ArtistDirect News
Pixar Announces Gatto: Venice-Set Cat Tale with Mark Ruffalo and Laurence Fishburne, Theatrical Release March 5, 2027
When Pixar unveiled the first glimpse of Gatto on June 13, 2025, the city of Venice seemed to pause. The studio’s social‑media channels burst into color with a teaser trailer, poster, logo, and a striking image that hinted at a hand‑painted world unlike any other Pixar film. The reveal coincided with the announcement at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, a fitting backdrop for a story that promises to blend artistry and adventure.
The film follows Nero, a scrappy black cat who has spent years navigating Venice’s labyrinthine canals, superstitions, and underworld. Nero’s life is dictated by Rocco, a local feline mob boss, and the narrative pits loyalty against self‑discovery. According to the official trailer, Nero’s internal conflict drives the plot, with a chance friendship that could either unlock his purpose or trap him in the city’s complex social fabric.
Gatto will open exclusively in theaters on March 5, 2027. Disney announced the change from the original June 18, 2027 slot to sidestep competition from major releases such as Spider‑Man: Beyond the Spider‑Verse and Shrek 5. The shift underscores the studio’s strategy of protecting its flagship titles with a clear theatrical window.
The creative team behind Gatto is led by director Enrico Casarosa, who helmed Luca in 2021 and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. Producer Andrea Warren joins Casarosa, and their combined experience in hand‑drawn and stop‑motion techniques is evident in the film’s visual language.
In a departure from Pixar’s recent CGI‑centric catalog, Gatto embraces a hand‑painted animation technique that blends traditional 2‑D textures with modern CGI. The studio describes the look as a “living painting,” a style that promises a vibrant color palette and fluid motion showcased in the teaser. The emphasis on visual storytelling suggests that the film will rely on its art to convey mood and narrative, rather than on dialogue alone.
Voice talent for the film includes Mark Ruffalo, known for his work in The Avengers and Spotlight, who will voice Nero. Laurence Fishburne, celebrated for The Matrix trilogy and Boyz n the Hood, will portray the mob boss Rocco. Both actors are highlighted in brief audio snippets from the trailer, adding gravitas to the cast.
Gatto is Pixar’s thirty‑second feature‑length film, following titles such as Toy Story 5 (2026), Incredibles 3 (2028), and Coco 2 (unannounced). Releasing it in 2027 places the film amid a crowded animated landscape, yet its unique art style and Venetian setting may carve a distinct niche.
The story’s core revolves around Nero’s struggle to balance obligations to Rocco with his yearning for a different path. An unexpected friendship could steer him toward his purpose, but the city’s social web may prove too powerful. The teaser hints at this tension, promising a narrative that balances humor, heart, and the moral complexity of loyalty.
Disney’s release strategy for Gatto follows its recent pattern of theatrical exclusivity for major Pixar releases. No simultaneous streaming availability has been announced, and the film is slated for distribution by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
In sum, Gatto marks a new chapter in Pixar’s legacy of innovation, combining a distinctive hand‑painted animation style with a tale set in Venice and a voice cast that includes Mark Ruffalo and Laurence Fishburne. The film’s theatrical debut on March 5, 2027—after a schedule shift from June 18, 2027—positions it for a unique place in the upcoming animation lineup.
The film follows Nero, a scrappy black cat who has spent years navigating Venice’s labyrinthine canals, superstitions, and underworld. Nero’s life is dictated by Rocco, a local feline mob boss, and the narrative pits loyalty against self‑discovery. According to the official trailer, Nero’s internal conflict drives the plot, with a chance friendship that could either unlock his purpose or trap him in the city’s complex social fabric.
Gatto will open exclusively in theaters on March 5, 2027. Disney announced the change from the original June 18, 2027 slot to sidestep competition from major releases such as Spider‑Man: Beyond the Spider‑Verse and Shrek 5. The shift underscores the studio’s strategy of protecting its flagship titles with a clear theatrical window.
The creative team behind Gatto is led by director Enrico Casarosa, who helmed Luca in 2021 and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. Producer Andrea Warren joins Casarosa, and their combined experience in hand‑drawn and stop‑motion techniques is evident in the film’s visual language.
In a departure from Pixar’s recent CGI‑centric catalog, Gatto embraces a hand‑painted animation technique that blends traditional 2‑D textures with modern CGI. The studio describes the look as a “living painting,” a style that promises a vibrant color palette and fluid motion showcased in the teaser. The emphasis on visual storytelling suggests that the film will rely on its art to convey mood and narrative, rather than on dialogue alone.
Voice talent for the film includes Mark Ruffalo, known for his work in The Avengers and Spotlight, who will voice Nero. Laurence Fishburne, celebrated for The Matrix trilogy and Boyz n the Hood, will portray the mob boss Rocco. Both actors are highlighted in brief audio snippets from the trailer, adding gravitas to the cast.
Gatto is Pixar’s thirty‑second feature‑length film, following titles such as Toy Story 5 (2026), Incredibles 3 (2028), and Coco 2 (unannounced). Releasing it in 2027 places the film amid a crowded animated landscape, yet its unique art style and Venetian setting may carve a distinct niche.
The story’s core revolves around Nero’s struggle to balance obligations to Rocco with his yearning for a different path. An unexpected friendship could steer him toward his purpose, but the city’s social web may prove too powerful. The teaser hints at this tension, promising a narrative that balances humor, heart, and the moral complexity of loyalty.
Disney’s release strategy for Gatto follows its recent pattern of theatrical exclusivity for major Pixar releases. No simultaneous streaming availability has been announced, and the film is slated for distribution by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
In sum, Gatto marks a new chapter in Pixar’s legacy of innovation, combining a distinctive hand‑painted animation style with a tale set in Venice and a voice cast that includes Mark Ruffalo and Laurence Fishburne. The film’s theatrical debut on March 5, 2027—after a schedule shift from June 18, 2027—positions it for a unique place in the upcoming animation lineup.