Disney has announced plans to release Us Again, an original theatrical animated short from director Zach Parrish. It's said that it brings together dance, music, emotional storytelling, and inspired animation, with the story set in a vibrant city pulsating with rhythm and movement.
In Us Again, an elderly man and his young-at-heart wife rekindle their youthful passion for life and each other on one magical night. The years fade away as the joy of dancing propels them across the exciting cityscape of their youth and revives fond memories and ambitions. Told entirely without dialogue and set to an original funk and soul musical score reminiscent of the mid-60s.
In an effort to entice moviegoers back to theaters, Us Again will be released globally on March 5th alongside Raya and the Last Dragon. This is actually Disney Animation's first new theatrical short since 2016, and it's scheduled to debut on Disney+ in June (a surprisingly lengthy wait).
Parrish is an eleven-year veteran of Disney Animation who served as head of animation on Big Hero 6 and director of the Short Circuit film, Puddles. Award-winning choreographers/dancers Keone and Mari (featured performers on World of Dance, and renowned for their collaborations with such top talents as Justin Bieber and Billie Eilish), and acclaimed composer Pinar Toprak (Captain Marvel) bring their unique talents to this experimental and musical fantasy.
"Working with Keone and Mari was the key to making this film work," recalls Parrish. "From the very beginning, I knew that I wanted this film to be music driven. And I felt that dance is a universal language that can translate into any culture. I loved that their dance style felt like it was made for animation, and that there was this genuine, honest and organic connection between them because they were actually a married couple in real life. The story itself was inspired by my own grandparents, who faced getting older in different ways, along with my own physical limitations in playing sports resulting from getting older and injuries. I started thinking about how someone might look at the world differently as things change and they grow older."
A teaser image for the short has also been released which you can check out below: