DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island Co-Writer & Director Januel Mercado Signs with UTA

DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island Co-Writer & Director Januel Mercado Signs with UTA, Embarking on New Creative Chapter for Filipino-American Animation Talent

August 10, 2026 – Exclusive news from Variety announces United Talent Agency (UTA) has signed rising Filipino-American animation filmmaker Januel Mercado for worldwide representation across all media verticals. Mercado serves as co-writer and co-director of DreamWorks Animation’s highly anticipated original feature Forgotten Island, his first theatrically released feature with top-line director credit, set to hit global theaters this September. The landmark deal opens up far-reaching Hollywood creative opportunities for the visionary storyteller who rose to fame as co-director of Oscar-nominated hit Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

1. Filmmaker Profile: Januel P. Mercado – A Decade-Long Animation Veteran Rooted in Heartfelt, Multicultural Storytelling

Background & Creative Philosophy

Born November 23, 1984, in Stockton, California, Januel Patricio Mercado is a Filipino-American animation auteur and graduate of San Jose State University’s Animation & Illustration program. His passion for animation ignited after watching Disney’s The Little Mermaid, with his cinematic language shaped by Hayao Miyazaki, Akira Kurosawa, Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino. His core creative tenets center on human connection: “Let love and passion lead the way. There is magic in hope and positivity. Also, you can’t do great things alone. It takes a village. Build community and inspire with art and authenticity.” He was featured on Variety & Gold House’s 2026 AAPI Up Next List, honoring the most promising Asian creative voices in entertainment. Mercado retains Joann Mercado Hicks, his sister, as his personal manager alongside UTA’s agency representation.

Industry Career Timeline: From Story Artist to Award-Nominated Feature Co-Director

Joining DreamWorks Animation’s story department in 2008, Mercado climbed the creative ladder over 18 years with landmark credits spanning blockbuster franchises and original series:

1. Story Artist: Contributed key sequences to Kung Fu Panda 2, Turbo, Penguins of Madagascar, Trollsand Trolls World Tour;
2. Head of Story: Led the story team and constructed the narrative backbone for 2020’s The Croods: A New Age;
3. Breakout Co-Director: Teamed up with longtime collaborator Joel Crawford on Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. The global box office sensation grossed nearly $500 million worldwide, earning triple nominations for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes and BAFTAs, cementing Mercado’s reputation as a top-tier animation creative leader;
4. Cross-Studio Work: Served as Supervising Director on Nickelodeon’s Harvey Beaksand developed story material for Warner Bros.’ The LEGO Ninjago Movie, demonstrating expertise across theatrical features and serialized television animation.

2. Spotlight Project: DreamWorks Original Fantasy Adventure Forgotten Island

Forgotten Island marks DreamWorks Animation’s first fully original non-franchise animated feature in years, co-written and co-directed by Januel Mercado & Joel Crawford, produced by Oscar-nominated Mark Swift (producer of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish). The film premieres September 23 in the Philippines, with a wide North American theatrical release slated for September 25, 2026. It stands out as a groundbreaking animated title centering Filipino folklore and immigrant teenage identity, a rare mainstream Hollywood animation highlighting Southeast Asian culture.

Plot Synopsis: Friendship, Memory and Filipino Mythology

Set in 1990s Philippines, the heartfelt fantasy follows Jo and Raissa, inseparable best friends on the cusp of high school graduation. Raissa is set to leave for university in the United States, tearing their lifelong bond apart. During one final nostalgic night of junk food and karaoke, the pair stumble through a mysterious magical portal, transporting them to Nakali — a mythical island teeming with supernatural creatures from their family’s bedtime folk tales. The island hosts a spectrum of magical beings, including Raww, a well-meaning yet clumsy weredog, and the dreaded Manananggal, the most feared entity in Filipino legend. Jo and Raissa soon uncover a devastating truth: returning to their ordinary world requires them to surrender every memory they share. The two friends must race against time to navigate the island’s dangers before their bond is erased forever.

Star-Studded Voice Cast with Groundbreaking AAPI Representation

• E.R. (EGOT-winning recording artist) voices lead character Jo
• Liza Soberano (iconic Filipino film star) voices Raissa
• Lea Salonga (Tony Award-winning Broadway legend) voices the terrifying Manananggal
• Dave Franco voices Raww the weredog
• Supporting ensemble: Manny Jacinto, Jenny Slate, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng and more acclaimed talents, with a large roster of Filipino-American voice actors authentically anchoring the cultural narrative.

Creative Vision Behind the Film

Mercado shared his motivation for crafting this personal original story after years working on established IP sequels: he sought to create a love letter to his Filipino heritage, family history and the fragile, irreplaceable power of adolescent friendship. Beyond its whimsical fantasy action, Forgotten Island delivers an intimate meditation on immigration, cultural heritage and the memories that define who we are, bringing underrepresented Southeast Asian folklore to a global mainstream audience for the first time.

3. Industry Impact of the UTA Signing

As one of Hollywood’s leading full-service talent agencies, UTA offers Mercado unparalleled access to cross-media opportunities, including original animated features, long-form streaming series, live-action adaptations and IP development. Industry insiders predict Forgotten Island will generate widespread critical acclaim upon release, positioning Mercado as one of the preeminent AAPI animation filmmakers working today, following trailblazers such as Domee Shi. The UTA partnership empowers him to champion diverse, culturally specific animated storytelling across global platforms for years to come.