Pixar has released a new image from their upcoming film Luca. Fans have been excited for this film for quite some time, as we first learned about it back in July 2020. Luca will be directed by Enrico Casarosa, who is known for his 2011 short film La Luna. Something admirable about Pixar films is that although fantastical in many elements, they are also rooted in real human experiences and emotion, and Luca is the perfect mix of this. 

The film will take place in the summer on the Italian coast where we meet Luca and Alberto, two friends who are sea creatures that take a human form while they’re on dry land. Many have compared Luca to The Little Mermaid, and I am all for it. On Monday, Empire released a new image from Luca, which focuses on Luca and Alberto hanging out in the town square of their small Italian town. Behind them is a fountain bearing that also seems to look like a sea creature and the two appear to be discussing their next human adventure. 

When speaking to Empire, Casarosa explained how Luca is rooted in his own childhood: “I was born in Genoa, and my summers were spent on beaches. I met my best friend when I was 11. I was really shy and I found this troublemaker of a kid who had a completely different life. I wanted to make a movie about those kinds of friendships that help you grow up.” Casarosa has also confirmed that a trailer is on its way, so that’ll keep fans captivated until the film is released this summer on June 18th, 2021.

#Luca director Enrico Casarosa tells Empire about the real-life inspiration behind #Pixar‘s new Italian-set mythical coming-of-age story. Read more and see an exclusive first look image: https://t.co/qKLVTVfnzo pic.twitter.com/jwYxV0iEvt

— Empire Magazine (@empiremagazine) January 18, 2021