The cast of ‘Wish’ is led by Ariana DeBose as Asha, the heroine of the story. DeBose made history portraying Anita in 2021’s ‘West Side Story’, becoming the first Afro-Latina and openly queer woman of color to win an Academy Award for acting. Her casting in the lead role of this musical fantasy film is a major milestone, as Asha will be Disney’s first Afro-Latina princess.
Other cast members that have been announced so far include:
- Jimmy Smits as Asha’s father Gaspar
- Stephanie Beatriz as Asha’s mother Lucia
- Rosario Dawson in an undisclosed role
- Alan Tudyk in an undisclosed role
Since ‘Wish’ is still in production, some roles have yet to be cast and announced. But the incredible talent already on board promises stunning performances and music.
Wish Disney Animation Movie
| Ariana DeBose, Alan Tudyk, Chris Pine |
| Release Date |
| 22 December 2023 |
| Adventure, Animation, Comedy |
| Director Chris Buck, Fawn Veerasunthorn |
Plot Details
Disney has kept plot details for ‘Wish’ tightly under wraps so far. What we do know is that the story will explore the origin behind the magical tradition of wishing upon a star.
In the official synopsis, Disney states that ‘Wish’ is a culmination of the century-old theme the company has embraced since its founding – that of wishes coming true. The movie will imagine how the power of wishing first came to be, an origin story of sorts about the magic of hope and dreams.
Asha, the protagonist, is described as a resourceful optimist with a vibrant personality. Alongside the celestial creatures responsible for granting wishes, Asha’s journey will explore themes of hope and humankind’s shared desire to find meaning and connection in our lives.
Beyond these high-level details, fans are still largely in the dark about the actual narrative. With Disney keeping plot points close to the chest, viewers will have to wait for a full trailer to glean more about the story. The same secrecy surrounded Encanto prior to its release, so this level of mystery is typical for Disney’s animated projects.
Music
One thing that does seem clear about ‘Wish’ is that music will play a central role. The official logline describes it as a musical fantasy film, and Ariana DeBose’s incredible vocal talents will undoubtedly be highlighted.
Alan Menken, the composer behind iconic Disney songs from ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’, has written original songs for ‘Wish’. This marks Menken’s first Disney fairy tale musical score since 2010’s ‘Tangled’.
Lyrics will be written by Glenn Slater, Menken’s longtime collaborator. The pair’s award-winning work on ‘Tangled’ gives Disney fans hope that ‘Wish’ may bring some instant animated classic hits.
With star power like DeBose performing original tracks by Menken and Slater, the music of ‘Wish’ is sure to be magical.
Trailers & Clips
The only sneak peek viewers have gotten of ‘Wish’ so far is a brief teaser trailer released in April 2023. The visually stunning teaser shows lead character Asha appearing to transform into a comet or shooting star.
It highlights the combination of 2D and 3D animation that director Chris Buck has said will be used to distinguish the ordinary world from the celestial realm. The teaser draws viewers into the film’s magical premise while revealing little about the actual plot.
Disney has not yet released a full-length trailer, leaving fans to speculate in the meantime. More substantial trailers will likely drop over the summer as the release date inches closer.
Until then, fans eager for more can check out behind-the-scenes looks at D23 panels and Disney fan events. Though details remain sparse, these videos offer a taste of the movie’s gorgeous visuals.
Story Inspiration
In announcing ‘Wish’, Disney revealed that the story was inspired by director Chris Buck’s own relationship with his children. After his son Ryder was born, Buck started the tradition of making a secret wish for his kids each time he spots a shooting star.
This real-world family ritual inspired exploring the origins of wishing upon stars in the film. Producer Peter Del Vecho expanded on this, saying ‘Wish’ is a deeply personal story with universal appeal – a tale of hope for dreamers of any age.
The story seems centered on themes of family, imagination, and longing. While specific plot points are still vague, the team has hinted that this emotional core aims to resonate with viewers’ shared experiences.
Animation Style
Another unique aspect of ‘Wish’ that Disney has touted early on is its blend of CG and traditional 2D animation. This hybrid style was used for sequences set in the magical realm in 2016’s ‘Moana’, but will reportedly be more extensive in ‘Wish’.
The ordinary human world is rendered in 3D CG animation, while the celestial realm where characters like Asha travel is animated in 2D. This hearkens back to Disney films of the 1990s like ‘The Little Mermaid’, bringing that nostalgic quality to a modern tale.
The stunning teaser trailer showcases this mixed media approach, with Asha’s 2D character transforming into a photorealistic comet mid-scene. If the teaser is any indication, the animation will be visually breathtaking.
FAQs
Q1. When will ‘Wish’ be released?
‘Wish’ will be released in theaters worldwide on November 22nd, 2023.
Q2. What is ‘Wish’ rated?
Disney has not yet announced an official rating, but it will likely be rated PG like most Disney animated films.
Q3. Will ‘Wish’ be released on Disney+?
No, ‘Wish’ is planned as a theatrical exclusive release and will not stream on Disney+ Premier Access. It may come to Disney+ after its theatrical window.
Q4. Is there a trailer for ‘Wish’?
Yes, Disney released a brief official teaser trailer in April 2023. A full trailer has not yet debuted.
Q5. Who is directing ‘Wish’?
‘Wish’ is directed by Chris Buck, who previously directed Frozen and Tarzan for Disney.
Conclusion
Disney fans have a lot to look forward to with the studio’s upcoming animated feature ‘Wish’. Though plot details remain tightly under wraps, the magical premise, musical elements, and hybrid animation style offer an enticing first look. We will have to wait for more substantial trailers to get a better glimpse of the actual story.
But with Ariana DeBose starring and music from Menken and Slater, ‘Wish’ already appears to have all the ingredients of an animated Disney classic. The November 22nd release date can’t come soon enough for audiences waiting to be transported into this origin story of the wishing star tradition. ‘Wish’ has the potential to be one of Disney’s most imaginative and magical animated tales yet.