Netflix’s Spellbound: Everything we know so far

Netflix's Spellbound is an upcoming animated feature set to release on November 22, 2024, starring Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman, and Javier Bardem.

Directed by Vicky Jensen and produced by Skydance Animation, the story follows Ellian, princess of Lumbria, who finds herself in a bind after her parents embark on an expedition into a dark forest, only to get cursed by a spell and return as monsters.

Forced to take over the kingdom of Lumbria and find a way to cure her parents, Ellian runs into even bigger complications when the royal guard discovers her parents' new monstrous nature, with the captain showing a willingness to go to great lengths for the citizens' safety.

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Spellbound explores the complexities of a child's relationship with her parents

Spellbound may be an animated fantasy film, but it explores very relatable themes, according to what director Vicky Jensen said to Netflix in a July 31 interview. In her own words:

“For me, the story is even more universal than the specifics of this family dynamic. For me, it speaks to kids and their parents, to the kind of alienation that can happen as we grow up, and the steps we have to make toward each other to weather it together and come through the other side with better understanding.”

When Ellian discovers her parents have become monsters, it forces her to take charge of Lumbria and take on far greater responsibilities on very short notice. This includes navigating unfamiliar territory, such as balancing her desire to cure her parents with the need to keep the citizens safe from their monstrous rampages.

The Spellbound trailer also shows Ellian eventually leaving the confines of the kingdom and traveling all over the realm to find a way to cure the spell. This journey also doubles as a coming-of-age story for her, as she must take responsibility for saving her family and her kingdom.

As Jensen put it, this film serves as an allegory for the challenges in familial relationships, placed in a fairy-tale narrative. There are other real-world parallels in the film as well, such as a frog that the characters use to travel, and a wand that functions like a car key remote.

Speaking to Netflix about her role in the aforementioned July 31 interview, Rachel Zegler said it really appealed to her inner child. She further elaborated:

“I was obsessed with so many animated films as a child, including Beauty and the Beast, which had such a gorgeous, sweeping score by Alan Menken, who did the music for our film … Films like these made me fall in love with musical theater, which ended up changing my life entirely.”

Ellian's parents-turned-monsters are also voiced by Hollywood heavyweights Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem. According to Jensen, Nicole was quickly enamored with the concept of the film when she saw the details on a laptop.

As for Javier, he would record for the film after arriving from the sets of Dune: Part Two, and channeled the stress of working on hot days for that film into his performance in Spellbound.

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Spellbound cast and characters

The cast and characters we know about so far are:

• Rachel Zegler as Princess Ellian
• Nicole Kidman as Queen Ellsmere
• Javier Bardem as King Solon
• John Lithgow as Bolinar
• Jenifer Lewis as Nazara
• Nathan Lane as Luno- Oracle of the Moon
• Miguel Bernardreau as Chilo
• Giovanna Bush as Orsola
• Dee Bradley Baker as Finn Dee
• Dennis Stowe as Lumbrian Soldier
• Olga Meredez as The General
• Susan Fitzer as Old Maid
• Rich Moore as The Postmaster
• Tituss Burgess as Sunny - Oracle of the Sun
• John Ratzenberger as Milo the Monster Handler
• Vicky Jensen as Old Blue-Haired Woman
• Angela Grovey and Jessica Molaskey as Lumbrian Citizens

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Spellbound is already generating considerable buzz for Netflix and Skydance Animation with the release of the film's trailer. Spellbound will stream in all regions on November 22, 2024.