Zoe Saldaña Shows Off “Heartfelt” 3D Footage of Pixar’s ‘Elio’ at CinemaCon

Following a trailer drop last month, Pixar delivered a much longer introduction to its next big screen star Elio during Disney’s CinemaCon presentation on Thursday courtesy of newly minuted Oscar winner Zoe Saldaña.

The family friendly animated comedy, set for release on June 20, centers on the titular 11-year-old, voiced by Yonas Kibreab, who is mistaken for the ruler of Earth when he is beamed up to join an interplanetary group that includes representatives from various galaxies. He learns that he must form unexpected bonds and navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions while making sure he doesn’t lose the opportunity to live out his ultimate dream.

Saldaña voices the role of Aunt Olga with Remy Edgerly as Glordon, Brad Garrett as Lord Grigon, Jameela Jamil as ambassador Questa and Shirley Henderson as OOOOO. Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian helmed Elio after initial writer-director Adrian Molina’s exit. Mary Alice Drumm produces the film.

Saldaña called it a “heartfelt, funny and beautiful story” that is an emotional ride following characters as they decide “who and where they’re meant to be.”

Disney’s CinemaCon showing also featured looks at other animated pics Lilo & Stitch and Zootopia 2. CinemaCon, the annual gathering of cinema owners and Hollywood studios, is hosted in Las Vegas by the newly rebranded Cinema United, which for decades was known as the National Association of Theatre Owners. This year’s edition runs from March 31 to April 3.