Can long lost friends find ground to reconnect? Chris Appelhans’ animated comedy, about what in our lives is really worth wishing for, premieres June 11.
Netflix has just released the official trailer, and new images, from their upcoming animated comedy, Wish Dragon. Written and directed by Chris Appelhans and starring Jackie Chan, Wish Dragon tells the story of Din, a working-class college student with big dreams but small means, and Long (John Cho), a cynical but all-powerful dragon capable of granting wishes. Together, the two set off on an adventure through modern day Shanghai in pursuit of Din’s long-lost childhood friend, Lina. Their journey forces them to answer some of life's biggest questions – because when you can wish for anything, you must decide what really matters.
In the trailer, we see Din, a mere “peasant boy,” and his efforts to punch above his weight and reconnect with Lina, now leading a rich and glamourous life. And we see once again how funny a silly, high-pitched cartoon voice can be.
Aron Warner, Chris Bremble, and Jackie Chan serve as producers. The voice cast includes John Cho, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Jimmy Wong, Constance Wu, Will Yun Lee, Jimmy O. Yang, Aaron Yoo, Bobby Lee, and Ronnie Chieng.
The film, co-financed by Sony Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Sparkle Roll Media, Base Media, and TenCent Pictures, was released in Chinese theatres nationwide this past January.
Way back in 2016, AWN talked with Appelhans about his new film, which at the time, marked the first foray into animated features by Bremble’s Chinese VFX studio, Base FX. In 2018, Jackie Chan and Constance Wu joined the English voice cast, with Sony Pictures Animation later coming on board for international distribution. SPA announced their involvement with the film during their 2019 Annecy festival production slate reveal.
Source: Netflix
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.