This month, Disney and Pixar continue their long legacy of storytelling with a heart in the original animated feature Onward.
Set in a suburban fantasy world, the film introduces two teenage elf brothers who embark on an extraordinary quest. They venture to discover if there is still a little magic left out there, in the hopes of spending one final day with their dearly departed father who passed away before they had vivid memories of him.
The all-new fantasy feature film is directed by American animator Dan Scanlon, joined by Pixar film producer Kori Rae, both of whom previously worked together in creating 2013’s Monsters University.
“The story is inspired by my own relationship with my brother and our connection with our dad who passed away when I was about a year old,” shares director Dan Scanlon.
“He has always been a mystery to us. A family member sent us a tape recording of him saying just two words: ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’. Two words—but to my brother and I, it was magic,” he added.
To the filmmakers behind Pixar, the urge to enkindle a world filled with magic was taken to heart. From here sprung the idea of creating a modern suburban fantasy film, introducing a completely a new genre for Pixar. As elves, cyclops, centaurs, and trolls reside in the world of whimsical suburbia, it’s a mystery how the magic has been disappearing for years.
“Only certain people could do it,” says producer Kori Rae.
“It was difficult, and you had to really practice. As technology was introduced, everyone found easier ways to do things. Magic is possible, it’s just that nobody really does it anymore,” she continued.
Disney and Pixar’s Onward brings together a stellar roster of voice actors to give life to its original characters with Tom Holland as Ian Lightfoot, Chris Pratt as Barley Lightfoot, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as their mother Laurel Lightfoot.
Also joining the cast are Octavia Spencer as the Manticore, Mel Rodriguez as Officer Colt Bronco, Lena Waithe as Officer Specter, Ali Wong as Officer Gore, Grey Griffin as Dewdrop, Tracey Ullman as Grecklin, and Wilmer Valderrama as Gaxton.
Disney and Pixar’s Onward also features a dynamic musical score from acclaimed composers Mychael Danna, an Oscar® winner for Life of Pi, and Jeff Danna—while five-time GRAMMY® Award winner Brandi Carlile performs an original heartrending song, “Carried Me With You”, for the end credits.
The all-new animated film is now showing in theaters nationwide.