The New Movie: Fulfilling Fans' Ultimate Dream with an Epic Disney Villain!

Summary

The filmmakers, Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, aimed to incorporate a formidable antagonist into the latest film, ensuring that audiences would effortlessly develop a dual sense of affection and aversion towards this character, reminiscent of their adoration for iconic Disney villains.

Chris Pine brings an enchanting blend of charm and comedy to his portrayal of King Magnifico, a complex antagonist that leaves audiences torn between adoration and disdain. Pine's exceptional performance breathes life into the character's captivating backstory and transformation into a malicious force. The decision to resurrect a beloved Disney villain was a conscious one made by the directors, responding to the desires of countless fans yearning for the return of the iconic villains that define Disney's legacy.

Directors Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn reveal their motivations for including a prominent villain in the new movie, as well as their choice of Chris Pine for the role of King Magnifico. In Wish, the story revolves around Asha, a disillusioned teenager in the Kingdom of Rosas, who uncovers a dark secret about the king's wish-granting abilities. When Asha's starry wish is answered, she teams up with a newfound friend to use the star's power and bring a brighter future to the kingdom, despite the challenges posed by sinister forces. Moreover, in an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Buck and Veerasunthorn discuss their excitement in bringing a new Disney villain to life, sharing their longing to explore this aspect after the absence of a villain in recent movies. Veerasunthorn also highlights Pine's perfect fit for the character of King Magnifico. Read on for the directors' complete statements below.

Chris Buck: We created Magnifico with the intention of having a clear-cut villain in our films, someone who viewers could identify as the antagonist right from the start and derive pleasure from despising throughout the entire movie. This concept was inspired by some of our beloved Disney villains.

Fawn Veerasunthorn: Honestly, we were unaware of this missing element until we recognized it ourselves.

Chris Buck: In the past, we've made movies where we somewhat concealed certain aspects, but for this one, we decided to be more upfront about it. Like many of our fans, we thought, "This is what they've been requesting, so why not give it to them?" And that's where it all began...

Fawn Veerasunthorn: Chris Pine really brought forth charm and humor to his character because we aimed to create a villain who would make people feel conflicted about whether to hate or love him. We strived to intricately navigate that line throughout the entire film. Chris brought the sensibility of creating a character who is both admirable and a king, yet shockingly evil. We provided him with a compelling backstory. What we both appreciate is that we witness the gradual transformation of this king into the villain he becomes in this movie. We get to see the origin story unravel before our eyes.

Chris Buck: Yes, our approach to this villain sets it apart from the others we have created. Instead of instantly revealing a fully developed villain, we gradually unravel its emergence on screen.

Why Wish Is The Right Movie To Bring Back The Classic Disney Villain

Disney's iconic villains have captivated audiences, often gaining more popularity than the very heroes they oppose. However, recent films like Encanto have taken a different approach, delving into themes of generational trauma and Mirabel's journey to find her identity. While such narratives are significant, loyal fans have expressed their longing for the beloved villains that define Disney's reputation.

Disney insiders were aware of the need for an antagonist that the audience could immediately dislike. The hundred-year anniversary of Disney Animation Studios presented the perfect opportunity to introduce a new villain and delve into the classic hero versus villain narrative found in so many fairytales. Although the specific details about this character are being kept secret, it is evident that there will be a complexity to their transformation into a corrupt figure of power.

King Magnifico, renowned for his ability to grant wishes, may have initially pursued noble intentions. However, as he struggled to balance granting wishes with ruling his kingdom, he gradually lost himself. It appears that he now manipulates his subjects through false promises and offers false hope of wishes that he has no intention of fulfilling. Villains hold a significant place in Disney's legacy alongside the heroes, making it only fitting that the creative minds at Disney chose to add a new villain to their esteemed collection while celebrating the milestone achievement of Disney Animation Studios with Wish.