Vertigo Releasing has announced the U.K. and Ireland premiere dates for the animated family epic Dragonkeeper. This highly anticipated Spanish-Chinese co-production will be showcased on more than 400 screens across the islands starting September 27.
Dragonkeeper is a collaboration between Ilion Animation Studios, known for Wonder Park and Planet 51, and China Film Animation. The film is directed by European Film Award winner Salvador Simó, famous for his work on Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles.
Set in ancient China, Dragonkeeper follows the story of Ping, an innocent orphan yearning for freedom. After a clash with humans, dragons are banished from the kingdom. Years later, Ping discovers that one of the last two dragons has died, leaving the remaining dragon, Danzi, to guard a precious dragon egg. When palace guards arrive, Danzi disappears, and Ping is mistaken for an accomplice. Forced to flee, Ping and Danzi must return the dragon egg to the ocean to save all dragons from extinction.
The English-language cast of Dragonkeeper features Bill Nighy (Love Actually) as the voice of the dragon Danzi, introducing Mayalinee Griffiths as Ping, alongside Anthony Howell (Elden Ring, Diablo IV) and British comedian Bill Bailey (Hot Fuzz).
The film is based on the first novel in the fantasy adventure series by Carole Wilkinson. The screenplay is written by Wilkinson, Pablo Castrillo, Ignacio Ferreras, Rosanna Checchini, and Wang Xianping. Early visual development for the project was handled by Sergio Pablos (Rio, Despicable Me, Klaus) and Borja Montoro (Zootopia, Moana, Leo).
