Disney and Pixar have unveiled the first real details about their upcoming animated adventureCoco. First announced back in 2012 as an untitledDia de los Muretosproject, the studio has revealed that young newcomerAnthony Gonzalezwill voice the main character, a 12-year-old boy named Miguel.Benjamin Bratthas signed on to voice Miguel’s idol, Ernesto de la Cruz, withGael Garcial Bernalvoicing Hector andRenee Victorvoicing Miguel’s grandmother, Abuelita. We also have the first poster, concept art of Miguel and his great-grandmother, Mama Coco, and the official plot synopsis, which you can read below.
“Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomerAnthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice ofBenjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice ofGael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. Character actressRenée Victoralso joins the cast as Abuelita, Miguel’s grandmother.”
Back in February 2015, composerRandy Newmanhinted thatCocowould be Pixar’sfirst musical, but it seems that isn’t quite the case.Entertainment WeeklydescribesCocoas a, “music-packed-but-not-quite-‘musical’ film,” while adding more details about the plot. Miguel hails from a long line of shoemakers, who have long banned music from their family, because they believe they’ve been cursed by the art form, after Miguel’s great-great-grandmother Imelda proclaimed music dead to the family, after her husband left her to pursue his musical ambitions. When Miguel discovers a secret link between him and his idol Ernesto de la Cruz, he goes on a journey that accidentally takes him to the Land of the Dead, where he meets the souls of his late family. Here’s what directorLee Unkrichhad to say about the casting process.
“It was important to us from day one that we had an all-Latino cast. It focused us, and we ended up with a fantastic mix of people - some from Mexico and some from Los Angeles.”
The director goes on to add thatBenjamin Brattwas the first actor cast, and whileGael Garcia Bernalwas considered early on, there was a problem. The actor isn’t necessarily well-known for comedy, withLee Unkrichadding that he wasn’t sure he’d be able to sell Pixar’sJohn LasseteronGael Garcia Bernalfor a comedic role. Here’s what the director had to say about the fortunate timing of the actor’s comedic TV series,Mozart in the Jungle.
“Gaelwas someone we were considering early on, but I didn’t know if I’d be able to sell him (to Pixar chiefJohn Lasseter) because he’s done so many films I’ve loved through the years, but he hadn’t really done comedy. Thankfully, our casting director said, ‘Have you seen this new show thatGael’s in?’ And it wasMozart in the Jungle, and I started watching and thought, ‘Oh my God, he’s so funny, he’s so charming, and he’s perfect.’ So, thank God forMozart. It didn’t take any convincing onJohn’s part.”
Anthony Gonzalezwas discoverd during a nationwide casting search for Miguel Rivera, whose casting actually came about when he was brought on do do the “scratch voice” for the character, during the early development. He was hired to do the scratch voice when the actor they were using became too old, and they ended up hiringAnthony Gonzaleznot only to do the scratch voice, but portray Miguel in the film. Here’s what the director had to say about how they came acrossAnthony Gonzalez.
“We actually had another kid doing scratch for Miguel who’s now 17 or 18, which should tell you how long we’ve been working on the movie, but his voice changed long ago, and it was actually in trying to find a new voice for the scratch that we found Anthony.”
Lee Unkrichis directingCocowithAdrian Molinaco-directing and providing the screenplay. Disney Pixar has set a June 25, 2025 release date forCoco, putting it up against Universal’s romanceLet It Snowand 20th Century Fox’s thrillerMurder on the Orient Express. Take a look at the concept art and poster forCocobelow.
