Trolls 3: “The magic of this surreal universe” mentioned by the director

The trailer for DreamWorks animated film Trolls 3 was released last night. On this occasion we were able to talk with director Walt Dohrn, already at the helm of Trolls 2: World Tour, and producer Gina Shay.

In this new opus, Poppy and Branch are officially a couple. When they have no more secrets from each other, Poppy makes an incredible discovery relating to Branch’s past. At the time, with his four brothers, Floyd, John Dory, Spruce and Clay, they formed the most fashionable Boy Band of the moment, the BroZone. When Branch was just a child, the group broke up, as did the family, and the blue troll has never seen his brothers ever since.

But when Floyd, the eldest of the siblings, is kidnapped by the worst Pop star scoundrels, Velvet and Veneer, who are after his musical talent, Branch and Poppy will embark on a poignant and moving adventure to reunite the feuding brothers and saving Floyd from a fate even worse than living in the dustbin of Pop Culture

Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick again lend their voices to the heroes in the original version as well as Matt Pokora and Vitaa for the French version. Les Trolls 3 (Trolls Band Together) will be released in theaters on October 18.

AlloCiné: What made you want to make a third film dedicated to Trolls?

Walt Dohrn : We had many ideas to continue the Trolls saga. There is so much music and songs that we wanted to use and highlight. It’s a universe inspired by the music that we really like and it’s also an opportunity to develop the characters that we presented previously. We wanted viewers to discover the youth of the heroes in order to better understand why they became who they are today.

Gina Shay : Indeed, we wanted to show who they are deep down in order to tell an interesting emotional story that goes beyond playful entertainment and humor, which nevertheless remain the driving forces of Trolls 3. We We also took the opportunity of a third film to introduce new characters and allow this universe to expand. What is certain is that we are not lacking in imagination.

“Other filmmakers can come and expand this franchise”

That doesn’t mean you’ll see Trolls 25 in 10 years, but the door is open if other filmmakers want to come along and expand this franchise. The foundations for new Troll movies are firmly established.

Either way, I think it’s time for us to pass the torch to someone else. It takes between three and four years to conceive a film like this and we would like to tackle other stories and other characters.

AlloCiné: How do you explain the success of this franchise?

Walt Dohrn : At the moment, we hardly see any more comedies in the cinema in the United States and a film like Trolls allows this genre to exist. Animation cinema is the only one to produce comedies. I believe that people need to laugh and forget the daily grayness. More than ever we need comedies and this is partly what explains the success of Trolls.

The magic of this surreal universe captivates the public

And then I believe that the magic of this surreal universe captivates the public and transports it to a surprising existential dimension. We have to marvel at life and these films allow our minds to escape into a magical fantasy world. Not to mention that the music gives so much positive energy to the public who come to see our films. It gives you so much positivity and puts you in a really good mood.

Universal

With Trolls you can face all the difficulties in your life. These are songs from different eras which allows the public, whether young or old, to identify with this musical universe.

Gina Shay : The music and the songs almost dictate the narration of our films. These are really the engines of this animated mechanic. That doesn’t mean that our audience is the same as that of musicals, but it’s a trendy audience that nostalgia for the songs that rocked their lives. It is feel good movies and it’s hard not to crack and want more.

AlloCiné: AlloCiné: What are the themes covered in this film?

Walt Dohrn: It’s about making you feel all the possibilities of life. It’s a real challenge to come up with animated characters and make the audience aware of what they feel and experience.

The most important message that emerges from this film is the importance of family, belonging to a group and living together. These are themes that have greater resonance than ever given that our society is increasingly divided.

Universal

We started this film at the very beginning of the Covid pandemic, so inevitably the family message imposed itself. Of course, it’s not easy to face your family and “do your dirty laundry” together, but it is necessary and it is with honesty and love that we manage to keep a solid family. It’s about always listening to each other, always helping each other, and showing understanding and compassion.

It’s also about stopping looking for perfection. No one, and nothing, is perfect in life. You have to know how to be reasonable with yourself and with others. Not easy in a world that has become so narcissistic with all the social networks.

A film about family and living together

Gina Shay: Sometimes, to move forward together in the right direction, we have to dare to put on the table certain sensitive subjects that we miss. With the pandemic, all subjects have been put on the table and I hope that overall this has allowed many families to come out of it better.

We must never put a veil on the traumas of the past but on the contrary we must face up to it with lucidity. It is by discussing and communicating our intimate feelings that we can move forward together and be stronger than ever. This is the message of Trolls 3. We must find some redemption beyond the conflicts that inhabit us and find a sense of family harmony.

Universal

AlloCiné: What was the biggest challenge?

Walt Dohrn: It’s a very ambitious film because it had to create worlds never seen on screen. It is always perilous to attempt such an experiment and to bring it to fruition. In addition, we have so many new creatures of different species that we had to invent new textures, whether for their fur or their hair. Fortunately, we have a solid team that knows how to show ingenuity. I hope that everyone will have a good time of relaxation and will come out of our film with all the good inner energy found.

Gina Shay: The third part of the film is a non-stop musical and action sequence! It was undoubtedly the biggest challenge to take up to bring it to the screen. It was an intense rollercoaster but I hope the result knocks you out of your seat. Because you have to see this film at the cinema on a big screen: strong emotions guaranteed!