Pixar's Elio Special Footage Presentation Plus Mary Alice Drumm Q&A
- Dan Bremner
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
By Dan Bremner - April 5, 2025
Following the monumental success of 2024’s Inside Out 2 - briefly the highest-grossing animated film ever until China’s Ne Zha 2 swooped in to steal its crown - Pixar returns with Elio, a sci-fi adventure poised to deliver another original, heart-grabbing tale from the acclaimed studio.
Scheduled for a theatrical release on June 20, 2025, Elio signals Pixar’s intent to reclaim its box-office throne with a story that blends cosmic wonder with emotional depth.
See official trailer for Disney Pixar's Elio
I was lucky enough to attend a special footage presentation of Elio, which included 20-minutes of footage, over the space of four clips. I could tell Elio has the potential to be another winner from the acclaimed studio, and an adventure that should be seen on the biggest screen possible. With the footage I got a strong idea of the tone, vibrant animation and character work that plays into the studio’s strengths.
Across the four clips, Elio showcases the potential to be a standout in Pixar’s storied catalog with an intergalactic romp that demands the grandeur of the big screen. The preview reveals a confident tone, vibrant animation, and character work that play to the studio’s enduring strengths, offering a glimpse of a narrative as visually striking as it is affecting.
The opening sequence introduces 11-year-old Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab), a lonely boy reeling from his parents’ death, now under the care of his aunt Olga (Zoe Saldaña). This poignant setup channels Pixar’s knack for weaving heart into high concepts, swiftly escalating into a galactic odyssey with echoes of ‘80s sci-fi classics like The Last Starfighter. A montage of Elio’s failed alien-abduction attempts (scored to Talking Heads) culminates in his whisked arrival at the “Communiverse” , a dazzling hub of aliens who mistake him for Earth’s leader, rendered with breath-taking creativity.
A quieter, character-driven moment between Elio and Olga delves into their shared grief, a tender exchange that promises to resonate deeply with audiences. Another clip pairs Elio with Glordon (Remy Edgerly), an endearing alien sidekick, as they prank Glordon’s warlord father, Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett), in a ransom ruse that hints at the film’s lighter, comedic beats. These scenes balance emotional heft with playful energy, a hallmark of Pixar’s finest.
The animation marks a bold leap forward, trading Lightyear’s muted palette for a vivid, inventive explosion of colour and detail that pops off the screen. Rob Simonsen’s synth-driven score amplifies the ‘80s sci-fi vibe, layering nostalgia atop the film’s ambitious visuals. It’s a technical showcase that feels tailor-made for a cinematic experience, elevating Elio beyond mere spectacle into a cinematic treat.
A Q&A with producer Mary Alice Drumm, a Pixar veteran since 2012’s Brave, shed light on the film’s soul. She traced its themes of loneliness and isolation to her stepchildren’s lockdown experiences during the COVID era, grounding the cosmic tale in personal resonance. Drumm emphasized Elio as a theatrical event, not a Disney+ footnote, a stance the footage emphatically supports with its scale and heart.
Elio is out exclusive in cinemas from June 20
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