How Wish Connects to the Disney Universe

How Wish Connects to the Disney Universe

Welcome to MsMojo, and today, we’re discussing how “Wish” ties into the larger Disney Universe. Since we’ll be providing a deep dive into the film, expect a few spoilers.

“Wish” marks Disney’s 62nd animated feature. More significantly, it coincides with Disney’s 100th anniversary, containing a century’s worth of references and iconic symbols. With an art style that blends the warm watercolors of yesteryear with cutting-edge computer technology, the film truly feels like a culmination of Disney animation, bringing the studio’s journey full circle. But what if “Wish” is actually at the root of its predecessors? Okay, “Wish” might not take place before “Dinosaur” or “Fantasia’s” “Rite of Spring” sequence, but its themes and motifs align with the fairy tales that Disney is best known for. “Wish” could be seen as an origin story for all of these classic hallmarks, placing it near the beginning of a shared Disney Universe.

Encompassing the same aspect ratio as “Sleeping Beauty,” “Wish” is nostalgia overload from the opening scene as we zoom in on a familiar font against a storybook. The ensuing tale includes nods to everything from “Mary Poppins” to the Disney Channel Mouse Ear logo. Some in-jokes are more deep-cut than others. A group of “Fantasia”-esque mushrooms mimic Prince Hans when they say that they “love crazy” while the villainous King Magnifico channels Ursula when he cackles, “So much for true love.” Protagonist ​​Asha pays homage to several other Disney heroines. Like “Snow White,” ​​Asha has a way with animals, hangs out around wishing wells, and even has seven friends who range from sleepy to grumpy.

Asha is just as much in the spirit of more modern heroines like Belle, longing for more as she sings her heart out and blows dandelion puffs into the wind. Unlike most other Disney heroines, Asha isn’t a princess, although she could join the official lineup alongside Mulan. In the confines of the story, Asha doesn’t become a member of royalty, but she eyes the position of sorcerer’s apprentice. The dynamic between Asha and Magnifico is similar to Yen Sid and Mickey, albeit in reverse. In that incarnation, the apprentice plays with magic that they don’t entirely understand, forcing the sorcerer to step in. In “Wish,” Magnifico embraces dark magic, requiring Asha to save the day with bravery, the truth, and unselfishness.

Asha is rewarded with a magic wand, being deemed the Kingdom of Rosas’ fairy godmother. Although Asha now possesses a wand, she doesn’t simply grant everybody’s wishes. It’s implied that she’ll use her magic to help push people in the right direction, allowing them to make their wishes a reality. You could argue that Cinderella’s fairy godmother took a similar approach. Yes, she used magic to send Cinderella to the ball, but after midnight, it was up to our heroine to pursue what she wanted. Perhaps Asha is the forerunner in what will ultimately be a long line of fairy godmothers, as well as other wand-wielders such as Merlin, Sleeping Beauty’s three fairies, and even the Blue Fairy.

Where Asha is promoted to fairy godmother, Magnifico is demoted to prisoner. The fallen king becomes trapped inside a mirror attached to his staff. It’s a clear homage to the Magic Mirror from “Snow White,” but maybe Magnifico’s fate runs deeper than we think. What if Magnifico’s humanity continues to deteriorate inside the mirror, eventually becoming nothing but a disembodied head? Somewhere down the line, Snow White’s stepmother found Magnifico’s mirror, making him her servant. You have to admit Magnifico and the Queen’s Magic Mirror possess a similar green glow. They also have links to poisoned apples. As for what happens to the staff, we wouldn’t be surprised if it fell into the hands of Maleficent, who shares a few visual motifs with Magnifico.

When people theorize about the possibility of a shared Disney Universe, animals present an inconsistency with some able to talk and others being silent. “Wish” potentially provides an explanation. In the beginning, Asha’s pet goat Valentino and Rosas’ woodland critters lack the ability to speak. Once the magical Star sprinkles some of its golden dust, Valentino sounds more like Alan Tudyk. In addition to the other animals, Star gives sentient life to the kingdom’s flowers and trees. It’s possible that all talking animals and plants in the Disney canon crossed paths with the same stardust. Meanwhile, the silent ones are still wishing upon a star. By the way, did you spot Thumper, Bambi, and Little John among Rosas’ animal population?

“Wish” may also secretly be an origin story for a certain boy who never grows up. Magnifico cheekily alludes to Neverland while crushing people’s wishes. One of Rosas’ residents wishes to fly through the air. While she doesn’t get this precise wish, she is encouraged to work on a flying machine with a man named Peter, who’s draped in green. This Peter is too old to be the Pan. However, what if the development of this flying machine sparks a romance between these two? Maybe they have a son who’s equally fascinated by flight, except his wish literally comes true. Star’s stardust isn’t that far off from Tinker Bell’s pixie dust. Throw in a bit of faith and trust, and Peter is destined for the second star to the right.

Whether or not “Wish” sets up the events of “Peter Pan,” Disney has promoted the film as an origin story for the Wishing Star. Does that mean Star is the same star from “Pinocchio” and “The Princess and the Frog?” There are too many inconsistencies for that theory to really add up, but Star could be one of several Wishing Stars that populate the sky. While each of these stars has magical properties, none of them instantly fulfill the protagonist’s innermost desires. In “Pinocchio,” Geppetto’s wish materializes into the Blue Fairy, giving the wooden puppet life. Yet, Pinocchio himself must prove himself worthy of being a real boy for the wish to be realized. Tiana turns to the Evening Star, but as her father told her, that’s just one step in achieving a dream.

“Wish” elaborates on this idea. Although Star comes to Asha during her hour of need, it isn’t a genie. Star serves more as a guiding light, helping Asha summon the strength to make her dream a reality. Asha aspires to release all of the wishes that Magnifico has taken from others. By returning those wishes, the people of Rosas are free to chase after them. Not all of those wishes are guaranteed to come true, but they’ll still remain an important part of every person. A lot of hard work goes into realizing any dream. If your heart is in that dream, though, no request is too extreme. Like a bolt out of the blue, fate may step in and see you through.

This leads to the film’s post-credits scene where Asha’s 100-year-old grandfather Sabino fulfills his dream, writing a song that will inspire future generations. The tune is of course “When You Wish Upon a Star.” “Wish” gets to the heart of what the Disney anthem is truly about. Merely wishing is never enough. Yet, every Disney hero’s journey starts with a wish. Whether it’s to answer the ocean’s call or to be part of the human world, a wish gives them the spark needed to keep moving forward. Otherwise, you’re just waiting for your life to begin. It’s safe to assume that Sabino’s song didn’t just inspire Rosas’ future generations. It extended beyond the sea with the likes of Jiminy Cricket spreading the message around the world.

Whether or not there’s actually a Disney Universe, this film embodies what bonds every Disney hero with an “I want” song in their heart: the wishes that encourage them to reach for the stars.

What did you think of “Wish?” Did you catch any ties to other Disney movies? Share your thoughts in the comments.