This included theanimationstyle, the character of Star, and especially the villainous turn of Magnifico.
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PETER DEL VECHO: It actually came from Jennifer Lee.
And that was sort of the beginning.
‘Wish’, King Magnifico (voice: Chris Pine)Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
DEADLINE: Can you talk a bit about the animation style?
To celebrate the hundredth and knowing that it was a fairytale, it was really dictated by story.
Our technology team worked with our artists and together they created this style.
‘Wish’, from left: Star, Asha (voice: Ariana DeBose), Valentino (voice: Akan Tudyk)Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
DEADLINE: Lets talk about the character of Star.
Where did that kind of character come from?
So that became sort of a guidepost for us in the creation of the story.
Then, what if the wish was so powerful, it would actually bring a star down to earth?
But Star also gave Asha the drive for the story.
Star was there to encourage, but Asha had to figure everything out on her own.
LANCASTER-JONES: And the other part of Star is the entertainment value, right?
Its just a ball of joy and energy.
DEL VECHO: What an animators dream to have a character where it doesnt speak.
So, everything they do has to read emotionally, comically, just through expression.
LANCASTER-JONES: And in part inspired by Mickey, even in the mask on the face.
DEADLINE: Tell me about Asha as the protagonist, what was the inspiration for her character?
And also, that incredible singing voice.
DEADLINE: Opposite of that, you have Chris Pine as Magnifico.
How did that casting come about?
DEADLINE: Lets talk a bit about that villain progression.
LANCASTER-JONES: I think whats very interesting about villains is when they show their true colors.
I think thats why its very exciting, but I think thats also what makes him different.
DEL VECHO: We wanted to create a character you could believe and you could watch.
You could see he had noble intentions in the beginning, and then you watch that evolution.
And when he was under pressure, I think it revealed his true nature.
