Dolly de Leon beams with Filipino pride in DreamWorks Animation casting

Filipino actress Dolly de Leon is once again slated to perform on the international stage—this time by bringing her voice to Forgotten Island, an animated film rooted in Filipino folklore and rich cultural themes.

De Leon, 56, joins a talented and diverse cast that includes Filipino-American actors Jo Koy and Amielynn Abellera. The Hollywood Reporter listed the film’s lead voice actors which include Filipino-American Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, widely known as H.E.R., Dave Franco, Filipino-Canadian Manny Jacinto, Jenny Slate, and Filipino actresses Liza Soberano and Lea Salonga.

Expressing her pride in being part of a narrative that highlights Filipino heritage on a global platform, De Leon wrote on her Instagram, “Over the moon with excitement and Pinoy pride to share Forgotten Island with the world! 

Nakakaproud maging Pinoy. Thank you, @dreamworks, @joel.crawford.art and @janimatedultd for putting our stories out there.”

The story centers on two lifelong friends (voiced by H.E.R. and Soberano) who find themselves stranded on the mystical island, where they must face a life-altering choice that challenges their most cherished memories.

De Leon's character in Forgotten Island has not been officially announced, and the studio has yet to release an official trailer for the film.

The film is only one of a few major animated projects that place Filipino culture and talent at the forefront of a global narrative.

The film is co-directed by Filipino-American filmmaker Januel Mercado alongside acclaimed director Joel Crawford. Both filmmakers have worked on DreamWorks Animation's Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, a sequel in the Shrek universe.

De Leon is an actress acclaimed for her work in independent films and theater. She made her film debut in Shake, Rattle & Roll III and gained local recognition with Verdict, where she won a FAMAS Best Supporting Actress award.

According to her profile in Internet Movie Database (IMDb), her international breakthrough came with Triangle of Sadness, earning acclaim for her nuanced performance and a Best Supporting Performance win at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards.

 Her recent projects include The Missing, Ghostlight, and Between the Temples. She also starred alongside Filipino actress Kathryn Bernardo in the 2023 film, A Very Good Girl.

Forgotten Island is slated for a global release on September 25.