Pixar's "Elemental" First Look Unveiled

Pixar unveiled Thursday the first look for its upcoming 27th feature “Elemental”, set to release next year.

Directed by Peter Sohn, “Elemental” is set in a world where the four classic elements — fire, earth, water and air — are alive and coexist. 

It is centered around two main characters, go-with-the-flow Wade and fiery Ember, who are both young adults living in the city who meets and bump heads. In spite of their differences, the two develop a connection as they realize they have deeper similarities than what’s on the outside.

The story was inspired by Sohn studying science as a young child. 

“You get the view of the periodic table of elements, and I always saw those as apartments. I made jokes about popping carbon next to nickel, but they don’t trust one another,” he shared.

In a statement when the movie was first announced in May, Sohn explained that the premise of the project was further inspired by his experiences growing up in New York City as the son of Korean immigrants.

 “My parents emigrated from Korea in the early 1970s and built a bustling grocery store in the Bronx. We were among many families who ventured to a new land with hopes and dreams — all of us mixing into one big salad bowl of cultures, languages, and beautiful little neighborhoods. That’s what led me to ‘Elemental,” Sohn said. 

This was how the idea of What if water and fire fell in love got formed. 

The movie also examines Ember's journey of understanding identity and this love story.

“We’re trying to honor fire, Ember, and her parents. But fire was the hardest thing because it’s all visual effects," Sohn noted.

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Sohn’s biggest challenge was finding a balance. At first, the team went for something realistic. 

“She was terrifying. She had a real fire in her eyes,” Sohn disclosed.

 However, too much in the other direction made her too cartoon-like. “Once we found that dictated things. The world had to have a similar caricature and brightness to it that could allow these characters to live in.”

Denise Ream, who worked with Sohn on “The Good Dinosaur,” produces the film.

“Elemental” is set to release in theaters on June 16, 2023.