'Crazy Rich Asians' writer reveals idea behind penning new film 'Raya And The Last Dragon' for Disney

Screenwriter-producer Adele Lim shot to global fame writing 'Crazy Rich Asians' in 2018 and is back penning the story of Disney's new CGI fantasy adventure, 'Raya And The Last Dragon'. She says the makers wanted her to anchor the story in love, given the fantastical tone of her latest effort.

"The tone we wanted to lead with was one of love for our world, our family, and joy. With a project like this that is so fantastical, we wanted to find emotional anchors for our character and her journey, grounded in something true and relatable," said Lim.

She added that they wanted to explore emotions.

Watch the trailer here.

On March 5, join Raya on her quest to find the last dragon. See Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon in theaters or order it on @DisneyPlus with Premier Access on March 5. Learn more: https://t.co/VbE7d6KNRP pic.twitter.com/54wfglZWMQ

— Raya and the Last Dragon (@DisneyRaya) January 26, 2021

"So, when you look at (the primary character) Raya and her journey, she loses her relationship with her father, she loses this world she grew up in, and there`s this need to fight for the chance to restore her world, and perhaps see her father again, one day. And so we wanted to explore all those emotions, but at the same time, have the film be joyful, fun, and an adventure," Lim said.

The animated film tells the tale of the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons once lived in harmony. When an evil force threatens the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, the same evil returns and it is up to lone warrior Raya to find the legendary last dragon and restore the fractured land and its divided people.

 February 21, 2021

The film releases in theatres across India on March 5. Its voice cast comprises Kelly Marie Tran as Raya and Awkwafina as the mythical dragon Sisu.