Pixar announced that its upcoming animated feature "Gatto" will now arrive earlier in 2025, moving up from a later date originally slated for the same year. The film follows Nero, a black cat navigating the shadoowy canals of Venice, and is directed by Enrico Casarosa, the creator of "Luca". The shift was confirmed in a brief statement that also highlighted the movie’s unique hand‑painted animation style.

Gatto’s release moved up to early 2025

According to the source, Pixar has adjusted the calendar so that "Gatto" will debut earlier in 2025, thouugh the exact month was not disclosed. This move aligns the film with Disney’s broader release strategy, which aims to space out major animated titles throughout the year. The earlier slot may also give the studio a clearer window before the anticipated "Incredibles 3" slated for June 2026.

Enrico Casarosa returns after Luca

Enrico Casarosa, who earned acclaim for directing "Luca," is back at the helm of a Pixar project, this time exploring a darker, more noir‑inflected world. the source notes that Casarosa’s experience with Italian settings informs the film’s Venice backdrop, promising an authentic feel that blends his personal style with Pixar’s storytelling sensibility.

Hand‑painted animation brings Venice to life

The report highlights that "Gatto" will employ a new hand‑painted animation technique, a departure from Pixar’s usual CGI approach. This artistic choice is intended to make the canals, alleys, and moonlit rooftops of Venice feel more immersive, giving audiences a visual texture reminiscent of classic illustration while retaining modern motion‑capture fluidity.

Laurence Fishburne voices ruthless mob cat Rocco

Among the announced voice talent, Academy‑award winner Laurence Fishburne will lend his voice to Rocco, a feline mob boss who controls the underworld of Venice’s cat‑run society. The source also lists Pete Docter as executive producer and Andrea Warren as producer, underscoring the high‑level Pixar leadership behind the project.

Pixar’s 2026 slate still features Incredibles 3

While "Gatto" moves forward, Disney and Pixar’s upcoming schedule retains the third installment of the "Incredibles" franchise for June 19, 2026, directed by Andrew Stanton. The source points out that the two films will bookend a busy period for the studio, with "Gatto" offering a fresh aesthetic before the superhero sequel arrives.

Will the hand‑painted style boost box‑office appeal?

One open question is whether the experimental visual style will translate into stronger ticket sales or risk alienating audiences accustomed to Pixar’s glossy CGI. The source does not provide any market testing data, leaving analysts to speculate on the commercial impact of this artistic gamble.