Disney and Pixar bring Venice to life through a visually enchanting animated adventure, featuring an extraordinary voice cast, an Academy Award-winning composer and the theatrical return of Dory in a brand-new animated short.
A New Animated Adventure Arrives in March 2027
Disney and Pixar are preparing to transport audiences into the mysterious canals, picturesque streets and fascinating feline world of Venice with their upcoming original animated feature, Gatto. The studio has unveiled an all-new trailer, offering a deeper glimpse into a story that promises to combine humour, heartfelt emotions, extraordinary friendships and the timeless question of finding one's true purpose.
Featuring the voice of acclaimed Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo as Nero, a troubled cat confronting the consequences of his past, Gatto is scheduled to arrive exclusively in Indian theatres on 5 March 2027, in both English and Hindi.
Directed by Enrico Casarosa and produced by Andrea Warren, the creative partnership behind Pixar's Academy Award-nominated Luca, the upcoming feature represents another ambitious chapter in the studio's tradition of emotionally resonant storytelling.
Beyond its colourful animation and entertaining characters, Gatto explores a surprisingly philosophical subject: What happens when someone who has lived several lives begins to wonder whether any of them were lived correctly?
Mark Ruffalo Brings Nero's Emotional Journey to Life
At the centre of Gatto is Nero, a streetwise cat who has spent years navigating the canal-filled city of Venice, where superstition, mystery and unexpected dangers form part of everyday existence.
Despite his experience and survival instincts, Nero finds himself confronting an increasingly uncomfortable question about his own existence. Having already lived through multiple lives, he begins to doubt whether his choices have truly brought him happiness, fulfilment or meaning.
His problems become considerably more complicated when he finds himself indebted to Rocco, a powerful local feline mob boss voiced by Laurence Fishburne.
Caught between the consequences of his past and the uncertainty of his future, Nero faces circumstances that could determine the fate of his final remaining life.
However, an unexpected encounter with Maja, a young local street musician voiced by Bianca Babaşa, introduces an entirely different possibility.
Their unlikely friendship gradually becomes central to Nero's journey of self-discovery.
What begins as a desperate struggle for survival could ultimately transform into an emotional exploration of trust, belonging and the courage required to embrace change.
The film's central premise offers a playful interpretation of the familiar belief that cats possess nine lives, transforming the concept into a broader reflection on second chances and the importance of making life meaningful.
Venice Becomes an Essential Character
One of the most intriguing elements of Gatto is its setting.
Venice, with its historic architecture, winding waterways, narrow passages and centuries-old cultural traditions, provides a distinctive backdrop for an animated adventure.
Rather than simply serving as a picturesque location, the city appears positioned to influence the challenges and experiences of its feline inhabitants.
For Nero, Venice is simultaneously a familiar home, a dangerous environment and a place filled with unanswered questions.
Its atmospheric canals and unpredictable streets offer considerable storytelling possibilities, especially when combined with the film's themes of superstition and survival.
The setting also creates opportunities for Pixar's animation artists to explore the contrast between the city's romantic beauty and the complicated lives of the characters inhabiting it.
Director Enrico Casarosa previously demonstrated a strong appreciation for Italian culture and visually expressive environments through Luca.
With Gatto, the filmmaker returns to an Italian setting while introducing a different emotional landscape and an unusual feline protagonist.
An Exceptional Hollywood Voice Ensemble
The newly revealed voice cast brings together an impressive collection of established performers, comedians and distinctive character actors.
Alongside Mark Ruffalo and Laurence Fishburne, the film features an extensive ensemble contributing to the personalities and relationships within its animated world.
The announced voice cast includes:
Mark Ruffalo as Nero
Laurence Fishburne as Rocco
Bianca Babaşa as Maja
Sherry Cola as Regina
John Turturro as Capitano Briganti
Rumen Sali Shopov as Papu Janko
Rhys Darby as Focaccia
Isabella Rossellini as Contessa
Natasia Demetriou as Charon
Jamie Demetriou as Plague Doctor
Jason Schwartzman as Vivaldi
Saverio Raimondo as Ugo
Jason Mantzoukas as Rico
Matt Jones as Enzo
Austin Madison as Fishmonger
Beatrice Manfredi as Martinelli
Jesse Andrews as Bartolomeo
Tracey Ullman as Luisa
Marco Calvani as Maestro Foscari
Enrico Casarosa in an additional voice role
The casting of Ruffalo as Nero is particularly interesting because of the actor's ability to balance vulnerability, humour and emotional intensity.
Fishburne's commanding vocal presence, meanwhile, offers an intriguing contrast as the formidable feline mob boss Rocco.
Performers such as John Turturro, Isabella Rossellini, Jason Schwartzman and Jason Mantzoukas add further variety to an ensemble that spans multiple acting styles and comedic sensibilities.
Although the complete dynamics between these characters remain to be revealed, the casting suggests a lively and diverse collection of personalities.
Academy Award-Winning Composer Dario Marianelli Creates the Music
Music will also play an important role in establishing the emotional atmosphere of Gatto.
The film features an original score by Academy Award-winning composer Dario Marianelli, whose work has earned international recognition for its emotional depth, memorable melodies and cinematic sophistication.
Marianelli won the Academy Award for Best Original Score for Atonement and has contributed music to several acclaimed films.
His involvement introduces an exciting musical dimension to an animated story set in one of Europe's most culturally distinctive cities.
Given the importance of Venice to the film's narrative, the score has the potential to become an essential part of its atmosphere, supporting both the humour of Nero's adventures and the more reflective moments of his personal journey.
The presence of Maja, a street musician, also gives music a meaningful place within the story itself.
The Creative Team Behind ‘Luca’ Reunites
The reunion of director Enrico Casarosa and producer Andrea Warren is another significant aspect of the production.
Their previous collaboration, Luca, received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature and became widely appreciated for its warm portrayal of friendship, acceptance and personal transformation.
While Luca explored the experiences of two young sea monsters discovering the world beyond their familiar surroundings, Gatto approaches self-discovery from a different perspective.
Its protagonist is not a young character experiencing life for the first time, but a cat who has already experienced several lives and is now questioning the decisions that brought him to his present circumstances.
This distinction offers the filmmakers an opportunity to explore more mature emotional ideas through an accessible animated adventure.
The combination of an unconventional protagonist, an evocative Italian setting and a friendship-driven narrative could appeal to both younger audiences and adults.
‘Loving Dory’ Brings a Beloved Pixar Character Back to Theatres
Adding to the theatrical experience, Disney and Pixar have also announced Loving Dory, an original animated short that will screen ahead of Gatto.
Set within the world of Finding Nemo, the short marks the return of one of Pixar's most recognisable animated characters.
Ellen DeGeneres reprises her voice role as Dory, the lovable and famously forgetful blue tang fish whose adventures have entertained audiences across generations.
The new short follows Dory as she encounters an unexpected and amusing romantic-style meeting, described as a playful meet-cute.
The premise promises to bring the character's familiar innocence, confusion and spontaneous humour back to the big screen.
Loving Dory is written and directed by Lou Hamou-Lhadj and produced by Mary Alice Drumm.
Academy Award winners Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton serve as executive producers.
The decision to pair a new animated feature with an original short also reflects Pixar's long-standing theatrical tradition of presenting imaginative short-form storytelling alongside its feature-length productions.
For audiences who have followed Dory since Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, the short provides an additional reason to experience the upcoming release in cinemas.
Why ‘Gatto’ Could Become One of Pixar's Most Interesting Original Adventures
What makes Gatto particularly appealing is the balance between its imaginative premise and its underlying emotional themes.
The story is not simply about a cat attempting to escape a dangerous mob boss or survive the streets of Venice.
At its heart lies a more universal question about regret, identity and the possibility of finding meaning when time appears to be running out.
Nero's predicament gives the filmmakers an opportunity to examine the relationship between personal choices and emotional fulfilment without abandoning the humour and visual imagination associated with Pixar.
The friendship between Nero and Maja may prove especially important because it introduces the possibility that an unexpected connection can change someone's understanding of life.
The film also arrives at a time when original animated storytelling continues to compete for audience attention alongside sequels, franchises and established intellectual properties.
As an original feature, Gatto has the opportunity to establish its own identity through distinctive characters, memorable visual design and emotionally engaging storytelling.
Nevertheless, the film's ultimate success will depend on how effectively its ambitious themes translate into the finished cinematic experience.
The newly unveiled trailer offers an encouraging introduction, but the full emotional and narrative impact will only become clear when audiences see the completed film.
Indian Audiences to Experience the Film in English and Hindi
Disney and Pixar have confirmed that Gatto will release exclusively in Indian theatres on 5 March 2027, with both English and Hindi versions available.
The bilingual release will allow the film to reach a wider audience across the Indian theatrical market.
Animated films featuring internationally recognised Hollywood talent have increasingly found opportunities to connect with Indian viewers through family-oriented storytelling and accessible dubbed versions.
With Mark Ruffalo leading the voice cast, a distinctive Italian setting and a story built around friendship and self-discovery, Gatto has several elements capable of attracting audiences beyond traditional animation enthusiasts.
The addition of Loving Dory further strengthens the theatrical package by combining a completely new Pixar adventure with the return of an established and much-loved character.
Final Outlook
Disney and Pixar's Gatto promises an imaginative journey through Venice, combining the charm of feline characters with a thoughtful exploration of life's biggest questions.
Mark Ruffalo's Nero stands at the centre of a story about mistakes, unexpected friendships and the possibility of discovering one's purpose before it is too late.
Supported by Laurence Fishburne, an accomplished international voice ensemble, Dario Marianelli's original music and the creative vision of Enrico Casarosa and Andrea Warren, the film brings together several compelling artistic elements.
With Loving Dory accompanying the feature, audiences can look forward to a theatrical experience celebrating both new storytelling and familiar Pixar magic.
Disney and Pixar's Gatto, accompanied by Loving Dory, arrives exclusively in Indian theatres in English and Hindi on 5 March 2027.
One-Liner
“Nine lives may give you countless chances, but finding your purpose makes every life worth living.”
PUBLISHED BY SUYASH PACHAURI, FOUNDER & OWNER, GLOBAL BOLLYWOOD | THE HOLLYWOOD SCOPE.