Yesterday, Disney release a new trailer for Pixar's Elemental and it's now been confirmed that an Up short will play before the movie in theaters this June.
Titled Carl's Date and set after Disney+'s Dug Days, it features Carl Fredricksen getting ready for his first date since Ellie passed away. It's a fitting story to tell in many ways, especially as Elemental looks set to be a love story about opposites - Ember (fire) and Wade (water) - attracting.
Bob Peterson, Up's co-writer and co-director, wrote and directed Carl's Date. He was also at the helm of Dug Days, so is well-versed in this corner of the Pixar-verse.
As we're sure many of you will know, Carl voice actor Ed Asner sadly passed away in August 2021. However, he recorded dialogue for the short earlier that same year, and Peterson has described this as the "bow" on top of the Up story.
Something tells us this is going to be another emotional effort from Pixar and Carl's Date marks a welcome return for Pixar's theatrical shorts (believe it or not, the last one was Turning Red director Domee Shi's Bao way back in 2018 in front of Incredibles 2). The studio has since focused on SparkShorts for Disney+, the original home for this one before it was pulled.
Now we know why, as it's getting the big screen treatment in front of Elemental on June 16.
Elemental is an all-new original feature film that transports moviegoers to an extraordinary place called Element City, where a host of elements live and work. in the movie, Ember, a quick-witted and fiery woman who’s always stayed close to home in Firetown, finally ventures out of her comfort zone to explore this spectacular world born from the imaginations of Pixar’s filmmakers and specifically crafted for the big-screen experience.
Element City is inspired by big cities around the globe and embraces theorized contributions from each elemental community - from giant pine-tree-like buildings and waterfall skyscrapers to a tornado-shaped arena called Cyclone Stadium.
Joining the previously announced voice cast including Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie as Ember and Wade, respectively, are Ronnie del Carmen as Ember’s soon-to-be-retired dad, Bernie; Shila Ommi as Ember’s love-seeking mom, Cinder; Wendi McLendon-Covey as Wade’s stormy and Air-Ball-loving boss, Gale; Catherine O’Hara as Wade’s welcoming mom, Brook; Mason Wertheimer as Ember’s admiring earth neighbour, Clod; and Joe Pera as an overgrown city bureaucrat, Fern.
Directed by Peter Sohn, produced by Denise Ream, p.g.a., and executive produced by Pete Docter, Elemental features a screenplay by John Hoberg & Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh with story by Sohn, Hoberg & Likkel and Hsueh. The film’s original score was composed and conducted by Thomas Newman.