Walt Disney Animation Studios looks to be bringing its viewers another treat, this time in the form of a magical, whimsical, out-of-the-box Strange World. Having had a stellar run in 2021 with many noteworthy releases, including the Oscar-winning Encanto.
Details regarding the film have been scarce, in keeping with Disney’s tradition of keeping things hush-hush until the last moment. However, information that has been revealed regarding cast members and the creative team behind the project signal that the movie will most likely go on to become a hit among viewers, similarly to many of Disney's other projects.
Disney dropped an official teaser trailer for Strange World on June 6, 2022. The trailer was met with many positive reactions and a good amount of fan excitement. Disney received a similar response to their first look poster released in December 2021. Comments on Walt Disney Animation Studios’ YouTube page reveal that fans are hyped for the movie's release and highly taken up with the stunning graphics and unique creatures depicted in the film. Many also commended the animators' efforts and credited them for making a world that looked so magically realistic.
Here's what we know so far.
Strange World: The Plot
The narrative of Disney’s latest film is staying true to its title and taking viewers into a strange world. The film focuses on a family renowned as the greatest explorers who ever lived. Searcher Clade, a member of the Clade family, is the focal point of the film. Having different interests from the rest of his family, Searcher Clade prefers to live out his life quietly as a farmer. He wants nothing to do with the daring and dangerous explorer life that the rest of his family lives. However, things don’t always go according to plan.
When the Clade family stumbles upon a very strange world, Searcher is automatically pulled into the adventure. Defying all things logically, the world appears to have mountains that can detach from a cluster and walk. Animals become a whole other ball game with swinging starfish, almost dinosaur-looking creatures, giant octopuses from which the Clade family has to run, and other whimsical creatures who bounce from place to place instead of walking.
Overwhelmed by the new world and all it holds, “I’m not an explorer, I’m a farmer,” says Searcher in the teaser trailer released by Disney. However, Searcher has to put aside his personal plans if he and his family are to explore and discover what the strange new world has to offer. “Let’s make history” becomes the aim of the Clade family. Disney warns viewers to prepare themselves for a journey beyond everything they thought was possible and also invites its audience to:
“Travel past space and time to a place of infinite mystery unlike anything you’ve ever seen”
Strange World: The Cast
At the time of writing, the only confirmed voices behind the animated characters are Jake Gyllenhaal and Alan Tudyk. Gyllenhaal is set to voice the protagonist, Searcher Clade. While Tudyk has been confirmed as part of the film, no other details regarding the role he will play have been released.
In keeping with Disney’s characteristics, no other actors or actresses who will be a part of Strange World have been revealed. We expect to see more details regarding the cast as the release date for the film draws closer.
In terms of the creative team behind the project, Don Hall will be directing the film, while Qui Nguyen will be writing and co-directing. This will not be Hall’s and Nguyen’s first time working together, having previously collaborated on Disney’s popular fantasy hit Raya and the Last Dragon.
Hall has a renowned history of working in animation, having directed noteworthy films such as the Oscar-winning film Big Hero 6, Moana, and Winnie the Pooh. The producer of Strange World, Roy Conli, also has a history of working with Hall, being part of Big Hero 6. Conli was also the producer for the 2011 movie Tangled.
Inspiration for the Film
The whimsical Strange World and all the creatures in it have received its inspiration from adventure stories published in pulp magazines. The magazines were extremely popular during the first half of the 20th century and were printed on low-cost, wood pulp paper. As per Variety, director Don Hall, talking about where the ideas for the film came from, said:
“I loved reading the old issues of pulps growing up... They were big adventures in which a group of explorers might discover a hidden world or ancient creatures. They’ve been a huge inspiration for ‘Strange World.”
Release Date
Giving Disney fans a Thanksgiving gift, Strange World is scheduled for its theatrical release on November 23, 2022.