Disney+ Has Its 'Wish' Granted In April
Disney+ Has Its 'Wish' Granted In April
The centennial anniversary marking-film makes its way to the streamer
Wish is coming home, and following disappointing box-office performance, is probably wishing for The Marvels-level streaming vindication. Disney has announced that the latest film from Walt Disney Animation Studios will premiere on Disney+ on April 3.
Originally released in theaters on November 22, the film has certainly had a longer stay in theaters, or at least not arriving on Disney+ than most Disney films that aren’t Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The two previous Thanksgiving releases (animated of course, as is customary over the past several decades) were Strange World and Encanto, which were given the expedited treatment of 30-day windows so they could arrive on the streamer in time for Christmas. The last two Pixar films, Lightyear and Elemental, took 45 and 90 days respectively. At 132 days between theatrical and Disney+, Wish has taken as little as an extra six weeks to arrive. The Marvels was released in theaters 12 days earlier and arrived on Disney+ promptly. after the standard 90 days on February 7. Wish released January 23 on digital marketplaces while its physical media releases on Blu-ray, DVD and 4K UHD happened last Tuesday, March 12.
In the magical kingdom of Rosas, sharp-witted idealist Asha, voiced by Ariana DeBose, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a yellow star of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront King Magnifico, voiced by Chris Pine, who has turned to dark magic as he is terrified of losing his power. He enforces his jurisdiction over the wishes his people make and turns most of them into dead ends. Asha and Star must save her community and prove that wondrous things can happen when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, with the help of her friends and family. When Magnifico learns of Asha’s wish circumventing him, he makes her public enemy #1.
It would probably be an understatement to say Wish did not do well at the box office. Projected for a $45-$50 million opening weekend, it only made $31.7 million, coming in third for the weekend. The film ended up grossing only $253.2 million globally. It didn’t have great critical reception either but its Rotten Tomatoes audience score is at 81%. With several behind-the-scenes stories and changes to the film itself, it seemed the film avoided reaching its full potential. Wish also stars Angelique Cabral as Queen Amaya, described as his wife and sounding board, and Alan Tudyk as Asha’s pet goat Valentino. Victor Garber as Asha’s centenarian grandfather, Sabino, who still hasn’t had his wish granted, Ramy Youssef as the allergy-plagued Safi, Natasha Rothwell as Asha’s loving and supportive mom, Sakina, Evan Peters as the strong but sleepy Simon, and Harvey Guillén as the cynical Gabo with a heart of gold. It was directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn from a screenplay by Jennifer Lee and Allison Moore, based on a story by Lee, Buck, Veerasunthorn, and Moore. Disney released a date announcement trailer which can be watched below.
Source: Variety