DreamWorks Animation will be producing an animated film based on Philippine mythology titled Forgotten Island.
According to a report by Variety, the movie will be directed by Filipino-American director Januel Mercado alongside Joel Crawford. The movie is set to be released on September 25, 2026.
Described as a “broad party comedy adventure,” the story follows its protagonists as they are transported to a long-forgotten magical island rooted in Philippine mythology.
Forgotten Island will be the first film where Januel receives full directing credit. He previously co-directed the critically acclaimed Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, also produced by DreamWorks.
Born and raised in Stockton, California to Filipino parents, Januel studied animation and illustration at San Jose State University. In a past interview with GMA News, he shared how his parents nurtured his artistic talents early on.
"[My parents] saw early on when I was a kid that I just loved to draw, and they recognized that talent right away. And they nurtured it," he shared.
He highlighted how his Filipino heritage continues to shape his storytelling.
"My love and care and my Filipino culture is very universal as well. It's just like the connection and the closeness that you have with your family," he remarked.
"And it's often that the people who you're closest to are the ones, that you butt heads and bicker with the most because you have that trust and you have that relationship and I'm very proud to say that, that's that specific experience. And the way I live is tied to the emotion of the film and the character dynamics," he added.
Januel began his career as a storyboard artist and steadily worked his way up in the animation industry. He previously worked on major films like Kung Fu Panda 2 and Penguins of Madagascar, among others.