At the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Pixar Animation Studios unveiled an exclusive preview of its most anticipated upcoming releases, notably "Hoppers" and "Toy Story 5," while also announcing an innovative new original production titled "Gatto" during a studio presentation on Friday. This extensive showcase also featured an in-depth glimpse into "Elio," set for release in 2025.
Pete Docter, the chief creative officer of Pixar, captivated the audience as he took the stage to present behind-the-scenes footage from "Toy Story 5." He revealed early clips and confirmed the return of legendary voices Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cussack. Helmed by directors Andrew Stanton and McKenna Harris, with Jessica Choi serving as producer, the fifth installment of the iconic franchise is penciled in for a June 19, 2026, release.
Docter captivated the crowd by sharing that the new film dives into the challenges faced by the toys in a world dominated by technology. "It's Toy meets Tech," he exclaimed, outlining a plot where the original toys confront the rising favorite of their eight-year-old owner Bonnie Anderson: a tech tablet named Lillypad. Woody, Buzz, and their trusty gang grapple with a new generation of children who are more enchanted by screens than by playthings. The world premiere of the film's opening scene, where a container filled with Buzz Lightyears awakens on a secluded desert island and strives to reconnect with "star command," left the audience spellbound.
"Toy Story 5" also stars Ernie Hudson as Combat Carl, succeeding the late Carl Weathers in the role. To celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary, the Annecy audience was treated to a nostalgic journey through archival footage from the making of the groundbreaking 1995 film "Toy Story," Pixar's maiden full-length feature.
Docter also revealed "Gatto," an entirely new animated feature directed by Enrico Casarosa, the filmmaker behind "Luca." This enchanting tale follows Nero, a black cat with an aversion to water, who resides in the breathtaking city of Venice, Italy. Here, Nero befriends Maya, a lonely street musician. Docter offered a sneak peek into the film's first animated tests and character drawings, revealing a painterly design unlike anything typically associated with Pixar. Scheduled for a summer 2027 release, "Gatto" promises a visual delight.
The studio further whetted the audience's appetite with a first-look clip from "Hoppers," an original Pixar comedy centered around Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda), a nature enthusiast determined to thwart Mayor Jerry (Jon Hamm) from constructing a highway that threatens her cherished woodlands. Thanks to a clandestine brain-swapping experiment, Mabel finds herself inhabiting a robot beaver and journeys to a pond where refugees from the encroaching industrialization have sought shelter. There, she enlists the animals, led by the regal Beaver King George (Bobby Moynihan), to join her in halting the highway's construction.
The Annecy session also featured a preview of "Elio," directed by Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi, and produced by Mary Alice Drumm. This science fiction adventure, premiering in theaters on June 20, follows 11-year-old Elio Solis (voiced by Yonas Kibreab), mistakenly deemed Earth's ambassador after being abducted by aliens. The star-studded voice cast includes Zoe Saldaña, Remy Edgerly, Brad Garrett, Jameela Jamil, and Shirley Henderson. Having premiered earlier this week in Los Angeles, the Annecy audience was treated to an exclusive 25-minute footage showcase.
