Walt Disney Animation Studios have announced that global Latin superstar Maluma has joined the voice cast of "Encanto". He will play the role of the town heartthrob, Mariano, the soon-to-be fiancé of Mirabel's perfect and poised sister Isabela.
"‘Encanto' is such a magical movie," said Maluma. "I'm from Colombia and the story is about a Colombian family. I'm proud to be part of this beautiful story. It means so much to me as I'm very passionate about sharing my country's cultural values and story globally."
Maluma, whose name is Juan Luis Londoño Arias, has skyrocketed onto the music scene in the last 10 years. He has released six studio albums including his most recent, "#7DJ - Seven Days in Jamaica," and has been recognized by the Latin GRAMMYS, Billboard and Latin Billboard Awards, the VMAs, and MTV, among others. He will also appear alongside Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson in next year's film, "Marry Me," alongside.
The film tells the tale of the Madrigals, an extraordinary family who live in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. Each child has been blessed with a magic gift unique to them-each child except Mirabel. But when the family's home is threatened, Mirabel may be their only hope. The voice cast also includes Stephanie Beatriz as Mirabel; María Cecilia Botero as Mirabel's grandmother Alma aka Abuela; John Leguizamo as Mirabel's estranged Uncle Bruno; Angie Cepeda and Wilmer Valderrama as Mirabel's parents, Julieta and Agustín; and Diane Guererro and Jessica Darrow as Mirabel's sisters, Isabela and Luisa. Also lending their voices are Carolina Gaitán and Mauro Castillo as Mirabel's aunt and uncle, Pepa and Félix; and Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz and Ravi Cabot-Conyers as Mirabel's cousins Dolores, Camilo, and Antonio, respectively.
"Encanto" is directed by Jared Bush (co-director "Zootopia") and Byron Howard ("Zootopia," "Tangled"), co-directed by Charise Castro Smith (writer "The Death of Eva Sofia Valdez"), and produced by Yvett Merino, p.g.a. and Clark Spencer, p.g.a. Castro Smith and Bush are screenwriters on the film. It features all-new songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda ("Hamilton," Moana"), Germaine Franco composed the original score.
"Encanto" opens in theaters on November 24, 2021.
