The beauty of Walt Disney Feature Animation’s 62nd feature, Wish, is as much in its creation of rich and memorable characters as it is in the film’s stunning, watercolor-inspired visuals. Set in the late Middle Ages in a fictional Mediterranean island realm called Rosas, Wish contemplates the importance of our deepest held wishes in shaping our lives. In Rosas, each resident gives their greatest wish to the realm’s ruler, a powerful sorcerer named King Magnifico, when they turn 18. The king promises to protect the wishes—and periodically to grant some of them. Is this a blessing, as the king believes? That’s the crux of the story, which brings together a range of fascinating characters. Below, we introduce many of these, with comments from the film’s directors, Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn.
Asha: The Heroine with Heart
Voiced by Ariana DeBose, Asha is a 17-year-old idealist from the kingdom of Rosas. Smart, hopeful, and brave, Asha starts out admiring King Magnifico but finds herself questioning his leadership when she discovers the truth about how he controls the wishes of the people.
King Magnifico: The Charming Ruler with a Dark Side
Chris Pine lends his voice to Magnifico, the regal sorcerer who claims to protect the kingdom’s wishes. Magnifico thrives on power and control—though he believes he’s protecting his subjects. As his secrets unravel, he becomes a formidable and complex villain.
Queen Amaya: The Compassionate Royal
Voiced by Angelique Cabral, Queen Amaya is Magnifico’s devoted wife who slowly starts to question the king’s choices. Her quiet sympathy toward Asha puts her in a difficult position between loyalty and justice.
Star: A Cosmic Force of Hope
Star is a nonverbal, glowing bundle of joy who comes to life in response to Asha’s powerful wish. With boundless energy and contagious courage, Star embodies the spirit of following your dreams.
Valentino: The Pajama-Clad Goat
Voiced by Alan Tudyk, Valentino is Asha’s young goat companion. Granted the power of speech by Star, he becomes a scene-stealing sidekick with witty charm and heartfelt loyalty.
Sakina and Sabino: Asha’s Family
Sakina (Natasha Rothwell) is Asha’s supportive mother, while Sabino (Victor Garber), her 100-year-old grandfather, is central to Asha’s motivation to challenge Magnifico’s rule.
Asha’s Seven Friends: Her Loyal Crew
Reminiscent of another famous Disney group of seven, Asha’s friends help drive the heart of the story:
- Dahlia (Jennifer Kumiyama) – the grounded and practical one
- Gabo (Harvey Guillén) – the skeptical realist
- Simon (Evan Peters) – the sleepy dreamer
- Safi (Ramy Youssef) – the allergy-prone comic relief
- Bazeema (Della Saba) – the quiet observer
- Dario (Jon Rudnitsky) – the secretly brilliant one
- Hal (Niko Vargas) – the eternal optimist
