Wish is an upcoming American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn (in her feature directorial debut), produced by Peter Del Vecho and Juan Pablo Reyes, and written by Jennifer Lee and Allison Moore. The art style combines computer animation with the look of Disney's historical watercolor animation. The film stars the voices of Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, Alan Tudyk, Angelique Cabral, Victor Garber, Natasha Rothwell, Evan Peters, Harvey Guillén, Ramy Youssef, and Jon Rudnitsky. The story focuses on a 17-year-old girl named Asha (DeBose) who makes a passionate plea to the stars in a moment of need when she senses a darkness in the Kingdom of Rosas that no one else does.
Development of Wish began in 2018 but was not publicly disclosed until January 2022, when it was revealed that Lee was writing an original film at Disney Animation. In September 2022, 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 Frozen (2013) as co-director and story artist, respectively, were confirmed as directors the same month, with Moore later hired to join Lee in writing the screenplay. The film is inspired by Disney's centennial, which ties together a major theme across most Disney films—of wishes becoming reality. Julia Michaels, Benjamin Rice, and JP Saxe were hired to write the songs for the film, while frequent Disney orchestrator Dave Metzger composed the score.
Wish is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on November 22, 2023, by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
Premise
In the Kingdom of Rosas, located off of the Iberian Peninsula, a 17-year-old girl named Asha senses a darkness that no one else does about the kingdom's ruler, King Magnifico. This eventually leads to her trying to make a passionate plea to the stars in a moment of need. Soon, an actual star from the sky named Star answers Asha's wish. After the star falls from the sky, it is revealed that the star has magical powers to grant wishes as well. Together, Asha and Star must overcome the evils rising in Rosas and fight for a better future for their people.
Voice cast
Ariana DeBose as Asha, a 17-year-old girl who wishes on a star to help save her kingdom by sensing a coming darkness. Director Chris Buck says Asha is "energetic—an enthusiastic member of her community who proudly shows off this incredible place where she's grown up". Chris Pine as King Magnifico, Queen Amaya's husband and the king of Rosas who is the sole keeper of hundreds of wishes entrusted to him by people from all over the world. Writer Allison Moore says his motivations are not honorable by saying, "Magnifico seems to think wishes are just ideas. But they are a part of your heart—the very best part of your heart! Yet he's holding them inside these wish bubbles—hundreds of them—and most will remain there forever because that's how he controls the kingdom—by giving false hope". Alan Tudyk as Valentino, a goat whose wish to communicate comes true by gaining the ability to talk. Angelique Cabral as Queen Amaya, King Magnifico's wife and the queen of Rosas. Victor Garber as Sabino, Asha's 100-year-old grandfather who is waiting to be granted his wishes. Natasha Rothwell as Sakina, Asha's mother. Jennifer Kumiyama as Dahlia, Asha's disabled best friend who is the baker and unofficial leader of the group. She was inspired by Doc from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Evan Peters as Simon, a strong boy with a big heart. He was inspired by Sleepy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Harvey Guillén as Gabo, a boy who is cynical but with a heart of gold. He was inspired by Grumpy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Ramy Youssef as Safi, a boy who is plagued with allergies. He was inspired by Sneezy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Niko Vargas as Hal, a girl who is joyful and smiling. She was inspired by Happy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Della Saba as Bazeema, a girl who is very shy. She was inspired by Bashful from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Jon Rudnitsky as Dario, Asha's rosy-cheeked wiggly-eared friend. He was inspired by Dopey from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Singer and television presenter Rochelle Humes cameos in the UK version of the film as Rochelle, a villager who wishes to become the captain of a ship.
Production
Development
Wish began development in 2018, but it was not publicly disclosed until January 21, 2022, when it was reported that Jennifer Lee was writing an original film at Walt Disney Animation Studios.