It's just one of those creative change moments. She's a producer's dream. Awkwafina remains the voice of Sisu, a dragon trapped in human form. Ski Mask The Slump God "Burn The Hoods" (Live Performance) | … Five clans form the land of the dragon, and Rayais determined to find the last dragon. Walt Disney Animation Studios has taken the wraps off its next project, unveiling at the D23 Expo on Saturday Raya and the Last Dragon, which will star Cassie Steele … The film is based in Southeast Asia in the land of Kumandra, part of five clans that make up the Land of the Dragons. Joey King to star in Netflix's Adaptation of Dystopian YA Novel 'Uglies' Entertainment Weekly. Tran is reprising the role of Canadian actress Cassie Steele. To quote Atom Tickets, “with the utmost respect for the talented [Cassie], [Kelly] is an upgrade … After the vicious backlash she received from less enlightened corners of the internet for her portrayal of the plucky, earnest Rose Tico in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, fans have rallied around [Kelly] as an actress and she’s quickly become a fan favorite.”. I had the chance to speak with some of the filmmakers behind Raya and I asked producer Osnat Shurer why the casting switch had been made. “There was a key change to Raya’s character,” Osnat told Cinema Blend. The ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, like it did for much of Hollywood, caused Disney to have to scramble on production for “Raya and the Last Dragon… The film is directed by Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, with playwright Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim on board as screenwriters. 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What’s more, it sounds like her improvisational ad-lib skills were what really impressed the team at Disney. Browse more videos . According to Raya and the Last Dragon producer Osnat Shurer, the character of Raya went through some changes since the initial announcement of casting Cassie, which is why Disney had to find another voice to lend to the character. Entertainment Weekly has revealed that Star Wars: The Last Jedi Star, Kelly Marie Tran has signed on to voice Raya in Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon, replacing Cassie Steele ( Degrassi) who was announced at D23 last year. Police confirmed that the woman in the viral TikTok video that people believed featured Cassie Compton is not the Arkansas girl who has been missing for six years. Raya will be an epic fantasy adventure with southeast Asian themes, set in a realm called Kumandra, described as "a reimagined earth inhabited by an ancient civilization". Back when Raya and the Last Dragon was originally announced in the summer of 2019, Cassie Steele was announced as the voice of Raya. Exactly how Raya has changed since the earlier version of the character is unclear, but it's unsurprising that the change happened at all. Among the biggest changes in the film, the new directors Hall and López Estrada replaced Cassie Steele, the originally announced voice of Raya, with Kelly Marie Tran. Tran replaces Cassie Steele, who was originally announced as the voice of Raya last year at D23 Expo. 1:50. The movie produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. Awkwafina and Cassie Steele talk about the strong female characters in the next animated film from Disney, 'Raya and The Last Dragon.' In August, Tran took over the lead role from Steele. Armchair Imagineer. “We changed the scene and reblocked the animation so that it would follow what Kelly did that day because she just clicked on something that was so much bigger than anything we had imagined.”. It's not a straight "action movie," there is still humor to be had and the heart you expect from Disney animation. Kelly Marie Tran will bring the warrior Raya to life in Disney’s animated film “Raya and the Last Dragon,” replacing Cassie Steele, who previously held the titular role. “She’s a producer’s dream,” she continued. Animated movies are unlike their live action counterparts in many obvious ways, but one of the biggest differences is that, unlike a live-action film, where a screenplay is written, given the green light, and then left largely unchanged, the story of an animated movie can go through a multitude of changes, sometimes right up until the point that animation is being finalized. The original [voice actress], of course she's wonderful, and she was a perfect fit for Raya's character then, and then the character changed a lot, and so it was necessary to shift voice. Her character’s name may be in the title, but Kelly Marie Tran was one of the last actors—if not the last—to join Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon. Our anticipation for Disney’s first major 2021 release, Raya and the Last Dragon, has been mounting since the animated film was first announced. The movie was originally set to debut at Thanksgiving last year, but the ongoing pandemic had other plans. Raya and the Last Dragon is set to be Disney's first major theatrical release of 2021, and the first one in nearly a year. The film is based in Southeast Asia in the land of Kumandra, part of five clans that make up the Land of the Dragons. Maybe a previous version of Raya was a bit more serious, or a bit more humorous. “Raya and the Last Dragon” was unveiled at the 2019 D23 Expo with actor Cassie Steele voicing Raya and Awkwafina portraying Sisu. 'The Falcon And The Winter Soldier' Episode 4 Analysis & Review, Black Widow Doesn’t Need To Worry About Competing With Tom Cruise Anymore, But Now I Have Another Question, Marvel Heard Falcon And Winter Soldier Fans' Prayers And Released Extended Zemo Dance Video, How Property Brothers' Jonathan Scott Says They Work Together With 'No B.S. And according to directors Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, they knew Kelly was perfect as soon as they wrapped the first recording session. “We had this little dramatic moment; it was written as a few lines,” Carlos said. “Raya and the Last Dragon” is not musical. But the creatures are long gone and it has been invaded by a dark and sinister force. Raya and the Last Dragon - Official Trailer 2020, Cassie Steele, Awkwafina, Raya, Sisu, Cartoon - YouTube. Awkwafina will voice Sisu, who is a water dragon that can turn into a human being. “After a … It is the 59th film produced by the studio. Cassie Steele will voice this charismatic character. Two years later, Lasseter stepped down from his position as CCO and left the Disney company. Kelly Marie Tran will voice the main character in Disney’s animated adventure “Raya and the Last Dragon,” replacing the voice role previously held by Cassie Steele. However, that wasn't originally the plan. Canadian actress Cassie Steele is set to be Disney’s latest animated star with the upcoming release of Raya and the Last Dragon. Did you know that Kelly Marie Tran wasn’t the original choice to play Raya in the new Disney film Raya and the Last Dragon?. There's a lot riding on this character, and Raya will be brought to life thanks to the voice of Star Wars: The Last Jedi's Kelly Marie Tran. But a year later, it appears Kelly Marie Tran took on that role. Future Club 33 Member. CinemaBlend’s resident theme park junkie and amateur Disney historian. "There was a key change to Raya's character," Osnat told Cinema Blend. “Raya an… Awkwafina and Cassie Steele discuss their new Disney movie 'Raya and the Last Dragon.' Epcot Stan. “And I remember her going, ‘Hey, I have some ideas because this is normally how I would say this or I have some questions. And she grows up to be a really badass, gritty warrior and can really take care of herself. However, in 2017, Lasseter took a temporary leave of absence after admitting to allegations of sexual misconduct. In the words of Osnat, there’s “a wit, a warmth, a strength, and then, a vulnerability that still had power behind it, that all combine together” in Kellys’ performance. Kelly Marie Tran will bring the warrior Raya to life in Disney's animated film "Raya and the Last Dragon," replacing Cassie Steele, who previously held the titular role. “Raya and the Last Dragon” was originally expected to debut in theaters this November, but amid the coronavirus pandemic, its release was shifted back to March 12, 2021. Because of this, Raya and the Last Dragon is the first Disney animation production since Chicken Little not to involve Lasseter. “The character shifted and then it shifted even more, as that work together started to happen between the voice and the writer, the animators and it takes on a whole different life. Source : https://www.distractify.com/p/why-did-cassie-steele-leave-raya-and-the-last-dragon. According to Raya and the Last Dragon producer Osnat Shurer, the character of Raya went through some changes since the initial announcement of casting Cassie, which is why Disney had to find another voice to lend to the character. That makes Tran the first Southeast Asian actress to lead an animated Disney film — one that is also inspired by Southeast Asia. She explained that Raya's voice had to change because Raya herself went through changes, and so Steel's voice no longer fit. Is Jennifer Lopez Not Wearing Her Engagement Ring Really A Big Deal? Either way, as the character changed, the old voice simply no longer fit. The character shifted and then it shifted even more, as that work together starts to happen between the voice and the writer, the animators and it takes on a whole different life. “She is Raya — just her buoyancy and her positivity, but yet there’s a strength as well to Kelly and the character,” Don told EW. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Recover From The Finale Of ‘WandaVision’ With These 20 Spoiler-Free Memes, https://www.distractify.com/p/why-did-cassie-steele-leave-raya-and-the-last-dragon. Raya and the Last Dragon is a somewhat different film for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Report. When she was a kid, she was excited to get her sword. Back when the project was announced during the summer of 2019, Cassie Steele had been tapped as the voice of Raya. As previously […] As previously […] Kelly Marie Tran will voice the main character in Disney's animated adventure "Raya and the Last Dragon," replacing the voice role previously held by Cassie Steele. There's a wit, a warmth, a strength, and then, a vulnerability that still had power behind it, that all combine together... Kelly brings all that together in one bundle of a super-talented actor. Playing next. Besides, Cassie Steele … and Kelly just embodies Raya. Raya is totally a warrior. A lot of people are waiting patiently, or not so patiently for Raya as it will mark the first South Asian heroine in a major animated Disney release. Moreover, it directed by Paul Briggs and Dean Wellins, co-directed by John Ripa, from a screenplay by Adele Lim and stars the voices of Cassie Steele and Awkwafina. And no small feat, directors Don and Carlos, writers Qui and Adele, and the entire crew of 400 Disney Animation artists are making this film together, while separated and working from home.”The ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, like it did for much of Hollywood, caused Disney to have to scramble on production for “Raya and the Last Dragon,” for which production began ramping up in March, just as the pandemic hit in the U.S.The team was forced to quickly reshuffle and now “Raya … She explained that Raya's voice had to change because Raya herself went through changes, and so Steel's voice no longer fit. We can’t wait to see her bring Disney’s newest princess to life. "Raya and the Last Dragon," set in a fictional fantasy land called Kumandra, follows a fearless warrior as she seeks to save the realm from evil forces. A year later, we were told that Kelly Marie Tran now had the job. Awkwafina Ready to Break the Mold in 'Raya and the Last Dragon' From D23 Expo 2019, Awkwafina and Cassie Steele reveal what it's like to voice the main characters in Walt Disney Animation Studios' next animated feature and reveal what they like best about their characters. There was a key change to Raya's character. Miley Cyrus' Long-Awaited New Album has a Release Date at Last. Do you mind if I tried it a little bit differently? 1:57. However, it is the most martial arts focused movie Disney has yet produced. Entertainment Weekly. We'll all get a chance to see just what sort of character Raya is when the film debuts in theaters and on Disney+ Premiere Access on March 5. . “The original [voice actress], of course she’s wonderful, and she was a perfect fit for Raya’s character then, and then the character changed a lot, and so it was necessary to shift voice.”, “Kelly just embodies Raya,” she continued. This is especially true given the replacement of Steele as Raya. ', Hustlers' Usher Raymond Under Fire After Allegedly Throwing Down Fake Money At The Strip Club, Dune Writer Clarifies How Much Of The Book Is In Timothee Chalamet’s Movie, Why Supergirl Left Out That Big Alex And Kelly Scene Despite The Premiere Setup, 8 Movies That Explore Asian American History And Culture, ‘Thunder Force’ Cast Interviews with Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer, Pom Klementieff, ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ Interviews with Wyatt Russell, Erin Kellyman and Amy Aquino, 'Godzilla vs. Kong' Interviews with Millie Bobby Brown, Demián Bechir, Rebecca Hall and More. Awkwafina is playing Sisu, a dragon in human form who needs Raya’s help to reclaim her power and become her true dragon self. The movie scheduled for release on November 25, 2020. For somewhat obvious reasons nobody was quite willing to go into specifics of the change in Raya, but when I asked why Kelly Marie Tran was better suited to the new version of the role, Osnat Shurer explained that it wasn't a single quality that make Tran the right choice, but a combination of several things that the actress was able to bring together in the perfect way. Raya and the Last Dragon is an upcoming American animated fantasy movie. The Stuttgart Police Department said on Facebook that the FBI found the woman in the video and interviewed her. 1:47. Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon First Look Reveals Kelly Marie Tran's Fierce Warrior. Cassie Steele at an event for Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) According to Raya and the Last Dragon producer Osnat Shurer, the character of Raya went through some changes since the initial announcement of casting Cassie, which is why Disney had to find another voice to lend to the character. It's not a musical, Raya doesn't need to sing. 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