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DreamWorks Animation's Academy Award-nominated directing duo, Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, recently returned to the Annecy International Animation Film Festival to debut exclusive new footage of their upcoming film, 'Forgotten Island'. Following their critically acclaimed work on 2022's 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish', which pushed the boundaries of animated storytelling and earned an Oscar nomination, Crawford and Mercado are now steering an original '90s nostalgia throwback that promises to be an epic animated feat. Collider’s Steve Weintraub had the opportunity to discuss the film's intricate details, from its Filipino folklore roots to its diverse animation styles and unexpected influences.

'Forgotten Island' tells the story of two best friends, Jo (voiced by H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano), who are on the cusp of setting out on different paths. On their final night together, they stumble upon a portal that transports them to a whimsical island called Nakali. To escape this enchanted land, they are confronted with a daunting choice: surrender every memory of their friendship. With the aid of a hapless weredog named Raww (Dave Franco) and newly made companions, Jo and Raissa embark on a race against time to find a way off the island without sacrificing their precious memories.

The concept for 'Forgotten Island' began to take shape in 2020, rooted in Filipino mythology. However, the project was momentarily set aside as Crawford and Mercado took on 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish'. That experience proved invaluable, as 'Puss in Boots' not only pushed animation boundaries with its painterly style but also fearlessly explored nuanced themes of life and death, introducing the resonating character of Wolf. The trust and confidence gained from 'Puss in Boots'' success enabled the duo to secure support for 'Forgotten Island', allowing them to delve deeper emotionally and continue to push the medium of animation.

A significant inspiration for 'Forgotten Island', as well as a testament to the evolving landscape of animation, comes from films like 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' and 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish'. These movies, according to Mercado and Crawford, have opened doors for more creative risks in animation, moving beyond a limited set of CG tools to embrace a broader artistic palette. This newfound freedom allows filmmakers to articulate more nuanced stories and address diverse themes by visually breaking the traditional animation model. The directors also highlight how the international audience's familiarity with anime, including its unique tonal shifts and exaggerated expressions, has expanded the vocabulary for Western animation, allowing for more dynamic and emotionally impactful storytelling.

The film embraces a blend of animation styles to visually represent its central themes of memories and nostalgia. It features traditional CG performances alongside pushed anime moments, rendered in a 3D world, and classic 2D elements inspired by '90s anime. The animation stylistically changes depending on who is retelling a memory. For instance, the weredog Raww, who yearns for connection, perceives himself as Goku from 'Dragon Ball Z', going Super Saiyan over a high five. A narcissistic merman's retelling might resemble 'Sailor Moon', while a naive demon baby's memory could take on the rounded, soft tones of 'Crayon Shin-chan'. These varied styles allow the film to explore different facets of memory and emotion effectively.

Filipino folklore plays a crucial role, providing unique antagonists and mythical creatures not typically seen in major animated releases. The film features two villains: the Manananggal, a terrifying vampire demon from Filipino mythology capable of splitting in half, and Batiba, a creature inspired by the Batibat. While the original Batibat preys on nightmares, the film's version preys on memories, directly aligning with the movie's core themes. The Manananggal, despite its sinister appearance, possesses a deeper connection to the film's themes, paralleling Hans Gruber's well-motivated villainy in 'Die Hard'. Batiba, on the other hand, presents a contrasting image, resembling a giant, fluffy 'Totoro'.

Music is also integral to the film's emotional core. A montage in the first act, depicting Jo and Raissa's developing friendship, was initially conceived with INXS’s “Never Tear Us Apart,” a song whose lyrics and vibe perfectly encapsulated their bond. This sequence, though challenging to execute, was crucial in establishing the girls' intertwined identities, showing them as two puzzle pieces that complete each other. Furthermore, lead actress H.E.R. was so moved by an early screening of the film that she organically offered to write a new song for it, which Liza Soberano also sings. This new track will play during the movie's credits, adding an emotional conclusion to the story. Nathan Matthew David is responsible for the original score, crafting the sonic landscape of the film.

'Forgotten Island' also incorporates numerous '90s callbacks, including a surprising clip from the movie 'Predator'. The inclusion of Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic handshake with Carl Weathers was a deliberate choice by the directors, serving as an emotional symbol for the power of the girls' friendship, equating their pact to the machismo seen in formative '90s action films. The film is approximately 90% complete, with sound mixing underway at Skywalker Ranch, and is set to open in theaters on September 25. The strong studio confidence in this original story, as evidenced by early screenings at Annecy and CinemaCon, speaks to the power of its narrative and characters, which have also deeply resonated with its cast members, including Dave Franco and Manny Jacinto.

The film's themes of friendship and memory are expected to inspire audiences, with ideas already in motion for merchandise like customizable friendship bracelets that celebrate core memories. The directors emphasize the importance of creating merchandise that resonates emotionally with a diverse audience, including young adults familiar with anime, reflecting the evolving tastes and broader appeal of animated cinema.