Ronnabelle Lora

DreamWorks Animation producing a movie based on Philippine mythology


Article (news)

E. Kristhoff Cagape

Push Team

<p>DreamWorks Animation will be producing an animated film based on Philippine mythology titled <em>Forgotten Island.</em></p><p>According to a report by <em>Variety, </em>the movie will be directed by Filipino-American director Januel Mercado alongside Joel Crawford. The movie is set to be released on September 25, 2026.</p><p>Described as a “broad party comedy adventure,” the story follows its protagonists as they are transported to a long-forgotten magical island rooted in Philippine mythology.</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><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-22" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmQG3FfLTYg/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A22%2C%22os%22%3A9838337.099999905%2C%22ls%22%3A427599.09999990463%2C%22le%22%3A427984.89999997616%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="611" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-22" 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>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.</p><p>&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>DreamWorks Animation will be producing '<i>Forgotten Island,' an animated movie based on Philippine mythology. </i></p>

DreamWorks Animation will be producing ' Forgotten Island,' an animated movie based on Philippine mythology.