Pixar’s Elio Falters After Identity Rewrite, Director Exit, and Creative Overhaul

Pixar’s Elio faced major hurdles long before its underwhelming theatrical release. According to a new report, the film underwent drastic retooling after a disastrous early test screening. Initially envisioned as a story with a queer-coded protagonist, the film was helmed by Adrian Molina, who intended to explore identity without making it a coming-out narrative due to the character’s young age. However, elements hinting at Elio’s queerness—such as a male crush and his interests in fashion and environmentalism—were scrapped in favor of a more stereotypically masculine portrayal.

Test Screening Failure Triggers Leadership Shake-Up and Creative Rift Within Elio Team

In the summer of 2023, Molina hosted a test screening in Arizona, which went poorly. Audience reaction was so negative that not a single viewer reportedly expressed interest in watching the film in theaters. This prompted an internal review, where Molina presented his version to Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter.

While details of the feedback are unclear, sources suggest the conversation was difficult for Molina, who ultimately left the project. His exit led to the appointment of Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi as co-directors, marking a significant creative shift.

Following the new leadership, several key creatives left the production, reportedly disheartened by changes made to Elio’s story. The revised version stripped away core themes and personal identity elements that had been central to the original concept. This caused friction within the creative team, indicating deeper disagreements about the film’s direction and tone. The project’s turmoil suggests a fundamental conflict between early vision and final execution, likely impacting the cohesiveness of the final product.

Casting Turmoil and Cultural Concerns Deepen Elio’s Ongoing Production and Reception Woes

Casting changes further complicated Elio’s production. Originally, America Ferrera was cast as Elio’s mother, Olga. However, she exited the film in 2024, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts, but also influenced by Molina’s departure and the lack of Latinx leadership on the project.

Zoe Saldaña replaced her, now playing Elio’s aunt instead of his mother. Ferrera’s complete departure—even after recording all her dialogue—reflected broader concerns about representation and creative integrity within the production team.

Despite its cosmic premise and voice cast including Yonas Kibreab as the titular space-obsessed boy, Elio stumbled badly upon release. With a plot involving intergalactic mistaken identity and personal growth, the film failed to connect with audiences, earning just $21 million domestically in its opening weekend.

This marked the lowest opening for a Pixar film in the modern era. Still in theaters, Elio stands as a cautionary tale about creative compromise, identity erasure, and the consequences of losing sight of a film’s original heart.