One year after the undisputed success of Inside Out 2, Pixar is banking on a completely original story to appeal to young and old audiences alike. With Elio, the animation studio is inviting fans of comedies, aliens, and moving epics. The Disney Company subsidiary hopes to achieve the same success as in 2024. This time, however, it won't be able to rely on a well-known brand to reach the highest levels of the global box office. The promotional campaign continues, with a new trailer briefly recalling the story and approach of directors Madeline Sharafian (Burrow), Domee Shi (Red Alert) and Adrian Molina (Coco).
It will follow a little 11-year-old boy, a dreamer and passionate about space, who struggles to find his place on Earth. But his life will change when he is mysteriously teleported to the Communiverse, an intergalactic organization bringing together representatives from distant galaxies. Mistaken for an official ambassador from Earth, he finds himself thrust into the heart of a perilous mission. He can still count on Glordon, a wacky alien, to help him.
On “Don’t stop me now”, the new images allow us to better understand the approach of this project, which must combine elements of comedy with those of science fiction. A flood of colors, a sidekick all to With a lovable face and a fearless hero, Pixar seems to have brought together all the ingredients of its most successful epics to seduce audiences. Except something is wrong. For those who discovered the first teaser a year ago, Elio looks very different. The emphasis on science fiction is less important, the cute aspect of this modern tale is amplified.
Change of direction
First promised a theatrical release in 2024, Elio has undergone some upheavals behind the scenes. A year ago, director Adrian Molina was removed from the project. The director who had signed Coco in 2017 gave way to Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi, officially because Molina needed to focus on new projects. We can only highlight a radical change in approach, which is also evident in the promotion of the project and the language used. From science fiction epic to summer “feel good movie”, Pixar does not want to deprive itself of a portion of the audience.
Asked On this change, Pete Docter, Pixar Animation's art director, told The Wrap last March: “I think Madeline and Domee made some major discoveries about him that really helped the audience connect and move forward with the character in the second act, which is, of course, where everything happens.” He had suggested that Molina's story was too personal to speak to the masses. “You're not telling his story, but a story that has to work for the fictional character that you're creating. So there's a reluctance to let go or let the film take shape as it should”.
Elio will hit screens on June 18th.The production delay has led to some changes to the cast. In the original version, America Ferrera (Barbie) is giving way to Zoe Saldaña. She now plays the aunt of little Elio, who is still played by Yonas Kilbreab. Jameela Jamill and Brad Garrett will also be on the interstellar journey.
0 Comments