Latest news with #DanielChong
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pixar's Newest Film ‘Hoppers' Asks, ‘What if You Could Talk to Animals?'
We spoke with director Daniel Chong about his debut feature-length film releasing in spring of 2026, and how he compares the process to parenting. As Pixar has built a reputation on writing its own rulebook for crafting stories that are both relevant and timeless, the question, "What if?" has been a guiding light in many of their on-screen ventures. That question looms large in the idea behind their upcoming feature film, Hoppers, releasing in theaters March 6, 2026. The premise reads: What if you could talk to animals and understand what they're saying? In Disney and Pixar's all-new feature film Hoppers, scientists have discovered how to 'hop' human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, allowing people to communicate with animals as animals! The adventure introduces Mabel, a college student and animal lover who seizes an opportunity to use the technology, uncovering mysteries within the animal world that are beyond anything she could have imagined. Have a look at the brand new teaser trailer: Now, if you're thinking that's giving some big James Cameron's Avatar vibes, you're not wrong. In fact, Daniel Chong, the director of Hoppers openly acknowledges the influence–though he calls it just a "soft jumping-off point" for where the movie is really headed. In addition, he mentions another big film franchise that he drew inspiration from. "One of the other biggest influences for us was Mission: Impossible," Chong tells Parents. "The movie becomes a bit of an espionage movie, where Mabel is going undercover. It will lead to a lot of crazy thrills that you did not expect." Chong goes on to describe the character of Mabel as being just as unpredictable as the adventure she's on, and how viewers who are animal lovers and rule-breakers (for a good cause) should get a lot of enjoyment from Hoppers. Character and Narrative Connections As with many of the directors in Pixar's filmography, Chong's relationship to his first feature film is a personal one. Having been a story artist at Pixar before becoming a director, he says it's only natural that a lot of himself would be sprinkled throughout the story. He points to his love for animals and his fascination with how they coexist with humans as the original thematic spark behind the movie. He also reveals how he leaned on his own close relationship with his mother to inform Mabel's relationship with her grandmother in the film. "I channeled a lot of that into the movie, because that's the relationship that grounds [Mabel] in her love of nature and why she wants to protect it so desperately," says Chong. "Mabel is also a bit unhinged, and a little chaotic, and unpredictable. She's led by her passions, so [viewers] can expect some unpredictability from her." As seen in the trailer, Mabel's protective instinct should serve her well at some points and not so well at others, as she navigates a world very different from her own. Chong speaks to how the characters treading into scientific innovation leads to them crossing wires with some established rules of nature. And while the two don't always mix, there are some lessons that can come from it. "A lot of the movie is about how [Mabel] coexists, not just with other animals, but with other people," Chong notes. "[It's about] how she relates to them, and the consequences of decisions she makes, good and bad. She's learning to navigate connection more than anything; and as she does, she'll learn how to build them over the process of the story." Research and Mystery As for how he chose a beaver to be the avatar animal for Mabel's experience, Chong says it came after a lot of trial and error, but it was a decision that made a ton of sense after doing research. "They call [beavers] one of the 'ecosystem engineers'", says Chong. "During the rewinding of Yellowstone National Park, wolves were a big part of that equation, but beavers played a big role also. Once the beavers set up their ponds and lodges, all these other animals began to return to the area because the ecosystem [they helped build] restored the habitat." Chong explains how the knowledge that these "little rodents can do engineering" inspired him to make them the focal point in the movie, highlighting that even the smallest among us can make a big impact. Diving a little deeper into the research Chong and the team did for Hoppers, he talks about a trip they took to Yellowstone where they immersed themselves in the wild with the animals, just like Mabel will be. "One of the cool things they tell you as you enter Yellowstone is, 'You are now entering the animals' world. This is not your place, so you need to respect it,'" Chong recalls. "It was a really grounding experience for all of us to recontextualize our place." The film's art team also went to Colorado to actually swim in beaver ponds, with the guidance of Emily Fairfax. Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Minnesota and beaver expert. While there, they took photos and learned everything they could about beaver habitats. Chong laughs, saying, "I'm glad I didn't go because I have a feeling I would not have survived. But they went the extra mile for the research, and I hope it shows in the movie." Regarding Mabel's journey in the movie, Chong teases how she may get a rude awakening when it comes to respecting animals' habitats as well. "That's the thing about the animal world–there's still so much we don't understand. There's so much mystery; and we may not ever understand animal intelligence totally. But that's the fun of the movie–seeing how that all plays out." How the 'Village' Brings Everything to Life While Chong does not have kids, and doesn't profess to understand all that the parenting journey entails, he is a "parent" to this movie. And he draws a very clear connection to both processes needing a village. "Making a movie (especially one at Pixar) is a tough journey," he acknowledges. "It takes a long time, and you're basically iterating the same story over and over and over again [to the point that] you can lose your way and lose perspective so easily." Sound familiar? "The only thing that really helps me survive this process is the support of the people around me," Chong continues. "I felt very luck to have a great team–some of them I've known for quite a long time. Having a support system I can rely on really made it more plausible, so I didn't have to cary the burden of making the movie every day." Chong says he hopes the work this village put in on Hoppers will ultimately shine through next spring. Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
News18
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Hoppers' Teaser Out: Disney Pixar's Film Blends Human And Animal World
Hopper's teaser follows the journey of 19-year-old Mable, who uses advanced technology to transfer her consciousness into the mind of a robotic beaver. Whenever Disney Pixar announces an animated flick, it promises to be a delightful treat. So, on Wednesday, July 16, when the company unveiled the teaser of the upcoming toon Hoppers, it was quick to grab the attention. Hoppers, directed and written by Daniel Chong, follows a plot similar to James Cameron's iconic Avatar movie: it connects the animal and human kingdoms through mind-hopping. Hoppers, featuring actress, singer Piper Curda as the leading voice artist, is scheduled to hit the big screens on March 6, 2026. Hoppers' teaser follows the journey of 19-year-old Mable, who uses advanced technology to transfer her consciousness into the mind of a robotic beaver and inhabit its otherwise lifeless body. The tech-savvy creature is created by a group of scientists known as Hoppers. Mable is on a mission to save the animal habitat that a construction firm wants to destroy. As Mable adjusts herself inside the machine, she says, 'This is like Avatar", teasing the classic film. To this, one of the scientists replies, 'It's not", hinting at all the surprises Hoppers has in store. Initially, Mable, in the beaver body, is exhilarated to discover that she can understand and communicate in the animal language. At one point in the teaser, she tries to save another fellow beaver from a bear attack. However, through the act, she learn an important lesson — in nature, everything is about balance. With forest politics at play, Mable befriends some creatures to win against the cunning and evil Mayor Jerry. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pixar (@pixar) Although Hoppers kicks off as a fun experience, it is likely to become a touching story about identity, purpose and the connection between humans and nature. Social media users showered love on Hoppers' teaser. 'I am so totally going to see this movie in the theatre when it comes," one of them wrote. Another quipped, 'This movie looks like a Dam good time." 'A film about being able to talk to animals? Yes, please," noted one individual. According to Daniel Chong, the Avatar joke in Hoppers was purposeful. The director, in a conversation with Variety, revealed that the film will be 'a little bit crazy" and 'chaotic" with some 'tongue-in-cheek" moments. Apart from Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan and Jon Hamm have also lent their voices in Hoppers. view comments First Published: July 17, 2025, 16:13 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch: 'Hoppers' trailer introduces new Pixar sci-fi film
July 16 (UPI) -- Pixar is teasing the animated sci-fi film Hoppers, which arrives in theaters March 6. The trailer released Wednesday introduces viewers to Mabel, (May December's Piper Curda) who learns about a strange new technology "like Avatar" that allows her to transfer her consciousness into an animal robot. Her conversations with other creatures shows "mysteries within the animal world that are beyond anything she could have imagined," according to an official synopsis. The voice cast also includes Bobby Moynihan and Jon Hamm, and the film is directed by Daniel Chong.
Geek Tyrant
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Trailer For Pixar's Sci-Fi Comedy HOPPERS Turns Animal Communication Into a Wild Ride — GeekTyrant
Disney has released the first trailer for Pixar's Hoppers , a wild mash-up of animal hijinks and sci-fi wonder. The movie introduces us to a fun premise that asks the question: 'What if we could finally talk to animals?' The film follows Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda), who becomes the first human to transfer her consciousness into a robotic animal prototype. The goal is to infiltrate the animal kingdom and learn what makes our furry friends tick. Think Avatar , but swap blue aliens for adorable, photorealistic critters, and toss in Pixar's signature heart and humor. The movie comes from Daniel Chong, creator of We Bare Bears , whose quirky, heartfelt style shines through in the trailer. In a statement, Chong explained: 'In Hoppers, the question we're answering is: 'What if we could understand and communicate with the animal world?' Our main character, Mabel, gets to discover the animal kingdom as an animal, which can be weird and often hilarious. 'Mabel undercover in the animal world leads to a wild, roller coaster ride of a movie, with all the heart you expect from a classic Pixar film. It's going to be so much fun to watch in the theater; I can't wait for everyone to see it.' The voice cast also includes Bobby Moynihan ( We Bare Bears ) and Jon Hamm ( Top Gun: Maverick ). The trailer teases some clever comedy built around the lifelike robot blending in with unsuspecting animals, and the chaos that comes when nature's rules start to bend. Will this experiment bridge the gap between humans and animals, or completely upend the natural order? We'll find out when Hoppers hops into theaters on March 6, 2026.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Hoppers' Teaser Trailer Introduces Your New Favorite Pixar Movie
Pixar's 'Hoppers' arrives in theaters next spring but a new teaser trailer for the movie, directed by Daniel Chong, has just been released. It'll give you a good feel for the movie. And you will probably giggle heartily. Watch it below. 'Hoppers' takes place in a world where a fringe scientific group has created a technology that allows humans to 'hop' into robotic animals, which allows for them to interact with other creatures. Mabel Tanaka (Piper Curda) volunteers to undergo the process, and she hops into the body of a beaver. She gets to know the leader of the pond, a beaver named King George (Bobby Moynihan) and attempts to thwart the efforts of a greedy mayor named Mayor Jerry (Jon Hamm). More from TheWrap 'Hoppers' Teaser Trailer Introduces Your New Favorite Pixar Movie Joaquin Phoenix Tells Stephen Colbert He Regrets His Infamous Letterman Interview: 'One of the Worst Nights of My Life' | Video Here Are All the Songs in 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Season 3 Shout! TV Launches Hong Kong Fight Club FAST Channel This August, Featuring John Woo, Jackie Chan Classics | Exclusive The movie was officially introduced at the D23 fan event in August 2024, by Pixar chief executive officer Pete Docter. Last month at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Docter showed off a good chunk of the film, including a sequence so funny it made us cry. Additionally, there was a post-credits scene attached to Pixar's 'Elio' that featured a small tease of the movie. Apparently both Pixar and Disney senior leadership are incredibly bullish and excited by the movie, and you can tell by the teaser featuring a big part of a full scene (the scene where Mabel saves the beaver from the bear). It's such a wonderful, charming premise, and based on everything we've seen, it's been executed perfectly. 'Hoppers' hits theaters on March 6, 2026. The post 'Hoppers' Teaser Trailer Introduces Your New Favorite Pixar Movie appeared first on TheWrap.
