Happy, happy day! This year's Cannes Film Festival, the 62nd, has chosen its opening film, and it's Disney-Pixar's Up, directed by Pete Docter. It's the first time a Disney animated film has opened the Festival, and the fact that it will screen in 3D marks another first.
The film follows a 78 year-old who embarks on a series of adventures when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies to the rainforests of South America. Unbeknownst to him, however, a boy scout has stowed away on board, rather complicating his plans.
The Cannes opening slot will give the film a huge boost in awareness, which may help to boost its box office back to Finding Nemo levels after a recent (relative; they're still doing phenomenally well by anyone else's standards) decline in Disney animated and Pixar box office.
In response to the announcement, Disney chairman Dick Cook said, "It’s a great honor for The Walt Disney Studios, and our incredibly talented cast members at Pixar Animation Studios, to have ‘UP’ selected as the first animated feature to ever open the Cannes Film Festival. We are so proud of this terrific movie, and can’t wait to share it with the filmmaking community and festival-goers on Wednesday, May 13, and the rest of the world starting on May 29th."
John Lasseter, the Chief Creative Officer for Disney and Pixar Animation Studios added, “This is a huge step for animation, and further supports our belief that a great animated film is simply a great film. Pete Docter, the director of 'UP,' and the amazing team of artists, animators, technicians, and storytellers at Pixar have worked so hard to create a great motion picture that is impressively fresh, funny, and powerfully emotional.”
As ever, Empire will be bringing you all the Cannes news as it happens from May 13 until May 24. Keep your eyes peeled for further announcements on this year's line-up.