After a year lateElio is finally preparing to take over cinemas around the world. A few months before its release, the film developed by Adrian Molina is shown through a new trailer. As this significant delay could suggest, many changes have been made behind the scenes. Earlier this year, the director of Coco was relinquished from the project in favor of Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi (Red Alert). Officially, Molina is focusing on other footage, the details of which remain secret. This departure had many consequences, including an obvious upheaval in tone and approach. While the first trailer navigated between comedy and more distressing momentsit is a colorful and joyful journey that is now depicted. Exit the little boy’s confrontation with a hostile intergalactic council, he is now welcomed with open arms by the aliens who cross his path.
The main lines of the story remain the same. The story follows Elioa little boy passionate about astronomy and the overflowing imagination, which will find itself mistakenly teleported within the Communiverse. The members of this interplanetary organization take him for the ruler of the Earth. It is up to him to represent all of humanity. As one can imagine, this misunderstanding will only be the starting point of a journey rich in twists and surprises. From marginal to supreme ambassador, the little boy will have to deal with responsibilities that should not be entrusted to someone of his age. Adrian Molina remains credited as co-director and co-writerbut passed on.
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A more universal character?
Asked about this change, Pete Docter simply mentioned the difficulties encountered by the teams in developing a convincing character. He confided to The Wrap during the D23 in August. “I think Madeline and Domee made some major discoveries about him that really helped the audience connect and move forward with the character in the second act, which is, of course, where everything happens”. This is the first time that Pixar has relied on two female directors on an equal footing to bring a project to fruition.
Later, in the same interview, the artistic director of Pixar Animation spoke about the importance for directors to write less personal stories. “I found that sometimes when you’re telling a personal story, you’re like, ‘Oh no, that’s not how it happens. Because that’s my story”. But we don’t tell our story, we tell a story that must work for the fictional character we are creating. So there is a reluctance to let go or let the film shape itself as it should”. If he did not relate this teaching to Elio’s situationit seems to resonate with the departure of Adrian Molina. Note that Elio’s delay also coincides with the actors’ and screenwriters’ strike which paralyzed Hollywood in 2023.
Elio will take over the screens next June 18. The production delay led to some changes to the cast. In the original version, America Ferrera (Barbie) gives way to Zoe Saldana. She now plays the aunt of little Elio, who is still played by Yonas Kilbreab. Jameela Jamill and Brad Garrett will also be on the trip.
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