Pixar’s upcoming animated film Elio has gone through major changes since it was first announced.
Originally planned for release on March 1, 2024, the movie was delayed and is now set to hit theaters on June 20, 2025.
The story and tone have also been completely reworked. What began as a dark sci-fi story has become a light, family-friendly adventure set in space.
Key Takeaways
- Pixar’s Elio has undergone major changes since its first trailer in 2023, including a shift in tone, story, and characters.
- The film’s main villain and key scenes have been completely reworked, with Brad Garrett’s character, Grigon, transformed from comic relief to a powerful threat.
- After delays due to director changes and industry strikes, Elio is set for release on June 20, 2025, and aims to be a heartfelt, funny space adventure for the whole family.
Elio’s Story, Characters, and Creative Team
Elio Solis, an 11-year-old boy with a strong interest in space, is at the center of the film. He is voiced by Yonas Kibreab.
In the movie, Elio is mistaken for the leader of Earth and taken into space by aliens. He is brought to a place called the Communiverse, which is a group made up of alien representatives from many galaxies.
Elio’s adventure begins when he tries to make contact with aliens and says, “If any aliens are listening, please come and get me.” He is soon taken into space, where he must learn how to represent Earth and figure out who he really is.
The voice cast includes several well-known names. Zoe Saldaña voices Aunt Olga; Brad Garrett voices Lord Grigon; Jameela Jamil voices Ambassador Questa; and Remy Edgerly voices Gordon, who becomes Elio’s first friend in space. Shirley Henderson voices a character named OOOOO. Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, and Adrian Molina directed the film, which was produced by Mary Alice Drumm.
Changes to Story, Characters, and Tone
When Pixar first released a trailer in 2023, the film had a sci-fi horror feel. In that version, Elio is scared when he is abducted by aliens. He screamed, “No, thank you!” while being taken into space. The music was dark, and the scenes were serious.
In the new trailer released in 2025, Elio is no longer afraid. Instead, he wants to be taken by aliens. He calls out to them, and when they arrive, he is excited.
The scene is also different. It now has light music, and Elio is seen sending messages into space. These changes show that the film has shifted from a darker story to a more cheerful and fun one.
Another major change is the role of Grigon. In the original trailer, Grigon was a comic character who joked about destroying Earth and eating his parents. He seemed friendly and helped Elio understand the universe.
Now, Grigon has become Lord Grigon, the main villain of the story. He builds “the greatest war machine in the universe” and tries to conquer planets.
To replace Grigon’s comic role, Pixar introduced Gordon, Grigon’s slug-like son, who becomes friends with Elio and brings humor to the film. This shows how characters were adjusted to fit the new direction of the movie.
Elio’s character design has also changed slightly, suggesting that Pixar gave it a full creative overhaul. These changes happened after Sharafian, Shi, and Molina took over as directors. All three have worked on other Pixar films like Coco, Turning Red, and Burrow, so it is clear they brought their own vision to Elio.
Delays and Production Problems
The delays and changes happened because of behind-the-scenes issues. The film’s original plan was not working, so Pixar replaced the director and reworked the story. This led to delays for Disney in 2024, and both Elio and the live-action Snow White movie starring Rachel Zegler were pushed back to 2025.
Another reason for the delay was the SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023. The strikes stopped writers and actors from working for months. Because animated films take longer to make, Elio was affected more than live-action films.
Pixar also moved the release date to avoid competition with How To Train Your Dragon, which comes out on June 13, 2025. To give Elio more space at the box office, Pixar picked June 20, 2025, for its release. This makes Elio the only Pixar film with a set release date for 2025.
New Trailer and Images Show Updated Plot
The new trailer, poster, and images show more about the updated film. One image shows Elio running beside a large, smiling alien under a bright cosmic sky.
Another shows him lying on sandy ground wearing colorful armor and a colander as a helmet, showing his active imagination. In another scene, Elio is riding with Gordon, and both look happy, showing the bond between Elio and the aliens.
The updated movie focuses on themes of self-discovery and friendship. Elio, a space fanatic, must deal with a large crisis in space and figure out who he truly is. The new version of Elio is no longer dark and mysterious but funny and light, aimed at families and younger viewers.
During D23 in 2023, fans got to see new footage of the film. The response was positive, and many people said they were excited to see an original Pixar film. After Pixar said they would focus more on existing stories and sequels, Elio stands out as something new and different.
Even so, Pixar’s recent film Inside Out 2 was a big success. It came out in June 2024 and was the highest-grossing film of the year worldwide. It also earned a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars. Pixar hopes Elio can continue this success.
