Bay Area indie film studio Kuku Studios, known for their Emmy-winning project "Go! Go! Cory Carson," has recently stepped up their game with their first Netflix feature, "In Your Dreams." The scrappy studio, led by former Pixar story artist Alex Woo, maintains a core crew of seven, which expands to 80 contract workers during peak production. Despite their comparatively miniature size next to giants like Pixar, Kuku is making waves with their unique storytelling approach. Woo, as he explained to SFGATE, aims to uphold the Bay Area tradition of indie filmmaking with broad appeals, much like the iconic local figures Francis Ford Coppola and Saul Zaentz before him.
For "In Your Dreams," Kuku Studios has brought on "Shang-Chi" superstar Simu Liu to voice a character they describe as the "fun dad." The storyline, dealing with children navigating their dreams to prevent their parents' divorce, promises to be a heart-tugger and is surprisingly grounded in Woo's own experiences. Known for his love for SF's Saigon Sandwich, Liu brings his dynamic presence to a character grappling with family dilemmas. In an interview with SFGATE, Liu mentioned being drawn to Woo’s project as a future dream of fatherhood and wrestling with what that identity means.
Simu Liu's involvement in "In Your Dreams" extends beyond voice acting. The actor also collaborated on an original song with co-star Cristin Milioti, which may find itself in the race for an Academy Award nomination. This addition came as a surprise for Liu, who, according to a The Hollywood Reporter interview, was thrilled to learn about the musical piece midway through the project. His journey from a former accountant to a movie star offers a real-life mirror to the film's themes of chasing dreams and brings an authentic voice to his animated character.
Beyond the world of indie animation, Liu's star continues to shine brightly with his involvement in the upcoming "Avengers: Doomsday," which promises to bring a cinematic spectacle with its ensemble of actors plucked from both Disney and Fox's extensive Marvel character roster. Although remaining tight-lipped on the specifics, Liu shared with The Hollywood Reporter his awe at working alongside industry legends.
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