The Walt Disney Studios has revealed a first look at the upcoming, all-new original feature film Turning Red from Pixar Animation Studios. The film will hit theaters on March 11, 2022.
The movie is directed by Pixar’s Domee Shi, who won an Oscar for her 2018 short film, Bao.
Young actress Rosalie Chiang lends her voice to Mei Lee, a 13-year-old who suddenly “poofs” into a giant red panda when she gets too excited (which is practically ALWAYS).
Sandra Oh (The Chair, Killing Eve) voices Mei Lee;s protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming, who is never far from her daughter – an unfortunate reality for the teenager.
Turning Red, produced by Lindsey Collins, was one of several projects presented by Pixar Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter at last December’s Disney Investor Day.
“Today, I’m excited to introduce you to a bunch of fresh, new filmmakers,” said Docter at the event. “Getting their voices on the screen is our key focus right now – while at the same time allowing our veteran filmmakers to continue to do their great work. And I think that’s what we do best at Pixar: Honoring tradition, while at the same time innovating for the future.”
Also announced was Lightyear, slated to open in theaters on June 17, 2022. Lightyear is a sci-fi action-adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans) – the hero who inspired the toy.
The film reveals how a young test pilot became the Space Ranger that we all know him to be today. Lightyear is directed by Angus MacLane and produced by Galyn Susman.
Pixar revealed new Disney+ projects as well. Dug Days, which premieres exclusively on Disney+ this fall, is a new collection of shorts that follows the humorous misadventures of Dug, the lovable dog from Disney and Pixar’s Up. Each short features everyday events that occur in and around Dug’s backyard, all through the exciting (and delightfully distorted) eyes of our favorite talking dog.
The shorts are written and directed by Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Bob Peterson and produced by Kim Collins.
Cars, coming to Disney+ this fall, is an all-new series that follows Lightning McQueen and his best friend Mater on a cross-country road trip. These episodes are filled with lots of fun new characters, imaginative destinations as well as old friends checking in along the way.
The series is written by Steve Purcell and produced by Marc Sondheimer.
Win or Lose, Pixar’s first-ever original long-form animated series, debuts on Disney+ in 2023. It follows a coed middle school softball team in the week leading up to their championship game. Each 20-minute episode highlights the perspective of a different character and explores the drama of bad calls made on and off the field.
Written and directed by story artists Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, and produced by David Lally, Win or Lose is a comedy about love, rivalry and the challenges we all face in our struggle to win at life.
