Disney Legend Lea Salonga is once again lending her voice to an animated feature film. This time, however, she’s joining DreamWorks Animation.
During the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Forgotten Island directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado spoke about the upcoming project, which they described as a “love letter to Filipino culture.” The filmmakers revealed new details about the film’s cultural influences, including that the story’s primary villains will be voiced by Lea Salonga and Jenny Slate.
Villain in Forgotten Island – Universal Pictures, YouTube
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Deadline reports that during the presentation, Mercado joked that Salonga “ain’t no hero in our movie,” referencing her iconic performance as the singing voice of Fa Mulan.
Disney Legend Takes on a Villainous Role
In addition to Mulan, Lea Salonga also provided the singing voice for Princess Jasmine in Aladdin, two films that helped define Disney’s Renaissance era. In recognition of those contributions, Disney named her a Disney Legend in 2011.
Mulan (1998) – Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers, YouTube
Salonga’s legacy extends far beyond her voice performances. Her work on Aladdin and Mulan introduced millions of viewers to her vocal abilities, while her acclaimed stage career—including her Tony Award-winning performance in Miss Saigon—made her one of the most celebrated performers of her generation.
For Forgotten Island, Lea Salonga will portray the Manananggal, a legendary vampire-like creature drawn directly from Filipino folklore that can separate its upper body from its lower half and take flight.
A Celebration of Filipino Culture
Like many members of the Forgotten Island production team and cast, Lea Salonga has a strong personal connection to the Philippines, where she was born. Crawford’s wife is Filipina, while co-director Mercado is Filipino American.
“The old adage is write what you know, but we wrote who you know,” Crawford told the crowd at Annecy.
Girls in Forgotten Island – Universal Pictures, YouTube
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Rather than adapting an existing fairy tale, Forgotten Island tells an original story set in the 1990’s centered on lifelong best friends Jo and Raissa. When the pair are transported to the magical island of Nakali, they discover that escaping may cost them their memories of one another.
The fantasy setting draws heavily from Filipino folklore, introducing audiences to mythological creatures rarely seen in mainstream Hollywood animation. Crawford and Mercado, who previously collaborated on DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, added that Forgotten Island‘s visual style will also be inspired by hand-drawn anime.
“It reminds you of Dragon Ball Z, which uses the same inspiration,” Crawford said of Manila-based Snipple Animation. “They are pushing boundaries.”
DreamWorks Bets on an Original Story
Alongside Lea Salonga, Forgotten Island will feature Filipino-born R&B singer H.E.R., Manny Jacinto, and Dolly de Leon, as well as Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, and Jenny Slate.
For Disney fans, Salonga’s appearance is particularly notable. Although she remains closely associated with Disney through Aladdin and Mulan, Forgotten Island marks one of her highest-profile voice roles for another major animation studio.
Scene from Forgotten Island – Universal Pictures, YouTube
For DreamWorks, the film also represents a willingness to invest in an original property rooted in a culture and mythology that may be unfamiliar to many moviegoers. Whether that approach translates into box office success remains to be seen, but reactions to the film’s most recent trailer have generally been positive ahead of its September 25 theatrical release.
How do you feel about Lea Salonga teaming with DreamWorks for Forgotten Island? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
