The Magic of "Wish": A Deep-Dive into Disney's Centennial Film

Get the Inside Scoop from Disney's Latest Press Junket

Last week, Disney held a press junket to promote their upcoming animated movie “Wish,” I was lucky enough to be in attendance and now I’m excited to take you into the El Capitan Theatre to recap everything that we learned about “Wish.”

The creative minds behind Disney's upcoming animated film "Wish" offered an intimate and detailed glimpse into the creation of the movie that marks the centennial milestone of Disney's animated features. The team, composed of Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck, Fawn Veerasunthorn, and Juan Pablo Sans, engaged in a lively and in-depth discussion, revealing the inspirations, challenges, and triumphs that shaped the making of "Wish."

The Birth of a New Villain

One of the exciting aspects of the film that the team touched on was the introduction of a new villain. As Buck humorously shared, "for us, too, it was like we always wanted to do a nod to the Disney villains. And our audience was craving for another villain." This revelation ignited anticipation for the character of Magnifico, the antagonist set to challenge the film's protagonist, Asha. The team shared that Asha, a young heroine, must find the strength within herself to inspire her kingdom to stand up to Magnifico's menace, setting the stage for a classic Disney narrative of bravery and heroism.

Pushing Boundaries: The Fusion of Traditional and Contemporary Animation

The filmmaking team delved into the technical aspects of their creative process, discussing the blend of traditional and modern animation techniques that brought "Wish" to life. Buck described their approach to animation as pushing technological boundaries, incorporating elements of hand-drawn animation into their work. He remarked, "A lot of our shorts, we push some of the technological boundaries. And we've been doing things where you incorporate a bit of the hand-drawn into some of the shorts that we've done."

Adding to Buck's point, Lee emphasized their commitment to preserving the artist's original vision. They aimed to create a film that wouldn't compromise the artistry to fit into traditional CGI or hand-drawn limitations. Lee stated, "One of the goals has been, again, not how do we keep making CG more real, 'cause people can do that. How do we actually get the artist's vision from the beginning, from that first painting?" This commitment to balancing tradition with innovation reflects the team's dedication to creating a unique visual experience for the audience.

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