Reported by Allocine, the announcement highlights Foster's exceptional linguistic talent, allowing her to perform her character's dialogue seamlessly in both languages. This marks a significant return for Foster to the Disney fold, where she began her acting career in the early 1970s with films like "Menace on the Mountain," "Napoleon and Samantha," and "One Little Indian." More than fifty years later, she reunites with the studio, this time behind the microphone.
Foster's dual-language performance follows in the footsteps of Adèle Exarchopoulos, who famously voiced the character Ennui in both the French and original English versions of Pixar's "Inside Out 2." Such instances are uncommon, underscoring the demand for authenticity and the unique skills of these performers.
"Billie à la croisée des mondes" is described as the 65th animated feature from Walt Disney Animation Studios, scheduled for release in French cinemas on November 25th. The film introduces audiences to Billie, an impulsive and unconventional teenager who stumbles upon magical powers she never knew she possessed. This discovery propels her into Hexe, a mystical realm inhabited by witches, where she encounters enchanted companions like Madame Quill and Elias Quire. Her journey through Hexe will see her unraveling deep-seated family mysteries that threaten to upend the magical world itself.
Queen Celeste, voiced by Foster, is depicted as a formidable figure determined to maintain her dominion over Hexe, setting the stage for a compelling conflict within the narrative.
The French voice cast also features other notable talents. Chloé Jouannet will voice the titular heroine, Billie, a role originally performed by Hailee Steinfeld. Billie's journey will see her navigating her newfound powers alongside her more cautious mother, Alice, voiced in the original by Rashida Jones. Comedian Jérémy Ferrari joins the cast as Beef Roger Crummchuk, a peculiar three-eyed green cat, whose original voice is provided by Walton Goggins. This fantastical creature, whose appearance reportedly evokes comparisons to Star Wars' Yoda, will serve as a crucial companion to Billie.
Behind the scenes, the film is co-directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn ("Raya and the Last Dragon," "Wish: Asha and the Good Star"), Jason Hand ("Moana 2"), and Josie Trinidad ("Wreck-It Ralph," "Zootopia"). Producing duties are handled by Roy Conli ("Tangled," "Big Hero 6") and Yvett Merino ("Moana 2," "Zootopia 2").
For Parisian audiences, special screenings of "Billie à la croisée des mondes" at the Grand Rex between November 25th and January 3rd will be preceded by the traditional "La féérie des eaux" water show, adding an extra layer of magic to the holiday season release.
