Pixar’s critical comeback will have to wait. The toon company’s latest release, “Elio,” is more or less getting dumped, with little marketing, and a projected $30M opening (maybe less). Suffice it to say, the review embargo has lifted, and “Elio” has a 61 on Metacritic and 79% on Rotten Tomatoes. Honestly, that’s better than I expected, especially for a film that got completely overhauled last year.
If these forecasts prove accurate, “Elio” would register the second-weakest domestic opening in Pixar’s history, only outperforming “Elemental”, which opened to $29.5 million. However, “Elemental” managed to defy early skepticism, eventually reaching nearly $500M globally. Whether “Elio” can achieve a similar turnaround remains uncertain—especially given its muted buzz and a history of behind-the-scenes challenges.
The plot follows a young boy named Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab), who accidentally ends up in outer space and is mistaken for Earth's representative. The voice cast also includes Jameela Jamil, Brad Garrett, and Zoe Saldaña.
The film has reportedly been a significant source of stress for Pixar's Chief Creative Officer, Pete Docter. Concerns about “Elio” reportedly surfaced as early as 2023, with sources suggesting the project required major revisions. Originally set for a March 2024 release, the movie was pushed back to June 2025—a delay that appears to reflect its troubled development.
Initially directed by Adrian Molina, “Elio” saw a leadership shakeup in 2024 when Molina stepped down, officially due to "scheduling conflicts"—an explanation many industry observers have viewed skeptically. Despite stepping aside, Molina remains credited as co-director. Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian, both of “Turning Red” fame, have since taken over the project.
The development of “Elio” has stretched on for years, with budget estimates climbing close to $300M. Much of the original creative team was replaced mid-project—a shift that becomes obvious when comparing the 2023 and 2025 trailers, which feature notably different tones and character dynamics. While character designs have mostly stayed consistent, the latest trailer shows that certain characters, both heroes and villains, have undergone significant role reversals.
In addition to the change in directors, the storyline and character arcs were extensively reworked. The most recent trailer also revealed that Zoe Saldaña now voices Elio’s aunt, Olga Solis, taking over a role originally held by America Ferrera, who left due to—ironically — “scheduling conflicts.”
The first trailer took a more serious tone, emphasizing Elio’s strained relationship with his overworked mother. While there were humorous moments, the main character came across as more withdrawn and melancholic. This approach has since shifted under Domee Shi’s guidance, with the newer footage highlighting a lighter, more humorous narrative.
The short version: "Woman Unknown" was a compromise. The jury deadlocked over "Possible Love" and "NAZA," not able to com to terms, fell back on their #3, May el-Toukhy's film.