Logging into Twitter, I saw that Kelly Marie Tran is trending, and after finding out why, I am here for it! She is becoming a Disney Princess! No, seriously. Kelly Marie Tran will be voicing the character Raya from the upcoming Disney movie Raya and the Last Dragon.
The movie takes place in a magical land called Kumandra. There, a warrior named Raya fights to save the realm from evil and is determined to find that last dragon. Raya and Tuk Tuk “must leave their Heart Lands home and track down the last dragon to help stop the villainous Druun.” They meet Sisu (Awkwafina), a human with a secret that needs Raya’s help during the journey.
Entertainment Weekly gave fans an exclusive first look at the beautifully animated world, Tuk Tuk, and Raya. In the article, director Don Hall had this to say about Tran:
“She is Raya — just her buoyancy and her positivity, but yet there’s a strength as well to Kelly and the character.”
Further down, Tran talks about the character Raya.
“She is someone who is technically a princess, but I think that what’s really cool about this project, about this character, specifically is that everyone’s trying to flip the narrative on what it means to be a princess. Raya is totally a warrior. When she was a kid, she was excited to get her sword. And she grows up to be a really badass, gritty warrior and can really take care of herself.”
This role is also one for the history books that was long overdue. Raya and the Last Dragon will be Disney Animation Studios’ first film inspired by Southeast Asia. Plus, Tran is the first Southeast Asian actress to be in a leading role from the company as well. Tran is an accomplished actress whose work includes Ladies Like Us, Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, Sorry for Your Loss, Passenger List audio drama, and more.
Currently, Raya and the Last Dragon will be released on March 12, 2021.