Disney's latest feature animation film, Raya and The Last Dragon, made its iconic debut in March 2021. The movie is set in the fictional Kumandra, where a dark, ominous force known as the Druun has reappeared after 500 years. The titular Raya is tasked with finding Kumandra's last remaining dragon to restore peace to the land.
Raya and The Last Dragon delivers the beautiful animation and engaging story that one has come to expect from a Disney film. In addition to introducing the first new Disney princess since Moana, the film was also heavily inspired by Southeastern Asian culture, providing a unique aspect to the style and premise.
Warning: The following may contain spoilers for Raya and The Last Dragon.
10 Adele Lim, Raya's Screenwriter, Also Developed The Screenplay For Crazy Rich Asians
Adele Lim, who got her start working as a writer for Xena: Warrior Princess and Digimon, co-wrote the screenplay for the award-winning Crazy Rich Asians in 2018. Considering her remarkable work on Crazy Rich Asians, it's no surprise that Raya and The Last Dragon's screenplay is equally impressive.
One of the most iconic elements Adele Lim brings to the movie is her ability to capture cultural authenticity, putting a diverse array of characters in the limelight. This is especially relevant, as Raya introduced the first Southeast Asian-inspired Disney character.
9 The Clans of Kumandra Are Named After Parts of A Dragon
Raya and The Last Dragon is set in the fictional world of Kumandra, where five clans formed separate kingdoms in the land many years ago. The clans are aptly named after parts of a dragon; Fang, Spine, Heart, Talon, and Tail, with their lands also physically forming a dragon.
Five-hundred years before the movie takes place, a dark force called the Druun plagued Kumandra. As a result, the dragons in the kingdom sacrificed themselves to save humanity and put an end to the Druun.
8 Sisu, The Last Dragon, Is Voiced By Awkwafina
After a sudden rise to popularity in 2012, Awkwafina has since gone on to star in countless tv-series and movies. Interestingly, Raya and the Last Dragon is actually Awkwafina's third animated film she's provided voice work for. Disney also recently cast the talented Awkwafina for their upcoming live-action Little Mermaid adaptation due to her notable accomplishments.
Awkwafina brings her iconic wit and ingenuity to the character of Sisu, the last dragon in Kumandra. The dragon is able to take human form as well, allowing Awkwafina's hilarious dialogue to shine.
7 The Film Was In Production For More Than 3 Years
Fans of Raya and the Last Dragon may not know that the film was actually in production for more than 3 years. The movie was originally rumored back in 2018, under the title Dragon Empire, and was officially announced at Disney's 2019 D23 Expo.
The film was initially intended to be released just a few months after Disney's live-action remake of Mulan in late 2020; however, due to restrictions from the Coronavirus pandemic, the date was pushed back to 2021.
6 Cassie Steele Was Originally Cast As Raya
During Raya and the Last Dragon's three years of production, the story and cast were altered and updated. Along the way, the role of Raya changed hands from Cassie Steele to Kelly Marie Tran of Star Wars fame.
Cassie Steele, who voices Tammy Guetermann in the animated series Rick & Morty, was announced as the titular Raya during Disney's D23 Expo in 2019. However, after many elements of the screenplay evolved, she was recast to better suit the protagonist's updated personality.
5 First Disney Animation Film Since 2006 To Not Involve John Lasseter
In 2006, Disney purchased Pixar, naming John Lasseter the new Chief Creative Officer of both studios. For the past 15 years, Lasseter has overseen every Pixar and Disney Animation feature film to date.
However, in 2017, Lasseter took a temporary leave of absence after admitting to allegations of sexual misconduct. Two years later, Lasseter stepped down from his position as CCO and left the Disney company. Because of this, Raya and the Last Dragon is the first Disney animation production since Chicken Little not to involve Lasseter.
4 Amy Lawson Smeed Was The Head Of Animation For The Movie
Amy Lawson Smeed, the first female Head of Animation at Walt Disney Studios, has an undeniably impressive résumé, including successful films like Moana, Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, and many others. Her artistic style has brought countless recognizable characters to life, including the titular Raya.
Like Moana, Raya is a warrior and adventurer at heart, which Smeed captures in her character designs. The film's overall artistic style is not only faithful to its source material but unmistakably beautiful to look at as well.
3 Raya's Fighting Style Is Based on Filipino Martial Arts
One of the most impressive aspects of Raya is her remarkable fighting capabilities in the film. She trains from an early age, mastering combat in order to protect the Dragon Gem. Raya's prominent style of fighting is based on Kali, the national martial art of the Philippines.
Kali is often referred to as stick fighting, as it utilizes bamboo sticks as both defensive and offensive weapons. Students of the art are required to master fighting with weapons before learning hand-to-hand combat.
2 Raya's Travelling Companion, Tuk Tuk, is Voiced by the Legendary Alan Tudyk
Alan Tudyk has voiced countless films, many of which are Disney and Pixar movies like Moana and Wreck-it Ralph. In Raya and the Last Dragon, Tudyk provides the voice of Raya's faithful companion Tuk Tuk.
Raya raised the adorable Tuk Tuk from when they were both young, growing alongside her best friend. In addition to being able to roll into a ball like an armadillo, Tuk Tuk also provides transport for Raya along her journey to find the last dragon.
1 Raya is the 13th Disney Princess
In Raya and the Last Dragon, the titular Raya is revealed to be the daughter of Chief Benja (voiced by Daniel Dae Kim), leader of the Heart Land in Kumandra. As heir to the throne, Raya trains with her father from a young age to become the Dragon Gem's next guardian.
After a dispute over the Dragon Gem, the artifact is destroyed, causing the Druun to reawaken. Because of this, Raya sets out to find Sisu, a dragon said to have created the Dragon Gem.