Actress Itatí Cantoral is making her Disney debut. The telenovela star will lend her voice in the Spanish dub of Pixar’s newest animated film Turning Red, which is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ March 11.
In the film, which is simply called Red for Spanish-speaking audiences, Cantoral will play Ming Lee, the overprotective mother of the movie’s main character, 13-year-old Mei Lee, who learns that she can turn into a giant red panda when she gets too excited. In the English version of the film, Ming Lee is voiced by Sandra Oh (Sideways).
“Surprise! I can finally tell you that I will be giving my voice to Ming Lee! Mei’s mom in the new Disney and Pixar movie, Red,” Cantoral wrote on Instagram. “This is a dream come true! I can’t wait for you to meet her!”
Best known for her roles in Spanish-language series like María la del Barrio and Hasta que el dinero nos separe, Cantoral became a viral sensation over the years when one of her scenes from María la del Barrio reached internet meme super-status.
Maybe casting Cantoral to dub the Spanish-version of Ming Lee in a movie called Turning Red was a perfect decision since her villainous character in María la del Barrio, Soraya Montenegro, does turn red herself when she becomes unhinged. It’s a good thing this is a kid’s movie, huh?
Cantoral also posted videos on social media encouraging families to see her new film next month. We’ll be the first ones to stream it, especially if Ming Lee delivers an overdramatic gasp when Mei turns into a panda.
