Summary
Eliohas enjoyed an exciting set of announcements at Disney’sD23. The upcoming animated sci-fi movie will be released on July 01, 2025, and will star Yonas Kibreab as the titular character. With the young boy taken from his home and transported to space, he poses as the leader of the Earth during a trial that features numerous alien species. Initial reports included Kibreab, Jameela Jamil, and Brad Garrett asElio’s main cast members, but another major star was announced at D23.
At the event, whereScreen Rantwas present, Pixar announced thatZoe Saldaña has joined the cast. Saldaña will play Elio’s aunt, Olga Solis. Saldaña recently starred inAvatar: The Way of Waterand in Marvel Studios' hitAvengers: Endgameand has earned renown for her performances. Check out the Tweet below, which features an image taken during the announcement:
Saldaña’s casting was not the only reveal, however. During the same panel, Pixar showcased a new image from the movie, which features one of Elio’s adventures as the presumptive Ambassador of the Earth. Check it out below:
In the promotional image, Elio is seen riding on a wave while clinging to an alien friend and smiling as they rocket through space. It presents a vibrant scene, as both hold glasses filled with a substance filled with balls and tentacles. While it is unclear where they are going, Elio and the alien are enjoying themselves all the while.
Zoe Saldaña Is Perfect For Elio
Saldaña’s Experience With Sci-Fi Makes For A Brilliant Addition
Zoe Saldaña is known for continually taking roles in sci-fi movies. She plays a leading characterin theAvatarfranchise, and recurring supporting roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and in the Kelvin TimelineStar Trekmovies.She also has some experience with voice acting, as she has lent her voice to 2014’sThe Book of Life, 2017’sMy Little Pony: The Movie, 2019’sMissing Link, and 2021’sVivo. With so much experience in the genre and with animation, joining the franchise is a natural decision for Saldaña and for theElioproducers.
What Zoe Saldaña Has Done Since Star Trek Beyond
In addition to playing Star Trek’s Lt. Nyota Uhura, Zoe Saldaña stars in two of the biggest film franchises of all time.
Saldaña is not solely a positive addition because of her science-fiction experience,butalso because the actor has earned extreme renownthrough her performances. She starred in four of the top five highest-grossing movies of all time, and can bring added legitimacy to the movie. While Pixar has already renewed its own success withthe $1.6 billionInside Out 2, adding additional star-power will only support its mission to achieving extreme box office success, and Saldaña has the portfolio to support that mission. Check out the chart below, which showcases Saldaña’s top box office performances:
$785 million
$2.1 billion
$2.9 billion
$858 million
$1.9 billion
$2.7 billion
$684 million
$1.6 billion
$2.3 billion
$390 million
$1.4 billion
$2 billion
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2(2017)
$359 million
$480 million
$870 million
Casting Saldaña is not the only recent change in the cast. America Ferrera (Barbie) was originally tapped to play Elio’s mother, though scheduling conflicts forced her to step away from the project, as she is currently working onNaked by the WindowandThe Lost Bus. Saldaña’s role was announced after her exit, and it is not yet known if she will be replacing Ferrera directly. If so, the movie changed Elio’s relationship with the character, as Saldaña is playing his aunt. Regardless of her role,Eliohas always boasted its star-studded cast, and Saldaña is an excellent addition.
Elio
Cast
Elio follows the journey of a space enthusiast who embarks on a cosmic adventure, encountering eccentric alien lifeforms and facing an intergalactic crisis. During this odyssey, he attempts to forge new friendships and discovers his true identity in the universe. Released in 2025, the film explores themes of self-discovery and friendship.
