At Destination D23, the Asha meet and greet character from Disney’s upcoming “Wish” film debuted to take a photo with the studio showcase audience.
Bill Zanetti shared a photo (above) and Screen Rant shared videos (below) of Asha.
Disney was casting Asha look-alikes earlier this summer and announced on Saturday that she would eventually appear at EPCOT, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris for meet and greets.
Destination D23 guests also got to see the first 10 minutes of the film.
“Wish” stars Ariana DeBose as Asha, Chris Pine as King Magnifico, and Alan Tudyk as the goat Valentino. Amidst the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, most actors are not appearing at Destination D23.
“Wish” uses a mix of 2D and 3D animation as an homage to Disney’s animation history. It features original songs by Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice, and a score by David Metzger (“Tarzan,” “Frozen,” “Frozen II”).
It’s directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, from a script by Jennifer Lee and Allison Moore. Buck and Lee previously directed both “Frozen” films. It will be Veerasunthorn feature directorial debut. It’s produced by Peter Del Vecho and Juan Pablo Reyes.
Buck said of the film, “Our heroine, Asha, lives in Rosas, known as the kingdom of wishes. People come from everywhere to give their wishes to a magical king who promises to grant their deepest desires—someday. Only he can decide which wishes will come true and when.”
Veerasunthorn added, “We have been inspired by so many iconic films over Disney Animation’s 100 years, especially stories where we explore the power of someone with a wish, combined with the conviction to make that wish come true. Being able to honor that legacy with this incredible story and these amazing characters has been a joy for our entire team.”
20 minutes of “Wish” was played at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June. “Once Upon a Studio” also premiered at the festival, plus played at Destination D23, receiving a standing ovation. The animated short also uses a combination of 2D and 3D animation, along with live-action footage. Disney brought back more than 40 voice actors to reprise their roles and pulled from the archives to use dialogue from past actors like Robin Williams as the Genie.
“Once Upon a Studio” will play in front of “Wish” when the movie opens in theaters on November 22, 2023.
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