Captain Avispa
| Captain Avispa | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Spanish | Capitán Avispa |
| Directed by | Jean Gabriel Guerra Jonnathan Melendez |
| Screenplay by | Gustavo Lopez Miguel Yarull |
| Based on | "Las Avispas" by Juan Luis Guerra |
| Produced by | Amarilys Germán Juan Luis Guerra |
| Starring | Luis Fonsi |
| Edited by | Geu Florentino Gómez |
| Music by | Juan Luis Guerra |
Production company | Guerra Toons |
| Distributed by | Caribbean Films Distribution |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | Dominican Republic |
| Language | Spanish |
| Budget | RD$128.5 million[1] |
Captain Avispa (Spanish: Capitán Avispa) is a 2024 Dominican animated superhero film directed by Jean Gabriel Guerra and Jonnathan Melendez (in their directorial debut) from a screenplay written by Miguel Yarull and Gustavo López,[2] based on an idea by Juan Luis Guerra inspired by his own song "Las Avispas".[3][4] It was the highest-grossing film of 2024 in the Dominican Republic. It is considered the most expensive Dominican film ever produced, based on its reported production budget.[5]
Synopsis
Superhero Captain Avispa is charged with protecting Avispatrópolis and the Honey Kingdom. However, when his evil arch-enemy, the hornet Jacques Puasón, hatches a plan to take over the colonies, Captain Avispa must fight him while upholding his values.[6]
Voice cast
The actors participating in this film are:[7][8]
- Luis Fonsi as Captain Avispa
- Joy Huerta as Honey Bee
- Juanes as Sergeant Picadura
- Karen Martínez as Ximena Colmena
- José Guillermo Cortines as Jacques Puasón / Bobby Flashington / Máximo Waxon / DJ
- Adalgisa Pantaleon as Queen Ada
- Roger Zayas as Mayor Panales
- Amelia Vega as Polibya Néctar
- Bianca García as Aki Teriyaki
- Héctor Aníbal as Mínimo Waxon
- Edwin Sánchez as Bombo Peluca
- Juan Luis Guerra as Leo Vespa / Juan Miel Guerra
- Paulina Guerra as Worker Bee
Production
In 2019, Juan Luis Guerra announced his foray into filmmaking as a producer with the development of an animated feature.[9] The film was produced remotely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] It required 600 hours of sound mixing.[11]
Release
Captain Avispa had its world premiere on April 1, 2024, at the Downtown Center in Santo Domingo,[12] followed by a wide national theatrical release on April 4.[13]
Reception
Box office
In its opening weekend, it attracted 26,800 viewers,[14][15] becoming the fifth-best opening for an animated film in the Dominican Republic,[16] and ending its first week with more than 30,000 viewers.[17]
The film attracted a total of 150,976 viewers throughout its theatrical run in Dominican theaters. It was the highest-grossing dominican film of 2024 with RD$46.8 million.[18][19][20] In its opening week in Colombia, it grossed $46,750, ranking as the 6th highest-grossing film of the week. Over its first five weeks, it eventually earned more than $95,000.[21]
Accolades
| Award / Festival | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soberano Awards | 25 March 2025 | Best Film - Drama | Juan Luis Guerra | Nominated | [22][23] |
| Platino Awards | 27 April 2025 | Best Animated Film | Captain Avispa | Nominated | [24][25] |
Future
In September 2024, during an interview with Diario Libre, producer Juan Luis Guerra confirmed that he is working on a sequel: "We are trying to have a second part and, above all, develop that industry (animation) here in the Dominican Republic."[26]
References
- ^ Alcántara, Karla. "Capitán Avispa, de Juan Luis Guerra, película dominicana más cara en los últimos 13 años". Acento (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-09-30.
- ^ Lora, Felix (2024-04-09). "CAPITÁN AVISPA, 2024". Cinema Dominicano (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-09-29.
- ^ Rivera, Severo (2024-03-25). "La música y el encanto de la película "Capitán Avispa": Juan Luis Guerra comparte su inspiración". Diario Libre (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-09-29.
- ^ Alvarez, Renzo (2024-01-17). "Juan Luis Guerra debuta en el cine con su película animada 'Capitán Avispa' [VIDEO]". RPP Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-09-29.
- ^ "Capitán Avispa, de Juan Luis Guerra, película dominicana más cara en los últimos 13 años". Acento (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ ""Capitán Avispa", la película de animación que llegará en septiembre a España, con los cantantes Luis Fonsi y Juanes como protagonistas". Leo Radio.
- ^ Ayala, Eduardo (2024-05-24). ""Capitán Avispa": ¿de qué trata la película de Juan Luis Guerra?". UnoTV (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-09-30.
- ^ Pujols, Daniela (2024-04-01). "Juan Luis Guerra, Juanes y Luis Fonsi encabezan la premier de "Capitán Avispa"". Diario Libre (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-09-30.
- ^ de la Morena, Ana (2023-12-14). "Juan Luis Guerra estrenará en 2024 'Capitán Avispa', su primera película". LOS40 (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2025-09-30.
- ^ Duque, Jaime. "Juan Luis Guerra avanza su película animada "Capitán Avispa", que llegará en 2024". Noticine.com. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
- ^ "Juan Luis Guerra inicia el camino de 'Capitán avispa', un héroe que dice siempre la verdad". La Crónica de Hoy (in Spanish). 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
- ^ Acosta, José (2024-04-01). "Hoy será la gala premier de "Capitán Avispa"; Juan Luis Guerra "estoy feliz"". RC Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-09-29.
- ^ "VIDEO: Capitán avispa se prepara para su estreno el 4 de abril". Noticias Telemicro (in Spanish). 2024-04-01. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
- ^ ""Capitán Avispa" rompe récord de asistencia en fin de semana de estreno". Diario Libre (in Spanish). 2024-04-08. Retrieved 2025-09-30.
- ^ Degaudenzi, Adrian (2024-04-11). ""Capitán Avispa" rompe récord de asistencia en fin de semana de estreno". DGCINE (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2025-09-30.
- ^ Durán, Marina. "Producción de Juan Luis Guerra "Capitán Avispa" triunfó en Dominicana y busca conquistar a Puerto Rico... pensando en el Oscar". Noticine.com. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
- ^ ""Capitán Avispa": bate récords la producción animada de Juan Luis Guerra » Crónica Viva". Crónica Viva (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
- ^ Martínez, Faurys. ""Capitán Avispa" hace historia: primera película animada dominicana nominada a los Premios Platino". gikPlus (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-09-30.
- ^ "Público de las películas dominicanas creció un 33 % entre 2023 y 2024". Acento (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "¿Cuántos dominicanos realmente van al cine?". Acento (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "Captain Avispa". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "Nominados a Premios Soberano 2025: Los urbanos se adueñan de Revelación del Año". Listín Diario (in Spanish). 2025-01-28. Retrieved 2025-09-30.
- ^ "Lista de ganadores de Premios Soberano 2025". Listín Diario (in Spanish). 2025-03-25. Retrieved 2025-09-30.
- ^ Vicencio, Miguel (March 14, 2025). "Nominados a los Premios Platino 2025: Lista completa". Vogue Mexico. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
- ^ Valdivia, Gonzalo (April 28, 2025). "Premios Platino 2025: el dominio de Aún Estoy Aquí y la alegría del chileno Vinko Tomicic". La Tercera (in Spanish). Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ Jiménez, Karina (2024-09-12). "Juan Luis Guerra habla del éxito de Capitán Avispa y la posibilidad de una segunda parte". Diario Libre (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-09-30.