Heneral Luna was the little film that could. After a bumpy ride finding financiers, and later, viewers (opening in 100 theaters and being pulled out of 60 theaters the following week), it broke even, becoming the highest-grossing Filipino historical film of all time and the country’s entry to the 88th Academy Awards as Best Foreign Language Film. The film also broke even in terms of profit.
Now, even Disney is recognizing the brilliance that is Heneral Luna, as the studio reimagined the film’s titular character as a character from Zootopia. Walt Disney Studios posted the image on its Facebook page, with the caption, “Si Leona ang pinakamahusay kong heneral. Have you caught this historical blockbuster?” (“Leona is the best general. Have you seen this historical blockbuster?”)
Heneral Luna‘s Facebook page commented on the post, saying “Ang leong may damdamin ay hindi alipin” (“A lion with feelings is not a slave”).
Zootopia is Disney’s latest animated feature film, and tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a rabbit police officer and a red fox con artist as they solve a conspiracy involving missing civilians. It is directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, and voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Tommy Chong, Octavia Spencer, Jenny Slate, and Shakira.
It has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the review, “The brilliantly well-rounded Zootopia offers a thoughtful, inclusive message that’s as rich and timely as its sumptuously state-of-the-art animation – all while remaining fast and funny enough to keep younger viewers entertained.”
What do you think of Walt Disney’s tribute to Heneral Luna? Share your thoughts below!
