Overview
- DreamWorks and Universal released a second trailer and presented Forgotten Island at the Annecy festival, which took place Tuesday, June 23, generating fresh industry buzz for the project.
- The studio’s logline describes two Filipino high school friends who are transported to the mythical island of Nakali where their memories of each other are at risk and they must race to return home.
- Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the directing team behind Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, wrote and directed the film, which draws on Mercado’s childhood experiences and 1990s Philippine settings.
- The principal voice cast mixes U.S. stars and Filipino talent, led by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano as the friends, with Lea Salonga voicing the Dreaded Manananggal and others including Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy and Ronny Chieng.
- Production includes Manila-based contributors such as Snipple Animation with anime‑influenced 2D sequences, a creative choice that has drawn both praise and criticism, and the film remains scheduled to open in theaters on September 25.