Pixar has just announced the release of its Summer 2020 film, Soul. The second of Pixar’s original film slate for 2020 will explore the following questions: “Ever wonder where your passion, your dreams and your interests come from? What is it that makes you … you?” Although these are the only details provided by the studio regarding the film, it may be just enough to assume that this will be another inspiring, heart-warming film such as Up, Inside Out, and Monsters, Inc., that all come from the same Director, Pete Docter.
Pixar teased in a tweet that the film will be an exploration, “from the streets of New York City to the cosmic realms to discover the answers to life’s most important questions.” This vague description leaves us wondering – do the cosmic realms hold the answers to all of our questions, or is it the journey in itself that reveals our true dreams and desires? The only other depiction of a “cosmic” universe from Pixar has been seen in Wall*E. Could exploring the “cosmic realms” mean literal outer space? Or will the creators take us to a “cosmic” universe that we haven’t seen before?
This film will attempt to uncover where our inner dreams and passions come from, and Docter’s prior films show that he is quite skilled in revealing profound themes through animated stories. Inside Out explores the root of our feelings and emotions, Up follows a narrative about restoring dreams through the process of grief, and Monster’s Inc. shows the values of true friendship. It is clear that Soul will also have a deep underlying theme as it dives into where our passions and dreams come from. Although as Christians we believe our inner most desires and interests come from the God who created us, it will be interesting to see how Soul goes about uncovering the answers to these questions.
The film will be released in theaters on June 19, 2020.