Tran lands lead role in Disney film
Kelly Marie Tran will bring the warrior Raya to life in Disney’s animated film “Raya and the Last Dragon,” replacing Cassie Steele, who previously held the titular role.
That makes Tran, 31, the first Southeast Asian actress to lead an animated Disney film — one that is also inspired by Southeast Asia. The picture has also named new directors, Don Hall and Carlos Lopez Estrada, who join “Raya” story artists Paul Briggs and Dean Wellins at the helm.
It’s unclear why the Raya role was recast, and a rep for Disney did not comment on the casting news when reached on Thursday. Reps for Steele, who starred in the “Degrassi” television series and is of British and Filipino descent, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“Raya and the Last Dragon” was scheduled to be released in November but has been pushed back. It’s slated for release on March 12 and is one of the first Disney Animation features to be developed from remote locations as a result of the pandemic.
Directors Hall and Estrada were taken by Tran’s comedy and ad-lib skills, and the level of emotion she brought to the role, Entertainment Weekly reported.
“I didn’t know that I was yearning just to see someone who looks like me,” the Vietnamese American actress told EW, which first reported the recasting Thursday. “She is someone who is technically a princess, but I think that what’s really cool about this project, about this character specifically, is that everyone’s trying to flip the narrative on what it means to be a princess.”
Edebiri to replace Slate as Missy: Two months after Jenny Slate announced she would no longer voice the character of Missy on “Big Mouth,” the Netflix animated puberty comedy has found her replacement: writer, producer, comedian and actor Ayo Edebiri.
“I was definitely a very uncomfortable child, so I think the show speaks to that and a lot of those feelings, which still resonate with me as an adult,” Edebiri said.
While Slate will continue to voice Missy for the majority of the fourth season, Edebiri will take over the role in the penultimate episode. She booked the role just a few weeks ago and has already recorded her dialogue.
Riley performs tribute to Rivera: Amber Riley performed a touching tribute to her late “Glee” co-star Naya Rivera on Thursday’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” The actor and singer, whose artist moniker is Riley, sang her new track titled “A Moment,” in honor of Rivera, who died in July.
“Now I need a moment alone with my soul, I can’t stop these thoughts, I need these,” Riley sang, while photos of Rivera were projected behind her. “I’m ready to fight, I’m ready to see what’s on the other side. I’m ready to cry and just let it be.”
Rivera was best known for her role as Santana Lopez on the hit Fox musical series, while Riley played Mercedes Jones.
Aug. 29 birthdays: Actor Betty Lynn is 94. Director William Friedkin is 85. Actor Elliott Gould is 82. Actor Deborah Van Valkenburgh is 68. Keyboardist Dan Truman is 64. Actor Carla Gugino is 49. Guitarist Kyle Cook is 45. Actor Jennifer Landon is 37. Actor Lea Michele is 34. Actor Charlotte Ritchie is 31. Singer Liam Payne is 27.