Disney's wildly popular Encanto tells the story of the magical Family Madrigal, and one key change made the movie even more enchanting.
Disney's Encanto tells the story of the magical Madrigals, but one change made the movie even more enchanting. In Encanto, the members of the Family Madrigal all get special powers that they use to help their community. For instance, Isabela (Diane Guerrero) can create flowers, which thrill the townspeople. Additionally, Bruno (John Leguizamo) can see visions of the future, though people don't always love his predictions. However, Mirabel Madrigal (Stephanie Beatriz) doesn't get a special power. Because of this, Mirabel feels pressure to stand out and make her family proud. But in the end, she learns her family may be feeling the same pressures too.
Encanto's popularity continues to grow. Though the film was successful during its November 2021 release, Encanto truly took off with audiences following its arrival on Disney+. The film has since received multiple Oscar nominations and returned to theaters ahead of the ceremony. The Encanto soundtrack is immensely popular as well. The film's catchy soundtrack has flooded the Billboard Hot 100, with "We Don't Talk About Bruno" staying at number one for multiple weeks. The soundtrack also made it to the top of the Billboard albums chart.
Though audiences respond to Encanto, Disney almost delivered a completely different story. Disney's Art of Encanto reveals behind-the-scenes secrets from the film and the various changes the story went through during its development. Associate Production Designer Lorelay Bové explains in Art of Encanto that the film almost had a 1950s feel and a "more global look." Bové added, "It later shifted to having a 1900s feel, a folkloric Colombian aesthetic." This significant Encanto story change helped create the magical atmosphere found throughout Encanto.
Magic is a vital component in Encanto. The film takes magical realism seriously, creating an environment where the supernatural is a part of everyday life. The 1900s and folkloric aesthetic help create that atmosphere, making it appear that the Madrigals live in a secret place untouched by time. The technology of the 1950s could drastically change the movie's feel, with cars whizzing around and TVs possibly popping up. However, by setting the film in the 1900s, Encanto feels timeless. The film makes the town feel like a real magical place that exists somewhere in the world. A more modern look could break that magical immersion.
Still, technology may make its way into Encanto in the franchise's future films. Art of Encanto also reveals a scrapped storyline where Mirabel and Abuela Alma (María Cecilia Botero) visited the latter's hometown. The place had cars and more modern technology, perhaps showing how Alma was secretly shielding her family from the real world. At the end of Encanto, the mountains protecting the little village break, so now the town is exposed to the world. So as Mirabel takes her family into the future, she may do it with the help of modern transportation.
