Pixar's new movie is set in Toronto and people are freaking out over the trailer
Toronto-based Oscar-winner Domee Shi (of Bao fame) is officially giving the world its first ever full-length animated Disney movie set in Canada with Pixar's forthcoming feature Turning Red, a new teaser trailer for which exploded across the internet Tuesday morning.
A Pixar movie set in Canada? That's not something I expected! Domee Shi's exemptional work on Bao has me thrilled for what this film has to offer! #TurningRed https://t.co/V6iFvTV5fn
— Cloudrise Pictures (@CloudriseLtd) July 13, 2021
Needless to say, locals are stoked (as we often are when Toronto finds itself in any sort of animated spotlight).
Omg I can’t wait to see a Pixar version of Toronto!!!! https://t.co/AvsipzkIZu
— please delete me (@toughtolove) July 13, 2021
"Growing up is a beast," reads the caption of the trailer, which delightfully features the classic Backstreet Boys song "Larger Than Life."
"Young actress Rosalie Chiang lends her voice to Mei Lee, a 13-year-old who suddenly 'poofs' into a giant red panda when she gets too excited (which is practically ALWAYS)."
A Pixar film set in Toronto… INSTANT CLASSIC. https://t.co/2fQQNYRKlk
— Nick Poulimenakos BO BURNHAM VIDEO OUT TOMORROW! (@NickMenakos) July 13, 2021
Canadian actress Sandra Oh also stars as the young student-slash-red panda's "protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming, who is never far from her daughter — an unfortunate reality for the teenager."
To add to 2022's THE MAN FROM TORONTO, we'll also get Pixar's Toronto-set TURNING RED. If we get a third T.O. movie, we'll have more trend pieces than 100% capacity cinemas. https://t.co/tyYvOwHLm1 pic.twitter.com/ARwzQu5oZl
— Barry Hertz (@HertzBarry) July 13, 2021
Set to be released on March 11, 2022, Turning Red will be Pixar's first all-new original feature film since the smash hits Luca (June 2021) and Soul (December 2020).
That is to say that it's a very big movie, and a very big deal for Toronto Disney fans.
OH MY GOD TURNING RED IS SET IN TORONTO CANADA!!! I REPEAT, PIXAR’S NEXT FILM IS SET IN TORONTO!!!! YESSSSSSIR🙌 #TurningRed pic.twitter.com/hUHoCf5ism
— Nick Poulimenakos BO BURNHAM VIDEO OUT TOMORROW! (@NickMenakos) July 13, 2021
It's also a pretty big deal for Shi, a Toronto-raised, Sheridan College-educated storyboard artist-turned-director for Pixar Animated Studios.
While she won an Oscar and much critical acclaim for her 2018 short Bao, also set in Toronto, Turning Red will be the rising young Hollywood superstar's first feature-length movie for Pixar.
Big big respect to Asian Canadian legend Domee Shi who made me weep with BAO and who is pushing representation and supreme excellence with what I think is gonna be a massive hit. Also….red pandas everyone!!! https://t.co/FtmIsJvRgD
— Romeo Candido (@romeocandido) July 13, 2021
Based on the trailer, we'll get to see a lot of Toronto in Shi's latest work, from our graffiti-splattered rooftops to (obviously) the CN Tower.
- Canadian t-shirt with maple leaf
— Shrimply Amber 🦐 (@ebiember) July 13, 2021
- Toronto’s CN Tower and Skydome
- Toronto’s Chinatown with maple leaf on one of the signs
- Another maple leaf shirt pic.twitter.com/FuNkhdiwt2
"We are beyond thrilled that director Domee Shi chose her hometown of Toronto as the backdrop for her new feature film," said Greg Mason, VP of Marketing for Walt Disney Studios Canada, in a statement following the trailer's release.
"With Ottawa native Sandra Oh lending her voice and a group of very talented Canadian artists on the filmmaking team, Turning Red truly is a love letter to Toronto and Canada."
Trying to wrap my head around a Pixar movie taking place in Toronto, going to be cool don't get me wrong. Canadians just normally don't see ourselves or cities in big mainstream movies that aren't SCOTT PILGRIM. Kind of a shocking but exciting turn of events. #TurningRed pic.twitter.com/QQ9lxhU16A
— Christopher Marc (@_ChristopherM) July 13, 2021
According to Mason, there are "a couple of great Canadian Easter eggs" in the trailer as well.
guys this is definitely in Canada 🇨🇦 #TurningRed pic.twitter.com/TLFm31121V
— Bored (@TheBoredist) July 13, 2021
Happy hunting!
