DreamWorks Animation hopes to make a splash with its casting for the forthcoming feature Forgotten Island.
H.E.R. (The Color Purple), Liza Soberano (Lisa Frankenstein), Lea Salonga (KPop Demon Hunters), Dave Franco (Regretting You), Manny Jacinto (Freakier Friday) and Jenny Slate (Dying for Sex) will lead the voice cast for the animated comedy adventure film. Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado are writing and directing the movie that Universal Pictures is set to release theatrically on Sept. 25, 2026.
Forgotten Island centers on lifelong best friends Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Soberano), who find themselves stuck on the magical and forgotten island of Nakali. The only way home will potentially require the loss of their cherished memories together.
Focusing on an island rooted in Philippine mythology, the film represents the third collaboration for Crawford and producer Mark Swift. The pair previously worked together on DreamWorks Animation‘s 2022 Oscar-nominated animated feature Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Mercado makes his feature directorial debut with the project after serving as co-director on The Last Wish.
DreamWorks Animation’s 2025 slate has included the films The Bad Guys 2, Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, Dog Man and the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon.
H.E.R. is represented by Lighthouse Management + Media, CAA and Hertz Lichtenstein. Soberano is repped by Verve, 3 Arts Entertainment and Jackoway Austen. Salonga is repped by Amplified Entertainment. Franco is repped by Anonymous, WME and Felker Toczek. Jacinto is repped by CAA, Alchemy Entertainment, Principals Talent and McKuin Frankel. Slate is repped by CAA, Linden Entertainment, Mosaic and Yorn Levine.
