Star Wars alum Kelly Marie Tran likens becoming a Disney princess to a “fever dream”
Star Wars alum Kelly Marie Tran is making her big debut as a Disney princess when Raya and the Last Dragon premieres this May. Tran is voicing the titular Raya in the animated film, telling the story of a young girl who must track down the last dragon in her world in order to save her people.
It’s an exciting step forward for the actress, and she highlighted just how big of a deal the role is during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last week.
“It’s a big deal,” Tran said. “I’m technically a Disney princess. I’m stoked, I can’t believe to be part of this. It feels like a world that I still believe is impossible, but I’m doing it. Does that make sense? It feels like a weird fever dream, this whole thing.”
Although many girls do grow up dreaming of becoming a princess, it’s probably an entirely different thing to actually become part of Disney’s lineup. And if Tran’s other recent interviews are to be believed, Raya is going to be a gamechanger in this category of Disney films.
Watch the trailer for Raya and the Last Dragon here:
Tran told Entertainment Weekly that Raya is intended to “flip the narrative on what it means to be a princess,” referring to her as a “warrior.” And while we’ve seen that characterization with princesses like Mulan, it’s certainly not common enough — so it’ll be interesting to see what Raya brings to it.
Of course, Raya is also breaking ground in other ways: She’s actually the first Southeast Asian character to helm a film from Disney Animation Studios. With that kind of representation, there’s plenty to be excited about when it comes to this film — and Tran’s enthusiasm for the role just adds one more reason to watch it.
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Raya and the Last Dragon will be released on Disney+ and in theaters on March 5.