Encanto director Jared Bush supports a fan theory about Bruno's vision of Mirabel. Encanto premiered in theaters on November 24 and underperformed at the box office, before becoming a massive success on Disney+ a month later. Bush has expressed interest in creating a franchise, with talks of an Encanto 2 and a potential television spinoff happening since release.
Encanto follows the Madrigals, a family gifted with super abilities they use to serve their community, until one day the magic starts to fade. The film's drama centers on the powerless Mirabel trying to understand why her family's abilities are dissipating, despite assurances from matriarch Alma that their powers are safe. To prove it, Mirabel seeks out the black sheep of the family, Bruno, who gives her a vision of the future that shows Mirabel embracing her sister Isabela – though a fan theory suggests another character appears there first.
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On Twitter, Bush is asked by a fan if the first figure Mirabel confronts in the vision is a younger version of Alma, given the similarities in clothing and face shape. Bush responds by simply noting the fan is paying attention, indirectly confirming the vision is initially about Mirabel and her abuela. Some Encanto fans have theorized that Alma is responsible for the family's individual powers, which might connect with her place in the vision. See the tweet below:
It would be strange for a young version of Alma to appear in Bruno's vision, since Bruno is known for looking into the future, not the past. Most likely, it's a symbolic representation of the heart-to-heart the two would have following Casita's collapse, which proves the catalyst to restoring the Madrigal miracle. It could also speak to Alma's passing of the torch to Mirabel as head of the family, for neither have an obvious gift, or even tease how Mirabel will have to contend with Alma's past mistakes in a future movie or show.
Encanto definitely has a lot more room to explore its characters and worldbuilding, and hopefully any future media can shed light on the many Encanto Easter eggs littered throughout the film. It may not be the most significant detail that a young version of Alma appeared in Bruno's vision, but the directors put it in there for a reason, so it must have a purpose. Perhaps the full purpose will be revealed in a new Encanto entry, whenever it appears on the horizon.