Long in the making, Dreamworks is finally releasing Spirit Untamed, the next chapter in the Spirit franchise which started with 2002’s Oscar-nominated film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, and grew to include the Netflix Emmy-winning series Spirit Riding Free. The new animated feature is directed by female filmmaker Elaine Bogan, known for her work on Trollhunters, and was Dreamworks Television’s first female director on Dragons: Riders of Berk. The world of Spirit is very much centered on adventures for girls, and is one that offers an opportunity for young female audiences to celebrate friendship and the powerful connection between girls and horses. Spirit Untamed taps into all those elements, and the film will feel fun, while bringing positive messages of girl power and bravery parents will appreciate.
Spirit Untamed focuses on Lucky Prescott (Isabela Merced), who lost her mother Milagro Nararro (Eiza González) when she was too young to truly remember her. Milagro was a stunt horsewoman who died in an accident while performing in her small town Miradero. Lucky has been raised in the city by her Aunt Cora (Julianne Moore) but after headstrong Lucky destroys the setting of her grandfather’s election event, Cora boards a train with Lucky to Miradero, bringing her to stay with her estranged father Jim (Jake Gyllenhaal), who would rather his daughter do anything but risk her life riding horses. Lucky feels entirely out of place until she meets talented and experienced local riders her own age, Abigail (McKenna Grace) and Pru (Marsai Martin). Her special new bond with wild stallion Spirit calls her to step in when nefarious horse wrangler Hendricks (Walton Goggins) captures the strong-willed horse and his herd, and plans to sell them into a life of labor. New trio of friends Lucky, Abigail, and Pru, determined to stop Hendricks, embark on an adventure filled with danger and excitement, driven by the equine love they share.
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