After a strong year in 2021 with the release of Soul and Luca, Pixar followed it up in 2022 with a bit of a dip, releasing Turning Red and Lightyear, both of which received very divided reviews – particularly in the case of the latter. But worry not, because our beloved studio is showing no signs of slowing down, announcing several exciting projects they’ve got planned for the next couple of years!
1) Elemental
Kicking things off with the next Pixar film set to hit the screen, Elemental is due to reach theatres in June 2023. As Pixar’s customary midsummer movie, we can probably expect something bright, bold and brimming with colour, and the gorgeous concept art we’ve seen so far certainly supports this! Directed by Peter Sohn, it takes place in a city populated by personified elements in which fire, water, land and air live as residents. However, their belief in elemental separation is challenged when a fiery young woman forms an unlikely bond with a chilled-out water resident. And they discover they have far more in common with their natural opposite than they could have imagined. From the current synopsis, it sounds like Elemental will be a warm and cosy love story. Whether it will be platonic or romantic is currently unclear. However, it sounds like it will have all the sweetness and charm we’d hope to see in a Pixar film. Having recently come out of an age of sequels, it’s original material like this that gets me really buzzing for their upcoming era!
2) Elio
Sadly, for many fans, the popcorn sci-fi we were promised with 2022’s Lightyear didn’t quite hit the spot. But it’s not over yet because Pixar is giving the genre another crack with Elio! Directed by Adrian Molina, Elio is set to release in March 2024. From what we know so far, it appears to be a coming-of-age story with an exciting sci-fi twist! It follows a young boy who yearns for friendship in his ongoing struggle to fit in. However, when he meets a group of extraterrestrials, he finds a new purpose in life by becoming an ambassador for Earth! Kicking things off with a fun concept and some seriously pretty concept art, there’s so much potential for some really great story-telling here! With a fun, alien-inspired background, paired with a possible exploration of adolescent struggles such as loneliness and identity, Elio has the potential to strike a perfect chord between humorous and heartfelt!
3) Inside Out 2
The biggest bombshell Pixar has dropped this year is the announcement of Inside Out 2. Their first sequel since 2019’s Toy Story 4, this one raised the most eyebrows by far. Inside Out is one of the most beloved additions to Pixar’s more recent catalogue, and pulling sequels from such well-loved material will always be risky. Plot details regarding the film have yet to be announced, but after the first one wrapped up so well, we can’t help but wonder what direction this story will take. With the first film directed by Pixar veteran, Pete Docter, the warm and cosy style we’ve come to associate with Docter shone through beautifully. But with Docter now handing the torch to Director and Story Supervisor, Kelsey Mann, we can’t help but wonder how this will affect the material. Will it be a completely different vibe? It will definitely be interesting to see where it goes.
In any case, the line-up is looking pretty promising so far, with Pixar offering an exciting sequel, two originals and plenty of variety along with it! So which upcoming Pixar project are YOU looking forward to most? Let us know in the comment section below, or share your thoughts on the Wild River Comics Discussion Club!
