Dannyka Manangan

Liza Soberano, H.E.R., Lea Salonga, and Manny Jacinto to lead voice cast of DreamWorks' 'Forgotten Island'

Article (news)

E. Kristhoff Cagape

Push Team

<p>Filipino-American stars will headline the main voice cast of DreamWorks&#x27; upcoming animated feature inspired by Philippine mythology titled <em>Forgotten Island. </em></p><p>As reported by <em>The Hollywood Reporter,</em> Liza Soberano, H.E.R., and Lea Salonga are among the lead voices in the film. They will be joined by Filipino-Canadian star Manny Jacinto, Dave Franco, and Jenny Slate. </p><p><em>Forgotten Island</em> tells the story of lifelong best friends Jo (voiced by H.E.R.) and Raissa (voiced by Liza) who become stranded on the magical, long-forgotten island of Nakali where the only path home may mean giving up their most treasured memories.</p><div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNHOQtqS_3u/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA=="></a></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNHOQtqS_3u/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A2779589.599999994%2C%22ls%22%3A203977%2C%22le%22%3A204799.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLiuOyCyt3b/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA=="></a></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLiuOyCyt3b/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A2805517%2C%22ls%22%3A203977%2C%22le%22%3A204799.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="665" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>The film is being written and co-directed by Filipino-American filmmaker Januel Mercado alongside Joel Crawford. Universal Pictures is set to release the movie in theaters on September 25, 2026.</p><p><em>Forgotten Island</em> will be the first film where Januel receives full directing credit. He previously co-directed the critically acclaimed <em>Puss in Boots: The Last Wish</em>, also produced by DreamWorks.</p><p>Born and raised in Stockton, California to Filipino parents, Januel studied animation and illustration at San Jose State University. In a past interview with GMA News, he shared how his parents nurtured his artistic talents early on.</p><p>&quot;[My parents] saw early on when I was a kid that I just loved to draw, and they recognized that talent right away. And they nurtured it,&quot; he shared.</p><p>He highlighted how his Filipino heritage continues to shape his storytelling. &quot;My love and care and my Filipino culture is very universal as well. It&#x27;s just like the connection and the closeness that you have with your family,&quot; he remarked.  </p><p>&quot;And it&#x27;s often that the people who you&#x27;re closest to are the ones, that you butt heads and bicker with the most because you have that trust and you have that relationship and I&#x27;m very proud to say that, that&#x27;s that specific experience. And the way I live is tied to the emotion of the film and the character dynamics,&quot; he added.</p><p>Januel began his career as a storyboard artist and steadily worked his way up in the animation industry. He previously worked on major films like <em>Kung Fu Panda 2</em> and <em>Penguins of Madagascar</em>, among others.</p>

<p>Inspired by Philippine mythology, animated feature 'Forgotten Island' is set to be released in September 2026. </p>

Inspired by Philippine mythology, animated feature 'Forgotten Island' is set to be released in September 2026.