Raya and the Last Dragon ( RYE-ə) is a 2021 American computer-animated fantasy action-adventure film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The 59th film produced by the studio, it was directed by Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, co-directed by Paul Briggs and John Ripa, and produced by Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho. The screenplay was written by Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim, both of whom also wrote the story with Hall, Estrada, Briggs, Ripa, Kiel Murray, and Dean Wellins, based on story ideas by Bradley Raymond and additional story contributions by Helen Kalafatic. Featuring the voices of Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Izaac Wang, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Benedict Wong, Sandra Oh, Thalia Tran, Lucille Soong, and Alan Tudyk, Raya and the Last Dragon is about the titular warrior princess, Raya (Tran). She seeks out the fabled last dragon (Awkwafina), hoping to restore the dragon gem that would bring back her father (Dae Kim) and banish the evil spirits known as the Druun from the land of Kumandra.
The film is inspired by traditional Southeast Asian cultures. Development began in October 2018, and in August 2019 the project was officially announced, with the title being revealed alongside the voice cast. During its production, Disney officially announced the replacement of several cast and crew members in August 2020 which includes the initially announced lead Cassie Steele being replaced by Kelly Marie Tran due to changes in character and plot. To prevent further spread of the SARS CoV-2 virus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the filmmakers practiced social distancing, working from home using digital communication software like Zoom.
After being delayed for four months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Raya and the Last Dragon was released in theaters in the United States on March 5, 2021. The film was simultaneously available on Disney+ Premier Access as a result of the pandemic's effects on movie theaters. The film became the third most streamed movie title of 2021, and has grossed over $130 million worldwide (not including its Disney+ Premier Access revenue). It received positive reviews from critics, who praised the animation, the female empowerment, craftsmanship, visuals, action sequences, world building, characters and voice acting, but criticized its lack of Southeast Asian representation in the cast and anachronistic humor. The film received various accolades, including a nomination for Best Animated Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards, and was nominated in the same category at the 79th Golden Globe Awards. However, it lost both awards to Encanto, another Walt Disney Animation Studios film. Raya and the Last Dragon also led the 49th Annie Awards with ten nominations.
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