Home / Arts and Entertainment / DreamWorks' 'Forgotten Island': Friendship, Myth, and Art
DreamWorks' 'Forgotten Island': Friendship, Myth, and Art
25 Mar
Summary
- Original animated film celebrates friendship and Philippine mythology.
- Filmmakers aimed for originality over sequels, facing studio challenges.
- Movie explores stakes of losing a best friend, not global disaster.
DreamWorks Animation is set to release "Forgotten Island," an original animated feature penned and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. The film promises a visually inventive and emotionally resonant narrative centered on two lifelong friends whose bond is tested. Starring H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, the movie draws heavily on Philippine mythology and is set against a retro-cool 1990s backdrop.
The filmmakers deliberately pursued an original concept, recognizing the difficulty in establishing a new fanbase in a market saturated with branded content. They faced studio skepticism regarding the story's intimate scope and cultural focus, but ultimately received trust to deliver a unique vision. The narrative explores the personal stakes of friendship, posing the question of what happens when the greatest fear is not the end of the world, but losing someone you love.
"Forgotten Island" aims to redefine cinematic stakes by centering on the emotional impact of losing a connection to a best friend. Influences range from Studio Ghibli's artistic style to films like "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Everything Everywhere All At Once." The movie, set to release on September 25, 2026, represents a significant effort to champion original storytelling in animation.
