As a movie buff with over three decades of film-watching under my belt, I can say with confidence that Pixar never shies away from making necessary changes to ensure their films are nothing short of extraordinary. The latest behind-the-scenes shakeup for their upcoming film, “Elio,” is no exception.
Following the record-shattering success of Inside Out 2, Pixar has disclosed some backstage adjustments for their upcoming production, titled Elio. The storyline of Elio revolves around an eleven-year-old boy who is misunderstood by aliens as Earth’s envoy. A sneak peek of the film was first shown in June 2023 before the initial release of Elemental, which was initially scheduled to be Pixar’s next production. However, the release date for Elio was moved from October 2023 to March 2025. Recently, some insights into behind-the-scenes alterations in the movie have been disclosed.
In an interview with The Wrap, Pixar’s chief creative officer Pete Doctor disclosed some behind-the-scenes adjustments regarding Elio. Originally slated to direct the movie, Adrian Molina (co-director of “Coco”) has been reassigned to a different project that Pixar is not yet ready to discuss, but it promises to be thrilling. In his place, “Turning Red” and “Burrow” directors Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian will take the helm. Zoe Saldaña has been cast as Elio’s aunt Olga, a role originally intended for America Ferrera, who had to withdraw due to scheduling issues.
Speaking from a place of admiration, I’d like to share my thoughts on Shi and Sharafian’s exceptional work directing the film “Elio,” expanding upon the foundations set by Adrian Molina. Their unique vision and creative contributions have undeniably enriched this cinematic masterpiece.
“These two individuals are truly excelling…their mutual respect and effective working dynamic has been a tremendous asset…I’m at a loss for words, as discussing it might reveal spoilers, but I believe they’ve made significant breakthroughs regarding Elio’s character that have deepened audience engagement and propelled the storyline into its crucial second act. Adrian has shown exceptional skill in identifying the emotional heart of the story.”
Pixar Are No Stranger to Making Necessary Changes
In October, it wasn’t just the movie “Elio” that faced a shift in its release schedule; the highly anticipated “Snow White” featuring Rachel Zegler was also pushed back an entire year to 2025. The primary reason for these delays appears to have been the SAG-AFTRA strike, which wasn’t resolved until shortly after the announcement of the film’s postponement. However, it seems that “Elio”‘s delay was primarily due to extensive changes needed in the film rather than just the impact of the strike. Alterations of this scale to a movie’s narrative, including director swaps, are not unprecedented for Pixar. Interestingly, “Elio” will be unique among their productions because it will be the first time both directors have their names credited individually instead of jointly as co-directors.
As a movie connoisseur, I’ve witnessed firsthand the extraordinary adaptability of Pixar Studios, a company renowned for their ability to transform narratives. A prime example is the dramatic overhaul of the plotline for “Toy Story 2,” which occurred a mere nine months before its Thanksgiving 1999 premiere. The whirlwind of last-minute adjustments didn’t hinder its success; instead, it solidified its place among the greatest animated films ever made.
At times, a shift in leadership can lead to less-than-ideal results, as I’ve learned from the experiences of fellow creators. In 2010, for instance, Brenda Chapman was replaced by Mark Andrews as director of the film Brave, following creative differences with John Lasseter, then head of Pixar. Despite its commercial success and Academy Award for Best Animated Film, many felt it fell short of expectations, especially after promising trailers. Similarly, Bob Peterson, who developed The Good Dinosaur, was removed from the project due to story complications, causing a delay in its release from May 30, 2014, to November 25, 2015. Peter Sohn moved from co-director to full director under these circumstances, and the movie received mixed reviews, marking Pixar’s first significant box office flop. I can only hope that the delays in Elio‘s production will result in it being counted among the successful films rather than the disappointments.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-08-14 01:33