Events of the Week
Wish premiere
Disney celebrated musical comedy Wish in Hollywood, with writer-producer Jennifer Lee, directors Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn.
Wish premiered at the El Capitan Theatre on November 8, and is scheduled to be theatrically released November 22, in time for Thanksgiving holiday.
Also present were producers Peter Del Vecho and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster Jones, songwriters Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice and composer Dave Metzger.
![Chris Buck, Peter Del Vecho, Jennifer Lee, CCO at WDAS, Fawn Veerasunthorn and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster Jones attend the World Premiere of Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Wish" at El Capitan Theatre in [Hollywood], California on November 08, 2023.](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/JG2_6775_lsStKMSw-EMBED-2023.jpg?w=1000)
It is directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn (in her feature directorial debut) from screenplay by Jennifer Lee and Allison Moore, based on a story by Lee, Buck, Veerasunthorn, and Moore.
The style combines computer animation with the look of Disney’s watercolor animation.
The story focuses on a girl named Asha (DeBose), who makes passionate plea to the stars, when she senses a darkness in the Kingdom of Rosas that no one else does.
The project was officially announced, with the title being revealed alongside the involvement of DeBose and Tudyk. Buck and Veerasunthorn, who had worked with Lee on the blockbuster Frozen (2013) as co-director and story artist were confirmed, with Moore later hired to join Lee in writing the screenplay.
The film is inspired by Disney’s centennial, tying together a major recurring theme across most films—of wishes becoming reality.
Julia Michaels, Benjamin Rice, and JP Saxe wrote the songs, and frequent Disney orchestrator Dave Metzger composed the score.
In the Kingdom of Rosas, located off of the Iberian Peninsula, Asha senses a darkness that no one else does about the kingdom’s ruler, King Magnifico. She thereupon makes passionate plea to the stars in a crisis moment.
Soon, an actual star from the sky named Star answers Asha’s wish. he has the magical powers to grant wishes. Joining forces, Asha and Star must overcome the evils rising in Rosas and fight for better future for their people.
Voice cast
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Asha is an enthusiastic member of her community who proudly shows off the incredible place where she’s grown up.
Chris Pine is King Magnifico, Queen Amaya’s husband and the king of Rosas, the sole keeper of hundreds of wishes entrusted to him by people from all over the world.
Magnifico thinks that wishes are just ideas. They are the very best part of the heart, yet he’s holding them inside bubbles, and will remain there forever because he controls the kingdom by giving false hope.
Alan Tudyk as Valentino, goat whose wish to communicate comes true by gaining ability to talk.
Angelique Cabral as Queen Amaya, King Magnifico’s wife and the queen of Rosas.
Victor Garber as Sabino, Asha’s grandfather, age 100, waiting to be granted his wishes.
Natasha Rothwell as Sakina, Asha’s mother.
Jennifer Kumiyama as Dahlia, Asha’s disabled best friend, the baker and unofficial leader of the group, inspired by Doc from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Harvey Guillén as Gabo, a boy who is cynical but with a heart of gold, inspired by Grumpy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Niko Vargas as Hal, joyful and smiling girl, inspired by Happy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Evan Peters as Simon, boy with a big heart, inspired by Sleepy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Ramy Youssef as Safi, a boy plagued with allergies, inspired by Sneezy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Jon Rudnitsky as Dario, Asha’s rosy-cheeked wiggly-eared friend, inspired by Dopey from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Della Saba as Bazeema, shy girl, inspired by Bashful from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Additional voice cast includes Keone Young as Mountain Climber, Tall Man Tourist, and Guard 1, Lucas Sigler as Bunny and Baby Mushroom, Holland Watkins as Mouse and Mountain Climber Wife.
