Still thinking about Inside Out? Pixar’s 2027 epic Gatto: a jaded black cat dives into the canal city of Venice
Cat people cannot miss this
Key highlights
- Pixar’s new animated film Gatto is set to hit theaters on March 4, 2027.
- The film is set in Venice, Italy, and features a distinctive hand-drawn art style.
- Mark Ruffalo voices Nero, the water-fearing black cat protagonist, while Laurence Fishburne voices Rocco, a feline mob boss.
- The story explores the superstition and prejudice black cats face as Nero searches for meaning in life after meeting a street musician.
Every time Disney and Pixar release a new animated film, they find unexpected ways to touch our hearts. After the moving stories of Toy Story and Inside Out, Pixar has turned its attention to mysterious, enchanting cats. The new original animated film Gatto is set for release on March 4, 2027, and the mere fact that its protagonist is a black cat is already enough to get us excited.
If you’re a cat lover, this film will definitely be on your must-watch list for the year.
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The contrast between Venice, the city of water, and a water-fearing black cat
The story is set in romantic Venice, Italy. For Nero, a black cat who can’t swim by nature, this canal-lined city is the ultimate survival challenge. In addition to the demands of his surroundings, Nero must endure people’s deeply rooted superstitions and prejudice toward black cats. Although cats are said to have nine lives, he is full of doubts about his own life as a cat. This touch of dark humor makes it hard not to relate to the little black cat.
To survive in the shadows, Nero is forced to work for Rocco, a feline mob boss. Then he unexpectedly meets Maya, a young street musician, and the two form an unexpected, heartwarming friendship.
Mark Ruffalo lends his voice to bring the cat vividly to life
Beyond the engaging story, the English voice cast is also worth watching. Pixar has enlisted two Oscar-nominated stars: Mark Ruffalo, from the Avengers series, voices Nero and perfectly conveys the black cat’s inner conflict and sense of humor. Rocco, the feline mob boss, is voiced by Laurence Fishburne of The Matrix series, who brings a dramatic personality to the role.
Beautiful visual aesthetics with a hand-drawn texture
The film is directed by Luca filmmaker Enrico Casarosa, and its visual style marks a surprising new direction. According to Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter, Gatto uses a hand-drawn style with bold colors to delicately capture Venice’s picturesque atmosphere. Just imagining the tranquility of an old European city and cats darting through its street corners feels soothing.
There is still some time until its March 2027 release, so keep an eye out for more official trailers and stills, and mark this whimsical feline adventure full of laughter and tears on your calendar.
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