What if elements had feelings? You don’t need to wonder anymore because Pixar, renowned for its films exploring the lives of inanimate objects, is now giving life to the elements. The studio, which has previously brought to life toys, cars, and even feelings themselves, will now bring to life the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of air, earth, wind, and fire in their new movie Elemental.
The film will be Pixar Animation Studio’s 27th feature film. With Pixar having a stellar 2022 with Turning Red being a hit among viewers and Lightyear, a Toy Story spinoff focusing on Buzz Lightyear set to release in June 2022, Elemental will be a Pixar original that fans can look forward to in 2023.
The film, one of Pixar’s originals, is set to be directed by Peter Sohn and produced by Denise Ream. Sohn and Ream have previously worked together on The Good Dinosaur and have an impressive track record of directing and producing films for Pixar.
Elemental: The Plot
A press release by Pixar Animation Studios gives audiences a brief insight into the narrative of Elemental. The description reads:
“The film journeys alongside an unlikely pair, Ember and Wade, in a city where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together. The fiery young woman and the go-with-the-flow guy are about to discover something elemental: how much they actually have in common.”
Based on the movie's official description, audiences can ascertain that Elemental, true to its name, will follow the journey of the come-to-life four elements, fire, water, earth, and air. All the elements come together to live in one big city. The film will primarily focus on the couple, Ember, pegged to be a “fiery young woman,” and Wade, a relaxed, “go-with-the-flow” type of guy, as they journey through and explore the city consisting of the elements. The couple, in their journey, come to realize that they have many similarities despite their elemental differences. There is no denying that the characteristics of Wade and Ember make them an odd duo, which will, in turn, give audiences an interesting perspective into the lives of the elements.
A concept image of Wade and Ember and the city they explore was released on May 16, 2022, on the official Twitter account of Pixar. The colors and the backdrop of the concept art showcase a bustling city in which the elements appear to go about their day-to-day activities while living in seeming harmony. True to his character, Wade appears happy-go-lucky, with a cheerful smile on his face, while Ember, representing fire, carries an almost disgruntled look.
Elemental: The Cast & Crew
While Pixar has always been excellent in creating narratives that bring the inanimate to life, the inspiration for Elemental is somewhat special. Director Peter Sohn is noted to have had a significant say in the film's plot, given that the idea for its creation stemmed from him. Having joined Pixar Animation Studios in 2000, Sohn has worked on praise-worthy movies such as Finding Nemo and The Incredibles. He also worked on and made his directorial debut in the Pixar short Partly Cloudy.
Elemental and its connection to Sohn come from the fact that the film is noted to be built around the director’s childhood in New York. Talking of his inspiration for the movie, Sohn said:
“My parents emigrated from Korea in the early 1970s and built a bustling grocery store in the Bronx. We were among many families who ventured to a new land with hopes and dreams—all of us mixing into one big salad bowl of cultures, languages and beautiful little neighborhoods. That’s what led me to ‘Elemental.’”
Given Pixar’s affinity for exploring substantial, thought-provoking topics through light-hearted storylines, Elemental will most likely explore the misguided notions carried by many that some communities and individuals cannot co-exist in harmony. Given Sohn’s life story and the influence that the director has over Elemental, racial and nationality issues may be afforded a large focus. Supporting this narrative for the story are the opinions expressed by Sohn. “Our story is based on the classic elements—fire, water, land, and air," said the director. "Some elements mix with each other, and some don't. What if these elements were alive?"
Release Date: All We Know
Elemental is set for release on June 16, 2023, and carries a high probability of becoming a perfect summer family favorite.