The animated feature is set to hit theaters on March 12, 2021
Disney’s upcoming Southeast Asian animated feature, “Raya and the Last Dragon,” has a new lead voice actress in “Star Wars” breakout Kelly Marie Tran, according to an individual familiar with the project. Tran, who rose to prominence portraying Rose Tico in Rian Johnson’s 2017 blockbuster “The Last Jedi,” is taking over lead voice acting duties from former “Degrassi: The Next Generation” star Cassie Steele, who was initially cast in the role and helped promote the film at last summer’s D23 convention. Tran will play the title role of Raya. The animated film, due in theaters on March 12, 2021, also stars Awkwafina as Sisu, the aforementioned last dragon. The film was co-written by “Crazy Rich Asians” co-writer Adele Lim, who is joined by “Vietgone” playwright Qui Nguyen. Oscar-winning director Don Hall (“Big Hero 6,” “Moana”) directs the film alongside “Blindspotting” director Carlos López Estrada. Also Read: ‘Star Wars’ Actress Kelly Marie Tran on How Racist Trolls Retriggered ‘Spiral of Self-Hatred’ “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,” Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee said in a statement. “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.
