CS Video: Raya and the Last Dragon Filmmakers on Disney's New Animated Adventure

Ahead of the movie’s release this weekend, ComingSoon.net had the opportunity to speak with the Raya and the Last Dragon filmmakers about Disney’s new animated adventure. Directors and co-writers Carlos López Estrada and Don Hall, along with co-writer Qui Nguyen talk about the idea of doing an action-adventure fantasy movie “inspired by the cultures of Southeast Asia” and why they felt adding songs would have been “a little too much.” They also discuss the big theme of family in the movie and how those bonds fuel Raya’s journey throughout the film, the crafting of the significant relationships in the story, and much more.

The movie is set to hit theaters and Disney+ Premier Access this Friday on March 5. You can check out our interview now in the player below!

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 Dragon is led by Kelly Marie Tran (Star Wars: The Last Jedi) as Raya, who will be the first Southeast Asian to lead a Disney animated film. Tran stars alongside Awkwafina (The Farewell), who is voicing the dragon named Sisu.

Contactless Tickets – Advance ticket purchase and Mobile ticket entry on Fandango! – Going back to movie theaters!

In addition to Tran and Awkwafina, the voice cast for the film includes Gemma Chan (Captain Marvel) as Raya’s nemesis, Namaari; Daniel Dae Kim (Hellboy) as Raya’s visionary father, Benja; Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) as Namaari’s powerful mother, Virana; Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange) as Tong, a formidable giant; Izaac Wang as Boun, a 10-year-old entrepreneur; Thalia Tran as the mischievous toddler Little Noi; Alan Tudyk (Harley Quinn) as Tuk Tuk, Raya’s best friend and trusty steed; Lucille Soong (Fresh Off the Boat) as Dang Hu, the leader of the land of Talon; Patti Harrison (Shrill) as the chief of the Tail land; and Ross Butler (To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You) as chief of the Spine land.

Raya and the Last Dragon is co-directed by Don Hall (Big Hero 6), Carlos López Estrada (Blindspotting), Paul Briggs (Zootopia), and John Ripa from a script written by Adele Lim (Crazy Rich Asians) and Qui Nguyen.

Raya and the Last Dragon

Raya and The Last Dragon Key Art
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

As an evil force threatens the kingdom of Kumandra, it is up to warrior Raya to leave her Heart Lands home and track down the legendary last dragon to help stop the villainous Druun. © 2020 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON - Raya, a lone warrior whose wit is as sharp as her blade, must track down the legendary last dragon to restore her fractured land and its divided people. © 2020 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

In the dangerous floating market of Talon, Dang Hu offers safety to a curious Sisu. Featuring Awkwafina as the voice of Sisu and Lucille Soong as the voice of Dang Hu, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

Young Raya looks up to her beloved father Benja, Chief of the Heart Lands. Benja, the legendary Guardian of the Dragon Gem, is an idealistic and bold visionary who seeks to reunite the fractured kingdom of Kumandra and restore harmony. Featuring Daniel Dae Kim as the voice of Chief Benja, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

Raya and her best friend, Tuk Tuk, have always teamed up for adventure. When they are grown and their world is threatened, they journey together through the Lands of Kumandra to find the legendary last dragon and save the kingdom. © 2020 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON - As an evil force threatens the kingdom of Kumandra, it is up to warrior Raya, and her trusty steed Tuk Tuk, to leave their Heart Lands home and track down the last dragon to help stop the villainous Druun. © 2020 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

Raya and her nemesis, Namaari, face off amid the snowy mountains of Spine. Featuring Kelly Marie Tran as the voice of Raya and Gemma Chan as the voice of Namaari, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

The cool and calculating chief of the Fang Lands and mother to Raya’s nemesis Namaari, Virana leads her people with fierce pragmatism. Featuring Gemma Chan as the voice of Namaari and Sandra Oh as the voice of Virana, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

In the dangerous floating market of Talon, Dang Hu offers safety to a curious Sisu. Featuring Awkwafina as the voice of Sisu and Lucille Soong as the voice of Dang Hu, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

In her newfound human form, Sisu learns the ways Kumandra has changed as she and Raya team up to save the world from the destructive Drunn. Featuring Kelly Marie Tran as the voice of Raya and Awkwafina as the voice of Sisu, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

Recovering a piece of her fractured Dragon Gem, Sisu discovers the ability to shape-change into human form. Featuring Kelly Marie Tran as the voice of Raya and Awkwafina as the voice of Sisu, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

Raya seeks the help of the legendary dragon, Sisu. Seeing what’s become of Kumandra, Sisu commits to helping Raya fulfill her mission in reuniting the lands. Featuring Kelly Marie Tran as the voice of Raya and Awkwafina as the voice of Sisu, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

The people of Spine in Kumandra are fierce warriors who thrive in the snowy mountains of the kingdom. Led by their chief, voiced by Ross Butler. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

Resourceful and independent, the people of Tail are accustomed to looking after themselves with little interference from the rest of the five lands of Kumandra. Featuring Patti Harrison as the Tail Chief, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Raya and the Last Dragon