DreamWorks’ ‘Forgotten Island’ Release Date, Plot & Cast Details Revealed

Animation studios have long drawn from fairy tales, folklore, and cultural mythologies worldwide for new storytelling material, yet some traditions remain significantly underrepresented in cinema. This gap has left many audiences eager for a major studio to finally showcase Philippine mythology on the big screen.

DreamWorks Animation is stepping in to address this need with its upcoming original theatrical release, and the timing is particularly noteworthy given the studio’s recent creative successes. Following critical hits like ‘The Wild Robot’ and ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,’ DreamWorks has established a reputation for taking creative risks that yield both critical and commercial success.

This momentum continues with ‘Forgotten Island,’ DreamWorks’ next original film, which is set to premiere in theaters on September 25. The film is described as a broad, comedic adventure featuring two best friends who find themselves transported to a magical island steeped in Philippine mythology, where they begin to forget each other as the story progresses.

Behind the scenes, the film brings together the creative team behind one of DreamWorks’ most celebrated recent releases. Joel Crawford, who directed ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ and previously directed ‘The Croods: A New Age,’ returns to write and direct ‘Forgotten Island’ alongside co-director Januel Mercado. This duo has a strong pedigree, having received multiple award nominations, including an Oscar nod, for their work on the ‘Puss in Boots’ sequel.

For Mercado, ‘Forgotten Island’ represents a significant career milestone, marking his first full directing credit after previously serving as a co-director on ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.’ He also worked as head of story on Crawford’s ‘The Croods: A New Age,’ establishing a solid working relationship as they embark on this new project.

According to DreamWorks, Crawford and Mercado drew inspiration from their personal friendship and Philippine mythology while developing the film’s story and world. Crawford’s longtime producing partner, Mark Swift, is also on board as a producer, continuing a creative partnership that has spanned several of the director’s previous projects.

The voice cast features a notably diverse and talented lineup, including H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, and Lea Salonga. This combination of established Hollywood talent and prominent Filipino performers reflects the studio’s clear intention to authentically represent the culture central to the story.

‘Forgotten Island’ arrives during a particularly busy period for DreamWorks Animation, coinciding with the same release window previously occupied by ‘The Wild Robot.’ The film also follows closely behind ‘The Bad Guys 2’ and the studio’s live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ remake, both released earlier this year, positioning ‘Forgotten Island’ as DreamWorks’ major theatrical push for the fall.

Given the studio’s recent track record of blending heartfelt storytelling with broad comedic appeal, expectations are high that ‘Forgotten Island’ could become another favorite among critics and audiences in DreamWorks’ expanding slate of original films. For a studio increasingly focused on exploring underrepresented cultures and mythologies, this latest release feels like a natural and long-overdue step forward.

With the film’s theatrical release just weeks away, audiences will soon get their first full glimpse of how Crawford and Mercado bring Philippine mythology to life on the big screen.

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