We learned recently that Disney plans to release its next big animated outing, Encanto solely in cinemas – at least for 30 days, with its Disney+ debut planned for Christmas Eve. A new trailer for the movie has arrived, along with word that John Leguizamo is also among the voice cast.
Encanto, directed by Zootropolis duo Jared Bush and Byron Howard, tells the tale of the Madrigals, an extraordinary family who live in a wondrous, charmed place called Encanto in Colombia. Each child has been blessed with a magic gift unique to them – each child except Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz). But when the family’s home is threatened, Mirabel may be their only hope.
The film boasts music from Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is everywhere this year (he has directorial debut tick, tick… BOOM! headed our way via Netflix, while María Cecilia Botero, Angie Cepeda, Wilmer Valderrama, Diane Guererro and Jessica Darrow are among the voice cast.
As for Leguizamo, he's playing Bruno, Mirabel's uncle. "I was so pumped to be asked to the party," he says. Lin-Manuel wrote me a rap, and I flipped out! Plus, this is such a beautiful story set in Colombia. It's a first in so many ways. The magic is enchanting, the comedy is so sharp, and the world created is irresistible." Turns out Bruno's brutally honest ability to see the future has left him something of an outcast amongst the family. "Bruno is so compelling because he is that guy that never quite fits in," Leguizamo continues. "He's an outsider, but he also understands the world better because he's always wanted to belong to it."
With Charise Castro Smith on co-writing (with Bush) and co-directing duties, the film arrives in UK and US cinemas on 24 November.