H.E.R., Liza Soberano and Dave Franco Star in DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island
- and Liza Soberano lead the voice cast of the film, which centers on two best friends who encounter a magical portal to Filipino folklore on their last night...
- Set in the 1990s, the film follows best friends Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R.
- Directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado first met as story artists on "Kung Fu Panda 2." For "Forgotten Island," they decided to pivot toward a narrative focused on...
H.E.R. and Liza Soberano lead the voice cast of the film, which centers on two best friends who encounter a magical portal to Filipino folklore on their last night together before going their separate ways.
Star-Studded Voice Cast and Plot Details
Set in the 1990s, the film follows best friends Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R. and Soberano, as they celebrate their final evening after high school. While together, they stumble upon a magical gateway leading to stories from their youth populated by shapeshifters, demons, witches, and monsters from Filipino folklore, according to Variety. As they navigate friends and foes on the island, their friendship faces rigorous tests as they attempt to find their way home. The ensemble voice cast features Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, and Lea Salonga, as reported by Variety. Salonga voices the Dreaded Manananggal, described by the filmmakers as the most feared creature on the island.
Creative Vision and Cultural Authenticity
Directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado first met as story artists on “Kung Fu Panda 2.” For “Forgotten Island,” they decided to pivot toward a narrative focused on female friendships, drawing inspiration from the women in their lives, including Crawford’s two teenage daughters, according to Variety. Mercado is Filipino-American and Crawford’s wife, Kathy, is Filipina, giving the creative team a personal connection to the cultural elements woven into the project. Mercado told Variety that the story draws heavily from his summer vacations spent with family in the Philippines during the 1990s. The movie incorporates traditionally Filipino touchstones such as lechon, karaoke, street jeepneys, food, and family gatherings. Crawford explained to Variety that the production team aimed to immerse audiences in a realistic dynamic without forced explanations or pandering. Attendees at the Annecy Animation Festival receive an early sneak peek at the film and hear directly from the directors regarding its development, according to Variety. The visual style blends DreamWorks’ studio legacy with a vibrant, saturated aesthetic inspired by the colors and street style of the Philippines in the 1990s.
