What Pixar Should Learn From Its Elio Disaster
Early last year, Pixar appeared to be on the brink of an existential crisis. The coronavirus pandemic had thrown the business of kids' movies into particular turmoil: Many theatrical features were pushed to streaming, and their success on those platforms left studios wondering whether the appeal of at-home convenience would be impossible to reverse. Disney, Pixar's parent company, premiered the Pixar films Soul, Luca, and Turning Red on Disney+, and each was well received. But they were followed by the theatrically released expected smash Lightyear—a spin-off of the beloved Toy Story franchise—which underwhelmed at the box office. Elemental followed, weathering a low-grossing opening to become a sleeper hit. Discussing the studio's next film, Inside Out 2, the company's chief creative officer, Pete Docter, acknowledged the concerns: 'If this doesn't do well at the theater, I think it just means we're going to have to think even more radically about how we run our business.'
He had nothing to worry about: Inside Out 2 was a financial sensation—by far the biggest hit of 2024. Yet here we are, one year later, and the question is bubbling back up: Is Pixar cooked? Its latest film, Elio, made only $20.8 million in its first weekend; the performance marked a record low for the company. (The number is smaller than what the first Toy Story earned 30 years ago.) In the weeks since its mid-June debut, Elio hasn't shown the strong box-office 'legs' that bolstered Elemental or proved that it has the earlier movie's major international appeal. It instead seems likely to earn less than $100 million domestically, based on its current performance. It would be the first Pixar movie not to clear that bar, pandemic releases aside. The debut of the studio's newest film used to be a seismic theatrical event, whether it was a sequel or an original story; the Pixar imprimatur was enough. The company has made icons out of a curmudgeonly old man, a garbage-compacting robot, and a rat obsessed with French cuisine. But its status as an instant star-maker seems to have dimmed; name recognition alone is no longer carrying the day.
Elio hit theaters after a tumultuous creative process that saw the director, Adrian Molina, leaving the project and the script getting reworked. The film follows a quirky, outer-space-obsessed preteen who, after the death of his parents, dreams of being abducted by aliens. This goal comes to fruition, leading him on a bunch of wacky adventures with an assemblage of blobby cosmic creatures. While the science-fiction angle was always present, reports suggested that other elements were lost over time: Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) was initially supposed to be more 'queer-coded,' according to The Hollywood Reporter, to reflect Molina's own identity. Elio's mother was still alive, to be voiced by America Ferrera. The character's parents were written out in the reworked script, and Elio's disaffection became primarily rooted in loneliness rather than any sense of feeling 'different.'
[Read: What the success of Inside Out 2 means for Hollywood]
These creative shifts arose after an initial test screening reportedly ended with zero participants saying they'd want to see it in theaters. The changes didn't leave Elio unwatchable. It's a perfectly serviceable and cute diversion for kids, busy with playfully designed aliens; it's got some laser-blasting action that could appeal to preteens too. The protagonist does, however, come across as a little purposeless. The loss of Elio's parents is barely explained; his relationship with his aunt, Olga (Zoe Saldaña), is pleasant but lightweight. Elio's journey just doesn't have enough motivation to convince the audience that it's worth undertaking: After joining the extraterrestrials, he does little but bounce from quest to quest, pretending to be a high-ranking ambassador from Earth. Writing human characters has never been Pixar's forte, unless they're very cartoonish, and Elio suffers from that weakness.
The studio has a rich history of introducing intense creative revisions in the middle of making a film. The original director of Ratatouille left the project, and the veteran hand Brad Bird took over; the end result was an artistic high point for Pixar. Brave was set to be the studio's first movie with both a female protagonist and a female director, Brenda Chapman; Pixar then removed Chapman midway through production, and the final film was a muddled effort. Still, the company's relative success with on-the-fly changes might have convinced higher-ups that Elio could be salvaged.
Or maybe Docter, who is also one of Pixar's most successful filmmakers, saw Elio's box-office potential as a minor consideration after the sensation that was Inside Out 2. The company now has three more giant sequels on the horizon: Toy Story 5, Incredibles 3, and Coco 2, the last co-directed by Molina. Despite returning to its familiar franchises, the company isn't giving up on original storytelling. Several projects not based on preexisting properties are in the works; each one is animal-centric, a more typical mode for Pixar. But the fact that Elio underwent such extensive tweaks does suggest internal trepidation—and that Pixar could be shying away from more novel, personal works in favor of safer material.
[Read: Pixar's talking blobs are becoming more and more unsatisfying]
Elio's failure to resonate with audiences likely won't help matters. Would the movie have ever worked, however? I somehow doubt it. Pixar movies tend to thrive on the basis of their worlds; the galactic landscape—which emerged unscathed from all the tweaking—felt far too thinly sketched to me, even setting aside the low-stakes adventure taking place within it. Then again, my favorite Pixar film in recent years shares more in common with Elio than with Inside Out. Turning Red is a relatively grounded coming-of-age piece about a teenage girl. (She later turns into a giant red panda.) The director of Turning Red, Domee Shi, was brought in to salvage Elio after Molina stepped aside. But the latter film's rudderlessness emphasizes how crucial Shi's intimate connection to Turning Red was in making it so special—just as Molina's personal touch could have helped Elio feel more purposeful.
The executives at Disney are likely pleased with the seeming priority shift. Big sequels and tales about cute animals tend to be an easy bet, as evidenced by Disney's own animated-movie track record. Pixar won't get by forever reheating its leftovers, though: It needs to foster filmmakers with specific points of view, such as Shi, to become the creative bedrock of its next generation. So much of the animation world is tilting toward adapting recognizable brands over inventive storytelling, with rivals such as Illumination finding success with Super Mario Bros.; Warner Bros. is threatening audiences with a ghastly looking update of The Cat in the Hat. Pixar has long stood out by bringing something less trifling to theatergoing families. Elio's failure in theaters may sting, but hopefully it won't entirely deter that mission.
Article originally published at The Atlantic
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Buzz Feed
an hour ago
- Buzz Feed
29 Magical Little Treats To Buy From The Disney Store
A "snack goals" bracelet if you're made to answer emails, but built to eat your way through the parks. (BRB: Gonna look up a Dole Whip recipe again.) Promising reviews: "Perfect for our girls trip during flower & garden festival! Snack goals was achieved!" —CandiSnaxFools"Just bought this a week ago. Quality looks great so far. I've been wearing it all the time." —Aim333Price: $30 (available in two sizes and other styles) A Figment egg slicer: Before Fourth Wing, there was Figment. Raise a glass (er, an egg?) for everyone's fave lil' purple dragon and make slicing eggs for your salad easier than you could 🌈imagine. 🌈 Promising reviews: "I bought this in April at Disney Springs and it makes me happy. I love Figment and all of his creative cleverness. I have it sitting out in my kitchen and it always gets a compliment. And it slices eggs too! Imagine that." —Arachnib2"LOVE THIS! My 6-year-old could use it with ease! The colors are vibrant and spot on. It is fairly compact and has no problems." —DisneyMommaELKPrice: $14.99 A Mickey mouse pom-pom bag charm to make your Labubu an Official Mouseketeer. (Mickey 100% can hang with any charms you already have on your bag.) Promising review: "Obsessed with this cute Mickey pom. Good quality and looks so cute and chic on my Loungefly bags. Easy to mix and match." —kkwielgosPrice: $19.99 An Orange Bird veggie peeler because adults deserve to have fun in the kitchen, too, no matter how far away you might *actually* live from the Enchanted Tiki Room. And it comes with a sweet little orange slice shaped cover to protect it when it's not in review: "I bought this about two weeks ago. It makes peeling so much fun." —Terrie0524Price: $14.99 A Lego Pixar lamp that needs no introduction because it's *that* iconic. You can totally HEAR the happy squishing sounds now, can't you? *sighs and adds to my cart because I do, in fact, need this in my office STAT*Price: $69.99 A Disney princess lunchbox because adulthood is a SCAM and why *not* bring your food to work in a smile-inducing insulated bag with all your fave princesses cheering on your day? And it's on sale! Price: $17.49 (originally $24.99) A Disneyland ✌️ baseball cap for turning your bad hair days around faster than you can say, "To all who come to this happy place, welcome." Promising reviews: "Been waiting for this hat to come in stock since last summer. Always sold out in the parks too. Finally spotted it here. Nice quality snapback hat." —DTAG"I love this hat! It is great quality and it was a very nice present!" —GiorgianaPrice: $29.99 (also available in a Disney World version) An Up basket tote because adventure is out there no matter if you're headed to the pool, the beach, or a picnic in the park. The drawstring closure means that you can romp around as much as you want without fear of losing your stuff, too! Don't forget to pack a few tennis balls for the snipes. Price: $62.04 (originally $72.99) A palm-size Stitch plush as cute as a button and not *much* larger than one! Whether you want the cutest desk pet around or just need a lil alien hanging out in your tote bag, these are the perfect size to bring some packable Disney joy around everyday. Promising review: "Saw it, loved it, bought it. Well made and the cutest ever!" —Disney4evrrPrice: $16.99 (available in nine other styles) Or a Stitch plush bucket hat if you prefer to *wear* your little Stitch as a fashion accessory. (And the bucket hat will help keep you cool in the summer heat, too!) Promising review: "Very cute! I got this for summer! Very cute and it's great hat to wear for the heat." —Kccali92Price: $25.99 (available in two other styles) A 100% heavyweight cotton Inside Out spirit jersey because — and I'm going to hold your hand when I say this — it's the tenth anniversary and this is obviously the correct way to celebrate all your ~feelings~ on the matter. Promising review: "I bought this spirit jersey this week and it's definitely the best one I've ever bought. The attention to detail is very well done with every emotion having special features based on their emotion." —Blue skyPrice: $79.99 (available in sizes XS–XXL) A Meet the Robinsons tote bag so you can remind yourself to keep moving forward even when you're having to dig at the bottom for your keys. Again. If a new tote bag is your ideal perfect little treat, fret not: The Disney Store has over 200 bags for your little treating pleasure!Price: $19.99 A Haunted Mansion paper towel holder foolish mortals everywhere will try to kidnap from your kitchen because it's just *that* subtle and delightfully ghoulish. Promising review: "I didn't expect to have feelings for a paper towel holder, y'all, but I kinda love it. It's very well made and substantial, not like those flimsy ones that fall over when you try to get a sheet. Its best feature, though, is how completely whimsical it is & that it makes me smile every time I pass it." —starryj13Price: $39.99 A quilted Mickey Mouse cosmetic bag reviewers love for its ability to hold just about everything and will bring your fave hey there, hi there, ho there leader of the club straight to your bag. It's also part of a collection of quilted bags that come in other sizes and reviews: "I use this to carry around some makeup, medications, band-aids, and hand sanitizers. I love it because it holds all the important little things I rotate between bags/backpacks with my kids. It holds a fair amount of things and there is still a lot of room in it." —DisneyMama0701"First of all, this makeup bag is adorable! It's very soft and I love all of the Mickey details. It is big enough to hold all of my cosmetics. Great travel bag!" —Lovethemouse2Price: $19.99 A Tiana sketchbook ornament perfect for holiday trees, sure, but *also* a wonderful lil addition to your desk so you can have your fave hardworking princess cheering you on as you squash that imposter syndrome, answer those emails, crunch those numbers... After all, you're 🎶almost there! 🎶 Promising reviews: "I absolutely love this ornament and her paint job for my ornament is phenomenal. I really love how they decided to design this one with her blue dress and a lily pad." —Aurora89"Tiana is dazzling and I love that she's in her blue dress! I also love the glass window she's sitting on and that you can actually see through it. I can't wait to add her to my Disney themed Christmas tree this year!" —Hopey101Price: $26.99 A Mickey and Walt Funko figurine to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Disneyland in the cutest (and most nostalgic!) way possible. Promising reviews: "Absolutely love this item, so happy I made the purchase. It's made well & has a nice weight to it. Great details!" —WDWDisneyfan4life"A must-have for any collector, the design is incredible and very nostalgic. Walt forever." —Andretp7Price: $49.99 A pair of Mickey and friends lounge pants featuring an old school print so you can kick back, relax, and watch all your fave Mickey cartoons on Saturday morning as Walt intended. Price: $29.99 (available in sizes S–3XL) A Monster's, Inc. scream canister water bottle that *actually screams* when you open it. (Don't worry: You can turn that bit of Disney magic ~off~ if cinematic accuracy ain't your thing first thing in the a.m.) Promising reviews: "Great quality and the scream always catches me off guard. The scream function can also be turned off if you happen to be an early riser." —Conan"Honestly, this is the nicest scream canister I have ever seen. I can't imagine a better design and well crafted cup to drink my luke warm water out of. This has truly changed the water drinking game. I even learned that when I bring the cup to work and want to scream I can just do it into the canister to refill it." —ParrotfishPrice: $34.99 A Big Hero 6 figure set because whether you want your personal healthcare companion hanging out by you at all times or just want to hurt your own feelings and put Tadashi in a place of honor (RIP), you're going to find some faves in this set. Price: $26.99 An iconic Mickey Mouse lamp reviewers call the perfect night-light and it's just a bonus that it's shaped like everyone's fave mouse, the one who started it all. Promising reviews: "This lamp is fun and perfect for a little mood lighting. We either place it outside while enjoying our evening under the stars or on the mantel with a few candles to create a calming ambiance. I like that it has the wooden base. Make is very sturdy." —Beachbumette"Very cute Disney light. We use one in our camper as a night light and have another for the house." —626StitchMomPrice: $39.99 Some monorail tongs you'll use as often in your kitchen as you use the monorail in your Disney travels. And yes, it *does* have, "Please stand clear of the doors" in English on one side and Spanish on the other. You're welcome. Promising review: "Hands down the cutest kitchen gadget I own! Very well made and a daily reminder of my favorite place." —Gina PPrice: $14.99 A Tinker Bell tie-dye nightshirt because if you need some help getting to sleepy land, you can always take a small detour to Neverland. Promising review: "These feel like my expensive bamboo jammies. I will buy every one that is available!! Cozy and cool and doesn't cling." —WonderlandMommyPrice: $36.99 (available in sizes XS–3X) A sculpted Tigger mug which is basically the MOST perfect vessel to hold your morning java. (Because who *doesn't* want some bouncy, trouncy, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun to put some pep in their step?) Promising review: "If you love classic Tigger and you're a sucker for a good mug — this is a must! Bonus it's dishwasher safe and holds a ton of coffee!" —82 DreaminPrice: $24.99 A Panda Mei plush keychain to remind yourself to be true to your self *and* to listen to all the 4*TOWN you want. Price: $14.99 A Mickey Mouse Disneyland map tee so even if you're at the grocery store, you know *exactly* how you would get to Space Mountain if you ~accidentally~ hopped on a plane and took yourself to the Happiest Place on Earth. Heads up! Reviewers say this runs large, so keep that in mind for sizing. Promising reviews: "Great t-shirt. Seems to fit more oversized/unisex than for women's. Love the slits at the bottom. Embroidery is great, graphic on the back is large. It's thin, so very soft, and comfortable." —Shaynn"The material is very soft and breathable. I love the embroidery detail and the simplicity of the design, in addition the slits at the bottom hem. It fits true to size but is not fitted like traditional women's sizing." —AS1928Price: $34.99 (available in sizes XS–3X) A pair of Simba hoop earrings if you're trying to bring more of that Hakuna Matata into your life, but in a ~subtle~ can-still-wear-to-the-office kind of way. Promising review: "This set of earrings are beautiful. They are larger than I expected, but I like the size. They are very well made and lightweight." —tlkdisneyfanPrice: $40 A cuddly Nana plush perfect for watching Peter Pan on the couch or just giving you a soft, squishy friend to snuggle up with at night. Promising reviews: "Absolutely LOVE this Nana plush! She's perfect for my Peter Pan collection! Much bigger and softer than I thought she would be — she's perfect! I love seeing Peter Pan merchandise that's NOT Tinkerbell!" —Jensk8s"Nana is my favorite Disney character, so I was beyond excited when I saw this plushie! She is amazingly soft and huggable and the perfect size. She's very well made and absolutely adorable! I'm hoping that Disney will release more of the Disney Japan Nana items!" —JENKS13Price: $39.99 A Nike Minnie Mouse sleeveless polo to bring a smidgen of Disney magic to your next pickleball game. Price: $55 (available in sizes XS–XXL) And finally, a splurgy signed, limited edition print of Yzma being a whole mood. An icon. A legend. Call it a mental health write-off and put it up on your wall. And when the receipt comes, put that receipt in a box, and then put that box inside of another box, and then mail that box to yourself, and when it arrives... Smash it with a hammer! Price: $295


Geek Tyrant
2 hours ago
- Geek Tyrant
James Cameron Wants to Expand the World of AVATAR with an Animated Anthology Project — GeekTyrant
The world of Avatar might be expanding once again but this time in animated form. James Cameron, the mastermind behind Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water , is eyeing a whole new medium to explore Pandora's rich mythology. While some fans are counting down the days until Avatar: Fire and Ash hits theaters this December, Cameron is already planting seeds for a potential animated anthology series that could dive deeper into the untold stories of his sci-fi universe. Speaking with Empire Magazine, Cameron revealed he's been talking with Disney about launching an Avatar animated project. He shared his vision saying: 'I said, 'Look, I want to do an animated anthology series that's essentially in the world, but stories that you wouldn't have expected from that world.' There might even be an animated feature in there – it might be a feature for streaming, or a theatrical feature. 'A good early example is The Animatrix, where they went afield in the Matrix world. These are all great examples for how we can add texture and baroque detail to the world of Avatar.' What Cameron's talking about sounds incredibly cool. He's not just thinking about rehashing the same characters or events. He wants to go wide with it. Deep cuts. Backstories. Side quests. The kind of lore expansions that fans eat up. 'Backstory on characters and tangential stuff that happened off-camera within the movies. Who first landed on Pandora? The first expedition. You could go anywhere you want.' Of course, this idea is still in early development and hasn't moved past the brainstorming phase. 'We haven't done much with that yet. We're still gathering our stories and that sort of thing, and I've got to find the boutique filmmakers, the animators, that want to do it.' So while there's no official greenlight yet, just knowing Cameron is serious about bringing more Avatar stories to life in animation is pretty cool an interesting. The franchise has already proven it has the depth and scale to support spin-offs and side stories, and animation could be the perfect playground for creative experimentation in the Avatar universe. In the meantime, fans can gear up for Avatar: Fire and Ash , which premieres in theaters on December 19, 2025. The film sees Sam Worthington return as Jake Sully, alongside Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, Edi Falco, and more.

Business Insider
2 hours ago
- Business Insider
I've stayed at all of Disney World's priciest resorts — only one's worth it for its easy park access and great amenities
I visit Disney World at least twice a month. On about half of my trips, I stay at the most expensive resorts on the property, which Disney labels "deluxe." Deluxe resorts are often the closest to the theme parks and feature upgraded amenities and special restaurants. As they're above Disney's lower-cost value resorts and moderate options, they can get pricey. Starting rates at the deluxe resorts typically start at about $500 a night. I love all of the high-end places I've stayed at, but if I had to recommend just one on the entire Disney World property, it'd be the Riviera Resort. The resort brings a chic European style to the heart of Disney World From the outside, the grayish resort doesn't look like much. However, the interior is stunning and filled with custom artwork inspired by Disney's princesses and movies set in Europe, like "The Aristocats." I also love that the resort has two pools. One is a dedicated quiet pool with plush seating and shaded tables that's mainly for adults looking to relax. The other is more family-friendly with a slide and water features that are fun for kids. There's also plenty of upscale amenities on the property, like a beautiful gym and a rooftop bar overlooking the Disney Skyliner gondola system. Even better, the Skyliner can easily take guests to two of Disney's theme parks, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Getting to the latter can sometimes take about 30 minutes (and requires a transfer), but the ride to Epcot is only about eight minutes. The resort has a broad range of accommodations, ranging from studios that sleep two to massive three-bedroom villas that sleep 12 and are complete with a formal dining room, full kitchen, and outdoor deck. My favorite is the resort's one-bedroom villa, which can sleep up to five people. It has a beautiful main bedroom that's attached to a marble-covered bathroom. The open living room and kitchen double as another sleeping space with two pull-down beds. The villa has a lot of storage, which I really love. It means I can unpack and spread out, but my space never looks cluttered throughout my stay. There are great dining options at Disney's Riviera Resort I often like to cook my own food to save money on Disney trips — it's cheaper than buying every meal at the parks or a hotel. However, the Riviera Resort has great dining options for a splurge meal. My favorite is Topolino's Terrace for Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends. This character-dining experience is a delightful way to spend a morning. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy make their way around the restaurant to take photos with guests as they munch on dishes like sour-cream waffles with roasted apples and French-toast bread pudding. Other dining options around the resort are Bar Riva, an excellent pool bar serving drinks and sizable lunch and dinner plates, and Primo Piatto, a quick-service restaurant dishing out everything from hot sandwiches and pizza to soups and salads. Plus, there's plenty to do on the property once the sun goes down During the day, I love spending time in the resort's pools. At night, I always find lots to do around the property. The resort hosts nightly movies on its lawn, where you can catch an animated Disney classic. I also love the free marshmallow roasts that happen each evening around a fire. When it's time for the Epcot fireworks, I head up to Topolino's Terrace for incredible viewing on the outdoor patio. About 30 minutes before the show begins, I like to grab a drink from the bar that I can enjoy outside— its old-fashioneds are incredible. This is the resort I always recommend to friends When friends ask me where to stay at Disney World, the Riviera Resort is always my first suggestion if they have extra room in their vacation budgets. Though a stay can be pricey, I still think the resort is a good pick for its easy access to two theme parks, ample dining options, exceptional amenities, and large rooms for bigger families. I've stayed here a handful of times and always enjoy my vacation. Even if the resort isn't in your budget, you should still try to get to Topolino's Terrace for breakfast.