Soul is now playing on Disney+, and it's definitely one of Pixar's more thought-provoking movies (you can check out our review by clicking here). It ends with Joe (Jamie Foxx) getting another chance at life, while 22 (Tina Fey) heads to Earth to finally begin living. Unsurprisingly, the studio considered a lot of different endings, including one which would have seen Joe remain dead.
"We have versions of the ending where Joe does not go back to his body, where he actually stays dead. We have versions of the ending where you see Joe on Earth a year later," co-director Kemp Powers explains. "The version with Joe not going back to his body, he basically ended up as a mentor in the You Seminar, but a repeat mentor. He stayed and ended up being, like, the best mentor ever, and he introduced lots of new ideas to the You Seminar. He kind of revolutionized it."
Director Pete Docter, meanwhile, explains that they once considered showing The Great Beyond in Soul, with Joe heading there as he finally moves on to the afterlife. However, despite it being visually "abstract," the filmmaker notes that, "[We] decided, 'Eh, probably dangerous." And not ultimately right for the film, most importantly."
22's fate is never revealed, though we know that once she's born, she'll forget her time in The Great Before. However, as Powers explains, they once planned on giving her a little more closure.
"We did a couple of 'em, but the one that I was thinking of was that Joe is a teacher and he hears a knock at the door and there's a kid who's like, 'I really don't like piano.' The mom's like, 'Come on, Mr. Garner is going to teach you,' and she does these little things that Joe's like, 'Wait a second. I know who that is...' And yet, somehow it wasn't satisfying. It just wasn't satisfying."
It's certainly interesting to think about what might have been with Soul, but it's also hard to fault the open-ended nature of the movie's actual ending. While closure like this might have satisfied some, it could have also run the risk of not doing this story's ambiguous, thought-provoking nature justice.
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10. Pinocchio
Bob Iger promises that state-of-the-art visual effects will be used to bring Pinocchio to life in a film that's heading straight to Disney+ as one of the streamer's "Disney+ Originals" titles.
Tom Hanks is playing Geppetto and Alan Cumming has been cast as Honest John; visionary filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, meanwhile, has been tasked to direct the live-action project.
If this brief teaser is any indication, the film promises to be as special as the animated classic.
9. Baymax!, Zootopia+, Tiana, And Moana
Disney Animation is gearing up to make an impact on Disney+ with four original animated series.
Baymax! will serve as a sequel to Big Hero 6, following the title character as he explores his powers and San Fransokyo. Zootopia+ promises to focus on some of that film's lesser known animals (including Flash).
Those arrive in 2022, as does Tiana, a Princess and the Frog spinoff which looks to be the first of many shows focusing on Disney Princesses. Moana gets her own show in 2023.
8. Willow
Willow, coming to Disney+, will be set decades after Ron Howard’s 1988 movie, and continues the spirit of adventure, heroics, and humor of the original film.
Warwick Davis will return in the role of the great sorcerer, Willow Ufgood, with Jon Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) directing the pilot.
Willow begins shooting next March in Wales and will debut on Disney+ in 2022.
7. Encanto
Pixar's Luca looks like a fun time, but Walt Disney Animation Studios might just give them a run for their money with the charming sounding Encanto.
Set for release next November, Zootopia helmers Jared Bush and Byron Howard are directing alongside co-director Charise Castro Smith. Most exciting, however, is the involvement of Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda as he's writing the film's music.
The teaser doesn't reveal much, but this being Disney's 60th animated feature feels fitting.
6. Dug Days, Cars, Win Or Lose
Pixar isn't going to let Walt Disney Animation Studios steal too much of its thunder because the studio is developing lots of new content for Disney+.
Up is getting a spinoff called Dug Days following the talkative pooch following the events of that acclaimed film. Cars is also getting its own series, with Lightning McQueen and Mater heading on a road trip across the country with new characters, old friends, and imaginative destinations all included.
Finally, there's a new original show called Win or Lose which sounds like another genius idea from Pixar.
5. Disenchanted
Enchanted remains one of Disney's most beloved live-action films, and the long-rumored sequel, Disenchanted, is officially in the works for Disney+.
Amy Adams is returning as Giselle, but this isn't the only fan-favorite franchise returning.
Making use of its new catalogue of Fox titles, Disney+ is working on an animated Night at the Museum series produced by the film's director, Shawn Levy. A new Ice Age film, The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild, is also coming to the streamer, with Simon Pegg set to star.
4. The Little Mermaid
The cast of The Little Mermaid has finally been revealed, and it's undeniably extraordinary.
Set for a theatrical release, the film has added Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, and Awkwafina as Scuttle.
Alan Menken and Lin Manuel Miranda are teaming up to work on the film's music, with classic and new songs confirmed to be part of the live-action project.
3. Turning Red
Pixar's biggest announcement was Lightyear, but we can't help but be intrigued by Turning Red.
A coming-of-age tale, the film (which will be released in theaters) follows Mei, a thirteen year old girl who, when she becomes excited, transforms into a giant red panda.
It sounds ridiculous, but Pixar can't be beaten when it comes to telling classic stories in genius ways.
2. Peter Pan & Wendy
This teaser doesn't reveal much about Peter Pan & Wendy, but it's another film heading straight to Disney+. David Lowery is in the director's chair, while newcomers Ever Anderson (the daughter of daughter of Milla Jovovich and Monster Hunter director Paul W.S. Anderson) and Alexander Moloney take on the title roles.
Yara Shahidi (Blackish) is playing Tinker Bell, but the big name here is Jude Law as Captain Hook.
It's not overly surprising that Peter Pan & Wendy will find a home on Disney+, but there's enough here to be intrigued by what's shaping up to be a fun take on a familiar story.
1. The Lion King & Beauty And The Beast Prequels
Two big prequels were announced during Disney's Investor Day, with The Lion King getting a film from Barry Jenkins, and a soundtrack by Hans ZImmer, Pharrell Williams, and Nicholas Britell.
A Beauty and the Beast prequel is coming to Disney+ starring Luke Evans and Josh Gad.
No further details were shared, but the streamer is stacking up its live-action and animated slate, while also ensuring that they have plenty to share in theaers as well.