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Disney Gets Back to Honoring Walt with Its Latest Film

King Magnifico in new film Wish
Credit: Disney Animation

Disney released a new official trailer for the upcoming movie Wish, scheduled to release in theatres this Thanksgiving. Following the trailer’s release, we are learning that Wish will bring even more Disney magic to filmgoers.

Storyline

In the trailer, we see Asha, a 17-year-old girl with high hopes and dreams. Asha and her side-kick, an adorable goat named Valentino, live in Rosas. Rosas is the kingdom of wishes.

It is here that wishes can come true. One evening, Asha makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a little ball of energy called Star. Star is a cosmic force that works with Asha to make her dream come true while also taking on King Magnifico, the ruler of Rosas, the villain in the story.

Together, Star, Asha, and Valentino work to save the community and prove that amazing things can come true when someone dares to connect with the magic of the stars.

Princess Asha and the wishing Star in Disney's 'Wish' movie

Credit: Disney

Key Contributors

Playing the young protagonist, Asha, will be Ariana DeBose. Known for her outstanding role in West Side Story (2021) as Anita, DeBose will bring the hard work and passion of young Asha outstandingly.

Alan Tudyk will play Valentino, the adorable goat sidekick in the movie who wants the ability to communicate with others. We will also hear the voice of Chris Pine as King Magnifico.

Regular Walt Disney Pictures logo shown before films

Credit: Disney

Giving Back to Walt Disney

Wish will be more than just another animated film for the Disney Company. With 2023 being the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney CompanyWish seems to be paying homage to the legacy of Walt Disney.

Directors Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn released that the film will feature numerous “legacy nods” to classic Disney films from the past.

The film itself is inspired by the classic wishing star seen in Disney films throughout the years. The wishing star symbolized hopes and dreams in Disney movies, starting with Pinocchio (1940).

The film has a wide aspect ratio, the same ratio used in Sleeping Beauty (1959), but hasn’t been used since. This wider screen provides a more “epic” feel to the film. Even the watercolor-style vistas in the film’s backgrounds are inspired by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937).

A familiar poison apple can be seen in one picture of King Magnifico’s lair, giving nods to another classic Disney film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Even King Magnifico could be seen as a legacy nod, according to Buck and Veerasunthorn. They see this new villain as similar to Maleficent and the Evil Queen.

Wish Adds Legacy Nods

When discussing adding these legacy nods to the film, both directors focused on the importance of these classic Disney films to the Walt Disney Company and to all of us growing up.

We wanted to make a movie that celebrates the joy of Disney and make a movie for the fans,” Buck says, noting the studio’s milestone birthday. “It’s a hundred years. The Disney audience has kept us going and this studio going, so there’s so much of that.”

Veerasunthorn adds, “It’s a love letter to what inspired us growing up.”

We love that Wish will be a great nod to Walt Disney and the importance of wishing upon a star. We look forward to seeing what other legacy nods will be discovered in Wish when it hits theatres on November 22, 2023.

 

 

About Jennifer Retzlaff

My name is Jennifer Retzlaff and I became a lifelong Disney fan during my first trip to Walt Disney World in 6th grade. From that moment, Disney became a big part of my life. I live in Iowa with my husband and two kids who are growing up too quickly for my liking. I started introducing my love for Disney early to my family with a Disney honeymoon and then trips when our youngest of 18 months. Since then, our family has been to Walt Disney World over five times and we continue to plan and dream for the next trip. I love the magic that Disney brings to people through the theme parks, cruises, adventures and movies they create. As a teacher, I try to bring that magic into my classroom to help kids believe that “If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It.” I recently reached a dream of mine as I joined Magic Vacation Planner as a personal travel advisor. With this team, I can now help others plan magical vacations. As a passionate writer, I also have my own blog at magicalvacationsbyjen which is also where you can follow me on instagram for trip reviews along with tips and tricks for your next magical vacation.