UTA Signs Januel Mercado, Writer-Director of DreamWorks' 'Forgotten Island'
United Talent Agency has signed writer-director Januel Mercado for representation in all areas, according to Variety. The signing lands Mercado at a major agency just weeks before his next film reaches theatres.
Mercado is the writer and director of DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island, a film he shares writing and directing credit on with Joel Crawford, an Oscar-nominated director (Animation Magazine). The film is set for theatrical release on 25 September 2026 (DreamWorks). DreamWorks is part of Universal, itself a Comcast company.
Forgotten Island is set in the 1990s and follows two best friends, Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, who are about to go their separate ways after high school. The pair become stranded on the mystical world of Nakali, where their only escape lies. The film draws on Filipino myth (Animation Magazine). The voice cast also includes Lea Salonga, Dave Franco, Manny Jacinto and Jenny Slate. Mark Swift, an Academy Award nominee, produces.
Mercado's track record at DreamWorks runs deep. He co-directed Puss in Boots: The Last Wish alongside Crawford — a film that grossed nearly $500 million at the global box office and earned Golden Globe, Oscar and BAFTA nominations for Best Animated Feature. He joined DreamWorks Animation's story department in 2008 and contributed to franchises including Kung Fu Panda, Penguins of Madagascar, Turbo and Trolls. He served as head of story on The Croods: A New Age.
Beyond DreamWorks, Mercado's credits extend to Warner Bros. Animation's LEGO franchise and a stint as supervising director at Nickelodeon Animation. He was named to Variety and Gold House's 2026 "8 APIs Up Next in Entertainment" list. Mercado continues to be represented for management by Joann Mercado Hicks.
For animation fans, the signing signals continued momentum for a film-maker whose last project was both a commercial hit and an awards contender. With Forgotten Island arriving in late September, Mercado now has agency representation in place as the film enters its final stretch before release.
