Tag Archives: Don Hall

Disney Releases First Trailer for the Carlos López Estrada-Directed Animated Film “Raya and the Last Dragon”

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Carlos López Estrada’s sharing his Ray(a) sunshine…

Disney has released the first trailer for Raya and the Last Dragon, directed by the 32-year-old Mexican music video, commercial and film director and Don Hall.

Carlos Lopez Estrada

“This world has changed,” says Raya, the warrior heroine voiced by Kelly Marie Tran, “and its people are divided. Now to restore peace I must find the last dragon.” And for a final trailer image that should speak to today’s audiences, Raya pulls down the sand mask that’s been covering her mouth as the voice-over declares her name.

 

The official synopsis: “Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world—it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well.”

Raya and the Last DragonTran joined the project in August, teaming up with Awkawafina, who plays a dragon in human form named Sisu.

Hall and Estrada direct, with Paul Briggs and John Ripa co-directing.

Raya and the Last Dragon from Walt Disney Animation Studio opens in U.S. theaters on March 12, 2021.

Carlos López Estrada Co-Directing Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Feature “Raya and the Last Dragon”

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There’s a bright raya of light for Carlos López Estrada.

The 31-year-old Mexican-American music video, commercial and film director will co-direct Walt Disney Animation Studios’ animated feature Raya and the Last Dragon, starring Kelly Marie Tran as titular heroine.

Carlos Lopez Estrada

Raya and the Last Dragon is set in the fantasy kingdom of Kumandra and follows a warrior who teams up with a crew of misfits in her quest to find the Last Dragon and bring light and unity back to their world. Tran is part of the voice cast that includes Awkawafina, who plays a dragon in human form named Sisu.

Raya and the Last Dragon

Lopez Estrada will co-direct the film with Don Hall, Paul Briggs and John Ripa.

Playwright Qui Nguyen serves as a co-writer with Adele Lim on the project.

“As filmmakers, Don and Carlos bring a combination of animation know-how and emotional storytelling to Raya and the Last Dragon, bringing our fantasy adventure to surprising, original, and dynamic heights,” said Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee. “They both saw the potential for this film and had a strong vision for the story, especially for our lead character, played by the wonderfully talented Kelly Marie Tran. 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.”

Raya and the Last Dragon is set to debut on March 12, 2021.

Lopez Estrada, who earned a Latin Grammy in the Best Short Form Music Video category for directing Jesse & Joy’s “Me Voy” music video, previously directed Blindspotting.

Rodriguez Joins Voice Cast of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Big Hero 6”

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Genesis Rodriguez is a big hero in training…

The 26-year-old Venezuelan- and Cuban-American actress has been added to the voice cast of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ fall feature Big Hero 6.

Genesis Rodriguez

The film centers on a young robotics prodigy named Hiro Hamada and his robot companion Baymax, who pull together a team of crime fighters to save the city of San Fransokyo.

Rodriguez will voice the character of Honey Lemon, a chemistry whiz. Don’t let her glasses and funky fashion fool you: Honey may be as sweet as her namesake, but she has a fire in her belly and a can-do attitude that make her pretty much unstoppable. Her knowledge of alchemy proves powerful, too, when the effusive brainiac becomes part of the “Big Hero 6” and creates clever concoctions that when thrown, can get her team out of nearly any jam.

In addition to Rodriguez, the voice cast includes Maya Rudolph, James Cromwell, Damon Wayans Jr., T.J. Miller, Alan Tudyk, Jamie Chung and Daniel Henney.

Big Hero 6 is the first Disney film to feature Marvel Comics characters and is adapted by Don Hall and Jordan Roberts from the Marvel comic mini-series of the same name, whose team and characters were created by Man of Action’s Duncan Rouleau and Steven T. Seagle.

Hall and Bolt‘s Chris Williams co-directed the film, which hits theaters in 3D on November 7.