At today's Annecy Animation Festival, Pixar announced the first details for Gatto, an upcoming animated film from Luca director Enrico Casarosa.
Per Pixar, "Coming to theaters in 2027 is Disney and Pixar’s "Gatto.” 🐈⬛ From “Luca” director Enrico Casarosa, the film returns to Italy, following a black cat named Nero. Indebted to a feline mob boss, Nero finds himself forced to forge an unexpected friendship that may finally lead him to his purpose..."
At the Annecy International Animation Festival, DisneyPixar’s Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter introduced audiences to Gatto, the studio’s upcoming film set against the enchanting backdrop of Venice. The story centers on Nero, a black cat ostracized by the superstitious locals who view him as a bad omen.
Despite his grumpy exterior, Nero has a curious side, especially when it comes to music, which his tail seems particularly fond of. He also harbors a deep dislike for water, making life in a canal-filled city all the more complicated. His world takes an unexpected turn when he’s reluctantly adopted by Maya, a spirited street artist with a rebellious streak.
As their unlikely bond deepens, Nero begins to uncover a sense of meaning and belonging he never knew he needed. But just as he starts to embrace this new life, he finds himself tempted by one final, dangerous lure from the shadowy corners of Venice’s underworld, forcing him to choose between the past that haunts him and the future he’s only beginning to imagine.
What captivated audiences the most was a fresh look at visuals from the film, which revealed that Gatto will have a 2D hand-painted animation style.
While Pixar is best known for revolutionizing 3D computer animation, beginning with Toy Story in 1995, the studio has occasionally explored 2D animation, though never in a full-length feature. To date, Pixar has not produced a traditionally hand-drawn, 2D animated feature film.
Their venture into the 2D realm has been limited to shorts, with their first official dip coming in 2007 through Your Friend the Rat, a stylized short included on the Ratatouille DVD.
Gatto is without an exact release date but is confirmed for release in 2027.