The Walt Disney Studios has released a new Soul preview that debuted during a virtual panel titled “Finding ‘Soul'” from the Essence Festival of Culture. The panel, which you can watch below, included director Pete Docter, co-director and screenwriter Kemp Powers, and producer Dana Murray, as well as American anthropologist/educator Dr. Johnnetta Cole and globally-renowned jazz pianist Jon Batiste.
The Soul preview features the song “Parting Ways,” written, produced and performed by Cody ChesnuTT. Both Dr. Cole and Jon Batiste, who lent his expertise to the jazz arrangements and compositions in Soul, serve as cultural consultants on the film.
Coming to theaters on November 20, 2020, the highly-anticipated Pixar movie features the voices of Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Phylicia Rashad, Ahmir-Khalib Thompson a.k.a. Questlove, Angela Bassett, and Daveed Diggs.
What is it that makes you…YOU? This November, Pixar Animation Studios’ all-new feature film Soul introduces Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx) – a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before – a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests before they go to Earth.
Determined to return to his life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22 (Tina Fey), who has never understood the appeal of the human experience. As Joe desperately tries to show 22 what’s great about living, he may just discover the answers to some of life’s most important questions.
The film is directed by Academy Award winner Pete Docter (Inside Out, Up), co-directed by Kemp Powers (One Night in Miami), and produced by Academy Award nominee Dana Murray, p.g.a. (Pixar short Lou).
Jon Batiste will be writing original jazz music for the film, and Oscar winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (The Social Network), from Nine Inch Nails, will compose an original score that will drift between the real and soul worlds.
Let us know what you think about the Soul preview and “Finding ‘Soul'” panel in the comments below!
In case you missed them, you can still view the official trailer and teaser trailer below.
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- In Disney and Pixar’s “Soul,” Joe Gardner (voice of Jamie Foxx) is a middle-school band teacher whose true passion is playing jazz. When he gets lost in his music, he goes into “the zone,” an immersive state that causes the rest of the world to literally melt away. Globally renowned musician Jon Batiste will be writing original jazz music for the film, and Oscar®-winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (“The Social Network”), from Nine Inch Nails, will compose an original score that will drift between the real and soul worlds. “Soul” opens in U.S. theaters on June 19, 2020. © 2020 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
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- ALL THAT JAZZ – In Pixar Animation Studios’ upcoming feature film “Soul,” Joe Gardner is a middle-school band teacher whose life hasn’t quite gone the way he expected. His true passion is playing jazz, and he’s good. But when he finds himself in another realm helping someone else find their passion, he discovers what it truly means to have soul. Jamie Foxx lends his voice to Joe. Directed by Academy Award® winner Pete Docter (“Inside Out,” “Up”), co-directed by Kemp Powers and produced by Academy Award® nominee Dana Murray (Pixar short “Lou”), “Soul” opens in theaters on June 19, 2020. © 2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
