Latest news with #EnricoCasarosa
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pixar Announces New Original Film ‘Gatto,' Previews Joan Cusack's ‘Toy Story 5' Return and Presents ‘Hoppers' Exclusive Footage at Annecy
Today, Disney and Pixar reaffirmed their commitment to France's Annecy Animation Festival, a world-class event the studios now use annually to deliver exclusive news and preview screenings to a global audience of animation fans. In what opened as a regular preview showcase of upcoming 'Elio,' DisneyPixar's Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter unveiled a packed Pixar slate featuring an all-new film, breaking the news to an ecstatic audience at Annecy, which he called 'the greatest festival in the world.' More from Variety Laika Unveils New 'ParaNorman' Short Starring Anna Kendrick and Finn Wolfhard: Original Feature Getting Halloween Re-Release 'High in the Clouds' Shares Original Music, Early Art and a Beatles Reunion in Annecy Sneak Peek Disney Sneak Peeks 'Zootopia 2' at Annecy: Announces Studio Return of 'The Little Mermaid,' 'Aladdin,' 'Moana' Director Ron Clements 'Gatto', expected in summer 2027, comes from the filmmaking team behind 'Luca,' director Enrico Casarosa and producer Andrea Warren. Casarosa's directorial debut feature, now turned fan-favorite due to his lovable characters and lush Italian settings, 'Luca' was the first Pixar film to be released exclusively on Disney+, as Hollywood execs struggled to adapt to the pandemic's shifting tides. Since then, DisneyPixar has —to all animation fans' greatest pleasure— pivoted back to a worldwide theatrical release strategy, paired with exclusive premieres. Annecy crowds may well be the very first audience to discover 'Gatto' in June 2027. This new Pixar film returns to Italy, Casarosa's birth country, this time to Venice, where, after years of maneuvering the seaside, an extraordinary city, a black cat named Nero begins to question whether he's lived the right life. A partial music-lover —at least, his tail is— and non-swimming feline who is indebted to a local feline mob boss, Nero, finds himself in a quandary and is forced to forge a truly unexpected friendship with Maya, a street artist who adopts him against his will. Together, those two individuals form an odd couple, but this relation might finally lead Nero to find his purpose…. unless the mysterious and dark side of Venice gets the better of him first. The Annecy crowd cheered the announcement and went wild as Docter unveiled animation tests of a distinct, unique hand-painted look, something Pixar has never shown before. The film appears to be rich in colors from Venetian settings, and blends 2D hand paint textures with cutting-edge CG animation. As 'Luca' continues to delight Pixar fans and family audiences alike, 'Gatto' is scheduled for summer 2027. 'Luca' was re-released last year, along with two other COVID-struck Pixar films, 'Turning Red' and 'Soul,' and is now streaming exclusively on Disney+. Animation-hungry Annecy crowds were not disappointed by this year's showcase, as 'Elio' filmmakers Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi and producer Mary Alice Drumm took the stage and offered a not-so-brief 27-minute preview of their long-awaited feature. From tears to joy, fans were treated by a highly sensitive 'Inside-Out' level opening, after which the Sharafian, Shi and Drumm took Annecy's audience by hand to a whole new Pixar environment, the luscious Communiverse. Elio, mistaken for Earth's leader, becomes part of this galactic assembly and meets a wide variety of aliens. Carefully designed by Pixar teams, those creatures range from quirky-looking squids to furry and slender ostriches and live in an environment deeply inspired by marine life, deep-sea creatures and macrophotography. Oscar winner and production designer Harley Jessup helped the team bring this colorful universe to life, creating a wonderful, soon-to-be children's favorite, brand new world. What has been shown so far from this female-driven project enchanted festival goers, leaving them eager to discover the full scope of the adventures that await Elio and Aunt Olga (voiced by Academy Award Winner Zoe Saldaña), as Elio travels millions of miles across the universe encountering a host of out-of-this world creatures who just might help him figure out exactly where he belongs. 'Elio' hits global theaters next week. 'Hoppers' is helmed by BAFTA Children's Awards winner Daniel Chong ('We Bare Bears') and appears to bring a refreshing humor to this strikingly beautiful girl-turns-beaver modern ecological adventure. With voice talents such as Primetime Emmy winner Jon Hamm and 'Saturday Night Live' actor and writer Bobby Moynihan, 'Hoppers' tells the story of Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda), who wants to protect her favorite local pond from a highway construction project. To do so, she steals 'Hoppers' technology, which places her consciousness into a robotic beaver and allows her to uncover mysteries within the animal world beyond her imagination. DisneyPixar's CCO Peter Docter — who was honored today with an induction into Annecy's Walk of Fame — delighted Pixar fans with exclusive footage from 'Hoppers' along with a sneak peek at the first two minutes of the studio's summer 2026 release, 'Toy Story 5.' Following up with 'Toy Story 5,' Docter confirmed the return of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack as Jessie in this next 'Toy Story' chapter and announced exciting new characters as well. A 'Toys Meet Tech', as Docter described it, this new 'Toy Story' film follows an eight-year-old Bonnie as she discovers her new toy tablet. A device that is as enticing as can be, and that the other toys will have to deal with. A two-minute clip that had fans instantly on board, as the studio celebrates the 30th birthday of the fan-favorite, trailblazing franchise. 'Toy Story', released in 1995, is the first feature-length computer-animated film ever released and the debut feature release from Pixar Animation Studios, released by Walt Disney Pictures – a film that revolutionized the industry and brought forth the age of computer-generated animation. As the supervising animator on the original 'Toy Story,', Docter showcased rarely seen legacy footage from the film, which brought fame and fortune to Pixar and started a franchise that has since received 18 Academy Award nominations and won 3 Academy Awards and a Special Achievement Award, with best animated feature for both 'Toy Story 3' and 'Toy Story 4' and best original song ('We Belong Together'), featured in the acclaimed third installment of Woody and Buzz' franchise. 30 years ago, 'Toy Story' was showcased in Annecy. Today, it definitely seemed that Docter was once again telling Annecy's crowds: 'You've Got a Friend in Me.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Gizmodo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Pixar Is Channeling the Kitty Hit ‘Flow' for Its 2027 Release
Pixar just announced the next movie on its always exciting upcoming slate and, for the first time in a long time, it feels a little like the studio is chasing trends instead of setting them. Which probably isn't the case, but the timing does make it hard to ignore. Just announced at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Pixar's 2027 film is called Gatto. Directed by Luca helmer Enrico Casarosa, the film is set in Venice, Italy and follows a black cat named Nero who, 'after years of maneuvering the canal-ridden, superstitious city… begins to question whether he's lived the right life. Indebted to a local feline mob boss, Nero finds himself in a quandary and is forced to forge a truly unexpected friendship that may finally lead him to his purpose—unless Venice gets the better of him first.' Sounds great, right? And, because it's Pixar, it probably will be. Pixar movies are usually great because they take so long to make, so there's a very good chance Gatto was in development long before November of last year. But, that's when a French animated film called Flow was released and charmed film fans everywhere, ultimately leading to it winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Now, that's almost certainly a coincidence—it's not like animation and cats are some new, fresh idea—but Pixar's first new movie announcement after the success of Flow also being a cat movie sure seems lucky. Pixar has a lot happening before 2027, though. Next week, it'll release Elio, the long-delayed story of a young boy going on an alien adventure. That'll be followed in March 2026 by Hoppers, a film about humans being able to interact and talk with animals, and then in June 2026 we get Toy Story 5, which will see Buzz, Woody, and the gang tangle with technology. Then, after all that, comes Gatto. You see a glimpse of it above, and here's the full piece of concept art.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Pixar Announces New Original Film 'Gatto'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors While Pixar is now more well-known for franchises like "Toy Story," "Cars," and most recently "Inside Out," they have often found success with new projects. More Entertainment: Pixar Reveals New 'Toy Story 5' Villain Individual films like "WALL-E," "UP," "Ratatouille," "A Bug's Life," and "Elemental" remain beloved by Disney fans of all ages. And it's looking like "Elio" may continue that success. 🚨 Tickets are on sale NOW for Disney and Pixar's #Elio! 🚨 See it in theaters & 3D June 20 🎟️: — Pixar (@Pixar) May 27, 2025 Now, DisneyPixar CCO Pete Docter has revealed a new original film from the same team that created the underrated "Luca." LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 17: (L-R) CCO of Pixar Pete Docter, Enrico Casarosa, Andrea Warren, and General Manager/President of Pixar Jim Morris arrive at the world premiere for LUCA, held at the El Capitan... LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 17: (L-R) CCO of Pixar Pete Docter, Enrico Casarosa, Andrea Warren, and General Manager/President of Pixar Jim Morris arrive at the world premiere for LUCA, held at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on June 17, 2021. More Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney Prior to the Annecy Animation Festival presentation of "Elio," Docter gave exclusive looks at multiple upcoming projects, including the previously announced "Toy Story 5" and "Hoppers." However, a ton of attention has been given to a new original film that is set to release in theaters in 2027: "Gatto." JUST ANNOUNCED: Coming to theaters in 2027 is Disney and Pixar's "Gatto.' 🐈⬛ From 'Luca' director Enrico Casarosa, the film returns to Italy, following a black cat named Nero. Indebted to a feline mob boss, Nero finds himself forced to forge an unexpected friendship that may… — Pixar (@Pixar) June 13, 2025 "Coming to theaters in 2027 is Disney and Pixar's 'Gatto,'" Pixar announced on social media. "From 'Luca' director Enrico Casarosa, the film returns to Italy, following a black cat named Nero. "Indebted to a feline mob boss, Nero finds himself forced to forge an unexpected friendship that may finally lead him to his purpose..." Specifically, Nero's friend is a street artist who seemingly adopts him against his will, per Kevin Giraud of Variety. The film is taking on a unique hand-painted look that will separate itself from other Pixar movies and will utilize Casarosa's keen ability to bring a beautiful Italian city to life. More Entertainment: Best Films to Stream in Summer 2025 on Netflix, Paramount+, Prime Video Casarosa made his directorial debut with "Luca," a heartwarming and gorgeous film that had the unfortunate timing to release during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this, "Luca" became the first Pixar film to be released directly to Disney+. It became the most-viewed streaming film of 2021, garnering over 10.6 billion minutes watched. It would later have a short run in theaters and garner multiple accolades, including a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, eventually losing to fellow Disney film "Encanto." Needless to say, fans of "Luca" are ecstatic to see Casarosa bring the same kind of heart, fun, and artistry to another feature film. More Entertainment: 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Canceled Best Netflix Original Films to Watch June 2025 'How To Train Your Dragon' Director Defends Live-Action Remake Changes 'A Minecraft Movie' Hits HBO Max for Free Streaming in June: What to Know For more Disney and entertainment news, head on over to Newsweek Entertainment.
Geek Tyrant
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Pixar Heads Back to Italy With Enrico Casarosa's New Original Film GATTO with a New Animation Style — GeekTyrant
Pixar is returning to Italy, and this time, it's through the eyes of a black cat with a debt to the feline mob. At the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Pixar's Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter surprised fans with the reveal of Gatto , a brand-new original film from Luca director Enrico Casarosa, and producer Andrea Warren. The announcement was made during what was supposed to be a preview of the upcoming film Elio , but quickly turned into a celebration of Pixar's future slate. Calling Annecy 'the greatest festival in the world,' Docter introduced Gatto as Pixar's next Italian-set adventure, this time exploring the alleys, canals, and secrets of Venice. The film is slated to hit theaters in Summer 2027. The story centers on a black cat named Nero who lives in Venice, 'a partial music-lover — at least, his tail is — and non-swimming feline who is indebted to a local feline mob boss.' Nero begins to wonder if he's lived the right lives, and things take a turn when he's reluctantly adopted by Maya, a young street artist. What starts as a mismatch might just become the beginning of Nero's true purpose, assuming Venice's mysterious underworld doesn't get to him first. Visually, Gatto marks a striking new direction for Pixar. The studio showed off early animation tests featuring a hand-painted look, a mix of 2D textures and CG animation that hasn't been seen from the studio before. The Venetian setting pops with color, detail, and atmosphere, setting Gatto apart from anything else in Pixar's catalog. It's great to see that Pixar is finally experimenting an utilizing a new art style for animation. Their signature style has been feeling stale, and I've been saying for a long time that Pixar needs to start mixing things up. Casarosa, who made his feature directorial debut with Luca , is once again drawing from his Italian heritage. While Luca captured the magic of a sun-drenched seaside village, Gatto looks to explore a moodier, more mysterious version of Italy through the eyes of a cat who might just be on his ninth life. With a new, painterly style and a quirky premise involving feline mob bosses and reluctant friendships, Pixar seems ready to deliver something refreshingly different.
The Verge
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Pixar is heading back to Italy for its next big film
Though Disney and Pixar are about to start getting everyone hyped for Toy Story 5, the studios are already working hard on another feature. While Disney and Pixar opened their Annecy presentation with more details about their next movie, Elio, and gave updates about Toy Story 5, the studio surprised festival goers by announcing that Luca director Enrico Casarosa and producer Andrea Warren are working on a new film due out in 2027. Titled Gatto, the movie will tell the story of a music-loving black cat living in Venice who bonds with a young human girl as he tries to disentangle himself from the city's feline crime scene. According to Deadline, Gatto will feature a 'a distinct, unique hand-painted' aesthetic that looks like nothing Pixar has ever produced before. Disney and Pixar also revealed that they are developing Hoppers, a new project from We Bare Bears creator Daniel Chong about a girl named Mabel (Piper Curda) who sets out to save a local pond using technology that transfers her mind into the body of a robotic beaver. Hoppers does not yet have a firm release window, but the studios did share more about Toy Story 5, which slated to hit theaters next year on June 19th. Toy Story 5 will bring back a number of the franchise's classic playthings as their new owner, Bonnie, becomes enamored with a fancy new tablet that looks very much like it was inspired by Leapfrog / VTech devices.' Developing movies years in advance has always been the Disney / Pixar way, and it's good to finally see some of what we can expect from the studios in the next few years. Disney / Pixar's output hasn't always popped off the way the studios hoped for as of late, but these upcoming projects could turn that around when they ultimate make their debuts.
