Gatto: Everything We Know About Pixar's Upcoming Movie About a Cat and the Feline Underworld
Pixar heads to Venice for Gatto, an original animated adventure about Nero, a black cat caught up in the feline underworld and searching for his purpose.
Pixar is heading to Italy once again, but this time, it's trading the sunny Italian Riviera for the winding canals and mysterious streets of Venice. Its upcoming animated adventure, Gatto, introduces audiences to Nero, a scrappy black cat whose life takes an unexpected turn after getting caught up with the city's feline underworld.
With a ruthless cat mob boss, an unexpected friendship, and a story about finding your purpose, Gatto looks like another original adventure with plenty of heart. And with the creative team behind Luca returning, there's already a lot to be excited about.
Here's everything we know about Pixar's upcoming movie.
What Is Gatto About?
Set in Venice, Italy, Gatto follows Nero, a black cat who has spent years finding his way through the city's canals, alleyways, and superstitious neighborhoods.
But Nero's life isn't exactly going according to plan. After becoming indebted to Rocco, a ruthless feline mob boss, he finds himself in a difficult situation that forces him into an unexpected friendship. The experience may finally help Nero discover his purpose, although navigating Venice's dangerous feline underworld won't make things easy.
The official synopsis describes Nero as a cat who begins questioning whether he's lived the right lives. It's an interesting starting point for a Pixar story, especially one built around a character who has spent so much time simply trying to get by.
At its heart, Gatto appears to be a story about identity, friendship, and discovering that there's more to life than the path you've been following.
Mark Ruffalo and Laurence Fishburne Lead the Voice Cast
One of the most exciting parts of Gatto is its voice cast, which brings together two familiar Hollywood stars.
Mark Ruffalo as Nero
Mark Ruffalo voices Nero, the scrappy black cat at the center of the story.
Ruffalo is best known to many audiences as Bruce Banner, better known as the Hulk, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He's also delivered acclaimed performances in movies such as Spotlight, The Kids Are All Right, Poor Things, and Dark Waters.
Taking on an animated leading role gives Ruffalo a different kind of character to work with, and Nero sounds like someone who will need plenty of personality to survive his adventures.
Laurence Fishburne as Rocco
Laurence Fishburne voices Rocco, the ruthless feline mob boss who puts Nero in a difficult position.
Fishburne has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning decades, with memorable roles in The Matrix trilogy, Boyz n the Hood, What's Love Got to Do with It, and the John Wick franchise.
His distinctive voice should make him a natural fit for a character like Rocco. A mob boss running the feline underworld of Venice sounds like exactly the kind of larger-than-life character who could steal a scene.
The Team Behind Luca Is Returning
Gatto is directed by Enrico Casarosa and produced by Andrea Warren, the same filmmaking team behind Pixar's Luca.
Released in 2021, Luca told the story of two young sea monsters who disguise themselves as humans while spending a summer on the Italian Riviera. The movie was celebrated for its beautiful setting, friendship-driven story, and warm coming-of-age atmosphere.
Casarosa's connection to Italy makes him an especially fitting choice to bring Venice to life. Rather than returning to the coastal setting of Luca, Gatto explores a different side of the country, using the city's canals, architecture, and atmosphere as the backdrop for an entirely new adventure.
The film also gives Pixar another opportunity to tell an original story outside its established franchises.
A Different Animation Style for Pixar
One of the most interesting things about Gatto is its visual direction.
Early footage showcased a painterly approach to animation, with Venice appearing almost like a watercolor painting brought to life. The city's canals, rooftops, and narrow streets give the film a distinctive visual identity that feels different from some of Pixar's more recent releases.
It's an especially fitting style for a story set in Venice. The city is known for its atmosphere, architecture, and winding waterways, and the animation appears designed to capture that personality rather than simply recreate it realistically.
The teaser also gives audiences a glimpse of the feline world Nero inhabits, including an interrogation involving Nero and Rocco that hints at the film's comedic side.
If the finished movie maintains the visual quality of the early footage, Gatto could become one of Pixar's most visually distinctive original films.
When Does Gatto Come Out?
Gatto is scheduled to arrive exclusively in theaters on March 5, 2027.
The film was originally announced for a summer 2027 release before Disney moved it to an earlier date on the theatrical calendar.
With Pixar returning to an original story and bringing back the creative team behind Luca, it's one of the studio's upcoming releases worth keeping an eye on.
Why We're Looking Forward to Gatto
Pixar has built its reputation on finding extraordinary stories in unexpected places. From toys and monsters to robots, emotions, and talking cars, the studio has repeatedly shown that an unusual premise can become something genuinely meaningful.
Gatto has the ingredients for another memorable adventure. A black cat navigating the criminal underworld of Venice is already an entertaining idea, but the story's focus on friendship and finding one's purpose gives it the potential to be something more.
The involvement of Enrico Casarosa and Andrea Warren is another reason to be optimistic. Luca demonstrated how beautifully they can bring an Italian setting and a heartfelt friendship story together.
We still have plenty to learn about Nero's journey, but Pixar's latest original movie already has our attention. Sometimes the most interesting adventures begin with a cat who has no idea where he's going.
Release Date: March 5, 2027
Studio: Disney and Pixar
Director: Enrico Casarosa
Producer: Andrea Warren
Voice Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Laurence Fishburne
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Official Links:
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