How World War II Influenced Trolls Band Together

Trolls Band Together took inspiration from an unexpected place, as something from the second World War influenced some of the film‘s characters.

In an interview with ComingSoon, the film’s director and co-director — Walt Dohrn and Tim Heitz — revealed that the Putt Putt Trolls in the film were inspired by Japanese soldiers who were lost on an island when World War II ended. This seems to refer to Hiroo Onoda — a Japanese soldier who remained on the island of Lubang and didn’t believe World War II had ended until his return to Japan in 1974.

“I think [in] World War II, there was a group of Japanese soldiers that were lost on this island,” Dohrn stated. “So that was kind of interesting to us. What if parts of the world didn’t evolve culturally in their perspectives? That’s what allowed us to do it [the Putt Putt Trolls]. Plus, they were mini golf trolls, which allowed us to design some pretty cool outfits. [Laughs].”

Trolls Band Together originally released in theaters on November 17, 2023, and stars Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick. Trolls Band Together is directed by Walt Dohrn and Tim Heitz, with Gina Shay serving as the producer.

What is Trolls Band Together about?

“After two films of true friendship and relentless flirting, Poppy and Branch are now officially, finally, a couple (#broppy)! As they grow closer, Poppy discovers that Branch has a secret past. He was once part of her favorite boyband phenomenon, BroZone, with his four brothers: Floyd, John Dory, Spruce, and Clay. BroZone disbanded when Branch was still a baby, as did the family, and Branch hasn’t seen his brothers since,” reads the synopsis. “But when Branch’s bro Floyd is kidnapped for his musical talents by a pair of nefarious pop-star villains—Velvet and Veneer—Branch and Poppy embark on a harrowing and emotional journey to reunite the other brothers and rescue Floyd from a fate even worse than pop-culture obscurity.”