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THE AFTERLIFE — Pixar’s latest computer-animated feature looks to be a wholesome, feel-good tale about a jazz musician looking for his big break.
That is, until you get to the halfway point of the new teaser trailer for the movie, titled “Soul.”
That’s when the protagonist, played by Jamie Foxx, accidentally steps into a manhole and … dies? It’s not clear from the trailer, which was released Thursday morning, if he dies or if his soul gets separated from his body, but he does turn into an ethereal blue blob.
“Soul” is slated for a June 2020 release and will be the first Pixar film to feature an African-American lead character.
Pete Docter returns to the director’s chair for “Soul” after making “Inside Out” for Pixar in 2015. It appears that “Soul” will explore existential, abstract concepts similar to those Docter dove into in “Inside Out.”
Foxx’s character, Joe Gardner, is a middle school band teacher who’s just about to land his first big gig as a musician when he steps into the manhole, according to The Wrap. His soul gets transported to something called the “You Seminar,” where souls develop passion before inhabiting the body of a newborn, according to The Wrap.
The film’s cast also features Tina Fey as another soul named 22, as well as Questlove, Phylicia Rashad, “Hamilton” star Daveed Diggs and Pixar regular John Ratzenberger.
The only other 2020 project Pixar has announced so far is “Onward,” which will see “Avengers” stars Chris Pratt and Tom Holland reunite in a fantasy-tinged tale about two suburban elves who go on an adventure.
Let us know what you think of the “Soul” trailer in the comments.
