The creative team of Disney’s newest animated film, Disney’s “Wish” which celebrates the 100 years of The Disney Company shares some highlights of the process of a film 100 years in the making.

In Disney’s “Wish”, Asha (Ariana DeBose), a young brave woman, makes a powerful wish to save her Kingdom of Rosas. Through comedy, magic, Easter eggs, and musical numbers, we undergo an adventure with Asha and her friends to defeat Magnifico, a dishonest and two-faced leader who tricked the people of Rosa into thinking that their wish is safe and will be granted.

During a magical conversation with Jennifer Lee (Writer/Executive Producer & Animation Chief Creative Officer) Chris Buck (Director) Fawan Veerasunthorn (Director) Julia Michaels (Songwriter) (Peter Del Vecho (Producer), Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster Jones (Producer) shared details on songwriting, Disney references, and who they hope Asha becomes for male and females kids.

For Songwriter Julia Micheals, who is a Disney fan herself and received an opportunity to be involved with “Wish”, Julia Michaels share a few words on the songwriting process of the film. She couldn’t believe when she got the call asking if she would the join the Disney Family. Her own wish came true. Also, she shared that some songs were cut throughout the early process of the story due to story changes and character development. Not only that, but she knew that with each song she wrote, she wanted to convey similar messages as other Disney songs and create her own magic behind the meaning of each song. She also shared how it was working with Chris Pine and how she wasn’t aware that he sang. The process was kept very cool and Pine exceeded all her expectations.

There are plenty of Disney references in the film, and Director Fawan Veerasunthorn shared what inspired her to include them in the film.

“We were set on the goal to create an original story, original characters, and songs. Then the fun begins with everyone working here and growing up on Disney films…we were inspired by these people that have a deep love for these characters, when scenarios presented themselves, we couldn’t help ourselves. Every time a new department touched the movie, they brought up their own Disney references. It was a collective love letter to Walt and the artists that came before us, which includes all the inspiration we have gotten. We wanted to put it back in, and we hope it’s a doze of delight and will remind all of your new and old friends.”

The creative team shared that they are 100 references in the film, including a special appearance by Grandmother Willow from “Pocahontas”.

Director Fawan Veersasunthorn also shared that the importance of the film is a person’s wish and the journey to make their wish come true.

“It offered an opportunity to talk about that. When you have a wish, speak it out loud”

She used herself as an example on how her wish was to work for Disney Animation. She also shared how everyone has a different journey and how she placed that love of her wish into this film.

Asha is the newest heroine, and many boys and girls will be inspired by her journey. Jennifer Lee shared the message she would like Asha to convey when audiences see the film.

“That thing that drives your heart, that passion, as you discover and grow, that thing that is the reason that you get up every day, it matters…scream it out loud, there will be helpers there… It might be a hard road, and that’s okay. I think we think that we wish, and then it happens, or it shouldn’t happen. It’s a journey, and I hope Asha shows them how it’s a journey. It will be hard and that’s okay. And there will be those little helpers along the way”

Disney’s “Wish” hits theaters November 22, 2023