Pixar has found its latest new star with Yonas Kibreab leading Elio, and it led to some heartwarming moments for both him and his co-star, Zoe Saldaña. Having made his acting debut in an episode of HBO’s Silicon Valley, Kibreab has been on a steady rise to fame in both live-action and animation over the past few years, particularly with his roles in Obi-Wan Kenobi, Sweet Tooth and Merry Little Batman. Saldaña, on the other hand, is one of the most popular actors in both live-action and animation, particularly for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avatar and Star Trek franchises, and is fresh off her Oscar victory for Emilia Pérez.

Kibreab leads the Elio cast as the тιтular protagonist, an 11-year-old boy longing to find a sense of belonging beyond Earth as he hopes to be abducted by aliens. Saldaña, meanwhile, stars as Olga Solis, an Air Force major and Elio’s aunt who, after the death of his parents, takes custody of him, though struggles to connect with him. When his wish comes true, but also leads to him being mistaken as the ambᴀssador for Earth at the intergalactic Communiverse, Elio goes on an emotional adventure of discovery that also leads to heartfelt revelations for Olga.

Ahead of the movie’s release, ScreenRant interviewed Yonas Kibreab and Zoe Saldaña to discuss Elio. The former reflected on the heartwarming moment he learned he landed the тιтular role, and how it was a surreal experience to get to work on the film with Saldaña. The Oscar winner, meanwhile, shared her thoughts on the 25th anniversary of her acting debut, Center Stage, as well as her excitement for James Gunn’s DC Universe kicking off with Superman.

Being Cast As Elio Was A “Surreal Moment” For Kibreab

He & Saldaña Also Found Themselves Teaching Each Other New Things

While Kibreab has a solid roster of notable тιтles in his filmography, Elio is undeniably his biggest project yet as the lead of an original Pixar film. Looking back on the moment he learned he had landed the part, the young star called it both a “pinch-me” and “surreal moment“, particularly given he grew up with many of the studio’s films and continues to be a fan of Pixar’s library, even saying his mom can back him up.

I love all the Pixar movies and I watched them all the time and I still do today. And just to be in one, in an original Pixar movie, is such a pinch-me moment.

Recognizing that the saying “pinch-me moment” was new to him, both Kibreab and Saldaña recalled that they found themselves teaching each other new things both during production and Elio‘s press tour that could be seen as generational differences. “He’s been teaching me how to be Alpha and Gen Z,” Saldaña shared with a chuckle as she went on to recall learning about everything from “rizz” to the viral Skibidi Toilet craze. In reflecting on Saldaña’s sci-fi history, Kibreab also praised his co-star’s work as Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy, calling her “my favorite” of her characters.

Filming Center Stage In Lincoln Center Was A “Pinch-Me” Moment For Saldaña

She Has Particular Adoration For Ballet Dancers

Well before she was garnering acclaim for her blockbuster franchises, Saldaña was enjoying a humble start with her debut role in the teen drama Center Stage, which just recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Looking back on her experience with the film, Saldaña similarly described it as being a “pinch-me moment” as Kibreab’s casting in Elio, namely for the opportunity to shoot it in Lincoln Center and immerse herself in the world of ballet dancers, who she’s “always regarded as gladiators” and feels that “everything that they’re able to do is so beautiful“.

“Those pinch-me moments of that little girl in me that was dreaming always to be in Lincoln Center,” Saldaña expressed, “and all of a sudden, I’m doing a film that takes place all throughout Lincoln Center was really beautiful.“

Saldaña Has Not Had Official Talks With James Gunn Yet For A DC Universe Debut

She Is, However, Excited For Superman’s Release

Looking to the future, curiosity has swirled about the possibility of Saldaña reuniting with James Gunn for his DC Universe launch after their successful work on the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and the writer/director’s own confirmation of having a role in mind for her. Though confirming she has not yet had any official conversations with Gunn, Saldaña expressed being very excited for the upcoming release of Superman, describing the filmmaker as being “so talented” and her confidence that “he’s going to bring a lot of heart” and “a lot of humor and levity to this beautiful legacy of a story“.

Stay tuned for and check out our other Elio interviews with:

• Brad Garrett
• Directors Madeline Sharafian & Domee Shi and producer Mary Alice Drumm

Source: ScreenRant Plus