Going from rags to riches is a typical troupe among Disney’s iconic films. The “before” stories of Disney characters like Cinderella resonate with the masses because they either reflect the position they’re presently in or have once been in at some point in their lives.
Disney fans’ favorite princesses usually don’t start as royalty. They possess quirky qualities and an overwhelming kindness that guide them to triumphant “happily ever afters.” Those classic Disney tales inspire fans of all ages and backgrounds to reach for more, believe in themselves, and hope to find a little magic every day.
The same stories motivated Frozen (2013) director Jennifer Lee to rise from a bullied teen to a billion-dollar Disney boss. In an interview with The Guardian, Lee discussed all things Disney, Frozen, fairytales, and her newest dream project set to hit theaters in November: Wish.
‘Wish’ Won’t be “Woke” (Intentionally)
On the heels of underwhelming box office premieres from Disney’s recent films like Lightyear (2022) and Strange World (2022), Walt Disney Animation Studio slates Wish as its much-needed theater hit. No pressure for Lee, right? Wish will debut near the end of its centenary year and on the heels of the most backlash Disney has ever gotten.
With controversial casting decisions for the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, legal battles with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, gripes about post-pandemic Park changes, and lackluster film debuts, the cards are stacked high for writer Lee’s newest project, and according to The Guardian, she’s relying on her roots to be her North Star.
In the interview, Lee detailed her unglamorous childhood and how Disney was a saving grace for her while she navigated murky adolescent waters:
I was born into a very modest life. I was a kid with ADHD, terrible in school. I don’t think people ever thought I could amount to anything
Partnering with co-director Chris Buck to deliver a game-changing film franchise, with its first installment raking in $1.285 billion during its theatrical run, Lee went on to amount to quite a bit. In the ten years since Frozen debuted, Lee acknowledged the world has changed, with growing sensitivities to controversial topics. But the newest star on the block, Asha from Wish, won’t be manufactured to accommodate every audience member. Lee told The Guardian:
It’s such an odd thing because from the outside, you’d think it’s a check-box formula. It’s oddly the opposite. When you manage characters from outside in, they don’t resonate. And if it’s not authentic, no one comes.
A Cinderella Story
While Lee didn’t have a fairy godmother to guide her growing up, she leaned on Cinderella’s tenacity to get her through a challenging ride through childhood. Bullied as a child, she related to Cinderella’s story, and her rise to royalty after overcoming her tumultuous upbringing inspired her. According to Lee, she’s taking that classic approach to Wish.
Set in the magical kingdom of powerful King Magnifico (Chris Pine), Wish follows Princess Asha (Ariana DeBose), who makes a classic call upon a wishing star. Once Asha comes in contact with the wish-granting king, she uncovers a disheartening truth that keeps the kingdom’s peasants at bay. Outfitted with a new sidekick for Disney fans to love, a pajama-wearing pet goat Valentino, Wish harkens back to the foundational princess stories Disney enthusiasts have been craving.
But in this modern fairytale, Lee wants viewers to know they can be their own North Star in their stories—that they can chase after a wish without the help of an enchanted fairy. Lee asserted to The Guardian:
It’s your responsibility to pursue a wish. And there will be scary times and failure, and things won’t work out. I like the idea that it’s OK that it’s hard.
With watercolor backgrounds, CG characters, and an empowering tone to lift audiences, Wish is granting classic Disney cinema in theaters on November 22, 2023.
