In September 2022, Pixar officially announced their upcoming animated sci-fi film, Elio, during the D23 Expo. However, due to creative differences, director Adrian Molina left production forcing it into hiatus. Until August 12th, 2024, Domee Shi of Turning Red fame was announced to take over in Molina’s stead.
Elio’s Original Cast
Along with the news, it was revealed that producer Mary Alive Drumm and director Adrian Molina were attached to the film. Additionally, Yonas Kibreab and America Ferrera were the first names mentioned to star in leading roles.
On June 23rd, 2022, Jaameela Jamil and Brad Garrett were added to the cast. The film follows Kibreab’s character, a young 11-year-old boy named Elio Solis. In the story, Solis is accidentally given the role of Earth’s intergalactic Ambassador after aliens of the Communiverse beamed him up onto their ship. Throughout the film, Elio must build friendships with alien lifeforms while surviving various dangerous trials.
Director Changes
While Molina was originally announced as the film’s director, she would be replaced by Domee Lii, who directed the Pixar film, Turning Red, in 2022. On August 9th, 2024, the change of directors was made official during the D23 fan event. The reason for Molina’s departure is still unknown, however, a recent interview with Oscar-award-winning filmmaker and Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer, Pete Docter, hinted at creative differences being a factor. Still, even with Domee Lii and Madeline Sharafian replacing him as the film’s new directors, Molina will retain directing credit.
Ultimately, Elio would’ve been both Molina’s first feature-length film and solo directional debut. Previously, Molina was co-director and co-writer of Pixar’s award-winning film, Coco, in 2017. During the announcement, Molina and Drumm discussed the movie by posing questions to the audience that made them ponder if humans are truly alone in the Universe. Not only that but they also asked the audience how they’d feel if everything they heard about aliens were true. Moments after, a glitch in the screen announcing the film revealed a message that simply said, “Bring us to your leader.”
Cast Changes
In addition to Molina leaving the film, America Ferrera would exit the cast because of schedule conflicts. Originally, American would voice Elio’s mother, Olga Solis. With her exit, however, the role was recast to actress Zoe Saldaña, and the character was written to be Elio’s aunt instead. Furthermore, Jameela Jamil voices the manta ray/cobra-lie alien Ambassador Questa and Brad Garrett voices the four-legged and heavily-built alien, Ambassador Gridon.
Following the film’s announcement, previews of its concept art would drop on September 9th, 2022. Moreover, a teaser trailer featuring American Christian singer and songwriter, Austin French, and his song, Good Feeling, released the following year on June 13th, 2023. Pixar fans would praise the concept art and teaser trailer, leading to more interest in the film.
Release Date Changes
Once scheduled for a March 1st, 2024 release date, Walt Disney Studios would be forced to change the film’s release date. The change took place in October 2023 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike that same year. Along with the strike, Pixar’s numerous changes in cast and leadership affected the film’s development and release as well. Besides these issues, Pixar also had their hands full with other projects they were working on. So far, Elio is scheduled to be released in theatres on June 13th, 2025.
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