Second Skydance Animated Film From John Lasseter ‘Spellbound’ Finds Their Princess 

It seems that John Lasseter and Skydance Animation have found their princess for the upcoming animated movie, Spellbound. Rachel Zegler, known for her outstanding performance in Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story, has been honored with the leading role.

In Skydance Animation’s much anticipated, upcoming animated musical movie, Rachel Zegler will voice the lead role of Princess Elian. Elian is a brave teen princess who must embark on a perilous mission to save her family and country when a mystery enchantment turns Elian’s parents into terrible monsters and then threatens to engulf the entirety of Lumbria in darkness for all time.

Vicky Jenson (Shrek) directs Spellbound, which was written by Lauren Hynek, Elizabeth Martin, and Linda Woolverton. Academy Award winner Ian Menken composed the film’s original soundtrack, with lyrics written by Glenn Slater. The executive music producer is Chris Montan. Skydance Animation is producing the movie under the leadership of John Lasseter. Dana Goldberg, David Ellison, and David Lipman are co-producing. 

Largely due to her performance in Steven Spielberg’s new adaptation of West Side Story, Rachel Zegler was hand-picked from among 30,000 other auditioners. One could say the audition wasn’t fair, since Zegler already had quite a reputation behind her. Stealing nearly every scene in West Side Story, she had previously won an NBR Award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for her role in West Side Story, as well as a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical.

Zegler’s work schedule is filling up fast. Zegler is presently filming Disney’s live-action rendition of Snow White. She also has a role in the highly anticipated superhero sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods in an unnamed role, which will be released this year. Zachary Levi, Lucy Liu, and Helen Mirren star. Another excellent choice for the actress is Spellbound. It would be an understatement to say Zegler is a phenomenal vocalist.

Spellbound joins an ever-growing list of Apple Original Films and Skydance Animation projects, including Luck, which will debut on Apple TV+ on August 5, and the animated comedy Wondla.

About Spellbound

Spellbound is a coming-of-age story about a teenager named Elian. Elian must use her magical powers to save her parents and defend the kingdom where she lives when dark forces turn her parents into monsters and threaten to divide her kingdom.

West Side Story’s Rachel Zegler has landed the lead role in Skydance Animation and Apple TV’s new animated musical “Spellbound,” about a princess on a courageous mission to rescue her family and realm. Vicky Jenson is directing the film, which was written by Lauren Hynek, Elizabeth Martin, and Linda Woolverton. Alan Menken, an Academy Award winner, composed the film’s original soundtrack, with lyrics by Glenn Slater. The executive music producer is Chris Montan. Skydance Animation is producing the film with John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and David Lipman.

About John Lasseter

John Lasseter was named head of Skydance Media’s animation division, Skydance Animation, in January of 2019. Lasseter brings decades of experience to the post, with a string of hit movies to his directing and production filmography, such as “Up,” “Monster’s Inc.” “Finding Nemo,” and “Toy Story 2.” He is quickly bringing Skydance Animation to new heights with Spellbound and other titles currently being ramped up into production.