'Forgotten Island's Manny Jacinto and Jenny Slate Want Audiences To Remember Their Forgotten Rom-Com

Published Sep 27, 2026, 7:15 AM EDT Meredith Loftus is a TV Lists Editor at Collider. As part of the Lists team, she creates both trending and evergreen list topics in order to engage Collider's active audience. Prior to this, she was a Features Author focused on both movie and TV topics. In addition to her editing role, she has covered major events for Collider, including San Diego Comic-Con and D23. Meredith has also conducted interviews with creatives across the entertainment industry. Some of her favorites include Margot Robbie, Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha, Gilmore Girls' Scott Patterson, Jon M. Chu, and the cast of Superman & Lois. Summary Forgotten Island brings Filipino folklore to life as Jo and Raissa explore Nakali's magical creatures. Dave Franco, Manny Jacinto, and Jenny Slate praise the directors' kindness and the film's safe, collaborative set. Characters mirror fears and memory loss, making the adventure whimsical and emotionally resonant. Who's ready for an adventure? DreamWorks' newest movie, Forgotten Island, whisks childhood best friends, Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano), to the mythical island of Nakali, a magical place filled with creatures from Filipino folklore. To fill out the island, directors Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado recruited the likes of Dave Franco as Raww, Nakali's only were-dog; Manny Jacinto as Bungi, a baby demon who's never left the safety of his mother's shop; and Jenny Slate as Batiba, a spirit who collects memories. Together, these three creatures give Jo and Raissa a journey they'll never forget, or will they, as their time on the island threatens their memories. Ahead of the movie's release, Collider's Meredith Loftus sat down with Dave Franco, Manny Jacinto, and Jenny Slate to discuss the new DreamWorks movie. The three actors praise the leadership and guidance they received from the directors, highlighting the safety and acceptance they felt working with this Oscar-nominated duo. Plus, the actors reveal which of their lesser-known projects they wish audiences recognized more. You can watch the full interview in the video above, or you can read the transcript below. How Do Dave Franco, Manny Jacinto, and Jenny Slate Factor Into 'Forgotten Island's Story? "We're a pretty small part of the process in the grand scheme of things." COLLIDER: Congratulations on Forgotten Island. What has it meant for you to be a part of this movie? DAVE FRANCO: Jenny? JENNY SLATE: Oh, gosh! [Laughs] Animation holds a very, very, very special place in my heart and my body of work. I think it's really a huge honor when you get asked to do one of these gigantic epics, like it's just a big studio movie. It's really fun, it feels like a nod of encouragement that really means a lot, especially from Jan [Mercado] and Joel [Crawford], who have made such beautiful work and are Oscar nominees, and they're really at the top of their creative game. I really like playing animal or non-human characters. It's really, really fun to build a persona that is truly based on emotional attributes. It's just lovely work. It's really, really fun to do and then there are such nice people. FRANCO: Animated films are so fun because they take years to make. Our directors have been on this project for over five years. Then we come in, and we do eight to ten recording sessions. We're a pretty small part of the process in the grand scheme of things. Because of that, when I saw this movie for the first time, there was so much that was new to me. This is what they've been working on for years. I was just able to sit back and really watch it objectively, and I just couldn't believe what they did. It's so special, and I just felt so honored to be just a small part of it. I just loved these directors so much. They're the sweetest guys in the world. I'm just so excited for them, and it's just so cool that they brought us along. MANNY JACINTO: I think the obvious answer for me is being Filipino, you don't really get a lot of Filipino stories told in the mainstream media. To be a part of a big studio movie that showcases the culture and these creatures to worldwide audiences is super special. Also, on top of the fact that Jan and Joel are an incredible creative team. They have such great instincts, and they make you feel comfortable in the booth, and working with such great people as well. So many reasons to be able to hop on board. Something that I love particularly about your three characters is that you all represent different fears and anxieties, like agoraphobia and separation anxiety. I feel like they complement the overall story really well with Jo and Raissa. How do you think Jo and Raissa help your characters address those specific fears? JACINTO: For Bungi, they literally forced him to cut the cord. Literally. JACINTO: In a good way, I think it makes him explore the world outside of his mom's shop, which is nice. SLATE: I think for Batiba, the character that I play, they help her to face the truth, which is that just because you know what you're afraid of doesn't mean there's an easy way to get over it. They're facing that which truly menaces you and makes you feel anxious and small is a hard process. But I think they help Batiba to see that she might be worth the challenge of facing it. FRANCO: Raww is the only were-dog on the island, ands so, he is misunderstood. He doesn't feel like anyone really sees him for who he is, but deep down, he's just looking for friendship. So the girls come in, and they literally give him that. It just makes him feel like he found his wolf pack. Which Movies Do the 'Forgotten Island' Stars Want Audiences To Remember? "I think more eyeballs should have seen that project." Image via Prime Video Speaking of misunderstood, you are in Forgotten Island. What is a forgotten project of yours that you wish could get more recognition? FRANCO: One that comes to mind for me, and this is one, for the people who know, they love it, but it's this smaller movie called The Little Hours. SLATE: Oh, I love that movie. FRANCO: My wife is also in that one with a lot of our friends, and this is a crazy movie. I play this guy who's on the run. He comes across this convent, and he convinces them to let him be the gardener there so he can hide out. Then he starts having sex with all the nuns. It's a wild story. [Laughs] But it's so funny, and it has its own rhythms, and I'm just really proud of that film. SLATE: What's been forgotten? I'm like, woohoo! Uh, I don't know. I'm not sure, like, did anybody watch this? Part of that maybe comes from checking out social media, so you don't really know what the response is if you're not looking. But I really, really love my second stand-up special, which is called Seasoned Professional. I was so proud of the work I did. The understanding I have of myself and how hard it was for me to get to that point. I hope it's something that people can still go to and watch. JACINTO: I don't know if it was forgotten, but I would say the movie that Jenny and I worked on together. SLATE: That was a cute one, yeah. JACINTO: I Want You Back. It was my first foray into the rom-com world. FRANCO: That's a great rom-com. SLATE: It's so cute. JACINTO: Yeah, I think more eyeballs should have seen that project. SLATE: Yeah, I loved that movie. JACINTO: I did, I did too. It was a great time. Consider this a watch list practically for us to catch up on your stuff. FRANCO: There we go. 'Forgotten Island' Directors Made Their Actors Feel Special "There's just something so pure about them that I just want to do good for them." Image via DreamWorks Animation This movie also really highlights the power of memories. What is a memory from Forgotten Island that you hope to hold onto as the years go on? FRANCO: From the experience of doing this movie? I keep going back to our directors. There's just something so pure about them that I just want to do good for them. Everyone should be this way. They're such great leaders where, in addition to their kindness, they just create this really safe place for you. I just want to take that with me for every project I go on going forward. SLATE: For a lot of the projects that are so great to work on, the work itself is just the biggest reward. But I will say, getting the call or being in a meeting where you realize they're asking you to be in the movie, and you're like, "Oh, you're waiting for me to say yes?" I just remember being like, "I am so glad that they asked me to do this." It's such a special part. I don't think I'll ever get over that thing that happens to an actor where you can create your own work, you can understand that you do that, but to be chosen by people you respect, you know, it's wonderful to be invited. It's great to be invited back. It’s great that they're asking. I think that did a lot for my self-esteem. JACINTO: Yeah, that is very special. Yeah, still to this day. I don't know if it's just actor insecurity because you have to audition and you just want the job. But for them to invite you to the table, it's such a special feeling. JACINTO: But yeah, so many things, so many memories of this project from getting to work with Joel and Januel. We had a block party the other day and got together all the Filipinos in Los Angeles. [We] just ate good food, danced the night away, did some karaoke, got to see Lea Salonga and meet her for the first time. So many memories. Forgotten Island releases exclusively in theaters September 25, 2026. Forgotten Island Release Date September 25, 2026 Runtime 109 Minutes Director Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado Writers Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado Cast Liza Soberano Raissa (voice) Lea Salonga The Dreaded Manananggal (voice)