Dreamworks Animation's upcoming film, The Wild Robot, tells a story about family, kindness, and acceptance. Chris Sanders along with Lupita Nyong'o and Kris Bowers shared what sweet message they hope audiences take home after watching the film.
The Wild Robot Has A Sweet Message For Audiences
The Wild Robot follows Roz, an intelligent robot who ends up stranded on an uninhabited island. Clearly out of her element, Roz survives by bonding with the island's animals while also caring for an orphaned baby goose. Based on the book by Peter Brown, director and writer Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon) has returned to the world of animation to bring this incredibly moving tale to life.
During a press conference for the film I was able to ask Chris along with Roz herself, Lupita Nyong'o, and composer Kris Bowers about what they hope audiences glean from this emotionally moving story.
What is the most important message you would like audiences to take away from the film?
Chris Sanders: Well, front and center is the idea that we're at some point going to have to change our programming to accomplish something. I think that we are all creatures of habit, we hate change. You know, I've thought a lot about this. I think that sometimes we're afraid that if we change our programming, we're going to lose ourselves somehow, if that makes sense, and you're not going to. You're going to become a more dimensional being and it's going to be okay. That was something that was built into the book by Peter Brown that we identified and it was a core, load-bearing theme in the story.
Lupita Nyong'o: I really like the message that kindness is a force. I think oftentimes kindness can be considered a vulnerability. In this film, Roz's journey shows how it is a force and it's a force to reckon with. Also, I would say accepting people who are different than you or others that are different than you and welcoming that into your life.
Kris Bowers: I'd say all those things and maybe add to that just thanking the people that have sacrificed for you to be here and be who you are. And remembering, whether it's our mothers or whomever else is playing that role, just that there's so much that they are doing for us to be able to thrive in this world. Remember that and remember to thank them and say I love you when it makes sense.
The Wild Robot releases theaters September 27. It is rated PG for action/peril and thematic elements with a runtime of 1 hour 41 minutes.
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