Pixar's Next Feature Length Movie Is Coming Out Soon – Here's Everything You Need To Know

Now I want to go to the Italian Riviera pronto.

Did you know that Disney and Pixar are dropping a brand new feature film right under our noses this summer... Like that's a super casual thing to do, or something?!

Disney/Pixar

This latest feature from Disney’s Pixar Animation Studios – its 24th movie – was conceived and directed by Enrico Casarosa, who also directed the 2012 short La Luna, and has previously worked on iconic movies like Cars, Up, Coco, and Ratatouille. This film will be Enrico's feature directorial debut!

Luca will premiere exclusively on Disney+ for all subscribers on 18 June 2021, just like fellow Pixar movie Soul did.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Via tumblr.com

Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, with a story inspired by local legends and folklore, this magical coming-of-age film is kind of like a meeting in the middle of Coco and The Little Mermaid. The plot follows Luca, a shy teenage sea monster who is desperately curious about the world above his humdrum underwater home.

After teaming up with the free-spirited Alberto, the newly-formed pair decide to go on an adventure on land, where they discover they can transform themselves into human boys. Luca and Alberto spend their days in the sun eating gelato and pasta, and enjoying endless scooter rides, but all the while they must work together to conceal their secret identities, as they can only remain human if they don't get wet!

The voice cast features the likes of Jacob Tremblay (Room, Wonder) as Luca, Jack Dylan Grazer (Shazam!, IT) as Alberto, Maya Rudolph as Luca's mum, and newcomer Emma Berman as Giulia, a village girl who befriends the boys.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Turner, Presley Ann/The Hollywood Reporter, Rachel Luna / Via Getty Images

Producer Andrea Warren shared that the recording of the film called for an unprecedented approach. "It was an amazing, sometimes bizarre experience", she says. "We recorded everyone from their homes, and mostly from the closets in their homes. They were all so delightfully scrappy and willing to make it work during tricky circumstances."

"This movie is about the friendships that change us", says director Enrico. "It’s a love letter to the summers of our youth – those formative years when you’re finding yourself."

Disney/Pixar

Enrico chose to set his original fantasy tale in Italy, specifically the coastal region of Genoa, where he grew up. "I spent my summers in smaller towns along the coast. The Cinque Terre is really close to where I grew up. These five little towns are lovely – they’ve retained that old, seasoned look, so wonderful and picturesque."

In terms of time period, the movie is roughly set in the late 1950s, early 1960s – "the Italian Golden Age" according to Enrico – although the end goal was to create a timeless look. Members of Luca production team even trekked to the Italian coastline as part of two research trips to explore the local "textures, the light, water, the age, the flavors" of the region.

Pixar have only just released the trailer, but I'm already super obsessed with this movie! Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments. Ciao for now!

youtube.com