Kelly Marie Tran to Voice 'Raya' in Disney's Next Animated Feature

Kelly Marie Tran is staying in the Disney family but this time, in animation.

In an exclusive first look from Entertainment Weekly, it has been revealed that the Star Wars actress will be voicing the title character in the House of Mouse’s next animated motion picture - Raya and The Last Dragon. Tran is replacing original actress Cassie Steele and will be joined by comedian Awkwafina. The film will be directed by Don Hall and Carlos Lopez Estrada and the story is by playwright Qui Nguyen and Crazy Rich Asians screenwriter Adele Lim.

Raya and The Last Dragon is focused on the title character, a princess from the fictional Southeast Asian kingdom of Kumandra. When evil threatens her homeland, Raya along with her companion Tuk Tuk must head out on an adventure to find the last dragon that will help bring peace to the land. Awkwafina will voicing Sisu, a dragon in human from that must depend on Raya to return to her old form.

Raya is a very notable film for Disney Animation in many different ways. It is both the studio’s first feature to be based in Southeast Asia and Tran is the first actress of Southeast Asian descent to lead a Disney animated feature. This continues the studio’s push to make more animated features with characters from different cultures and ethnicities that dates back to classics like Aladdin and Mulan right down to recent gems like The Princess and The Frog and Moana.

Tran is perhaps best for her role Rose Tico in the last two Star Wars movies; The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. After being harassed by toxic fans of the franchise following The Last Jedi, it ultimately led to her having a significantly reduced part in the latter film, it is very refreshing to see the actress get another chance at a lead role because she definitely comes off as a charming person on and off camera.

Raya and The Last Dragon was initially scheduled to be Disney’s Thanksgiving tentpole animated release this year but of course the pandemic shutdown changed things forcing the animators to work from home leading to about 50% of the animation finished to date, although this is typical for an animated feature which often can be finished days before a film premieres. It is now scheduled to hit theaters March 12, 2021. As always, though, things can change so we will continue to give you updates on this next surefire hit from the Mouse House.