Upcoming Pixar animation titled "Elio" set for release
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Meet 11-year-old Elio, who embarks on a cosmic journey with a colander-helmet and a DIY cape. His mission? To get whisked away by extraterrestrials as life on Earth leaves him feeling like an outsider, following the demise of his parents.
But Elio's space venture becomes a reality, and to his dismay, he's mistaken for the leader of Earth. The rollercoaster ride unravels in Pixar's latest flick "Elio," premiering on June 19. We had a chat with producer Mary Alice Drumm during her promotional tour in Munich.
our site: Any dirt on how the directorial change for "Elio" turned into a mid-production swap between Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi ("Turning Red") and Adrian Molina ("Coco")?
MAD: TheHollywood strikes took a toll on the "Elio" schedule, and Adrian wanted to get his hands dirty on "Coco 2." It was obvious that if 'Elio' prolonged, Adrian had to choose. We nailed the right team in Maddie and Domee to wrap-up the movie!
How did the change revamp 'Elio'?
A big part of Pixar's success stems from the directors' emotional bond with the project. Naturally, changes occur when new blood steps in. Maddie suggested Elio would actively seek space instead of hesitating, which was the initial plan. The mother's character was Olga, but Maddie and Domee are sans-mommys and preferred to reinterpret the role as Elio's aunt. This altered dynamic toughened up the story!
Inspiration for alien design came from deep-sea critters, color schemes were hammered out with cotton balls, and imaginary fashion shows took place at Pixar for Elio's wardrobe. Hang on, this sounds pretty high-tech for an animated film, right?
Correct-o-mundo! The movie is birthed on computers, but Pixar rolls up its sleeves and gets messy with physical exploration. For "Brave," mud was slapped on the protagonist's mug, and the lead artist went outside and flung mud at people's faces to glean references (check out Pixar's YouTube channel short "Dirty Hairy People"). "Elio" got a similar treatment, with a fashion show featuring a jury and wind tests in the cloak department to observe fabric movement. Super fun and surprisingly practical!
You've spent 16-plus years at Pixar –- what's the wildest thing you've witnessed there?
Fair question, partner. Let me put it this way: it's a tad wackier than your average Monday at the office! There's been more than one peculiar incident that I can't share with the family, as they'd wonder if it was all code for "quitting time" (laughs). Basically, weird shizz just happens at Pixar!
'Elio' tackles loneliness while highlighting the importance of forming new connections. It's a significant theme in a world where marginalized communities are increasingly targeted. How crucial is a story like this to today's society?
It's damn crucial! "Elio" paints a picture of introducing ourselves to beings that don't necessarily resemble us or communicate the way we do. But despite our differences, friendship and understanding blossom. It's a friendly reminder that our differences should be embraced instead of feared.
The film delves into universal themes that are incredibly relevant in the current climate. By cherishing our commonalities, we can emphasize that we share more than we differ. To quote dr. Jill Tarner (US Astronaut, note): "Peering out into the cosmos, you could feel insignificant and lost, but also understand we're part of the universe. When you gaze back at Earth, you realize we're all on the same wavelength and have much in common." I adore the premise of the "Communiverse" in the film: a global gathering of diverse species, languages, and cultures joining forces for the greater good. The bond between Elio and Olga might appear odd at first glance, but appearances can be deceiving!
'Elio' feels quite political – or does it?
Oh, gosh! The term "political" might awwwwkward some folks out there. But good storytelling shines when it surprises you, evokes emotions, and helps you identify with other people's viewpoints. Through tale-spinning, we can relate to and learn from each other. I think every Pixar flick accomplishes that: reminding us all what it takes to be humankind, together!
The movies-and-tv entertainment industry will showcase Pixar's latest flick, "Elio," premiering on June 19. This movie, inspired by deep-sea critters and cotton balls, follows the cosmic journey of an 11-year-old named Elio who embarks on a quest to find acceptance within alien communities.
