Disney’s Pixar Animation Studios has revealed the title for its new animated feature film, “Onward,” along with a voice cast that includes Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Octavia Spencer.
Directed by Dan Scanlon and produced by Kori Rae, the team behind 2013’s “Monsters University,” “Onward” is slated to be released in theaters on March 6, 2020.
Set in a suburban fantasy world, “Onward” introduces two teenage elf brothers who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there.
“At Pixar we try to create stories that come from some kind of personal truth,” Scanlon said in a statement. “This film was inspired by my own relationship with my brother.”
“Onward” follows Pixar’s scheduled 2019 release of “Toy Story 4,” and this will be their first original film since “Coco” in 2017.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is actually a Pixar alum, having appeared in “A Bug’s Life” from 1998, which was the company’s second feature film.
“There is no one funnier than Julia,” Scanlon said of the actress in a statement. “But she also brings a warmth and loving side to her character.”
Both Rae and Scanlon also spoke of assembling this “dream cast” for their film.
“Octavia can do it all,” Rae said in a statement. “We’re especially excited about the depth as well as humor that she brings to her character.”
“Chris brings equal parts huge heart and fantastic humor to his character,” Rae added about Pratt. And Scanlon said about Holland, “Tom has an infectious charm and sincerity that makes you root for him in every character he plays.”
Pratt and Holland both appeared together in “Avengers: Infinity War,” and Pratt will next provide the voice for “The Lego Movie” sequel. Holland also lends his voice to the animated “Spies in Disguise” and will next be seen in “Chaos Walking” and “Spider-Man: Far From Home.” Louis-Dreyfus was the most recent recipient of the Mark Twain Prize and will next be seen in the final season of “Veep.” And Spencer will next be seen in the drama “Luce.”
Just announced: The next original feature from Pixar Animation Studios, “Onward,” starring Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Octavia Spencer, will arrive in theaters March 6, 2020! #PixarOnwardpic.twitter.com/SS8RZmjYR2
Every Pixar Character Voiced by John Ratzenberger, from 'Toy Story' to 'Incredibles 2' (Photos)
He's been called Pixar's "good-luck charm," and that's because to date, John Ratzenberger has done voice work for every Pixar film. The 71-year-old actor might forever be known to TV viewers as Cliff Clavin on "Cheers," but to audiences who have grown up with these movies, he's been a consistent voice for over 20 years. Ratzenberger returned to voice the villain The Underminer in the latest Pixar joint, "The Incredibles 2," opening this Friday. And whether it's a supporting part or a quick, Easter Egg cameo, Ratzenberger has always been there. Here's a chronological list of each of those characters:
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Hamm - "Toy Story," "Toy Story 2," "Toy Story 3"
By far Ratzenberger's most well-known Pixar character, this porking piggy bank is chock-full of great one-liners and quips across the "Toy Story" trilogy, whether it's trading jokes with Mr. Potato Head or making snide put downs about Andy's neighbor Sid. My favorite though is his admiration of one Buzz Lightyear. "Ooh, impressive wingspan. Very good."
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P.T. Flea - "A Bug's Life"
You may have forgotten about "A Bug's Life" in the Pixar oeuvre, but Ratzenberger gives his most exuberant performance in it, playing a literal parasite in the circus industry. "There was a line of flies outside the tent, went on forever. It must've been a foot long!"
Pixar
Yeti - "Monsters, Inc.," "Monsters University"
Ratzenberger showed his lovable side as the banished, abominable snowman in "Monsters, Inc." All he wants is to be liked, even if he does want to serve "lemon" snow cones.
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Fish School - "Finding Nemo"
In "Finding Nemo," Ratzenberger portrays a school of fish that loves doing impressions and mocking a sourpuss like Marlin.
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The Underminer - "The Incredibles," "The Incredibles 2"
It almost looked like Pixar went a whole movie without including Ratzenberger, but he shows up right at the end as a new villain for the superhero family, a mole man with a gigantic drill called The Underminer. The sequel picks up right where the original left off with The Incredibles doing battle with Ratzenberger's Underminer villain.
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Mack - "Cars," "Cars 2," "Cars 3"
Ratzenberger plays the traveling big-rig truck to Lightning McQueen named Mack. And in the first "Cars," the movie ends with a credits sequence in which Mack goes to a drive-in theater and watches car-versions of every Pixar movie, which of course each feature his own voice. "They're just using the same actor over and over," he says. "What kind of cut-rate production is this?!"
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Mustafa - "Ratatouille"
Ratzenberger gets to put on his best French accent to play the neurotic waiter in "Ratatouille," Mustafa.
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John - "Wall-E"
Ratzenberger makes a quick cameo as one of the bloated humans aboard the Axiom as Wall-E tries to track down EVE.
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Construction Foreman Tom - "Up"
Ratzenberger's character gets a face-full of leaf blower when he appears early on in "Up," playing a construction foreman offering Carl Fredricksen a big haul to sell and demolish his precious house.
Pixar
Gordon - "Brave"
Another blink and you'll miss it cameo, Ratzenberger voices a castle guard named Gordon in 2012's "Brave."
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Fritz - "Inside Out"
Ratzenberger plays a brain cell serving as a repairman for the board operated by young Riley's feelings.
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Earl - "The Good Dinosaur"
Ratzenberger's cameo is the shortest yet in what also might be Pixar's most disappointing film, but he plays a velociraptor that's part of the main villain's gang in "The Good Dinosaur."
Pixar
Husband Crab (Bill) - "Finding Dory"
Rather than reprise his role as the school of fish in the "Finding Nemo" sequel, Ratzenberger played a husband crab who snips grass just before Dory slips into some pipes to escape her new aquarium home.
Pixar
Juan Ortodoncia - "Coco"
While "Coco" is mostly made up of a Latin cast, directors Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina still found a spot for Ratzenberger as one of the traveling souls on the Day of the Dean, Juan Ortodoncia, who can be seen getting his photo snapped crossing the border to the real world.
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Pixar’s ”good-luck charm“ returns to voice The Underminer in animated sequel opening Friday
He's been called Pixar's "good-luck charm," and that's because to date, John Ratzenberger has done voice work for every Pixar film. The 71-year-old actor might forever be known to TV viewers as Cliff Clavin on "Cheers," but to audiences who have grown up with these movies, he's been a consistent voice for over 20 years. Ratzenberger returned to voice the villain The Underminer in the latest Pixar joint, "The Incredibles 2," opening this Friday. And whether it's a supporting part or a quick, Easter Egg cameo, Ratzenberger has always been there. Here's a chronological list of each of those characters: